Matt McCullen has been making life-like dolls for more than a decade now, so this is not breaking news. But, his work has never been as lovingly photographed as it has
in this new video from cinematographers Drea Cooper and Zackary Canepari of the website California Is A Place.
The Lord moves in mysterious ways…
Heartbreaking news has come out of the death at 54 yesterday of the well-loved reggae singer, songwriter, producer and promoter Lincoln Barrington “Sugar” Minott. Born and raised in the ghetto in Kingston, Jamaica, Minott spent his teen years in the city’s sound system scene and recording for Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s legendary Studio One label. The albums he released at this time, like Live Loving, Ghetto-ology and Roots Lovers—along with singles like “Herbman Hustling” and “Rub a Dub Sound Style”—laid the groundwork for the gritty, soulful dancehall sound that reggae would work into for the next 20 years.
Minott was best known for breaking with Jamaica’s soul-singer tradition, which saw many crooners brandishing a refined style that aped American artists. Sugar was sweet, but not slick. Minott would eventually leave Studio One to start his Black Roots label and Youthman Promotion sound system in order to help out young singers also coming out in Kingston’s ghettos. He’s responsible for early recording or performances of legends like Ranking Joe, Barry Brown, Tenor Saw, Little John, Tony Tuff, Barrington Levy, Horace Andy, Nitty Gritty, Junior Reid, Yami Bolo, Daddy Freddy and Garnett Silk.
You’ll see evidence of his popularity below, as Minott can’t get through his first tune at his first Reggae Sunsplash in 1983 without the crowd demanding he pull up and bring it again.
But you got the best of Sugar in his element, singing with the youths in the dancehall—or in this case, Maxfield Park in Kingston, where his Youthman Promotions sound regularly performed:
Jefferson Parish, New Orleans. B-Day shakedown for Sissy Nobby. Sunday, July 11. Dark clouds in an angry sky, cop car and crime scene tape. Booty apocalypse. 3714 Westbank Expressway. Turn left at the oil spill. Dance for your fucking life!
Africa has its own version of the Bounce. Bobaraba is a national dance craze in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and neighboring Mali…
Dolly Parton’s heartbreaking Daddy Come and Get Me, a 1970 performance on The Porter Wagoner Show. Truly this woman is an all-American treasure. When most people think of Dolly Parton, they think of the hair and the boobs and the plastic surgery, but she’s one of the most talented performers who has ever lived. This performance is amazing.
If you’ve never heard Psycho by Jack Kittel, then you are in for a real treat. The song was originally written in 1966 by blind songwriter Leon Payne (who wrote songs for Hank Williams, Elvis and Johnny Cash) inspired by the story of Charles Whitman, the crazed sniper at the University of Texas.
It was originally recorded by Eddie Noack, but that version is obscure, as well as by George Jones. The 1973 rendition by Jack Kittel, which was picked up on by Doctor Demento, is the best version of the song and also the best known. I have the 45 single, bought at least 25 years ago in New York (at Midnight Records!). The b-side is Psycho played backwards, with a backwards label.
Psycho was also covered by Elvis Costello and the Beasts of Bourbon.
As someone who works in the mainstream media myself, believe me when I tell you: This is 1000% on the money. Hilarious, but all too true. No really!
Orchid Removal points us to this lovely and unexpected steel band cover of the subtle and melodic Alberto Balsalm by the venerable Aphex Twin
