PodWogBlog

Southern Fried (83 Minutes, Vigorous Wog-a-Thon)

2011-04-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Pace Breakdown
Slow Walk 8:52
Mod Walk 15:54
Brisk Walk 18:21
Slow Jog 25:08
Mod Jog 6:36
Brisk Jog 6:28
Run
81:19

Distance: 3.8 to 5.7 miles
Speed: 2.8 to 4.2 MPH
Ave BPM: 128
Jog Beats: 53%
Pace Variability: High

Roots Rock, R&B, Jazz—nearly every form of indigenous American popular music can be traced back to the South. I have my own personal preferences here—Allman Brothers but no Lynyrd Skynrd, and technically Creedence is from Central California. New Orleans gets represented, as do Georgia and Texas, but you won’t find any Grand Ole Opry, Tin Pan Alley, or even Elvis. Still, this Wog-a-Thon checks in at nearly an hour and a half. Unh!

Part A: 40 minutes, Vigorous (BPM 124, Jog Beats 39%)

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Right Place, Wrong Time	Dr. John	105	2:54	5	The Night Tripper’s best pop number	R&B	In the Right Place
Proud Mary	Creedence Clearwater Revival	121	3:09	5	Woggin’ on the river	Americana	Bayou Country
Cotton Fields	Creedence Clearwater Revival	148	2:57	5	Trad song, nice jog burst	Americana	Willy and the Poor Boys
The End Is Not In Sight	Amazing Rhythm Aces	133	3:54	5	Goes down like honey	70s Pop	Miscellaneous *NADL*
Jessica	The Allman Brothers Band	105	7:27	4	Tasty foot-tapping instrumental. Long outro, SKBL	Southern Rock	Brothers and Sisters
Texas Twister	Little Feat	130	4:46	5	Whirling dervish rock at a slow jog pace	Southern Rock	Representing The Mambo
Effigy	Creedence Clearwater Revival	154	6:28	4	Somber take on a shameful practice. Slowly speeds up, Short intro	Americana	Willy and the Poor Boys
It’s Money that Matters	Randy Newman	125	4:08	5	Catchy and thought-provoking	Singer-Songwriter	Land of Dreams
Hey Pocky Way	The Neville Brothers	94	4:16	5	A classic from N’awlins boogie masters. SKBL	R&B	Fiyo on the Bayou

Part B: 41 minutes, Vigorous (BPM 122, Jog Beats 45%) – Überwog

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Keep Your Hands to Yourself	The Georgia Satellites	115	3:25	5	Have they considered couples therapy?	Rock and Roll	Only Rock’n Roll 1985-1989
Time Loves A Hero	Little Feat	135	3:48	5	Shades of Todd Rundgren or Jimmy Buffet	70s Pop	Time Loves A Hero
Monty Got a Raw Deal	R.E.M.	119	3:20	5	Another brooding fable from the South’s premier alt-rockers	Alternative Rock	Automatic for the People
Let’s Stay Together	Al Green	102	3:21	5	Seductively smooth. SKBL	Soul	Let’s Stay Together
Disturbance at the Heron House	R.E.M.	132	3:34	5	Something to chew on while you jog	Alternative Rock	Document
No Rain	Blind Melon	149	3:39	5	One-hit wonder cranks it up	90s Rock	Blind Melon
Polk Salad Annie	Tony Joe White	132	3:45	5	Unh!	Funk	Black and White
Midnight Train To Georgia	Gladys Knight and the Pips	90	4:36	5	Great backup vocals highlight this soul classic. SKBL	Soul	Imagination
Welcome To Struggleville	Vigilantes Of Love	121	4:19	4	Intriguing lyrics	Christian Rock	Welcome To Struggleville
One Big Holiday	My Morning Jacket	134	5:21	5	R.E.M. meets Neil Young	Alternative Rock	It Still Moves
I’m Walking	Fats Domino	112	2:12	5	Second-line boogie walk takes us out	R&B	My Blue Heaven: The Best of Fats Domino

Big Hair

2011-03-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Pace Breakdown

Slow Walk 7:57
Mod Walk 7:42
Brisk Walk 13:34
Slow Jog 7:17
Mod Jog

Brisk Jog 8:58
Run
Total 45:28

Distance: 2.1 to 3.2 miles
Speed: 2.8 to 4.2 MPH
Ave BPM: 123
Jog Beats: 42%
Pace Variability: High

We’re talkin’ teased up, boufed up, glammed up, and mulleted: that’s how the Rock Gods and Goddesses of the Arena Era wore their hair. Back then, there was no talk of “Arena Rock” or “Alternative Rock,” and “New Wave” was just something in a magazine. It was just over-the-top rock, with blistering lead guitar solos, power chords, and huge, growling vocals. Shallow? Maybe. Dated? You could say that. But you could also say these groups dished out fun with a wallop, and what better company for a vigorous wog?

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Unskinny Bop	Poison	93	3:48	5	Catchy opener. SKBL	Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986 - 1996	Hard Rock
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap	AC/DC	138	4:11	5	Oh, what evil fun!	Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap	Hard Rock
Turbo Lover	Judas Priest	152	5:29	5	Straight ahead, in your face jogging	Turbo	Hard Rock
Unchain The Night	Dokken	126	5:19	5	Fabulous axe solo	Under Lock and Key	Metal
I Want You To Want Me (live)	Cheap Trick	103	3:38	5	Whoa! Rock out, Rick Nielsen! SKBL	Live at Budokan	Arena Rock
Urgent	Foreigner	116	3:59	5	Backbeat funk makes this hit move	4	Arena Rock
Eye of the Tiger	Survivor	109	4:04	5	Rocky III theme song	Eye of the Tiger (Remastered)	Arena Rock
Rock You Like a Hurricane	Scorpions	125	4:16	4	German rockers pick up the pace	Love at First Sting	Hard Rock
Heartbreaker	Pat Benatar	156	3:29	4	Pat goes incendiary on us	Greatest Hits	Arena Rock
Dance the Night Away	Van Halen	130	3:06	5	Oh, those party boys...	Van Halen II	Arena Rock
Love Is a Battlefield	Pat Benatar	94	4:09	5	One more time, Ms. Benatar, with feeling. SKBL	Greatest Hits	New Wave

The Pöet (47 minutes, Vigorous)

2011-02-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

Pace Breakdown
Slow Walk 12:04
Mod Walk 7:12
Brisk Walk 2:56
Slow Jog 11:59
Mod Jog 9:53
Brisk Jog
Run 2:46
46:50

Distance: 2.2 to 3.2 miles
Speed: 2.8 to 4.1 MPH
Ave BPM: 121 (slower 117)
Jog Beats: 67% (slower 62%)
Pace Variability: High

Back in the day—like, WAY back in the day—all poems were sung. Poetry has since evolved into a number of different word beasts, but many of the best songs still reflect their poetic roots. Here’s a dozen songs with evocative lyrics to match their musical arrangements. You won’t find any rockers here, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good jogging numbers in this list. So why not transport yourself while burning off a bit of flab?

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Steve’s Song	The Blues Project	109	4:58	3	Project at its flutey progiest	Psychedelic Rock	Projections
Secret Journey	The Police	131	3:34	4	Spiritual and spooky. Very long intro	80s Rock	Ghost in the Machine
Staring at the Sun	U2	141	4:37	5	Bono goes blind	90s Rock	Pop
Jersey Thursday	Donovan	103	2:14	4	Short but quite lovely	Singer-Songwriter	Fairytale
Sixty Years On	Elton John	132	4:35	3	Gorgeous strings. Long intro	Singer-Songwriter	Elton John
Because	The Beatles	161	2:46	5	Psychedeliclassical. Two-Timer	British Pop	Abbey Road
Suzanne	Leonard Cohen	135	3:50	4	Perhaps most poetic song like, ever	Singer-Songwriter	The Best of Leonard Cohen
Late for the Sky	Jackson Browne	83	5:38	5	Rarely has angst been this expressive	Singer-Songwriter	Late for the Sky
Carpet Crawlers	Genesis	145	5:16	4	Quirky rockers at most intriguing	Prog Rock	The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Parasite	Fields	121	2:56	5	Quite poetic, considering the subject matter. 3/4 time, short outro	Alternative Rock	Everything Last Winter
Summer’s Cauldron	XTC	99	3:20	5	Dreamy, organic and magical. Long intro, segues into Grass	Alternative Rock	Skylarking
Grass	XTC	99	3:06	5	Wink, wink. Long outro	Alternative Rock	Skylarking

Instrumania (70 minutes, Very Light) Wogathon

2011-01-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Pace Breakdown

Slow Walk 23:29

Mod Walk 27:48

Brisk Walk 14:28

Slow Jog 3:48

Mod Jog

Brisk Jog

Run

69:33

Distance: 2.8 to 4.2 miles

Speed: 2.4 to 3.6 MPH

Ave BPM: 105

Jog Beats: 7%

Pace Variability: Low

Who says a song has to have words? Okay, you in the back, I hear you. But the rest of you must agree, then, for pure contemplative walking and jogging, nothing beats a soulful piano riff or flute trill or guitar lick or plucky little banjo pluck or soaring string serenade. This set is almost entirely for walking; the tempo is decidedly slow. So save it for a long, lonely stroll in the hills or along the shore when you want to fine-tune your inner vibes.

