I apologize for this weblog's lack of activity lately, but I've been attending to my wife's (successful) surgery and post-surgical needs, so I think that's a pretty good excuse. Unfortunately, since I've been gone I see that Multiply.com has changed it's policy and you have to register with them to access the tuneage, negatively effecting that last post of mine about the Space-Age mashups. But I have some good news for you:
Blowfly's Punk-Rock Party.
Blowfly?! The sixty-something, foul-mouthed, living legend has gone punk? Yessir! Blowfly's been playing the "chitlin circuit" (the black American blues club scene) for ages, recording X-rated "party records" that were clearly spiritual antecedents to the likes of the 2Live Crew, but more fun and funny, all delivered with a good-natured wink that seems almost innocent compared to his gangsta-thug progeny.
His new album features parodies of punk and rock classics. Some, like the Dead Kennedys-inspired "R. Kelly in Cambodia" (featuring Jello himself guesting) are delivered in 'fly's traditional funk-ay funk-ay style. But uncharacteristic hard-rockin' styles dominate to great effect on tunes like the Ramones take-off "I Wanna Be Fellated." And if that title alone makes you laugh, you're on Blowfly's wicked wavelength.
Blowfly's MySpace page has some songs available.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
MR. HOPKINSON'S COMPUTER
The idea of a computer "singing" hits of the '80s and '90s sounds like a larf, and yes, it can be funny, but the music of Bristol, UK's Mr. Hopkinson's Computer makes for quite the dreamy chill-out Sunday afternoon. Most of the songs he's chosen are picked not for novelty value, but because, well, they sound good sung by a computer and played on vintage analog-sounding electronics.
You can listen to songs by the likes of The Pixies, Portishead, and The Stone Roses here, and Gnarls Barkley and even one by cult legend Ivor Cutler here. On this page he's joined by his girlfriend the Audrey 3000 for duets (e.g. "Fairytale of New York," sure to be a Christmas mix must). Gotta love this version of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti's "Twin Peaks" theme:
Mr. Hopkinson's Computer w/the Audrey 3000 "Falling" - Hey, wasn't "Audrey" the name of one of the characters on "Twin Peaks"? Hmmm...
You can listen to songs by the likes of The Pixies, Portishead, and The Stone Roses here, and Gnarls Barkley and even one by cult legend Ivor Cutler here. On this page he's joined by his girlfriend the Audrey 3000 for duets (e.g. "Fairytale of New York," sure to be a Christmas mix must). Gotta love this version of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti's "Twin Peaks" theme:
Mr. Hopkinson's Computer w/the Audrey 3000 "Falling" - Hey, wasn't "Audrey" the name of one of the characters on "Twin Peaks"? Hmmm...
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
ARTIST WITH ROMANCE
Mrs. Fab and I don't go for that Valentine's Day malarkey. Every day should be Valentines, like the way it is with my man Jacques Foti. Foti, a lounge legend, became well-known in the '50s for delivering love raps in French & English over his piano tinkling, a kind of Continental Barry White for "Leave It To Beaver"-era America. His smoldering looks, ascot, and irresistible accent must have sent many housewives' hearts a-flutter. Did I mention the ascot?
Looking him up on the inter-webs, I found, much to my shock and delight, that the 80-something Foti is a) alive, well, and still performing, b) has his own website ArtistWithRomance.com, and c) lives here in Los Angeles, and YOU can hire him. You can even call him! "I am available to entertain for all occasions. I have entertained at women's clubs, masonic temples, retirement homes and more. Please call me at (310)-308-4759 for more information." Sacre bleu!
But the real shock was his life story. Born in Hungary (not France?!), he escaped a Nazi prison camp, was separated from the girl he loved, came to America, and became a show-biz success. But success felt hollow without his true love. "So in the mid-70s I started searching...Finally in 1976 I found my dear Erika in Australia. She visited me twice and in 1977 we got married on St. Valentine’s Day. After our marriage we settled in Hollywood and still live here happily married to this day." Hey, that would make today their 30th anniversary!
Celebrate with two standards done Foti-style: "Tres Chic" and "Autumn Leaves," available for download here.
You can order his recordings here "FULL OF ELEGANCE AND FLIRTY DIALOGUE!" As well as his autobiographical book and screenplay.
Looking him up on the inter-webs, I found, much to my shock and delight, that the 80-something Foti is a) alive, well, and still performing, b) has his own website ArtistWithRomance.com, and c) lives here in Los Angeles, and YOU can hire him. You can even call him! "I am available to entertain for all occasions. I have entertained at women's clubs, masonic temples, retirement homes and more. Please call me at (310)-308-4759 for more information." Sacre bleu!
But the real shock was his life story. Born in Hungary (not France?!), he escaped a Nazi prison camp, was separated from the girl he loved, came to America, and became a show-biz success. But success felt hollow without his true love. "So in the mid-70s I started searching...Finally in 1976 I found my dear Erika in Australia. She visited me twice and in 1977 we got married on St. Valentine’s Day. After our marriage we settled in Hollywood and still live here happily married to this day." Hey, that would make today their 30th anniversary!
Celebrate with two standards done Foti-style: "Tres Chic" and "Autumn Leaves," available for download here.
You can order his recordings here "FULL OF ELEGANCE AND FLIRTY DIALOGUE!" As well as his autobiographical book and screenplay.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
KOOKY KOVERS: INTERNATIONAL EDITION
Aloha, jet-setters! M4M Airlines taking off 'round the world to explore unusual pop song cover versions. A passport? The only passport you need is...your computer! And a bribe to get past customs! First stop: Egypt.
Malik Adouane "Shaft" - Yup, the Isaac Hayes chestnut performed with an Arabic tinge, extracted from this Buddha-Bar mix CD.
They say that "Shaft" video is a bad mutha.
Malik has a new album out, not yet released in the US, whose unwieldy if descriptive title is "Orient Meets Funks Brothers & Souls Sisters" ("Funk and Soul Hits Mixed with Arabic Pop Rhythms") - James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, etc get that slinky snake-charmer sound.
Popchor Berlin "Mongoloid" - Devo's weirdpunk masterpiece gets an uplifting rehaul courtesy of a German 25-person vocal group. (Polyphonic Spree go New Wave?) They also cover the likes of Gang of Four and Missy Elliot.
Dr. Ammondt "Glaudi Calcei/ Blue Suede Shoes" - Elvis sung in Latin. No, not Latin music, like when Elvis sang "No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car" in the film "Fun In Acapulco," but the actual ancient Roman tongue. This is what they play at real toga parties, har har! Dr. Ammondt, a literature professor at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, has recorded a whole album called "The Legend Lives Forever in Latin." On another release, he sings "Blue Suede Shoes" again in another ancient language, Sumerian. I don't know why.
Malik Adouane "Shaft" - Yup, the Isaac Hayes chestnut performed with an Arabic tinge, extracted from this Buddha-Bar mix CD.
They say that "Shaft" video is a bad mutha.
Malik has a new album out, not yet released in the US, whose unwieldy if descriptive title is "Orient Meets Funks Brothers & Souls Sisters" ("Funk and Soul Hits Mixed with Arabic Pop Rhythms") - James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, etc get that slinky snake-charmer sound.
Popchor Berlin "Mongoloid" - Devo's weirdpunk masterpiece gets an uplifting rehaul courtesy of a German 25-person vocal group. (Polyphonic Spree go New Wave?) They also cover the likes of Gang of Four and Missy Elliot.
Dr. Ammondt "Glaudi Calcei/ Blue Suede Shoes" - Elvis sung in Latin. No, not Latin music, like when Elvis sang "No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car" in the film "Fun In Acapulco," but the actual ancient Roman tongue. This is what they play at real toga parties, har har! Dr. Ammondt, a literature professor at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, has recorded a whole album called "The Legend Lives Forever in Latin." On another release, he sings "Blue Suede Shoes" again in another ancient language, Sumerian. I don't know why.
Friday, February 09, 2007
SOUNDCLICK SUPERSTARS: CEOIL
The great thing about democracy is that anyone can be President. The bad thing about it is that anyone can be President.
Soundclick, where anyone can post their homemade music, is another example of democracy run amok. It sprang to prominence a few years ago after the similar MP3.com got bought out by The Man.
I've been checking out a lot of amateur Soundclick sounds lately, but I doubt I'll find much that will be more memorable then the works of an Irish chap named Ceoil. The comments the acoustic singer/songwriter have received have been brutal, but he still believes in his talent: "I feel that there is some good tunes here, but I am aware that they may need some work...After some reviews I think that my voice is also not the best. So with a good singer I think they might sound better." His atonal singing and lack of rhythm have me wondering who could possible perform these songs to truly do them justice. Mr. Ceoil, my advice to you: leave these songs alone - they're fine just as they are.
You can download four of his songs here, but "Heroes" is the, uh, "best" one.
Soundclick, where anyone can post their homemade music, is another example of democracy run amok. It sprang to prominence a few years ago after the similar MP3.com got bought out by The Man.
I've been checking out a lot of amateur Soundclick sounds lately, but I doubt I'll find much that will be more memorable then the works of an Irish chap named Ceoil. The comments the acoustic singer/songwriter have received have been brutal, but he still believes in his talent: "I feel that there is some good tunes here, but I am aware that they may need some work...After some reviews I think that my voice is also not the best. So with a good singer I think they might sound better." His atonal singing and lack of rhythm have me wondering who could possible perform these songs to truly do them justice. Mr. Ceoil, my advice to you: leave these songs alone - they're fine just as they are.
You can download four of his songs here, but "Heroes" is the, uh, "best" one.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
COOL GIRLS ROCK
Regular WFMU listeners may be familiar with Pink Lemonade, comprised of "7-year-old pop prodigy Lily, and her prolific older brother, Spencer." WFMU dj Irwin said he had no idea where you could get the Seattle-area munchkins' music. Well, lookee here - you can get 4 free tunes on the inevitable MySpace page:
Pink Lemonade Music - including the disco-fied "Get This Party On" ("Dance all night"? Don't you kids have a bed-time?) and the anthemic "Cool Girls Rock."
The album is finally out - it's being sold independently thru CafePress and features tunes that Radio Disney would play if they really were cool, like "Slam Dance."
Think seven is a young age to begin a singing career? How about one? London, UK's Charlie A recorded his year-old niece's burblings and sampled them to winning effect, writing original music around it. An excellent novelty:
Charlie A: "bebee bubba"
How 'bout some music by old people? You know, like twelve? Joan Marie Polo are two 12-year old sisters from Phoenix, AZ who indulge in the usual pre-teen off-key vocals and clowning around, but, with the exception of the patriotic "America," feature genuinely dark moody music. A low-budget murk adds to the creepiness of lyrics like "...but now I'm DEAD," the refrain from the song "The Ocean Is My Home." Er, cute kids...
Pink Lemonade Music - including the disco-fied "Get This Party On" ("Dance all night"? Don't you kids have a bed-time?) and the anthemic "Cool Girls Rock."
The album is finally out - it's being sold independently thru CafePress and features tunes that Radio Disney would play if they really were cool, like "Slam Dance."
