Thursday, December 03, 2015
THROWBACK THURSDAY: It's Almost Sammy's Birthday!
Only five more shopping days until Sammy Davis, Jr.'s birthday!
Yes Sammy was born December 8, 1925 in Harlem. He would have been 90 had he lived.
You don't know who Sammy was? Sammy did it all, baby. He sang, he danced, he told jokes, he acted in movies, he marched with Martin Luther King, he embraced Richard Nixon, he dabbled in Satanism, he was an OG in the Rat Pack with Frank and Dino.
He was Sammy!
And he started young. At the age of seven, he was cast in the title role in a short called Rufus Jones for President, in which he sang this classic tune:
But of course Sammy only got more amazing as he grew older. Here's a starry-eyed song from 1954.
Some of my favorite Sammy songs were written by Anthony Newley. Dig these
At Sammy's funeral in 1990, his longtime pal Jesse Jackson gave the eulogy and frequently told those who loved the man to "let Bojangles rest."
And while I respect that thought, a talent like Sammy's never truly rests.
Sammy, we love ya, baby. Happy birthday,
Wednesday, December 02, 2015
WACKY WEDNESDAY: Worldwide Beatles
The Beatles didn't just conquer America in 1964.
They conquered the world.
And this is how the world showed its gratitude: I give you a sampling of Beatles covers from all around the globe.
Let's start with a Chinese cover of "And I Love Her" by Techniques Band.
Enjoy a "Yellow Submarine" by Simo Ja Spede from Finland.
Let's "Carry That Weight" with the Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia.
Cambodian superstar Sinn Sisamouth covers "Hey Jude."
Also from southeast Asia, a version of "Day Tripper" by a band called Starlight, from the glorious Thai Beat a Go-Go compilations.
Charlotte Dada of Ghana sings "Don't Let Me Down."
From Mexico comes Los Apson with their version of "Mr. Moonlight" (which they call "Triste Luna," or "Sad Moon.")
Here's some reggae Beatles by The Heptones from Jamaica.
And some Bollywood Beatles singing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in Hindi.
Finally, here is described by the guy who posted it called "The worst cover of a Beatles song ever!" I'm not sure who the person who posted called him a "Fat Russian singer who looks like Newt Gingrich." I'm not sure whether this is the Russian Navy behind him, but you've been warned.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Eagles of Death Metal on Paris Massacre
Maniacal religious fanatics from ISIS (ir ISIL? Or Daesh or whatever you want to call these evil creeps) shot and killed dozens of people at the band's Nov. 13 show at the Batclan concert hall. (I've seen the death count at 89 and 90. Not sure which if either are accurate. The toal number of victims of the Paris attacks is about 130 people.)
It's hard to listen to but the video of the interview is below.
The Eagles of Death Metal will donate all publishing royalties of this song to a fund for the Par8is victims and are encouraging other musicians to record it.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
TERRELL'S SOUND WORLD PLAYLIST
Sunday, November 29, 2015
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(at)ksfr.org
Here's the playlist
OPENING THEME: Let It Out (Let it All Hang Out) by The Hombres
Rollin' and Tumblin' by Canned Heat
Skinny Legs and All by Joe Tex
Bangkok by Jello Biafra & Ther Raunch 'n' Roll All-Stars
Jello Biafra by Wesley Willis
All Women are Bad by The Cramps
Sick Bed by The Voluptuous World of Karen Black
The Hand Don't Fit the Glove by Miriam
Luci Baines by The A-Bones
I'll Be Back by Question Mark & The Mysterians
Nerja Sawa by Mazhott
Viento by Rolando Bruno
Held My Baby Last Night by Hound Dog Taylor
Let's Get Funky by Elvin Bishop
Disease by Dead Cat Stimpy
Wish I Was a Catfish by T. Model Ford
Blind and Deaf by No-Hit Makers
Nobody Spoil My Fun by The Seeds
Jimmy Would by Chuck E. Weiss
Looking for Somebody by Any Dirty Party
Shotgun by Yo La Tengo
Wade in Bloody Water by The Grannies
Rock 'n' Roll Murder by The Leaving Trains
I'm Just the Other Woman by MSR Singers
Govinda by The Radha Krsna Temple
Gypsy by Lovestuck
Don't Cry For Me New Jersey by Candye Kane
She Wasn't Around by Alex Maiorano & The Black Tales
The Lady's Letter by Pops Staples
It Must Be Sunday by Phoebe Snow
CLOSING THEME: Over the Rainbow by Jerry Lee Lewis
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Friday, November 27, 2015
THE SANTA FE OPRY PLAYLIST
Friday, November 27, 2015
KSFR, Santa Fe, NM
Webcasting!
