Hi-de-ho y'all. I must admit that I delivered on a hotcha post this week if I so say so myself, blush blush! Even managed to sneak in a review of an item I actually bought, which as I told you is probably going to be a rarity here in the money-starved year of 2016 considerin' that I have to save my moolah up for the important things in life like Metamucil. And for a buncha cast offs, the platters I was able to osmose were of a pretty good quality, so thanks be to Paul and Bill Whazernames for sending 'em all inna first place.
Mike Barrett/Tom Crean-CASUAL LUDDITES CD-r burn (Kendra Steiner Editions)
Crean (of FACEBOOK WHILE DRIVING fame) is joined by electronics specialist Mike Barrett on this ltd. ed. KSE offering that I will admit got lost in the leaning tower of Cee-Dees stored in my bedroom for the past three months. As far as these affairs go it was more'n just passable, what with Crean's guitar and banjo sounds (as spaced and soaring as they can be) working well in consort with Barrett's bubbling and burping synthetics. At points it reminds me of some of the more erratic sounds that used to emanate from Dee Pop's Freestyle Series at the old CBGB Lounge, while at others it kinda comes off like a duet between a freaked out Robbie Basho having a nervous breakdown and the La Brea Tar Pits. Mad genius or inspired outsiders? Take your pick.
George Gobel-IN PERSON "AT THE SANDS" CD-r burn (originally on Decca)
This guy has always been about as funny as a turd sandwich (I'm tempted to say a "dirty turd sandwich"), and not quite as appetizing. I never understood how Gobel got to be as big and famous as he was, and come to think of it I don't understand how the audience could laugh at any of his dull and humorous jokes which wouldn't even turn on the attendees at a testimonial dinner for Karen Quinlan. Tell you what, for more insightful gags and awkward personal reminiscences go visit yer Unca Ferd at the old fogies home and spend 45 minutes listening to him ramble on about the trip he took to Utica New York back in '49.
Moms Mabley-AT THE PLAYBOY CLUB and BREAKS UP THE NETWORKS CD-r burn (originally on Chess)
Sheesh, I can still remember Moms Mabley crackin' the fambly up during all of those late-sixties tee-vee appearances, and this particular platter (actually culled from a Kip Nesterhoff broadcast!) sure's got those memories a'rushin' back faster'n diarrhea. It's too bad that I can't understand about half of what she's saying (you'd think that with all of her money she could afford relines) but she sure does deliver on that har-hars in the best black comedy way and without the dirty words too! Not only that, but her vocalese on such hits as "Sunny" and "Abraham, Martin and John" (where she does a few appropriate choke-stifles) fit in well with the funny stuff and please me a whole lot better'n the original hits did! And be thankful that the folks at the Playboy Club didn't approach her for a pictorial. Spin this 'un for your typical Bill Maher fan and watch the self-indignant attitude bubble over right before your very eyes.
Rodney Dangerfield-D.A.R. CONSTITUTION HALL WASHINGTON DC 10 MARCH 1984, early show CD-r burn
The thirdest (and lastest of the Cee-Dee-Are comedy burns Bill sent me has Dangerfield firing off at his bluest doin' all of those kinda jokes that woulda made yer dad see red had he sat in for the sesh thinkin' it was gonna be all nice 'n just a slight bit edgy like on THE TONIGHT SHOW. Dangerfield never was known for his dirty stuff but he sure dishes the naughty jokes out here making you crack up like nothing since "milk, milk, lemonade"! Not only that but he sure does a good job providing the kinda banter that'll really make you a big hit when the cousins come to visit and you wanna show off a bit. And hey, if you gotta hear the dirty stuff better it be from a hotcha pro like Dangerfield than one of those modern day scolds who think they're so "above" you because they're up on the stage and you aren't!
