Louis C.K. on the Election

Jim's Love Songs 1985

Not a lot of time for useless drivel today. Uncle Vernon pissed on a pile of clean clothes this morning as I watched. We killed him. That is all. Happy Halloween.

Here is a compilation of tunes by Jimmy Flemion, one half of the Frogs, called “Jim’s Love Songs 1985.” It has some real gems on it, including the wonderful “Hooray, Boo Hoo” and “Sick Hicks.” These are love songs for the fucked up. If you like the Frogs, and I hope you do, this one is a neat glimpse into their songwriting process. Enjoy.



Jim’s Love Songs 1985


1. Funhouse
2. Moon & Sun
3. Flower in her hand
4. She’s So Young #1
5. She’s So Young #2
6. Arrogant
7. That’s the Girl I Love
8. Megalomaniac
9. Time to Sleep
10. Goodbye
11. Let’s Smash the Clocks
12. Mr. Right
13. Tunnel of Love
14. Secrets of Love
15. Don’t Wake Up the Dead
16. It’s so Hard to Believe (That you love me)
17. Understand
18. Gypsy Drawl
19. You’re Lost
20. The Kennedy’s Killed Monroe
21. The Ocean Tide
22. Hooray, Boo Hoo
23. I Can’t Help But Fall in Love with You
24. Bite Down Hard
25. Sick Hicks


Download Jim's Love Songs 1985

MEOW MIX vol. 6 -- I say "Dirty Deeds," you say "Back in Black"

Our two cats, Vernon & Cheswick, were extremely hostile towards each other for the first few weeks. Gradually, they’ve become fast friends and have even taken up grooming the other, something that appears very gay. But we’re a tolerant people and have no problem with homosexuality human-wise or kitty-wise.

This is the sixth installment of the ridiculously named Meow Mix series. On the mix, you’ll find wonderful tracks from WIRE, Lightnin’ Hopkins (a favorite of the Swan Fungus blog), Tom Waits, The Handsome Family and Elliott Brood. Highlights include a blistering version of “Clouds” by the Jayhawks from a 1995 concert in New York. Elvis Costello performs an acoustic version of my favorite song from 89’s Spike called “God’s Comic.” I heard the Vermillion Sands tune “Mary” on WFMU the other day and really liked it. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan are on fire with “Fight Fire with Fire.” The best tracks, though, are “Buttons” by Shugo Tokumaru and “Top Drawer” by Man Man…both very unique and catchy.


MEOW MIX vol. 6



1. Everything is Broken (alternate) – Bob Dylan
2. Outdoor Miner – Wire
3. Miss You Know – Elliott Brood
4. The Woman Downstairs – The Handsome Family
5. Fight Fire with Fire – Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
6. Life I Used to Live – Lightnin’ Hopkins
7. Gin Soaked Boy – Tom Waits
8. Buttons – Shugo Tokumaru
9. Top Drawer – Man Man
10. Clouds (live) – The Jayhawks
11. Mary (demo) – Vermillion Sands
12. God’s Comic (acoustic live) – Elvis Costello


Download MEOW MIX vol. 6



As always, comments are welcomed, as are suggestions.

Ramsay Midwood @ Riverbend in Chattanooga 06-08-2003

Uncle Vernon has a tapeworm or he is just completely obsessed by his Nutro Complete Care Kitten Food (dry formula). Recently, he’s become over-affectionate at ridiculous hours of the morning (5am.), causing my girlfriend and I much consternation. Our attempts to remedy this behavior, including feeding them later in the evening, are not taking. Is it possible he has some sort of parasite that is feasting on his internal organs? Or, as many of my “friends” have already suggested, is he, simply, a “goddamn cat”?

Also, why do cat turds become cat toys after they’re rolled in litter? And would it be inappropriate, as a Halloween Prank, for me to take a poo in the litter box and let my girlfriend find it and, hopefully, be worried about the cats? No?


Today, we have a concert I recorded back in 2003 at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga. Ramsay Midwood, the eclectic Americana singer/songwriter, was touring in support of his excellent album “Shoot Out At the O.K. Chinese Restaurant.” I’m not sure Ramsay or his band expected the huge crowd that came to see them. Chattanooga’s local public radio affiliate, WUTC-FM, had been spinning the album for weeks and people seemed to really take to it.

