MICK KAHLER'S WORLD

“…then softer than a piper man one day it called to you, I lost you, I lost you to the summer wind.”

Plenty to look back on in the summer of ’22…

As promised back in June, here is a rundown of my 6 ½ week summer break from teaching.

A FEW SMALL REPAIRS-

My handyman (Bill Kaliebe) put new window shades in my bedroom, fixed a kitchen light switch, secured a downspout by the back porch and re-set the power in my garage.

Had my friend Mark Peters install a new bathroom vanity.  (Looks great!)

I water sealed my front and back porch steps.

The Helping Hands Maid Service did a fantastic job giving my house a major cleaning.

My landscaping service (Macias Bros.) kept up the yard nicely all summer and will continue into the fall.  I’ll for sure book them for next year’s work.

Luis, my computer guy cleaned out and updated my home PC.  Great job as always!

I got a couple of minor car fix-ups done by Jeff Durante and the great mechanics at JMS Auto.

Had to get 5 cavities filled in my pie hole.  (This after not seeing a dentist for 11 years) Lesson learned: From now on, go for dental check-ups every 6 months!

My cell phone was stolen (don’t leave it unattended in an unlocked car, dummy) and got set up with a new phone, new number and new account.

Received 3 checks from the IRS that reimbursed me for past years of teacher supplies purchases.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

I saw and enjoyed these movies: “Elvis”, “Top Gun 2: Maverick” and “Where the Crawdads Sing.”  Also realized the York Theatre popcorn is the best tasting of the suburban cinemas.  It’s not even close.

Netflix had some great offerings- “Not Just a Girl”, the Shania Twain documentary was well done. Ditto for “It Ain’t for the Weak” which is a stand-up special by David A. Arnold, and the three-part documentary titled “The Most Hated Man on the Internet” was fascinating stuff.

I watched loads of White Sox and Cub games and kept scorecards at home for about 10 games.

Guested twice with Jim Turano when he filled in for Dean Richards’ Sunday show on WGN AM.  We talked about a wide variety of pop culture happenings.

Al Flash and I had two of our music videos played on the WGN Morning News TV show. “Taste of Chicago” was a rerun and then we did “Beer Snake Boogie” which covered the drunkenness some Cub fans enjoy in the Wrigley Field bleachers. 

With Morning News co-host Robin Baumgarten getting engaged, we’ve produced a fun music video for her. However, while me and Al know who Robin’s ’Mr. X’ is, most everyone else does not.  This means we have to wait until Robin reveals the name of her fiancée before I can send in the tune.  Robin knows what we’re up to and is thrilled that a special tune for her is ready to go.

THIS AND THAT

My cat Trouble celebrated his 17^th birthday and got more Facebook greetings than I get for MY birthday!  For his big day Trouble got a turkey burger for breakfast, chicken for lunch and cooked salmon for dinner.  (I really got into eating salmon and tilapia at home this summer and now like it more than red meat)

Attended an Elmhurst Park District board meeting along with many fellow East End Pool regulars to voice our concerns in changes in adult swim policies at the pool.  (Hopefully some adjustments will be made in the 2023 swim season)

Of course, I spent countless hours at East End with my ‘summer family.’  I swam miles of laps and loved every one of them. All that time at the pool got me my usual dark tan with no burning or peeled skin as I went through 2 tubes of Banana Boat SPF 30 Sunscreen. (I’m on my third tube as we wrap up the swim season on Labor Day)

One non-accomplishment- I failed to do the creative writing I planned and the final edit of my radio memoir continues to languish.  This is one goal I expect to work on in the Fall and Winter.

So that pretty much covers my time off.

In the summer of 2021, I did much less and graded that time off as a ‘C-.’  This summer would be graded as a ‘B.’  We’ll aim for an ‘A’ next summer.

My summer vacation is officially here.  Whew!   It was a long and difficult school year.  COVID and mask issues, adjustments to a new class of students who I had to get to know, being short staffed, new employees learning how our school program works and the tragic passing of a beloved behavior staffer made it a rough ride. 

