http://wfmu.org/playlists/KB WFMU presents KBC - it’s my job to clean out cobwebs in your brain.. en Copyright (C) 2009 WFMU Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:55:41 EDT Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:55:41 EDT WFMU and KBC http://wfmu.org/podcast_images/kb_rss.png http://wfmu.org/playlists/KB 144 176 WFMU, KBC, comedy, humor, novelty, silly, radio, podcast, bitslap, xmas, lobster, antique, weird, collectible no http://wfmu.org/playlists/KB Reverse Covers http://wfmu.org/playlists/KB#33293 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:55:41 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:49 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33292 Halloween http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33292 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:55:12 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:59 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33268 Baseball 3 Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33268
Looney Tunes - "BASEBALL BUGS" [Here’s a cartoon you don’t need visuals for, because they’re already embedded in your mind. Directed by Friz Freling and written by Michael Maltese, it includes voices by not only Mel Blanc but Bea Benaderet (as Lady Liberty and the screaming baseball). Bea was the voice of Betty Rubble in the Flintstones and also the Mom in Petticoat Junction. It’s also one of the very few Looney Tunes that ends with Bugs himself closing it out in place of Porky Pig. If you’d like to see the whole cartoon, YouTube will oblige you at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KfztaGR-co]
Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun - "THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT" [Bill was the original guitarist for Commander Cody’s Lost Planet Airmen. He’s known as the “Titan of the Telecaster” for his signature well-worn1959 Fender Telecaster that he traded to a complete stranger he met on a bus. Mostly hangs out in the Washington DC area and tours with either his own band or joins people like Elvis Costello or Nick Lowe. Watch him in over-the-top action on “Hot Rod Lincoln” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGpr-Zy_wRs (Looks like Harry Reid, eh?)]
unknown - "DROPPED THE BALL!" [Sonovabitch!]
Chuck Brodsky - "BONEHEAD MERKLE" [Chuck was born in Philadelphia in 1960 and this is from his 2002 album “The Baseball Ballads.” This song tells the tale of a 1908 game between the NY Giants and Chicago Cubs wherein the game was blown by one Fred Merkle whose inattention cost the Giants the game and later, the pennant (the Cubs won it all in 1908, the last time they won anything at all – some say the ghost of Merkle is getting its revenge).]
Unknown - "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME [in Yiddish]" [For the Phillies: A brokh tsu dayn lebn. For the Yankees: Gai feifen afenyam/Gai kakhen afenyam. Look it up.]
Music behind DJ:
Harry 'The Hipster' Gibson - "BARRELHOUSE BOOGIE"

Jackie Gleason - "CASEY AT THE BAT" [Recited by Reginald van Gleason III, this shows up on an album called “Awaaay We Go!.” Gleason released far too many records of syrupy disgusting instrumentals but, sadly, only one of comedy. Considering the quality of his material it’s a crime and a sin that there were not many more. For a decidedly stranger reading of Thayer’s poem, we thank YouTube for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reY68mDYFKk]
Honky Tonk Confidential - "BASES ON BALLS" [The band has been around since 1997 in the Washington DC area and their latest album, Roadkill Stew, features four songs which have lyrics written by CBS News anchor Bob Shieffer. Try their website at http://www.honkytonkconfidential.com/htc.html In looking this up, I notice that they have other baseball songs (like “Nolan Ryan’s fastball” – he’s my hero) and a lot of Xmas numbers. Stay tuned for more…]
Anonymous - "COME ON YOU CUBS, PLAY BALL!" [Yeah right… “Cubs” and “Play Ball” in the same sentence… No wonder they’re anonymous. Hey, fool me once…]
Aggregation - "CUBBIES ARE ROCKIN" [Seriously though, at one time the Cubs were actually a mediocre team with high hopes of a .500 season. Disaster was averted in 1984 when they almost went to the World Series, but through sheer grit and determination, they blew a 2 game to nothing lead, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, losing to the Padres (who went on to lose to the Detroit Tigers in 5 games – the famous McDonalds v Dominos Pizza series).]
Stormy Weather - "LAND OF WRIGLEY" [Now Wrigley Field, there’s a place that deserves better. Built in 1914 as Weeghman Park it was home to the Chicago Whales (Whales in Chicago?) of the Federal League. From 1920-26 it became known as Cubs Park and in 1926 it was renamed for Cubs team owner and chewing gum Czar, William Wrigley Jr. Now it is owned by the bankrupt Chicago Tribune Co, who hope to sell off the team and it assets to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. There are several tour videos on YouTube, just look up “Wrigley Field Tour.”]
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig - "COMEDY ROUTINE" [A truly lame standup routine between two giants, source unknown. This would be a good time to mention that many of today’s gems came from http://www.thedeadballera.com a snazzy website that contains many songs, interviews and the snippets of play-by-play that you’ll be hearing today. Check it out; it’ll keep you out of trouble for hours.]
Bob Edwards - "LINEUP FOR YESTERDAY" [Edwards is the Peabody Award-winning guy from NPR (Morning Edition), Sirius (Bob Edwards Show) and PRI (Bob Edwards Weekend). With NPR, his audience was second only to comedian Rush Limbaugh and his departure from NPR was dripping with controversy. Oddly, his last show featured a segment with Charles Osgood (who was featured on his first show 25 years before) and an item about the last Oldsmobile rolling off the line at GM.]
Pepper Martin - "WHERE'S PAGE 8" [A baseball mystery.]
Eddie Lawrence - "LOCO BASEBALL" [Another episode of audio schizophrenia from Eddie, who obviously does both voices.]
Anonymous - "BARRY BONDS STEROID SONG" [Hey, if I thought Barry would be after me, I’d stay anonymous too. I'd advise you to do the same.]
Bob Rivers - "TAKE BASEBALL AND SHOVE IT" [I’ve felt like this too, but that’s because I’m a Mets fan.]
Music behind DJ:
Gene Krupa - "LEAVE US LEAP"

Chuck Brodsky - "BALLAD OF EDDIE KLEP" [Eddie Klep was a real live ballplayer whose claim to fame is that he was the first white man to play in the Negro Leagues when he pitched seven innings for the Cleveland Buckeyes in Grand Rapids MI, in May 1946, a full ten months before the appearance of Jackie Robinson in Brooklyn. A few years later, he was playing ball at Rockview Prison in PA. Died in 1981 of complications from alcoholism and late word is that his story has been bought by Adam Sandler’s people, so we may not have seen the last of him.]
Randy Now - "CARL YASTRZEMSKI" [Yastrzemski had the odious task of replacing Ted Williams in left field for the Boston Red Sox in 1961. He filled in quite admirably, with a career average of .285, 482 HR, 18 All Star Games, 8 Gold Gloves and an MVP. He was the last player to win the Triple Crown in 1967 (his MVP year). I couldn’t find anything on Randy Now, or even later, so you’re on your own. These two came from the Dead Ball Era page. Ask them.]
Randy Now - "ODE TO BILLY MARTIN" [I'm totally unashamed of the fact that, as much as I’ve always despised the Yankees, I always adored Billy Martin for his classy style and graceful elegance. I really wish he had stuck around long enough to manage the Mets (instead of, say, George Bamberger), we’d all be holding our heads a teeny bit higher.]
Jack Flack` - "EARL WEAVER" [Another one in the Billy Martin mold, Weaver wrote the book, making tantrums an art form and creating artwork out of infield dust. Umpires used to say that the hardest part of their jobs in dealing with The Earl was keeping a straight face.]
Anonymous - "USELESS SPORTS REPORT" [Hank Kimball reporting]
Sam Bush Band - "WIZARD OF OZ" [Not the Scarecrow, but Ozzie Smith, the magical, gravity-defying shortstop from the St Louis Cardinals. He’s a 13-time Gold Glove winner, 15-time All Star and was hustled into the Hall of Fame in 2002. He started his career in San Diego, but wound up traded to the Cardinals for Gary Templeton in a six-player deal that, at the time, was virtually unheard of. Sam Bush, meanwhile, is a veteran bluegrass performer credited with originating “Newgrass” and has won just about every award there is short of Golden Pick (that’s a pun, you see…).]
Tim Wilson - "BALLAD OF JOHN ROCKER" [John Rocker set off a shitstorm with his comments about New Yorkers while he was with the hated Atlanta Braves. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he said, in part “Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids.” It got worse from there. A few years later, Mets fans were horrified to find he had been invited to a tryout at spring training. Rocker closed his career in 2005 (unsuccessfully) with the Long Island Ducks. Sadly, even though he was an asshole, he was a really good pitcher at his prime.]
Window - "I'M A FAN" [These guys are from Cleveland, and even Mets fans look with pity on people from Cleveland.]
Music behind DJ:
Tommy Dorsey - "WEARY BLUES"

