What's Josh Been Listening To?

Okay, here's what's been spinning lately...

Donna Summer, Once Upon a Time
Michelle Shocked, Mexican Standoff
Saint Etienne, Smash the System: Singles and More
Todd Rundgren, Go Ahead, Ignore Me: The Best of Todd Rundgren
Dusty Springfield, Dusty in Memphis
Steely Dan, Gaucho
Peter Allen, The Boy from Down Under
Burt Bacharach, What the World Needs Now
Christopher Cross, The Very Best Of
Dionne Warwick, The Very Best Of

Perfect Rainy Day Activity

Okay, here's what you do. Go to a CD store and pick up the "Best of Peter Allen." And, then go see a matinee of "Art School Confidential" in the afternoon. I found this the perfect way to pass my rainy day.

The Mystery of the Stephane Lambiel watch

It's hard to find out how much Swiss figure skater Stephane Lambiel's specially-designed Spin Master watches sell for.

Fear of little pieces of paper

Hey Everyone,

If a co-worker casually slips you their phone number written on a tiny piece of scrap paper and says, "If you ever want to hang out...," resist the urge to rip a little piece of paper and write your number for them as well. They might just call you EVERY TIME YOU GET A DAY OFF!!!

Last Toyah Blog

Okay, so just three more Toyah albums to discuss. I was able to order Toyah's 2003 ep "Velvet Lined Shell" from the Borders where I work. It is a terrific batch of 6 new songs from Toyah that shows she has lost none of her ability to craft a thoughtful tune and sing it beautifully. At Phoenix records, I found a special Japanese release from 1994 called "Take the Leap" which features 6 completely new Toyah songs and then 8 newly-recorded versions of songs from her first couple of albums. "Take the Leap" is so amazing, it's a shame it only got released in Japan. Any fans wondering if it's worth the $35.00 import price, it definitely is. And, in 2005, Cherry Records re-released a special collection from 1985 called "Mayhem" which is an odds-and-ends collection of demoes and B-sides from Toyah's years on the Safari label. Definitely worth having!!! So, here is my complete Toyah collection:

Sheep Farming in Barnet (1979)
Anthem (1981)
The Changeling (1982)
Love is the Law (1983)
Mayhem (1985)
Minx (1985)
Prostitute (1988)
Ophelia's Shadow (1991)
w/Sunday All Over the World, Kneeling At the Shrine (1991)
Take the Leap! (1994)
Phoenix (1997)
Velvet Lined Shell (2003)