Part A: 20 minutes, Very Light (BPM 107, Jog Beats 24%)

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
The Lonely Surfer	Jack Nitzsche	106	2:35	5	Not a Beach Bunny in sight	Instrumental Rock	The Lonely Surfer
Wade in the Water	Ramsey Lewis	135	3:48	5	Great piano jazz take on spiritual	Instrumental Jazz	The Best Northern Soul All Nighter... Ever!
Wade In The Water	Harvey Mandel	106	7:51	5	Same song, different approach	Instrumental Rock	Cristo Redentor NADL
Exit	Tangerine Dream	88	5:34	5	Moody number from masters of electronica	Electronic	Exit

Part B: 16 minutes, Very Light (BPM 108, Jog Beats 0)

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Flute Thing	The Blues Project	105	6:03	4	Very long section is slightly off. Also in Flutacious	Psychedelic Rock	Projections NADL
The Brazilian	Genesis	120	4:49	5	One of this Brit rock group’s best instrumentals	Album Rock	Invisible Touch
Love Is Blue	Paul Mauriat	106	2:32	5	Orchestrally lush melody. Short outro	Instrumental Pop	Love Is Blue
Little Martha	The Allman Brothers Band	93	2:07	4	Nice pickin’!	Southern Rock	Eat A Peach

Part C: 34 minutes,Very Light (BPM 103 Jog Beats 0)

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Stranger in a Strange land (instrumental)	The Byrds	117	3:04	5	Roger McGuinn does his thing on guitar	Folk-Rock	Turn! Turn! Turn! bonus tracks NADL
Cry of the Celts	Michael Flatley	125	2:23	5	Irish version of Stomp!	Celtic	Lord of the Dance
(You’re) My World	Joe Satriani	93	3:56	5	Guitar master flings liquid notes	Instrumental Rock	Joe Satriani
Apostrophe’	Frank Zappa	86	5:52	5	Yes, Frank could flat-out rock	Psychedelic Rock	Apostrophe’ NADL
Sirius	Alan Parsons Project	111	3:29	5	Popular NBA intro music	Instrumental Rock	Eye in the Sky
Lucifer	Alan Parsons Project	121	4:12	5	Propulsive orchestra, cool chorus	Prog Rock	Eve
Water Song	Hot Tuna	106	5:18	4	Very nice acoustic guitar	Instrumental Rock	Burgers
Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)	David Crosby	91	6:00	5	Relaxing finish. Short outro	Folk-Rock	If I Could Only Remember My Name....

A New Leaf

2010-12-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Podwogging.com is...not dead, exactly, just full. I've got hundreds of walking and jogging lists on there, and I think to put up any more would require an unjustified retooling of the site and, quite rankly, I've got better things to do. However, I will continue to create woglists, and commencing today will begin posting them here directly on this blog. How this will shake out is a mystery to me, as I experiment with different ways of doing this.

The Pöet
(47 minutes, Vigorous)
Überwog Mix

Pace Breakdown

Slow Walk: 12:04

Mod Walk: 7:12

Brisk Walk: 2:56

Slow Jog: 11:59

Mod Jog: 9:53

Brisk Jog

Run: 2:46

Total : 46:50

Distance: 2.2 to 3.2 miles

Speed: 2.8 to 4.1 MPH

Ave BPM: 121 (slower 117)

Jog Beats: 67% (slower 62%)

Pace Variability: High

Back in the day—like, WAY back in the day—all poems were sung. Poetry has since evolved into a number of different word beasts, but many of the best songs still reflect their poetic roots. Here’s a dozen songs with evocative lyrics to match their musical arrangements. You won’t find any rockers here, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good jogging numbers in this list. So why not transport yourself why burning off a bit of flab?

Title	Artist	BPM	Time	PC	Comment	Genre	Album/Source
Steve’s Song	The Blues Project	109	4:58	3	Project at its flutey progiest	Psychedelic Rock	Projections
Secret Journey	The Police	131	3:34	4	Spiritual and spooky.	80s Rock	Ghost in the Machine
					Very long intro
Staring at the Sun	U2	141	4:37	5	Bono goes blind	90s Rock	Pop
Jersey Thursday	Donovan	103	2:14	4	Short but quite lovely	Singer-Songwriter	Fairytale
Sixty Years On	Elton John	132	4:35	3	Gorgeous strings.	Singer-Songwriter	Elton John
					Long intro
Because	The Beatles	161	2:46	5	Psychedeliclassical.	British Pop	Abbey Road
					Two-Timer
Suzanne	Leonard Cohen	135	3:50	4	Perhaps most poetic song like, ever	Singer-Songwriter	The Best of Leonard Cohen
Late for the Sky	Jackson Browne	83	5:38	5	Rarely has angst been this expressive	Singer-Songwriter	Late for the Sky
Carpet Crawlers	Genesis	145	5:16	4	Quirky rockers at most intriguing	Prog Rock	The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Parasite	Fields	121	2:56	5	Quite poetic, considering the subject matter.	Alternative Rock	Everything Last Winter
					3/4 time, short outro
Summer’s Cauldron	XTC	99	3:20	5	Dreamy, organic and magical.	Alternative Rock	Skylarking
					Long intro, segues into Grass
Grass	XTC	99	3:06	5	Wink, wink.	Alternative Rock	Skylarking
					Long outro

Nightmare on Grammar Street

2010-11-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hope you had a great Halloween and a greater World Series (sorry ‘bout that, Ranger fans). Now it’s back to school with a wog’s worth of wicked tunes that contain (gasp!) grammatical errors. So if your English teacher looks like he or she is having a Bad Word Day, better refrain from singing one of these songs—or you might be doing the Dunce Cap Dance in the corner. You can find the songs in my Monthly Wog over at Podwogging.com. And that ain’t no lie!

Waltz Wogging

2010-10-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

There’s a good reason why most my songs on iTunes that employ 3/4 time do not make satisfactory walking or jogging songs: they’re either too slow or too fast. If a waltz-time number clocks in at 65 bars per minute, your only options are to crawl at 65 beats per minute or run like a maniac at 195 beats per minute. Thus a waltz has to have either fewer than 60 bars per minutes or more than 79 bars per minute to qualify as walkable, joggable, or runable.

Nonetheless, some waltzes do qualify. Here’s a few 3/4-timers that haven’t made into a set list on Podwogging.com. First some fast numbers:

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers—Breaking the Girl, 180 BPM
2. Donovan—Catch the Wind, 177 BPM
3. Traffic—Rainmaker, 166 BPM
4. Tori Amos—Barons of Suburbia, 163 BPM
5. John Lennon—Working Class Hero, 154 BPM

Now for a few slower ones:

6. Leonard Cohen—Sisters of Mercy, 138 BPM
7. Cat Stevens—Morning Has Broken, 131 BPM
8. Fields—School books, 128 BPM
9. Neil Young—Round and Round (It Won’t Be Long), 123 BPM
10. Dionne Warwick—What the World Needs Now Is Love, 108 BPM

Don’t be skeptical, be skiptical

2010-10-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

There’s a reason why kids skip. Like climbing trees, doing cartwheels, or laughing hysterically, it’s just plain fun. It’s also good exercise. There’s lots of songs that are a bit slow as a walk, or if double-timed are a bit fast for jog. But they have an irresistible beat that makes you want to do that loosey-bouncy step, and suddenly there you are. Skipping.

SKBL (my code in iTunes for SKIPPABLE) songs generally run from 85 to 100 BPM, though some are in the 160 to 170 range, and I occasionally find songs up to 110 BPM that have that skipping quality. Virtually any song that ISN’T 3/4 time can be skipped to within these pace ranges. On Podwogging.com I have a few lists posted that are exclusively for skipping along to, but there are tons more SKBL songs that haven’t made it into any of my wogging playlists. Here’s just a few of my favorites:

1. At The Zoo, by Simon and Garfunkel. The zookeeper may be fond of rum; we’re just fond of skipping.

2. Mr. Blue Sky, by Electric Light Orchestra. Skipping to this makes me feel like I’m in a Hollywood movie.

3. Rock Lobster, by The B-52’s. Absolutely manic zaniness compels one to get that skip on.

4. Dreaming, by Blondie. You can run, walk, or skip to this upbeat number by the fabulous Debbie Harry.

5. Month of May, by Arcade Fire. Indie rockers put out their best head-banger for our skipping pleasure, from their newest album The Suburbs.

Podwogging posts will now be monthly

2010-10-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

I have well over a hundred playlists posted on my Podwogging.com site now, so I’ve decided to decrease the rate at which I post new lists from once a week to once a month. The next scheduled list, English Teacher’s Bane, will thus be posted this Nov. 1st.

But peoples, the Podwogblog will continue weekly, with my fabulous insights into rock and pop music, wogging issues, and the like. So tune out not, and keep stepping spritely.

Jim

New Gold Walk

2010-10-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Like The Fixx, these Brit rockers came out with some of the best moody rock of the 80s, with far more humility than U2’s Bono. Lead singer Jim Kerr has that deep, throaty voice, similar to that of Billy Idol, that melds beautifully with the band’s artistic blend of heavy beats and synth riffs, resulting in mysterious, resonating music—check out New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84), quite simply one of the best rock songs ever, for a great example. While they have a dedicated following worldwide, they never reached the sort of pinnacle reserved for U2. (I don’t mean to diss U2, BTW. They rock.) Anyway this week’s wog is really a walk—turns out their best songs are all moderately paced; only Sanctify Yourself approaches jog. Who cares. Check it out at Podwogging.com.