Chuck Brodsky - "WHITEY AND HARRY" [Whitey was Richie Ashburn and Harry was Harry Kalas, both Philadelphia broadcasters. Ashburn first: as a ballplayer, he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame for his play with the Phillies, Cubs and as an Original New York Met. As a broadcaster, it would be hard to find anyone more beloved and respected. After a Mets-Phillies game in 1997 at Shea Stadium, Ashburn suffered a fatal heart attack. The radio booth at Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Bank Park is named in his honor. In 1971, Harry Kalas joined the Phillies broadcasting team after the retirement of Bill Campbell and he and Ashburn worked together until Ashburn’s death (Harry was also the voice of NFL Films). The only other person in Philly as beloved as Ashburn was Harry Kalas. On April 13, 2009, Harry collapsed and died in the broadcast booth of the Washington Nationals’ park just before the opening day game with the Phillies. Today, the Phillies hang up his jacket in the dugout before each game and the TV booth at Citizen’s Bank Park is now named in his honor.]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33268 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:01 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:43 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33267 78s Vol 3 Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33267
Gene Krupa Orchestra with Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge - "LET ME OFF UPTOWN" [Anita Belle Colton (10/18/19-11/23/06) changed her name to O’Day because it was Pig Latin for “Dough”. She seems to have developed her style of singing as a result of a botched tonsillectomy, which left her with an elongated uvula, thereby making her unable to sustain a vibrato or longer phrasing. She also hadmuch training in percussion which she took advantage of in her vocals. Sadly, she’s also noted for her longtime problems with heroin, but still lived to age 87. This was her first big hit with Krupa.]
Jenks 'Tex' Carmen - "YOU TELL HER CAUSE I STUTTER" [Jenkins Carmen was born in Hardinsburg KY 5/14/03. Started out in vaudeville and Chautauqua shows in his teens and later learned Hawaiian guitar from Frank Plada. Mostly noted for his lack of rhythm or good voice, but his enthusiasm made up for it. He would appear on stage dressed in Cherokee garb to point out his Cherokee ancestry (which was never verified).]
Jenks 'Tex' Carmen - "CAISSONS GO ROLLING ALONG" [Tex was also into realistic sound effects.]
Elton Britt and Rosalie Allen - "SWISS LULLABYE" [I stated (erroneously) that Britt was from England. Sorry. James Britt Baker was born in Zack AR 7/27/12. He made some 600 records (the biggest was “Chime bells”) and died 6/23/72. Next time you’re in Broad Top City, PA, look up his monument at the Cemetery. Go to eltonbtitt.com for more info and song samples.]
Elton Britt and Rosalie Allen - "TENNESSEE YODEL POLKA" [Rosalie Allen (7/27/24, Old Forge PA) taught herself guitar and singing and was soon a fixture on country music radio. She wound up in NYC where she had a long-running show on WOV [now WADO] until displaced by rock n roll in 1956. In her later career she made many records with Elton Britt. Here is a Soundie of her doing “Chime Bells:” http://weirdovideo.com/wv68/node/38]
Music behind DJ:
Fats Waller - "LOVE BUG"

Louis Jordan - "BEWARE" [Title track of the movie “Beware”, which has our hero “Lucius” Jordan recruited to save Ware College in Ohio, which has seen better days. It just happens that Lucius’ band is in town and they throw a fundraiser while uncovering shenanigans with the school’s finances. Ah, but there’s romance in the air as Louis reconnects with the lovely Annabelle (Valerie Black) and sings his way into the sunset.]
Louis Jordan - "LOOK OUT SISTER" [Another song from another film. This one has Louis stressing out from overwork and finds himself at a sanitarium wherein hilarity, music and romance ensue (the lovely Suzette Harbin co-stars) as Louis dreams of a dude ranch in trouble. [I’ve never seen this one].]
Dick Todd, Baritone - "DON'T LET JULIA FOOL YA" [Todd was known as the Canadian Crosby, born in Montreal 8/4/14 and was a popular radio crooner well into the 50s. He put in hard time with Larry Clinton and Artie Shaw and was very active in entertaining troops in WWII. After his career wound down, he apparently worked as a stagehand on Broadway and the circus before succumbing to alcohol and is believed to have died a vagrant in the mid 70s.]
Dinning Sisters - "YOU LIKE EET, SHE LIKE EET" [Made up of Lucille and twins Ginger and Jean, they were apparently all gifted with perfect pitch and did many years of radio work for the likes of the Bowman Musical Milkwagon and Gary Moore’s Club Matinee. Later they were overshadowed by their little brother Mark who had a monster hit with “Teen Angel” (which was written by sister Jean and her husband).]
Art Mooney - "BIG BRASS BAND FROM BRAZIL" [Featuring a vocal by the Galli Sisters, this was the flip side of one of his biggest hits “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover.” Art and his band made a career out of sing-along hits and he enjoyed life at the top of the charts well into the 60s.]
Upton Cook - "CHEROKEE BOOGIE" [On Royale Records (#45402) has the even better flip side “Kiss Crazy Baby” which was written by Moon Mullican & Chief William Redbird. That’s all I got…]
Les Brown - "DOCTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF" [Written by Hoagy Carmichael, with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. Features the Band of Renown, which was active 1938-2001 (the year of Brown’s death). Begun at Duke University as Les Brown & His Blue Devils and stayed active after graduation. Both Tony Bennett & Doris Day got their start with Les Brown and the band is still going today under the direction of Les Brown Jr.]
Kay Kyser [Sully Mason] - "PLAYMATE" [Sully Mason was born in Durham NC in 1906 and was one of 6 original members of the Kay Kyser band., playing sax and adding highly energetic vocals on many songs. Also had many parts in various movies, both with and without the Kyser Band. Died in LA in 1970 of cerebral hemorrhage.]
Kay Kyser and Moonbeans - "ONE-ZY, TWO-ZY" [James Kern Kyser was born June 18, 1905 in Rocky Mount NC. Graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, where his enthusiasm as a cheerleader led him to join a band being formed on campus. He later came up with the Kollege of Musical Knowledge which combined swing with a quiz show and he was off to the races from there. Right after the war, he became a devout Christian Scientist and just turned his back on music and walked away. You’ll find hundreds of Kyser soundies at YouTube.]
Ted Weems & His Orchestra - "CHICK CHICK CHICKEN" [Featuring tag-tem vocals by Parker Gibbs and Dusty Rhodes. Wilfred Theodore Weems led many bands in his life (1901-1963) for many record labels. During WWII, he led the Merchant Marine Band and after the war reformed his original orchestra to lukewarm success. Wound up a radio DJ in Memphis and later took a management position with Holiday Inn before dying of emphysema in Tulsa in 1963. His son led a revival band during the 60s and 70s.]
Music behind DJ:
Fats Waller - "BOO HOO"

