MP3 Truffles: Minds Renewed

After a month long sojourn in rural New Jersey (holla, Freehold!), I'm back to the old blogamawhosits world, and frankly I'm feeling a little left behind. That internet moves fast, I tell ya, and you have to be on top of the latest meme or you'll seem, you know, UNcool. So I spent the whole day today catching up on blogs, news, sudden underground phenomenons, and sarcastic nasty commentaries - and finally I discovered what I've really been missing. THIS:

Speaking of minds renewed, how about that Sarah Palin, huh? I am really into her education platform, especially because it means that high school history lessons may be replaced by a tape of Hilton Sutton's "The U.S.A. In Prophecy". I think his reconstruction of the Great Depression alone may teach us about the root our current financial crisis.
Listen to: "I Will Destroy Them Economically", "World War 2", "Intellectualism"

If you subscribe to Sutton's revised history lesson, the most evil thing about the 70s wasn't Richard Nixon, but a young composer named Tom Wilson Weinberg. His album Gay Name Game was a direct product of the way-gay hey-day of the late 70s. His off-Broadway plays were a hit in Village, and he also wrote a little ditty called "Lesbian Seagull", which became legendary many years later as a meaningful moment for Beavis and Butthead (and Engelbert Humperdink). His second album, All-American Boy, is full of gay anthems - and an incredibly literal title track. If you like Tom's stylings, you can buy your own copy of the original vinyl recordings directly from the man himself. At only $5, how can you go wrong?  (via Waxidermy)
Work out to: "All American Boy"

If you really grooved to Hazy Osterwald Jet Set doing "Swinging London" on volume two of The In-Kraut compilations, then here's a real treat - a double album of his hits. While the trumpet sounds and composition of some songs will remind you of Mr. Acker Bilk, just stay tuned, as this album really does deliver a pounding dose of variety.
Listen to: "Tai-Weh", "New Mexico", "The Power of the Lord"
and possibly a lost Mel Brooks title: "Putz Den Schmutz Von Der Welt"

Follow the jump for some more lovely mp3 oddities from the past month or so.

Every once in a while, Our Lady of Perpetual Obsolescence Vinyl Rescue Mission and Orphanage pulls out some random awesomeness and sets it right in our laps. And this month, lo they did bring us Carol Nelson's homemade album My Happiness. Crazy Carol (her stage name) hammers out some great cover songs, but nothing beats that signature tune.
Shine on with: "My Happiness", "I Will Survive"

Halloween approaches, and that means it's time to whip out some horror dub. My favorite for years has been King Horror (thanks for the reminder, Boot Sale Sounds).
Scream along with: "Loch Ness Monster"

Or how about a chilling song from The Vampires. Oh, wait, this Chinese all girl band isn't scary at all...but they have "won many fans among the young" (via mod-ified music).
Shiver to: "Han You Qu (Chilling Rain Song)"

As always, Crud Crud digs into the vault and delivers a 45 of merit. Which means that Georgia Gibb's saucy 50s number is about to be played at many a nouveau burlesque night.
Sizzle to: "Kiss of Fire"

You know, even though they are damn hummable, I really hate those Wagnerian John Williams scores. Can you imagine how much cooler Close Encounters would be if, for instance, the music were played on a space aged Moog. Yeah, it would be so much cooler.
Bleep out to: "Space Symphony"

You like the Steinski, yah? Well here is a groovy disco inspired track not on What Does It All Mean (via 33/45).
Groove along: "Let's Play It Cool"

So, why did the lead singer of Manfred Mann do a loungy version of a Ramones song? Humor, I suppose. But really, just lame (via Worthless Trash).
Cringe to: Paul Jones "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker"

Hey, looking for some un-PC Chinese songs from the heart of Americana? Music For Maniacs has a nice selection. But the best of them all is the bizarre George Van Dusen.
Scratch your head to: "The Yodeling Chinaman"

In the tradition of the "every cover version of" post (of which I too am gleefully guilty), here are 66 versions of "Limehouse Blues".

Finally, if you're feeling randy and want to point your peepers at nearly 1500 Nude Album Covers, they are right here.

Comments

[krebstar01]

Freehold rural? The mall capital of NJ? Hope you got your last milkshake at Jersey Freeze before they shut there doors to soon become an Olive Garden.

[etherealpr]

Does anyone have an MP3 link for Tom Wilson's original "Lesbian Seagull"? I remember it being pretty astonishing, but I haven't heard it in years.

[Mr Fab]

Oops, you called my blog Mutant Sounds! But they are one of my fave sites, so it's an honor to be mixed up with them.

Thanks again for the mention, Clinton.

I have a vinyl copy of Tom Wilson's original "Lesbian Seagull" - watch my blog, I'll try to post it in the coming weeks (feel free to remind me.)

Whoopsie, sorry Mr. Fab. I fixed my blog boo boo. And I am eagerly awaiting some more Tom Wilson (though I personally plan on ordering the LPs).

Oh, and Freehold NJ certainly has a helluva crazy mall, but I didn't spend much time there. I was working on an indie film shot on the farms and stately homes of Brickyard Road. That meant I mostly saw a shitload of the WaWa - whose iced coffee may be the worst I've found. Jersey Freeze doesn't look like it's going anywhere - it was packed every night. But I preferred the awesome ice creams at Four Boys over in Englishtown.

[SillyWilly]

Is that the same Tom Wilson who did the end theme for WKRP?

[SillyWilly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5-TpSm1HDE

[Andrea]

Hey there- I'm Andrea, the speccy record geek who posted the 66 versions of "Limehouse Blues" over in my blog "Petquality's Twindowlickin Tales".
Thanks for the pimp, I appreciate it! As a result of your link, I got at least 2 more versions. :D

Much appreciated!

[mirc]

Thanks.

[ctrl.z.jones]

oh my god.
I first thought it is Tom Cruise...

[Mr Fab]

I posted "Lesbian Seagull" here:

http://musicformaniacs.blogspot.com/2008/10/lesbian-seagull.html

Caw caw caw!

[steve]

That renewed mind video is from a bible cult my mother raised me in. They're called The Way International and they are a horror show. Look em up, it'll blow your renewed mind.