The late Jaco Pastorius and the Belgian guitar/harmonica wizard Toots Theilemans had a magical friendship and together an amazing musical bond. This clip features Jaco on piano in a duet with Toots on Jaco's beautiful "Three Views From a Secret".
Note to all "harmonica owners" and players-this is the potential of your instrument! And you should hear the man play guitar.......
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Lonnie Johnson-the real deal blues!
The late Lonnie Johnson remains one of my all time favorites and this clip is a particularly great example of the master in his later years. Notice Willie Dixon on bass backing him up! As good as it gets!
Happy 90th Hank Jones!! The jazz piano master!
A happy 90th to Hank Jones, the classy jazz master from Detroit and surviving member of the incredible Jones clan (Elvin, Thad......wow!). Here is a sublime duo with the great Joe Lovano.....
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
AquaHo-short film by Jim Swanson
This short film includes among others, your truly in a cameo as a crooked politician. My pal Jim Swanson-best known as one of the founders of the Critical Mass movement-wrote and directed this scathing vignette on the water rights issue.
We trekked to Happy Camp, California (Big Foot country near the Oregon border-"off the grid") for the shoot and had a great time. I hooked Jim up with my pal Richard Marriott for the main soundtrack and I played a guitar track for a folk tune that's also in this short.
Might be the last time I climbed into a suit!
We trekked to Happy Camp, California (Big Foot country near the Oregon border-"off the grid") for the shoot and had a great time. I hooked Jim up with my pal Richard Marriott for the main soundtrack and I played a guitar track for a folk tune that's also in this short.
Might be the last time I climbed into a suit!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Genius of Phineas Newborn Jr.
Lush Life and some ravel thrown in for good measure by the great Phineas Newborn Jr.-my favorite pianist.
Eva Cassidy phenomenon on Nightline
I first heard of Eva Cassidy via my pal Mac Cridlin who played with her in the D.C. area where she spent her career. She was a genius vocalist and song interpretor whose genuine humility and beauty shine through in each performance.
Tragically she died a virtual unknown at age 33. Several years after her death she began gaining recognition in England and these clips tell the story. I can't recommend her music too highly.
Tragically she died a virtual unknown at age 33. Several years after her death she began gaining recognition in England and these clips tell the story. I can't recommend her music too highly.
Freddie King plays the Travis county Jail!
The great Freddie King in a rare instance playing an acoustic guitar plays for the prisoners in the county jail during and Austin visit in the 1970's. As always Freddie rips!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Johnny Cash and Opie in a stinker!
This trailer is from Johnny Cash's acting debut............ouch. Careful he's not just a singer he's a Door to Door Maniac!
A Hot Dog makes her lose control.....Patty Duke
Somebody recently bet me I was wrong when I claimed that the line "Patty likes to rock and roll, a hot dog makes her lose control" was part of the intro to her 60's series. Thanks to the bottomless pit of trivia now available I can collect!
Lucha VaVoom!!!!!! Wrestling meets burlesque!
A craze in recent years on the West Coast has been the hybrid of lucha libre style pro wrestling mixed with burlesque and punk rock/hip hop music.
In Sf they called it Incredibly Strange Wrestling and the promoters ingeniously thought of passing out tortillas to ticket holders to throw at the participants and each other. Here in LA there is the fantastic troupe Lucha VaVoom and it's wildly entertaining. Here's a sample!
In Sf they called it Incredibly Strange Wrestling and the promoters ingeniously thought of passing out tortillas to ticket holders to throw at the participants and each other. Here in LA there is the fantastic troupe Lucha VaVoom and it's wildly entertaining. Here's a sample!
Howlin' Wolf sums it all up!
The great Howlin' Wolf explains the blues in a short clip from the early 60's!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Buddy Rich vs Animal-epic drum battle!
The great drummer Buddy Rich in an epic duel with the Muppets' Animal! Oh yeah!
Texas City Disaster of 1947............
I had a nomadic childhood ranging from Ashland, Wisconsin, to Miami, Florida, to Morganton, North Carolina to Texas City, Texas. I went to High School and Junior College in Texas City and it was such a pivotal time in my life I still consider myself a Texan despite living over 25 years in California.
The ultimate blue collar town, Texas City has some of the hottest and most humid weather imaginable and at least when I was there among the fewest aesthetics of any sort of anywhere I've ever been.
