Retro & Vintage – Page 79

Saturday Matinee – Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Joe Cocker & Tom Jones, George Benson, and…

Gary Lewis & The Playboys‘ “She’s Just My Style” reached #3 on The Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966. The chicks dug it.

Joe Cocker‘s take on “Delta Lady” earned him a hit in 1969, and in 1970 he doubled down by performing it with Tom Jones. The chicks dug it.

George Benson‘s recording of “This Masquerade” was a soft jazz R&B hit in 1976, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot Soul Singles charts [Wiki]. The chicks dug it.

What do those songs have in common? They were all written by this guy:

Yeah, another great rock/soul/jazz/country icon passed away this week. R.I.P. Leon Russell (1942-2016).

Have no worries, these things happen all the time, and nobody lasts forever. Let’s have fun while we can. See you back here tomorrow.

Saturday Matinee – Sha Na Na, The Broke Brothers & The Wailers

Sha Na Na was best known for opening for Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, doing covers of early R&R and R&B hits, but they wrote some original songs as well. “The Vote Song” appeared on their album “The Night Is Still Young” in 1972, also a presidential election year, and if you replace “Nixon” with “Obama” in the lyrics, it still works.

The Broke Brothers‘ cover of the The Stone’s hit is an interesting take. It’s also an appropriate song that sums up my feelings about last Tuesday’s Election Day results.

As a resident of the People’s Republic of California, my vote didn’t count for anything, not even on the specious ballot measures, but at the same time I’m pleased that a certain someone will not become President.

The Wailers perform their classic 1977 hit “Three Little Birds” (sans the late Bob Marley) in 2014. For everyone on all sides of the political spectrum, this seems appropriate as well.

Have a great weekend, folks, and steer clear of the hooligans.

The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month of 1918 – Armistice Day

armistice-day-1918-c armistice-day-1918-b armistice-day-1918-a

A suspension of hostilities was agreed to in 1918, yet it was not the end of The Great War. Appeasement without enforcement of sanctions led to unimaginable atrocities a few short years later.

May we never make that mistake again.

Hot Links for Algernon

VOTE BUNK

Josh Jennings for Congress. He speaks truth to power as far as he knows.

4 November 2016 – Fayetteville, NC: Twenty hold-ups in 2-1/2 minutes by same man. No arrests, suspect at large.

This omni-directional conveyor belt is called a Celluveyor. Here’s another one with a jumpy jivey music track [via].

Here’s what happens if you dress up as your dog’s favorite toy for Halloween.

I quit watching TV decades ago because the family arguments on what to watch weren’t worth it. Recently they introduced me to The Walking Dead on Netflix and I got hooked. Three weeks later I’m overruled again, and The Walking Dead has been preempted by reruns of Roseanne. Now I’m back to not watching TV.

Ever feel like you’re merely a walking protein?

El peinado del emoticono de la caca. (Hint: it’s a hair-doo.)

Best Graffiti Ever.

John Lydon [aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols] once appeared before Judge Judy. Here’s the vid.

Noodling. Yeah, we posted the vid before, and you’ll never do it in your lifetime, unless you really want to.

Don’t forget to reset your calendars tonight.

Saturday Matinee – Nature Rx, Dan Martinez & Buckwheat Zydeco

This is a Public Service Announcement, posted as required by the Federal Internet Content Control Act (FICCA) of 2017.

Dan Martinez aka the Piano Juggler is amazing [h/t Bunkessa].

The 1961 hit “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel (featuring Delbert McClinton on harmonica) is one of those songs that’s almost impossible to do a bad cover of. DJ Ötzi’s version from 2000 is probably the best known, but Buckwheat Zydeco‘s take from 1994 is pretty good (and there’s a 1970 VW Karmann Ghia in the vid, too).

Have a great weekend, folks. More coming up.

Jim Ignatowski’s Father

ignatowskis-father

Veterans of WWII re-acclimating to civilian life.

[Found here. The irreverent reference to Reverend Jim Ignatowski is a joke.]

Saturday Matinee – Ghost Theme Park, Are You Popular?, Ray Charles & Tommy Emmanuel

The second or third Happiest Place on Earth.

Japanese theme park Nara Dreamland was built in 1961 but was permanently closed in 2006 due to declining attendance. At one time this place was filled with laughter; now it’s just spooky. This is what it looks like after years of neglect. [via].

“Are You Popular?” I wish I’d seen this 1947 PSA when I was in High School. All my dates could have been spatulas and 2x4s.

Ray Charles performs at an elementary school in London in a 1964 film “Ballad In Blue” [via].

Tommy Emmanuel is amazing. No formal training, can’t read or write music, yet his sound is incredible with an unmistakable Chet Atkins influence. He reminds me of Leo Kottke.

Have a great weekend, folks. There’s more to come.

The .GIF Friday Post No. 458 – Marvel Costumes, Oktoberfest & The Addams Family

superman wonder-woman spiderman oktoberfest addams-family-click-click

[Oktoberfest costumes found here, via here; the Superheroes & The Addams Family in here.]

Saturday Matinee – Mississippi John Hurt, Jimi Hendrix & Stevie Ray Vaughan

Mississippi John Hurt sings a classic spiritual.
[That one’s for you, Calo.]

Jimi Hendrix – no slouch on a reversed and restrung 12-string.

Stevie Ray Vaughan burns it. The clip is apparently from a television show in France, date unknown. Some think that may be an impostor because his face is hidden, but I seriously doubt that any impostor who plays like that would need to pretend.

Have a great weekend folks.