Sunday, March 14, 2021

Sunday Music: You're So Vain

 

Singer-songwriter Carly Simon's monster hit from 1972, the quintessential 70s song, with uncredited background vocals from Mick Jagger, about Warren Beatty and two as-yet unnamed other self-obsessed people, and about which speculation has swirled for forty years. And not coincidentally, one helluva great tune.

23 comments:

jackalope said...

I've heard it was David Geffen.

Nick Flandrey said...

off topic for a sunday, but a chance to learn some interesting things...

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Some online courses that might be very interesting.

https://www.acmt.net/CRAOTSD2021.html

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Chemical and Radiological Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs), Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs) & Toxic Radiological Materials (TRMs)

Event Details

Virtual Course Live & On-Demand

February 22-23, 2021

Cost: FREE

Click here to download the Course Flyer (PDF)
Registration

The Chemical and Radiological Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism consists of two, one-day courses, each with its own registration link.

You may attend one day or both days. You may also register to watch either day on-demand, within one month after the event.

Register here: Day 1 | Radiological Emergency Medical Management

Register here: Day 2 | Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Overview

In recent years, there has been growing concern that many of the most likely terrorist threats will involve “agents of opportunity” or materials that are readily available in most communities around the country.

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX Emergency Response and County of San Diego Hazardous Incident Response Team are pleased to offer this course on emergency medical response to exposures from radioactive materials and toxic chemicals. The Office of Emergency Management, within the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), supported the development of this unique course to familiarize health care providers and responders with toxic exposures. The course will review the medical and psychological consequences of exposures to a variety of chemical and radiological materials. It will include practical information regarding scene safety for such agents as high potency fentanyl analogs, inhaled irritants, and proper decontamination of a victim contaminated with radiological material.



--- I don't endorse or know anything about the quality of the course, but it qualifies for CEC so it is probably a serious look at the subjects. Day Two looks especially interesting.

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Day 2 | February 23, 2021 | Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism (REGISTER HERE!)

7:45am (PST) - 7:50am (PST) Log-In Open
7:50am (PST) - 8:00am (PST) Opening Remarks
8:00am (PST) - 8:40am (PST) Toxic Disasters: Beyond Conventional Chemical Weapons
8:40am (PST) - 9:00am (PST) Chemical Explosions
9:00am (PST) - 9:40am (PST) Toxic Gases as Threats
9:40am (PST) - 9:50am (PST) Break
9:50am (PST) - 10:30am (PST) Why are Cyanide & Fumigants So Worrisome
10:30am (PST) - 11:10am (PST) Food, Water & Medication as Vehicles for Toxic Threats
11:10am (PST) - 12:00pm (PST) Clinical Neurotoxicology of Chemical Threats
12:00pm (PST) - 1:00pm (PST) Lunch
1:00pm (PST) - 1:40pm (PST) Delayed Toxic Syndromes
1:40pm (PST) - 2:20pm (PST) The Psychological Impact of Mass Exposures
2:20pm (PST) - 2:30pm (PST) Break
2:30pm (PST) - 3:10pm (PST) After Event Population Monitoring: Pros & Cons
3:10pm (PST) - 4:10pm (PST) Scenario-Based Discussion
4:10pm (PST) - 4:20pm (PST) Closing Remarks
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nick

Aesop said...

@jackalope,

Except it's been pointed out she didn't know Geffen back when she wrote the song.

Night driver said...

Those of us at the edges of the industry figured it was James Taylor when it came out.

Uhm, is there a reason that I got a scene from Apocalypse Now instead of "..You walked in with your hat strategically tipped over one eye......"


Night Driver

johnnyrotten said...

Though it was about James Taylor?

Charles said...

I always heard it was about James Taylor.

Orvan Taurus said...

I've loathed that damned Muzak tune for years now. And I know it's NOT about me due to age and time of recording, etc.

Aesop said...

1) She has specifically said it was not about her now-ex, J.T., to whom she was freshly married at the time it was written, and not divorced from for another 11 years.

2) Anyone who can think a tune sung by Carly Simon and Mick Jagger, with that wailing lead guitar, as muzak, has some pretty strange definitions of that dreck.

Peter B said...

It fails my "it's still interesting after hearing it multiple times in one day" test. But then, most songs and most singers do.

Unknown said...

I remember hearing it was Cat Stevens before his conversion to Islam.

Gerry

Night driver said...

Thankee, Sirah.
NOW I can enjoy some fine music.
Our copy of this album had a safety sticker attached about pushing buttons and turning knobs...

Whachu want? Clarkson was an ENGINEERING (hockey) College at the time. Though my musical memories are paramount. Playing radio. Well, them and Dave Taylor's stick work.


Night Driver, who enjoyed EVERYTHING at CCT except the temperatures (errr lack thereof)

Orvan Taurus said...

Muzak is EXACTLY where I hear it.

John said...

I think Count Alucard's favorite version was "You're so vein."

(Cue Christopher Lee singing metal)

Aesop said...

@Orvan,

Sadly, that says more about what you listen to, than whether or not it's good.

If one judges filet mignon and crème brûlée by what is served at Denny's, they deserve what they get. Even if it's free on their birthday.

Orvan Taurus said...

I'll keep my 1940's, etc. The muzak is still muzak is still muzak,. Does nothing for me.

Aesop said...

Muzak was born in the '30s, and its heyday was '40s music.
They didn't even have to re-record anything, they could just play the original tracks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzak

Aesop said...

But I found something you'll like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUOmWfCTllo&t=58s

Orvan Taurus said...

I can't help it if other lack taste. }:o)

And that tune is... trite. Even with that damn movie.

Orvan Taurus said...

[That said, I've read the script/transcript, as *in text*, it looks like it SHOULD be a great film. But Once past the narration intro, I'm done. Just can't stand it in actual movie form. Citizen Kane? No problem. It even, somewhat, 'speaks' to me.]

Aesop said...

@Orvan,

You didn't listen to it. Try again.
It's not a tune.
It's the entire queue soundtrack from the Jungle Cruise, which is a hour of mostly big band era tunes.
Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, etc.

Orvan Taurus said...

Disney puts me off, and it sounds tinny from what I did hear. That's not likely to get me to go on, when it's trivial to get better quality even from in-era recordings.

Nick Flandrey said...

@orvan, do a youtube search for 'electroswing' to get some of the same stuff, and even more obscure stuff remixed with a more modern sound.

I love the big band era, listen to it on cd and on XM radio, and I found electroswing to be very nice- especially any of the "Best Of" mixes by Xefox Music channel.

That led me on a web wander which led me to new music I like alot, as well as the oldies.

nick

Orvan Taurus said...

Nick: I try that every once in a while, and keep hoping. And I keep feeling disappointed with the result. It has so much potential, but -for me- no current.

And as for the original content of the post: I say I dislike the tune partly from overly and \partly from the attitude. Yes, she's going on about a jerk, but it still seems bitchy. Is the performance bad? No. I can see (well hear) that it is technically excellent, at least the singing. The guitar riff thing? Never even noticed, such doesn't call to me *at all*. Generally, most stuff on broadcast radio in the 1970's I consider as 'background noise' even if it ought be more than that.