Balladeers - "COWBOY ON A POGO STICK" [You've got to be kidding ...]
Scotty MacGregor - "MOUSE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY" [Let’s see… he’s not an actor, not a pitcher for the Orioles. Not an actress either. Or an Australian basketball player. Who the hell is Scotty McGregor anyway? I mean beside some guy who makes records for kids? Let me know.]
Scotty MacGregor - "CUCKOO CLOCK" [I still don't know anything about him.]
Chubby Newsome - "LITTLE FAT WOMAN WITH THE COCONUT HEAD" [Chubby (who did not earn her nickname, by the way: she was a beautiful svelte woman, though she reportedly had a big enough butt) was originally from Detroit and found her way to New Orleans where she worked for awhile with Paul Gayten Orchestra before just disappearing. This is from 1951 on Regal Records (#3319), the flip side of “Where’s the Money, Honey”.]
Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers - "UGLY CHILD" [John Hernden Mercer was born in Savannah GA in 1909 and learned music from many of the black musicians in the area. He became a prolific songwriter, writing lyrics (and some music) for over 1000 songs and received 19 Oscar nominations. His vocal stylings gave an element of race to his songs unheard of in White Bread Hollywood. In 1975, Paul McCartney tried to collaborate with Mercer, but by them Johnny was ill with an inoperable brain tumor. He died June 25, 1976 and was buried in Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery.]
Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers - "MY SUGAR IS SO REFINED" [At one time, the Pied Pipers were eight members strong, but whittled down to four and included in their number Jo Stafford (before Paul Weston) and then by June Hutton when Jo left. At their peak, with the Dorsey band (backing Sinatra) they were Jo,
Billy Wilson, Chuck Lowry and John Huddleston (Stafford’s then-husband). In a snit, Dorsey fired them and they shuffled personnel again and joined Johnny Mercer for many tracks.]
Johnny Ray - "SOMEBODY STOLE MY GAL" [John Alvin Ray was born in Hopewell, OR on Jan 10, 1927 of Native American extraction. As a Boy Scout, he suffered an injury that made him deaf in one ear (while horsing around, no doubt), and had to wear a hearing aid later while performing. Noted for such theatrics as squirming on the floor, crying and pounding his piano, there is no doubt he was a major influence on future rock stars and politicians.]
Johnny Ray - "GLAD RAG DOLL" [Ray had issues regarding his sexuality, and some arrests followed his solicitations of men. He was a devoted alcoholic and was diagnosed with cirrhosis at age 50. In Feb of 1990, he died of liver failure at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA. He is buried in Hopewell, OR, not far from his birthplace]
Airline Trio - "FRECKLES" [Another of those lovable, silly double-entendre songs by these guys, of whom I know nothing.]
Sammy Kaye - "ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH" [Leader of one of the biggest “Sweet Bands” of the day, Kaye was a mainstay on radio, best known for his “So You Want to Lead a Band” feature, an early reality show wherein audience members would attempt to lead an orchestra while hilarity ensued. Right after Pearl Harbor, Kaye wrote “Remember Pearl Harbor” with Don Reid and of course, the rest is history. Here we have a vocal by Don Cornell and the Ensemble.]
Ray McKinley and His Orchestra - "CIVILIZATION [Bongo Bongo Bongo]" [Drummer, singer, bandleader writer, ham, Ray got his start in the Dallas-Ft Worth area and at various times, joined, or led the Glen Miller Band, Dorsey Brothers, Will Bradley and his own band. Later, in 1961, he joined with Johnny Desmond for a summer TV series on CBS. Here’s a clip from that show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRrAG5JGK7E (with links to others). And here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C60iYHFE2pI is another version of this song by the Andrews Sisters with Danny Kaye.]
Arthur Godfrey - "DON'T BRING LULU" [Godfrey was a radio operator for the Navy in the early 20s and put that to good use in civilian life. He also played ukulele, and his down home aw-shucks nature made him the biggest star in the known universe in the 50s until the Julius LaRosa incident (Godfrey fired the surprised LaRosa on air and it started a shitstorm for him) whereupon his image began to crumble. Common knowledge is that he was a nasty, controlling, unpleasant racist at heart. He died in 1983 of emphysema, brought on by complication of radiation treatment for lung cancer.]
Music behind DJ:
Fats Waller - "SAN ANTONE"

Joy Nichols - "WE GOT TO PUT SHOES ON WILLIE" [Written by Jack Yellin & Sammy Fain. Joy Nichols (1925-62) was an Australian comedienne and actress who originally was part of a duo with her brother George. Later she moved to Britain where she became best known for her appearance on the BBC Radio series “Take it From Here”, set in a British radio station. She left just before the show became popular and moved to the US, where she had limited success in some small roles in Broadway productions.]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33267 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:58:12 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:35 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33128 Singles 2 Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33128
Buchanen and Goodman - "FLYING SAUCER [Parts 1 and 2]" [From 1956 (and available on 78 RPM no less) this is the one that started the Shit Train rolling for Dickie Goodman and his partner Bill Buchanen (who had a whole lot of break ins on his own as well). Just for fun, look up Dickie Goodman in Wikipedia for an amazingly thorough discography (and keep in mind that they didn't have digital mixing in those days). While you're there, you'll note that he blew his own brains out in 1989 and that he spent a large chunk of his life dodging copywrite lawsuits.]
Screamin Jay Hawkins - "LITTLE DEMON" [This is the flip side of Jay's biggest hit 'I Put a Spell on You' [Okeh 7072]. Rumor has it that he recorded the song so drunk he couldn't even remember doing it, so he had to relearn the song from scratch.]
Royal Guardsmen - "JOLLY GREEN GIANT" [The Royal Guardsmen originally hailed from Ocala, FL and of course, their biggest hit is one of the biggest Xmas singles of all time ['Snoopy vs the Red Baron']. They decided to stick with the Snoopy/Red Baron thing for the bulk of their career, which apparently has made them well off enough that they didn't have to do a series of 'Reunion Concerts' to pay their bills. This is their cover of a minor Kingsmen hit.]
Billy Lee Riley & His Little Green Men - "FLYING SAUCER ROCK N ROLL" [Billy Lee was the darling of the Sun Studios back in 1957 when this recording was made. However, the piano player on this record, some guy named Jerry Lee Lewis, made such an impression on Sam Phillips that he dropped the label's massive PR effort for Riley and went with Jerry Lee instead. Riley went on to start his own label but only enjoyed limited success before dying of colon cancer this past August.]
Betty Hutton, Tony Martin, Phil Harris and Dinah Shore - "HOW DO YOU DO AND SHAKE HANDS" [This song was originally included in Disney's Alice in Wonderland and sung to great yawning by Tweedletwit and Tweedledork (the voice of J Pat O'Malley)]
Music behind DJ:
Martin Denny

Bill Halley and the Comets - "13 WOMEN" [This was the A side of the biggest B-side in recorded history, and you damn well better know what it is. If not, here's a clue: Think Richie Cunningham. Perhaps the idea of the Apocalypse as the subject for a hit record turned radio stations to the other side of the record.]
Linda Laurie - "AMBROSE [Part 5]" [For the record, there are no other parts and Linda wrote and recorded this while still in high school in Brooklyn. She also does both of the voices. She's had a pretty interesting career as a songwriter, her credits include 'Leave Me Alone,' 'Ruby Red Dress' and 'Delta Dawn' which were all hits for Helen Reddy. Her best, though, was 'Life is a Trippy Thing' which is a cult favorite picked up by Frank and Nancy Sinatra. Here's a clip of her on 'I've Got a secret' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-bQqsoMvQ0]
Roddy Jackson - "HICCUPS" [George Roderick Jackson was a Califoirnia teenager almost literally swept off the streets to become a rock n roll star (shades of Stan Freberg!). He had 3 singles on the Specialty label (produced by Sonny Bono), but this was the biggest. It sits on the flip sides of one of the hottest records known to man, 'Moose on the Loose.']
Chips - "RUBBER BISCUIT" [Written by Charles Johnson and released on Josie Records in 1957. Memorably covered by the Blues Brothers in 1978 and others, it begs the question: What the hell is a Sunday-Go-To-Meeting Bun? Here's a clip featuring an amazing Dan Ackroyd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyBZE0kBtE. Wanna take a stab at the lyrics? Try this: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=53258. And here's an interesting remix by Taymaz Valley featuring Charlie Chaplain (you can't make these things up) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oFr-9xx-eQ]
Nu Tornadoes - "MAGIC RECORD" [A quintet from Philadelphia (Phil Dale, Tommy Dell, Mike Perna, Louie Mann and Eddie Dono) they were regulars on American bandstand, but never really made it as hitmakers. Their biggest hit was 'Philadelphia USA,' written by Al Scalise and Bill Borelli, who also wrote this one.]
Ganim's Asia Minors - "DADDY LO LO" [Released on East-West Records (a division of Atlantic) features Armenian Oud player Chick Ganimian. Catchy.]
Hank Ballard and the Midnighters - "FLOAT" [Hank wrote many great songs, and it's a sin to think that most of the money and glory went to Chubby Checker for 'The Twist.' But Hank scored big with tunes like 'Work with me Annie,' 'Annie had a Baby,' 'Finger PoppinTime' and 'Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go.' Hank died of throat cancer in 2003 at age 75.]
Billy Ford and Thunderbirds - "MONSTER ROCK N ROLL" [Swan Records #4002 in 1957. The flip side of the hit 'La-De-Da' by Billy and Lillie. Written by Bob Crewe and Frank Slay Jr, who gave us most of the Four Seasons biggest hits.]
Playmates - "THINGAMAJIG" [Roulette records #4136 from 1958. Released right before they scored big with "Beep Beep'. They were originally called the Nitwits and were one of the first acts to sign with Roulette records. They had a string of novelty hits until about 1964.]
Earl Brown - "PACHALAFAKA" [Sparing you the suspence, Pachalafaka apparently means a transvestite or a Turkish woman with a mustache. Written by Irving Taylor and appears on his 1958 record 'Terribly Sophisticated Songs' It was a bigger hit for Soupy Sales, who had Pookie the lion do it on his show many times. Also known for a stunt pulled by KWDM in Des Moines, IA. When they switched their call letters to KWKY, they played this song for 48 hours straight. Look up KWKY in Wikipedia for the full story (they don't have stations like that anymore, unless you count WFMU).]
Earl Brown, Allen Davis and Joe Pryor - "IN A CAFETERIA WITH YOU" [Flip side of the above. If you look up Earl Brown in Wikipedia, you will learn (and I quote) "[he was] head coach of the Auburn Tigers from 1948-1950. He is notorious for his stretch at Auburn, where he went 3-22-4, including a record of 0-10 in his final season, when the Tigers were outscored 285-31." I don't think it's the same Earl Brown.]
Music behind DJ:
Dick Dale - "VICTOR"

