Manafonistas

on life, music etc beyond mainstream

2015 27 Mai

Tokyo Thomas, do you remember this song from one of our favourite series ever?

von: Michael Engelbrecht Filed under: Blog | TB | 1 Comment

 

The scene (it’s in the fourth episode, called Day 3) that begins with Dr. Smith on the beach, cuts to John being healed by Vietnam Joe, and ends with Cass‘ vision of what has happened to John is accompanied by David Byrne singing „Un di Felice, Eterea“. The track is so beautiful, but I couldn’t at first nail the song to the voice, it was a tip of the tongue-thing cause I knew that I knew this singer very well, but he hasn’t too often been singing in this overtly operatic Italian style. So I was diverted. The whole  series, „John from Cincinatti“, sacked by HBO after ten episodes (shame!), is awesome. Executive producer David Milch had sone strong words for  the people in command of the cash flow (in his commentaries of two episodes). The series is heartwrenching, even now where I’m looking at it (diving into it) for the second time. How can something that is close to grotesque come so damn near (under my skin) and send shivers down the spine? The music, yes, see comment one, but that’s only  part of trick. „I’ll have an eye on you, Butchie Yost.“ Always seductive that opening sequence with old footage from the surfer’s dream word enhanced by „Johnny Appleseed“, a catchy track from Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. All is subtle and weird.

 

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1 Comment

  1. Michael Engelbrecht:

    Donnerstag, 28. Mai 2015 um 00:01

    Episode Recaps Edit

    Cuts from an unidentified piece accompany the recaps that immediately precede each episode except the first.

    Episode ThemeEdit

    The song that accompanies the opening credits for each episode is „Johnny Appleseed“, performed by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.

    „His Visit: Day One“

    While Vietnam Joe is giving John a ride into IB, Canned Heat’s „Goin‘ Up The Country“ can be heard playing on the radio.
    The closing song is „Sun/Rise/Light/Flies“, performed by Kasabian.

    „His Visit: Day Two“

    The song playing as Shaun waits in the surf tent is „Tic“, performed by Kava Kava.

    The closing song is „Staring At The Sun“, performed by TV on the Radio.

    „His Visit: Day Two Continued“

    While sitting in his car outside the hospital, Freddy is listening to a solo version of Sarah Brightman singing „Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partirò)“. He thinks it is the duet version with Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli — that is what prompts his comment, „This is where the blind dago is supposed to come in.“

    Kai’s vision is accompanied by Buddy Guy’s rendition of John Lee Hooker’s „Boogie Chillen“.

    The closing song is „Feeling Good“, performed by Muse.

    „His Visit: Day Three“

    When Anglo stops his van to pick up John, Control Machete’s „Unisono“ is playing on the radio.

    The scene that begins with Dr. Smith on the beach, cuts to John being healed by Vietnam Joe, and ends with Cass‘ vision of what has happened to John is accompanied by David Byrne singing „Un di Felice, Eterea“.

    The music that Kai plays when she and Butchie are „hooking up“ in her trailer is „In Your Eyes“, written and performed by Peter Gabriel.

    The closing song is „Over, Under, Sideways, Down“ by The Yardbirds, with a teen-aged Eric Clapton on lead guitar.

    „His Visit: Day Four“

    As Tina relates to Butchie the story of how she left Baby Shaun on Cissy’s doorstep, the juke box in the diner is playing „Tonight’s the Night“ by The Shirelles, from their 1961 album by the same name.

    When Kai uses Cissy’s revolver to shoot the CD player in her trailer, it starts playing Peter Gabriel’s „In Your Eyes“ again.
    Can anyone identify the jazz piano piece that is playing in the hotel bar while Tina and Linc are talking at the end of the episode?

    The closing song is „Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood“,
    recorded live, in studio, by Elvis Costello.

    „His Visit: Day Five“

    During the the cookout sequence, Freddy and Bill collaborate on their own interpretation of „And When I Die“, written by Laura Nyro and popularized by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

    The closing song is a jazzy version of „My Favorite Things“, performed by John Coltrane. Freddy plays a few bars of this song when he first plays his sax earlier in the episode.

    „His Visit: Day Six“

    The closing song is a reggae version of John Lennon’s „Watching the Wheels“, performed by Matisyahu.

    „His Visit: Day Seven“

    During Barry’s vision in the dilapidated motel bar, the juke box plays the „Tennessee Waltz“, performed by Patti Page.

    The closing song is „When Love Comes to Town“, performed by B. B. King and U2.

    „His Visit: Day Eight“

    The closing song is the Memphis soul classic „Hold On, I’m Coming“, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter and performed by Sam & Dave. This is not the original version and sounds like a much later remake; does anyone know the date of this recording?

    „His Visit: Day Nine“

    The uplifting music that accompanies John and Shaun as they surf in at the beginning of the episode is „Series of Dreams“, written and performed by Bob Dylan.

    The closing song is the R&B classic „Long Tall Sally“, co-written and performed by Richard Penniman, aka Little Richard.

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