NEW MEXICO FIRST

We got a press release from Lt. Gov. Diane Denish this afternoon encouraging New Mexico residents to visit New Mexico vacation spots during the upcoming holiday.

"... in the face of rising fuel costs, New Mexicans should consider staying closer to home and exploring the mountains, lakes, festivals and Pueblo dances in this state.

“ `As a lifelong New Mexican, I’ve experienced so many rich vacations in my home state,' said Lt. Governor Denish, a native of Hobbs. `From playing on the Ruidoso River as a child to bicycling around Albuquerque today, I’ve enjoyed that big, blue sky, the endless views and the people who make up our multicultural heritage.' ”

However, somebody apparently didn't read Denish's press release.

My very next e-mail was from the governor's office.

"Governor Richardson and First Lady Barbara Richardson will be in Cape Cod for the holiday weekend. They will also spend time with the First Lady’s family in the area. They will return early next week."

ROUNDHOUSE ROUND-UP: THE MARK OF ZORRO

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
July 3, 2008

Here’s a name that many New Mexico politicians, from the governor to the county sheriff, would like to forget: Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein, who owns a 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion in southern Santa Fe County, has begun serving an 18-month jail term after pleading guilty this week to soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. Police said Epstein had sex with five teenagers he hired to give him massages at his Florida home.

According to a report this week in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Epstein, who also has a 13,000-square-foot mansion in Palm Beach, will spend 18 months in the Palm Beach County Jail followed by a year of house arrest.

Epstein’s arrest in June 2006 caused a huge stir in local politics because of the massive campaign contributions he’d made in the state. Among those were $50,000 for Gov. Bill Richardson’s 2002 election campaign plus another $50,000 in 2006 under the name of one of his companies, The Zorro Trust, to Richardson’s re-election; $15,000 to Gary King’s 2006 attorney general campaign; $10,000 to 2006 state land commissioner candidate Jim Baca; and $2,000 to Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano’s 2006 re-election.

The candidates returned the contributions or donated the money to charity after Epstein’s arrest.

New Mexico politicos weren’t the only ones to be embarrassed by their association with Epstein. The Guardian, a British publication, reported Epstein has “holidayed with Prince Andrew.” The Guardian also dug up some old quotes from President Clinton praising Epstein’s “insights and generosity” a few years before the arrest. Epstein loaned Clinton a jet to travel to Africa on an AIDS-awareness mission in 2002.

It seems I usually write at least a couple of stories every election cycle about politicians giving money to charity after some contributor turns toxic due to some scandal. I’m sure the fine people who run charities aren’t nearly as jaundiced as I am. But you have to wonder whether they figure in tainted campaign cash when they’re doing their budgets every year.

Memories of another Jeffrey: The recent revelations about Democratic Public Regulation Commissioner candidate Jerome Block Jr. bring back not-so-distant memories of another candidate whose personal problems came to light only after he’d won the Democratic primary.

Block won the six-candidate primary for the $90,000 position with less than 23 percent of the vote.

In an interview before the primary, Block admitted to The New Mexican that he’d been arrested “on suspicion” of drunken driving 10 years ago when he was 21 years old — a case that eventually was dismissed due to prosecutors’ not trying him within six months.

However, Block didn’t mention that shortly after that arrest he was cited with disorderly conduct for allegedly urinating in public. In recent interviews, he’s said he doesn’t remember that citation.

OK, I’ll admit I’ve made the “mark of Zorro” in a few alleys during Fiesta back in by reckless youth. And I certainly don’t remember every time. But I’m pretty sure if I ever got a ticket for it, I’d dang well remember that.

These incidents, plus others outlined in a recent Santa Fe Reporter article — a 1999 arrest for riding with a drunken driver to which he pleaded guilty and failing to appear at child-support hearings — have made some Democrats wonder about keeping Block on the ticket.

Which brings us back to 2006.

That summer, Richardson and other state Democratic Party leaders pressured Jeffrey Armijo, the party’s candidate for state auditor, to remove himself from the ballot. This was after newspapers published police reports filed by women who claimed Armijo made aggressive and unwanted sexual advances toward them.