Jim Stafford - "UNDECIDED [Single Version]" [There's also an album version, which is longer and almost totally different. Jim is best known for 'Spiders and Snakes" (this is the flip side), "Swamp Witch" (the story of Black Water Hattie) and 'Wildwood Weed' (written by Don Bowman). Quite a life for Mr Stafford: he was raised in Winter haven Florida, where he played in a band with Bobby Braddock and Gram Parsons, he was [briefly] married to Bobbie Gentry, and now owns the Jim Stafford theatre in Branford, MO.]
Pipkins - "GIMME DAT DING" [There were but two Pipkins (as limited by law): Tony Burrows and Roger Greenaway. Greenaway has a pretty long rap sheet as a composer ['Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,' You've Got Your Troubles' and others]. Burrows fronted a few forgettable bands [Edison Lighthouse, White Plains, First Class]. This was their only hit.]
Hedgehoppers Anonymous - "IT'S GOOD NEWS WEEK" [Only thing I could find was that the lead singer was Mike Tinsley, who had a minor career elsewhere and that these guys had another good song: Afraid of Love. Hear it here (and see a picture) through the miracle of youTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_pbZeQKlZs]
Beach Bums (with Bob Seger) - "YELLOW BERET" [A 1966 single from Bob's first band. Withdrawn shortly after release out of fear of a lawsuit by Sgt Barry Sadler. Silly boys, Sadler would not be so petty as to sue, he would have gone right after them and kicked some long-haired ass!]
By a Group Called Boston - "ELAGEN SCHMERL" [What the hell are these guys talking about anyway? No info at all (I have the record, but it's lost in the KBC Jungle). The label does say "By a Group Called Boston" though.]
By a Group Called Boston - "ODE TO BOBBY" [This one's a little easier to figure out. It's an ode to Bobby Orr, the hockey legend who played for the Boston Bruins.]
Procol Harum - "GOOD CAPTAIN CLACK" [Originally included on their first EP (which includes Homberg) and later included on CD versions of their first LP.]
Barbara Feldon - "99" [Barbara was a former model with some great acting chops (I still get weak in the knees remembering her on that tiger rug for Top Brass!). She also appeared on The Man from U.N.C.L.E. before landing the role of Agent 99 in Get Smart. Today she's 77 and looks 35. This came from the Get Smart soundtrack (written by Martin Grudeff and Raymond Jessel). The flip is called "Max." You too can get a whole slew of Get Smart merchandise (including this record)at www.wouldyoubelieve.com/collect.html]
Chipmunks - "RAGTIME COWBOY JOE" [Many of us remember fondly 'Cowboy Joe's Radio Ranch" with Paul Aaron on WKCR back in the 80s (last I heard, Paul went off and moved to a real ranch in Wyoming). Ragtime Cowboy Joe was his theme song and he scraped together maybe 50-100 different versions of it (most of which I have on tape - don't make me use them!). This one is from the Chipmunks very first record ("Let's all Sing with the Chipmunks") and reached #16 on the charts.]
Eleanor Shaw - "WHEN WE'RE LIVING ON TOP OF THE MOON" [She's had a few singles along the way, but I couldn't find out anything about her. Sorry.]
Leona Anderson - "RATS IN MY ROOM" [Written by Tony Burello ("The Sound of Worms") and recorded in the Holland Tunnel for Horrible Records ("If it's really a Horrible record, it's bound to be a hit!") Cool video alert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WbGK3Y6b4E]
Betty Hutton, Tony Martin, Phil Harris and Dinah Shore - "MUSICIANS" [A leftover flipside from earlier on. Written by Tom Glazer and Charles Grean in 1951]
Music behind DJ:
Dave Edmunds - "CLASSICAL GAS"

Trey Barker - "VALLEY OF TEARS [Part 2]" [No idea what happened to Part 1. Written by Bob Markley (of the West Copast Pop Art Experimental Band) and Baker Knight. According to OfficeNaps (www.officenaps.com - which seems to be currently inactive. Go there anyway for a shitload of great free downloads), Trey Barker is actually Baker Knight, who is an accomplished songwriter for people like Ricky Nelson and the Rat Pack. Released on Fifo Records, a Santa Monica label whose only LP seems to be the ultra-rare WCPAEB record, which I am dying to find.]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33128 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:02 EDT WFMU and KBC 78:43 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33127 Grab Bag8 Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33127
Jim Backus - "DELICIOUS" [Backus is best known as Mr Magoo, Thurston Howell III or Frank Stark, depending on which generation you call home. Here he is joined by Phyllis Diller (uncredited), who has a longer rap sheet than many entire casts you could assemble and is still going strong today at age 92.]
Andy Griffith - "TO THE LOVELY JUANITA BEASLEY" [Andy of Mayberry (actually Mt Airy, NC) made a number of recordings poking fun at his 'rube' charactor (the most famous about football) and spent years on the comedy circuit before success called him from Hollywood. At age 83, he's still quite active, having last appeared in Brad Paisley's video for 'Waitin on a Woman' in 2008.]
Allen and Grier - "HIPPITY HOP" [Jake Holmes and his soon-to-be ex-wife Katherine teamed up in the mid-50s for a great record of daffy things. As soon as i can find it amongst the wires, I'll digitize it and pass more stuff along.]
Andrews Sisters - "MR BASS MAN" [Features the all-time greatest bass man, Thurl Ravenscroft (the voice of Tony the Tiger and the vocalist on 'Mr Grinch') for a real mediocrity. I get the feeling everybody mailed this one in from different continents, but it still has a kind of warped charm to it.]
Ray Bolger and Verna Felton - "YOU HAVE TO BE SLIGHTLY CRAZY [To be on the Radio]" [A God-knows-where-it-came-from snippet of something much more important. One of the oldest pieces of oddness in my collection, I probably got it back to the 60s. Now you've got it. Pass it on.]
Music behind DJ:
Harry 'The Hipster' Gibson - "BARRELHOUSE BOOGIE"

Firesign Theatre - "MARE NOCHE'S BOMBA SHELTER" [A commercial from 'Dear Friends']
Tom Russel Band with Dave van Ronk - "OUTCASTE [part 1]" [From Tom's 1999 album, 'The Man from God Knows Where,' which recounts his family's journey from Norway and Ireland to the Wild West. Dave van Ronk, the 'Mayor of McDougal Street,' is the patron saint of folk singers. Well, he is now, having left us in 2002, but there is a piece of Sheridan Square (where Barrow St meets Washington St) that has been renamed in his honor.]
Brother George Underbush - "GREEN GARDEN HOSE" [Apparently his real name was Terry Fell (although I coundn't find the two names linked together anywhere) and he had a big enough hit with 'Truck Drivin Man.' Brother George, meanwhile had another biggie with 'Ted the Head.' Other than that, I got nothin.]
Cliff Ferre and Cafe Society Quartet - "AIN'T IT A BEAUTY" [Yes, I know, two songs about a garden hose is pushing it, but what do you want from me? Ferre made his (miniscule) fortune off double-entendre numbers like this (including the classics 'Rosie don't Bang on the Piano' which backed up 'Favorite Indoor Sport.')]
Dick Kent - "FIVE FOOT NINE AND ONE-HALF INCHES TALL" [A card-carrying member of the MSR stable, Kent and his gang of musical thugs (led by Rodd Keith) put your worthless poems to music (for a fee). Whoever wrote this is, hopefully, resting comfortably in an asylum somewhere.]
Rod Hart - "CHICKEN OF THE COUNTY" [Poking good fun at Kenny Rogers, this is, I assume, the same guy who had a minor hit during the CB infestation in 1977 with 'CB Savage' on an album called Breakeroo. However, getting him to admit any involvement with this song is another matter and I have come up empty.]
Chaps - "RAWHIDE" [From 1982. Written by Dimiti Tiomkin and Ned Washington, it was a big hit for Frankie Laine and provided a show-stopping moment in a very popular 1980 movie. See a clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5N35kQAPv0&feature=related]
Wild Man Fisher - "REAL COOL COWBOY" [Quite a resume for the Wild Man: Appeared on Laugh-In, Subject of a comic book, Duet with Rosemary Clooney, Linked musically to Linda Ronstadt, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Tom Waits, Has a mention in Thomas Pynchon's novel 'Inherent Pig,' and to top it off a great documentary from 2005 called 'Derailroaded: Inside the Mind of Wild Man Fisher.' The smart money says there's probably lots more. Begs the question: What could he have accomplished with an ounce of ambition?]
Napoleon XIV - "I LIVE IN A SPLIT LEVEL HEAD" [Jerry Samuels, of course, gave us 'They're Coming to Take Me Away' and several other bizarre tunes. He was a DJ in the Philadelphia area and of course, once all those radio stations banned his record, his fortune was assured. Where is he now? He runs a company that books entertainment for rest homes in the Delaware Valley area. What goes around...]
Music behind DJ:
Tennessee Ramblers - "BEATY STEEL BLUES"