Think seven is a young age to begin a singing career? How about one? London, UK's Charlie A recorded his year-old niece's burblings and sampled them to winning effect, writing original music around it. An excellent novelty:
Charlie A: "bebee bubba"
How 'bout some music by old people? You know, like twelve? Joan Marie Polo are two 12-year old sisters from Phoenix, AZ who indulge in the usual pre-teen off-key vocals and clowning around, but, with the exception of the patriotic "America," feature genuinely dark moody music. A low-budget murk adds to the creepiness of lyrics like "...but now I'm DEAD," the refrain from the song "The Ocean Is My Home." Er, cute kids...
Friday, February 02, 2007
GOD WILL F--- YOU UP
May the Lord be with you, Holla Back.
Mrs. Fab got me "The Hip-Hop Prayer Book" for Christmas.
Stay driven...He'll make the road clear
Rumble in the Hood? No need to fear
G-O-D is here
He'll make the road smooth...Ah, yeah!
It's by a 55-year-old white guy, so you know it's good. Supposedly there's an album coming out too, but we couldn't find it.
Who would have thought they'd find the savior
Not in a royal crib but chillin in a manger?
Ever wonder why there's so much religious music, but so little atheistic/skeptic/reason music? Especially considering how many musicians are suspicious of big institutions like religion. I think it has to do with music's role in religion, which, like church services, is to reinforce its teachings. If you take a naturalistic view of the world, it's shaped by what you and others have observed. But you won't learn the name of all the Hindu gods, or what Jehovah asked of Abraham, or what Allah said to Mohammad just by looking around. It has to get pounded into you through repeated exposure to religious stories and songs, especially in a pre-literate society.
A naturalistic world view doesn't have a mythology that's carved in stone. Actually it's constantly changing as new data comes in, so music wouldn't do much good. Like science textbooks, it would get out of date very fast.
It's getting hot! Getting live right here.
Rolling with God is like rockin the flyest gear!
Dan Barker is an atheist satirical songwriter, like a one-topic Randy Newman or Warren Zevon. He's released several albums, including "Beware of Dogma," available here thru EvolveFish. It features a brilliant track by Michael Newdow, the guy who tried to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance (who has a pretty interesting CD himself). It includes samples of profane voice mail messages left by furious Christians. They're not just dropped onto music, but are ingeniously integrated into the lyrics of the mock-reverent "hymn." The result walks that hilarious/disturbing line.
Dan Barker: "My God Is In My Soul"
Stick a fork in Satan cause the suckas done
Florida's John R. Butler is another tongue-in-cheek singer/songwriter. The chorus of this insanely catchy gospel parody gave this post it's name.*
John R. Butler "The Hand of the Almighty"
Let his righteousness resound, I'm about to shout
Cause every time I tried to exit he was there like Waffle House
Paramount in position, he's got it on lock
Its Jesus, Ripley's Believe it or Not!
I get spam almost everyday from indie rockers and I usually delete them, but this song title caught my eye since it fit with the theme I was working on here. And (god)damn it if it ain't a great one-minute punk surf rocker by a British band called ist, one of those all-day tunes-on-repeat :
ist: "I Am Jesus And You're Not" Official release date Feb. 14
The Lord is all that, I need for nothing. He allows me to chill...He guides my life so that I can represent and give shout outs in his Name. And even though I walk through the Hood of Death, I don't back down, for you have my back...He provides me with backup in front of my player-haters and I know that I am a baller and life will be phat...
*Thanks again to spacebrother!
Mrs. Fab got me "The Hip-Hop Prayer Book" for Christmas.
Stay driven...He'll make the road clear
Rumble in the Hood? No need to fear
G-O-D is here
He'll make the road smooth...Ah, yeah!
It's by a 55-year-old white guy, so you know it's good. Supposedly there's an album coming out too, but we couldn't find it.
Who would have thought they'd find the savior
Not in a royal crib but chillin in a manger?
Ever wonder why there's so much religious music, but so little atheistic/skeptic/reason music? Especially considering how many musicians are suspicious of big institutions like religion. I think it has to do with music's role in religion, which, like church services, is to reinforce its teachings. If you take a naturalistic view of the world, it's shaped by what you and others have observed. But you won't learn the name of all the Hindu gods, or what Jehovah asked of Abraham, or what Allah said to Mohammad just by looking around. It has to get pounded into you through repeated exposure to religious stories and songs, especially in a pre-literate society.
A naturalistic world view doesn't have a mythology that's carved in stone. Actually it's constantly changing as new data comes in, so music wouldn't do much good. Like science textbooks, it would get out of date very fast.
It's getting hot! Getting live right here.
Rolling with God is like rockin the flyest gear!
Dan Barker is an atheist satirical songwriter, like a one-topic Randy Newman or Warren Zevon. He's released several albums, including "Beware of Dogma," available here thru EvolveFish. It features a brilliant track by Michael Newdow, the guy who tried to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance (who has a pretty interesting CD himself). It includes samples of profane voice mail messages left by furious Christians. They're not just dropped onto music, but are ingeniously integrated into the lyrics of the mock-reverent "hymn." The result walks that hilarious/disturbing line.
Dan Barker: "My God Is In My Soul"
Stick a fork in Satan cause the suckas done
Florida's John R. Butler is another tongue-in-cheek singer/songwriter. The chorus of this insanely catchy gospel parody gave this post it's name.*
John R. Butler "The Hand of the Almighty"
Let his righteousness resound, I'm about to shout
Cause every time I tried to exit he was there like Waffle House
Paramount in position, he's got it on lock
Its Jesus, Ripley's Believe it or Not!
I get spam almost everyday from indie rockers and I usually delete them, but this song title caught my eye since it fit with the theme I was working on here. And (god)damn it if it ain't a great one-minute punk surf rocker by a British band called ist, one of those all-day tunes-on-repeat :
ist: "I Am Jesus And You're Not" Official release date Feb. 14
The Lord is all that, I need for nothing. He allows me to chill...He guides my life so that I can represent and give shout outs in his Name. And even though I walk through the Hood of Death, I don't back down, for you have my back...He provides me with backup in front of my player-haters and I know that I am a baller and life will be phat...
*Thanks again to spacebrother!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
MUSIC FOR EVIL CLOWNS
Ladies and Gentlemen! Mr. Fab presents, under the big top, AUDIO ODDITIES! Yes friends, the mp3 we are presenting here today is undoubtably the most shocking, the most disgusting, and yet, dare I say, the most interesting mix you will ever hear.
"Dark Carnival"
It's 30 minutes long. Carnival & sideshow talker documentary audio mixed with:
Tom Waits "Circus"
Tom Waits "Lucky Day (Overture)"
Annette Funicello "Jo-Jo The Dog-Faced Boy"
Tom Waits "Carnival (Brunello del Montalcino)"
The Chills "Dark Carnival"
Tom Waits "Calliope"
Elvis Presley "Carny Town"
Tom Waits "Carnival Bob's Confession"
The Tiger Lillies "Freakshow"
Tom Waits "Tabletop Joe" (mashup of demo & album versions)
Nick Cave "The Carny"
Nick Cave "The Carnival Is Over"
Tom Waits "Carnival"
"Dark Carnival"
It's 30 minutes long. Carnival & sideshow talker documentary audio mixed with:
Tom Waits "Circus"
Tom Waits "Lucky Day (Overture)"
Annette Funicello "Jo-Jo The Dog-Faced Boy"
Tom Waits "Carnival (Brunello del Montalcino)"
The Chills "Dark Carnival"
Tom Waits "Calliope"
Elvis Presley "Carny Town"
Tom Waits "Carnival Bob's Confession"
The Tiger Lillies "Freakshow"
Tom Waits "Tabletop Joe" (mashup of demo & album versions)
Nick Cave "The Carny"
Nick Cave "The Carnival Is Over"
Tom Waits "Carnival"
Sunday, January 28, 2007
DONNIE DAVIES THINKS HE ISN'T GAY ANYMORE
Well! Not only isn't Donnie Davis gay anymore (whew!), he's started a program called C.H.O.P: Changing Homosexuals (into) Ordinary People . Hey, don't laugh - it worked for him! Now he sings catchy acoustic songs like "The Bible Says" with the friendly sing-along chorus: "God hates fags!"
"The Bible Says" (video) Looks like Ron Jeremy hilariously trying to really, you know, emote.
He's also compiled a handly list of homosexual performers that parents should watch out for. A look at the list confirms how dumb (or just naive) the guy is. Apparently smart-alecks are sending him disinformation, unless he knows something about Jay-Z, Kansas, and Richard Cheese (!) then we do. He even lists Elton John twice, commenting that he's "really gay." He also includes comments like:
"Morrissey (?questionable?)," " George Michael (texan)," and "Ted Nugent (loincloth)." Yep, The Nuge, that right-wing "God & Country" conservative. I knew it.
I am prepared for the possibility that this is a hoax - it's just a little too good.
"The Bible Says" (video) Looks like Ron Jeremy hilariously trying to really, you know, emote.
He's also compiled a handly list of homosexual performers that parents should watch out for. A look at the list confirms how dumb (or just naive) the guy is. Apparently smart-alecks are sending him disinformation, unless he knows something about Jay-Z, Kansas, and Richard Cheese (!) then we do. He even lists Elton John twice, commenting that he's "really gay." He also includes comments like:
"Morrissey (?questionable?)," " George Michael (texan)," and "Ted Nugent (loincloth)." Yep, The Nuge, that right-wing "God & Country" conservative. I knew it.
I am prepared for the possibility that this is a hoax - it's just a little too good.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
MUSIC BY DOLPHINS
"The Sirius Institute, based on the island of Hawai'I, is dedicated to the creation of human/dolphin co-creative habitats...We intend to have full, objective, symbolic communication between people and dolphins. We are exploring many aspects of human/dolphin interaction such as underwater birth with dolphins, dolphin sound healing or restoration...
The Dolphin Valentine recording demonstrates a musical communication interface for human-dolphin communication. This is the first dolphin-created music.
The Song Swimmer interface is the beginning of an interface that will permit the dolphins to operate computers..."
Dolphin Valentine
"Welcome to a new form of music, where the creators are another species. We have played this MIDI tape to many musicians and they hear it as music, so, by observational definition, it is music.
Copies of Dolphin Valentine are available from siriusinstitute@yahoo.com"
Is it music? Who knows, but the result is pleasantly Eno-ish ambience, so who cares? A bigger question is: why do dolphins need to use computers?
The Dolphin Valentine recording demonstrates a musical communication interface for human-dolphin communication. This is the first dolphin-created music.
The dolphins at the Hyatt Regency Waikaloa [now the Hilton Waikaloa] were recorded on Valentine's Day 1992. Their sounds were processed using the "Song Swimmer" interface developed by the Sirius Institute...
In future work, we intend to have human-dolphin concerts, where the dolphins will create music interactively using the Song Swimmer with human musicians...The Song Swimmer interface is the beginning of an interface that will permit the dolphins to operate computers..."
Dolphin Valentine
"Welcome to a new form of music, where the creators are another species. We have played this MIDI tape to many musicians and they hear it as music, so, by observational definition, it is music.
