Laurie Anderson: Only an Expert
Laurie Anderson has just released a new album called ‘Homeland’. Political and classic and up-to-date as always. Dolcevita of Lesekreis calls it “Rotwein für die Seele” (red wine for the soul). You can listen to the record on NPR through today, 22 June. It’s being released on Nonesuch today and will be on iTunes on […]
Uwe Lena: Schland u Schland
Und diese Woche lernen wir eben kein Englisch 🙂 The Island Weekly is on strike. Great links for strikebreakers on Sue’s blog. May the best team win! PS: Ok, ok, Schland u Schland story in English for my English-speaking friends: Student prank becomes football’s new favorite hymn lied der woche 🙂 wir lernen eben kein […]
Howlin’ Wolf: Spoonful
Born in Mississipi, Chicago bluesman Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett) would have turned 100 today (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976). His version of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful” blues poured cocaine, love and murder into one mean, raw line: “But one spoon of little .45 save you from another man.” Ok, cross out ‘love’. Happy […]
The Tallest Man on Earth
So you see, The Tallest Man on Earth, Kristian Matsson, isn’t tall at all. Swedes. Experts at dealing with bad weather. I love the way he says “daisssies” and “rossses”. Naked emotion: The Tallest Man on Earth – Graceland (Paul Simon Cover) b-side single, not on album As a non-native songwriter, he uses recognizeable chunks […]
Lena Meyer-Landrut: Satellite
Good job. I like. So did the Eurovision jury. Congratulations, Lena! I went everywhere for you I even did my hair for you I bought new underwear, they’re blue And I wore ‘em just the other day Love you, know I’ll fight for you I left on the porch light for you Whether you are […]
Take a walk on the wild side
Chris sent me a very nice, loungy, beatbox take on the Lou Reed classic by Toktoktok that had me umpty umptying around the kitchen. Thank you! My curiosity raised, I started surfing to see who else has covered this. My favorite is by the unbelievably good The Strokes. Did they ever record this, does anyone […]
Grammar Guru: I asked her how much…
“How much do I need to pay?” I asked her how much… do I need to pay. did I need to pay. I need to pay. I needed to pay. This is reported speech and a quoted, or indirect, question. Two rules apply: Make the verb match the tense of the reporting verb, “asked” (change […]