Allen Sherman - "HEADACHES" [Allen does his typical thing to 'Heartches' (but he doesn't do the whistling).]
Allen Sherman - "MAKIN COFFEE" [A few months back, I got wind of a record Allen made for the Scott Paper Company and lamented that I'd love to get hold of it. Well, Podder (listener?) Rich Upton of Whereabouts Unknown USA was kind enough to send me all 6 tracks, which are apparently included in a boxed set of Allen's incredible bulk of work. A tip of the hat to Rich for sending them on so we can all enjoy them. A reminder: if you have something you think I should include here, let me know at kbcradio@hotmail.com.]
Allen Sherman - "THAT'S HOW THE CHANGE IS MADE" [Another from the Scott Paper collection ("Music to Dispense With"). We'll get to the others eventually. Thanks again, Rich!]
Morecombe and Wise - "HAPPIEST XMAS OF THEM ALL" [Eric Morecombe & Ernie Wise had an incredibly popular British TV series. They worked together from 1941 until Morecombe's death in 1984 (Wise died in 1999). The Morecombe and Wise Show ran from 1968 to 1983 and their Xmas shows were of such legendary stature that streetswould empty and crime would drop (like during the Super Bowl here). Heres a link to their tribute site: http://ericandernie.homestead.com/]
R Crumb and Cheap Suit Serenaders - "HULA GIRL" [Yes, that's Crumb as in Mr Natural and Flakey Foont. He always had a fondness for old music and when his ship came in, he started making some. To my knowledge, they were the last band to put out a 78 RPM record ('Wisconson Wiggle' in 1985 or so)]
R Crumb and Cheap Suit Serenaders - "GETTA LOADA THIS" [Crumb stopped working with the band when he moved to France. These days the band tours infrequently, mostly under the direction of Bob Brozman.]
Real Tuesday Weld - "BATHTIME IN CLERKENWELL" [A band led by Stephen Coates, who claims the name came from some sort of surreal dream involving Tuesday Weld and Al Bowlley (YOU ask him - I'd be too scared). You can find a wonderful video version by Aleksy Budivskiy at www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1s4DbPS244) but it sounds different (less Mills Brotherly).]
Spike Jones & His City Clickers - "JONES POLKA"
Rutles - "PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE" [From the mind-breaking mockumentary 'All You Need is Cash' which gave the Rutles a life of their own. They were even the subject of a tribute album. And of course, it goes without saying that 'Spinal Tap' was based on the Rutles, too.]
Beatles - "LADY MADONNA" - Love [Before the digital remixes that came out a few months back, there was this gem from George and Giles Martin for Cirque de Soleil in Las vegas. They mashed up 130 or so songs for the project and to Beatle fans like me, the result is staggering. Don't expect a traveling version of the show, though. The entire theatre was gutted and rebuilt to the specs of the show.]
Tom Russel Band with Dave van Ronk - "OUTCASTE [Reprise]" [Wrapping up loose ends here. Russell's 1999 record 'Man from God Knows Where' was recorded in Norway and also include contributions from Iris DeMint and Delores Keane. His latest is 'Blood and Candle Smoke']
Music behind DJ:
Tommy Dorsey - "WEARY BLUES"

Harry Nilsson - "CAST AND CREW" [Sung over the closing credits of the 1968 movie 'Skidoo' which starred Jackie Gleason, Carol Channing, Groucho Marx etc and wasn't all that bad. For a plot synopsis, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skidoo_(film)]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/33127 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:24:35 EDT WFMU and KBC 78:49 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32625 Looooong Tracks Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32625
Steppenwolf - "LOST AND FOUND [Through Trial and Error]" - Steppenwolf the Second [13:46 Usually, a band's second record will tell you if they're the real deal or not, as many bands fall victim to the Sophomore Slump. The reason is that they've had all their lives to prepare for the first, but not as long for the second, which can break things. However, with this one, we knew John Kay and the boys were here to stay. Big hits from this one were "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam". This cut took up most of side two and seems to be some sort of History of the Blues sort of thing. It is made up of five parts: A) Disappointment Number (Unknown), B) Lost and Found by Trial and Error, C) Hodge Podge, Strained Through a Leslie, D) Resurrection, and E) Reflections.]
Rolling Stones - "GOING HOME" - Aftermath [11:42 Aftermath was the Stones sixth record, the first to be recorded in the USA and also the first to feature an entire lineup of Jagger/Richard originals (before that the Stones featured a lot of older blues numbers in their repertoire). It was also the first to be recorded in that new-fangles Stereo thing that the kids liked so much. Also notable in that Brian Jones played many other 'oddball' instruments, like the dulcimer, sitar and marimba that weren't considered rock n roll mainstays.]
Timothy Leary - "LIVE AND LET LIVE" - You Can Be Anyone This Time Around [13:01 A remixed version of a news conference by Leary to a friendly crown in which he bloviates on politics of the mind backed up with some hip music. The cool thing is the band: Steve Stills and John Sebastian on guitar, Buddy Miles on Drums and some guy named Hendrix on bass.]
Music behind DJ:
Henry Kaiser - "I'M SO GLAD"

Love - "REVELATION" - Da Capo [19:26 Again from a second album, wherein we learn that Arthur Lee and Love were to be taken seriously. This was the first time a rock track took up an entire side of an LP (unless you count Dylan's "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" or Zappa's "Return of the Son of Monster Magnet"). Lee had claimed that it was a song that the band would play live to spotlight the various musicians in solos (as lots of bands did) and claimed that the Stones stole the idea as inspiration for their own "Going Home." Those of us who have met Arthur Lee (who died in 2006) can attest that he was not always in his right mind.]
Procol Harum - "IN HELD TWAS IN I" - Shine On Brightly [17:59 Another second album effort, produced by organist Matthew Fisher (who did the third "Salty Dog" as well, and then left the band). Supposedly the band took their name from a friend's Burmese cat, but the name could also have come from the Latin for "beyond these far off things." Of course their biggest hit "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is a monster that is always on the list of Best Songs Ever, and was recently the subject of a lawsuit involving Matthew Fisher versus Booker and Reid. Fisher initially won, then lost, then won again, on the basis of partial writing credit (and signature organ part) and will now share in some of the [sizable] future royalties. Full disclosure: my wife Linda and I are casual friends with Fisher's wife carol, although I have yet to meet Matthew himself.]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32625 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:01 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:56 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32624 Singles Vol 1 Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32624
Delegates - "CONVENTION '72" [A Dickie Goodman-written and produced parody of the convention that gave George McGovern the nomination (and subsequent humiliation at the hands of Thomas Eagleston). The group includes Dee Clark, who we met last week, going back to school.]
Chip Taylor and Hardly-Worthit Players - "WILD THING [Senator Everett Version]" [From the original composer of Wild Thing, comes one of two versions (the other is the flip, which features "Senator Bobby") of the mega-hit that is keeping him in kibble even today. The brother of Jon Voight (and Uncle of Angelina Pitt) is currently out touring with Carrie Rodriguez, with whom he has been partnered (musically, at least) for several years. He's written a boatload of other popular tunes, including "Angel of the Morning," "Try (Just a Little bit Harder)" and "I Can't Let Go."]
Jill Corey - "PRESIDENT SONG" [When I graduated from 8th grade, we had to sing the song "Fifty Nifty United States" which, while an idiotic song, taught me all the states in alpahbetical order. Despite years of intensive therapy, I still remember it to this day. I hope this little mnemonic number does the same for you. Jill, by the way, was the youngest performer at the Copacabana at age 17, and has had a long career otherwise.]
James brown - "FUNKY PRESIDENT" [The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, the Godfather of Soul, has had more influence than Adam. Suffice to say he died on Xmas Day 2006 and no amount of Michael Jacksons or Kanye Wests or Nat King Coles can ever fill the void. I'm serious.]
Music behind DJ:
[from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky]

