Les Baxter- Caribbean Moonlight

This is one of my favorite Lounge/Exotica records. It has the breezy romanticism of Jackie Gleason and (a more subdued) island percussion of Martin Denny. Denny was for more lively times, this is anything but (and more consistent that the Denny LP's I've heard).
So dim the lights, fix a drink, and relax. Hell, more than relax...all but shut down. Just sip and imagine...

http://www.mediafire.com/?zb50bwyuiwz

Devo- He/She/Or/It's/Devo

I was lucky enough to find this bootleg LP in the $1 bin of a used record store owned by a guy who knew absolutely nothing about music other than Elvis, Buddy Holly, and the Beatles [also found originals of the 2 Joy Division LP's, Boys Next Door (AKA "Hee Haw" by the Birthday Party), and several Gun Club LPs for $3 each...unfortunately this store is long out of business].
It is from a show at Max's Kansas City, September, 1977. Not surprisingly, the sound quality is not the best (it's pretty dang quiet and the sound drops out a little bit in "Uncontrollable Urge" and "Mr. D.N.A.") but that is really not that important. What matters here is the quality of the performance, which is definitely top notch (especially "Smart Patrol-Mr. D.N.A.). There is no denying Devo's greatness at this period of their career and this is a great find for enthusiasts.

WARNING: I didn't separate the tracks on each side of the record. Live records are best heard like the show; from start to finish. Sorry to force you into my preferences, but oh well.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hy5oymzjkw5

Throbbing Gristle- Dimensia In Excelsis (Live in L.A. 22.5.1981)

Throbbing Gristle is one of the few, if only, bands whose live albums I prefer to studio.
This record is from their first ever U.S. show (SWA and 45 Grave opened) and to quote the liner notes, "probably the most viciously nihilistic holocaust of sheer emotional and sonic distortion they ever unleashed. This LP is a perfect document and distillation of the confrontation aspects of the Throbbing Gristle legend. Entertainment through pain. Release through intimidation."
Maybe that review was a bit over-blown, but it still rings true.

WARNING: I didn't break up the tracks on each side for 2 reasons: 1) Sometimes it's hard to tell where one track ends and another begins and more importantly 2) I think live albums stand stronger when you have to sit through the whole thing, like you would at the show. Sorry you have to be subjected to my preferences, but you aren't paying for this...
Also, there is a skip on the record a few minutes into side 2.

http://www.mediafire.com/?lwmmzjdimo5

Secret Museum of Mankind- Music of East Africa 1925-1948

It's odd to hear a 20's-40's Western influence on non-professional 20-40's African traditional music. I swear some of these songs, other than the language, sound strikingly similar to American blues from the same time, others more Arabic, more of what we would think, as Americans, as "African Music," and all points in between.
This comp. goes all over the place, but a very simple joy permeates each song. This is music for these very (for lack of a better term) "real" non-corrupted people and those in their immediate vicinity. You know, what "folk music" was and is supposed to be. Now if we can only make American college kids realize that we wouldn't have to hear so much shitty neo-(pseudo) folk hipster bullshit... Remember it's about all of the folk, something more universal instead of self indulgent whining.

http://www.mediafire.com/?oyntwgjmynl

the Suicide Commandos Make a Record

The Suicide Commandos were the premier Minneapolis punk rock group (lasted 1975-1979). This was their one and only album, recorded and released in 1978 and for some reason (being from MN?) didn't make much a splash.
Thankfully they fit the punk rock cliche of no song over 3 minutes but (also thankfully) avoid being too political, macho/ meatheaded, uptight, or serious (they do a great cover of "She," by the Monkees)...more about the energy and attitude.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ejfdcwzwmnm

and the video of the song about the reaction to the city burning down their house/ practice space.



and backing David Thomas in 2009, playing all early Pere Ubu in benefit for the Bush Tetras' bassist.

78 RPM Explosion!

Nothing can quite deliver me from modern day bullshit like listening to some scratchy old 78s. When I first recorded these from an old Elementary School console turntable it only recorded on one channel. So i loaded them into Garage Band and made them mono and altered levels. BUT the files are fucking HUGE [had to break the 22 track comp...78s cannot hold more than 3 minutes per side (perfect)...into 4 files]. Just to warn you...



