MP3 Truffles: World News Tonight

That title may make it sound like I'm going to go off on current events again, but if the best the world can throw at me this week is "Unfitney", then screw that. Instead, we'll start off this week's MP3 finds from the wonderful music blog world with some nostalgia for when we almost had real televised journalism:

Egg City Radio somehow managed to dig up 33 tracks of vintage 1978 bed music from ABC's "World News Tonight". While the tympanies and horns are probably still embedded in your head, check out some of the funky electronic variations. MP3: World News Tonight Theme; Theme with Underscore

PCL Linkdump offers a look at the Treniers, and the unlikelyhood that their single Poon-Tang ever hit the air. If you need further proof of their awesomeness, check out this video of the group in action. MP3: The Treniers, "Poon-Tang".

Start your day with songs about midnight, especially with this sultry MP3: Pete "Guitar" Lewis, "Ooh Midnight"

There used to be this great California girl band called The Bangs that captured the 60s pop sound really well. Then they became The Bangles. MP3: The Bangs, "Call On Me". Meanwhile, a group of post-punk housewives were wreaking mayhem with their downtown sound. Downtown Jersey Sound, that is. MP3: Suburban Wives Club, "Casual Cat at a Laundromat". Oh, you know what could make your no-wave song even better? How about a touch of mini-moog. MP3: Elektraflesh, "Broken Trust"

Once, the Bay Area Black Panthers demanded that Bobby Seale be set free - with music. MP3: The Lumpen, "Set Bobby Free". It was also a good time to let loose your natural hairstyle - with music. Sensual, completely funky music. MP3: Towanda & The Total Destruction, "Wear Your Natural Baby"

Summers Heat not only have a rather unfortunate name, but they also celebrate statutory rape - with music! MP3: Bill Summers & Summers Heat, "Seventeen".

Chakachas' "Jungle Fever" may be their only hit, but the whole darn album is worth a listen. Fun fact: these Latin masters are actually Belgian! MP3: Chakachas, "Latin Can Can". That is less insulting than the faux-hippie pop of of Boystown. Yeah, the lyrics are about as deep as their name, but that's sort of the charm. MP3: Boystown, "Hello Mr. Sun"

Every once in a while it happens. You think you've heard it all, and then out of the blue some random Tom Jones song just comes up and floors you. MP3: Tom Jones, "Keep On Runnin'"

Comments

[Jack]

You need to check these guys out. They're called We're Late For Class and they do a 40 minute track called...

'Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun' As Played By Vanilla Fudge Imitating Iron Butterfly When Fudge Were Forced To Open For Butterfly At The Fillmore West After In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Went Top Ten (40:36)

Check this out from their blog...

What if... the Vanilla Fudge flew out to the Fillmore West for a gig. When they arrived they saw Iron Butterfly during soundcheck. The Butterfly were polishing a new song they planned to premiere later that night - which the Fudge laughed off as being an incompetent rip off of Pink Floyd's "Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun." Bill Graham came along to tell them that, instead of closing the show, they'd be opening for Iron Butterfly because In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida just went Top 10. The Fudge were furious. Bad enough getting dicked around but... opening for Iron Butterfly was an insult that just would not stand. They threatened to walk but Graham reminded them he had a contract... and their return flight tickets. So, the group skipped soundcheck and even thought about skipping the gig when, instead, they showed up at the last minute to take the stage. Forgoing their usual set, Vanilla Fudge played a one song show. Their own, improvised version of 'Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun,' sounding amazingly like the Butterfly's soundcheck. Especially so, since the Fudge were actually imitating Iron Butterfly throughout the set, down to the simple riffs and shiny Nehru jackets. During the show, members of Iron Butterfly began collecting in the wings and vile stares were silently exchanged between members of both bands. But the Fudge did not let up... not until their contracted 40 minute performance time had expired. Afterwards, a fight breaks out backstage between Doug Ingle and Carmine Appice. The Fudge picked up their check and caught the redeye back to New York. This 40 minute track is the 'what if.' Recorded May 26, 2007, it features a Chinese water torture rhythm, faux Fillmore vibes, a space exploration about 22 minutes in and a mind numbing reprise another 10 minutes later. Get comfy, and get stoned. No refunds.

They give it away on their blog and I bet FMUers will like it.
http://werelateforclass.blogspot.com/

http://www.divshare.com/download/1487029-940

[Felix]

Thank you for "Set Bobby Free"!!! I've been looking for recordings of the Lumpen! Woo-hoo!

[bartelby]

May I suggest that while listening to a cover of a soundcheck of a pastiche that you check out google news.

At the google news search box type in the following: inurl:stratfor

run the search alone or add whatever other keyword you like. "Unfitney" may come up with nothing but the names of countries, regions, world leaders, natural resources, major corporations etc., will get you premium content from Stratfor.com for free.

[Woody]

Wow, I knew ABC had some funky reporting but World News Tonight "Theme with Underscore" is damn fantastic! That's news with sideburns!