But we survived the ride and so did the kids. 

IT WAS A CHALLENGING SCHOOL YEAR BUT WE MADE IT THROUGH.

Still, there were bright spots during the past 10 months. Six of my students graduated high school and another transitioned back to their home school.  Several passed their Driver’s Ed curriculum and three more kids found and flourished in gainful employment. 

I learned better skills in classroom management and how to help our students find their way through school and prepare for the ‘real world.’  Any teacher who says they have nothing new to learn about their profession is either lying or clueless.

This past weekend I partied it up a bit to celebrate the care free days of summer.  Daily swims at East End Pool are tops on my list.  As I noted in my last blog, it’s great to see my “summer family” again at the pool and my tan is already bronzing up.  Nothing better than the mixed fragrance of chlorine and sunscreen at the pool.  Woo Hoo!

As for my summer apparel, gone are the long black slacks, polo shirts, socks and shoes; replaced by gym shorts, swim shorts, T-shirts, no socks and either flip flops or well worn gym shoes, and walking around the house shirtless most of the time, thank you.

MY SUMMER TAN IS JUST STARTING.

Around the house, there’s improvements to do.  Yard work, patching cracks in my driveway, cleaning up inside and a few repairs that are being delegated to professionals are some of what will happen. 

I’ve got friends to see, baseball games to watch (and yes, I’ll nerd up and keep a scorecard for a bunch of them) and there are writings to work on. 

Beyond those things, who knows what else will happen?  I think the best part of my six-week plus vacation is that I can do what I want, when I want.  No set schedules, no deadlines to hit, no reports to file.  Just a free life. And not to bemoan how the school year went but this break is well earned and well deserved!

Here’s a fitting song to kick off my summer break.  Cheers!

FYI- I’ll be back to blogging sometime in August to let you know how my summer was.

Summer buzz haircut?  Check.  New brown lens polarized sunglasses from Shady Rays? Check.   Large tube of Banana Boat 30 SPF sunscreen?  Check.  Two pairs of swim shorts 1 navy blue, 1 gray? Check.  Annual Elmhurst Park District pool pass updated? Check.  In other words, swim season at East End Pool is totally on and we’re back in the water!

Last year, thanks to the Pandemic, the pool’s season didn’t kick off until mid-June but this year East End opened on time for the Memorial Day weekend.  Elmhurst’s other swim facility, Smalley Pool opened a couple weeks later than expected due to a lifeguard shortage that has since been mitigated.  I just saw how that lifeguard shortage is delaying the opening of Chicago Park District pools until probably early July!  This in spite of offering lifeguards 600 dollar signing bonuses.  Yikes!

But forget all that.  I’ve been back in the water for the last couple of weekends and it feels great.  I really missed my time at East End and appreciate every single minute I can spend there.  It’s also been fun catching up with some of what I call my “Summer Family”, pals who are daily regulars at the pool like me.  There are just a few folks I haven’t run into in the water yet because I still have one more week of summer school to go. 

After June 24^th, I’m all in the pool as many days as the place is open; doing my laps (starting with 20 and adding 1 more lap each day) and talking to my pool pals about sports, movies, music and our daily goings on.  Sadly, we did learn of the passing of ‘Don’, an East End regular who succumbed to a brain aneurism this past winter.  Don, in his tattered red baseball cap was always up for some baseball talk and loved spending time away from the pool with his grandkids.  Rest in peace Don, you’re already missed by us daily swimmers.

There’s also been some schedule changes at East End, including the elimination of the one hour adult swim before younger swimmers can hit the pool.  They switched that out with an opening hour of time in the water just for those with seasonal passes.  This new deal isn’t going over too well with some folks and I understand their frustrations.  Maybe if we make enough noise to the Elmhurst Park District things can change for next year.

But right now, changes be damned, it’s water time.  Once my summer break starts, I just want to focus on the sun, splash and laughs had with that summer family.  So, here’s to warm weather, blue skies and all the fun hanging at my hometown pool brings. 

