'TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
Baron Dave Romm
By Baron Dave Romm
As alerted by Joan Manners a few days ago here on Bartcop-E, The Foremen have two other albums aside from the ones I recommended, though at least one is out of print, and an available Roy Zimmerman CD. She kindly sent the three of them my way, and I've now had a chance to listen to them. They do not disappoint.
Some political humor works by commenting on the day's events, like a Saturday Night Live Weekend Update, The Daily Show or the pin-point skewer of the Capitol Steps. The Foremen's time was the late 80s-early 90s and many of the songs work best in context. But not all political observations are ephemeral and many Foremen songs are still politically relevant and still comment on today's situations. Conservatives are still sex-obsessed racists, Republicans are still more interested in their own power than they are in helping people like you, and most of us are still struggling to find meaning in a world that doesn't always make sense. If, as Tom Lehrer observed, satire died when Henry Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize, it surely was buried when George W. appointed Kissinger to lead the commission to investigate 9/11 (from which he resigned, as Joe Conason predicted, since he would have to reveal his client list). The Foremen take us back to a more simple era when laughter helped frame public consciousness and wasn't quite the desperate attempt to deal with lying scoundral in the White House and religious extremists in power here in the US and all over the world. Like a fine wine, some Foremen songs work best in their vintage year while other continue to age well. Joan links to all the Forement/Zimmerman CDs you can get new and suggestions on where to look for used.
Given the repitition of material on the two albums of the same name, I expected the first Folk Heroes to be largely redundant. True, there are a few songs on both, and the second has perhaps The Foremen's best song Building for the Future. But the first sings about the first Gulf War in Saddam Shame that's still relevant. Heck, The Jesse Helms Song illuminates the ol' boy in a way that's still fresh, though it applies more to Trent Lott now that Helms is officially out of office (and Strom Thurmond is officially dead). At some point I'm going to put Hard Time To Be A Man together with Christine Lavin's Sensative New Age Guys. I know lots of slightly bent bands who need a last song to their first set, and Song of Many Deaths will get spread around. Amazon.com has the second Folk Heroes, while Snazzy American Music has What's Left and (the first) Folk Heroes.
Some live albums work better than others. The unavailable Sing It Loud! is the Foreman's live concert at Luna Park in West Hollywood. While I wouldn't recommend it as the first Foremen album to get, if you're a fan and want more, keep your eyes on the used bins. Familiar songs have nice introductions, and Building For The Future, fittingly, builds to a great version. There are a few songs that aren't on the studio albums. I collect Internet songs, and Lazin' In The Shade is a good one. The Christmas song is good, the Dylan parody on mandatory jail sentencing works, even former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski gets his own reggae song.
Roy Zimmerman wrote all the songs for the Foremen. His solo album, Comic Sutra, isn't all that much like the group. Most of the songs aren't political, though they're pretty funny, and the ones that touch upon political issues are more general and don't have a specific target. My favorite song on the album is even more relevant now than it was a few years ago. Defenders of Marriage is all about gay marriages and hits the issues dead on. Not many people take on branding (the next step after piercing) or vasecotomies. Roy must be a fun date (I bet his wife is interesting too). Comic Sutra is (mostly) a live concert at Luna Park, and sprinkled with a few words that aren't really too naughty but I'll have to bleep them for airplay.
Roy has an ear for musical styles and his lyrics spear to the heart. Not all the images work, but when then they do, they're unmatched. "...when a priest can marry the man of his choice, you'll be there..." The vivid images in T.M.I. might make this the second good song I can't listen to, after Weird Al's One More Minute. I hold him in high regard along with favorites like Tom Lehrer, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz and Wally Pleasant. I wish he'd do more, but I can undertand how creativity demands patience. (I just wish we didn't have to suffer for our art, dammit.)
Aside: There are a LOT of songs and albums that are out of print and unavailable commercially. It would be trivially easy (baring contractual disputes) to put those songs up on iTunes or some other internet pay-per-song venue. Purveyors of obscure music such as myself can only hope the record companies twig to this cheap method of keeping their catalog active. Until then, we haunt used bins and trade CDs... anyone have weird stuff for me? I'm still looking for obscure and odd songs to sling at Dr. Demento for our potential Dement-Off at Marscon 2004.
from Alex
'Prisoner of Azkaban'
An exclusive visit to 2004's 'Prisoner of Azkaban'
Quote: "Cuaron's outspokenness is also new to the franchise. Does the evil
wizard Voldemort still remind him of George W. Bush, as he said recently?
