wacky tacky Tunes: The Lucky Stars

Whether they accept it or not, every person in my family is musical; from drums to piano, guitar to saxophone, ukulele to cornet, accordion to singing and songwriting, music is in our bones.  When one of us finds a band or composition that we like (be it opera, Hawaiian, or Sousa March), it is a surefire guarantee that the rest of us will likely follow suit.  And while our musical tastes vary in the extreme, there is a collective memory and shared sentimentality that bind us musically.

An image of my maternal grandfather as a baby.
He rests on his father's knee alongside the guitar that
would inspire the musical future of his progeny.
(Oklahoma, approx. 1922-23)

Perhaps it is because our great-grandfather was an Okie guitar player (who according to family apochrypha, turned down an opportunity to play with the legendary Bob Wills), that one of our shared musical affinities is Western Swing and cowboy music.  As a native Californian of Yugoslavian descent who neither smokes, sleeps under starry skies, nor has ridden anything more bucking than a carousel bronco in the better part of three decades, I certainly make an unlikely cowboy.  Nevertheless, I know what I like and I love The Lucky Stars.  Needless to say, my whole family does too.

"Go To Town" - The Lucky Stars

Last weekend, in what can only be described as the best birthday present ever, Tiny & Mary were asked to open for The Lucky Stars at their "Go To Town" album-release party.  Fortunately, our pal, Kyle, of Ellison Studio photography was on hand to beautifully capture the moonlit magic as I was in much too much of a euphoric haze to even consider operating a camera.

Tiny & Mary
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio)

Accurately touted as "Hoolywood's full-bore, rompin', stompin' honky tonk outfit," The Lucky Stars are truly the best and most-accurate representation of honest-to-goodness Western Swing available today.  What makes them unparalleled, in our opinion, is their musical versatility.  With roots in punk, garage, rockabilly, jazz, and American vernacular music, and with a mastery of multiple instruments, members of the band bring a musical vocabulary so extensive and an ear so finely tuned that greatness is really the only option.

With guitarist, vocalist, and inimitable songwriter, Sage, at the reins,  The Lucky
Stars are definitely in good hands.  Wittily transforming Western story-telling into
a fine art via original tunes filled with the most clever lyrics, we've dubbed him
the Cole Porter of the prairie!
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio)

Dan, Dan the Fiddle Man will effortlessly switch between fiddle
and horn and back again...sometimes within the same song!
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio)

On drums and vocals, Pappy Stuckey always brings
the spirit of the old-timey greats to the bandstand!
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio)

Standard or steel, Russ is at home on on any guitar!
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio)

Wally might be able to hide in the shadow of his big bass fiddle but there
is no hiding the white-hot light of his playing under a proverbial bushel!
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio)

With the flexibility of the best improvisationalists, The Lucky Stars will always make room
for guest stars.  It is a particular thrill when the guest instrumentalist just happens to be play-
ing the undisputed king of wacky tacky instruments - the accordion!!!
(photo courtesy of Ellison Studio) 

Committed to an authentic sound that keeps dancers on their feet, The Lucky Stars transition seamlessly between classic covers and incredible original tunes.  Perpetuating the art of Western music, it is a great pleasure to experience a band whose sole agenda is putting joy in every note and a smile on every face!

"All Shapes and Sizes" - The Lucky Stars

You don't have to be a cowboy (rhinestone or otherwise) to appreciate The Lucky Stars.  All you need is a working set of ears and toes that tap in time!  With multiple members in multiple bands, coordinating The Lucky Stars can be quite the feat.  Playing myriad festivals at home and abroad, if you see that they are playing in a honky tonk near you don't walk, run to see The Lucky Stars!   The first time and every time you see this band perform, you'll find yourself wanting more; be sure to order a copy of their latest and greatest, "Go To Town."