Copies of Dolphin Valentine are available from siriusinstitute@yahoo.com"
Is it music? Who knows, but the result is pleasantly Eno-ish ambience, so who cares? A bigger question is: why do dolphins need to use computers?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
musicNerve
Haven't had a chance to check out this podcast out yet, but it's description is intriguing: "Strange music for strange people...an eclectic mix of...the best indie rock, the most ground breaking of the experimental and avant-garde and the weirdest outsider music." And with playlists featuring the likes of Harry Partch, Raymond Scott, Zolar X, and T. Valentine's classic "Hello Lucille Are You A Lesbian?" it must be worth a listen:
musicNerve
musicNerve
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Use Only As Directed
Before we go any further with this post, listen to this brief radio ad from the '80s...
No, it's not some tasteless joke. As I'm sure some of you remember, there really was a diet candy called AYDS. I used to see it on the shelves - my friends and I would snicker about it. But it was actually kind of sad: due to it's unintentional association with the disease A.I.D.S. the once-successful product saw its sales plunge by as much as 50 percent. By the '90s it was off the market. Hey radio DJs - drop this between songs, and watch the phones light up!
No, it's not some tasteless joke. As I'm sure some of you remember, there really was a diet candy called AYDS. I used to see it on the shelves - my friends and I would snicker about it. But it was actually kind of sad: due to it's unintentional association with the disease A.I.D.S. the once-successful product saw its sales plunge by as much as 50 percent. By the '90s it was off the market. Hey radio DJs - drop this between songs, and watch the phones light up!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
RIAA (Rockin' Internet Art Alternatives): "TECH-XOTICA!!"
Recapping 2006, with some previously unreleased things: Tech-xotica!!!
1. "Get This Orgy Started": Pink's "Get This Party Started" (which gets chopped up to lewd effect) vs Beach Boys "I Get Around" and a bit of 2pac.
2. "It's Like That Summer Samba": Run-DMC vs Walter Wanderly's groovy '60s electric organ bossa-nova
3. "I Only Hustle For You": Sinatra does The Hustle (Van McCoy); beats and Brazilian percussion courtesy of BossaCucaNova
4. "Kick Bob Marley In The Head": Dean Martin sings with little alien munchkins over Marley's "One Love."
5. "Martinis With Martin": Martin Denny's "Quiet Village" (orginal '50s tiki AND '60s Moog versions) & "Beach Party Song" vs The Ramones, Tone Loc, the Specials, NPR.6. "Guantanelievable": Celia Cruz's version of the Cuban standard "Guantanemera" vs EMF's "Unbelievable." Acid-mambo?
7. "Smells Like That Wild Thing": Lauren Hill's "That Thing" vs The Troggs, The Kingsmen, Nirvana, Tag Team's "Whoop There It Is", all served over The Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy" beat
8. "Benny Hill's Divorce": "Benny Hill Theme" (aka "Yackety Sax") vs Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E"
9. "The Lonely Woman": Obscure melodramatic early '70s record called "Pour Me A Little More Wine" by Judy Lynn, with a bit of The Sweet's "Fox on the Run" and a radio ad for a sleazy Gina Lollabrigida movie called..."The Lonely Woman."
10. "Are Y'all Gonna Be My Breakaway Girls": Irma Thomas ("The Sweet Soul Queen Of New Orleans") dishes up
the '50s r'n'b over Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" and The Beasties Boys's music for "Girls"
11. "I Don't Wanna Go Down To Louisiana": The Ramones "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement" vs Buckwheat Zydeco's version of the Clifton Chenier standard "Hot Tamale Baby"
12. "Johnny SKAsh": Johnny Cash "Folsum Prison Blues" vs Bad Manners' version of Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk," some Skatalites, Wall of Voodoo (both doing "Ring of Fire"), cartoonish sound effects galore
13. Care Bears vs Public Enemy
14. "Laid Bamba": James "Laid" vs Los Lobos "La Bamba"
15. "You Talk Too Much": Run-DMC vs some classic '50s N'awlins r'n'b from Joe Jones
16. "Words Displeasing to the Lord": chopped-up NWA vs some religious record
17. "London Derriere": The Pogues, The Chieftans, Johnny Cash, Charlotte Church, Elvis Presley, House of Pain and The Beatles all singing "Danny Boy" (which was originally called "Londonderry Aire" har har.)
18. "The Thought for The Day": Cesar Romero vs some Christian lady
19. "Armageddon It On (or The Gaye-Pride Apocalypso)": Bill O'Reilly, Jerry Falwell and a gerbil get it on with Marvin Gaye over the calypso sounds of Blinky and the Roadmasters, and M.I.A.'s "Galang" riddim.
20. "I Love Noise!!": Ministry's "Stigamta" vs Tammie and Scotty, who are 2 kids found singing on a thrift-store cassette, courtesy of The Hump-Day Dance Party radio show in Chicago
21. "I Like Stinky Cheese!!!": A '50s polka from Don "Two-Ton" Baker The Music Maker vs PE's "Bring The Noise" instro
22. "Let Them Eat Cheeseburgers": cut-up McDonald's commercial vs National Public Radio announcers
23. "Get Your Dub On": Classic '80s hip-hop from Schooly D inna rub-a-dub stylee courtesy of some '90s trip-hop thing (Outside - "Crazy") + the '50s exotica of Frank Hunter's "Strange Echoes"
24. "Slick Rickshaw": Slick Rick's unauthorized singing of the old Japanese song "Sukiyaki" from the now-unavailable orginal vinyl version of Doug E. Fresh's "La Di Da Di" vs Martin Denny "Sukiyaki," plus: Japanese rapper Tigara
25. "Hey African Ladies!": Beasties Boys vs Fela Kuti's "No Agreement" and "Lady"
26. "Nasty African Boys": The Meter's "Africa" and a remake by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band vs Janet Jackson's "Nasty Boys," plus thrift store record silliness.
2. "It's Like That Summer Samba": Run-DMC vs Walter Wanderly's groovy '60s electric organ bossa-nova
3. "I Only Hustle For You": Sinatra does The Hustle (Van McCoy); beats and Brazilian percussion courtesy of BossaCucaNova
4. "Kick Bob Marley In The Head": Dean Martin sings with little alien munchkins over Marley's "One Love."
5. "Martinis With Martin": Martin Denny's "Quiet Village" (orginal '50s tiki AND '60s Moog versions) & "Beach Party Song" vs The Ramones, Tone Loc, the Specials, NPR.6. "Guantanelievable": Celia Cruz's version of the Cuban standard "Guantanemera" vs EMF's "Unbelievable." Acid-mambo?
7. "Smells Like That Wild Thing": Lauren Hill's "That Thing" vs The Troggs, The Kingsmen, Nirvana, Tag Team's "Whoop There It Is", all served over The Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy" beat
8. "Benny Hill's Divorce": "Benny Hill Theme" (aka "Yackety Sax") vs Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E"
9. "The Lonely Woman": Obscure melodramatic early '70s record called "Pour Me A Little More Wine" by Judy Lynn, with a bit of The Sweet's "Fox on the Run" and a radio ad for a sleazy Gina Lollabrigida movie called..."The Lonely Woman."
10. "Are Y'all Gonna Be My Breakaway Girls": Irma Thomas ("The Sweet Soul Queen Of New Orleans") dishes up
the '50s r'n'b over Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" and The Beasties Boys's music for "Girls"
11. "I Don't Wanna Go Down To Louisiana": The Ramones "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement" vs Buckwheat Zydeco's version of the Clifton Chenier standard "Hot Tamale Baby"
12. "Johnny SKAsh": Johnny Cash "Folsum Prison Blues" vs Bad Manners' version of Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk," some Skatalites, Wall of Voodoo (both doing "Ring of Fire"), cartoonish sound effects galore
13. Care Bears vs Public Enemy
14. "Laid Bamba": James "Laid" vs Los Lobos "La Bamba"
15. "You Talk Too Much": Run-DMC vs some classic '50s N'awlins r'n'b from Joe Jones
16. "Words Displeasing to the Lord": chopped-up NWA vs some religious record
17. "London Derriere": The Pogues, The Chieftans, Johnny Cash, Charlotte Church, Elvis Presley, House of Pain and The Beatles all singing "Danny Boy" (which was originally called "Londonderry Aire" har har.)
18. "The Thought for The Day": Cesar Romero vs some Christian lady
19. "Armageddon It On (or The Gaye-Pride Apocalypso)": Bill O'Reilly, Jerry Falwell and a gerbil get it on with Marvin Gaye over the calypso sounds of Blinky and the Roadmasters, and M.I.A.'s "Galang" riddim.
20. "I Love Noise!!": Ministry's "Stigamta" vs Tammie and Scotty, who are 2 kids found singing on a thrift-store cassette, courtesy of The Hump-Day Dance Party radio show in Chicago
21. "I Like Stinky Cheese!!!": A '50s polka from Don "Two-Ton" Baker The Music Maker vs PE's "Bring The Noise" instro
22. "Let Them Eat Cheeseburgers": cut-up McDonald's commercial vs National Public Radio announcers
23. "Get Your Dub On": Classic '80s hip-hop from Schooly D inna rub-a-dub stylee courtesy of some '90s trip-hop thing (Outside - "Crazy") + the '50s exotica of Frank Hunter's "Strange Echoes"
24. "Slick Rickshaw": Slick Rick's unauthorized singing of the old Japanese song "Sukiyaki" from the now-unavailable orginal vinyl version of Doug E. Fresh's "La Di Da Di" vs Martin Denny "Sukiyaki," plus: Japanese rapper Tigara
25. "Hey African Ladies!": Beasties Boys vs Fela Kuti's "No Agreement" and "Lady"
26. "Nasty African Boys": The Meter's "Africa" and a remake by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band vs Janet Jackson's "Nasty Boys," plus thrift store record silliness.
Monday, January 15, 2007
DON HO KILLS 'EM ALL, LETS GOD SORT 'EM OUT
When one thinks of the music of Hawaiian lounge legend Don Ho, one thinks of tikis, cocktails..and Army boot camp. I know I do. So does the U.S. Army Airborne.
A marching cadence is the chant that the drill sergeant calls out when his troops are marching in formation. It's one of the last surviving examples of the work song, a type of folk music that typically featured a lead singer/chanter calling out the verses, with all the workers responding. It served the dual purpose of keeping workers locked into a rhythm (useful when breaking rocks, pounding railroad ties, hauling rope, etc.), and keeping everyone's mind off the drudgery.
Alas, sea-chanteys and the like have been rendered obsolete in this age of portable mass-media. And manual labor jobs are often done by machine nowadays. The military, however, does not allow iPods during boot camp marching. Consequently, there are whole albums of this stuff, and I like a surprising amount of it - it's got a nice shouty, heavy beat sound that works well alongside '80s Run-DMC or Beastie Boys.
U.S. Army Airborne: "Tiny Bubbles"
A marching cadence is the chant that the drill sergeant calls out when his troops are marching in formation. It's one of the last surviving examples of the work song, a type of folk music that typically featured a lead singer/chanter calling out the verses, with all the workers responding. It served the dual purpose of keeping workers locked into a rhythm (useful when breaking rocks, pounding railroad ties, hauling rope, etc.), and keeping everyone's mind off the drudgery.
Alas, sea-chanteys and the like have been rendered obsolete in this age of portable mass-media. And manual labor jobs are often done by machine nowadays. The military, however, does not allow iPods during boot camp marching. Consequently, there are whole albums of this stuff, and I like a surprising amount of it - it's got a nice shouty, heavy beat sound that works well alongside '80s Run-DMC or Beastie Boys.
