M Is FOR MASHUP - RERUN - December 23rd, 2008
Mashups For Your Stocking. Ho Ho Ho!
By DJ Useo
Santa has his elves working magically fast to get all those prezzies ready for the kiddie-winkies. Wal-Mart has their cashiers hustling to make sure you drop your cash there for your personal seasonal shopping. But who puts in those extra hours to provide you with the mashups you require to pass all that offtime you have over the Christmas & New Years' holidays? I know! & I'll tell you in this week's gift-packed 'M Is For Mashups' column.
First up, we have the much-anticipated 'A Very Bootie Christmas 2' from the ever-popular DJ BC http://www.djbc.net/. Although he's given us other Christmas bootleg collections every year (like the fine 'Santastic' series http://santastic4.com/collection/ ) BC hasn't done a Bootie Christmas album for a few years now. Well-received with 15 tracks by Go Home Productions, DJ Schmolli, King.Of.Pants, & many others, this collection will satisfy your Seasonal bootleg cravings & more! From A Plus D's 'Xmas Dick In A Box', to Smash-Up Derby's 'Christmas Bop' to DJ Topcat's 'Little Drummer Bonzo', this release does the genre full service. There's even a clean version for those who prefer that. Find it
here - ( http://bootieusa.com/xmas/ )
Also, DJ BC has the wonderful 'Menorah Mashups : Crazy Chanukah Mixes and Mashes! ( http://www.djbc.net/menorah/ )'. It's 10 sometimes-bawdy mixes compiled by DJ BC & it's a wonderful listen.I know, I heard it.
Not satisfied with his swell tracks on 'A Very Bootie Christmas 2', Voicedude has made available his own full collection of his best Christmas mashups called 'Merry ChristMash'. 19 tracks of fresh-sounding mashup combinations, all with a Christmas theme, this is a pleaser of a collection. There're titles like 'Get Shopping Tonight', 'Levee Drummer Boy', 'Carol Of The Burgers', & 'Mi Amigo Rudolpho'. All tracks hand-made from the experienced mind of Voicedude. That guy gets around! I know most of you are familiar with his mixing, & crave more, so get your carcases here to get the entire collection.- ( http://www.divshare.com/download/5887781-998 )
DJ Paul V has done many excellent mixes, but among his most enduring are his 'Merry Christmash Mix' sets. I haven't seen him this year, but he has generously kept available his finestkind 2008 Christmas mix. It's full of wonderful bootlegs from mashers like Mr. Fab & His Bag 'O Toys & DJ John & Divide & Kreate & also label acts like The Raveonettes, Lady Gaga & even Chevy Chase! Paul mixes a treat as always, so enjoy yourself with this perennial classic here - ( http://www.thesmashmix.com/?cat=2&paged=1 )
or
here - ( http://soundcloud.com/dj-paul-v/dj-paul-v-merry-christsmash-mix-12-08
While it is not mixed in the vein of the season, MightyMike has given the biggest mashup gift of all with his 'Mighty Mike - Integrale (Complete Works) (17-10-2009)'. This is literally all of his released mashups, plus some topnotch remixes as well. You'll find some very inventive & satisfying mashups in this enormous file. Examples of the gems contained are 'Dead Teardrop' (Lenny Kravitz vs Massive Attack), 'Heart-Shaped Desires' (Muse vs Nirvana) & 'For No Bop' (The Beatles vs The Ramones). There're 69 mashups in this file & 4 remixes. Plenty enough to hold you through to New Years' Eve. In fact, you'll be the hit of the NYE party when you put these on for your friends. Thanks for going there with this giant collection, MightyMike. Find it
here - (
http://mightymikesnewboot.blogspot.com/2009/12/complete-works.html )
I hope you all are blessed with a special Christmas this year. Be in touch with your family & friends. Make some new ones if you can.
Thanks for reading this column. I was completely relaxed from lots of egg nog, & really had to push myself to finish this.
You make it all worthwhile, though.
Merry Christmas!
Latest Useo Release
No One Exosted (John Foxx vs Acid Prophecy) ( http://groovytimewithdjuseo.blogspot.com/2009/12/no-one-exosted-john-foxx-vs-acid.html ) is coming on strong with some great response. Not often do you hear the founder of Ultravox mashed with some psychedelic trance. It's going to climb in your brain & make you replay it again & again. I should'a just made it 9 minutes from the get-go. I have to hear it at least 3 times in a row when I play it.
