Okay, so somebody (Jim?) mentioning Jackie Wilson sent me to the iTunes store, where I see Dexy's Midnight Runners did a cover of "Jackie Wilson Said." Want.

I think I'm on record as "Crazy in Love" being a highly addictive song, but does the rap break disqualify it as pop? Come to think of it, I'm not sure if there are songs with "crazy" in the title that I *don't* like.

And "Twist" by I Am Kloot has the lovely and disturbing lyrics "There's blood on your legs ... I love you. ... Twist, snap ... I love you."

Lethem is officially a MacArthur-certified genius now?

Totally the wrong thread, but coincidentally I saw Fortress of Solitude at the Harvard Book Store yesterday on the remainder table for $4.99. Can I assume that this is a must-have (esp. for the price)?

Did I miss the discussion of Children of Nuggets?

It looks like a fun, if pricey, collection.

Can I assume that this is a must-have (esp. for the price)?

It's ok. Lethem gets off-track about halfway through and the ending doesn't make a damn bit of sense.

Did I miss the discussion of Children of Nuggets?

Nope. I hadn't heard of it. The picks are interesting. There's nothing that would make me reach for the CD remote, but there are several that seem inappropriate for the concept (That Petrol Emotion, Smithereens). Also, several artists have multiple songs included. I would rather have seen a few more obscure bands represented.

I *love* FOS. Although I'm totally jealous that he thought of "The Subtle Distinctions" as a name instead of me. Drat. Foiled by the BJG. I just told a friend that my new CD's make me Dylan's dream girl(with a difference, I suppose.) But with all the Otis Redding I know, what's a little hypoxia at birth?

Hey, Joe B, did you see that Lethem is officially a MacArthur-certified genius now?

Been at my folks' place & mostly offline for a few days so I didn't see it, but a mutual friend (not that one) called to tell me about it. He also predicted that the mutual friend you were thinking of would be completely bummed out by the news. He called , bummed out, shortly thereafter. He loves JL like a brother but feels like he (the one you know, not JL) has wasted his life. Objectively he knows it isn't true, but he's still bummed. My take: well Sgt. Pepper is the officially certified best album ever & you know how I feel about that. I'm happy about Jonathan's success, but I still think he's overrated.

Anyway, Hec & Corwood please send me your mailing addresses ASAP. I'm sending you some stuff whether you want it or not. Keep it, chuck it, pass it on, whatever. I can't take it with me & can't bring myself to tossing it.

Anyway, Hec & Corwood please send me your mailing addresses ASAP. I'm sending you some stuff whether you want it or not.

Well, okay!

btw, Joe, do you have the Lou Reed video Coney Island Baby? It's Lou live with Fernando and Quine doing things like Legendary Hearts and New Sensation and the usual Reedian songbook. If not, I saw it used on VHS at Amoeba the other day and could pick it up for you.

OK, let's say I'm making a mix tape of nothing but non-rap covers of rap songs. Right now I have the Gourds' "Gin and Juice," Ben Folds' "Bitches Ain't Shit," Nina Gordon's girl-and-a-guitar version of "Straight Outta Compton."

Any other suggestions?

Any other suggestions?

"Black Steel" - Tricky
"Bring the Noise" - The Unholy Trio (Misha hates this, but I like it 'cuz it sounds like Ernest Tubb)
Luka Bloom's cover of LL Cool J's "I Need Love"