You will thank your "lucky stars" you did!
(Source)

While you're feeling thankful, we too must thank Kyle of Ellison Studio for sharing his lovely images and unmatched photography skills.  Riding pretty high on the thrill of playing with our musical heroes, Tiny & Mary are still thanking our own lucky stars for The Lucky Stars!

theluckystars.com

ellisonstudio.com

The Lucky Stars on Facebook

Ellison Studio Photography on Facebook

Tiny & Mary on Facebook

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Tunes: "Shooting Star" Are GO!

If there is such a thing as the complete opposite of a sci-fi geek, then that is what I am.  Far too vast for my meager brain to even begin to comprehend, I have always hated space and all of its trappings.  Beyond appreciating the beauty of one that is twinkling/little or one that is falling, I have zero interest in "treks," "wars," or anything else that might have to do with stars.  Did I ever want to become an astronaut?  Nope.  Do I believe in aliens?  I try not to think about it.  Would I venture into space should something catastrophic happen to Earth?  Honestly, I would run head first into the catastrophe and leave the light years and light sabers to those more daring.

The only time I am challenged to question my own grumpy belief system is when space and science-fiction are infused with subjects much closer to my heart: 1960s pop music, celebrity cameos, and puppet portraiture!  After our entries into the world of puppetry, both peanut and paper bag, it is clear that wacky tacky is not only a participant, but a patron of the puppet arts; unfortunately, our puppetry efforts were preemptively put to shame by the creative geniuses at Thunderbirds.  In an extraordinary scene (see: rocket ship guitars, Jetson-esque bubble-top cars, exploding planets) from the feature film, Thunderbirds are GO, British pop star, Cliff Richard, and his band, The Shadows, make an unforgettable musical cameo appearance.

"Shooting Star" - Cliff Richard & The Shadows from Thunderbirds Are GO (1966)

Much like the final frontier that is space, the lyrics of "Shooting Star" are vaguely threatening and make very little sense to me.  But even in zero-gravity, this song, co-penned by the vocalist, has got a good beat and you can dance to it!

"Sometimes I feel you are cheating me.

Then you kiss me and my mind is free.

But then I think I should let you know

That I've got friends. So baby, listen to me.

CHORUS:

A shooting star will shoot you
And Mars will got to war.

The Man in the Moon will jump on you

If you don't love me no more.

I saw you in someone else's car.

You told me that he won't go too far.

That may be so, but you let him know

That I've got friends.  So baby, listen to me.

(CHORUS)

You tell me that I'm the man for you.

But you do things you should never do.

So now, hear this warning once again;

Yes, I've got friends. So baby, listen to me.

(CHORUS)

If you don't stop making me lose face,

I will have you put up there in space.

So, just do what I'm a-tellin' you,

'Cause I've got friends; baby listen to me."

Introduced in the clip as "the biggest star in the universe," it seems like there has to have been some small-print disclaimer that flashed across the screen, clarifying that the use of the word "universe" was used in specific reference to the flying, British space ranger, puppet universe.  Nevertheless, Cliff Richard has enjoyed a decades-long career in the UK, including a 1987 appearance on The Dame Edna Experience and a 1995 knighthood.  Should you somehow exist in a world without knowledge of Sir Cliff Richard's star power, here is one of his biggest hits, "Move It."

"Move It" - Cliff Richard & The Shadows (1960)

Instead of a country obsessed with winning the "Space Race," I'm thinking that I really should've been raised in earthbound Britain; I'm pretty sure their entire space program was the Thunderbirds.  A country that immortalizes its celebrities in marionette form, sounds like good people to me.

In an undeniable example of puppets who look like people who look
like puppets, we see Cliff Richard examining his marionette likeness.
(Source)

Hank Marvin of The Shadows playing "[Mini] Me & My Shadow."
(Source)

Are you a sci-fi fan?  Do you thrill over the Thunderbirds?  Would you like to be immortalized as a space-walking marionette?  I think I understand the lyrics to "Shooting Star," but just to be sure, could you please explain them to me?

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny


**p.s. While this post is definitely intended as a celebration of a musical puppet show rather than a man, it should be disclosed that Cliff Richard has been in the news lately for alleged, extremely-unsavory behavior.  At this time, we avoid passing judgment because wacky tacky is not a court of law, America has a firm belief that a man is innocent until proven guilty, and we really hope that any potential allegations are untrue.** 

wacky tacky Tunes: How Low Can You Go?