"In combination with Saddam," he says. "They both have selfish interests and
are very much in love with power. Also, a disregard for the environment. A
love for manipulating people. I read books four and five, and
Fudge"—Rowling's slippery Minister of Magic—"is similar to Tony Blair. He's
the ultimate politician. He's in denial about many things. And everything is
for the sake of his own persona, his own power. The way the Iraq thing was
handled was not unlike the way Fudge handled affairs in book four."
'Prisoner of Azkaban'
Thanks, Alex!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
The Wall Street Poet
'The Return Of The Liberal'
As recently as a few months ago, the neoconservative agenda seemed unassailable, and traditional liberalism dead and gone. But maybe not...
The Return Of The Liberal
(A Poem)
Is it true that you've come back?
They told us you were dead.
All your governing ideas
Are outmoded now, they said.
We heard you hated markets,
Loved tax and spending schemes,
Cut wages of brave soldiers
While enriching welfare queens.
In defending these fair shores,
A.M. radio assures us,
That your pussy-footing made,
Friends and foes a laughing chorus.
Worst of all (the word's been passed),
Rapid growth you seemed to fear,
All our wealth you trickled down,
And promoted class warfare.
You want what? Another hearing?
Make it quick, I'm short of time.
Just now I'm going crazy
Hanging on to my last dime.
You say you have sound notions
For a job scene that's gone flat,
And help for needy seniors -
I could maybe vote for that.
You say you'll lower taxes
For the middle class and poor,
Instead of puffing up the rich -
I'm listening, tell me more.
You say with other nations,
Joint action's what you¹d rather;
You'd chuck the bully bluster
And jingoistic blather.
Now its coming back to me,
Why once we got on good;
You had some down home answers
To improve my neighborhood.
So maybe you'll be welcome
If you've dumped the glitz and fad;
'Cause truth be told I'm thinking
By this new crowd - I've been had.
© 2003
**********
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Still hot, but the humidity has returned to a tolerable level.
The city left a porta-potty out in front of our house for the weekend - it's a very attractive shade of hunter-orange. The door wasn't locked & I think every kid in the 'hood has had to stop by & leave some form of a deposit. Just glad it hasn't been tipped over.
Didn't get the kitten at the shore this morning, but another cat had been dumped, and she's pregnant. So, now the pregnant one is in the pantry, and the kitten from yesterday is in the kennel on the back porch. The kitten is black except for white boots & a milk moustache - he also has extra toes. Will try to 'get' his sister in the morning, so they can all make their vet appointments Tuesday morning.
Tonight, Monday, CBS opens the evening with a RERUN 'Yes, Dear', followed by a RERUN 'Still Standing', then a RERUN
'Raymond', followed by a RERUN 'King Of Queens', then a RERUN 'CSI: Miami'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Dave are Jason Biggs, astrophysicist Dr. Robert C. Nichol, and bowling whiz kid Jesse Grabow.
Scheduled on a FRESH Craiggers are New York Yankee David Wells, Traci Lords, and Ben Lee.
NBC starts the night with a RERUN 'Fear Factor', followed by a FRESH 'For Lu$t Or Money', then a FRESH
'Who Wants To Marry My Dad?'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Jay are Drew Carey, Erin Brodie, and John Mellencamp.
On a RERUN Conan are Regis Philbin, Ja Rule, and Kevin McDonald. (RERUNs all week)
On a RERUN Carson Daly are Jennifer Eccleston, and Ludacris. (RERUNs all week)
ABC dumps their night of reruns to air golf. On the left coast, local programming will prevail during prime time hours.
On a RERUN Jimmy Kimmel (from 6/25/03), are Kelsey Grammer, Kelly Hu, and Joe Budden, with guest co-host David Cross. (RERUNs all week)
The WB offers a RERUN '7th Heaven', followed by another RERUN '7th Heaven'.
Faux has the movie 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps'.
UPN has a RERUN 'The Parkers', followed by a RERUN 'One On One', then a RERUN
'Girlfriends', followed by a RERUN 'Half & Half'.
A&E - 'Biography' (Dr. Phil), 'Cold Case Files', and 'City Confidential'.
AMC offers the movie 'Midnight Express', followed by the movie 'Wild At Heart', then the movie 'Highlander'.
BBC -
[7pm] 'Ground Force' - Gerrards Cross;
[7:30pm] 'Changing Rooms' - Northamptonshire;
[8pm] 'Jonathan Creek' - The Three Gamblers;
[9pm] 'Red Cap' - Cover Story;
[10pm] 'Red Cap' - Espirit De Corps;
[11pm] 'So Graham Norton' - Rachel Griffiths;
[11:30pm] 'So Graham Norton' - Liza Minelli;
[12am] 'Red Cap' - Cover Story;
[1am] 'Red Cap' - Espirit De Corps;
[2am] 'Jonathan Creek' - The Three Gamblers;
[3am] 'So Graham Norton' - Rachel Griffiths; and
[3:30am] 'So Graham Norton' - Liza Minelli. (ALL TIMES EDT)
Bravo has the movie 'The Man In The Moon', followed by the movie 'The Man In The Moon'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Jon Stewart are Paul Teutul, Jr. & Paul Teutul, Sr.
