Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Last of July

July is a unique month in that there is no last day mini set list.  July is designated to the Fourth and days leading up to the holiday.  The songs shared at the beginning of the month cap off the rest of the month.

With that said, I thought I would share YouTube videos of my latest finds over the course of three posts (one song per post).

The artist - Moby

Shares -

"Honey"

"Find My Baby"

"Bodyrock"

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

THE WIZARD OF OZ ('39): "Over the Rainbow"

- On this new day as welcoming as it is -
- Find great hope -

Monday, July 29, 2024

The Ultimate Jingle

Water - The Heat Is On

If "The Heat Is On" sounds familiar, guess the film, Beverly Hills Cop and specifically the opening credits before Eddie Murphy's character entrance.

If "Water" does not sound familiar, it is a unique commercial jingle for a business that works with water based products.

Moen is an American based company in the plumbing industry, namely faucets, bathtub & shower features, garbage disposals, and sinks.  Notable competition includes Delta Faucet Company, Kohler Co., and others.  (Wikipedia)  

As you can tell, "Water" defines a commercial meant to catch the attention of products with on and off use.

Consider the "Water" theme on YouTube.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Set List Sunday Favorite

On this Sunday, your top choice for the week is:


SNL is well known for skits with one rule - the cast and host are not allowed to laugh and must fight through the audience cracking up hard.

There is excitement in response when the host announces the musical guest.

According to Rolling Stone, the top 25 most notable musical guests on Saturday Night Live include -

25.  Queen - September 25, 1982
24.  Sun Ra - May 20, 1978
23.  Ton Petty and the Heartbreakers - November 19, 1994
22.  Funky 4 + 1 - February 14, 1981
21.  Prince - February 14, 1981
20.  Patti Smith Group - April 17, 1976
19.   Mariah Carey - October 27, 1990
18.  Ray Charles - November 12, 1977
17.  Kanye West - May 18, 2013
16.  L. L. Cool J - October 24, 1987
15.  The Replacements - January 18, 1986
14.   The Rolling Stones -  October 7, 1978
13.  Pearl Jam - April 11, 1992
12.  Nirvana - January 11, 1992
11.  Tina Turner - February 2, 1985
10.  Rage Against the Machine - April 13, 1996
9.  The Band - October 30, 1976
8.  Devo - October 14, 1978
7.  David Bowie - December 15, 1979
6.  Sinead O'Connor - October 3, 1992
5.  Elvis Costello - December 17, 1977
4.  Neil Young - September 30, 1989
3.  U2 -  November 20, 2004
2.  Simon and Garfunkel - October 18, 1975
1.  Fear - October 31, 1981

The ultimate set list by artist and year as considered by Rolling Stone.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Where The Road Will Lead Us

- Sunrise On the Beach -
- Tropical Zen -

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Saturday Night Live Resident Band

Saturday Night Live has a different host every week and a trending musical act every week.  Saturday Night Live also has  a resident band to announce the host.  Any other time throughout the show, I do not recall.

Academy Award winner, Howard Shore, composed and led the original band.  

Paul Shaffer was next in line to lead the original band.  Paul Shaffer also worked with David Letterman and his band.

- Founding members -
Bob Cranshaw - Bass Guitar (1975 - 1980, d. 2016)
Lew Del Gatto - Baritone Sax (1975 - 1979, 1985 - 2005)
Cheryl Hardwick - Keyboards (1975 - 1980, 1985 - 2000)
*Guest in 2015
Howard Johnson - Bass Sax, Tuba (1975 - 1980, d. 2021)
Bert Jones - Electric Guitar (1975 - 1979)
Tom Malone - Trombone, Trumpet (1976 - 1985)
Lou Marini - Tenor Sax (1975 - 1983)
Alan Rubin - Trumpet (1975 - 1983, d. 2011)
Paul Shaffer - Keyboards (1975 - 1980)
*Guest in 1982 & 2015
Dahaud Shaaad - Drums (1975 - 1977, d. 201
Howard Shore - Alto Sax (1975 - 1980)
Mauricio Smith - Baritone Sax (1975 - 1977, d. 2002)

- Current members -
Leon Pendarvis - Keybards, Musical Director (1980 - Present)
Alex Foster - Alto Sax (1985 - 1980, 1995 - Present)
Lenny Pickett - Tenor Sax, Musical Director (1985 - Present)
Steve Turre - Trombone (1985 - Present)
Christine Ohlman - Vocals (1991 - Present)
Shawn Pelton - Drums (1992 - Present)
Valerie Naranjo - Percussion (1995 - Present)
James Genus - Bass Guitar (2000 - Present)
Ron Blake - Baritone Sax, Flute (2005 - Present)
Tuffus Zimbabwe - Keyboards (2010 - Present)
Maddie Rice - Electric Guitar (2020 - Present)
Summer Camargo - Trumpet (2022 - Present)

- Musical Directors -
Howard Shore (1975 - 1980)
Kenny Vance (1980 - 1981)
Tom Malone (1981 - 1985)
G.E. Smith (1985 - 1995)
Lenny Pickett (1995 - Present)


For every decade Saturday Night Live airs, new generations are ushered in and pop culture is redefined.  Every band announced the guest host from door to stage.  New and established artists performed, tapping into generation after generation.