By its very definition a fad is ephemeral, lasting only a brief moment, quickly to be replaced by the next big thing.  To be sure, the Limbo lollapalooza reached its zenith in the early 1960s.  It is incredible, however, that this particular fad has enjoyed a staying power heretofore unexperienced by many other dance crazes.

It's as simple as that!!!
(Source)

As well as being the source for countless concussions and several segments on America's Funniest Home Videos, the Limbo continued to entertain my contemporaries at nearly every grade-school birthday party more than twenty years after its heyday.  With no knowledge of its origins or the identity of Chubby Checker, my theory that we enjoyed the Limbo at the hands of lazy parents who got out a broom and some old LPs and told us to "have fun," has the distinct ring of truth to it.  Maybe that's the secret to an enduring fad, setting the bar (both parenting AND Limbo) very low... 

Just a small sampling of '60s-era covers to Limbo albums

The physical manifestation of the 1950s calypso craze, Limbo dancing was born in Trinidad and made famous by "Limbo Queen," Julia Edwards.  Soon called to Hollywood, Edwards and her dance troupe brought the gravity-defying dance into the consciousness of the world via the Rita Hayworth/Robert Mitchum/Jack Lemmon vehicle, Fire Down Below (1957).

The undisputed Queen of Limbo, Julia Edwards
(Source)

In spite of the immodesty inherent in dancing the Limbo (even the most demure photos of vintage Limbo, when shot straight-on, were enough to make me blush), it wasn't long before everyone - and their mother - was trying to contort his or her body into the most unnatural positions with the expectation of somehow successfully writhing/scooching under a stick suspended mere inches off the ground.  Edwards quickly upped the Limbo ante by setting the Limbo Pole under which she danced alight - the Flaming Limbo!  Novelty tunes written to accompany such dramatic Limbo performances also caught on like wildfire.

"Limbo Song" - Frankie Anderson (1961)

"Ali Baba Limbo" - Lord Jayson & His Limbo Gang

"Limbo All de Way Home" - "Ivy" Pete & His Limbomaniacs (1963)

The most successful Limbo-themed composition was of course, "Limbo Rock," interpreted by many, perhaps most-famously by the King of American dance crazes, namely Chubby Checker.  My earliest memory of this song was in the Tilted Acres scene of John Waters' ode to '60s teenage dance culture, Hairspray.

"Limbo Rock" - Chubby Checker (1962)

"Limbo Rock" - The Champs (1962)
Is admitting that I like this version a little better a Limbo taboo?

With myriad other Limbo songs like "Limbo Wobble," "Papa Loves to Limbo," "Limbo and the Blues," "Limbo Man," "Out on a Limb-o," "Limbo for Lovers (what an incredible feat of strength and dexterity that would be)," and "Let There Be Limbo," it was obvious that Limbo was a full-fledged, bona fide fad.

"Limbo" - Nina & Frederick (1960)
Denmark's dynamic duo

"Let the Little Girl Limbo" - Doris Day (1963)

I love that at the end of the song, she throws down the Limbo gauntlet to Mr. Checker.

But when she says, "Look out, Chubby, here I come," I prefer to think that she's talking to me.

By the time a craze reaches both Denmark and Doris (as well as becoming The Hokey-Pokey's dance partner on almost every children's album ever made), you know it has reached cultural critical mass.  It's kind of like having Pat Boone cover a real rock 'n roll song - when the squares (this coming from a Doris Day devotee and hardcore danish -pastry- fan) were in, the coolness of the Limbo was on its way out.  Although as I've said, it never really went away; for decades now, children and drunken people the world over continue to bend themselves in half backward as they clumsily attempt to shimmy under a glorified mop handle.

All the kids may be back in school, but summer isn't officially over for at least two more weeks.  With plenty of Limbo time left, I must ask, do you Limbo?  How low can you go?  In the world of Limbo, the depth to which Mr. Tiny can lower himself knows no bounds; I have resigned myself to forever being just one of the people holding the Limbo Stick.