DSC hosts a 'Monster House' mini-marathon.
History offers 'Modern Marvels', 'Mail Call', 'Conquest', and 'Rolling Thunder: The True Story Of The 3rd Armored Division'.
Lifetime finally airs the 'Designing Women Reunion'.
SciFi is all 'Stargate SG-1' all night.
TCM celebrates Joe E. Brown from dawn til dusk.
[6am] 'MGM Parade Show #17' (1955);
[6:30am] 'On With The Show' (1929);
[8:15am] 'Eleven Men And A Girl' (1930) [AKA: Maybe It's Love (1930)];
[9:30am] 'Top Speed' (1930);
[11am] 'Local Boy Makes Good' (1931);
[12:15pm] 'You Said A Mouthful' (1932);
[1:30pm] 'Fireman, Save My Child' (1932);
[2:45pm] 'Son Of A Sailor' (1933);
[4pm] 'The Circus Clown' (1934);
[5:15pm] 'Earthworm Tractors' (1936);
[6:30pm] 'Sons O' Guns' (1936);
[8pm] 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' (1962);
[10:30pm] 'Ship of Fools' (1965);
[1am] 'Attack' (1956); and
[3am] 'The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse' (1962). (ALL TIMES EDT)
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger waves to his fans as he arrives at the Duplex music club on Wenceslas Square in Prague to celebrate his 60th birthday on Saturday, 26 July, 2003.
Photo by Michal Krumphanzl
The Information One-Stop
Moose & Squirrel
To Study Israel Spinal Treatment
Christopher Reeve
Former "Superman" star Christopher Reeve will visit Israel this week to study the country's treatment of spinal injuries and further his campaign for stem cell research.
Israel is a major center for stem cell study, which is championed by Reeve as offering hope for people with spinal cord injuries.
During the five-day trip he will visit Israeli research institutions, tour facilities for the disabled and meet Israelis paralyzed in terrorist attacks. He also is expected to meet Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and visit Jerusalem's Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site.
U.S. federal law strictly limits stem cell research and Reeve has criticized the government's stance. In April, he said social and religious conservatives "have had undue influence on the critical debate."
Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
A plane takes off from McCarran International Airport as a rainbow appears over hotels on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a rainstorm July 26, 2003. More storms are expected in the area for several days as the local monsoon season continues.
Photo by Ethan Miller
Cuts Dates
Lollapalooza
The cost of meeting Lollapalooza's production needs at nontraditional venues created an untenable risk/reward ratio that has contributed to the cancellation of two dates on the tour.
But the amphitheater dates on the route are performing well enough, despite organizers' belief that the tour is being perceived as less than successful.
"This tour is doing fantastic," says Peter Grosslight, who heads the music division for the William Morris Agency. "We're fighting a perception. Lollapalooza is doing great as an amphitheater tour."
Grosslight acknowledges that two dates at alternative venues did not work out. "We, and a couple of promoters, were too bullish in two situations," he says. "We could have done 15,000 people, but the promoters would have lost a lot of money."
With a cost to talent buyers of $500,000, Lollapalooza is already on a tight profit margin. And while Clear Channel Entertainment-promoted dates are at CCE sheds that routinely host touring festivals, less-than-hoped-for sales led to the plug being pulled on shows in smaller markets in Ionia, Mich., and Vernon, N.Y.
For more, Lollapalooza
Ready to Bring Anarchy to U.S.A.
Sex Pistols
Never mind the bollocks. Can the Sex Pistols sell tickets?
"That's a good question," says Jim Glancy, vice president for promoter Clear Channel Entertainment in New York. The answer will come soon enough; the punk pioneers embark on their first tour in seven years this summer.
The Pistols' John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon has no false illusions that tickets will fly out the window.
"They won't blow out," he says with a sneer. "We're just filling in between . And I don't care; I just do what I do. Bloody hell."
The Pistols package includes Dropkick Murphys and the Reverend Horton Heat. The tour is just 13 dates, beginning Aug. 20 at FleetBoston Pavilion in Boston and wrapping Sept. 7 at the San Diego Street Scene festival.
For a lot more, Sex Pistols
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Pop Stars Line Up
'American Dreams'
NBC's nostalgic family drama "American Dreams" will continue its tradition of contemporary casting pop stars as 1960s artists in the show's second season.
