You could say Morrissey is a kind of modern day crooner
January 29, 2016 6:47 AM Subscribe
Caroline St. Clair introduces her aunt, Toni Tennille (of the Captain & Tennille) to the music of Morrissey: Part One, Part Two.
I want a “je suis Morrissey." t-shirt and wear it to the upcoming Slayer show.
posted by NoMich at 7:04 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by NoMich at 7:04 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was happy to learn that Ms Tenille appreciates Sinatra. And I admire her 'game-ness' and listening to Morrissey stuff with an open mind.
posted by davidmsc at 7:11 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by davidmsc at 7:11 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
Toni Tenille is 19 years older than Morrisey. It's not like the woman is from the 1920s...or that Morrisey's music came out that much later than hers. (9 years, actually). They're practically contemporaries. Such a strange thing.
posted by xingcat at 7:15 AM on January 29, 2016 [17 favorites]
posted by xingcat at 7:15 AM on January 29, 2016 [17 favorites]
no one who did muskrat love has any right saying anything about lyricsAmerica weren't really stellar lyricists, but they did a fine Neil Young impression. I found the story charming
posted by Lame_username at 7:18 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
I really enjoyed reading this. In the intense onslaught of variety shows that were on television in the 1970s, Captain & Tennille's variety show somehow stood out for me as a pre-teen, and I loved watching them work their musical craftsmanship and songwriting each episode. I've kept a distant eye on what they have done since then, although mostly it hasn't been much that has garnered public attention.
I love that Toni was so open to a full barrage of The Smiths simply on the recommendation of her nice, and that she was not doing a casual listen to the material but was actually engaged and was analyzing the songs she was listening to ("I was waiting for the bridge!").
I also like that she actually got fed up with some of the songs and wanted them to be shut off.
I can't say that I've ever really been a Morrissey fan. That entire thing, The Smiths and Morrissey's solo career, is a thing that has happened alongside my own musical interests, but the concept of who he is and what his influence has been on millions (and even what he has to say) has not been lost on me, despite not engaging directly.
I did watch a documentary about him not too long ago, I think it was The Importance Of Being Morrissey (I don't have time right now to actually rewatch it, but that title sticks with me a bit), and was impressed by how consistent he has been across the span of his career, how passionate his fans are, how what he says actually cuts through bullshit (sometimes to the bone).
Good for Toni for being willing to experience new music. How cool for her neice to be able to share with her aunt like this.
Thanks for posting!
posted by hippybear at 7:21 AM on January 29, 2016 [4 favorites]
I love that Toni was so open to a full barrage of The Smiths simply on the recommendation of her nice, and that she was not doing a casual listen to the material but was actually engaged and was analyzing the songs she was listening to ("I was waiting for the bridge!").
I also like that she actually got fed up with some of the songs and wanted them to be shut off.
I can't say that I've ever really been a Morrissey fan. That entire thing, The Smiths and Morrissey's solo career, is a thing that has happened alongside my own musical interests, but the concept of who he is and what his influence has been on millions (and even what he has to say) has not been lost on me, despite not engaging directly.
I did watch a documentary about him not too long ago, I think it was The Importance Of Being Morrissey (I don't have time right now to actually rewatch it, but that title sticks with me a bit), and was impressed by how consistent he has been across the span of his career, how passionate his fans are, how what he says actually cuts through bullshit (sometimes to the bone).
Good for Toni for being willing to experience new music. How cool for her neice to be able to share with her aunt like this.
Thanks for posting!
posted by hippybear at 7:21 AM on January 29, 2016 [4 favorites]
As I've grown older, I've realized I'm more a person who loves people who love Morrissey rather than a Morrissey lover myself but that love was so strong even liking him secondhand makes him a huge part of my teenage musical identity; meanwhile a Captain and Tennille album was the first record I stole from my parents (to listen to when I was supposed to be taking a nap) and their variety specials also imprinted on a young me. (I remember being traumatized by a but where it looked like the Captain was lost at sea when his hat washed ashore in Hawaii.)