10 p.m. to midnight Fridays Mountain Time
Host: Steve Terrell 101.1 FM
Email me during the show! terrel(at)ksfr.org
Here's my playlist :
OPENING THEME: Buckaroo by Buck Owens
Skip a Rope by Kentucky Headhunters
Mud by Legendary Shack Shakers
What You Gonna Do, Leroy? by Brennen Leigh
Scorched by The Satellites
Corn Likker by Buck Owens
Together Again by Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen
Harm's Way by The Waco Brothers
I'm a Nut by Leroy Pullens
Go Find Your Heaven by Ted & The Wranglers
Turkey in the Straw by Sen. Robert Byrd
Send Me to the 'lectric Chair / I Like to Sleep Late in the Morning / Summer Wages by David Bromberg
Happy Hour by Ted Hawkins
Cold and Bitter Tears by Kasey Chambers
Tupelo County Jail by Old 97s
Two Dollar Strings by The Electric Rag Band
Dog by Bottle Rockets
Baby It's Cold Outside by Homer & Jethro
R.I.P. Davy Jones
Driftwood 40-23 / Side by Side Doublewides by The Hickoids
Song for David J by Glenn Jones
God Loves the Hickoids by The Grannies
Viva Mose McCormack!
It's No Secret / Beans and Make Believe / New Mexico Blues / Under the Jail by Mose McCormack
I'm Coming Home by Cynthia Becker
Four Old Brokes by Joe Ely
It Keeps Right on a Hurtin' by Louie Setzer
Big Fool of the Year by George Jones
I'vre Got a Tender Heart by Merle Haggard
Come on Up to the House by Oh Lazarus
Miracle of Five by Eleni Mandell
CLOSING THEME: Comin' Down by The Meat Puppets
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Steve Terrell is proud to report to the monthly Freeform American Roots Radio list
TERRELL'S TUNE-UP: Don't Fear the Foreign!
November 12, 2015
America: home of the brave, land of the fearful. And crown thy good with paranoid contradictions … Them foreigners, if they aren’t bringing terrorism, they’re bringing Ebola. Their gun-toting mass murderers are coming to take away the jobs of decent American gun-toting mass murderers ...
Recent events in the news — along with some new albums from around the world I’ve been listening to lately — got me thinking about a certain punk-rock band I discovered online earlier this year. It’s called Mazhott, and starting about 2007, the group rocked the casbah from Damascus, Syria. Yes, that Syria.
Mazhott live! |
In a 2009 interview in Taqwacore Journal, the band’s guitarist Rashwan said, “We sing about stuff that matters to young people, in general, and social [issues]. [For example], the high school diploma, here, is unbelievably difficult, so, we wrote about that. We wrote about fathers forcing their young daughters to marry older men, about our generation that is frustrated and lost and don’t know [what] to do with their lives, about less separating of boys and girls, and about how we need more attention and freedom.”
Of course, I couldn’t understand any of the lyrics because they’re in Arabic. But the music rocks, so I bought the digital version of Mazhott’s EP from its Bandcamp page. With my modest payment, I wrote a note wishing the musicians well and hoping they were all safe from the troubles over there.
I got a nice email back from Rashwan, who said, “All of us at Mazhott are safe and sound, but unfortunately each in a different country.” I guess that would make them refugees, but if I’m not reading too much into it, “safe and sound” implies some level of stability.
And I just heard from Rashwan last week for the first time in months. He sent me an MP3 of a new Mazhott song — their first recording in years. I'll play that on Terrell's Sound World, on KSFR-101.1 FM and www.ksfr.org, at 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.
Did I say something about some music from around the world?
Damn the fear-mongering! Let these new albums cross your borders and immigrate into your ears!
* Bailazo by Rolando Bruno. Once upon a time, there was a Peruvian garage-punk band called Los Peyotes. (I’ve reviewed their work in this column and played their songs on my radio shows and podcast.)
