The Dollar Store continues to pick up steam. The $50 Crate Special is what’s hot now, where you can stuff a crate full of records for fiddy bucks. You can even hide 45s in there, we don’t care.
We will also soon be offering vintage record players and recievers for sale that are completely refurbished and ready to go. Our friend John from JB Electronics, who is a vintage audio wiz, is currently working on some things for us that we may have available for you at the store. On that note, John also has record players and recievers available for sale or repair, and we can put you in touch with him for whatever you need.
We have thousands more records just waiting to go in the store once you diggers haul out what’s in there.
I am posting some audio to this by popular demand. It is from 1986 Toronto. Not much else I can say about this one. I am posting the title track, as it is probably the best one. Three copies up for auction!
Here is one I know Cousin Geoff will be excited about! This is a 12″ Single by John Ford on the Ypsilanti Re-Leece label. It is a great track to post on New Years eve to get you all ready to dance all night. Not much info on this but John is still active in the area and even has a great Myspace here. Not only is local but it is a great track, but don’t take my word for it, BUY IT HERE!
I’m working on a soul 45 auction, and I’m listening and recording some of them as I go. I’ll post more as I go along - here is the sog “Detroit City” by Arthur Alexander. I like this arrangement of the song, as it has been done a lot by old country artists. It’s kind of a funny song, because it’s not really about Detroit city, but falling asleep there and wishing that you were someplace else.
***Will post it tonight, included is two Johnny Mae Mathews on Big Hit that I will post the audio here.
The Ypsi hits just keep coming. It’s like “ask and ye shall recieve”: in the quest for songs about Ypsi or labels from Ypsi, they just sort of find me. I’ve got quite the collection going, and this latest one is a strong addition: John and Wynn playing live at the old local Ypsi watering hole Casa Nova, 11 W. Michigan Avenue.
It’s funny, because the term “Ypsitucky” recently stirred up controversy as Zingerman’s restaurant advertised a dinner special as an “Ypsitucky Supper”. The Ann Arbor News picked up the story (link no longer working), but here is a clip:
An upcoming dinner at Zingerman’s Roadhouse dubbed by an organizer as an “Ypsitucky Supper’’ has raised some eyebrows over the use of a moniker some people view as derogatory.
The June 27 event - meant to showcase the area’s Appalachian heritage through food - is officially called the “Harriette Arnow Tribute Dinner.’’
But it’s described as a “four-course Ypsitucky Supper’’ in promotional materials sent to the news media by American Table Culinary Tours. A press release says the dinner will “pay tribute to all the mountaineers who followed the so-called ‘Hillbilly Highways’ in search of steady work.’’
“Ypsitucky’’ has long been used by some people, often in a demeaning sense, to refer to the area’s Southern heritage. The term was originally coined for the migrants from Kentucky and other southern states who came to work in the Ypsilanti area’s auto factories after World War II.
While some residents of the city and township see it as a point of pride, others say the term makes fun of the area’s roots….
Ypsilanti City Councilwoman Lois Richardson said Ypsitucky is a term that has been around for a long time. “It was a poke at the people from Kentucky that moved up here,’’ Richardson said. ” … It’s really a derogatory term. It’s not one that I would use…”
Ypsi blogger Mark Maynardran with the story, and his post led to a huge response in the comments section over whether or not it should be considered offensive or not.
So when Justin called to tell me that this record was in a collection I recently aquired (I didn’t notice it at first), I was super excited. It confirmed that the term “Ypsitucky” has been around for a while, as this record was probably put out around 1970. More than that, it’s yet another song about Ypsilanti, to go along with Lee Osler’s “Back to Ypsilanti” and Nancy Adams’ “Ypsilanti”, not to mention the Pathway label stuff or Ty and Tom’s On The Road.
As for the actual music, it didn’t exactly change my life forever as Lee Osler’s jam did. “Ypsitucky” is more of a novelty song than a mix-tape mind-blower, but it’s fun nonetheless. Which is all you can hope for out of any obscure, private press local joint. Besides this lead-off song, other strong tracks are a dead-on Elvis impersonation of “I Can’t Help Falling In Love” and every country-rock bar band’s staple, “Country Roads”. Over all, it’s a strong album - a drinkin’ record - and an excellent find (I’m keeping it, not selling it). Wynn and John’s “Live at The Casa Nova” is important to preserve as a part of Ypsilanti’s music history.