This is a direct soundboard recording to DAT tape. The band is on point and Ramsay is in great spirits. Highlights include the “Shoot Out” stuff like “Monster Truck” and “Mohawk River.” The song “Monster Truck” is played twice because they ran out of material and us Chattanoogans just can’t enough of anything pertaining to big, over-sized, stupid trucks. My favorite songs, however, are “Jesus is #1” and “Prozac.” Ramsay is definitely an underrated songwriter/performer. Whatever happened to this guy anyway?



Ramsay Midwood
Riverbend Festival – Chattanooga, TN
06-08-2003


1. Chicago
2. Mohawk River
3. Rattlesnake
4. Monster Truck
5. I Feed My Monkey
6. I Saw the Light/Spinning’ on a Rock
7. Esther
8. Fisherman’s Friend
9. Reelin’ and a Rockin’
10. Jesus is #1
11. Prozac
12. Monster Truck (requested again)


Download Ramsay Midwood @ Riverbend

MEOW MIX vol. 5 -- Silver in the Stars, Gold in the Morning Sun

This is the 5th installment of the ridiculously titled “Meow Mix” series. Typically, I try to work hard to make the mix flow well. Otherwise, it would just be a random collection of songs. Believe it or not, there is a thought process behind the way the songs aligned.

Uncle Vernon is taking a break from music, or so he says. Instead, he’s apparently decided to replace quiet, contemplative listening time with a game called “Hide vomit in the least accessible place for humans to find it.” For example, yesterday we found it under the computer desk, conveniently near an air vent. Don’t tell me he didn’t plan that.

Anyway, what I’m saying is I work hard to arrange the tunes on the mixes, much like Vernon and his hiding of vomit.

This mix is more autumnal, I think, than the previous mixes. In Chattanooga, the temperature is still a balmy 80degrees on most days, but the colors of the leaves are an indication that Fall is here. And when Fall is here, I like to listen to acoustic ballads. Highlights on this edition include “Mississippi” by Bob Dylan (who knew he could write such good lyrics?), “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong,” a cover of a Leonard Cohen tune by Creston Spier’s of Harvey Milk. That one is gut-wrenchingly beautiful. We also have an incredibly catchy, although somewhat irrelevant, song from a band called Pretty & Nice…”Tora Tora Tora.” Finally, “Mingus Eyes” is a great tune by one of my favorites of all-time, Richard Thompson.

Enjoy and let me know if you like it. Tips on how to keep a cat from spite vomiting are welcome as well. I’ve read a few thumbtacks in the food bowl do wonders.


MEOW MIX vol. 5


1. Bicycle Built For Two – John Fahey
2. Mingus Eyes – Richard Thompson
3. I’m Just a Country Boy – Don Williams
4. Mississippi (unreleased) – Bob Dylan
5. One of Us Cannot Be Wrong (Cohen) – Harvey Milk
6. Oppressions Each –Brightblack Morning Light
7. Heavy Water/I’d Rather be Sleeping – Grouper
8. Moons and Cattails – Linda Perhacs
9. Faraway from Cars – Mercury Rev
10. The Gypsies Came Marching After – White Magic
11. Tora Tora Tora – Pretty & Nice
12. Something Fine (live) – Jackson Browne
13. My Little Kookenhaken (live) – Jonathan Richman
14. Old Lady & the Devil – Bill and Belle Reed


Download MEOW MIX vol. 5

Norman & Nancy Blake @ the Barking Legs 2004

Chattanoogans are lucky in a few ways. The first is that we’re nestled in the heart of Bluegrass music. I can’t tell you how many Bluegrass festivals, concerts and pickin’ parties I’ve been to during my seven year stay here. One of the legends of ‘pickin is Norman Blake. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Rising Fawn Ga., just a 20-minute drive from here over the state line. This means that, on occasion, the couple will leave the farm and perform a concert, most of the time at the Barking Legs Theater…the other reason Chattanoogans are lucky.

The Barking Legs is an intimate, 120 capacity venue in a less-than favorable area of the city. I’ve volunteered (…speaking as myself, not the cat this time) there for years. I encourage seeing a show there if you’re ever in the area. The show posted below still stands out in my mind, as it was the first time I’d heard Norman perform live.

This concert from 2004 is loaded with highlights: Notable performances include the hilarious “The Bragging Song,” a beautiful rendition of “All the Good Times Are Over,” and, of course, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and “You Are My Sunshine” from the Grammy winning “O Brother Where Art Thou” movie soundtrack.

Good stuff. A true legend.


