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Afternoon time-killer

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* While we’re all waiting on that 2:30 Blagojevich hearing and fielding all the rumors floating around, let’s distract ourselves with this video which will probably stick in your head for a very long time. I give you Sheila Simon and friends singing Bob Dylan…

Warning: This really will stick in your head for a long while.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 1:48 pm

Comments

That little combo could use some pre-event practice next time.

Comment by Team America Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 1:51 pm
Ooof. I just ran out of Excedrin, too.

Comment by unspun Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 1:52 pm
It won’t stick in my head after I’m done head-butting the sidewalk.

Be back in a few.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 1:52 pm
Who is the soprano? Hurts all the way up in my eyebrows. OUCH!

Comment by Say WHAT? Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 1:52 pm
Yes, the soprano voice doesn’t work well on this song, but the string ensemble is solid enough. As a banjo player myself I recognizing the idling three-finger accompaniment Simon is playing here, noodling on each chord. It doesn’t tell us either way what sort of real banjo chops she might have — does anyone know of any other videos that showcase her playing a bit more?

Comment by Eric Zorn Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 1:59 pm
I was told the Soprano is some guy visiting from New Jersey named Tony. My source (Paulie) told me, “You don’t want to cross him.”

Comment by Cool Hand Luke Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:03 pm
“And how about Marla Hooch. What a hitter.”

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:17 pm
Why? Why?

Comment by 2010 Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:19 pm
Good Lord. Two warnings wasn’t nearly enough. Don’t give up your day jobs.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:20 pm
oh god that’s horrifying. Almost makes me want to forget about Jason Plummer not releasing his tax returns.

The dogs must still be barking in Kane County.

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:22 pm
- The dogs must still be barking in Kane County. -

I’m not sure whats more inhumane, this, or mass gassing…

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:25 pm
To borrow and modify a line from SNL

“I can believe we lose to these guys”

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:27 pm
My Darling Clementine - traditional, enhanced by VanillaMan

In a state, in a country
Representing Illinois
Lived a Senator, a bow-tier
And his daughter, Clementine

Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are running with Pat Quinn
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Being the daughter of Paul Simon
Thought she’s headed for Big Times
Played a banjo, in San Jose
If you lived there, you know that rhymes

Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
My ears bleed when you are singing
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Played her banjo in Chicago
Said the Machine was out of time
Shook hands with Da Mare
Was quickly told to change her mind

Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
Your parents were such honest people
Now they’re sorry, Clementine

Her lips spouted written nonsense
Blowing bubbles for The Combine
So alas, she lost John Kass
And his endorsement, for all time

Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
Your banjo plays a sad blue song
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Then the ghost of her father
Began to appear from time to time
Reporters thought it was from their drinking
So, they switched from beer to wine

Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
Your banjo is like a Ouija board
Tell your dad not to opine

There’s a election in November
Voters want to throw out the swine
It looks bad for the Governor
And his running mate, Clementine

Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
Like a Carbondale Mayoral race
You gonna lose again, Clementine

In my dreams she still doth haunt me
Playing her banjo, double-time
Politically, I used to hug her
Now she’s dead, so I draw the line

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:29 pm
Haunting…

Comment by Fan of Cap Fax Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:34 pm
Did someone hurt a cat behind the camera…what else makes a noise that awful….UGH!

Comment by A.B. Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:35 pm
“Enthusiasm for Democrat voters reaches a new high as Shelia Simon electrifies the crowd with some easy listening adult contemporary.”

Comment by Reggie P Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:36 pm
No FoCF, its Haunted not Haunting.

Way to pander to the Earl Scruggs coalition.

Comment by Jake from Elwood Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:41 pm
Thanks to the commentators on this thread. Because of you, I will not be playing the video (unless you all agree it is so bad, I must see it to believe it).