This is right up my alley in other words.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:29 AM on January 29, 2016 [4 favorites]
This is right up my alley in other words.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:29 AM on January 29, 2016 [4 favorites]
There is so much about the two blog entries and the entire Toni Tonnille website that strike me as quirky. They went to a steak house for a vegetarian dinner. I like the subtle dig on the Captain when she says she was married to a weird guy. They got divorced after 39 years just two or three years ago. The niece in the story helped her write (co-wrote?) her autobiography. They obviously have a close and loving relationship.
I like the way she sort of goes from that is not the way I would do it, to that is not what I am used to, but I get it and appreciate it.
Anyway, I found it interesting after reading the two blog entries to read her biography and view the gallery. I also found it telling that her link to her discography went to her solo work and not anything to do with the Captain (Daryl).
posted by AugustWest at 7:29 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
I like the way she sort of goes from that is not the way I would do it, to that is not what I am used to, but I get it and appreciate it.
Anyway, I found it interesting after reading the two blog entries to read her biography and view the gallery. I also found it telling that her link to her discography went to her solo work and not anything to do with the Captain (Daryl).
posted by AugustWest at 7:29 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
“Wait,” said my aunt, confused. “Who are we going to listen to, The Smiths or Morrissey?”
That's how you know it's definitely a true story because of course that happened because it has happened 1000 of times,
“Now this one is good,” Toni said halfway through. “Very pretty melody. The words aren’t bad either except for that part about being hit by the double-decker bus.”
I need a Toni Tennille cover of "There Is a Light That Will Never Go Out” more than I ever knew.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:42 AM on January 29, 2016 [8 favorites]
That's how you know it's definitely a true story because of course that happened because it has happened 1000 of times,
“Now this one is good,” Toni said halfway through. “Very pretty melody. The words aren’t bad either except for that part about being hit by the double-decker bus.”
I need a Toni Tennille cover of "There Is a Light That Will Never Go Out” more than I ever knew.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:42 AM on January 29, 2016 [8 favorites]
Toni Tenille is 19 years older than Morrisey. It's not like the woman is from the 1920s...or that Morrisey's music came out that much later than hers. (9 years, actually). They're practically contemporaries. Such a strange thing.
That is kind of odd, I agree. It's as though she were some doddering toothless visitor from a previous century. "Who's Johnny Marr? What the hell is dark and funny? Get off my lawn!"
On the other hand, I have gotten to the age where I completely tune out a lot of "what the kids are listening to" as well, so I relate.
I guess the definitive split between the 1970s and the 1980s was much deeper than I ever thought.
posted by blucevalo at 7:55 AM on January 29, 2016
That is kind of odd, I agree. It's as though she were some doddering toothless visitor from a previous century. "Who's Johnny Marr? What the hell is dark and funny? Get off my lawn!"
On the other hand, I have gotten to the age where I completely tune out a lot of "what the kids are listening to" as well, so I relate.
I guess the definitive split between the 1970s and the 1980s was much deeper than I ever thought.
posted by blucevalo at 7:55 AM on January 29, 2016
I wouldn't say he's a modern day crooner, either. Morrissey's day was 30 years ago. The Smiths' first album was closer in time to Elvis Presley's debut than to today.
posted by rodlymight at 8:04 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by rodlymight at 8:04 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
Morrissey has this weird tendency to fixate on a single note in his melodic lines. I don't know why, but it drives me nuts. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now is like a master class in sitting on one note.
posted by Existential Dread at 8:49 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Existential Dread at 8:49 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
I would have tried to play it up a level and connect it to Kirsty MacColl to see if Toni had heard of her.
posted by lagomorphius at 8:57 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lagomorphius at 8:57 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
I struggled to explain. “Morrissey’s a strange guy.”
Toni grimaced. “Well, I was married to a strange guy so I’m used to it.”
I sense that there's more to the story about Daryl Dragon than just a captain's hat.
posted by vverse23 at 9:13 AM on January 29, 2016 [5 favorites]
Toni grimaced. “Well, I was married to a strange guy so I’m used to it.”
I sense that there's more to the story about Daryl Dragon than just a captain's hat.
posted by vverse23 at 9:13 AM on January 29, 2016 [5 favorites]
That was really great and sweet. Thanks.
