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 

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

We now take a break from our regularly scheduled program.

I really wish there were more information attached to this video, like a date, such is youtube. However, I present to you the original Wailers preforming Duppy Conqueror. I noticed that Bob pronounces "duppy" much like "dopey." Catchy tune, I should stop analyzing Rock n Roll lyrics.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: The Meat Puppets cover the Grateful Dead

The first time I heard this recording I was a bit ambivalent. Really, the Meat Puppets play the Grateful Dead? It kind of fits when you think about it, the Meat Puppets are from Az., the Dead is from Cali and they are both Stoner Rock. They are just different ends of the Stoner Rock spectrum.

I like how this version of Franklin's Tower is stripped down, has no effects on the guitar. This sounds like a garage band playing the Dead and the Puppets, and SST, where not afraid to release this recording for public consumption. So, there's the Punk Rock sensibility of the Meat Puppets, "Here it is. If ya don't like it, sorry about that . . ." I believe that there was a good bit of the same sensibility in the Dead too.

There's also a Neil Young cover on this Meat Puppets recording which makes more sense too me.

 

 So, that's nine bizarro cover tunes. I'll post one more and call this project done, then I can play whatever I want!

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 

 Also, it's only fair that I inform you all that I'm a Duppy Conquer. (Whatever that is?)

Happy 2017, and all!

Here we are at the beginning of a new year. I feel I can say that, unlike years past, we are on the verge of something new. I will just add that I hope that civilization is not about to repeat the Fall of the Roman Empire. That's my take on our current sociopolitical climate, now on to less meaningful pursuits.

First, I must submit a retraction for my post of May 4, 2016. I mentioned that The Clash had recorded the tune Police and Thieves for their Black Market Clash album. This is incorrect, Police and Thieves appeared on the recording titled The Clash. Good tunes none-the-less.

2nd: I wanna round out this evil list of cover tunes with an even number, like ten. I believe we're up to number eight . . .

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

How about another punk rock version for the new year? How about These Boots are Made for Walkin' by Seven Seconds?

Happy New Year to you all and I hope to be typing to you again soon.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: Plain Wrap plays Buffalo Springfield

Yep, file this one under Punk Rock Roots. This was a majority of the style of music which I listened to in high school. It needs no further  introduction. 

Three months until this.>

It has been three months since my last post, where has the time gone? Let's get up to date a bit. I would like to establish some closure for this list of cover tunes and move on with the blog.

Here's an Oldie Goldie, a cover of a 13th Floor Elevator song by Sister Double Happiness. (Google that kids.) This track is from a 13th Floor Elevator tribute recording that I owned at one time. Red Temple Prayer is a apt summery of my current employment situation.  'Cause I always thought the lyrics were "working like a prisoner for a two headed dog." Who can tell with these Roky Erickson tunes? But thanks Roky, without you Rock n Roll wouldn't be as weird as it is.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: The Clash covers the roots of Reggae

As a young lad, the Clash recording Black Market Clash was my introduction to Jamaican music. On this recording the Clash covered Toots and the Maytals, Willie Williams and Junior Murvin. Along with  Robber Dub, a Clash original I believe, this was my introduction to Reggae, Ska and Dub. Odds are pretty good, there's another obscure cover or two on this recording that I don't know about. I'm pretty sure I was listening to this before I know who Bob Marley was. Thank you Mr. Strummer, Mr. Jones, Mr. Headon and Mr. Simonon.

 Here's a bit more trivia, Pressure Drop and Armagideon Time appear in the video game GTA: San Andreas. In GTA V and GTA Online, I believe there is a Dub version of Police and Thieves on the Blue Ark radio station which is hosted by Lee Scratch Perry. 

Here are the original recordings plus Robber Dub, have a skanky day.

