Ron Number

A very happy birthday to Ron Mael, born 12th August 1945 and 80 today.

Ron's generally the words and music guy, Sparks sibling Russell Mael predominantly handling lead vocal duties.

However, occasionally Ron will step up to the mike and it's always a treat.

 

 

It's something of an understatement to say that Ron's also co-written some mind-bogglingly brilliant pop songs for more than half a century and shows no sign of slowing down.

As a birthday bonus, a couple of Dubhed selections from the archives featuring the Mael brothers, dusted off for your listening pleasure.

A Shower Of Sparks (12th September 2021)

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way? (15th November 2022)

Hope you've at least taken the day off today, Ron, have fun!

Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is

Sparks' 25th album, The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte, is finally with us at the end of next week. Following the title song in March, a second single and video dropped on Friday.

Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is, track three on the album, is a glorious 4-minute romp that recalls their classic run of albums on Island in the mid-1970s. Which is fitting, as Sparks have returned to the label after four and a half decades for this release.

The video is comprised mainly of crying babies and on-screen lyrics which articulate a desire to return to the womb, mere hours after clocking the world that they've been born into. 

I'm biased of course, but this song is brilliant. Links to purchase the album are here.

 

 

Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforehand
I was born just 22 hours ago
But I want to go back to my former quarters

Mama mama, can you accommodate
Mama mama, tell me I'm not too late
Mama mama, can you co-operate
This will not work, I'm sure

Nothing is as good as they say it is
And I'd be remiss if I weren't honest with you
This is not a place that I can exist
Not ungratefulness, I just don't want this, want this

Mama mama, is there a remedy
Can I just go back to where I used to be
I was happy where I was previously
Just floating there, stood tall

Mama mama, please sympathise
This has been such a bad surprise
I won't ask any more from you
I can live with a lousy viеw

Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforеhand
I was born just 22 hours ago
But I've seen enough to make a wise decision

All your standards must be so very low
This is not a place that I'd want to go
How can you exist in a place like this
I surely can't, oh no!

Take a look around and you'd understand
This is not a place I could ever stand
Ugliness, anxiety, phony tans
It ain't for me, that's all

Thank you both for this special chance
Were I born in the south of France
I would feel less resistant to
Somewhere that just deserves adieu

Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforehand
Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforehand

All your standards must be so very low
This is not a place that I'd want to go
How can you exist in a place like this
I surely can't, oh no!

Nothing is as good as they say it is
Nothing is as good as they say it is

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way?

One thousand, eight hundred and twenty seven seconds of Sparks to illuminate your Tuesday. The Mael brothers are much loved here and, having 30 minutes to kill the other evening when Mrs. K took a phone call part way through our evening TV, I found myself trawling YouTube for Sparks videos.

I love Sparks so much, in fact, that in my opinion I could take a random 30-minute selection from any of their 24 studio albums and it would be a great listen. Here's the test.

I haven't duplicated any songs that I've used in last year's Sparks post or as part of any other previous Dubhed selections. I also avoided the classic early 1970s trio of Kimono My House, Propaganda and Indiscreet, as well my other personal favourite, No. 1 In Heaven.

It's half-and-half 20th and 21st century, spanning the (currently) six decades of Sparks' recording career. Is it a keeper? You'll be the judge of that.

 

1) Big Boy (1976)

2) Giddy Giddy (2017)

3) Occupation (1977)

4) The Ghost Of Liberace (1994)

5) Your Call's Very Important To Us. Please Hold. (2002)

6) Eaten By The Monster Of Love (1982)

7) (She Got Me) Pregnant (2008)

8) The Existential Threat (Album Version) (2020)

 

1976: Big Beat: 1

1977: Introducing Sparks: 3

1982: Angst In My Pants: 6

1994: Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins: 4

2002: Lil' Beethoven: 5

2008: Exotic Creatures Of The Deep: 7

2017: Hippopotamus: 2

2020: A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip: 8

 

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way? (30:27) (GD) (M)

A Shower Of Sparks

I love Sparks with a passion, so here's a little selection for your Sunday listening pleasure, dedicated to my friend Claire.

 

Side One (16:00)

1) Good Morning (from Exotic Creatures Of The Deep) (2008)

2) I Predict (Album Version) (from Angst In My Pants) (1982)

3) This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us (Live @ The Simon Mayo Show, BBC Radio One) (from When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing) EP) (1994)

4) Here In Heaven (from Kimono My House) (1974)

5) Suburban Homeboy (from Lil' Beethoven) (2002)

 

Side Two (17:32)

1) Over The Summer (from Introducing Sparks) (1977)

2) Everybody's Stupid (from Big Beat) (1976)

3) When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' (Sparks Radio Edit) (from When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' EP) (1994)

4) Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) (Live @ Front Row, BBC2 TV) (2017)

5) Please Don't Fuck Up My World (from A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip) (2020)
 

Side One (16:00) (GD) (M)

Side Two (17:32) (GD) (M)

 

And this is the Radio 4 documentary, presented by Stuart Maconie, which inspired today's post title:

 

A Shower Of Sparks (first broadcoast on 11 March 2014) (BBC iPlayer)