[Found here.]
Folks, I’m getting IO errors, can’t paste more .gifs into this post, so instead, here’s a linky to entertain you until I can figure out the problem over the weekend.
Category: Retro & Vintage
Independence Day 4 July 1918
I might have posted these before. They are envelopes decorated by my great-grandfather and mailed to his son (my grand-uncle) who was stationed in France in the U.S. Signal Corps in WWI. Walter received them on 10 August 1918, and replied with this letter:
“…I saw a peach of an air battle last night. Believe me that is exciting stuff to see them diving and darting around like a couple of birds. That’s about all I can tell you. I can’t tell you who licked. Some of the best fliers are located near us. I guess there are a few “aces” among the bunch.
…Pap says the war will be over in a year making it July 4th 1919. I don’t want to shatter his hopes but I think about the fall of 1920 myself. That is simply my estimate. Maybe last longer or maybe not as long.”
Late last year I asked Walter’s daughter if she’d allow me to post her father’s letters, in sequence beginning in February 1918, as if in real time. For personal reasons she declined, and I’ll respect her wishes.
Meanwhile, I hope all of you still have the same number of fingers and toes as you did yesterday at this time.
Saturday Matinee – Sh-Boom, Monsters, Brazil, Take Five in 4 & Reggae Hit L.A.
The Chords‘ original A Capella version of Sh-Boom.
Nice collection of Ray Harryhausen‘s greatest hits.
If you’ve never seen Terry Gilliam‘s excellent movie Brazil this would be a good weekend to watch it. Twice.
There’s something very wrong with taking Dave Brubeck‘s classic “Take Five,” completely missing the musical pun involved (5/4 time) and turning it into a ska version (in 4/4). Aside from that blasphemy, it’s kinda fun.
Punk Funk Reggae Ska compilation, courtesy The Aggrolites. I like.
Have a great weekend folks, see you back here tomorrow for more fun.
Dare
[Found here.]
Captain Kangaroo 1927-2004 [Updated]
Captain Kangaroo, aka Bob Keeshan, was my favorite as a lil’ tad. There he is, with a pocket full of carrots, and Bunny Rabbit in the other. My memory of Cap’n K does not include that screaming red jacket. It had to be blue, because I watched him every day in glorious black and white. Now check this out:
Yep. Captain Kangaroo liked Heineken. BTW, the urban legend is false – Bob Keeshan did NOT fight on Iwo Jima in WWII, and neither did Lee Marvin, although both were Marines. Film at 11.
[Update: Apparently that photo is from a Halloween party circa 1980 something, and is not Bob Keeshan. It’s still awesome. Hat tip to Dave.]
[UPDATE 2023: The Full Story!]
The Real Captain Hook?
Saturday Matinee – Papa’s Day Eve
Now I don’t like to post Utoobage vids that don’t have vids, but Tom Waits’ version of James Brown’s “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” is too great to pass up.
There aren’t many decent videos of Papa John Creach, but here he is with Hot Tuna circa 1972.
The Temptations’ classic “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.”
And Mama, I’m fighting a head cold, so that’s it for tonight. Just remember the old adage, “When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy; and when Papa ain’t happy, nobody gives a shit.” Have a great weekend, folks, and be back here tomorrow for more fun.
Mr. Intestinal Polyp
Yikes! What a walking disease. Had I seen this when I was little I’d still be suffering nightmares, especially because I dream in color. (I’m still working on dreaming in stereo.)
Thank God TV was all rabbit-ears black and white back then. Click here for more info; click the image to see him in action.
[Image found here.]
STAX Stay In School
Stay in School, Don’t Be a Dropout (1967) was not a commercial release and less than 10,000 copies are known to exist in its original vinyl format.
Guess what’s in Bunk’s old vinyl collection!
This is a DJ album, distributed to R&B/Soul radio stations in urban areas. It’s got no lead-in tracks, meaning that the DJ had to pick what announcement or song he wanted to play and place the needle by hand. Stax/Volt was clever, in that the tracks of songs they were selling were preceded by public service announcements by the artists themselves.
“Hi, this is the big O, Otis Redding.
I was just standing here thinking about you,
Thought I’d write a song about you,
And dedicate it to you.
Take a listen.”
More info on this nice collectible here. Click to enlarge, check out the playlist, and read the commendation from Vice President Hubert Humphrey. There’s some great stuff on this album.
Saturday Matinee – Jerks, Avalanche, Malo, Santana & The Five Satins
Pointless vandalism. Jerks.
On a lighter note, there’s this. The Avalanche’s “Since I Left You.” I like it, not so much for the music, but the vid has a nice storyline with a clever twist at the end (h/t ryannon). The song reminded me of this grooviness:
Malo‘s 1972 hit “Suavecito.” Malo was a San Fransisco band led by Jorge Santana, Carlos’ brother. Rather than pick another sappy hit from that year (like Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling“) let’s try this:
Carlos Santana‘s “Nowhere to Run” from a 1982 concert promoted by Apple founder Steve Wozniak. Now let’s jump forward another ten years to 1992.
Or not. In 1992, Boyz II Men had a hit with a cover of “In The Still of the Night,” but I just can’t bring myself to post it, so let’s go with The Five Satins‘ original, lip synched, from 1956.
And with that we’re outta here. Have a great weekend, folks, and be back here tomorrow for more fun.
Tacky Raccoons 