Toots and the Maytals: Pressure Drop

Willie Williams: Armagideon Time

Junior Murvin: Police and Thieves

The Clash: Robber Dub

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: David Bowie covers Lou Reed

Here's a classic covering the work of another classic. We are all awarded in this super talent situation. Ya gotta love these Best of the BBC collections.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Potentially Bizarro Cover Tunes: Camper Van Beethoven covers Black Flag

There's bizarro Bunghole Surfers Middle America F'd Up Noise Rock and there's Camper Van Beethoven West Coast Mellow Folkie  Bizarro. The Camper Vans played a whole list of bizarro covers; Pictures of Matchstick Men, Oh Death, and the complete Tusk album by Fleetwood Mac.

C.V.B. also played heavily in the soundtrack of my adolescents. While the lyrics of Wasted didn't describe my life style it is funny and has a "catchy tune." Plus, I love Black Flag too. Today, while I sit here typing, I am wearing a Cal Berkley sweatshirt which fits perfectly with the West Coast Mellow Folkie theme.

We have all been "gnarley as we drove our dad's car" too.

Just for the fun of it, here's the original version by Black Flag.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Cover Tunes:

1. Richard Thompson -- Opps, I did it again.
2. Bunghole Surfers -- Hurdy Gurdy Man
3. Camper Van Beethoven -- Wasted

D. J. Danger Donkey's Poteneially Bizarro Cover Tunes: Bunghole Surfers cover Donovan

You all may have discovered this one after watching my list post from the B-Holes. Hurdy Gurdy Man is pretty bizarro and what better way too make it full-blown BIZARRO than to have it preformed by the Bungholes? This one's a stoner classic, 'nuff said.

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Cover Tunes:

1. Richard Thompson -- Opps, I did it again.
2. Bunghole Surfers -- Hurdy Gurdy Man

D. J. Danger Donkey's Potentially Bizarro Cover Tunes: Richard Thompson covers Britney Spears

This one is self explanatory as it represents Mr. Thompson's excellent sense of humor.

D J Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers:

1. Richard Thompson -- Opps, I did it again.

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. #24: Vieux Farka Toure -- Ai du

Here we are again . . . I started a new job last Saturday, April 17. Unfortunately, it is not a new job with more money for less work. It's another job which I work a few days a week after the day is done at my old job. It's just a thing and only put a delay in this music countdown.

This guy, how about some Delta Blues from the Nile Delta? I probably learned about Vieux Farka Toure by listening to Public Radio. His father was Ali Farka Toure. Martin Scorsese's quote in the Wiki article summarizes this music. The music of the Toure boys is influenced by the "D.N.A. of the Blues." As noted by the similarity of their style with Junior Kimbrough. 

I also love the fact that the name Farka means donkey and Ali's description of how the name applies to himself. I would add, there's a little Farka in all of us.

I was lucky enough to see Vieux play a few years ago. Certainly wish he'd come on back and visit us in the States.

            

One through 24!:

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 Fark Toure -- Ai du

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #23: Yabby You -- Conquering Lion Dub

It seems only fair that I dedicate some time to a few more international musicians with the final three tunes. This guy, Yabby You, I discovered through an impulse buy at an old CD shop in Birmingham, Al. I'm sure glad I made that impulsive purchase because I still feel that Yabby You is another jewel in the rough.

I do love some Dub too. We'll get too my introduction to Dub in another list.  Now enjoy the mellow mixology of Yabby You and company.

One through 23!:

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

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #22: Richard Thompson -- Calvary Cross

Number twenty-five is sneaking up  quickly and it's getting all Rock n Roll in here. Now we go back too the U.K. for a musician who I am surprised didn't appear earlier in the list. Richard Thompson is, a personal favorite and, a rear commodity in the in Rock n Roll. Thompson has been surpassed in Super Star status by lesser talented musicians.  That's how it is with quality, often we have to seek too find the best, top quality. I'm that guy, I wanna find the great music.

I'll let you all investigate the details of Mr. Thompson's career which started way back in the 60s with Fairport Convention. I just have to ask, what other rock musician finger picks that dang electric guitar like this? The other candidate for the Thompson tune was Shoot out the Lights, it rocks too!

If you investigate Mr. Thompson, your are bound to learn that is son and daughter are both musicians too. Richard's duo with Teddy, Persuasion, is another lovely tune.


One through 22!:

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 -- Calvary Cross