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The CHIRP Blog
Eddie writesLet’s Eat! A CHIRP Radio Thanksgiving Playlist
by Eddie Sayago
Artwork: "Freedom from Want (Hipster Version)" by Tristan Elwell
There aren’t a lot of songs about Thanksgiving, which is a shame because this is a very unique holiday with plenty of history.
he woman who wrote “Mary Had A Little Lamb '' had spent decades petitioning to get Thanksgiving to become an official national holiday. Macy’s got involved with a parade. Black Friday became a thing, along with Black-out Wednesday.
But also, all the food. And booze. And desserts. And a four or five day weekend if you are lucky enough to have that much time off. And leftovers, which go well with Christmas ales brewed from your favorite brewery, or the harder stuff.
Here are some songs and trivia to share for neutral conversation-starters into the day-long feast stuffed with football with a side of disgruntled uncles and last minute guests and scrolling on your phone for Christmas gifts.
I am thankful for all the song suggestions from our fellow CHIRP volunteers and DJs Shawn, Craig Reptile, Jennifer, Alex, Moizza, The Audible Snail, Allí, Joe, and Bradley, who responded first to my inquiry about food songs.
“Cooking Up Something Good” by Mac DeMarco
From the album 2 (Captured Tracks, 2012)
Food is the guest of honor at any Thanksgiving feast. Everyone has a dish they are looking forward to on this day. For me, it’s a homemade macaroni ‘n’ cheese that my mom has made for as long as I can remember. The texture and taste makes it half mac ‘n’ cheese and part macaroni salad.
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weely Voyages (Nov 22 - Nov 28)
On the Podcast:
- Mike Nicholich interviews Philip-Michael Scales
On the Blog:
- Kevin Fullam reviews The Daughter, part of the 2021 Chicago Critics Film Festival
- Eddie Sayago compares two versions of "Red Red Wine"
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 11/15/21:
ABBA – Voyage (Capitol)
Eddie writesTake Two: “Red Red Wine” (Neil Diamond Vs. UB40)
by Eddie Sayago
There is a chance that you have come across a song (or two, or so many more) that you enjoy and did not realize that it's either been covered by someone else or is a cover itself. We hope that this series allows you to appreciate both the original and the covers they have inspired, and to seek out and enjoy new music in the process.
In this entry, we pay homage to a very popular drinking song that has been on a very crazy journey, from the pen and paper of its songwriter to the top of the pop charts on two continents at two different times during the 1980s.
The Original: Neil Diamond
The cover we will discuss is a dance party compared to Neil Diamond’s depressing look at lost love.
The song, which was a minor but unmemorable single from the Just For You album, is full of heartbreak, as Neil sings about a woman who left him and he is all alone with his bottle of red wine. It almost sounds like he’s holding back tears in the first verse.
There is also a cover of “I’m A Believer” on Just For You, which he wrote and was recorded by The Monkees, scoring Diamond his first big payday and #1 hit as a songwriter.
At this point of his career, he was best known for writing hit songs for other artists, and Just For You would be a turning point. He performs the song on occasion, which is a crowd favorite, along with “Cherry, Cherry” and “Sweet Caroline.”
Kevin Fullam writesFrom the Chicago Critics Film Festival: “The Lost Daughter”
by Kevin Fullam
How much do we compartmentalize our lives? When we're small, most of us can't envision our mothers as having any roles other than that of our chief caretaker. Careers? Passions? Not on the radar of a young child. Moms might be teachers/nurses/chefs rolled into one, but they scarcely exist in our minds outside of those boundaries.
Early on in The Lost Daughter, Leda Caruso (Olivia Colman) -- a 48-year-old professor on a "working holiday" at a resort town in Greece -- strikes up a conversation with visibly-pregnant Callie (Dagmara Domińczyk), and the subject turns to that of parenting.
Callie asks Leda an innocuous question about her memories of raising her two daughters (now adults), expecting a good-natured nostalgic response. Leda's reply? "Children are a crushing responsibility." And then she walks away. Full stop. Yikes.
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Nov 15 - Nov 21)
On the Podcast:
- Mick R talks with local band Dos Santos
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 11/8/21:
Mick Jenkins – Elephant In The Room (Cinematic Music)