Robin laid an egg?

Jingle Bells, Batman smells.

I don't get it?

Like Pinocchio?

All of the other Reindeer used to laugh and call him names

like, Bill Murry!

Champs like us!

 "Champs like us, baby we were born to Mamdani!"

by Bruce Stringbean and the Lords of Flatbush

Deconstructing Classic Rock, again.

Is it true, what Jim Croce says about the South side of Chicago?

More Deconstructed Classic Rock

I wanna love you 'til the heavens start to rain. And I wanna love you 'til the stars fall on Alabama. 

Touch Me

by Phantom Jim & the Doors of Preception 

Don't Stop Believing

 "Just a small town girl

living in a lonely world.

She took the midnight train to Freebird."

A return to social criticism.

I've concluded, I missed my calling. 

I should be reviewing coffee and deconstructing classic rock songs.

"If there's a bustle in your hedgerow

don't be alarmed son,

your stairway lies in another brick in the wall."

Coffee reviews to follow.

I love you, I love you America.

 Well, well, well children, I'm poking around the ol' Blogger account and this occurred to me. 

This coming Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, all this nonsense should be over. I have a good, positive attitude about the presidential election. It has all just been so tiring and divisive. And honestly, it has really broken my faith in American culture. 

But, hopefully, this coming Wednesday morning it will all be over. At least the mathematical determination of the of the outcome of the election should be over.

I do have some personal philosophical investment in the outcome of the election, as  we all should. I'm afraid that the word philosophical is never considered by many folks participating in this election. But, regardless of how you cast your vote, regardless of where you are in America, regardless of where you are in the world, I love you and wish the best for you and yours. 

Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce; no relation.

I thought I  would  like  to  read the  book  that Hawkeye  Pierce  is named after. I  thought  this  book  was about Native Americans, Anglo-American  Colonists  and French  Canadian  Colonists. However, this is a Romance about two young women, who  never belonged in the wilds of colonial  America and their retirement age, military  commander  father. "Give me my children ," said Munro, hoarsely ; "trifle no longer with a father's agony, but restore me my babes." Is Fenimore  Cooper a pen name for Jane Austen?

Despite the fruity nature of a novel which I believed would be filled with adventure, I am thankful for the influence of Last of the Mohicans on writers whose work I do enjoy. It is likely that Last of the Mohicans was an influence on the writing of Edgar Rice Burrows, Robert Howard and Lin Carter. I'm almost certain that George R. R. Martin was influenced by Cooper by following the pattern of killing their main characters at the end of the book.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: REM plays Roger Miller (King of the Road)

Despite all rumors too the contrary, I have not been living under a rock. I have, however, been living on the side of a large piece of rock in North Carolina. I'm sure I mentioned this.

We're gonna tie up this Bizarro Cover countdown with, perhaps, the greatest southern rock band of my generation. As well as,one of the most unsung rock bands of all time. Here they are covering a tune about the struggles of American blue collar working men, or maybe it's about a hobo?

You'll have to suffer through a few original REM tunes during the video which is all good stuff in my book.

Here's the final roundup of Bizarro Cover tunes.

1. Richard Thompson covers Britney Spears
2. B-Hole Surfers cover Donovan
3. Camper Van Beethoven cover Black Flag
4. David Bowie covers The Velvet Underground
5. The Clash covers Roots Reggae
6. Sister Double Happiness covers 13th Floor Elevator
7.  Plain Wrap covers Buffalo Springfield
8. Seven Seconds covers Nancy Sinatra
9. The Meat Puppets cover the Grateful Dead 
10. REM covers Roger Miller

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening. #25: Bob James -- Nautilus

So, so, so, here we go with the last tune of this countdown. I actually had not heard this tune until I began playing GTA: San Andreas recently. Yeah, I just started playing a twelve year old game 'cause that's how old farts roll.

The YouTube video mentions many Hip Hop artist that have sampled Bob James. To me, Nautilus sounds like it was directly influenced by Miles Davis. That's all I got.

 

Now that the first twenty five of my music list are done I am going to do a short list of bizarro cover tunes. This will be five to ten songs by some musicians which appeared in the first 25 along with some others. And, let's start it tomorrow! 

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening!

 

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleigh Ride
22. Richard Thompson -- Clavary Cross
23. Yabby You -- Conquering Lion Dub

24. Vieux Farka Toure -- Ai du

25. Bob James -- Nautilus

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #21 Mountain -- Nantucket Slaighride

Now back to the States. This tune was almost number twenty until the grooviness that is Short and Sweet popped up in my Pandora rotation again. I think there is little question that Mountain was a precursor too Jam Bands. Nantucket Sleighride is basically a long instrumental with some improvisation, isn't that what Jam Bands do?  And heck, they played at Woodstock!

Let's review again class:

One through 21!:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleighride

D J Danger Chris spins the Non-Hits

Now class, let's review. Why my obsession with Johnson City, Tn? I currently live 56 miles from Johnson City. When I lived in Strawberry Pains, Tn. I was 80 miles from J.C. It is a quaint little place but, as I hope I have mentioned, Jonesborough, Tn. is more quaint. (Home of the International Story Telling Fest. ya know?)

