Kraftwerk

7-31-09 Kraftwerk

I was once upon a time a huge fan of Kraftwerk, the German electronic band.

CD AUTOBAHN EMI DE CDP 746153.2

1974 5 TRKS original CD issue

LP AUTOBAHN PHILIPS DE 6305 231

1974 5 TRKS original issue

12" COMPUTER LOVE EMI UK 12EMI 5207

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD COMPUTER WORLD ELEKTRA US 3549.2

1981 7 TRKS

LP COMPUTER WORLD EMI UK EMC 3370

1981 7 TRKS English language

LP COMPUTERWELT EMI DE 1C 064-46311

1981 7 TRKS original issue

CD DIE MENSCH MASCHINE EMI DE CDP 746131.2

1978 6 TRKS in German

LP DIE MENSCH MASCHINE EMI DE 1C 058-32843

1978 6 TRKS original issue

LP ELECTRIC CAFÉ EMI DE 1C 064-240644.1

1986 6 TRKS

LP KRAFTWERK PHILIPS DE 6305 058

1970 4 TRKS original issue

LP KRAFTWERK 2 PHILIPS DE 6305 117

1971 6 TRKS original issue

12" KRAFTWERK'S DISCO BEST CAPITOL US SPRO-8865

1977 4 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo-only

12" POCKET CALCULATOR EMI UK 12EMI 5175

1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" POCKET CALCULATOR promo WARNER US PRO-A-951

1981 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

CD RADIO-ACTIVITY CAPITOL US CDP 746474.2

1975 12 TRKS

LP RADIO-AKTIVITAT EMI DE 1C 064-82087

1975 12 TRKS insert, original issue

LP RALF & FLORIAN PHILIPS DE 6305 197

1973 6 TRKS poster, original issue

LP RALF & FLORIAN PHILIPS JPN BT-8102

1973 6 TRKS ('79 re-issue)

12" SHOWROOM DUMMIES CAPITOL US 8501

1977 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" TOUR DE FRANCE EMI PATHE FR 1545056

1983 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP TRANS EUROPA EXPRESS EMI DE 1C 064-82306

1977 8 TRKS poster, original issue

12" TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS CAPITOL US 8513

1977 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

I still have my nice set of German original LP’s. But after “Electric Café”, I just couldn’t keep up. I also have some 7” singles. I suppose I am no longer waiting on CD issues of the first three Kraftwerk LP’s. I started with “Ralf & Florian”, so I really wish they’d do that one.
My original German LP of it has a big poster in it!

So, is Ralf Hutter the only one left, now?

I remember when each and every year, there were release sheets from exporters in my office that always listed a “new LP” that was never forthcoming.

I once went to a costume party dressed as someone from the cover of “Die Mensch Maschine”.

Don Bowman

7-30-09 Don Bowman

7" ALL AMERICAN BOY, THE RCA US 47-8916

1965? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP ALL NEW DON BOWMAN, THE MEGA US M31-1015

1972 13 TRKS the “Hello DJ” album

7" DIRTY DON LARDBUCKET US #0000

1972? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" FOR LOVING YOU / BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE RCA US 47-9415

1965? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, w / Skeeter Davis

7" FREDA ON THE FREEWAY / GIDDY-UP DO-NUT RCA US 47-8811

1965 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

LP FRESH FROM THE FUNNY FARM RCA US LPM 3345

1965 12 TRKS mono – still lookin’ for a stereo copy, folks!

LP FROM MEXICO WITH LAUGHS RCA US LSP 3795

1967 10 TRKS stereo

LP FUNNY FOLK FLOPS RCA US LSP 3920

1968 12 TRKS stereo

LP FUNNY WAY TO MAKE AN ALBUM RCA US LSP 3495

1966 12 TRKS stereo

7" GRADUATION DAY / WRONG HOUSE RCA US 47-8588

1964? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" HELLO D.J. ('BLEEP') / ('STRAIGHT') MEGA US 615-0062

1972? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" HOMECOMING / POETIC JUSTICE MEGA US 615-0083

1972? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" HOUSE OF THE SETTING SUN RCA US 47-9617

1969? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" I FELL OUT OF LOVE WITH LOVE RCA US 47-8506

1964? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

7" I OWE IT ALL TO YOU, CHIT AKINS RCA US 47-9949

1970? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" LITTLE BAD DAN / IGMOO GNP US GNP 170

1973? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP LONE STAR - SIX PAK Vol. 1 (V.A.) LONE STAR L-4600

1978 12 TRKS with the Geezinslaws etc.

