The Chopping Block

There are several CDs I picked up from Housing Works for a buck each that I will be donating back. Rather than pan them as I did with Madonna’s “Music” and MDNA, I will just list them, if you promise to keep in mind that these CDs may not be the particular artist’s finest work, or perhaps I found them dated, or they’re just not up my alley. I like that expression – right up my alley. Anyway, I did buy these CDs because I’ve liked other stuff by these folk and having none of them in my album collection, I gave them a try. In no particular order the CDs to be returned are: the two Madonnas, Pearl Jam, Carly Simon’s Hotcakes, and Ani DiFranco’s Not a Pretty Girl.

Saved from the chopping block is Dave Matthews’ double live CD Listener Supported. Gilda (remember Gilda?) is a HUGE Dave Matthews fan and doesn’t have this on CD, so it goes to her. Hey – I still have a tape and another CD of his, and most importantly, I have “Crush” which is not just my favorite Dave Matthews song, it is one of my top three guys gone totally mushy, they can’t even form a sentence, but put it to the most beautiful music and sing their hearts out, kind of song. There is no ranking of the songs, as that would be plain silly, and they each require everyone to shut up and listen and feel those lovey vibes when they come on the radio. The three are “Crush”, of course Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”, and Roxy Music’s “More Than This” that can only be sung by Bryan Ferry as his voice is such an integral component of the song.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ Sinner can stay, though none of the songs on it are wowsome and do not motivate movement from me. But it’s good solid rock ‘n roll, and it is Joan Jett. I’ve put it on a couple of times and have gotten the dishes done. I think I’ll offer Queen’s Greatest Hits II to the ex.

I’ve written about Housing Works several times over the years, and for those of you who don’t know what it is, please, let me explain. There are several thrift stores located throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn with proceeds going to help people with AIDS and HIV with day to day living, like having a home and paying medical bills. My brother was very fortunate, in his misfortune, to have been well cared for and well-loved while living with his illness. He even got to take a trip to Hawaii before he died. He loved to travel, and had been all over Europe on business and for fun, but Hawaii was that bucket list thing. I found a great set of dishes at Housing Works when I moved to Brooklyn.

Getting back to music, I can’t remember the last time I got my hand stamped to enter a club, or had been in a club, for that matter, but the other night I met up with an old friend I’d not seen in 30 years to see a band play at The Delancey. The band, led by a friend of his, played some good old rock ‘n roll, loud, and we were thumping on the bar to “Psycho Killer” and “Pump it Up.” They played some Kinks and other older songs along with the stuff I didn’t recognize, but as Vicki had been a big fan of The Talking Heads and Elvis Costello, it was nice to hear someone else, who must be half our age, appreciate them too. Oh, and I was easily the oldest person in the basement venue, and probably throughout the entire three floors of the bar. But I have to keep reminding myself of how much fun there is to be had that belongs to all generations in this city.

BTW – As I have no BTW this evening, I will take this opportunity to be a bit preachy. Be kind and respectful of others. You can either help make this a better world or help make it worse.

Welcome Eleanor. I shall say no more.