Happy Halloween

 A dance craze that didn't quite catch on.  It was no Monster Mash.

You rang?

RIP Series - Wayne Fontana

Picked this one up on a record safari in Austin, TX.

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders - The Game Of Love (Fontana 1965)

RIP Series: Trini Lopez

 If I had a hammer  - and was friends with Frank Sinatra - I might be able to be signed to Reprise.

Trini Lopez  - If I Had A Hammer/Unchain My Heart (Reprise 1963)

Alas  - A hammer couldn't save him from the 'rona.

RIP Series: Keith Tippet

 Honestly don't know much about this guy other than his appearance on a few King Crimson records.

Most notably this one.

King Crimson - In the Wake of Poseidon (Atlantic 1970)

Keith Tippett played piano on this.  His style was original and jarring.  It's influence can clearly be herd in the piano solo in Bowie's Aladdin Sane.   

This record came out in 1970.  I personally haven't heard anything from Tippett since, but he did release records an perform until his death earlier this year.  

RIP Series: Jan Savage

Jan Savage - guitarist for LA psych garage band The Seeds.  

He was the guy with the headband.

The Seeds - In a Web of Sound (GNP Crescendo 1966)

Their second album.  Contains the epic 14 minute Up In Her Room.  One riff, no bridge nor chorus for 13 minutes. 

On the back cover, Jan puts a feather in his headband.  I guess he wanted to be the Indian of the Group just like Jimmy Carl Black

The copy I have was once one owned by a Jennie Morelas and evidently purchased on 1/11/69.

Vote! And Where are the Campaign Songs!

At one time there were original campaign songs issued for presidential elections.  JFK had Frank Sinatra do one.    In 1964, Carol Channing performed a version of Hello Dolly! at a rally.  Ed Ames (Ames Brother, My Cup Runeth Over, The Indian on Daniel Boone, Expert Hatchet thrower on Johnny Carson) recorded it for the 45.

Ed Ames  - Hello Lyndon!  (1964)

Since then, Nixon did one (Nixon's the One).  It became a camp hit during Watergate.   Nobody has done is since save for a Thurston Moore one for Bernie Sanders.   I wish Trump would do one.  Perhaps performed by his untalented family.  I would buy one.  It could be a tax write off.  

Where Am I?

 Has it really been that long since I posted something?   Here's my flimsy excuse......

I've been working at home since mid March.   I've been working at the same computer/Zoom machine that I use for personal recreation.  After what has become 10 hour days, the last thing I want to do is sit at the same 'puter for recreation.  It had become hard to separate professional life from personal life as they happen in the same location.

I quit my job last week and will be starting a new one on Monday.  It's now Thursday and I haven't touched this machine for almost a week.  It's getting fun again.   Today I am taking an enforced 'no plans' day.   I'll probably get back at it shortly.

I have a backlog.  Lots of new dead guys.  An odd Record Store Day.   A visit to my hometown and teenage record store - which is still there!    

Hang tight. Stay tuned.  Stand by (no this isn't a dog whistle through a bullhorn).  I plan on dipping my stylus back into the ring this weekend.

Oh... And.....  Vote as if your life depended on it.  It kinda does.