SynchroniciWog #7: Broken Toy

2010-09-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

On August 2 I posted SynchroniciWog #1; since then I’ve created nine more, and this week’s wog is number 7 (hey, nobody said I had to do them in synchronilogical order!). This one is based on Keane’s moody ballad from Under the Iron Sea, Broken Toy. This set is for moderate and brisk walking only, though all the songs are from the current millennium, and all are melody-oriented and echo darkly around the edges. Highlights, IMHO, including powerwalking to Coldplay’s White Shadows and gliding across Snow Patrol’s The Golden Floor. Strap on your skis at Podwogging.com.

Grungie Chords

2010-09-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

That the 90s was an anxious, rage-filled decade can be shown by popular music. Besides Rap, Rock embraced a stunningly raw singer named Curt Cobain and his band Nirvana, with a dark, sometimes depressing spirit that dared look inner pain in the face and not blink. Nirvana was just the start of a whole slew of Seattle groups, including Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots, who brought Grunge into the national musical consciousness. Cobain’s suicide put a damper on the movement, but there’s no denying his influence on the decade, especially on groups like Radiohead. This week’s wog features 37 minutes of Grunge. If at all possible, enjoy. Find the list, pace times, etc. at Podwogging.com.

Neil Young: Wog of Gold

2010-09-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

All the best folk-rockers morph more times than a Saturday morning cartoon, and venerable Neil Young is no exception. This Canadian always had his roots in country, way back to his days with Buffalo Springfield and CSN&Y, but it was as a solo performer that he has truly fulfilled his artistic vision. Controversial, unafraid of political or personal repercussions, he has doggedly pursued his craft for five decades, and we are all better for it. I can’t think of another North American singer-songwriter other than Bob Dylan who’s had his persistence, style, and musical dedication. This wog’s for you, Neil, at Podwogging.com.

Let’s Give ‘Em a Five

2010-09-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

In addition to possessing a large cranium, the human animal is blessed with clever fingers and clever hands. Since musicians rely on these body parts as much as their sense of rhythm, it’s only natural that references to them would work their way into songs, either metaphorically or literally. This week’s wog features all songs in which fingers and hands play a part, either in the band name or song title. Among other offerings you’ll find Crazy Fingers by the Dead (ironically, Captain Jerry was missing one) and Too Many Hands by the Eagles, as well as songs by Powderfinger and Badfinger. This is also a very light walk...unless, of course, you choose to walk on your hands. Get the skinny at Podwogging.com.

Affirmative, Captain

2010-08-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

Few bands have reinvented themselves so successfully as the Yes, the architects of some of the most complex (some say most bombastic) British Progressive Rock from the 1970s. Not even Pink Floyd could match them for obscure, mystical lyrics or the eclectic mashing of baroque, hard rock, and cosmic noodling. But by the 80s, with disco, funk and New Wave having taken over, Yes changed their tune with the critically-acclaimed album 90125, and followed that up with a similar offering with Big Generator. Though they remained solidly progressive, they added catchy melodies and more consistent rhythms.

But Yes rose to fame on the strength of 1972’s Fragile, and this week’s wog includes three songs from that spectacular album as well as the epic Siberian Khatru from their mind-blowing album Close to the Edge. Sometimes the beat gets lost in the musical epiphanies, but for the most part these songs provide enough rhythm for a wog through a river running right over your head. Dive in at Podwogging.com.

Get It Together And Wog, Man.

2010-08-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Farm out, right arm, out of space! Here’s a trip back to the days when everyone was sick of the Pigs and the Oppressive War and just wanted to hang out and get back to the land and make the scene. Some say the ill-starred Altamont Concert was the death knell of the hippies, but the desire to pursue a simpler life according to youthful ideals continued well into the 70s…even to today, in fact. So this week’s wog features songs steeped in that ethos, by such groups as Canned Heat, the Youngbloods, the Rascals, and the inimitable Thunderclap Newman. And hey, say hi to your old lady, okay? From Podwogging.com.

LA Harmonic Convergence

2010-08-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Mamas and the Papas were one of the first groups to drag 60s folk music kicking and screaming into pop stardom. Their hummable (and woggable) melodies bopped along with great harmonies, and while their sound dated rather quickly, they’re still an enjoyable listen if you’re burned out on metal or rap. This week’s wog is rather lightweight and only 33 minutes, but if you want to relax you could do worse. Find the list at Podwogging.com.

This week I’ll be taking a break from wogging and the next post will be in two weeks.

A Little Help From My Friends

2010-08-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

I now have hundreds of wogging playlists in iTunes, and creating new ones is sometimes a challenge. To the rescue comes a growing trend in computerized music listening: functions that suggest which songs might go together to make a synchronistic playlist. iTunes itself has the Genius function, which compares the songs in one’s computer to its database of other users’ computers, which is what I used to create this week’s wog: SynchroniciWog #1. It uses a Genius-created list based on the song Things She Said, by Toy Matinee. I have other SynchroniciWogs that also use websites such as Pandora and last.fm that employ their own proprietary methods of suggesting songs that match each other in tone, musical composition, or user preferences. Things She Said is a great pop song from the 80s, but not all songs on the list are from the 80s, such as Nature’s Way by Spirit. Bottom line, my cyber friends helped me put together a Very Vigorous 38-minute wogging list, which can be seen along with hundreds of other lists at Podwogging.com.

The Dawn of Kraut Rock

2010-07-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

This week’s wog features the robotically blissful music of Kraftwerk, best known for their long paean to the German Überhighway, the Autobahn—which isn’t in this set, BTW. That the ‘werkers were fascinated by the confluence of computers and music—in an outrageous yet endearing way—can be illustrated by their song Pocket Calculator, which of course was back in the day when the PC was just a blip on the horizon—and is in this set, BTW. Also you will find Trans-Europe Express (a great train song), Computer Love (kisskiss), The Model (ooo!), Tour de France, and finally, The Robots. So sync up with Kraftwerk, find the list at Podwogging.com.

80-Minute Mix-Up

2010-07-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

This week’s Wog has bas actually been sitting on my iPod for over a year. The Magic Blender is one of the first Wog-a-Thons I put together, but because it lacked a specific theme or genre I put off putting it online. But make no mistake: this Brisk collection of songs is one of my favorites, kicking off with Bring On the Night by the Police, concluding with Mark Knopfler’s Boom Like That, and including such classics as Stevie Nicks’ Talk To Me, My Sharona by The Knack, and REO Speedwagon’s Don’t Let Him Go. So go to Podwogging.com and stick this wog in your blender!

Year of the Wog

2010-07-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

Best-of albums, especially for artists who aren’t in the current generation of pop stars, can definitely offer a great bang for your musical buck. Al Stewart’s Best Of is one of my favorites, and delivers a solid 38 wogging minutes. Stewart’s halcyon days were the 70s, when his biggest hit, Year of the Cat, lilted its way onto the airwaves. But his songs, a kind of Scottish storytelling pop, full of wistful notions and historical references, can’t be so easily attached to one place or time. This week’s wog is definitely on the softer side though, easy on the bones, and can be found at Podwogging.com. Of course.

Get Juiced!

2010-07-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

For my money, the best pure pop act to come out of Britain during the New Wave 80s was Squeeze, who deserved far more acclaim than they received. Whether crafting catchy tunes like If I Didn’t Love You or bopping you with their Brit accents in Cool for Cats, Squeeze delivers the goods in this week’s wog, 39 minutes of Vigorous pop. If you’re never heard them, and you like funny, sassy, and sardonic—think Kinks with a dash of Split Enz—by all means, check ‘em out. My woglist resides at Podwogging.com.

Altering Dreams on the Path

2010-06-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

Each day now brings a little less light, so even as we shine in summer’s glory we are reminded, day by day, of delicious darkness creeping in. Let the hunter be hunted, and rejoice while we yet gaze on the heavens! This week’s wog, Älterdream, is...different. You may not recognize many of the artists, because I deliberately sought out those willing to plunge into the psychic depths: Dead Can Dance, Conjure One, Nijole Sparkis and eight more artists...all delve into ancient joys and fears, echoing ritual and surrender to the inevitable twin victories of love and death. It makes for a truly reverent Überwog; get the complete playlist at Podwogging.com.

Hey! It’s Officially Summer!

2010-06-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Summertime, and the wogging is easy, even if it’s 53 minutes long and Very Vigorous. But this week’s wog is guaranteed to give you happy feet as we explore the joyous side of pop music. Who can resist Simon & Garfunkel’s Feeling Groovy, Three Dog Night’s Joy to the World, or Stevie Wonder’s You Are the Sunshine of My Life? Not me! (Okay, I confess there are a couple songs in the set that explore Happiness from the other side of the street.) Get the list at Podwogging.com.

Tweet, Tweet

2010-06-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

This week’s wog celebrates the life aviary with 16 songs—almost one hour’s worth—about birds. The Beatles’ Blackbird kicks things off, and before Steve Miller finally flies you off like an eagle, you’ll wing your way down the path with such sweet songs as Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, Jerry Garcia’s Bird Song, Laurie Anderson’s Excellent Birds, and Simon & Garfunkel’s El Condor Pasa. When your flight is done, stick a feather in your cap! Get the playlist at Podwogging.com.

Holy Jazz, Batman!

2010-06-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

Way back before Miami Vice (ask your mom & dad, kids), a band named Steely Dan ruled the coolness waves. Straight out of LA, they wrote the book on hip, jazz-inflected rock with clever lyrics, catchy beats, and outrageous snark. This week’s wog, Walk Lightning, is an infectious stew of some of their best tunes, from their top 40 smash Reelin’ In The Years to the fabulously slinky, in-your-face Show Biz Kids. Believe me, these guys rule! Get the holy list at Podwogging.com.

