mjzee

I remember when this album came out in 1976. Side one was note-for-note recreations of various tracks by The Beatles, Dylan, Beach Boys and others... In fact, Rundgren seems to have done MOPDTK one better by playing all the instruments himself. It struck me then, and still does, as an utterly pointless exercise, a project in search of a rationale.

But what does it mean? MG Per Wikipedia: Some of the words are nonsensical. Axton wanted to persuade his record producers to record a new melody he had written and the producers asked him to sing any words to the tune. A member of Three Dog Night said that the original lyrics to the song were "Jeremiah was a prophet" but "no one liked that".

Chuck was referencing a line from Three Dog Night's hit from 1970, "Joy To The World." I always pegged Chuck as a closet Three Dog Night fan.

Welcome and enjoy.

I listened to the track "Yea Heavy! (And A Bottle Of Bread)" this morning, and it crystallized for me one of my ambivalent feelings about this box. I've known this song now for 40 years or so, and still have no idea what it's about. Dylan could be singing in a foreign language, for all the clarity this track gives me. Then, every so often, there's a line that makes me laugh, such as "Slap that drummer with a pie that smells." That could come out of Trout Mask Replica! So I fear that the accompanying book will "explain it all to me," tell me what Dylan was talking about, put it in its historic context, tell me which incident he's obliquely referring to, etc etc etc. I don't know that I want any of that. It's like, if I'm struggling with a puzzle, I don't want someone to give me the answer. But more that I have "my" experience with this song, and now the package will give me how I'm supposed to react to this song.

Release date November 18:

Speaking of... Ready for volume 2? Rolling Stone

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

Having owned my Carbon for more than a year now, it's not perfect. Here are some quirks: 1) The turntable when turned on, every so often, will turn backwards; I'd say one out of every hundred times. I turn it off and turn it back on, and it turns fine, but wtf?!? 2) There is a hum that comes from the motor (you can hear it when you stand next to the turntable), but it is not audible in the music. 3) The tonearm sounds a little creaky when I move it to the start point of the record. Again, not audible, but I wouldn't know how to "oil" a tonearm to get rid of it.

Also, if you go with the Carbon, this looks like a fun upgrade: Acrylic Platter Upgrade for Debut III or Debut Carbon

Uncompromising Expression: Singles Collection Round Midnight: Complete Blue Note Singles 1947-52

Release date October 21:

Of the four you're considering, hands down choose the Dial. You say you own little Bird, and that's criminal. However, you might consider the Savoy package which also contains all the Dial material, and in great sound. Of the rest, I'd go with the MJQ (and have). This is the classic material, in great sound. I can't speak to the Threadgill, and as for the Mingus...I haven't heard it (I have heard bootlegs of some of the performances), but check the box's discography (online at Mosaic's website). You should be prepared for very long performances, many of them. I mention this only because, if you only own the Atlantics, you may not be prepared. My mind starts to wander after a while. YMMV.

The next Dave's Picks. Colgate University 11/4/77 and Seneca College, Toronto, 11/2/77.

I was leafing through YouTube recently, and found some interesting Tim Buckley concerts. Check out this one, when he opened for Zappa at the Felt Forum, NYC:

It was cancer; see: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2788682/snl-star-jan-hooks-battling-cancer-death-aged-57-devastated-friends-reveal.html

I'd echo a lot of what's been posted here. I'd add: a readable booklet (no garish graphics, no tiny type), rare and surprising tracks I couldn't find elsewhere, a handsome package, a nice price. I can do without gimmicks (like the "tape box" that's part of the Coltrane Atlantic box), a box where the things inside are too loose (whenever I pull the Mingus Atlantic box off the shelf, everything inside slides out), a box with non-standard dimensions (the "What It Is!" box goes with nothing else), or metal (the Coltrane Impulse box scratches my shelves).

I picked this up recently at a great price. Cardboard box, cardboard sleeves, and a booklet with discographical information. Get it, and donate your iron box to the center for tetanus research.

Looking at Jan Hooks videos reminded me of how good SNL was back then. How about this: https://screen.yahoo.com/jan-hooks-snl-skits/musicians-free-range-chickens-000000671.html

https://screen.yahoo.com/jan-hooks-snl-skits/brenda-waitress-000000407.html

I can't wait until the woman who reviews her husband's stupid record collection shares her thoughts about this album. Talk about meta!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/arts/music/09fireworks.html?_r=0

Thanks for the tip...just ordered it.