“Q” Bombs: Sptember 2, 2012

Posted on September 23, 2012 by PhilMaq

I hate to be so negative about music, but when an artist takes a “bad” song and then brings more attention to it by creating a “bad” video to support it, it will appear on this list. I honestly hope, and it could happen, that this list will be less than 10 items, but I have serious doubts that that possibility will happen. We are, after all, talking about an industry that uses art for huge profits. The companies can’t help themselves.
However, at this point, I will not do a 10 worst music list. I see absolutely no reason to waste time reemphasizing bad music. Once is enough.

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Three bad videos fell off making it possible for Dustin Lynch to place his first video at the top of the bad list. Sorry, Dustin……………………….
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Worst Videos for the week of September 2, 2012

1. Cowboys and Angels—Dustin Lynch
2. Settle Down—No Doubt
3. Come Wake Me Up—Rascal Flatts
4. Let’s Go—Calvin Harris and Ne-Yo
5. Wanted You More—Lady Antebellum
6. 5-1-5-0—Dierks Bentley
7. As Long As You Love—Justin Bieber and Big Sean
8. Titanium—David Guetta and Sia
9. Oh Love—Green Day
10. Ho Hey—The Lumineers

1) “Cowboys and Angels”—Well, Dustin Lynch gets the top spot this week, but it’s not one to be proud of. “Cowboys and Angels” as a video isn’t so much bad as it is boring………
2) “Settle Down”—No Doubt band members drive trucks and also party with the deviants in the trailers. Gee, what’s not to like……………………
3) “Come Wake Me Up”—The woman figure in Rascal Flatts’ new video actually smokes, therefore, you know she’s the one at fault. Wow. Such subliminal information…….
4) “Let’s Go”—Yeah. Right off the chart…………………
5) “Wanted You More”—Lady Antebellum’s video looks so depressing. I always feel down after I watch it……………………..
6) “5-1-5-0”—Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” is falling off the list-o…………………..
7) “As Long As You Love Me”—Honestly, I haven’t seen or heard this one enough to have an analytical opinion. This is just a gut reaction because Justin Bieber has a video on the VH1 Countdown……………………….
8) “Titanium”—David Guetta returns after “Titanium” hit number one on the VH1 countdown……………..
9) “Oh Love”—I’m happy that Green Day have a new song out, but this video does not help it………………….
10) “Ho Hey”—I guess mediocrity can have longevity…………………….. QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

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In Recognition of 2012 International Day of Peace: “99 Luftballons” by Nena Hagen!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by PhilMaq

This Friday, September 21, is the annual International Day of Peace. In honor of that day, and in hope that the world learns from its mistakes, here are five versions of Nena Hagen’s 99 Luftballons—a great 80’s flashback!

I particularly like this 2009 version in German and French:

This is the 1984 German version:

Here’s the 1984 English version – 99 Red Balloons:

And, a Simpsons version with music by Goldfinger:

Here’s a video of Goldfinger covering the tune:

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Phil’s Faves: Songs, August 26, 2012

Posted on September 19, 2012 by PhilMaq

This will be a personal weekly Top Ten list of what I consider to be the best songs that I listened to the previous week. Most songs will be current, but there are no boundaries. I’ve already stated on this web site that I am obsessed with music. I am constantly hunting it down whether it’s online, on CD, from my personal collection, from a library (Yes, I think the library is a great source of music–especially for music that you aren’t sure about.), TV, or radio. Since most of these sources mostly emphasize new music, the odds are pretty good that most of the songs on this list will be new. But in my search, I don’t use any boundaries for the other sources. I am just looking for good music that I haven’t heard, or happened to forget about. Everyone, including myself, has forgotten way more great music than they can ever remember-even if they are also music fanatics.
Also, there will be no rules concerning songs on this list. A song can show up or drop off a number of times. This will be the most volatile of my lists. It all depends on how much music I am exposed to during the week and what I find interesting. On really obscure stuff, I will try to include the source, if I know it.

