"Sheets of Sound"

Jazz Saxophonist and composer John Coltrane was born 83 years ago today.
The phrase “sheets of sound" refers to the tenor saxophonist's cascades of arpeggios.
Coltrane reshaped modern jazz and influenced generations of other musicians.
John Coltrane performed constantly during most of his career. Sadly, John would pass on July 17, 1967.






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British singer Dame Vera Lynn has cracked the Top 20 list in Britain with her album We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn....

... and now claims the No. 1 spot, beating out the Arctic Monkeys and even the Beatles, the Associated Press reports.
Modernists are baffled, and Dame Vera herself is 'more than a little surprised'.

This 92-year-old chanteuse - "The Forces' Sweetheart" - has previously been featured on this blog

words and music by John Fogerty

Effigy

Last night I saw a fire burnin'

On the palace lawn
O'er the land, the humble subjects watched
In mixed emotion

Who is burnin'? Who is burnin'?
Effigy
Who is burnin'? Who is burnin'?
Effigy

Last night I saw the fire spreadin'
To the palace door
Silent majority weren't keepin'
Quiet anymore

Who is burnin'? Who is burnin'?
Effigy
Who is burnin'? Who is burnin'?
Effigy

Last night I saw the fire spreadin'
To the country side
In the mornin' few were left
To watch the ashes die

Who is burnin'? Who is burnin'?
Effigy
Who is burnin'? Who is burnin'?
Effigy

The song originally appeared on Creedence Clearwater Revival's Willie and the Poor Boys album.It has been covered by both Uncle Tupelo and Gov't Mule.The version posted above is from the Mule's Deep End vol. 1 and features Mike Watt on bass.

Modern Drunkard's Stimulus Plan

Frank Kelly Rich unveils his plan on how we can STIMULATE our ailing economy:

• Allow drinking on the job. So long as there isn’t risk to life or limb involved, workers would be allowed to have at it while on the clock. A pint of beer on every desk, a bottle of vodka in every watercooler, a giddy smile on every face. A great fleet of portable bars manned by singing bartenders should roll through every office building and factory like great harbingers of hope. Imagine the inspiration and motivation this would unleash. Chaps would be storming into work 15 minutes early, practically demanding to get down to business.

• Force bars to stay open 24/7. That whole “last call” thing plainly smacks of defeatism. Millions of new bartending, cocktail waitress and cab driver jobs would open up (I think we already have enough bouncers), and it would foster a real sense that the nation is ready to get rolling again, at any possible moment. It would create more opportunity for entrepreneurs to hatch those brilliant schemes that can only be incubated in bars, like topless golf courses and round-the-clock hovercraft service to Vegas. Instead of moping around at home, absorbing yet another horrific bummer from the black-hearted media, citizens would be out amongst their own, ferociously stimulating the economy. Not to mention each other.

• Every worker receives a six-pack, jug of wine or bottle of liquor with each paycheck. The effect would be immediate. It would not only serve to rid the workforce of a great deal of stress, it would instill massive amounts of consumer confidence. There’s nothing like a skinful of booze to make you want to go out and spread some capital around. It would galvanize the shiftless into getting jobs. Not to mention the boost it would give the alcohol industry—did you know the US beer industry alone employs 1.8 million people? With a little effort we can surely double that.

Read the complete editorial/rant here.

(via Modern Drunkard)

Important new development for both the medicinal and industrial use of hemp.

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have identified the genes in cannabis that allow the plant to produce THC. Finding the genes opens the path to either create drug-free hemp plants for industrial purposes, or to develop plants with much higher concentrations of the psychotropic chemical. (via PopSci.com)

In a related article, cultivars have been experimenting with Ruderalis/marijuana hybrids, in hopes of breeding potent auto-flowering strains. (via KindGreenBuds)

Today's Date In Music History:

Camper Van Beethoven - September 12, 2008 - Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace

This return installment of Today's Date In Music History features Camper Van Beethoven recorded live at the 4th Annual Cracker-Camper Van Beethoven Family Reunion Campout in Pioneertown, CA, USA

Some of this sets' many highlights include "Militia Song"*, "Take The Skinheads Bowling", and a cover of Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive".

