Joey Altruda

Happy Birthday Dizzy Gillespie 10-21-1917

2009-10-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

(photo by Herman Leonard, 1948)

Trumpeter and musical prophet John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born on October 21,1917

Rhino Records Releases Entire Oz Score For First Time

2009-10-21T01:40:00.000-07:00

We've all seen The Wizard Of Oz more times than we can keep track of since childhood, but have you ever paid close attention to the musical score playing under the dialogue between the musical numbers? If not, you will find a whole magical world unto itself, containing themes and motifs from the songs, subtly weaving in and out of a masterwork of musical impressionism.
Songwriter Harold Arlen provided all the musical numbers we know and love, but the score was written by Herbert Stothart, who won and Academy Award that year (1939) for his genius work.
Rhino Records has recently released a deluxe CD set of ALL the music of The Wizard Of Oz-Thank You! Five Stars

Vogue Picture Disc # 10

2009-10-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

Check Out The Association Of Vogue Picture Record Collectors

Damsels In Distress # 10

2009-10-21T01:17:00.000-07:00

Chinese Concept Car

2009-10-21T00:56:00.000-07:00

Vic Mizzy R.I.P.

2009-10-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

via Raquel Maria Dillon-AP writer
LOS ANGELES – Vic Mizzy, a songwriter who composed the catchy themes for the 1960s sit-coms "The Addams Family" and "Green Acres," has died. He was 93.
View Full Article

Happy Birthday Roger Moore 10-14-1927

2009-10-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

Actor Roger Moore was born on October 14, 1927.

Linda Lombard Comments Joey Altruda Blog

2009-10-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

On February, 25, 2009, I launched Showgirls Of The Golden Age #1 featuring Linda Lombard, 1949.
Just recently I received a comment on this posting from Linda Lombard herself, who is now residing in Florida at age 83. It was one of those magical internet moments that are so few and far between. A few days later, I received a Myspace message from Miss Lombard which thrilled me to no end. She has recently launched a website containing vintage photos, television commercials, and autographed memorabilia for sale. I'm about to contact Jason Croft (aka Java's Bachelor Pad), about the possibility of interviewing her for an upcoming issue of Bachelor Pad Magazine.

Linda Lombard's Website
Linda Lombard@Myspace
Linda's Harold Tribune Article

Borrah Minevitch & His Harmonica Rascals ~ 1936

2009-10-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Borrah Minevitch & His Harmonica Rascals are beyond incredible in this rare 1936 glimpse.

Grady Stiles~Lobster Boy

2009-10-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

I've been haunted by this book since I first found it on the shelves of the Hollywood Public Library some years ago.
Fred Rosen tells the tale of Grady Stiles aka Lobster Boy; a sinister depiction of carney life, alcoholism, domestic abuse, murder and more.

Order From Amazon

Sci Fi En Espagnol # 15

2009-10-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Lenny Bruce 10-13-1925

2009-10-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

Comedian Lenny Bruce (Leonard Alfred Schneider) was born on October 13, 1925.

Jaco Pastorius & Toots Thielemans

2009-10-12T22:28:00.000-07:00

A very special and rare performance of Toots Thielemans & Jaco Pastorius at the piano, performing one of my favorite Jaco compositions, Three Views Of A Secret.

SMIGLY.TV

2009-10-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

SMIGLY.TV

Strange Postcards # 9

2009-10-12T21:24:00.001-07:00

Celso Murilo From Loronix Brazilian Blog

2009-10-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is an incredibly cool LP (not reissued to the best of my knowledge) from the Loronix Brazilian Music Blog- organist Celso Murilo, "Ritmos Na Passarela" from 1961. Although the cover isn't much to speak of, the music is great, and the selection of material top notch. With as many different versions of Harlem Nocturne as I've heard over the years, I was freshly knocked out by the one on this LP. Click Here for Loronix, scroll down the page, and download via rapidshare for free.

Happy Birthday Art Blakey 10-11-1919

2009-10-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

(photo by Herman Leonard)

One of my lifelong heros, Art Blakey, was born on Oct 11, 1919.
Tune into Reserve Radio Vinyl Meltdown Episode # 21 to listen to my Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Podcast!