Guitarist Bruno, who I believe is Argentine, was a member of this hopped-up, snot-rock combo. Now he’s been reborn as a cumbia king. Or as his new record company Voodoo Rhythm describes his new sound, “Full Blast Psychedelic Latino Cumbia Garage with a very Cheesy Touch of a ’70s Supermarket!!!”
His cumbia obsession started out as a side project while Los Peyotes was still happening. He’d upload old cumbia songs onto his computer and mutate them into rocking Latin dance numbers filtered through his own punk-rock perspective. For Bailazo, he composed original songs and hired actual musicians to create this crazy sound.
Bruno brings an international perspective to his already wild musical vision. He throws in Middle-Eastern sounds on “Falafel King.” (Is that an oud, dude?) And there’s also what sounds like a bagpipe. This tune would make the British world music band 3 Mustaphas 3 jealous.
And he’s turning Siamese on “Thai Cumbia,” which could almost be a kung fu movie soundtrack waiting to happen. This track starts off and ends relatively slow. But the sped-up middle section sounds like some frenzied Carlos Santana guitar attack.
Cankisou in action |
You’ll hear strands of Middle-Eastern music; rhythmic Afro-beat sounding sounds; jazz excursions and sonic allusions to Balkan music; and a touch of metal here and there. (And Breaking Bad fans’ ears will perk up at the opening notes of the song “Korobori,” which sounds just like the soundtrack to that late, great show’s opening sequence. “Korobori” turns into what sounds like a salute to the band Morphine — except there’s a brief bluegrass section in there, too.)
I can’t write about Cankisou without quoting from its own origin myth on its website:
“Cankisou music is based on an old legend about one-legged Canki people, and the band also learnt their language, which is understandable all over the world.”
For a one-legged people, these guys sure kick butt. If you like Gogol Bordello or 3 Mustaphas 3 (them again!) or, to get a little more obscure, Polish rocker Kazik Staszewski and his band Kult, do yourself a favor and listen to some Cankisou.
Live at the old Santa Fe Brewing Company a few years ago |
Many of the original members of the band were living in Libya when they were forced into military service by the late and not-so-great dictator Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi. Some of Tinariwen also fought as Tuareg rebels against the government of Mali.
So truly, this music is what Joe Strummer would have called “rebel rock.” Actually it’s trancy guitar music with powerful Saharan percussion provided by a conga-like instrument called a darbuka. And no, I don’t understand the lyrics, sung in a Berber language, Tamasheq. But I understand the words have gotten the group banned on the radio in Mali and Algeria, so they must be subversive.
Even cooler, Tinariwen leader Ibrahim Ag Alhabib has said in interviews that some of his earliest influences were the singing cowboys of American Westerns. I don’t hear any Gene Autry in this album, but I’ll keep listening.
Songs from all the acts I discussed here can be found on the latest Big Enchilada podcast.
Let's have some videos!
Here is Mazhott's last live show in Damascus back in 2010
Enter Rolando Bruno
Those Cankisou boys were the wildest men in Borneo back in 2012
And here is Tinariwen live in Paris with Lalla Badi.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Songs of Thanks
Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends and loyal readers.
On this holiday -- which somehow always seems to coincide with Throwback Thursday -- I'm just going to give you a few songs of gratitude.
Here's a New Orleans singer named Allen Matthews, also known as "Fat Man Matthews" and listed on this 1953 single as "Fats Matthews." The song is written by none other than Dave Bartholomew, the venerated band leader, songwriter, talent scout and A&R man who is responsible for the rise of another Fats, Antoine Domino.
Here's the Last of the Red Hot Mamas herself, Sophie Tucker who recorded this in 1934. (I'm thankful to B.C. for playing this on his pre-Thanksgiving episode of Blue Monday on KSFR this week.
Assuming this is the same guy, Hackett, no relation to Buddy Hackett, was an opera singer from Massachusetts who was born in 1889 and died in 1942. He was best known for his role of Romeo in Roméo et Juliette.
The Allmusic Guide says of Hackett:
If at times his dramatic fires burned on low flame, he was nonetheless appreciated by many connoisseurs for his finesse and unfailingly musical performances.
