If you feel your mind may be about to snap from lack of actual face-to-face human contact, you’re definitely not alone!
Songwriter Rob Minderman’s new “Stir Crazy” song is maybe somewhat of an explainer of “the crazy Corona Blanket Bingo frisbee germs toss picnic that happened last weekend at Trinity Bellwoods Park,” as he described one of the seemingly mass mind-losing binges we’ve seen recently, in an email.
As always with this endlessly inventive and exploring alt-Pop/Rock artist, the somewhat disjointed musical mood and rather complex lyrics using a unique rhyming scheme completely suit the song topic.
It’s his second COVID-19 inspired song and he’s entered both it and his earlier “Invisible Enemy” number in the Lockdown Songwriting Contest being run by Toronto Songwriting School that I told you about earlier this month.
Rob Minderman -Facebook
Rob has always had a knack for capturing various emotions and moods in his stylistically diverse compositional approach and here the tension of the music and lyrics builds aptly to a final verse that to me has faint echoes of an ancient cult hit, “They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!”
(That 1966 novelty chart-topper performed by one-hit wonder Napoleon XIV, and others since, was written by one Jerry Samuels, who happens to be someone both Rob and I used to know when he was a regular at the old Blue Boot in London, Ontario, where Rob often performed and I worked as a server in the mid-1970s.)
Rob himself is, of course, someone with whom, in addition to being the other half of our duo The Forecasters, I’ve co-written several tunes —including our early 90s hit (and eerily appropriate today) “Dead World Soon” and our 80s classic art-Rock anthem, “Manipulating Machines.”
So I may be biased, but to my ears this new art-Rock-meets-progressive-
In keeping with the title, the musical aspect of “Stir Crazy” is definitely a stirring of genres to utilize bits from each in a dynamic interplay that has its own story to tell. That’s compounded by how the melody and his vocals constantly flirt with dissonance, sometimes dangerously, conveying a sense of genuine urgency and unpredictability.
Lyrically, in addition to the unique rhyming scheme and the fact that it rhymes “diaper” and “sniper” (!) the ditty contains one verse dedicated to out-of-work musicians who also can’t go to their “day jobs” as restaurant/bar servers, rhyming “wages” with “outrageous” to convincing effect.
As I learned from talking with Jerry so long ago, sometimes the only thing to stop you from losing your mind is seeing just how crazy others have become!
So maybe someone should play this tune for those who may be tempted to think the pandemic is over just because they wish it so, or that it was a hoax, before they end up turning into COVIDiots and becoming part of a covfefe.
See if you can stop your own brain and fingers from snapping by listening to the tune on Rob’s Reverbnation Nation page.
-By Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
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*6am-6am weekdays> CBCMusic shows feature all-Canadian content @ CBC Radio One
Noon-1 weekdays> Chloe Charles; Ryan Davis for City Hall Live in support of Unison Benevolent Fund relief for artists fund streamed live on Facebook ~songwriter (see also listings for upcoming days on Facebook page)
Noon> cellists of the National Arts Centre Orchestra for National Arts Centre #CanadaPerforms series streaming live on Facebook ~Classical/cellos
