We have a really variety in new items added to NeverEndingWonder Radio this time around. Would you expect anything different? We start off with a pair of outstanding independent releases:
Wat Cronin - The Gousters
This is the second album in a row Walt Cronin released titled "The Gousters." Last album was a collaboration. This one is a solo effort. The couple of years in between releases has found Cronin polishing his sound yet maintaining the depth of emotion in his lyrics. It's a worthy successor to his debut release. Top of the line Americana.
The Gousters
Rebecca Oswald - October Wind
Solo piano pieces by Oregon pianist and composer Rebecca Oswald. I get an awful lot of solo piano releases, which makes me think there's a lot of piano players out there with talent that have no regular outlet for their work. That's a shame because there's a reason the piano has remained a popular instrument for so many years. The depth of emotion and the variety of its tonal qualities are equalled by no other instrument. Rebecca Oswald know how to coax these emotions from the piano and this release is worth your attention.
Rebecca Oswald
A Thurl Ravenscroft Festival
If you know the name Thurl Ravenscroft at all it's most likely either as the voice of Tony the Tiger or that glorious deep bass that sang "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" in the original Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Thurl, however, was one of Hollywood's busiest voice artists, acting and singing in many movies, including a lot of Disney fare. As if that wasn't enough, Ravenscroft was also a busy recording artist, as backup singer for a lot of popular artists in the 50s and even recording in several groups. Here were present Thurl in many of his guises- as a member of The Mellomen, The Sky Boys, his own group Big John and the Buzzards, singing a variety of ad spots, and backing up such singers as The Andrews Sisters, Georgia Gibbs, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Blake and some rare solo recordings.
Rhino Brothers Present The World's Worst Records
Well, no they aren't, really. They're just damn odd. A lot of classic stuff here- Edith Massey (the infamous Egg Lady from John Waters movies) with her cover of Big Girls Don't Cry, Ogden Edsl's Kinko the Clown, Jimmy Cross with I Want My Baby Back, and more wonderfully twisted songs.
Flip Wilson - You Devil You
More great comedy bits from the criminally overlooked Flip Wilson.
Khazad Doom - Encore
CD reissue of rare recordings by Khazad Doom a great lost progressive band from the 70s. Includes naterial they recorded as The Laymen, selections from their album 6 1/2 and their never released second album. It's a shame the latter material had to wait thirty years to see the light of day because it's very fine music, as I'm sure you'll agree.
Lemon Pipers - Green Tambourine and
Lemon Pipes - Jungle Marmalade
The story of The Lemon Pipers is tragically typical of the 60s music scene- label scouts spot a band they think shows promise, sign them to a contract and force them to record music completely different than the music that attracted the label in the first place. Their hit "Green Tambourine" penned by songwriters Paul Leka and Shelley Pinz was a Number One Hit, and creditted by some as the first top bubblegum hit. The band didn't care for it. They considered themselves a hard edged blues and psychedelic outfit. So there is where you get complaints from consumers of albums that "only have one good song on them" when they buy an album expecting to hear more of what they heard on the radio. I'm not going to call Green Tambourine a bad song- I love it. It's just not what the band was about. Listen to their nine minute "Through With You" or the eleven and a half minute "Dead End Street/Half Light." They had a lot more in them than Green Tambourine.
Kinks - Lola vs. Powerman and The Moneygoround
This may be the Kinks greatest album. A cynical concept album about the vagaries of the music biz predates Tom Petty's similar "Last DJ" by thirty years. The album spawned two top 40 hits- Lola and Apeman. Ray Dsvies is at his satirical best and there's not a bad song on the album.
Miss Bette Davis
Bette Davis Rerecords some songs from earlier in her career, such as I've Written a Letter to Daddy from "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" and They're Either Too Young or Too Old, as well as some whistful numbers about love and lonliness. She's not a singer but she's one hell of an actress and knows just how to deliver the material.
Oscar Brand - Bawdy Songs and Backroom Ballads Vol. 3
Oscar Brand has recorded hundreds of songs over the decades and most of them are dirty. Most of them can not be found anywhere else, either, because Brand records music that is TRUE folk music- songs handed down through oral tradition over the decades and mostly not even written down anywhere. Songs like Seven Old Ladies Locked in a Lavatory and Three Prominant Bastards. Silly, satirical, scurrilous, clever, witty- we're very fortunate there's someone like Oscar Brand who had the foresight to record these gems before they were lost.