Dee Clark and the Delegates - "CONVENTION" [They're back again. Not sure if this is the A side or the B side, but they are on the same record. [I don't have any of these records handy. They are being held hostage by the Wire Queen]]
Bb Lnders with Wllie Joe and his Unitar - "CHEROKEE DANCE" [Just like it sounds, the Unitar has only one string. The record label says Bob Lenarde and there's another tune called Unitar Rock on the Specialty label. Here's an interesting clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDRwbTwwSlc]
Nervous Norvus [Jimmy Drake] - "BULLFROG HOP" [From his only record, everybody in for the Bullfrog Hop.]
Mad Magazine - "IT'S A GAS Vol. 2" [One of the more disgraceful occurences in publishing history, a 1980 edition of the Magazine included a flexidisc called Mad Disco which included this little gem. Sorry, but the word must be spread. If you insist, there's a You Tube version at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY-lbgaOwtQ (it'll sound better)]
Timmie Rodgers - "UNDERWATER CHA CHA CHA" [Boy, you got me on this one.]
Ronnie Dante - "DON'T STAND UP IN A CANOE" [Dante was the leader of the Detergents ("Leader of the Laundramat," "I Can Never Eat Home Anymore") and the Cuff Links ("Tracy") In both those 'bands' his voice was the only one, thanks to the miracle of overdubbing. Later he bacame the lead vocal for the Archies. Did a lot of session work and commercials and sang backup for Barry Manilow. Still going at it today somewhere.]
Ruth Wallis - "FISHING POLE SONG" [She started in lounges where they pay little attention, but soon hit gold with songs of double-entendre and innuendo.The fact that she was also a drop-dead knockout certainly made guys stand up and take notice. And, of course, she was banned in Boston and Australia which didn't hurt either. When she 'retired' in 1970 she wrote and produced a show for Broadway called "Boobs! The World According to Ruth Wallis" which had a pretty decent run in NYC, New Orleans and, of course, Wichita, KS. She died of Alzheimers in 2007 just short of her 88th birthday.]
Tony Burello - "THERE'S A NEW SOUND" [His name was Anthony Tamburello and I'm truly shocked there is no more information on him on the Interweb Machine. Irwin and I went to his widow's house in Kearny, NJ several years ago and she loaned us quite a few records for WFMU (and we're still grateful).]
Honeycones - "OP" [They were originally called the Chicklets from Philadelphia, but as you can imagine, hilarity ensued as the lawyers got wind of it. This is in response to that stupid pig-latin craze that swept the country during the 50s. It actually charted too-for two weeks it hovered around #69. They had a few more singles on the Ember label and then broke up after 8 years or so.]
Barbara and the Boys - "HOOTY SAPPERTICKER" [Dave Barry, the writer, gave this song a real shot in the arm, when he named it the Worst Song Ever. I respectfully disagree-I mean what about the Renaldo and the Loaf catalog? But I can find no info on Barbara or the Boys. You can find this on Las Vegas Grind Vol 3.]
Music behind DJ:
[from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky]

Paul Peterson - "SHE CAN'T FIND HER KEYS" [Paul had had quite a career for himself. Starting as one of the original Mouseketeers, he moved on to the Donna Reed Show, playing son Jeff and later emulated TV-sister Shelly Fabares in the recording studio (she had a huge hit with "Johnny Angel"). In response to the suicide of Rusty Hamer (the son on "Make Room for Daddy"), he founded A Minor Consideration, a foundation that deals with child exploitation to offer support to child stars transitioning to the 'real' world as well as the exploitation of young folks everywhere. He was recently in the news, having come to the rescue of the children of the Octomom, Nadya Suleman. And as if that weren't enough, he also has a series of mystery-thriller novels to his credit. One word Paul: Decaf.]
Petula Clark - "DOWNTOWN [German]" [Petula and her producer/arranger Tony Hatch gave us a boatload of hits over the years ("I Know a Place," "My Love," "Colour My World," "A Sign of the Times," and thousands more) . Petula started singing as a child on BBC Radio during WWII and received the British OBE in 1998. Hatch made his mark with Petula but also with the Searchers and British Star Jackie Trent, whom he later married.]
Edd Byrnes and Connie Stevens - "KOOKIE, KOOKIE, LEND ME YOUR COMB" [This one started it all for Kookie, reaching #4 on the charts and based on his 77 Sunset Strip charactor. Connie Stevens was a co-star on the show and has a pretty nifty resume herself in films, recording, writing, and even politics. She also found time for her own line of cosmetics.]
Rosemary Clooney - "ME AND MY TEDDY BEAR" [Started with the Tony Pastor Orchestra in 1946 and worked her way up to millions of hit singles and a long career of superlative performance (of all the girl singers of the era, she was always my favorite). Suffered from bipolar disorder for many years (way before it became as widely recognized as it is now). Twice married to actor jose Ferrer, she was also present at the Ambassador Hotel when RFK was shot. In 2002, died of lung cancer, but lives on at the Rosemary Clooney museum in Audata, KY. Heartthrob George Clooney is her nephew.]
Dal Williams - "WHAT IS AN INDIAN" [From a 1960 single on Warner Bros (flipside: Telephone Operator). There was a bunch of these "What is a ..." things running rampant around then. I suppose it started with "What is a Girl/Boy?" and spread to others ("What is a Freem" became the logical extension by Steve Allen). Fortunately, thanks to an ever-increasing defense budget, these things have been nipped in the bud.]
Iveys - "HER DADDY'S A MILLIONAIRE" [The Iveys evolved into Badfinger, led by Pete Ham, who would later hang himself in 1975. They took their name from Ivey Place in Swansea, Wales [home of my Grandmother-in-law, Irene Scott]. I won't go into it here, but for a tale of how good things can go so horribly wrong, check out Badfinger's story on Wikipedia.]
Donovan - "I LOVE MY SHIRT" [From 1968, the flipside of "Atlantis" (which features McCartney on backing vocals). Donovan Leitch, father to Donovan Leitch the actor, grew up in Glasgow, Scotland [my ancestral home] and as a child was stricken with polio, which left him with a limp. Spent most of his career pegged as some kind of wimpy Dylan clone. For a fun look at that, see DA Pennebaker's 1967 documentary "Don't Look Back."]
Elenaor Shaw - "MONEY TREE" [This is the flip side of 'When We're Living on Top of the Moon" which we'll deal with soon. You've been warned.]
Tinkertones - "ROBERT THE ROBOT SAVES THE DAY" [Robert the Robot was made by the ideal Toy Co of Hollis, NY and this record is a good example of early cross-marketing. Robert had a sort of wired remote control and you could make him walk, turn, move his arms, file a temporary restraining order and other things. He also had a crank you turned to make him talk in an incredibly bad tinny voice. I had one as a kid and shudder to think what it sould be worth today (eBay says around $50). Her's an odd clip to see for yourself : www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xyEJdnW1HM]
Music behind DJ:
[Humoresque by Somebody]