2:30 Monday-Saturday> Chris Staig performs covers & originals on Facebook ~songwriter
3-7 weekdays> Julian Taylor hosts @ 106.5 ELMNT FM in Toronto & www.elemntfm.ca ~eclectic music 25% indigenous, 35% CanCon
4-6pm weekly> Blues Source International w. Ken Wallis @ 101.5 FM or 1015thehawk.ca
6> Wendy MacIsaac & Mairi Rankin for National Arts Centre #CanadaPerforms series streaming live on Facebook ~ol’ time/traditional Roots violins
7-7:30 daily> Craig Cardiff performs covers & originals live streaming on Instagram
7-11 weekly> #TogetherAt Home Online Open Mic” with Matt Zaddy on Facebook Live Email [email protected] to sign up
7-8 weekly> “Songtalk Radio” songwriters interviews/chat with weekly guest @ CJRU 1280AM Toronto and online
7-9 weekly> “Unsung and On The Side” with Carolyn Fe on www.Rock-FM.ca
7-10 weekly> Bluesday On Tuesday @ CKUW 95.9 FM www.ckuw.ca/listen
7-10 weekly> Sabrina Weeks and Mike live on Facebook group
8 weekly> “Second Spin Tuesdays” on WPBS online ~retro flashback spins
*9-12 weekly> “Soul Nation” with Bill & Jesse King & spinning classic Lincoln’s live, Shirley Caesar, Larry Graham, Tower of Power, X-Ray Ted, Eric Clapton and B.B. King, Hill St. Soul, Jurassic Funk, Ashleigh Smith, 6ix Toys and many more @ JAZZFM.91 ~Jazz/Soul outside the mainstream
*9:30-10:30 daily> “Q” TV broadcast with Tom Power with segments from @TheCurrentCBC, interviews, entertainment news & more @ CBC-TV
10-11 weekly> “Howl” with hosts Nancy Bullis & Valentino Assenza on CIUT 89.5FM & online ~profiles of and interviews with poets and songwriters
Midnight (Wednesday morning)-11:59pm weekly> York Region Open Mic “Virtual Open Mic” on Facebook with host Steffi Postol Goodfield. “Post yourself playing a song on our York Region Open Mic page
RESIDING ONLINE LISTINGS
“RESIDING” items are those which are not time-sensitive and can be accessed 24/7
RESIDING> video of Laura Hubert Band cover of “Loralei” @ Jazz Bistro filmed by Xpand Studio, on YouTube ~Jazz (0:4:47)
NEW: RESIDING> Rob Minderman mp3 for “Stir Crazy” original song for COVID songwriting contest on Reverbnation.com ~art-Pop (0:04:01)
RESIDING> Roger “Pops” Zuraw video for “Fine Weather Blues” original song from album Remembering The Lakeshore on You Tube ~songwriter (0:02:56)
RESIDING> Harpin’ Norm Lucien video for original song “Coboconk” on YouTube ~songwriter (0:03:32)
RESIDING> The Young Novelists featuring Graydon James perform “Back To The Hard Times” and more on YouTube channel ~contemporary original
RESIDING> video of Chris Birkett & The Free Spirits performing original song “The Power of Our Love” from new album 11:11 on YouTube ~Funky contemporary Pop (0:04:49)
RESIDING> Fernando and the Sentimental Rebels featuring Fernando Curcione perform on video of “Mama Dear” for Mother’s Day on You Tube ~songwriter (0:03:45)
RESIDING> Lenka Lichtenberg performs original Yiddish song about pandemic, “Amol geven a Tsayt” (“Once There Was A Time” to melody of “Those Were The Days” & lyrics by Hindy Abelson) with English singable subtitles on YouTube ~Ethnic Roots (0:04:30)
RESIDING> Robbie Rox talks to Roxanne Tellier in “Off The Beaten Tracks” Podcast on Instagram (0:21:55) ~spoken word
RESIDING> “Čekáme kdesi na konci aleje – Lyric Video” of original song by Lenka Lichtenberg on YouTube (0:04:23)
RESIDING> David Storey & band perform “We Are The Greatest” original song live at Free Times Cafe, video on Instagram ~songwriter (0:04:15)
RESIDING> video of Lynn Harrison performing “Living Room Concert” from home on Facebook ~songwriter (1:41:11)
