M Is FOR MASHUP - July 15th, 2009
Unreleased Mashup Collections-A New Fad?
By DJ Useo
Not all of the mashup producers currently producing are comfortable with the large volume of fine tracks seeing the light of day each night. There is truly a phenomenal amount of competition what with the 'world-wide web' linking us all up into just a few highly-concentrated areas of boot-legdom. Thus, it will assuredly come as a relief to many mixers & possibly even some mashup fans to hear that none of the mashup collections in this article will actually be released. All are merely fictitious creations of my fevered brain, but sometimes I grow weary of the world-as-it-is & enjoy a quick romp in the pure realm of creativity. In this case, you enjoy the benefit.(not like that time with the smiling yellow face, that didn't work out.)
The first mashup collection we take a startled look at is 'WHO PUT THE R IN THAR", a compilation from bootleggers living near Sesame Street. This new record features 16 mixers making tracks that use only artists with an 'R' in their name. To many such a concept would be a constrictive experience, but to Peder I-Podamus & the chaps at the Mixed-It-2wice bootleg forum, it was a labor of love. "Yes,once it was explained to us what the letter 'R' was, we all took to the project like ducks to serving trays", said Peder, through his interpreter, Guy Of Mixbane. Guy continued "I was against the entire idea at first. I'd never been on good terms with that letter. But once I got past my mindless bigotry against letters that come after 'M', I saw the potential.
From the first track by DJ Mem-Brain 'Little Red Revolution' (Prince vs The Beartles) (hmm, that isn't right, is it?) to the
Glitch-rock of MeatMixer's 'R Is A Good Letter To Mash To' (The Trolling Stones vs Justin Trimberlake) (That isn't right!?) I can see this album employs many a mixer who seemingly spells at the same level as a stunned deer in the headlights. You will be glad this sucker never got released.
The second mashup collection comes to us from The Balloon Pauper, the same fellow behind last year's "SONGS FOR EARS FULL OF JAM" album. That's right, the same guy who recorded the masters on grape jelly & then ate them. This new collection Pauper hasn't eaten (yet) & stars quite a few mashers from his native country, Peehorhea. "HII TEE HII TEE HII TEE" is a scathing indictment of the Peehorhean governments' lack of appreciation of their local mashup mixers. Each mixer on this collection sticks to a strict style of western-pellas vs the regional Peehorhean Spalk music. You'll hear the anguish of the contributors in tracks like "Ouch! It Hurts Like Bad Clams" (Britney vs Moolk MMkooob) & "I Am Complaining Through A Mashup" (Tiny Tim vs Burger & The Meisters). If you remember how amusing the past Peehorhean mashups have been, like Gibbler's "Ha Ha Lol And A Half" (Veruca Salt vs Tim Burr), then you will like this album. Me, I'd rather chew the bark off a tree. Among the mixers featured are Pete Pockitt, Nancy Boi, & Nick NoTeaThankYou, so you can sure of little more than that.
Now for a mashup release that will startle your brain, shiver your liver, & gargle your bargle. "ORLY MASHUPS:A Tribute To ORLY OWLS" is the last record you ever thought would appear, perhaps right after "CHENEY REMIXES", or "THE BOOTLEGGERS HONOUR CUSTARD". The story behind this record is a preposterous one, but a tale worth relating, unless you've already moved on to the tv listings. It seems that the peeps at the I'MFULLAMASHUPS mashup forum had a popular off-topic post featuring those bizarre ORLY OWLS that you see all over the net. Not knowing the danger of allowing too many of those smiling feather-bearers to be in close vicinity, they soon became hypnotized by them & were compelled to do an entire album of tracks about the smiling avians. There's tracks by DJ Thankyou, The Mixer From Luxxor, Olly The DJ, Abe Elton, & many more familiar names. Tracks like "Orly Sluts" (2 Live Crew vs Peaches), "I've Got ORLY Spirit, How Bout You?" (The Jefferson Manplane vs The Bitch Boys) & "I Drank With An ORLY" (Rod Stewart vs The Condom Rappers) lurk on this album, so there. Grab yours now before ORLYs are outlawed.