Nervous Norvus - Stoneage Woo
I saved the best for last. Nervous Norvus was the stage name of Jimmy Drake- a demo singer from California. Aspiring songwriters would send Drake their lyrics and for a modest fee he would set them to music and record a demo version which the songwriter then could send out to prospective recording artists. Fortunately for us, Drake had another side- the cracked persona of Nervous Norvus whose appropriately shaky vocals made a hit out of Tranfusion, Ape Call, Dig and a few others. They're all included here, as well as a raft of other crazy songs and even some of Drake's demo work. Not to be missed!
You can hear all this on... where else but:
NeverEndingWonder Radio
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Mixed Bag!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
ALLEN GINSBERG, CLASSIC COMEDY, RARE ELECTRONIC, NEW INDIES AND MORE
And even more new additions to NeverEndingWonder Radio:
Jacky & Strings - New Era
Groovin', dramatic expertly executed doses of Latin music. Jacky is one hell of a guitarist, and his compositions show off his skills. They also have an exquisit sense of melody and rhythm. Extremely enjoyable listening.
Jacky & Strings
Timothy Cooper - Light on the Water
Solo piano compositions based around the theme of water. Sweeping, sensual, flowing, majestic- these are all words that describe these compositions.
Timothy Cooper
Richard & Robert Sherman - Tinpanorama
Another of my favorite albums from my rare vinyl collection. A dozen tunes penned by the songwriting team that gave us Mary Poppins and many other Disney musicals. These aren't from their musicals though- these are parodies of various styles of music from Tin Pan Alley to early rock music. Given that these guys really know how to write songs the results are delicious. Their "Boogie Woogie Bakery Man" delightfully sends up "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Likewise "I'm Blue for You (Boo Boo Boo Boo Boo)" sends up Bing Crosby styled crooning and "Rutabega Rag," voiced by veteran voice talent Paul Frees, is a spot on parody of Al Jolson. "Fountain of Teardrops (In the Valley of Sorrow)" neatly sends up the oh so serious Folk Scare of the early 60s and "You Bug Me Ann-Arlene" is a fun little early rock n roll song pre-Beatles invasion. Every song is perfectly arranged and performed by top voice talents with Camarata handling the musical direction. A real lost gem.
The Laugh of the Party
Another gem from my vinyl collection. This collection of comedy bits from the mid 50s is a perfect cross section of the state of comedy of that era. The Buddy Hackett routine "The Chinese Waiter" could NEVER get released today. Highlights include "The VERY Square Dance" by Steve Allen, "World News Roundup" by Bob & Ray, "The Life Story of Henny Youngman" by Henny Youngman, Old Old Vienna" by Eddie Lawrence and "Tea and Ceylon" by an apparently increasingly inebriated Hermione Gingold and Terry Thomas.
Dudley Saunders - The Emergency Lane
Dudley Saunders more closely resembles Jacques Brel or Edith Piaf than a modern singer/songwriter. That's not to say that his songs sound old fashioned- how could something titled "Love Song for Jeffrey Dahmer" be anything but thoroughly modern? No, it's the delicate precision with which each piece is drawn, the detailed look at a moment in time that remind me of Brel & Piaf. Additionally, the arrangements are equally delicate and precise. Saunders' quitar is lent substance by a seven piece band that includes unique instrumental touches from harmonium, strings, mandolin & dobro. Special mention must be given to producer/arranger Milo Decruz. He is completely in tune with Saunders and draws out the best qualities of each song. Saunders is extremely talented. I look forward to his future releases.
Dudley Saunders
Oskar Sala - My Fascinating Instrument
A wonderful artifact from the history of electronic music. Sala's instrument was the Mixtur-Trautonium. This album was recorded in the 1960s, I believe. Reportedly the Mixtur-Trautonium was so intricate that nobody but Sala could play it. Its voices are stupendously varied for an instrument of its time and the compositions beautiful and weird. 
Allen Ginsberg - Ginsberg's Thing
Spoken word release from the beat poet master. Typically amazing Ginsberg, one of the great poetic voices of the 20th Century- and now the 21st.
Random Touch - A Box and a Word & Duologue
Random touch is a perfect name for this collective, as it's all about improvisation. Every time they play together it's completely new. They have released ten albums to date. Duologue, aptly named as it's a collaboration between Christopher Brown (drums and vocals) and Scott Hammill (guitars). It's experimental, dense, wide ranging, frightening at times, but always engrossing.
