January 2010 Archives
Canadian Folk Dances (1966)
If you’re like me, you’re probably woefully ignorant about our neighbors to the north. So here’s some interesting facts about Canada from canadafacts.org:
- A temperature of -77.5 °C (-108 °F) was recorded on Mount Logan in 1991. This is the coldest temperature ever recorded outside of Antarctica.
- The USA buys more oil from Canada than from any other country, including Saudi Arabia.
- In the 15 – 64 age group, for every 100 men, Canada has 102 women.
- Canadian adults (18 and over) watch more TV than children, an average of 28.8 hours a week in a full year. This works out at almost 1,500 hours of television viewing each year, including an estimated 25,000 commercials.
And speaking of Canadian TV, they do have some fantastic shows that you don’t see much in this country. Some of my favorites from the past are Made in Canada, Trailer Park Boys, Corner Gas, and of course, Puppets Who Kill. In case you aren’t familiar with Puppets Who Kill, here’s the trailer:
The last time I was in Canada, we stopped at one of the Tim Horton’s that seem to be positioned about every two blocks. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the chain, it’s pretty similar to a Dunkin’ Donuts. I pulled up to the drive thru and asked the kid at window “So who’s Tim Horton”? He snorted and replied “So, are you like American, eh? Tim Horton was a great hockey player, eh”. Apparently not knowing this will immediately identify you as an American so hopefully you can learn from my social gaffe. I took some time to look up Tim Horton and it turns out the guy was pretty good. It’s difficult to fathom that goalies once played without masks.
(Updated 03/10/10) I had a cool video of Tim Horton scoring an incredible goal until the weasels at Youtube removed it so you’ll just have to use your imagination or perhaps ask a Canadian friend about Tim Horton.
So now you’ve just increased your knowledge of Canada exponentially and you’ll be able to converse with the natives about their three favorite subjects. Television, hockey and beer (I’m assuming that you already know something about beer so no additional material was covered here).
Just one more thing to cover. Apparently, if I’m to believe this album, they like to do silly dances too. So now we know what they’re doing when they’re not watching TV or going to the beer store. In order to embrace the full Canadian experience, I have included the gatefold instructions that explain each of the steps for you. Have fun and good day, eh.
Tracks:
Side One
- 01_01 – Maple Leaf Stomp
- 01_02 – Carding the Wool
- 01_03 – Les Carillons De Dunquerque – Instructions
- 01_04 – Les Carillons De Dunquerque – Music
Side Two
Pastor Dave Martin and Family – Echoes
Please join me in the prayer that I said about 5 seconds into the second track. ”Oh sweet Jesus, PLEASE MAKE THIS STOP!!!!! …..and while you’re there…could you help the Vikings get to the Super Bowl? Thanks”.
The great thing about most religious albums is that they’re put together on a shoestring budget and the cover art usually reflects it. Couldn’t they afford a background? It looks like the girls pictures were cut out and glued to a white board. And I’m pretty sure that I’ve got a picture of my two oldest sisters in these same dresses from back around 1969. Or at least something pretty close.
Wow, where to start….My two least favorite things to listen to all wrapped in one package. Religious music and children. Yep, that’s right…I said it. I don’t like children. For those of you who are fans of religious music and children, you may want to fast forward to the next album post because I’ve probably already irritated you more than usual.
Its not that I dislike all religious music. I should be more specific. Its white people singing religious music that I can’t stand. I grew up going to a church with an almost all white congregation and I don’t recall it every being remotely enjoyable. It wasn’t a celebration, it was punishment. How is that going to get me to buy into the entire concept of religion? ”Come join us and be miserable”. You wouldn’t sell many time-shares with that sales pitch.
Gospel music, on the other hand, is a completely different animal. It’s music with soul. I don’t want to make this into a race thing, but on average, it just seems to me that people of color have a lot more fun at church. As proof, I give you Mr. Jimmy Carter. He’s the member of the Blind Boys of Alabama taking the lead in this video. If you’ve never seen him live, the man is incredible. The last time I saw the Blind Boys, Jimmy worked himself into such a frenzy that he was running up and down the aisles. Keep in mind he was 78 at the time and is completely blind. It didn’t matter to him. He was so excited to share his message that he kept getting away from the poor guy who was suppose to wrangle him back to the stage. Now that’s a passionate belief.