7" ON THE ROAD TOO LONG LARDBUCKET US UR 2135

1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP OUR MAN IN TROUBLE RCA US LSP 2831

1964 12 TRKS stereo

7" POOR OLD UGLY GLADYS JONES RCA US 74-0133

1971? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

7" POWER TOOL SONG / WILLON AND WAYLEE LONE STAR 701

1979 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

LP RECORDED ALMOST LIVE RCA US LSP 3646

1967 12 TRKS stereo

7" SAN FRANCISCO SCENE, THE RCA US 47-9576

1967 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP STILL FIGHTING MENTAL HEALTH LONE STAR L-4605

1979 10 TRKS

LP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRISON RCA US LSP 4230

1969 7 TRKS stereo

7" SURELY NOT / DEAR SISTER RCA US 47-8990

1966 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

7" TOP TEN, THE / HOW COME IT IS RCA US 47-9783

1969 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP WHISPERIN' COUNTRY RCA US LSP 4295

1970 11 TRKS Bill Anderson song parodies

The first I ever heard of Don Bowman was when “Hello DJ” got played on the ‘lectric radio in the early 70’s. It was a mildly ‘dirty’ record for the day, and I found it amusing – being a big fan of ‘novelty’ records. I went to Wallach’s Music City and got a 45 of “Hello DJ”, which I proudly own to this very day. I guess Mr. Bowman actually used to be a DJ…him ‘n’ fellow Texan Waylon Jennings.

I knew (and know) very little about country & western 50’s/60’s/70’s comedy records – and I’d really like to know more about records by people like Stringbean, Lonzo & Oscar, Homer & Jethro, The Geezinslaws, Junior Samples et al.

At swap meets in the 80’s & 90’s, I discovered that there were Don Bowman LP’s before “Hello DJ”! I also somehow stumbled upon the info that Don Bowman was a writer of lyrics – for people like Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings…a songwriter! I found a Homer & Jethro album that had a song on it called “Owed to Don Bowman” – wha? I also discovered that there are H&J LP’s with Don Bowman songs on ‘em. Don Bowman actually wrote for Homer & Jethro!

The RCA LP’s are uniformly pretty good. A good mixture of profane, silly and inexplicable. Only about a decade ago, if one tried to look up Don Bowman on the internet, nothing at all came up. These days, if one Googles “Don Bowman”, it reveals that there is, in fact: http://www.donbowman.com/ - with a little more of the story present there.

About 10 years ago, I remember posting something on a C&W music bulletin board – “Any info on Don Bowman would be appreciated” or words to that effect – and a gentleman in Texas got in touch with me, saying that he knew Don – who was / is still alive in Texas etc. I think it transpired that Mr. Bowman was supposed to call me – which, of course, never happened. I’m going to guess he’s on the elderly side, these days.

And I’m just tickled pink that he actually released records on the fictitious Lardbucket record label – the label that is mentioned by name in “Hello DJ”! I do believe this particular material ended up on Willie Nelson’s Lonestar label.

All of the above records are delightful, silly C&W comedy records – well worth seeking out. If you know of any Don Bowman records not on this list, please drop me a line.

The Monkees

7-29-09 The Monkees

When I began blogging almost 7 years ago, at the suggestion of my friend Warren, I thought it would a good idea to blog about music topics ‘randomly’. I would open my Excel spread sheet of ‘titles’ and flick up and down, and land on a random title. The first one I hit was for The Monkees.

CD GREATEST HITS RHINO US R2 72190

1995 20 TRK Collection (60's recordings)

CD HEAD (O.S.T.) RHINO US R2 71795

1968 20 TRKS

LP HEAD (O.S.T.) promo ARISTA JPN 25RS-125

1968 14 TRKS ('81 issue, test pressing) diff. cover to US original

7" I'M A BELIEVER / (I'M NOT YOUR) STEPPING STONE COLGEMS US 66-1002

1966 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LPx2 MONKEES, THE ARISTA DE DARTY 12

1981 30 TRK Collection

7" PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY / WORDS COLGEMS US 66-1007

1966 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I don’t keep a big Monkees collection. They’re not one of my groups. The UK/German Arista double LP and present day Rhino CD that are roughly “Greatest Hits” suffices very well for my Monkee needs in 2009. One couldn’t make a collection of radio hits of ’66 – ’69 without including several Monkees songs.

Yes, I like and respect Mike Nesmith – his records and music videos. My late sister always liked Peter Tork best. I once read Mickey Dolenz’s book – and he seemed awfully ‘bitter’. And Davy Jones. All still alive, yeah? (The Monkees, not my dear, departed sister).

