Posts Tagged ‘Julian Lennon’

  
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Parlour to Parlour, Episode 11: Chris Robley

by Michael Fortes

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When I started this series, I had initially intended for the footage that became “Episode 0” to be just a practice run. After all, I wasn’t yet in the frame of mind to pry open the mind of Chris Robley and his band mates in proper interview fashion. But I always did intend for Chris to have a “proper” episode, so finally, here it is – and filmed in Chris’ home in Portland, Oregon, the way it should be.

I arrived in Portland early in the afternoon on the third of April, and after replacing the audio extension cable I had lost during my ill-timed move to North Beach, I made my way to Strumptown Coffee Roasters on 3rd Avenue between Oak and Pine. There, I hung out drinking some so-so chai while taking in the odor of some amazing coffee beans and waiting patiently for Chris Robley to arrive from his work day at CD Baby. (more…)

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Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 53

by Dave Steed

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We move into year two of Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ‘80s, with one of the best weeks we’ve had in a while, in my opinion. How about we continue with the letter L, looking at songs that peaked at #41 or lower on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the ’80s.

Johnny Lee
“Bet Your Heart on Me” — 1981, #54 (download)

Naturally, after I say this is one of the best weeks we’ve had in a while, we start off with this lump of coal. I’m not quite sure I understand how most country music crossed over into the Hot 100 in the early ’80s. Lee had a pretty massive hit in 1980 with “Lookin’ for Love” (#5), so maybe I can see “Bet Your Heart” charting if it was the follow-up, but it wasn’t. There were four other singles between those two that only hit the country chart. So how does this generic country song become the one that mainstream radio pushes? I guess it’s just about knowing the right people or having the right amount of cash.

Larry Lee
“Don’t Talk” — 1982, #81 (download)

There are weeks where I dig this light rock sound from the early ’80s and weeks I don’t. This must be one of those where I do, because I’m groovin’ along to this simple tune, the only solo hit Larry Lee had after leaving the Ozark Mountain Daredevils early in ‘82.

Paul Lekakis
“Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back to My Room)” — 1987, #43 (download)

I’m so happy this missed the top 40 by three spots. “Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back to My Room)” is the type of song Bottom Feeders is all about, so I would have been crushed to not have it here. This is one of two songs in the letter L that I love way more than I should. And I’m going to bet that all of you loved this at one point or another too (this is the place to admit it). If you were between the ages of 15 and 22 in 1987 when this came out you absolutely loved this, because it was probably played at every high-school dance or fraternity party for a year. I can’t imagine how many horny boys and horny girls were awkwardly dry humping each other trying to get some “Boom Boom.” (I was going to add a Paul Lekakis picture to this, but my google search kept turning up pictures of him naked by himself or naked with other men, so I decided to move on).

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Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Mix Six: “Scions”

by Ted Asregadoo

DOWNLOAD THE FULL MIX HERE (download)

This mix started as most of them do: with one song, or in this case a whole collection of songs.  The culprit was Jakob Dylan’s new album, which made me think about children of famous musicians who have music careers as well. Some of these kids who have famous parents have done quite well, but none have reached the level of success their parents archived. You can call it “born in the shadow of giants,” or just exceptional talent is not genetic, but you gotta admire these kids for following their musical passion — even if it leads to a spotty career.

Ready? Steady? Go!


“Say You’re Wrong,” Julian Lennon

He not only looks like dear old dad, but he sounds like him, too!  Curses. Well, maybe not since Valotte did quite well in terms of album sales, was nominated for a Grammy and had a couple of top 10 singles.  This was the third single off the album, and it didn’t do well at all.  However, I’ve always been partial to “Say You’re Wrong” because, simply put, I didn’t get burned out on it. (more…)

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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Mope Like Me: Julian Lennon, “Angillette”

by David Medsker

Let us take a quick trip back to the land of Cutouts Gone Wild! and unearth a song that was heard by roughly 17 people upon its release in 1989.

It had been nearly three years since Julian Lennon had released an album, and five years since he had released a hit album. Mr. Jordan had its work cut out for it to say the least, and the Bowietastic lead single “Now You’re in Heaven,” well, it just confused people. He doesn’t sound like his father anymore. What’s wrong with him? Imagine what kind of panic would have taken place had they heard him channeling Elvis on “I Get Up.”

But “Angillette” is the song that I gravitated to as a heartbroken college kid. And upon re-inspection of the lyrics, I’m not sure why. What exactly is wrong with the girl he’s addressing? Is she using Julian as a booty call boy toy? (“Please don’t call me like you’ve always done before / As if I need to know, am I your basic whore”) Is she suicidal? (“Can’t you save her Lord, ‘cause I just seem to miss / There’s only so much one can do to save a friend / I’ve given her my all, it’s useless to the end”) Lastly, what is her actual name? ‘Cause it ain’t Angillette. The opening line to the song is actually “Have a nice day with your Stoli and Gillette.” Get it? Wocka wocka wocka! But wait, what Gillette? The actor? The glam singer? The shaving cream? The football stadium?

So yeah, I never quite got the song as a whole, but found the cascading piano melody and tasteful guitar playing irresistible, plus the last line in the chorus rang true as my relationship with College Ex #1 (we’ll call her Jane) wound down: “I want my life back / I want you.” It’s not profound, but it sure hit the mark.

Julian Lennon – Angillette

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Thursday, April 10th, 2008

Cutouts Gone Wild!: Julian Lennon, “The Secret Value of Daydreaming”

by Jeff Giles

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Julian Lennon – The Secret Value of Daydreaming (1986)
purchase this album (Amazon)

“The son of John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, Julian Lennon parlayed a remarkable vocal similarity to his father into a moderately successful singing career during the 1980s.”

So begins Julian Lennon’s All Music Guide bio. It isn’t the most flattering of introductory sentences, but it’s fairly accurate, anyway. While making perfectly clear that I have absolutely nothing against Julian — and have enjoyed his music from time to time — it’s hard not to look at his career as a poignant lesson for anyone dumb enough to think about following in a well-known parent’s footsteps.

Julian’s dad was more well-known than most, of course; he was one half of the most beloved songwriting team in the history of rock & roll, murdered in cold blood during the prime of his life. Given all that — not to mention the fact that John hadn’t even been dead five years when Julian’s first record came out — there was literally no way Julian could win. He could have been twice the songwriter his dad was and it wouldn’t have mattered.

Of course, Julian Lennon is not twice the songwriter his dad was; on a good day, he might fill 60 percent of that glass, and most of the time, he didn’t get anywhere near that level. But having said all that, this album’s overall crappiness is not entirely Julian’s fault. (more…)

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