Thanks for indulging me with this completely fictional column. When I started writing my first column it truthfully was called "THIS WEEK IN FICTIONAL BOOTLEGGING", so it was fun for me to return to my roots, as it were. One last bit of untruthfulness now, with a fraudulent mix of the week.
MIX OF THE WEEK- A. Littl IR.Rational has been making fine mixes for many years now. This new mix called "Can't Hear You" is 100 minutes of pure Fudge music with a light sprinkling of sprinklelites. Don't listen if you are on a diet. I hear his next mix will have pecans in it. Yum! (No link provided)
Mashup Tip : Study CPR in case your mashups are extreme!
DJ Useo's Podcast
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Charlie Brooker: The very fabric of society is breaking down around us. What the hell is there left to believe in? (guardian.co.uk)
Right now all our faith has poured out of the old institutions, and there's nowhere left to put it. We need new institutions to believe in, and fast.
Andrew Tobias: Stocks for the Long Run (andrewtobias.com)
How to Turn a Penny into $1 Billion in 74 Years (without Even Having to Inject Dennis Quaid into Your bloodstream).
MAUREEN DOWD: Sweet, Tweet Revenge (nytimes.com)
A remarkable exchange between John McCain and Sarah Palin, the erstwhile mavericky twins, in bites of 140 characters or less.
Scott Burns: "Home Lending: Still A Problem, But Another Kind of Problem" (assetbuilder.com)
Analysts greeted the tiny May increase in existing home sales with minimal cheer. I guess they were looking for something more dramatic. In fact, they didn't understand the meaning of the little uptick. It was a miracle. It is miraculous...
Germaine Greer: Vermeer's 'Girl With the Red Hat' is a fabulous painting - but is it actually by a woman? (guardian.co.uk)
Dr Benjamin Binstock, who teaches art history at Cooper Union in New York, has kindly sent me a copy of his book, 'Vermeer's Family Secrets: Genius, Discovery and the Unknown Apprentice.'
The interview: Jay McInerney (guardian.co.uk)
He shot to fame in 1984 with his first novel, 'Bright Lights, Big City,' which chronicled the lives of wealthy New York hedonists. So how is the poster boy of 80s excess faring in the middle of a global recession? A quarter of a century and '17 midlife crises' after his debut, the writer, still at the top of his game, meets Rachel Cooke and talks about his many marriages and how the Wall Street crash is at the heart of his next novel
Paul Harris: Publishers unearth bestsellers from beyond the literary grave (guardian.co.uk)
They are the hottest authors in publishing, delivering works of murder, mystery, ribald humour and passionate love, and they all have one thing in common: they are long dead.
Fight for the right to party (guardian.co.uk)
For a brief moment, at vast and lawless raves such as Castlemorton, a generation glimpsed an alternative way of life. Speaking to survivors of the early 90s free party scene, Tim Guest tells the story of how the state crushed the dream.
Mark Caro: Have the Harry Potter films shed the books' shadow? (Chicago Tribune)
The previous Harry Potter movie was a big deal, yes, but it came out less than two weeks before the seventh and final chapter of J.K. Rowling's phenomenally popular series hit bookshelves everywhere.
Roger Ebert's Journal: No way to fight aliens
"The Hurt Locker" represents a return to strong, exciting narrative. Here is a film about a bomb disposal expert that depends on character, dialogue and situation to develop almost unbearable suspense. It contains explosions, but only a few, and it is not about explosions, but about hoping that none will happen. That sense of hope is crucial. When we merely want to see stuff blowed up real good in a movie, that means the movie contains no one we give a damn about.