1954 Plymouth Belmont Concept Car

2009-10-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

1954 Plymouth Belmont Concept Car

Before Gilligan There Was Maynard G. Krebs

2009-10-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

Bob Denver as Maynard G. Krebs, from the telvision series, The Many Loves Of Doby Gillis.
(via strange Ink blog)

Fred Buscaglione 1959

2009-10-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Daniel McVicar's comment on my Seu Jorge posting said something to the effect that I resembled Fred Buscaglione. I had never heard of the guy before, but now I can see that my lifelong search for my real father has finally come to an end.

Vintage Vegas #9

2009-10-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

Photo by Loomis Dean, Life Magazine 1952

Happy Birthday Ed Wood Jr. 10-10-1924

2009-10-09T18:02:00.000-07:00

Film maker Ed Wood Jr. was born on October 10, 1924.

Joey Altruda Quartet Wails At Herman Leonard Exhibit

2009-10-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

(L-R Ramon Banda, Allen Mezquida, Joey Altruda, Theo Saunders)

I recently performed for Herman Leonard's latest photo exhibit at the Reserve Store on Fairfax Ave. The event was a sponsored by FreshJive Clothing and Etnies Shoes as a launch for their latest Fresh Jive shoe.

Herman Leonard was celebrated throughout the evening by his many fans who came out of the woodwork to pay their respects. My fifteen year friendship with Herman has thus far been one of the greatest treasures of my life. He has shared with me many things that I am forever grateful for, and it thrills me to no end that we were brought together once again for this great night of art, music and celebration.

(photos via Pix Feed LA blog)

Vintage Sleaze # 13

2009-10-09T16:47:00.001-07:00

via vinatagesleaze.com

Seu Jorge Rocks The Hollywood Bowl

2009-10-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

(Seu Jorge, Joey Altruda, Pretinho Da Serrinha)

Seu Jorge came to L.A. last month to perform three nights at the Hollywood Bowl along with The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Bebel Gilberto. I was delighted to be a part of his rhythm section, thumping the Fender bass alongside Eric Bobo (drums), Mike Boito (piano), and Pretinho Da Serrinha (percussion, cavaquino).

The gigs were spectacular to say the least, including samba dancers, capoeiristas and a huge fireworks display that lit up the Bowl like New Year’s Eve at midnight.

The following week we met up at Jack Johnson’s Brushfire recording studio on Larchmont, experimenting with different ideas and musical textures, flavored with the keyboard stylings of my longtime compadre Money Mark.
Seu Jorge’s approach is a very free thinking one, and there were moments where he really struck me as a Brazilian counterpart to Serge Gainsbourg; a true musical painter.
I can’t wait to hear the outcome of these tracks and look forward to more musical collaboration with this great inspirational talent.

Vintage Space Toys #9

2009-10-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

"1930's USA Daisy CO's Rare Buck Rogers No. U-235 Atomic Pistol with Original Box- Arguably the best looking Art Deco style ray gun ever produced. The Atomic Pistol, or U-235, was made around 1935. Produced in a copper and a blued finish, the gun was manufactured by Daisy. This gun was sold in stores as well as merchandised as a Cream of Wheat premium in 1935 and a Popsicle premium in 1939. Length 10 inches. Copper is by far the rarer finish."

via Ozzie's Robots Toys & Collectibles

Happy Birthday Jacques Tati 10-09-1908

2009-10-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

French comedic icon Jacques Tati was born on October 9, 1907.

Elisha Cook Jr. Beats The Tubs

2009-10-08T23:34:00.001-07:00

1959 Volkswagen Deluxe Microbus

2009-10-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hollywood Detective #1

2009-10-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

via coverbrowser.com

Happy Birthday Johnny Ramone 10-08-1941

2009-10-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

Guitarist Johnny Ramone was born on October 8, 1948.

Hurrell Does Veronica Lake

2009-10-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Veronica Lake by George Hurrell

Charlie Parker & Strings By David Stone Martin

2009-10-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

A classic illustration by David Stone Martin for one of the original Charlie Parker With Strings L.P.s (1950)

The Treniers - Get Out Of The Car

2009-10-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what film this is from, but I was knocked out to find The Treniers performing a long time fave of mine, "Get Out Of The Car" on Dave Stuckey's aka Pappyredux YouTube Channel.

Irving Penn R.I.P.

