The Dwarves - I Wanna Kill Your Boyfriend 7" - 1987

I'm not an expert on The Dwarves by any means, but I can tell you I'm a fan. I think that this is their first release from way back in 1987. I'm sure this is a reprint, but I don't know from when. Don't really care. I picked it up recently and have been very pleased with it. It's a little rough around the edges compared to their more recent finely produced records, but that's okay. It's still catchy and very punk rock. Ah the bliss that is The Dwarves.

Enjoy!

01 I Wanna Kill Your Boyfriend.m4a
02 Sit On My Face.m4a

Drunken Mishap - S/T 7" - 1996

Here's an okay sk8 thrash record I picked up recently. It's fast. It's loud. It's decent. Not much else to say. Either you like it or you don't. It's just one of those things.

Enjoy!

01 Sk8 Life.m4a
02 T.V. Conspiracy.m4a
03 U.D.F..m4a
04 Don't Tread On Me.m4a
05 I Don't Give A Fuck!.m4a
06 Serenade Of The Drunk Punk.m4a

Deniece Williams - Let's Here It For The Boy 7" - 1984

This is actually my favorite song off of the Footloose soundtrack. I know that may sound lame because this song is pretty light weight, but it is a perfect pop song. This is one that as a kid I loved, but never would tell anybody. I even got a copy of the Footloose soundtrack and never really told anyone. I especially didn't tell anyone that I loved this song. The video for this song was pretty lame and worth a watch for the cheese factor. It was cheesy then and the cheesy factor has only gone up over the years. The part that really made an impression is the bit on the football field. Talk about bargain basement production. Couldn't they have gone to a real football field. I mean really.

Enjoy!

01 Let's Hear Is For The Boy.m4a
02 Let's Hear It For The Boy (Instrumental Short Version).m4a

And here's an extra bonus from the 80's.

Tex Williams - Is This Is All You Hear/Roll, Muddy River 7" - A-Side.jpg

And so we come to an end of my Tex Williams records. This one isn't as fun as the previous posts, but I figured I'd just get it out there anyways.

"Is This All You Hear" is kind of slow and a real sleeper. "Roll, Muddy River" has more promise and umph to it. Even with that said it is still kind of cheesy and simple. Still fun for a listen at least once.

01 Is This All You Hear.mp3
02 Roll, Muddy River.mp3

Duran Duran - The Reflex 7" - 1984

Nothing I can really say or add about Duran Duran that hasn't been said before. They were huge. They were great. Blah blah blah.

As a young boy I got into "Hungry Like A Wolf" mostly because of that woman moaning at the end. That was pretty racy and sexy for a boy in 6th grade. You felt a little naughty for listening to it. But then I became more aware in the months and years that followed that this wasn't primarily a band for horny little boys going through puberty. This was a band for the ladies. With that no firmly in my mind and the minds of so many other boys I wouldn't have anything to do with them. They were too girly. Looking back now I realize that they were great and that I missed out on a lot of great music at the time, not that I'm just discovering them. My qualms over them being a girl band disappeared in college and when I was dating my future wife who loved Duran Duran. But with that said I still kind of feel that I had valid reasons as a young boy not to be into them. Even looking back it is more than clear that they were not gunning for me to buy their records. I wouldn't have it in at one of their concerts any more than a young 12 year old boy would fit in at a Jonas Brothers concert these days. So I get why I didn't like them and why boys don't like groups like the Jonas Brothers today. They are talented and can write catchy pop tunes. In ten years the boys that hate them now will look back with fondness. Okay that's enough of that ramble. The point it Duran Duran is great. This song is great. It's catchy and sexy. It had a crazy video that in retrospect was a little cheesy. This record gives you perhaps a mix you haven't heard before which is a nice bonus.

Enjoy!

01 The Reflex (The Dance Mix Edited).m4a
02 New Religion (Live).m4a

Villa Lobos - The Surprise Box

This one is a complete change for this blog. I'm pretty sure I haven't posted any classical music before. So why now you ask. Well, the story is that I bought this record because of the goofy cover. I didn't really read the back liner notes and I'm not educated enough to know the composers so I must confess I didn't know it was classical music. I assumed it was going to be some kind of Latin vibe lounge music maybe with a little cheese sprinkled on top. I mean look at the cover. You can see it was a valid assumption. Well, it wasn't a loungy record. It's actually a couple pieces of classical music. I thought that perhaps it was still worth sharing because the cover is great and to be honest I actually like side one which is the entire piece of "The Surprise Box" by Villa Lobos. Side two by Falla is okay, but I can take it or leave it. I'm not classical expert. I really just kind of know the hits and I know something when I like it. I couldn't go on about composers and different genres and eras.

