Going Old Skool... And Keeping It Real.

by Carmen Cruz


I've been listening to a lot of older music. Classic music just doesn't get the respect it deserves. For example, whenever I hear Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, John Denver or Kenny Rogers, I'm transported to the days when I was a little rugrat, running around my dads mechanic shop in Edmonton. It also reminds me of what seemed like loooooong drives with my familia to visit relatives in Wetaskiwin. It would be the middle of winter and all 6 of us would be packed into our small car, with the heat cranked and the smell of royal pine air freshner making me car sick. To this day, I still can't stand the smell of those stinking royal pine tree freshners. Gag. My dad would make me sing Kenny Rogers 'You pick a fine time to leave me Lucille'. I STILL know every single word to that song. Anywho, enough rambling. Here's my list of wicked older tunes I've been into.



For my dad: Neil Diamond ~ Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show. Look at the hair. Oh Neil and his glorious hair! Hallelujah!!! I'm a HUGE Neil Diamond fan and if I have the chance to see this man, I will. I remember checking out Nearly Neil (the Neil Diamond impersonator) at Earls on Fir street in Vancouver. AMAZING!!! This dude not only sounds like Neil, he looks EXACTLY like him. In conclusion, Nearly Neil must get a whole lotta tail!





 Another one for my papa! Simon & Garfunkel ~  The Only Living Boy In New York. Oh how I adore this song. I can listen to it over and over... just like I'm doing right now ;). Gracias papa for introducing
me to these two <3


The Specials ~ Monkey Man. A tune about bouncers and my favourite summer song!!! I drove people INSANE playing this tune over and over again. I couldn't help it, it's just one of those tunes that makes you 'happy dance'!!! These guys are considered the godfathers of ska music. Can you believe they formed back in 1977??? This one goes out to one of my favourite people in the world, Constanza (AKA: Lady Mishmash. Check out the Mosquito Song. I like to think that she wrote this one for me ;). It's another tune I can listen to on repeat. Her lyrics kick a$$!).





Louis Prima ~ Buona Sera. How can you NOT love anything by Louis Prima. I love how this song stars all slow and then BAM! It kicks in. I *heart* you Senor Prima!


This one is for my mama. The Beatles - Hey Jude. I'll admit it. I've never been a fan of The Beatles. My mom would play them endlessly and once I found out that John Lennon was a dead beat dad, I disliked them even more. John, how could you neglect poor Julian? I'm not saying that John Lennon wasn't brilliant. He WAS. He just wasn't the best father. And so, the story behind this song it that Paul wrote this song for little Julian to help comfort him during his parents divorce. Poor little guy :(. Perhaps, you'll hear this song a little differently now that you know the story behind it. "Anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, don't carry the world upon your shoulders".





 Enjoy!!!!

Besos,

CC.