Pastor Martin apparently had a Sunday afternoon television show that was broadcast to parts of Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas back in the 1960′s. I personally don’t remember it but the odds of me ever watching a religious service on T.V. were probably similar to the odds of Sarah Palin being invited to join Mensa. (oh no he didn’t) Especially on a Sunday afternoon of all times. Hmmm…..should I watch Pastor Martin……or football? Frankly I can’t believe that anyone would tune in to hear watch a show that featured the contents of this album. You’d really have to love children to find this entertaining.
“I’ve been to war. I’ve raised twins. If I had a choice, I’d rather go to war.” George W. Bush
Tracks:
Side One
- 01_01 – There is a Fountain
- 01_02 – Joybells
- 01_03 – Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
- 01_04 – Why Worry When You Can Pray?
- 01_05 – Train Medley
- 01_06 – School Medley
- 01_07 – Some Golden Daybreak
- 01_08 – Coming Again
- 01_09 – It Will Be Worth it All
Side Two
- 02_01 – Time is Swiftly Passing
- 02_02 – Fix Your Eyes Upon Him
- 02_03 – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
- 02_04 – Walking in Sunlight
- 02_05 – Make My Life to Be Like a Melody
- 02_06 – They Bound the Hands of Jesus
- 02_07 – Fairest Lord Jesus
- 02_08 – I’m Redeemed
- 02_09 – At Calvary
- 02_10 – On the Cross of Calvary
- 02_11 – My Only Hope
The Citations – They’re Off! …and Singing (1975)
I’m not sure if I enjoy barbershop quartets or not. Some days I can hum along with “Sweet Adeline” and other days it makes me want to plunge foot long knitting needles straight into my ear drums. Generally I know what I like, but today I’m just plain confused……that is until I got to track three, “Daddy Sang Bass”. Now I’m wondering where the #$&% I left the knitting needles.
Most people know “Daddy Sang Bass” as a darn fine Johnny Cash song but it was actually written by Carl Perkins, another member of the Million Dollar Quartet. That’s a moot point, however. After listening to this version, I’m not sure that I can even stomach Johnny and June’s version anymore. The song is dead to me. I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to torch my neighborhood barbershop just for sharing the name of this form of music. Maybe I’m just in a foul mood. The singing isn’t that bad but the whole thing is like the proverbial nails on a chalkboard to me today. Maybe I need more fiber in my diet……I don’t know.
“The Lord’s Prayer” had me flashing back to the 5:30 Saturday night contemporary mass that we’d periodically get dragged to as kids. You know, the one where the hippies would break out the acoustic guitar, tambourine and auto-harp and then proceed to turn “Kumbaya” into the longest 10 minutes of my life…..(shudder) They sound nothing alike but for some reason The Citations “Lord’s Prayer” has stirred up my repressed childhood memories. Ah…the joys of growing up Catholic.
At least the cover art is good and cheesey and the photo on back is fantastic. If I had a suit like that I’d wear it to the 5:30 mass and sing “Kumbaya” at the top of my lungs just so people would wonder what the hell was wrong with the crazy man in back. Maybe that would cheer me up.
I am concerned that if I flip over to side two, I’ll start having flashbacks from repressed memories of Boy Scout camp…… Please don’t make me listen to side two.
Tracks:
Side One
- 01_01 – Dixie Medley
- 01_02 – I’m Sorry I Answered the Phone
- 01_03 – Daddy Sang Bass
- 01_04 – Where or When
- 01_05 – That’s Life
- 01_06 – Nevertheless
- 01_07 – Lord’s Prayer
Side Two
- 02_01 – Mame
- 02_02 – Phoenix
- 02_03 – Brand New Gal
- 02_04 – Don’t Cry, Sonny Boy
- 02_05 – Boardwalk
- 02_06 – This is a Lovely Way
- 02_07 – Softly as I Leave You
Continue reading The Citations – They’re Off! …and Singing (1975)
The Four Guys – The Good Guys (1978)
Didn’t the Village People already have a gay cowboy? I suppose these guys might kick my #$% for that remark but seriously, white polyester cowboy outfits? This wasn’t a manly look even in the 70′s.
