various artists compilation - A Basement of Curiosities Sampler

various artists compilation - A Basement of Curiosities Sampler

This compilation is intended as a sampler of the records, tapes, and CDs discussed in A Basement of Curiosities during the first two and a 1/2 years of the blog's existence featuring the highlights (or lowlights). This post is for newcomers to the blog as well as for visitors familiar with the blog.

The other day, I went to that TED website to check out what recent talks are available. The site posts free videos of what are advertised as "riveting talks by remarkable people" at the TED conferences. What I have seen so far from my few visits to the site is interesting and even riveting. However, I noticed that no one at these TED conferences talk about stuff that matters such as how to make more money, how to be more successful in life, how to have better sex, how to attract people to have sex with, how to develop your ESP powers (everyone is supposed to have them, right), how rock 'n' roll inspired by the powers of hell will be used for Communist takeover of America aided by dirty unshaven stinkin' beatniks, why America is the #1 country in the world, how Satan and the New Age Movement corrupt young minds, how to hunt elk, etc. This is what people care about. I am going to toot my own horn and say that I am proud my blog has its fair share of "ideas worth spreading".

To keep the compilation at a manageable length, the length of the compact disc was used as an arbitrary measure of the length of the compilation. The compilation was intended to only be as long as one CD, but there was a decision made to include more material to present a better representation of A Basement of Curiosities. Therefore, the compilation is the length of 2 CDs. One can burn this compilation onto 2 CDs if one wishes to do so to listen to or to pass around to other people.

Half of the tracks are musical performances and the other half are excerpts from spoken word recordings of what could be considered riveting lectures and sermons. The tracklisting below is an intended sequence of the compilation including which tracks are included on the first and second CDs. Of course, anyone can rearrange, resequence, or even remix and make mashups of the tracks if one wishes to do so for listening and/or burning onto CDs.

There are two options for getting the sampler. Each CD has a link to a zip file. Each track also has a link for downloading for those who prefer to choose which tracks to get and for those familiar visitors who may have been hesitant to download a long lecture or sermon which excerpts are provided.

Tracklisting:

CD1  (full CD links will be back soon, all the links to the individual tracks should still be active)

1. Dr. J. Clifton Williams - Techniques for Academic Success [excerpt] {3:11}
from recording Techniques for Academic Success cassette
Note: Dr. Williams explains why you should use the library.

2. Corelli-Jacobs - track 1 {2:37} from recording Music to Grow Plants LP

3. Dr. Joseph Murphy - Developing a Wonderful Personality [excerpt] {2:11} from recording Developing a Wonderful Personality/Communicating with the Subconscious LP

4. Bill Glass - Giving All of Oneself {1:39} from recording The Most Important Thing LP

5. Dickie Goodman - Energy Crisis {1:42}
from recording Mr. Jaws and Other Fables LP

6. Earl Nightingale - 9th Principle: Power of the Master Mind {1:23}
from recording Think and Grow Rich LP

7. The Electric Moog Orchestra - Imperial Attack {4:12} from recording Music from Star Wars LP

8. Stephen Ettinger - Acquired Murmurs (2) {1:58}
from recording Canine Heart Sounds LP

9. Dr. Ed Sceery - Advanced Elk Calling [excerpt] {2:13} from recording Advanced Elk Calling cassette
Note: This is the beginning of the tape with elk calls and an introduction by Dr. Sceery.

10. Apes of Wrath - The Apes of Wrath {3:07}
from recording Apes of Wrath LP

11. Audio Sellers - The Money Machine [excerpt] {3:44} from recording The Money Machine LP

12. Millard Bennett - How to Get People to Act Favorably With You [excerpt] {3:27}
from recording How to Get People to Act Favorably With You cassette
Note: Millard Bennett talks about the 30/10 power formula. Go to the post for this cassette to learn more if you're not familiar with it.

13. Boomer Sooner - When You Play the Sooners {2:05} from recording University of Oklahoma 7" vinyl

14. Directional Sound - Hogs Slaughtered {0:52} from recording The Sound of Sounds LP

15. Neil Brahe - The Magic Power of Enthusiasm in Dental Practice [excerpt] {2:10} from recording The Magic Power of Enthusiasm in Dental Practice LP

16. Marty Gold - Whistle While You Work {1:27} from recording Wired for Sound LP

17. Louise Egolf - Hello Pretty Bird {2:30} from recording Train Your Bird to Talk LP

18. Fred Lowery - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot {1:22} from recording Abide with Me LP

19. Dr. Michael Dean - Dr. Michael Dean's Hypnosis Record [first side] [excerpt] {1:57}from recording Dr. Michael Dean's Hypnosis Record LP

20. Tom Massey - Guided Visualization for Happiness & Prosperity [excerpt] {1:19}
from recording Guided Visualizations cassette

21. Henry Blythe - Stop Smoking [excerpt] {2:36}
from recording Stop Smoking LP
Note: Henry starts to use the hypnotic sponge.

22. James Walker - The New Age Movement: Space Age Heresies [excerpt] {4:08}
from recording The New Age Movement: Space Age Heresies cassette
Note: James believes The Beatles were evangelists of the New Age Movement and the implication was that young minds were corrupted by The Beatles.

23. Sapulpa High School Chorus - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds {3:57} from recording A Tribute to The Beatles LP

24. Charles Kebbe - The Harper's Bazaar Success Formula for a Beautiful Speaking Voice [excerpt] {1:27} from recording The Harper's Bazaar Success Formula for a Beautiful Speaking Voice LP

25. Jim Bakker - How to Accomplish the Impossible with the Big Three Mountain Movers [excerpt] {3:11} from recording How to Accomplish the Impossible with the Big Three Mountain Movers LP
Note: Bakker proves Pat Robertson wrong.

