Category: Music

Saturday Matinee – Mitch Ryder, The Swingin’ Medallions & Robin Trower

William S. Levise, Jr. (aka Mitch Ryder) was entirely awesome and way ahead of his time, even though he was echoing bluesmen who weren’t getting credit or pay for their songs. Yeah, he ripped them off.

The Swingin’ Medallions had some cool hits in the ’60s, especially “Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love.” (Note the stage floor choreography markers.) Killer stuff.

I was in Jr. Hi when I first heard those guys. I liked the music, but at the same time I thought they were dangerous. I don’t remember why.

How ’bout this? Here’s a faceload of Robin Trower.

Have a great weekend, folks. See you back here tomorrow.

Robert H. Keaton’s Contribution To The World: The Music Typing Machine

It’s an interesting arrangement that gives the Keaton Music Typewriter its distinctive look. In terms of engineering, thanks to a curved meter on the left that Keaton called the Scale Shift Handle and Scale Shift Indicator, it’s easy to control exactly where the notes and characters fall on the page. By moving the handle up or down a notch, the typewriter adjusts to print 1/24 inch in either direction. Moving one notch up or down will cause the character to fall one musical step either way.

It appears that the typed sheet music in the museum display (the 2nd image) is turned 90 degrees from the way the machine types, or perhaps it’s a different model.

[Images and text found here; Original Patent here; Video here.]

Enlaces Calientes para Cinco de Mayo

What’s the word?
No, really. What’s the word?
Oh, jeez. Last time. WHAT’S THE WORD?

Koala Mom.

Veteran Dan Crenshaw stands up.

Nicholas Sandmann did nothing wrong.

“There are demon worshipers in the cul-de-sac” [Sound up].

There is a reason that she’s referred to as Alexandria Occasional Cortex. (Dude wouldn’t post my polite comment either, even though I’ve been linking to his site for years.)

We took an unscheduled trip recently, and Bunkessa had some observations about the plane flights: “They treat us like children.”

“Get in line. No talking.”
“We’re not going anywhere until you buckle your seat belt.”
“Sit up straight.”
“Put your toys away.”
“We’re turning off the lights so you can sleep.”
“BTW, you’re grounded until we say otherwise.”
“Curfew is at 11PM.”
“Once we land, you may go to the Carousel.”

10 years ago. 5 years ago. 1 year ago.

[Top Image from here.]

Saturday Matinee – Claude Fontaine, Jerry Reed & CSN&Y – Kent State Day

Bunkessa suggested I post Claude Fontaine. Nice stereotypical reggae groove, but her fake wispy voice kinda turns me off.

I’d rather hear this.

Jerry Reed was a hoot.

Then something happened on 4 May 1970 and a bunch of morons chimed in, like these guys:

Took me a long time to realize that CSN&Y were nothing more than a bunch of musically talented idiots.

See you back here tomorrow.

Still Shot circa 1900 [updated]

He was a musician as well.

[Found here.]

[UPDATE: That’s not a still. It’s apparently a steam engine. See comments below.]

Hot Links and Airbags

Puke.

Asparagus FAQ.

Vindshield Viper.

There’s a lobster loose.

Arguing on Twitter is like…

Norm MacDonald is Polish.

How to introduce yourself to a dog.

The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo.

From the Fun Facts to Know and Tell Department: The English words “banana” and “yummy” supposedly come from Wolof, a language spoken in Senegal.

Awesome. Honda airbags were recalled a few years ago and now the replacement airbags have been recalled also.

[Top image from here.]

Saturday Matinee – Birdie Num Num, Death Pop, Favela Brass, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Jimmie Vaughan

A scene from The Party, a 1968 cult movie starring Peter Sellers.

I’m at a loss. Annoying death metal band lip-synchs to annoying pop band.

Favela means “slum” or “shantytown” in Portuguese. Awesome happens about 0:40 in. More here.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds were (and are) entirely awesome. Great lineup, including Jimmie Vaughan.

Yeah. Wait. That.

Have a great weekend, folks. Might have to go dark next week due to unfortunate family business, but don’t worry. We’ll be back soon enough.

 

Saturday Matinee – Robert “Junior” Lockwood, Robert Johnson & Eric Clapton

That’s Robert “Junior” Lockwood Jr. (1915-2006)

I had no idea of Lockwood’s pedigree when he showed up at an early morning jazz appreciation class I took in college. For him, it was all about the blues, and his lecture/demonstration blew me away.

He was taught guitar by Robert Johnson (1911-1938), the legendary King of the Delta Blues (and the Grandfather of Rock and Roll) hence the nickname Robert “Junior.”

Most of Robert Johnson’s songs have been covered by modern musicians, but I hadn’t heard the original “Hellhound On My Trail” until today. It’s got unusual chord patterns and rhythms:

You sprinkled hot foot powder
All around your daddy’s door.

Here’s Eric Clapton’s version from 2004, and it’s just as disturbing.

Have a great weekend, folks, and remember that everything’s gonna be alright.

Saturday Matinee – The Big Lie, Bad Manners, Reel Big Fish & The Skatalites

The Big Lie (1951). Yeah, it was propaganda, but it was also true. I went to school with a guy whose family escaped from communist Hungary in a hot air balloon. You can laugh, say that “It can’t happen here,” but it IS happening here.

Bad Manners – one of my favorite Brit Ska bands.

Reel Big Fish. They were kinda awesome.

No one could out-ska the Skatalites.

1]Freedom Sound
2]Man In The Street
3]Guns Of Navarone
4]El Pussycat
5]James Bond Theme
6]Sugar, Sugar
7]Nice Time
8]Simmer Down / Turn Your Lamp Down Low
9]Rockfort Rock (El Cumbanchero)
10]Latin Goes Ska
11]Phoenix City
12]Freedom Sound – Reprise

Have a great weekend, folks. See you back here tomorrow.

Saturday Matinee – Hound Dog Taylor, Little Walter, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, The Allman Brothers Band with Eric Clapton

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers Live. From the Utoobage comments: “He had six fingers on his left hand.”

Little Walter’s Jump, 1967. From here:
“Little Walter‘s harp is accompanied by Hound Dog Taylor (guitar), Dillard Crume (bass), and Odie Payne (drums), at the 1967 “American Folk Blues Festival” in Germany just months before his death.”

Who else was at that venue? Bukka White, Skip James, Koko Taylor, Son House and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. All blues greats, without a doubt. So let’s go with this:

Yeah, Eric Clapton ripped off “Key To The Highway,” but he also paid many cool tributes, including this version with The Allman Brothers Band.

Have a great weekend, folks. Be back here tomorrow for more you know what.