Norman & Nancy Blake
Barking Legs Theatre, Chattanooga TN
01-09-2004

Part 1

1. Katy Kline
2. All the Good Times Are Over
3. The Battleship of Maine
4. Precious Moments
5. The Old Grey Mare Come Tearing Out the Wilderness
6. Sweet Freedom
7. The Bragging Song
8. I Loved You Better Than You Knew
9. Ms. Forbes Farewell
10. Flower From the Fields of Alabama



Part 2

1. stage banter
2. The Fate of Talmadge Osborne
3. Dixie Cowboy
4. Big Rock Candy Mountain
5. You Are My Sunshine
6. Meet Me In the Shadow of the Pines
7. Camp Meeting On the Fourth of July
8. The Fiddler’s Dram -→ Whiskey Before Breakfast
9. Coleman’s March
10. Little Log Hut in the Lane
11. We’re Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
12. The Sunny Side of Life
13. The Hobo’s Last Ride
14. E: Cannonball


Download Part 1
Download Part 2


Comments and Feedback are/is always welcome.

Chris Smither: Chattanooga, TN 06-08-2002

Vernon’s Brother, Cheswick, won’t eat and has some sort of stomach bug that produces foul, green-colored diarrhea. He also likes to pee in my piles of dirty clothes. Oh, and vomit. He likes to vomit too. Otherwise, he’s a beautiful, healthy, growing, lovely little cat.

I have for you today a wonderful concert from 2002 recorded at Chattanooga’s “fun” Riverbend Festival. This is an annual event that takes place on the banks of the Tennessee River. Overall, there are five different stages hosting acts as varied as ZZTop, New Order, The Ohio Players, Vince Gill etc. My favorite stage happens to be “Tennessee Valley Credit Union” stage, formerly the “Amsouth” stage, under the Walnut St. Bridge. I’ve seen some wonderful acoustic acts there, but my favorite will always be this solo-acoustic blues set from Chris Smither.

Chris Smither is a blinding blues guitarist. He’s got some songwriting chops to boot. Highlights of this excellent sounding show include a cover of Robert Johnson’s “Dust My Broom,” Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” & “Statesboro Blues” by Blind Willie McTell. However, the whole set really shines.

I was a sophomore in college in 2002. I think this was the first time I REALLY enjoyed the blues.



Chris Smither (Solo)
Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga TN.
06-08-2002


1. Hold On
2. Dust My Broom
3. No Love Today
4. Confirmation
5. Love You Like a Man
6. Can’t Shake the Blues
7. Get a Better One
8. Rock n’ Roll Doctor (Little Feat)
9. Drive You Home Again
10. Crash on the Levee, down in the flood (Dylan)
11. Lola
12. Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell
13. Live As I’ll Ever Be
14. Hey Hey Hey
15. Desolation Row (Dylan)
16. Link of Chain
17. Magnolia (J.J. Cale)


Download Chris Smither in Chattanooga

T. Thompson/M. Wainwright -- We Can Work it Out

I liked this. Two of my favorite offspring of musical talent.

Meow Mix Vol. 4 -- It Feels Like Heaven ... kitty heaven.

Uncle Vernon is going through a weird, existential phase at the moment I type this. You see, this past weekend we expanded our family by exactly one more feline, a male longhaired, distant or direct cousin or sibling of Vernon. We named him “Cheswick,” for the character in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Vernon, as you can imagine, is displeased and perplexed. It didn’t help that “Chezzie” came with a vicious infestation of the fleas.

(Pictures are forthcoming. Of Chezzie, not the fleas.)

Vernon’s dissatisfaction with the weekend has provoked much listening, on his part, to the Replacements. Paul Westerberg, and his catalogue, is apparently a BIG DEAL in the world of cats. I've read, though, about how cats go through a rather "human" teenage angst period. I thought he was just having a bad day, but after consuming a bottle of 12-year-old George Dickel and stealing the family’s supply of marijuana (how does he light up with those kitty paws?) we’d had enough. He kept repeating, “I’m so Unsatisfied” until we had to lock him in the bathroom. Cheswick seems completely ambivalent to the whole situation. I’m hoping the situation works itself out.

Dear cat lovers, will you please tell me what type of kitten food you use? I’m not exactly made of money (that would be weird, especially if it were coins…heavy) and cat food isn’t cheap. What’s the best bang for the buck? I’m leaning toward a dry food called Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Indoor Kitten Food. It seems to be getting the best reviews. Suggestions?