David Bruce: Parties (athensnews.com)
Triathlete Heather Hedrick takes her sport seriously, and so do the other athletes she hangs out with. One advantage of having fellow athletes as her friends is that everyone is training. According to Ms. Hedrick, "I'm never the party pooper. Everyone else goes home at 10 p.m., too."
David Bruce: "The Most Interesting People in Sports: 250 Anecdotes" (lulu.com; $1.25 download)
This book contains 250 anecdotes about sports, including this one: Some boys playing baseball in a park once saw Babe Ruth stopped at a red light, and they requested, "Come on, let us see you hit a few." Babe parked his car and spent 30 minutes hitting easy fly balls so the boys could catch them-and he hit a few that traveled a very long distance. Babe was generous with money, too. One day during spring training, rain resulted in the cancellation of a game, so he went to a racetrack, where he won $9,000. In Babe's day, players were not paid during spring training, so most of his teammates were broke. Babe went back to the clubhouse, threw the $9,000 on top of an equipment trunk, and said, "Well, boys, look what I found."
The Weekly Poll
New Question
The 'GLAAD says it's bad' Edition
Bruno is a hit! #1 at the Box Office! Rave Reviews!
However, GLAAD says it reinforces gay stereotypes - Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) - Media Release
Others seem to think Bruno is merely 'Camp' and good example of it, at that - New York Movies - Sacha Baron Cohen in Queerface for Brüno
What do you think?
Send your response to
What TV series' theme song started "Who is that tall, dark stranger there?"?
noted:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Michelle Suggests
Links
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Still hot, but at least it's cooling off at night.
Urges Community Service On His Birthday
Nelson Mandela
Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday urged the world to observe his birthday this week by doing volunteer work to improve the lives of others.
"It is our hope that people will dedicate their time and effort to improve the conditions within their own communities," said Mandela in a videotaped message prepared ahead of his 91st birthday on Saturday.
His charitable Nelson Mandela Foundation is encouraging an annual observance of his birthday on July 18 as a Mandela Day devoted to public service.
"It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it. Mandela Day will not be a holiday but a day devoted to service."
Nelson Mandela
Art Scam Victim
Robert De Niro
Several paintings by actor Robert De Niro's late father were sold without the actor's permission as part of an art scam by a New York gallery, the Manhattan District Attorney's office said on Tuesday.
Art dealer Lawrence Salander, 59, was indicted on additional charges for stealing $5 million from several estates on Tuesday after he was arrested in March for orchestrating a sophisticated $88-million art investment scam that also duped former tennis champion John McEnroe and Bank of America.
Salander and other dealers at his New York gallery sold the works by Robert De Niro Sr., an abstract Expressionist painter who died of cancer in 1993 aged 71, and did not pay out the majority of the sales to his estate, according to the charges.
Other victims relating to the additional charges include the Lachaise Foundation, who consigned the works of French-American sculptor Gaston Lachaise, as well as the estate of Elie Nadelman, an American sculptor who died in 1946.
Robert De Niro
Don't Forget The Yoopers
Michigan
There's more to Michigan than the mitten.
That's only the Lower Peninsula. To make sure the Upper Peninsula is not forgotten, state lawmaker Michael Lahti proposed legislation requiring that both be included on official publications that include an image or map. A state House committee unanimously approved the measure Tuesday.
The U.P. has nearly one-third of Michigan's land area but just 3 percent of its population. Some "Yoopers," as residents call themselves, felt slighted last year when a state-sponsored tourism commercial only showed the more populous Lower Peninsula. The television ad was later fixed.
People have also seen maps elsewhere that show the U.P. as part of Wisconsin or Canada - or not at all.
Michigan
Baby News
Holden Backus
Mira Sorvino has expressed her joy after the birth of her "miracle" baby.
The 41-year-old actress went into labour at the end of June after a string of complications during pregnancy that threatened both her and her unborn son.
But baby Holden is now out of hospital and back at the family home, much to the joy of Mira and husband Christopher Backus.
