Rest in Peace Teddy, 1950-2010.

Labels: music, Teddy Pendergrass, video

I didn't really feel like writing today, so here's some 90s Hip Hop courtesy of Das EFX.

Labels: 90s Hip Hop, Das EFX, music, video

This weekend, the iconic album cover photograph for The Beatles Abbey Road turned 40 years old. The late Scottish photographer Iain Macmillan took the image.

BBC News has a nice article about the image, but the link also has some interesting audio clips from John Kosh, the album's creative director, as well as comments from the two album reviewers for Rolling Stone magazine.

Abbey Road : BBC

Labels: Abbey Road, BBC News, Iain Macmillan, music, Rolling Stone, The Beatles

This is a really nice site dedicated to the late illustrator and fine artist Jim Flora. Most widely known for his album cover art of the 1940s and 50s, and as an illustrator of over 15 children's books; Flora had an energetic and playful style that is as contemporary today as it was at its creation.

Jimflora.com combines a store, artist interviews and articles, as well as galleries of work. If you are unfamiliar with Flora, this site will get you acquainted with one of mid-century's finest.

Jim Flora

Labels: artist, fine art, illustration, Jim Flora, music

Sleevage is a blog / archive dedicated to album cover art.

Accompanying each cover is detailed information about the band, the artist (if known) and any historical art or design references that may have influenced the cover art. It's a quality site and definitely worth a bookmark.

Sleevage

Labels: blog, fine art, graphic design, music, resource, Sleevage

Norwegian artist and musician Are Mokkelbost has created an elaborate series of paper collages titled ION.

ION

Labels: Are Mokkelbost, artist, fine art, music

If you are into Blues, then you will dig these fantastic Skip James acoustic recordings from 1966 & 1967 respectively.

Labels: All night long, Devil Got My Woman, music, Skip James, video

I'm officially old.

The realization came while watching the new Wieden+Kennedy created Heineken commercial titled Let A Stranger Drive You Home. It's clear that the music I listened to in school has skipped a generation and been packed-away long enough that it's now retro cool. I'm sure Biz Markie is quite pleased with the result; I on the other hand am not.

On a side note, here are two of the best flows that 90s Hip Hop has to offer — Pete Rock and Buckshot Shorty in da’ house.

Labels: 90s Hip Hop, Biz Markie, Black Moon, commercial, Heineken, music, Pete Rock, They reminisce over you, video, Who's got the props, Wieden+Kennedy

Although it appears the site is no longer being updated, and the overall image quality is small and poor quality; I think the concept of TheKnockoff*Project has merit and is worth sharing.

The idea behind the site is to compile and compare famous album covers alongside spoofs, homage’s and direct rip-offs by other musicians. It’s an interesting resource for those interested in music history and album cover design.

TheKnockoff*Project

Labels: graphic design, music, TheKnockoff*Project

Dead Presidents was one of those movies I always intended to see, and then never got around to actually watching it. Well, this weekend I finally had time to see it, and while I thought the movie had interesting characters and a nicely developed story, the soundtrack was by far the best thing about the film. The soundtrack wasn’t just good; it was Hall of Fame movie soundtrack material.

iTunes doesn’t offer the Dead Presidents soundtrack, but here is the artist track listing with song samples via Amazon.com.

Dead Presidents, Soundtrack CD
1. If You Want Me to Stay - Sly & The Family Stone
2. Walk on By - Isaac Hayes
3. Payback, The - James Brown
4. I’ll Be Around - The Spinners
5. Never Gonna Give You Up - Barry White
6. I Miss You - Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
7. Get up & Get Down - The Dramatics
8. If There’s Hell Below - Curtis Mayfield
9. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man - Aretha Franklin
10. Where Is the Love - Jesse & Trina
11. Tired of Being Alone - Al Green
12. Love Train - The O’Jays
13. Look of Love, The - Isaac Hayes
14. Dead Presidents Theme - Danny Elfman

