T Party Express: Moon Day, Moon Day

The T Party Express has been on auto pilot while I attend to housekeeping issues. Things are looking up - and so am I. Behold the moon, for which the first day of our traditional work week was named.

In the storied history of rock music, there are epic songs that hold an almost supernatural power to command our attention. Typically, their special or momentous qualities were acknowledged by contemporaneous popular acclaim, but some of my most cherished musical treasures were and are largely unheralded.

In the 1980s, the Waterboys sprang from the Celtic folk rock tradition and achieved moderate chart success in the U.K. Their full-bodied sound, augmented by strings and horns, soared aloft the poetic lyrics of band founder Mike Scott. The Whole of the Moon from 1985 remains their signature achievement. Reportedly inspired by C.S. Lewis, the song is a lament about two people perpetually at cross purposes and works as an ode to romantic regret.



Previous stops:

Empty Me by Chris Sligh (2008).

So Long Self by Mercy Me (2006).

Here's Where the Story Ends by the Sundays (1990).

Broken by Lighthouse (2009).

God Shaped Hole by Plumb (1999).

The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King (1970).

Love and Regret by Deacon Blue (1989).

Real Gone Kid by Deacon Blue (1989).

My Book by the Beautiful South (1990).

A Little Time by the Beautiful South (1990).

Your Ex-Lover Is Dead by Stars (2005).

This Woman's Work by Kate Bush (1989).

Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division (1980).

Reptile by the Church (1988).

Accidents Will Happen by Elvis Costello (1979).

Tears Run Rings by Marc Almond (1987).

Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen (1984).

Love Lies Bleeding by Elton John (1973).

Last Time Forever by Squeeze (1985).

Conjure Me by the Afghan Whigs (1992).

Debonair by the Afghan Whigs (1993).

Hallelujah by Jason Castro (2009).

Total Recall by the Sound (1985).

Fly by Jars of Clay (2002).

Train in Vain by the Clash (1980).

It's My Life by Talk Talk (1984).