A Box and a Word adds James Day (keyboards) into the mix. These documents are a fascinating journey into a world of experimentation. If you've an open mind and an ability to appreciate music that's not focused around a three minute pop structure, then this is for you. Hearing these pieces unfold in real time as the musicians play with each other musically is joyous. The interplay, the counterpoint, are intriquing, and ultimately rewarding for the listener who appreciates a challenge.
Random Touch
John Keating - Space Exploration 2
Great synthesizer album loosely based around the theme of space. Classicly trippy sounds.
The Tiger Lillies & Kronos Quartet - The Gorey End
It's hard to describe the music of the Tiger Lillies to someone who hasn't heard them. Gypsy Cabaret mixed with alt rock, experimentalism and chanson. Think Kluas Nomi. Their music is breathtaking, and add the Kronos Quartet to their already quirky sound and you have something truly splendid. This album is based on a number of unpublished Edward Gorey stories. What else do you need to know? How much better could it get?
All this amazing music can be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
EVEN MORE NEW MUSIC: DIZZY GILLESPIE, PHYLLIS DILLER, THE TIMELORDS, UFO ENCOUNTERS, SCOTT AUGUST, INGA SWEARINGEN & KAISERCARTEL
More new items added recently to NeverEndingWonder Radio:
Dizzy Gillespie Live at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival
One of the Jazz greats in a fantastic live performance. Includes classics like a Night in Tunisia and Dizzy telling a humorous story.
Phyllis Diller - Live from San Francisco
Phillis Diller is a true comedy pioneer. She was one of the first female comedians to gain acceptance in the 1960s. The comedy circuit was very much a man's world and women were not exactly welcomed. Bob Hope saw an early performance of Diller's and gave her advice and helped her with some contacts and the rest is history. Diller's act is classic stuff- from her stories of her good for nothing husband "Fang" to her routines about her lousy cooking and poor housekeeping skills. However, this album, Live from San Francisco, was taped sometime this century and this comedy master is definitely past her prime. Her timing is not what it used to be, some of the jokes have not aged well and at times you can hear her struggling for the next line or word. Still, an interesting document.
The Timelords - Doctorin' the Tardis
The Timelords, aka KLF (Kopyright Liberation Front), aka the JAMMS (Justified Ancients of Mu Mu) are Bill Drummond and Jimi Cauty. Their peppered career was full of controversy and bold statements on art & life. Their single most well known track is "Doctorin' the Tardis" which mashes up bits of Gary Glitter, Sweet & the Dr. Who Theme Song. If you don't know anything else about them, I suggest looking it up- very interesting reading. Anyway, this EP is five different versions of their big "hit."
UFO Encounters
Classic spoken word release from the 1970s, featuring UFO experts and contactees telling their stories. You'll hear excerpts from this album between music sets.
Scott August - New Fire
Another atmospheric release from Native American flautist, Scott August. This is not your typical Native American flute album, though. On many tracks other instruments are mixed in- both traditional and modern. This makes for a more expansive harmonic landscape. Some tunes are very melodic and upbeat, others quiet and contemplative. They all retain a sense of Native American tradition while at the same time embracing a modern world. It's beautiful music that calls to your soul.
Scott August
Inga Swearingen and the Bill Peterson Trio - Reverie
Inga Swearingen has a strong and clear jazz voice that she uses to great advantage on her latest release "Reverie" - accompanied by a traditional jazz trio- Bill Peterson on piano, Jeff Denson on bass and Ronen Itzik on drums. This release features a mix of standards and original tunes. Her rendition of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is strikingly modern in execution, yet backed by the trio, it's fresh and fun, never impudent. Likewise her version of "Down by the Riverside" is the single most bouncy version of that song I've ever heard, yet the deft touch by pianist Peterson helps anchor the song to its melody and pull off the neat trick. It's not all bounce and zip though. Stargazer evokes a mood of longing. "Where the Flamingos Fly" is moody and quiet. All in all, a nicely varied collection of jazz songs sung by a singer with fine phrasing and a strong voice accompanied by a traditional trio that have what it takes.
