As promised, here are my final 25 cuts by the unforgettable Elton and Betty White. I think that due to the shortness of their songs, one needs to hear rather a lot of them to gain a better feel for what they did. I suppose I should describe their music to those who haven't heard it, I keep assuming that WFMU reader/listeners know about them; the best and most I could say is that they sing straight from the heart about some earthy, patently human things, and what they may lack in skill as poets and players disappears under the weight of their charm. I didn't even expect to be doing Elton and Betty as my first couple of regular posts here on BOTB, but fate seemed to push them into this spot, in several ways.
By the way- I'm tickled to be here.
The second tidal wave of E & B hits after the break.
So many songs, so many happy memories of hearing and singing them with friends. Delightfully accessible, and yet not music for everyone. I enjoy the little moments in the performance where they aren't singing: Betty cracking up slightly when delivering the name of her song Jack-Off Time, Elton talking about his sombrero or bragging on the power of their music. I won't argue with Elton- I was an immediate fan like so many others. I will admit to being puzzled recently when trying to figure out what the heck key he was playing in on a particular song. I think it must be in the patented 'White' tuning.
On the technical side of this week's tracks, I need only point out that Betty's song I'd Rather Not Have Oral Sex was the unlucky tune on the original cassette that was bridging the first and second sides of the tape. In other words it has a split second missing in the middle of the song. Ugh! And such a fantastic piece, too. Let's hope we see a real release of that one someday!
By the way, I think that Betty's You're So Sexy To Me is one of the sweetest and most romantic mini-ballads I've ever heard. It's still touching to me in it's intensity after all of these years of hearing it.
Oh, and again I'll add the disclaimer that these MP3s are probably NOT work-friendly, nor good for babysitting.
Here are links for some crude cover art (by me), and a full tracklist for all 46 cuts.
Note: the track numbering of the MP3s this week picks up where we left off last time, with cut number 22.
22 Climaxation 23 Heat 24 I'm In Love With Your Behind 25 Little Dicks Fit Me Best 26 Sweet Little Pussy Cat 27 Alleycat 28 Dick Fell In Love With Sally 29 Take Me 30 Master of Love 31 Menopause Mama 32 Your Smell (It Makes Me Well) 33 You're So Sexy To Me 34 Please Help Me Bust My Nuts, and Eat With Me 35 Cajun Boy 36 Why Do You Make Me Eat (On Your Sweet Meat)? 37 Jack-Off Time 38 Foreplay Before Love 39 I'd Rather Not Have Oral Sex 40 Breast I'd Love To Caresst 41 Bitch 42 My Three-Feet Red-Hot Tongue 43 What Did I Ever Do? 44 Sounds of Love 45 God's Basketballs 46 contact info # 2
Thanks for all of this! Much appreciated. However, 45 God's Basketballs is a bad link.
Posted by: Jeff | February 07, 2009 at 08:48 PM
You're welcome, Jeff--and hey, thanks for pointing out the problem; I had a feeling that out of all of that typing I would goof on at least one song link. She's all fixed, now.
Posted by: Mindwrecker | February 08, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Hey Mindwrecker,
Thanks for these!. I've got one more link error to bring to your attention though -- songs number 38 and 39 are both the same (I'd rather not have oral sex). Anyway, thanks again. Looking forward to whatever you've got next.
Brian
Posted by: brbeard | February 08, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Song number 38 should be correct ("Foreplay Before Love"), now. I left out tongue of stoat somehow in the Typepad recipe.
Posted by: Mindwrecker | February 08, 2009 at 09:14 PM
The cult of Elton and Betty is also spreading thanks to a rather significant article about them in the newest Oxford American - the music issue with Jerry Lee Lewis on the cover. It also comes with a lovely CD collection that features "Heat". I mention it because I just picked this issue up and was excited to see the article just moments after reading your posts!
Posted by: Account Deleted | February 09, 2009 at 05:06 PM
Sometimes you wake up and feel depressed because it seems that there is no more joy left in this world. Then you hear a song like "I'm in love with your behind" and you know that you were wrong. Thank you!
Posted by: Sarah | February 17, 2009 at 05:02 AM
I come from the uk & now am a MAJOR fan of elton & betty! Thanks for posting this for us!
Posted by: Jenny | April 06, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Thank you for being a resource! I just read the article in Oxford American (worth seeking out if you are a fan), and it was just a pleasure to find the apparently long-lost tracks on your site. WFMU is always the best.
Posted by: bama | April 12, 2009 at 10:19 AM
this is SSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome!!!
Posted by: Mastertang | November 13, 2009 at 09:27 PM
I was recently on Venice Beach and spoke with Harry Perry about Elton and Betty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Perry_%28musician%29
He became rather emotional and informed me that Betty had a severe stroke on Venice Beach last summer and died soon after. Elton, in reaction to Betty's death had his own stroke and has since then been unable to come back to the beach and perform.
He also stated that these recordings are ultra-rare and do not exist in CD form. Thank you for keeping their art alive.
Posted by: Lady Monster | May 19, 2010 at 03:10 AM