Sammy Davis Jr. scats for Suntory whiskey, 1974.

Adlibs followed by the final take after the jump.
 

 
Final take after the jump…

 

 
These are just stunning! Stunning! I certainly wouldn’t mind owning one of those fantastic Zappas. From the artist Lisa Brawn:

I have been experimenting with figurative woodcuts for almost twenty years since being introduced to the medium by printmakers at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Recently, I have been wrestling with a new challenge: five truckloads of salvaged century-old rough Douglas fir beams from the restoration of the Alberta Block in Calgary and from the dismantling of grain elevators. This wood is very interesting in its history and also in that it is oddly shaped. Unlike traditional woodcut material such as cherry or walnut, the material is ornery. There are holes and knots and gouges and rusty nails sticking out the sides.

To find suitably rustic and rugged subjects, I have been referencing popular culture personas and archetypes from 1920s silent film cowboys to 1970s tough guys. I have also been through the Glenbow Museum archives for horse rustlers, bootleggers, informants, and loiterers in turn-of-the-century RCMP mug shots for my Quién es más macho series. Cowgirl trick riders and cowboy yodelers in their spectacular ensembles from the 1940s led to my Honky-Tonkin, Honey, Baby series. Inspired by a recent trip to Coney Island, I have been exploring vintage circus culture and am currently working on a series of sideshow portraits including Zip the Pinhead and JoJo the Dog-faced Boy. There is also an ongoing series of iconic gender archetypes, antiheroes and divas, which includes such portraits as Sophia Loren, Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, Jackie Onassis, Steve McQueen, and Clint Eastwood.

Please visit Lisa Brawn’s website to view hundreds of amazing woodcuts.

(via Everlasting Blort)

 
One of the first all-girl rock groups—and they were “prog rockers” at that—the UK-based Mother Superior, recorded one album in 1975 before going their separate ways. Apparently their album was only released in Scandinavia.

Seen here on an unknown TV show, the band does an original, almost Yes-like take on the Stephen Stills classic, “Love the One You’re With.” (Here’s a link to their interesting cover of the Beatles’ “Lady Madonna.”)
 

 
I love me some surly Lou Reed. The interviewer is WBCN’s Bill Boggs.

Watch and discuss among yourselves.
 

 
Two of the most exciting live performances by a rock band that I’ve seen were Killing Joke at New York’s Peppermint Lounge and Limelight in the 80s. Intense, powerful, transcendent, Killing Joke’s influence has been long and deep. Underrated but much loved by their fans, KJ are gods among men.

Here’s a fan-made video interview with Killing Joke’s lead singer and high priest Jaz Coleman. Plus, a live performance by Killing Joke in Munich, 1985.
 

 
Parts 2 and 3 of the interview and live performance video after the jump…

 
Dunno ‘bout you, but I love Deerhoof. It was the Apple O album that did it, back when. Since then they’ve been a reliably wonderful band sporting one of the finest, most elastic drummers around and dual guitars in the fine crocheted Magic Band tradition and always super interesting self-production. This song (and goofy-ass fan vid) is the first taste of the upcoming Deerhoof Vs. Evil LP. Love that awkward, heavily swingin’ groove and the male/female vocal trade off. Many great ideas crammed into 3:29.
 

 
This week in New York City, for three night only, Dangerous Minds pal, Ann Magnuson and Adam Dugas will be presenting their Duelling Harps show that knocked ‘em dead in Los Angeles:

A darkly elegant evening of gorgeous melodies with a theatrical flourish. Ann Magnuson and Adam Dugas face off on vocals as Alexander Rannie and Mia Theodoratus strum their harps in this twisted match of musical one-upmanship. The quartet thrusts and parries with an arsenal of tunes ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime: psychedelic calls to prayer, Henry Purcell’s Baroque art songs, Kraftwerk, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Lee Hazlewood, and Pink Floyd, as well as original songs by Magnuson and Dugas. Dueling Harps makes its New York premiere at the Abrons. The show premiered in Hollywood at the Steve Allen Theater and then ran at REDCAT in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Harps marks Magnuson’s first New York theatrical appearance in nine years.

