YE OLD BLUES PROMOTIONAL POSTERS

These Paramount Records print ads span from 1927-1932 and were originally printed in the Chicago Defender. Paramount Records began around 1910  in a Wisconsin furniture company that began pressing records in hopes that’d help them sell record players The  company curated and released a  legendary catalogue of classic early jazz and Delta blues 78s by the likes of Charley Patton, Ma Rainey, and Blind Lemon Jefferson.
I just think they look spectacular.

originally ran in the Dangerous Minds blog
Go to this site for links and a more comprehensive history of these classic pieces of art

BATMAN DOES DETHKLOK

This is fun, I just wish I knew more about who animated it.
BATMETAL

Batman music video original song: Dethklok - Face Fisted

Guitar Shop

The boy and I were mucking around the other night when we realized how many guitars (or more correctly stringed instruments) we had lying around the house, in cupboards, under the beds, in the attic or shed. So we dragged them all out and had a little reminisce of each piece and their history and possible future. 

No.1 is my 50th birthday present and my pride and joy an RH Ibanez ASF-80 semi acoustic because I really admire the playing of Mike Nesmith from the Monkees. 

No.2 Liam’s LH ESP LTD, this is his live guitar and he throws it around like it cost $50, it’s forever being tweaked and repaired but sounds insane. 

No.3 A Vantage RH with nylon strings that we forgot we had.

No.4 A Violin we bought for $40 to hang on the wall as art, we also use the bow every now and then on the guitars for effect. 

No.5 An ancient Eston Mandolin that is unplayable but also sits on the piano for show. 

No.6 RH Daion Strat copy, this guitar hold a soft spot in my heart because it was something that kept me happy during years of inactivity, I have promised Liam when he gets some decent paying gigs in front of a good crowd he can re string it to left hand and smash the shit out of it Jimi Hendrix style on stage. 

No.7 A strange no name RH acoustic with a funny fender style head stock I bought in a second hand store on Phillip Island, I just like the look of it. It plays horribly and can’t stay in tune. 

No.8 A Christmas present from Liam, a ION reversible All star guitar that fits my iPad or iPhone and lets you use garage band in ways no originally thought possible. A brilliant recording tool, especially for keyboard and string pieces. 

No.9 My RH Essex cut away acoustic, obscured here but by far my favoutite instrument. Just so light and rings beautifully. Superb action. 

No.10 The first guitar I ever bought (but not my first) a RH Yamaha. Bought 4th Feb 1980 at Brashes Chadstone. Only a trophy now as I warped the neck over the years by leaving in the car on travels around the country. 

No.11 LH Greg Bennet, Liam’s back up guitar. Reliable and tough. 

No.12 LH Washburn acoustic with pick ups, a wonderful guitar with a lovely sound, nothing is lost through the pick ups. 

No.13 LH ¾ Valencia acoustic, the guitar Liam learnt to play on, still used extensively at parties and parks or busking and is virtually unbreakable. This will end up in a museum one day. I restrung it and is the only guitar I ever had to for him as I thought if he plays left hand he shouldn’t be disadvantaged by only playing upside down right hand guitars. Though he does play upside down right handed guitars quite well. Note: 

Though I’m partial to the Telecaster, I have never been a massive fan of Fender and Gibson guitars and the myth built up around them. As the boy says “They just had a lack of choice back then”.

Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt

The Anarchy sisters, Panty and Stocking, are angels who were kicked out of Heaven due to their bad behavior. They are sent to Daten City (a pun on the Japanese word datenshi "Fallen Angel")), a place located on the edge of Heaven and Hell. Strange monsters called "Ghosts" besiege the city, but the Anarchy sisters wield a variety of mysterious powers, most notably their ability to transform their clothing into weapons.

Under the watchful eye of Reverend Garterbelt, and with their pet zipper-dog Chuck, it's up to Panty and Stocking to destroy these Ghosts, in order to collect enough Heaven Coins to return to Heaven.

