Turn Right On Willow Valley...

Well, we are no longer in Lamar, although we shall remember out time there fondly.
There was the statue, the hotel, the housing development where every street was named the same thing. As we drove through it, I thought of this...

Lamar, we shall remember you fondly!
Now, yesterday and today, we've been in the Colorado Springs area, and it's been lovely. Helen Hunt Falls is still beautiful this time of year (there was even a little bit of snow on the ground!), and The Leprechaun Shoppe has always been a favorite stop (besides, we needed more decaf Barry's!)
Why do I mention these things to you? Well, from Lamar to Colorado Springs, I got to listen to more Beatles Remasters! (Hey, I heard that groan of agony!)
On the chopping block tonight, the Mono Masters, and Abbey Road.
Abbey Road, Let It Be, and Past Masters (it's like Mono Masters, but in stereo, meaning that the singles recorded in stereo are included here) are the only stereo releases I have, and I was chomping at the bit to get hold of one, and compare it to mono (that, and I had to see if that wave effect was just my imagination, or if it was actually there. It was, of course, my imagination). It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I don't know that I'd want the other albums in stereo. To know that you have the Holy Grail in Beatledom (mono, of course) makes you rather fond of what you've got.
The Abbey Road Medley just about blew my Beatle boots off (yes, I actually wear Beatle boots, and was at the time), and I suggest that, if you're a fan, you pick up a copy.
With Mono Masters, I was gobsmacked. As a public service, I'm half tempted to burn several copies of this and just pass them out to people who would appreciate them (stocking stuffers! Christmas is only two months away!). To hear such intricate details that were covered up for over forty years is mind blowing. You think you know "The Inner Light"? Guess again. What about the "Paperback Writer/Rain" single? You've never even heard them before. It's an interesting story about that single, which I won't bore you with here (stop cheering!), but here's the Wikipedia link if you care to do some extra curricular reading.
Enough twaddle, let's get to some music, a'ready!
First up, one of Paul's late-60's rockers... from Abbey Road, it's "Oh! Darling"

Did you forgive him for something that never happened? I did.

Before we start this song, I think it would be a good idea if you washed your hands, since you'll have to shove your eyeballs back into your skull after you hear it.
Prepare yourself, it's "Paperback Writer"!


As an aside, a big thank you goes out to my lovely sister for the sweet birthday wishes (both on her blog, and Facebook)... even from 300 miles away, you manage to make me feel loved on my "special day", so thanks, kiddo!
And a happy birthday to May Pang as well! I suggest you pick up her latest book, Instamatic Karma, it's full of gear photos from John's "Lost Weekend".

You've Never Heard The Beatles Like This Before...

Lamar is interesting in the mere fact that it isn't interesting at all. It's like we traded Dumas for it's long lost sibling, but won out in the end, since there's a real lake about twenty miles up the road.
I'm not here to bore you about my location, though (don't think I didn't know you wanted to applaud!), instead, I'm going to bore you with our Beatles Mono Remasters!
I have only listened to three albums thus far (the self titled "The Beatles", AKA, The White Album, Revolver, and the Magical Mystery Tour LP), but I'm forming opinions as I go along.
So far, I'd say they're about 95% better than what's been on the market since the original vinyl releases (on the white market, anyway). Saturated with golden three-part harmonies, which have been dusted off and brought forward, and bold bass lines from the infamous McCartney Hofner (I thought I was going to get a black eye from "Back In The USSR"!), you'll hear small orchestral details you never knew existed.
You can also hear when a double track lead vocal is happening, showing the different personalities and vocal styles of the singer (John, for example, was a staunch perfectionist, very rarely will you be able to tell it was two takes, while Paul becomes intoxicated with the melody, singing however he feels like singing). Or, for example, at the end of "I'm So Tired", the supposed mumbling at the end is actually quite clear, as well as the infamous "I buried Paul/cranberry sauce" at the end of "Strawberry Fields Forever"... it actually does sound like cranberry sauce now, but it's still fun to reminisce about the good ol' Paul Is Dead theories.
As for the other 5%, I notice that when the lead vocals haven't been layered, they seem to fall into the backing vocal's recently vacated spot (sort of like a wave effect... take a Dramamine), getting lost in the shuffle of electricity, only occasionally sticking you in the Half-Nelson I've come to expect from such songs as "Yer Blues", "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey", and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", just to name a few (although, Eric Clapton's stellar guitar solos on the aforementioned Harrison classic somehow sound even better than ever). Something I find annoying is the fade-outs at the end of the songs seems to happen a little sooner than I'm used to, particularly on "Helter Skelter" (the original mono mix had nearly three minutes of electric kerfuffle), meaning no "blisters on my fingers".
More critiquing may follow, as I've only listened to each of the three said albums once, and I've got several more funsies to go.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with the songs I thought benefited from the remastering process... how about one from each album?
From Revolver, here's "Tomorrow Never Knows"...