Also, do cats…well, kittens….need to eat EVERY day? It seems a bit excessive to feed them so much.


The following is the best Meow Mix yet. The first track is just wicked cool guitar music from a compilation album called “Group inerane: Guitars from Agadez (Music from Niger).” Other highlights include a new track from Dungen, a classic “autumn” tune from Robyn Hitchcock & a really catchy song from Bill Fay. Vernon insisted I include some Replacements. Is it any surprise he chose “Sixteen Blue” from Let it be? And let it be known, Prefab Sprout is anything but “cool,” but I really like that song and I think you will too.


Meow Mix Vol. 4

1. Kuni Majagani – V/A (Group Inerane)
2. Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March – The Box Tops
3. Ghost Town Blues – Prefab Sprout
4. Aguas De marco – Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina
5. Maleras Finest – Dungen
6. Autumn is Your Last Chance – Robyn Hitchcock
7. 90101-51-I – Autechre
8. Heaven – Pere Ubu
9. I Fall in Love Too Easily – Chet Baker
10. The Sun – Mirah
11. I’ll Cry Alone – Flamin’ Groovies
12. Rocky Road – Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
13. Maudy La Lune – Bill Fay
14. Sixteen Blue (alternate outtake) – The Replacements


Download Meow MIX Vol. 4


Enjoy. Feedback is requested. Let me know if you like the mix.

Tim Easton @ the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga.

Today, we have a short, acoustic set from Tim Easton. It was recorded in 2003 at Chattanooga’s historic Tivoli Theatre. Tim was opening up for John Hiatt. The crowd was hooked on Tim from the first note. His gruff voice meshed with the guitar perfectly, and he ain’t too shabby on the harp either. The standout track for me is “just to be next to you, “ a song my girlfriend at the time particularly enjoyed. I got to see Tim about a year later at a benefit for the Lula Lake Land Trust, but this concert completely blows that one out of the water…ha…lake…water…puns.

The quality is superb. I don’t know if I’ve got a better sounding bootleg. This is highly recommended. I think you’ll like what you hear.


Sorry the tracklist is a bit of a mess. It shouldn’t be that hard to figure it out though. You guys are computer savvy intellectuals and what not...



Tim Easton @ Tivoli Theatre 8/9/03
Chattanooga, TN


1. Intro/I’m Lonely, Please Come Home
2. Poor Poor LA
3. “Harmonica Song”
4. Lexington Jail
5. Just to Be Next To You
6. Carry Me
7. Baltimore
8. I Was Taken By You
9. Don’t Walk Alone
10. Don’t Walk Alone (unplugged)


Download Tim Easton @ the Tivoli

Meow Mix Vol. 3 -- Pussy Tunes

I'm going to try and be brief, but this is my blog and I shouldn't restrain myself nor edit my lengthiness unless I really feel the words I'm typing are wholly unnecessary or something to that effect. FUCK! Let’s start over.

I’m really sorry you have to read this shit. “Give me the music, just give me the goddamn music,” you say. Okay!

This weekend was spent helping the girlfriend paint out bathroom a color called “field poppy.” Basically, it’s a dark pumpkin color. We like it. It’s much better than the diarrhea/vomit (or diarrhea vomit) color the girlfriend picked out before. Next step: install a bidet. I really just want to get one so I can talk about it. I doubt I’d use it. I barely even wipe my ass.

Why am I telling you this?

This is the next “Meow Mix” for you all. I’d like to say I helped Vernon pick out the songs, but that just isn’t true. I did ask to have a few included and, surprisingly, he allowed them on the mix. My tracks were the “Ragtime” by a brilliantly talented, otherworldly troubadour who goes by his name “Pokey LeFarge.” I had the opportunity to interview him for the newspaper last week. I’ll post the rest of the interview on Friday. The second song I chose was “In the Underground” by the Spring Standards. They opened for the everybodyfields on Thursday of last week. This is from their debut EP “No One Will Know.” It’s very good.

Vernon, as usual, went way weird with his selections: John Zorn, Tramway, Scott Walker, Smoke, Gene Clark, Mayo Thompson…it’s ridiculous really... ridiculously good. I hate him and his musical tastes.