Inga Swearingen
KaiserCartel - Okay... and Other Things We Feel & March Forth
This is actually two releases- "Okay... and Other Things We Feel" and "March Forth." March Forth is so new there aren't any images of the cover o the web I could find. KaiserCartel are Courtney Kaiser & Benjamin Cartel and they make catchy little pop tunes that grab onto you and get into your head and heart, whether you want them to or not. If these two find the right management they could end up there in your radio. Or maybe not- the music is so much more interesting and heartfelt than what you can hear on the radio it just might be too good for the mainstream. The two met in New York ans soon realised they not only wanted to make music together, they wanted to make a life together. Their sense of purpose and their sense of joy with each other, with life, with the world shines through every one of their songs. In the "Season Song" they pull out all the stops- whistling, tambourines, hand clapping- it SCREAMS at you, "this is sunshine pop!" But don't dismiss it- it has a great deal to say about the cycle of the year. Simple phrases decribing emblematic symbols of each season combine with more personal symbols to make an incredibly infectious ditty that sets you thinking about what you love about the yearly cycle- and all in less than three minutes.
They're not a one trick pony though. Each song has an individual style and an individual mood. "The Flood" is surprisingly dour. "Dog Stars" starts off simply, a plaintive solo vocal by Kaiser that develops into a powerful chorus. I envy these two- in love with each other and possessing the talent to make their experience felt by others. They almost turn a cynical old crank like me back into an optimist.
KaiserCartel
All these albums can be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Most Recent Additions to NeverEndingWonder Radio- Grasshoppers, Rare Comedy and $64,000 Jazz
These are the most recent additions to NeverEndingWonder Radio. Three classic rare albums recorded on my brand new Crosley usb turntable (my old school turntable gave out and this usb device works GREAT!).
The Grasshoppers Sing the Beatles Hits
I don't have a proper image of the cover, so this will have to do. I haven't had a scanner in years.
Anthology Jazz album released in the mid-50s containing tracks from Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Eddie Condon, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Dave Brubek and others.
These were all recorded from vinyl albums over 40 years old and as such contain some noise. I cleaned them up a bit but you still hear some. Well, it adds to the charm, right?
Introduction
Yes, I'm finally starting a blog. Way behind the curve there. To all my old friends- welcome. To all my new friends, welcome.
A bit of introduction:
For over four decades I've been a fan of and collector of strange, unusual, rare, off the wall & forgotten music, comedy & spoken word weirdness. When my friends and I went to the record shop back in the sixties they'd head for the latest Zeppelin, Beatles or Stones releases. I'd head for the bins of cutout discs and search for gems like The Naked Carmen, Ark 2 by Flaming Youth, Beaver & Krause, Dracula's Greatest Hits or something equally bizarre.
For many years I hoped for a way to share my passion for off-kilter audio. Seven years ago I found the answer- Internet radio. Dr. Demento had been a long time inspiration for me and I wanted to create something like his show, only expanded. The result was NeverEndingWonder Radio- a freeform Internet radio station that focuses on rare, forgotten, off the wall & off beat music from the beginning of recording history to brand new releases.
It's been a constant joy running the station, aided by my able assistant Ozma the Elf. I've won awards, been featured in stories online & in print, been contacted by some of the musicians I've been a fan of over the years, and met a lot of people who share my taste for music that doesn't quite fit into the mainstream. NeverEndingWonder Radio is a constant work in progress. I add new music to the library almost daily. I have some specialty shows and I have plans for adding more in the future.
One of the greatest joys of running the station has been getting to know hundreds of independent artists and airing their music. Traditional radio is so locked into the parasitic relationship they have with the major labels that artists who don't fit the mainstream have no chance of getting airplay. There are creative, talented artists across the world hungry to get their music HEARD. Internet radio is a godsend to them. I am constantly amazed at the depth of talent the artists who send me music have. It's an honor to provide them with a venue.
I am always behind on keeping up with my work on the station. I have enough music in my collection to keep me busy for YEARS, as well as keeping the website updated. I've been working on a new format for links to the independent artists I play for a year now. My apologies artists! It will be ready soon, I promise!
It's my goal to keep this site fresh with notes on new music added to the station, reviews of new CDs, news items and such. And no- I won't provide mp3 downloads of music you hear on NeverEndingWonder Radio. If you enjoy the music, support the artists and buy their music. Please feel free to leave comments in the comments section. If you don't have a blogger account and leave an "anonymous" comment please put a name in the comment so I know who you are! Looking forward to hearing from you.