I don't know much about Villa-Lobos. You can get an overview of his life and work at wikipedia. It however doesn't list "The Surprise Box" as one of his works. I can tell you from reading the back of this album jacket that "The Surprise Box" was composed in 1932. It was a ballet for children according to the record. The plot as written on the jacket says,

It tells the story of Nini, a poor little girl, who never had any toys even at Christmas time. She always gazed, wide-eyed and longingly, at all the beautiful gifts that Santa Clause Brought to her rich companions.

On Christmas Eve, whikle grieving over her misfortune, Nin has a dream in which a beautiful box made of colorful crystal is brought to her. The box which seems like an enchanted showcase, slowly opens and a great cloud of smoke billows forth in the midst of which rises a stalwart Sailor swaying to and for. A beautiful Pierrette appears next, stamping her foot in vexation, followed by a little blue Domino who is teasing her by jingling his bells. Lastly a Peasant comes forth trying to comfort poor Pierrette.

Playfully, the Sailor, Domino and Peasant chase each other around until the Carnival King and Queen arrive with their followers. The happy crowd dances around Nini. A continual drumming in the distance heralds the entrance of an Adventurer of great elegance and agility.

The festivities are interrupted suddenly by the arrival of Sacy-Perere (A Brazilian urchin). This one-legged scamp spreads confusion among the crowd of dolls; however, they soon realize that this is the fairy friend of all shay and frightened children, and the dance is joyfully started again around Nini.

Another interesting thing I found on the liner notes is that they were written by a guy named Alfred Frankenstein. That's right Frankenstein. Imagine being that guy growing up in the 30's and 40's. Urgh. I hope he had some sons and that the name is being carried on.

So give this one a chance for a change of pace. It's got some Brazillian influences as well as French ballet influences.

Enjoy!

01 The Surprise box - Villa-Lobos.m4a
02 Homage - I. Fanfare On The Name Of E. F. Arbos - Falla.m4a
03 Homage - II. To Claude Debussey - Falla.m4a
04 Homage - III. To Paul Dukas - Falla.m4a
05 Homage - IV. Pedrelliana - Falla.m4a

Steve Bolton - Walk On The Wild Side 12" - 1987

This is a lighter funner version of the Lou Reed classic song. Steve gives it an 80's synth pop treatment and the overall effect is that it lightens the mood considerable. I like this version and I don't feel quite as dirty after listening to it like I do when I listen to Lou's version. His version is just a little grittier and dirtier. That's not a bad thing. It's just different.

I don't know anything about Steve Bolton other than I have this record. I see it for sale on various websites and auctions for 10-15 bucks. If you like it enough, go buy it. Otherwise just enjoy what I'm offering up today in digital form.

Enjoy!

01 Walk On The Wild Side (Vocal).m4a
02 Walk On The Wild Side (Instrumental).m4a

Tenderloinz - Where's The Beef - 1984

Here's a little electro funk novelty from the 80's. Many who lived in the 80's will remember the wildly successful "Where's the beef" campaign from Wendy's. For those of you who missed it the basic idea was that they were selling the idea that their hamburgers had more beef and so this old lady would get a burger from some other place, look at the small patty and demand "where's the beef?" It was a cultural phenomenon that basically just got annoying. Anyways just like other crazy pop culture phenomenon's someone saw an opportunity to cash in with a novelty song and this here is the result. Borrowing from the up and coming genre of electro hip hop this tried to capitalize on a couple fads. The record is fun to listen to now for nostalgia more than anything.

Enjoy!

01 Where's The Beef.m4a
02 Take A Number.m4a

Helen O'Connell - Green Eyes - 1957

This is the second record I've posted by Helen O'Connell. If you want to read more about her check out my last post on her. This is an earlier release of hers and again she is amazing. She's becoming one of my favorite female vocalists from this time.

The top song for me is "Brazil". The other highlights that come to mind are "Yours", "When The Sun Comes Out", "Green Eyes" and "Amapola". If you don't want to listen to the whole thing I suggest just starting with any of those.

Enjoy!

01 Star Eyes.m4a
02 Not Mine.m4a
03 Tangerine.m4a
04 Green Eyes.m4a
05 Yours.m4a
06 When The Sun Comes Out.m4a
07 All Of Me.m4a
08 Jim.m4a
09 Amapola.m4a
10 Time Was.m4a
11 Embraceable You.m4a
12 Brazil.m4a

Helen O'Connell - Green Eyes.zip

Dead Or Alive - Brand New Lover 12" - 1986

Absolutely love this song and the different mixes here are all good. My one question though with this record is, what the hell's the deal with the horse riding on the cover. Don't get the connection to "Brand New Lover". I'm sure there are plenty of records that have cover art that doesn't relate, but this one kind of stood out for me. Maybe I'm just looking for something to write about since it's getting late and I just want to get this one out.