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Five weeks and counting for Jessica Dayle’s “Summertime! But will “Pontoon” make a return to the top spot……………………
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of August 26, 2012

1. Summertime—Jessica Dayle
2. (Kissed You) Good Night—Gloriana
3. Pontoon—Little Big Town
4. Tight Shoes—George Bedard (Original Single Version)
5. Over—Blake Shelton
6. On the Greener Side—Michelle Shocked
7. El Tigre—Motor City Troubadours
8. Maybe I’ll Fly—Barbara Lynn Doran
9. Angel Eyes—Love and Theft
10. The Wind—Zac Brown Band

1) “Summertime”—The first verse of “Summertime” describes the location. The second verse of Jessica Dayle’s great song centers on her interaction with her boyfriend who teases her, “You throw like a girl.” It’s a universal line that anyone who’s ever thrown a ball has used at one time or another. In music, it’s also one of the best unused put down lines, ever! It’s in the same class as Brad Paisley’s line from “Water”: “you’re a big old wuss/if you don’t jump in the water.” I smile almost every time I hear either line!
2) “(Kissed You)” Good Night”—Is Gloriana plateauing or gaining energy for their next upward move? I don’t know either, but they stay at #2 for another week!
3) “Pontoon”—The “party in slow motion” continues for Little Big Town as they patiently move up again!
4) “Tight Shoes”—George Bedard sticks around for another week trying to stretch out his “Tight Shoes!”
5) “Over”—I think Blake Shelton’s run may be “over,” but it was a pretty good run considering how I originally felt about his song………………
6) “On the Greener Side”—Michelle Shocked put out a genre bending answer song and video to Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love.” (Both videos can be found elsewhere on my website.) A nice often repeated pedal steel guitar run along with accordian and cowbell keep this song jumping and happy as Michelle talks about finding a better love “on the other side of the grass!”
7) “El Tigre”—Motor City Troubadours, a Detroit area band, released a super collection of Latin flavored instrumentals earlier in the year called “Rustbelt Rhapsodies.”
8) “Maybe I’ll Fly”—Barbara Lynn Doran, a country singer/songwriter from Ontario, Canada, has released a single from her forthcoming new album, and it’s a beaut! It’s a rockin’ country romper that kick starts with a hot drum and guitar intro that burns all the way through and never lets up! I like this song a lot, and I think it’s going to be around for a while!
9) “Angel Eyes”—Love and Theft continue to move up nationally, but you knew about it here months ago! Thank your Phil Maq Daddy!
10) “The Wind”—Aww, shucks. Zac Brown Band have still got it for me on this one! I just can’t help it………………….. QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

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Phil’s Faves, Videos: August 26, 2012

Posted on September 19, 2012 by PhilMaq

This will be a personal weekly Top Ten list of what I consider to be the best videos currently available on TV. I don’t, as a rule, go searching for old music videos, so that’s why it will focus mostly on current or recent videos. For this category, I am also going to include any live performances on talk or variety shows that I see during the week.

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Train stays on top for a second week, but you have to wonder if The Pistol Annies will shoot them off the top………………….
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Top 10 Videos and Performances for the week of August 26, 2012

1. 50 Ways to Say Goodbye—Train
2. Takin’ Pills—The Pistol Annies
3. One More Night—Maroon 5 with Adam Levine
4. She’s So Mean—Matchbox 20
5. Come Over—Kenny Chesney
6. Pontoon—Little Big Town
7. The Wind—Zac Brown Band
8. Wide Awake—Katy Perry
9. Over—Blake Shelton
10. Whistle—Flo Rida

