Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 1, 2010

The Thank You Song - Uncle Rock
My Darling Clementine - The Submarines
On The Wings Of A Nightingale - The Everly Brothers
Nonagon - They Might Be Giants
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52
I Like Being A Kid - Stephen DiRaffaele
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
One Week - Barenaked Ladies
Midtown Greenway - Bunny Clogs
Rattle My Bones - The Suburbs

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
Shuffle Off To Buffalo - The New Broadway Cast Recording
Tijuana Taxi - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
Driver Education - Indigo Girls
Wind It Up - Gwen Stefani
That's How We Make A Sandwich - Duplex
400 Cupcakes - Hullabaloo
I'm Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
Troublemaker - Weezer

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Percy on Pluto - The Nields
What Are You Like - Indigo Girls
Starman - Golden Smog
Spork - Keith Munslow
My Angry Voice - The Sippy Cups
It's Sunny When You Share - Mighty Weaklings
Rock Lobster - The B-52s
Super - Pencilhead and the Playground Punks

Football - Week 17

Dogs: Cin, NE, StL, GB, KC, Oak
Bets: Pitt, Dal, NO
Pts: 41

Bens Playlist - Tuesdays, December 29, 2009

It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Beep Beep - The Playmates
Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
Photograph - Ringo Starr
Sara Bellum - Roger Day
The World Is Not Enough - Garbage
Be Part of the Band - The Verve Pipe
So So Happy - Debbie and Friends
Science Is Real - They Might Be Giants

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 28, 2009

Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
White Light - Wilco
Rockstar - Charity and the JAMband
Boogie Monster - Recess Monkey
All My Colors - Ralph's World
Inside My Cranium - Roger Day
Susanne (Single Version) - Weezer
What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello
All Around the World - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Fort - Recess Monkey

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 25, 2009

C'mon – Renee & Jeremy
Unusual Zoo – Dennis Caraher
I Feel Like Going Home – Yo La Tengo
Starman – Killian Mansfield
Flaming Pie – Paul McCartney
Roam – The B-52s
Are You Gonna Eat That? – Keith Munslow
Yeah Yeah Yeah Song – Flaming Lips
Morning Person – Shrek Soundtrack
The Hoppity Song – Starfish

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 24, 2009

At the Timeshare - The LeeVees
I Have a Little Dreidel - Yosi & the Superdads
Beanbag Chair - Yo La Tengo
I'll Come Running - Brian Eno
Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon
Two Princes - Spin Doctors
If Mama Had Four Hands - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
Six Months in a Leaky Boat - Split Enz
Rag & Bone - The White Stripes
Senses Working Overtime - XTC

Renee & Jeremy: C'Mon Get Happy, Kids

Renee & Jeremy Wake You Up, Mellow

When I listened to the first release ("It's A Big World") from Renee & Jeremy, I thought, "Mellow West Coast music for laidback California kids." That initial perception continued when I heard some tracks ("Wishing Well" and "BFF") from their second album, "C'Mon."



However, the duo has gone uptempo on their new release. Ben sung along to the catchy melody and hook of "Watch Where You're Goin'" for days on end. And as I remarked, "It's practically a rocker for Renee & Jeremy."

Some of the songs tend to skew a little young. "Right Now" could be the anthem for parents of impatient children: "I know you want it, but you can't have it, right now." And "Mama Papa Love," about familial affection, drips syrup. But at least they're crafted to not sound preachy. They're just earnest, as is "It Makes You Feel Good."