One of the few consistent 78 "Record Albums" I've ever come across...8 tracks of mind clearing woozy accordion balladry. Not sure if the track listing is accurate because my 78 turntable is busted. Should be close enough, though.

http://www.mediafire.com/?dm5dmazjhmx




Here is a compilation of some of my favorites from the 78s I've come across so far. A few are very well known but if anyone wants to complain about hearing familiar, well known, songs I suggest they take a minute to think why they're complaining. About hearing Chuck Berry? Or Moonlight Serenade? Fuck that...don't want to appeal to pretentious assholes anyway...I'll just end the rant....uh, tracklist!

1) Glahe Musette Orchestra- Hot Pretzels
2) The Davis Sisters- You Weren't Ashamed To Kiss Me Last Night
3) Gene Austin- To-Night You Belong To Me (also known from "The Jerk")
4) Vincent Lopez and his Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra- Southern Rose
5) Nappy LaMare's Louisiana Levee Loungers- High Society
6) The Ink Spots- Do I Worry?
7) Bing Crosby with Dick McIntire and his Harmony Hawaiians- Hawaiian Paradise (I normally HATE Bing Crosby...but I have a soft spot for Hawaiian songs)
8) Champ Butler- Way Up In North Carolina (home-state pride!)
9) Frank Kamplain- Sleep Baby Sleep
10) Georgie's Tavern Band- Give Me A Girl And A Waltz (And A Barrel Of Beer, Beer, Beer)
11) Glahe Musette Orchestra- Beer Barrel Polka
12) Webb Pierce- Slowly
13) Billy Jones and Ernest Hare- Paddlin' Madelin' Home
14) Vincent Lopez and his Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra- All Alone (another great version on "Player Piano Roll Favorites" a few posts down)
15) Pablo Casals- Traumerei (Reverie)
16) Yerkes Jazzarimba Orchestra- My Mammy
17) Jan Gerber and his Orchestra- Sleepy Lagoon
18) Crescent Trio- I'll Be In My Old Dixie Home Again To-Morrow
19) Frank Crumit (?...label was really faded, can't make it out)- True Blue Sam (The Traveling Man)
20) Chuck Berry- Maybellene
21) Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra- That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)
22) Glenn Miller and his Orchestra- Moonlight Serenade

pt. 1
http://www.mediafire.com/?2gyqhynqzwo
pt. 2
http://www.mediafire.com/?yjzzijym2ok
pt. 3
http://www.mediafire.com/?mjczycntmzz
pt. 4
http://www.mediafire.com/?zdy4yzloj0y

Random Summer Saturday Beer n' 7" Bo-nanza!

1) The Fall- Look, Know
2) The Fall- I'm Into C.B.
An incredible single from The Fall's output on the Kamera label, possibly their strongest period. Again, I'm more drawn to the B-Side, at no fault of the A-Side.



3) Teengenerate- Out Of Sight
4) Teengenerate- Pushin Me Around
Maybe not their strongest release, but still good.



5) ? & the Mysterians- I Need Somebody
6) ? & the Mysterians- 8 Teen
Great Latino Stomp n' Pomp pre-punk.



7) Blue Cheer- Summertime Blues
8) Blue Cheer- Out Of Focus
Why not follow that up with some classic Stoner Rock?



9) George Jones- Ya Ba Da Ba Do! (So Are You)
Is there any going wrong with a song about getting drunk by yourself from an Elvis shaped whiskey bottle, poured into a Fred Flintstone jar, and the resulting conversation with Elvis and Fred? Hell no!
(The same song is on both sides of the record)



10) Country Teasers- Anytime, Cowboy
11) Country Teasers- No. 1 Man

Taken from the cassette that got them a deal with Crypt (was tacked onto the "Pastoral, Not Rustic..." CD...I think it stands better on its own than as bonus tracks) and possibly more lo-fi than the Alan Country Davidson tapes from the same time. Time for another beer?



12) The Dukes Of Dixieland- Quand Mo T'est Petite (When I Was a Child)
Why do all 4 tracks when all those better bands only get 2? The rest of the E.P. is good, but this track by far stands out as the best.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zdv21mzyyrn