Next Week’s Blog: Summer Break is Finally Here!

Naomi Judd’s death over the weekend has left my head and heart spinning.  As daughters Wynonna and Ashley so bravely noted in their public statement, “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.”   Yes, this mean Naomi Judd took her own life. 

Right away I thought back to a few weeks earlier when I posted a comment on my Facebook Page about the unusual hairstyle Naomi sported at the CMT Awards.  I said it looked like she was wearing a giant ice cream cone on her head.  Yeah, not the worst thing to say about someone’s style but not the nicest either. 

I know I wasn’t the only idiot making a comment on Naomi’s hair from that night but that doesn’t make me feel any better.   A Facebook friend messaged me and wondered if comments like mine, his and others had anything to do with Mama Judd’s suicide.  I don’t know.  Who’s to say what pushes someone to an unthinkable edge to end their own life?  But I feel bad about what I posted.

Naomi Judd was very open about her lifelong struggles with depression and wrote a book about how she overcame suicidal plans and ideation.  I have no doubt her openness helped countless others seek help for their own emotional issues.  Yet, in the end, Naomi’s depression demons got the best of her.  That sucks so bad.

What’s so strange is the day after her passing Naomi and daughter Wynonna were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  The Judds also had a short final 10 date tour of concerts scheduled for later this year.  Things sure seemed to be on the upswing for Naomi and yet, she still ended her life leaving her daughters, other family members and millions of fans heartbroken and scrambling for answers.   The lesson learned here is no matter how things look to the naked eye, what’s in the heart, soul and mind can be totally different and not understood.

Back in my US*99 radio days. I had the pleasure of meeting Naomi and Wynonna Judd a few times.  Naomi was always the brightest star in the room.  She glowed with warmth, great humor, charm and colorful beauty.  When I asked her to autograph her autobiography for my mother Dorie, Naomi signed it, “Love to Dorie” then her name.   It’s hard for us to fathom how that kind of a brightness can be shut down by depression but it happens.  So sad for all concerned.

I won’t take down that stupid hair comment on my Facebook page. Can’t be a hypocrite and pretend I didn’t write those lines.  I said what I said and whether words like that affected Naomi Judd or not, I have to own up to being snarky with my thoughts.   It’s a reminder to me and maybe to others to think better thoughts of others whenever possible.

So long Mama Judd.  You’ll never be forgotten. 

Love to Naomi.

“Are you gonna kiss me or not?  Are we gonna do this or what?  (Thompson Square)

Once upon a time on my Facebook page I posted the question “Who gives you or gave you the best kiss ever?”  Some talked up their spouses, some recalled first kiss experiences and other encounters as well.  I noted my “Greatest kiss” happened when I was 22 and that’s all I said.  Oh, what the hell, I’ll share a little more on that happening.

This was back when I was on the air at Elmhurst College’s radio station, WRSE, 88.7 on your FM dial where I had a number of faithful listeners.  So, while emceeing a local band’s concert, I met radio fan Vicky.  She was a couple years younger than I and we did the requisite “I love your show”, “Well thanks for listening Vicky” type of chat.  As we talked about music, I took the opportunity to invite her to an upcoming Genesis concert that I had tickets for and she accepted.

The show was a good one and we had fun that night. Yet when I drove her home, I didn’t attempt a good night kiss.  More often than not I would go for the night ending lip lock but this situation didn’t feel right, not yet at least. 

Fast forward a couple of Saturday nights. I was hosting my six to 9 pm show.  Vicky called me on the request line.  She invited me to her house for a small party she was having with friends and her older sister while their parents were out of town.  Why not?  Right?  After getting off the air I came over. We had a few beers and watched some concert on M-TV.  It was just a nice easy time with some fellow music fans, no big deal.