U.S. Army Airborne: "Tiny Bubbles"
Thursday, January 11, 2007
GHETTO REALITY
In the late '60s, Rochester, New York elementary school teacher Nancy Dupree decided to break from the usual music-class traditions and write original songs with her students. The precocious inner-city youngsters had seen too much in their somewhat turbulent young lives to really be able to relate to the corny kiddie stuff that usually passes for children's music. With Miss Dupree on piano, the kids sang their own lyrics about the things that were important to them. Kids are often smarter then adults think, so the results were sometimes surprising: e.g. the Christmas song "What Do I Want" features a girl proclaiming, "I want a man! A black man! A man like Malcolm, hey hey hey!" I can't imagine hearing songs like that on any Barney album...
They also wrote tributes to two icons of black America, James Brown and Martin Luther King. With the recent passing of The Godfather of Soul, and MLK Day coming up this Monday, I thought it would be appropriate to hear them both.
Ghetto Reality: "James Brown" - "Uh! With your bad self!" I heard some indie rockers cover this one
Ghetto Reality: "Docta King" - Miss Dupree sings Nina Simone-like at one point; this beautiful song sends shivers down my spine
Folkways Records released an album of Dupree & Co. called "Ghetto Reality" in 1969 that sounds so raw it could very well have been recorded in their classroom. It's still in print through Smithsonian Global Sound and is a must-have for any outsider-music library.
And check out this archived NPR radio segment about '70s Kiddie Funk.
They also wrote tributes to two icons of black America, James Brown and Martin Luther King. With the recent passing of The Godfather of Soul, and MLK Day coming up this Monday, I thought it would be appropriate to hear them both.
Ghetto Reality: "James Brown" - "Uh! With your bad self!" I heard some indie rockers cover this one
Ghetto Reality: "Docta King" - Miss Dupree sings Nina Simone-like at one point; this beautiful song sends shivers down my spine
Folkways Records released an album of Dupree & Co. called "Ghetto Reality" in 1969 that sounds so raw it could very well have been recorded in their classroom. It's still in print through Smithsonian Global Sound and is a must-have for any outsider-music library.
And check out this archived NPR radio segment about '70s Kiddie Funk.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
ROCK 'N' RAEL
When I was guest-DJing on "Radio Mysterioso" (see previous post), I told SpaceBrother, the show's host, that I had brought some music by Rael. He exclaimed, "Wow, I didn't know he made music. He's one of my favorite kooks!" Yep, mine too. As leader of the UFO cult the Raelians, he fooled the ever-lazy & gullible media by claiming to have actually cloned a human being. And doesn't he look snazzy in his white tunic and flashy jewelry, posing in front of flying saucers?
But he actually started his professional career as a singer/songwriter in France in the '60s before he got into the space-guru business. Going by the name Claude Celler, he made several recordings and performed extensively. An encounter with a flying saucer ended his music career, but he still records tunes occasionally. His style owes much to Jacques Brel. Despite the modern production, he still has that world-weary '60s French pop feel that I've called "existential-lounge." Only now he's singing about aliens. Specifically, the Elohim, the race who he claims contacted him with their message of peace and brotherhood. There's a page of mp3s of his latest songs here, including this one:
Rael: "Elohim" - Click on the title, & it'll take you to the download.
Any French speakers care to translate? Merci!
But he actually started his professional career as a singer/songwriter in France in the '60s before he got into the space-guru business. Going by the name Claude Celler, he made several recordings and performed extensively. An encounter with a flying saucer ended his music career, but he still records tunes occasionally. His style owes much to Jacques Brel. Despite the modern production, he still has that world-weary '60s French pop feel that I've called "existential-lounge." Only now he's singing about aliens. Specifically, the Elohim, the race who he claims contacted him with their message of peace and brotherhood. There's a page of mp3s of his latest songs here, including this one:
Rael: "Elohim" - Click on the title, & it'll take you to the download.
Any French speakers care to translate? Merci!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Mr Fab on Radio Misterioso
I'll be guest-DJing on Spacebrother's web show Radio Misterioso this Sunday Jan. 7, 8-10PM Pacific Standard Time at killradio.org. The show is all about "UFOs, conspiracies, psychedelia, parapsychology, black budgets, disinformation and surpressed information. Interviews with mind mavericks, and music from people who will never get a record deal and just don't care. Archive and podcast at radio4all.net."
With a show description like that, I figure I'd better bring the Space-Age sounds, and actual weird religious/cult recordings, among other things. Spacebrother has quite a groovy collection of spacey sounds himself - you can thank him for this jewel:
The Kirby Stone Four - "You Came From Outer Space"
The KSF were a popular vocal quartet in the '50s who often worked with Space-Age music titan Dick Hyman, which may explain (somewhat) the loopiness of this track. It starts off like a swingin' Martian love song, but soon descends into whacked-out non-sequiturs, with one of the vocalists gibbering nonsense. Anyone who thinks music was boring and square before rock'n'roll "saved" it should listen and learn.
With a show description like that, I figure I'd better bring the Space-Age sounds, and actual weird religious/cult recordings, among other things. Spacebrother has quite a groovy collection of spacey sounds himself - you can thank him for this jewel:
The Kirby Stone Four - "You Came From Outer Space"
The KSF were a popular vocal quartet in the '50s who often worked with Space-Age music titan Dick Hyman, which may explain (somewhat) the loopiness of this track. It starts off like a swingin' Martian love song, but soon descends into whacked-out non-sequiturs, with one of the vocalists gibbering nonsense. Anyone who thinks music was boring and square before rock'n'roll "saved" it should listen and learn.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
SRI RETURNS!
Sonic Reclamation Industries, our on-line re-issue "label," is returning to the inter-webs with two old compilations, and new collections on the horizon:
"Moog Breakbeats" (original post here) From August '05:
As a tribute to Robert Moog, the recently deceased inventor of the modern synthesizer, SRI (Sonic Reclamation Industries) offers you some rare, ripped from out-of-print vinyl, late '60s-early '70s funky fun: a free download album called "Moog Breakbeats."
It includes the Les Baxter song The Beasties Boys sampled for "Intergalactic," one tune featuring Herbie Hancock on piano (John Murtaugh - "Slinky"), appearances by Enoch Light, Martin Denny, Herbie Mann, Hugo Montenegro and many others. Blast off! And thanks again, Bob.
"Weird Punk L.A." (original post here) From Feb. '06:
Late '70s/Early '80s Los Angeles Underground Sounds - Rare, Ripped From Vinyl. Though L.A. hardcore punk has been extensively chronicled, and commercial New Wave acts live on in '80s club nights and hit compilations, another side of the late '70s-early '80s scene has largely been overlooked: the intelligent, intellectual, experimentalists.
This collection seeks to give these artists some long-overdue recognition. Features The Screamers, Wall of Voodoo, Oingo Boingo, Bad Religion, The Suburban Lawns, and lots of obscure greatness you've never heard of.
Coming Soon: "Disco Sickness" - bizarre, exotic, kitschy...but fun!
"Moog Breakbeats" (original post here) From August '05:
As a tribute to Robert Moog, the recently deceased inventor of the modern synthesizer, SRI (Sonic Reclamation Industries) offers you some rare, ripped from out-of-print vinyl, late '60s-early '70s funky fun: a free download album called "Moog Breakbeats."
It includes the Les Baxter song The Beasties Boys sampled for "Intergalactic," one tune featuring Herbie Hancock on piano (John Murtaugh - "Slinky"), appearances by Enoch Light, Martin Denny, Herbie Mann, Hugo Montenegro and many others. Blast off! And thanks again, Bob.
"Weird Punk L.A." (original post here) From Feb. '06:
Late '70s/Early '80s Los Angeles Underground Sounds - Rare, Ripped From Vinyl. Though L.A. hardcore punk has been extensively chronicled, and commercial New Wave acts live on in '80s club nights and hit compilations, another side of the late '70s-early '80s scene has largely been overlooked: the intelligent, intellectual, experimentalists.
 |
Coming Soon: "Disco Sickness" - bizarre, exotic, kitschy...but fun!
Monday, January 01, 2007
365 PROJECT RETURNS!
Happy New Year to us! Otis Fodder, with WFMU, is reviving the 365 Project. Has it really been four years since the original 365 Project brought us a strange/outsider mp3 every day for a whole year? Yeesh. Well, if we must grow old, this soothes the sting.
Otis sez: "The only change in 2007 is that everyday can feature more then just one mp3 (as server space was tight four years ago). So look for single songs to full albums shared by a host of contributors."
First up, the entirety of two collections only excerpted in the original project, "Michael Mills - Hidden and Satanic Messages In Rock Music," and an entire ABC television special from 1977, "Beatles Forever."
365 Project 2007
Otis sez: "The only change in 2007 is that everyday can feature more then just one mp3 (as server space was tight four years ago). So look for single songs to full albums shared by a host of contributors."
First up, the entirety of two collections only excerpted in the original project, "Michael Mills - Hidden and Satanic Messages In Rock Music," and an entire ABC television special from 1977, "Beatles Forever."
365 Project 2007
Thursday, December 21, 2006
It's Gonna Be A Children’s Psychiatric Hospital Christmas!
Pastor McPurvis sez: "For the past two years around Christmas, I’ve shared this wonderful album performed by the children in the Inpatient Music Therapy Program at the University of Michigan’s Children’s Psychiatric Hospital." But this year he presents an interview with Charles Whiting and Ken Michalik, two of the music therapists responsible for the concert.
By all means, if you don't have this one yet, grab it here. It's true outsider gold.
"Mr. Whiting still hears from the saxophone soloist, who credits the program with saving his life, every year around Christmas."
By all means, if you don't have this one yet, grab it here. It's true outsider gold.
"Mr. Whiting still hears from the saxophone soloist, who credits the program with saving his life, every year around Christmas."
Pikachu Orchestra
I'm a bit too busy with holiday action to post much now, but you gotta check out Japanese madman Kaseo and his circuit-bent orchestra of Pikachu toys. Not only did he rig one of these talking (now squawking, screeching & squeeling) toys with a theremin, he even sells them - if you can read Japanese.
Kaseo - Pikachu Orchestra (video)
Kaseo - circuit-bent Pikachu (mp3, different performance)
His site has tons of pictures of his custom-altered electronic toys, and mp3s, like this Hello Kitty telephone "tune." Noise, glorious noise!
Kaseo - Pikachu Orchestra (video)
Kaseo - circuit-bent Pikachu (mp3, different performance)
His site has tons of pictures of his custom-altered electronic toys, and mp3s, like this Hello Kitty telephone "tune." Noise, glorious noise!
Friday, December 15, 2006
HOLIDAY FREAKIN
Thanks to one of the Grand Poobahs of maniacal music, Otis Fodder, we're walking in a weirdo wonderland with the release of HOLIDAY FREAKIN, one of the most deliriously bent collections of Christmas music ever.
Somewhere between a DJ mix and a compilation, Otis and pals mix in campy seasonal sound-bites with songs by everyone from Mae West, Raymond Scott, and Oscar The Grouch to such cult figures as French "library music"/Moog legend Roger Roger. Outsider music is well represented by the painfully sincere songwriter Gordon Thomas, Danger Woman's "Sleigh Ride" to Hell, and the kids of the Univ. of Michigan Medical Center Children's Psychiatric Hospital, who come off like a more funky version of the Newhall School District's concert. And then you've got the Chinese Kids Choir, 2 Live Jews, and some French rap to provide a little ethnic diversity. All in all, it's 23 tracks of CD-filling seasonal silliness.