Mashup Tip : Release your tracks asap. Otherwise, DJ Moule or Lobsterdust will beat you to it!
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Peter Wehner: Christian Doomsayers Have Lost It (NY Times)
Leading social indicators are trending their way, but somehow it is only Trump who stands between us and the apocalypse.
Dana Stevens: Bombshell Wants You to Pump Your Fist in Solidarity With the Women of [Checks Teleprompter] Fox News? (Slate)
Not even Charlize Theron can make me see Megyn Kelly as a hero.
Paul Krugman: Donald Trump Is Bad for the Jews (NY Times Column)
There are things more important than your tax rate.
Andrew Ferguson: Triggered by Donald Trump Jr. (Atlantic)
"As the son of a rich white guy living in 2019," he writes on page two, "I'm essentially not allowed to have an opinion anymore, let alone express that opinion in public." The point is so nice, he makes it twice, returning to it on page 193: "As the son of a rich white man I know I'm not allowed to have an opinion, much less voice it these days." This is an exaggeration, of course-it comes to us in a book that is wall-to-wall opinions ….
Marcus Lee: When Shooters Think They're the Real Victims (Atlantic)
The lawsuit filed by Trayvon Martin's killer is part of a much broader pattern: Gun-rights advocates have recast perpetrators of violence as the real victims.
BETHANIA PALMA: Did the Clinton Foundation Pay for Chelsea's Wedding? (Snopes; spoiler - NO!)
The rumor that the charitable foundation paid for Chelsea Clinton's 2010 wedding at Haiti's expense appears to be without merit.
Andrew Tobias: Dinner with Republicans
… climate? Weighing the opinions of 11,000 scientists worldwide against the opinion of Trump and Senator Snowball? He was with Trump. The entire country of Vietnam will be under water at high tide by 2050 according to the new UN report, but he was unconcerned. ("Obama bought a place in Martha's Vineyard," he told me. If climate change and rising sea levels were real, he wouldn't have done that.") Weighing the opinions of all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies against the word of Vladimir Putin at that Helsinki press conference? Well, who's to know which to believe? Those 1,027 Republican and Democratic former federal prosecutors? "So what."
Michael Gregor, MD: The Benefits of Early Time-Restricted Eating (NutritionFacts.org)
Calories eaten in the morning count less and are healthier than calories eaten in the evening.
Alexander C. Kaufman: What You Need To Know From The Recent Findings Of 7 Big Climate Reports (Huffington Post)
It is, in a word, "bleak."
David Bruce's Amazon Author Page
David Bruce's Smashwords Page
David Bruce's Blog #1
David Bruce's Blog #2
David Bruce's Blog #3
David Bruce's Lulu Storefront
David Bruce's Apple iBookstore
David Bruce has over 140 Kindle books on Amazon.com.
Presenting
Michael Egan
replied:
has returned to semi-retired status.
In memory.
BRUCE'S RECOMMENDATION
BANDCAMP MUSIC
BRUCE'S RECOMMENDATION OF BANDCAMP MUSIC
Song: "Unassimilated Normie" from the album WEARING BEIGE ON A GREY DAY
Artist: Crywank
Artist Location: UK
Info: "Crywank are a UK-based anti-folk band. They formed in Manchester. James is from Barnsley, Dan is from Darwen. They mostly write sad songs and have been told they are the worst-named band in the country.
"Crywanks' sixth album and third studio album 'Wearing Beige On A Grey Day' was recorded in January 2019 in Manchester. It is a collection of songs, some of which were never intended to be released."
All songs written by Crywank
Lyrics, Vocals & Melodies: James Clayton
Percussion & Backing Vocals: Daniel Watson
Recorded by Joe Clayton
Price: 1 British Pound, aka £1, or approximately $1.35 (USA) for song. Price of 10-track album: Name Your Price (Includes FREE). Go figure.
Genre: Anti-Folk. Pop.
Crywank at Bandcamp
Wearing Beige On A Grey Day by Crywank
David Bruce has over 140 Kindle books on Amazon.com.
Reader Suggestion
Michelle in AZ
New Venture
Michael Egan
Reader Suggestion
Trump's salt and pepper shakers
Hi Marty,
For some reason, this made me laugh:
from Bruce
Anecdotes
Bonus Links
Jeannie the Teed-Off Temp
Reader Comment
Current Events
Linda >^..^<
We are all only temporarily able bodied.
Thanks, Linda!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
Visit JD's site - Kitty Litter Music
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Back to cloudy and gray.