After the TV concert, it was late and I was getting ready to put on my coat and leave.  It was just Vicky, her older sister and me talking in the kitchen.  Then I politely asked her sister if I could have a couple minutes alone with Vicky. Thankfully, big sis quickly obliged and now I was full on ready for a move.  By the way, the ‘couple minutes alone’ request is not an easy play to make!  It’s like doing the 7-10 split in bowling or trying an onside kick in football and the kicking team recovering the ball.  But I made this play flawlessly.

I walked closer to this lovely blonde thanking her for inviting me over as I reached to hold her hand.  Vicky was fine with my gesture but noted she wasn’t sure I was romantically interested in her since I didn’t go for a kiss after the Genesis concert.  I made some lame ‘Oh, I didn’t want to rush up on things’ excuse and she smiled.  With that I went all in to kiss her.  

And she was all in too.

Whoa! Wow!  And holy s***! That first smooch lasted about a minute and in my young love life I’d never been smacked like that.  Just the perfect touch, smell, taste, everything. Electric! To quote Prince in the song “Raspberry Beret”, “I could tell when she kissed me, she knew how to get her kicks.”  A snug embrace and a couple more, deep kisses followed and then it was time for me to go.  

I drove home that night thinking, “Man, that was special!” I mean my head was spinning and it wasn’t from having too many beers.

So, you’re probably wondering what became of that potential relationship.  Not much.   Why?  My fault.  There were a couple more times when Vicky called me asking to get together and I honestly had other plans going on and couldn’t make it to see her.  

After the second time turning this lady’s invite down, I felt like a schmuck and figured she’ll probably moved on and thinks I’m a knucklehead.  You can either fish or cut the line and I cut the line.

Still, ever since then, I’ve compared any romantic kiss with a woman to the ones Vicky gave me and not one has matched up.  There’ve been some close calls but still, not up to what she offered me.

I think my memory of those kitchen kisses could best be summed up by the re-working of the Crystals song “Then He Kissed Me” that Bruce Springsteen sometimes sings in concert.

“She kissed me in a way I’d never been kissed before, she kissed me in a way I want to be kissed forever more.” 

Here’s Springsteen singing “Then She Kissed Me.”

Next blog- Songs for Secretaries.

Surfing through YouTube the other day I came across an old song that brought a sly smile to my face.  It took me back to a specific memory.  The song was Sammy Johns’ 1975 top 5 hit “Chevy Van.” 

“Cuz like a princess she was laying there, moonlight dancing off her hair, she woke up and took me by the hand, she’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s alright with me.”

In Chicago and the outlying suburbs, you could not tune into 890 AM WLS or AM 1000 WCFL without hearing this tale of a guy in a van who picks up a lady hitchhiker. They end up dancing the dirty hula in said van before he drops her off the next day for the walk of shame in bare feet on a dirt road main street. 

However, my memory is from two years AFTER this song was a radio hit.  I take you to a warm summer night at the Ski Hi Twin Drive-In Theater on Route 53 in Addison, Illinois.  I was with four high school buddies and we saw a double feature that night; I think the first flick was “Kentucky Fried Movie” and for sure the second was the low budget flick “The Van.”  It was about a dorky guy who cruised around in his new van trying in vain to score with women.  I won’t spoil any more of the plot in case you want to check out this cinematic classic.  The song “Chevy Van” was prominently featured in the movie and this was at the back end of the whole late 70’s ‘Get a customized van all tricked out’ craze.

At the drive-in, we were in Ed Bergstrasser’s parents’ AMC Pacer.  Remember those cars with the funny wide back end to them?  Ed and I were in the front seats, Jim Briegel and Will Costello in the back seat and Mark Fredriksen was in the hatch in the back.  Besides munching on popcorn, we had a decent load of beers in a cooler which we guzzled through the night.

After draining several Old Styles, Fredriksen had to take a pee and we wouldn’t let him out of the back hatch. He was stuck there and had to go.  Mark, ever the resourceful type, took one of the empty popcorn containers and gave it a good fill.  We thought he was bluffing, until the unmistakable sound of a urine stream filling up a popcorn tub was heard.  We laughed our asses off and then Ed let Mark out to dump the pee out on the gravel road.

