FZ Tribute Update
I’ve received the first finished contribution to the Cover Freak Frank Zappa tribute album. It’s halfway to being a single! I’m damp with excitement! There’s still time to get in on the action, so if you’re a musician who might be interested or know one who might be, you can get the details on the project here.

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It’s my birthday Tuesday. Over the last couple of years I’ve used the occasion to craft posts based on musicians who share my birthday or historical events that happened on that day. I tried doing it again this year and discovered that I’ve already used all the interesting events and musicians. So I’m just going to post five songs that I like. It’s my birthday, I can do whatever I want!

The Mike Flowers Pops “Velvet Underground Medley” (Velvet Underground)
I am going to include a Lou Reed song because he shares my birthday and I like his music. The Mike Flowers Pops had a brief moment in the sun in 1995 and haven’t done much since. I love the swinging sounds of their album A Groovy Place. The mere idea of a lounge version of “Venus In Furs” makes me giggle uncontrollably.

Duke Robillard “Sway” (Dean Martin)
I got an email just the other day informing me that the legendary Duke Robillard has a new album called “Tales From The Tiki Lounge.” With a title like that I’m in! The album is a tribute to the music of Les Paul and Mary Ford.

Me First And The Gimme Gimmes “Elenor” (The Turtles)
The Gimme Gimmes are reliable when you’re looking for a cover. Whatever song you’re looking for, they probably did a punk cover of it and it’s probably pretty amusing. In a way they’re too easy a choice, like those Pickin’ On albums, so I try not to lean on them too heavily. But when this came on my iPod recently I noticed that they were singing the sappy Turtles song to the tune of “London Calling,” which for the Gimme Gimmes qualifies as the height of creativity. I’ve always loved this song for the line “You’re my pride and joy, et cetera.” They really couldn’t come up with anything better than that?

Taxi Taxi! “Oh My Darling Clementine” (Traditional)
One more Swedish song. This time we have two heartbreakingly cute twin sisters playing zither and accordion with their dad playing pedal steel. It’s fragile and shimmery and very beautiful.

Reel Big Fish “There Ain’t Nothing Like A Dame” (from South Pacific)
This is a weirdly schizophrenic song, bouncing joyously between ska and disco with alacrity.