2009-10-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

By Verena Dobnik for AP
NEW YORK – Irving Penn, whose photographs revealed a taste for stark simplicity whether he was shooting celebrity portraits, fashion, still life or remote places of the world, died Wednesday at his Manhattan home. He was 92.
View Full Article

Happy Birthday Al Martino 10-07-1927

2009-10-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

Italian singer and actor Al Martino was born on October 7, 1927.

The Fisherman-Hot Film Noir Jump Swing Featured In D.O.A.

2009-10-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

This piece of film was first burned into my collective memory as a child, while home sick from school sitting in front of the t.v. The story that follows this scene is incredible, and I had no idea what the name of this film was for nearly 20 years until one day I accidentally stumbled onto it again. "D.O.A." (1949), starring Edmond O'Brien and Pamela Britton is one of the true classic noir films of the genre for those of you who may be unfamiliar and seeking new cinematic thrills.

Pulp Art #15

2009-10-06T19:02:00.000-07:00

Flintstones Winston Cigarette Commercial-1960

2009-10-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

This animated ad for Winston Cigarettes, ran as a television commercial during the first season of The Flintstones-1960.

Marlon Brando & The Goldwyn Girls- 1955

2009-10-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

This was used as an 8x10 glossy to promote the film Guys & Dolls (1955) starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Vivien Leigh, and Jean Simmons. I have framed copy hanging in the men's room at my studio.

Smokey Hormel Has Secret Family

2009-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

My path with Smokey Hormel has been one of many musical twists & turns, since we first worked together in 1985; in that time to present I have watched him add more and more to his pan-musical pallet~moving forward into his participation with Johnny Cash, Beck, Sean Lennon, Tom Waits, Smokey & Miho (just to name a handful), and now this current solo release.

Smokey's Secret Family embraces African music from an era before it was influenced by North American soul, pre-James Brown so to speak. The music speaks on a more Afro-Cuban-African level, with rhythmic emphasis on Son Montuno and Rhumba. I particularly dig the opening track which incorporates tuba and clarinet into the band, creating an impression of New Orleans and Santa Sangre. Kudos Smokey!

Happy Birthday Britt Eckland 10-06-1942

2009-10-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

Actress and Bond Girl, Britt Eckland was born in Stockholm, Sweden on October 6, 1942.

Bachelor Pad # 9 Is Out!

2009-10-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

Yes it is true, the ninth issue of Bachelor Pad Magazine hit the streets recently, featuring Kim Falcon gracing the cover; also featuring Carolina St. Jane, Ruby Joule, Violet Valentine, and a whole array of humor, stories, interviews, highballs, & hijinx.

I Voted No On Prop Eight #1

2009-10-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

via gayontherange.com

Brazilian Versions Of Henry Mancini Classics (1962) From Loronix

2009-10-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Loronix Brazilian Music Blog is offering this rare and out of print LP, "Mancini Tamben E Samba" musical direction & arrangements by WIltel Blanco) as a free MP3 Downloads.
These are some killer renditions of Henry Mancini classics such as Peter Gunn, Mr. Lucky, Meglio Stasera etc, played with a Brazilian sensibility and rhythm section.
Click Here To Download Mancini Tamben E Samba.

Criss Cross~ Classic Film Noir Starring Burt Lancaster & Yvonne DeCarlo

2009-10-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Criss Cross is undoubtedly one of the great classics of film noir, incorporating all the elements that comprise the genre-lighting,flashbacks, a heist, double crossing femme fatal etc. It is an early role for Burt Lancaster and Yvonne DeCarlo (who is best known to baby boomers for her role as Lili Munster). It is an even earlier role for Tony Curtis, who was cast as an extra (and can be seen briefly, dancing with DeCarlo in above clip). The music in this segment is provided by Cuban Flautist Esy Morales, performing Jungle Fantasy (in a rare on screen appearance). The song itself was a minor hit in the late forties and part of my record collection since I was nine years old. It can be heard on my Vinyl Meltdown Podcast Episode #16 "Jazz Impressions Of Film Noir".

Happy Birthday Delroy Wilson 10-05-1948

2009-10-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

Jamaican singing legend Delroy Wilson was born on October 5, 1948.

Babs Gonzales~I Paid My Dues

2009-10-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

"I Paid My Dues", the long out-of print memoir of jazz singer Babs Gonzales, chronicles the hijinx of Manhattan during the BeBop era, full of colorful and Real characters, musicians, bookies, pimps, hookers, and The Man. It took me several years(pre Ebay) to find a copy, and it was well worth the wait.