In typical Japanese anime fashion it is crass and totally funny.

This series which only started airing in October 2010 has taken Japan by storm.

This wonderful piece of musical video is from the soundtrack from the series.

It pays homage to several other bands such as King Crimson, Nirvana, Pink Floyd and of course Gorillaz.

Micky Mouse - virtual band pioneer.

Micky Mouse was he leader of the world's first virtual band?

Ultra Cool Lego

LEGO has always been cool but these works go to a whole new level.
and click here to keep it musically orientated

I love the M.C Escher models

Cartoon bands that were fleeting

Bands from cartoon shows have always incorporated "pop bands" into story lines.
One notable thing that stands out in these episodes , especialy those from the 60s Hanna-Barbera series is how far removed they were from current music trends of the time these bands tended to be.
In some instances it's as if the writers refused to accept music developed beyond 1962.
Here is a sample of such treats from classic shows as the FLINSTONES and JETSONS

THE WAY OUTS


ANNE MARGROCK



Fred & Barney realise their kids are pop stars (a prophetic vision)




THE BEDROCK ROCKERS from the Flintstones offshoot the Pebbles & Bam Bam based show.



THE CLASSIC JETSCREAMER EPISODE FROM THE JETSONS FEATURING Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah

Record covers, CD’s and failing eyesight.

I miss the old album covers, I don’t miss the vinyl records they contained, I just miss the single and old double gate 12 inch by 12 inch cardboard covers - sometimes with an inner sleeve - with their wondrous artwork and readable linear notes.

I’ve always been a keen music fan and I don’t expect the passion to wane in my old age. I’m also not adverse to technological change but I do know what I like.

Many people these days romanticize the music on vinyl saying it’s a warmer sound.
I say “Rubbish”
Give me a CD anytime. Compact, wonderful sound, no pops or scratches (and even when it sticks it sounds cool) and anyone with a record player and children know the two are not compatible.

If you want proof of how fast vinyl has become redundant just ask any teenager to pick up one of your precious albums and put it on and see how the handle it. Or better still see how fast you jump out of your chair to take it off them.

CD’s are great. Portable and cheaper than ever before and with old catalogues being released and the ability to use disc burning on your home computer you can any music you want. Mp3 players annoy me for the same reason that Discman and Walkman before them annoyed me. I don’t like walking around with earphones isolating me from the wider world. Not to mention the amount of kids on bikes who have never heard me come up behind them in my car and the have nearly swerved in front of me.

Mp3 have also created a more current phenomenon that I don’t really relate to. The mix tape or just the current top hits and the even crazier one of putting your entire album collection on a little stick or card that can be destroyed by forgetting to take it out of your trousers next time you do the washing.

I usually listen to music in my car these days and then it has to be a complete album. It’s great, the sound is clear, I can skip songs easily and I can fit 12 discs in the car glove box.
But it’s when I want to listen to music at home when I realize how much I miss those old vinyl album covers. One thing that a CD can never replicate and this was a problem cassettes had as well was to produce good-sized artwork and lyrics and linear notes you could read without the use of an industrial strength magnifying glass.

I believe that is why kids just burn and download music onto their Mp3 players these days because they never had the pleasure of scanning over the packaging of the music their listening too and looking for hidden messages or pre Photoshop artwork.

I know this sounds like an old man “why do things have to change” whine but I recall when I was pre teen and hanging around my mates big brother’s bungalow and finding all these records with the strangest pictures on them and one had naked boys and girls crawling up rocks on this alien landscape ( Led Zeppelin – Houses of the holy) another was a school desk (Alice Cooper’s Schools Out) Others were plain with beautiful calligraphy (Neil Young Harvest) Many of the records these covers held were thrown in a pile waiting to be returned to their covers. The covers themselves also had different textures and quality. Some were smooth, others had a mottled crocodile skin feel to them. All up they were a hell of a lot different from the Bagpipe and yodeling LP’s that we had at our place.
Since that day I have collected many a record, read many a book and decided that if you love music you have to go beyond the music. I was so amazed at how many people blindly interpreted popular songs with meanings that were never meant to be that I wrote a book about it.
But I have to say if CDs had that extra 7+ inches either side they’d be harder to fit in the glove box but easier to read the words.