HOLIDAY FREAKIN 2006
An older "Holiday Freakin" collection is available on the page as well.
Somewhere between a DJ mix and a compilation, Otis and pals mix in campy seasonal sound-bites with songs by everyone from Mae West, Raymond Scott, and Oscar The Grouch to such cult figures as French "library music"/Moog legend Roger Roger. Outsider music is well represented by the painfully sincere songwriter Gordon Thomas, Danger Woman's "Sleigh Ride" to Hell, and the kids of the Univ. of Michigan Medical Center Children's Psychiatric Hospital, who come off like a more funky version of the Newhall School District's concert. And then you've got the Chinese Kids Choir, 2 Live Jews, and some French rap to provide a little ethnic diversity. All in all, it's 23 tracks of CD-filling seasonal silliness.
HOLIDAY FREAKIN 2006
An older "Holiday Freakin" collection is available on the page as well.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
ERRYMAY RISTMASCHAY
It pains me to admit this but...I think DJ Riko might have more weird Christmas records then I do.
His annual Merry Mixmas mixes are a beloved holiday tradition, and his latest might be my fave one yet, featuring songs like "Senor Santa Claus," one of those amazingly stereotypical Mexican "dialect" novelty records of the '50s (e.g.: "I theeenk").
Alongside favorites from the likes of Mark Mothersbaugh, The Partridge Family, and The Sonics, is a version of Jingle Bells sung in Pig Latin. Apparently it's from a whole album of Pig Latin Xmas songs, but I couldn't find any info about it on the web. Riko kindly sent me this song, though, claiming it's the best thing on the album:
"A Pig Latin Christmas" - "Inglejay Ellsbay"
And don't forget: The King of Jingaling and his elves are back in action over at:
Falalalala, for all your rare and unusual Christmas music needs.
Thanks to DJ Riko!
His annual Merry Mixmas mixes are a beloved holiday tradition, and his latest might be my fave one yet, featuring songs like "Senor Santa Claus," one of those amazingly stereotypical Mexican "dialect" novelty records of the '50s (e.g.: "I theeenk").
Alongside favorites from the likes of Mark Mothersbaugh, The Partridge Family, and The Sonics, is a version of Jingle Bells sung in Pig Latin. Apparently it's from a whole album of Pig Latin Xmas songs, but I couldn't find any info about it on the web. Riko kindly sent me this song, though, claiming it's the best thing on the album:
"A Pig Latin Christmas" - "Inglejay Ellsbay"
And don't forget: The King of Jingaling and his elves are back in action over at:
Falalalala, for all your rare and unusual Christmas music needs.
Thanks to DJ Riko!
Saturday, December 09, 2006
WILD MAN FISCHER & SMEGMA
Psst! Hey Mac...(looks around) Want some Wild Man Fischer?
I don't know what nice person put this stuff up, or how long it will last, but two of Larry's out-of-print albums are available as zip downloads:
"An Evening With Wild Man Fischer" pt1
"An Evening With Wild Man Fischer" pt2
His first, released by Zappa. Some of you are no doubt familiar with this one, but I had never heard:
"Wild Man Fisher and Smegma Sing Popular Songs" - Recorded between '73 & '75, Larry's "lost years" between Zappa and his Rhino Records releases, only released on vinyl in '97. Features a fantastic 15 minute destruction of Gladys Knight & The Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia" performed with Smegma, a loose collection of loonies from the Los Angeles Free Music Society, including future Dream Syndicate member Dennis Duck.
Further evidence that pre-punk L.A. was more then laid-back hippie "soft-rock." See also: Capt. Beefheart, The Runaways, Sparks, Zolar X, Morton Subotnick, War, Charles Wright, The G.T.O.s, Kim Fowley, The Watts Prophets...
I don't know what nice person put this stuff up, or how long it will last, but two of Larry's out-of-print albums are available as zip downloads:
"An Evening With Wild Man Fischer" pt1
"An Evening With Wild Man Fischer" pt2
His first, released by Zappa. Some of you are no doubt familiar with this one, but I had never heard:
"Wild Man Fisher and Smegma Sing Popular Songs" - Recorded between '73 & '75, Larry's "lost years" between Zappa and his Rhino Records releases, only released on vinyl in '97. Features a fantastic 15 minute destruction of Gladys Knight & The Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia" performed with Smegma, a loose collection of loonies from the Los Angeles Free Music Society, including future Dream Syndicate member Dennis Duck.
Further evidence that pre-punk L.A. was more then laid-back hippie "soft-rock." See also: Capt. Beefheart, The Runaways, Sparks, Zolar X, Morton Subotnick, War, Charles Wright, The G.T.O.s, Kim Fowley, The Watts Prophets...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
CHRISTMAS MUSIC THAT SOUNDS LIKE BICYCLES
Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" is a holiday standard, but this version of the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" has to be the finest one I've ever heard played on bicycle parts. San Francisco composer Johnny Random was hired by an ad agency to write Christmas music for a bicycle commercial, with one stipulation: the client wanted the music performed using actual bicycle parts. The 40-second result is a wonderful piece of sampling utilizing the following "instruments":
Glockenspiel & Clarinet melody = spokes.
Cello & Violin pizzicatos = plucked derailleur cables.
Triangle = disc brake hit.
Percussion = shifting, coasting, finger over turning spokes, chain pulls, braking, clipping into pedals, back-spinning, air out of tires.
Johnny Random: "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"
Which reminds me of last year's "Toolbox Christmas" album.
There's a surprising amount of bicycle music out there, as you can see here. Appropriately enough, I'm writing this after riding - just took one of my regular bike exercise trips, so, needless to say, all this has me thinkin'. Don't be surprised if you see me coming down the Burbank bike path on a bike rigged up with, like, tubas'n'shit.
Glockenspiel & Clarinet melody = spokes.
Cello & Violin pizzicatos = plucked derailleur cables.
Triangle = disc brake hit.
Percussion = shifting, coasting, finger over turning spokes, chain pulls, braking, clipping into pedals, back-spinning, air out of tires.
Johnny Random: "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"
Which reminds me of last year's "Toolbox Christmas" album.
There's a surprising amount of bicycle music out there, as you can see here. Appropriately enough, I'm writing this after riding - just took one of my regular bike exercise trips, so, needless to say, all this has me thinkin'. Don't be surprised if you see me coming down the Burbank bike path on a bike rigged up with, like, tubas'n'shit.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
CHRISTMAS MUSIC THAT SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE CHRISTMAS MUSIC
"A Singular Christmas" is the work of one Brian Whitman, a smart-aleck from one of America's premier science academies, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As he describes it, "...what is special about Christmas music? Let’s take the objectivist view– that there is something in the composition, construction, timbre or production in every popular Christmas song that makes it fit into the genre...What I could do is try to distill holiday music down to its barest essentials. My hypothesis was that if we could figure out the dominant components of Christmas music...then yes, we’ve cracked the code — we can have Holiday Forever, a Singular Christmas." He then uses computer talk incomprehensible to me to describe what he did, but ultimately "Dozens of holiday records went into the machine, and out came the sixteen tracks you can hear today."
I suspect the song titles reflect the tracks' ingredients, e.g. "Faithful Clear" might have used "O Come All Ye Faithful" + "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear." Upon listening to these tracks, however, I was amused to find that there's nothing "Christmas-y" about them. (So much for "cracking the code.") Nonetheless, it's a nice collection of Eno/Fripp-ish ambient/industrial/drone loveliness.
Brian Whitman: "Currier and rum king" - way too short at 47 seconds - I listened to it 3 times in a row.
Brian Whitman: "Grand hotel pout twice" - beautiful shimmery-ness; also too short (1:26)
Brian Whitman: "Pum pa chestnut pies" - hypnotic drones fade in and out; a kind of "Music For North-Pole Airports"
I suspect the song titles reflect the tracks' ingredients, e.g. "Faithful Clear" might have used "O Come All Ye Faithful" + "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear." Upon listening to these tracks, however, I was amused to find that there's nothing "Christmas-y" about them. (So much for "cracking the code.") Nonetheless, it's a nice collection of Eno/Fripp-ish ambient/industrial/drone loveliness.
Brian Whitman: "Currier and rum king" - way too short at 47 seconds - I listened to it 3 times in a row.
Brian Whitman: "Grand hotel pout twice" - beautiful shimmery-ness; also too short (1:26)
Brian Whitman: "Pum pa chestnut pies" - hypnotic drones fade in and out; a kind of "Music For North-Pole Airports"
Friday, December 01, 2006
PEOPLE LIKE US LIKE PEOPLE LIKE US
Vicki Bennett wears two hats: as host of the WFMU radio show "Do or D.I.Y.," home of all things "avant-retard," she spins everything from ethnic music to kitschy novelties to the work of experimental "composers," revealing the musics' connections and obliterating any artificial genre classifications in the process.
As People Like Us, she anticipated the mashup scene by years, creating surreal audio and visual collages that burst with an almost childlike glee, but, as on gorgeous tunes like "SwingLargo," can also be strangely moving.
Occasionally both worlds collide when she uses her radio show as a testing ground for her People Like Us releases. During one segment last Sept. 18, she mixed Hawaiian steel-guitar music, South American Indian chanting, and Carl Stalling's cartoon sound effects to such glorious effect I recorded it off the station's audio stream. When I asked Vicki if I could post it here, she said, "I laughed my head off doing that section, I actually wanted it to go on the whole hour. It is actually becoming a People Like Us track in it's own right on an album I'm releasing with Ergo Phizmiz next Spring." Yay!
People Like Us: "Do or DIY excerpt 9-18-06"
Although Do or DIY is usually a summer-season show, there will be a three hour WFMU-web special on 14th December, 6-9am EST, to be later archived as a Realplayer stream.
As People Like Us, she anticipated the mashup scene by years, creating surreal audio and visual collages that burst with an almost childlike glee, but, as on gorgeous tunes like "SwingLargo," can also be strangely moving.
Occasionally both worlds collide when she uses her radio show as a testing ground for her People Like Us releases. During one segment last Sept. 18, she mixed Hawaiian steel-guitar music, South American Indian chanting, and Carl Stalling's cartoon sound effects to such glorious effect I recorded it off the station's audio stream. When I asked Vicki if I could post it here, she said, "I laughed my head off doing that section, I actually wanted it to go on the whole hour. It is actually becoming a People Like Us track in it's own right on an album I'm releasing with Ergo Phizmiz next Spring." Yay!
People Like Us: "Do or DIY excerpt 9-18-06"
Although Do or DIY is usually a summer-season show, there will be a three hour WFMU-web special on 14th December, 6-9am EST, to be later archived as a Realplayer stream.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
SCHOOL BAND FRENZY!!
There's no shortage of school music recordings floating around thrift-store land. Most are fairly tame and ordinary, but there's some real lulus out there, too. And "Newhall School District Spring Concert" is one of them.
This absolutely crazed recording features five-count 'em-FIVE elementary school bands, 157 kids in all, coming together to blow the roof off the sucka. The somewhat apologetic liner notes, presumably by music director Suzette Wenke, explain that they only had one three-hour rehearsal with all the groups together before the show. Almost every second of these performances feature dissonance, suggesting an extremely loud version of the Portsmouth Sinfonia.
