It's almost time for Thanksgiving which means it's almost time to visit with relatives whom you wonder how in heck are you related to them and to pig out on turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry, rolls, and probably some strange casserole that one of your relatives concocted. Last year, I posted a tape to help you in hunting down turkeys because I thought it would be a good idea to catch your own turkey (I still do think that's a good idea). Unfortunately, I do not have anything else on hand to aid you in hunting a turkey. Instead I'll post something that qualifies as a turkey (a different kind, of course, not the delicious and edible bird). This item is Tom Wopat's (a.k.a. Luke Duke) debut album which is a slick slab of country-pop. This LP interested me only because Tom Wopat was one of the leading co-stars on The Dukes of Hazard, a show I watched as a child. I have to admit I am still fond of this television show. Before I wrote this post, I learned with a little astonishment that Tom Wopat is still releasing albums now with uptown jazz and showtunes and he is acting in Broadway plays. It's hard for me to picture him as a urbane sophisticated Broadway crooner as I've always seen him as a roughneck (yet sensitive) always either being chased by law enforcement on dusty back roads or just crusing along in the Dodge Charger jumping over something as this LP may show. For some reason, I've always thought he was like that in real life. Anyway, enjoy this turkey (if you can) and hope that you have a good Thanksgiving and a delicious real turkey (even if you bought it at the grocery store ;) ). I'll be back sometime next week with more posts.
band members (no mention of which instruments are played by which individual):
Ben Hofmann John Ganz Mark Junglen Randy Turnquist
I acquired a copy of this CD at the latest library sale along with a truckload of solo piano LPs and nature sounds cassettes. As one can tell from the title of this album, it is a "rock opera" about a fetus that receives a warning from a dream that its mother is about to abort it. Somehow the fetus escapes its mother's womb and goes on to live in the world. The fetus lives through struggles to fend for itself as most born human beings do by trying to procure food and shelter. Later, the fetus somehow becomes prosperous and draws people to follow him. The fetus ascends to be president, but its position at the top does not last long as the world comes crashing down. There is very little info about this band in cyberspace. However, I learned that Mark Junglen is the fellow who is the leader of this band and owner of the label Big Ball Records that released this rock opera. Big Ball Records is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the hub of fundamental conservative Christianity. An excerpt from some magazine is included in the liner notes that describes the band's sound as "Neil Young meets Minor Threat." I'll let you, the visitors, be the judge of that. The liner notes also offer a little bit more info: This disc is made for demonstration purposes on a limited budget and time to show the raw power of Former Fetus. If you can hear potential in a full production of this rock opera, realize ... this is our 4th album length set . . . we have THREEmore sets of melodies as rampaging and powerful as this one.
The back cover has brief notes for each song and are included in the tracklisting below.
Tracklisting: (link will be back soon)
1. Overture{1:03} A Fetus, in the womb
2. Former Fetus{2:45} Fetus becomes aware. A dream tells it's about to be aborted from its mother.
3. I'm Free{2:45} The fetus escapes from the womb, wondering, into the world, he flees his death.
4. Live & Nesting{2:52} Quietly into the world he blends, while fending for himself a creature's comfort. He grows strong and intelligent.
5. Under the Bridge{3:04} Coming of age and completely alone.
6. Twilight Zone{2:21} Former Fetus is propserous, has fame, and in the end, is a great leader.
7. I'm a Mom{3:40} As you may have wondered why our hero was going to be done in.
8. Love{3:54} Has our little guy finally found some peace and comfort?
9. After the Rapture{3:05} His wistful taste of Love has been taken along with what good there was in the world.
10. Acoustic Nerve{2:00} Not having been born, the Former Fetus is the only conscious being, scorned and left to witness the terror.
Since this is a blog mostly about audio materials and the distribution of said audio materials and also recently being inspired by the new and worthy blog Stereofound, a post here in the Basement to test your playback system is overdue. This LP includes test tones, signals, and bits of classical music such as the staple "Sabre Dance" that seems to show up on every stereo or audio playback system test record. There may be more of these playback stereo test records posted in the future as I find these types of records interesting. I also want to help ensure that your playback systems work, of course.
People are losers in life because they do not have any drive or motivation to succeed. That is what Bob Conklin says on this LP. We should care what Bob Conklin says because not only is he successful enough in life to put out a motivational LP about motivation but he rose from a college graduate to a vice president and general sales manager of one of the nation's outstanding real estate companies in a short amount of time. That's what the liner notes say including the part where the real estate company is outstanding.