Holden Backus
More Baby News
Roman Stylianos & Adele Georgiana Gianopoulos
Pretty In Pink actress Molly Ringwald gave birth to Roman Stylianos and Adele Georgiana on Friday.
Last month she spoke of her joy at finding out she was to have a boy and a girl, describing it as "the best of both worlds".
Molly and husband, Greek-American writer Panio Gianopoulos, already have one child, five-year-old Mathilda Ereni.
Roman Stylianos & Adele Georgiana Gianopoulos
Pleads Not Guilty
Artie Lange
Comedian and radio personality Artie Lange (LANG) has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of an intoxicant in New Jersey.
The Howard Stern show regular and author of the best-selling book "Too Fat to Fish" was charged following a minor traffic accident Friday in Toms River, about 40 miles southeast of Trenton.
Defense attorney Michael Grasso entered the plea for the 41-year-old Lange on Tuesday. He says Lange passed an alcohol screening test after the accident.
Police say officers assessed Lange as being under the influence based on their observations and requested a urine sample. Results haven't been received.
Artie Lange
Conservative Christian 'Married' 8-Year-Old
Tony Alamo
Evangelist Tony Alamo preyed on his loyal followers' young daughters, once taking a girl as young as 8 as his bride and repeatedly sexually assaulting her, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes said that girl's story and others unwound an "elaborate facade" Alamo wove around himself. Lawyers for the 74-year-old Alamo, who is charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex, argued that the alleged victims traveled across the country to further the outreach and business interests of a "bona fide religious group" that the government targeted out of its own prejudices.
U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes swore in a jury of nine men and three women on Tuesday. They include a jobless personnel employee, a worker for a local construction company and an airport finance director who lives in Fouke, the location of Alamo's 15-acre complex that authorities raided Sept. 20.
Fowlkes told jurors that a 15-year-old girl who left the Alamo ministries in 2006 told the FBI that Alamo married her at age 8. The girl told agents Alamo exchanged wedding vows and rings with her and first sexually assaulted her before she turned 10, Fowlkes said.
Alamo summoned another 15-year-old girl to his home in 1994 by telephone, authorities said, then telling her parents that God instructed him to marry her. Fowlkes said the parents consented and Alamo repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl, taking her on trips to West Virginia and Tennessee as he prepared for a trial on federal tax-evasion charges.
Tony Alamo
5-Car Accident
LeVar Burton
Los Angeles police say actor LeVar Burton was involved in a five-car accident but wasn't seriously injured.
Detective Judy Acosta says Burton's 2006 Mercedes was on Beverly Boulevard in West Los Angeles at about 7:40 p.m. Monday when a 74-year-old woman in a 2006 Scion turned left in front of him.
Acosta says the cars collided. Burton's vehicle then hit a parked car, leading to a chain reaction that damaged two other parked cars.
Acosta says both drivers complained of pain, then were examined at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and released. Nobody was ticketed.
LeVar Burton
Blogger Sentenced For Album Leaking
Guns N' Roses
A blogger who admitted to leaking part of the Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" was sentenced to a year of probation on Monday.
U.S. District Magistrate Judge Paul L. Abrams also ordered Kevin Cogill to serve two months of home confinement, subject his computers to government scrutiny and record a public service announcement for the Recording Industry Association of America.
Cogill pleaded guilty earlier this year to one misdemeanor count of copyright infringement for posting nine tracks from the long-awaited Guns 'N Roses album last year.
Cogill apologized for his actions in court Tuesday and said he didn't mean any harm by posting the tracks online.
Guns N' Roses
Bacterial Contamination
Propofol
Federal drug enforcement officials have contacted the maker of the powerful anesthetic propofol as part of their investigation into Michael Jackson's death.
A spokeswoman for Teva Pharmaceuticals says the Drug Enforcement Administration asked the company about a specific batch of the drug.
Teva voluntarily recalled two lots of propofol after investigators found bacterial contamination in some samples caused up to 40 patients in Florida, Arizona and Missouri to develop fevers and chills.