There was a pretty large explosion I witnessed in 9th grade in which both of my parents suffered minor injuries. But that was nothing compared to the big daddy of all American industrial accidents.
The ultimate blue collar town, Texas City has some of the hottest and most humid weather imaginable and at least when I was there among the fewest aesthetics of any sort of anywhere I've ever been.
There was a pretty large explosion I witnessed in 9th grade in which both of my parents suffered minor injuries. But that was nothing compared to the big daddy of all American industrial accidents.
Stan Freberg-Geno's Pizza Rolls Commercials
One of the very best things about YouTube is nearly everything I can recall that w3as on TV as a kid has a snippet posted. I got to thinking about the old Geno's Pizza Rolls commercials by funnyman Stan Freberg and sure enough.......
Etta Baker at home (at 91)
The great Piedmont guitarist Etta Baker is featured here in a clip from a Kenny Wayne Sheppard DVD. The setting is her home in Morganton, North Carolina and begins by showcasing her beloved garden. When I was in 6th grade we moved from Miami to outside of Morganton where my Dad taught for several years at Western Piedmont Community College. I recall seeing Ms Baker perform at the college on a program that also featured my Dad's jazz group-this must have been about 1968.
Etta passed not too long after this segment was filmed and her passing signaled perhaps the last of the original Piedmont blues practitioners. Kenny is kind of stepping on her in the video so I would recommend a google search of her to listen to the real deal. My favorite release is her "One Dime Blues".
Etta passed not too long after this segment was filmed and her passing signaled perhaps the last of the original Piedmont blues practitioners. Kenny is kind of stepping on her in the video so I would recommend a google search of her to listen to the real deal. My favorite release is her "One Dime Blues".
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Captain Beefheart Interview...grainy!
Not sure the year but must be early 70's era Beefheart. I was initially aware of Beefheart via Trout Mask Replica and his live record with Zappa (he is credited with playing "shopping bags" on it!).
My main interest in this is the bass player Eric Drew Feldman with whom I played in Clubfoot Orchestra and a couple of Snakefinger side projects. Eric's a great guy and has gone on to work with Frank Black, Polly Harvey and many others.
I think Beefheart is always putting people on and I don't think of him as a blues artist, but he does a great job of shaking up the status quo and his fans think him a major figure in music and art.
My main interest in this is the bass player Eric Drew Feldman with whom I played in Clubfoot Orchestra and a couple of Snakefinger side projects. Eric's a great guy and has gone on to work with Frank Black, Polly Harvey and many others.
I think Beefheart is always putting people on and I don't think of him as a blues artist, but he does a great job of shaking up the status quo and his fans think him a major figure in music and art.
Cowboy Louis Jordan! Only in the USA.......
Here's a little clip of the great Louis Jordan doing "Early in the Morning" in one the late 40's "blacksploitation" film featuring shoot 'em up Western with all back casts.
????????? I suppose with the success of singing cowboy's like Tom Mix, Tex Ritter and Roy Rogers, it seemed natural for Hollywood to create copycat movies during those segregated times. In addition to Louis, the great Herb Jeffries was also a black singing cowboy.
I suspect there's a phD thesis in the implications of this in post-war America but for now.........
????????? I suppose with the success of singing cowboy's like Tom Mix, Tex Ritter and Roy Rogers, it seemed natural for Hollywood to create copycat movies during those segregated times. In addition to Louis, the great Herb Jeffries was also a black singing cowboy.
I suspect there's a phD thesis in the implications of this in post-war America but for now.........
The June Taylor Dancers-rip it up!
When I was kid in Miami my Dad moonlighted in the Jackie Gleason pit orchestra. Among the many great memories of this era were watching the June Taylor Dancers doing their great pieces of choreography.
If you are old enough to recall the show, Jackie always gave a bow to "Sammy Spear" who always wore an outlandish jacket. While Gleason himself refused to rehearse, no so with the June Taylor troupe who spent hours putting these pieces together.
And somewhere in the mix is the old man on sax and clarinet!
If you are old enough to recall the show, Jackie always gave a bow to "Sammy Spear" who always wore an outlandish jacket. While Gleason himself refused to rehearse, no so with the June Taylor troupe who spent hours putting these pieces together.
And somewhere in the mix is the old man on sax and clarinet!