For the record (pun intended)
Best album cover – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John (see above)
Colourful with a triple gatefold sleeve to highlight the lyrics, that are individually stylized by different artists.
Worst album cover – The Long Run – The Eagles
At one time the most expensive album ever produced and all the sleeve had was the band name and the title of the album. A total slap in the face to fans.

The Worst Band Names?

A return to silly rock music themes.
Some people have a real problem with band names, the whole idea of a band's name is to draw attention to ones self.
So what one person may find ridiculous another may find hilarious.
I led others make the judgment and you can decide.
Me personally I don't think there are any bad band names only bad bands.

The Australian List

The World lists
One
Two
Three

Battle of the cartoon bands

My first Blog was about who I thought was the best cartoon rock/pop band.
This article from the AV Club Blog takes another spin on it.
Enjoy.

The Worst Album Covers of all time

The Worst album Covers of all time.

Cautionary note before you read this: This piece only refers to 12 inch vinyl albums and not CD’s, tapes, video or any other media.

Being the worst album cover and worst album tend to be in a separate category, whereas a Metal Head may think the worlds greatest Polka tunes are the epitome of crap and visa versa , both may think the cover of The Velvet Underground and Nico’s Banana cover album stupid.
I could write for days about what I think are stupid, bad and totally inappropriate album covers, but the chances are you have and will never see them because the majority of them belonged to my Father. Who , I believe, bought anything with the word bagpipes, polka or bawdy on it from the bargain bin.
Below is a list of Must See Sites that will take all the hard work out of my hands and allows you to browse at some of the recording industries worst atrocities.
As an example to what I consider a band album cover I don’t point to silly flares or terrible artwork, I choose those that have let the music down. For example the first, second and fourth Led Zeppelin albums. Brilliant music but the album covers are boring and have no information, you may as well stare at the wall than read the album cover. Also the Long Run by The Eagles I consider a crap album cover especially after the spent untold millions recording an ordinary album and then made the cover so bland.
I could go on, but won,t. Try these links below.
A quick note, some are fairly silly and are usually just photos from a period when dressing that way was the norm, so you may have to wade through some of the various sites prejudices or basic lack of humour.

1. Cover Browser Worst Album Covers
Looks like he actually found the original covers, usually a lot of these sites will just cut and paste a top 10 and post it as a filler in a Newspaper Blog. Not bad.

2. Rate Your Music
Some of these you may have to click on the link for them to show. A classic example of someone who just doesn’t get it. No sense of humour here.

3. Jim’s Collection A good selection and some funny comments from an amateur site, (some links are broken but you’ll get over it)

4. The Museum of Bad Album Covers
The best of the lot, this site categorises each album and tries to give them some semblance of order. They are not just placed on the site because they’re misunderstood. Check out his classic radio section, especially the backward messaging tapes.

NOTE: I thought I was being totally original in bringing these sites to others attention until I stumbled across an Old Jack Marx’s article. So credit goes to the great man and he wasn’t even writing about this subject.
Jack Marx

Lyric & their meanings Part 3 Puff the magic Dragon

This continuing story of song lyrics and there meaning in some of the worlds best loved songs.
Are they really as important as you make them out to be?