Newhall is a suburb just past Los Angeles, and I'm guessing this was recorded late-'70s/early '80s judging by the inclusion of some music from the show "Annie." So big ups to the kids of The Meadows, Newhall, Old Orchard, Peachland Ave., and Wylie Canyon elementary schools. Play this LOUD!
Newhall School District Spring Concert: "The Bugler"
Newhall School District Spring Concert: "Dixie Showboat"
Newhall School District Spring Concert: "Two Minuets (Royal Fireworks Suite)"
This absolutely crazed recording features five-count 'em-FIVE elementary school bands, 157 kids in all, coming together to blow the roof off the sucka. The somewhat apologetic liner notes, presumably by music director Suzette Wenke, explain that they only had one three-hour rehearsal with all the groups together before the show. Almost every second of these performances feature dissonance, suggesting an extremely loud version of the Portsmouth Sinfonia.
Newhall is a suburb just past Los Angeles, and I'm guessing this was recorded late-'70s/early '80s judging by the inclusion of some music from the show "Annie." So big ups to the kids of The Meadows, Newhall, Old Orchard, Peachland Ave., and Wylie Canyon elementary schools. Play this LOUD!
Newhall School District Spring Concert: "The Bugler"
Newhall School District Spring Concert: "Dixie Showboat"
Newhall School District Spring Concert: "Two Minuets (Royal Fireworks Suite)"
Friday, November 24, 2006
'TARD-TRONICA, TROIS
More retarded techno, the last installment I swear! For now. You can actually dance to these, but any dj that tries to spin 'em will probably be pelted with rocks and garbage.
Barbra Streisand - "Shut The Fuck Up": Babs tells off a heckler in concert; remixed by Revo Lucian. Can't find any info on this guy, just got it off the ever-wonderful April Winchell site. Hey, I actually finally really like a Barbra Streisand song!
Baracuda - "Ass Up": The absurdity of the anatomically-difficult instructions of the lyrics makes me LAFF! Baracuda are a German duo - he plays house music, she sings the stoopid words. This track might not be available in the US - it's not listed on American Amazon, but hey look! you can get it from German Amazon.
Barbra Streisand - "Shut The Fuck Up": Babs tells off a heckler in concert; remixed by Revo Lucian. Can't find any info on this guy, just got it off the ever-wonderful April Winchell site. Hey, I actually finally really like a Barbra Streisand song!
Baracuda - "Ass Up": The absurdity of the anatomically-difficult instructions of the lyrics makes me LAFF! Baracuda are a German duo - he plays house music, she sings the stoopid words. This track might not be available in the US - it's not listed on American Amazon, but hey look! you can get it from German Amazon.
Monday, November 20, 2006
'TARD-TRONICA, TOO!
More electro-spazz tunes to make a raver poop his pants:
Bruno & Michel Are Smiling: "Faith" - Munich, Germany loonies scream distorted vocals over music that sounds like synthesizers dropped in a bathtub, exploding, and shooting sparks all over. You may hear something resembling Michael Jackson in this one.
Gravy Train!!!: "Titties Bounce" - If a John Waters movie was an electro-pop band it might be this gleefully offensive Oakland, CA quartet. Sometimes the boys in the band sing songs like "You Made Me Gay" but usually the ladies sing tasteful tunes like this one. Somewhere, Rusty Warren is smiling.
Bruno & Michel Are Smiling: "Faith" - Munich, Germany loonies scream distorted vocals over music that sounds like synthesizers dropped in a bathtub, exploding, and shooting sparks all over. You may hear something resembling Michael Jackson in this one.
Gravy Train!!!: "Titties Bounce" - If a John Waters movie was an electro-pop band it might be this gleefully offensive Oakland, CA quartet. Sometimes the boys in the band sing songs like "You Made Me Gay" but usually the ladies sing tasteful tunes like this one. Somewhere, Rusty Warren is smiling.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
ONE BANK
If you watch no other video this year, watch this one.
Mrs. Fab passes on tips to me here at Maniac Central, and she has outdone herself this time. (To quote the old commercial, "My wife..I think I'll keep her!") Today's incredible video shows Jim DuBois (Manhattan Consumer Market Executive) and Ethan Chandler (Manhattan Banking Center Manager) at a corporate function singing a version of U2's "One" with new lyrics commemorating Bank of America's merger with MBNA.
They couldn't be less rock'n'roll with their business attire and banking industry-inspired lyrics. But you can tell they've been playing music for years, maybe were in bands when they were younger, and never lost the dream. They're so darned earnest. The singer is truly trying to wrench out every drop of emotion from a song about...corporate mergers.
I often record the audio from videos I post here, but I dunno, I think this should really be seen as well as heard.
"One Bank"
Thanks Mrs. Fab!
Mrs. Fab passes on tips to me here at Maniac Central, and she has outdone herself this time. (To quote the old commercial, "My wife..I think I'll keep her!") Today's incredible video shows Jim DuBois (Manhattan Consumer Market Executive) and Ethan Chandler (Manhattan Banking Center Manager) at a corporate function singing a version of U2's "One" with new lyrics commemorating Bank of America's merger with MBNA.
They couldn't be less rock'n'roll with their business attire and banking industry-inspired lyrics. But you can tell they've been playing music for years, maybe were in bands when they were younger, and never lost the dream. They're so darned earnest. The singer is truly trying to wrench out every drop of emotion from a song about...corporate mergers.
I often record the audio from videos I post here, but I dunno, I think this should really be seen as well as heard.
"One Bank"
Thanks Mrs. Fab!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
RIAA: "Dirt Bacharach"
RIAA Presents: "Dirt Bacharach," a 15-track download-album pitting the lush, sophisticated melodies of Burt Bacharach's '60s classics vs the sometimes harsh sounds of modern music and life.
Some are straight-ahead mash-ups. In "Birds," The Carpenters' "Close To You" gets twisted into dark satire. Others are complex Negativland-like sound-collages, such as "Magic Moments," in which excerpts from a documentary on inner-city children are ironically juxtaposed against the corny sentimentality of Perry Como. And then there's some silly sound-effects-laden novelties, and Alanis Morrisette gets a long-overdue smack-down.
DOWNLOAD
5. Bite The Hand That Walks On By: "Walk On By" vs Nine Inch Nails "Bite The Hand That Feeds"
6. Burning Wives: "Wives and Lovers" (performed by Frank Sinatra) vs Ministry "Burning Inside"
7. Str8 Outta San Jose:
"Do You Know The Way To San Jose" vs an AT&T Text-To-Speech version of NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"
8. I Hate Your Little Red Book: "My Little Red Book" (Love and Cal Tjader versions) vs Kelis "Caught Out There"
9. I Don't Give Paper Mache: "Paper Mache" vs the censored version of Li'l John "I Don't Give A..." which sounded dumb, hence the sound effects
10. Say A Little Prayer For Religion:"Say A Little Prayer" vs PiL "Religion"
11. Falling Away From Bond Street: "Bond Street" vs Korn "Falling Away," "Twist"
12. Guys In Love: "This Guy's In Love With You" (Herb Albert) vs Charles Bukowski "The Closing of the Topless and Bottomless Bar,""Love"
13. Magic Moments: "Magic Moments" (Perry Como) vs public radio documentary "Ghetto Life 101"
14. Beware of Poland, Baby: "Beware of the Blob," "Make It Easy On Yourself" (Percy Faith, and Walker Brothers versions) vs Foetus "Meet Me In Poland, Baby," NPR clips
15. Knowing When To Put Down the Guns: "Knowing When To Leave" vs JG "Put Down The Guns," Public Enemy "Make Love F--- War"
Some are straight-ahead mash-ups. In "Birds," The Carpenters' "Close To You" gets twisted into dark satire. Others are complex Negativland-like sound-collages, such as "Magic Moments," in which excerpts from a documentary on inner-city children are ironically juxtaposed against the corny sentimentality of Perry Como. And then there's some silly sound-effects-laden novelties, and Alanis Morrisette gets a long-overdue smack-down.
DOWNLOAD
SONG NOTES: (Many of the Bacharach instrumentals used are from the following albums: "Music Minus One: Bacharach For Pianists," Enoch Light & The Light Brigade "Spaced Out," Christopher Scott "Switched-On Bacharach")
1. Birds: The Carpenters "
Close To Me," BJ Thomas "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," "Scientific American" podcast, NPR news stories
2. Always Something Rollin': "Always Something There To Remind Me" vs Limp Bizkit "Rollin'" censored acapella, which sounded dumb, hence the on-line dictionary guest vocals
3.You Oughta Shut Up:
"The Look of Love" vs Alanis Morrissette "You Oughta Know," The Cranberries "Zombie," John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) on drums, a wee bit of Dusty Springfield, sound fx, and Run-DMC saying "shut up"
4.Reach Out for the Queen:
"Reach Out For Me" vs Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen"
1. Birds: The Carpenters "
Close To Me," BJ Thomas "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," "Scientific American" podcast, NPR news stories2. Always Something Rollin': "Always Something There To Remind Me" vs Limp Bizkit "Rollin'" censored acapella, which sounded dumb, hence the on-line dictionary guest vocals
3.You Oughta Shut Up:
"The Look of Love" vs Alanis Morrissette "You Oughta Know," The Cranberries "Zombie," John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) on drums, a wee bit of Dusty Springfield, sound fx, and Run-DMC saying "shut up"
4.Reach Out for the Queen:
"Reach Out For Me" vs Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen"
6. Burning Wives: "Wives and Lovers" (performed by Frank Sinatra) vs Ministry "Burning Inside"
7. Str8 Outta San Jose:
"Do You Know The Way To San Jose" vs an AT&T Text-To-Speech version of NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"
8. I Hate Your Little Red Book: "My Little Red Book" (Love and Cal Tjader versions) vs Kelis "Caught Out There"
9. I Don't Give Paper Mache: "Paper Mache" vs the censored version of Li'l John "I Don't Give A..." which sounded dumb, hence the sound effects
10. Say A Little Prayer For Religion:"Say A Little Prayer" vs PiL "Religion"
11. Falling Away From Bond Street: "Bond Street" vs Korn "Falling Away," "Twist"
12. Guys In Love: "This Guy's In Love With You" (Herb Albert) vs Charles Bukowski "The Closing of the Topless and Bottomless Bar,""Love"
13. Magic Moments: "Magic Moments" (Perry Como) vs public radio documentary "Ghetto Life 101"
14. Beware of Poland, Baby: "Beware of the Blob," "Make It Easy On Yourself" (Percy Faith, and Walker Brothers versions) vs Foetus "Meet Me In Poland, Baby," NPR clips
15. Knowing When To Put Down the Guns: "Knowing When To Leave" vs JG "Put Down The Guns," Public Enemy "Make Love F--- War"
Thursday, November 09, 2006
JOHN NORTH WRIGHT: UPDATE
We first wrote about outsider musician/would-be screenwriter John North Wright here last June. Today I received a note from FCJ, who writes, "In February of 2004, John North Wright passed away from complications related to leukemia, in a Hawaii hospital. John moved to Hawaii shortly after the release of his last album, White Widow...his personal site and related mp3 sound files were removed from the audiogalaxy servers on the day of his death. Songs from his final album are available to hear at
http://www.myspace.com/ripjnw
Friends Kill Friends issued a DVD of their "hit" movie, Suck the Cool Right Out, with a couple JNW-related bonuses. In addition to the original documentary, a segment of John reading his "Skatin' For Satan and Scratching for Survival" poem before a live audience as well as a recording of a play based off of John's works have been included."