Armijo in 2007 was indicted on a felony count of false imprisonment and three misdemeanor counts of battery. But by the end of the year, the district attorney in Albuquerque decided not to prosecute, saying the state had insufficient evidence.

But unlike the Armijo case, Dem honchos aren’t rushing this year to boot Block, who is the son of a former PRC member and former state corporation commissioner.

State Party chairman Brian Colón said Wednesday that he hasn’t spoken to Block about the reports and, unlike the Armijo situation two years ago, he hasn’t heard of any movement to dump Block.

A spokeswoman for Richardson said she didn’t think Richardson would be getting involved with the Block situation.

Block’s only general election opponent in his heavily Democratic PRC district is Green Party candidate Rick Lass.

And Lass apparently won’t be making an issue of Block’s past legal skirmishes. He told The New Mexican this week that he thinks it’s “odd” Block doesn’t remember his disorderly conduct violation. “I actually consider this a bit of a distraction from the main campaign that I plan on running, talking about how important the PRC is and how we need an advocate for the people,” Lass said.

Lass, in a 2004 interview when he was running for a state Senate seat, admitted he’d been arrested in 1999 on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery in a fight with his girlfriend. He said the charge was dropped after he successfully completed the Municipal Court domestic-violence program, which he said involved anger-management classes.

But at least he remembered it.

PEARCE NAMED TO DIRTY DOZEN

National environmental groups this week are stepping up their attacks on Republican Steve Pearce.

First there was the Prius give-away by the Defenders of Wildlife, which I reported on in today's New Mexican.

Today the League of Conservation Voters, which already has endorsed Democrat Tom Udall, named Pearce to its Dirty Dozen list.

"During his five years in Congress, Steve Pearce has voted consistently against the environment," LCV Senior Vice-President for Political Affairs and Public Education Tony Massaro said. "Of the 80 conservation key votes since he has been elected, Pearce has voted against clean air, clean energy, protecting the nation's wildlife, and preserving our natural heritage in all but one vote."

Pearce's lifetime LCV score is an embarrassing 1%. He has earned three 0% scores in his tenure and his highest annual score was 5% in his first year. His opponent, Tom Udall, has earned a 96% lifetime LCV score.

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana also was named to the Dirty Dozen.

TERRELL'S SOUND WORLD PLAYLIST

Sunday, June 27, 2008
KSFR, Santa Fe, N.M.
10 p.m. to midnight Sundays Mountain Time
Host: Steve Terrell
Webcasting!
101.1 FM
email me during the show! terrell@ksfr.org

OPENING THEME: Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out) by The Hombres
First Date (Are You Coming On to Me?) by The Fleshtones
Wild Man by The Hollywood Sinners
Black-Hearted Woman by The Standells
Hear Ya Dance by Andre William & The New Orleans Hell Hounds
Common Man by The Blasters
Nervous Breakdown by Eddie Cochran
Holiday in Waikiki by The Kinks
Sputniks Thema by Die Sputniks
Wine Head by Johnny Wright

Master Race Rock by The Dictators
Puss 'n' Boots by The New York Dolls
Stolen Kisses by Scott Kempner
Sacramento and Polk by Lenny Kaye
You Are What You Is by Frank Zappa
I Think I Smell a Rat by The White Stripes
Black Rat by Big Mama Thornton
Mickey's Son and Daughter by Bonzo Dog Band

Day Time Girl by Sky Saxon
Goin' on Down to The BBQ by Stan Ridgway
Puzzlin' Evidence by The Talking Heads
Party Weekend by Joe "King" Carrasco & The Crowns
Jefe de Jefes by Los Tigres del Norte
She's About a Mover by The Sir Douglas Quintet
Took My Lady to Dinner by King Kahn & The Shrines
I'll Be Alright by Terrence Trent D'Arby

Old Black Mattie by R.L. Burnside
As the Crow Flies by Tony Joe White
Pretty Princess Day by The Dirtbombs
T.F. Madness by Carbon/Silicone
Cool 'n' Out by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
CLOSING THEME: Over the Rainbow by Jerry Lee Lewis

THE SANTA FE OPRY PLAYLIST

Friday, June 27, 2008
KSFR, Santa Fe, NM
Webcasting!
10 p.m. to midnight Fridays Mountain Time
Host: Steve Terrell
101.1 FM
email me during the show! terrell@ksfr.org

