Bob. Dylan. B-o-b D-y-l-a-n. We don’t like to throw the word genius around–because we’re not dicks–but, seriously. It fits here. Snugly. Join us for episode six of our testament to the best thing Minnesota gave the world: Time For Bob. In the next two hours we encounter Napoleon dressed in robes, Einstein disguised as Robin Hood, an eskimo named Quinn and someone explains to Scott what Belle Starr really did for a living.
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Alright, time for some rock with funny accents . . . American-style. In Lesson 88 of the 101 Series we visit some of the colder states in the union: Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. You call them New England. We, at the Balcony who are familiar with American history, call it Newish England. (Just to be different.) Join us for a couple of hours of rock from bands who practiced while letting the chowda cool.
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A few things are universal . . . Every culture is into food, sex, drugs and music. We’re going to focus on three – and we’re not hungry yet. In episode 6 of our psych show “This Pill Makes You Small” we appropriately take a few trips for some international psychedelia. It’s a fairly safe bet that much of this music has been influenced by the flora and fauna of the environment. It’s all a matter of how its consumed. No matter – there are still more colors than the Aurora Borealis. You sit in one place while flying around the world.
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When it comes to the music of France one can write it has a certain joie de vivre, a quelque chose de spécial, a certain je ne sais quoi. Pronouncing it is a whole different matter. In Lesson 87 of the 101 Series we listen to music from France and make every possible human effort to enunciate the titles of the tunes. We take a chronological journey and start at the origins of French popular music. Our pronunciation does get better towards the end. Worthy of the Croix de Guerre.
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Ok, ladies and gentleman. It’s time to shine up your shoes, paint your nails, get the tuxedo pressed, call the dressmaker to let out the waist and get ready for some really great music. It’s Swingtime episode 6 and we make a few smiles, shed a couple tears, and dance real close to each other. The greatest songs of all-time are about to be played for you. Perhaps you should show reverence. Or maybe you should pour some Manhattans and send the kids to their friend’s house for the night. The party is just getting started.
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Everyone had a bad 80s. Rock. Pop. Country. You. Me. You know who had a really bad 80s: R&B. It’s just not good. But, you can’t keep a good groove down for too long . . . and R&B made a strong comeback in the next decade. In Lesson 86 of the 101 Series we highlight all the new jack jams for two hours of solid 90s R&B. Watch us bring back the high top fade. It’ll be like Bill Clinton is back in office getting his sax blown. Word.
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Funk comes in many guises. A smokey room. Bad cooking. Smelly socks. All funky. Our preferred method of receiving the funk: bass guitar. In episode 6 of Soulville we balance on some serious platforms and stomp the serious funk into your brainbox. If we can get it through your ‘fro . . . Prepare to stay off your ass the next two hours.
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Rising from the murky depths of the Puget Sound comes a sound that at one time record executives, A&R men and mallrats called grunge. We, at The Balcony, will not call it grunge. It is flannel rock. Here in Lesson 85 of the 101 Series we focus on the label that brought some authenticity back to rock: Sub Pop. Let’s get rid of all that commercial bullshit and kick the wood paneling in your parent’s den to fucking pieces.
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Alright, people . . . it is time to get ourselves together. Look busy, man. Jah is coming. Here it is, episode 6 of our testament to the music of the island, Songs From the Yard. Roll up a spleef, crack that bottle of Red Stripe, it’s time for some fuckin’ reggae. You should probably also open a window and keep the ceiling fan going, the jams in this show are d-a-n-k.
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Once upon a time there was a song that said, “What are words for when no one listens anymore?”. Here in The Balcony we completely understand that sentiment. And so with lesson 84 in the 101 Series we take our metaphoric pencil and erase the words – or most of them at least – and listen to some instrumental music. Sometimes a good riff, great playing and a sweet arrangement are all you need to enjoy a good tune. There have been some classic wordless ditties over the years. We’d like to tell you how good they are. But words escape us. Just be quiet, listen and hum along.
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