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Tunes: Fung Bo Bo-A-Go-Go

Far be it from me to toot my own proverbial horn, but it is not entirely uncommon for people to tell me that I am a good dancer (what else am I supposed to believe, having won my 5th-grade dance contest?!!).  It occurs to me, however, that there exists a slight possibility that I cut people off with an awkwardly-aggressive "thank you" before they can complete the thought; in hindsight, I'll concede that the likely conclusion to these compliments of my terpsichorean talents is, "for a white fella," or "for someone your size," or "for a guy suffering from your disorder."  That being said, I think enthusiasm counts for a lot, and I am nothing if not an enthusiastic dancer.

I'll really never know if I am a good dancer; until the terrorists capture me, forcing me to watch an endless loop of me hurling myself about the dance floor until I lapse into a psychedelic freak out à la Victoria Barkley in The Big Valley, I refuse to even think about what I look like in motion (my mom says I'm poetry personified).  I much prefer watching footage of legitimate dancers; this clip of one of Hong Kong cinema's biggest stars, Fung Bo Bo, might not be a psychedelic freak out, but it does give me everything I want from a choreographed, mid-tempo, 1960s, Eastern, movie-musical dance routine.

I think it's love!

There is something about summertime that brings me back to my first and true dance love - 60s party dances/go-go.  Giving all due credit to Candy Johnson and the perfection of the AIP beach party movies, summer makes me want to do my thing, be it Mashed Potato or Shing-a-ling!

Or even the Watusi!!!

Do you like '60s dances?  Is your dance style dictated by the season?  Are you the enthusiastic one who always gets the dancing started only to later realize that you're a real-life Elaine Benes?


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Tunes: Reg Kehoe & His Marimba Queens

For as much time as I fritter away writing this blog, I am actually terrible at using the internet to its full, time-wasting capacity; I can maneuver decently within the three or four websites on my bookmarks bar (which I only learned how to use within the last year) but the full possibilities continue to evade me.  It is a sad fact that I relate all too well with that senior citizen on the insurance commercial who saves time posting things directly to the wall of her living room and "unfriending" people face-to-face.  I regularly stare at the Google home page at a complete loss for what to do.  Furthermore, unless a newsworthy item or interesting bit of information appears in the "Top Stories" of my Facebook newsfeed, I am liable to stay completely uninformed.

Lucky for me, I had seen this little gem (part of a musical film short) as it made the rounds on social media; when a friend posted it directly to my wall, however, I knew I had to share it here.  Without even listening, I could see that between the maracas, the bevy of matching '40s gowns, an enthusiastic bass player, and a whole mess of marimbas, this was a surefire hit!  I needed a pick-me-up this week and this definitely did the trick!

"A Study in Brown" - Reg Kehoe & His Marimba Queens get HOT!!!

(See the entire film short here.)

Reg Kehoe & His Marimba Queens was a Pennsylvania-based novelty band that spent nearly two decades touring in the midwest and eastern United States.  After watching this video about one-thousand times, I was, of course, dying to find more.  Unfortunately, it appears that this performance of "A Study in Brown" was the only remaining film footage of Reg and the gang.  Well, thank heavens that it does remain - and thank heavens for internet-savvy friends!

I was so thrilled by the Marimba Queens and the frenzied, bass-slapping stylings of Frank DeNunzio, that I made a promise I really couldn't keep; I swore that I could listen to this song all day, every day, for the rest of my days.  Surely, I wouldn't want to be held to that promise; I need more than the magical musicality of the marimba.  Nevertheless, along with "Holiday for Strings," "Jaan Pehechaan Ho," and the works of Leroy Anderson, Reg Kehoe's "A Study in Brown" really rounds out the wacky tacky soundtrack-y! 