The Four Guys are one of those groups that have been around forever and have gone through a few different lineups. I can’t say that I’d heard of them before which is a little surprising given the fact that they were Grand Ole Opry members for 33 years. They were actually the second act ever to be fired from the Opry. The first, of course, was the greatest country music songwriter in history, Hank Williams. That’s pretty impressive company. I don’t know how many of the members from this record were still a part of the group at that point but it’s still a feather in their cap. Most people know that Hank was fired from the Opry for being a raging alcoholic. After one listen to the Four Guys, I’d tend to think they might have been fired for writing songs that…..how do I put this delicately…….ummm……sucked!
It’s not that the Four Guys sound bad. They harmonize pretty well and do a passable 50′s style doo-wop number (“I Remember”). The problem is that most of the songs are just plain bad. Side two in particular. The album starts off with a promising tune, “Mother Country Music”, which is actually a decent arrangement. The female backup singers definitely stand out but it’s a mediocre song at best. From here, the album degrades quickly. The problem is that this is a 70′s version of “pop country”. If you’re not familiar with my opinion of “pop country” music, please check the Art Essery post. During the 70′s, this style of music tended to be skewed towards sappy ballads with themes of lost love and pickup trucks. The only difference today of course, is that the people crooning them are better looking and the songs are usually a little less Debbie Boone-ish.
There is some info available on The Four Guys but you’ll have to look it up yourself. I’m just not interested enough to use up more space here.
Now if you’ll excuse me. I’ll be spinning some Hank Williams to remove the taste of this album from my palate. Bon appetit!
Tracks:
Side One
- 01_01 – Mother Country Music
- 01_02 – Blowing Back & Forth Across My Mind
- 01_03 – I Remember
- 01_04 – Freedom Lives in a Country Song
- 01_05 – Daddy’s Little Cowboy
Side Two
Jack Brown – Jack Tells It Like It Is (1970)
Ka-ching! Today’s selection is pure gold if you like odd records about doing time. Jack Brown did 17 years in six different prisons including Leavenworth, San Quenton, and Alcatraz. After being pardoned by California Governor Pat Brown, he devoted his life to speaking about his time in prison and his addictions. He spoke mainly at schools, clubs and churches. On this recording, he talks loudly to a group of school children about his days of being incarcerated. Some of the wholesome family stories that he recalls are:
- Throwing six gallons of coffee on a fellow inmate who was harassing him.
- Getting set on fire by the Birdman of Alcatraz.
- The “real” Bonnie and Clyde.
- Getting into a knife fight with a guy he cheated out of $1,700 in a poker game.
- Watching 38 men walk past his cell in the solitary block on their way to the electric chair.
Since I can’t find a video of Jack Brown, this seemed like a good excuse to watch a little Johnny Cash from his 1969 appearance at San Quentin Prison.
This was an utterly fascinating record to listen to. The kids laugh at inappropriate times which adds an uncomfortable element but the stories that Mr. Brown tells give you a pretty good idea of how difficult life was in some pretty notorious prisons. I doubt that I’d have lasted until lunch of the first day. He’s pretty brash and brutally honest about his past. Personally I could do without the “finding God” sermon at the end but I suppose that’s the whole point of the album. This isn’t exactly the pick-me-up you need to listen to on the way to work in the morning unless you enjoy graphic stories of getting 232 stitches without pain-killers and then getting sprayed down with a fire hose in sub-zero temperatures. Where was the ACLU? This guy makes the Shawshank Redemption look like Weekend at Bernie’s. And imagine holidays at the Brown house. ”Grandpa, tell us again about the time you shived the guy for stealing your pudding”. Didn’t Norman Rockwell paint that one?
