MusiClack – Hall and Oates and more

Tara: Michael, I chose Hall and Oates for this week’s MusiClack because …

• A) If you’re not familiar with the songs we’re going to be discussing you might be dead
• B) Daryl Hall was once a hottie
• C) By watching these videos in depth, we’ll all figure out together what John Oates actually did
• And D) We’ll get to turn on many new people to Daryl Hall’s latest project, which I know we both dig

Michael: I’m familiar with Hall and Oates. But I know you have a real love for them. I remember them all over the radio in the 80s, but I was never into them. Just familiar with their music, that’s all.

Tara: Well, the first video we’re talking about, “Rich Girl,” was a main staple of mine in seventh grade. I always was left wanting more from this song, as it’s only two minutes. But it’s a great bopping tune! Also, we used to get into the fact that Daryl sang “It’s a bitch girl.” Because that sort of stuff just makes you giggle when you’re twelve. I notice in this televised appearance, the producers made him change the word.

Michael: Well … that was your “nunnery” upbringing there. You weren’t supposed to be saying — let alone hearing — things like that in Catholic school … right?

Tara: Freaking nuns …

Michael: What? In? The? World? Is? In? Daryl’s? Hair … ?!?? It doesn’t move! It’s a natural wonder! Mayhap the ninth Wonder Of The World! It doesn’t move!

Tara: I have the answer! It was called Final Net (or maybe Aqua Net) and you could glue bricks together with it.

Michael: Well, it certainly worked for Daryl.

Michael: So! Here’s a rare Hall and Oates track I’m not only on board with, but that I actually like. Catchy! Hooky! Pleasant! And it’s got a spiffy beat I enjoy, something I didn’t think I could do with this group.

Tara: They were the the best pop act going back then, but got overshadowed by the Dreaded Disco and the emergence of punk. I think they still stand up as one of the best pop groups ever. And, to support my thinking, VH1 named them in the top 100 of the greatest artists of all time.

Michael: And you know what? Even though they weren’t a favorite of mine by a long shot, I don’t have a problem with them being in the the Top 100. They were a good, solid, popular duo. No complaints there.

Tara: And! We should address that. While reading about them for this post? I had no idea they met in a club running from some gunmen and getting trapped in the same elevator. Great story! However, poor John Oates. I think he was always overshadowed by Daryl; kind of shoved in the background, and us girls thought him rather creepy.

Michael: Let me tell you … it’s not just the girls who think he’s creepy. I think he’s creepy! Or at least I did back then. He was always in the background of the videos … he had that cheesy mustache … he wore those goofy shirts with the too-short sleeves.

Tara: I know right? And it’s weird to me they never officially broke up. There was lots of speculation back in the day, when Daryl branched out on his own. So now! We get to talk about the webcast he’s doing! Woot!

Michael: Well, you don’t break up from a popular duo just ‘cause someone wears his sleeves too short, you know.

Tara: True, I suppose. But you know Michael? I have to thank you for posting a blurb from Daryl Hall’s latest venture on your Facebook page. For those of our seventeen readers who don’t know … Daryl Hall started a show from his literal house, and invites different musicians from all genres every month to come and jam. And they film it! Pure gold.

Michael: I can’t take credit for it. I pilfered that from someone else (can’t remember who off the top of my head), and even I was surprised at my attraction to the performance. I’m pretty certain it was one with Booker T. Jones. However, if I had to pick one of my favorite clips, it would be the following “I Can’t Go For That” with Chromeo:

Tara: I have to say that I’m in a quandary. Because Todd Rundgren’s appearance on Daryl’s House has so many fantastic performances I can’t choose. However, I’m up against the wall so I really like this one …

Michael: Here’s the deal: I’ve mentioned previously that I’ve never been a big fan of either of these two artists. But once I was turned onto Daryl’s House, I began getting into Hall’s music. And, since perusing the bevy of performances on YouTube and the like, I’ve grown to appreciate live stints.

Tara: Here’s what Daryl had to say about his decision to try this whole thing out …

“For me it was sort of an obvious thing. I’ve been touring my whole adult life really, and, you know, you can’t be EVERYWHERE! Nor do I WANT to be everywhere at this point! I only like to spend so much time per year on the road. So I thought ‘Why don’t I just do something where anyone who wants to see me anywhere in the world CAN?! And, instead of doing the artist/audience performance-type thing, I wanted to deconstruct it and make the audience more of a fly-on-the-wall kind of observer… I mean, what I’ve always done onstage is very natural. I talk to the audience and it’s a very sitting-roomy kind of thing. So I just thought I’d basically bring that to the web.”

Michael: In addition to the web, Daryl’s House is available in syndication in select cites across the country. Check your local listings!