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Tunes: Koi Suru Fortune Cookie

We're baaaack!!!  We had an incredible time in Japan traveling to four cities, visiting friends and family, and riding trains, planes, automobiles, subways, boats, roller coasters, and easily one-and-a-half million feet of escalators and moving walkways.  I have so much to report but I must start the telling of our adventures with a confession.

I will confess that, by the end of our recent trip to Japan, I half expected to become some sort of national celebrity.  After all, what could Japan love more than a dashing, bespectacled American with all the charm of Mr. Grant, all the talent of Mr. Astaire, all the heft of Mr. Arbuckle, all the timeless, good looks of Mr. Mortimer Snerd, and a collection of homemade, monster sweatshirts?  I was ready to be a star!

Talk about delusional...

Sadly, I don't think the people of Japan are looking for American culture in its Tiny-est purest form; instead they are looking for American culture refracted through a finely-crafted Japanese lens.  I am no expert on Japanese pop music, or "J-Pop" as the kids like to call it, but I was slightly surprised by the latest craze sweeping the island nation, namely "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" by the Tokyo-based, fan-driven, 88-member (and counting), girl group, AKB48.

A small selection of AKB48's membership.

A generic disco track with candy coated lyrics and English phrases like "Come on, come on, come on, come on, baby," the "Fortune Cookie" song is indicative of most J-Pop: non-ironic, choreographed anthems with the kind of vocal stylings America hasn't heard since Christmas with The Chipmunks.

"Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" - AKB48

It was obvious from this great display of extreme talent that I just could not hope to compete.

I'm not kidding; they are so huge that they have their own restaurant... 

If we couldn't be pop stars or have our own prime-time, Japanese television program or an eponymous "cafe & shop," I thought that, at the very least, our likenesses would be featured very much like those of the dancing travelers in the above video (see 1:59).  I may not have the build of a dancer but dang it, I can mooove!!!

Despite the characterizations depicted thus, the people of Japan are beyond reticent to commence dancing and frolicking in the street.  In fact, my every attempt to just that was met with looks less quizzical than completely disdainful.  The notable exceptions being our Japanese sister, Nami, and her new husband, Masa, who used both the AKB48 song and its accompanying dance routine in their wedding video.  In fact, Nami not only did nothing to dismiss, she even encouraged our impromptu dance recital in the grocery store of the Aeon Mall.

"The Syncopated Clock" - Leroy Anderson

For the first half of the day, this song plays over and over and over again;

grocery shopping is FUN in Japan!

Wanting to impress family, friends, and the Japanese public, Mary not only practiced her grocery store moves; she attempted the AKB48 choreography as well.

Mary, Nami, and Masa perform the "Fortune Cookie" dance.

After hearing "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" in the wedding video, the streets of Nagoya, a karaoke club, hotel lobbies, Tokyo food courts, and in my head on a never-ending, two-week loop, I have come to appreciate the song...it is pretty catchy.  I guess I kind of miss Japan already.

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. Please stay tuned for the rest of our Japan trip and some Halloween fun as well!!!

wacky tacky Tunes: Holiday for Strings

Do you have a song that is "your song?"  I don't mean a song for you and your steady; I mean an anthem just for you, a personal alma mater, the lead song on the soundtrack to your life.  Call me strange, but I feel like my life has been scored by a great composer.  Even when times are tough, when every song is written in a minor key, and when Chopin's "Funeral March" seems the most thematically-appropriate, music is ever present.  

  

Chopin's "Funeral March"

It is during those difficult phases when it is absolutely imperative to remind myself that a single-note soundtrack would never work and I look to the overriding tone of my soundtrack - joy, excitement, and an irrepressible weirdness.  I've always known that wacky tacky had a theme song because it is the very theme song for Mr. Tiny's life.

(Source)

"Holiday for Strings" - David Rose & His Orchestra (1944)

"Holiday for Strings," one of the most famous works by legendary Hollywood composer, David Rose, has always made me happy.  To some it is understandably frantic, odd, and maybe even annoying.  To me, it is euphonious ecstasy.  I am encouraged and inspired by the song's obvious optimism and bolstered by the brightness of its carefree motif.  It is a fact that I have never met a version of "Holiday for Strings" that I did not like.