Next up, from Magical Mystery Tour, the autobiographical psychedelic anthem, "Strawberry Fields Forever" (listen for "cranberry sauce"!)...


For the last one, I suggest you turn the volume up as loud as it will go, and put on some earphones, 'cause you'll just have to go back and listen to it again if you don't. Be warned, this is the second-best version of this song I've ever heard, and am likely to hear ever again in my life (since the first, obviously, was in Tulsa)... from The White Album, here's Helter Skelter...


Did you get goosebumps? I did.
In honor of the original mono mix... wish you were here!

He's The Chief And We Are Hailing...

I get a thrill of excitement when I walk into a museum and hear this tune...


As you may have guessed, we spent a few days down in the Hill Country, where we had oodles of fun... a small rundown (sorry, no pictures. Oh sure, pretend you're upset, I'll wait).
We went back to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum while down in Austin. My, it's changed in nine years! So has the LBJ National Historic Park, AKA, The Texas White House. Now that Lady Bird's crossed over, the house is open for tours, which was a total blast (only the office, informal living room, dining room, and kitchen are open thus far). When Mama, Ginger and I went nine years ago, we went on a little bus tour, and the only time we were allowed out of the bus was at the barn, where the President's saddle, branding iron, cattle prod, boots, et al were displayed. Well, this time, it was a self guided automobile tour (and the aforementioned tack are no longer there, I'm sorry to say). We walked along the Pedernales River in front of the house, and around his property in various other places. You leave with a better appreciation of the man after strolling about his ranch, it was a wonderful experience.
Mama and I always like to play along Congress Avenue while we're in the Capitol City (which was the clue in the previous post), and before we knew it, it was already time to come home!
Along the way, we stopped off at the Fredericksburg Trade Days, and no trip to Fredericksburg is complete without a detour at Rustlin' Rob's (their blackberry preserves are to die for!).

No time to rest, because tomorrow afternoon, we're headed off on another adventure!
We're going to Colorado State's entertainment capitol, Lamar!
Wish us luck!
And now, I leave you with this song, in honor of President Johnson...

Paul, Twitter, And "Where In The World?"...

I have waxed on about Twitter in more than one post here. Not only at how incredibly fascinating it can be (while making you ask why you care what so-and-such is doing), but how utterly confusing it can be, too.
Well, now I have nothing negative to say... if Paul's people are OK with updating his brand-spanky-new, verified Twitter account, I'm good with that, too.
PAUL TIME!

Oh, I love that man!

In other news, I'm blogging from a new locale tonight... do you want to know where we are?
Are you nodding? Is your head going up and down? Good, then I'll tell you.
Let's just say, I'll be here tomorrow afternoon.
Pictures may follow, you never know.
Oh, one more video before I go...

Television Will Turn Your Brain To Jelly...

TCM runs what they call Silent Sunday Nights at 11 o'clock each week, and, from time to time, I like to tune in. My favorite ever Silent Movie Sunday was the twelve week Judex special.

