Tuesday, November 07, 2006

When Johnny Comes Marching Home


Contrast Podcast is out. When? Right now! Oh, I see. Ahem. that's actually the theme of this week's episode. As usual, the Dear Contributors have created a lovely pot-luck smorgasbord for your delectation, with each musical dish containing that key ingredient, the word "when." Hustle to the table and download the podcast using the direct link or book yourself a recurring reservation using this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ContrastPodcast.
And so, a table. Quand? Tout de suite!!

(00:00) Alasdair Roberts - When a man’s in love he feels no cold (Planet Claire session)
Tim from The Face of Today

(04:39) Bony Bikaye - When doves cry
ZB from So the wind won’t blow it all away

(08:14) Mission of Burma - That’s when I reach for my revolver
Michael from The Yank Sizzler Podcast

(12:27) George Formby - When I’m cleaning windows
Ross from Just Gimme Indie Rock

(15:23) Elvis Costello - When I was cruel
Lyle from Mentok the Mindtaker

(23:15) The Jesus and Mary Chain - Happy when it rains
Nuno from Undercover Songs

(27:27) Love spit love - It hurts when I laugh
Alex (who still doesn’t have a website!)

(32:17) Everclear - When it all goes wrong again
Tom from Other People’s Toys

(36:54) The Good Life - What we fall for when we’re already down
Bethanne from CTASLS

(40:25) Swag - When she awoke
Natalie from Mini-Obs

(44:48) The Rocking Horse Winner - When songbirds sing
Andy from Circles of Concrete

(49:12) The Posies - When mute tongues can speak
Jamie from The Run Out Groove

(53:06) Idlewild - When I argue I see shapes
Tim from FunFunFun

(57:41) Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - I should have kissed you when I had the chance
FiL from Pogoagogo

(59:38) Ella Fitzgerald - When my sugar walks down the street
Cindy from Adzuki Bean Stash

Get your thinking caps on for next week's theme, "Best Album Openers," and go here to find out how to contribute.

This week there was only one song in the collection that jumped out at me with a back story. Apologies, Dear Friends, but I must admit I got all emo on you. I should be careful, as you know what happens to emo kids of all ages... Anyway, there were a couple of tracks that I considered briefly, but they don't merit a mention. No, really. Look, you'll be sorry, trust me. Don't make me do it! Please, don't ask again!

Alright you win. But don't say I didn't warn you:

Doris Day - When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along (buy here)

Dead Kennedys - When Ya Get Drafted (buy here)

Actually, the second one is not so bad. And it sort of ties in nicely with a bit of good news we received this weekend. Dearest Wife's Cousin returned last week from his tour in Iraq, all safe and sound. I think he's now off snowboarding somewhere that is as diametrically opposed as possible to the hot, dusty field post he was based at during the past year. He is thrilled to be back, but he does have over a year left in the Army, plus several more as a reservist. We're hoping he doesn't get sent back, but let's focus on the here and now: Welcome home, Dear Cousin-in-Law.

Dear Friends, I try not to wander into realms political here at pogo a go-go, but I am so incensed and sorrowful that human lives and resources are being squandered on an ill-conceived campaign of dubious motivation. The Iraqi adventure is a complete moral, civic, and geopolitical disaster. It was launched under the false pretense of thwarting a clear and present danger (imminent use of WMDs) and has pushed Iraq to the brink of becoming a failed state of the kind that incubated the murderous hatemongers responsible for 9/11.

I recall corresponding on the eve of the Iraqi campaign with a friends whose work takes them frequently to The Pentagon. They relayed to me then the deep unease that US military officers were expressing to him about the then-impending campaign. These soldiers fretted about the WMD allegations, about the aim of the war, about the limited resources allocated to the task. But, as is fitting and right in a democracy, they took their guidance from civilian leadership. And, sadly, they were right to worry.

One more point, Dear Friends (and I hope we still are friends, even if you do not share my view): if you are American, get out and vote today. It's your right, and therefore your responsibility.