RESIDING> One Eyed Oracle aka Boris Buhot) new album Really Small Town links on website ~original Rock/Pop
RESIDING> Dougal Bichan performs original songs “More Than 100”, “Two Chairs”, “Clarkstown Flood”, bagpipes solo & more on YouTube channel & on InstagramTV ~songwriter
RESIDING> Shawn Brady video performance of original song “The Ballad of Cinderella” with the late Hervé Basset on keys on Facebook ~songwriter (0:4:40)
RESIDING> Harpin’ Norm Lucien mp3 of new song “I Can Hear the Heartbeat (Of A Thousand Whales)” on spotify.com ~songwriter (0:4:11)
RESIDING> Robbie Rox video channel featuring archival band videos of original songs spanning 40 years plus several recent recordings of original tunes solo acoustic on YouTube ~eclectic originals
RESIDING> Little Peter and the Elegants perform 11-song set covering Sha Na Na at Wheels On Danforth, August 2019 to celebrate 50th anniversary of Woodstock ~video on YouTube (0:30:11)
RESIDING> Late Fakirs featuring Greg “Harpfool” Shields perform continually growing collection of original tunes from “Corona-chan Collection” ~videos link on YouTube ~contemporary original
RESIDING> Shawn Brady performs original song “Sideways 2020” video on Facebook ~songwriter (0:4:46)
RESIDING> Kathleen Lovett performs cover of John’s Prine’s “Sam Stone” acoustic solo on YouTube; (0:5:22)
RESIDING> Al Reilly performs “Still Loving You” Scorpions cover acoustic solo on YoutTube (0:6:17)
RESIDING> Doc Higgins performs original song “The Lonesome Death of John Prine” on YouTube; (0:4:36)
RESIDING> Robbie Rox performs original song “Small Things Make Me Happy” solo acoustic for Good Friday on Facebook ~songwriter; (0:1:25)
RESIDING> Sebastian Agnello performs “Pour Me Another Tequila Sheila” @ Black Swan live in 2011 on Moon TV on YouTube; (0:2:54)
RESIDING> Kevin Jollimore performs “Stay the Blazes Home” for COVID protocols on YouTube ~ original Roots Rock; (0:3:20)
RESIDING> Drew Winters all ten tracks from Last Call In Montreal album on YouTube and on Spotify ~original Pop
RESIDING> Scott Rogers solo and with Maggie Keogh as Maggie & Mr. Rogers ~several videos on YouTube
RESIDING> Rob Minderman performs “Invisible Enemy” original song about COVID-19 on YouTube (0:4:00)
RESIDING> Wayne Neon and the Amazing Tubular Orchestra™ on Youtube: Social Distance Sessions live ~eclectic covers & originals (0:18:22)
RESIDING> Kathleen Lovett performs cover of “Sam Stone” by John Prine on YouTube; (0:5:22)
RESIDING> Susie Grooves & Company performs “Rhianna” at Southside Johnny’s on Facebook (0:3:44)
RESIDING> Eclectic Power Company featuring Graham Clarke covers “Wheat Kings (Tragically Hip) on InstagramTV (0:3:10)
RESIDING> Josh Gordon on Koch guitar solo for “Koch Quarantine Sessions” on YouTube (0:1:33)
RESIDING> Howard Gladstone performs original Roots solo on Facebook ~songwriter (0:5:32)
RESIDING> Kathleen Lovett performs solo on Facebook live ~Pop Rock/Roots/Blues covers (1:52:53)
RESIDING> David McLachlan performs two original songs recorded @ Bluebird Café, Nashville, on YouTube (0:8:02)
RESIDING> Alex Radeff & Donkey perform original song “Another Night At The Bar” on YouTube, recorded @ El Mocambo, December 1993 (0:4:20)
RESIDING> Howard Gladstone at Winterfolk XVIII performs “Crazy Talk” on You Tube ~songwriter (0:4:10)
RESIDING> Roger “Pops” Zuraw with Joshua-Walker & friends performs original song “Headboard Boogie” on YouTube ~songwriter (0:4:55)