David Seville - "ALMOST GOOD" [the flip side of the most popular novelty Xmas record ever (wait for it...). Real name: Ross Bagdessarian, whose most notable song was "Come On-A My House," which was the first hit for the afformentioned Rosemary Clooney. Ross' son has taken control of the Chipmunk empire since his death of a heart attack in 1972. (Rumors of his suicide following an illicit affair with an underage woodchuck are patently untrue.)]
Chipmunks - "THE CHIPMUNKS SONG" [Started it alll for those singiing rodents. Made ALVIN!!! a household name.]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32624 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:02 EDT WFMU and KBC 77:29 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32622 Back to %#&@ School Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32622
Rowan Atkinson and Angus Deayton - "FATAL BEATING" [Atkinson was best known for his role in British TV’s "Blackadder," as well as "The Thin Blue Line" and "Not the 9:00 News." And then came Mr Bean and life as we know it changed forever. As for Angus Deayton, he worked pretty much the same British TV shows as Atkinson, but got into trouble over allegations involving cocaine and prostitutes. You can see a video of this (and other Atkinson material) at YouTube. Start with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBeguUvuDzs]
Dee Clark - "I'M GOING BACK TO SCHOOL" [Clark was born in Blytheville, AR, but grew up in Chicago. You can hear a young Clark in Ray Saunders Orchestra's "Hambone." Formed a group that became the Delegates (we'll hear from them next week) and they toured for a brief time with Little Richard. Opportunity knocked when Richard quit touring to go to Bible school and Clark headlined for the rest of the tour. His biggest hits were "Raindrops," "Hey Little Girl" and this one, which is from 1962 on VeeJay Records (which gave us the Four Seasons and yes, the Beatles).]
Gregory's Funhouse - "BACK TO SCHOOL" [Led by Gregory Pittman Ambrose from Brooklyn from a 1988 album 'Obey," which is notable for a surreal version of Steve Lawrence's "Go Away Little Girl"]
Stevens & Grdnic - "MR ROGERS AND TIMMY" [Ron Stevens and Joy Grdnic are well-known in the radio universe, having done lots of drive-time in New York, San Diego and St Louis. Currently running All-Star Radio out of St Louis, the husband-and-wife team has two great albums, "Retail Comedy at Wholesale Prices" and "Somehere Over the Radio," both Grammy nominated and extremely funny. For my money, there's no sexier voice anywhere than Joy Grdnic.]
Dellwoods - "I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER BEING YOUNG" - MAD Twists Rock n Roll [From MAD Magazine during their Record Label days (they had quite a few, as well as some flexi-discs included with the magazine). Written and produced by Norm Blagman and Stan Bobrick. For the record, the Dellwoods were Saul Zeskand, Mike Ellis, Andy Ventura, C Victor Buccellato, and Amadeo Tese.]
Credibilty Gap - "A DATE WITH DANGER" [From their first album "Makes a Great Gift" grafted onto something else I found somewhere.]
Herbie and the Class Cutters - "LIKE, THOSE IVY COVERED WALLS, MAN" [From some RCA single whose origins are lost in fog and uncertainty.]
Ian Whitcomb - "COLLEGE LIFE" [Ian is a singer, ukulele player, poet, random enertainer, writer and producer who had a love for those old songs that would otherwise be forgotten. Took his inspiration from George Formby and spearheded the Great Ukulele Revival of 10 PM, March 18, 1986. Got himself a Grammy for recreating the music played on the Titanic That Night and put it into the film. Reportedly has an internet radio show (try 10pm-1am EST. I can't confirm this) that should be lots of fun.]
Jimmy Grier Orchestra [Lyda Roberti] - "COLLEGE RHYTHM" [Lyda Roberti was born in Poland where her parents were circus clowns. Sang her way across Europe and found her way to the USA, where her saucy manner and exotic accent won her a growing following. Sadly, a genetic heart problem caused her a heart attack at age 36 and she died suddenly while bending to tie her shoes. For much more info than you need, go to www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show/546/Lyda+Roberti/index.html]
Larry Clinton Orchestra - "COLLEGE HUMOR" [Clinton was known as "The Old Dipsy Doodler" and played trumpet, trombone and did a lot of arranging for many of the big bands of the day, as well as his own from 1937-41. Stayed active into the 60s and then retired to Florida and Arizona. where he took up writing science fiction.]
Kay Kayser and His Orchestra (Sully Mason) - "COLLEGIATE FANNY" [Kayser had the moniker "The Old Professor of Swing" and his show was "Kay Kayser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge." He became well known for his war efforts and many charity and philanthropic appearences. Then in 1950, he just turned his back and simply walked away. That's all folks, no announcements, just gone. Wish I could do that (course, it would help if I had something to walk away from...).]
Groceries - "HIRE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS" [From some forgotten single.]
Frantics - "HEAVY METAL SHOP" [From Toronto, but not apparently from one of their albums. For a video go to www.punkasspunk.com/frantics/metalshop.mpg]
Cheech and Chong - "SARGENT STADENKO" [I took two of their bits and melted them together, hope you don't mind.]
Rocking Horse Players - "LENNY THE LEOPARD" [The Rocking Horse Orchestra and Chorus: annoying kids since first period. Between them, the Peter Pan people and Romper Room, I'm surprised anyone's making any kind of stink about Obama brainwashing our kids...]
Tom Lehrer - "THAT'S MATHEMATICS" [And Tom should know: he taught math at Harvard. He has an MA and is Phi Beta Kappa, and he tickles those ivories like a pro. Also claims to have invented the Jello shot while in the Army to bypass the rules about liquor. Another claim to fame: wrote a paper called "Random Walks with Restraining Barrier as Applied to the Biased Binary Counter" (Spoiler: the hypoteneuse did it)]
Tom Lehrer - "NEW MATH" [Tom wrote songs for the TV series "That Was The Week That Was" (aka TW3), although he didn't sing them on the show. Later he released an album of them and here you go.]
Tom Lehrer - "SILENT E" [Written for the PBS show "Electric Company," which was a sort of Sesame Street for older children. Today at age 81, Tom is still going at it with a vengeance.]
Conception Corp. - "FAMOUS JUDGES SCHOOL" [From the Cotillion label (they first gave us the Allman Brothers), sort of a poor man's Firesign Theatre. There were two albums: "Conceptionland" and "A Pause in the Disaster." Please don't press me on which one this came from.]
Barry Louis Polisar - "SHUT UP IN THE LIBRARY" [Speaking of Tom Lehrer, he calls Barry "a delightfully subversive antidote to Mr Rogers." Barry should need no introduction, as he seems to be everywhere at once. He writes books, poetry, songs, visits schools, works for literacy groups, has a few TV shows (like "Field Trip" on the leaning Channel). His song "All I Want is you" is on the soundtrack to everybody's favorite movie "Juno." Suspiciously, he doesn't look a day over 30...]
Music behind DJ:
Leland Stanford University Junior Band - "WHITE PUNKS ON DOPE"

Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara - "SEX EDUCATION" [From an album "Sex Life of the Primate" written with Shelley Berman. Got their early fame from many appearances on the Sullivan Show and they're two of the earliest graduates of Chicago's Second City Troupe. In their spare time they begat two of our biggest stars, Ben Stiller and Amy Stiller. One of my choices for top ten funniest bits ever.]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32622 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:02 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:08 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/31041 Wherin we introduce ourselves Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/31041
Jaime Brockett - "LEGEND OF THE USS TITANIC" - Remember the Wind the Rain [Still actively touring today. Can you imagine having to do this song every night for over 40 years?]
W Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - "A CHILD'S GUIDE TO GOOD AND EVIL" - A Child's Guide to Good and Evil [Founder Bob Markley from a rich Oklahoma oil family. Discovered by Kim Fowley]
Ultimate Spinach - "FUNNY FREAK PARADE" - Ultimate Spinach [There is a band touring today using this name. Don't be fooled by imposters.]
Spawn - "CLAMS" [How about you google 'clams' and 'spawn' and see what YOU get.]
Tammy Whynott - "OPEN ME FIRST" [Unearthed on the Bob & Tom Show in 1991.]
Elsa Lancaster & Charles Laughton - "BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE" [Somehow the image of these two getting jiggy gives me the willies]
Cliff Edwards [Ukulele Ike] - "I'M GONNA GIVE IT TO MARY WITH LOVE" [Now, now, we'll have none of that. Get your mind out of the gutter, please. We're talking Jiminy Cricket here!]
Julie Brown - "GIRL FIGHT TONIGHT" - Trapped in the Body of a White Girl [Best known for "Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun" which was re-written for Sarah Palin in 2008]
Kokomo Arnold - "THE DOZENS" [Wrote MILK COW Blues (hit for Elvis & Aerosmith). Quit music 1938 & when discovered in a factory shunned a return to the biz.]
Me, Myself and I - "TEATIME AT OSAKIS" - Eponomous cassette [Insert in the cassette makes no sense. 718 area code, but Osakis is in Minnesota. Be afraid...]
Stan Freberg - "TRY" [Stan channels Johnny Ray]
Doodles Weaver - "ELEANOR RIGBY" [Winston Sheffield Weaver. Brother to Pat Weaver (NBC Exec) and uncle to Sigourney. Many years with Spike Jones]
Alan Lieberman - "ALONG CAME LARRY" [Mostly does songs for Jewish children.]
Wally Cox - "DUFO" [Childhood friend of Brando, who's rumored to have his mixed his ashes with Wally's and sprinkled them in Death Valley.]
Travesty Ltd - "FAMOUS TRUCKDRIVER'S SCHOOL OF SONGWRITING" - Teen Comedy Party 1982 [Comedy troupe from DC area]
Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports - "CAN'T GET MY MOTOR TO START" - Eponomous [Mostly a Carlay Bley album, as she wrote all the songs & co-produced, and supplied the band. Wonderful vocal here by Karen Kraft.]
Wild Man Fisher - "GIMME A RIDE DOWN THE HILL" [Bipolar & paranoid schizophrenic, in & out of institutions since age 16. Subject of can't-miss documentary "Derailroaded" in 2005]
Ned Sublette - "I AIN'T AFRAID OF GIRLS" [Written by Jill Kroessen, who is a girl]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/31041 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:01:39 EDT WFMU and KBC 76:09 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32141 Baseball Vol 2 Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32141
Adventures of Babe Ruth - "CHICK FOSTER" [Babe Ruth was, of course, the Tiger Woods of his day (and then some). From April to July of 1934, pretty much the height of his fame, this series was heard on the Blue Network 3 times a week. Naturally, that's not his voice, and he was probably too busy carousing and eating for crime-fighting and mystery unraveling. And where the hell were his lawyers during all this? This actually seems literate compared to the William Bendix movie and some of the other crap being flung in his name.]
Harry Simeone Songsters - "IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A BALL GAME" [Harry was just another chorale director when a certain little drummer boy marched into his life. Harry got a co-writer credit for that and kept himself working as a result.]
Music behind DJ:
Ashley MacIsaac - "RUSTY D-CON-STRUCK-SHUN"