My favorite line? "'Who’s in a coma?' asked Toni."
posted by benito.strauss at 9:19 AM on January 29, 2016
My favorite line? "'Who’s in a coma?' asked Toni."
posted by benito.strauss at 9:19 AM on January 29, 2016
no one who did muskrat love has any right saying anything about lyrics
Her father was the singer for Bob Crosby and the Bobcats. She played piano for the Beach Boys. She sang back up vocals on The Wall, and is the voice of the groupie on the album. She had her solo albums arranged by Count Basie's arranger. The Captain and Tennille albums included songs by Brian Wilson, Billy Preston, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Leon Russell, Johnny Mercer, and Isaac Hayes.
Muskrat Love was written by Willis Alan Ramsey, whose songs have been recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker, Waylon Jennings, Shawn Colvin, and Lyle Lovett.
They're sort of remembered as a novelty act, and light rock certainly has lost its cache, but Toni Tennille did more and better work than people realize.
posted by maxsparber at 9:25 AM on January 29, 2016 [17 favorites]
Her father was the singer for Bob Crosby and the Bobcats. She played piano for the Beach Boys. She sang back up vocals on The Wall, and is the voice of the groupie on the album. She had her solo albums arranged by Count Basie's arranger. The Captain and Tennille albums included songs by Brian Wilson, Billy Preston, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Leon Russell, Johnny Mercer, and Isaac Hayes.
Muskrat Love was written by Willis Alan Ramsey, whose songs have been recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker, Waylon Jennings, Shawn Colvin, and Lyle Lovett.
They're sort of remembered as a novelty act, and light rock certainly has lost its cache, but Toni Tennille did more and better work than people realize.
posted by maxsparber at 9:25 AM on January 29, 2016 [17 favorites]
And The Captain and Tennille were "indie" before "indie" was a thing. They started out performing live at a local restaurant in L.A. that 'show biz people' frequented and put out "The Way That I Want to Touch You", a song Toni wrote, as a single on their own 'label', getting local attention (and airplay on a couple L.A. stations) leading to their label deal. NOT the usual way to break in, especially doing it in the back yard of 'the biz'. And if you listened to "The Way...", you'd hear some parts of the lyric done in a rambling, more-narrative-than-verse style that I can TOTALLY imagine Morrissey covering...
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:47 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:47 AM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
OMG I loved this. And now I'll being watching the Importance Of Morrissey and humming the Smiths all weekend long. Thank you.
posted by photoslob at 12:53 PM on January 29, 2016
posted by photoslob at 12:53 PM on January 29, 2016
Endearingly slight. It doesn't bode well for the upcoming biography. About that Muskrat Love - a taxidermist fan sent them a gift.
posted by unliteral at 1:28 PM on January 29, 2016
posted by unliteral at 1:28 PM on January 29, 2016
This is like the flip side of those reaction videos of "Elementary School Kids watch [whatever meme or nostalgia]". Equally as adorable.
I loved both Capt & Tenielle AND The Smiths. I probably had both of their cassettes, among others, in my Camaro at the same time.
posted by not_on_display at 2:15 PM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
I loved both Capt & Tenielle AND The Smiths. I probably had both of their cassettes, among others, in my Camaro at the same time.
posted by not_on_display at 2:15 PM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
I love the niece's description of the lyrics: "I think they do come from his heart. But it goes through a kind of sarcastic filter on the way out."
posted by epersonae at 4:43 PM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by epersonae at 4:43 PM on January 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
“Well, I was married to a strange guy so I’m used to it.”
“He’s probably talking about me when he refers to ‘repellent music'. But that’s ok.”
“How about ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess so,” Toni said. “That sounds like a song to start your day with.”
Heh heh heh.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:37 PM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
“He’s probably talking about me when he refers to ‘repellent music'. But that’s ok.”
“How about ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess so,” Toni said. “That sounds like a song to start your day with.”
Heh heh heh.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:37 PM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by pyramid termite at 7:00 AM on January 29, 2016 [4 favorites]