Well, at this very moment (yes, it was that important that I share it with you) they're playing The Unholy Three... why do I mention this to you? Let's just say that there's a murderous midget in it. (Yes, I know, I'm going to rot in hell... you laughed, see you there!)
The highlight for me was when "Tweedledee", AKA Little Willie (see, this just keeps getting better) gets picked up by the scruff of the neck and stashed in the back of a car (it looked more like a milk wagon, actually). Unfortunately, I couldn't find that clip. Instead, I found this one to share with you (and it won't let me embed it, isn't that a gas?)...

In other news, if you aren't following Noel Fielding on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, then you are MISSING OUT.


ALSO... if you can catch a rerun of The Graham Norton show on BBC America, you'll spend a fascinating hour with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and Ricky Gervais (you want to see it now, don't you?)...

It's Johnny's Birthday!

I've missed quite a lot of things I had every intention of making a blog post about (Banned Books Week, Talk Like A Pirate Day, Edgar Allen Poe's deathday, just to name a few), but I sure wasn't going to miss this one!
When this day rolls around, I like to take a few minutes to remember a truly enigmatic man (no, not John O'Hurley).
On this date, in 1940, during a German air raid on Liverpool, wee little John Winston Ono Lennon was born (and quickly stashed under a hospital bed for safekeeping).



Let's take the opportunity to enjoy his art...

...his music...


...and his unique sense of humor...


And now, a small autobiography...

About The Awful
I was bored on the 9th of Octover 1940 when, I believe, the Nasties were still booming us led by Madalf Heatlump (Who only had one). Anyway they didn't get me. I attended to varicous schools in Liddypol. And still didn't pass - much to my Aunties supplies. As a member of the most publified Beatles my and (P, G, and R's) records might seem funnier to some of you than this book, but as far as I'm conceived this correction of short writty is the most wonderfoul larf I've ever ready.
God help and breed you all.

Happy 69th, Darlin'!

Steve Coogan = Pickle?

It is September (even if it is the last day of the month... bunny-bunny, everybody!... or is it rabbit-rabbit?), yet Lowe's has their Christmas section up and running strong, while all they have for Halloween is an end-cap by the bug spray. Yes, it's a disturbing thing, but not nearly as disturbing as the Singing Christmas Pickle! Are you wondering what it sings?
Is it just me, or does this creepy bit of Christmas decor resemble Steve Coogan?


As a comical aside, I belonged to this club for the whole whopping year it was in existence. (What did I do with my life before I blogged?)

In other (more interesting) news, this season of Never Mind The Buzzcocks is going to be genius (even without our beloved Simon Amstell)!

Paul McCartney, Donovan, And... Windows 7 Launch Parties?

Let's do the fun stuff first...
I found this last night and went absolutely nuts for it.
Two of my favorite musicians of all time, Paulie and Donovan, jamming in studio (this really makes me wish I could run Bit Torrent!)... so sit back and enjoy the next fifteen minutes of melodic bliss (and studio banter!).



Oh, and have you heard about this? Let's hope it's true, there wasn't anything released for the US Tour back in '05 (why didn't that happen, MPL?), so a Summer Live '09 album would be gear fab and that.

Moving along (not too soon for you, eh?), have you seen this?

October 22 is going to ROCK.
(In case you didn't know, October 22 is when Windows 7 is being released...)

Oh, parties... what a riot!

It's OFFICIALLY Autumn!

Well, it won't be "official" until later on this afternoon, but close enough for government work.
I got my Better Homes and Gardens magazine this morning... Chinese Maple leaves with festive gourds and things of that nature are on the cover (I look forward to devouring the issue later on today), bringing to mind pumpkin-y treats with that special blend of spices that linger on the palette, long sleeves and chilly evenings with a good book. For the first time in months, I got to experience the joys of sleeping with the window open, waking up to the mild sunshine filtering in and a refreshingly cool breeze tickling your face (and warm puppies under the covers, too!).
Yes, I'm a sucker for autumn. I love it, and never in my life has this season brought any bittersweet feeling for the departure of summer... I can't wait to see the back of it!
So, until next year, Summer... get out, get out, get the HELL out!