Sometime before the end of “The Van,” I ended up sitting in the back hatch and that’s when the trouble started.  As the cars at the outdoor theater filed out at night’s end, Ed, hopefully less buzzed than the rest of us, made his way into the slow bumper to bumper traffic going south on Rt. 53 as we headed to North Avenue.

Thanks to the beers loosening my inhibitions, I thought with this wide back window, why not moon the car behind us?  Not that any of my pals discouraged me, just the opposite.  ‘Yeah, drop your shorts and show something.’  So, I did just that.

We laughed when the car I mooned honked their horn loudly as we all waited at a stoplight.  However, those happened to be honks of anger.  This became apparent when a very large and tough looking man in a black T-shirt and jeans came barreling out of his car to yell at us.  This offended dude actually looked like ‘Dugan’ who was the tough guy character in “The Van.”  The guy was pissed off because his girlfriend was with him and he didn’t appreciate me showing off my vertical smile to her. 

The guy pounded on the roof of Ed’s parent’s car and wanted us to get out so he could pound on us.  Our doors were locked and Ed tried to make like ‘Hey I didn’t tell him to moon you, be cool!’  But this guy was still ticked off; so ticked that he kneed the driver’s side door and put a dent in it!  Fortunately, the red light turned green and Ed was able to speed off from our mad as hell antagonist.  Luckily this door pounding man didn’t follow after us and we were home free.

 We wondered how Ed was going to explain to his folks the dent in the driver’s side door but it turns out the dent just bounced out and wasn’t noticeable.  My buddies and I saw lots of movies at that Drive-in but never had quite that kind of adventure again.  The 53 Ski Hi Twin Drive-in has been gone for years, and I haven’t dropped my pants for strangers in a long time. 

Now let’s take another spin in a “Chevy Van.”  Country star Sammy Kershaw did a good cover of the song, but thanks to this musical memory, we need to hear the original.

NEXT BLOG- My Best Kiss Ever.

Back in my school days I sometimes wondered what my teachers did during their vacations.  Be it the Christmas, Spring or Summer breaks.  Sometimes a teacher might’ve shared about a warm weather trip a ball game or home project that they worked on but that was rare.  So, here’s a rundown of what I was up to for my break from 3pm on 3/25 thru 4/3.

*I re-upped my swim Elmhurst Park District pool pass for this summer.  We’re less than two months away from East End Pool opening and I can’t wait to see my ‘Summer Family’ again.

*I went to the huge and fun packed wedding reception of my pal Phil’s daughter Amanda.  Lots of laughs, fantastic eats, drinks and love was in the air!

*I finally saw “The Batman” which I liked.  Much darker than any other Batman film and as quick as the almost 3 hours went by, the producers could’ve easily knocked half an hour off this one.

*The NCAA Men’s basketball tournament was a great watch and I caught plenty of games and excitement.

*For the first time in decades, I skipped watching the Oscars live but yes, like everyone else in the world, I got caught up in the Will Smith/Chris Rock mess.  Will, you screwed up big time and good luck getting your career back on track!

*On HBO I watched both episodes of the documentary “Phoenix Rising” which covers the story of actress Evan Rachel Wood and her complicated and dangerous relationship with shock rocker Marilyn Manson.  I believe Ms. Wood and her claims 100%.  Even if just half of what she presented were true, Marilyn Manson is a sick and twisted freak.

*Also on HBO, the latest edition of “On the Record with Bob Costas” brought out an in-depth interview with pitching ace Max Scherzer along with a funny and poignant visit with Bill Crystal.  All this plus a good round table discussion on race in collegiate basketball and other current events issues in sports.  Bob Costas remains a smart. insightful and on target interviewer.

*Netflix presented a good drama movie titled “Windfall.”  Jason Segal plays a calm yet scary hostage taker.  What takes place in the film was hard to predict and fun to see.