26. Jimmy Swaggart - The Ring of Fire [excerpt] (1) {2:29} from recording The Ring of Fire LP
Note: Rock 'n' roll is evil and parents ought to be horsewhipped for letting their kids have that rotten filth of Beatle records.

27. The Moog Machine - You Keep Me Hangin' On {2:23} from recording Switched-On Rock LP

28. Jack Van Impe - Marked for Death: Can America Survive? [excerpt] {3:27} from recording Marked for Death: Can America Survive? LP
Note: Rock 'n' roll is used as a vehicle for wild and rebellious youth to take over America or something like that.

29. John Cook - And God Gave Me a Fix [excerpt] {2:08}
from recording And God Gave Me a Fix LP
Note: Cook led a good life as a stuntman getting his ass kicked by the likes of John Wayne and Lee Marvin in movies and hanging around celebrities and possessing lots of money and material possessions while suffering the ill effects of drugs and alcohol.

30. Gil Trythall - Folsom Prison Blues {3:12} from recording Country Moog: Switched On Nashville LP

31. Russ Burgess - The Burgess Method: Developing Your ESP Powers [excerpt] {3:19}
from recording The Burgess Method: Developing Your ESP Powers LP

32. Dennis Coffey and The Detroit Guitar Band - Capricorn's Thing {2:13} from recording Electric Coffey LP

CD2

1. Vanguard Stereolab - Speaker Balancing Signal {0:58}from recording Vanguard Stereolab Test Record LP

2. Hunter Lott - The Firing Session [excerpt] {3:07} from recording Front-Line Interviewing and the Firing Session cassette

3. Art Holst - The Challenge of a Pro [excerpt] {2:45}
from recording The Challenge of a Pro LP
Note: Art is optimistic that a few stinkin' long-haired dirty unshaven beatniks won't change America plus the War on Christmas was waging as far back as the late 1960s too.

4. The Sanborn Singers - Recruit/Train/Motivate {2:50} from recording Sing Out for Free Enterprise LP

5. Hilton Sutton - The U.S.A. in Prophecy [excerpt] {2:12} from recording The U.S.A. in Prophecy cassette
Note: Intellectualism is the subject of this excerpt.

6. Tony Dolan - Cuba Will Be Free {1:55} from recording Cry, the Beloved Country LP

7. Pat Robertson - It's Time to Pray, America [excerpt] {2:16}
from recording It's Time to Pray, America LP

8. John Wayne - Face the Flag {3:49} from recording America, Why I Love Her LP

9. Earl Nightingale - The Southwestern Company Sales Tips: Your Job as a Salesman {2:37}
from recording The Strangest Secret LP

10. Ajay Lowery - Taxanity {3:02} from recording I Will Not Be Swayed LP

11. - Stock Sports Car Class {0:50} from recording Drag Race Sound Effects LP

12. Bob Harrington - A Real He-Man {2:47} from recording Holy Happy Hour LP

13. J - The Way to Become the Sensuous Woman [excerpt] {1:48}from recording The Way to Become the Sensuous Woman LP

14. Jimmy Swaggart - The Ring of Fire [excerpt] (2) {2:33} from recording The Ring of Fire LP
Note: Jimmy talks about his favorite subject.

15. - Erotica, The Rhythms of Love [excerpt] {0:53} from recording Erotica, The Rhythms of Love LP

16. Lust Control - Virginity Disease {3:31}
from recording We Are Not Ashamed cassette

17. Helen Gurley Brown - How to Behave at Home {2:19} from recording Lessons in Love LP

18. Charley Drew - The Girls I've Loved & Lost {2:27}
from recording An Evening with Charley Drew, His Piano, and His Party Songs LP

19. Warren Mintz - Plateau Phase of the Male Sexual Cycle [excerpt] {4:06} from recording Plateau Phase of the Male Sexual Cycle cassette
Note: Warren reads a part of the D. H. Lawrence novel Lady Chatterley's Lover.

20. - Chicago {1:59} from recording Stag Party in London Vol. 2 LP

21. Jack Van Impe - From Night Clubs to Christ [excerpt] {4:05} from recording From Night Clubs to Christ LP
Note: Jack talks about how movies are getting worse with their increasing amounts of nudity, sex scenes, lesbianism, and violence.

22. 101 Strings - This Guy's in Love With You {3:40} from recording The Sounds of Love LP

23. Willard Cantelon - LSD: Battle for the Mind [excerpt] {2:38}
from recording LSD: Battle for the Mind LP

24. Dr. James Dobson and Steve Russo - Fighting Satan in Today's World [excerpt] {2:08}
from recording New Age, Humanism and Satanism: Protecting Your Family cassette
Note: Russo explains how teens get into Satanism.

25. Pat Robertson - Teens' Question #6 (Music) {2:22}
from recording Answers for Today's Parents and Teens cassette

26. Former Fetus - I'm Free {2:45} from recording A Rock Opera CD

27. A. A. Allen - God is a Killer [excerpt] {3:32}
from recording God is a Killer LP

28. Directional Sound - Sports Cars on Curve, with Crash {1:20} from recording The Sound of Sounds LP

29. Brian Ruud - From a Bum Trip to... "The Trip Beyond" [excerpt] {2:32}
from recording From a Bum Trip to... "The Trip Beyond" LP
Note: Hoodlum Brian discovers Jesus in prison.

30. Raymond and Peter - Don't Call Me Goodnight! {1:09} from recording Shut Up, Little Man! CD

31. Lloyd Lindroth - Tequila {2:28} from recording Harpist's Bazaar LP

Peter Thomas - Everything You Need to Know to Operate a CB Radio

Peter Thomas - Everything You Need to Know to Operate a CB Radio

LP released in 1976

UPDATE 7/26/2010: There was an error on my part as the wrong link was included. Now the correct link is in the post.
Breaker one nine this is grey calx, I need a smokey report, anyone there, over. I don't want to feed the bears.

Long before the age of the Internet with its chat rooms, message boards, IM, social media sites, and blogs as well as cell phones with the texting feature, people talked to both acquaintances and strangers alike using aliases or handles through citizen's band (CB) radio. The CB fad was at its peak from the late 1970s (when this LP was released) to the early 1980s. CB use was featured in classic movies and TV shows such as Smokey and the Bandit, Convoy, and The Dukes of Hazard. Then people no longer were excited to use CB radio I guess. I think that truckers and emergency personnel are the only ones who still use CB radio.

This LP explains about everything you need to know to use a CB radio from codes and terminology to etiquette and laws. By the way, the Peter Thomas on this LP is not the musician, he is the announcer and narrator of documentaries known for his work on PBS shows (NOVA) and Forensic Files and the announcer of NPR's sponsors.

I think it would be awesome if people used CB terms and codes in chat rooms, message boards, IM, social media sites, blogs, and cell phones instead of what is used now.

10-4. Have a fine day and a better tomorrow. We're down, we're gone, bye bye.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side 1

1. No Sour Grapes, Please {5:11}

2. Introduction {4:11}

3. Courtesy on the Air {9:52}

4. Time Check and Ten Code {3:02}

5. Radio Check {3:26}

Side 2

1. Choosing a Handle {1:23}

2. Be Heard When You Shout {7:01}

3. Channel 9-For Emergency {3:53}

4. Having an Eyeball {2:00}

5. How About an Eastbounder {2:58}

6. Meet Me on 18 for Directions {1:50}

7. Where are the Smokeys and Beavers? {1:14}

8. Smokeys with Ears {1:46}

9. You, Your Radio and the F.C.C. {5:40}

The Basement Has a Sponsor

A Basement of Curiosities has a sponsor. That sponsor is Terrell's Siding who is a highly reputable home improvement company specializing in siding, windows, roofing, and sunrooms. Terrell's is committed to providing the highest quality products and the finest workmanship at an affordable price. Terrell's has been proudly helping homeowners for 40 years. This company has been in existence longer than I have so that should mean something. Watch the video if you already have not done so for not one but two important messages. Not only is Terrell's the best in siding, roofing, windows, and sunrooms, but Terrell's also is the best when it comes to values. Terrell's is so highly impressive that a local TV news reporter went to visit the company's owner and was also featured on the national cable news program, The Rachel Maddow Show. Terrell's operates primarily in central Oklahoma, but you'll wish that you had Terrell's in your city or locality.

It may seem strange that my first sponsor is someone whose services I can't use yet as I do not own a home as of right now. I have been promised a large discount in the future for the home I'll eventually own in exchange for sponsorship from this fine company. Believe me, I'm going to own a large home in a gated or exclusive community because I'm on my way to being a winner. The home will have somewhere around 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a kitchen with an "island", a large living room with a large plasma TV and a large stereo, another large room for a home theater, and a double door garage. I may even buy another home or two just for the heck of it.

Enough about me, this is about the sponsor. Terrell's is committed to providing the highest quality products and the finest workmanship as well as ending secular socialism. If you need services in the areas of siding, roofing, windows, and sunrooms and stand for freedom and liberty, call or write Terrell's. If you don't live in Oklahoma and need home improvement services, move to Oklahoma.

various artists compilation - No Hang-Ups Tapes Volume III

various artists compilation - No Hang-Ups Tapes Volume III

released on cassette in 1988

I saw the cover and was excited in anticipation of getting to hear recordings of answering machine messages from highly acclaimed actors and actresses such as Nina Hartley, Herschel Savage, Nikki Charms, Misty Dawn, John Holmes, and others. (Not that I'm familiar with their work, I heard from various sources that they have a mastery of their craft.) Maybe I should have looked at the cover a little more closely.

Anyway I bought the tape, which was still sealed by the way, at a local thrift store. Sometime afterward, I opened the case and popped the tape into my car tape player. I discovered that this is a version that has only male voices. I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't get to hear Nina Hartley, Nikki Charms, and the other fine actresses. But I got over it and the tape provided a few minutes of entertainment for me. It also provided motivation for me to seek out the "female voice" version.

I guess that for you guys instead of providing your own message and voice on your answering machine which was probably boring, you get some oh so funny R-rated prerecorded messages that you can place on your answering machine. No doubt friends, family, medical practioners who set up appointments, employers, debt collectors, and telemarketers will get a kick out of the messages. One would think that these prerecorded messages make their users sound more like sleazebags. The tape provides instructions on how to do just that. (Just remember this came out in 1988.) I suppose that you can use the mp3's I generously ripped and provided for you to use on your fancy iPhone or Droid or whatever you use. So this tape could still be of use at the present.

Tracklisting:

1. anonymous - Hot Springs {0:19}

2. Eric Edwards - Jacuzzi {0:19}

3. anonymous - Say What {0:20}

4. anonymous - Really Blew It {0:22}

5. John Holmes - The Hots {0:21}

6. anonymous - Soft & Furry {0:22}

7. anonymous - A.M. Genie {0:20}

8. John Holmes - Getting Nailed {0:19}

9. John Holmes - Over Billion Served {0:21}

10. anonymous - Frozen Stiff {0:24}

11. Herschel Savage - Take It Off {0:21}

12. Eric Edwards - Great Sex {0:21}

13. Eric Edwards - Getting Ready {0:18}

14. anonymous - Leg Man {0:22}

15. anonymous - Sex Drive {0:23}

16. Herschel Savage - Strip Poker {0:22}

17. Herschel Savage - Mary Christmas {0:21}

18. anonymous - Evil Scientist {0:22}

19. anonymous - Loose Girl {0:18}

20. Herschel Savage - Amateur Gyne {0:14}

21. John Holmes - This is John Holmes Answering for... {0:04}

22. Nina Hartley - This is Nina Hartley Answering for... {0:05}

Sapulpa High School Chorus - A Tribute to The Beatles

Sapulpa High School Chorus - A Tribute to The Beatles

released on LP sometime in the early 1970s

Does the world need any more recordings of Beatles covers? Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm posting this anyway. This album is a recording of a live concert by the Sapulpa High School Chorus which the school is located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, a few miles west of Tulsa.

I have little knowledge of high school chorus music, but if the popular TV show Glee is any indication (a show I don't watch by the way), there are a lot of high school choruses and bands throughout America that includes pop/rock music in their repertoire. Back then when this LP was recorded, probably not many high school choruses performed pop or rock songs much less record entire albums of this material.

The album starts out with "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" which includes electric piano. It's not quite up to the level of William Shatner, but it works for me. It may be good listening with some acid dropped. (Not that I'm planning to indulge in this activity any time soon mind you, just hypothetically saying.) There's also a version of "Blackbird", one of Charles Manson's favorite songs or was at one time. Too bad there's not a cover of "Helter Skelter". There are covers of Beatles standards such as "Michelle", "Yesterday", "Let It Be". If you're into this kind of music and/or The Beatles, you'll enjoy this album. No doubt the kids had a lot of fun doing this. This is one of those cases where there is interest in finding out what became of the people involved, but its not destined for anyone to find out.


Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side One

1. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds {3:57}
Chorus

2. Blackbird {1:47}
soloist, Susan Dodson

3. And I Love Her {2:28}
Chorus

4. Strawberry Fields Forever {2:54}
Junior Sextet

5. Got to Get You Into My Life {2:52}
Chorus

6. The Long and Winding Road {3:14}
soloist, Pam Young

Side Two

1. Beatles Medley #2 {3:57}
Chorus

2. Michelle {2:43}
Senior Trio

3. Here There and Everywhere {2:39}
Chorus

4. Ticket to Ride {3:44}
Chorus

5. Let It Be {3:03}
soloist, Roger Fitzgerald

6. Yesterday {3:00}
Chorus

Lloyd Lindroth - Harpist's Bazaar

Lloyd Lindroth - Harpist's Bazaar

released on LP probably sometime in the 1970s

I found this LP at my favorite local flea market earlier this month. The cover says "America's Foremost Swing Harpist" and the LP label says "America's Swingin'est Harpist". Since I enjoy harp music of all stripes, I figured this has to at least somewhat be good. Some of the liner notes were also persuasive in my exchanging a couple of bucks for this LP:

Lloyd's first album "Harpist's Bazaar" is presenting a new sound in music. His secret is a specially amplified Electronic harp (the world's first). He uses exclusively "kustom" speakers and amplifiers to create his sound, and specially developed microphones that augment the beautiful sound of the harp without picking up any of the mechanical sounds of the pedals.

Many swing harp albums [I didn't know there were many swing harp albums.] have employed the use of multiple recording effects to create commercial sound that is effective to the public. "HARPIST'S BAZAAR" is not such a case. There are no gimmicked-up tempos; and every song Lloyd has recorded he performs in the same exciting manner on stage with his demanding and challenging technique. This has earned him the title from one reviewer, Don Hearn, Washington Daily News, as "The Amazing Young Man With a Harp!" There is no question that he is - "America's Swingin'est Harpist!"

This album is a collection of instrumental performances of standards and hits of the day with Lloyd performing on his electronic harp with his quartet. Only one song actually has vocals and that is on "Tequila" when Lloyd or someone else says "tequila." I have not enjoyed listening to that particular tune except its use in Pee Wee's Big Adventure until I heard Lloyd's version on this album. This album is yet another example of why interpretations or covers can be more interesting and in some cases better than the originals. I suppose I need to seek out more swinging harp albums.

Lloyd Lindroth has given performances in many clubs, the Grand Ole Opry, and even gave a few "command" performances at the White House. Lloyd was labeled the "Liberace of the harp" for his flamboyance as he dressed in flashy costumes, wore a $7000 ring in the shape of a harp, and employed the use of lights, smoke, and "dancing waters" in his live performances. Lloyd performed diverse styles of music including country (he recorded the first and only country harp album according to the Lindroth website). He played on the soundtrack to the TV miniseries Roots and on variety shows on The Nashville Network (before it became Spike TV). Lloyd played concerts until the end of his life as he passed away in June 1994.

No one will get to enjoy seeing Lloyd in concert anymore. The last part of the liner notes will conclude this post as they describe the ending of Lloyd's concerts:

How does the act finish? Lloyd gets that harp going at such a wild pace that the whole thing finally blows up in a big pile of smoke! One lady was overheard to say, "I've never heard a harp like that before!" Well, that's true. You won't hear anything like "Harpist's Bazaar" anywhere unless you are lucky enough to see "America's Swingin'est Harpist" in person - - - Lloyd Lindroth and His Quartet!


Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Walk in the Black Forest {2:08}

2. Goin' Out of My Head {2:13}

3. Love is Blue {2:25}

4. St. Louis Blues {2:20}

5. Cumana {2:32}

6. Jet {3:48}

Side Two

1. Holiday for Strings {2:16}

2. Little Rock Getaway {1:51}

3. Up Up and Away {2:56}

4. Try to Remember {3;00}

5. Tequila {2:28}

6. Granada {4:04}

Helen Gurley Brown - Lessons in Love

Helen Gurley Brown - Lessons in Love

*special thanks to jay strange for this informative record

LP released in 1963

Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go everywhere.

Before she became the chief editor at Cosmopolitan magazine for a long time where she transformed the magazine from a not widely read cultural literary magazine to a magazine containing photos of stick thin models and articles about sex positions and dating, Helen Gurley Brown wrote a book called Sex and the Single Girl which became a bestseller in 1962. Much of the book's content was radical for its time and interestingly her husband, the late producer David Brown, was the one who prompted Helen to write a book about her days as a single woman.

Sometime soon after the publication of the book, it was planned by the Crescendo Record Company for Helen to record an album of her reading portions from her book. However, Warner Brothers who was making a movie version of the book at the time, owned the recording rights to the book, so the audio version was nixed. So, Helen came up with new material that resulted in the LP, Lessons in Love. Each side of the LP contained advice each for men and girls (that's what they're referred to instead of women).

Helen dishes advice on how to discreetly cheat on your wives or husbands (it's only natural and bound to happen, right). Helen offers advice each for secretaries and bosses to maintain relationships in and out of the office. There's hope for midgets , I mean little men, to have success picking up girls. There's even hope for plain or ugly girls to land men as Helen helpfully explains how this is possible. Helen also tells how men can reject a girl and how a girl can reject a man. At the end of each side, in a bit of contradiction from her stance that cheating is okay, Helen explains how a man and a girl can remain faithful and love only his wife or her husband respectively.

So listen to the original Cosmo Girl tell you how to live your love life.

Tracklisting:

Side 1 HOW TO LOVE A GIRL

1. How to Have an Affair and Live Happily Ever After! part 1 {3:58}

2. How to Have an Affair and Live Happily Ever After! part 2 {2:50}

3. How to Behave at Home If You're Misbehaving Away from Home {2:20}

4. Getting the Most from Your Secretary {2:58}

5. Little Man You'll Have a Busy Day {3:13}

6. How to Say No to a Girl {3:18}

7. How to Love Your Wife and Nobody Else {4:09}

Side 2 HOW TO LOVE A MAN

1. How to Love a Man If You Aren't Pretty {6:06}

2. How to Say No to a Man Who... {2:57}

3. Unfaithful Wives' Tales {4:56}

4. How to Love a Boss {2:55}

5. How to Talk to a Man in Bed {4:02}

6. How to Love Your Husband and Nobody Else {3:32}

Hugo Montenegro - Neil's Diamonds

Hugo Montenegro - Neil's Diamonds

LP released in 1973

Arranged & Conducted by Hugo Montenegro

Arp & Moog Synthesizers programmed and played by Dick Hamilton, John Montenegro & Larry Muhoberac

Recorded in RCA's Music Center of the World, Hollywood, California

Today, I reveal to you one of my guilty pleasures (out of many). No, it's not Neil Diamond, it's Hugo Montenegro, particularly this LP of Neil Diamond covers. Hugo's versions are a lot more fun and plain better in my not too humble opinion. They even sound more fresh than the overplayed originals. Plus this has Arps and Moogs!

Dom Cerulli says on the back cover:

Expect the unexpected!
That's true of both Neil Diamond and Hugo Montenegro.
Diamond's haunting songs never quite go where they lead you at first; never quite resolve the way you think they should; never really ever leave you quite the way they found you.
They seem to have a life of their own.
And the arrangements of Mr. Montenegro are very much like that, too.
They shimmer with strange new colors and rhythms that may shock you at first or jar you at first or make you come alert at first. Then they get deeper into the marrow, the soul of a song, and explore it. And while this is going on, the shifting, subtle, sensual sound begins to grow on you. Different, exotic, ethereal sounds come from everyday familiar instruments. New, brittle, sparkling sounds come from electronic inventions still being shaken down.
And before you know it, the Montenegro version is the one you always want to hear.

It is cool that the liner notes (a.k.a label hype) and I are in agreement. That does not happen too often. Happy listening.


Tracklisting:

Side A

1. Cracklin' Rosie {3:10}

2. I'm a Believer {3:33}

3. Song Song Blue {3:25}

4. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show {3:48}

5. Sweet Caroline {3:09}

Side B

1. Porcupine Pie {2:11}

2. Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon {3:11}

3. Two-Bit Man Child {3:12}

4. Walk on Water {2:35}

5. Hurtin' You Don't Come Easy {3:35}

Donice - Aerobic Celebration: Aerobic Exercise to Contemporary Christian Music

Donice - Aerobic Celebration: Aerobic Exercise to Contemporary Christian Music

LP released in 1982

This is America's first Christian aerobics LP. That's what the cover says so it must be true. As this LP's release date shows, fitness has been emphasized for quite a while in the Christian world. There are Christian programs dedicated to fitness and nutrition. There are even fitness segments on The 700 Club and fitness and wellness tips offered by Pat Robertson in between moments of calling for assassination of leaders in foreign countries and claiming that the people in earthquake ravaged nations have made a deal with Satan.

So you the visitor can use this LP to also help you get in shape and looking fit and trim with some 1980s contemporary Christian music in the background (listen to the first 24 seconds of "Highwire", it's some hot schitt, unfortunately, the rest of the song goes downhill from there) and some young lady named Donice leading. The LP came with an instruction manual with photographs.

Now for the purpose of this album's existence taken from the back cover:

WHY AN AEROBIC ALBUM FOR CHRISTIANS?

We have created an album of aerobic exercises set to Christian music for these reasons:
* because we believe that aerobic fitness is a crucial part of caring for your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit
* because we're aware that in today's world, thousands of Christians (and non-Christians) are getting involved in physical fitness activities
* because we believe that the body, through movements such as these aerobic exercies can and should be used to praise the Lord and celebrate His works

AEROBIC CELEBRATION (Aerobic Exercise To Contemporary Christian Music) provides you with about 10 minutes of warm-up activity, 21 minutes of continuous aerobics and 6 1/2 minutes of cool-down time. The first two songs, "Until He Comes" and "Nature of Love" will prepare your body for a good, hearty workout by stretching your muscles gently. The last two songs, "Angels" and "He That Overcomes," will give your body time to wind down to its natural rhythm gradually and healthily.



Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side One

1. Until He Comes by Nancy Grandquist {5:07}

2. Nature of Love by Brown Bannister {5:31}

3. Look to Love by Nancy Grandquist {3:08}

4. Look to Jesus by Patrick Henderson and the West Angeles Church of God in Christ Sanctuary Choir {3:41}

5. He is the King by Gary McSpadden {4:18}

Side Two

1. Jesus Keeps Takin' Me Higher and Higher by Gary S. Paxton {3:18}

2. Jailhouse Rock by Farrell & Farrell {1:53}

3. Highwire by Farrell & Farrell {3:10}

4. Angels by J. J. Lee {4:00}

5. He That Overcomes by Farrell & Farrell {2:55}

Leslie Sansone - Walk Away the Pounds: 2 Miles

Leslie Sansone - Walk Away the Pounds: 2 Miles

*special thanks to KL from NYC for this one

I have declared this week to be fitness week. We could use some exercise. We all need to get in better shape, right. I know I do. I sit on my butt behind a computer at work and I sit on my butt behind a computer on my time off from work. I need to be more proactive in maintaining physical fitness. I'm not just talking about bending and moving my arms while digging through crates and boxes of records either. Since all the good looking and popular people are exercising, I might as well do it too to get in shape and I need all the help I can get in getting dates. Being healthy is nice too.

Leslie Sansone is a fitness professional in the health industry. She has several DVDs currently on the market. She is also on a few CDs such as this one. This CD is meant to be listened to while walking. This one is the 2 mile version not no soft 1/4 mile version. We here at the Basement believe in doing things right and doing them to the max. Actually, this is the only one we have.

The idea behind this CD is to play this to let Leslie motivate and preach to you while you are walking to lose some pounds or to prevent gaining any pounds. It seems awkward walking with a CD player and the things usually cause the CDs to skip if the player is budged an inch. The exercise CD may not have been a great idea or was it? With mp3 players and CD-ripping tools included on affordable computers, this CD can be ripped as mp3 files on the computer then the files can be transferred to an mp3 player. Now CDs like this can work as people can use their mp3 players when exercising.

The background music is high BPM dance cover versions of Motown hits. There are tracks with just the music, but I didn't include those as I found the music too unbearable. Only the tracks with Leslie's voice are included.

Tracklisting:

1. Leslie Guided Walk [Voice-Cued Walk] {5:04}

2. Leslie Guided Walk [Voice-Cued Walk] {5:03}

3. Leslie Guided Walk [Voice-Cued Walk] {4:09}

4. Leslie Guided Walk [Voice-Cued Walk] {5:04}

5. Leslie Guided Walk [Voice-Cued Walk] {4:56}

6. Leslie Guided Walk [Voice-Cued Walk] {6:39}

Rod McKuen - Life Is

Rod McKuen - Life Is

released on LP

Ah, Rod McKuen. That sensitive sentimental poet mired in love and heartbreak. Just about everyone had a Rod McKuen album back in the day. His albums sold billions of copies which means that copies of his albums are often seen in thrift stores almost as much as Herb Alpert and those Firestone Christmas albums. Interestingly his material does not get any airplay on any oldies radio station or any radio station as a matter of fact. So, I first heard about Rod McKuen or actually seen anything about the man at some thrift store having seen a few of his albums such as The Sea, The Sky and a few others. This was when I first started seriously browsing in thrift stores in the first half of the 2000s. My parents may have been among the few people not into Rod McKuen as there wasn't anything by him in their collections (or they hid his albums very well from my nosey fingers and prying eyes). The former is highly likely as I never heard them speak his name to this day. And yes, they are into mainstream music not any of the weird stuff I like.

Anyway, this brings me to the album in this post. As already mentioned, many people know Rod McKuen as a sentimental romantic poet. However, Rod McKuen once had an edgier persona that his devoted fans may not have known about or care to know about. Life Is is a reissue of the album Beatsville which was released in 1959. Life Is was reissued in the late 1960s. The material on Life Is/Beatsville was written and recorded when Rod McKuen was a young man trying to be cool especially a beatnik. Most of the poems are a depiction of the beatnik or San Francisco bohemian lifestyle. The liner notes mention that many of these poems were first read at The Cellar, probably the coolest happenin place in San Francisco and America overall. Along with poetry about living the bohemian lifestyle there are episodes of sex and violence, two staples that usually make art worthwhile. Rod McKuen does demonstrate that he is struggling to be cool as in the poem, "No Pictures, Please". Eventually Rod McKuen ends up being rich and famous and beloved for being an uncool romantic sentimental sap; in other words being himself. He doesn't need worry about trivial things such as growing a beard, wearing turtleneck sweaters or assembling a collection of Lenny Bruce records in his pad (that means someone's home for you squares out there). The masses wanted love poems and Rod McKuen could deliver with ease.

There was another reissue of Beatsville called Rod McKuen Takes a San Francisco Hippie Trip aimed at you guessed it, the then-trendy hippie crowd. For some reason, the salacious material and language was edited out of this particular reissue.

The music accompanying McKuen's readings was arranged by McKuen himself. The liner notes credit Howard Heitmayer on guitar, Buddy Colette on flute and Paul Gray on string bass.

Come take a trip through the cool part of mid-20th century culture with all of the salicious material and language included courtesy of one of the least coolest people in existence.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side 1

1. Co-Existence Bagel Shop Blues {1:01}

2. Bearded Ladies {3:16}

3. Haiku Poems {1:53}

4. No Pictures, Please {2:19}

5. Back to Sausalito {1:24}

6. Three Songs for "S" {2:43}

7. RSVP {1:20}

8. Joue {0:19}

9. Reflections on a Plane Trip Home {1:04}

Side 2

1. Life Is {0:44}

2. The Elegant Prison Downstairs {2:14}

3. The Bird Boy {2:05}

4. Grant Avenue Square Dance {0:19}

5. A Gallery of Assorted Beats {3:58}

6. Get the Hell Out of My World {3:18}

7. Like {0:39}

8. What is a Fabian? {3:41}

Directional Sound - The Sound of Sounds

Directional Sound - The Sound of Sounds

released on LP

This is a stereo test/ sound effects record that I found at the same "community garage sale" and bought from the same people as The Darts LP in the previous post. Most of these sound effects records that I encountered in my years of digging usually have a random assortment of sounds arranged in their tracklistings and each track usually lasts a minute. The tracks on this LP each last about a minute too, but some of the sounds are organized into groups of tracks especially on side one. For example, the first four tracks are recordings of sounds of jets and planes. Side one has car noises grouped into four sequential tracks. One of them even has a sound of a crash. No, the crash was not arranged as the liner notes say and the driver was not seriously injured.

Side two mostly has recordings of nature such as waves, a thunderstorm, horses, livestock, birds, along with hogs being slaughtered. This is the first sound effects record I've encountered that has hogs being slaughtered. Shhhh, don't tell PETA about this post.

The back cover says: The recording contained in this jacket is the direct result of the skills and efforts of DIRECTIONAL SOUND's team of engineers, who spent hundreds of hours recording what we believe to be a unique Sound Effects album. Reproduced with the utmost fidelity and precision are the maximum extremes of sound ever recorded ... from the quiet babbling of a country brook to the dynamic take-off of a 707 Jet; from the chirpings of crickets to the unbelievable power of a full-fledged thunderstorm. Here is an array of sounds to excite any listener and to test to the maximum your playback equipment.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side One

1. Jet Engines in Test Cell, with Afterburner {0:47}

2. Sonic Boom & F-104 Supersonic Jets {1:10}

3. F-86's Taking Off & Flying Overhead {1:49}

4. Boeing 707's Takeoff {1:04}

5. Trains, Steam & Diesel in Yard {0:59}

6. Steam, Electric, Diesel Passing Country Crossing {1:28}

7. Harbor Scene S. S. Matsonia Leaving {1:34}

8. Speed Boats in Race, Passing Under Bridge {1:46}

9. Sports Cars in Pit Area (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) {1:05}

10. Sports Cars on Straightaway {1:29}

11. Sports Cars on Approach to Curve {1:02}

12. Sports Cars on Curve, with Crash {1:20}

Side Two

1. Pigeons in Hayloft {1:19}

2. Passing of a Thunderstorm, with Cicadas {1:58}

3. Incoming Tide at Malibu, with Seagulls {1:39}

4. Horses, Horses {1:10}

5. Jungle Scene {1:07}

6. Hogs Slaughtered {0:53}

7. Wild Geese & Birds {0:39}

8. Babbling Brook {0:51}

9. Frogs {0:39}

10. Livestock {0:58}

11. Day Crickets {1:00}

12. Children Playing {0:53}

13. Fireworks at Pallisades Park {1:01}

14. Magic Mechanical Orchestra {1:05}

The Darts - Hollywood Drag

The Darts - Hollywood Drag

released on LP

I was browsing through one of those "community garage sales" which was actually more like a swap meet where people from almost all over town gathered in a parking lot to sell their stuff. People would have their own spots usually with a couple of tables and their vehicle behind them. I came across a couple who had a couple of boxes of records. Most of the records were easy listening or sort of "space age pop" material. They did have three records I wanted to buy and the record featured in this post was one of them. The price of each record was $1.

At first, I thought this was a car sounds record as I didn't look at it closely enough. The liner notes only list drag racing terms and their definitions such as "drop the hammer", "put the can in", "haulin' mother", "feather footed", etc. along with a brief background of drag racing. It would be nifty to have another record of car noises as you know by now I like these things if you've been visiting this blog for a while. This turned out differently than I expected.