"Holiday for Strings" - Spike Jones & His City Slickers

"Holiday for Strings" - Living Strings

"Holiday for Strings" - The Lawrence Welk Show (1978)

Perhaps my very favorite arrangement of "Holiday for Strings" is one in which strings ironically play a very incidental role.  

"Holiday for Strings" - The Voices of Walter Schumann

It is no small wonder that my theme song was penned by the same genius who wrote one of my other favorite songs (tracks 3, 5, and 9 on "wacky tacky: The Life & Times of Mr. Tiny" the original cast album) - "The Stripper."

"The Stripper" - David Rose & His Orchestra (1957)

So the questions bears repeating.  Do you have a song that is "your song?"  If you were forced to create a soundtrack for your story, what would the lead song be?  As you ponder these questions, just hit repeat one more time, and imagine your own string-filled holiday.  If you're anything like me, you'll need/enjoy the pick-me-up!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s.  Don't forget to like us on our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram @wacky_tacky.  Thanks!

There's No Business Like Show Business, From What I've Heard

So here's something wacky for you.  A couple of weeks ago, Like an episode straight out of "I Love Lucy," Mr. Tiny joined show business!  I've been involved in the business world for years - primarily monkey, but this was a real star turn.  True, I have had my brushes with fame.  I've been told repeatedly over the phone that I could be a voice-double for Robert Downey, Jr. (by the same person, sort of a phone stalker who was more than likely deaf).  I've met Hollywood A-Listers like Alice Cooper, Kurt Russell, and Butch Patrick.  I have been paid to dance, act, model, but this was the big time - real show business.

 Proof
Ashley, Alice, Mr. Tiny, and Richard (l to r)

About a month ago, Mary was asked to perform a show down in San Diego at The Tin Can Ale House.  Mary is a Wild Records artist so she is entirely accustomed to the smell of grease paint, the glare of flashbulbs, and the bright lights.  I, on the other hand, am a hopeless rube, a bumpkin by the standards of slick, big-city, show folk.  Fortunately, it was a cowboy/honky tonk show, so I fit right in.

The mural on the front of The Tin Can Ale House is pretty darn cool.

Mary & Mr. Tiny (photo courtesy of Sarah Drake)
Maybe sitting wasn't the most flattering position to take.

Strangely, the pure and unadulterated hatred that I have for the sound of my own voice has never stopped me from singing  - or talking for that matter (although I might reconsider after barely making it through a brief review of these videos that a friend was sadistic kind enough to shoot).  Even more strange was the generally-positive response we received for our set.  Here are a couple of the songs (including a Mr. Tiny original) that we performed.  Please, be kind, it was our very first show!

"Someday"

written by Jimmie Hodges 

performed by Mary & Mr. Tiny

"Wagon Wheel"

written and performed by Mr. Tiny and Mary

I was dreading the performance on our way down to San Diego, mostly because I felt weird that I would just be there singing while Mary did all of the heavy lifting (guitar, song writer, vocalist), but I ended up having a lot of fun!  We even tried our best to include some witty banter in between songs.  The wittiness of the banter is widely open for debate, but I think we did a pretty good job, all things considered.

I'm tellin' ya, it was the real deal.
We got drink tickets (wasted on non-drinkers, like ourselves) and everything.
We even got paid; although Mary has yet to fork over my half of the loot!

I'm doing my best to have a good attitude and accept the challenges and opportunities that come my way.  Hopefully, this was the first of many fun times and exciting adventures ahead!  After all, how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen SD?


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Swing! Sister, Swing!

Why is it that all-girl bands have always been such a novelty?  Even today, outside of a classical, string quartet, we still tend to be somewhat suspect of a group of "girls" taking to the stage to perform.  Why?  I wonder.  Far be it from me to get into a serious discussion of sexual politics as they relate to the history of music; wacky tacky seldom invites such serious, thought-provoking, and potentially polarizing discourse.  However, I have a sister that has more musical talent in her little finger than most people have in their whole body and I know plenty more women who are solid senders.  And yet, there is something inherently fascinating and incredibly wacky tacky about a bandstand filled with women.  Every time I see old footage of a woman playing a saxophone, I wonder about her history and what inspired her to take up that particular instrument. 