Mostly though, Renee & Jeremy are about projecting positive messages and promoting harmony through their music. "C'Mon" contains the refrain "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, let the wonder in," which pretty much sums up the theme of the CD - live, enjoy the world, share music, and have fun in the process.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Very Good Question - Uncle Rock
How Clouds Are Formed - Tom Glazer
Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
You Don't Know Me - Ben Folds Presents: The University Of Georgia's With Someone Else's Money
Wonder of Birds - Innocence Mission
Cathy's Clown - The Everly Brothers
Go Waggalo - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
What's That Smell - Mr. Oscat
Funplex - The B-52's
One Day Soon - The Sippy Cups
Watch Where You're Goin' - Renee & Jeremy

Football - Week 16

Dogs: SD, Sea, KC, Hou, TB, StL, Det
Bets: NYG, Pitt, Dal
Pts: 51

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
My Darling Clementine - The Submarines
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
I Am Superman - R.E.M.
Cows - The Suburbs
Ca Plane Pour Moi - Plastic Bertrand
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Have You Seen My Chicken? - Sweetback Sisters
What's on the List - Stephen Fite
Li'l Things - Strange Kidz

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 21, 2009

Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
Heigh-Ho - Los Lobosc
You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile - Dan Zanes & Friends
History Never Repeats - Split Enz
Rattle My Bones - The Suburbsk
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To - Weezer
Seven is the New Fourteen - Sippy Cups
New Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Xavier Xerxes Xeonphanes X - Steve Weeks
Don't Rain On My Parade - Stephanie J. Block
The Addams Family theme

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 18, 2009

Home - David Tobocman
Olive's Olives - Bunny Clogs
Senses Working Overtime - XTC
Me & My Invisible Friend - Ralph's World
Can't Stop Partying - Weezer
I Like It Like That - Dave Clark Five
Undone (The Sweater Song) - Weezer
FunkyFrogz - Doctor Noize
Ants in the Kitchen - YellowKat
Fell In Love With A Girl - The White Stripes
Happy Anniversary - The Flintstones

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 17, 2009

Times Like These - Jack Johnson
Brush Brush Brush - Of Montreal
Let's Not Fight (Feast of Lights) - They Might Be Giants
She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby
Joy To The World - Three Dog Night
Tripping Down the Freeway - Weezer
Planet Claire - The B-52's
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
New River Train - Cathy & Marcy With Christylez Bacon
Applesauce vs. Sour Cream - The LeeVees

Football - Week 15

Dogs: GB, Chi, StL, Cin, Oak, Car
Bets: TN, KC, Jets
Pts: 47

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 16, 2009

What Is An Animal? - Marais & Miranda
I Won't Grow Up - Dan Zanes & Friends
It's The Beatbox - Cathy & Marcy With Christylez Bacon
I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
Have You Seen My Chicken? - Sweetback Sisters
Roncando - Dean Jones
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Something So Strong - Crowded House
In The Mall - Weezer
Oh My My - Ringo Starr
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
I Have a Little Dreidel - Yosi & the Superdads
I Don't Need Anything But You - Dan Zanes & Friends
Meet Me Halfway - The Black Eyed Peas
On The Wings Of A Nightingale - The Everly Brothers
Beanbag Chair - Yo La Tengo
Private Idaho - The B-52's
Seven is the New Fourteen - Sippy Cups
My Brother The Ape - They Might Be Giants
Let It All Hang Out - Weezer
Dr. Wiggle - Recess Monkey

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 14, 2009

Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
Eight Chanukah Nights - Charlie Jaffe
Mr. Tough - Yo La Tengo
Go Baby Go - Baby Loves Jazz
Cows - The Suburbs
Best Friends Forever - AudraRox
You Make Me Feel Good - Q Brothers
Supernatural Superserious - R.E.M.
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer
Let's Get Funky - Stephen DiRaffaele
Hideaway - Ralph's World
The Addams Family theme

Queens Holiday Lights Displays

My letter to Newsday:

HI. Queens Here.

That's right. Queens, the borough. Remember me? Newsday used to have plenty of coverage of Queens until the board ordered staff cutbacks to improve the paper's financial bottom line.

We're the people who are good enough to BUY Newsday but not to be publicized, unless there is some sort of horrific newsworthy crime. Crime sells!

Anyway, this letter is in response to your December 13 article on "Best LI Holiday Lights." You mean to tell me that if the children in Queens want to see decorative holiday lights, they need to travel out to Massapequa? They can't just drive to Bayside or Forest Hills? Oh right. I forgot. Silly borough.

