The Midday Distraction #79: Burnshee Thornside

Blues with a sense of humor -- when done right, it's a powerful combination. Here's a Magnatune artist who straddles that line with flair.

Here's what you'll hear today (right-click to download MP3 or to open in a new tab or window):

• Burnshee Thornside: "Bad Bad Luck"
• Burnshee Thornside: "Make It Go Away"
• Burnshee Thornside: "Wish I Could Write Lyrics Like Bob Dylan"

(Total play time: 11:58)

Today is World Storytelling Day and International Francophonie Day.

The Roman poet Ovid was born on this day in the year 43 B.C.E. Having escaped his exile on the island of Elba, Napoleon led an army of some 340,000 troops and volunteers into Paris this day in 1815, starting his Hundred Days rule. Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen was born this day in 1828. Abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was published this day in 1852. German-born psychologist Fredric Wertham, whose cockamamie theories nearly destroyed the American comic book industry, was born this day in 1895. American bandleader, actor and atheist Ozzie Nelson was born this day in 1906. Albert Einstein published his general theory of relativity (arguing that it's safe to assume everyone has at least one relative they're ashamed to claim) this day in 1916.* American film director Carl Reiner was born this day in 1922. Jamaican reggae artist Lee "Scratch" Perry was born this day in 1936. American actor John de Lancie was born this day in 1948. Blues singer and pianist Marcia Ball was born this day in 1949. Film director Spike Lee was born this day in 1957. Belgian singer Natacha Atlas was born this day in 1964. America's "Horse With No Name" was the No. 1 single in the U.S. this day in 1972. British actress and slam-dunk future celebrity crush profilee Freema Agyeman was born this day in 1979. Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the 1,135-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race this day in 1985. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the anti-AIDS drug AZT on this day in 1987. Mike + the Mechanics' "The Living Years" communicated an important but buzz-killing message as it sat atop the U.S. singles chart this day in 1989. American humorist Lewis Grizzard died this day in 1994. Legoland California opened in Carlsbad this day in 1999, the only park of its kind outside Europe. And the United States and three other nations started an illegal invasion of Iraq this day in 2003.

* Please do not rely on this blog as your sole source for historical information.