Richard Feynman on "Social Science"
One of the greatest minds f the 20th century was the late physicist Richard Fenyman. This hilarious clip is a small example of the great perspective he brought to his views-backed by very deep "real" science experience. Sadly the clowns on Fox TV and elsewhere who are too happy to blather opinions based on no more than their blowhard prejudices don't have a shred of his integrity or intelligence.
Fenyman also brought throat singing from Mongolia to the attention of the Western world but I digress..........
Fenyman also brought throat singing from Mongolia to the attention of the Western world but I digress..........
Gorgeous George gets wet!!!!!!!!!!!
This pro wrestling comedy classic is from Seattle in the 1950's. The great showman Gorgeous George takes on a masked palooka in a ring surrounded by water!!!!! The Gorgeous one revolutionized wrestling with his pseudo gay persona, "marcelled" hair and bringing a "second" into the ring spraying perfume.
In later years Muhammad Ali credited Gorgeous George with the idea behind his outlandish stunts to help sell tickets and create interest in his bouts. Apparently as a kid in Louisville, Ali was glued to the set each week for wrestling and was never the same after seeing George "cut promos" on his opponents. Ali later had an unfortunate and deadly dull match in Japan against wrestler Antonio Anoki and was once body slammed by Gorilla Monsoon!
In later years Muhammad Ali credited Gorgeous George with the idea behind his outlandish stunts to help sell tickets and create interest in his bouts. Apparently as a kid in Louisville, Ali was glued to the set each week for wrestling and was never the same after seeing George "cut promos" on his opponents. Ali later had an unfortunate and deadly dull match in Japan against wrestler Antonio Anoki and was once body slammed by Gorilla Monsoon!
Art Tatum-pianist for the ages
This rare footage is a kinescope of a performance by Art Tatum on the Spike Jones in 1954. This version of Yesterdays by Jerome Kern is a breathtaking example of the bridge between the "stride" piano of the 20's and 30's and the emerging bebop style of the day.
However, Art Tatum was genius of the highest order who truly transcended all styles. This blind artist was so incredible he wasn't "influential" in the same sense as others such as Bud Powell or Bill Evans-his protean technique was so overwhelming few attempted to copy him.
However, Art Tatum was genius of the highest order who truly transcended all styles. This blind artist was so incredible he wasn't "influential" in the same sense as others such as Bud Powell or Bill Evans-his protean technique was so overwhelming few attempted to copy him.
Joe Maphis-King of the Strings
An amazing archival clip of the great Joe Maphis smoking every instrument they hand him! The great Tex Ritter (john's father BTW) is the host of Ranch Party and Joe was the band leader. Next time someboy gets too cocky about their pickin' show them this!!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Golden Age of Advertising!!!!!!!!!!!
This gem from the 1950's is simply hard to imagine-testing cold cream using radiation and a gieger counter to measure it's efficacy! One hopes the model in question didn't meet an untimely end!
The Genius of Lenny Breau
My all time guitar hero is the late Canadian master Lenny Breau. A complex man with myriad drug problems, the only time I saw Lenny he collapsed on-stage during the first tune and we got our money refunded. I was crushed as he was such an idol-to me the Mozart of contemporary jazz.
His daughter released a documentary appropriately entitled "The Genius of Lenny Breau" and here's a short excerpt. If you don't know Lenny "google" him for his incredible music and tragic life story.
His daughter released a documentary appropriately entitled "The Genius of Lenny Breau" and here's a short excerpt. If you don't know Lenny "google" him for his incredible music and tragic life story.
RIP Wendy O Williams...REAL punk!
I saw Wendy and the Plasmatics in SF and helped set up the stage with the car they blew up. I even had to make a quick run to the hardware store for some electrical tape that Wendy used to cover-however briefly-her nipples.
I'm surprised there isn't a bigger cult for Wendy-she died before age 50 of a self inflicted gunshot wound. At any rate she's the real deal punk metal shock rock!
I'm surprised there isn't a bigger cult for Wendy-she died before age 50 of a self inflicted gunshot wound. At any rate she's the real deal punk metal shock rock!
Stairway to Gilligan's Island
My old pal Roger Clark put this together in the 1970's and it became an instant Dr Demento classic. Sadly, the Zeppelin mafia wasn't amused and it was prevented from ever being distributed. Not sure who did the video editing but a nice job and if you heaven't seen or heard this get ready for a real belly laugh!