PART 3
Puff the Magic Dragon- Peter, Paul & Mary (1963)
This song Puff The Magic Dragon has (unfairly) had a reputation ,built over the years, concerning its relationship with smoking dope, but if anyone looked hard enough they would discover it is just an innocent children’s song.
Back in 1958 Peter Yarrow before he was the Peter from Peter, Paul & Mary , while waiting in a friends room happened upon a short poem left on said friends typewriter The poem was left there by one Leonard Lipton while sitting in the mutual friends room earlier, Leonard as the story goes was feeling vulnerable and depressed now that he was at College and was missing his friends and the less responsible ways of his child hood and wasn’t coping with the pressures of growing up.
He just typed out some verse about the wonders of the imagination of young Yarrow was impressed by what he saw and the sentiment expressed within. He took the note added some extra lyrics and wrote a tune around it.
5 years later Yarrow was on a roll having become huge in folk music circles also becoming instrumental in kick starting Bob Dylan’s career when Peter, Paul & Mary successfully recorded his “Blowin’ In the Wind”
Yarrow tracked down Leonard Lipton and told him that he found his poem and even though he had embellished it and could have gotten away with it he gave Lipton song writing credit. A very honourable thing to do which made Lipton some serious cash.
The marijuana links are probably the same stoner crap that linked H.R Puff’n’stuff with smoking dope gaining popular myth status in the late 60’s and early to mid 70’s.
The song was a very popular children’s song from the start and is still popular with pre school children today, though as a folk standard it is not that popular.

© Shidot Prod. 2005

Lyrics & their meaning Part 2- A Whiter Shade of Pale

This continuing story of song lyrics and there meaning in some of the worlds best loved songs.
PART 2

A Whiter Shade Of Pale(1967) Procol Harum

There are people in this world that think that all decent rock music ceased to be recorded after 1972 (the people who vote for the Grammys come to mind). They take hold of a style or a band and never seem to let go. One band that draws this attention is Procol Harum and in particular their first hit A Whiter Shade of Pale.
In 1967 following the dissolution of his former band pianist/singer Gary Brooker formed a song writing partnership with Keith Reid, who sent him lyrics by post. Included in the first batch (?) were those of A Whiter Shade of Pale (or AWSoP as the enthusiast like to call it), Brooker composed >the music and melody. It took him about half an hour, but it was organist Mathew Fischer and not Brooker who stretched an improvisation based on Bach’s Air on a G string or Sleeper awakes (depending which classical purist you want their opinion on) to create the memorable opening riff.
Brooker had to form Procol Harum as a band proper when AWSoP drifted from pirate radio ships and unexpectedly tore to No.1 Even though the production of the song and an ill-defined mono mix the music and Brooker’s soulful voice stood out. It was lyrics that had every one scratching their head.
Though Keith Reid was song-writing partner to Gary Brooker he was actually considered a standing member being included in all band promotional photographs and interviews. Brooker must have seen some novelty value in him or secretly owed him lots of money. Reid was compulsively morbid and interviews he attended with the band usually ended up with him contributing nothing because he spent all his time gibbering to himself in the corner. Which may just explain those lyrics for AWSoP. When AWSoP was first released Jimi Hendrix in an interview with NME brought attention to the song when he said “ when I first heard it I understood the first verse and that was all. But as you hear it again and again you begin to put things together”. Sadly Jimmi died before he could share that with us. Unlike Stairway to Heaven and American Pie AWSoP doesn’t attract the deep analytical studies the others receive in fanzine and on the Internet. In most articles I read nearly everyone agrees it’s about a pair of medieval lovers breaking up during a coffee break between catching the plague and heading off to the crusades and more often than not finish with the cowardly conclusion ‘find your own interpretation’. Reid's own explanation – “It’s like looking at an abstract painting” is proof enough he just stacked a heap of catchy phrases and stolen medieval lines together.
Reid over the years has become obsessed with his little bit of nonsense revealing in an interview with Shine On in 1977 his disappointment in missing out on additional income. “The phrase ‘a whiter shade of pale’ has been ripped off so much ever since. To this day, every day, I pick up a newspaper and somebody’s using either that phrase or an approximation of it. I feel that I should get some of the credit for introducing something into the English language; it’s been used so often. It seems to me it was just a very powerful statement in so many ways…”
Quite frankly if he hadn’t written it some copywriter would have for an advert for washing powder.
This last remark by Reid is shared by Procol Harum’s devoted fan base who despite not knowing what the phrase ‘whiter shade of pale’ means, other than its literal sense, post examples of its impact on the human race on the bands web site. A visit to http://www.procolharum.com/ is a view into the mind of the obsessed. Any title is accused of ripping off Reid’s contribution to the English language from A Deadly Shade of Gold to A white thought in a white shade and Just another shade of Brown.
All I can say is ‘Hue must be joking’.
The sixties had a lot to offer it’s a shame they couldn’t take this song back.