The 1920's, 30's, and 40's saw a particular surge in all-female orchestras and while they may have never made a name as famous as their male counterparts, they had the drive and the musicianship to create some crazy rhythms.  One thing is for sure, these women took the charge to "Hurry up and send me; let me go to town," very seriously.

THE INGENUES

Musical medley from "Band Beautiful"

The Ingenues (1928)

"Can't Help Lovin' that Man of Mine"

The Ingenues (1929)

RITA RIO

"Feed the Kitty"

Rita Rio & Her Mistresses of Rhythm

Rita Rio (1939)

"I Cried for You"

Rita Rio

ADA LEONARD

Ada Leonard (1943)

THELMA WHITE

"Choo Choo"

Thelma White

The biggest take away from these clips for me is not the fact that there have always been talented female musicians, but rather the amazing vitality, pep, and perpetual motion of the band leaders.  You couldn't count on Tommy Dorsey to do much more than wave his baton or swing his trombone in a circular motion.  For Rita, Thelma, and Ada, the dance was all part of the show.

Truth be told, some of these orchestras were little more than publicity gimmicks.  Apparently, Thelma White was an actress who was handed a baton and miles of fringe and told to get groovy for the cameras.  Nevertheless, all-female orchestras existed and exhausted themselves in an effort to put out great music and put on a great show!

It is obvious that these bands were the inspiration for "Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopators" from the 1959 film Some Like it Hot, so we just couldn't resist including a little boop-boop-a-doop.

"I Wanna Be Loved by You"
Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopaters
Some Like it Hot (1959)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Gumnaam! Gesundheit!!

As I go to bed considering the beginning of another week, I am saying a small prayer and hoping that I will wake up to this instead of another Monday morning at my job.

"Jaan Pehechaan Ho" - Gumnaam (1965)

I have never been a huge Bollywood fan but I have been converted - thank you Phil Moscowitz!!  At this point, this clip has pretty much all that I am asking for out of life.  However, if I can't have this crazy, dance party in waking life, I will definitely settle for sweet and swingin' dreams!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. How's that for short & sweet?

wacky tacky tunes: Get Some! Thee Cormans LP!!!

Do you like things that are spooky?  Well, do you?  Not spooky like Jonathan Winters-on-Scooby-Doo spooky, but spooky like the guy-sitting-next-to-you-on-the-bus-that-keeps-trying-to-bite-his-own-face spooky.  If the answer is yes, then you will love Thee Cormans.  You might remember our previous blog post about Thee Cormans, the official, undisputed champions of the surf/garage/biker/trash/fuzz/morbidly-obese music scene.  In said post we mentioned a forthcoming LP from In the Red Records.  Well, for your listening displeasure, the record is finally here!

The album cover
Cover design by Nick of Tugboat Studios & I am not an Artist

The record comes complete with chilling sound effects.  Even more chilling are the faces beneath the masks!  I guess that because The Cormans are now "legit" and have gone all "corpo," I am unable to post any tracks from the new album*, so you'll just have to take my word for it - this record is probably the closest thing most of you will have to an out-of-body experience.  It is a wave of solid sound.  It is a fuzz-filled nightmare.  It is an euphonic paroxysm.  In other words, it's loud and a little raunchy, but it's got a good beat and you can dance to it.

The cover with the standard and limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark vinyl

Sorry suckers, the glow-in-the-dark vinyl (in all its luminescent glory) is SOLD OUT!!!

The collectible, monster poster included in the record sleeve.

It might be a Halloween record, but I understand that it makes a great Hanukkah gift as well!  Imagine getting it for all eight days!!!!  The record even includes a code so one can download the music from the In the Red website for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Order your copy today!

Stay tuned, Thee Cormans may be coming to your town!