Dead Presidents, Soundtrack

Dead Presidents, Volume II Soundtrack CD
1. I Got the Feelin’ - James Brown
2. Keep on Pushing - The Impressions
3. Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Undisputed Truth
4. Right on For Darkness - Curtis Mayfield
5. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) - The Temptations
6. Cowboys to Girls - The Intruders
7. Never Gonna Give You Up - Jerry Butler
8. I Was Made to Love Her - Stevie Wonder
9. I Want to Go Back, (Man Oh Man) - The Impressions
10. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Sam & Dave
11. We People Darker Than Blue - Curtis Mayfield (live version)
12. Ain’t That a Groove - James Brown

Dead Presidents, Volume II Soundtrack

Labels: Dead Presidents movie soundtrack, movie, music

It was rather amazing to see that iTunes is offering John Cage’s avant-garde masterpiece 4’33” as a free download this week. I will withhold my thoughts on the piece to avoid ruining the surprise for anyone not familiar with the work. However, after you have finished listening, be sure to read the following link for additional information about Cage and insight into 4’33”.

American Masters: John Cage

Labels: iTunes, John Cage, music, PBS

It’s not often that I feel sorry for myself, but every time I hear the new Cincinnati Reds promotional song, my ears become that much sadder.

Cincinnati Reds promotional song

Labels: ad campaign, Cincinnati Reds, music

Here’s a treat for all you fans of The Beatles and their animated film Yellow Submarine.

While the art and animation for Yellow Submarine has often been attributed to pop artist Peter Max, the film was actually art directed by Heinz Edelmann, and the animators include: Paul Driessen, Cam Ford, Anne Jolliffe, Tony Cuthbert, Geoff Collins, Jim Hiltz, Ron Campbell and Hester Coblenz.

Enjoy.

Labels: animation, music, The Beatles, video, Yellow Submarine

Sia just racked-up 4000 cool points by covering the “legendary” Britney Spears dance phenomenon, Gimme More.

OMG...Itz Britney, Bitch! LOL ;)

Labels: Britney Spears, music, Sia, video

I was recently turned on to Tyler Askew’s hour-long Fusion program MFT Radio. I don’t love everything, but I dig the overall style. Here are links to the past two shows — no talk, just music (and it’s downloadable).

MFT Radio #9

MFT Radio #10

Labels: MFT Radio, music, Tyler Askew

It’s a long weekend for me...going out-of-town in a few hours to visit family, and then driving to the Radiohead concert in Indianapolis, Sunday night. I’ve been a fan of theirs since Pablo Honey, and am pretty excited because I’ve yet to see them perform live.

I’ll leave it up to Joe Esposito to start the weekend off right with an ass kickin’ Daniel Laruso video.




Jesus Sighting Update!!!

Man, do I love a good Jesus sighting. When somebody sends me a photo, or I come across a news story with the title, “Jesus face appears in Alabama couple’s potato salad”, I’m like a kid in a candy store. Rarely am I ever disappointed, and when I saw the recent headline, “Family Claims to See Jesus in Cat Fur”, I was downright giddy. But alas, disappointment ensued.




Jesus Sighting Update, Update!!!

I was so upset with my inability to see Jesus in these cat photos, that I magnified the image x 6400, and sure enough, Jesus is there. You might have to squint your eyes a bit, and turn your head slightly to the left, just as the sun is setting, but trust me, He’s there. *


* Oh snap, who just got punk’d? It’s really just my cat with a painting of Jesus slapped on. Try not to be so gullible next time.

Labels: humor, Jesus sighting, music, video

I’m in desperate need of some new music — Debbie Gibson nine hours a day, tends to get a bit repetitive. Ever since the 7th grade, I’ve been Lost in Her Eyes, and just can’t seem to Shake Her Love...it’s really quite pathetic.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated, or at the very least, you could pass along the number of a good psychiatrist.

Labels: Debbie Gibson, iTunes, music

I absolutely dig the song and video for The Bird and The Bee’s, Polite Dance Song.

With that being said, it will most definitely not appeal to everyone. My guess is you will love it or hate it — very little room for middle ground on this one. Eric Wareheim directs the video, and while I’m not aware of his film influences, I can’t help but think about David Lynch’s Twin Peaks whenever I view it.

Labels: Eric Wareheim, music, The Bird and The Bee, video

It is without a doubt, that Blogger officially lessened my will to live during the upload of this post. Yep...so on that note, umm...enjoy this cornucopia of indubitable mellifluous multifariousness.

