Coming Up: Slim Gaillard - "Groove Juice: The Norman Granz Recordings + More"


Out Aug. 31. Pre-order from Amazon now.

A multilinguistic singer, songwriter, performer and comedian, Gaillard swung in every genre with a uniquely funny, yet seriously musical, style. More than a crazy cult figure, he’s a hero to kids for his ditty “Down by the Station,” and his “Oronee” songs pepper the soundtrack of the FX series, Better Things. This collection presents every track he cut for Norman Granz’s pre-Verve labels, plus 16 rare singles recorded for MGM, and 10 previously unreleased alternate tracks.

Track listing

Disc: 1

  1. Opera in Vout (Groove Juice Symphony)
  2. Tip Light
  3. Arabian Boogie
  4. Boip! Boip!
  5. The Bartender's Just Like a Mother
  6. The Hogan Song
  7. Money, Money, Money
  8. Puerto - Vootie
  9. Momma's in the Kitchen But We've Got "Pop" on Ice
  10. Down By the Station
  11. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You
  12. Serenade to a Poodle
  13. Communications
  14. Organ - Oreene
  15. Little Red Riding Woods
  16. When Banana Skins Are Falling (I'll Come Sliding Back To You)
  17. Bongo Cito
  18. Soony Roony (Song of Yxabat)
  19. Laughing in Rhythm
  20. Sabroso
  21. Babalu (Orooney)
  22. Genius (Ride, Slim, Ride)
  23. Federation Blues
  24. Oh, Lady Be Good
  25. For You

Disc: 2

  1. Yo Yo Yo
  2. Chicken Rhythm
  3. Yip Rock Heresy
  4. The Hip Cowboy
  5. I Only Have Eyes for You
  6. As You Are
  7. Taxpayers' Blues
  8. Eatin' with the Boogie
  9. St. Louis Blues
  10. I Know What to Do
  11. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
  12. You Goofed 13. Make It Do
  13. This is My Love
  14. Gomen Nasai (Forgive Me)
  15. Potatoe Chips
  16. Mishugana Mambo
  17. Go, Man, Go
  18. I'm in the Mood for Love
  19. Gomen Nasai alternate take
  20. Potatoe Chips alternate take
  21. Make It Do alternate take
  22. You Goofed alternate take
  23. I'm in the Mood For Love alternate take
  24. Mishugana Mambo alternate take
  25. Go Man Go alternate take
  26. I'm in the Mood For Love alternate take
  27. Mishugana Mambo alternate take
  28. Go Man Go alternate take


Video Find: The Move plays "The Fire Brigade"

Out now: Original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" soundtrack from La La Land


Order here.

Details:

La-La Land Records, Paramount Pictures and The Carmen Dragon Music Library present the world premiere release of composer Carmen Dragon’s (COVER GIRL, WHEN IN ROME, KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE) original motion picture score to the classic 1956 sci-fi chiller INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter and Larry Gates, and directed by Don Siegel. 

Renowned composer/conductor/arranger Carmen Dragon creates an astoundingly complex and groundbreaking work, (his inventive use of low, staccato piano notes for suspense would inspire many composers to do the same) that perfectly emboldens the film’s sci-fi terror and paranoia, while never neglecting the story’s human emotions or its psychological and sociological underpinnings. 

Produced for La-La Land Records by Carmen Dragon’s son-in-law, Richard “Rick” Henn and Neil S. Bulk, and restored and mastered by Stephen Marsh and Fernando Lee, this limited edition release of 2000 Units includes source music bonus tracks and features exclusive, in-depth liner notes by film music Jeff Bond, with a special note from album co-producer Henn. Dan Goldwasser’s sharp art design completes a must-have score release that will take over your entire being.

This is an expanded CD release.