Every cast produced lasting celebrities.  Every band member is iconic in their own right.

From then to now,

Play it!

Monday, July 22, 2024

The Ultimate Jingle

The Sun - Reach Up

I was unable to find details behind Parov Stelar's 2014 song, "The Sun."  Therefore, I thought I would share the YouTube videos for "The Sun" & Duran Duran's 2004 song, "Reach Up For the Sun."

I chose to blend the two together as the perfect ebb and flow of song titles, songs, and meaning behind each song.

With that said,

 

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Set List Sunday Favorte

In today's edition Set List Sunday Favorite, your top favorite is:

The Ultimate Jingle

This favorite bound "Fort Knox" and "Don't Wanna Fight" together in a unique way.  When you think of "fort," imagine a wartime barrier.  When you think of "don't wanna fight," imagine ceasefire or treaty.  Of course, these images are hypothetical.

Of the two, though, "Fort Knox" will always stand out as the first record loop on Set List.  The video for "Fort Knox" is one of the first YouTube videos to play on Set List.

With that said and to cap off the week,

Play it!

Saturday, July 20, 2024

I Shot The Sheriff (1973) - Bob Marley & The Wailers

- If Jamaica is on your bucket list -
- Bob Marley is a play it must -

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!

In the Live From New York, It's Saturday Night mini series, I launched it with Season 1, Episode 1 to the last episode of Season 1.  By the end of the pilot season, if you will, success for the show and a hit for audiences was solidified.  Every new member of the cast continued proof a unique concept going strong.

The latest run was Season 49, Episode 1.  Pete Davidson hosted and the musical guest was Ice Spice.  In Season 49, Episode 20, Jake Gyllenhaal and the musical guest was Sabrina Carpenter.

Read more about Season 49 on Wikipedia.

With time to kill until Season 50, I say play it not for music but for binge watching episodes of Saturday Night Live that were missed.

Although I do not live in New York, I can always able to feel the positive energy through my television.

So go live!

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Iconic Television Themes

"I'll Be There For You" was written by David Crane, Marta Kauffman, Michael Skloff, and Allee Willis.  The song was performed by the American duo, the Rembrandts.  

"I'll Be There For You" is a pop culture legacy spanning two centuries - 20th Century (1994) to 21st Century (2004).  The advent of syndication allows for musical loops noting both the song, the duo, and the program itself.  I can only imagine the residuals received.


Genres considered - Pop Rock, Alternative Rock

Certified Gold in New Zealand
Certified Platinum in Australia, Norway, and the U.K.

Point of interest - The duo initially declined the offer to perform the song and the writers initially hoped for R.E.M. but when the band passed, the Rembrandts were the only option for Warner Brothers Records.

Read more on Wikipedia.

Monday, July 15, 2024

The Ultimate Jingle

Fort Knox - Don't Wanna Fight

In 2010, the new Kia Soul was advertised.  In 2010, the Kia hamsters defined a new wave in pop culture.  In 2010, "Fort Knox" was all the craze in music.  On Set List, "Fort Knox" is a signature with loop share from time to time. 

"Fort Knox" is on the album list from Perceptions of Pacha by the duo, Dominic Peters and David Poole - otherwise known as Goldfish.

Read more on Wikipedia.

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American rock band, Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes' second album, Sound & Color

"Don't Wanna Fight" - lead single

Performed on Saturday Night Live on February 28, 2015

2 Grammy Awards -

Best Rock Song & Best Rock Performance 

"funk" was a common word noted by critics

Certified Gold in Canada

Certified Platinum in the U.S.

(Wikipedia)

As always,

Play it!

Remembering Ira Gershwin

 

December 6, 1896 - August 17, 1983

Elder to George

Notable songs -
"I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," "The Man I Love," "Someone to Watch Over Me"

Notable work by George and Ira -

3 Academy Award Nominations
1932 Pulitzer Prize for Drama 

The George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Musical Achievement Award
(established in 1988 at UCLA)

Honorees of the above award include -
Angela Lansbury, 1988
Ray Charles, 1991
Mel Torme, 1994
Bernadette Peters, 1995
Frank Sinatra, 2000
Stevie Wonder, 2002
K.D. Lang, 2003
James Taylor, 2004
Babyface, 2005
Burt Bacharach, 2006
Quincy Jones, 2007
Lionel Richie, 2008
Julie Andrews, 2009

Read more on Wikipedia.

