Tag Archives: videos

Saturday video break: Honey, Honey

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Behold the majesty of ABBA at its peak: If they aren’t the greatest English-language band that didn’t actually speak English, I don’t know who is. They also gave us the musical/movie “Mamma Mia”, from which we get this version: My … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Home

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I have five songs called “Home” in my library. I could find videos for four of them. First up is Ingrid Michaelson, from her latest album: We got to see her on that tour at the House of Blues in … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Revisiting the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs list, part 18

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s their list. 1. Califonia Girls – The Beach Boys (#72) 2. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag – James Brown (#71) 3. Walk On By – Dionne Warwick (#70) 4. Sunshine Of Your Love – Brian Tarquin (orig. Cream, … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Holiday

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s go back to the 80s, when Madonna was taking over the world, and listen to one of her early hits: I hope I live long enough to see what future historians – those who didn’t actually live through the … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hold On

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

How about a little Corey Hart for your Saturday afternoon? That was on the Beverly Hills Cop 2 soundtrack. I feel certain I saw that movie back in the day, but I have no memory of it. Moving on to … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hold Back The Night

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s The Trammps with a little soul for your soul: The Trammps were probably best known for the 70s classic “Disco Inferno”, for which I can’t recommend The Bobs’ a capella cover enough, though sadly it doesn’t exist on YouTube. … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten guest post: Blockwalking

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Note: The following is a guest post from Phil Owens, political consultant and fellow Rice Owl. He suggested the idea and I said sure. I’ve asked people for guest posts before, and I’ve had a few people pitch them to … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hesitation Blues

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

From their very first album, the Asylum Street Spankers doing this traditional classic: From the late great Dave Van Ronk: And finally, a version that’s both more modern and even more old school, from Willie Nelson and Asleep at the … Continue reading →

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Bad choice, Lance

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Very disappointing. Lance Berkman, former Houston Astros star and Texas native, has waded into the fight for LGBT protections, sharing his views in a new ad campaign this week. At the center of Berkman’s concern is Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Here Comes The Flood

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here comes a very young Peter Gabriel, doing a very acoustic piano version of “Here Comes The Flood”: That was from a 1979 Kate Bush Christmas special. Who knew Kate Bush had a Christmas special? Who knew that was a … Continue reading →

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No way to run a road bond election

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Am I a bad person for being unreasonably amused by this? A special prosecutor has been assigned to determine whether behind-the-scenes negotiations could void a last-minute deal struck by Montgomery County commissioners to get a scaled-back $270 million road bond … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Helter Skelter

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Beatles classic gets a funky a capella treatment from The Bobs: I missed an opportunity to see The Bobs at a small club here (the Mucky Duck) some years ago, and I’ve regretted it ever since. A group that … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Heigh Ho

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Two very different takes on a Disney classic. First up, Tom Waits: That’s from the great album Stay Awake. Sure puts another spin on the Dwarfs’ day, doesn’t it? I didn’t really like this version when I first heard it … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hearts of Stone

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

A deep cut from Bruce Springsteen: That’s on his four-CD “Tracks” collection of B-sides and other unreleased or miscellaneous tunes. The man was a nonstop songwriting machine. Most of what’s on “Tracks” is stuff you probably don’t know unless you’re … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Heart of Gold

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Neil Young sings what was then his new song, once he finds the right harmonica. That was from 1971. I’m getting old, too. Now here’s Johnny Cash and his cover version: I so wish he were still around to do … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Three cheers for the bus drivers

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

In honor of Metro’s new bus system, I’m taking a break from the cover song theme to run two bus-related videos. First, to represent the old system, here’s a very young Weird Al Yankovic and his classic, “Another One Rides … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: The Harder They Come

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

From the movie of the same name, here’s Jimmy Cliff: An underrated classic from the 70s if you ask me. Here’s cover version by another underrated artist, Joe Jackson: Love Joe Jackson. I guess I’m just a sucker for someone … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hard Headed Woman