Not only did Bob Conklin accomplish that. He also built a sales force he directed (125 full time salesmen, six branch offices, six sales managers and somehow found the time to become a teacher in the Minneapolis Public School Education program. Wait, there's more. He is or was a nationally known speaker giving around 50 presentations a year. He was named the 1959 "Man of the Year" given each year by Minneapolis Sales Executives to the man making the greatest contribution to convincing people in Minneapolis and the surrounding area to consume stuff they likely won't need. To impress all of you even more, Bob Conklin was Member of the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Board of Realtors and President of the Minneapolis Sales Executives.
Bob was a busy man and I have not even gotten to the part where Bob spends his spare time studying motivation of businessmen, thinking about motivation, and developing The Key to Motivation that is based on his research.
Now to quote the rest of the liner notes:
MOTIVATION - day-to-day - drive . . . energy . . . enthusiasm . . , CAN BE DEVELOPED!
... as you will realize when you open the door on this vast new insight of life and work - "The Key to Motivation!" Hold it there. Before we get any further, I now have found another E in my E's that are the key to life success that I developed in the Neil Brahe post: energy. So it is now the three Es to life success: enthusiasm, energy and excellence.
Here is a dramatic new perspective of YOU . . . and a refreshingly different design for the foundation of your personal growth and improvement . . .
Here is a creative program conceived for the millions and millions of people who are dedicating their lives to service . . . and purpose . . . and loved ones . . .
For these people . . . the understanding and application of these principles of motivation will mean . . .
New vitality . . . energy . . . productive power. Elimination of negative thinking . . . boredom . . . retarding forces . . . frustration . . . futility. An insulation against the devastating effects of criticism, complaints, envy. A new pleasantness, new feelings of satisfaction, progress, achievement. A discovery of new YOU . . . meant to live a purposeful, exhilarating life. Tracklisting:
Side 1
1. Motivation is Believing {5:02} with an introduction by Bob Richards, an athlete who won two gold medals for pole vaulting in the Olympics and ran for President in some far-right wing party in 1984
Zendik Orgaztra - Dance of the Cozmic Warriorz originally released in 1988; reissued on cassette in 1999
I found this cassette at one of my favorite locally-owned thrift stores while searching for rare Indonesian cassettes and motivational and religious records. Being not familiar with this band, I was intrigued by the psychedelic black-and-white cover, album title, and the song titles on the back. Surely, something with song titles such as "Let's Get Stoned" and "Inzanity" would be worth taking a chance on. After all, the asking price was only 79 cents plus tax. I paid for my purchase and went to pop this in the cassette player in my car. (Yes, I still do have a tape player in my car, cause I'm cool like that.) I'm happy to say I got more than my money's worth from this collection of psychedlic acid-rock music.
This is loaded with guitar fuzz and vocal poetry and chants by someone named Wulf (that is the correct spelling of his name) who is the leader of this band. I looked up this guy and he has led an interesting life. Wulf Zendik wrote poetry, novels, and hung around with folks such as Allen Ginsberg and Anais Nin. He met up with someone named Arol, another artist, during the 1960s. In 1969, wanting to maintain their artistic integrity in a world dominated by commercialism, they founded Zendik Farm, an artists' collective that is still around to this day. Wulf was even more creative at Zendik Farm where he continued to write and also create and record music on albums such as this one.
Today is Halloween or the holiday to celebrate Satan according to somepeople so I am bringing The Satanic Mass. It is not often that we hear from the other side. I found this somewhere in the deep abyss of the world wide web. As the cover says, The Satanic Mass was recorded live at the Church of Satan. Anton LaVey founded the Church of Satan on April 30, 1966 (which is the same day as Walpurgisnacht). He presides over the proceedings on this record. He is obviously the real deal unlike someone I know. This originally came out on LP then was reissued on CD in the mid 1990s with a bonus track ("Hymn of the Satanic Empire/Battle Hymn of the Apocalypse"). (Note: the bonus track has a silent gap between the 5:45 and 9:18 mark.)I do not know if what I found was a rip from an LP copy and the bonus track added or if the reissue was itself recorded from a vinyl copy, but the tracks except the last are ripped from vinyl. The first track "The Satanic Mass" is a recording of a Satanic ritual. Tracks 2 thru 7 are recordings of LaVey reading excerpts from his book The Satanic Bible accompanied by pieces of classical music. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!