The birth of the Muhammed Ali legend in 1964
Remember where you were in February of 1964????? I have vivid memories of it as I was fortunate to attend one of Sonny Liston's training session about 4 days before the fight. Joe Louis, Archie Moore and many others were in Liston's camp at the fancy Fountainbleau Hotel while then Cassius Clay was training at the ghetto 5th street gym.
Here's a pic of yours truly and my older brother Chuck (in glasses) taken after Liston's workout. We were informed in no uncertain terms NOT to ask for an autograph-Liston was illiterate-plus a very scary guy!
Here's a BBC clip of the famous weigh in where Ali got so wild they fined him $2500 and a brief post-fight celebration where the legendary phrase "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" was immortalized.
Clifton Chenier-King of Zydeco down home!
The opening night of Antone's famed blues club in Austin, Texas featured the great Clifton Chenier. The Louisiana accordion master was a master showman, bluesman extraordinarie, and also the brother in law of Lightnin' Hopkins!
I was fortunate to see and hear Clifton many times and he always put on a great show-sometimes playing dance sets lasting 2 hours without a break. Here's some down home footage capped by his accompanying himself with a water pump handle!
I was fortunate to see and hear Clifton many times and he always put on a great show-sometimes playing dance sets lasting 2 hours without a break. Here's some down home footage capped by his accompanying himself with a water pump handle!
Bertrand Russell at 90!
My late father Robert Egner was an editor for Bertrand Russell's Best and the Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell. I can recall as a child great excitement on the occasions they would speak by phone-international calls in the early 60's being rare and very expensive. Here's a classic interview conducted in 1959 for the BBC. A look into one of history's most influential minds.
The Steve Allen Show featuring.....Frank Zappa 1963!
One of my favorite clips ever-the amazing Frank Zappa long before he became a famous rock icon appearing on the Steve Allen Show in 1963. Yet another reason to hold Mr Z in high regard as combines the avant garde with great humor to stir up middle America prior to the shit really hitting the fan!
Herb Jeffries rappin at 96!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazingly not only is Herb Jeffries alive, healthy and active-he's rapping! For a small recap this is the same Herb Jeffries who is the only surviving member of Duke Ellington's original orchestra-almost impossible to imagine! Dig this clip from the 40's.......
Fans may also recall his singing cowboy days in additionto his huge hit Flamingo. Done before he "retired" over 50 years ago! Herb lives in Idlewlyd not too far from Palm Springs and continues to entertain at senior centers and in the area. My blues pal Glenn Patrik has known and played with Herb for many years and at last report Herb is doing great! 96 years old-wow!
Fans may also recall his singing cowboy days in additionto his huge hit Flamingo. Done before he "retired" over 50 years ago! Herb lives in Idlewlyd not too far from Palm Springs and continues to entertain at senior centers and in the area. My blues pal Glenn Patrik has known and played with Herb for many years and at last report Herb is doing great! 96 years old-wow!
Wayne Cochran, Joe Namath, Ann-Margaret!!
The great Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders working it on "Can't Turn You Loose" while Joe Namath and Ann-Margaret get giggy on the dance floor. The best three minutes from the movie CC and Company which mostly features them on a motorcycle and lots of Joe's rather wooden dramatic stylings! Hit it!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Clutch Cargo -recall the Pulp Fiction scene?
As a kid I watched a lot of Clutch Cargo and even then I marveled at the incredible cheesiness. The lip technique is the long abandoned (except by Conon O'Brian for laughs) technique called Synchro-Vox. One of the most low budget cartoons ever, Clutch Cargo somehow has remained stuck in my mind these many years and now and again the theme song haunts me!
You may recall Clutch Cargo on the TV in the great "watch" scene starring Christopher Walken in Pulp Fiction.
You may recall Clutch Cargo on the TV in the great "watch" scene starring Christopher Walken in Pulp Fiction.
Moe, Larry, Curly and Bob Wills?????
This is a favorite "mashup" of mine from the bottomless pit of YouTube videos. A 1973 remake of "Stay All Night" by Bob Wills and the Playboys is happily welded to a classic Three Stooges clip from "Disorder in the Court". A great example of how content is getting "repurposed" by clever folks who have the gear and imagination to combine fun stuff! Great stuff!
Soviet Silent Film-new score by Beth Custer!