NEW: RESIDING> “On The Front Lines” video for COVID essential workers by D. Artemis Chartier on YouTube ~Pop (0:03:41)
RESIDING> JazzInToronto in collaboration with The Emmet Ray presents Rebecca Hennessy & Michael Herring video of live performance set on Facebook ~Jazz (1:10:13)
RESIDING> David Espinel audio track for “Trumpet Call” streaming on BandsinTown ~electronica/experimental sounds (0:08:08)
RESIDING> David Clayton Thomas video for “Long Night” thank-you to first responders and essential workers on YouTube ~Rock/R&B (0:06:08)
RESIDING> James Clark Institute performs cover of “Things We Said Today” (Beatles) on YouTube ~Pop (0:02:51)
RESIDING> “CoronaLola” takeoff on “Lola” (Kinks) by Hugh Fink on YouTube ~musical satire (0:03:59)
RESIDING> Steve and Don Stewart perform “Social Distancing” takeoff on “This Crazy Thing” in video on Facebook ~musical satire (0:03:43)
RESIDING> Chris Bennett & Mitch Girio video performance of original song “Disenchanted World” on YouTube (0:04:14) ~Country Pop
RESIDING> The Band Geeks perform “Roundabout” together apart on video on YouTube ~Rock ‘n’ Roll/Pop (0:09:00)
RESIDING> Jeff Orson performs original song “Pray” for UNICEF COVID-19 RELIEF FUND on YouTube ~Country (0:03:57)
RESIDING> Kyp Harness performs original song “Little Doggie” on video on YouTube ~songwriter (0:02:13)
RESIDING> video of “You’re Not Alone” original song by Jennifer Simser and Daniel Nogueira written and recorded while stranded aboard Caribbean Princess cruise ship, on YouTube (0:03:51)
RESIDING:> Glen Campbell performs “William Tell Overture” (Gioachino Rossini) with philharmonic orchestral backing live on video on YouTube (0:03:31)
RESIDING> Dani Strong with Gina Horswood and Tamica Herod (The Ladybirds) performs “We Are 1 World” (Jason McCoy) on Facebook ~Pop (0:01:17)
RESIDING> Liona Boyd performs “Sending Love In The Time of Corona” original song acoustic solo on YouTube ~songwriter (0:03:39)
RESIDING> Anne Lederman performs “Grandy’s D modal tune” on Facebook ~ol’ time/traditional Roots violin (0:01:29)
RESIDING> Rob Kirkham & Neon Rain live together apart performance of “Love Goes Bang” on YouTube ~Country (0:04:10)
RESIDING> Carmen Toth performs acoustic solo covers & originals for “Way Too Early Show Mom’s Faves” replay of live stream Sunday May 10 on Facebook (1:10:26)
RESIDING> Tom Richards performs The Big Butter and Egg Men Volume One 4 tracks on BandCamp ~Jazz
RESIDING> Sohayla Smith performs “Cuando Mesías Amaba” on string harp video on Istagram (0:05:28)
RESIDING> New video performed together-apart by Marianas Trench members of original song “Only The Lonely Survive” on YouTube ~original Rock/Pop (0:03:43)
RESIDING: Kent MacMillan & Kat Renner perform “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (Tom Petty) in video on YouTube ( 0:04:06)
RESIDING> video for “Echoing Fade” by BigFixMusic on YouTube ~contemporary original (0:4:10)
RESIDING> Jessa (Jessica Stuart) performs “Crazy Love” video on YouTube ~songwriter (0:02:48)
RESIDING> Kyp Harness performing “Old Grey House: original song on video on YouTube ~songwriter (0:04:27)
RESIDING> video of Spoons performing “New Day New World” original song featuring Corey Hart, Alan Frew, Mike Score, Bif Naked, Dale Martindale, Jane Siberry, Mauve Delyn Grey, David Marsden, Michael Williams, Steve Anthony, Ed The Sock & many more celebrities on YouTube ~original Rock/Pop(0:03:32)
RESIDING> video of Russ Williams, Mark Ansara & Justin Snikkar performing “Sitting On Top Of The World” at Grossman’s Sunday jam on YouTube ~Blues/Soul (0:03:49)