Tracklisting:(link may be back soon)
1. The Satanic Mass {19:48}
2. Prologue {2:43}
3. Book of Satan Verse I {2:43}
4. Book of Satan Verse II {3:26}
5. Book of Satan Verse III {2:56}
6. Book of Satan Verse IV {1:47}
7. Book of Satan Verse V {2:53}
8. Hymn of the Satanic Empire/Battle Hymn of the Apocalypse {13:20}
Neil Brahe - The Magic Power of Enthusiasm in Dental Practice
* special thanks to yragentman for providing this LP
This LP should be mandatory listening for all dentists and anyone else in the dental/oral hygiene profession. The American Dental Association (ADA) should be promoting this. (If you live outside of the USA, you'll have to look up your country's dental association and tell them about this record.) The last few times I went to the dentist, there was not any enthusiasm projected by the dentist or any of the staff. My dental appointments were dreadful experiences. It does not help that I have a fear of dentists just as some people have a fear of spiders and clowns. If dentists and their assistants displayed more enthusiasm, the experience at the dentist would be more bearable.
Somewhat surprisingly, there is no information about this record or about Neil Brahe. The record does not include any liner notes. It is known that Neil Brahe is or was a dentist. There are so many questions that need answering. What is Neil Brahe's background? Why did he decide to become a dentist? How did he develop enthusiasm? What is Neil's favorite movie? Is he still alive? I searched his name in the world's most famous search engine and none of the sites retrieved offer any background information on Neil Brahe. However, there are some profiles of dentists retreieved who are members of the Neil Brahe Study Club. What is the story behind the Neil Brahe Study Club? What is the Neil Brahe Study Club? Just when you think there are answers found, more questions are found instead.
After listening to this LP, I suddenly felt more enthusiastic. No doubt you will too after listening. In fact, I should strive to have more enthusiasm every day. If I demand enthusiasm from people doing some sort of procedures in my mouth, it is only fair that I should be enthusiastic myself. Come to think of it, everybody in all walks of life should be more enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is a major ingredient that leads to excellence. Yes, I have found the two Es that are the key to success in life: enthusiasm and excellence. For instance, this blog is a result of the two Es. I'm sure there are more Es, and I'll write them down when I find them. You do not have to be in dental practice to listen to this LP as the magic power of enthusiasm is there to be given to you. Will you accept this gift or are you going to be a sad lonely pathetic soul the rest of your life?*
Tracklisting:(link will be back soon)
Side 1
1. The Magic Power of Enthusiasm in Dental Practice {21:52}
Side 2
1. The Magic Power of Enthusiasm in Dental Practice continued {23:41}
*If you're in the dental profession and your answer to the former question is no and your answer to the latter question is yes, please let me know by leaving your name and/or the name of the dentist(s) you work for so I can avoid you. Thanks in advance.
Mike Warnke - A Christian Perspective on Halloween
LP released in 1979
From the liner notes:
A Christian Perspective on Halloween was produced as a one hour radio show broadcasted initially on approximately 1,000 stations nationwide. It is a documentary providing historical background on the origin of Halloween, current information on the significance given it by members of occult groups, and, suggestions for alternative celebrations. Those who know Mike Warnke as a comedian should not expect this album to be humorous. It is genuinely captivating and we believe it will provide helpful information on Halloween and answer questions some people have regarding Mike's past. Though it was not at first our intention to make the show available except by radio, requests have been sufficient to make possible this public offering. We have preserved a radio show format as much as possible. Our special thanks to WWGM radio in Nashville, Tennessee, where this program was recorded and first aired, and to Benton White who was then program director.
Read more in the comments about Mike's real background. Tracklisting:
Walter Martin was a preacher whose expertise are cults and the occult. He appeared to have put out a lot of recordings preaching about these subjects. I stumbled upon a tape where this lecture was dubbed. Walter believes that the occult is evil (it's all really Satan worship, right) and he explains that an increasing amount of people are believing in the occult. He fears that the occult will influence more people than his religion which explains this recording's title. It probably was recorded during the early-to-mid 1970s. What I most remember from this recording other than Walter's explanation of the occult are Walter's tales of encountering girls being possessed by demons and contacting Bible-hating spirits through Ouija boards. It's another educational recording for the family here in the Basement.
I found this fine artifact of kitsch in a Goodwill thrift store. What drew my interest was that this has covers of 2 of my all-time favorite pieces of music, "Popcorn" and "Telstar". The originals are still better as I did not expect Apollo 100's performances to top the originals anyway, but they are still worth the one buck I spent. I also enjoyed the electric guitar or electric sitar sounds or whatever was modified on the track "Valleys". I think that this is the best track on the album and alone could also be worth the dollar spent.
