Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, for the past several days, the Manolo has been obsessed with Del Shannon and his 1961 super smash hit, Runaway, the song the Manolo considers one of the three or four greatest rock and roll songs of all time.

The opening guitar chords and electronic “musitron” interlude of Runaway are still utterly compelling at the distance of nearly fifty years, however, for the Manolo, it the intense and defiant vulnerability in Del Shannon’s voice as he sings his own plaintive lyrics that make this song more than the sum of its parts.

But judge for yourself. Here is the relatively early video of Del Shannon singing Runaway.

And here is the best of the later versions, from 1982 (it begins about one minute in).

(more…)

Manolo says, if like the Manolo you are the person who occasionally feels wistful for the early 1980s, this one-hit wonder from Toto Coelo will cure you riki-tik.

Manolo says, the Manolo has already posted the link to this in his Twitter feed, but it deserves reposting in full here because it will bring joy to those who see it.

If the sight of this solidly-built middle-aged man getting his funk on does not bring the smile to your face, you are perhaps without hope.

There is more below the jump.

(more…)

Manolo says, lately, the Manolo has been in the Elaine Stritch sort of mood.

And now that you have enjoyed this, go watch this documentary clip all the way through to the end, so that you may witness the power of good hair and makeup to bring about the artistic triumph.

Manolo says, here is the 1997 video from the Manolo’s current musical obsession, Hilda Lizarazu. Please, to enjoy.

Manolo says, ayyyyyy! The destruction of the Spanish cultural patrimony is now complete.

The Bret and Jemaine say, It’s real good for making two things one
But just like that roll of tape
Love sometimes breaks off before you were done.

Manolo says, perhaps in the future, humans will not even have to worry about clothing.

Bret says, We’ll get hot by the refrigerator.