I'm sorry to hear of his passing. But kudos to the Port Huron, MI crew for preserving his crazed rambles - there's some amazing stuff on the MySpace page, from old acoustic "hits" like "Teenage Volleyballers" to some of his last recordings performed on sub-Casio electronics, such as:
John North Wright "Down In The Land Of..." - Has something to do with Satan's, er, "schlong."
Mucho thanks to FCJ.
http://www.myspace.com/ripjnw
Friends Kill Friends issued a DVD of their "hit" movie, Suck the Cool Right Out, with a couple JNW-related bonuses. In addition to the original documentary, a segment of John reading his "Skatin' For Satan and Scratching for Survival" poem before a live audience as well as a recording of a play based off of John's works have been included."
I'm sorry to hear of his passing. But kudos to the Port Huron, MI crew for preserving his crazed rambles - there's some amazing stuff on the MySpace page, from old acoustic "hits" like "Teenage Volleyballers" to some of his last recordings performed on sub-Casio electronics, such as:
John North Wright "Down In The Land Of..." - Has something to do with Satan's, er, "schlong."
Mucho thanks to FCJ.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
'TARD-TRONICA!
Say, friend, do you think electronic dance music is sterile, repetitious, and dull? Is that what's getting you down, friend? Well, if anyone was crazy enough to hire me to spin at an electro night, I'd play no-good, low-down, tasteless lunatics like:
Leslie & The Lys: The reigning queen of 'tard-tronics. You may have chuckled at the video for "Gem Sweater," her ode to Midwestern fashion victims, but her live show blows it away. Leslie is a vision in big hair, blue eye shadow, and gold pants, and video clips between songs are a hilarious peek into Middle American culture - infomercials describing how YOU can attach sequins to your sweater, preachers describing the evils of slam-dancing, and plenty more. And she does her own stunts.
Leslie and the LYs: "Gem Sweater"
mmmmyeah: "Chavfeat": This catchy bit of idiocy regarding a girl with a host of diseases is found on this completely uninformative site. (Thanks to DaDa Hokmayen for the tip!)
Captain Ahab, Los Angeles' contribution to the genre, also have no shortage of tasteless humour - check out their filthy sex rap "I Can't Believe It's Not Booty" on their MySpace page.
But "Girls Gone Wild" is genuinely great. It's actually somewhat sympathetic to those exhibitionistic video girls.
Captain Ahab: "Girls Gone Wild"
DJ Scotch Egg was profiled here before we had even heard his music. His album's now out, and he recently played here in L.A. with Captain Ahab for what was billed as a night of "Retarded Electronics." Mr. Egg is a Japanese fellow whose "instrument" is a tricked-out Gameboy which he plays while screaming obcene rants about how much he hates KFC. Could I make this stuff up?
DJ Scotch Egg: "Scotch Chicken"
You've heard of IDM? I'll take 'TDM.
Leslie & The Lys: The reigning queen of 'tard-tronics. You may have chuckled at the video for "Gem Sweater," her ode to Midwestern fashion victims, but her live show blows it away. Leslie is a vision in big hair, blue eye shadow, and gold pants, and video clips between songs are a hilarious peek into Middle American culture - infomercials describing how YOU can attach sequins to your sweater, preachers describing the evils of slam-dancing, and plenty more. And she does her own stunts.
Leslie and the LYs: "Gem Sweater"
mmmmyeah: "Chavfeat": This catchy bit of idiocy regarding a girl with a host of diseases is found on this completely uninformative site. (Thanks to DaDa Hokmayen for the tip!)
Captain Ahab, Los Angeles' contribution to the genre, also have no shortage of tasteless humour - check out their filthy sex rap "I Can't Believe It's Not Booty" on their MySpace page.
But "Girls Gone Wild" is genuinely great. It's actually somewhat sympathetic to those exhibitionistic video girls.
Captain Ahab: "Girls Gone Wild"
DJ Scotch Egg was profiled here before we had even heard his music. His album's now out, and he recently played here in L.A. with Captain Ahab for what was billed as a night of "Retarded Electronics." Mr. Egg is a Japanese fellow whose "instrument" is a tricked-out Gameboy which he plays while screaming obcene rants about how much he hates KFC. Could I make this stuff up?
DJ Scotch Egg: "Scotch Chicken"
You've heard of IDM? I'll take 'TDM.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
THE HAUNTED BALLROOM
Weird music doesn't end with Halloween. Autumn is upon us, and as the weather gets chilly and the leaves fall, haunting mood music is perfectly appropriate all season, not just Oct. 31.
"The Caretaker" makes eerie greatness out of old '20s and '30s dance band records, playing up the inherent spookiness of old 78s by smothering them under tons of effects (echo, delay, etc), and sometimes sloooowing them down to create the soundtrack to a "Haunted Ballroom." Songs from this 1999 release such as "One Thousand Memories," "Haunting Me" and "Thronged with Ghosts" actually sound like their titles. The follow-up album "A Stairway to the Stars" features more dreamy ambient melancholy nostalgia:
The Caretaker - "It's All Forgotten Now"
The Caretaker - "Masquerade Ball"
"The Caretaker" makes eerie greatness out of old '20s and '30s dance band records, playing up the inherent spookiness of old 78s by smothering them under tons of effects (echo, delay, etc), and sometimes sloooowing them down to create the soundtrack to a "Haunted Ballroom." Songs from this 1999 release such as "One Thousand Memories," "Haunting Me" and "Thronged with Ghosts" actually sound like their titles. The follow-up album "A Stairway to the Stars" features more dreamy ambient melancholy nostalgia:
The Caretaker - "It's All Forgotten Now"
The Caretaker - "Masquerade Ball"
Thursday, October 26, 2006
LINK-O-RAMA: Star Trek Edition
- MaidenWine: amazingly comprehensive and handsomely designed site dedicated to the musical stylings of Leonard Nimoy. Apart from a detailed history of his musical career, it also has a fascinating newspaper & magazine clippings archive (Nimoy performed at Hollywood Bowl on the same bill as Edward G. Robinson and Richard Pryor? OH for a time-machine.)
- Record Robot, meanwhile, has been posting a lot of Nimoy's old tuneage lately, from the albums "The Way I Feel," "The Touch Of Leonard Nimoy," "The New World Of Leonard Nimoy," so you've got plenty to listen to as you read MaidenWine's archived Nimoy interviews from teeny-bopper mags like "Co-Ed."
- William Shatner rarities unearthed! The almighty YouTube is featuring Shatner performances of songs not on his legendary "Transformed Man" album - songs not heard since their original performance in the '70s. A remake of Harry Chapin's "Taxi," in particular, is a major addition to the Shatner canon - five spellbinding minutes describing an encounter between a cabbie picking up a fare, who just happens to be an old flame. He starts off fairly relaxed, by 2:37 pulls out the crazy facial expressions, and the "stoned" finale is simple can't-miss classic. I recorded the audio for your mp3-ing pleasure:
"Taxi" - live on Dinah Shore's daytime variety show.
"Taxi" mp3
"Keep It Gay" video - Actually singing for 23 inexplicable seconds; with Mike Douglas
"Keep It Gay" mp3
"How To Handle A Woman" video - An all-too-brief 1:22 Barry White-style love rap; don't know what show this is from, but dig Shat's puka shell necklace
"How To Handle A Woman" mp3
"It Was A Very Good Year" video - You may know Bill's recording of the Sinatra hit, but this performance on "The Mike Douglas Show" adds a welcome visual dimension, from the psychedelic intro to an amazing array of facial expression close-ups.
"Incubus (excerpt)" - Esparanto was a failed attempt to create an international language, but at least one film was shot in it. Not a music clip, but you gotta see Shatner in this b&w 1965 supernatural creeper. It's as strange as it gets - imagine if Bergman directed for AIP.
- Record Robot, meanwhile, has been posting a lot of Nimoy's old tuneage lately, from the albums "The Way I Feel," "The Touch Of Leonard Nimoy," "The New World Of Leonard Nimoy," so you've got plenty to listen to as you read MaidenWine's archived Nimoy interviews from teeny-bopper mags like "Co-Ed."
- William Shatner rarities unearthed! The almighty YouTube is featuring Shatner performances of songs not on his legendary "Transformed Man" album - songs not heard since their original performance in the '70s. A remake of Harry Chapin's "Taxi," in particular, is a major addition to the Shatner canon - five spellbinding minutes describing an encounter between a cabbie picking up a fare, who just happens to be an old flame. He starts off fairly relaxed, by 2:37 pulls out the crazy facial expressions, and the "stoned" finale is simple can't-miss classic. I recorded the audio for your mp3-ing pleasure:
"Taxi" - live on Dinah Shore's daytime variety show.
"Taxi" mp3
"Keep It Gay" video - Actually singing for 23 inexplicable seconds; with Mike Douglas
"Keep It Gay" mp3
"How To Handle A Woman" video - An all-too-brief 1:22 Barry White-style love rap; don't know what show this is from, but dig Shat's puka shell necklace
"How To Handle A Woman" mp3
"It Was A Very Good Year" video - You may know Bill's recording of the Sinatra hit, but this performance on "The Mike Douglas Show" adds a welcome visual dimension, from the psychedelic intro to an amazing array of facial expression close-ups.
"Incubus (excerpt)" - Esparanto was a failed attempt to create an international language, but at least one film was shot in it. Not a music clip, but you gotta see Shatner in this b&w 1965 supernatural creeper. It's as strange as it gets - imagine if Bergman directed for AIP.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
CALLING ALL FIENDS!
Katya from Oddio Overplay sez:
"Halloween is meant to be scary, right? Year after year we dust off the old silly 1950s and 1960s novelty records. While they are fun, they not at all frightening. Oddio Overplay put the challenge to musical artists the world over to create Halloween music that is "frightening, damaging and disturbing." No "Monster Mash," instead creepy soundtracks to a fiendish Halloween. They succeeded with CALLING ALL FIENDS! Some of these pieces will creep you right out of your skin."
CALLING ALL FIENDS!
And while we're at it:
"Night of The Alive Dead" - Whodini's "Haunted House of Rock", The Classics IV's "Spooky" and an instrumental remake by Howard Roberts, little bits of the "Night of The Living Dead" soundtrack & Beastie Boys "Alive," all served over a techno beat stompin' enough to raise the dead.
"Halloween is meant to be scary, right? Year after year we dust off the old silly 1950s and 1960s novelty records. While they are fun, they not at all frightening. Oddio Overplay put the challenge to musical artists the world over to create Halloween music that is "frightening, damaging and disturbing." No "Monster Mash," instead creepy soundtracks to a fiendish Halloween. They succeeded with CALLING ALL FIENDS! Some of these pieces will creep you right out of your skin."
CALLING ALL FIENDS!