Right, I'll put the soapbox away now, but will leave out these ditties for your consideration:

Tiger Lillies - War (buy here or e-here)

The Jam - Little Boy Soldiers (buy here)

IDC - Safe From US (check out IDC here)

Memo to self: You must do a full post on the deliciously sordid Tiger Lillies someday soon. Their twistedness deserves to be spread far and wide...

10 comments:

Mentok said...

The sheer stupidity of that war should unite people of all political stripes.

This says it all. Really, how dumb do you have to be to ignore expert advice like this?

The second most horrifying thing about the Iraq war (the loss of life of course being the first) is that there are no longer good alternatives. If the Americans pulled out tomorrow, the factional fighting and chaos would go on. There is nothing that can be done with that country now.

Further, the war has served to weaken democratic values in the world. This is the second major war that the US has fumbled. So the next time a third-world country is looking for a benefactor and protector, they're going to think "Hmmm ... US, two time loser, tendency to choke...China, army numbering in the hundreds of millions...hmmm".

Sorry, like you say, we shouldn't get distracted by contentious politics, but I agree that it is a highly frustrating, enraging matter.

Natsthename said...

This is why I headed out to vote today! I'm always afraid, though, that my lonely voice isn't heard, especially when those who would work to change things do not get elected. We get, time after time, more of the same.

Natsthename said...

Oh, and that Tiger Lilies ditty is AWESOME!

Anonymous said...

I voted and wore my little "I voted" sticker all day long like a dork. :)

but I am so incensed and sorrowful that human lives and resources are being squandered on an ill-conceived campaign of dubious motivation.
It is even worse when you are a citizen of the country where the Texas Cowboy President and the rest of the gang stand there bull-headed and drunk on oil.
A big warm welcome home to Dearest Wife's Cousin.

As usual I am once again impressed by your selection for this week's CP...Even your consideration tracks this week are so unique and wonderful. Great work.

And FiL, never worry about loosing friends for speaking your mind, it is because you speak your mind that we all love you so. ;)

Anonymous said...

thanks for this post - it's important ato speak out even if you're concerned that your comments might not be well received - i look forward to tiger lillies post - i saw them during the summer - they were fab...

Anonymous said...

yes yes yes! speak your mind and post about bands that are deliciously sordid. this is why we love fil and all that is pogo-a-gogo! :)

Anonymous said...

Stay on that soapbox!

galateaa said...

hey phil,
thanks for checking in with me. recent developments of a social nature have kept me away from my blog. but i did get out and vote! oh, and i went to korea too. and i blogged it at http://itsfunbeingyounginkorea.blogspot.com/

FiL said...

Dearest Mentok, united we stand...

Dearest Nats, well, looks like we got ourselves some change! My only concern is that this was a vote against Bush and the GOP. I hope those voted in are up to the challenge. And glad you liked the Tiger Lillies - there will be more to come!

Dearest Rachel: "bull-headed & drunk on oil" is a great turn of phrase! And thanks for the love - here's some right back at you! Just to clarify, I wasn't so much afraid of speaking my mind, but I did want to entreat those who might not agree not to be turned off. For me the personal trumps the political each & every time. Several of my dearest friends don't share my views - and that's OK.

Dear Leda, glad you liked the post. The Lillies live are something else, aren't they?

Dearest Marcy, you have made me come over all bashful and blushing. I'm touched. More sordidness to follow soon...

Dearest Fraser, I might not stay on it always, but I might well pull it out again from time to time. Thanks also for the shout-out round your way!

Dearet Galateaa, welcome back! So glad to hear from you. I did have a read if your Korean adventures and they sounded lovely! I am very partial to a nice bit of kimchi and bulgogi myself. And the offer of advice/counsel regarding your music blog still stands, if you are so inclined. And if you're not, I still hope to see you round the blogosphere!

A. B. Chairiet said...

I'm so glad your wife's cousin made it home safely. :)

That's all that matters, really, because we can't stop war. What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing. ;)

Ignore me. I'm on prescription painkillers.

I hope all is well and bright.

Feel free to speak your mind anytime: tis what blogging is for. And you write it so well. :)

Happy Thursday, Fil!

~ Ash