The Real Power Walk

2010-05-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

Many slow- or medium-paced walk songs can be pumped up by skipping to them. This week’s wog features 46 minutes of songs with this endearing quality, ranging in pace from Mungo Jerry’s good-time In The Summertime, at 83 BPM, to the supercharged Bodhisattva, by Steely Dan, at 110 BPM. Of course you can always dial it down and actually walk a skipper; often I save the skipping for the chorus and walking for the verse, or vice-versa. Whichever you do it, skipping is fun, good exercise, and guaranteed to make you look like a five-year-old. So don’t skip—er, miss this opportunity, and check it out a Podwogging.com.

A Sonic Wash

2010-05-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

There’s water showers, and there’s music showers. Don’t believe me, listen to the songs in this week’s wog, A Sonic Wash. Whether it’s Ronan Hardiman’s lush choral instrumental plunging you into a relaxed mood, Brian Eno’s dripping piano notes wrapped in mind-refreshing lyrics, or Cocteau Twins’ swooping waves of vocal strangeness cleaning out your skull, you’ll emerge from this moderate wog mentally clean, even if you’re sweaty and your clothes are dirty. And at 34 minutes, you can linger in this wash without worrying about wasting water! Get the list and more at Podwogging.com.

Jog, Where is Thy Sting?

2010-05-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Before he went on to a solo career, British singer Sting fronted the Police, a New Wave band that blended catchy reggae rhythms with a little progressive rock, interesting lyrics, and an edgy delivery that always kept its balance. This week’s wog features 8 songs from them, including the pop-reggae standard Don’t Stand So Close to Me and the irresistible, progressive Synchronicity II. It’s 34-minute, Very Vigorous set, the details of which can be found at Podwogging.com.

The Decade Dance

2010-05-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here it is, my serious collection of wogging tunes from the 00s. Since some of my favorites are on other playlists, with certain artists I’ve included another song by them: The Lovemakers, The New Pornographers, The Shins, The Arcade Fire, Engineers, Dark Captain Light Captain, John Fogerty, Cake, Dead 60s, Belle & Sebastian, Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz, Engineers, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Fields all have songs on at least one other wogging list on my computer. Making their debuts for Podwogging are Beyoncé, Finn Brothers, Sufjan Stevens, Outkast, and Duffy. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the 00s saw an explosion of creative music that stretched the boundaries of world, folk, hip-hop, and in Steven’s case, ambient minimalism (!). Coming up this decade: more “freaky folk,” Animal Collective, the Decembrists, Dead Can Dance, and scads of off-center concertinas and flutes! Until then, check out this week’s ode to the Double Aughts at Podwogging.com.

Fresh Woggage

2010-05-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Long before the word “indie” appeared on the scene, back in the groovy sixties there were certain groups who refused to compromise themselves, who played what they liked and to hell with the record companies. Such a group was the legendary Love, and right with them was Spirit, another LA group who blended jazz, pop, rock, and quirky lyrics for a distinctive sound and attitude that still resonates today. How could one not love a fuzz-guitarist named Randy California, or a drummer who was completely bald? Like Love they didn’t last long, only putting out a few albums before their disdain for the gods of commerce ended their careers as rock gods. This week’s wog is a brisk 39 minutes full of Spirit, featuring hits (I Got a Line on You, Nature’s Way) and non-hits (Mr. Skin, Uncle Jack) alike. Seriously, if rock that’s fun without being nauseating, check out Spirit, at Podwogging.com.

59 Minutes of Tribal Jogging

2010-04-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

I first heard of Afro Celt Sound System from the single they did with Peter Gariel, When You’re Falling. Intrigued by the possibilities inherent in combining African rhythms with Celtic melodies and instruments, I decided to check them out further—and I discovered that, and more. The whole thing has a party/rave atmosphere, and many of the songs have African lyrics as well. This makes for great dancing as well as jogging—though of course I’ve found more moderately-paced songs to let you catch your breath. This Pulse-Pounder ÜberWog is guaranteed to take you to another head and body space. At Podwogging.com.

Brit Folk Magic

2010-04-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

The British Isles have a rich tradition of folk music that has profoundly influenced popular music in America as well. Starting with a rousing war song from Ireland’s Planxty (Follow Me Up To Carlow), this week’s wog is a whopping 85 minutes of some of my favorite songs performed by contemporary British artists. These include Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Strawbs from England; Planxty, Enya, Karan Casey, and Clannad from Ireland; Steeleye Span from Scotland; Loreena McKennit, Canadian though she sounds English; and finally, Donovan, who hails from either a British fairy castle or Trans-Love Airlines. All told, a fabulous of collection of magical tunes just waiting to transport you on a long walk through tors, fens, the heath, or London’s Underground. Find out about it at Podwogging.com.

Stairmaster to Heaven

2010-04-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

Just kidding, folks: Stairway to Heaven, despite its iconic status in the annals of arena rock, is a song only good for swooning at Robert Plant, not engaging in healthy exercise. That’s not to say that this seminal rock band, for whom many Bics were flicked back in the day, hasn’t put together enough material for a great wog.

I must admit, though, that early Zep was a tough listen for me: for every cool Tolkien-inspired number like Ramble On, there was a Whole Lotta Love that made me squirm. As the band matured, though, their musical chops expanded, leading to such mystical rockers as Kashmir and Immigrant Song, both of which make their way onto this week’s wog—37 minutes of Very Vigorous Wogging. So pick up your pod and start wogging before the levee breaks! The playlist, with pace numbers and other info can be found, of course, at Podwogging.com.

Sci Fi for the Spry

2010-04-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Science fiction and techno music have been married ever since those cheesy flying saucer flicks from the Fifties employed nerds to create the first spacey sound effects. As the technology improved, those spacey sounds found their way into mainstream pop music, and when the first synthesizers burst on the scene, a new musical idiom was borne. Soon, the music became more than just a movie soundtrack—they were an end in themselves. This week’s wog celebrates sci fi songs from a variety of performers: Jefferson Starship, Kraftwerk, Blue Öyster Cult, Alan Parsons, and others provide the “serious” side of sci fi, while Zager & Evans, Styx, The Bonzo Dog Band, and Electric Light Orchestra poke campy fun at it. Robots, Time Travel, Spacejacking, Dystopias...it’s 52 minutes of über good wogging fun! Beam over to Podwogging.com now, Number One!

Fools Wog In

2010-03-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hey, you just won a free iPod! And an invitation to participate in the IPWC (International Podwogging Championships) to be held in Sydney, Australia, this Thursday, April...uh...first. Oh well. Maybe I’m a fool for thing king I could fool you. But I have a nice little wog to celebrate April Fools, which you can find at (natch) Podwogging.com. In this week’s wog you’ll find all kinds of songs about fools, from Ricky Nelson’s Fools Rush In, to completely different two songs with the name Ship of Fools by The Doors and Elvis Costello (and it could have been three with the one by the Dead) to Martha’s Foolish Ginger by Tori Amos. Also with tunes by Bonnie Raitt, the Stone Roses, Robin Trower, and Steely Dan, It’ll give you 39 minutes of motley fun on the wogging trail.

Spring Forward with Donovan

2010-03-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

I couldn’t wait for a reflection day in Summer, so the first wog of the Spring is by Donovan, that Groovy Bard from England. It’s just that Donovan’s breezy ‘n’ sassy folk rock songs feel more springlike than anything else I can think of. If you’re like me, you’ll wear your love beads like heaven, get your fat angel off the couch, and feel like a sunshine superman once you finish this more mellow than yellow walk. And may your beach at sunset never end...at Podwogging.com.

Wog ö’ the Irish

2010-03-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

I tell ya lad, there’s nothin’ like a breakfast boiled early and a couple of fiddles to get me blood goin’ fer a very vigorous podwog out in the country now. So do as I say and hie over ta Podwogging.com so you can get your fill o’ the latest ÜberWog that my lad James here has cooked up fer ya. Faith, besides the Chieftains and the Pogues and Planxty, fine Irish lads all, bless ‘em, you’ll also discover a few Irish lasses, like The Corrs, the Cranberries, and Enya. Oh, and just to show you he’s not so old as all that, he’s included some special contemporary artists like Snow Patrol, Ronan Hardiman, and Damien Rice. Nearly an hour of Irish music of all stripes—it’s a perfect way to celebrate St. Patty’s Day, so what are ya waitin’ for?

Streetwise, Beatwise

2010-03-12T14:24:00.001-08:00

If you’re like me, sometimes you don’t have time head out to a running track or a nice soft trail in the woods. So you learn to survive on the urban pathways. This week’s wog celebrates the streets in pop songhood, from the Dead’s Shakedown Street to Bob Seger’s Mainstreet to Donovan’s Sunny Goodge Street. The streets can be mean or they can be liberating, it all depends on how you handle yourself, which for woggers means keeping your eyes open for cars, bikes, and road hazards. And while it may not be fun to jog in place at a traffic light, your life may depend on it. Get your streets and beats at Podwogging.com.

Brownie Points

2010-03-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

Whether contemplating his girlfriend’s pregnancy or fantasizing about escaping on the road, Jackson Browne pretty much embodied the zeitgeist of the 70s: wanting to find spiritual fulfillment, yet not willing to quite give up the creature comforts brought about by America’s economic perch sustained by global military domination. Ah, life as the guilty conscience of America can be tough. Good thing he knew how to rock out, as this week’s wog surely demonstrates: to balance the agony of The Fuse or Rock Me on the Water we have the kick-out-the-jams Redneck Friend and The Road and the Sky. You don’t have to walk on water, just get your sneakers out on the roadside and wog. The roadmap is at Pogwogging.com.