Glory Days
Rainforest Benefit
Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp teamed up for two duets; Debbie Harry and DMC (Darryl McDaniels) collaborated on an epic rap collaboration; and the Eurythmics reunited for a set at Sting and Trudie Styler's 30th annual Rainforest Benefit at the Beacon Theater in New York City Monday night (Dec. 9).
The event was hosted by actor Robert Downey Jr., who showed vocal chops of his own with a cover of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" and cracked several '80s themed jokes while gently chastising the crowd about cell phone use. The evening also featured performances by Sting, James Taylor, Bob Geldof, Shaggy, Ricky Martin, MJ Rodriguez, Adrienne Warren (star of the new Tina Turner Broadway musical "Tina"), Joe Sumner (Sting's son, who fronts his own band, Fiction Plane), and Zucchero with a house band that included musical director Narada Michael Walden, bassist Will Lee, guitarist Felicia Collins, and former Rolling Stones backup singer Lisa Fischer, who shined brightly with a front and center showcase on Sting's "We'll Be Together." The solo classic also served as the centerpiece for the evening.
The lineup of socially conscious artists included Band Aid organizer Geldof, who couldn't resist seizing the moment to make a political plea. "Welcome to Boomerstock," said Geldof, who performed the Boomtown Rats hit, "I Don't Like Mondays." (He cracked afterward, "I'm so f-king sick of doing that song.") "We're the old guys and girls with guitars and keyboards that still think it's possible to change things," he added. Although he did not name President Donald Trump (R-Fake Tan) by name, he did express hope that "by next year you will be rid of that man" before launching into a cover of the anthemic, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding."
Other highlights included Mellencamp delivering a captivating acoustic version of "Jack and Diane" before summoning Springsteen to join him for a taut "Pink Houses." With both men trading verses and bringing the house to its feet. Mellencamp was particularly spry, working the crowd while Springsteen went to work on guitar. The two later united for "Glory Days" (Springsteen sound-checked "I'm on Fire," but it was cut for time), that was still ebullient despite a missed cue and Springsteen declaring, "We f-ked up!"
Rainforest Benefit
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year
'They'
Merriam-Webster's 2019 Word of the Year is "they" - the singular pronoun that has gained popularity as a way to refer to nonbinary people who identify as neither exclusively male nor female.
The decision, which was entirely data-driven and announced Tuesday morning, came after searches of the word trended all year, according to the dictionary's editors.
"Pronouns are among the language's most commonly used words, and like other common words (think 'go,' 'do,' and 'have') they tend to be mostly ignored by dictionary users," Emily Brewster, senior editor at Merriam-Webster, said in a statement. "But over the past year or so, as people have increasingly encountered the nonbinary use, we've seen searches for 'they' grow dramatically."
"They" was looked up 313 percent more this year than the last year, Merriam-Webster revealed.
In September, the dictionary added the use of "they" as a singular nonbinary pronoun, citing the pronoun's established place in language.
'They'
Channels His Inner Thanos
Campaign Video
What's more presidential than a sadistic alien despot who wipes out half the universe? In a curious move, the campaign to re-elect President Donald Trump (R-Fake Hair) has circulated a mash-up photo and video that melds the head of chief executive with the hulking form of Thanos, the extraterrestrial menace made infamous in the Avengers films from Disney and Marvel Studios.
It's not often that a presidential campaign gleefully will portray its candidate as a sadistic megalomaniac who wipes out 3.75 billion people, but that's exactly what the Trump War Room did today on social media with a doctored video that pinches its motif and message from the mythology of the wildly popular superhero films.
Thanos (portrayed by Josh Brolin) is the end-all enemy who used the cosmic-powered Infinity Gauntlet to vanquish the mighty heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in last year's Avengers: Infinity War (watch a trailer here). The grape-colored conqueror then celebrated his victory by snapping his fingers and wiping out half of all life forms in the entire universe. The Trump War Room image and video sent out today shows "President Thanos" adjusting his powerful glove with an expression of satisfied confidence and - snap! - ominously reducing Democratic leaders (including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff) to dust in the wind..
The imagery used clearly is meant to frame Trump as an unbeatable candidate (either in the election, the impeachment or both) but even that doesn't make much sense because, ultimately, Thanos was defeated by the Avengers who use a time travel approach to get their much-needed rematch. The big guy was finally snuffed in this year's Avengers: Endgame, which has been seen by millions of fans (it now ranks as the highest-grossing film in Hollywood history) even if the president's circle somehow missed it.
Campaign Video
Files For Divorce
William Shatner
William Shatner and his wife of 18 years are pulling the plug on their marriage.
TMZ reported on Tuesday that the "Star Trek" legend filed the divorce documents, which noted that he and his estranged wife, Elizabeth Shatner, have an ironclad prenuptial agreement. Per the agreement, neither will receive any support from the other.
The split has gone relatively smoothly. Although William, 88, and Elizabeth, 61, are still negotiating the financial terms, final paperwork could be submitted to a judge very soon.
Elizabeth is William's fourth wife. This was Elizabeth's second marriage.
William Shatner
Reliability Called Into Question
Crime Scene DNA
When Chris Long received a bone marrow transplant, he knew that the procedure might be the only thing to treat his recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes - two rare conditions that impair the production of healthy blood cells.
His colleagues saw a scientific opportunity.
Four years after his treatment, DNA analysis shows that parts of Long now contain more than just stem cells from his donor, a German man who lives thousands of miles away. Lip, cheek, and tongue swabs revealed that his donor's DNA was present at fluctuating levels throughout the years, while his donor's DNA had entirely replaced Long's semen. The only regions that were not affected were his chest and head hair.
Bone marrow transplants treat blood cancers and blood diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia. Healthy blood-forming stem cells are inserted into a patient's bloodstream from a donor to replace unhealthy and poor-producing blood cells - DNA and all, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Long became a chimera of sorts - someone with two sets of DNA. Chimerism in humans is extremely rare with less than 100 documented cases, including a 1953 report published in the British Medical Journal in which a woman was found to contain two types of blood due to cells from her twin brother living in her body. The condition has wreaked havoc on families as well; a man failed his paternity test because a part of his genome belongs to his unborn twin, and a Washington woman was forced to fight for the custody of her child after her genetic makeup did not match that of her children.
Crime Scene DNA
North Dakota
Burleigh County
A North Dakota county narrowly voted Monday to accept up to 25 refugees next year in a split decision that follows a Trump administration order granting local governments the authority to reject taking refugees in.
Officials with the Burleigh County Commission voted 3-2 to continue to accept refugees Monday night in a nearly four-hour public meeting in a crowded middle school in Bismarck where hundreds had gathered.
The county is home to about 95,000 people and includes the state's capital. With Monday's vote, the county had the potential become the first local government to ban resettling refugees following a September executive order from President Donald Trump giving them the authority to do so.
The meeting was supposed to take place last week, but too many people showed up at the venue which prompted them to move things to the middle school to accommodate the crowd.
The commissioners' decision included a cap of 25 refugees for 2020, about the same number as those resettled in the state last year, and to receive status reports about the new arrivals.
Burleigh County
Had Lice
Dinosaurs
As most parents of small children know, lice are survival artists, skilled at avoiding detection and spreading to new hosts. And now it's clear they've had plenty of practice. New fossils found in amber reveal the insects have been around for at least 100 million years, when they feasted on feathered dinosaurs.
The find "is very, very cool and very exciting for the louse community," says Julie Allen, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Nevada in Reno who was not involved with the work. "Having an actual fossil-and not only this old, but feeding on feathers? That's spectacular."
Genetic work on living lice had suggested they arose during the time of feathered dinosaurs, but fossil lice are few and far between. The tiny creatures are unlikely to fossilize, and even if they do they're hard to spot. Paleontologists Taiping Gao, Dong Ren, and Chungkun Shih of Capital Normal University in Beijing and their colleagues spend a lot of time scanning fossils for overlooked insects, especially parasites like lice. In two specimens of amber from Myanmar, they noticed 10 tiny insects among well-preserved downy feathers, which showed damage as though something had been eating them.
The insects, which are just 0.2 millimeters long-roughly twice the width of human hair-don't look exactly like modern lice. Their mouthparts are not as sophisticated as those of today's lice, and they have long, stiff bristles on their claws and antennae, the researchers report today in Nature Communications. They named the insects Mesophthirus engeli. (Mesophthirus means Mesozoic louse, for the geological era when it lived, and the species name is for entomologist and paleontologist Michael Engel.)
Like modern lice, the ancient lice have no wings, their eyes are tiny, and they have short antennae and short legs-suggesting they didn't travel far or fast. "They look a bit weird, but they definitely have louse-y features," Allen says. Because they are so small, the researchers think their specimens were nymphs-juvenile lice-and the fully grown insects might have been half a millimeter long.
Dinosaurs
| CURRENT MOON lunar phases |
