Amy Winehouse and Deborah Harry (Blondie)

This post seems a bit out of place, but it didn't fit any of my other blogs. I decided this was as good a spot as any, and as we will see in a moment, perhaps better than all.

There has been lots of talk about Amy Winehouse's death these past few days. The question for me is not so much why her, but how have so many escaped a similar tragedy?

I thought of that tonight after watching a documentary of Blondie, which featured Debbie Harry. Blondie was one of my all-time favorites, along with Bee Gees.

I was aware of her drug use during "the day," but didn't think much about it, until last night when I watched a documentary of Blondie again in light of Amy's death.

The question is: how did Blondie, who was probably exposed to as much of the drug culture as Amy, escape the same tragedy that Amy did not.

If, someday, someone puts a documentary of Amy's life on film and then one plays the two documentaries back to back, one might come to some conclusions.

Back to Black, Amy Winehouse



Denis, Blondie

All I See Is A Man Too Old To Start Again

If only you knew ... it must have been the wrong rainbow ... I don't see any pot of gold ... all I see is a man too old to start again ...




Wrong Rainbow, Peter Yarrow

There's a very interesting story behind this video. To the best of my knowledge this album was never released stateside. Some years ago I started searching for this song on the internet, and was unsuccessful until one evening I happened to get lucky, finding in on a South Korean website. It was the song but just the one still photograph. Tonight I started looking for that site again; I found it, but the song would not play. On an outside chance that it might be posted at YouTube I checked, and, lo and behold, there it was. I was blown over.

Since I Don't Have You, I Don't Have Anything

Wow, doesn't this say it all?

Since I Don't Have You, Don McLean

Always Wanting You

I would have been better off had I turned away and not looked at you a second time.

I'm too tired to format this correctly; maybe tomorrow.

Love.


Always Wanting You, Merle Haggard

Don't Know Why

I don't know how, on such a melancholy evening, Norah Jones can help me get through the night.


I Don't Know Why, Norah Jones


Cold, Cold Heart, Norah Jones

'Tis The Season -- Darlene Love -- Please Come Home ...

I know it's not the season, but I can never get enough of Darlene Love and her signature song.

Baby, Please Come Home, Darlene Love, 2000

The Dark End of the Street, James Carr

I spent the day cleaning out the garage.

I was looking for some books that I had put away for later.  I guess today was "later."

I ran across books I had forgotten I had, including Dave Marsh's The Heart of Rock and Soul.

The book is a collection of 1,001 essays writing about 1,001 of the best rock and roll / soul songs ever. And then for good measure, the author adds another 100.

It is incredible to page through the book, find an interesting song / essay, and then listen to it on YouTube while reading the essay.

This one caught my eye: "The Dark End of the Street," by James Carr.


Dark End of the Street, James Carr

Very special meaning. 

I think Tina Fey enjoyed this one: "Karma Chameleon," by Culture Club.


Karma Chameleon, Culture Club