Bet you can’t wog to it just once...

2010-02-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

All too often, exercise music ignores melody for rhythm: thumpa-thumpa-thumpa-step-step-step-step-ho-hum. Why not let your heart sing to the song while your feet jog along? That’s why this week’s wog, Hooked On Melodics—and it’s a Wog-a-Thon at that—features some of my favorite pure melodies in pop music, without sacrificing a steady beat. The Beatles, Guster, Collective Soul, Sarah McLachlan, Til Tuesday, UB40—these are just a few of the artists who will stroke your eardrums while you walk and jog. It’s 63 minutes of brisk exercise bliss, and you’ll only find it at Podwogging.com.

Post-Valentine Get Down

2010-02-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

Now that you’re addicted, face it—you gotta keep wogging! Let Robert Palmer, who rocked the 80s with dance pop R&B, give you the sickness AND the cure. This week’s wog features 39 minutes of delightful dance—er, walk and jog—music guaranteed to be simply irresistable. So get what’s coming, stop sneaking through the alley, and get a bad case of wogging. If Mr. Palmer were still with us, he’d tell you get over to Podwogging.com to check out his playlist. Do-lang!

Let’s hope it all works out

2010-02-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

Love is a crazy thing, and what better way to celebrate the week leading up to Valentine’s Day than to hit the trail with a pod full of songs about the agony (Ted Nugent’s 8-minute jogging opus Stranglehold) and the ecstacy (the Drfter’s Magic Moment) of it all? If you can get through the Slings and Eros (this week’s wog), the Bard Himself may smile upon you. Plus Fine Young Cannibals, Bo Diddley, Wilson Pickett and others...it’s all part of a 36-minute workout “with benefits.” After the heavy breathing, check out my other playlists at Podwogging.com.

Just give me a little bit more...

2010-02-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

Time, of course. So this week’s wog is another collection of songs about that elusive thing we never seem to have enough of. Weighing in on the topic are The Verve, INXS, the Stones, the Byrds, and others—even Glass Bottle! Not that a glass bottle will save you any. Time, that is. Thank the Muses that all songs have it, though. Go to Podwogging.com for more—it’ll take you just a few seconds!

Home, Home and Deranged

2010-01-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

“Who are those guys?” said Butch Cassidy to the Sundance Kid, and the 70s’ Hollywood romance with the Western was reborn. The record industry followed suit, and soon rock stars were crooning tunes steeped in the romance of gunfights and flights across the wide open range. Taking this trend to the limit were the Eagles, who based an entire album on the Dalton Gang with their concept album, Desperado. This week’s wog features nine songs from that album, from the opening strains of Doolin-Dalton to the peyote-infused Bitter Creek. Despite their swagger, most of the cuts are lightweight, pace-wise; only Out of Control cranks it up into high gear. So this set will most likely leave you with a peaceful, easy feeling, especially if you leave the six guns at home. Saddle up at Pogwogging.com.

Prayer-Optional Wogging

2010-01-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

Take some Byrds-inspired ringing guitar work, add a hip-sounding collegiate lead singer from Australia, and finish with an almost U2-like big rock sound. That’s The Church, best known for their lush, alt-rock hit Under the Milky Way, way back in the 80s. But if you think they didn’t rock, check out Reptile—my fave—or When You Were Mine, both from The Blurred Crusade. And they played uptempo, too—even Milky Way is a light jog. This 40-minute set will delight your senses and pound your pulse, friends. Check it out at Podwogging.com.

Over A Thousand Woggable Songs

2010-01-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

With the publication of this week’s wog (The Boho Wog), I’ve now posted info on over one thousand songs on Podwogging.com. That means over a thousand popular songs, from six decades, have been sussed out for their walking and jogging suitability by Yours Truly. But Podwogging.com has far more than just the Beats Per Minute for each song. Each song is in a specially crafted playlist, either based on a theme or a single artist, arranged in an for maximum walking or jogging enjoyment. Whether you want a pleasant stroll or really want to feel the burn, just a short break or an hour-long Wog-a-Thon, you’ll find song lists of every sort there. Each song has info on artist, BPM, time, pace consistency, and source, along with a comment about the song: does it have a long intro or outro? Is it in 3/4 time? Can you skip to it, or can you run to it at double-time?

On the other hand, if you’d rather construct your own exercise lists using Podwogging.com, check out the Song Index, where all the songs currently posted are in three long lists, sorted by title, artist, or pace.

So check it out—explore your inner Boho and beyond at Podwogging.com.

A Wog for All Seasons

2010-01-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Since I did the Dead a couple of weeks ago, I thought it only proper that I fête their psychedelic comrades from the glory days of free concerts in Golden Gate Park, barefoot incense-sellers on the streets, and other manifestations of the love revolution that failed only in the narrow minds of unimaginative people: the Jefferson Airplane. And if it’s one thing these former folk-rockers had, it was imagination. So now, on the first week of the new year, put the Airplane on, let your freak lights shine, and wog to one of the finest bands that wasn’t Jefferson Starship. It’s waiting for you at Podwogging.com.

Ündercurrents

2009-12-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

For this week I was originally going to do a set by the Jefferson Airplane and then this set the following week, but intervening circumstances will make it impossible for me to do a Weekly Wog the week following Christmas. Perhaps it’s fitting, because my wog this week, Ündercurrents, has a tinge of darkness to it, and it’s coming out on the Winter Solstice. Featuring artists such The Fixx, Sarah McLachlan, and Strange Advance, these are some of my favorite songs, and the set is 49 minutes long. Enjoy! Find the current at Podwogging.com.

What a Long, Strange Wog

2009-12-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

Since doing twirly dances with no discernable awareness of rhythm is now illegal in a number of states, I’ve had to mend my ways and seek out music by the Grateful Dead that conforms to woggability codes. Hence, Sugar Jognolia: 37 minutes of Dead tunes that are both far out and noodle-free. Go to Podwogging.com for more (tie-dye t-shirts optional).

Memo to Zeus: Bring It On!

2009-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Rain Bringer, Cloud Gatherer, do your best—‘cause I’ve sonic protection in the form of my Ümbrella: 12 songs about rain. Starting with R.E.M.’s mournful I’ll Take the Rain and finishing with Jim Hendrix doing Still Raining, Still Dreaming, this week’s wog is a light walking set for a stroll in the wet stuff. Since rain is often a metaphor for the stuff the life throws at you, all these songs have a twinge of melancholy to them, even the one by the bubbly Cowsills. But with your Ümbrella for protection, your spirits will be lifted by the time Jimi comes around.

What’s in a Woglist?

At Podwogging.com, you’ll find this list, along with many others—nearly a thousand songs total, with more added each week. In addition to showing song title, artist, and album, each song in a list has its BPM (beats per minute), PC (pace consistency), and a comment—sometimes just about the song itself, but often with other information: intros and outros, whether the song is skippable, and whether you can either do a slow walk or run to it at double speed. All this is designed to help YOU know what you’re getting when you decide to put this song into a playlist for the purposes of jogging or walking.

Get Your Who On

2009-11-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

More than any other British group, the Who maintained the highest rock standard from the 60s through the 80s, staying true to their roots throughout the trends of psychedelia, country rock, disco, punk, and New Wave. Consummate showmen, they played loud and brashly, but always with humor and lyrics that evoked emotion without stooping to cliché. This week’s wog, My Jogger Nation, captures that Who spirit with 9 songs taken throughout their career, from the 60s’ anthemic My Generation to the 80s’ Eminence Front. 37 minutes of pulse-pounding rock...what could be better? Find the list on Podwogging.com.

What is edgy?

2009-11-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

Edgy can mean different things to different people. To me, it holds elements of danger, something different, not afraid to explore dark themes. This week’s wog features nine songs that embody edginess. You’ll find Queens of the Stone Age, Muse, Sonic Youth, Franz Ferdinand, the Cure, and others. Ironically, this 35-minute wog is moderately paced. But then, perhaps that’s a good thing. Find the edge at Podwogging.com.

Wogging with the Godfather

2009-11-16T11:33:00.000-08:00

The Godfather of Soul, that is: James Brown. Get on your good foot, stick Mr. Brown’s insane R&B in your ear, and a good time is guaranteed for all. So check out this week’s wog, Poppa’s Got a Brand New Jog, at Podwogging.com.

What are you waiting for, y’all?

Another New Millennium Flatliner

2009-11-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I can’t get enough of a good thing. This March I presented a Flatliner list—one where all but the beginning, ending, and middle songs are nearly the same pace—composed of artists who’ve made the first decade of the millennium truly special. This time the wog is a bit slower—a slow jog pace rather than a moderate jog pace—but the artists are just as awesome. Afro Celt Sound System kicks things off, followed by Dave Matthews, Gorillaz, Hot Hot Heat, the Shins, Morningwood, the New Pornographers, Queens of the Stone Age, and Maia Sharp. What are you waiting for? Check it out at Podwogging.com!

Wogging with Hutchence

2009-11-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Here’s one band from the 80s whose music crackled with rock energy: INXS. When frontman Michael Hutchence took his own life, the group came to an end (despite an effort to replace Hutchence recently with a reality TV show contest). If you’ve never heard them (the original INXS, that is) check out this woglist. Two songs epitomize their different sides (lovely lyrical/snappy licks): Kiss the Dirt and Devil Inside. Simply put, if you like rock and you like wogging, put INXS on your take-to-the-streets list.

For the complete breakdown, go to Podwogging.com. Why? Because I said so.

Boo!

