The Follyphone appeared on stage in London during the fall of 1912 during orchestral concerts conducted by H.G. Pelissier. And all of the newspaper accounts from the time make it sound like an interesting prop to deliver a message about anticipation, elaborate planning, and ultimately disappointment.
[Image and more about the Follyphone found here.]
Rocking Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu Part 1
Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and The Clowns (1957) Rocking Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu Part 1 earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock & Roll; the flip side of the Ace Records 45rpm, RP & the BWF Part 2, did not.
In 1944 at the age of 15, Huey Smith began working in clubs around New Orleans and recording with partner Eddie Jones (later known as Guitar Slim). By 1955 he was a session musician, playing piano for Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Earl King and others. Smith’s mix of boogie woogie, blues and jazz piano styles became the sound of New Orleans.
Dragon tail tale [h/t Amy D.]
Still my favorite puzzle video.
Tim, Michelle, Rosie and John.
This is probably an emergency.
The incomplete lives of AI generated actors.
Springfield Bushman [via Everlasting Blört].
Life inside a bag of corn chips [via Memo Of The Air].
Dawna Kaufmann discusses the late Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman. [Jump to 21:44 for interview. Unfortunate commercial interruptions.]
[Top image: Mona LisAI, Peter McClard, 2025.]
From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.
The Seatsniffers are a Belgian roots rock band with a large following throughout Europe. Unfortunately they don’t seem to have a website. [h/t Chuck S.]
They’re part rock, part psychedelia, part R&B and part soul, but mostly Seratones is lead singer and guitar player A.J. Haynes. When asked what inspires her, she responded, “Afrofuturism.”
Eliza Stark & The Dappers:
“The only rockabilly band based in Montenegro. A classic trio of guitar, drums and hot chick slapping double bass and regular guests of national TV and festivals, they also well-known for their true and original music far beyond the borders of Montenegro.” – ES & The D Facebook Page
Sue Foley covers Clarence Gatemouth Brown’s classic Okie Dokie Stomp with style (and her trademark pink paisley Stratocaster). She’s been performing and recording since she was 21, has won many awards since [bio here].
For those of you in the Memorial Day BBQ crowd, wrapping up your roadtrips, or just chillin’ on the porch, here are some random unrelated tunes posted in May of the years 2020 – 2025, ordered by year of release.
[Caveat: I don’t own the copyrights to any of the recordings. They are presented here for entertainment purposes only.]
I’d Much Rather Be With The Girls, Donna Lynn (1965)Little info can be found about Canadian pop singer and occasional Broadway actress, Donna Lynn (Albano?). She recorded several novelty songs in the 1960s while still in her teens and had a minor hit with My Boyfriend Got A Beatle Haircut, recorded in 1964, just weeks before Beatlemania erupted.
Pig leaves [via Bunkerville].
Pigdogball [via Everlasting Blört].
Satan’s Tears. [Related post here.]
Making Kopi Luwak coffee: Step 1.
Shooting vertical panoramas [via Memo Of The Air].
Request for liberty granted [via The Feral Irishman].
The Boss fired himself [via The View From Lady Lake].
[Top image: Audrey II, artwork by Chet Phillips, 2020.]
From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.
R.L. Burnside was born in Lafayette County, Mississippi, learned from Mississippi Fred McDowell who lived in the next county over. Burnside and his family, tired of the life of sharecroppers, moved to Chicago in the early 50s. Subsequently his father, two uncles and two brothers were murdered there. In 1959 he returned to Mississippi, was convicted of murder himself, and served time at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, aka Parchman Farm.
Australian guitarist, singer-songwriter Ray Beadle, with Jonathan Zwartz on double bass and Andrew Dickeson on snare play Diamonds At Your Feet, a 1956 Muddy Waters tune. A former member of The Foreday Riders, Beadle plays original compositions and covers of blues and jazz standards in his own style.
Formed in 2011 in southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck has earned a following playing southern rock with a 1970s flavor. They decided to visit Pioneertown for this recording session.
Memorial Day Weekend is upon us. Somewhere in between road trips, BBQ (and Porch Time), pause to remember the meaning of the holiday and give thanks to the fallen soldiers who gave up everything for the people of this Great Nation.
I Can See Clearly Now, Lachy Doley Group (2021) Cover of Johnny Nash’ 1972 hit by Australian musician, singer and songwriter Lachlan R. “Lachy” Doley, best known for playing the Hammond organ and whammy clavinet.
The Bic Cristal [via My OBT].
Claycat’s Doom – The Dark Ages.
My new ringtone [via Bunkerville].
Reading Ulysses in Montana #668.
Top 100 rock albums from the 1980s.
May 1980 – Mount St. Helen eruption.
Sheriff Buford Pusser Home & Museum.
Lena Guberman’s masks [via Everlasting Blört].
Steaming Across Panama [via The Feral Irishman].
“Oh, honey? Mind stopping by the store on your way home?”
Alcohol and stairs in a Russian kitchen [via Memo Of The Air].
[Top image: Retro Future charging station via Club Cranium.]
From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.
Dubbed The World’s Greatest Two Person Rock ‘N’ Roll Ensemble, Flavia & Martin Couri, aka The Fabulous Courettes, are proof that Phil Spector lives.
The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (aka DLO3) grooves it
Delvon Lamarr – Hammond B3 organ
Jabrille “Jimmy James” Williams – guitar
– drums
Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist Mia Dyson was raised in a musical family near Daylesford and later Torquay. Influenced by her father, Jim Dyson, a blues guitarist and luthier who crafted her first guitar, she’s now considered one of Australia’s top 25 guitarists.
Got some unexpected good news this week, but you gotta wait a bit. I’ll do a brief write up soonish, or you can stop by the porch tomorrow and I’ll bring you up to speed. See you whenever.
Swinging Mama, Tiny Grimes (1974)
Guitarist Lloyd “Tiny” Grimes (1916-1989) played with many jazz notables. In the late 1940s he had a hit on a jazzed-up version of Loch Lomond with the band billed as Tiny “Mac” Grimes and the Rocking Highlanders. They wore kilts and included Red Prysock on tenor sax and singer Screaming Jay Hawkins.
A common murre [via Bunkerville].
Sprinkle Lemon Happy Guy Muffins.
The Brennan Monorail [via The Feral Irishman].
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon [via Memo Of The Air].
Electro Queens and Digital Divas [via Everlasting Blört].
[Top image found here.]
From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.
Award winning Ukranian pianist and instructor Viktoriya Yermolyeva, aka Vkgoeswild covers The Ramones’ classic. She’s written piano arrangements for many other rock/metal hits that she performs in live concerts and on her Youtube channel.
Japanese psychobilly trio The Radios has been playing rock and roll for three decades, and no, I can’t explain the hunchback zombie monkey bass slapper.
The Mississippi Blues Band formed in Buenos Aires in 1989. Renamed La Mississippi, they released their debut recording, Mbugi in 1993.
Happy Mothers Day.
Tacky Raccoons 