Bowie Sunday w/ Flight of the Conchords

Hope everyone's enjoying the holiday weekend. Today, Flight of the Conchords play homage to the thin white duke, as only they can...

Music Video of the Week + Bowie Sunday ... On Monday!

I was having some trouble with YouTube this weekend, so these weekly spotlights are coming at ya today ...

Music Video of the Week:
Barry Bonds ties Hank Aaron at 755 career home runs.


Bowie Sunday:
"Space Oddity"

Bowie Sunday - "Boys Keep Swinging"

From Saul Austerlitz's Money For Nothing: A History of the Music Video: "The gay undertones of these videos ['Jean Genie,' 'Life on Mars,' 'Be My Wife'] never came right out and announced themselves, but they were to be seen everywhere, from the prominent use of makeup to the flamboyantly androgynous clothing to the hints dropped by Bowie's sexually ambiguous lyrics. 'Boys Keep Swinging' (1979), directed by David Mallet, brings the subtext substantially closer to the surface. The video takes place at a transvestite's fashion show, where flashing fluorescent lights illuminate cross-dressers taking off their wigs and wiping off their lipstick, and a trio of trannies (including one church-lady type) serve as Bowie's backup singers. At least some of the women appeared to be played by Bowie himself, only adding to the video's gender-bending confusion."

Bowie Sunday - "Life on Mars"

David Bowie offered up a lounge-y rendition of "Life on Mars" at the 2000 Glastonbury Festival ...

Bowie Sunday - "America"

You know the drill - every Sunday a different David Bowie clip from the Bowie archives. With 4th of July just a few days away, I'm reminded of just how much Bowie likes singing about America - like, "Young Americans," "This Is Not America," and "I'm Afraid of Americans" - not to mention this cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "America" from 2001's Concert For New York...

David Bowie - "Modern Love"

Because Valentine's Day is almost upon us (and because the first two Bowie love songs we wanted to post weren't on YouTube) ...

Bowie Sunday - "Heroes"

Bowie Sunday - Extras

Not that Ricky Gervais even needs it, but Bowie brought one of his quality-validating cameos to Extras last week...

Bowie Sunday - "Starman"

Ziggy Stardust is always in a pretty frequent rotation at the N&UR office - one, because we love it and two, because we're lazy about changing all the cd's in the 5-disc changer. Regardless, "Starman" is one of our favorites...

Bowie Sunday - "It Ain't Easy"

Today, a pretty awesome cover of Bowie's "It Ain't Easy" by the Raconteurs. Brendan Benson takes the lead on this one...

Bowie Sunday - "Under Pressure"

Since it's been so much fun to karaoke, here's the classic Queen/David Bowie collaboration, "Under Pressure"...


It was a busy weekend, but news on Turkey festivities, the Edward Scissorhands musical, and Birdman Holiday Party shall be posted soon.

Bowie Sunday - "Magic Dance"

Bowie Sunday - "Space Oddity"

Every Sunday, a different Bowie video. Today, the first Bowie song I ever heard. The record was one of many in my dad's collection and I played it over and over again, alongside Dylan, the Beatles and the Byrds.

::Previously::
"All the Young Dudes" (w/ Billy Corgan)
"Time"
"Quicksand" (w/ Robert Smith)
"Panic in Detroit"

Bowie Sunday Clip - "Time"

NEW PODCASTS BELOW!

Every Sunday, a different Bowie clip. This week's comes from 1987's epic Glass Spider tour, and is called "Time."


::Previously::
"Quicksand" (with Robert Smith)
"Panic In Detroit"

Bowie Sunday Clip - "Quicksand"

Every Sunday, a different Bowie video. Today, "Quicksand" with Robert Smith.

Panic Party In Detroit

Ok, so my team may not be in the playoffs, but that is not going to stop me from enjoying one of my favorites times of the year. In fact, it takes a lot of the stress out when you don't actually have to worry about your team and can arbitrarily pick favorites. It was obviously a given that I would be rooting against the Dodgers, so it was exceptionally satisfying to see them swept. I am more excited, however, about the developments in the American League. I was pulling for that other team across the Bay - the Oakland A's - who nicely took care of Minnesota, but the most exciting thing has been the Detroit Tigers complete and utter upset of the New York Yankees.

Could these two teams be any more different - the Tigers, averaging 90-100 losses for nearly a decade against the Yankees, predicted by ESPN to be world champions with a lineup referred to as possibly the best in history. Regardless, the Tigers mix of ageless veterans and hungry youngsters took the Yankees out in four games, holding that threatening lineup at bay for the last two games. Though I pretty much root against the Yankees regardless of opponent, the Detroit Tigers hold a somewhat special place in my heart. My mom's family grew up in Michigan and were all Tigers' fans, while the team was also my brother's favorite for several years before he was converted over to the Giants. Charlie and I attended an A's/Tigers matchup years back, when neither team was making waves in the American League - now it will be especially exciting seeing them compete for the title. I'm not going to pick a favorite in this one - I'm just hoping for seven games.

Of course, the Yankees' meltdown seems to be the bigger story here. ESPN has all the coverage, including a report that manager Joe Torre will be fired, as well as a countdown of the Top Ten Yankee Crashes. Taking nothing away from the Tigers, N&UR wants to seriously congratulate such a storied achievement. It really makes me think of podcast subject Kelley Stoltz who composed a number celebrating the Tigers' 1984 World Championship. I wonder if another song is in order.

Last, here's a little Bowie for your Sunday...