Lyrics & Their Meaning Part One- MacArthur Park

There is a band from Iceland by the name of Sigur Ros whose music consists of a language called Hopelandic that their singer Jonsi made up.

It consists of sighs, moans, groans and screams. Anything that takes his fancy when trying out a melody line. To most people it would probably sound as if he is singing in his native Icelandic.
To me it’s relevant because it totally dismisses the use of words as an important part of song structure.
Where this is not really relevant, as history has shown us, just check out any classical music piece, not a word anywhere. Neither am I discounting countless songs with heart felt words and stories that would be silly.
I do believe however that sometimes people get lazy and just pop any old shit anywhere and pass it off as relevant.
For the next few posts I am listing some very popular songs and what their song lyrics are supposed to mean or what they represent if anything at all.


MacArthur Park (1968) – Richard Harris



Jimmy Webb is one of the worlds best known songwriters
His songs By the time I get to Phoenix‘ and Galveston have become country rock standards and He is considered along with Paul Williams and Randy Newman as a leader in the Adult contemporary music genre.
So what was he thinking when he wrote MacArthur Park
Musically the song is a soaring production with lush orchestral arrangement, but those lyrics! Webb himself has been quoted as saying the words even make him cringe, when asked to elaborate Webb said “ O.K, it may be far out there, and a bit incomprehensible, but that is what I was trying to get at. I suppose the whole thing was that I wrote the song about the same time in the late1960s when surrealistic lyrics were the order of the day. It was written about the same time as ‘Strawberry Fields’, so it probably seems a bigger deal now than it was back then”.
Web doesn’t make it clear whether he meant the song was about childhood memories (as Strawberry Fields was about) or he liked the food theme. As usual everybody else has an opinion for him. The most popular theory being that the song is a metaphor for lost love. And judging by the description and the era it was written obviously through the eyes of someone off their head on Acid.
Even though at the time of writing MacArthur Park Webb was a hugely successful writer of hits, the band The Association collectively turned down the song as too weird. So Webb offered the song to his friend hard drinking Irish Actor Richard Harris. Webb said the reason he worked with Harris had more to do with hanging out and drinking rather than create great art.
Harris who had just experienced success as Arthur in the lame Hollywood musical Camelot was more a tough guy actor but was looking for different directions and fancied himself a bit of a singer after the role in the movie even though critically he was considered a weak choice for the lead role.
Harris’ choice paid off and the song was a mammoth hit worldwide.
Similar songs around this period may have contributed to its success. Songs like Eloise, Nights in White satin, Out of time and Whiter shade of Pale also selling truckloads of records as the super ballads of the period.
Even though the lyrics themselves are subject to ridicule it didn’t stop Frank Sinatra from covering the song even though he was relentlessly critical of silly song lyrics, which in his opinion ruined the mood of a song.
The music has gone on to be a Muzak classic while the words have been constantly voted in the top ten dumbest lyrics of all time even as recently as 1999, even beating such tough competition as Yummy, yummy, yummy (I got love in my tummy).
Of course we have to mention before he died Richard Harris played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Movies. And his still the best one.




© Shidot Prod. 2003