MEOW MIX Vol. 3

1. Ragtime – Pokey LeFarge (Live in Studio ’99)
2. Amsterdam – U.N.P.O.C.
3. In the Underground – The Spring Standards
4. The Sicilian Clan – John Zorn
5. When We Were Still Friends – Herman Dune
6. Southbound – Thin Lizzy
7. Bridge of Avignon – Eve Boswell
8. Hero of the War – Scott Walker
9. Soul Deep – The Box Tops
10. One in a Hundred – Gene Clark
11. Maritime City – Tramway
12. Charley’s Girl – Lou Reed
13. Black Legs – Mayo Thompson
14. Ballet – Smoke
15. White Light – Gene Clark
16. Is This What You Wanted? – Leonard Cohen

Download Meow Mix Vol. 3


I’m posting a delicious (what?) Tim Easton set from Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theater on Tuesday. Don’t soil yourself.
By the by, will you point me to your favorite way to cook boneless chicken breast recipes? I’m an amateurish cook at best and my girlfriend eats chicken and not much else as far as meat goes. Suggestions?*




*Don’t say, “get a new girlfriend,” assholes.

Garrison Starr live in Studio '99

I have for you today an interview I recorded with wonderful Singer/songwriter Garrison Starr. She is...well... wonderful. She is a little bit country, a bit rock and she has a voice to boot. My girlfriend and I had Thai food with her before her show in Chattanooga and she couldn't have been more talkative and interesting. Humble doesn't even begin to describe it.

You can visit her homepage and her myspace page to hear a bunch of great songs. She really is, in my opinion, under appreciated.

Garrison has performed with Steve Earle among others. She has a popular song called “Superman” which she plays on this podcast.

I hope you enjoy. Let me know if you do.

Listen to Garrison Starr in Studio '99

Uncle Vernon's "No Comment" Video Series

Occasionally, I'll sit Uncle Vernon on my lap and play for him a particularly bad, scary, or unnecessary youtube video. If he just sits and stares I'll chalk it up as a "no comment" video. He looked up at me once during this, as if to say, "the hell, man? Why you make me watch this crap?" Because I hate you, Vernon. Because I hate you.

Andrew Bird & Nora O' Connor in Chattanooga

Today, Uncle Vernon dipped into his vault of bootleg concerts from right here in beautiful, Eco-friendly Chattanooga, TN. His vault is a pretty good size considering he’s only 8-months old.

Andrew Bird has frequented Chattanooga on several occasions. Most often you’ll hear him at the Barking Legs Theater, an 85-seat intimate venue in town. This concert, however, was recorded in Coolidge Park, near the Tennessee River in North Chattanooga. The Park has a small stage and a huge field for concert-goers. They should have more live shows here, but they don’t for some reason.

Mr. Bird is joined by the lovely Nora O’ Conner in this set, which features some older Andrew Bird tunes and a wonderful cover of “Drunk by Noon” by the Handsome Family. I think (Think) this was a soundboard recording. The quality is too good. Unfortunately, it sounds as if there might be 50 people there. I have a bunch of wonderful sounding shows to share with you in the future. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

Comment love is always appreciated. Well, any love really. Butt love? I’m interested in anything recorded in Chattanooga if anyone can help.

Enjoy.




Andrew Bird & Nora O’ Connor
Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN 5-19-2003


1. Why?
2. Opposite Day
3. 11:11
4. Banking on a Myth
5. Waiting to Talk
6. Drunk By Noon (Handsome Family)
7. First Song
8. Sweetbreads
9. Imitosis
10. Richmond Woman
11. Spanish For Monsters
12. Headsoak
13. A Glass of Cool Water


Download Andrew Bird & Nora O’ Connor

Meow Mix vol. 2

Uncle Vernon is becoming more and more of a nuisance since he discovered UK Acid Folk music. He sits, headphones adorned, bobbing his head and occasionally twitching to and fro. He can’t type, but for some reason he’s able to light incense sticks and brew Earl Grey tea. I’ve always been an oolong or Darjeeling fan myself, so his obsession with “English” tea really punches my buttons. Although, I enjoy Burt Jansch, Sandy Denny, Mellow Candle, Pentangle etc., his constant need to blast it 24/7 is becoming more than I can handle. But dear readers, how does one return an 8-month old cat to the shelter for reasons of “exceptional musical taste, but an unwillingness to cooperate with the household rules” without sounding completely off his knocker? I wish I could tell them he poops in the floor, but it just isn’t the case. Maybe I could poop on the floor, take a picture of it and use it as evidence against him?

