Everybody loves to make fun of The Village People. Maybe they were somewhat over-the-top with their outfits, theatrics and moronic simplicity, but yet they cranked out some terrific ground-breaking disco that made for great dancing. Genuine pumpin', thumpin', do the bumpin' music, filled with life and optimism.
RadioDAZZ comes out of the guitar case and confesses his love for some of the flashy, get-you-moving music that these dazzling (garish) disco icons made so popular. How many bar mitzvahs, weddings and other catered affairs were graced by "YMCA" or some other Village People staples in the early 80s? You can grimace and you can frown, but you can't put these pump-it-up pioneers down. A collection of several of their very best tunes (IMHO) follows for you pleasure. Re-visit them. Bring on your Huckapoos, hairspray, Halston, Polo, leisure suits, platform shoes and jewelry. Men - open those top two shirt buttons. Ladies - whirl, twirl and drive the boys crazy. Did somebody say "ultraviolet lights?" --- they make your Hendrix posters pop.
This collection is dedicated to the omnipotent Tony, Tina, Guido, Chica and Babette. Don't light a candle for them...burn some incense. Maybe even throw a toga party!
You know what to do:
SAN FRANCISCO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9zykkP-8-c
YMCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS9OO0S5w2k
GO WEST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wc-AQJ2MYo&feature=relmfu
MACHO MAN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO43p2Wqc08&feature=relmfu
IN THE NAVY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw&feature=relmfu
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On a personal note, from RadioDAZZ (and its shameless founder, Douglas E Castle):
I love music. It is the greatest passion in my life, and it always has been. It has helped to keep me alive during the darkest, loneliest nights of my soul. It has marked, to memory, every romance, every break-up, every victory, every success, every failure and every event of significance throughout the course of my existence. Music has been my truest, most trusted companion - at its best, it is the soul's unfettered outpouring of emotion -- and at it's worst, you can turn it off. Period.
I listen to it, I play it, I dream to it. My life is a meandering stream of segues from song to song. Music is a great gift for all of Humankind. It is a form of communication and connection that is unparalleled in its power, its poignancy, it provocativeness.
I don't care where the music comes from, or who writes, sings or plays it. If I like it, I simply like it. Race, gender, sexual preference, lifestyle choices, politics...these are not even remotely relevant to me. If I like it, if it moves me, I savor it for what it is, in and of itself, separate and apart from all other considerations. I permit music to speak to my heart, and do not try to "evaluate it" with my limited mind. The music takes me away; at least, for a short while.
My profound love of music leaves neither time nor tolerance for hatred, petty politics or social commentary. I do not sit in judgment of the composer, arranger, producer, or artist, except with respect to the final product - the music that moves me.
For the record (no pun intended), and as far as we (RadioDAZZ and I) are concerned, the music sings its own song, and it speaks for itself.
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Radio DAZZ!
Please VISIT us and make us a FAVORITE at http://RadioDAZZ.blogspot.com
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