Second: This 25 tunes project was originally conceived as a 100 song list. I opted to try twenty-five tunes and see how it progressed. So far, so good. There will probably be a "25 tunes you haven't heard because you're a Millennial" list. It should contain plenty of music that is older than I am. There may be a personal favorites list and, maybe, a list of tunes from the Grand Theft Auto gaming franchise. 'Cause they license the music for the game soundtracks. The music in the games runs the gambit from great tunes to bizarro to disposable Pop.

Let's finish the first 25 tunes and then I will let you all know what's up next from the Danger D.J.

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #17 B - Hole Surers - Pepper

 We've had a bit of a set back with the ol' blog for a few weeks. No personal crisis, just some distractions which may or may not be covered in another blog entry. On we go . . .

Continuing the Americana theme in one of the most bizarre ways possible, I give you the B - Hole Surfers. I had totally forgotten the title of this tune. If you have heard of the Surfers, you have probably heard this. If you have heard 90s Alternative Rock and are not a Millennial, you have probably heard it. Yes, I am censoring the band name. I have gotten a bit soft with time. 

I had forgotten the song name but remembered the "Cinnamon and Sugary" chorus, that's pretty memorable.  I had a recording of this and some other Surfers songs at one time, most likely on a cassette tape. Who knows what ever became of it? I censored the song choice here too. I considered using the Surfers tune Barking Dogs, I no longer enjoy Noise Rock as I once did.

I'm not about to try to analyze that video. If their reputation holds any truth, the day they shot this video must have been one of their most sober days ever. 

Just three more tunes, or tracks, to number twenty. Hopefully we can work through that this week.

One through seventeen:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. B - Hole Surfers -- Pepper

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #16 The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over

I really could have picked any song by The Dream Syndicate, ever heard of them? If you have, I know who you are. "Tell Me When It's Over" has a great "hook" and lyrics that I find poetic. I almost chose the song "When You Smile," or "Halloween." Just listen to this recording, Live at Raji's, it's one of Dream Syndicate's best. 

Dream Syndicate is the band that introduced me to Jam Bands. This is making an assumption that all Jam Bands are influenced by Neil Young, and I believe they all are. They (Dream Syndicate) predated the term Jam Band. I guess Garage Band or Post Punk would be the best descriptor for Dream Syndicate, they predated Alternative too. The Velvet Underground is always mentioned in articles about Dream Syndicate but how often is Television included in these conversations? 

I did a brief search too see if there's been a Dream Syndicate tribute recording and found this cover of Halloween by some guys called Polar. It's appropriate, the V.U. influence is apparent.  Also looks like Yo La Tengo has covered this one too.

 

Also, "I'm just tryin' to remember, the days of wine and roses."

One through sixteen:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #15 Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel

 Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone has heard this song. It certainly fits my East Tennessee, Johnson City theme. I actually didn't know the name of the tune, I just remembered a song that mentioned Johnson City. I also didn't know this tune had been recorded my Darius Rucker. I found this article with all the, seeming, relevant information from the Nashville Scene. The comments below the article are entertaining. Anyone who doesn't understand how a wagon wheel will rock you has no concept of per-industrial transportation. 

 

The geography is all messed up in this song. I don't know why you'd go through the Cumberland Gap too get to Raleigh? But, I have never hitchhiked from the East Coast and I'm not a song writer. Regardless, like The Only King, this song's nut just about the Deep South, it's about all of us.

One through Fifteen:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel 

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #14 The Everybodyfields -- The Only King

This one is by a little band from Johnson City, Tn. They grew up and moved to Knoxville, and broke the band up. They have their respective music projects over in Knox County now, as far as I know. As I've said, again and again, doesn't get much more Americana than this.

Yeah, it's a song about Elvis, which, I believe, makes it a song about Tennessee. The combo of the steel guitar and Jill Andrews voice really invoke the High Lonesome Sound for me.

The top 14!

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #13 James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland

Too long in the wasteland, that's what ya get after snakes and frogs. As you can see, this video is six, or seven, years old. I wonder if he still plays at the Continental Club in Austin? I'd love too see that.

Hopefully I can sustain Americana Week on the ol' list.

The top 13!

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #12 Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm

As a certain set of English blokes have been known to say, "now for something completely different!" Actually, it's not completely different, I noticed that the guitar style for Snake Farm is very similar to Junior Kimbrough.  I would hear this tune on WDVX when I lived in Knoxville, Tn. I imagine that WNCW here in Western North Carolina has played it a few times as well. It's a big ol' Americana reptile party up in here. (Peace Frog, Snake Farm) What could be next?

The top 12!

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #8 The Doors -- Peace Frog

Back into more familiar territory, again, this is a personal favorite and certainly not one of the more popular Doors' tunes. Peace Frog captures all the chaos of the "Summer of Love," Kent State, Altamont, the Kennedy and King assassinations and, ultimately, the disappearance of Jim Morrison. So, Peace Frog to ya all.

The list so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8.  The Doors -- Peace Frog