From the back cover:
Hi! Come on in! Welcome to the “very live” CASA NOVA. If you’re with us tonight-or any night-you’re in for a good time. And when you listen to this album we hope you can feel a bit of the warm laughter and crazy times we share with the CASA NOVA crowd. If you’re a “regular” you might even hear your own laughter! The songs on the album are not necessarily our greatest, (listen to us breaking up in the middle of some songs) but they do represent a cross section of requested songs to remind you of a fun night with us at the CASA NOVA. Ypsitucky is an original tune from the pen of Rudy Janci, paying homage to our colorful background here in Ypsilanti.
Here then is a copy of a smile, a “tapping toe” and a “tune on your mind”.
With love,
Wynn and John
So I guess the key part of all of this is that Rudy Janci wrote “Ypsitucky” as a way to pay tribute to Ypsilanti’s Kentucky imports, who came up to work at the Bomber Plant or the nearby Ford plant. But is it one of those terms that only us Ypsi folks can say, but nobody else better?
Ypsilanti’s own Lee Osler, who at this point needs no further introduction, produced more than perhaps the greatest city anthem of the 20th century, and that’s his daughter: the extremely talented and up and coming R&B singer, LaWanda Lee.
LaWanda has been corresponding with us on the Back to Ypsilanti thread, linking to her myspace page and also to an interview video that hypes her upcoming album. LaWanda thanked us for still loving her dad’s song, and told us that she was one of the little ones riding on the float during the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival as Lee sang his song. In the interview, LaWanda is asked about her influences and before mentioning India.Arie, Jill Scott, and Erika Badu, she first mentions her father. I thought that it was great to remain grounded and thankful to her family - she tells the interviewer that she grew up in a musical family, sang in church, and was in the studio with her dad at age five.
LaWanda is dropping her first album soon, called “First Born”, and performs regularly in the Detroit area. Hopefully she’ll keep us updated to how it’s going - but we wish her the best of luck.
Lee Osler, the much hyped and beloved Ypsilanti singer who’s 1983 local hit, “Back to Ypsilanti” was revived here at Cousins Vinyl and led to a nationwide resurgence, has come out with some new tracks. Thanks to the heads up from his daughter, LaWanda Lee, who alerted us that Lee is still putting out music and seems to be enjoying every bit of it. He goes by the name of “Mee” The Melody Man and you can listen to a few tracks of his here. The song “Supreme Athletic Valiance” is definitely unique - how would I describe it - it’s the jam the church band would play if the congregation busted out into a basketball game in the middle of Sunday Service.
CNN: What do you do when you need writing inspiration for your music?
IP: I need to feel good. When I was 20, 21 years old, it meant three or four joints and then went from there. Now, I usually get it after exercise or from nature, sometimes from a woman or a city. I get it from a good song or a great book.
Something I like to do a lot is just sit by water when there’s a current and just stare into the water. I don’t fish, I don’t hunt, I don’t scuba, I don’t spear, don’t boat, don’t play basketball or football — I excel at staring into space. I’m really good at that.
It helps the writing a little bit, the kind of writing that works for music, which is tiny writing. It’s not like writing a novel — it’s all about making your point small.
Iggy was raised as a youth in a trailer park in Ypsilanti.
Non-music post if I you don’t mind, but I am getting increasingly frustrated with the Pistons, mostly in the illogical rotation that Coach Curry has been working.
After they traded Chauncey, which I immediatly realized was going to be a bad move, Curry started AI with Rip, Prince, Sheed and Kwame Brown, leaving no point guard on the floor and Rodney Stuckey coming off the bench. After this lineup repeatedly caused the Pistons to get behind early in games, Curry finally started Stuckey last night. But the thing is, he still started Rip and AI and Prince, leaving Rasheed, who doesn’t even really play on the block any more, as the only big man.
Just bought a big collection a few blocks from my house in Ypsi and inside was another copy of Lee Osler’s Back To Ypsilanti. I’m trying to decide what to do with it, besides just keep it, as this copy is a bit rough, but signed on the label by Lee. I think I’ll hold onto it until it finds it’s owner. I’ve been promised two more copies by different sources, but they have yet to deliver. On the local tip, there was also another copy of Detroit Lions Another One Bites the Dust and a mint Atlantic Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival 1972 double LP, among others.