Lou Reed-CLAIM TO FAME CD-r burn
This ain't my favorite Lou Reed period (kinda sounds gynecological, don't it?) but it's good enough for a spin or three. Live at the Roxy Dec. 1 '76, Lou and his patented (meaning no troublemakers like John Cale in here!) backing band are joined by Don Cherry who adds a few interesting blurts throughout the set. Otherwise this is Lou during his lounge act period back when he thought he had his audience's tastes pegged, and I ain't gonna make any obvious joke regarding the use of that word! Jazzy enough that your own folks might even take a shine to it while gulping down their martinis before hitting the PTA meeting, at least until they find out that the guy singing here's the same one from those horrid Velvet Underground albums you drive 'em crazy with at which point it's TERMINAL GROUNDED for you and you know it!
Terry Riley and Don Cherry-KOLN CONCERT, 1975 CD-r burn
Boy that Don Cherry really got around...just last night I was listening to him sitting in with the Mothers of Invention via the PIGS AND REPUGNANT bootleg, and of course he makes a grand appearance on the Lou Reed platter reviewed directly above. And NOW here he is showing up with none other than the famed modern day composer Terry Riley adding his appropriate trumpet styling working his way into the entire Riley riff drone rather fittingly. Riley's (and Cherry's) particular brand of new music does fit in swell during these long winter nights, and not only that but the quality of this is good enough that I'm surprised that the entire gig didn't show up on either Shandar or the Columbia Masterworks label. Brings back those days when my parents would complain about this sorta racket and I'd tell 'em it's classical music!!!
***RIP DAVID BOWIE, dead at age 69. His teeth were 40. Can't think of anything else to say right now, though did you know that on December 25 1979 Bowie and John Lennon took a stage right front seat table at Max's Kansas City to see Von Lmo, staying for the entire set with blank (e)motionless faces before leaving after the gig was over??? Hope that one makes it into whatever "day by day" book on either Bowie or Lennon that'll be coming out in the near future.
***IMPORTANT VELVET UNDERGROUND UPDATE! It wasn't the "Transcendental Simulematic Orchestra" after all, but the Cineola Transcendental Orchestra! Click on the link and discover some recently unearthed Velvets history that's certainly got me all hot 'n bothered!
***And with that particular bit of esoterica gurgling in your brains let's now get to the beefy heart of it all, the reviews!
Crean (of FACEBOOK WHILE DRIVING fame) is joined by electronics specialist Mike Barrett on this ltd. ed. KSE offering that I will admit got lost in the leaning tower of Cee-Dees stored in my bedroom for the past three months. As far as these affairs go it was more'n just passable, what with Crean's guitar and banjo sounds (as spaced and soaring as they can be) working well in consort with Barrett's bubbling and burping synthetics. At points it reminds me of some of the more erratic sounds that used to emanate from Dee Pop's Freestyle Series at the old CBGB Lounge, while at others it kinda comes off like a duet between a freaked out Robbie Basho having a nervous breakdown and the La Brea Tar Pits. Mad genius or inspired outsiders? Take your pick.
***
This guy has always been about as funny as a turd sandwich (I'm tempted to say a "dirty turd sandwich"), and not quite as appetizing. I never understood how Gobel got to be as big and famous as he was, and come to think of it I don't understand how the audience could laugh at any of his dull and humorous jokes which wouldn't even turn on the attendees at a testimonial dinner for Karen Quinlan. Tell you what, for more insightful gags and awkward personal reminiscences go visit yer Unca Ferd at the old fogies home and spend 45 minutes listening to him ramble on about the trip he took to Utica New York back in '49.
***
Sheesh, I can still remember Moms Mabley crackin' the fambly up during all of those late-sixties tee-vee appearances, and this particular platter (actually culled from a Kip Nesterhoff broadcast!) sure's got those memories a'rushin' back faster'n diarrhea. It's too bad that I can't understand about half of what she's saying (you'd think that with all of her money she could afford relines) but she sure does deliver on that har-hars in the best black comedy way and without the dirty words too! Not only that, but her vocalese on such hits as "Sunny" and "Abraham, Martin and John" (where she does a few appropriate choke-stifles) fit in well with the funny stuff and please me a whole lot better'n the original hits did! And be thankful that the folks at the Playboy Club didn't approach her for a pictorial. Spin this 'un for your typical Bill Maher fan and watch the self-indignant attitude bubble over right before your very eyes.