RESIDING> mp3 of previously unreleased “Overlord” by Suicide Silence from Become The Hunter album sessions on nuclearblast.com along with other album tracks (0:03:10) ~Metal/Hard Rock
RESIDING> original song “Six Feet Apart” by Luke Combs on website + many other tracks ~original Rock/Pop (0:03:19)
RESIDING> Shane Cloutier performs “Red Wagon” original song on YouTube ~songwriter
RESIDING> videos of recent live stream “City Hall Live” lunchtime performances from Toronto City Hall (as well as schedule of upcoming shows) on Facebook ~eclectic
RESIDING> video of Ellie Greenwich performing 1973 album Let It Be Written, Let It Be Sung on YouTube ~girl band hit songwriter from ‘60s, ‘70s (0:41:20)
RESIDING> Toby Keith performs “Furniture Store Guitar Sessions”: 10 solo videos recorded in furniture store in Mexico, where he’s quarantined on YouTube ~Country
RESIDING> festival video of James Anthony performing “Walking My Blues Away” original song on YouTube ~Blues (0:02:46)
RESIDING> recording of new song “Life’s Hard” by Chuck E with Bella (Belle Matthews) on Soundcloud.com ~original Rap/Hip-Hop (0:3:14)
RESIDING> “together apart” video of Michael Buble, Barenaked Ladies, Sofia Reyes performing “Gotta Be Patient” excerpted from CBC-TV “Stronger Together” concert on YouTube (0:2:49)
RESIDING> collection of past episodes of “On The Fringe” with hosts Mandy Goodhandy & Todd Klinck on blogtalkradio.com ~variety
RESIDING> video of PUP performing new original song “Anaphylaxis” on RiseRecords website ~original Rock/Pop (0:3:23)
RESIDING> video of “Hard Rain: A Tribute to Bob Dylan” for 420 with Matt Groopie and over 30 other artists on YouTube (2:16:38)
RESIDING> Home Routes/Chemin Nous presents archived videos of recent online performances on Facebook, with ~songwriters
RESIDING> Rick McCue performs original song “Willing” on Facebook (0:03:03)
RESIDING> Scarborough Ukulele watch party jam introduction on Facebook
RESIDING> “Funky Music - The Gig Lives On” video collage of five musicians (Linda Nusca Albertyn - Vocals, Tony D’Amato - Keys, Michael John Mastandrea - Guitar, Paul Carafelli - Bass, Paul Maddigan - Drums.) performing “Funky Music” from respective homes on YouTube (0:4:13)
RESIDING> The Discarded Band live socially distanced rehearsal video on Facebook (1:12:16) ~Rock ‘n’ Roll
RESIDING> BigFix Music video of original song “Tex Monkey Trap monkiisblumix on YouTube ~electronic art Rock (0:3:15)
RESIDING> Colin James performs cover of “Walkin’ Blues” by Son House on YouTube ~Blues (0:3:28)
RESIDING> Jesse Cook (with 12-year old daughter) performs 25-years-old original song “Tempest” on Facebook ~songwriter (0:3:30)
RESIDING> Andy Griffiths performs “What’s So Funny” (Nick Lowe cover) on YouTube (0:4:34)
RESIDING> Jackie performs original song “Unspun” on YouTube ~songwriter (0:3:14)
RESIDING> Rick McCue performs original song “A Full Bottle of Wine” on Facebook ~songwriter (0:3:13)
RESIDING> Eric Schenkman performs original “Locked In The House All Day” song on YouTube ~original Rock; (0:3:45)
RESIDING> Jesse Parent performs new original song “Learning to Live Apart” in YouTube video; ~songwriter (0:3:22)
RESIDING> Steve Bowen’s Kitchen Party from Milton on Facebook ~ol’ time/traditional Roots; (0:42:51)
RESIDING> Bill Romberg performs original “Army of Heroes” song on YouTube ~songwriter; (0:3:30)
RESIDING> Craig Cardiff MP3s of two versions of new “To Be Safe, Loved & Home” original song on Spotify ~songwriter (0:3:20/0:5:06)