OPENING THEME: Buckaroo by Buck Owens & The Buckaroos
Foot Stompin' Friday Night by The Stumbleweeds
Do What I Say by The Waco Brothers
Border Ska by Camper Van Beethoven
Chicano Town by Joe "King" Carrasco y Las Coronas
Ordinary Fool by The Hacienda Brothers
Write About Stars by Jim Stringer
Mirage by Gary Gorence
Tennesee by The Last Mile Ramblers
What's That Tastes Like Gravy? by King David's Jug Band

Fever Dream by Nels Andrews
The Ballad of Rusty Strange by Boris McCutcheon & The Saltlicks
Hog of the Forsaken by Michael Hurley
Sorry I Let You Down by The Wilders
The Demon Ether by The Deadly Gentlemen
Twelve Gates to the City by Bethleham & Eggs
Gamblin' Dan by Cliff Carlisle

Fourth of July by Dave Alvin
Swamp Water by Tony Joe White
Before You Go by Buck Owens
Brothers of a Bottle by George Jones
Rebel Domino by The Rowdy Prairie Dogs
Lisa's Birthday by The Drive-By Truckers
The Mountain by Levon Helm
Some of Shelly's Blues by The Boxmasters
Hand of the Allmighty by John R. Butler

Me and Gillian Welch by Brad Creel
In Tall Buildings by Gillian Welch
Beyond the Pale by Scott Kempner
OGM by Loudon Wainwright III
Comet's Return by Michael Eck
Try Me One More Time by David Bromberg
CLOSING THEME: Comin' Down by The Meat Puppets

Steve Terrell is proud to report to the monthly Freeform American Roots Radio list

TERRELL'S TUNE-UP: TAKING DICTATION

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
June 27, 2008

This probably sounds corny, but I didn’t really start to appreciate The Dictators’ compilation Every Day Is Saturday until I heard it in my car going 85 mph (oops, I mean whatever the speed limit is) on the Interstate with my windows open.
Corny, but true. It’s that kind of album.

The Dictators’ first album was released in 1975, sometime between the point that the New York Dolls were crashing and The Ramones were gestating.

The Dics, as their fans call them, were a little more polished than the Dolls, The Ramones, and the other punk groups they inspired. You can hear a definite Who influence (check the classic Townshend riffage on “Baby Let’s Twist”).

And a little more metallic. Guitarist Ross “The Boss” Funichello later joined Manowar, and one of their early bass players later enlisted with Twisted Sister. The Dics used Blue Öyster Cult producers Sandy Pearlman and Murray Krugman (though I don’t hear the cowbell).

The Dics had that good old American trash-rock spirit — singing songs of beer, pizza, girls, pro wrestling, and other things that make this country great. Frontman Handsome Dick Manitoba was obnoxious in the best possible way (he started out as a roadie with the band); Funichello and guitarist Scott “Top 10” Kempner were loud but seemingly conscious of every note of rock history; and bassist Andy Shernoff wrote some amazing tunes.

Every Day Is Saturday, released early this year on Norton Records, is a collection of demos and rarities — there are even a few radio ads. The album should appeal to longtime fans of the band as well as to youngsters who need to be introduced to the music. There are lots of stripped-down versions of The Dics’ “greatest hits” (as if this stuff ever received decent radio play) from albums like The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, Manifest Destiny, Bloodbrothers and other inspired Dictation.

It’s mainly original material here, though there are a few cover songs like The Rivieras’ classic “California Sun” (including one lyric alteration I won’t even try to get away with in a family newspaper), The Ramones’ “I Just Want to Have Something to Do” (available on download versions only), and, yes, fellow patriots, “America the Beautiful” (although for some reason they leave out the “God mend thine ev’ry flaw” refrain).

One of my favorite tunes is “Minnesota Strip” — an ode to teenage prostitution that features a great ’70s metal riff. Then there’s “Borneo Jimmy,” a basic Chuck Berry-informed rocker about a guy “Standing by the ringside/Cheering on the bad guys.”

