The Rotunda

Normally, here you’d be treated to another literate, funny diatribe from Matt, but he decided to take a much-deserved/needed vacation to New Zealand, and before he left at the crack o’ dawn today, he wasn’t able to wrap his up. He did give me his tunes, though, and he had loads of fun with the assignment, too.

We’d had chats where we shared thoughtful/insightful/interesting observations about fat women and men in song, but I’m too fried to remember them properly. Instead, I’ll walk you through his tunes, which, as usual, are classy all the way:

1. Tenacious D, “Karate Schnitzel”
   Great minds think alike. I delivered our monthly theme to Matt verbally, and as a result Matt didn’t know Linda namechecked Jack Black in the description. They must both have some kind of quirky musical extrasensory capability. Or it’s sheer coincidence. I prefer the former explanation, personally.
2. The Fat Boys, “Jail House Rap”
   Now he and I are thinking on the same wavelength. Wicked weird. In any case, who here hasn’t seen “Disorderlies”? And who here can’t believe that there’s no page for “Disorderlies” on Wikipedia? Get crackin’!
3. The Big Bopper, “The Big Bopper’s Wedding”
   I don’t know much about the Bopper outside of “Chantilly Lace” and the movie “La Bamba,” but I learned this inneresting fact on his Wikipedia entry: “In May of 1957, he broke the record for continuous on-the-air broadcasting by eight minutes. He went a total of five days, two hours and eight minutes, playing 1,821 records and taking showers during five-minute newscasts. During the marathon, he lost 35 pounds (16 kg). KTRM paid Richardson $746.50 for his overtime and he quickly hit the sack for 20 hours.”
4. Chubb Rock, “The Big Man”
   This is an inspired choice — not only is it a great song, but both the artist’s name and the song title are heavy-set. Kudos.
5. Fats Domino, “Blue Mondays”
   It’s a great song, but I can’t help but chuckle. Every time I see Fats Domino’s name, I’m reminded of a Far Side cartoon: guy’s in a phone booth next to a “Blueberry Hill” sign holding a power drill; he says, “You’re right! I DID find my drill…” Oh how I miss you, Gary Larson.
6. P.M. Dawn, “Comatose”
   I knew there had to be more to these guys than “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss.”
7. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, “Ka Huila Wai”
   What was I saying about musical ESP before? Nicely played, sir. Credit for not sharing Iz’ touching but overplayed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Enjoy the tunes!

Download: Tenacious D, “Karate Schnitzel” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Fat Boys, “Jail House Rap” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Big Bopper, “The Big Bopper’s Wedding” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Chubb Rock, “The Big Man” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Fats Domino, “Blue Mondays” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: P.M. Dawn, “Comatose” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, “Ka Huila Wai” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: UNKLE Matt’s “The Rotunda” (XML playlist)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

You can grab the whole kit & caboodle here:

Download: UNKLE Matt’s “The Rotunda” (ZIP — SaveFile)
(Click here for download instructions)