Happy Birthday, Benson

I recently began a ritual of frequently posting songs or film or TV clips to my Facebook page in commemoration of the birthdays of famous people. Today, I posted a link to the pilot episode of Benson in honor of the 83rd birthday of the show's star, Robert Guillaume. It's a great episode, and I recommend you watch it. Benson was an excellent show, running from the late-1970s to the mid-1980s. It was funny, often poignant, and contains many fond signs of the times. Given the political (yet bi-partisan) nature of the show, several episodes were written to make a point as much as to make the audience laugh (sometimes more so). One particular episode that made me stop and think in a way that transcends the show's age and timeframe is episode 22 from the first season, "Takin' It To the Streets." In this episode, the naive yet caring and genuinely dedicated Governor Gene Gatling wants to better understand what the people of his state (which is never named in the show's seven-year run) think and feel and need in order to better serve them. He explores different ways to communicate with ordinary citizens on a personal level and finally decides to mingle with people in their local hangouts. Benson worries about the plan but knows he can't argue with the Governor for long. Why should he? Wouldn't we all prefer it if our elected officials interacted with us in such a way more often? I think every elected official (and even the appointed ones) should take Governor Gatling's message and intent to heart and think about how to better understand the common/normal/regular/everyday folks they serve. On the flipside, as the episode shows toward the end of the bar scene, citizens need to be willing to honestly communicate with their leaders as well, and they must ALWAYS be prepared to exercise their ultimate authority at the ballot box. Watch the episode and tell me what you think. It's funny and thoughtful. While you're at it, watch the entire first season. It's a great DVD set.
Happy birthday, Benson. You did your imaginary state proud.

Nothin' But the Music, Track 1

Last night, I watched "Behind the Music Remastered" on VH1 Classic. This time, they updated their depiction of the story of Daryl Hall and John Oates, the biggest-selling duo in pop music history. Like many great artists whom I now follow, I came to appreciate their work later in my life, and I am continually impressed and intrigued by their range as writers and their versatility as performers. From their work, I can find songs for any mood and from multiple genres. As solo performers, Daryl and John are amazing. As a duo, they are a musical force to be reckoned with. I had the privilege of seeing John Oates in Nashville recently, and he didn't fail to deliver style, depth, and showmanship. After a string of top-10s in the 1970s and 80s, Hall & Oates took a break from hit-making and eventually took a break from working together on a consistent basis through much of the 90s. However, in recent years, the Internet and a new generation of fans and devoted independent artists have given new life to some (slightly) old favorites. I'm glad that such a powerful pair as Hall & Oates are seeing new success, both as a duo and in their solo careers, because they really are two writers and performers who care more about their love of music than the success it brings. In honor of the dynamic duo of modern music, here's some of my favorites from their years in the business (this is certainly not "the" favorites list, I don't think I could honestly rank them). Enjoy!

"She's Gone" - Written by a depressed John Oates when he was stood up for a New Year's Eve date, it would become a very profitable lonely night for he and Daryl. This song became an anthem for breakups, heartbreaks, and depressed guys (sometimes including me) everywhere and has been included in several feature films over the years. From their second album, Abandoned Luncheonette, as well as 1977's No Goodbyes album (when the single hit #8 on the charts), the guys sing it in 1997 in this clip.
"Watch Your Back" - Throughout much of the 60s and 70s, it was almost a rule that every recording artist had to have some sort of protest or anti-war song (i.e. "Friendship Train" by Gladys Knight & the Pips, "War" by Edwin Starr, etc.). This sort of serves as the Hall & Oates entry in that set. From the album War Babies.
"Rich Girl" - Originally written about a stuck-up man, "Rich Guy" didn't quite have the right ring to it, so it became "Rich Girl" and gave Hall & Oates their first #1 hit. This is one of many songs that sets off an automatic instinct in me to turn the car radio volume up incredibly high and sing along, regardless of what else I am doing (I knew I had that wreck for a reason). From the Bigger Than Both of Us album, the linked performance is from the classic "Midnight Special" television show of the 1970s.
"Head Above Water" - I think it's a shame that this song didn't/doesn't get more exposure. It has become my favorite piece from the Private Eyes album. To me, it speaks to anyone on the rise in life (or anyone who wants to be) or just anyone who's trying to keep their... you guessed it - head above water.
"Possession Obsession" - Some say this is one of the quintessential songs about the 80s as "the decade of excess." Maybe. But I say it's just a really cool 80s pop song and a great (rare) showing of John Oates' lead-singing talent. From the album Big Bam Boom, here it is in a concert clip from Tokyo in 1988.
"Change of Season" - This song has a lot of depth. I think of it as a song about looking for the best in yourself and your life, but it very much falls into the "open to interpretation" category. Check it out and see what it says to you. The linked clip is from another show in Tokyo and the song comes from the album called (get this) Change of Season.

This is but a mere sampling of the amazing repertoire of Hall & Oates. If you're not familiar with their work (loser) or want to see what else they have to offer beyond the standard hits, check out their recently-released 4-disc career-spanning collection Do What You Want, Be What You Are. It's awesome. Keep on rocking, Chuckonia!

With All Our Humble Thanks

Today is Veterans Day. Along with Independence Day and Memorial Day, this is one of the most American days of the year and one that should not be taken lightly. How in the world can any of us properly express our gratitude to those who have served or serve today, whether at home or abroad, in defense of our country? How can we ever properly honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf? I wish there was such a way, and I wish we were always cognizant of our need as a people to extend our thanks and love to these individuals. In the meantime, we should take any opportunity available to honor and appreciate the brave men and women who grant me the freedom to write this blog without censorship, to join my brothers and sisters of faith in worship on Sunday or at any other time we please, to do as I will with my financial and personal assets, and to question or petition my government when circumstances and conviction require it. For these and so many other freedoms, we owe an immense debt to thousands of fellow Americans who have fought for us, usually without knowing us, against tremendous odds and against dangers they could not have imagined themselves. I am glad to see that more tributes to our veterans are being offered by America's corporate community this year than ever before. Several restaurant chains are allowing veterans to dine with them for free today, while many parks and other recreational locations are offering them free admission, as well as a host of other discounts and freebies across the country. All of these are great ideas and, hopefully, a trend that will grow. But a personal word of thanks from a fellow citizen is still one of the greatest acts of appreciation that we can offer. So perhaps, when a veteran is being offered a free meal by his waiter or waitress at Chili's or Applebee's or wherever he or she chooses to dine today with his family, someone at a nearby table will overhear them and take that prompt to offer their thanks. It only takes a handshake and the words "thank you" to remind a brave soldier that we recognize what they did and we realize what it means to us. This is appreciation at its humble, meager best, but it's a start. And while we may have more opportunity to identify those veterans who deserve our thanks on a day like today, don't let it end when November 11 passes. Anytime you have the chance, thank someone who put on the uniform and decided (whether voluntarily or by compulsion) to turn their life over to the fight for freedom, even if only for a little while. Let every day be like Veterans Day.
I thank all those whom I have known and whom I have never met who are currently serving both overseas and here at home, as well as those who have served in the past and are still here making America great by their active citizenship, and especially those who laid down their lives so that many of us would not have to, for their great service and dedication to a country, an idea, and a life that we call the United States of America.
And now, for a slightly unexpected touch of honor and fun on this Veterans Day, here is a salute to the troops concert clip from Kiss (not in costume and makeup). Apparently, they like to rock and roll all night with the soldiers as much as with a concert audience here at home. Enjoy and sing along. Happy Veterans Day!