Greetings and salutations. Today is May 21, and on this day in 1871, French troops attacked the Paris Commune and 17,000 people died.

Fats Waller was born this day in 1904,

and Lee”Shot” Williams was born this day in 1938.

Influential folk singer and guitarist Martin Carthy was born this day in 1941. He played with Steeleye Span and the Watersons, among others, in addition to having a solo career.

The great Ron Isley was born this day in 1941 as well.

Sondra “Blinky” Williams was born this day in 1944. She is probably best known for singing the theme song to “Good Times.” Her career never quite took off, which is a head scratcher. Here she is singing the hell out of a song about what sounds like a bad boyfriend, written by Ashford and Simpson.

Leo Sayer was born this day in 1948. He wrote this one, with which Three Dog Night had a hit. I don’t know if TDN wore the clown gear. Maybe that’s why they had the hit.

Arno Hintjens of TC Matic was born this day in 1949. I love this though I think it’s safe to assume English is not their first language.

Jeff Simmons was also born this day in 1949. He is best known for being in The Mothers of Invention, but he did some solo work, and here he sings about how the music business drove him to another vocation.

The enigmatic Arthur Russell of Dinosaur (not Jr.) and other bands/projects was born this day in 1951. Very interesting character. According to his partner, "If you told Arthur you liked his music, he didn’t trust you—there was something wrong with you."

Another denizen of the New York avant-garde music world, Marc Ribot, was born this day in 1954,

and My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields was born this day in 1963. He wrote this one.

And Merriam-Webster’s word of the day is “paradox.”

Have a great day. Take time to hear a little music. Hope to see you tomorrow.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Songs for May 21