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:45 pm
When Quinn wins, Sheila Simon is going to usher in the “Pay NOT to Play” era…

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:46 pm
Prior to my conversion I attended a birthday party for a elderly gentleman on the occasion of his 90th birthday. It was held by the “Committees of Correspondence”, one of the offshoots of the defunk Communist Party of the USA. A folk song was commissioned by the Committee for this fine gentleman (no snark), one of the first members of the CPUSA when it was formed back in the early part of the last century. It ran something like 25 verses and was about as painful to listen to as this was. Hearing this brought back that memory. I will use it to remember the kind, thoughtful, gentleman who was feted, an old family friend of Mrs DuPage Dan. I will try to forget that soprano and the funeral dirge-like quality of the song. Who died, anyway? Quinn’s candidacy or the party in general?

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:47 pm
Reggie, I think that’s a typo:

“Euthanasia for Democrat voters reaches a new high as Shelia Simon electrifies the crowd with some easy listening adult contemporary.”

Comment by Learning the Ropes Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:47 pm
Oh the humanity!

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:51 pm
Cincinnatus, YOU MUST! Not fair for the rest of us to suffer alone. Misery loves company. Come on…..You know you want to……

Comment by Say WHAT? Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:53 pm
The banjo wan’t bad. Wish I could have heard it over the screech.

Comment by Say WHAT? Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:56 pm
Sounds like a cat got caught in a lawnmower.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 2:59 pm
First time in a long time my tinnutis was less annoying.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:00 pm
Th”undecideds” just broke for Brady!

Comment by Toast Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:10 pm
Did someone just run over a cat????

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:19 pm
Let’s go play hackysack! What is she, a 19 year old college kid? nice tye-dye

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:24 pm
Is that Mr. Hankey on vocals?!

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:26 pm
“i put my pants on one leg at a time, except after my pants are on, i make gold records.”

Comment by bruce d. Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:32 pm
This woman is a joke.

Comment by shake and bake Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:33 pm
Steve Martin used to say that politicians should play the banjo because it makes such a happy sound it would make everyone forget about the bad news.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:33 pm
I used to sing like that in middle school. The director got wise and put me on a dead mic. In this case, it might not of mattered.

Those poor men. How awful for them.

I have down loaded that little ditty as my ring tone.

Sheila really needs to stay out of these embarrassing situations. These are about all that I know about her.

Comment by PPHS Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:35 pm
PCK,

Mr Martin would be mortified at hearing this song. I, too, thought any song with a banjo in it couldn’t be a sad song. Until I heard this one.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:42 pm
PPHS,

You are assuming that Ms Simon would agree after hearing herself. I’m not sure she would.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:44 pm
Now that’s turning lemonade into lemons! Holy cow.

Comment by KeepSmiling Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:49 pm
Sorry, Rich. I just couldn’t bring myself to listen. The last thing I need is another inane song floating around in my head. On the other hand, maybe it will get rid of the sponge Bob song my grandaugher keeps singing…and drives me crazy. And a one, and a two…

Comment by Springfield Sceptic Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:50 pm
“Remember when that fiddle and banjo crap nearly caught on?” - Martin Mull

Comment by 13 Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:50 pm
Blago is in the building!

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:54 pm
The video to replace Rick Rolling people….instead of rick rolling know you can be simoned

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 3:57 pm
Ghost,

Simonized?

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:07 pm
Damn you Rich Miller, Damn you….

Comment by Who cares Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:08 pm
…I don’t know what to say.The video is beyond words and tune.Can’t be described in any vocabulary. I don’t know what to say.

Comment by Ralph Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:10 pm
WC, you were warned… twice. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:13 pm
C, I was trying not to be overly waxy about it

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:13 pm
Best thing I have heard since 22 years ago, I saw Phil Rock sit down to the piano and belt out “Danny Boy”. I think everybody should lighten up on the snark for something like this. Amateur sing-alongs are fun. I hear (and produce) much worse singing every Sunday morning at church, but it is good for the soul to sing without worrying how professional you sound, in church or out.