The spray bottle discipline technique is becoming a joke. He just laughs. Meow Ha Meow Ha. It’s ridiculous and he only does it in front of me. He also called me a failed “Willy o’ Winsbury” when I scolded him for attacking our toilet paper holder. I don’t even know what that means. He said, “You want to Pentangle?” I told him to leave me alone, that he was scaring me. If he weren’t such an adorable purr-monster I’d have put him out on the streets long ago.

His latest Meow Mix (…a weekly collection of Uncle Vernon’s current musical obsessions) features a tad bit of UK Folk. Other highlights include Italian-bluegrass picker Beppe Gambetta and a few rare, released/unreleased versions of some Warren Zevon tunes. Italian composer Riz Ortolani is catnip for the ears, preceded by Erik Enocksson’s “The Nylon Waltz,” a sort of catnap for the ears. I added Richard Thompson’s “I can’t wake up to save my life” because I wish it were the case. Unfortunately, a certain cat (rhymes with Smuncle Turnon) likes to lick my facial hair at 2am for no apparent reason.


Enjoy this week’s Meow Mix.



MEOW MIX vol. 2


1. On the Road with Momma – Beppe Gambetta
2. Without a Word – Giant Sand
3. Coming Home to Me – Dando Shaft
4. Diana – Comus
5. Are You Swimming in Her Pools? – Swan Lake
6. The Nylon Waltz – Erik Enocksson
7. Girolimoni – Riz Ortolani
8. Tule’s Blues – Warren Zevon
9. Hat Song – Kevin Ayers
10. I Can’t Wake Up to Save My Life – Richard Thompson
11. Accidentally Like a Martyr – Warren Zevon

Download Meow MIX vol. 2
Comments, suggestions on how to off the cat, are welcome.

Tom Waits - Live at the Cirkus 1999

Uncle Vernon was named after the Tom Waits "Cemetery Polka" from the Raindogs album. We knew we wanted him to have a Tom Waits name, but Buzz Fledderjon, Alice and Edna Vincent just didn't seem to fit. Plus, Uncle Vernon is really, really cute. Unfortunately, and we didn't know this at the time, "Uncle Vernon" is also the first character we meet in the Harry Potter series. This is definitely not what we were going for. I mean, does the Harry Potter series even come close to Tom Waits? I think not.

I have for you one of my favorite Tom Waits bootlegs from 1999. This is also considered to be the best sounding bootleg from that tour. The concert was recorded at a venue called the "Cirkus" in Stockholm. The sound quality is excellent and the set list is top notch. I've uploaded this large concert in two files via megaupload. unzip and enjoy.


Tom Waits -- Live at the Cirkus 1999

Part 1

1. Lucky Day Overture/Step Right Up
2. The Black Rider
3. Jockey Full of Bourbon
4. Jesus Gonna Be Here
5. Get Behind the Mule
6. Walk Away
7. Chocolate Jesus
8. Hold On
9. Eyeball Kid
10. What's he Building in There?
11. A Little Rain
12. Invitation to the Blues
13. Hang Down Your Head
14. Tango Till' They're Sore
15. Innocent When You Dream
16. 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six

Part 2

17. Shore Leave
18. Pony
19. Filipino Box Spring Hog
20. Come on Up to the House
21. House Where Nobody Lives
22. Singapore
23. The Heart of Saturday Night
24. Goin' Out West
25. I Can't Wait to Get Off Work
26. Picture in a Frame
27. Who Are You?
28. HeartAttack and Vine
29. Time



Download Part 1
Download Part 2

That's it for the week. Thanks to everyone who visited my site during the first few days of existence. I look forward to hearing from you.

Two Man Gentlemen Band on Chattanooga's Times Free Press MUSICcast

Occasionally, I'll post a live interview or so from my work with the Times Free Press newspaper. This is an interview we did with the Two Man Gentleman Band before their performance at a local venue called JJ's Bohemia. Also playing in town that evening was a little band called ZZ Top. I went to see the Two Man Gentleman band along with about 10 other people. Don't regret it at all.

You'll hear a brief interview with the band and a few tunes performed live in the confines of Studio '99. The songs are "When Your Lips Are Playing My Kazoo" and "William Henry Taft."

The Two Man Gentleman band are a trip to the past, filled with high-pitched vocals and kazoos...gasp. This is music to be enjoyed. Straight up fun from the 1920's . Oh, and if you go to a show you get a free kazoo. ZZ Top doesn't give you anything and their shirts are $45.00. Seriously.

