You are currently browsing the monthly archive for September, 2006.
One of the few rewards of having a dad whose job took him all over was the swag he brought home.
Most of them came from fast food restaurants that he’d stop at, and since our mother was dilligent in protecting us kids from the dodgy benefits of eating at Taco Bell or what have you, these were rare artifacts from an alternate world.
Around 1990 (my guess), my father broght home a cassette tape that had been offered as pat of a Pizza Hut promotion for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles musical tour. I loved a good half of the songs, aside from some power ballads that mae me wonder now exactly who the demographic was (perhaps a clumsy try to get teenage girls into the TMNT phenom?), which were mostly harmony-heavy buttrock and Up With People pseudo-rap moral messages about drugs and being true to yourself.
I finally found some off the album on Soulseek (as my tape was eaten long ago by a vindictive deck). While I couldn’t find the titular “Coming Out of Our Shells,” which I want to hear (mostly to see if it’s gained any weird gay subtext in the intervening 15 years).
It’s still a goof, mostly. After listening to Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime yesterday for the first time, I was actually charmed by the simplicity and sincerity of the Turtles’ concept album. And I gotta admit that I felt more than a little bit of pity for the musicians that were tasked with turning it in, though I guess for a musician, getting paid for a soulless piece of teensploitation with dubious artistic merits beats not getting paid at all.
Still, compare and contrast that to Paul Sabu’s work as Holy Moses in the fine film Hard Rock Zombies. First off, he was proud to put his real name on there, instead of tagging everything with the personas of fictional characters, even to the point of reissuing the songs (the soundtrack never game out) on the rerelease of his Heartbreak album (apparently, his best, but still sub-KISS). The music is remarkably similar to the TMNT, though I’m not sure that means there was any real involvement from Sabu on the project. It may be more of a commentary on buttrock in general.
I was going to include some songs from Jem and the Holograms (whose musical trivia is that the woman who voiced Jem was in popular indie band Luna until their recent breakup), but for some reason Wordpress doesn’t support mp2s, and that’s what it is (I know, I’d never even seen an mp2 before). Instead, enjoy The Carrie Nations from the movie Beyond the Valley of the Dolls doing Sweet Talkin’ Candy Man.
Holy Moses: Street Angel
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: No Treaties, Cowabunga, Walk Straight
In an amazing display of determination, perserverance, hand eye coordination, and lucky bounces, Geoff shattered the Arnie Lange’s Beer League Pingball Pinball Game’s world record by over 3,000,000 points. Following a 7,900,000 point performance that placed 6th all-time, Geoff broke the world record of 10,500,000 with a score of 13,450,866, hitting 175 home runs along the way.
Immediatly following this heroic achievement, Geoff was hounded by the fan base at the scene (Justin), and slapped high fives for at least 7 seconds. His legs and fingers cramped from the two hour marathon game, and brain nearly turned to mush, Geoff celebrated with a Diet Coke from the Snack In The Box.
His initials, GGA, can be found at the very top of the leader board, where they will surely stay for years to come. This ranks third all-time on Geoff’s list of accomplishments in life, right after getting married and graduating from college, and just barely ahead of the time he caught eighteen frogs in the creek behind his house.
To see the list and try for yourself, click on the link below. Geoff will give lessons for records.
A textbook definition of cowardice - Countdown with Keith Olbermann - MSNBC.com
Wow. Watch the video.
Portuguese accordian music.
It’s very nice.
What a Terrible performance that was! You could see it happening from a mile away. Why does John L always call plays like a scared little girl when he has a lead. He knows that the defense is gonna give it up at crunch time. The Spartans play good when they are attacking and throwing the ball. Oh well the Lions should come out today and score at least 50. It is stupid how close they were to up 100 last week. The Tigers will probably clinch today though so we got that going for us, which is nice. Go Tigers!