In the 70’s, I met Bill Inglot – who was very serious about The Monkees. I always figured it had something to do with your age. I think you had to be exactly the right age to ‘get’ The Monkees. And I guess I wasn’t that exact age!

I have always been a fan of their feature film “Head”. Frank Zappa appears in it! And the Monkees’ songs in it are really, really good! Yes, I have a DVD of it. I do not really feel compelled to obtain DVD’s of the Monkees’ TV series. Would I even watch ‘em?

And, no, I do not think I want 2CD deluxe versions of any of their actual albums on CD. The “GH/Best Of” CD will suit me just fine. I do not remember the circumstances that I obtained two original US 60’s 45’s with picture sleeves – they must’ve been inexpensive. And I like all of those songs.

If hard pressed, my favorites are “She” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, probably. That, o/r the tunes on “Head”.

So, Monkees – good. Professionally written and recorded US 60’s pop records.

Playlist

Vinyl:

BAKER, GINGER / AIR FORCE – 12 Gates of the City

NUMAN, GARY – War Games

STARRY EYED & LAUGHING – Keep It To Yourself

COWBOYS INTERNATIONAL – Aftermath

COASTERS, THE – (Ain’t That) Just Like Me

JO JO GUNNE – Barstow Blue Eyes

SEBASTIAN, JOHN – What She Thinks About

WAITRESSES, THE – Bread and Butter

REVILLOS, THE – Man Hunt

PINK FAIRIES – Chambermaid

HARRIS, JODY – It Happened One Night

METHOD ACTORS, THE – Ask Dana

FUGS, THE – Kill For Peace

SAD CAFÉ – Restless

HARVEY, ALEX / S.A.H.B. – Tomahawk Kid

ULLMAN, TRACEY – They Don’t Know

GIBBS, JOE / PROFESSIONALS – Jungle Dub

ROLLING STONES – I Got The Blues

SLAPPHAPPY – Secret, The

FAIRPORT CONVENTION – Matty Groves

- Ron

A guy goes into a record store…

7-28-09 A guy goes into a record store…

Weekend before last, I went into two different somewhat interesting record stores – and didn’t buy anything! Maybe it was because it was really warm weather, I don’t know. Stuff just didn’t look like what I wanted to spend my money on. At one store, I saw all of the “Woodstock Experience” series of CD’s: Jefferson Airplane (“Volunteers”, Johnny Winter (his debut), Jimi Hendrix, Santana (their debut), Janis Joplin (“Kozmik Blues”)…they pair a CD of a Woodstock festival performance with the artist’s contemporary album.

At the next record store, I had a “40% off any one used item” coupon. Even with that, I didn’t find anything I “needed”. I really wasn’t in the mood to be “buying to be buying”. After the second store, we got back into the car, and my GF says, “Wow! Two record stores and you didn’t buy anything! That must be a record!”. I thought about it, and – for the last few years, I guess that is something of a ‘record’. But in the past, in LP days – it was unfortunately altogether too common for me to go into a record store and “not find anything”.

While I was still in high school, I had tremendous interest to go to record stores and see everything that was on offer. Sure, I knew what I was looking for, but…there was still so much I did not know. I never ‘worked’ until after high school, so I didn’t always lots of expendable cash to blow on vinyl. Yes, it’s true – I did spend “food money” on records…but I could always go home and eat something…later on.

Well, in the summer of 2009, the CD’s I really want to buy are either released only in Japan – or available on-line mail-order only. I recently ordered a CD of Osanna “Palepoli” from Japan – as an SHM-CD in a little paper album cover (kami sleeve). And I really want the 6CD live set of Joe Cocker that Hip-O Select sells on-line – I have not seen this CD set for sale in any stores in L.A., as yet. Maybe I’ll get lucky when I go up to San Francisco for my birthday – the Amoeba Records store on Haight Street is fairly ‘mighty’. They might have a “promo” of that Cocker set. Amoeba S.F. was where I found the UK Stump box, last Christmas!

So, yeah – I went in 2 record stores and didn’t buy anything recently. Guess I’m still alive. Still in the game. A friend recently told me about a new record store that has opened near my GF’s house (that makes 4 record stores near her now!) – “Territory Records and BBQ” – a record store that serves barbecue food. Too good to be true??

Approx. July 30^th is my 7^th anniversary of 5-day-per-week blogging! This blog has been through 3 different configurations already: “20^th Century Music”, “The Ron Kane Files” and now “Music Life” – I guess if I was writing books, those would be the titles of the three ‘volumes of prose’ I have contributed to the collective consciousness, so far.

No, I don’t want to ‘vanity publish’ a book (or three). Mental note to self: Come up with a decent thematic premise to link last seven years of writing about music.

'54 - '66 100 (US) Best Songs

7-24-09 1954 – 1966 – 100 (US) Best Songs

Yet another wacky Japanese magazine list! Record Collectors’ Magazine from Japan is another non-English language “must read” for me. I pick this magazine up whenever I can find it, and right now – the availability is good.

Their Top 20 (1954 – 1966 – 100 US Best Songs):

1. Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
2. The Ronettes – Be My Baby
3. The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
4. The Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man
5. Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode
6. Buddy Holly – That’ll Be The Day
7. Ray Charles – What’d I Say (Part 1)
8. Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel
9. Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
10. Martha & The Vandellas – Dancing In The Street
11. Sam Cooke – You Send Me
12. The Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
13. Little Richard – Tutti Frutti
14. Elvis Presley – Hound Dog
15. The Temptations – My Girl
16. The Lovin’ Spoonful – Do You Believe In Magic?
17. Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
18. Diana Ross & The Supremes – Stop! In The Name of Love
19. Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues
20. The Impressions – People Get Ready

I don’t argue with many of these tracks, as regards American popular artists. I certainly do not own all of ‘em (on CD). It is very interesting for me that the prevailing Japanese sensibility includes The Lovin’ Spoonful and The Impressions. Two Phil Spector tracks (Ronettes, Righteous Brothers), a fair bit of Motown, two Bob Dylan songs, over ½ of the list are black artists – no surprise there. Two Sam Cooke songs. Two Elvis songs.

It’s interesting to see – the show all the “Top 20” lists that this list was compiled from (in English, no less). They really seem to love 60’s Bob Dylan in Japan. In the other magazine that I have, “Highway 61 Revisited” is regarded very highly, too.

Johnny Cash

7-23-09 Johnny Cash

LPx2 AT FOLSOM PRISON AND SAN QUENTIN re-issue COLUMBIA US CG 33639

1967/9 25 TRKS Live, re-issue

CD AT FOLSOM PRISON re COLUMBIA US CK 65955

1968 19 TRKS ('99 issue) (3 x bonus tracks)

LP BEST OF CBS NZ CBCSP 026

1976 19 TRK Collection

LP BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS COLUMBIA US CS 8730

1962 9 TRKS stereo

CD CARRYIN' ON WITH (June Carter) re COLUMBIA US CK 86088

1967 13 TRKS ('02 issue) (2 x bonus tracks)

CD DEFINITIVE COLLECTION, THE MERCURY US B0010667.2

2008 19 TRK Collection ('85-'93 recordings)

LP EVERYBODY LOVES A NUT COLUMBIA US CS 9292

1965? 11 TRKS stereo, Jack Davis cover art

LP FABULOUS JOHNNY CASH, THE mono COLUMBIA US CL 1253

1958? 12 TRKS mono

LP HOLY LAND, THE COLUMBIA US KCS 9726

1968? 21 TRKS 3-D cover, stereo

CDx2 JOHNNY CASH AT SAN QUENTIN (Legacy Edition) COLUMBIA US 75914.2

2006 31 TRKS + DVD; Live, 2/24/69

LP NOW HERE'S JOHNNY CASH SUN US DT-90678

1959? 12 TRKS re-processed stereo

I recently obtained the “Johnny Cash At San Quentin” CD boxed set that comes with a DVD documentary. It’s pretty neat – almost the whole show on 2 CD’s, and a British TV documentary, with ‘actualities’.

Of course, I remember Johnny Cash being on TV in the late 60’s. I was always slightly conflicted about Bob Dylan appearing with Mr. Cash on TV, but…less so these days. I even like Dylan’s “Nashville Skyline” now!

I was taken to see Johnny Cash on my birthday, in the early 90’s – it was at a small-ish nightclub (that no longer exists). June Carter referred to Johnny as “Old Golden Throat”. I also saw John Entwistle perform a show at that club…

I owned a few Johnny Cash records – once upon a time – before I owned any other country & western records. Long gone, now (45’s). I have had friends who held Mr. Cash in inordinately high regard (especially during ‘punk days’).

I have heard the latter day recordings – like where Mr. Cash covered Depeche Mode…

“Everybody Loves A Nut” is Johnny’s comedy / novelty LP – complete with Jack Davis cover art! Did you know he made a comedy / novelty LP?

It was very interesting to read the story about how that photo of Johnny flipping a bird to the British camera crew came about. Nice that it’s on T-shirts etc.

We all miss Johnny Cash.