Enjoy!

01 Brand New Lover (The Dust Monkey's Love Bubble Mix).m4a
02 Brand New Lover (Instrumental).m4a
03 Brand New Lover (Up Ducky Mix).m4a
04 In Too Deep (Live).m4a

The Human League - Don't You Want Me 7" - 1981

I got into a Human League mood this summer because of the regeneration tour and the Stuck In The 80's podcast. I put this record on my list of things to eventually write about and I did some internet digging to listen to some of The Human League's early work. I can say their early work is interesting and experimental, but when it comes right down to it I'd rather listen to Dare the album from which these two song came from any old day. It is a great time capsule of 1981 synth pop. "Don't You Want Me" is a timeless classic that I can listen to over and over again.

Enjoy!

01 Don't You Want Me.m4a
02 Seconds.m4a

Arthur Lyman - Bwana A: More Exotic Sound Of Arthur Lyman - 1958

I think it has been a while since I dove into the exotica records for the blog so I thought is was time again. I've been spending a lot of time in the 80's in recent weeks. To be honest my ipod has spent a lot of time in the 80's recently as I've been building a big ole 80's playlist. It's been fun.

Anyways, that project is kind of done for now and I think a venture into something completely different is called for. This is an Exotica record from the 50's much in the same vain as Les Baxter or Martin Denny. There are bird calls and exotic sounding rhythms and instruments. It really lays out a lush tapestry and I think this is near the top of my limited list of records of this sort. I certainly enjoy it as it takes my on some sort of fictitious Disney-esque journey to some foreign land that doesn't really exist. It's like travelling to the Lost Worls to go looking for King Kong and cannibals. Oh what fun.

Tracks that stand out for me are "Bwana A", "South Pacific Moonlight", "Waikiki Serenade", "La Paloma", "Otome San", "Canton Rose" and "Colonel Bogey's March". The real attraction of all these songs are the mellow vibes. So soothing. What a great instrument.

Enjoy!

01 Bwana A.m4a
02 South Pacific Moonlight.m4a
03 Moon Over Ruined Castle.m4a
04 Waikiki Serenade.m4a
05 La Paloma.m4a
06 Otome San.m4a
07 Canton Rose.m4a
08 Blue Sands.m4a
09 Malaguena.m4a
10 Vera Cruz.m4a
11 Pua Carnation.m4a
12 Colonel Bogey's March.m4a

Bwana A_ More Exotic Sounds of Arthur Lyman side 1.zip
Bwana A_ More Exotic Sounds of Arthur Lyman side 2.zip

New Order - Shellshock 12" - 1986

Here's another in my series of New Order 12" records. I think I may have one more after this. Anyways, this is Shellshock another great club track from the mid 80's. In addition to being great in a club blaring out a huge sound system and having colored lights flashing all around in sync to some of the machine gun synth rhythms, this is also a great headphones track. New Order plays around with bouncing sounds from left to right which is always fun.

"Theives Like Us" is also another New Order classic. That signature drum beat in the opening just says New Order 80's club music. I love the build on this song. It comes at with with not as much assault as Shellshock, but it does suck you in and get you into the groove. It is a very welcoming track. As I'm writing I'm thinking this might be a good track to cruise around to in the car late at night. I have a few of those songs on my list. They are the kinds of songs you want to hear after getting out of a loud concert or movie and you're driving home through the streets of Hollywood. You want something that will chill you out, but will also still feel kind of hip and cool and citylike. Another track high on that list for me is "In Your House" by The Cure. It is on Seventeen seconds.

So give the song a chance next time your out in the city late at night heading home and wanting to unwind. If the weather is good roll down the windows and let the night air in and you're set.

Enjoy!

01 Shellshock.mp3
02 Theives Like Us.mp3

Conceited - Conceited 12"

Here's one I'm sure just about no one will know. Why you ask? Because this record was barely released. My brother actually raps on this record. He was involved with a bunch of different musical ventures back in the 90's. I don't think he was the driving force behind this production.

I remember him telling me about this Tulips song before and he thought it was so clever. It is kind of clever, but the end product is just so so and a bit juvenile. Then again a lot of music is juvenile. For me the B side with the 3 versions of "Bringin' It Back (Sweet Home Chicago)" is the real gem here. It kind of co-opts the chorus of Sweet Home Chicago and does so quite effectively. The rest of the song is good too and I think you might like it as well.

Enjoy!