Enjoy a little Thanksgiving finesse below
Have a safe and humane Thanksgiving. Don't accept any turkeys with drugs or razor blades.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
WACKY WEDNESDAY: A Song-Poem Primer
I can't believe I've done an entire year of Wacky Wednesdays and not done a feature on song-poems,
Another one from the movie is one of the most infamous song-poems out there: "Blind Man's Penis" by John Trubee. Unlike Singletary and most other song-poem poets, Trubee purposely wrote strange and outrageous lyrics as a weird prank. Sung by Ramsey Kearney, the prank became an oughta-be country classic. (I played it on The Santa Fe Opry last week.)
Here is the title song of that song-poem compilation I reviewed in 2001. This is the original versionsung in falsetto by song-poem superstar Rodd Keith. This version, which has obvious mixing mistakes was rejected by lyrics writer Mary Clignett and was remixed with the backwards track gone.
Gene Marshall, who recorded under the name John Muir, delivered this anti-drug message.
This one's a sad story of a decent American cuckolded by an Argentine cowboy.
(From my 2001 column) E. Grange's “Palace Roses" is downright surreal. The music is raw honky tonk with a sweet, weeping steel guitar. Singer Todd Andrews drawls a verse about dancing roses before the speaking part: "I am the father of the palace roses/I sponsor many ceremony dances at my beautiful pink roses palace/the roses palace is attended by all the roses then there is dining after the dancing/and fun is had by all."
Here's another Rodd Keith classic. The lyrics were by a lady named Mildred Shankland.
And here's a loving cover of "Rug Bug" by NRBQ.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Be Thankful! There's a New Big Enchilada episode!
(Background Music: Shock Hop by Johnny Cale)
Android Robot by Acid Baby Jesus
Split Decision by JJ & The Real Jerks
Down and Out by The Vagoos
Just Let Me Know by Any Dirty Party
Across the River by Dead Cat Stimpy
Judy in Disguise by Jello Biafra & The Raunch and Soul All-Stars
(Background Music: Lipovacko Kolo by 3 Mustaphas 3)
El Brujito Ramon by Rolando Bruno
Chaghaybou by Tinariwen
Nomadisavej by Cankisou
Ram Say Sok by Dengue Fever
Awiha by Mazhott
(Background Music: Hammer Blow by Skip Martin)
Sky Saxon / Seeds Set
No Hay Mas Qui Dar by Los Shains
It's a Hard Life by The A-Bones
Stems and Flowers by The Chesterfield Kings
Moth and The Flame by Simon Stokes & The Heathen Angels
The Wind Blows Your Hair by Purple Merkins
You Can't Be Trusted by The Seeds
Sunday, November 22, 2015
TERRELL'S SOUND WORLD PLAYLIST
Sunday, November 22, 2015
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(at)ksfr.org
Here's the playlist
OPENING THEME: Let It Out (Let it All Hang Out) by The Hombres
Jack Ruby by Camper Van Beethoven
Fish in the Jailhouse by Tom Waits
Highway 61 Revisted by Bob Dylan
Accelerated Emotion by The Fleshtones
Lose Your Mind by The Seeds
A+ on Arson Class by Rocket From The Crypt
Twist Man by Dead Cat Stimpy
Sai'een by Mazhott
A Man for the Nation by John Lee Granderson
November by The Rockin' Guys
Howl by J.C. Brooks & The Uptown Sound
Give Me Back My Wig by Hound Dog Taylor
Ax Me by JJ & The Real Jerks
Crazy Pills by Quan & The Chinese Takeouts
Little Blonde Girl by Any Dirty Party
Lee Harvey was a Friend of Mine by Homer Henderson
A Man Amongst Men by Big Joe Williams
Livin' in Chaos by The Sonics
No, I'm Iron Man by Butthole Surfers
Now I Step Over Your World / Punch Me Again, Now Ya Drunken Idiot by John Trubee & The Ugly Janitors of America
Screwdriver by The BellRays
Land of 1,000 Dances by Jello Biafra & The Raunch and Soul All-Stars
Darlin' Corey by Oh Lazarus
Moonlight Motel by Gun Club
Falafel King by Rolando Bruno
Tinde by Tinariwen with Lalla Badi
Venom Party by The Vagoos
Make You Mine by The Black Lips
The River in Reverse by Allen Toussaint & Elvis Costello
Full Moon in the Daylight Sky by Barrence Whitfield & The Savages
President Kennedy Gave His Life by Mary Ross
CLOSING THEME: Over the Rainbow by Jerry Lee Lewis
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TERRELL'S SOUND WORLD PLAYLIST
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