1) “50 Ways to Say Goodbye”—My only complaint about the video is a little truth in advertising issue. If a song has 50 ways in the title, shouldn’t the artist have to list them all instead of just some of them? At this point, it might have been pretty funny as a listener to hear more of them. The video is a hoot, though!
2) “Takin’ Pills”—I said I really liked the new Pistol Annies video! Hidin’ booze in your guitar case, though, is a sure sign you have a problem…………..
3) “One More Night”—I am so fascinated with Adam Levine and this video that I honestly can’t say whether the song is good or bad. Just the fact that I made that statement is intriguing to me and my thought process regarding videos and music. Which has more impact, the video or the song?
4) “She’s So Mean”—Matchbox 20 have put out a catchy basic rock song with a video to match it! Sometimes basic is enough!
5) “Come Over”—Seriously, nice camera work on Kenny Chesney’s video that shows the uber rich at play!
6) “Pontoon”—It may be time to give the “pontoon” a winter overhaul, but I hope it hangs on for a little while longer…………..
7) “The Wind”—“The Wind” is blowing the Zac Brown Band in the wrong direction. It was a stroke of genius to have Mike Judge animate it!
8) “Wide Awake”—The floor is falling away for Katy Perry this week…………..
9) “Over”—Blake Shelton is still going strong on CMT, but I’m pretty much “over” this one……………..
10) “Whistle”—Flo Rida’s video keeps moving up and I understand why. Nice scenery with a catchy song works most of the time! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

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“Q” Bombs, August 26, 2012

Posted on September 19, 2012 by PhilMaq

A “Q” Bomb, like an “H” bomb, will be my term for a music video that I consider to be subpar in music, video, or both. This will be a recurring weekly list that will focus on the worst videos that are currently on TV. I don’t, as a rule, go searching for old music videos, so that’s why it will focus on solely on current or recent videos.
I hate to be so negative about music, but when an artist takes a “bad” song and then brings more attention to it by creating a “bad” video to support it, it will appear on this list. I honestly hope, and it could happen, that this list will be less than 10 items, but I have serious doubts that that possibility will happen. We are, after all, talking about an industry that uses art for huge profits. The companies can’t help themselves.
However, at this point, I will not do a 10 worst music list. I see absolutely no reason to waste time reemphasizing bad music. Once is enough.

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Luke Bryan makes a return appearance to the top……………………………
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Worst Videos for the week of August 26, 2012

1. Drunk on You—Luke Bryan
2. Cowboys and Angels—Dustin Lynch
3. Settle Down—No Doubt
4. Let’s Go—Calvin Harris and Ne-Yo
5. 5-1-5-0—Dierks Bentley
6. Come Wake Me Up—Rascal Flatts
7. Scream—Usher
8. Glass—Thompson Square
9. Wanted You More—Lady Antebellum
10. Ho Hey—The Lumineers

1) “Drunk on You”—Luke Bryan should be pretty comfortable at the top of the trash list. He’s certainly been on it for quite a while now………………..
2) “Cowboys and Angels”—I couldn’t put newcomer Dustin Lynch at the top of the bombs list just yet. He may not have even been involved in the decisions to make this bad video……………
3) “Settle Down”—Gwen Stefani plays the truck driver for the weirdos in the video. But is she actually acting…………………………
4) “Let’s Go”—Still hanging on strong in the Top Ten for VH1……………………….
5) “5-1-5-0”—Well, the popularity for Dierks Bentley’s video appears to have peaked abrubtly and it has fallen dramatically. I am amazed when I actually see people come to their senses…………
6) “Come Wake Me Up”—Rascall Flatts unwisely leave Ashley Campbell and her banjo behind and make a new melodramatic, boring video………………….
7) “Scream”—Usher is close to dropping off. This may be his last week…………….
8) “Glass”—Can you switch to aluminum……………………….
9) “Wanted You More”—Lady Antebellum’s video parallels their song, but the song is way better………………..
10) “Ho Hey”—Go away………………………….. QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

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Taylor Swift Sings Ronan on Stand Up 2 Cancer

Posted on September 18, 2012 by PhilMaq

This is an amazing new song from Taylor Swift. If you missed it, keep the tissues handy while you watch the video.