I first heard about the Muggs while talking with long time Ann Arbor Reggae DJ Brian Tomsic. We were talking about Cousins Vinyl’s idea of showcasing the best area bands on our store. The first band he mentioned was The Muggs, which he said was hands down the best. So I got in contact with the bass player, Tony, who I later learned suffered a stroke and had to re-learn to play bass with his left hand. Told him I wanted to buy some CDs. Tony said, “Yeah, come on over and pick ‘em up-that sounds great.” We agreed on 11:00 the next day: in typical rock star fashion Tony wakes up when we arrive at his house in a modest ranch neighborhood in East Detroit. He stumbles to the door, shirt off: “Give me five minutes, late night. C’mon in guys.” Sitting in his small but neat living room, I think “So this is it, this is how rock stars really live. What will his house be like if he hits big? Like Cribs?” Tony walks slowly, with a limp, I can see the affect of his stroke (he really had to re-learn bass with his left hand?) and over to the trunk of his car, an 80s model small something, to give us the goods. Driving home with Eric, we pop the CD in and turn up the volume. We’re immediatly banging our heads, playing air guitar, and driving 100 down I-94. I can see now what Brian was saying: hands down the greatest rock band in Detroit. It’s the kind of new music I’ve been waiting for-straight up vintage Detroit blues rock, original and kick ass.
We’ve got one of the tracks playing. Still got some for sale here: SOLD OUT!
-Cousin Geoff
This is the spot to post your want lists. If you can fill any of the requests posted shoot an e-mail to the person and work out a fair trade. Cousins Vinyl will not be held responsible for any cheaters or liars.
Yesterday, Justin and I went over to the house of the founder and editor in chief of Big City Rhythm & Blues magazine, Robert Jr. Whitall. www.bigcitybluesmag.com
We had a fantastic visit with him - he showed us his music collection, his original music posters, photographs, zydeco folk art and more. Robert Jr. also told us about the good old days of Detroit - Ann Arbor rock n roll; he was another person we’ve come across who was a former John Sinclair disciple. He said, “Back then, the MC5 and all those guys, we were all listening to the blues! People don’t realize that punk music came from the blues.”
His magazine is an absolute must check-out. Puts the spotlight not only on all the old time blues guys, with interviews and stories, but also on a lot of the current, lesser known blues talents of today. Filled with awesome photographs, even the ads are enjoyable to look at. Being huge blues fans, Justin and I may be biased, but even my wife thought the magazine was cool.
Only $30 for a year’s subscription - I already know what my dad’s getting for Christmas this year.
-Cousin Geoff
I have entertained thoughts of driving to Cleveland to see this movie tonight, but I do not think I can make it. Hopefully it does well enough to go national. The website for the movie has this sweet pinball game and you can play it here….
Try for the Homeruns!
Post your High Scores!!!!!
Cousin Justin
This is what I would throw in it on my way to work:
1) Taj Mahal, Mo’ Roots
My favorite Taj Mahal album, it’s a masterful blend of reggae and southern roots music. Clara (St. Kitts Woman) is going in my next mix tape after Akido’s Yesterday http://cousinsvinyl.com/2006/akido-self-titled-mercury-lp-1972-afro-funk/. A great Friday morning selection.
2) Jah Bunny, Dubs International
Such a sweet dub album. All the songs are well put together, and not as echoey and crazy as Lee Perry. Makes for great late-night cruisin’ music. Also good for a passenger friend who just needs to chill out.
3) Various, Electric Breakdance: The Hottest Breakdance Music On The Street
Awe yeah! This is my pimpin’ music! 1984’s freshest breakdance joints. Need to shop here to listen to this www.myairshoes.com Too bad I can’t put the poster that comes with it on the side of car.
4) T Rex, Electric Warrier
“Beneath the bebop moon, I want to crooooon, with you, Beneath the Mambo Sun, I got to be the one, with you…” Impossible not to turn this up.
5) Mel Brown, Eighteen Pounds Of Unclean Chitlins and Other Greasy Blues Specialties
Yeah, it’s what you would expect. Mmmm, mmmm!
