Saturday, January 31, 2009

K-9

Today, January 31st, is my dog's birthday. Klara is 9 years old.


So raise a glass everyone.
Although she's of German descent, she seems partial to Hennepin.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Here's To Beer

Visit The Beer Connoisseur at herestobeer.com and graduate from "Beer Know-It-All" To Really Knowing It All.
This site will further your education on the brewing process, beer and food pairings, and ingredients and their role in determining a beer's flavor.
I stumbled upon an ad for this site in an old issue of DRAFT.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

How about the Concert for Home Foreclosures? The Concert for the Unemployed? The Concert for Jobs?!!

Bob tells us what he thinks about the 'Benefit Concert for Hillary Clinton'.

"Instead of a benefit to raise money for individual politicians. Why aren't these celebrities, who care so much about this country, having Benefit Concerts for average Americans?!"


Sunday, January 25, 2009

A Month Of Sundays


Today, we reach a milestone.
This is the 30th post in my "Sunday Morning 78's and Such" series.

I will mark this occasion with Chris Barber's Jazz Band and their rendition of "Wild Cat Blues" from 1955.



I will now take a brief hiatus from this endeavor.
I will continue to post, but with a less strict regularity.
I hope you've enjoyed this series of posts, and will continue to do so as they appear.

Who knows?
The posts may continue with a similar frequency.
Old habits die hard.



BONUS


This Public Service Announcement from an old radio broadcast, urging us to protect our freedom, is a must listen for our current political situation.


Saturday, January 24, 2009

Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003)

"Well, first of all, let me say that I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years. It was one of those phobias that really didn’t pay off."



American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon would have been 62 years old today.
Zevon was known for his dark, skeptically humorous songs.His most popular compositions include "Werewolves of London", "Lawyers, Guns and Money", "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" and "Johnny Strikes Up The Band".

Zevon's excessive vodka intake earned him the nickname "F. Scott Fitzevon," a reference to the American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose early, alcohol-fueled death Zevon seemed bent on repeating.

Warren Zevon released his breakthrough album, Excitable Boy, in 1978.The title song was about a juvenile sociopath's murderous prom night.

In 1982, after the disappointing commercial reception for his album The Envoy (which critics had called brilliant), Warren was dropped by his record label, which he discovered when he read about it in the Random Notes gossip column of Rolling Stone. The trauma caused him to relapse into serious alcoholism.Zevon retreated from the music business for several years, during which he finally overcame severe alcohol and drug addictions.
It was during this period that Zevon collaborated with Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills (R.E.M.) to form a loose side project called Hindu Love Gods.
Occasionally, between 1982 and 2001, Zevon filled in for Paul Shaffer as bandleader on Late Night with David Letterman and later The Late Show with David Letterman.

Zevon described a lifelong phobia of doctors and said he seldom received medical assessment. Shortly before playing at the Edmonton Folk Festival in 2002, he started feeling dizzy and developed a chronic cough. After a long period of untreated illness and pain, Zevon was encouraged by his dentist to see a physician; when he did so he was diagnosed with inoperable mesothelioma (the same cancer that killed Steve McQueen).

Warren Zevon died
on September 7, 2003, aged 56, at his home in Los Angeles, California.


In the player below, is a performance Live at Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO. (March 6, 1994)


Setlist:
Splendid Isolation
Lawyers, Guns and Money
Why Can't This Be Love?
Banter and Dr. Babyhead intro
Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead
Banter
Heartache Spoken Here
Boom Boom Mancini
Johnny Strikes Up the Band
Play It All Night Long
Desperados Under the Eaves [banter]
Jole Blon [bamter]
Instrumental intro to... >
Poor Poor Pitiful Me >
I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
The Indifference of Heaven
[banter] Seminole Bingo
Excitable Boy
Roland Chorale >
Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner
Applause > banter
Mr. Bad Example
Werewolves of London >
Mohammed's Radio

Download full concert

More live Warren Zevon here.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Beware Dr. Utopia's "Ism"!

"Make Mine Freedom" is a 1948 short (propaganda) film in which 'John Q. Public' warns of the dangers of the evils of a bottle of "ism" (a euphemism for communism).

This Cold War-era cartoon uses humor to tout the dangers of Communism and the benefits of capitalism.



My guess is that "The One", and his "Hopetards" have never seen this.

Also, here they are, Bob's thoughts on the "coronation".
BTW,I won't be watching that farce.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Cookin' With Doc

Doc Cook (1891-1958), born Charles L. Cooke, was an American jazz bandleader.
While many early jazz musicians used such titles denoting advanced degrees, Doc actually held a Ph.D, from the Chicago College of Music.



In the player below, "Sidewalk Blues" (1926) featuring the great New Orleans
cornet player Freddie Keppard.



The group broke up after having all their instruments stolen from the bandstand during a break at a marathon dance contest.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

'Fantasy Island' actor Ricardo Montalban dead at 88



"Politics is too partisan, and sometimes patriotism is cast aside. Patriotism is honor and love of your country and your brothers and sisters. With politics I get the impression that it's all about what's good for the party and not necessarily what's good for the country. "~Ricardo Montalban

Monday, January 12, 2009

when is this circle of stupidity going to stop?!!!