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Phil’s Faves: Songs, August 19, 2012

Posted on September 14, 2012 by PhilMaq

This will be a personal weekly Top Ten list of what I consider to be the best songs that I listened to the previous week. Most songs will be current, but there are no boundaries. I’ve already stated on this web site that I am obsessed with music. I am constantly hunting it down whether it’s online, on CD, from my personal collection, from a library (Yes, I think the library is a great source of music–especially for music that you aren’t sure about.), TV, or radio. Since most of these sources mostly emphasize new music, the odds are pretty good that most of the songs on this list will be new. But in my search, I don’t use any boundaries for the other sources. I am just looking for good music that I haven’t heard, or happened to forget about. Everyone, including myself, has forgotten way more great music than they can ever remember-even if they are also music fanatics.
Also, there will be no rules concerning songs on this list. A song can show up or drop off a number of times. This will be the most volatile of my lists. It all depends on how much music I am exposed to during the week and what I find interesting. On really obscure stuff, I will try to include the source, if I know it.

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The sun is shining brightly on Jessica Dayle’s song for a fourth straight week at the top! I hope she brought some of that coconut sunscreen with her…………………..
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of August 19, 2012

1. Summertime—Jessica Dayle
2. (Kissed You) Good Night—Gloriana
3. Over—Blake Shelton
4. Pontoon—Little Big Town
5. Tight Shoes—George Bedard (Original Single Version)
6. Twist & Shout—David Lindley
7. I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party—John Gora
8. The Sun Is Shining—The Fireman (Paul McCartney)
9. Angel Eyes—Love and Theft
10. The Wind—Zac Brown Band

1) “Summertime”—I want to talk about the song structure of “Summertime” this week. Most songs follow a certain pattern:
AB Chorus C Chorus Middle 8 Chorus End, for example.
There are several variations of this, but most songs hinge on the chorus which is usually the part of the song that is catchiest and repeated most often. It usually has a length comparable to one of the verses (A,B, or C) in the song. The chorus is what makes “pop” songs popular. “Summertime” doesn’t really follow that pattern…and I like that a lot! Its chorus is only one line long: “Summertime, my babes, and me.” That’s it. It’s not a lot, but it’s super catchy! The only song of any significance that I can think of that resembles this pattern is The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer.” The song was consciously structured to not have a chorus. The multi-layered vocal break of the interweaving singing of “Paperback writer” is technically the chorus—or the guitar line that follows it which is repeated throughout the song, or both of them together if you want to be picky. But the pattern is unusual and nonconforming—just like “Summertime,” and I think Jessica Dayle is in good company!
2) “(Kissed You)” Good Night”—I’m not quite sure if I’m starting to grow tired of Gloriana’s song or not, but for the moment it moves up to the secondary slot!
3) “Over”—I thought Blake Shelton’s song was “over” for me, too, but a sudden lack of competition allow it to move up another notch!
4) “Pontoon”—Little Big Town have caught a prevailing southern second wind and continue to move up again!
5) “Tight Shoes”—I received a copy of this from a friend of mine and I am absolutely overjoyed to have it! I’m guessing that the single probably came out in the early 80’s and although it has a gloss on it, it’s not as polished as the version that appears on George Bedard’s classic album, “Upside!,” with The Kingpins (Randy Tessier and Rich Dishman). The guitar solos are really sharp and are the highlight on a rockabilly classic about a guy who wore the wrong clothes to a dance! Absolutely terriffic!
6) “Twist & Shout”—David Lindley covers a classic and gives it a ska spin. It makes the song even better! From the opening cheesy Farfisa organ chords to the final cymbal crash, “Twist & Shout” David Lindley style should make any one listening to it feel happier!
7) “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party”—This has always been one of my least favorite Beatles songs, but Canadian John Gora puts a Polka spin on it and it seems just right!
8) “The Sun Is Shining”—The sun is almost down for Paul McCartney……….
9) “Angel Eyes”—Love and Theft defy gravity and hang on for another week……..
10) “The Wind”—I suppose the Zac Brown Band’s song will hang around until something better blows it off the list……………… QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

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Great Commercial – The Residence Inn Penguins

Posted on September 13, 2012 by PhilMaq

I have to admit, this commercial is my current favorite. I love the little penguins settling in for their stay at the Residence Inn. Enjoy!