Apollo 100 has released several albums consisting of reworkings of classical music and pop hits of the day. The liner notes tell me that Apollo 100 is "comprised of the cream of Britain's recording studio musicians" and the man leading Apollo 100 is "Tom Parker, a brilliant young arranger-musician." The music is described as the "basic chamber music sound with overtones of contemporary rock." More info: "Parker and Apollo 100 succeeded in capturing the imagination of record buyers everywhere with one of their very first singles releases, 'Joy' (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring from J. S. Bach's Cantata 147). This album, Apollo 100's second, offers a program featuring old favorites dressed in new form by Beethoven, Chopin and Rossini; plus three exciting originals and the group's unique versions of the current favorites "Nutrocker" (Tchaikovsky revisited), "Amazing Grace," "Telstar" and "Popcorn."
Dennis Coffey and The Detroit Guitar Band - Electric Coffey
LP released in 1972
Credits:
Dennis Coffey - guitars Andrew Smith - drums Bob Babbit - bass Eric Morgeson - keyboards Jack Ashford - percussion Eddy (Bongo) Brown - percussion
Produced by Mike Theodore Arrangements by Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey
Recorded at GM Recording, Detroit Milan Bogden - engineer
Guitar Band--electric guitars used to play all the horn and string parts
I bought a copy of this LP over a year ago at a Value Village thrift store for only a dollar plus tax. I think it goes to show that occasionally some good stuff shows up at the thrift stores even in the age of eBay.I was not actually familiar with Dennis Coffey before I bought this LP, but I unknowingly have heard his music before in the form of samples done by Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and other hip-hop artists. Dennis Coffey was a session player on several hit records on Motown and other labels. Meanwhile, he recorded a few albums in the early 1970s. These psych-funk albums are notable as treasure troves for samples as already indicated. Coffey had a single, "Scorpio", from his first album Evolution, chart in the top 40. Electric Coffey was his third album I believe. As already mentioned, the electric guitar is emphasized and overdubbed as it is used for parts usually played by string instruments and horns. That unique sound mixed in among funky drum breaks and excellent playing and production is what makes this LP a wonderful find.
I found this LP at an antique store several years ago. I was really thrilled with the find as I was hunting for any ol 1960s or 1970s Moog or other synth LPs, hoping to nab at least a few no matter how cheesy or absurd they are. Recently, I came upon this in my collection when I was going through my LP collection to pick which LPs I wanted to purge. No, this did not go in the purge pile. It has been years since I heard it and decided to give this another spin. At the same time this LP was spun, it was ripped to my hard drive.
Basically, this LP is a collection of covers of hit songs from the late 1960s from the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Zombies, The Fifth Dimension, The Beatles, etc. The instruments used are only a Moog (as you can figure out from the title) and real drums. Of course, these covers are more fun to listen to than the originals. Producer Norman Dolph, who wrote the liner notes, wants to emphasize that "the music is human music, and, most important, it is music, not Moog effects" and "this album is supposed to be a chuckle." It certainly is and it rocks.
Here's a video to commemorate the start of school here in America. Gary "Moses" Bowman is a preacher who likes to visit college campuses in Arkansas, Oklahoma and in other states in the South. Occasionally, he is also known as Preacher Bob. Usually, Moses warns the young college students that not only are they going to Hell, but that there is no hope for them to change their destiny, no salvation; their destiny is Hell, Moses tells them. Depending on circumstances, students could get a potential double whammy, hell on Earth in the form of student loan repayments because the college presidents and trustees or regents want to jack up tuition and eternity spent in the lake of fire. If you're in a fraternity or sorority or wear shorts or skirts, you're headed straight for Hell. If you accept evolution, you're also headed for Hell. Yes, Moses likes to dispense his version of the truth and make people angry. Gary Moses Bowman sings and dances while telling college students their futures are bleak. In this video, he does just that. I like the way he uses his whistle in between his singing as if the whistle is another vocal device aside from his voice. Maybe he should go on America's Got Talent or record an album so that it could be featured in the next incarnaton of 365 Days Project. At the beginning if the video, Moses sings about how evolution is spiritual pollution then sings another song at the end about how evolution caused the Virginia Tech shooting two years ago. In between his performances, he preaches about the moon and the Earth's "real age". Yes, he uses his whistle while preaching.