Since this entire post is to celebrate the glorious changing of seasons, I thought I'd share one of my favorite sounds of autumn...

A WEEK?!?

I'm back from holiday!

Where did I go? I'll give you a clue... as we were stuck in traffic, we watched this show across the street.


This was the fourth time I've been to Vegas, and I only just realized that time doesn't exist on The Strip the same way it does every where else on the planet... you just keep doing things until your hotel calls you one night and tells you to get out.
That being said, you can see that some things have scaled back quite a bit
(thanks, sucky economy!), including one of my favorite things in the whole world, Cirque Du Soleil's LOVE... but we still had a good time!
If you don't feel like being trapped in a web of holiday slides with boring captions, please skip down past the slideshow.

In other news, much has happened since we left...
Russell Brand was on
The View, AND Jimmy Fallon
(watch, you might wet yourself), and,
somewhere along the way,
it turned into Autumn!
It's my favorite time of year, and as I speak (type?)
we're sitting with all the windows open,
enjoying all that life can offer.
I think it's CELEBRATORY SONG TIME!


ALSO...
Today, September 21, is Peace Day!
It's always prudent to
THINK PEACE,
ACT PEACE,
and IMAGINE PEACE (thank you, Yoko),
but it's nice to know there's a special day for it,
isn't there?
You know, like Thanksgiving!
If you feel so inclined,
celebrate by sending wishes to
Yoko's Wish Tree,
which will then be forwarded to
the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland
for John's birthday, October 9...
after you've done that,
watch this video,
it'll give you the collywobbles in a good way.

Ricky Gervais, Jonathan Ross, Halloween Bling, And, Of Course, The Beatles...

My sister is a gem... since she hasn't any time at the moment, I'm making a post fulled by something she sent me while she was out (no, not that decorating show)...
I present to you... THE HALLOWEEN SKULL FLASK! (And other All Hallows Eve bits and pieces that made me say "WTF?")

Trick Or Treating In Forks, WA...

This wasn't what this entry was going to be about, but I figured, hey, what the hell, let's add it and say it's a treatsie.
Over the past month, my computer had been acting up... something was wrong with the wireless card, meaning I couldn't hook up to the Internet (gasp, horror) without an Ethernet cable. Since our wireless boxy thingy is in a closet, that didn't do me a whole lot of good. So, last week, my computer and I had to part ways. I had been using my mother's all of last week, and, to be perfectly honest, it was bugging me. Sure, Internet is worth it, but just barely. To my utter glee, my baby came home to me this fair morn! My reaction was something like this.
In other news (and really this post's purpose), I saw this and just KNEW I had to share it... the best part is what's on the inside!
Let's see... Flaming Pie, hot tea, my own computer, and Edward Cullen? Yes, my life is terribly cushy.

Happy Andy, Peetie Go Round, And The Suicidal Teddy Bear...

You may remember (or probably not, the rest of you have lives) I have previously mentioned that my mother and I are watching Supernatural (at lovely Ginger's request). You may also remember I mentioned that I enjoy the show, not for the subject matter, but that I get a charge out of twisting everything they do to fit my disturbing sense of humor.
As I sit here, listening to The Marmalade permeate our little patch of brick and mortar, I'm grinning to myself as I imagine Russell Brand's commentary on the clip I'm about to share with you. No doubt about it, this is the best clip I've seen, it's already my favorite, and I doubt I'll tire of it in a hurry.
Without further ado, I present Happy Andy, Peetie Go Round, And The Suicidal Teddy Bear...

Did it live up to your expectations? When I first saw it, as the camera panned to the wall, I screamed "TELL ME IT'S GUNNA BE FIBER FILL!"... imagine my glee! Oh, the simple joys...