VIDEO PICKS FROM THE I-94 BARMAN!

The I-94 Bar

This story comes from Down Under in Australia. One of the first big music bloggers I met early on is the I-94 Barman... The Barman has taught me so much about various Australian bands and also American ones as well. Barman really knows his stuff and I am happy to share some of his video picks with you today.... Thanks Barman for your help and support these past 3 years... Check out The I-94 Bar site for tons of interviews, reviews and much more HERE

From the BARMAN:

Funny Now (She Blew It) – Sonny Vincent

This is from Sonny’s “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” album, the star-studded 2003 effort that should have crossed him over from punk cult figure to high-profile rocker. Sonny’s a product of the Lower East Side scene whose collaborators have included everyone from Scott Morgan and Scott Asheton to Mo Tucker, Wayne Kramer, Captain Sensible and Cheetah Chrome. The clip’s OK but the song’s better. Sonny’s a top bloke and I was stoked to meet and see him live on a trip to Chicago in 2004, where a few beers were consumed.

Ice – Screaming Tribesmen

The Screaming Tribesmen were the pre-eminent Australian underground band from the 1980s who cracked it for a contract with Ryko in the US and an American tour. Their single “I Got A Feeling” topped the KROQ charts in LA in 1988 and “Ice” is from the same “Bones and Flowers” album. This clip is from some Swedish movie and works perfectly. There were many line-ups of the Tribesmen but the most popular and enduring is the one that played on this song. I followed them for years in Sydney and recently managed them on a short Australian reunion tour.

New Race – Radio Birdman

There are bands and there’s Radio Birdman. They stood like the Colossus of Rhodes over the Australian music scene in the ‘80s, well after their original 1978 break-up. This is from their second show at a place called Paddington Town Hall in Sydney. Support on the night came from the Saints, another legendary group. You can deduce from this that their following was fanatical and it perfectly conveys their energy.

WHITE CHRISTMAS BY THE DRIFTERS

My favorite cover of Irving Berlin's White Christmas was the Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters version. I had this tune on a 45 then 8 track and now mp3. I was totally thrilled when the Home Alone movie used it for Kevin's shaving scene....

The Drifters' 1954 cover of "White Christmas" showcased the talents of lead singer Clyde McPhatter and the bass of Bill Pinkney. Their recording of the song peaked at #2 on Billboard's R&B chart in December 1954, and returned to the same chart in the next two years.

In December 1955, "White Christmas" became the Drifters' first of 34 singles to register in the mainstream Hot 100 chart. For decades, the Drifters' version was primarily heard on R & B radio stations, getting little exposure elsewhere. The song received a boost in the early 1990s, when it was prominently featured in the film Home Alone during a scene in which the lead character Kevin is applying his father's aftershave while mouthing the lyrics.

Radio stations formats as diverse as oldies, adult contemporary, Top 40, and country began playing the Drifters' version. The song was later featured in the film The Santa Clause.

VINCE GUARALDI: THE MUSIC BEHIND CHARLIE BROWN

It is just not Christmas for me without playing the soundtrack from " A Charlie Brown Christmas". The music of The Vince Guaraldi Trio cheers me to no end. Funny this year a Facebook friend wrote me to tell me this music depressed him. I thought are you kidding? I just love it and thought I would share some background on Vince "Dr Funk" Guaraldi. Merry Christmas Charlie Brown! RK

From the Official Vince Guaraldi Website

Vince Guaraldi's smooth trio compositions -- piano, bass and drums -- perfectly balanced Charlie Brown's kid-sized universe. Sprightly, puckish, and just as swiftly somber and poignant, these gentle jazz riffs established musical trademarks which, to this day, still prompt smiles of recognition.

Vince Guaraldi

They reflected the whimsical personality of a man affectionately known as a "pixie", an image Guaraldi did not discourage. He'd wear funny hats, wild mustaches, and display hairstyles from buzzed crew cuts to rock-star shags.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted in December 1965, it did more than reunite Schulz, Mendelson, Melendez and Guaraldi, all of whom quickly turned the Peanuts franchise into a television institution.

That first special also shot Guaraldi to greater fame, and he became welded to all subsequent Peanuts shows. Many of his earliest Peanuts tunes -- "Linus and Lucy", "Red Baron" and "Great Pumpkin Waltz", among others -- became signature themes that turned up in later specials.

My favorite Non-Charlie Brown Guaraldi Trio tune

Sadly, Guaraldi died at age 47 on February 6, 1976. The evening before, he had dined at Peanuts producer Lee Mendelson's home, and was reportedly not feeling well, complaining of indigestion-like chest discomfort that his doctor had told him was nothing to worry about.

The following evening, after concluding the first set at Butterfield's Nightclub in Menlo Park, California with his rousing interpretation of "Eleanor Rigby," Guaraldi and drummer Jim Zimmerman returned to the room they were staying in that weekend at the adjacent Red Cottage Inn, to relax before the next set. Zimmerman commented, "He (Vince) was walking across the room and just collapsed. That was it."