I usually do not post videos. In fact, this is actually the first time in my life that I've embedded a video in a blog. I've wanted to do this as I suppose I haven't really lived until I've embedded a You Tube video.I think this is a good first choice.
Howard Loy - How to Stop Smoking Without Using Willpower
Here's another quit-smoking record. What makes this one different from the others is that you don't have to use willpower to quit smoking. That's what the title says. I'm sure that this is the one that will work this time and no more money will be put in the pockets of tobacco companies. Smoking is not a physical addiction, it is a learned habit that can be unlearned, the liner notes assert. (Right.) The techniques, lessons and exercises have been created by some guy named Howard Loy. This LP includes a couple of celebrity endorsements by Joanne Woodward and Richard Basehart. They also appear on the LP's introduction. About the celebrities, I know Joanne Woodward is Paul Newman's wife and I never heard of Richard Basehart until I bought this LP at one of the Salvation Army thrift stores. Since I started school and a new job (yes, I finally am no longer a lazy food-stamp-carrying bum sucking up welfare from the guvment, perhaps now I will become a successful person using the lessons I learned from my collection of Success Motivation Institute records), I no longer have much free time. I did not get to look up more info on Richard Basehart.
About Howard Loy from the liner notes:
Howard Loy is one of the pioneers in the technique of subconscious teaching.
He first became interested in the application of this technique while on the supervisory staff of NAOP - Narcotic Addict Out-patient Program for the State of California.
The techniques he developed over months of research have been employed by over 3,000 people with success recorded in 87% of the cases.
Among those who have taken the course are many of Hollywood's leading personalities. (Maybe there's a few even I've heard of.)
Mr. Loy earned his BA degree and his Master's degree in psychology at Pepperdine College. He is a family counselor, a child counselor and a member of the psychology staff at Glendale College in Southern California.
An important piece of advice from the liner notes for those serious about quitting smoking: How to Stop Smoking Without Using Willpower consists of a program of four lessons and two exercises. They are planned and scheduled in the manner best suited to helping you reprogram the data in your subconscious.Follow the schedule as indicated here. Do not skip ahead. It will only end up confusing you.Richard Basehart CommentIntroduction: Howard LoyJoanne Woodward Comment
FIRST DAY: Lesson #1, Exercise #1 SECOND DAY: Exercise #1 THIRD DAY: Lesson #2, Exercise #1 FOURTH DAY: Exercise #1 FIFTH DAY: Exercise #1 SIXTH DAY: Exercise #1 SEVENTH DAY: Lesson #3, Exercise #2 EIGHTH DAY: Lesson #4, Exercise #2 NEXT TWO MONTHS: Exercise #2
Lesson #1: Instructions on how the program works, why the smoker has problems trying to quit with willpower and what they are to start doing to become an ex-smoker.
Exercise #1: To be used to become an ex-smoker.
Lesson #2: A review of lesson #1, introduction of thoughts about situational habits and instructions on what to do on their cut-off day.
Lesson #3: Cut-Off Day! Instructions on how to relieve every day tension and how not to dwell on thoughts of cigarettes.
Lesson #4: Discussion on what to do to complete the program and how to handle any problems in the future.
Exercise #2: To be used after becoming an ex-smoker to complete training.
This is a recording of motivational speaker Art Holst in front of a gathering of sales professionals at a sales conference in Chicago. Art, of course, is trying to encourage and motivate his audience to strive to seek opportunities and meet their goals of selling lots of stuff and making lots of money from sales of lots of stuff . Art uses humorous anecdotes especially during his time as an official in the National Football League, the highest level of tackle football in America. Art is self-deprecating which helps since his job as an official is the most disliked and least respected profession in professional sports despite their job to keep the game in order. Art sure does enjoy hearing himself talk about football. He uses a few football metaphors throughout his speech (BTW, did you know that football season is almost here?). At the midpoint of his speech, Art assures the audience that hippies or as he likes to call them "bearded, long-haired, dirty, unshaven, stinkin beatniks" won't undermine the free enterprise system and influence over 220 million Americans to change their ways. Bearded, long-haired beatniks seems to sound cooler than hippies. I prefer beatnik over hippie. Art inspires his audience to meet the challenge of a pro by competing to be a winner because winning is what matters most in the competitive society, the society that the dirty unshaven beatniks are trying to change.That means the listener of this recording, that is you, will be inspired to meet goals, score touchdowns (in sales that is) and be a winner.
Gil Trythall - Country Moog: Switched On Nashville
I found this LP at my local favorite antique store and paid only a dollar for it. As you can tell by the title, the album is a collection of country music hits performed using only the Moog synthesizer. I can't imagine this LP being well-received by country purists plus the LP doesn't even give off any "my dog died, my wife left me and I'll go drown my sorrows in whiskey" vibes. It is fun entertainment throughout its 28 minutes including the ballads. I would rather listen to this LP than listen to anything by Toby Keith and just about anything else played on Clear Channel-owned country music stations. Seriously. So if you're looking for some tunes to play at the next hootenanny, but with robots or a retro-futuristic theme, Country Moog is the one to bring. Yee haw!
I do not think I need to explain 101 Strings to my regular visitors who are likely also regular visitors to other sharity blogs posting old loungy/easy listening music and/or similar to the stuff I usually post. Just in case, I'll briefly explain 101 Strings. It is made up of various orchestras hired for cheap to record mood or easy listening music which are mostly covers of hit tunes. An engineer named Dick L. Miller came up with the idea for the 101 Strings budget albums to release on his Somerset label. In 1964, Miller sold the catalog and licence to the Alshire label which continued to be prolific in releasing 101 Strings product. 101 Strings released somewhere around 200 albums. If you dig around in thrift stores, flea markets, library sales, garage sales, etc. chances are great that you'll see at least one or two 101 Strings LPs in the piles although spotting one of the few 101 Strings LPs worth having (e.g. Astro Sounds from Beyond the Year 2000, Sounds of Today, even the LP in this post, etc.) is slim. The music on The Sounds of Love is really not that interesting. It is the usual easy listening style with monotonous strings. However, what makes The Sounds of Love fun to listen to are the vocals. A woman named Bebe Bardon contributes moans to a few of the songs. I assume that she is the person on the front and back covers and in the cheesecake centerfold-style fold out. Some guy named Joe Adams contributes vocals to a few other songs. I guess the best way to explain his style is if you enjoy William Shatner, you'll enjoy Joe Adams. Another 101 Strings album featuring Bebe Bardon called The Exotic Sounds of Love was released a few years later. If anyone can provide this or the 7" I Remember/Whiplash (two songs from that album), I will be appreciative.
Voice sounds by Bebe Bardon on Side One - tracks 1 and 3 and Side Two - track 1 Dialogue by Joe Adams on Side One - tracks 2 and 4 and Side Two - tracks 2 and 4
Ernie Anderson and Alex Dreier - Miracle Methods and Power Closing Techniques
Here is an LP targeted at salesmen so they can increase wealth for their companies and even for themselves. The liner notes say: On this one LP disc, the Businessmen's Record Club presents two outstanding talks on salesmanship by two distinguished TV and radio personalities. On Side One, Ernie Anderson offers every salesman 13 "miracle methods" to raise personal sales and income. Each of these methods sounds simple enough, even obvious to anyone with any success in selling. [Why are they miracle methods then if they are so obvious that every salesman (salesperson) should be trained in using them?] Yet each method is ignored by countless salesmen every day, for an incalculable loss in sales revenue for the companies they represent. [So, that's why they are called "miracle methods". Would it be a miracle if many salesmen didn't ignore these methods? Then there would be no need for this LP and Ernie Anderson wouldn't make any money telling people "miracle methods". Oh, sorry, I accidentally used a bit of what is called critical thinking.] The important thing is to put each of these miracle methods into practice. For they are all based on action, not some abstract theory. [These can be used in the real world. Great!] They all require more effort, but all pay off with handsome rewards. [That means get off your lazy asses and get out there and get in customers' faces to peddle your wares.] And - taken altogether - these 13 methods will take you up the mountain top [Mt. McKinley?, the Matterhorn?, K2?], reaching for the stars. You'll be a happier, more successful, more popular person when you make each method an everyday habit for the rest of your life. [This sentence alone should be an incentive to head for the dl link.] On Side Two, Alex Dreier offers nine power closing techniques to help you achieve the most important step in selling [Side Two starts by Alex saying "Now we come to the payoff". Was this sampled on an Ice Cube record or was it another rapper? I recall hearing this snippet on some rap record way back when.] . . . getting that signature on the dotted line. [Does this also make you happier, more successful and more popular not to mention better looking?] Everything else in selling may be important - but the man who finally makes the sale is the man who brings home the bacon. [And the eggs, and the bread, and the milk.] A good closer reaps the benefit of everything which has gone before him . . . the advertising, the customer's natural desire, even his competitor's spadework. [Does this mean that Ernie Anderson's miracle methods are no