Bob sounds off on the stimulus plan.He's not wrong.

What does Blagojevich know? and who does he know it about?

Why is Rod Blagojevich still Governor?
"This is a guy who was caught on tape trying to SELL a senate seat. he was dragged out of his bed and arrested at 6 o'clock in the morning. Yet, he is still allowed to govern? Cmon! Governor Elliot Spitzer only slept with prostitutes and he was forced to resign in less than a day. My guess is Rod Blagojevich has some information on someone a lot more powerful than himself and he is not afraid to use it if need be."

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Mckinney Cotton Pickers

McKinney's Cotton Pickers were a jazz band founded in Detroit in 1926 by William McKinney.Between 1927 and 1931, they were one of the most popular African-American bands. Many of their records for Victor were best sellers.


The Cotton Pickers disbanded in 1934, unable to make money during the Depression.

"Selling That Stuff"
by The Mckinney Cotton Pickers

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Jackie and Dunlap talk with Pajamas TV's new war correspondent, Joe the Plumber.

Warning, strong language

Strange Brew

A list of the world's strangest liquors, which includes Pizza Beer, Snake Bile Wine, and a concoction called 'Yogurito', has been compiled by Travel & Leisure.

David's Birthday


David Bowie (born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947) is an iconic English rock musician.

Bowie has been called the chameleon of rock, due to his ability to predict (and even set) musical trends, adjusting his musical persona accordingly.

"I re-invented my image so many times that I'm in denial that I was originally an overweight Korean woman. "-

Bowie, During a spoof segment on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

More Electric Car News

Competition for the Pelosi?

I prefer the Tesla.

For those that may have missed it, here's an older, relevant post.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Love Is All You Need?


In 1967, The Beatles told us "All You Need Is Love".
American composer and musician Frank Zappa recorded the following song, as a reply.

Oh no
I don't believe it
You say that you think you know
The meaning of love
You say love is all we need
You say
With your love you can change
All of the fools
All of the hate
I think you're probably
Out to lunch

Oh no
I don't believe it
You say that you think you know
The meaning of love
Do you really think it can be told?
You say that you really know
I think
You should check it again
How can you say
What you believe
Will be the key to a
World of love?

All your love -
Will it save me?
All your love -
Will it save the world
From what we can't understand
Oh no
I don't believe it

A Stooge Has Left The Stage


Ron Asheton, the guitarist from The Stooges, has died at age 60.

"We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron's death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed."

~A statement issued by Iggy Pop, Stooges drummer (and Asheton's brother) Scott Asheton, saxophonist Steve Mackay, bassist Mike Watt and The Stooges' management and crew

The Stooges are often regarded as hugely influential in alternative rock, heavy metal and, especially, punk rock. Singer Iggy Pop and his often-outrageous onstage performances were often the main focus of attention. They reformed in 2003, with bassist Mike Watt replacing the deceased Dave Alexander. The Stooges have been nominated for possible 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.




RIP Ron.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Doyle & Debbie in NYC!


Doyle & Debbie will be on 'Conan O'Brien', on Monday Jan. 5th. Then at Joe's Pub on Wednesday and Thursday, the 7th and 8th.

The Doyle and Debbie Show is sublime parody, simultaneously lampooning and idolizing country music's tradition of iconic duos and their subsequent battle of the sexes. Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton wield the vocal chops of vintage country stars, taking audiences on a freewheeling joyride through a wickedly funny script and slew of equally hilarious original songs.
Over the past two years, Doyle and Debbie have developed a rabid cult following in Nashville, many of whom have seen the show over a dozen times—everyone from theater-going professionals to college students who wouldn't be caught dead in a theater or a country bar.

When You're Screwing Other Women


Please tell your NYC friends to come on down!

Gid Tanner & His Skillet Lickers



The Skillet Lickers were one of the most influential string bands of the '20s and '30s.
Led by fiddler Gid Tanner, the band which combined old-timey country music with humor and showmanship, were known for their off-the-wall arrangements of old-time fiddle tunes.

The original lineup of the band featured Tanner, guitarist Riley Puckett, fiddler Clayton McMichen, and banjoist Fate Norris.

The lyrics of the Skillet Lickers' music used language common among rural white Americans at the time, but today is considered offensive and racist, including song titles like "Nigger in the Woodpile" and "Run Nigger Run".
Following the original band's dissolution, Puckett and latter-day fiddler Bert Layne led various bands called the Skillet Lickers, but the group wasn't relaunched until 1934, when Tanner formed a new lineup that recorded one final session that yielded their biggest hit, "Down Yonder".

"Soldier's Joy" (October 29, 1929)

The title could refer to payday for soldiers or even opiates in light of the verse: "Well twenty-five cents for the morphine, and fifteen cents for the beer. Twenty-five cents for the old morphine, now carry me away from here." It appears that the extra ten cents for the morphine could have been well worth it.



"Pass Around The Bottle And We'll All Take A Drink" (April 17, 1926)



Each of the above photos is a link to more music (25 tracks in all!).