My former colleague in Clubfoot Orchestra, clarinetist and composer Beth Custer has built a career based on her brilliant playing and composing. This trailer from her production of "Moya Babuska" (My Grandmother) features her score to the long forbidden film. Incredible imagery and her score is filled with delightful surprises throughout.
In her post-Clubfoot career Beth has fronted trip hop groups, clarinet ensembles, improvised solo and traveled the world as one of the premier musicians of her era. You go girl!
In her post-Clubfoot career Beth has fronted trip hop groups, clarinet ensembles, improvised solo and traveled the world as one of the premier musicians of her era. You go girl!
Bill Hicks-advice for musicians!
The late great Bill Hicks as usual pulling no punches. This really speaks for itself!
Blaze Foley Live at a Wedding!
The late singer-songwriter Blaze Foley was a Texas legend noted for-among other things-an obsession with duct tape. Often homeless and doubtless suffering from some sort of bi-polar disease, Blaze was one of the last of the real troubadours. This clip of him performing at a backyard wedding reveals the depth of his artistry on a song recorded by Merle Haggard after Foley's untimely shooting death.
My old pal Wrecks Bell-at whose Galveston club the Old Quarter Foley's driver license is duct taped to the wall-tells a great story of Blaze claiming the BFI initials found on dumpsters referred to "Blaze Foley Inside!".
Dig this beautiful and deeply moving performance.
My old pal Wrecks Bell-at whose Galveston club the Old Quarter Foley's driver license is duct taped to the wall-tells a great story of Blaze claiming the BFI initials found on dumpsters referred to "Blaze Foley Inside!".
Dig this beautiful and deeply moving performance.
Madison Time -in French!
Anyone recall the dance craze Madison time????? The great jazz pianist Ray Bryant scored a big hit and got a nice payday for this early 60's dance. It was later reprised in the John Waters film "Hairspray" but long before that the French film "Band of Outsiders" had this hip version. Anna Karina, Sami Frey and Dannielle Girard do the honors in this finger snapping snippet.
Sun Ra leaves the planet!
I was very fortunate to see, hear and meet the great Sun Ra several times. In addition to see the Arkestra live in a variety of settings I also by chance got to listen to Sun Ra play solo piano in the parlor of a bed and breakfast in Garberville one morning-unforgettable!
Perhaps there is no great manifestation of the frustration and pain of growing up in segregated Alabama than Sun Ra's alter ego and his desire to colonize another planet to get away from this Earth's troubles. REALLY the blues!
Herewith..............
Perhaps there is no great manifestation of the frustration and pain of growing up in segregated Alabama than Sun Ra's alter ego and his desire to colonize another planet to get away from this Earth's troubles. REALLY the blues!
Herewith..............
Maniac Mark Lewin-the best nutjob ever!
I'm what's known in pro wrestling circles as a "mark". Ever since I was kid I've loved the wacky world of pro wrestling-especially the old school pre WWE variety. I worked briefly for promoter Paul Boesch in Houston in the early 70's and even had a column "Texas Rasslin' Roundup" in the Wrestler magazine at age 15!
This clip is a comedy classic featuring the incredible "Maniac" Mark Lewin. After a rather bland "face" promo by a very young Kevin Sullivan, manager the Great Mephisto speaks and Mark Lewin gets completely wacky! In subsequent years Sullivan copped many of Mark's shticks but nobody could see crazy like the great Mark Lewin.
Enjoy!
This clip is a comedy classic featuring the incredible "Maniac" Mark Lewin. After a rather bland "face" promo by a very young Kevin Sullivan, manager the Great Mephisto speaks and Mark Lewin gets completely wacky! In subsequent years Sullivan copped many of Mark's shticks but nobody could see crazy like the great Mark Lewin.
Enjoy!
Welcome to my World!
Dick Deluxe here-on the job! Welcome to my new blog venture. Here I plan to create a view into my world-an independent musical artist attempting to make it in an increasingly harsh environment.Folks like me are literally a dying breed and it may be as simple as our role society no longer being relevant. However, unlike many of my contemporaries who avoid new technology and often blame it on their career demise I embrace and encourage everyone to exploit it.
So I'll be enthusing, ranting and raving and hopefully painting a picture of the realities of life in the 21st century for someone in a marginalized vocation. Expect to see hidden gems from YouTube, insider tips on the best live music I know of and my 2 cents on the great variety of whack that is life in Southern California.
Enjoy and drop me a note!
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