Already lined up to appear in upcoming episodes are R&B stars Monica and Alicia Keys and inaugural "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson.
Also signed for the series' sophomore season are "Lizzie McGuire" star/recording artist Hilary Duff and her sister Haylie Duff.
The hit show is set in Philadelphia, where one of the teenage characters is a regular dancer on "American Bandstand." The show incorporates vintage footage of the Dick Clark-hosted series, as well as recreating performances by pop stars of day.
'American Dreams'
A jogger makes his way across the street in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles in this June 25, 2003 photo. With a dramatic, curved steel exterior that looks more like sculpture than architecture, the hall is being counted on to provide much more than a new home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. When the $274-million, Frank Gehry-designed building opens this fall, local government officials and business leaders are banking on it becoming an immediate icon in the downtown area.
Photo by Damian Dovarganes
Postponed New York Show
Hootie & The Blowfish
Hootie & The Blowfish postponed their concert at Roseland in New York City due to ongoing local labor disputes. The band said in a statement, "We are extremely disappointed that we will not be performing tonight in New York City but we, as a band, are not willing to cross the picket line made up of people that we work with on a daily basis. We expect to re-schedule this show in the very near future when circumstances are more favorable."
The band is currently on tour in support of their latest self-titled album with Big Head Todd & The Monsters opening for them. Hootie's next show is scheduled for the Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday (July 27).
Hootie & The Blowfish
Wrestler Sues Videogame Maker
Maxx Payne
Retired World Championship Wrestling professional Maxx Payne filed a $10 million lawsuit against a group of video software developers for allegedly stealing his persona to create the game "Max Payne."
The lawsuit was filed last week in U.S. District Court against Rockstar Games Inc., 3D Realms Entertainment, Gathering of Developers and Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
"I left wrestling to come home to Utah and be with my family and I find myself in the biggest battle of my life — to save my identity," said the ex-fighter, whose real name is Darryl Peterson. "They stole something from me that I'm not going to give up."
Maxx Payne
Formerly 'The Vidiot'
Buys 2,000 Acres
Jeff Foxworthy
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy bought 2,000 acres of hunting and fishing land in west Georgia, ending speculation that the area would become a golf resort.
Foxworthy, 44, closed the deal earlier this week in Atlanta. The price was not disclosed, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported Thursday.
"It means a lot to him to be able to give this farm to his children," said Phebe Robertson, whose father, Harris County businessman Cason J. Callaway Jr., owned the property.
California developer Bill Phillips at one point had a contract with Callaway to build a golf resort community called Heritage at Callaway Farms but the project never materialized.
Jeff Foxworthy
Ben Gorelick, a guide and instructor, ice climbs on the Matanuska Glacier off the Glenn Highway, Alaska, Saturday, July 26, 2003. The road accessible glacier is a popular spot for summer ice climbers.
Photo by Matt Hage
Honorary Mayor
Mickey Rooney
The crowd sang camp songs, a school fight song and even "You Are My Sunshine" before and after a ceremony to honor 82-year-old Mickey Rooney.
Rooney was proclaimed Saturday as honorary Girls and Boys Town mayor for life before the crowd of more than 300. The honor was reminiscent of his role as young tough Whitey Marsh in the 1938 Oscar-winning movie "Boys Town."
In the movie, which is celebrating it 65th anniversary this year, Rooney's character turns his life around at the home for wayward boys and is elected its mayor.
"This is an honor that is not to be taken lightly," the 5-3, elderly actor responded. "You have so much to be proud of at Boys Town."
For more, Mickey Rooney
Girls and Boys Town
Says U.S. Forces Arrested Employees
Al Jazeera
The Arabic television network Al Jazeera said on Sunday U.S. forces had arrested their correspondent and driver in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul while they filmed an attack on American troops.
"They were filming a civilian Iraqi car shooting at American forces in Mosul. So the Americans arrested the driver and the correspondent," an Al Jazeera official told Reuters, but said he had no further information.
Earlier this month, Iraqi police arrested and later released four of the Arab station's employees in Iraq, suspecting one of them of inciting violence.
Al Jazeera
Elephant Pinky fitted with rear-end reflectors, and her mahout Manohar, go to get food in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 24, 2003. Elephant mahouts have begun putting reflectors about five inches in diameter on the animals backsides at night to stop them being rear-ended by motorists who cant see them.
Photo by Gautam Singh
'Ark of Darkness'
"The Ark of Darkness", a Political/Science-Fiction work, in tidy, weekly installments (and updated every Friday).
Our explorers try a dangerous shortcut as Lilith and Nathaniel battle at the edge of doom.
'The Osbournes'
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 5
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 4
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 3
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 2
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 1