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

First up, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens: A bit slowed down from the studio version, but still very Cat Stevens-y. And now for someone who is not Cat Stevens singing a “Hard Headed Woman” song that is not … Continue reading →

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Harris County DA to investigate Planned Parenthood clinic here

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I haven’t spent any time writing about the misleading attack videos on Planned Parenthood being put out by yet another shadowy anti-abortion group, so let me dispense with this. Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson said Wednesday her office has … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Happy

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know Bruce Springsteen recorded a song called “Happy”? It’s true. That’s from his four-CD B-sides-and-other-miscellania collection Tracks, which you probably don’t own unless you’re a big Springsteen fan. Not a whole lot that’s memorable, but hey, it’s Springsteen. … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hallelujah

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I know, this song has been covered forty jillion times. But you know what I’d never heard before now? Leonard Cohen’s original version. Here it is: Different from what you’re used to, right? Here’s a live version that’s a bit … Continue reading →

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Dashcam video from Sandra Bland arrest released

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Press has a good writeup. I’m just going to quote the two bits of transcript they provided: “What’s wrong?” the trooper asked as he delivered Bland her ticket. “You seem very irritated.” “I really am, because I feel like … Continue reading →

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Sandra Bland’s death being investigated as a homicide

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Doesn’t mean that’s how it will be ruled, but it’s at least a sign that it’s being taken with appropriate seriousness. The probe into Sandra Bland’s hanging death inside a Texas jail — which a medical examiner ruled a suicide … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Groove Me

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

One of the great cover bands of our time, the Blues Brothers: It’s been over 33 years since John Belushi died. Every now and then I wonder what kind of career he would have had if he had managed to … Continue reading →

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What happened to Sandra Bland?

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This is horrible. There are big questions about the final hours of Sandra Bland’s life. The official story is that the 28-year old committed suicide by hanging herself in a Waller County jail cell. Her family doesn’t buy it. Bland, … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Hand In Hand

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

A couple of underrated songs by iconic 80s acts. First up, Dire Straits: Man, Making Movies is an awesome album. Not a bad song on it, and it starts out with three classics, then keeps it going with this tune. … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Taking a break from cover songs for a good, patriotic reason today: I’d love to see a modern take on that. Imagine Jay-Z interpreting and re-choreographing Jimmy Cagney’s song and dance above. Or Bruno Mars, or Justin Timberlake, or maybe … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: The Rainbow Connection

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Going out of order, inspired by a Facebook post by my friend Andy, here’s a classic song with a particular resonance for this week: From the original “Muppet Movie” of 1979, which I need to find on DVD and make … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: The Great Gig In The Sky

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

That Pink Floyd song from Dark Side of the Moon whose name you can never remember: That wasn’t the first video I watched for this. I looked at this one first, by The Australia Pink Floyd Show. It was so … Continue reading →

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“Roguish behavior”

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Saint Louis Cardinals admit they hacked the Astros’ proprietary database. Thursday’s tacit admission by St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. that someone in his organization was involved in hacking the Astros continued a saga that holds the potential … Continue reading →

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Abbott signs pollution enhancement bill

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Still sucks to be us, Harris County. Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation that could make it tougher for local governments to sue big-time polluters – an effort that largely targets Harris County prosecutors. House Bill 1794, set to become … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Gotta Serve Somebody

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

One of the gospel songs of Bob Dylan: Couldn’t find a decent live version of that, sorry. Anyway, because this is a Dylan song there are covers aplenty. The one I have is by blues diva Etta James: I’m convinced. … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Got My Mojo Working

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s one of the great voices of American blues, Muddy Waters: As our subtitled narrator notes, Muddy Waters was a huge influence of many other blues artists, as well as on rock musicians. ZZ Top is a prime example of … Continue reading →

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Memorial Day video break: No Forgotten Man

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This great song by Solas seems appropriate for today: Have a happy and safe Memorial Day, everyone.

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