Sweet Smell Of Success

2009-10-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite films of the 50's- You can't beat the dialogue,acting, and location shots. Also an amazing Jazz score featuring Chico Hamilton (who also appears on screen).
Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American film noir , directed by Alexander Mackendrick ,starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison and Martin Milner. The screenplay was by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman and Alexander Mackendrick from the novelette by Lehman. The film tells the story of a powerful newspaper columnist named J.J. Hunsecker (Lancaster) who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems inappropriate. Lancaster's role is based on famed New York columnist Walter Winchell. Soundtrack composed by Elmer Bernstein

1958 Ford X-2000 Concept Car

2009-10-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

View More Pics Of 1959 Ford X-2000 At ZerCustoms.Com

Chris Reccardi~ Meddlen Meddows

2009-10-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

Meddlen Meddows is a short for Cartoon Network's "Cartoonstitute" series. It was created and directed by my friend Chris Reccardi. Brian Smith (another highly talented artist in his own right) also worked on this piece.

Happy Birthday Damon Runyon 10-04-1884

2009-10-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

One of my literary heros, Damon Runyon was born on October 4, 1884.

Weinermobile Lore

2009-10-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Sex Blogs & Vintage Sexploitation

2009-10-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Sexblo.gs offers 38 pages of humorous retro sexploitations and visual confection, along with other categorical unmentionables.

Smigly.TV

2009-10-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

SMIGLY.TV

Judith Altruda Reads Dark Shadows On Nighttime Noir ~Sun 10-04-09;11:30 P.M.

2009-10-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

My sister Judith Altruda launches her five part internet radio series of Dark Shadows, reading selections from Barnabas Collins by Marilyn Ross SUNDAY OCTOBER 4th. The Show, Nighttime Noir is broadcasted every Sunday evening at 11:30 P.M. on KMUN coastradio.org Astoria, Oregon; Listen Online Here!

Happy Birthday Bert Stern 10-03-1929

2009-10-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Photographer Bert Stern was born on October 3, 1929. Although his most famous images seem to be Marilyn Monroe's Last Sitting, he has an incredible body of work, and I especially love the way he photographed ice cold cocktails in print ads.

Richard Avedon

2009-10-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what publication this Richard Avedon photo is from, or who the model is. Does anyone out there have any further info?

Phnom Penh Central Market ~ Cambodia

2009-10-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

In 2000, I was brought to Phnom Penn on an music production assignment for the film "City Of Ghosts", starring Matt Dillon. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit Angkor Wat while I was there, but I was still quite awestruck by a lot of the French Colonial architecture, and most in particularly the art deco central market building. Although not viewable in this photo, there is a strange weathered, almost mildew-like patina covering the exterior that makes the entire structure appear haunted and alien, like some sort of abandoned space station from a 1930's Buck Rogers movie.

Fellini & Secchiaroli

2009-10-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what film set this was from, although I did see another photo from this series, with Marcello Mastroianni holding the cello.
Does anyone out there have any further info? I don't believe this was a Fellini film, yet I could be wrong. The photo was from Tazio Secchiaroli (Fellini's still photographer, also the person who inspired the character of Paparazzo in "La Dolce Vita").

Happy Birthday Bud Abbott 10-02-1895

2009-10-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

Bud Abbott (of Abbott & Costello fame) was born on October 2, 1895.

Dean Arnold's Thunderflite

2009-10-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here's an amazing example of modern traditional custom cars. Dean Arnold's Thunderflite, created from what looks to be a 62/63 T-Bird.

Joey Altruda~ Vinyl Meltdown Podcast~The Skatalites & Friends!

2009-10-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

Joey Altruda presents a mega-mix, showcasing the music of The Skatalites, Jamaica's most important band (the inventors of Ska music), also featuring guest vocalists Toots & The Maytals, The Wailers, and Delroy Wilson.
Click Here & Enjoy!