***
The thirdest (and lastest of the Cee-Dee-Are comedy burns Bill sent me has Dangerfield firing off at his bluest doin' all of those kinda jokes that woulda made yer dad see red had he sat in for the sesh thinkin' it was gonna be all nice 'n just a slight bit edgy like on THE TONIGHT SHOW. Dangerfield never was known for his dirty stuff but he sure dishes the naughty jokes out here making you crack up like nothing since "milk, milk, lemonade"! Not only that but he sure does a good job providing the kinda banter that'll really make you a big hit when the cousins come to visit and you wanna show off a bit. And hey, if you gotta hear the dirty stuff better it be from a hotcha pro like Dangerfield than one of those modern day scolds who think they're so "above" you because they're up on the stage and you aren't!
***
This ain't my favorite Lou Reed period (kinda sounds gynecological, don't it?) but it's good enough for a spin or three. Live at the Roxy Dec. 1 '76, Lou and his patented (meaning no troublemakers like John Cale in here!) backing band are joined by Don Cherry who adds a few interesting blurts throughout the set. Otherwise this is Lou during his lounge act period back when he thought he had his audience's tastes pegged, and I ain't gonna make any obvious joke regarding the use of that word! Jazzy enough that your own folks might even take a shine to it while gulping down their martinis before hitting the PTA meeting, at least until they find out that the guy singing here's the same one from those horrid Velvet Underground albums you drive 'em crazy with at which point it's TERMINAL GROUNDED for you and you know it!
***
Boy that Don Cherry really got around...just last night I was listening to him sitting in with the Mothers of Invention via the PIGS AND REPUGNANT bootleg, and of course he makes a grand appearance on the Lou Reed platter reviewed directly above. And NOW here he is showing up with none other than the famed modern day composer Terry Riley adding his appropriate trumpet styling working his way into the entire Riley riff drone rather fittingly. Riley's (and Cherry's) particular brand of new music does fit in swell during these long winter nights, and not only that but the quality of this is good enough that I'm surprised that the entire gig didn't show up on either Shandar or the Columbia Masterworks label. Brings back those days when my parents would complain about this sorta racket and I'd tell 'em it's classical music!!!
***
One of the better recent compilations of garage band esowhooziz out there in buy me land featuring names both blabbed about (Bad Seeds, Choir, Wailers...) and not. Some of these tracks have been heard to death already, but that really doesn't matter much considering they're in the company of a whole slew of acts that I've never heard of before and probably won't hear about after filing this particular 'un away after the requisite ten-thousand spins. Good enough that even the songs you think are gonna stink to high heaven (like the Flower Children's "Mini Skirt Blues") sound really hot in that 1966 listening to the radio sorta way that none of us'll ever experience again no matter how long we do the old mortal coil thing. Read more about it here if yer inna mood for osmosing your heritage, and why not? Bonus tracks include (along with the way-too-obvious inclusion of the Choir's "It's Cold Outside") a good folk rock-y version of the Kenny Rogers smasheroo "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town" done by some anonymous bunch who really shouldn't remain so!
***
Sheesh, were the eighties that long ago??? Given the load of lousy music, tee-vee and general gulcher that decade exuded I'm sure glad they were, and its little tidbits of drizzle from them days like this that keep reminding me as to just how loathsome those days were next to the deviant seventies. Laurie Anderson's work never did gel with me true, and to be upfront like Jayne Mansfield about it I find the music that pops up on this soundtrack album to be art project spew that somehow forgot to rock out (an important thing in case you didn't know). However Anderson's commentaries are informative and downright entertaining at times (especially when she's discussing pertinent artyfacts re. Bauhaus and Burroughs) and make for a better way to spend your time listening to this particular spinner than trying to enjoy the rather pretentious synth sounds that permeate this thing.