Tracks:
Side One – Jack Talks to Children (part 1)
Side Two – Jack Talks to Children (part 2) & Finding God Sermon
Continue reading Jack Brown – Jack Tells It Like It Is (1970)
Captain Kangaroo – Peter and the Wolf (1960)
I thought it was time to start adding a few oddball records to my site since the last couple of posts have actually been pretty decent albums. This just happen to be the first one that I grabbed from the stack. I’m not implying ahead of time that this isn’t a good album, it’s just a little odd based on the cover photo. The puppets are all kind of creepy and they give me the heebee jeebees.
Bob Keeshan, of course, was the man behind Captain Kangaroo which aired from 1955 until 1984. Heck, I grew up watching him. His type of corny children’s entertainment would never make it today in an era when a television show requires multiple explosions per minute in order to retain a child’s attention. And that’s a shame, really. I have tremendous respect for anyone like Bob or Fred Rogers who believed so much in being a positive role model for children that they never succumbed to the pressures of celebrity and became a scumbag philanderer, junkie, or wife beater. Here’s a nice dated video from the black and white days to give you an idea of what the show was like.
After viewing that, my first thought is “Wow! The fact that I liked the show as a kid makes me wonder if my mom dropped acid while she was pregnant with me”. Actually……that would explain a couple of things……So anyway, I figured this record would be pretty awful and I licked my chops as I gave it a spin……..but dammit!……. it’s actually pretty clever. Man I hate that.
The Captain narrates the story of Peter and the Wolf while the orchestra uses different instruments as the voice of each character. Heck, I’m not a kid and I was actually pretty entertained by the whole thing. Although as Mrs. Vinyl points out, I’m entertained by a lot of things that are meant for children. The enthusiasm exhibited by the Captain comes off a little corny but what the heck, I doubt that kids would want to listen to my monotone babbling and delirious rantings so it’s difficult to fault the Captain’s delivery.
Maybe I’m just getting soft in my old age but I just can’t bring myself to rip the Captain. Sure his shtick is dated but the man did what he believed in until the day he died. It’s hard not to appreciate that. I guess it’s time to start digging for something awful from my collection. I’m getting tired of being nice.
Tracks:
Side One – Captain Kangaroo w/Orchestra
Continue reading Captain Kangaroo – Peter and the Wolf (1960)
The Art Essery Show – Drinking Champagne
Sometimes I grab an album because the artwork or cover photo draws my attention. Today’s record is a great example. The matching suits, lamb chop sideburns, and the pink pantsuit all told me this was going to be a pretty cheesy album. But a funny thing happens when you make an assumption based on appearances. You’re usually wrong. In this case, I was very wrong.
First off, let me say that I’m a big fan of what I’ll call “classic” country music. Please don’t confuse that with the pop country that fills the airwaves on “country” radio stations. I’ll leave my pop country rant for another day but lets just say that I’d rather pass another kidney stone than listen to pop country for five minutes. I think Shania Twain is a stunning woman, I just don’t want to hear her brand of country music. And they get a lot worse than Shania…..sorry….I promised that I wouldn’t rant.
The Art Essery Show is clearly steeped in traditional country music. After an initial spin of this LP, I was pretty impressed. The songs are good, the singing isn’t bad, and the guitar work is incredible. It’s so good that I had to listen to the album again…. immediately!
My favorite part about writing a music blog like this is discovering brilliant musicians that you’ve never heard of. In this case it’s Leroy Glazier, the guitar player for the Art Essery show. Leroy passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2008 and based on the numerous obituary postings, he was clearly loved by those who knew him. There’s a few videos of Leroy out on YouTube and I became an instant fan after I listened to his guitar work. Here’s a nice video to give you an idea of the talent this man possessed:
Lilly Ray Music put out two cd’s of Leroy’s instrumental guitar work which you can find at http://www.leroyglazier.com/index.html. I’ll be ordering both as soon as I get my weekly allowance.