Vinyl LP available

TRACK LISTING:
  1. Main Title 1:57
  2. No Bananas Today 0:55
  3. Here Comes My Love 1:50
  4. Somebody Stole My Man 2:12
  5. Where Are You?/Don’t Worry About Me 4:15
  6. Tell Me Who 3:17
  7. If I Should Die 2:09
  8. Shadows in the Night/Hysteria 1:40
  9. The Voices 1:29
  10. I’m Taking You to My House/They Won’t Believe Me 4:17
  11. Suddenly 2:51
  12. Wilma/The Devils Workshop/Get Help/Yell for Help 7:24
  13. No More Tears/Waiting for You 5:44
  14. Out of the Sky/No Choice 4:18
  15. Open the Door 1:38
  16. They’re Over There 3:10
  17. No! Never! 2:26

    Source Music
  18. Crazy Rhythm 2:07
  19. Shall We Dance (I’m in Love With Kathy) 2:12
  20. I’m in Love With the World 2:27

Time Capsule: The Soft Machine live, August 25, 1968


Coming up: "Walt Disney's Disneyland"


Out Sept. 12. Available for pre-order now from Amazon.

Details:

Walt Disney dreamed for decades about opening the ultimate entertainment venue, but it wasn’t until the early 1950s that his handpicked team began to bring his vision to life. Together, artists, architects, and engineers transformed a dusty tract of orange groves about an hour south of Los Angeles into one of the world’s most beloved destinations.

Today, there are Disney resorts from Paris to Shanghai, but the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which has been visited by more than 800 million people to-date, remains one of America’s most popular attractions. From the day it opened on July 17, 1955, Disneyland brought history and fairy tales to life, the future into the present, and exciting cultures and galaxies unknown to our imaginations.

This bountiful visual history draws on Disney’s vast historical collections, private archives, and the golden age of photojournalism to provide unique access to the concept, development, launch, and enjoyment of this sun-drenched oasis of fun and fantasy. Disneyland documents Walt’s earliest inspirations and ideas; the park’s extraordinary feats of design and engineering; its grand opening; each of its immersive “lands” from Main Street, U.S.A., to Tomorrowland; and the park's evolution through the six decades since it opened. It is a treasure trove of Disney original documentation and expertise, with award-winning writer Chris Nichols drawing on his extensive knowledge of both Disneyland and Southern California history to reveal the fascinating tale of “the happiest place on Earth.”








New music releases Aug. 24, 2018; Candi Staton; Neil and Liam Finn

Candi Staton - Unstoppable

Neil and Liam Finn - Lightsleeper



Pop Culture Roundup: Ditko; superhero shot glasses; Funko Pez; Justice Society; Soulful Tees

For a recluse, Steve Ditko sure answered a lot of fan mail.



DC Comics is pretty indiscriminate in its licensing, it seems. Classy!


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Funko is coming out with a line of cartoony Batman Pez dispensers.


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When Batman and Superman crashed a meeting of the Justice Society.


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Looking for some groovy, pop cult t-shirts? Mr. B's Soulful Tees shop on eBay UK has you covered.





Video Find:Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich perform "The Legend Of Xanadu"

"The Public Image is Rotten" doc and box set celebrate PiL

John Lydon's post Sex Pistols groups is 40 years old this year and the subject of a new documentary and box set. Here's a preview of the film and details on the box.





Box details:

A career boxset coming in the form of a 5CD/2DVD is released to coincide with the career-spanning documentary film about Public Image Ltd titled The Public Image Is Rotten.
This box set ‘The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart)’ features the PiL Singles Collection, B-sides, Rarities and Radio Sessions, 12” Mixes, Unreleased Mixes and Tracks + a Live concert from New York Ritz in July 1989. The DVD includes PiL promo videos + some live footage from the BBC’s Top Of The Pops and Old Grey Whistle Test. Just in case that wasn’t enough, we’ve also included two live concerts, the first Tallinn Rock Summer Festival in Estonia 1988 and the 2013’s Enmore Theatre in Australia.