If you need further persuasion that this is the best album you'll ever buy, I asked my grandma what she thought about the record and she said, "Yeah, it's pretty spook-tacular."  Enough said.

Be sure to check out the following for more art and info:

Thee Cormans Facebook page
Tugboat Studios Facebook Page
I am Not an Artist Tumblr
In the Red Records

* I have subsequently discovered that I must amend the above statement slightly.  It appears that you may follow this link to hear a couple of Thee Cormans latest tracks!

In case you were wondering, I receive absolutely no remuneration for my endorsement of Thee Cormans or In the Red Records - trust me, those sons of guns just won't give.  Just do yourself a favor and listen.


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky tunes: Makin' Whoopee! The Music of Janet Klein

(Source)

I have worn out the pages in my dog-eared dictionary of superlatives by rhapsodizing about Janet Klein.  Now, left with a serious case of writer's block, I find myself unable to fully express just how wonderful she is. You have probably seen Janet's name mentioned in this blog more than a few times as fashion inspiration, chanteuse, cultural icon, artist and keeper of our collective history, but until now I have never made her the feature of a post.  Janet Klein, of Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys, is a bundle of charm and she works like a tonic on the burdens of this weary, workaday world.  Known for her unique, yet faithful, renditions of "Lovely, naughty, and obscure music of the 1910's, 20's and 30's," Janet is pitch perfect in recreating the music, the style and the joy of those bygone eras.  If, by some unfortunate circumstance, you are as of yet unaware of Ms. Klein, the best introduction to her world is through her performance.

"Yiddish Hula Boy" - Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys

Janet is well known for her yiddish, novelty numbers but her vast repertoire includes everything from Tin Pan Alley tunes to bawdy, British dance hall favorites and even Parisian chansons.

Janet is even a special feature on The Jerk DVD!

Here she gives a ukulele lesson and sings

 "Tonight You Belong to Me."

The best way to experience the music of Janet Klein is, of course, to see a live show.  Fortunately, for Southern California residents, she performs regularly and nary a month passes without several opportunities to experience some "whoopee, hey hey!"  A wonderful thing about the band is that the Parlor Boys consist of a rotating group of expert, multiple-instrument-playing musicians so the sound is always wonderful and always fresh.  The roster of Parlor Boys is extensive and includes musical heavyweights such as Ian Whitcomb, Marquis Howell, Jeremy Wakefield, Randy Woltz, Tom Marion, Dan Weinstein, John Reynolds and many more!  The vibe at the shows is playful, fun and usually makes one feel like a special guest at an old-timey jam session.

The above photos were taken in Hollywood at The Steve Allen Theater where Janet and the boys are resident performers.  The evening's entertainment always includes film rarities in the form of musical-shorts and cartoons presented by cartoon/film historian Jerry Beck.  It is a great night and I am in attendance as often as possible.

A few pics of Mary & Janet from past events.

As you can see, Janet is a woman of great style and embodies the spirit of wacky tacky through her clever use of vintage and custom-made pieces to create her signature look.  Her collection of clothing is really legendary and is known to include pieces once owned by Jean Harlow!

Janet's iconic look includes her signature bob, a ukulele
and the petit bouquets of flowers in her hair.
(Source)

My absolute favorite thing about Janet Klein is that she is a truly nice human being - what you see on stage is what you get.  She is sweet and genuine and the only emotional option when in her presence, listening to her music or at one of her shows is pure joy.

The gang celebrating Janet's birthday at The Castle Green in Pasadena, CA

There are so many great songs and pictures, this could turn into the world's longest blog.  Thus, I'll share just a small sampling that is sure to leave you with tapping toes and a light heart!

"You're Undecided Now" - Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys

"Do the Raccoon" - Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys

"Just Whistle and Blow Your Blues Away" - Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys

Lose your blues!!  Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys appear monthly at The Steve Allen Theater, regularly at Backstage at the Coffee Gallery in Altadena and many other venues around town; to purchase recordings and find out more about her band, art, poetry, and upcoming performances, please visit Janet's website and "like" her on Facebook.

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny