Who Will Riddle Me the How and the Why

Detail of a sphinx from an Eight-Light Candelabra (c.1785) possibly by Francois Remond

Here are a couple more images from my recent trip to the Huntington. ;-)

In general, I tend to focus on the fine art, sculpture, and architecture, but the decorative arts on display are exquisite, very rich in detail. These images have a mythological theme, in a pseudo-Egyptian style.

As for the title of this post, it's a quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, "The 'How' and the 'Why'". I figured that it would be a nice nod to celebrate his birth date, August 6, 1809.

Detail of a lamia(?)from an Eight-Light Candelabra (c.1785) possibly by Francois Remond

The sphinx and lamia are quite charming, but I find it a bit twisted, even for rococo sensibilities, to put mythical female sociopaths on the furniture. ;-)

March: Decades of Music

Image from the video of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean

We've got our monthly selection of music again, right under the wire. I always hate running late on this enjoyable feature. It seems stupid celebrating the sounds of one month in another.

Over the decades, the month of March has been full of good and interesting music. In fact, it was a bit hard winnowing my selections down to just nine songs. Some fun music was left to the side. So, we'll have to pass up on Snow's "Informer" from '93 and Will Smith's "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" from '98. Maybe we'll listen to them next time, in five years or so. ;-)

Another funny point about this month's post is that it would have been very easy to make it totally focused on Dance music. The whole reason why I changed the post titles, in January, from "Monthly Dance Party" was because it was too tough to put together a broadly enjoyable collection while just focusing on that genre. Well, it's all for the better; I can now honestly choose whatever sounds and videos catch my enthusiasm.

Interior art from Evanescence's album Fallen

Well, that's enough blather. Let's get to the music!!!

I Found My Thrill

Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino was born on February 26, 1928

Rock and Roll pianists are not very common in contemporary music. They're even more scarce in Rhythm and Blues. Back in the early days of our contemporary styles of popular music, in the 1950s, this wasn't the case. The dominance of the guitar was still around a decade away and the influence of Boogie-woogie piano blues was strong.

Perhaps the most iconic performer of this style of music was Fats Domino. In spite of the racial biases of the era, his musical talent brought him into the attention of mainstream popular music, helping to kick off the diverse mix of musical styles that became Rock and Roll.

And since it's his birthday, let's celebrate by listening to some of his songs.

While the Thrill Is On

Mardi Gras Barbie says "Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!" Now, throw her some beads. ;-)

Well, it's Fat Tuesday and we can't let the day pass without some type of celebration.

I've been taking a couple days off. That'll put me in good spirits to power through the Lenten season, in which I plan to post each and every day. I might even write on occasion about religion or spirituality, topics that I avoid but, oddly enough, about which I have a considerable amount of knowledge.

Normally, I don't like writing about matters that might upset my readers. We're here for the fun, not to quarrel across the internet. But changing things up every so often is probably a good policy, keeping fresh the random stuff that pops up here at Paideia. We'll see how it goes.

Boulevard Montmartre Mardi Gras (1897) by Camille Pissarro

But, for today, let's let the good times roll. ;-)

Stop the Clocks!!!

 Triple stop!!! Within a puddle, the stop sign is reflected.



It would have been a bit humorous, after all the bold proclamations of yesterday, if I had failed to put up a post on the second day of the year. Fortunately for my pride, I made it under the wire with a nice “reflection” photo. There is something cool about looking at the world upside down in a body of water.

Anyways, I really thought that I had a bunch of time tonight to write up a full blog post, but somehow it slipped away. If only we could stop the clock, making the hours stretch until we can accomplish all those things that we desire. There are too many movies to watch, books to read, stories to tell, and delights to experience to fit into the leftover time of the day, after the daily grind in finished.

Well, we'll make it work out somehow.

Fountain in a Heat Wave

H. Clay Kellogg Memorial Fountain at the Rose Garden, South Coast Botanic

Ugh!!! It's brain-meltingly hot and humid today. Living down in the South Bay of Los Angeles, the marine layer from the Pacific Ocean is supposed to keep the temperature mellow. Well, that's true; it is significantly cooler than the rest of the city, but being less miserable than the poor folks out in the Valley is little consolation.

Looking at this fountain, I just want to plunge into the cool, clear water.

Splash!!! ;-)

Dance Party: June

Detail of the cover image for Dirty Vegas' "Days Go By"

It's that time again, amigos!!!

We've got a fun roster of classic and quirky songs to celebrate the month of June, at least in five year increments from 1967 to 2007. ;-)

The night is pressing and I haven't the time to get all prosaic on you all, but, since we've been doing this for over a year now, just imagine that I'm engaging in some rants and raves. It can be a form of Paideia "Mad Libs", going something like:

"I'm not much of a (Noun) for (Band Title) but this piece is (Adjective), showing real change from the (Adjective) style of their early music towards a more (Adjective) sound."

See!!! Music criticism is easy!!! LOL!!!

Cover image from Kim Wilde's "You Keep Me Hangin' On"

Let's listen to some music!!!

Dance Party: February

Cover image for Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" (1992)


It's that time again.

This month's selection is filled with memorable songs, love 'em or hate 'em, tunes that set the sound for their era. From the Trammps' "Disco Inferno" to the Spice Girls' "Wannabe", these songs became pop culture icons.

To be honest, I wasn't fond of many of these songs back in the day, but time has given them the warm glow of nostalgia. ;-)

Image for the J. Geils Band's "Centerfold" single (1982)

Let's listen to some music!!!

Never Gonna Say Goodbye

Detail of cover photo from Natalie Cole's album, Unforgettable. . . With Love (1991)

After a couple dark, haunting art posts, I figured some uplifting songs were in order to brighten up the blog, chasing away the shadows with some catchy grooves. So, taking a look at today's birth date list, I brought away an odd blend of music.

On this date in 1945, reggae legend Bob Marley was born. In 1950, R&B singer Natalie Cole was born. In 1962, Axl Rose, lead singer for Guns N' Roses, was born. And, in 1966, dance-pop icon and viral internet sensation, Rick Astley was born.

That will make for an interesting playlist. ;-)

Image from Rick Astley's video for Never Gonna Give You Up (1987)

Let's listen to some music!

Hasta La Vista, Baby

Detail from Jody Watley's 1987 self-titled album

When it comes to the R&B dance divas of the '80s or '90s, one of my favorites is Jody Watley. In terms of technique and variation, I'd say that she was the best.

Sadly, she never gained the popularity of her peers, such as Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. That's a pity, seeing as how she was more experimental in incorporating diverse dance music traditions, from freestyle to New Jack to downbeat. I guess that mix of style might have been the problem, making her music a tougher commodity to market.

Regardless of the lack of long-lasting chart-topping fame, I still regard her as one of the defining voices of R&B dance.

Jody Watley in 1990

Anyways, let's wish Jody a Happy 53rd Birthday!!!

All I Could Do Was Cry

Etta James was born on January 25, 1938.


It's always sad to celebrate the birth date of somebody who has recently passed away.

Since her passing last week, there has been much written about Etta James, her unforgettable voice, and her distinct place within the development of modern American music, specifically blues, R&B, and jazz. I don't think that I can add anything significant to the praise that has been heaped upon her memory, but I can express my admiration and appreciation for her music.

I can think of no singer who could combine such soulful passion with a rich sense of warmth and comforting smoothness. Smoky or sweet, gentle or lush, dark or delightful, Etta James could wind the passions into her music with unrivalled skill, her voice resounding into the depths of our souls.

Etta James from the cover of At Last! (1960)

So, let us consider her legacy and give thanks for the beautiful music that she had given us over the decades.

There's a Quiet Storm

Sade Adu; photo from Diamond Life (1984)


Helen Folasade "Sade" Adu was born on January 16, 1959.

I adore her voice, dark and soulful, smooth but passionate. Her gentle articulation subtly expresses great emotional intensity. Her songs are inviting, beguiling, and seductive, pulling the listener into an aural whirlpool of primal emotions, love and sorrow and hope.

I've occasionally debated the style of music that Sade performs? Is it smooth jazz? Or is it soul? How about the generic "Adult Contemporary"? I still haven't found a genre or niche into which I can fit her music, which I think is a good thing. The music has hints of many styles and influences, but doesn't conform to standards.

I'm the type of person who likes to label things, work them into a fixed scheme of types. Yet, I can respect and admire the artist who creates a unique and distinct type of expression.

Sade Adu; photo for the Best of Sade (1994)

So, the style of music that Sade performs is simply the style of music that Sade performs. ;-)

I'll Be Back on My Feet Someday

Ray Charles topped the US Billboard chart with "Hit the Road Jack" in mid-October of 1961.


Fifty years ago, Ray Charles dominated the radio with "Hit the Road Jack." It wasn't his first hit song, but it went on to be one of his most iconic. Personally, it's my favorite of his songs. The mix of surprise and indignation that he expresses always makes me smile.

"What you say?!!"

Somehow I let his birth date slip by without giving a celebration. We'll use the fifty year mark for "Hit the Road Jack" to remedy our lack of a "Ray Charles-fest." ;-)

Let's listen to a few more classic Charles tunes after the jump.