Disc: 1

  1. Public Image
  2. Death Disco
  3. Memories
  4. Flowers of Romance
  5. This is Not a Love Song
  6. Bad Life
  7. Rise
  8. Home
  9. Seattle
  10. The Body
  11. Disappointed
  12. Warrior
  13. Don't Ask Me
  14. Cruel
  15. One Drop
  16. Reggie Song
  17. Out of the Woods
  18. Double Trouble

Disc: 2

  1. The Cowboy Song
  2. Half Mix / Megga Mix
  3. Another
  4. Home is Where the Heart is
  5. Blue Water
  6. Question Mark
  7. Selfish Rubbish
  8. USLS1
  9. Turkey Tits
  10. Pied Piper
  11. Criminal
  12. Poptones (BBC, John Peel Session 1979)
  13. Careering (BBC, John Peel Session 1979)
  14. Chant (BBC, John Peel Session 1979)
  15. Cruel (BBC, Mark Goodier Session 1992)
  16. Acid Drops (BBC, Mark Goodier Session 1992)
  17. Love Hope (BBC, Mark Goodier Session 1992)

Disc: 3

  1. Death Disco (12")
  2. This is Not a Love Song (12")
  3. Flowers of Romance (instrumental)
  4. Rise (Bob Clearmountain Mix)
  5. Seattle (US Remix 12")
  6. The Body (US Remix Extended 12")
  7. Disappointed (12")
  8. Happy (US Remix 12")
  9. Warrior (Extended 12" Mix)
  10. Lollipop Opera (from This is PiL)
  11. Shoom (from What The World Needs Now...)
  12. Death Disco (Original Monitor Mix)
  13. This is Not a Love Song (12" Remix)

Disc: 4

  1. Annalisa ("New Mix" - Townhouse 1979)
  2. Albatross ("Monitor Mix" 1979)
  3. Careering (Live Paris 1980) (Previously Unreleased)
  4. Banging The Door (Alternative Mix, Townhouse 1980) (aka The Door)
  5. Vampire (Unreleased Track - Townhouse 1981)
  6. Nineteen Eighty One (Original Version, Townhouse 1981)
  7. Bad Night (Unreleased Track - Park South 1983)
  8. Things in E (aka Ease) (Alternative Laswell mix 1985)
  9. Can you Feel the Fours (Unreleased Instrumental - Farmhouse 1987)
  10. Spy Thriller Open and Revolving (Alternative Mix - Farmhouse 1987) (aka Spy Thriller)
  11. Kashmir (Unreleased Renovations Mix 1987) (Instrumental)
  12. Cajun (Unreleased Bill Laswell Instrumental 1988)
  13. Worry ("Ruff Mix" - Advision 1988)
  14. Think Tank ("Outtake" - Eldorado 1991)

Disc: 5

  1. Warrior (with intro)
  2. Happy
  3. This is Not a Love Song
  4. Home
  5. Round
  6. Brave New World
  7. Same Old Story
  8. The Body
  9. Open & Revolving
  10. Rise
  11. Disappointed
  12. Public Image
  13. Seattle
  14. World Destruction

Disc: 6

  1. Public Image
  2. Death Disco
  3. This is Not a Love Song
  4. This is Not a Love Song (live in Tokyo)
  5. Bad Life
  6. Rise
  7. Home
  8. Seattle
  9. The Body (uncensored)
  10. Disappointed
  11. Warrior
  12. Don't Ask Me
  13. Cruel
  14. Covered
  15. One Drop
  16. Reggie Song
  17. Out of the Woods
  18. Lollipop Opera (unreleased)
  19. Double Trouble
  20. Bettie Page
  21. The One
  22. Public Image
  23. FFF
  24. Seattle
  25. Home
  26. Bags
  27. Rise
  28. Hard Times
  29. Religion
  30. Rules & Regulations
  31. Angry
  32. Open & Revolving
  33. Holidays In The Sun
  34. The Body
  35. World Destruction

