Snobbin: Beautiful Trash in the Pop Culture Gutter

Film Fourteen: No Maps on My Taps (1979). A fascinating tap dancing documentary that features performances from three of the greats: Bunny Briggs, Chuck Green, and Howard "Sandman" Sims to a backing band led by Lionel Hampton. The film weaves interviews with each man with chronicles of their techniques and personal histories. It also includes footage of early tap dancing greats like Bill Robinson and John W. Bubbles. George T. Nierenberg filmed the documentary at a time when the tap dancing community was lamenting decreasing public interest in their art . The performances and interviews show the versatility and passion that these men bring to the dance floor. As the audiences debate which one is best, it becomes evident that, while interest in tap dancing might wane, it will continue to wow people. The revival of the art form in the 1980s attests to that.

While digging through my record collection, I found this gem, "Men Without Shame" b/w "Time is on Our Hands" -- a rock and roll record featuring Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats. Dig those threads. This 45 is the first single from their self-titled first album recorded on hiatus from their more famous band. With the addition of co-founding guitarist, Earl Slick, the band created hard rocking music that exchanged the rockabilly of their former project for an 80s rock approach that includes everything from ballads to mainstream rockers. While Brian Setzer was refashioning himself as a heartland rock-inspired solo artist, Phantom and Slick opted for rocking out. "Men Without Shame" is a 6 1/2 minute song that never outwears its welcome with Slick's impressive guitar chops front and center. The solo alone separates the song from the group's former projects. Slick's session work holds him in good stead as drummer Phantom and ba...

I was recently thinking about how much I like some of the Ramones records from the 1980's. Just because their classic period ended in the seventies, it doesn't mean that they didn't still write excellent songs. As someone once said, every Ramones record has one or two good songs. Hell, some have five; this list was difficult because it is hard to gauge my favorite songs, let alone the best. There is much to take into account: who wrote the song, what album it is on, how popular it is among Ramones fans, etc. I have a special place in my heart for Halfway to Sanity , so it has an unfair advantage whether it deserves it or not. I was surprised at how many Richie songs I loved and how many fan favorites that I simply couldn't pass up. I would love to hear what other people think. I would love to make an ultimate mix of the 1980's Ramones. They might have passed their prime, but they were still kicking ass long past the Reagan era. The list (In no particular order) ...