Listen to the Two Man Gentleman Band in Chattanooga

The Frogs -- San Francisco 5-19-03 Part 2

Here is the second half of the Frogs show from San Francisco in 2003. . Do you all want more exclusive live bootlegs from Chattanooga? I have a bunch that have never been heard before outside of about 6 or 7 people. I'll see what I can dig up.


The Frogs -- San Francisco 5-19-03 Part 2



1. Whisper
2.(Threats/Saddest Day-Know?)
3. Weird/Raped
4. (Sheryl Crow/Fuck the Trees etc.)
5. Just When I needed you most
6. (Poor Calista/Star Wars etc.)
7. I'm Back To Women
8. (Stars with Mouth Conditions)
9. Been A Month Since I had a Man
10.Gwendyln Macrae
11. The Man With the Candy
12. (Jewel/Marx Bros/Courtney Love)
13. Bad Mommy
14. Stargirl*


*I may have uploaded the final song twice. If so, just delete it or be glad you have two . .

Download The Frogs Part 2


Uncle Vernon threw up twice this morning. We're thinking of just putting him down for good. Cats aren't as cute as kittens.

Helen Adam -- Live Ballads

According to Wikipedia, Helen Adam was, among other things, an American Poet. Her ballads are witty and her Scottish accent make for a wonderful listening experience. Here is a youtube video of her performance of "Cheerless Junkie song."

Link

...and here is a concert recorded somewhere (help?) featuring several of her ballads, including the aforementioned "cheerless junkie song."

Helen Adam Live

1. In and Out of the Hornbeam Maze
2. A Swordsman from France
3. Sailing Down the River
4. Pounding Bone Blues
5. Cheerless Junkie song

Download Helen Adam Live

The Frogs -- San Francisco 5-19-03

Uncle Vernon LOVES the Frogs. Lucky for him, so do I. We decided today we would post a live Frogs show from 2003.

About the Frogs:

Two brothers (Jimmy & Dennis Flemion) began writing absurd songs about random, borderline disgusting, subject matter. Their albums “It’s only right an natural” and “My Daughter the Broad” are simply genius. Billy Corgan (of the Smashing Pumpkins) and Kurt Cobain (…some band I don’t recall) are/were fans of the Frogs. Is it offensive? Well…to some, yeah, it probably is. I find it hilarious. Let me know if you find it hilarious too.

This is a good-quality recording from 2003. The highlights include “Homos” “Where’s Jerry Lewis?” “Hot Cock Annie” and the opening cut “Starboy.” The whole set is a rollicking good time though.


The Frogs: San Francisco 5-19-2003



1. Starboy
2. Sleep On the Street
3. The Rubble & the Priest
4. San Francisco Nights (Animals)
5. I’ve Done Drugs…
6. (This City is Gay, yes?)
7. Homos
8. I Only Play 4 Money
9. Adam & Steve
10. DreamBox
11. Where’s Jerry Lewis?
12. Who’s been Sucking On Grandpa’s Balls (since Grandma ain’t tonight??
13. N.Y.B.
14. Persian Cat
15. Hot Cock Annie
16. (See No Evil)
17. Pleasure
18. Dykes Are We/Baby Greaser George
19. Let it Be/The Goat/Rock n’ Roll Suicide
20. Fuck Off


Download the Frogs

The Bristol Palin Juxtaposition

First, the honorable James David Manning (...erm...religious *cough* nutball *cough*)

"Obama's Mama," "Snail-eating white woman," "Nothing but Traaash." Gold:



Finally, comedian Doug Stanhopes brilliant offer to Bristol Palin. She needs to know she has options:

Savingbristol.com


Discuss....

Meow Mix Vol. 1 -- No Hootie Please!

Here’s the first mix-tape for you guys, courtesy of recommendations by Uncle Vernon himself. The first draft included some solo stuff by Darius Rucker. Uncle Vernon gave it a listen and, though he’s a big fan of the Blowfish, he thought I should save my Hootie and the Blowfish acoustic bootlegs (“Blowlegs,” as they’re known among us HOOTS) for another day.

Vernon got to work on the computer, sifting through I-tunes. His Sony MDR-V6 Headphones, though silly on his triangle kitty head, are better quality than mine. I think his musical palate is a bit more refined too. He looked up from the computer and said, “Pere Ubu, The Modern Dance…you heard it? Meow.” I hadn’t, but he assured me our listeners would love it, “especially a tune called “Laughing,” he said, laughing as only a kitten can. I asked him if we could maybe split the mix, each take a half. He responded with a curt “fuck off! It’s my blog. Meow.”