The Beatles: I Am The Walrus

Los Mono: Promesas

Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice

Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads

DMX: Who We Be

(Edit: Video removed due to copyright violations)

Labels: music, video

I’ve been scouring YouTube lately for awesomely horrible videos, which 99% of the time, is a waste of my existence. Inevitably though, the planets will align and I come across a ruby in a manure field, a Basquiat in a gallery of Kinkade’s, or better yet, a damn fine video.

Now don’t get me wrong, these videos are not good in the conventional sense, as a matter of fact, they are downright hideous. The videos are a special kind of hideous though, they are so miserably painful, they actually fall somewhere between camp and mad scientist genius. So without further delay, here are my three current favorites:

Undefeatable
This could quite possibly be the worst choreographed fight scene in history of filmed fight scenes. I’m pretty sure one of the guys even busted out the claw maneuver — good stuff. There is a bit of unnecessary gore, as the scene starts with a total of four eyeballs and ends with considerably less. Keep in mind though, the slow motion punches, removal of the shirts and licking of the knife, far outweigh the many negatives. I’m pretty sure this clip could be used as a teaching tool for film students of all levels. Subject of the lesson: If you are willing to fully embrace your film’s shortcomings and awfulness, cult status is there for the taking.

Undefeatable

Rick Astley
This guy was Clay Aiken back when Clay was still going number two in his Pampers®. Never Gonna Give You Up, cuts through my soul and pours salt on the wound. Every time I hear this turd, I think of 1987, and those awkward Junior High dances in my crappy middle school cafeteria. I have to admit though, this video is classic, in a disturbed sort of way. The three things that kill me are: 1) His white man shimmy with alternating fist pumps — just face it Rick, you have no semblance of physical rhythm 2) The denim on denim outfit with the shirt buttoned up to the collar — I’m giddy just thinking about it 3) The bartender, just watch him — I’m going to start playing this song at bars to see if this is an isolated reaction, or if Rick Astley can affect bartenders like no other artist in history. Prepare to be Rickrolled.

Rick Astley - Never gonna give you up

Toby Radloff
This video really has me at a loss for words. It’s so bad it’s almost cringe worthy. My guess is you’ll have one of two reactions: 1) You’ll be so embarrassed for this guy, that you literally won’t be able to make it through the entire video, or 2) You are an evil bastard who takes delight in the miserable failures of others — and the worse Toby crashes and burns, the harder you will laugh. By the way, I love how they green-screened the girl dancing, but her belt and eyes have disappeared because they happen to be the wrong color — nice icing on the proverbial cake.

Genuine Nerd Toby Radloff

Labels: humor, music, video

70s inspired metal band? Check.

Clients telling you how to do your job? Check.

Making the Logo bigger? Double-Check.

Speaker volume at an uncomfortable level? You know it.

Make The Logo Bigger

Labels: Burn Back, graphic design, humor, music

Until last week, I was convinced the Black Eyed Peas, My Humps, was the worst song ever conceived. Its thought-provoking lyrics such as, “What you gon’ do with all that ass? All that ass inside them jeans?” is nothing short of lyrical libretto.

Well, as it turns out, the best of the worst now has a challenger — My Humps, redux. That’s right folks; My Humps is back in the form of Alanis Morissette.

The girl who likes to go down on you in a theater, has decided to cover My Humps in her own special way. By special, I mean as dreadful as the original, yet somehow, even more grating. I think she’s attempting to parody, or make some statement or create some kind of metaphor or something, but I was too busy wiping the blood from my eardrums and eye sockets to fully understand her intent.

I have been kind enough to provide links to the original and cover, allowing you to compare and contrast, while choosing the winner for yourself. Only in this case there are no winners, only a sad emptiness in my stomach and bleeding from my ears. Umm, enjoy?

Oh, and just in case you want to follow along, here are the lyrics


The Original

Black Eyed Peas, My Humps

The Cover

Alanis Morissette, My Humps

Labels: Alanis Morissette, Black Eyed Peas, humor, music, video

What can I say, I love the Funk, and it doesn’t get much funkier than George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.

