Sunday, May 25, 2008

WHAT TO WEAR FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION ?



Bespoke sartorial elegance: the Tuxedo Cat.

When it comes to grooming, tuxedo cats - an American expression, I believe - have it down pat. Naturally dressed to impress, a hand-me-down coat of the sleekest disposition will never let you down.

When my son was born, Biff - our elderly tuxedo - was like a surrogate sibling. As a younger, prouder night-stalker he would sally forth from our flat to forage under pub tables for party favours and return in the wee small hours of the morning smelling faintly of cigar smoke. I often wondered if he somehow held a secret hankering to hit the bigger casinos in Vegas.

He was a handsome cat, and in a certain light looked a little like Elvis.

Thanks again to Mike, Big B and Sheridan for allowing me to share centre-stage. And - as always - an especially big Thank You to Emmett for proferring a kindred hand of friendship. This time, at least, I think I was able to make the production duties a little simpler.

If I've sounded a little prickly these last few weeks you wouldn't be far wrong. Doing this stint has helped screw my head back on straight. Thanks, too, to everyone who left a comment.

To Fusion 45, moreover, for making it cool to lay it on the line. And to Brendan, over on The Rising Storm for walking it too.

Before I get too maudlin, let me explain this bottle is almost done. There are always too many toasts to make when you get right down to it. If the songs that follow strike you as overly cheesy, you're a better man than I.

download: JOHNNY CASH: I WALK THE LINE from "I Walk The Line" 45 (Sun) 1962 (US)

download: CAT STEVENS: FATHER & SON from "Tea For The Tillerman" LP (A&M) 1970 (UK; US)

download: CAT STEVENS: WILD WORLD from "Tea For The Tillerman" LP (A&M) 1970 (UK; US)

and, just because this 45 of impeccable genius came out a year too late to include it the other day:
download: THE ARCHIES: SUGAR, SUGAR from "Sugar, Sugar" 45 [Kirshner] 1969 (US)

posted by ib

19 comments:

Emmett said...

Thanks man! Explain the Gordon Brown reference?

Mike said...

Hey ib! I just got home from a week-long trip up the California coast. Beautiful as expected, and it was a thrill to get home and delve into this week's offerings. Excellent week as always! Your comments and regular contributions to this site elevate it to another level. I especially liked the Tullio De Piscopo and Hasil Adkins posts. Does Emmett provide you with any of the statistics for the week? It's always fun to see what songs are getting the most hits, etc.
Stellar performance and thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hey emmett,

Aside from the fact that Gordon Brown is a fellow Scot, I had just written the word "simpler" when it occurred to me it might be fun to link to his likeness as a play on "simple-minded": i've always found the blogger interface difficult to get to grips with, in much the same way as Mr. Brown has failed to grasp the mood of the electorate.

Apologies to anyone to whom he is related, or holds hin in high esteem...

Anonymous said...

Mike: I envy you the trip! Glad you liked the De Piscopo and Adkins posts...

Thanks for the props. Emmett has previously explained to me the basic mechanics of monitoring site traffic -and detailed some of those sites which have linked - but, yeah, it would be cool to get a breadown on hits, etc.

On the other hand, aware as I am as to how much pressure he must be under at the moment, I'm only too happy that he found the time to drop in throughout the week and leave a welcome comment! Such composure!

Mike said...

Yes, Emmett leads a pressure-filled life. We are all very worried about him.

Anonymous said...

Tomorrow's post: "Pressure" by Billy Joel

Mike said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdaHCLlBkWU

Anonymous said...

Great video, Mike! Ripped by Little C ?
That wasn't the original video for the 45 was it ? If so, it's much better than I remember it... And much more appropriate!

Mike said...

I also like the 1980's-ish Western stereotype of Japan at the start of the video. I don't know if it is the original video or not, but it is definitely a piece of art.

Anonymous said...

Excellent, yes. I did a double-take as soon as I watched these buildings going down...

The identical high-rises adjacent to mine are ear-marked for demolition on June 1st.

Anonymous said...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sGksmlTWCFE

Anonymous said...

????

I just got a message telling me "This video is not available in your country."

How's that for censorship ? Suddenly I feel like i'm living behind the Iron Curtain circa 1970.

Anonymous said...

Hit the wrong button there, in my ire. Sorry. That was me. Can you fill in the blanks ?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, it's the video for Billy Joel's Pressure - which was actually kind of a good video.

"All your life is channel 13, Time Magazine, what does it mean..... ?"

Anonymous said...

Ha! I think i got after entering a search. It's the one beginning with the animation, right ? Just rewind to the footage with the kid and substitute "Sesame Street" for "Time Magazine"...

Breathe in, breathe out.... "You gotta learn to pace yourself..."

I can definitely see where you're coming from, Emmett. Those champagne glasses bubbling over can only be Freudian. Keep a cool head!

The bit with the taxi cab and the puddle ? I know that blank expression on Billy Joel's face only too well!

sunnydustmote said...

Good to see Biff. Liked your new blog. lil sis. x

Anonymous said...

hey there, sunnydustmote. No, not my new blog ; i'm only parking - by invitation only. Glad you liked the posts, tho'. I see you've managed to secure a blogger ID, too!

sunnydustmote said...

Hey IB, not sure how I managed that, just tried to leave a comment and now I'm a blogger - I am so analogue when it comes to technology! looking forward to your next blog!

Anonymous said...

Anal-ogue, aphex twin ? Only kidding!