Merry Christmas

SANTA'S reindeer will be flying higher than ever this Christmas...

... after munching magic mushrooms?!

Scientist Andrew Haynes believes reindeer deliberately seek out the mushrooms to escape the monotony of dreary long winters.

... the connection between psychedelic mushrooms and the Santa story has gradually woven itself into popular culture, at least the popular culture of mycology.

Happy Birthday Jorma!!!

The Legendary American blues, folk and rock guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen celebrates a birthday today. He is 70 years old.
Jorma is best known for his work with Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane.

For what it's worth, he also made an awesome Christmas album.









Here's a few vids!

Uncle Sam Blues -




Hesitation Blues -



Christmas Rule -

Farewell Captain

Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart, passed away today at a Northern California hospital at the age of 69.
The cause of death was named as complications from multiple sclerosis.

Van Vliet's musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians he called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12 studio albums.

Noted for his powerful singing voice with its wide range, Van Vliet also played the harmonica, saxophone and numerous other wind instruments.
His music blended rock, blues and psychedelia with free jazz, avant-garde and contemporary experimental composition.
During his teen years in Lancaster, California, Van Vliet acquired an eclectic musical taste and formed "a mutually useful but volatile" friendship with Frank Zappa, with whom he sporadically competed and collaborated.
Known for his enigmatic personality and relationship with the public, Van Vliet made few public appearances after his retirement from music (and from his Beefheart persona) in 1982 to pursue a career in art, an interest that originated in his childhood talent for sculpture.








RIP Captain Beefheart.

"Don't Let Obama Ruin Christmas"

'tis the season...

... and Jackie & Dunlap have released Red State Update's Christmas album Santa Is Real.



From the front cover - a parody of The Louvin Brothers' classic Satan Is Real album -



all through to the end, this recording is full of inspired holiday hilarity.

Allow Jackie and Dunlap to elaborate in this promotional video.



So many great tunes, but this infectious Caribbean flavored number seems to be my current favorite.



As a bonus, here's R.S.U.'s holiday offering from last year.

Hank III Is 38!!!

Shelton Hank Williams III celebrates a birthday today.




Here's 3 acoustic #'s.


... and one from Assjack.