2009-10-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Something freaky this way comes, and there’s nothing like a little pre-Halloween spooking to get your wogging feet moving. This week’s wog features nine songs about ghosts, zombies, and even fear itself. So let those deliciously frightful shivers set your heart a-thumping! But don’t go too fast or you’ll attract evil spirits. And then the fastest feet in the world won’t help you...unless you go to Podwogging.com and pick another wogging set!

Yabba ABBA do!

2009-10-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

ABBA has experienced a revival of sorts with the release of the Mamma Mia movie, but you hardly need a film to experience their insanely catchy pop. Their music is very70s, but unlike some of the forgettable pop from that era, their songs still have a crisp melody-driven edge that’s still perfect for dancing—or wogging. You won’t find Wogging Queen (this week’s wog) to be intense, either lyrics-wise or pace-wise, with only a couple of jogs sprinkled in, but none of the walking songs drag. This one’s perfect for a fun stroll in the hills. Take a chance! Complete list at Podwogging.com.

Progressive Obsessive

2009-10-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ready for a vigorous, one-hour mix of progressive rock you can actually walk and jog along to? Progressive Obsessive is this week’s wog. It features rhythmically consistent music from Pink Floyd, Rush, Genesis, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Kansas, and Alan Parsons Project, as well as the lesser-known Saga, Uriah Heep, Hawkwind, and FM. You’ll find no endless noodling or instrumental pyrotechnics here, but they all feature clever guitar and keyboards. Not obsessed yet? Check out the playlist at Pogwogging.com!

I want my Straits

2009-10-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Blending Mark Knopfler’s slightly Dylanesque vocals with skiffle beats and roots guitar, the Dire Straits were the closest thing to a mainstream British bar band in the 70s and 80s. The result is a laid-back sound, with an occasional venture into hip sarcasm, that makes for pleasant walking music in this week’s wog. Want a nice groove to accompany your stroll through fall colors? The Straights might be your ticket. Check out Wog of Life at Podwogging.com.

Tom Petty? It’s About Time!

2009-09-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

In the annals of rock music, Tom Petty (with or without his Heartbreakers) sometimes gets overlooked. All he did was crank out great songs, year after year, in an era when punk, reggae, disco, and outrageous arena rock strode the musical landscape. But Petty’s lyrics were so fully informed by the angst of growing up in America, discovering the hard truths of life, and his bandmates always loaned an inventive hand, whether rocking hard or strumming to ballads. So this week’s wog finally pays tribute to Petty, in a short, albeit soulful walk. I’m working on a Petty UberWog, but until then...Walk on! AT Pogwogging.com.

Make your exercise tasty

2009-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

No, Zap Mama and !Deladap are not the names of comic book characters—they’re just from different countries. And they’re two of the artists who are in this week’s wog, Taste the World. You’ll also find Afro Celt Sound System and Delerium, among others. Go ahead, have a bite—guaranteed not to taste just like chicken! At Podwogging.com.

Foxy Roxy

2009-09-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Many people might associate the 70s with head-banger metal, screaming punk, self-important progressive rock, or vapid disco. Fortunately, there was also Roxy Music. With lushly romantic lyrics, moody melodies and dance floor chops, they defined elegance in pop music. Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, who went on to brilliant solo careers, used their creative differences to forge a unique sound that still resonates today. This week’s wog features some of their best stuff. Check it out at Podwogging.com.

In the Mood

2009-09-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

Autumn creeps closer, the nights grow longer...something’s in the air. Music that resonates with that something fills this week’s wog, a long (78 minute) Wog-a-Thon. Masters of moody music like Loreena McKennit, Enya, Simon and Garfunkel, Alan Parsons Project and Peter Gabriel join relative newcomers David Gray and Dark Captain Light Captain, plus others. These are essential songs for my listening pleasure, in addition to making for a hauntingly moody walk. Get in the Mooditorium at Podwogging.com.

By the Time I Walk to Woodstock

2009-08-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Just couldn’t let the summer end without a tip of my Freak Flag to C, S, N, and sometimes Y, whose rocking version of Joni Mitchell’s anthem Woodstock, in honor of that memorable event’s 40th anniversary. In addition, this week’s wog features classics like Long Time Gone, Helpless, and Immigration Man. The vibe is mellow, so leave your track shoes at home. At Podwogging.com.

Home from Vacation? There’s Still Traffic

2009-08-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

No, not the bumper-to-bumper kind, but the GOOD kind. One of the most inventive rock bands to come out of British Psychedelia, Traffic blended jazz and British folk into rock rhythms to match Steve Winwood’s distinctive vocals. So relax, take your hand off the horn, and follow the flow for 36 minutes in this week’s wog, You Can All Jog In. At Podwogging.com.

Hit the Road, Jim

2009-08-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

I’m willing to bet that Americans log more hours driving during August than any other month of the year. That’s certainly true for me—especially yesterday, when I put in a good 8 hours out on the highway, around the Bay Area and between here and the Sierra foothills. And later today it’s more of the same, as school reunions, family reunions, and summer camp all stake their transportation claims. In honor of my heroic driving efforts, this week’s wog is—what else?—Road Heroes. And it checks in at a honkin’ 76 minutes, at that. Seems like every rock band that’s ever toured has at least one road song in its bag of tricks. So load up your pod and start that trip! Get your itinerary at Podwogging.com.

Fleet of Foot, Mac of Wood

2009-08-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

In the mid- to late-70s, Fleetwood Mac ruled the world of soft rock. Stevie Nicks went on to a solo career, and despite several emotion-laden reunions they were pretty much done by the 80s. But don’t let that stop you—the songs in this week’s wog, Jog Your Own Way, make a great way to get 31 minutes of vigorous exercise. In addition to classic Mac, I’ve included a few songs from their pre-Nicks/Buckingham days; these are unfortunately not available for legal download. I highly recommend the album from which they came, Bare Trees, so it’s worth picking it up as a CD.

Haven’t been to Podwogging.com? What are you waiting for?

What a Rush

2009-08-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

Mixing intricate beats, pounding bass, ringing guitars, introspective lyrics, lush melodies, and Geddy Lee’s distinctive vocals, Rush has proven to be a true rock institution for the last thirty-odd years. This week’s wog features an hour of Rush, starting with Presto’s Show Don’t Tell and finishing with the anthemic Tom Sawyer from Moving Pictures. This is a Vigorous ÜberWog, so in addition to slower numbers you’ll find infectious joggers like Subdivisions and Between the Wheels. So what’s the Rush? Find out at Podwogging.com.

Want the Real Deal?

2009-07-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

From the chunky beats of the cynical My City Was Gone to the snarling, driving Middle of the Road, nobody combined punk sass with sheer hard rock artistry like the Pretenders. This week’s wog, Back on the Jog Gang, features some of this legendary band’s best numbers; in addition to aforementioned, wog out to Mystery Achievement, Back on the Chain Gang, and others. If you want 39 minutes of pulse-pounding bliss, check out this playlist. At Podwogging.com, of course.

Fast Forward

2009-07-20T00:16:00.000-07:00

If you’re like me, songs with BPMs in the 140s have the perfect rhythm for cooking up a jog that’s just right. Fast Forward, this week’s wog, is a Flatliner with all but the beginning, middle, and ending songs in that sweet range. In this list you’ll find songs in that range by A Flock of Seagulls, Spencer Davis Group, Supertramp, Jellyfish, and the Grateful Dead. They’ll all stoke your desire to keep that music moving forward in the 140s.

Find it at Pogwogging.com.

Breakfast in America

2009-07-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

In the late 70s, Supertramp was your basic breezy pop group with fun songs that still had serious undertones. Breakfast in America was by far their standout album, so it’s fitting that this week’s wog is a One Album Wog comprised of songs from it. Whether opening with The Logical Song and its great sax riffs and a call to a freethinking lifestyle, jogging to the opening harmonica bars of Take the Long Way Home, or wistfully whistling to the strides of Goodbye Stranger, this album delivers 36 minutes of great wogging fun.

Check it at Podwogging.com

She Wogs in Mysterious Ways

2009-07-06T00:28:00.000-07:00

The world is a mysterious place. Remember that, even on those delightful summer days when everything feels easy and straightforward. If you want a little musical reminder of the power of the other side of the mind, check out this week’s beautiful playlist, Enter the Mystery. It’s not fast paced, so you’ll have time to ponder it all. And at the end of your walk, let the vibes keep flowing through you. Maybe your dreams will be more interesting tonight...

Podwogging.com

The King of Pop is Dead. Long Live the King.

2009-06-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Now matter what you think of Michael Jackson’s lifestyle, his bizarre antics and possible criminal activities that made him anathema to many, there can be no doubt that his music was immensely entertaining, ushering us into the MTV age with timeless singing and dancing that energized all of us. So this week’s wog is all Michael: seven of his best numbers, from Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. I hope you find them as fun to walk and jog to as they are to dance to.

Podwogging.com.

W-O-G in the U-S-A

2009-06-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ah, the American Dream. Get Rich or Die Trying. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, where a sucker is born every minute and the best wogging music this side of the Atlantic can be found. Here’s a Wog-a-Thon, nearly one hour, of heart-pumping, red-blooded American musical action. Classic American artists like Tom Petty, the Grateful Dead, and Neil Young (oh, wait—he’s from CANADA) will rock your wog. But be careful—the American Dream is full of pitfalls. Can you make it all the way through the waves of amber grain, past the purple mountains, from sea to shining sea? It’s your trip, man. Heavy. At Pogwogging.com.

Oh, and Happy Summer!