Along with being a music fan I am a movie junkie. I rarely go to theaters but on Dec. 5th I will be going to see Cadillac Records. When I first saw the preview for this movie it gave me chills. When I saw Howlin’ and Muddy were going to be depicted on film I thought I died and went to heaven.
A nice couple who are regulars at the dollar store told us about how they take old Christmas songs they have on vinyl and make a Christmas Mix CD to give to friends and family each year around the holidays. They focused on songs that were less known and put out a different volume each year.
I thought this was a brilliant idea and I got excited and started digging up all the Christmas records I had. Then two nights ago I stayed up late and made a mix. Here is what I have so far:
1) Christmas Comes But Once a Year, Amos Milburn. This is off an old King 45, classic soul party feel-good Christmas song.
2) Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Elvis Presley. Kind of well known, but no Christmas mix would be complete without a song from the King. By far my favorite Elvis Christmas song.
3) Hang My Star, Soledad Brothers. I found this on a Flying Bomb record label Christmas mini-comp 45 titled Surprise Package Vol. 4. Not everyone will dig it, but it was too cool not to include on the mix.
4) Christmas Dreams, Johnny Moore’s Blazers. A sweet, gentle duet off the old R&B Hollywood label Christmas comp, Christmas Music For Young Lovers. Crackles and pops come with this one.
5) Christmas Present Blues, Jimmy Reed. For some reason, Jimmy included this rockin’ Christmas song on his album “As Jimmy Is” on the Roker label. I’m sure glad he did. This album, by the way, is one of my favorites right now. I thought it was going to be just another ghetto Jimmy Reed comp when I took it home, but it was recorded in the 70s at the tail end of Jimmy’s career. It’s awesome - funky as all get out.
6) Turn On Your Love Light, Bill Black’s Combo. This isn’t a Christmas song, but it sounds like it could be, and as it’s an instrumental, it doesn’t matter. It’s just such a great take on this song and it fit so well I decided to include it. Besides, Santa don’t play by no rules.
7) Silent Night, Pablo Black. This is off my Reggae Christmas record, my favorite Christmas album. I had to include a song off it, and the tempo of this is prefect after the last one. “Heavenly hosts sing hallelu-JAH!”
8) Little Drummer Boy, Lennox Avenue. We sold a copy of this a while ago, and Justin dubbed it a slow-burning Christmas classic. Funkiest version of this song I’ve ever heard. Even better with headphones.
9) Go Where I Send Thee, Kenny Burrell. Detroit jazz guitarist Burrell truly lays it down on this one. It wakes you up from the Drummer Boy trance and gets you movin’ and shakin’ your pants.
10) Boogie Woogie Santa, Mabei Scott. Early 50s rhythm and blues song with a wailing sax. Mabei shouts “He’s got the presents for your tree, candy for your socks, but when he starts to boogie the whole world stops! Mama get your hat, put your best dress on, we’re gonna gonna really jump for joy on a Christmas morn, with a boogie woogie Santa Claus!”
11) Please Come Home For Christmas, Charles Brown. Is there a better Christmas blues song than this? Another rule I might break is including this song on the mix every year. Flip side of the King 45 from track 1.
12) Jingle Bell Hop, Jackson Trio. More bells, pops, and hisses from this dusty recording that has the whole room swinging and dancing.
Thanks again to our friends who gave me the idea. I had a lot of fun making this and I can’t wait to pass it out.
Was this the worst weekend for the state of Michigan sports teams EVER?
Let’s start with Thursday: Pistons get blown out by the Celtics. Then Friday Michigan basketball gets blown out by Duke. On Football Saturday, Michigan gets blown out by Ohio State, and Michigan State follows that by getting blown out by Penn State. Still with me? On Sunday, the Lions get blown out by the Bucs, and then to top it all off, I’m watching the Pistons Sunday night getting blown out by the lowly Timberwolves at home.
But on the bright side, I did whup Justin at P.I.G on the dollar store nerf hoop court on Saturday, winning on a bounce-off-the-ceiling shot. But I guess for Justin it WAS the worst weekend ever.