If you have even the slightest interest in Funk music, you will dig this 55-minute documentary. This film covers the evolution of the band that started as a Motown-style quintet in the 1960s, and developed into one of the most influential, and sampled groups of-all-time. Parliament Funkadelic is the bomb, what more needs to be said.

Parliament Funkadelic

Labels: music, Parliament Funkadelic, video

Music has always been an important part of my creative process. So over the next few weeks, I plan to offer-up some of my favorite artists and albums. I have stated in the past that musical tastes tend to be personal, so don’t expect to love each of my selections, but then again, you just might.

Artist: Bill Withers
Peak Years: 1970’s
Style: Mix of R&B, Blues and Soul
Favorite Songs: Ain’t No Sunshine, Lovely Day, Use Me, I Don’t Want You on My Mind & Grandma’s Hands

My Take: Even if you don’t know his name, you will probably recognize his most famous tunes — Lean on Me and Just the Two of Us. Contemporary artists like Fiona Apple and Over the Rhine have covered his songs, and Blackstreet, Kanye West and Will Smith have sampled his music. If you are a fan of Will Ferrell movies, keep your ears peeled, because Mr. Withers work will regularly rear its head.

Ain’t No Sunshine is without question one of my all-time favorite songs. The emotion and pain in his voice is legendary, and only this song and Marvin Gaye’s, What’s Going On, are capable of actually affecting my mood — pretty powerful stuff. Below is a link for a live version of Ain’t No Sunshine, which I don’t dig as much as the album version, but it’s still top-notch.

Ain’t No Sunshine, Bill Withers

If there are musicians or songs that inspire your work, I’d like to know what they are — you can send me an email or post a comment.

Labels: Bill Withers, music, video

I’m back and ready to lighten the mood with a little Hasselhoff action. Apparently being around scores of half-naked, oiled-up women on Baywatch wasn’t fulfilling enough for him. He needed to be greedy, and throw his hat into the world of pop/adult contemporary/below-average music. Against better judgment, I offer you the fruits of Hasselhoff’s musical labor.

I warn you, viewing these videos is like witnessing a freeway pile-up involving kitties, puppies and babies. You’re completely disgusted with yourself for looking, but it’s near impossible to turn away. Even after watching a handful of times, I’m still not sure whether to laugh with him or at him, usually though; I just feel stupid and embarrassed for him.

On second thought, I’m just going to pretend these videos were never made. I will remember Hasselhoff the way he was in my youth, talking to cars and bulging from his Levi’s...oh, the humanity.

Jump in My Car

Hooked on a Feeling

Labels: Hasselhoff, humor, music, video

Even in my sickened state, these three videos can make me giggle like a five year old. All three contain language that would make your grandmother blush, but hey, sometimes that's the price you pay for comedy, and who told grandma she could get up from her nap anyway.

Terry Tate Office Linebacker

Dick in a Box

Cox + Combes', Washington

Labels: humor, music, video

Up to this point, I have not dedicated a post to music, because musical tastes tend to be more personal than general, however, I recently came across an album that is just too good not to post. Beauty and the Beat by Edan, is one of the best hip-hop album's I've heard in the past few years, the following is from the iTunes album review, "If hip-hop had existed in the days of Filmore, Woodstock and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Edan would have been right on the bus". Solid tracks: Torture Chamber, Making Planets and Rock and Roll.

Edan

Labels: Edan, iTunes, music

The "powers that be", determined my existence would be vastly improved with the gift of Kevin Federline (or as he likes to put it, KFed). Anyway, I was given his CD "Playing With Fire", which is cliché, amateurish, and has a hint of terrible mixed in for good measure. However, all that was easily overlooked once I discovered the foldout poster insert. For some undeniable reason, I just really enjoy the back of the poster. It must be the combination of pastel-lighted block windows, poor image quality, lyrics and poses/expressions: 1) Hard KFed 2) Hip KFed 3) Sexy KFed 4) Irritated KFed 5) Silly KFed 6) Back-to-Hard KFed.

I'll end this entry with some lyrics, "Dudes hate KFed, Girls love KFed. It don't matter to me cause KFed stay fed..." Indeed KFed, indeed.

Labels: humor, music