His cause of death has been variously described as a heart attack or an aortic aneurysm. Guaraldi had just finished recording the soundtrack for It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown earlier that afternoon.

VIDEOS PICKS FROM PATTI QUATRO!

Miss Patti Quatro

My dear pal in Austin, TX... Miss Patti Quatro of the Pleasure Seekers and Fanny and Cradle... graciously agreed to send in some of her very favorite videos for us to see....RK

QuatroRock.com
Patti on Facebook

From Patti:

I have to say my top video I feel changed the face of music videos for all time......the brilliance of Thriller....Michael's video..........nothing was the same after that one. The choreography the feel of it........everything....brilliant and had never been seen before....nothin like it.

Have to get some gals in there......absolutely loved Vogue by Madonna.....thought she had her finger on the pulse and always one step ahead......which I appreciate in production values of videos.

Also loved Bowie's videos.......another one ahead of game......that is what draws me.....production values.......really making it something unusual......a visual treat plus an awesome song.

Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody.........for it's up close and personal balanced brilliantly with great production that brings this masterpiece to life.

Another amazing produced one (radical) was Marilyn Manson's Sweet Dreams.......very radical......but genius.

And for Christmas...Ave Maria at top of Nancy (Quatro) and my lists.......just the essence of xmas to us.

Merry Christmas Miss Patti and thank you so much!! 

NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH THE DETROIT COBRAS AND JOHNNY BEE BADANJEK!!

Rachael and Mary

What a hot gig for New Year's Eve! Kimmer loves the Cobras and I hope to be there shooting this show. Also on hand will be Detroit Wheel's legendary drummer Johnny Bee Badanjek!

SPECIAL DETROIT COBRAS NEW YEAR'S EVE NEWS:

New Year's Eve just got a little hotter with the news that THE DETROIT COBRAS will have none other than legendary drummer JOHNNY "BEE" BADANJEK providing a soul burnin' backbeat for the Cobra's NYE return to THE MAGIC STICK in Detroit.

Johnny "Bee" Badanjek with Retro: Kimmer

A master of Motor City drive, Badanjek was a founding member of garage R&B icons Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. He later co-founded the Rockets, and his big beat has accompanied a host of artists of national, international and interstellar stature.

The Cobras at the Stick on New Year's Eve has become a high octane Detroit tradition, and the presence of Bee promises to multiply the fun quotient. In the words of the poet, "Celebrate good times, come on!"also appearing: K.I.D.S. / AMY GORE AND HER VALENTINES

DIRECTIONS
TICKETS

JULIAN PAVONE GETS HIS SECOND PATENT

World's Youngest Pro Drummer Julian Pavone

Exciting news from Julian Pavone! He has his second patent on his very cool drummer's gloves... You go Julian! RK

MACOMB (WWJ) - Guinness World Record Holder Julian Pavone, “The World’s Youngest Professional Drummer” has received a second patent for his innovative drum gloves.

Julian’s Drum Gloves are form-fitting gloves with interchangeable drumstick tips on the four finger extensions, on the palm side of the glove. The glove allows the percussionist to utilize their hands in creating unique rhythms and sound effects not typically made due to the limitations of a traditional drumstick. Julian was represented by Todd Pleiness, an intellectual property attorney from Royal Oak, Michigan.

Read the Full Story HERE

We absolutely adore Julian...

Merry Christmas to the entire Pavone Family with much love xxooK

Read More on RK

World's Youngest Pro Drummer Julian Pavone

Guinness Records Inducts Julian Pavone

Julian Pavone: Guitar Center Drum Off Appearance

CHEF/ENTREPRENEUR BOGDON VASQUAF

Bogdon Vasquaf

This past weekend I finally got to meet Chef Bogdon Vasquaf! What a multi talented man! A real charmer as well... Love a man that can cook don't you?

Bogdon's Cherries Jubilee

Bog's set up station

Bogdon is also a fantastic musician and was with the Cadillac Kidz back in the day. We had the great fortune to see Bog play harmonica all night too. I was fascinated with this 6 Harmonicas on a wheel that he brought with him.

Bogdon's 6 Harmonicas on a wheel... so cool!

Bogdon and my dear friend Dee Gilbert

Bogdon and his upright Box Bass

Bog is quite famous for inventing the cardboard box Bass... He has been featured on the History Channel and Talk Soup.. What a great guy and we hope to work with him again soon... May just show up at his home for dinner!! YAY

Introducing the World's First Upright Bass made exclusively from cardboard!

The Bogdon Box Bass represents a reduction of technology and the simplification of needs.

By demonstrating that a quality sound can be achieved by using unconventional material components at an extremely low cost, a cardboard bass guitar places the least demand on resource technology and encourages people to shift their preconceptions about the 'typical novice instrument'.

Cardboard is not a traditional product material, however the introduction of innovative bonding, cutting and structural techniques has provided the opportunity to consider this lightweight and recyclable material in a more creative fashion. Read more on Bogdon's Website