Name Check, Mate!

So I’m back - it’s been a while, and I’m sorry that I left y’all hanging.

But I return with this collection of name-check goodness.

1. “A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Lyndon Johnson’d Into Submission)” - Paul Simon (from The Paul Simon Song Book)
   One of Simon’s most overtly Dylan-inspired numbers, “A Simple Desultory Philippic” was first seen here, on Simon’s UK-only solo album from 1965. In this song, he sums up the life of a traveling singer-songwriter who has seen his share of oddities. And he summed it up in a stream-of-consciousness, talking blues ramble through his folk music voyage. Eventually covered in a more polished form by Simon & Garfunkel (as “A Simple Desultory Philippic [Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission]“), this is a more raw, more fun version of the song, where you can visualize Simon with his guitar in a tiny studio, smiling and laughing as he put this one to tape.
   Musicans Name-Checked: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Tom Wilson, Art Garfunkel, Barry Kornfeld
   Others Name-Checked: Lyndon Johnson, Jack Kerouac, John Birch, Ayn Rand, Walt Disney, Diz Dizzley, Walter Brennan, Cassius Clay, Lenny Bruce, Dylan Thomas, James Joyce, Andy Warhol
2. “Vera” - Pink Floyd (from The Wall)
   Vera Lynn was one of the torch song singers of the 1940s and 1950s, and her most famous song - “We’ll Meet Again” - was in last month’s playlist from U.N.K.L.E. Matt.
   Musician Name-Checked: Vera Lynn.
3. “Elvis Is Everywhere” - Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper (from Unlimited Everything)
   This song brings back strong memories of staying up late on Sunday nights to listen to the “Dr. Demento Show.” As a kid growing up in Utah, any bit of counter-cultural outlet was inviting, and the good “Doctor” was always there to please. Sure, I think I heard one too many plays of “Fish Heads” and “Shaving Cream,” but he also played a good deal of classic stuff, including this lovely, evangelist-gospel-surf punk send-up of Elvis’ legacy. And Elvis is everywhere, and he’s responsible for everything, and will bail this world out of all bad things. Uh-huh. Yup.
   Musicians Name-Checked: Elvis Presley, Billy Idol
   Others Name-Checked: Joan Rivers, your mom, Michael J. Fox, Dr. Spock, Klingons
   Famous Places Name-Checked: the pyramids, Stonehenge, Bermuda Triangle
4. “Face Like Billy Joel” - Da Vinci’s Notebook (from Brontosaurus)
   A short song by a now-on-long-term-hiatus parody vocal group - and the visual says it all.
   Musician Name-Checked: Billy Joel
5. “I Watch Paul (The Paul McCartney Song)” - Too Hip For The Room (from Three Brothers)
   A song about stalking Paul McCartney - good, wholesome fun for the entire family! “Bring a friend, pack a lunch, read the map, play a hunch.” It’s too bad our protagonist has no idea about what to do when he actually encounters Paul.
   Musician Name-Checked: Paul McCartney
6. “We’re The Pet Shop Boys” - Robbie Williams (from Rudebox)
   Robbie lovingly name-checks one of his influences, and lyrically refers to a lot of their songs (”It’s a Sin” and “Can You Forgive Her” are definitely there, as are others). And the mix is right out of the Lowe and Tennant playbook, too. All in all, a fun song.
   Musicians Name-Checked: Pet Shop Boys
7. “Farewell To John Denver” - Monty Python (from The Monty Python Instant Record Collection)
   Okay, this one is rude - really rude. But it’s Monty Python, so it can be excused, right? Graham Chapman does the intro duties, and Eric idle does his best imitation of Denver - with some rather lewd lyrics. Heeeee…..
   Musician Name-Checked: John Denver
8. “Beware The Killer Tents” - Moxy Früvous (from The C Album)
   This song made its debut at a songwriting workshop at the 1999 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, where this Canadian quartet were challenged to write a humorous work within an hour. The result is this name-check-happy tale of carnivorous camping equipment. Most of the musicians whose names come up are folkies, but your sure to recognize a few along the way.
   Musicians Name-Checked: Susan Werner, Eddie From Ohio, The Kennedys, The Ivy Vine Players, Greg Brown, Vance Gilbert, Tony Trischka, Ani DiFranco, Ferron, The Nields, Moxy Früvous (I should add that this studio version of the song expurgates one verse from the original Festival version. Said verse name-checked: Roger the Jester, Ellis Paul, Cry Cry Cry, LJ Booth, Stacy Earle, Utah Phillips, and Wild Asparagus.)

Have fun!

Download:“A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Lyndon Johnson’d Into Submission)” - Paul Simon
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“Vera” - Pink Floyd
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“Elvis Is Everywhere” - Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“Face Like Billy Joel” - Da Vinci’s Notebook
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“I Watch Paul (The Paul McCartney Song)” - Too Hip For The Room
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“We’re The Pet Shop Boys” - Robbie Williams
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“Farewell To John Denver” - Monty Python
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download:“Beware The Killer Tents” - Moxy Früvous
(Right-click/control-click link to download)