Saturday, October 31, 2015

The Dramatics

Artist: The Dramatics
LP: A Dramatic Experience
Song: "The Devil Is Dope" 
[ listen ]

This is the only song I can think of where the singers realize at the start that they've suddenly arrived in Hell. You can read more about The Dramatics here and go here to find information on Ellis Chappell, the artist responsible for all the cool and creepy images—including the obligatory chicken-with-the-head-of-a-dog routine—on this terrific 1973 Volt Records release. Happy Halloween

[ The Dramatics ]

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Anthony More

Artist: Anthony More
LP: 7" single
Song: "World Service" 
[ listen ]

This neat 1981 British single I picked up earlier this year was released on the independent Do It Records label, which also housed early recordings by Adam & the Ants. More's single has the look and maybe even the sound of some of the best of the early 7" releases on my favorite British indie label, 4AD. According to Wikipedia, Anthony More (aka. Anthony Moore—no relation to Roger or Demi that I could come up with in my genealogy lab) began his career with something called Slapp Happy in the '70s, then released a handful of solo LPs in the '70s and '80s (including "World Service" in 1981 from which this single is taken), after which he went on to contribute lyrics to a couple of albums by Pink Floyd. "Diving Girls" is the b-side.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars

Artist: Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars
LP: Enchanted Chorus - 3rd Collection [10" EP]
Song: "Kojonotsuki" 
[ listen ]

Everything's different now! After more than 43 minutes of diligently searching the web for English-language details or information regarding artist, song titles, etc for this 1958 Japanese 10-inch EP and some other one from Korea, I finally threw up my hands in frustration—and by that I mean I actually vomited and my hands came flying out of my mouth. Then I remembered someone at work mentioning some science-fiction mumbo-jumbo about how you could point your cell phone at a foreign language and your phone would automatically translate the text and tell you what the words meant in plain, bold-faced English. So I downloaded some app, pointed my phone at my Japanese record, and voilá—song titles! 


By simply highlighting the photographed text with my finger, I was able to translate all the lyrics to the song "Kojonotsuki," track three on side two. 


Of course the lyrics don't entirely make sense, but we all know how super poetic and metaphorical Japanese people get when they start to sing. I'm sure my magical translation device is 100% accurate. Here are the entire "Kojonotsuki" song lyrics in English: 

—Kojonotsuki—
Feast of spring lofty building of flower
Pointing over cup shade
It was Chiyo of Matsugae Wakei
Once upon a time of light now where

The color of the frost of fall camp
Show me the number of squeal go wild goose
The Resona stone shine in sword sell planting
Once upon a time of light now where
 
This formerly mysterious Japanese record with the gorgeous cover—I'd even call it stunning—is one that was formerly part of the David Lloyd Whited collection.
 
[ Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars ]

Monday, October 19, 2015

The Great Gavioli

Artist: The Great Gavioli
LP: Holland's Most Famous Barrel Organ
Song: "Gavioli Galop" 
[ listen ]

I can't believe I've only ever posted one famous Holland street organ record in all the seven years I've been putting stuff on this blog. It's high time for another, so here it is. From Capitol Records' Capitol of the World series in 1960, it's "the Big Daddy of Dutch street organs"—De Grote Gavioli!

[ Amsterdam ]

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Jane

Artist: Jane
LP: 7" single
Song: "Love Song" 
[ listen ]

This 1978 single from popular German prog rockers Jane sounds like something from The Traveling Wilburys when it begins, but then Joy Division suddenly appears in the studio halfway through when the strings come in. Interesting. You can read more than you've ever wanted to know about the splits, splinters, drama and lineup changes Jane's been involved in since their 1970 inception on Wikipedia here.

[ Jane in 1980 ]

Sunday, October 11, 2015

B.J. Thomas

Artist: B.J. Thomas
LP: Most of All
Song: "Circle 'Round the Sun" 
[ listen ]
Song: "Rainy Night In Georgia" 
[ listen ]

While weeding through my LP collection today to try to make more room, I was pretty sure this 1970 B.J. Thomas record I came across was one I'd be throwing into the discard pile. Sure, B.J. Thomas is super good-looking; you could even call him a heartthrob. But I've just been burned too many times by sexy men in fringe jackets and sunglasses—all razzle-dazzle and fizz with nothing on the inside. At my age it's hard not to judge. But I'm glad I threw it on the turntable to give it a listen first. It's gorgeous, like B.J.'s jawline. I'm even considering adding suede fringe to my wardrobe. It's that good!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Joanie Sommers

Artist: Joanie Sommers
LP: Sommers' Seasons
Song: "Autumn Serenade" 
[ listen ]
Song: "Autumn In Rome" 
[ listen ]
Song: "Early Autumn" 
[ listen ]

It's super blustery and wet here in Seattle today, with gusty winds and sudden bursts of rainy downpours. I just returned from a glorious walk to Top Pot for some coffee and a glazed pumpkin spice doughnut. I'm still on my delirious autumn-lovin' kick, obviously. It's interesting that Joanie Sommers is shown coupled with a handsome (and well-hung too, I'm sure) gentleman in all but one of the season-themed photos on the cover of her 1963 "Sommers' Seasons" LP. Joanie is alone in autumn and she's looking wistful, her eyes yearning. Trust me, Joanie—all you need in autumn is a warm cup of coffee, some wind, and a glazed pumpkin spice doughnut.

Born in Buffalo, NY in late winter of 1941, Joanie was once dubbed "The Voice of the '60s" with her 1962 hit "Johnny Get Angry," her Pepsi ad spots...she even managed to produce a Northern Soul single that now fetches over $500 each time it changes collectors' hands. You can read more about Joanie Sommers' life and career on Wikipedia here; album notes and photos are included below. 

Joanie Sommers on YouTube:
[ "Don't Pity Me" ]

[ Joanie Sommers, alone in autumn. ]

Friday, October 9, 2015

Aboriginality

The most interesting thing about the last guy I dated was his abscessed tooth.

side one:
01. You Need Satan More Than He Needs You - Future of the Left
02. I'm Casting a Lasso Towards the Sky - Slim Whitman
03. Wedding Hotel - Rowland S. Howard and Nikki Sudden
04. Survival - Red Beat
05. Weekend In Paris - Sheena Easton
06. Stage or Screen - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
07. Ella Megalast Burls Forever - Cocteau Twins
08. Frenesi - Lucho Gatica
09. Dressed In White She Walks Through the Door - Serena Maneesh
10. Problèmes d'Amour - Alexander Robotnick
11. Editions of You - Roxy Music
12. Flickor Och Pojkar - Dungen
13. Read the Bible Every Day - Sons of the Pioneers
[ listen ]

side two:
01. Light of Love - Music Go Music
02. Safe and Sound - Swan Dive
03. Conform to the Rhythm - Material
04. I Love America - Patrick Juvet
05. En Automne—Op. 36, No. 4 - Moritz Moszkowski (piano: Ilana Vered)
06. The First Time - Richard Swift
07. Let Jesus Lead You - Edna Gallmon Cooke
08. Song About a Rose - Pearls Before Swine
09. Sed Knife - U.S. Girls
10. Early Autumn - Joe Harnell, His Piano and Orchestra
11. So Good Together - Andy Kim
12. Tel Que Tu Es - Charlotte Gainsbourg
13. Here Comes the Rain, Baby - Wilma Burgess
14. A Taste of... - The Younghearts
[ listen ]