Getting back to the Art Essery Show, it appears that Art is still pretty active on the country music scene as his name pops up a few times in Google. There is, however, a noticeable lack of information out there in cyberspace on either Art Essery or his group. Oh great Google gods, why have you forsaken me? I do know that they released at least one more album as the Art Essery Show because I saw someone selling it on eBay. So that’s what it’s come to. My quest for knowledge is limited to an eBay auction. I may as well just join the mindless masses and watch a few hours of pop country on CMT. BTW…Shania….call me…..I’ve been a very naughty little monkey.
I’ve got no idea what that even means. Enjoy the record!
Tracks:
Side One
- 01_01 – Drinkin’ Champagne
- 01_02 – Set ‘em Up Bartender
- 01_03 – Canadian Pacific
- 01_04 – Kentucky
- 01_05 – Hello Darlin’
- 01_06 – All I Need Is You
Side Two
Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston Sr. – Baby Doo’s House Party (1987)
Sometimes I’m astounded by my own ignorance. As a fan of blues music, particularly from the 30′s to the 60′s, I can’t explain why I’d never heard of Baby Doo Caston before. He played piano and sang as a part of the The Five Breezes and The Big Three Trio. Both of which which featured Willie Dixon. He also claimed to have convinced Willie to drop his boxing career in order to pursue a career in music. Those accomplishments alone should warrant a substantial place in the history of blues music. Yet Baby Doo’s career seems to have eluded any detection by yours truly, who up until now, fancied himself as a blues connoisseur. Yep, it’s official, I’m an idiot.
The problem, of course, is that I just really didn’t know much about Willie Dixon’s pre-Chess days. Neither The Five Breezes nor The Big Three Trio recorded on Chess which is where you’ll find the majority of Willie’s recordings. That makes the odds of stumbling upon recordings for those two groups considerably longer. Dixon became a legend at Chess and had no problem finding other great piano players such as Eddie Boyd, Otis Spann, Willie Mabon, Sunnyland Slim and the lesser known (but one of my favorites) Lafayette Leake. I couldn’t find any video of The Big Three so here’s a great video of Willie Dixon on the upright bass and Sunnyland Slim on piano.
Where Baby Doo went next is a bit of a mystery. There’s a serious void of information about his musical career from the time he left the Big Three Trio in 1956 until he released this album in 1987. I’m not sure where he disappeared to for 31 years but here’s a nice biography on Baby Doo Caston is case you’d like to know more about his humble beginnings in music: http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/leonard-caston/412968.
This album was actually released shortly before Baby Doo’s death in 1987 at the age of 70. Overall the material is pretty good. Baby Doo is a decent blues singer and and I like his style of piano. The band is pretty tight and there isn’t a whole lot to criticize about the LP other than a couple of weak songs like “Ugly Woman”. The first tracks on either side have a bit of a subdued James Brown groove to them. Very nice.
So how did I stumble upon this week’s selection? Doing what I do best……absolutely nothing. See, my wife is a garage sale fanatic. Get between her and a garage sale and there’s a good chance that you’ll require some type of medical assistance. She’s been known to fill up the car on a “good day”, but it’s difficult for a man with 3,000 cd’s and 4,000 records to explain to his wife that her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a problem. So I smile, nod my head and use her shopping prowess to further my own OCD needs. Since she’s acutely aware of my odd musical tastes, I’ve educated her to grab any records that look odd or unusual while she’s out pursuing her favorite pastime. She’s gotten so good at it that she’s actually found some of my all-time favorites.
So that’s exactly how I came by today’s selection. I’m a very lucky man.
Tracks:
Side One
- 01_01 – House Party
- 01_02 – Where Do I Stand?
- 01_03 – Ugly Woman
- 01_04 – A New Way to Love You
- 01_05 – That’s a Goodie
Side Two
- 02_01 – Disco, Rock and Walk Blues
- 02_02 – You Sure Look Good to Me
- 02_03 – Sunshine
- 02_04 – I Want My Woman
Continue reading Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston Sr. – Baby Doo’s House Party (1987)