George Gershwin is best known for Rhapsody in Blue.

An Ira Gershwin classic is "I Got Rhythm."  (Of his many noteworthy songs, "I Got Rhythm" stands out the most.)

Enjoy the selection above.

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Haleakala Ku Hanohano

- If the tropical lifestyle is for you -
- HAPA is a play it must -

Friday, July 12, 2024

Good Morning, Set List

Good morning.  Good day.  Good night.  Set List.

This week's top favorite shouts on set - 

Good Morning!

When a rainy night blurs into an early rainy morning, envision bright sunlight to inspire joy and positivity - all the best for the day ahead.

Listen to each click and tap in response.

Sing with eager intent.

After all...

...What a lovely morning!

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!

In 1975, American culture changed the landscape of television entertainment.  In 1975, American culture launched stardom to primetime actors truly ready to test a sketch comedy program known simply as Saturday Night Live, or SNL.  At the end of the season, the cast knew something amazing unfolded and a strong future was possible for the show. This was proven 49 seasons later.

Every season changes with the cast - some leave, some stay, some join.  Every week has a new celebrity host, although there are a select few that have repeat hosted so many times that an elite club was created.  Every week has a new musical act.  There are two constants - the resident band and the rule that the cast and host cannot laugh.  Of course, this is next to impossible when the audience is laughing hard and the want is exceptionally tense.

Let's go back to the musical guests.  

Season 1 - Episode 1 

Host: George Carlin ... Musical Guests: Billy Preston & Janis Ian

Season 1 - Episode 24

Host: Kris Kristofferson ... Musical Guest: Rita Coolidge 

Since music is a fundamental part of the series and music defines Set List, I say play it SNL!                                                                                                      

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Iconic Television Themes

"As Time Goes By" was a 1931 song written by Herman Hupfeld and performed by Joe Fagin for the British sitcom series, As Times Goes By (1992 - 2005).

"As Time Goes By" is a classic in British music.  The television series is a classic in British comedy.  The cast was stelar and the chemistry was palpable.  Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer led the show and their natural love for each other as friends was precious and rare.

- Dame Judi Dench Honors -

(b. December 9, 1934)

Classic

7 decades in entertainment - film, television, stage

Academy Award Win & 8 Academy Award Nominations

Tony Award

2 Golden Globe Awards

2 Screen Actor Guild Awards

4 British Academy Television Awards

6 British Academy Film Awards

7 Olivier Awards

Titles -

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1970)

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1988)

Member of the Order of the Companions of Honor (2005)

Read in full on Wikipedia.

- Geoffrey Palmer Honors -

(June 4, 1927 - November 5, 2020)

Distinguished

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (2004)

Geoffrey Palmer's career spanned stage, radio, television, and film.  Each form has an extensive and impressive list.

Read in full on Wikipedia.

The song and television show of the same name may go by but the essence of both is timeless and infinite.

Monday, July 8, 2024

The Ultimate Jingle

Rhapsody in Blue - On Black

Rhapsody in Blue was composed and performed on piano by George Gershwin in 1924 and was also part of a jazz band led by Paul Whiteman.  

The composition "defined the Jazz Age."

The composition is "...one of Gershwin's most recognizable...".

The opening clarinet solo is claimed to be as familiar as the opening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

George Gershwin

Read the full background on Wikipedia.
-------------------------------------------------
Trouble Is...

Second album (1997) by the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

"Blue on Black" was released as a single in 1998

No. 1 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
No. 78 on Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year
Launched the album to Blues Album of the Year in 1999 on Billboard

Certified Platinum twice in the U.S.

Read the full background on Wikipedia.

From 1920s jazz to 1990s southern rock, inspiration abound while defining generations that would shape music, society, and American culture.

My generation was introduced to new synth styles by the generation before me.  Rock and roll introduced the fundamentals to the generation before me.  The generation before them experienced a strong wave of musical and societal transition.  In fact, there were dance crazes always hitting the floor, from the Charleston to the twist to disco and so many more.

Early into Set List, I proposed House... ...of Blues.  On this day, so many years later, I am proposing another unique take on song titles - Rhapsody in Blue - On Black...the ultimate mix reflecting entirely separate genres.

With that said,

Play it!

Friday, July 5, 2024

Holiday Break

Dear readers and passersby,

In honor of the July 4th celebration that shall linger into the weekend, I am taking a brief break from Set List - Saturday, July 6th & July 7th.  I will return to topics as usual next Monday, July 8th.

Have a great weekend and, as always,

Play it!

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

We Didn't Start the Fire

Historic Lesson
Historic Celebration