Twin Cinema

2009-06-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

This week’s wog features songs from one of the more interesting alt-rock groups to spring up this past decade: the New Pornographers. From the chunky guitar rock of Three Or Four to the alt-folk of The Bleeding Heart Show, this album packs considerable melodic and rhythmic punch. If you like Arcade Fire or the Shins, or even R.E.M., you’ll love the New Pornographers (who don’t deal in the skin trade, don’t worry). Twin Cinema is, put simply, loaded with highly likeable, quirky but intriguing, pop songs that function beautifully together for a 48-minute Brisk wog. On Podwogging.com

Pounding Through the Eighties

2009-06-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here we go, my fastest Flatliner yet. Stuff your disco duds in the closet and put on your serious running shoes, because these songs take off. After a cool warmup from Red Rider’s Lunatic Fringe, you’ll be propelled at over 150 BPM by Devo, Robert Plant, the Violent Femmes, Chris de Burge, the Police, and the Alarm before Kate Bush watches you relax a bit at the end. And where you gonna get your BPMs? Podwogging.com, natch.

Take Your Trip at a Vigorous Clip

2009-06-01T23:17:00.000-07:00

Experience all of the fun groovy fun without any of the bummer flashbacks in this week’s first wog in June, Psychedelicatessen. It’s a Wog-a-Thon, meaning that even though it’s over an hour long, it’s easy to skip songs and get to a pace you prefer—wog your own thing, man! You’ll find classic psychedelic pop from the Small Faces and Strawberry Alarm Clock, as well as trippier stuff from Country Joe and the Fish, the Beatles, and Traffic. Not to mention the Doors, Pink Floyd, Cream, the Amboy Dukes, Statis Quo, the Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, the Jefferson Airplane, and even the Rolling Stones. So flash on my website, Podwogging.com, and blow your mind (and hopefully, not your hamstrings!).

A Quick Threesome

2009-05-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Many of us have busy lives that make taking time for an hour—even half an hour—of exercise difficult. That’s why I have my collection of Quickies. This week I’ve posted three such playlists, all coming in under 19 minutes.

First up, this week’s wog, Itty Bitty Witty Ditties. As befitting their light subject matter and style, none of the songs in this one get above a brisk walk. Use this wog for a mental break as much as a light physical one.

Next, on the opposite side of the scale, comes Loners. This wog is highlighted by two versions of Solitary Man, the original by Neil Diamond and the cover by Chris Isaak. They’re short, but intense. Overall, this one rates as Very Vigorous.

Finally, I whisk you back to the days of Soul with Souled Out: 18 minutes of R&B bliss, featuring classics like Dionne Warwick’s Walk On By, and a rousing Heat Wave from Martha and the Vandellas, plus Soul Man by Sam and Dave (later covered by the Blues Brothers). Depending on whether you run, walk, or skip to Heat Wave, this Quickie is Vigorous or Light.

Get all your wogging data at Podwogging.com

Bird Full of Yard

2009-05-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

In their brief lifetimes, the Yardbirds proved to be as seminal as any British rock group from the 60s. Springing from the churning blues rock scene, they infused passion and bruising guitar licks with attitude that was way cooler in ways than that of the Stones and even the Beatles. The closest they came to psychedelic were the haunting Shapes of Things and Happenings Ten Years Time Ago, and nobody outside of Dylan voiced social concerns with such rock panache as You’re a Better Man Than I. This week’s wog showcases the soulful, bluesful side of a truly great rock band.
Podwogging.com

Wave your Wand and Wog

2009-05-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

There IS magic in music, so why not use that magic to your advantage? Here’s 38 brisk minutes of songs that have magical words and magical melodies to help your feet fly: from 60s pop (Lovin’ Spoonful, Jay and the Americans) to more contemporary artists Sarah McLachlan and the Magic Numbers. So get on the Magic Bus, build your mystery, and start believing. Wog on, at Podwogging.com!

Inhalin’ Van

2009-05-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

If you were a teenage rock fan in the late 70s, chances are you had at least a passing fling with Van Halen. Hell, I was in my late twenties, and I even had a night or two out with Eddie and the boys. Definitely a guilty pleasure, Van Halen—best to leave the cerebral cortex behind and just rock. So might as well jump back to those arena nights, put ‘em on your pod, and start jogging with the devil. And don’t forget to exhale!

What’s up with iTunes’ iMix?

A number of the playlists I’ve posted as iMixes in iTunes have suddenly dropped songs, even though the total minutes given is the same as before. And some lists have disappeared altogether. This is really sad. Because now I’m not sure I’ll be able to post my great wogging lists as iMixes.

Does Apple care? Probably not.

Podwogging.com.

Funk in My Trunk

2009-04-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine a world without funk? “What the world needs now...is funk, sweet funk...” Seriously, I can think of no better way to get my feet moving than to slip on some Isley Brothers or Marvin Gaye, and that’s the just the beginning. So this week’s wog is 72 glorious minutes of the best funk I’ve got in my trunk. Kicking off with Parliament tearing off the roof and finishing with Brick throwing a Dazz at you, it will serve up some fresh Wild Cherry for your Brothers Johnson and Sister Sledge. Rick James, Ohio Players, Hot Chocolate, Average White Band, and more...how can you resist? Get the whole playlist for your exercising pleasure at Podwogging.com.

(4/27/09)

10538 Überture

2009-04-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Taking their cue from the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby, the Electric Light Orchestra could have been called the Electric String Orchestra. Nobody then or since has combined violins and cellos so successfully with more traditional guitar and keyboards in rock and pop music. This week’s wog is nearly an hour of delightful ELO, ranging from their cello-heavy early days to their progressive mid-seventies sound (I’ll leave their disco to somebody else). Though an ÜberWog, the pace is light—just perfect for a stroll high on a hill...in El Dorado!

Go Podwogging.com

Whole Lotta Love

2009-04-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

No, I’m not talking early Led Zeppelin, I’m just talking Love, Baby, one of the best groups the 60s had to offer. The Doors named them as a big influence, and their 1967 album Forever Changes has been named as one of the best rock albums ever, by Allmusic.com. They never made it huge because front man Arthur Lee didn’t like to tour, and like fellow LA band Spirit, their sound was perhaps too difficult to pin down for the industry moguls. They ARE a bit quirky, but that’s why I like them. My Little Red Wog is 38 minutes long of unpredictable sounds and rhythms. Go to Podwogging.com for the complete list.

A Tale of Two Brothers

2009-04-06T20:34:00.001-07:00

Yeah, I know—the Bee Gees were three brothers, not two. But can you think of a pop group with a more distinct double phase to their history? You Should Be Walking, this week’s wog, explores both their melancholy, orchestral pop of the 60s, as well as their better known, more upbeat, disco-driven hits of the 70s.

Barry Gibb, so perfectly parodied by SNL’s Jimmy Fallon, is the only singer I can think of who actually sounds better in falsetto than in “normal” voice mode. And while they never reached the funky delights of say, a Donna Summer, their songs also never descended into the mawkish, lightweight sentimentality that eventually killed disco.

As to my wog, I discovered a secret: catchy dance songs are often irresistible Skiplekers, even when the pace is a brisk walk. How else can I explain my inspired skipping breaks to You Should Be Dancing, which at 124 BPM is the wog’s fastest number?

Anyway, this is a fun walk for a breezy spring day. Find the whole playlist at Podwogging.com.

Dancin’ Fool Flatliner is the Perfect Power Walk

2009-03-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

April fool is right around the corner, and what better fool than a dancing one? This week’s wog is a power-walking flatliner, all songs between 121 and 128 BPM. From Right Said Fred’s absurdly cheeky opener, to Kylie Minogue’s slithery come-on, to Prince’s Apocalyptic ode to the new millennium, you’ll have a hard time keeping from throwing in a few dance steps as you stride. And why not? It’s Spring! Check it out at Podwogging.com.

R.E.M.: Übermatic for the People

2009-03-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

They both hail from Georgia, but on the surface the B-52’s and R.E.M. sound like they’re from different planets. While the B-52’s are bouncy, wild, and fun, Michael Stipe’s grave, puzzling lyrics and the crashing doom of R.E.M.’s alt-wave guitars are just the opposite. Certainly songs like Welcome to the Occupation and Drive, which kick off this week’s wog, envelope the listener with an almost dirge-like plunge into Southern Angst. They’re also gorgeous, irresistible, and yes, woggable. And the rest of the songs in this 57-minute Vigorous wog, like Bittersweet Me and the classically introspective Losing My Religion, wrap themselves with the same iconic cloth. Yet the two groups share a similar off-center worldview, fueled by Athen’s alternative social scene; they delight in presenting the listener with quirky takes on a culture they both reject and embrace. It's all part of this week's wog.

Whatever, dude. Get your Pod, rev up your dream cycles, and wog. Oh, and BTW—Happy Spring! And Happy Birthday to Me!

Try It...Podwogging.com

New Millenium Flatliner

2009-03-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

The aughts have truly delivered some of the most exciting music since...well, since the 90s. This week I slap together a bunch of songs that cruise delightfully around 140 BPM—in my book, a perfect jogging rhythm. Like the Kings of Leon? The Posies? The Strokes? Wait ‘til you jog to them. Also the Dead 60s, Snow Patrol, Rob Thomas, and even U2 will make your heart go pitter while your feet go patter. Audioslave, Arcade Fire, and Lilys provide opening, mid-wog, and closing walks, respectively.

