I was going to review these videos for you when they first came out, but it's been kind of a busy last 20 years, and only rocket scientists had access to the Internet back then. So I'll do it now and just declare that the 80's are back:
"Photograph"- Def Leppard
Did a young Joe Elliott ever take a screaming jump at me in slo-mo wearing a sleeveless Union Jack t-shirt, leather pants, and a jaunty neckerchief? Nope, nope, sadly it was just a video. Since this was one of the first videos on MTV, I'm saddling this one as being the beginning of the unfortunate "girls in cages" video motif. See, the girls have to be locked in cages or behind big wire fences (preferably topped with barbed wire) because that's how sexy the singer or band is. Get it? Well, theoretically, anyway. When later served the spectacle of girls having to be chained up because of their mad lust for John Cougar Mellencamp, I had to call bullshit.
"Take on Me" -A-Ha
What's your worst fear? What's your worst nightmare come true? What are you most afraid of? Well, if you're the one who thought up this video, it's being menaced with a wrench by a motorcyclist who's lost a race. Now that's dramatic tension.
In addition to the animated graphic novel style, I like this video because the female lead is a normal 80's girl. She's a nice girl and is worth Morten's Altered States-style break out of his comic book world to be with. That is, until he finds out that she was one of the sluts prowling behind the fence in the Def Leppard video. Look at it again--I'd swear the one lasciviously singing in the close up is the same gal.
"Come on Eileen" -Dexy's Midnight Runners
You know what's worse than looking at Kevin Rowland's face? Looking at the pits under those butterfly wings he calls arms. His pits are on full display here, repeatedly and gratuitously as he flaps his little wings over his head. I think each of his pits should have a little censor bar over them in each and every frame of the video. That's how much they bother me.
Just like how when people are watching a horror movie and they beg a character not to go down in the basement, I shout out warnings for the video Eileen to run. Run Eileen, run from that scraggly scarecrow with the pits.
loaded..loaded..loaded..
Maybe if John Cougar (what i remember him calling himself) had donned a flag done the slo-mo jump..you
would understand..there were PLENTY of corn-huskers
all aflutter bout Pank House...
on to the next...yeah it looks like her..sort of, must have been the All American look..which was first, this vid, Roger Rabbit..or the Basinger/Pitts
flick that did the cartoon switcheroo...maybe we should go back to Uncle Remus for the answer...
as to the last one, well..nevermind Eileen.
Posted by: csason at March 26, 2006 09:37 AMAflutter about Howdy Doody?
Posted by: Donnah at March 26, 2006 12:53 PMI love this early 80s stuff - it was a time I thought I might amount to something in life and was enjoying myself. I had not idea what was to befall me in 1985. Oh, well, life goes on.
Posted by: Juan Paxety at March 27, 2006 07:27 AMIt was a good time in my life as well.
What befell you in 1985? College graduation?
I only wish. I'm a geezer, graduating well before 1985. Ha. No, I was hurt in an automobile accident and my wife decided I would thus never make enough money to suit her, so she threw me out of the house.
Yes, I'm dealing with my bitterness issues. Ha.
Oh, and it was also early in 1985 that my band recorded an album - Paul Hornsby was the engineer. I've posted one of the songs on my site, if folks are interested.
http://paxety.com/Audio/Just.mp3
Posted by: Juan Paxety at March 28, 2006 07:47 AMSorry to hear about the ex, Juan. Very cool about Paul Hornsby, though. Did you talk to him about Duane?
What was your band's name and what instrument did you play?
Over the years we've talked about all the Southern rock greats. The Allmans, Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker. Paul always seemed more interested in talking about the latter two than the Allmans, for some reason. Perhaps because his contact with them was more recent - and he has a bunch of their gold records on his wall.
I guess we talked more about Marshall Tucker during this session as our guitar player on some songs used the same high-third guitar (owned by Paul) as was used on the MT sessions. Also, Paul was fascinated with the sound our flute player got from his alto flute - it recorded so much richer than the normal soprano flute.
I played trombone and bass trombone on this session and wrote the horn parts. The band was The Christal River Band. Long broken up and scattered to the winds.
Paul's a nice guy as long as you can keep him away from the insane women he seems attracted to. Ha.
Posted by: Juan Paxety at March 28, 2006 03:53 PMimho..There never was much to talk about after
any experience with Duane Allman..it was his show, and a virtual legendary one at that...it's pretty
obvious he left a wake...not rode one.
Tell ya what, try to get hold of a DA signature
re-issue 58 LesPaul..
The jacket went for less than 1100 bucks, Donnah..but not before that 'lady' (pardon my insidiousness) rec'd a ton of 'break your arm' email..bet she's real glad to be away from it.
I am still amazed at the intensity of DA, Juan..
all that..the albums, collaberations, studio work
before 24 yrs..
You're right. How about that?
On Mar-24-06 at 06:48:45 PST, seller added the following information:
Greetings, all of you watchers out there. I just wanted to say hi and tell you that I would never in a million years be selling this jacket if I (1) didn't need the money and (2) hadn't been left with a bitter taste in my mouth for all things ABB. Talked to LB yesterday and he offered to provide a letter of provenance to the high bidder. Have a nice day, Cathy B.
On Mar-25-06 at 05:28:42 PST, seller added the following information:
Saturday a.m. - Boy, there is a lot of animosity out there about the sale of this jacket. Rumours a-flyin' One person wants to "break her arm". Where is the peace and love? Have a wonderful day, ya'll. Cathy
Posted by: Donnah at March 28, 2006 09:33 PM