Comment by jake Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:22 pm
So potentially, we have a banjo playing Lt. Gov. and an accordian playing Comptroller?

Priceless.

Comment by 2010 Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:36 pm
The Soprano is wife of Kane Dems Mark Gatley. Mark is in the green shirt, and the other 3 guys are part of the “Progressive” wing of the Kane County Democrats. They spent the whole afternoon playing old hippie war protest songs.

Comment by PinkGirl Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:39 pm
Bob Dylan is probably rolling in his grave, or wishes he could. Let’s all sing a 50 year old song by an 80 year old man and pretend it still reflects our beliefs, OK? Uh - aren’t we supposed to sing this? We’re peace loving liberals, right? Get us out of Vietnam! Burn those bras! Free love! The fight is not over! We fight on! Close the jails! Make love not war!

What year is this?

This is oh so sad and delusional!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:45 pm
Time for some Angus Young at 10 to balance that out.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 4:49 pm
I get it now, smoke tons of pot and than listen, right?

Comment by Patrick McDonough Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 5:16 pm
Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnDcrXx8rVc

Comment by Reggie P Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 5:23 pm
That was ridiculous and terrible. Wow. Yuck.

Comment by So. ILL Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 5:28 pm
If I’m not mistaken, I believe Mrs. Simon is from Southern IL? nuff said.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 6:11 pm
I don’t know what to say or do.

Comment by Publius Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 6:14 pm
As far as I’m concerned, it’s now OK by me for Jason Plummer to hide his tax returns as long as Sheila Simon hides her banjo.

Is that a fair trade or what?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 6:53 pm
Looks like they all had fun and good for Shelia Simon for lending her talents to what I am sure energized a lot of volunteers. I agree the soprano seemed out of place but everyone else was solid.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 7:17 pm
I dunno, I kinda liked it in a quaint sense. I give kudos to those that are (or even try) to be musically inclined. Improv “jam” sessions are what they are. Fun. You don’t have to be a professional musician in order to proudly do your thing.

I have to admit though, I love the banjo.

Bring out the bagpipes and I’m sold!

Comment by Cornerfield Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 8:22 pm
‘Paddle faster, I hear banjoes…’

Comment by Returning Dog Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 8:52 pm
I’m with Cornerfield. The jam session looks fun. I am sure those that participated and knew the local people enjoyed this.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 9:25 pm
You guys don’t get it. The Paul Simon appeal (and Sheila looks exactly like him) was that of a loveable dork that you could trust with your confirmation money.

But he was, politically, sharp as a straight-edge razor. You didn’t know you had been cut until the blood was in your boots.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 9:55 pm
I agree, Word, but when have we seen that from Sheila? Certainly not during her mayoral race.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 10:12 pm
Who is the guy in the Hawaiian shirt. I see him at all of Sheila Simon’s appearances.

Comment by Reformed Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 10:12 pm
In some locales don’t they play “music” like this over loud speakers to discourage undesirables from congregating on street corners and in front of 7-11’s?

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 11:17 pm
“They spent the whole afternoon playing old hippie war protest songs.”

Don’t know if anyone else recalls this, but I believe there was an episode of “Animaniacs” in which Wakko, Yakko, and Dot (the Warner Brothers and the Warner Sister) ended up in hell and part of their punishment was listening to whiney ’60s protest songs…

Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Aug 11, 10 @ 11:27 pm
She needs a do-over, a Clinton-playing-sax-on-Arsenio session that is so cool, so fun, it overwrites this clunker. It’s county fair season, so she won’t want for opportunities.

Comment by Zora Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 7:03 am
For some of us, that song has been stuck in our heads for over 40 years. Too bad it didn’t stick where it could have done the most good.

Comment by Dead Head Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 7:54 am
“don’t they play “music” like this over loud speakers to discourage undesirables”

Or to defeat aliens bent on Earth conquest, as in “Mars Attacks!”

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 9:28 am