*Thanks to its Best Picture win at the Oscars, “CODA” finally made it to the local theaters (I don’t have Apple TV) and I loved this film.  A touching and often times funny look at a young girl who is the only non-deaf person in her family.  When I used to substitute teach, I did a few turns in hearing loss classes and this movie brought back fond memories of those days with some fine young students.

* I didn’t just watch TV all day. I saw a feature on and quickly ordered and read the new book “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” written by Mark Seal.  This four hundred plus page book chronicles all the stories and details behind the writing and making of “The Godfather.”  Real detailed stuff in this tome.

*Around the house I took care of some various chores.  I switched out my glass front porch door window for the screen window.  I also hit the hardware store to stock up on furnace filters and light bulbs along with household cleaning products.

*Two of my closets got purged of old ratty clothes and I straightened out my dresser drawers while dumping out more unworn junk.

*I also got in some spring cleaning of my house. Two months of neglect added up so I dusted, scrubbed, vacuumed and cleaned everything from top to bottom.  Later this spring I’ll hire a maid service to give the house one of those semi-annual run throughs that make everything sparkle like my place was brand new.

*Finally, I met with a concrete contractor about some work that needs to be done on my front walk and stoop.  His official estimate is fair and doable.

*Other than all this, I relaxed.  It was a relief that for 10 days I was not on a specific clock to do things.  I did stuff when I was ready to do them. (Save for the wedding reception, which was a blast)

Returning to school, we have just over 7 weeks left in the 4^th grading period and then 20 days of summer school.  Then it’s Summer Break time and there’s plenty to look forward to when that happens.

NEXT BLOG- Memories of the song “Chevy Van.”

For this installment of great cover songs, I’m all over the road, so hold on.

MILEY CYRUS- “Wish You Were Here.”  Yes, this is the third time overall I’ve offered praise to Miley Cyrus for her singing but she performs other artists’ songs so well and deserves the accolades.  This time Miley sings up the Pink Floyd classic in a stripped down acoustic manner and she did it in the spring of 2020 as the musical guest of Saturday Night Live while we were in the midst of the COVID Pandemic.  The choice of song was great and so was Miss Cyrus’ version of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9TrCN9S9zE

THE MAVERICKS- “Here Comes My Baby”- The Mavericks are one of those bands that can approach any style of music and do it up right.  Rock, country, pop, swing, mariachi, you name it they can handle it.  Much of that has to do with the range and interpretive skills of lead singer Raul Malo but the rest of the group pulls their weight as well.  The hopping horns infused version of “Here Comes My Baby” is livelier than Cat Stevens’ original take, ditto for the Tremeloes 60’s style singalong rendition of it.

SMITHEREENS – “It Don’t Come Easy.”Besides being a great band with fine original songs like “Blood & Roses”, “Only A Memory”, “Behind the Wall of Sleep” and loads of others, this was a group that did justice to many cover songs.  Everyone from the Beatles and Who to Springsteen, The Clash & more were well done by these guys.  Here’s one of my favorites by late lead singer Pat Dinizio and his band of rockers

NAILPIN  “They Don’t Know.”I came across this cover of a cover.  Originally written and done by the late Kirsty MacColl; then in the early 80’s Tracy Ullman did it up right with a video that included a guest shot by Paul McCartney.  I have no idea where Nailpin came from but this rocking version is a fun twist on the tune.

NEXT BLOG- How I Spent My Spring Break.

It’s time for another take of some of my favorite scenes from past movies. 

“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI” (2017) There were so many great scenes in this movie about a small town and an unsolved murder.  Chief Willoughby’s farewell letter to his wife is heartbreaking but I also like when after the Chief’s death a new boss arrives to the Ebbing Police Department.  He’s just witnessed Officer Dixon throw an innocent man out a window and is about to make his presence known.

“CHOCOLAT” (2000) While I am not Catholic, the Easter Sunday homily said by the young student priest is one that really resonated with me. Contrary to the narrator’s words, I found this message to be more than eloquent. Every Easter I re-watch this clip to remind myself of some wise and hopeful ideas. 

