Johnny “Dizzy” Moore passed on in August of 2008, so as a late tribute, here are the Skatalites:
Biographical info on Dizzy Moore can be found at this site (which has it’s own ska track auto play by the way.)
Joe Bennet & the Sparkletones’ “Black Slacks.”
Intermission.
Trailer for “MANtage,” coming to a theater near you. [Great find, FinPeng.]
Back by popular demand, the J. Geils Band’s version of the Marvelow’s classic “I DO.”
These images were sent to Tacky Raccoons HQ by a genuine decent sort via email. The colors and the concept caused my antennae to quiver “FRAUD!” But I’m not so sure. Snopes has nothing on it, yet, and there are too many google links to the 1932 Helicron.
Either it’s a VERY elaborate hoax, or it’s the real deal. We think it’s the latter.
At least there is video proof that it works in concept, but it gives the term “roadkill” a more gruesome visage…
Anyone recobanize what airplane the cowling came from?
[Tip ‘o the tarboosh to Dan S. who sent the images via email.]
Eartha Kitt (1927-2008). She was THE Catwoman.
Sharon Jones, live in France, backed by Binky Griptite & the Dap Kings.
Willis “Gator Tail” Jackson cranks it in 1955.
Now for Something Else:
Eddie Cochran recorded this in 1959. (Six months later he died in a car crash in England that also injured Gene Vincent and the songwriter, Sharon Sheely.)
Keith Richards’ tribute to Cochran. Richards died of various drug overdoses and alcohol poisonings in 1967, 1970, 1972, 1983 and several other years since. He’s still touring.
According to the source, this clip was found in New Brunswickeshire England, in the basement of a home once owned by one of the founders of the Salvation Army. It’s bean carbon dated to about 1925.
Brian Setzer’s rockin’ version of Elvis’ rockin’ version of “Santa Claus Is Back In Town.”
Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” choreographed with lights.
It’s not Christmas to Bunk unless he hears this version by the Ronettes. (Note that in the video the horse is bustin’ butt and that he also has windshield wipers.)
Q: What’s Christmas without the Ramones?
A: Christmas.
[Update 22 December 2008–
Plane Tross has noticed and verified a significant congruence between this post and a previous one: “It’s amazing that when you play “The Ramones” song it’s in perfect sync with “Honka Chickm” below it.”
That’s gotta be one of the best comments ever on this blog. Thanks gobs, Plane. Comments like that are what make me wanna get out of bed almost every morning.]
As I arrived at TR HQ today, I found a CD sitting all alone. Turns out the lovely Mrs. Strutts scored a copy of Slim Gaillard’s “Slim’s Jam.” Better yet, the missus got it for nothing. WOW. “Flat Foot Floogie” for free. Good God, I’ve heard this guy’s stuff. He played lead guitar when guitar was looked down upon as a mere rhythm instrument. Gaillard was WAY ahead of his time. (Listen for his pre-Chuck Berry licks on the second video.)
You ever wonder where Little Richard came up with “Tutti Frutti?” It was from Gaillard’s advanced musical tublications. FACT.
“R-A-G-G-M-O-P-P RAG MOP”
[Just a few years later, it looked like this, from Uncertain Times.]
Hambone is the traditional folk music consisting of rhythms produced by slapping oneself and making noises without singing. It traces its history to the pre-civil war South, and was probably introduced by west african slaves. Regardless of your musical tastes, Hambone is harder than it looks. Try it yousef and you’ll see.
The Hambone Brothers showed up occasionally on the long running TV show, “HeeHaw.” The guy on the left was cool, but the guy on the right always creeped me out.
[Presurfer reminded me about ’em. Honest.]
Jeff Holt does Hambone with the always amazing Doc Watson.
Holt and Watson doing “Soldier’s Joy” and “Ragtime Annie.”
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, with Pete Seeger on banjo. Terry’s breath control and “whoopin'” on harmonica was directly related to Hambone, if you didn’t notice. (Unless I’m mistaken, Sonny and Brownie also had a small cameo on the first Blues Brothers movie.)
And finally, a public service announcement from Plaxico Burress.
[Found here.]
Whatever happened to these guys? They were a blast when they came out in the late ’70s. Here’s the Bus Boys‘ promo video.
Better yet, whatever happened to The Paladins? Great 3-man flat head six rockabilly, and here they are live in Holland of all places. I saw them decades ago opening for The Fabulous Thunderbirds at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California. Track down any of their records and you won’t be disappointed.
When I was dating the future Mrs. Strutts, we went to see the Paladins in L.A. Opening for them was Jimmy & the Mustangs.
Opening for the Paladins and the Mustangs: The Forbidden Pigs. Stand up bassman Billy Bacon was amazing, standing on it, rolling around with it, jamming it. At one point the drummer took a flip over his drumset to beat on the bass while Bacon fingered the chords. Great show.
When you’re an 11-year-old girl at a sleep over, watching the results of “American Idol,” some things matter A LOT. [via Woosk.]
This is kinda cool, even though it’s contrived and the music drips with lameosity. Combines Picasso, Dali, Van Gogh and Escher imagery.
Thanks a wad to TR Commenter Breon for reminding me of the late great Danny Gatton. Here’s a kickass medley of Sun Records hits, in typical out-of-sync Utoobage fashion.
But I remember Gatton for THIS incredible stunt. (Phil, y’all pane-tension?)
Here’s Bunk’s favorite pissed-off blues crank, from Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Shortly after Vaughan passed on, Buddy Guy fronted SRV’s band, Double Trouble, on Austin City Limits in 1991. Here’s his tribute version of “You Better Leave My Little Girl Alone”.
1959’s “Shombolar” by Sheriff and the Ravels post dated The Chips’ “Rubber Biscuit” by a few years, but had some of the same Hubba inna Jiggawa phrases. Gotta love it. (Watch for the Dick Dale cameo.)
Bill Haley & the Comets’ “Rip it Up” (ripping off Little Richard’s original verision). Awesome jitterbuggin’… Lookee here for mo betta.
1957’s “Untamed Youth.” Scary stuff.
This one’s for Aussie Phil. Ready for some speed blues? Here’s “PRESSURE COOKER.” Clarence Gatemouth Brown was one of the most underrated bluesmen of the modern era. He was one of those rare folks that if you told him a set of jumper cables was an instrument, he could play ’em.
Tacky Raccoons 