good unless a salesman can close the deal? Good thing that 9 power closing techniques are on the other side of the LP. Then again, Businessmen's Record Club could have charged more money by putting Alex Dreier's 9 power closing techniques on a separate LP. Then again, the underachieving salesmen most likely could not afford 2 LPs., so they should be thankful for the 2-on-1 LP.] Mr. Dreier first proves that an initial "No" from the buyer means nothing, that most sales are made after the buyer says "No." [No way!] Then he goes on to describe nine effective ways of changing that "No" to a "Yes!" [I'll mention that when I say "no", I mean "no". None of these techniques will convince me to change my mind, but that does not mean that it cannot work on someone else. Some people enjoy making salesmen earn their sales according to Mr. Dreier.] Every salesman should find at least several of these closing techniques to fit his own particular style, his own product or service - and to suit nearly every situation he may encounter. Careful attention to any or all nine closes will, with practice, improve your sales record - with a corresponding raise in income. [which translates to more happiness, more success, more popularity, more opportunities to get laid]
So, there you have it. You don't have to end up like Willy Loman. Miracle methods and power closing techniques will have you rolling in the dough and turn you into a legend in generating revenue for businesses.
Dr. J. Clifton Williams - Success in the Classroom
We'll continue with the back-to-school series of posts. This guy explains on this tape (from 1970) how to prepare for tests and how to do well on tests as well as how to make good grades in classes. I think I should have posted this one first instead of Techniques for Academic Success. Basically, if you don't do the homework and flunk the tests, you fail the classes. Thus, you become a loser in the realm of formal education which means you'll most likely for the rest of your life be working for low pay in either a big-box chain store taking shit from prick managers and ill-mannered customers or serving high-cholestrol, fattening, greasy food for a fast food chain while taking shit from prick managers and ill-mannered customers. So you better get motivated to succeed and start listening and/or passing this on to someone who's attending school.
I believe I need to post rules and policies about comments on this blog. I should have done this when I first started this blog, but I was fortunate for a year and a half that no problems came up in the comments section. That is until now.
First of all, I have a very open comment policy. This means that anyone (even anonymous people without aliases) is welcome to post a comment without being approved by me. I found that a majority of blog owners overall (not just sharity bloggers) are either strict about who can comment or what can be posted as a comment. They also moderate comments, that is they read and decide to approve comments for posting. It has not come to the point where I need to moderate comments and I hope it will not be necessary to moderate comments.
The reason I decided to write this post is that people recently have decided to post spam on my blog. I just deleted several comments posted by one individual who posted such spam in several of my posts. My policy is that the comments section is not to be used as a means for advertising and attempt to direct people to whatever is being advertised. If you have something interesting and relevant to offer, I am willing to make an exception as long as it is not in multiple posts. Examples include letting me know that you have an interesting blog or website and/or offer interesting material (preferably for free). If spam shows up, it will be deleted shortly thereafter.
I have the comments available for anyone to post their thoughts about the posts, add information to the posts, let me know about technical issues, to ask questions or even to make requests. Yes, your requests are welcome. You can have conversations with each other or me. This is a social blog as well as a blog about my cool and awesome collection in both physical and digital form. If you have any questions or if there is something I need to clarify, feel free to write in the comments form.
Dr. J. Clifton Williams - Techniques for Academic Success
I know that the people out there want more druggie albums as well as more stuff about Satan and LPs of how to remove pimples from rear ends (I will be somewhat amazed if there is in existence of an LP of how to remove pimples from anywhere on the body). It's not that I am psychic that I know what people outside of my locality want (because I'm trying to find time to fully concentrate and listen to Russ Burgess again, yeah that's it.) It's that my visitors have asked for these kinds of albums.
I am sorry to disappoint any of you that the subject of this post does not deal with any of the topics mentioned in the above paragraph. No, I take that back. The cassette that is the focus of this post is very important, so you all really need this. You see, August is here and school usually starts in the middle of August here in the U.S. of A. Even if you are not going to school, no doubt you know someone who is going to school. If you are a visitor and fan of this blog, you are definitely acquainted with someone going to school. That person is yours truly.