Here’s a little video on the background of the penguins:

And…a bit of funny penguin animation:

And one more…a great penguin commercial!

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Nanci Griffith video – Hell No, I’m Not Alright

Posted on September 12, 2012 by PhilMaq

I’m featuring my Phil Maq Hall of Fame artist, Nanci Griffith, on my show this week as my spotlight artist. Here’s a little video for your listening – and viewing – enjoyment!

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Phil’s Faves: Videos, August 19, 2012

Posted on September 11, 2012 by PhilMaq

This will be a personal weekly Top Ten list of what I consider to be the best videos currently available on TV. I don’t, as a rule, go searching for old music videos, so that’s why it will focus mostly on current or recent videos. For this category, I am also going to include any live performances on talk or variety shows that I see during the week.

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Train arrives at the top this week with a comedic video! It’s not the first time they’ve been there, but this time it’s the good list!
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Top 10 Videos and Performances for the week of August 19, 2012

1. 50 Ways to Say Goodbye—Train
2. The Wind—Zac Brown Band
3. Pontoon—Little Big Town
4. One More Night—Maroon 5 with Adam Levine
5. She’s So Mean—Matchbox 20
6. Takin’ Pills—The Pistol Annies
7. Wide Awake—Katy Perry
8. Over—Blake Shelton
9. Come Over—Kenny Chesney
10. Whistle—Flo Rida

1) “50 Ways to Say Goodbye”—There is a line and a video sequence in Train’s “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” video that recalls the plot of an old Jack Lemmon movie called “How to Murder Your Wife.” This would be a compliment. One of the ways she supposedly died is that she “fell in a cement mixer full of quicksand.” In “How to Murder Your Wife,” Jack Lemmon plays a lifelong bachelor who drunkenly marries the very pretty Virna Lisi. Once he realizes what he’s done and because he writes a newspaper column, he conceives a plot to kill off his fictitious wife. He does it by throwing her into the “gloppita gloppita machine”—which is his name for a cement mixer. Jack Lemmon doesn’t actually do it, but the courtroom scene is quite ingenious! If that movie was the inspiration for that line, I have new respect for Train! Either way they have the new No.1 video this week!
2) “The Wind”—The Zac Brown Band may have peaked but there is a lot to like in their video!
3) “Pontoon”—Aww. Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” may be heading in to shore. It sure was a blast for most of the summer!
4) “One More Night”—Normally, I don’t like melodramatic videos because the song doesn’t warrant such a treatment. I totally buy Adam Levine in his role as a boxer!
5) “She’s So Mean”—For some reason, I like watching the girlfriend torture the guys in Matchbox 20!
6) “Takin Pills”—The Pistol Annies poke fun at themselves and all other women’s bar bands as they describe and show life on the road! I like this video a lot!
7) “Wide Awake”—Surprisingly, I still like watching Katy Perry’s video, even though it’s been around for quite awhile now. I like the special effects, particularly when the young Katy stomps her foot to get past the guards and the floor falls away!
8) “Over”—Blake Shelton’s video run for this song may be “over.” C’mon now. I moved him from the bad list on to the good list. That doesn’t happen very often.
9) “Come Over”—I know I have neglected to put Kenny Chesney’s cinematic black-and-white video on my list, but that’s because I didn’t know he was in the video. I thought only model Amber Lehman Styling was in it. Huh. Silly me………………….
10) “Whistle”—Flo Rida hangs around for another week.
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