“Master Race” has nothing to do with Nazis. Sample lyrics: “My favorite part of growing up/ Is when I’m sick and throwing up/It’s the dues you’ve got to pay/For eating burgers every day.”
The Dictator philosophy might best be summed up by “16 Forever” — a wish for eternal teenager bliss. There are two versions of the song on Every Day Is Saturday.

Unfortunately there are some clunkers here.

I’m on the fence about “I Stand Tall” — loving and hating it. I appreciate the faux jingoism (”You can circle the globe to find a better land/Lots of movie stars if you’re a movie star fan/Lots of pizza, ice cold Coke/Johnny Carson telling jokes/And lots and lots of American good good girls.”) But unfortunately the music, with its terse piano and staid guitar parts, anticipates cheesy ’80s AOR. Could this song be the secret origin of Night Ranger?

Even worse is “Sleepin’ With the TV On,” an actual pop ballad with jangly guitar and overly sincere crooning. I dunno, it might appeal to fans of Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch.”

But that’s why God created the skip button. Every Day Is Saturday is still a good album to take out on the highway.

Also recommended
* Saving Grace by Scott Kempner. “Top 10” didn’t stay 16 forever.

Even though he still looks like a rockin’ rebel, the guy grew up. This album, his first solo record in 16 years or so, ain’t kid stuff. Most of it’s pretty mellow, though not in a sappy way. Kempner, whoal roots-rock band in the ’80s, has a rugged, world-weary voice. One critic called him an East Coast Dave Alvin. His voice isn’t nearly as deep, but that’s not a half-bad comparison.

Maybe I’ve been listening to too much Dictators lately, but my favorite songs here are “Stolen Kisses” and “The Secret Everybody Knows,” which are about the only all-out rockers on the album.

But there are some quieter gems too. Kempner co-wrote “Heartbeat of Time” with one of his heroes — Dion, with whom Kempner has worked in a band called the Little Kings. (For the record, Fern Castle also shares in songwriting credits on the song). It’s got a 1950s Latin rhythm and has the feel of some forgotten Drifters hit. Dion lends some vocals at the end of the tune.

The only cover song on the album is an acoustic ballad called “I’ll Give You Needles,” written by alt-country rocker Tommy Womack. And it’s a dandy. It’s a terrible story of a junkie friend going downhill — though the singer offers hope that the junkie will get better so he can make her understand what she put everyone through.

* We Won’t Change Our Style by Hollywood Sinners. Good old American garage rock is alive and well in Spain. These sinners, who come not from Hollywood but Toledo (holy Toledo!) prove it. It’s a guitar-bass-drums trio that sounds like it wants to conquer the world.

Nothin’ fancy here. You can hear traces of “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone” in the opening track “Wild Man” and on the last song “Tame Me” — and come to think of it, the same chord pattern is used on “Adictos al Ye-Ye” — but somehow the musicians still make it sound fresh.

They pay tribute to another Spanish band — Wau y los Arrrghs!!! — on a hopped-up cruncher called “Quiero Ser Como Wau y los Arrrghs!!!”

This album is one of the newest products from Dirty Water Records, a nifty little British label associated with a nightclub by the same name. It’s the home of Los Peyotes (an Argentine garage group) Thee Exciters, The Priscillas, and other groups.

"I AM HERE ...."

Seems like only yesterday -- actually it was today -- when I was quoting Gov. Bill Richardson saying, “Well listen, I am here and I am here to continue our agenda in New Mexico to make us strong, proud, vibrant, no matter how long it takes.”

I guess that depends on your definition of "here." This press release just came today:

Governor Bill Richardson will be honored tonight by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (in Washington, D.C..) for his work as Governor and his distinguished public service throughout his career.

Governor Richardson will accept the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service at the annual NALEO Conference. The event is the largest Latino political convention in the country.

Governor Richardson is also be meeting in Washington D.C. today with federal transportation officials about highway and Railrunner funding before heading to New York on Friday to meet with bond rating companies to make the case for increasing New Mexico’s bond rating. ...

On Sunday the Governor will attend the Democratic Leadership Council National Convention and give the keynote speech to the Rainbow Push Coalition in Chicago before heading to the Western Governor’s Association Annual Meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.