And while we're at it:
"Night of The Alive Dead" - Whodini's "Haunted House of Rock", The Classics IV's "Spooky" and an instrumental remake by Howard Roberts, little bits of the "Night of The Living Dead" soundtrack & Beastie Boys "Alive," all served over a techno beat stompin' enough to raise the dead.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Hypocritical Disclaimer
You know, Spinal Tap weren't really that bad. If they had been a real band, they would have certainly been considered kitschy, but no more so then any number of real head-bangers. And, c'mon, "Big Bottom" is far more clever then most metal tunes: "How can I leave this...behind?" Classic! Some real bands, however, truly make me wonder. Case in point: Hypocritical Disclaimer.
The website of these Fargo, North Dakota (!) metal/noise mysterios may not have any info on the band whatsover, but it does have plenty of righteous manifestos, e.g.: "We are not music, but a way of life. Our sounds in whole are not for entertainment but are here for an alternate source of living." It also claims that they have many types of fans. Do they really have fans? And what are they like?
Seriously, the amount of drugs it must take to create music this messed-up (they make The Butthole Surfers sound like N'Synch) could medicate entire nations.
Hypocritical Disclaimer: "Filth More Mess"
Hypocritical Disclaimer: "Mastuh"
Thanks to Nick Trey!
The website of these Fargo, North Dakota (!) metal/noise mysterios may not have any info on the band whatsover, but it does have plenty of righteous manifestos, e.g.: "We are not music, but a way of life. Our sounds in whole are not for entertainment but are here for an alternate source of living." It also claims that they have many types of fans. Do they really have fans? And what are they like?
Seriously, the amount of drugs it must take to create music this messed-up (they make The Butthole Surfers sound like N'Synch) could medicate entire nations.
Hypocritical Disclaimer: "Filth More Mess"
Hypocritical Disclaimer: "Mastuh"
Thanks to Nick Trey!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
James Blunt, You're Pitiful
Weird Al Yankovic's latest album, "Straight Outta Lynwood," will NOT be including his parody of "You're Beautiful," the sap-fest by Oprah's fave new singer James Blunt. LAME. C'mon, everyone (well, except Prince) let's Weird Al do his thing with their music, even when it's ridiculing the song, ala his "Achy-Breaky Heart" parody: "Don't you play that song, that Achy-Breaky Song."
"You're Pitiful" is, actually, not making fun of Blunt or the song, so what's the problem? Didn't you just get here, Blunt? Weird Al's been in the biz for decades - he OWNS you. He could probably have you killed if he so desired. Killed in nasty ways.
Actually, it was apparently Blunt's label that put the kibosh on it. As Al sez here: "James Blunt could still let me put it on my album if he really wanted to, but he obviously doesn't want to alienate his own record company... and my label could release the parody without Atlantic's blessing, but they don't really want to go to war with another label over this."
So Al's put it out over the inter-webs. Take that, suits!
"Weird Al" Yankovic: "You're Pitiful"
This is the greatest crime against parodies since Phil Collins refused to allow Mr. Methane to stink up one of his songs.
"You're Pitiful" is, actually, not making fun of Blunt or the song, so what's the problem? Didn't you just get here, Blunt? Weird Al's been in the biz for decades - he OWNS you. He could probably have you killed if he so desired. Killed in nasty ways.
Actually, it was apparently Blunt's label that put the kibosh on it. As Al sez here: "James Blunt could still let me put it on my album if he really wanted to, but he obviously doesn't want to alienate his own record company... and my label could release the parody without Atlantic's blessing, but they don't really want to go to war with another label over this."
So Al's put it out over the inter-webs. Take that, suits!
"Weird Al" Yankovic: "You're Pitiful"
This is the greatest crime against parodies since Phil Collins refused to allow Mr. Methane to stink up one of his songs.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Australian tabloid fodder Peter Andre and his wife Jordan recently recorded a duet version of the song "A Whole New World," apparently for an upcoming Christmas album. Peter is a professional singer in that boy-band psuedo-r'n'b style. His wife is famous for...er, being his wife. Remember in "I Love Lucy" how Lucy always wanted to sing at the club with Ricky, and Rick never thought it was a good idea? Now you know why:
Peter Andre and Jordan: "A Whole New World" - Not bad for the first minute or so, until she starts singing. WOW.
To make it even more cruel, the vocals are way up in the mix, like the infamous Linda McCartney tape. The Andres, embarrassed by the leak of this song, are claiming it's a hoax. Uh huh.
Peter Andre and Jordan: "A Whole New World" - Not bad for the first minute or so, until she starts singing. WOW.
To make it even more cruel, the vocals are way up in the mix, like the infamous Linda McCartney tape. The Andres, embarrassed by the leak of this song, are claiming it's a hoax. Uh huh.
Friday, October 13, 2006
OKTOBERFEST!!
It's that time of year - put on your leiderhosen, call the beer-wench over, grab a stein, and chicken-dance along to a kind of punk-oompah version of Nena's Eighties smash "99 Luftballons." It's by an Australian professional music sevice, Autopilot Productions, who claim it was done for a corporate event. Huh?! Wouldn't mind working for that company...
Autopilot Productions: "Oktoberfest"
Max Raabe is a German performer of a very different sort - he's dedicated to keeping alive the Weimer-era cabaret tradition. However, when he's not reviving the likes of Kurt Weil, he's doing covers of current pop songs in the style of 1920s Berlin. Nothing released in America yet, but German Amazon lists many albums, like "Hitpalast," in which he smoothly croons hits by Abba, Tom Jones, Britney Spears, etc. Now THESE Queen songs should be played at ballgames:
Max Raabe: We Will Rock You
Max Raabe: We Are The Champions
Autopilot Productions: "Oktoberfest"
Max Raabe is a German performer of a very different sort - he's dedicated to keeping alive the Weimer-era cabaret tradition. However, when he's not reviving the likes of Kurt Weil, he's doing covers of current pop songs in the style of 1920s Berlin. Nothing released in America yet, but German Amazon lists many albums, like "Hitpalast," in which he smoothly croons hits by Abba, Tom Jones, Britney Spears, etc. Now THESE Queen songs should be played at ballgames:
Max Raabe: We Will Rock You
Max Raabe: We Are The Champions
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
"A DUMB GUY SHOT MY POOP WITH A GUN..."
So singeth Tammie & Scotty, who were ages 14 and 9 when they recorded a four "song" tape in Detroit circa 1992. These acapella ravings fell into the hands of a Chicago-based radio show, "Hump Day Dance Party" who are hosting a remix contest. Songs about the joys of yelling, the fear of water, and the dangers of excreting in parking lots are awaiting your treatment. Of course, it may not be possible to improve on such wonders as
Have You Ever Been to a Parking Lot?
or
Silence is Golden - Or is it? All 4 tracks here.
UPDATE Nov. 5: Here's "Silence Is Golden" mixed with Ministry's "Stigmata"
RIAA: "I Love Noise!!"
Have You Ever Been to a Parking Lot?
or
Silence is Golden - Or is it? All 4 tracks here.
UPDATE Nov. 5: Here's "Silence Is Golden" mixed with Ministry's "Stigmata"
RIAA: "I Love Noise!!"
Monday, October 09, 2006
ASIAN POP OLDIES pt.2
Another site dedicated to groovy Asian-a-go-go sounds of the '60s, Tofu Magazine's Asia Beat focuses on Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore 1964-1969. Not nearly as many mp3s available as Asian Pop Oldies, but check out the record cover scans!
"The Beatles concert in Hong Kong in 1964 marked the birth of the golden age of the Hong Kong pop scene. From 1964 to 1969, a great number of bands appeared. They sung in English, as Cantonese and Mandarin songs were considered to be old fashion. These bands normally did cover versions of songs from the UK or the US..."
And KidG sez, "Much of Singapore's music scene back in the 60s & 70s died when the govt clamped down hard on musicians due to the drug connection. Basically in their eyes, long hair hippie = drug junkie. Although it's not as serious as China's Cultural Revolution, much of Singapore's creativity when it comes to music died during that time."
Asia Beat
"The Beatles concert in Hong Kong in 1964 marked the birth of the golden age of the Hong Kong pop scene. From 1964 to 1969, a great number of bands appeared. They sung in English, as Cantonese and Mandarin songs were considered to be old fashion. These bands normally did cover versions of songs from the UK or the US..."
And KidG sez, "Much of Singapore's music scene back in the 60s & 70s died when the govt clamped down hard on musicians due to the drug connection. Basically in their eyes, long hair hippie = drug junkie. Although it's not as serious as China's Cultural Revolution, much of Singapore's creativity when it comes to music died during that time."
Asia Beat
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Our Gang!
What do you get when Michael Jackson and Gary Glitter get together and have some children over? Why, a lovely tune by UK's Bingo Starr, of course!
Our Gang! (Original Von Trapp Ending) - many, many MJ and GG songs mixed quite wickedly with selections from "The Sound of Music." If loving this song is wrong, I don't wanna be right.
Never heard of Mr. Starr before today, but he's got a lot of ace tunes, actually. "Horny As In A Morning Sunrise" makes great use of a scratchy old cha-cha record.
Thanks to Pilchard!
Our Gang! (Original Von Trapp Ending) - many, many MJ and GG songs mixed quite wickedly with selections from "The Sound of Music." If loving this song is wrong, I don't wanna be right.
Never heard of Mr. Starr before today, but he's got a lot of ace tunes, actually. "Horny As In A Morning Sunrise" makes great use of a scratchy old cha-cha record.
Thanks to Pilchard!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
AVERAGE HOMEBOY pt2
Yes!
Denny Blazin Hazen sez: "Guess what? After climbing into the attic last week, I found the Original Recording of my Average Homeboy Video which includes the Intro and missing 3rd Verse!"
Average Homeboy - will try to make an mp3 of this classic available soon.
Denny Blazin Hazen sez: "Guess what? After climbing into the attic last week, I found the Original Recording of my Average Homeboy Video which includes the Intro and missing 3rd Verse!"
Average Homeboy - will try to make an mp3 of this classic available soon.
BRIDE OF MONSTER MASH-UP
"Bride of Monster Mash-Up" now available! A various-artists free download album of old records remixed/mashed-up that's scarier then a Republican boy-lover's e-mails! (All right, maybe not THAT scary...)
Features music from M4M faves like dj BC, Dj NoNo, Pilchard, Cheekyboy , DJ Earlybird, Essexboy, Solcofn, AberNstein and lots more: podcasts, videos, a bonus collection of leftovers, even a shop for shirts'n'stuff. The organizers really went nuts.
WARNING: I'm represented as well, "singing" a song called Cannibal Zombie Mom over trashy '60s rockers The Standells and The Ventures. But the rest of the album's really good.
If you don't want to bother downloading each individual song, you can listen to a mix of the whole darn thing:
Mix Of The Whole Darn Thing
Features music from M4M faves like dj BC, Dj NoNo, Pilchard, Cheekyboy , DJ Earlybird, Essexboy, Solcofn, AberNstein and lots more: podcasts, videos, a bonus collection of leftovers, even a shop for shirts'n'stuff. The organizers really went nuts.
WARNING: I'm represented as well, "singing" a song called Cannibal Zombie Mom over trashy '60s rockers The Standells and The Ventures. But the rest of the album's really good.
If you don't want to bother downloading each individual song, you can listen to a mix of the whole darn thing:
Mix Of The Whole Darn Thing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)