“CITIZEN KANE” (1941) Considered by many to be the greatest film of the 20^th century (I can’t disagree with that), this scene where Charles Foster Kane gets berated for how he runs his newspaper is a classic.  I’ve always been a big fan of characters who are getting scolded about their actions and they’re able to turn the tables on their antagonists.  This is one such scene.

“THE GODFATHER” (1972) I cheat a little on this scene.  It’s not in the original version of “The Godfather” but has been included in other editions and releases of the film.  This clip takes place AFTER Tom Hagen unsuccessfully tries to do Don Corleone’s bidding and get Johnny Fontaine the star making part in Jack Woltz’s new war movie; but BEFORE the infamous horse’s head in the bed scene.  I really like how the Don and Hagen determine just how “tough” Woltz is.  You even hear the earliest “fuhgettaboutit” I can recall in a movie. 

In the usual showings of “Godfather” this scene was dropped.  Once Hagen leaves Woltz’s home, that horse’s head makes its appearance.  This deleted clip implies the horse killer was Corleone strongman Luca Brasi.  And the Don appears to be more noble after finding out Woltz was sleeping with an underage teen actress.

NEXT BLOG- One more round of great covers of hit songs.

This round of tributes to good cover songs is a fun one with some offbeat observations of some past songs.

SUZY BOGGUSS- “Drive South”- As a forever admirer of John Hiatt’s songwriting and recordings, I examine covers of his music with a critically careful ear.  His 1988 “Slow Turning” record brought us the original version of this song and two years later the Forrester Sisters country group covered it.  Not long after, Aledo Illinois native Suzy Bogguss tracked the cut for her ‘Voices in the Wind” album.  Bogguss had earlier top 10 country hits like “Aces.” “Someday Soon” and “Letting Go.”  Her version of the Hiatt travel tune landed at number 2 on the Country charts and it’s damn good.  John’s recording features his growling voice but Suzy’s cover has a breezy tone to it.  It’s always interesting to compare a male and female version of the same song.

BONNIE RAITT- “Thing Called Love”- This is another great John Hiatt song, this one from the 1987 album “Bring the Family.”  His track has a funky hop to it, while Bonnie’s version is more bluesy, with a touch of twang.  Both styles do the song up right but Hiatt had to be out of his mind thrilled that Bonnie covered “Thing Called Love.”  It was the lead single and video for her “Nick of Time” album which sold loads of copies and put some serious dollars into John Hiatt’s pocket.  Bonnie would go on to cover another Hiatt track, “No Business” but “Thing Called Love” was the better of the two.

THE WHO- “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”- Here’s a fun one to compare.  I grew up being dedicated to the music of Elton John and The Who.  So back in 1991 there was a multi artist album “Two Rooms”done to honor the music of Elton and his lyricist Bernie Taupin.  Sixteen Elton/Bernie songs were covered and The Who took on this great rocker.  It starts out with a gradual slow flurry of guitar and keyboard before Pete Townsend clocked in his Fender Telecaster guitar licks.  Roger Daltrey’s vocals are singed with the proper street fighting attitude.  Then in the last 90 seconds of the track Townsend throws in the chorus from another Elton oldie, “Take Me to The Pilot.”  Just a cool surprise before getting back to the “Saturday, Saturday” chorus.  I’ll always prefer the Elton version and put it at #1 but The Who’s novel approach to it earns a spot at 1A.

EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL- “The Only Living Boy in New York.”  I was never familiar with this oldie from Simon and Garfunkel until I saw the 2002 indie movie “Tadpole” which is a film that deserves its own blog from me in the future.  EBTG’s version of this song was featured and it was totally enchanting.  After seeing “Tadpole”, I had to research the history of this track.  Paul Simon wrote it as his partner Art Garfunkel flew to Mexico (as the song says) to act in the movie “Catch 22.” Simon was left alone to work on their next record and he felt alone, like he was the only living boy in New York.  This is one of those songs so well written that it really doesn’t matter who sings it, the tune is soothing and great to hear over and over again.

NEXT BLOG- More Great Movie Scenes Take #2.