Fake Chinese Phonograph, Rare Authentic Chinese Victor Label (1904)

2009-10-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

During my first visit to Shanghai, I was delighted to discover the antiques row in the old section of town (Fang Bang Road & Zhizhong Lu) while out for an afternnon bicycle ride. At first glimpse, it appeared to be a motherlode of curios and collectibles, ranging from fifty to thousands of years old. Needless to say, it didn't take much time to figure out that a great many of these items were "genuine fake antiques", yet Very convincing to the layperson. There seemed to be an abundancy of turn of the century wind up Victrola phonographs with morning glory horns, obviously fake to the trained eye. I have seen these before, usually in bad antique mall places in the U.S., where it is common for even the vendor to believe it is the genuine article. My phonograph collector buddies refer to these machines as Frankenphones, because they are slapped together out of some original parts, mixed with bad reproduction parts, and cabinetry built by children in India. Some of these machines are complete reproductions altogether.

When I returned from my bike ride, I got on the internet and began researching Chinese Victrolas, just to see if there were any authentic examples. What I found was a site page (My Old Phonograph Site) dedicated to these counterfeit machines and how to properly recognize the flaws as to avoid being suckered.
My research led me further , to a site (The Mainspring Press) where I found this rare Chinese Victor Label circa 1904, depicting an indigenous Chinese man listening to a phonograph, rather than the traditional logo with company mascot Nipper The Dog. This was a very short lived series, and the content was not actually recorded by the Victor company, but rather licensed from the Zonophone record/phonograph company.

Walt Disney-The Menstruation Story, Beautifully Animated In Color

2009-09-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Who's Minding The Mint ~ 1967

2009-09-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

Remember how often this film would show on television in the 70's? The Lalo Schifrin theme and score make it worth watching if nothing else, not to mention Milton Berle, Walter Brennan, Victor Buono, and an ensemble cast of classic character actors.
To the best of my knowledge, this has not been released on DVD, but I found the entire film broken down into ten minute segments recently.

Wilson Simonal-Allegria Allegria From Loronix

2009-09-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered the music of Wilson Simonal from researching the Pliantragem movement of Brazil in the 1960's. Pilantrogem (translation:piracy, mischief), was a short lived moment in music, borrowing elements of North American Soul & Pop, and fusing it with Jazz and Afro Brazilian sensibilities. Wilson Simonal was a main proponent of Pilantragem, along with Edgar Gianullo (Edgar E Os Tais), Os Pilantrocratas, Carlos Imperial, and others.

This morphing and superimposition of musical genres comes as no big surprise really (yet the results are fantastic), as the Brazilian musicians have always been very forward thinking conceptually, and in a certain way, Pilantragem seemed to open the doors to further exploration of mixing and matching from the seventies onward.

Wilson Simonal seemed to have reached a musical peak with Allegria Allegria Volume 1 in 1966, which is why I am recommending this particular album. His earlier efforts are well worth checking out too, yet his later material becomes less and less interesting (for a full play by play review of his complete discography click here)

The Loronix Brazilian Music Blog offers many Wilson Simonal L.P.s as free downloads. Click Here For Allegria Allegria!!!

Happy Birthday Ted Cassidy 7-31-1932

2009-07-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Actor Ted Cassidy, best remembered as Lurch on original the Addams Family television series, was born on July 31,1932.

Norman Parkinson-Icon Of Fashion Photography.

2009-07-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Another fine example by Norman Parkinson, icon of Fashion photography. Can anyone out there identify the model???

Billy Zane Stars In The First Greek Zombie Film- “To Kako II”

2009-07-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

Billy Zane came by the my recording studio (Joey’s Place) yesterday to do some additional voice-over work for the Greek Zombie film “To Kako II”. This is a sequel to the first film (Evil-To Kako) which received critical acclaim globally and has already become a bit of a cult classic. Mind you, these films are the first of their kind from Greece, directed by Yorgos Noussias, who did a fine job not only in the horror aspect, but also with the humorous element inherent to this particular genre.

Don Byas By David Stone Martin

2009-07-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Somehow Don Byas hasn't ranked high as far as the value of his records are concerned, probably because he isn't thought of as a bebop/post war player like Dexter Gordon per se (even though he helped create the idiom), and also because he didn't record for Blue Note Records (as far as I know). Nevertheless, he was an outstanding tenor player-up there with Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and the like. This David Stone Martin illustration has always been one of my favorites, and this particular piece is not found as frequently as other releases such as the Jazz At The Philharmonic series.

Happy Birthday Sid Kroft 7-30-1929

2009-07-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Puppeteer (and co-creator of many children’s shows of the 1960’s & 70’s) Sid Krofft was born on July 30, 1929.

