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One Talking Mule or Many Identically Named Countries: Choose Your Own Adventure
by Jordan
Please note: MP3s are only kept online for a short time, and if this entry is from more than a couple of weeks ago, the music probably won't be available to download any more.
Ironically referencing the "Star-Spangled Banner" in its opening bars, this is a song of frustration and helplessness. The low wheezing of the accordion, forced out in long drones lagging just behind the melody, is a nice reflection of the artist's frustrated attempts at communication. [Info] *** B Castanon has done it again. Frankly, I don't know who this guy is, or if that B stands for Brian, Bradley, or Bronson Pynchot, but until I hear differently, I'm assuming it stands for Brains! If you ever get an email from him (and you will) in which he recommends some music, listen up; he is keenly perceptive when it comes to identifying the Good. For example, please check out this cover of the calypso standard and Andrews Sisters hit, "Rum and Coca Cola," by Les Shelleys. This exquisitely sung version is by far the best song about Trinidadian prostitutes I've heard all night. Hand-claps! Clap your hands. Dan, do you remember when I sang this to you in your bedroom? You were sitting on your bed, I was posting the blog. Will you deny that you were moved? Posted by Jordan at October 8, 2005 4:10 AMComments
i like both these songs. would be great quirky songs for a mix tape that my mom would actually enjoy. well at least the rum and cola song. Posted by ed at October 8, 2005 9:10 AMi love les shelleys. and that song is lovely. they had the song as a regular download not too long ago. i'm pretty sure the link still works: http://www.lesshelleys.com/audio/lesshelleys_rumandcocacola.mp3 Posted by hannah at October 8, 2005 5:13 PMhannah, you are a saint! Posted by Sean at October 8, 2005 5:32 PMI won't deny that I was moved. but only by the plight of both motha and daughta. your singing had little (not nothing) to do with it. Posted by dan at October 8, 2005 7:08 PMI thought the other songs available on Frances' website were a better listen with the toy piano and a little Arcade Fire vibe to them. "It" is a good song but I kept waiting for the rhythm section that never came. Not that it needs a rhythm section, I was just expecting one. Posted by Jen at October 9, 2005 5:02 PMThis is "It"... invariably the soundtrack to my restless mind. Brilliant. Posted by elfie at October 11, 2005 6:43 PMi love this song- do you know anything more about les shelleys? Posted by frannie at December 12, 2005 8:15 PMPost a comment |
 about said the gramophone
this is a daily sampler of really good songs. all tracks are posted out of love. please go out and buy the records!
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all songs are removed within a week or two of posting. said the gramophone launched in march 2003, and added songs in november of that year. it was one of the world's very first mp3blogs. if you would like to say hello, find out our mailing addresses or invite us to shows, please get in touch: montreal, canada: sean toronto, canada: jordan montreal, canada: dan please don't send us emails with tons of huge attachments; if emailing a bunch of mp3s etc, use a service like MailBigFile. if you are the copyright holder of any song posted here, please contact us if you would like the song taken down early. please do not direct link to any of these tracks. please love and wonder. "and i shall watch the ferry-boats / and they'll get high on a bluer ocean / against tomorrow's sky / and i will never grow so old again." we are a member of MBV.
about the authors
Sean Michaels lives in Montreal, where he is writing a novel. His work also occasionally appears at McSweeney's. Follow him on Twitter or reach him here.
Dan Beirne is an actor and writer living in Montreal. He writes fiction fiction fiction on here. It may feel true, but it is never True. He is most proud of his most recent project The Bitter End. Email him here Jordan Himelfarb lives in Toronto, where he is editor in chief of The Mark. Jordan's posts appear at Said the Gramophone only on the last Wednesday of every month. Email him here. Site design and header typography by Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet. The header graphic is randomized: this one is by . 
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