The LP is actually an album of early rock 'n' roll instrumentals which the style is referred to as hot rod music on the back cover. No date of release was given, but I'm guessing early 1960s. I'm not really disappointed that this wasn't what I thought it was as I actually enjoy this LP. I'm fond of the fifth track, "Monkey Do" where a tape containing a guitar part sounds like it's been slowed down while all the other parts seems to be at the correct speed; perhaps an early attempt at studio experimentation. Yes, there are car noises mixed with the music. Since summer is almost here in the northern half of the planet (for those in the southern half, stay warm), it is a good time as any to bring out this LP as the music was made for doing fun outdoor activities like cruising, making people envious by showing off one's hot rod, and drag racing as already mentioned.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side 1

1. Alky Burner {2:28}

2. Top Eliminator {2:16}

3. Hippy's Delight {2:19}

4. Street Machine {1:43}

5. Monkey Do {2:14}

6. Gaucho {2:00}

Side 2

1. Slauson & Soto {1:28}

2. Detroit Iron/Hollywood Drag {4:10}

3. Cruisin' {1:46}

4. Shop Talk {1:40}

5. Corn Pone {2:08}

James Walker - Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion

James Walker - Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion

released on cassette

Although not credited on the tape, I recognize James Walker's voice from the other Watchman Fellowship tapes (previously posted here and here, BTW) as the man giving a long lecture about Christian Science. At the lecture, manuals were given to attendees which are referred to on this tape. I didn't find the manual, but it's probably not necessary for listening. Walker takes on the Christian Science denomination. According to Walker, Christian Science deviates from the correct belief system (i.e. the scriptures). Walker asserts that Christian Science is neither Christian nor science.

Christian Science was first articulated by Mary Baker Eddy around 1875 when she published her ideas in the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In 1879, Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, the formal organization of Christian Science, in Boston, Massachusetts. Basically according to the Christian Science FAQ on its website, Christian Science "is based upon a set of spiritual principles - laws relating to the nature of God and His creation - that can be applied with expected, consistent results" and it "is based on the Bible, and Christian Scientists follow the teachings and ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, the virgin birth, the crucifixion, the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, and so on, are all central to Christian Science theology." Prayer rather than remedies by modern medicine (a product of science) is usually the Christian Scientist's first choice for methods of healing. Christian Scientists claim that healing through prayer has worked for various ailments even for fixing broken bones.

The background of founder Mary Baker Eddy explains the Christian Science belief described above:

Without a doubt, the Bible was the most significant influence in Eddy’s life. She was a devoted student of the Scriptures from early childhood and gradually gained the conviction that spiritual healing was not limited to biblical times but could be practiced as effectively today. Chronically ill, she also investigated the medical systems of her time and gained insights into the mental factors of health from her study of homeopathy. For a time, her health improved under the care of Phineas P. Quimby, a self-taught healer in Maine who combined mental suggestion or hypnosis with what today might be called therapeutic touch. The improvement was not permanent, however, and she moved beyond his methods after his death in 1866. Convinced that genuine healing was rooted in God, not the human mind, she experienced a profound spiritual healing at age 44 as she read an account of Jesus’ healings. She spent the next three years of her life researching the Bible to understand how she had been healed and applying what she was learning to healing others through a system she eventually called Christian Science.

James Walker attempts to refute Christian Science beliefs and Mary Baker Eddy's ideas throughout the tape. One of the Christian Science beliefs is that evil is illusory and only good is real. Walker asserts that evil does exist especially emphasizing that Satan is alive and well. Walker implies that Christian Science has been perpetrated by demons or dark occultic forces. Despite the membership of Christian Science declining, Walker sounds alarmist over Christian Science's supposed influence in the world and asks people to "witness" to Christian Scientists to convert their beliefs to line up with Walker's beliefs and those of the Watchman Fellowship. Check out the Watchman Fellowship's perspective on Christian Science.

Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion {44:34}

Side 2

1. Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion {44:33}

Charles S. Kendall - Patriotic Chimes

Charles S. Kendall - Patriotic Chimes

released on LP

Charles S. Kendall has a prolific discography of albums full of chimes. Some of his other releases are listed on the back cover. Kendall's repertoire consist mostly of religious (i.e. Xian) standards along with American patriotic standards which are on this album.

I was going to post this later on the 4th of July, but I'll be on vacation during the first week of July. I didn't want to wait to post this so I'll post it now. The tunes on this album do not excite me, but I do like listening to music played on chimes so I occasionally enjoy listening to this record.


Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. America {1:25}

2. America the Beautiful {1:52}

3. God of Our Fathers {1:49}

4. God, Known of Old {1:23}

5. God, the Omnipotent {1:35}

6. O Valiant Hearts {1:15}

7. Our Thought of Thee, Dear Country {1:07}

8. Come, Ye Thankful People {1:39}

9. Come! Peace of God {1:31}

10. God Bless America {1:57}

Side 2

1. Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean {1:24}

2. Hail, Columbia {1:48}

3. Battle Hymn of the Republic {1:54}

4. Dixie {1:20}

5. Battle Cry of Freedom {1:52}

6. Just Before the Battle Mother {1:29}

7. We're Tenting Tonight {1:39}

8. Army Air Corps/Caissows Go Rolling Along/Anchors Aweigh/The Marine's Hymn {3:09}

9. Over There/Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition {1:16}

10. The Stars and Stripes Forever {0:53}

11. The Star Spangled Banner {1:38}