6) Marvin Holmes and the Uptights, Ooh Ooh The Dragon and Other Monsters
Sweet happy funk. Has one of my all time favorite songs, I’ve Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do). The back cover describes this album as being as funky as barrrels of hot asphalt. This is being played as loud as my speakers will let them. I hope I don’t get a speeding ticket with this on.
UNDER THE SEAT: Wes Montgomery, Full House
OK, this is cheating a bit. But I gotta keep this in reserve in case I feel the need for some relaxed jazz cruising. This early Riverside is one of my favorite jazz LPs.
I think I’d put in a new rotation after about a solid two weeks. Better not do any off-roading though.
-Cousin Geoff
I was in a corporate office last week during a “wear your jersey to work day”, in honor of the new football season kicking off. One person I was introduced to was wearing a Syracuse #44 jersey. I’m a huge sports fan, and I asked who it was. “Ernie Davis,” was the reply. I still didn’t know who that was. “The first African-American to win the Heisman trophy,” he told me.
So my curiousity peaked, I did a google search for Ernie Davis. What an amazing story. I’m shocked I didn’t know who he was. A three sport star in high school in the late 50s, he went on to star at Syracuse from 59-61, where his senior year he became the first African-American player to win the Heisman trophy. He was the number one draft pick in the NFL, but never got a chance to play as he died suddenly after from leukemia.
The article I read talks about how bad the race relations were back then. Ernie won the MVP trophy at the 1960 Cotton bowl against Texas, but he was only allowed to pick up his trophy at the reception dinner and not stay, because only whites were allowed. This reminds me of the movie and book Glory Road, about Texas Western’s 1966 national basketball championship. What they had to go through at the time was amazing. Definatly worth checking out.
But the Ernie Davis story is both amazing and sad. I found this great article about him if you want to investigate further: http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/davis_ernie.html
The elusive Max Conroy, Cousin Justin’s former roommate at MSU, has emerged from hiding somewhere in Chicago to contribute to the site. Check his comments and reviews on the Heart Ache blog. As the story goes, Max was a hobo in a past life. He hopped trains and ate beans from a can by the campfire, and liked to settled down to watch the sunset with a bottle of cheap wine in his hand. He once stabbed a man over the love of his life. In his current life, he loves music and books and is a true Cousin in spirit. We are trying to get Max to be a regular writer/contributer to the site. We miss Max, and wish he would come back home to visit.
I remember the time where I went to East Lansing to visit Justin and Max and we jammed in the basement. We all sucked, but boy did we play our hearts out. Max was on guitar, me and Justin were on drums and harmonica, and the rest of the people hanging out did whatever. We played all night and God knows how we sounded at the peak of it all. I swear we figured out the secrets of the universe that night.
I’m listening to the Grateful Dead’s self titled live album right now. Me and Justin have been diggin’ the Dead recently. Dispite the current hipster attitude towards hatin’ on hippies, I don’t see how you can hate on the Grateful Dead. They were good for a reason. Quit trying to deny the facts of the world. The Grateful Dead are immortal. And hippies shouldn’t be hated on. That’s just jealously.
Now excuse me while I go fix up a veggie burrito.
-Cousin Geoff
Detroit’s historic Grande Ballroom is celebrating it’s 40th birthday on Saturday October 7th at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. An exciting line-up is in store. Playing will be Big Brother and The Holding Company, Canned Heat, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Third Power.
Third Power’s legendary bass player, Jem Targal, made a very limited (500 copies?) solo album called Luckey Guy, recorded in 1978 on a four track in his basement. It’s extremely hard to find and sought after. Our friend Richard P, who knows Jem, was telling us about it and about a week later we were shocked when we found an original signed copy.
Listen to a sample track above, it’s pretty crazy.
