This shit has me in it's clutches.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
LOVE US, SCARS AND ALL...
Here's what I like to call the "Los Estupidos - We're With Stupid Mix". A live mix that Sesqui and I did live on his KBOO show, "Astral Traveling".
All vinyl. One take. No prep. Love it for what it is.
Damn funky.
Download it here.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
EVERY NIGHT I'M GOING TO LOVE YOU.
Monday, May 24, 2010
SNAIL FEVER : NEW FLYER
Ugh. I know. I suck. I haven't been here in a while.
I've been crazy busy - I swear I got some treats coming.
Come see Sesqui and I on Saturday down at the Langano.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
SAFARI STURT
New track from the long awaited and upcoming Whitefield Brothers (aka the founding members of The Poets of Rhythm) album "Earthology".
So feeling this.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
BEST. HOOD. ORNAMENT. EVER.
Look at this cover.
I mean really take a moment to appreciate what's going on here. The fonts, the pants and a bad taxidermy job. What else do you people want?
What's that? I'm sorry, speak up. Did you say bongos, breaks and a Bobby Darin cover? Yeah, well belly up smart guy. It's got those too.
Jimmy Bowman - "Swings At The Golden Fox", came in to my life via small collection purchase in Las Vegas. Fitting, seeing as how the majority of this private press (Bow-Pete Records) LP of covers from the Minneapolis area falls in line with the lounge vibe of late 60's Las Vegas and thus, the majority of records found in that town. This LP is what I imagined Champagne's Cafe used to feel like.
Mr. Bowman does a great job of earning his check on this. Back cover photos and liner notes reveals that he not only held down all vocal duties, Piano, Celeste and Conga Drums but apparently he made wardrobe changes ala Elton John and awarded rich alcoholic white country-club members from the Midwest with private table-side serenades. Joining him on this musical odyssey was Bass player and backup vocals, "Duffy" Goodlowe, Conductor (?) Billy Wallace, Mike Elliott picking the strings, Jack Bertelsen on the drums, the Tenor Sax of Irv Williams and Bobby Lyle on Organ.
I'm not going to sugar coat it, the majority of this album is just that, eye-rolling lounge dredge that really struggles to hold my attention (I'm looking at you all of side 2). The initial hopeful track for me was the cover of Hoagy Carmichael's "I Get Along Without You Very Well" but like all the other songs on that side, I struggled to stay awake or even keep the needle on the platter.
Side 1, on the other hand, revealed (what I feel were) 3 surprising different songs that ran in their own packs. All 3 covers. All 3 had some flavor of note.
"Long Line Rider" was a Bobby Darin cover with deep political undertones about a viciously corrupt prison system in Arkansas. Not exactly your standard "give 'em the hits" type of cover. Later in the 80's, Robert Redford starred in a movie adaptation of the scandal called "Brubaker". Mike Elliot's guitar and Bobby Lyle's organ (ZING) really kill it on this track.
The cover of Nat King Cole's "Calypso Blues" is a pretty ambitious effort and the real gem for me. This uptempo track has remix screaming in between each note. The addition of the shakers, soulful blues organ and slight lyric edits from the original really turns this track out and makes it Jimmy's own.
And then there's old reliable. For most people who are "heads", a track listing with a cover of Blood, Sweat and Tear's "Spinning Wheel" is a no brainer with it's (mostly) guaranteed drum break in the middle of the track. But be warned, there are many, many versions and not all are great. But this one does not disappoint. The song itself is pretty forgettable and hokey but the break is worth it. Sample ready and full eBay ahead, my friends. Breaks like this is why most of us got in to this game. Sorry for the crappy quality.
The 3 song downloads are below along with some more pictures of the LP. I've also included some Youtubes of 2 of the tracks in their original form. I want a burrito.
Jimmy Bowman - "Long Line Rider"
Download it here.
Jimmy Bowman - "Calypso Blues"
Download it here.
Jimmy Bowman - "Spinning Wheel"
Download it here.
A quick little reference nod goes out to Kris Holmes over at Waxidermy for his post about the Jimmy Bowman 45 from this LP. His being some of the only info I could find on this artist.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
AND I SALUTE YOU BROTHER...
I finished this this morning.
Pretty quick read.
It was the first "memoir" I had read. It felt more like I was spying on his life than the author unfolding a story. The entire book is consumed with this fake "hustlin' tough-guy" exterior. I guess growing up in 1960's New York will do that to you.
Apologies for my absence for the last month - been busy.
Got a new mix and a gig coming for you.
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