Friday, March 02, 2012

An Irish Hungarian Soundtrack



Listen to the song ("Pass the Hatchet" by Roger and the Gypsies) playing in that absolutely beautiful footage.

The Irish Hungarian Guide to the Domestic Arts plays out in any number of venues, including the über-suburban environs of Cleveland's Southside. Such mundane surroundings tend to dull one's edges, particularly when cruising the aisles of the discount grocery. In order to keep myself from slipping into a Stepfordian daze, I imagine this song playing in the background as I peruse the produce bins, condiment aisle or (heaven help us) the damnable closeout department. Invoking the verbal thrusts and groans à la Roger and the Gypsies straightens my spine and pumps up my swagger. Bring it on, mother effers! I think as I drop a 99 ¢ insulated tumbler festooned with daisies that I absolutely do not need into my gleaming cart.

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That song and associated liner note above was the first thing that came to my mind when David Gutowski asked me to compile an Irish Hungarian soundtrack for his popular site "Largehearted Boy." Hop on over there to enjoy the entire line-up. David's got embedded YouTubes where available and a spotify link for the entire list.

For the record, Davy Jones had not yet taken that (ahem) last train to Clarksville when I submitted this on Monday, so don't go thinking I was trying to milk any dead-guy mileage out of the "Pleasant Valley Sunday" entry.

Peeps, your "likes," google+ votes, retweets and comments are sure appreciated over there.

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8 comments:

Verdant Earl said...

The guy on the phone in that clip is Tito Larriva, lead singer and guitarist of Tito & Tarantula. You hear their song "The Strange Face of Love" a bit later on in the film. Great song. They are also the house band at the Titty Twister in From Dusk Till Dawn where they performed "After Dark" and "Angry Cockroaches".

I'm a big fan of the soundtracks for both of those films, especially FDTD. Tito & Tarantula, The Blasters, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmie Vaughn, etc... It's a great group of songs.

But my favorite movie appearance by Tito was at the beginning of Roadhouse with Patrick Swayze. He and his former band, The Cruzados, were the house band at the first bar Swayze was working at. I'm such a Tito geek. Whenever I see him in a film, I yell out "There's Tito Larriva!", and no one in particular is impressed. Sigh.

Erin O'Brien said...

I love soundtracks and Tarantino is da bomb!

Have to admit that although I bought the whole Desperado soundtrack, I haven't picked through the whole thing. I'll start with those Tito tracks you recommend. Thanks, BE!

Kirk said...

If I'm not mistaken, that's Cheech Marin behind the bar.

Erin O'Brien said...

Cheech it is, Kirk.

Anonymous said...

At first I thought that was Michelle Bachmann on the phone, but Tito is much better looking.

BTW, When the dog barks and the gypsy caravan rolls on where is it going?

RJ

P.S. In re: Tarantino Soundtracks. I still haven't quite recovered from Melanie Laurent and "Putting Out Fires with Gasoline" in Inglourious Basterds.

RJ

Erin O'Brien said...

This one, RJ? Nice.

Anonymous said...

That clip is a bit truncated from the way I remember the movie scene but you get the idea.

I heard an interview with Cameron Crowe on one of those commie public radio programs in which he said he has these songs in his mind he'd like to use in movies but he's always afraid Tarantino will beat him to it.

RJ

Anonymous said...

I am impressed, B.E. Earl. Very much so :-)