Offshore along the drive between Oceanside and Orange County, on a clear day, Catalina Island appears. Avalon was carved from the southern leeward side, and is faintly visible from the mainland. On my first trip there, I saw flying fish:
There's a restaurant in Avalon which will cook your abalone -- provided you bring it. I suspect you could buy some on the black market. Never tried.
lyrics after the jump
Now the party's over, I'm so tired
Then I see you coming out of nowhere
Much communication in a motion
Without conversation or a notion
Avalon
When the samba take you out of nowhere
And the background fading out of focus
Yes, the picture's changing every moment
And your destination, you don't know it
Avalon
Dancing, dancing*
Dancing, dancing
When you bossanova, there's no holding
Would you have me dancing out of nowhere
Avalon
Avalon
Avalon
Avalon
_____________________
There is huge 1920's dance hall in Avalon called Catalina Casino. I saw a movie there once as well.
22 comments:
Avalon is one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, but then again, I'm a fully biased Roxy Music fanboi.
A first impression of Catalina Island
I first encountered flying fish While swimming near Cabo San Lucas. Little ones, a few inches long, would burst through the surface of the water and flutter by as I paddled along. I was trying to catch a wave, just kind of floating around, waiting, then a big mofo flying frickin' whale (cetacean, I know, I am exaggerating for dramatic effect) took flight right in front of me - must have had a two foot fin span.
That was it for me - I got out of the ocean so fast that Martin Brody would have been impressed. It's just as well, the surf was rough that day, the sea was angry, my friend...
Some years ago, we were invited on a cruise by family. It was a Christmas cruise to Mexico and the first stop on the itinerary was to Catalina Island. I was really excited because I have been to Mexico many many times but never to Catalina. The island always struck me as being romantic and a symbol of old time California, Hollywood and ultra rich of the olden days.
Unfortunately, the cruise line screwed up and we were not allowed to disembark from the ship. I guess stores etc were closed for the Christmas holidays or something.
So disappointing. We could only stand and gaze at the island and the town in the bay. So close....yet so far.
We visit Catalina about once a year. We always have a great time. Yanni got game, and that's a good thing for him, and I bet his lady likes it too.
Sorry Meth, but that song is horrible. I had the gun to my head within seconds, and luckily someone stopped me just in time. An extremely dangerous and irresponsible post.
We see the little guys every time we cruise. Just look out near the box, and they'll take off at about a 90 degree angle from the boat.
Avalon was a great album. I used to listen to the whole album. Loved every single song. You didn't listen to Avalon, you immersed.
Meth knows.
Now certainly as a product of 80's music, I get that most 80's music sounds like crap now.
Chickelit - We all need bigger panniers.
AprilApple said...
Avalon was a great album. I used to listen to the whole album. Loved every single song. You didn't listen to Avalon, you immersed.
Meth knows.
Now certainly as a product of 80's music, I get that most 80's music sounds like crap now.
See, April knows. As a 70's/80's kid that loved that music from New Wave to Punk to Heavy Metal, I had a serious admiration for the art pop movement that Roxy Music brought. A New York vibe that was sexy and gritty. I really dug it and still do. I go back and listen to a lot of 80's music again and gain a new appreciation for it because it was new.
I enjoy some of Roxy Music. Fool for Love.
But a lot of it sounds the same.
But you know what? You can say that about anybodies music.
Louie Prima. Van Morrison. Sinatra. They all sort of have a lane and stay in it.
Very few musicians branch out. When they do it usually doesn't work. At least for me. I just appreciate them for what they can do. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Now Roxy Music sounds kind of mopey if you know what I mean.
Troop, yeah, Roxy is mopey. They've never been an 'upbeat' type of band. Their genre is more in the seductive and sexual longings and yearnings.
Hey if you like it then enjoy.
Personally I love The Chieftains and the wife hates them. So I only got to listen when she is not around.
I did introduce her to jazz and the great american songbook which is my favorite. Jazz vocals that is. You know. Ella. Anita O'Day. Doris Day. Rosemary Clooney. Sinatra.
Right now it is a struggle getting her to follow Sun Records on CMA. I have to live stream it on my Ipad to watch it because she is not a rockabilly fan.
This guy did 80's music correctly. Even all these years later I find the video cannot be resisted.
Yeah, I did like the looks of his women, and that sort of easy going rhythm.
Love Avalon. Can't say that about most other Roxy Music tunes, though.
"Country Life" is still my favorite Roxy Music album.
I want ACDC to cover "Muskrat Love".
Sixty Grit said...
This guy did 80's music correctly. Even all these years later I find the video cannot be resisted.
Palmer was the shit. Loved that guy.
bagoh20 said...
I want ACDC to cover "Muskrat Love".
ACDC was a riff machine. Absolutely ripped it on riffs, but I can't tell you how much I utterly detest ACDC as a band.
Trooper York said...
Hey if you like it then enjoy.
Personally I love The Chieftains and the wife hates them. So I only got to listen when she is not around.
I did introduce her to jazz and the great american songbook which is my favorite. Jazz vocals that is. You know. Ella. Anita O'Day. Doris Day. Rosemary Clooney. Sinatra.
Right now it is a struggle getting her to follow Sun Records on CMA. I have to live stream it on my Ipad to watch it because she is not a rockabilly fan.
What? No Miles Davis or Coltrain?
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