R.I.P. George Russell

2009-07-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

To say George Russell was a profound musician and thinker is a great understatement. At the age of twenty six years old he penned the classic “Cubana Be Cubana Bop” for Dizzy Gillespie feauturing Chano Pozo (RCA Victor). Then came Ezzthetic, which was recorded by Miles Davis circa 1953. Russell was a disciple of pianist Lennie Tristano, who’s otherworldly music influenced what would become The Lydian Chromatic Concepts Of Tonal Organization. I was fortunate to have studied this theory with David Wheat (aka Buckwheat) back in 1985. It was a bit too advanced for me at the time, but over the years I have been able to understand and apply more and more of it. The Lydian Concept actually helped open my ears, enabling me to hear and write music in a whole new way. Wheat once told me that he and George Russell were at the bedside of Lennie Tristano (as he lay dying in the hospital), taking dictation and transcribing musical information that had never written in books. Russell’s music had a wonderful magic all it’s own, and one of my favorite of all his work is a big band album entitled New York, New York (1959) featuring Jon Hendricks, Bill Evans, and John Coltrane (among other star solists).
This was released the same year as Coltrane’s Giant Steps and Miles’ Kind Of Blue (in fact, without the influence of Russell, there might’ve never been a Kind Of anything). NYNY should’ve ranked as an equally groundbreaking album, but unfortunately it got buried due to the fact it was released on Decca Records which was not known as a Jazz label. In recent years it has been re-released through the Impulse label.
I owe a huge debt to George Russell for having such a profound influence on my musical studies and some of my more sophisticated compositions. He deserves to be more of a household name like Dizzy, Bird, Monk, Miles, Trane, Russell etc etc etc.
George Russell Obituary

Stars & Cars # 5

2009-07-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Bud Cort with his custom built Jaguar XKE hearse, from the film Harold & Maude.

Pulp Art # 14

2009-07-29T12:38:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Clara Bow 7-29-1905

2009-07-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Silent film star and “It Girl” Clara Bow was born on July 29, 1905.

Happy Birthday Marcel Duchamp 7-28-1887

2009-07-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Multimedia artist Marcel Duchamp was born on July 28, 1887.

Space Age Designs # 6

2009-07-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

Via wellmedicated.com

Lesbian Pulp # 10

2009-07-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Visions Of Shanghai # 14

2009-07-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

A nice example of some of the 1920's Bauhaus architecture commonly found in the French Concession of Shanghai.

Happy Birthday Darlene Love 7-26-1938

2009-07-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

Soul diva Darlene Love was born on July 26, 1938. One of her most noted hits was as lead singer of The Crystals for Phil Spector’s “He’s A Rebel”.
I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Darlene when I was producing music for “Shake, Rattle & Rock”(directed by Allan Arkush). I’ll never forget being in the studio, listening to her warming up with wordless “mmm…mmm…mmms…”. Something about her voice struck me as a thumbprint from my collective childhood memory, then it hit me. I turned and asked if she had recorded the theme song and ending credits from The Jeffersons in the early 70’s. She stopped momentarily, smiling and said, “You’ve got a good ear Joey.”

Catwoman In Latex

2009-07-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

I’ve always had an affinity for Catwoman. Who’s your favorite?
Eartha Kitt? Julie Newmar? Lee Meriwether?
Cast Your Vote Now!

1959 Mercury Monterey Station Wagon

2009-07-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

As a child during the 70’s post hippie era, these were probably the most dorky cars in existence. Since then though, the station wagons of the 50’s & 60’s have actually taken on a whole different quality of appreciation and rarity. Most of them went through the junk yard crunchers, making them more scarce than traditional sedans. I wonder if the AMC Pacer or Gremlin will ever become a sought after vehicle.

Anne St. Marie By Tom Palumbo

2009-07-25T12:45:00.001-07:00

A beautiful image from the late 1950’s of Anne St. Marie by her husband, fashion photographer Tom Palumbo.

Golden Age Of Mysteries # 8

2009-07-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Maxfield Parrish 7-25-1870

2009-07-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

Classic American illustrator Maxfield Parrish was born on July 25, 1870.

