Saturday Sentimentalist: A&M Gems (a playlist)

I was brought up with Bacharach, the Carpenters and the Tijuana Brass on the record player. These bands have always been associated in my mind with my family's existence before I came around in '82. One classic example is a great scene in our family's home movie collection (the film kind) from the 1970s in which my siblings and cousins tube the canal behind our house, which has no audio save for a soundtrack of the instrumental version of Bacharach's "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" that my dad appropriately added.

Even though the records weren't played quite as often during my childhood, if there is one sound that I will forever love, it is that of the early days of A&M Records, the label that helped make a name for all of those guys. Herb Alpert co-founded this record label in the 1960s, and the music that came under it during those early years shared a polished, brassy, Latin, Brazilian, jazzy, easy sound. It's not for everyone, but I can't say I've had a hard time finding people who love it as much as I do.

I resisted my attraction to this music as a kid because it all seemed outdated, but once I got to college, it was a completely different story. Because if there's anything I've learned about college, it's that college is where your unconventional taste in music (or in anything, really) is an effective way to find your best friends. By senior year, I had a late-night radio show, a small gaggle of avid listeners and a solid group of friends who may not have listened to my show, but were nevertheless supportive. I usually stuck to lounge music varieties from labels like Verve and Capitol. But other nights - the truly indulgent ones  - were dedicated to the old gems of A&M.

I'm revisiting some of my favorites with you, as well as some that I've come across more recently. Enjoy this little slice of nostalgia, even if you weren't around to appreciate it the first time. (You'll need a Spotify account to play this...sorry!)

Everything that's wonderful

Martin Luther King day found me skipping around town in 55-degree sunshine and buying a rainbow's worth of yarn for my next project. On days like that, I can't help but feel a little like Lesley Gore in "Ski Party." Get a load of this sweater!



I've never seen "Ski Party," but now I kind of want to. I'd love to know what the story is with that guy who at times looks repulsed by Lesley (starting at 17 seconds in) but ends up joining in with everyone in singing the chorus at the end. And yes, that's Frankie Avalon sitting next to him, probably trying to give him tips on how to pick up chicks like Annette Funicello. Boy is he going to be surprised when he realizes Annette stayed home on her beach blanket and is nowhere to be found in this movie. Maybe he'll get over it when he finds out James Brown and the Famous Flames perform "I Got You (I Feel Good)" at the lodge!! Unbelievable. Not even joking.

I fear that the days of smart taglines like this may be over.

What is the modern day equivalent of this? Have we not seen anything remotely like it since From Justin to Kelly? And would that even count? I'm waiting for a resurgence of musicals that feature a cavalcade of inappropriately attired women riding on the backs of their boyfriends' skis toward the warmth of implied love-making at the lodge, only to find Lady Gaga singing "Paparazzi."

But back to my original point, this "Sunshine" song is sticky as bouffant hairstyles sprayed in bubblegum AquaNet. It's been in my head for two days. And I betcha every time I look at the yarn I just bought, it will return.

Unfortunately, this knitting project must be kept a secret for now. It's a birthday present. I'll show you after I know it has been received and opened by Mom.

In the meantime, on my list which I can post soon are my embroidery escapades. It's much more fun when you pretend it's scandalous, when really it's just a couple tea towels with adorable stitching. You'll see.