Jane Morgan - "BASEBALL BASEBALL" [Florence Catherine Currier (of the Currier & Ives Curriers) was born Xmas Day of 1920. She worked a lot with Roger Williams (of the zzzz Willams') and was one of the first artists to be featured on the Kapp label, a spinoff of Decca. She's still alive and is married to Big Movie Producer Jerry Weintraub and lives in Palm Springs and Malibu. The good life (for a song).]
Mabel Scott - "BASEBALL BOOGIE" [Originally from Richmond, VA. Started out in gospel and then worked a lot with Wynonie Harris. Mostly known for kookie kinds of boogie woogie, like the "Elevator Boogie" or "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus." Eventually she got disillusioned with the rock n roll scene and went back to gospel.]
Wynona Carr - "LIFE IS A BALL GAME" [She had her biggest hits on the Specialty label in the early 50s, produced by the Man Himself, Sonny Bono. After switching over to gospel, she grew disillusioned with the gosple scene and went back to good old rock n roll. Died in 1997 as a result of ill health caused in large part by depression.]
DeWolfe Hopper - "CASEY AT THE BAT" [Written by Ernest Thayer of the SF Examiner, subtitled "A Battle of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888." Hopper was a well-known and respected vaudevillean (and apparently had all his marbles, despite what we're hearing). He claims to have recited the poem some 10,000 times in his lifetime (1858-1935).]
Victor Lovera - "NASHVILLE BATS" [Victor was a good friend of R Stevie Moore's (the two met as neighbors in Nashville, when Lovera was playing the Firesign Theatre too loud. My kind of guy!) Unfortunately, Victor passed on in May of 1998.]
Peter, Paul & Mary - "RIGHT FIELD" [This one really brings me back to my bench jockey days in Little League. I had a similar thing happen to me in a tight game, but the outcome was very different, causing me to live with the nickname 'Clumso" for the rest of the season. Peter Yarrow, Paul Stooky and Mary Travers are all still going at it today. [Update: Sadly, the day after this was written, Mary Travers died of leukemia at age 72]]
Naturals [with Mel Allen] - "BASEBALL DREAMS" [No, not some sort of weird audio hallucination, but probably a result of tying Mel up in a studio. I refuse to believe he went along with this thing without a struggle.]
Fool Brothers - "BIRDS ARE ON TONIGHT" [I've also heard these guys referred to as simply the Fools, and, assuming they're the same band, they're responsible for some good stuff (including a few Xmas tunes that'll fill your stocking). So, tell you what, Google Fools and see what you get. I do know the flip side of this single is the same song done in a more straight-up rock style.]
Skip Batten - "ST LOUIS BROWN" [Speaking of Orioles, they were the St Louis Browns until 1953 and really were one of the worst teams ever allowed on a field (until the Mets). They were eventually bought by Bill Veeck, who made them famous with names like Pete Grey (one-armed outfielder). Eddie Gaedell (all 3 foot 7, 65 lb of him) and the ageless Satchel Paige. Never did they win a pennant and had only a handfull of winning seasons. Don't Believe me? Go to http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/stlouisbrowns/browns.html for a tale of woe that will keep even Mets fans up all night.]
Music behind DJ:
George Harrison's Wonderwall Music - "DRILLING A HOME/GURU VANDANA"

Steve Goodman - "DYING CUB FAN'S LAST REQUEST" [Steve is probably best known for the hit (by Arlo Guthrie) "City of New Orleans." He was stricken by leukemia at age 20 and died at age 36 on Sept 20, 1984. It was pretty good timing, because his beloved Cubs would have surely killed him a few weeks later in a dramartic fold to the San Diego Padres in the NLCS (the Padres would later be swept by the Tigers, so it would have been moot anyway).]
Dave Frishberg - "DODGER BLUE" [Yes they all wore Dodger Blue (even Juan Marichal - which is a real surprise to those of us who remember the John Roseboro incident).]
Phil Foster - "LET'S KEEP THE DODGERS IN BROOKLYN" [Phil was born as Fival Feldman in Brooklyn in 1913 and grew up along Foster Ave. Later became a fixture as a "singer" for many bands and appeared in many films, typecast by his this Brooklyn accent. Probably best known as Laverne DeFazio's dad in Laverne and Shirley.]
Tinklers - "HANK GREENBERG AND JACKIE ROBINSON" [From Baltimore, the Tinklers are Charles Brohawn and Chris Mason and they play cigar boxes and toy pianos with the best of them. Scuttlebut says that they also sing, but this has yet to be proven. Back in 2006 and 2007, film director Brian Averill tagged along after them and filmed them and interviewed their friends for a documentary called, ironically "Everybody Loves the Tinklers." This is a true story, by the way, Hank and Jackie remained close friends to the end.]
Bob Peck - "THE OLD BALL GAME" [This is not the actor, who seems to have died in 1999, and he's not the Cape Cod musician, so who the hell is he? No info on Google, but the record covers (yeah, there are at least 2) show a guy with an eye patch sitting at a piano smoking a cigarette. I hope that is enough info, because I can't find either record. I fear the wires have eaten them.]
Music behind DJ:
Dixie Power Trio - "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"

Count Bernardo - "CHINESE BASEBALL" [And on this one, the mighty KBC has struck out. Hint: he ain't royalty...]
Wheaties - "WHAT SPARKS A CHAMPION"
- "BOGEY ON BASEBALL"


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32141 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:00:02 EDT WFMU and KBC 78:43 http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32140 Rock Covers Paper Full playlist at http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32140
Dread Zeppelin - "DISCO INFERNO" [No explanations this week. I am feverishly preparing for my vacation to Maine and Canada. You know all this stuff by now.]
Benzedrine Monks - "LOSING MY RELIGION"
Beat Farmers - "POWDERFINGER"
Eläkeläiset - "HOTEL KALIFORNIA"
ZZ Top - "VIVA LAS VEGAS"
Who - "HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING"
Presidents of the United States - "CLEVELAND ROCKS" [I think I goofed on the readback, saying it was Cheap Trick. While I was away I happened of the POTUS album and if this isn't them, it's an incredible copy. Sorry.]
Motorhead - "IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP"
Music behind DJ:
Lord Sitar - "I CAN SEE FOR MILES"

Voivod - "ASTRONOMY DOMINE"
Steps - "MERRY XMAS EVERYONE"
Donnas - "STRUTTER"
Rush - "SEVEN AND SEVEN IS"
Love - "HEY JOE"
Government Mule - "MR BIG"
Grateful Dead - "SITTIN ON TOP OF THE WORLD"
Run C & W - "LET ME IN"
Dick Twang Band - "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"
Music behind DJ:
Lord Sitar - "DAYDREAM BELIEVER"

DJ Earworm - "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN" [Features Dolly Parton, Beatles, Laurie Anderson and who knows who else]


]]> http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/32140 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:02 EDT WFMU and KBC 79:11