Disc: 7

  1. Death Disco - BBC, Top of the Pops 1979
  2. Poptones & Careering - BBC, Old Grey Whistle Test 1980
  3. Flowers of Romance - BBC, Top of the Pops 1981
  4. Rise - BBC, Top of the Pops 1986
  5. Home & Round - BBC, Old Grey Whistle Test 1986
  6. Disappointed - The Late Show 1989
  7. Four Enclosed Walls
  8. Albatross
  9. Deeper Water
  10. Memories
  11. Reggie Song
  12. Disappointed
  13. Warrior
  14. Flowers of Romance
  15. One Drop
  16. Death Disco
  17. This is Not a Love Song
  18. Public Image
  19. Out of the Woods
  20. Rise
  21. Open Up


Time Capsule: Hank Aaron Night button, 1968


Video Find:Esther & Abi Ofarim sing "Cinderella Rockefella"

Pop Focus: The Byrds go Country, 1968




In 1968, when the rest of the pop music world was recovering from psychedelia, the Byrds went country.

The group's album, "Sweetheart of the Rodeo," embraced classic country sounds, with lots of pedal steel and twanging Telecaster guitars, along with a little banjo and mandolin thrown in for good measure.

New member Gram Parsons, recruited into the band after the departure of David Crosby, contributed lead vocals on several tracks and two original, destined to be classic, tunes: "Hickory Wind" and "100 Years from Now."

The Byrds, famed for their hit version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," routinely included a Dylan cover or two on their LPs and, for this one, recorded two songs from his "Basement Tapes," a collection of demo recordings Dylan made with the Band during his post-motorcycle crash hiatus from public performance: "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" and "Nothing Was Delivered."

Tunes by country legends such as Merle Haggard ("Life in Prison") and the Louvin Brothers ("The Christian Life") along with a banjo-driven version of Woody Guthrie's "Pretty Boy Floyd," helped round things out.

The album, released on Aug. 30, 1968, failed to do much business on the charts but succeeded in alienating both rock fans, many of whom weren't open to the album's country sounds, and the country music establishment, who viewed the band as dilettante interlopers.

Following the release of the album, the group played a disastrous set at the Grand Ole Opry where they were the subject of constant heckling and suffered a hostile interview with the legendary Nashville disc jockey Ralph Emery, who called the group "mediocre." McGuinn and Parsons had their revenge by writing a tune lampooning Emery, "Drug Store Trucking-Driving Man," that was included on the next Byrds LP, "Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde."

Parsons' stay with the Byrds didn't last beyond this album, but he continued to follow his country muse - stealing Hillman away to become a member of his Flying Burrito Brothers, and later recording a pair of excellent, seminal country rock albums, "GP" and "Grievous Angel," both featuring the unbeatable blend of his smooth country voice with the harmonies from Emmylou Harris.

"Sweethearts of the Rodeo" wasn't the first attempt at blending rock and country. After all,  country was part of rock from the start. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and other first-generation rockers created the genre by melding country, blues and r&b. Dylan had a deep love of country that creeped into much of his work. Even the Beatles, in their BBC recordings and live performances played the occasional country tune. And, from the country side, Buck Owens and others in the Bakersfield scene blended rock'n'roll guitars into to their honky tonk sound. Parsons, too, worked to fuse country and rock before his stint in the Byrds, with the album "Safe at Home" with his short-lived International Submarine Band.

Still, "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is rightly hailed as a pioneering country-rock and went on to inspire a raft of country and rock'n'roll artists, ranging from Poco and the Eagles to the Outlaw Country movement and Steve Earle to alt country bands such as Uncle Tupelo and the Jayhawks.

McGuinn and Hillman recently celebrated the album's 50th anniversary in performances backed by Marty Stuart and his band and plan a wider tour, playing the LP in full. Here's our own little celebration with images and videos of the time.







New comics Aug. 22, 2018: Batman; Fantastic Four; Dracula, Star Wars; Legion of Super-Heroes