Dive into the archives.
- RIP Eddie Bo
Photo: Brad EdelmanEddie Bo, legendary New Orleans pianoman and one of funkiest humans ever, passed away last week. He was 79 and led a full and productive life, so this isn’t one of those tragic deaths, but still.
I remember the first time I heard his music I was living in Japan (shout out to globalization) and found some 45s of New Orleans funk in a used record store. One of them was “Hook and sling”.
It was a novelty dance type of song, but that description doesn’t really do it justice. At the time I wasn’t very familiar with Louisiana music and so the record’s simultaneously rough and joyful sound was a revelation. I played that thing over and over again. Here’s hiss-free mp3 version, although I think the crackly 7″ is still best…
Eddie Bo - Hook & Sling
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right-click + save link as (mac) / save target as (windows)And here’s my favorite Eddie Bo song, and some of the best advice I’ve ever received.
Eddie Bo - Check your bucket
DOWNLOADI read in this obituary from Mr. Bo’s local newspaper that he owned a club at one time called the Check Your Bucket Cafe. I wish I could have checked that out.
EB also wrote a lot of songs for more famous artists, including Little Richard and Etta James. Here’s a song in a softer style that he himself wasn’t so famous for, but that he obviously had no trouble writing…
Eddie Bo - Come to me
DOWNLOADWFMU has an interview up on their website. Check it here.
Also, SoulGeneration has put together an amazing interactive Eddie Bo discography.Eddie Bo was one of America’s great underappreciated talents. It’s easy to find his stuff on CD or MP3. I’ve seen a couple compilations around. If you like these songs, buy an album and (hopefully) support his estate. Rest In Peace.
Popularity: 15% [?]
- Lowbudget Lowlands Flavor
Back in Holland after too long away. The weather is terrible, the people are awesome. Saw this video the other day and realized it captured that sentiment perfectly. It’s by Zwart Licht.
MPDrie
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right-click + save link as (mac) / save target as (windows)Popularity: 4% [?]
- The last recording of Harvey Milk
Photo: GLBT Historical SocietyI just saw the movie Milk last night, and I gotta say, I thought it was great. I realize I’m late as hell, but I think this movie, and even more the man who inspired it, deserves more love in the non-’mo community. If you haven’t seen it, it tells the story of Harvey Milk, a community activist and the first openly gay man elected to public office in America. In the tradition of courageous, ground-breaking politicians before him, Milk was assassinated. Just before, he made a recording to serve as his final words. This recording is re-enacted in the movie and provides its main narrative device. But good as Sean Penn was, I think it’s important to remember the man himself, in his own words. So here is the original recording…
Harvey Milk - Last Testament
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- Sign Waves
I was one of youtube’s most fervent supporters when it first popped up. I spent HOURS on that site just looking up random stuff, watching concert videos and conspiracy documentaries, I even used to leave COMMENTS. Lord, those were more innocent times. This was four or five years ago, back before the big media companies stripped youtube of all its copyrighted material and, more importantly, before the vacuum created by that removal was filled with terabyte upon terabyte of dumb shit. And, truth be told, I kind of turned my back on youtube, especially after the comments became so inhumane and predictable.
But every so often I am reminded of youtube’s inner beauty. With a couple of inspired ‘related video’ clicks I am reminded that, if you strip away the layers of flab and matted body hair, bronzer and tribal tattoos, there remains an entertainment Adonis crying to get out. There are still hours of amazing things to watch on youtube and if you show some effort your patience will be rewarded.
So all that is just prelude to this clip, which I discovered today in a random web 2.0 fashion. It was written and performed by Mr. Harvey Sid Fisher and manages to celebrate the virtues of every single person who has ever lived.
Yes.
What I love about this clip, besides Mr. Fisher’s Freudian insights into all 12 zodiac personalities, is the fact that as a performer he’s like a Frankenstein created from parts of two of my personal favorites:Leonard Cohen
and Leonard Nimoy
Anyway, there’s plenty more quality on Sid’s youtube channel. Then check out the man’s website.
And that whole zodiac clip got me feeling so good that I want to put up another song, sort of the hip hop equivalent, 100% classic…
Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five - Freedom
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right-click + save link as (mac) / save target as (windows)Popularity: 5% [?]
- Drunken Lion Mixtape #8: Rainforest Mix
There’s a new Drunken Lion mixtape out now. #8 in the series, the first mixed by Mr. Mike Speciaal. For your listening pleasure click here.
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