This cassette by one Dr. J. Clifton Williams teaches listeners how to succeed in school which translates to how to be a success in corporate America. On side A, he explains how to effectively and efficiently write papers and give oral reports. I am fond of side B. Dr. Williams explains how the library is a very helpful resource for succeeding in school and how to use the library to its fullest advantage. That is awesome and here's the kicker. I am in library school right now. Library school is formally called School of Library and Information Studies (LIS). Library schools throughout the country have this name or something similar. Hopefully, I'll be employed in a library or archive somewhere soon.
There is not much information about Dr. Williams available. There is not even a Wikipedia entry for Dr. Williams although there is some composer who shares the same name who is apparently significant enough to have a Wikipedia entry. All I was able to find out is that he has degrees in psychology, does consulting in management and advises the president of Baylor University.
Nothing here about drugs, Satan or removing pimples, but you or someone you know will get an A or at least a B. Not to worry, druggie and Satan stuff as well as more stuff to make you a success in life are forthcoming.
I hope that my visitors are having a wonderful summer (or wonderful winter for those in the southern hemisphere of this planet). There will be some words of wisdom posted here soon to help you be a better person, make more money, tap your hidden psychic powers and get dates. Meanwhile, enjoy some music.
From the liner notes:
The Riverside Church Carillon is one of the most notable carillons in the world. Installed at a time when carillons were only beginning to be used in this country, it has provided a new musical experience for thousands of people, many of whom have come to see the gigantic instrument in action. To reach the belfry it is necessary to take an elevator to the twentieth floor and then climb several flights of stairs to the top of the tower. From this point one can look out upon the whole expanse of Manhattan and the surrounding areas. Within, hang the 74 bells of the Riverside Church Carillon.
A carillon is a musical instrument of the keyboard type, having as its basis twenty-three or more chromatically attuned bells. Its development from simpler bell mechanisms began around the fifteenth century in Europe, when small sets of bells were installed in clock towers and mechanically arranged so that they would ring before the sounding of the heavy hour bell. As the number of bells increased the mechanism was arranged to play a melody.
THE CARILLONNEUR
The musician who has played the carillon at Riverside Church since 1960 is James Raymond Lawson.
Mr. Lawson is founder and director of the SOCIETAS COMPANARIORUM (Society of Bell Ringers), an organization for the study and promotion of bell music. A major activity of the society is the publication of carillon, chime, and handbell music.
Dick Sutphen is an expert on metaphysics and a hypnotist. He has written a lot of books and recorded a lot of cassettes and CDs. He also offers services such as private past-life and spirit-contacting therapy, personal "phone-coaching" and seminars to medical professionals on how to use his "life-changing techniques".
On this cassette, Dick guides listeners on how to balance their chakras through hypnosis to achieve improved health and vitality and heightened awareness. What are chakras, you ask? According to the website, Eclectic Energies, they are:
...centers of energy, located on the midline of the body. There are seven of them, and they govern our psychological properties. The chakras are located on the lower part of our body are our instinctual side, the highest ones our mental side.
The chakras can have various levels of activity. When they're "open", they're considered operative in a normal fashion.
Ideally, all chakras would contribute to our being. Our instincts would work together with our feelings and thinking. However, this is usually not the case. Some chakras are not open enough (being under-active), and to compensate, other chakras are over-active. The ideal state is where the chakras are balanced.
The site linked above offers a chakra test to determine if your chakras are open, under-active or over-active.
On Side A, as already mentioned, Dick explains how to cleanse and balance one's chakras in a soft slow-paced voice. His voice is combined with a heartbeat and vibrato-tones. On Side B, the person speaking is not Dick, but some woman who is not credited anywhere. She guides listeners to engage in meditation to balance the chakras to achieve higher awareness.
Important Note: A Basement of Curiosities along with Mr. Sutphen emphasizes that this tape should not be played while driving your vehicle.
Because it's the 4th of July, son. (Or should that be pilgrim?)
Grab a hot dog, a cold soda or beer and some firecrackers and blast the sentimental heartfelt patriarchal protestant patriotic poetry and music at a high volume.
Tracklisting: (link may be back soon)
Side 1
1. Why I Love Her {2:56}
2. The Hyphen {2:27}
3. Mis Raices Estan Aqui (My Roots Are Buried Here) {2:39}
A Basement of Curiosities is intended as a resource for the purposes of education, research and entertainment. The materials presented on this blog are usually difficult to find elsewhere and/or is likely not readily available elsewhere. Some of the text in A Basement of Curiosities is somewhat satirical or tongue-in-cheek and also tends to be sarcastic.