Teva spokeswoman Denise Bradley says the DEA asked about a different batch of the drug than what the company recalled. Propofol is the generic version of Diprivan. The anesthetic normally used in hospitals was found in Jackson's home after his death June 25.
Propofol
Prime-Time Nielsens
Ratings
Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for July 6-12. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.
1. (23) "America's Got Talent" (Wednesday), NBC, 11.91 million viewers.
2. (4) "NCIS," CBS, 11.0 million viewers.
3. (22) "America's Got Talent" (Tuesday), NBC, 10.57 million viewers.
4. (10) "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 9.41 million viewers.
5. (8) "The Mentalist" (Tuesday, 9 p.m.), CBS, 9.25 million viewers.
6. (15) "60 Minutes," CBS, 8.77 million viewers.
7. (14) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 8.76 million viewers.
8. (126) "Primetime: Family Secrets," ABC, 8.66 million viewers.
9. (41) "The Big Bang Theory," CBS, 8.34 million viewers.
10. (8) "The Mentalist" (Tuesday, 10 p.m.), CBS, 8.26 million viewers.
11. (50) "Wipeout," ABC, 8.19 million viewers.
12. (50) "So You Think You Can Dance" (Thursday), Fox, 7.88 million viewers.
13. (65) "The Bachelorette," ABC, 7.71 million viewers.
14. (4) "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 7.66 million
15. (50) "So You Think You Can Dance" (Wednesday), Fox, 7.59 million viewers.
16. (18) "CSI: NY," CBS, 7.25 million viewers.
17. (11) "Criminal Minds," CBS, 7.14 million viewers.
18. (79) "Big Brother" (Thursday), CBS, 6.58 million viewers.
19. (94) "America's Got Talent" (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), NBC, 6.32 million viewers.
20. (X) "Dateline NBC," NBC, 6.30 million viewers.
Ratings
In Memory
Sir Edward & Lady Joan Downes
British maestro Edward Downes, who conducted the BBC Philharmonic and the Royal Opera but struggled in recent years as his hearing and sight failed, has died with his wife at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland. He was 85 and she was 74.
The couple's children said Tuesday that they died "peacefully and under circumstances of their own choosing" on Friday at a Zurich clinic run by the group Dignitas.
"After 54 happy years together, they decided to end their own lives rather than continue to struggle with serious health problems," said a statement from the couple's son and daughter, Caractacus and Boudicca.
The statement said Downes, who became Sir Edward when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, had "a long, vigorous and distinguished career," but in recent years had become almost blind and nearly deaf.
His wife Joan, a former dancer, choreographer and television producer, had devoted years to working as his assistant. Downes' manager, Jonathan Groves, said Joan Downes had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
"Lady Downes was terminally ill, Sir Edward wasn't," he said. "It was a decision they both reached. Sir Edward would have survived her death but he decided he didn't want to. He didn't want to go on living without her."
Roughly 100 foreigners - most of them terminally ill - come to Switzerland each year to take advantage of the country's liberal laws on assisted suicide, which suggest that a person can be prosecuted only if they are acting out of self interest. Some are healthy except for a disability or severe mental disorder. Typically they go to a room run by Dignitas, which provides them with a lethal drink of barbiturates. In five minutes they fall asleep - and never wake up.
Edward Downes was born in 1924 in Birmingham in central England. He studied at Birmingham University, the Royal College of Music and under German conductor Hermann Scherchen.
In 1952 he joined London's Royal Opera House as a junior staffer - his first job was prompting soprano Maria Callas. He made his debut as a conductor with the company the following year and went on to become associate music director. Throughout his life he retained close ties to the Royal Opera, conducting almost 1,000 performances of 49 different operas there over more than 50 years.
He also had a decades-long association with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, where he became principal conductor and later conductor emeritus.
The couple is survived by their children and family said there would be no funeral.
Sir Edward & Lady Joan Downes
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