Podwogging.com

Eye in the Stride

2009-03-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

The Alan Parsons Project is deceptively smooth. Occupying musical territory somewhere between Progressive Rock and Adult Contemporary, their songs are refined, easy to digest, and go down like smooth claret. What keeps them from the Muzak dustbin is an edginess that creeps into their expertly-crafted melodies, usually in the lyrics that hint at darker mind states than the music itself supplies. It’s this interplay between accessible melody and interesting words that makes them fun, for there’s not much funk in their rhythms, which are all straight forward but easy to wog to. So head over to Podwogging.com, and Project yourself into this week’s wog.

Get Into the House

2009-03-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

The weather I’ve been taking with me lately is full of rain, rain we desperately need, and when rain falls I find myself pining for music that’s slightly melancholy, but with enough beat to keep me going. Crowded House fits the bill perfectly. This week’s wog features the 80s rockers with a short, but melody-filled set. Only one jogging song in this one; it’s mostly at walking pace. But the song’s are great, so even if you’re looking for something more challenging, you should check out Crowded House on Podwogging.com.

Who the Heck were the Strawbs?

2009-02-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Among the many brilliant musical artists to hail from England in the 60s and 70s, the Strawbs weren’t as well known as British Invasion rockers like the Who, nor as much as space rockers Pink Floyd, nor even as much as folk-rockers Pentangle or Fairport Convention. Perhaps it was because they defied description, not fitting easily into a convenient marketable category. But make no mistake: they turned out some of most interesting music of their time, making masterful melodies with idiosyncratic instrumentals and lovely lyrics. They went beyond typical folk songs with spice, humor, and true inspiration. This week’s wog comes from a compilation of their best songs, Halcyon Days. This double-CD will give you an excellent moderate wog, and many other enjoyable listening hours as well. Do give it a try! At Podwogging.com, of course.

The Nü Trübadours

2009-02-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

Every generation sees the emergence of new voices that challenge the stifling conformity of the pop kingdom and provide us with songs both beautiful and thought-provoking. In the 60s it was the likes of Donovan and Simon & Garfunkel; the 70s saw Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel; the 80s had Crowded House and Thomas Dolby; the 90s delivered Toad the Wet Sprocket and Sarah McLachlan—to mention just a few. This week’s wog features some of the most intriguing artists of the decade to date, with unique songs that capture the spirit of poetic freedom. It’s an ÜberWog, too—53 minutes of great music to walk and jog by. Check out Keane, Snow Patrol, The Shins, Fields, and others at Podwogging.com.

The Envelope, Please

No, I’m not talking about the Oscars (go, Milk!). I’m talking about the shape of your wog. In general, I like my workouts to be like a camel’s back: a brisk walk to start, followed by some jogging, a slower section to recover, and then another jogging section before a slowish walk at the end to cool down. But every playlist I have is different. Some may have a long, extended jog at the beginning and only a moderate jog near the end; others may be a one-hump camel instead of a two-humper. Wog-a-Thons are shaped like a sine wave, and some of my ÜberWogs may have three jogging sections instead of two. The most radically different are my Flatliners, which may have no jogging at all, or be nearly all jogging. As a result, the envelopes I push come in all shapes, in addition to all paces. Just more to choose from when I hit the trail. Or sidewalk. Or whatever. And the winner is...

Prime the Pump

2009-02-09T23:04:00.000-08:00

Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, why don't I give you all an early Valentine in the form of a wog? Hearts, this week's wog, is part of an ongoing series of playlists based on different parts of the body. It’s a major organ involved in ambulatory exercise in addition to being a symbol for human emotion. So plug in your pod, prime the pump, and wog to Hearts. Only on Podwogging.com.

Global Colding

2009-02-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

Snowpatrol. Arctic Monkeys. Coldplay. Brrr.

Okay, I like Coldplay. I really do. But I still think Chris Martin is a little disconcerting. I mean, he’s got Gwyneth Paltrow, and his band is acclaimed as the greatest thing that’s not U2. But have you seen this dude perform? He’s weird. Not brilliant weird, like Tom Waits, or cool weird, like Jim Morrison. And frankly, Bono has it all over him for voice and attitude.

Nevertheless, Coldplay has built up a solid portfolio of melodic rock-like music that sometimes really hits home. Clocks, A Whisper, Talk, and Viva la Vida from their new album are all vibrant, shimmering, contemporary pop. This week’s wog, God Put a Jog Upon Your Feet, is a fast walk/slow jog; it never really rocks, but it’s great to listen to. Just so long as you don’t have the image of Chris Martin’s contorted body stuck in your head.

Podwogging.com. Try it.

Touching a Nirvana: Jog As You Are

2009-01-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

Rock was all but declared dead (yet again!) in the early 90s, this time vanquished by Rap and Hip-Hop, and then these tattered Seattle souls arrived on the scene and took the country by storm. Combining the intensity of punk with the sensibilities of Alt Rock and the doom-laden hooks of metal, Nirvana made Rock relevant again and founded an entire new sub-genre, Grunge. Too bad Kurt Cobain died while midwifing the movement; while fellow grunge bands Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots went on to relative success, none could match the impact of Nirvana or the devotion of its followers. Though this week’s wog, Jog As You Are, is not my fastest exercise list, Cobain-in-your-face makes it feel that way. You’ll find the list on Podwogging.com.

Indie or Alternative: What’s in a Genre?

An astute reader of my playlists might notice the absence of the word “Indie” in any of the genre descriptions of the songs. According to Allmusic.com, Alt Rock became more “serious” and “testosterone-driven” right around the time Nirvana made it big, and its niche in the pop ecosystem was taken by Indie. I don’t get—U2 is more testosterone-driven than Nirvana? How does that work? As far as I can see, there is no substantive difference between the two genres, other than it’s a label used by a new generation of rock fans to brand their own—the young, after all, forever need to forge new identities. Now that those Indie fans are growing older, now doubt the Millenials coming up will need a new brand to describe their rock sound of choice. Me, I’m sticking to my guns. Indie is Alt. And I’m out.

70s Sensations

2009-01-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

Rather than having giants like the Beatles, Stones, and Dylan dominate, the 70s saw a number of groups from different genres successfully carve niches in the music scene. Pink Floyd, the Who, and the Eagles were just some of the rock groups that gained wild popularity, and that doesn’t even include David Bowie (Glam), Bob Marley (Reggae), the Police (British Reggae), Steely Dan (Jazz Rock), Elton John (English Pop), Fleetwood Mac (Soft Rock), Genesis (Album Rock), Electric Light Orchestra (Prog Rock), the Isley Brothers (Funk), Michael Jackson (Funk Pop), Van Halen (Arena Rock)...and I haven’t even gotten to the most commercially successful genre of all, Disco! It’s thus impossible to cover all the bases in a single playlist, so I don’t even try. 70s Sensations, this week’s wog, is more of a random sample of what was out there. Even if you were around then, you may not recognize the likes of J. Geils, Greg Kihn, or Robin Trower. So give it a try, at Pogwogging.com.

Turn to the Byrds: Jog! Jog! Jog!

2009-01-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

It’s easy to forget today how controversial folk-rock was in its time—they nearly booed Dylan off the stage at the Newport Folk Festival when he showed up with a plugged-in backup band. A prime factor in folk-rock’s acceptance was the emergence of the Byrds. This LA group achieved fame on the basis of its cover of Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man, but truthfully they were leaders, not followers. Roger McGuinn’s dense, multilayered, slightly dissonant guitar riffs helped set the stage for the psychedelic music revolution, and their harmonious arrangements were later echoed in the 70s by groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Eagles. Even the Beatles acknowledged their influence. So what are you waiting for? Surf over to Podwogging.com and Jog! Jog! Jog!

Happy Nü Year

2009-01-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

Seems only fitting to ring in 2009 with U2, whose angst-drenched anthem from their 1983 album War is, fittingly, New Year’s Day. This is an ÜberWog, meaning it’s longer than usual, and it’s Very Vigorous, at that. Early U2 could rock hard—listen to Rejoice and I Will Follow. Nü Year’s Wog also features gorgeous songs from their post-War era (Desire, Three Sunrises, Red Hill Mining Town, Bad), the 90s (Daddy’s Gonna Pay for Your Crashed Car, Mofo) and the new millennium (Miracle Drug, Beautiful Day). All in all, eleven songs from eleven different albums for a sublime Weekly Wog indeed. Check it out on Podwogging.com!

Dizzy Balloon: Pretty Cool

This Saturday my 14-year-old son took me to see Dizzy Balloon, a local pop group barely out of high school, along with a couple of other East Bay bands. No doubt about it, the Inflatable Ones stole the show. In addition to playing vivacious, danceable, and catchy numbers, they featured a bagpipe player and a wildly entertaining yo-yo demonstration, plus the usual cool lights, lasers, fog machines, etc. I have their CD, so I smell a Single Album Wog coming up. They’re leaving on a California tour—check their web site http://www.dizzyballoon.com/.

Wogging Out the Year End

2008-12-29T23:26:00.000-08:00

What better way to put 2008 away than with a wog featuring Bob Marley’s reggae? So I let that Jamaican rhythm carry my feet effortlessly in this week’s wog, Lively Up Your Walk. The nice thing about these songs is that even if you don’t actually jog, the pace feels a lot livelier. Don’t be surprised if you throw in some extra moves, let your body surprise you with the way the rhythm takes you.

It’s a great way to at least temporarily forget about the horrors of war in the Middle East, Israel’s unfathomable act of destruction, aided by our own government. Many around the world anticipate the advent of a new America with the inauguration of Barack Obama, and wouldn’t it be nice if he actually takes a stand against the forces of destruction? Now that might put me in a permanent skiplek.