It’s just a rumor that was spread around town

Ok, I’m now definitely north of 60. Geez, it’s the 23rd anniversary of my 39th Birthday (Thank you Mr. Benny). As some of you may remember, this was a rather strange year for me (it may have been for you as well, I don’t know? You don’t call. You don’t write.) ACME’s in-house law firm, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger and McCormick (and don’t be like Jamison and leave out the most important Hungerdunger,) have urged me to avoid copyright issues with the BBC, so a few years ago, I teamed up with Toho Studios and renamed my Desert Island Discs selections, Godzilla’s Atoll LPs, brought to you by ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour.

(In case you’ve never heard of the BBC show Desert Island Disc – people are asked what music they would bring with them if they were stranded on an island for an indefinite period of time.

Here are the rules:

1.) You make choose 8 pieces of music and tell me why you chose them.
2.) You then get to choose one book to take with you (you automatically get to take the Complete Works of Shakespeare and either the Bible or another appropriate religious or philosophical work.)
3.) You get to choose one luxury, which must be inanimate and of no use in escaping the island or allowing communication from outside. (You can cheat here – since you can listen to music, there is some form of electric, so you may have refrigeration for your luxury item.)

There is nothing profound or deep in my Godzilla’s Atoll LP choices – they’re just songs that I like (in no particular order)

Mohammed’s Radio – Warren Zevon

This year, I remembered Warren and this is one of my favorite songs of his – but I think it’s strange that he is not everyone’s cup of tea. Ah well, their loss. And an added bonus for me is that Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, whose voices, on loan from Fleetwood Mac, are perfect as back-up singers.

In My Room – The Langley Schools Music Project

I used to say that Caroline No (or Carol I Know) was the saddest Beach Boy song ever recorded. But I was wrong – this obscure recording from the 1970s of Canadian middle school music class is the saddest and most pure recording of any of Brian’s music. (I will admit that I had to stop listening the the entire CD because I was weeping so hard. Seek it out the The Langley Schools Music Project.)

Imitation of Life – R.E.M.

I don’t think I’ve ever chosen an R.E.M. song before. I really like this late R.E.M. song with kind of harkens back to their earlier work. It’s a very up tune from the band.

Shipbuilding – Elvis Costello

I mentioned last year that you need a 5 pm song, especially on a desert island. This is a perfect one particularly with the addition of Chet Baker. Please check out this cover version of the song by the great British musician Robert Wyatt.

The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Tony Bennett

To know that I am alive while Tony Bennett is still a singer is enough to survive on that desert island for a year

Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me) – Steely Dan

My annual dilemma, choosing the Steely Dan cut. I’ve often said that I probably don’t need a Steely Dan song; I could call them up at will in my mind. I’ve gone with an early SD song, lead vocals by David Palmer. The song reminds me that Steely Dan isn’t so much a band as a state of mind. And as usual, I won’t forget my Steely Dan tshirt!

Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) – Stan Getz, João Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto

At some point you have to fall asleep on the island, so why not listen to this bossa nova classic. If this one doesn’t grab you, why not listen to Sinatra’s take on the song; I will be hearing it in my mind while I’m on the desert island.

Gnossiennes 1-6 – Erik Satie

Even on a desert island, there’s going to be stressful days – Satie was made for de-stressing.

The book I’d take with me would be Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking (both volumes)

I’d have something to do every day, reading about the 781 recipes the two books contain (which works out to about 2 recipes a day).

As always, the luxury item would be a refrigerator full of Bombay Sapphire (and maybe, tub of kalamata olivies.)

so that’s eight songs (and that’s all you’re allowed.) This year I feel very conflicted with my choices. I’ve changed them several times before I just stopped and posted them. I’ll try to get marooned again next year for my birthday, and see how I do.

Demand Euphoria!