1951 Kaiser-Frazer

2009-07-24T18:32:00.001-07:00

D Is For Dope # 9

2009-07-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

via vintagesleaze.com

Space Age Vinyl # 12

2009-07-24T17:36:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Ruth Buzzi 7-24-1936

2009-07-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

Comedienne Ruth Buzzi (Laugh-In, Margie-That Girl) was born on July 24, 1936.

Happy Birthday Raymond Chandler 7-23-1888

2009-07-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Definitive crime and mystery novelist Raymond Chandler was born on July 23, 1888.

Joey Altruda’s Vinyl Meltdown-Special Art Blakey Podcast

2009-07-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Reserve Radio Vinyl Meltdown Podcast
(scroll down the page for previous Vinyl Meltdown podcasts)

I first discovered the music of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers as a freshman in high school. It was the height of corporate arena rock, just before punk rock invaded sunny southern California, and Jazz was at an all time low in popularity. A classmate of mine loaned me his father’s copy of The Big Beat on a label called Blue Note; also John Coltrane’s Giant Steps, and the Charlie Parker Dial Sessions Volume I (essential classics of the genre). My experience with Jazz prior to this had been primarily pre war/ big band era music, especially the Benny Goodman sextet featuring guitar pioneer Charlie Christian.
Post war Jazz & Bebop was a whole new thing to me, and within seconds of dropping the needle on that Blakey vinyl I knew my life had been changed in a big way. The music was soulful, impressionistic, otherworldly, yet somewhat nostalgic at the same time. This was also my introduction to trumpeter Lee Morgan, sax man Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons, and bassist Jymie Merritt, who were featured sidemen on this particular record. It wasn’t until several years that I became more informed about The Jazz Messengers’ legacy (remember, this was a couple decades before the internet and google).

As I later found out, several generations of Jazz stars cut their teeth with Art Blakey’s band-Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Horace Silver, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton, Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, the Mangione Brothers, the Marsalis Bothers, etc-the list goes on & on.

I eventually became of age to get into clubs and finally see Art Blakey perform live, which was like having my arms plugged into a gigantic electrical socket of life energy, leaving the gigs walking on air for days after. Anytime the Messengers played in Los Angeles I made sure to be there, as close to the band stand as I could get;sometimes for several nights in a row. Over the years, I collected as many Blakey recordings as I could get my hands on, yet to this day, my favorite lineup is the 1963/64 Morgan/Shorter/Timmons band, a perfect combination of soul and incredible original compositions. Recordings of note featuring this lineup on the Blue Note label: The Big Beat, Like someone In Love, Meet You At The Jazz Corner Of The World Vol I & II, Night In Tunisia, Witch Doctor.

Playlist:
1. Sakeena’s Vision
2. So Tired
3. Yama
4. The Chess Players
5. Johnny’s Blue
6. The Things I Love
7. High Modes
8. Joelle
9. Invitation
10. Afrique
11. What Know

Vogue Picture Disc # 9

2009-07-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Check Out: the Association Of Vogue Picture Records Collectors

Damsels In Distress # 9

2009-07-23T12:45:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Terence Stamp 7-22-1939

2009-07-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

British actor, writer, and author Terence Stamp was born on July 22, 1939.
His career has spanned over four decades and out of hiss body of work I would have to say his portrayal of Toby Dammit is my particular favorite. Directed by Federico Fellini as part of an Edgar Allen Poe trilogy entitled Histoires Extraordinaires (Spirits Of The Dead), this is a very cool cult classic containing two other films directed by Roger Vadim and Louis Malle, starring Brigitte Bardot, Jane Fonda ,Alain Delon, and Peter Fonda.

Allen Mez’ Newest Smigly Animation Lampoons Big Brother

2009-07-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Once again renaissance man Allen Mezquida (aka Allen Mez) has come through with a brand new piece of Smigly animation entitled The Big Bank,which lampoons life in the era of Big Brother, identity theft, and economic turmoil.
His new site (Smigly.TV) contains the entire cartoon series, including merchandise, marketing blogs and various musings by Smigly on the state of life in the new millennium.

Sci Fi En Espagnol # 14

2009-07-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Strange Postcards # 8

2009-07-21T16:44:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Don Knotts 7-21-1924

2009-07-20T18:47:00.001-07:00

Actor Don Knotts (Andy Griffith, Three’s Company) was born on July 21, 1924.

Vintage Sleaze # 12

2009-07-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

via vintagesleaze.com