Dear James,
Article in The Guardian today about Perry Como and the period of music between 1945 and 1955 which we've now decided we're calling "pre-rock". Whatever happened to the term "easy-listening"? It's clearly a marketing ploy to get the kids to buy more old shite. I'd like to say that I've been listening to this music before anyone else did, but clearly that would be a lie.
I also listened to Perry Como for many years in the staunch belief that he was a jolly, fat, black man. I was right on only one of those points, and probably had him mixed up with Fats Domino. (an aside: never be tempted to buy a Fats Domino album on the basis on Blueberry Hill; all the songs sound the same). In fact, Perry Como could never have been black if we consider that his main purpose in life, and The Guardian article will back me up on this, was to sing on the TV and make old white people feel safe and comfortable. Stick Flavor Flav on 1950s' TV and people don't feel so rosey and cosy.
This may or may not be connected to this article from Stuff White People Like. Probably not. In other related news, my mum moved to Leeds last week. How about making some old white people feel safe and comfortable and inviting them round for tea? If you don't, they'll show you the kiddie porn they found down the back of the old boiler. Anyway, here's some more Perry. Nine out of ten "cats"...
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