Cameron Carpenter: The ABC’s Of Rock – W

Was (Not Was)

There might not be a more eclectic album in my collection than 1983’s “Born To Laugh At Tornadoes” by Detroit’s Was (Not Was). I mean tell me another record that has a list of guest vocalists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Mel Torme, Mitch Ryder, Doug Fieger (The Knack), Marshall Crenshaw and Sweet Pea Atkinson? Throw in some guitars by the likes of Vinnie Vincent (Kiss) and you have a stew of rock, pop, funk and torch songs. Although they had their biggest hit with “Walk The Dinosaur” in 1988 this is the record that defines David Weiss (Don Was) and Donald Fagenson (David Was).

Cameron Carpenter: The ABC’s Of Rock – O

“Oh, you pretty things (you pretty things)

Don’t you know your driving your

Mamas and papas insane”

Oh, You Pretty Things – David Bowie (Great song almost ruined by overplay in a Joe Fresh commercial last fall)