Apache Plaza 2015
August 28, 2015 9:30 PM
A rerecording of an ode to a dead shopping mall, in a Penny Lane or Kinks-like mode. My dad sat in on tuba.
20 years ago, when one of the world's first enclosed shopping malls* with a most unfortunate name was on its last legs, it looked a tad blade-runner-y with mall walkers and boarded up stores. After visiting it, I sat down to attempt to write a sarcastic song about it, but luckily, it ended up more affectionate than snide, I think.
10 years ago, I recorded a version of the song as a tribute upon hearing that the place, which had weathered getting its roof torn off by a tornado in the mid-80s, had finally closed its doors.
Last month, I collaborated with my dad on tuba to rerecord the tune in celebration of the fiftieth anniversity of the nearby townhome complex where my parents live, which was built on the heels of the opening of the mall.
*Frozen Minnesota turned out to be pioneers on this front.
20 years ago, when one of the world's first enclosed shopping malls* with a most unfortunate name was on its last legs, it looked a tad blade-runner-y with mall walkers and boarded up stores. After visiting it, I sat down to attempt to write a sarcastic song about it, but luckily, it ended up more affectionate than snide, I think.
10 years ago, I recorded a version of the song as a tribute upon hearing that the place, which had weathered getting its roof torn off by a tornado in the mid-80s, had finally closed its doors.
Last month, I collaborated with my dad on tuba to rerecord the tune in celebration of the fiftieth anniversity of the nearby townhome complex where my parents live, which was built on the heels of the opening of the mall.
*Frozen Minnesota turned out to be pioneers on this front.
posted by umbú (6 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
I can't tell if the vocals are just doubled or harmonizing, but I dig them! As well as the story.
posted by ignignokt at 8:39 AM on August 30, 2015
posted by ignignokt at 8:39 AM on August 30, 2015
This is really nice, and certainly speaks directly to my own relationship with a few different malls I have known over the years; some fondly remembered in their prime from when I was a kid and since demolished, some experienced for the first time in their shabby twilight years.
posted by usonian at 4:22 PM on August 30, 2015
#/media/File:Rochester_Midtown_Plaza_-_Interior.jpg){kind=link}
posted by usonian at 4:22 PM on August 30, 2015
Usonian, that Midtown Plaza Clock of nations looks like it was designed by J. Otto Seibold! The first wave of malls that stood on the cusp of mid-century modern style look so elegant and exotic now, I think.
posted by umbú at 6:38 PM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by umbú at 6:38 PM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Love it.
in a Penny Lane or Kinks-like mode
Not to mention the Zombies. That great intro piano is right out of Odessey and Oracle.
Fantastic!
posted by chococat at 8:17 PM on September 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
in a Penny Lane or Kinks-like mode
Not to mention the Zombies. That great intro piano is right out of Odessey and Oracle.
Fantastic!
posted by chococat at 8:17 PM on September 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
I love how you really went for this, a full song with many verses and full of longing and melancholy about the Apache Plaza recorded at least two times, once with dad on tuba. Can't help but smile. Exactly right that it ended up more affectionate than snide.
posted by Corduroy at 1:46 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Corduroy at 1:46 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by moonmilk at 4:55 PM on August 29, 2015 [1 favorite]