Here it is on ebay: CLICK TO VIEW eBay LISTING
More info on the 3rd Power concert: http://www.thegrandeballroom.com/3rd_power.html
More info and audio on Jem Targal: http://ufostudio.com/Jems_MP3S_PAGE.asp
It’s Sunday morning, so I thought I’d get into the spirit and throw on some of my gospel LPs. I’m not a church go-er myself, but I really do enjoy some good spiritual gospel music. There’s something very uplifting about listening to gospel. I think everyone, regardless of religious background, can appreciate the elements of gospel music. And music is one of the biggest draws to today’s churches, particularly the mega-ones. I’m not here to promote Christianity or slam it, as many people like to do. I believe in all religions and everyone’s right to practice and believe what they want. I just like to live by this philosophy: judge not.
I’ve put together a pretty solid collection of gospel music, mostly soul gospel and bluegrass gospel. One of me and Justin’s favorite records of all time is The Pathway Quartet, titled Jesus Is A Soul Man. I bought it at a church yard sale in Ypsilanti. The title track is the best song. It’s both sincere and sing-a-long-able. The Pathway Quartet is from Sandusky, Ohio, a raw bluegrass band. Probably will never come across it again.
For modern gospel, check out the Blind Boys Of Alabama’s album they did with Ben Harper and Robert Randolf and the Family Band. Oh, so good.
Here’s a sample of what’s in my gospel crate:
This morning I’ve started out with The Rance Allen Group, a gospel trio from Detroit. You can hear the Motown influence in the song Just My Salvation, in the tune of the Temptation’s Just My Imagination. It’s swingin’, shouting, soulful gospel from 1978. Highly recommended.
Now that I’m in to this I decided to start at the beginning with some delta gospel. Playing now is Fred McDowell, Amazing Grace: Mississippi Delta Spirituals by the Hunter’s Chapel Singers of Como, Miss. Features McDowell’s raw slide guitar and vocals with a small female choir. This is on Testament Records, a reissue label. How they found these amazing recordings, God knows.
Next up is one of the best known and greatest gospel groups of all time, the Staple Singers. I’m playing one of my favorite gospel songs, Get Right Church, off their Vee Jay Best Of album. An awesome example of their early works, I much prefer this period of their recordings than their 70s stuff. This would be the perfect album to play in front of a campfire at night. Has haunting guitars and the Reverend Staples’s lead vocals with his three daughters backing him. Too much…you’re going to have to listen to this for yourself.
Let me add here that Josh has one of the coolest gospel albums we ever found. Ask him about it. It’s a high school choir from L.A. Handclapping gospel goodness. He was going to do a review on it but liked it so much he had to keep it. Hopefully we can get him to still review it, but unfortunatly it won’t be for sale.
Well, I can go on and on here so let me finish with probably my favorite gospel track in my collection: Get Right Church by Aretha Franklin’s father the Rev. James Cleveland. This is one where I crank up full volume and get up and dance around. People clappin hands and the choir hysterically chanting Halleluia and answering back the Rev’s call and response. Even my dogs get excited when I play this! Fantastic! Ah, yes indeed, Lord!
But I can’t stop the gospel train so now on is the Rev Al Green’s Precious Lord: Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I was tired, I’m weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on, in the light, take my hand, precious lord, lead me home. Now I feel it!
I finish this blog full of energy and the holy spirit and ready to do laundry, drink beer, and watch the Lions. Thank Jesus for Sundays!
-Cousin Geoff
Damn trying to write a review of the other junk I brought home, it was too tough to follow the Grand Funk. So a little NY Dolls should be fun and keep me up and typing at 3:30am. Rolling Stone gave the new Dolls record like four stars. Has anyone heard it? David Johansen’s show on Sirius satelite radio is a strange one. It runs on Friday nights but it is rare to be home and ketchup. Hot Hot Hot. Why does Arrow’s version not have any interest. Maybe this weekend I can convince Max Conroy to submit some more random thoughts to this page. I think it is time to chill out now. Here is a shameless way to get some debate, Stones or Beatles.
Cousin Justin
P.S.
In case you were wondering, it is the Stones