RESIDING> “I Gotta Wash My Hands” Beatles parody COVID-19 video by Hobby Marketing on You Tube (0:2:30)
RESIDING> Barenaked Ladies “Selfie Cam Jam” together-apart performance of “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” (Bruce Cockburn cover); 0:5:15
RESIDING> Dave’s Crew video from 2018 open mic @ Dave’s Pizza on YouTube; (0:9:20)
RESIDING> Linda Nusca Albertyn et al together-apart video collage of “Listen To The Music” cover on Facebook; (0:3:37)
RESIDING> Toronto Symphony Orchestra together-apart performance of “Appalachian Spring” in remote ensemble on YouTube ~Classical (0:4:26)
RESIDING> various artists recorded live concerts for Care In Canada Ontario for seniors in care homes, accessible to anyone on YouTube
RESIDING> James Anthony performs original “Corona Blues” song on YouTube ~songwriter (0:2:39)
RESIDING> Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performs “Space Oddity” from International Space Station on YouTube via TorontoMoon.ca (0:5:30)
RESIDING> “Almighty Voices” Episode 1 video with various artists on YouTube in support of Unison Benevolent Fund relief for artists fund (0:35:40)
RESIDING> Spoons new original song “Landing Lights” on YouTube ~original Pop (0:4:41)
RESIDING> Eugene Smith recorded live stream show from March 27 on YouTube ~songwriter (1:13:55)
RESIDING> Jillian Bunting performing original & cover songs on Facebook ~songwriter (0:53:20)
RESIDING> Miz Debbie & The Don Valley Stompers video recorded at Grossman’s Tavern on YouTube ~Blues; (0:5:28)
RESIDING> The Jukebox Hour with Phill Hood and The Exclamation on Facebook ~covers and originals by request (1:23:08)
RESIDING> Reuben O’dell-Barkow with Marianna Lvovskaja recorded live (0:51:40)
RESIDING> Sarah Siddiqui video recorded live “Put The Worry Away (Isolation Sessions)” ~songwriter (0:25:28)
RESIDING> “10 Soothing Jazz Tunes…” (article with links) from Jazz.FM81 @ jazz.fm
RESIDING> Video of violinist Viera Zmiyiwsky performing for her 94-year-old grandmother, Anna, outside a retirement home in Mississauga on April 1 on Facebook ~classical; (0:5:38)
RESIDING> audio podcast episodes of “Q” with Tom Power and various artists streaming on request @ CBC Radio
RESIDING> Matt Groopie & David Grossman video performance of “Man On The Moon” (REM) acoustic outdoors from Facebook; (0:5:22)
RESIDING> Sam Roberts Band as Isolation Jubilation Sensation performing original song “We’re All In This Together” on YouTube (0:03:10)
RESIDING> Marsala Lukianchuk performs “I Wish I Was Locked Down With You” Facebook video ~songwriter (0:1:49)
RESIDING> James Anthony sings John Prine’s “All The Way With You,” recorded April 9, 2020; on YouTube; (0:2:18)
RESIDING> “Austin City Limits” presents free concerts from Country greats and original acts on pbs.org
RESIDING> The Dexters R&B super group perform “Melon Collie Serenade” on YouTube (0:5:55)
RESIDING> Jessica Mondello performing covers & originals on Facebook ~songwriter (1:03:43)
RESIDING> Colin Brunton performs original song “Coronavirus Rhapsody” on Youtube (0:6:01)
RESIDING> Mark Malibu and the Wasagas perform Rockabilly PSA “Fight Covid-19” on YouTube (0:0:53)
RESIDING> Michael Theodore performing covers & originals on Facebook ~songwriter (1:17:01)
RESIDING> Home Routes podcast Show #22 with host Tim Osmond & tunes by Roots/Blues artists Kalyna Rakel [previous podcasts also accessible from page]
RESIDING> Instructional video “The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do” on YouTube (0:8:34)
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