01 Tie Me Up (Bondage Mix).m4a
02 Plant Your Two Lips (Street Mix).m4a
03 On This Dick.m4a
04 Bringin' It Back (Sweet Home Chicago).m4a
05 Bringin' It Back (Sindy City Mix).m4a
06 Bringin' It Back (Instrumental).m4a

Gito Gito Hustler - Wonderful 7" - 2005

I picked this hot little 7" up a couple years ago and boy does it sizzle. Like many other people I have a keen fascination Japanese rock music and an even greater fascination with Japanese girl bands. They don't sound like anything from the West. It's a mixture of their complete abandon and the accents that make them stand out as something different and engaging. Gito Gito Hustler have a more modern punk attitude and flavor than a band like The 5.6.7.8.'s for example. As far as I can tell their still recording and playing. I can only hope that someday I'll have a chance to see them.

You can catch the Gito Gito Hustler wave by visiting some of their myspace page. You can hear a few of their other songs there. Wikipedia aslo has a little info on the band. Here's also an article from Salt Lake City.

If you like what you hear please go out and support them by picking up one of their releases from gearhead.

Enjoy!

01 Wonderful.m4a
02 Romantic.m4a


As a bonus here's a little video of Gito Gito Hustler performing "Wonderful".

Jerry Reed - When You're Hot, You're Hot_Amos Moses 7" - 1970

Yesterday Sept 2nd Jerry Reed died in Nashville at age 71 from complications with emphysema. You can read the particulars and some history over at CNN or just about any other major news source.

If you're a regular reader you will have read me going on about my love of Jerry Reed from time to time. I posted a few of his records since the inception of this blog back in January. The world will truly miss him, but at least we have his music to remember him by.

So in tribute to Jerry I thought I'd post another record from my stack of 45's from old Mr. Reed. This one's from 1970. "When You're Hot, You're Hot" is a great song. It starts off with that legendary "Son" from Jerry. If you know Jerry Reed's music at all you'll know that "son" that I'm talking about. No one sings it like him. This song has a fun chorus with some lighthearted back up singers. The song has also a healthy helping of funk in addition to the country factor. For that matter "Amos Moses" follows the same recipe. The bass line is super tasty on that B-side. Get's you're head a bobbin'. The song is about Amos Moses who as the lyric says was used by his father for alligator bate. How can you go wrong with a song like that.

Enjoy!

01 When You're Hot, You're Hot.m4a
02 Amos Moses.m4a

Of course two songs don't quite seem fitting for a tribute so here again are some of the other Jerry songs from previous posts.

The album "East Bound And Down"

01 East Bound And Down.m4a
02 Lightning Rod.m4a
03 The Bandit.m4a
04 Bake.m4a
05 Legend.m4a
06 Framed.m4a
07 You Took All The Ramblin' Out Of Me.m4a
08 Rainbow Ride.m4a
09 Just To Satisfy You.m4a
10 Don't Think Twice It's All Right.m4a

And here is the whole glorious thing.

And the "Patches 7".

01 Patches.m4a

02 Stray Dogs And Stray Women.m4a

And the classic from Scooby-Doo.

Pretty Mary Sunlite

Liberace - As Time Goes By/Liebestraum 7"

I don't have much to write here. I kind of just wanted to get this one out of the way and out of the system. I can't believe I own a Liberace record. I think I'm more interested in the man than the music. I think his piano style just never really appealed to me with all those fills and runs. Anyways, this is an example of the kind of stuff he was doing that helped make him famous. I'm sure you may find like me that it wasn't necessarily the music that kept audiences enthralled. I also apologize because the quality of this record isn't too great, but I figure you'll probably be okay with it since you probably won't listen to it again after the first time.

Enjoy! (the unenjoyable)

01 As Time Goes By.m4a
02 Liebestraum.m4a

The Freeze - Guilty Face 7" - 1983

Here's a re-release of a classic EP from The Freeze. The Freeze were from the early 80's Boston Hard Core scene. They do a couple of my favorite songs from that era "Refrigerator Heaven" and "This Is Boston, Not LA". Track those tracks down for sure if you haven't heard them.

This is a 7" from 1983 and has their usual speedy hard core sound. Makes you just want to jump head first into a mosh pit. Ah the good ole days. Now I leave that up to my son to do, while I stay safely on the sidelines.

On this record I really like "Voices From My Window", "We're Not the Abnormal Ones" and "I'm Too Good For You". "Halloween Night" is also a tasty one for me, because I have a soft spot in my heart when I find Halloween related music.

Anyways, you can probably find this record online or at any decent record shop that sells new releases. You can probably find an original print of this on e-bay for some exorbitant price. Here you can have a little sample and see if you find it worth purchasing to put on your turntable. I don't have any regrets.

Enjoy!

01 Violent Arrest.m4a
02 Voices From My Window.m4a
03 We're Not The Abnormal Ones.m4a
04 Halloween Night.m4a
05 Guilty Face.m4a
06 I'm Too Good For You.m4a