“Making Plans For Nigel” - His Whole Future Is As Good As Sealed

Here’s a Halloween/Under The Covers combo involving Nouvelle Vague’s version of the XTC song, “Making Plans For Nigel.”

Back in 2005, French musicians/producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux hit on the idea of transforming vintage punk rock into Latin-flavored lounge music. The duo assembled eight sultry-sounding female singers to take turns on lead vocals. Countless other acts have sought to conjure something avant garde out of slowing down the tempo on energetic songs, but the results usually came out reeking of embalming fluid. Nouvelle Vague, on the other hand, delivered a a self-titled debut full of fun, inventive takes on Joy Division, The Clash, Modern English, Dead Kennedys, and others.

The original “Making Plans For Nigel,” from the XTC album Drums & Wires, was more of a chilling meditation on the English working class than a high-speed rave-up, but it captured punk’s feelings of alienation. Working at a steel mill is certainly a respectable profession, but the razor-sharp lyrics suggest something more sinister. Nouvelle Vague’s breezy acoustic guitar and percussion arrangement adds an ironic touch to the social satire that actually makes the song a bit creepier than the original.

“We’re only making plans for Nigel,” a seductive voice explains. “We only want what’s best for him.” The point of view here is from a parent or other authority figure who views the young lad in question as a little dim and in need of guidance. “Nigel just needs this helping hand.” Worse yet, are the lyrics that could almost be referring to a pet or a child. “Nigel is not outspoken but he likes to speak and likes to be spoken to.” It’s almost as if the authority figure senses criticism that Nigel is either being brainwashed or forced to do something against his will, and defensively notes, “And if young Nigel says he’s happy, he must be happy in his work.” As the song drifts by we’re left to contemplate the line, “Nigel’s whole future is as good as sealed.”

So hats off to XTC for a creating a song that may not be about ghosts and monsters, but is pretty scary anyway, and to Nouvelle Vague for its imaginative rendition.

Dag, He’s Busy!

Some people just seem to be perpetually involved in creative endeavors. Like my former co-worker Heather Svoboda, who at last count was performing in 500 improv groups, and was contemplating a go at stand-up. She also performed in a scripted show with Black Forest Theatre. I might be exaggerating about the number of her improv groups, but you can find out for yourself when one of them, The Fling performs March 13th at The Playground Theater at 3209 North Halsted in Chicago. The Senate and The Basic Eight are also on the bill. The show starts at 8PM.

I’m tempted to say that Dag Juhlin has played in at least 1,000 different rock bands, but the thumbnail bio on his Facebook page says it better: “Entertainment professional since 1910.” I have a 45 record, an LP and a CD by The Slugs, one of Juhlin’s first groups; I saw him with The Greenwoods at International Pop Overthrow; and I saw him open for The Hoodoo Gurus at The Abbey Pub with The Goldstars. He has also taken part in tributes to XTC.

Now, Juhlin has this EXPO'76 thing going on, and their next show is March 10th, at Simon’s Tavern, at 5210 North Clark Street in Chicago. The band’s blog states that this is the beginning of a residency at the club, so those of us who can’t make the March 10th show can look for them on second Wednesday of next month.

From what I can make out, EXPO’76 is a covers band comprised of four rock and roll veterans. In addition to Juhlin on vocals and guitar, the lineup includes Kenn Goodman, the founder of Pravda Records and member of The Service; Ralph Baumel; and John Carpender. The band covers anything from new wave to jazz and folk, with a set list that includes “Laughter In The Rain” by Neil Sedaka,“You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” by Lovin’ Spoonful, “Cruel To Be Kind” by Nick Lowe, and “Fire” by Bruce Springsteen.

Juhlin usually finds a unique way to hype his performances. For one of the XTC tribute shows, he taped himself manning a fictional XTC Reunion Hotline, where he mostly dealt with inquiries about ELO, ELP, and in one case, an embarrassed caller seeking help with an STD. The take away message: there aint going to be no XTC reunion, so see this tribute instead. For the EXPO’76 March 10th gig at Simon’s, he’s claiming the club originally planned on holding a Lil’ Wayne Defense Fund Charity Auction, but it was canceled, so his band agreed to fill in at the last minute. EXPO’76 goes on at 8:30PM. There is no cover charge.

Santa’s Grab Bag - Part Two

Santa graphic taken from the cover of New Wave Xmas CD

Christmas Eve is a perfect time to take a peek into Santa’s sack and see what musical goodies are stored in there. Here are a few more songs of the season submitted for your approval.

“Winter Wonderland” - Hello Dave The 1994 CD A Hello Dave Christmas With Friends aimed to raise funds to help children afflicted with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Imagine your car breaking down on a deserted country road while you’re driving to some party on Christmas Eve. You walk to the nearest open venue, which happens to be a rustic bar. Hello Dave is onstage and has the local townsfolk up and dancing to its Country & Western versions of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and other classics. “Winter Wonderland” rocks to the loping bass lines played by Willis Potocki and some spirited harmonies from vocalist-guitarist Mike Himebaugh and vocalist Paul Bolger. You call for a tow truck, but while you wait for its arrival, you’re having a great time.

“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” - The Daugherty McPartland Group Several years back, a friend and I dropped by the apartment of a couple we knew for a holiday visit a few days before Christmas. It was a Sunday night, and they had the WXRT show Jazz Transfusion playing on the radio. Maybe I was just in a festive mood, but those spirited jazz versions of holiday songs really made an impression on me. Acoustic Christmas, released by The Daugherty McPartland Group in 1996, has that same easy going vibe. Tim Daugherty’s fluid piano playing takes center stage throughout the CD, but Dennis McPartland on percussion, Bob Thompson on saxes and flutes, and Jim Munro on bass are also impressive. People who enjoyed Vince Guaraldi’s score for A Charlie Brown Christmas will find a lot to like here, and in fact, “Christmas Time Is Here” is included on Acoustic Christmas. “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” is both classy and fun, and like all of this CD, it's the perfect soundtrack for a friendly holiday get-together.

“Double-0-Santa” - Seks Bomba The 2002 holiday compilation 50,000,000 Elves Fans Can’t Be Wrong lives up to its title with a variety of fun tracks, and “Double-0-Santa” by the Boston based band Seks Bomba is one the best. This lounge tune mixes the concepts of a Secret Santa and a secret agent, with humorous results. “Mistakes are bad for business, says the man called Father Christmas, AKA Double-0-Santa,” vocalist-guitarist Chris Cote reveals over a slinky guitar and keyboards arrangement. Santa isn’t too cool accept snacks, but it should be understood that he likes his “egg nog stirred, never shaken.”

"Thanks For Christmas" - XTC Few bands can match the Brit trio XTC when it comes to crafting songs with clever lyrics and indelible melodies. “Thanks For Christmas” stands out New Wave Xmas, a Rhino various artists compilation that also includes “2000 Miles” by The Pretenders and “Christmas Day” by Squeeze. Introduced with some triumphant horn playing, the catchy “Thanks For Christmas” finds XTC using gorgeous harmonies while creating scenes like Santa’s reindeer resting after a hard-working Christmas Eve, and ecstatic kids decorating trees. “It’s such a shame it’s only once a year,” the song notes. “Three hundred and sixty-four days full of doubt and fear/You’ve been saving your love up/Let it out/‘Cause Christmas is here.”

A Very Merry Christmas to everyone. May you receive all that you are hoping for this holiday, and give plenty in return.