We’ll see what kind of attitude he has when I get the squirt bottle full of water after his ass.

The girlfriend walked in the room and said "stop talking the cat up again." I said, "I've never heard anyone phrase a sentence like that." She flipped me off.

I wasn’t going to post this mix because of his attitude, but it’s actually pretty good. I hate it when he’s smarter than I is.

Let me know what you like and I’ll post more. Live Darius Rucker coming soon! Get pumped!


Vernon’s Mix – Vol.1


1. Black Wings (live from VH1 storytellers) – Tom Waits
2. St. Fiacre – Burt Jansch
3. Blackfly Rag – Carl Spidla
4. She Belongs to Me (Live in 1966) – Bob Dylan
5. New Chevrolet in Flames – The Mountain Goats
6. Autumn Leaves (7”) – Tripod Jimmie
7. Younger Bums – Big Dipper
8. D.O.A. (7”) – Dead moon
9. Laughing – Pere Ubu
10. Black Sheep Boy – Scott Walker
11. Be On My Way – Mark Olson & the Creekdippers
12. Good for No One – Herman Dune
13. Goin’ to Nepal – Monster Island


Download Meow Mix Vol. 1

Acoustic "Punk Rock Girl" in Studio '99

I've been working as the Podcaster for the Chattanooga Times Free Press for several years now. Every week, we do what's called a MUSICcast for our website at timesfreepress.com. This usually includes an artist interview of sorts and live music, if possible, recorded in our tiny studio. A previous reporter dubbed it "Studio '99" because the technology stopped improving in about 1999. We have a single, $30 condenser mic and Sound Studio. Luckily, we can do pretty much whatever we want up here within reason as far as music is concerned though. I hope to share some of our more obscure live tracks on this blog, including stuff that didn’t make it into a podcast for whatever reason. We're still at it too, so we'll be getting more and more live music. I’ll post as it happens. Chattanooga ain’t so bad after all.


Former Dead Milkmen, Joe Jack Talcum, has podcasted (sic) with us twice here in Chattanooga at Studio '99. Both times, he's been in town to perform at a local punkish/mexican joint called Sonny's Place. He travels with a ukulele-based punk band from Philadelphia called UKEBOX.

His solo performances are quite different than most punk shows I've been to. The entire crowd goes quiet as Joe Jack performs Milkmen tunes and songs from some of his side projects since the band. I've seen him twice and the amount of devotion these fans have for his music is inspiring. He’s not the most amicable guy, but he trudged through our interview. He eased up when we showed him we actually knew who the Dead Milkmen were and appreciated the music; we weren’t just mindless, corporate media zombies. We tried to get him to do "Bitchin' Corvette" but he wasn't into it. We DID get an acoustic version of "punk rock girl" out of him though. However, I think the song "Sha Na Na" is the highlight for me in this set.

Here are a few songs recorded live in Studio '99 with Joe Jack. Download and unzip.


Joe Jack Talcum (of the Dead Milkmen) in Studio '99:

1. Punk Rock Girl
2. Methodist Coloring Book
3. Sha Na Na

Download

Hello Readers. The everybodyfields live in Studio '99.

Hey Folks,

I'm transferring over to a Blogspot account because Myspace sucks and I'm only realizing it right now, two years after everybody else. The title of the blog is "Uncle Vernon's World of Fun." Uncle Vernon is my cat. This should show you how uncreative I've become these days.

A blogspot account will allow me more freedom to post whatever I feel the need to post. Expect mix-tapes and random other posts involving music. I'll try to avoid porn, but many of the posts will be borderline offensive. What else would you expect?

Thanks for visiting and drop me a line.


My first bit of goodness for you is a few tracks recorded live at the Times Free Press in August of 2006 (or maybe it was April?). Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews of the everybodyfields stopped by before noon after a wonderful show at Rhythm & Brews downtown. They were obviously tired, but managed to play a few songs for us. You'll hear "So Good to be Home," about growing up in Johnson City, Tn. You'll also hear "Let it be me." This song was made popular by the Everly Brothers.

Download and enjoy. And let me know if you stumbled on the site. I'm brand-spanking new at this.

The everybodyfields in Studio '99