Bob checks in

Here I am at the Mid-Continent Public Library, South Independence Branch.

"Bob, why are you using the library computer instead of your home computer?"

Glad you ask. My compy's in the shop with the worst infection of trojans, viruses, spyware, and rootkits - whatever those are - that I've seen. I haven't had a lot of trouble with those in the past, I always have a firewall up and running and have always had anti-virus at the ready. Not to go into much boring detail, but this is like all of the computer problems I've had over the last 3 1/2 years - and then some - all at once.

So repairs are under way, and now you know part of the reason I haven't posted here this week. One thing I've learned...apparently, the real hotshot hackers are getting good at defeating the two anti-virus packages that have the most market share, McAfee and Norton. So at the instruction of one of my local computer wizards, I've loaded and run Avast. It took care of a lot more of the nasty stuff than I was able to find with McAfee, but there were some Windows system files which were infected; hence my trip to deliver my computer to the local expert.

More later when I get back up and running at home.

Mike, feel free to be the substitute host on The Porch.

John Williams is the man

We will get back to the game in a bit, but I wanted to take a musical diversion tonight.

I showed this to my co-conspirator here at the Porch a few weeks ago when he was in Springfield. I am sure the followers of our blog will enjoy it.

It's Star Wars! We love it!

A milestone

With that last musical post, that’s 100 blog entries here on Poppy’s Front Porch.

As a service to our new readers, here’s a condensed version of where it all began in August of 2007.

Question: Is this...real serious...you people...get too carried away...just a waste of my time?
Answer: ...Cook...a load of laundry!

I almost didn’t...stuff…old news...But…why not? 97 to 104...cucumbers...almost passed out...My wife and I talked about...Long houses...sitting on hot vinyl seats...drenched with sweat...we wouldn’t stand for houses or cars.

Out of the blue I wonder if there’s...cones. Imagine my...stinkin’...old Black Cat...Not to mention Turtle...Crackers. And of course, Thunder...Good...at one time or another...

After this week's nearly perfect launch of...the belly...we'll go and get the right...damage...The astronauts...drill...thick goop. Still, I think you paint...the experts.

...my blistering...cicadas...sing a tune...you couldn’t stand.

The frog is the philosopher of the pond.

...Medicine...Fly...Hotel...Many of these I’ve already listed on my...favorite...monster...list
...back in the eighties...a radio...had written down what he thought...
...yes, I’m...a...rock.
I don’t have the foggiest idea...I’m – happily – mostly out of touch...

You’re welcome.

Keep not the eager in suspense

Sounds like an ancient proverb, eh?

As for the song lyrics, when I chose this for my first challenge, it didn't occur to me that the apparent music business theme would make it tricky. It's just one that popped into my mind first. If you want something really obscure, just wait until I get going...bwa ha ha ha! (mad scientist laugh).

Oh, the answer. Your guesses were good ones, but it was the third verse of Cinnamon Girl, by Neil Young (1969). The song doesn't go into a long story line like the ones you guessed (Bob Segar, Dire Straits). Basically the song builds up to some well executed hard rock guitar chord progressions and harmonics at the end, and - unless I'm missing something - what theme there is, is all summed up in the first verse:

"I wanna live with a cinnamon girl,
I could be happy the rest of my life with a cinnamon girl"

But if I'd chosen that verse, it would have been too easy. What's always intrigued me by the lyrics is...why ten silver saxes? Why not three or six?

Anyway, that song's gotten enough airplay on the classic rock stations over the years that I guess you have some familiarity with it, but what I don't know is how well you fare with Mr. Young's music. I like maybe one fourth to one third of his stuff, and the handful of what I consider his best efforts I really like. This one, for instance. A lot of people though (like my wife and my kids), just can't stand his singing.

Mike you're up next. And here's an idea to ponder...what do you say to posting two different song challenges at a time?

Ten silver saxes

It's an evocative line and one, I am just sure, I might have remembered - but I don't.

I get the impression that the song might be about the music business itself. That makes me think of Jackson Browne's 'Stay', or Dire Straits' 'Sultans of Swing' or Bob Seger's 'Turn the Page'. The image of the 'silver saxes' makes me want to say it is a Dire Straits song. But I have no idea.

If I have heard it, as Bob has suggested, then why don't I remember this line? I am eager to know the answer.

Ah, the chorus would have given it away

Of course. Mike, the lyrics you chose were just obscure enough that I didn't make the connection. I do remember the song...now. It got good airplay.

Okay, now it's my turn!

"Ten silver saxes
a bass with a bow,
the drummer relaxes
and waits between shows..."

Is this obscure? That depends on if you're a fan of the artist, or on how well you know the genre. Hint: It's almost certain that you've heard this.

Good luck, and have fun!

The game was 'Crashed'

The answer to the Lyrics game was 'Rub It In' as sung by Billy 'Crash' Craddock. An obscure tune, to be sure, but I seem to recall it had it's 15 minutes of fame.

I've got a couple more up my sleeve right now, but I think that Bob may wish to weigh in with a Lyrics Quiz - and, we've got to figure out what to call it - I don't think 'the game' is enough info.

I thought there might have a been a half a dozen or so folks who look at the Porch and that would surely be enough to play. You only need four for Scrabble! And particularly after the grief I caught for not knowing about Levon Helm - Goodness! Surely there are other experts out there!! Let's hear from you!

I'm not bitter . . .

Looks like Mike stumped us all

I really like Mike's song lyrics game, but hey, I think I commented on that before. It's been a few days now and no one has chimed in with the answer.
Which for one thing proves I don't have enough readership here on The Porch yet.

All in good time. Anyway, Mike you have me stumped too. I tried to make it fit one song I thought of, to no avail. Now that I've admitted my puzzlement, I could Google the answer. But instead of that, Mike, I'll give you the honor. What was that song?

New game

As I have reported multiple times before, I listen to Yahoo radio frequently, mostly while at my desk at work. And from time to time I hear things that I probably have heard before but, somehow, this time it just hits me funny. Or hits me poignant. Or hits me clever.

Anyway, I thought, "This is Blog Material!" which probably proves I've too much time on my hands.

Well, here's the game - I print the lyrics that I heard that made me sit up and take notice and all you Porch Heads identify the song. Knowing this bunch, this will probably not be a hard game. However, it will give me something to write about and, after all, production is what we're after.

Here we go:

"turn your radio on
and find a slow, groovin’ song"

Identify the song. No Googling!! Leave your guess in the comments section. And I would suggest that the Grand Poobah of the Porch (Bob) let others guess before he weighs in. I suspect he'll be the Master of this game.

Have fun! I'll check back in a couple of days.