Listen here:

Download full show here.

... and by the way, while you're reading this, you're missing this year's fest!

* "Militia Song lyrics":
"Studied mathematics in Berkely
Now I don't like society
Got me a little old shack in the woods
Gonna mail you out some explosive goods
They say my brother's insane and simple
But he lived in west Texas in a hole in the ground
I'm the only bomber that you'll ever need
Keep the commie Californians from repressing me "

Here's a related Cracker post.

Autumn Approaches Amsterdam

John Dawson Winter III

For your enjoyment, here's some Johnny Winter on The Old Grey Whistle Test!

Neil Young & Paul McCartney: "A Day In The Life" - Live At Hyde Park June 27, 2009

Objective Coverage?

You may have noticed ...

...Blogging has been light, of late, as I've been out of the office.
I've been off to the races, and also logging in some hours at my other office-the Tin & Lint Co. in Saratoga Springs.


This local "gin mill" is reminiscent of The Park City's Golden Star--and I mean that in a good way. The bar is also the site where singer Don McClean wrote that awful song.

That is why I've not been blogging so much.

But fear not! the folks o'er at Conservative Punk have been on the case with coverage of Segway riding chimps and (more importantly) Presidential control of OUR internet.

Jackie and Dunlap discuss Town Hall meetings, Ted Kennedy, and the truth about the Two Party system - "...one merry band of game riggin' assholes..."

HOPE and CHANGE

It must be a gas leak...

...or an early onset of dementia, but these Ramones' lyrics are striking me as unusually profound.


"Gonna take a chance on her one bullet in the cylinder
And in a moment of passion get the glory like Charles Manson

Gonna smile, I'm gonna laugh you're gonna get a blood bath
And in a moment of passion get the glory like Charles Manson

You gotta go go go go goodbye glad to see you go go go go goodbye

Now I know the score I don't need you anymore don't want
You cause you're a bore I need somebody good I need a miracle
Should I take a chance on her? one bullet in the cylinder

Gonna smile, I'm gonna laugh they're gonna want my autograph
And in a moment of passion get the glory like Charles Manson

You gotta go go go go goodbye Glad to see you go go go go goodbye
Goodbye"

I don't remember sniffing any glue.

Can you find...

... this blog's author in this vintage (1984-85) photo?

..
thanx to Moosh for the pic.

Only a Test?

M.C. 's in Deep Shit!

Police in Connecticut say they've now seized more than 2,000 firearms under a 1999 law that allows authorities to confiscate guns from people they suspect might harm themselves or others.

It was 50 years ago today...

The musical Milestone, Kind of Blue was released.

Kind of Blue was released by trumpeter/bandleader Miles Davis on August 17th 1959, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest jazz albums of all time.
The recording sessions for the album took place at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City on March 2 and April 22, 1959
.The sessions featured Davis's ensemble sextet, which included pianists Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly, drummer Jimmy Cobb, bassist Paul Chambers, and saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.

A Legend leaves

He built his own guitar and effects...
when his elbow got smashed, he was asked by his Doctor what position he would like it permanently fixed in. He said a Right Angle, so he could still play guitar...
He pioneered the idea of multi-tracking to get extra guitar parts, and the first to use sped-up and slowed-down guitars.

The legendary Les Paul has passed at age 94.
This really is sad news. He was a true innovator.
He will be missed by many.

Here's some audio:

Short-lived, musically memorable NBC radio show by the virtuoso guitarist/recording innovator, his vocalist wife Mary Ford, and their bass/percussion partner Ed Stapleton.

Birthdays

Actor George Hamilton celebrates his 70th birthday today. Fresh Dread was unable to reach Mr. Hamilton for comment. My guess is he's busy tanning.

Also (and more importantly) Messrs. Swanny and Keldog are having birthdays as well.
Wish them well, extend regards, buy them a drink. You know the drill.