I'll let homeowners know that in order for Newsday to photograph their decorative lighting displays next winter, they shouldn't bother. Unless there's a grisly crime scene in the foreground that makes it newsworthy.

Thanks.

Queens
via Jeff Cohen, Flushing, NY
(718) 755-5470

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 11, 2009

The Girl From Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto
Goyim Friends - The LeeVees
Come as You Are - Peter Wolf
Raise the Brain - Miz B
That Thing You Do! - The Wonders
My Best Friend - Weezer
I Think I got You Beat - Shrek Soundtrack
History Never Repeats - Split Enz
E Eats Everything - They Might Be Giants
Can't Stop (Don't Mess With the Dragon) - Ozomantli
Casper The Friendly Ghost theme

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 10, 2009

White Light - Wilco
Heart of the Country - Wings
Smile - Ky-Mani Marley
Human Fly - Hank Hooper
We R Super Heroes - Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine
Story of My Life - Shrek Soundtrack
Reading Makes Me Want to Dance Out Loud - Monty Harper
Seven - They Might Be Giants
The Bluegrasshopper - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Susanne (Single Version) - Weezer
Funky Monkey - Yosi & the Superdads
The Addams Family theme

Football - Week 14

Dogs: Buf, Det, Car, StL

Bets: MN, GB, Dal

Pts: 50

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Ben Is Prepared to Rock - Bill and Ella
Why Go Up There? - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
I Got You - Split Enz
Sweetest Song of All - Mel Glazer
Salamander Green - Ralph Covert
It's A Small World - Disney
Baseball Dreams - Ralph's World
Walk Tall - Ziggy Marley
Ca Plane Pour Moi - Plastic Bertrand
Groove Is In The Heart - Dee-Lite
Toolmaster - Trip Shakespeare

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Face Of The Earth Is Changing - Marais & Miranda
Wings of An Eagle - Ziggy Marley
All My Toys Are Broken - AudraRox
I-C-E C-R-E-A-M - Telephone Company
Candy Cane Christmas - Darius Rucker
Beep Beep - The Playmates
Gelt Melts - The LeeVees
Big Wide Wonderful World - Chris Isaak
This Is Our Story - Shrek the Musical
Apple - Me 3
Rag & Bone - The White Stripes

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 7, 2009

We Are Going To Be Friends - White Stripes
Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush
1907 - Monty Harper
Where Do They Make Balloons? - They Might Be Giants
Down Under - Men At Work
Dig Up the Roots - Mr. Leebot
My Best Friend - Weezer
Right Now - Mocean Worker
What's New Pussycat? - Tom Jones
Wolfgang's Big Night Out - Brian Setzer Orchestra
East to the West - Michael Franti and Spearhead

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 4, 2009

Gimme One Reason - Tracy Chapman
Just Pretend - The Bens
Mushaboom (Mocky Mix) - Feist
Jump - The Bari Koral Family Band
Bananas - Mr. Richard
Banana - Doctor Noize
Chiquitita - ABBA
Gotta Be Good - Ralph's World
Best Friend - Lisa Loeb
Glad All Over - Dave Clark Five
Anna Kick A Hole in the Sky - The Nields

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 3, 2009

Love in My Food - Uncle Rock
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Nala the Chihuaha - The SqueeGees
S'Mores - Shelley Posen
Again! - Brady Rymer
Flower Power - Mr. Ray
Ca Plane Pour Moi - Plastic Bertrand
Fine Line - Paul McCartney
Jungle Boogie - The Sippy Cups
Swimming Pool - Submarines
Get A Clue - ScribbleMonster

Football - Week 13

Dogs: Oak, Hou, Det, Clev
Bets: SF, MN, NE
Pts: 47

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Folsom Preschool - Opus Ditty
Superhero Medley - Uncle Rock
Sweet Pea Emily - Danny Adlerman & Friends
With A Little Luck - Paul McCartney & Wings
Fake Believe - They Might Be Giants
Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
I Can Dance - Trout Fishing in America
Shock the Monkey - Peter Gabriel
We Belong - Pat Benatar
Hey Ya - OutKast

Sad But True