Dugas and Magnuson meet upon the stage to resolve a grudge; a duel ensues to settle their dispute that is fought using only music. Each singer brings a second to accompany them on the harp, the only other weapon allowed in the duel. Dugas and Theodoratus represent the East Coast, Magnuson and Rannie the West, as a battle rages - with much trickery and tomfoolery. Robin Walsh adds a dash of the surreal with her puppetry, and a special Halloween encore rounds out the night. There will be blood!

The performances are on October 15, 16, and 17 and take place at the Abrons Arts Center at 8pm. You can buy tickets here.

New Yorkers take note, Ann assures me that due to the difficultly, and expense, of staging something like this, that this may be her last performance like this for quite some time on the east coast. And speaking of the costs of mounting such a show, they’ve got an online fundraiser going on where supporters can score posters, CDs, original art, a pre-performance reception and one lucky patron of the arts will receive an onstage LAP DANCE, from either Ann or Adam, their choice!
 

 
Episode 6 of the Dangerous Minds Radio Hour finds my fellow blogger and friend since 4th grade Ron Nachmann taking the reins for an expert excursion to many mesmerizing worlds of bass, dub and other booty-shaking points of interest. Listen in to Ron’s expertly textured world-wise selections, sure to become a regular feature of the DM Radio Hour.

Goran Bregovic – “In The Deathcar” (feat. Iggy Pop) Arizona Dreams OST (Wrasse Jamaica)
Junior Murvin & The Upsetters – “Roots Train Number Two” Sound System Scratch (Pressure Sounds)
The Upsetters – “Jucky Skank” Sound System Scratch (Pressure Sounds) pressure.co.uk
dubLoner & Isaac Haile Selassie – “Wicked Man [Kush Arora remix]” (Def’child Recordings)
Sub Swara – “Bend You” Triggers (Low Motion Records)
Commix – “Be True” [Burial remix] (Metalheadz)
I.D. - “Fashionist” (Voltage Music)
Shockman – “Shockout” (Voltage Music)
Mista Chatman – “Sidewinda” (more info)
A.J. Holmes and The Hackney Empire – “Fraudian Slip (feat. Kastro) [Uproot Andy Remix]” (Ghetto Bassquake)
Ibrahim Dicko - “Sida” DJ Spider remix Frikywa Vol. 1 (Six Degrees Records)
Tshetsha Boys – “Nwampfundla” Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music From South Africa (Honest Jon’s)
Last Step – “Soda”You’re a Nice Girl EP (Planet Mu)
 

 
Download this week’s episode
 
Subscribe to the Dangerous Minds Radio Hour podcast at Alterati

 
In this fascinating article, written for Crawdaddy magazine in 1977, William Burroughs explores the music of Led Zeppelin and discusses Crowley, infra-sound, magic, Moroccan trance music and rock and roll with Jimmy Page.

The essential ingredient for any successful rock group is energy–the ability to give out energy, to receive energy from the audience and to give it back to the audience. A rock concert is in fact a rite involving the evocation and transmutation of energy. Rock stars may be compared to priests, a theme that was treated in Peter Watkins’ film ‘Privilege’. In that film a rock star was manipulated by reactionary forces to set up a state religion; this scenario seems unlikely, I think a rock group singing political slogans would leave its audience at the door.
The Led Zeppelin show depends heavily on volume, repetition and drums. It bears some resemblance to the trance music found in Morocco, which is magical in origin and purpose–that is, concerned with the evocation and control of spiritual forces. In Morocco, musicians are also magicians. Gnaoua music is used to drive out evil spirits. The music of Joujouka evokes the God Pan, Pan God of Panic, representing the real magical forces that sweep away the spurious. It is to be remembered that the origin of all the arts–music, painting and writing–is magical and evocative; and that magic is always used to obtain some definite result. In the Led Zeppelin concert, the result aimed at would seem to be the creation of energy in the performers and in the audience. For such magic to succeed, it must tap the sources of magical energy, and this can be dangerous.”

Read the entire article here .
 
Thanks HTMLGIANT

 
Here are some freakin’ amazing one-of-a-kind Vans WE Sk8 Hi’s designed by super-talented artist, Ian Johnson. I totally think Vans and Ian need to make more of these fine shoes.
 

 

 
See more images after the jump…