***
These six-oh retro recording acts haven't been doin' me the ol' do since the eighties closed up shop and I gotta admit this particular item (released in 2010) is no different. It's good stuff though with that original PEBBLES sense of beneath-the-suburban slob mentality to it which made those outta-nowhere platters so great. Not only that but being from Australia these guys have an Easybeats sense of antipodean madness to their musical approach that doesn't make Stevie Wright's passing as painful as it should be. Good enough for a spin which you will enjoy (like I certainly have), but I can't see me playin' this one at the old fogies home once 2045 rolls around nohow. Y'see, alla the Bee Gees fans'll be hogging the neural implant manipulators and do you think they'll even let me near the thing with this???
***
Now when I think of sixties garage revival acts that packed more'n their share of pounce I think of guys like the Nomads, the Droogs, DMZ and quite a few other purveyors of power who ebbed and flowed throughout that dismal decade we called the eighties. And although they did slack off a bit by the time those ten years clocked out for good at least the Nomads started them out with some real hard-edged, action-packed music that was just as powerful and as meaningful to my ranch house spirit of life as the Sonics and Seeds. Releases like WHERE THE WOLF BANE BLOOMS and this 'un were items that definitely stood strong in the face of the tepid pop of the day, and even this far down the ol' time chute STAGGER IN THE SNOW says a whole lot more about rock 'n roll as a force for fun 'n jamz than alla the hair bands you could stack up against 'em, and throw a li'l Mad Donna into the mix to make 'em look even better.
Originally a cassette-only release that was probably heard more via dubs'n the real thing, STAGGER IN THE SNOW does retain that quick slapdash quality that makes these tracks all the more digestible. The live cuts are undoubtedly straight from cassette player and thankfully have that raw quality to 'em, while the outtakes give even more insight into the music that did manage to come out and catch a whole load of six-oh aficionados (like myself) by surprise. The rare single sides are a blessing for jamokes like myself who couldn't afford them, the covers are faithful enough yet ain't carbon copy cheap varying from Northwest pounce to psychedelic duncitude, and that ain't even mentioning the one where they back up the gal group "Kissettes" on a spry cover of the Supremes' "Come See About Me" that won't win 'em any girl group converts but...wha' th' hey...
It's like what Imants Krumins wrote way back when about these guys being the perfect distillation of Sonics pounce and Link Wray rock-a-guitar, and it's too bad that they couldn't have continued on that fine path what with their later releases having a more, er, professional approach to their reason for being. But for the earliest (and best) years stick with STAGGER IN THE SNOW, brought to you by the same people who gave us Van Morrison and Neil Diamond---Bang Records! (Wait, this particular Bang is a totally different organization, right?)
***
I dunno what possessed Bill to burn this particular platter for me, but if he thought I would be the kinda guy who'd enjoy it he'd probably also think that I'd enjoy a nice heaping bowl of spaghetti with pus sauce. Typical early-seventies all-over-the-place hippoid rock that lacks any of the inspiration and gut attack that some of those smelly types had before the granola washed it outta 'em. The only reason anybody seems to remember this (undoubtedly) studio-only act is due to the presence of future Fleetwood Mac/AM hitmaker Bob Welch in its ranks but whatever you do, get "Sentimental Lady" (a turdster which sounds good in the presence of this mess) outta your mind...BLUE BEARD ain't even fit for the supermarket record bins of the early-seventies and you know what losers those tended to be stocked with!
***
The last seven tracks would have made for a boffoer-than-usual garage band compilation in the mid-eighties (I especially dig that Alpha Hydrae attempt at mangling various Brian Jones sitar modes), but the first nine numbers here ain't bad in themselves. Odor Baby contribute a good piece of abstract music that ain't good enough for the snobs in New York but suits people like me fine enough, while Dave Pike's r 'n b sounds little like anything I would have expected from a former Ornette sideman. Especially interesting is "Little B" from none other than the Shadows, a band that never piqued my prongs by any stretch of the imagination. Brownie points are definitely earned on that 'un if only for the inclusion of a Big Band drum solo. Still won't buy any of their records but considering I got this 'un free I ain't complainin'!
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