My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!
Ever since I retired, sometimes it seems like I work more than I ever did when it comes to stuff around the house. What I want to know is who did all this stuff back when I was actually working a paying job. Idle time can be a lot of work!
November 6 question - What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing?
This is a fun question that I could go in so many ways with. But I might as well go with the truth. I haven't been writing other than on my blog or just jotting down ideas now and then. Lately--and I mean the last few years I guess--I just haven't been feeling the motivation to write. I've got plenty of ideas with no writing after they appear.
Bottom line is that I watch way more television than I used to. Hey, I guess I'm entitled to wind down in my later years. Watching television might not sound so creative but when I'm doing this I often come up with some of my most creative ideas. I always keep a pen and notebook nearby so that I can jot down whatever pops into my mind. Someday--you know.
Otherwise, I could think of creative things I might be doing, but I'm not doing any of them so what's the point of suggesting that I've been doing creative things.
I'll be writing soon. I think. At least I've been planning to. I've come up with some pretty nifty ideas.
How about you? Are you as lazy as I've been lately?
As we head into another winter season, my thoughts go back to younger days of high school and college. Not that cold weather drove me to the retreat of the basement of my parents' house, but it was a great anytime place to go when I wanted to listen to my records. Sometimes I'd listen alone and sometimes I was joined by friends. For a while, Lee's Basement was the place to be. We had some great times and listened to some interesting music. Today I present a couple of my favorites...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month. My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months. The premise is simple: Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it. Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.
Psychedelic Sounds from the Basement
During the late sixties and early seventies, when I was still living in my parents' home and going to high school and university, my favorite retreat when I was home was our basement. During this time it was mostly my domain. I had a decent portable stereo down there along with my ever-growing record collection which was becoming heavily influenced by psychedelic music as well as classical and an array of music that was not on the normal listening lists of most of my friends. But they listened anyway if they were in Lee's Basement.
It's not like I was aurally torturing them, but I was just giving a different musical diet beyond the Allman Brothers or whatever the favorite of the week was. They could get the popular stuff anywhere. And I'll admit that sometimes we were a bit mind-altered if you know what I'm saying and that weird stuff that I would play just seemed to be pretty durn appropriate.
So, digging back into the memories, let me dust off a couple of cuts from two among my favorites of that era. I don't know if having your mind-altered a bit helps, but these songs still sound pretty good to me. Maybe you had to have been there. Or maybe just have weird eclectic tastes like I have. Hope you can find something interesting or fun about these. Open your mind. Feel the groove. Listen and sit in judgement and then tell us which you like best and why.
When I first read about this group in Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia I started my search for the album. I actually don't remember the when or where, but I did find it without too much trouble in some cut-out bin somewhere. I got most of my music from the cheap record section. Times were spare. I was a student. I was living in the land of my dreams so this song connected with me.
I haven't found much about this album or group other than they started out as a band in the style of Buffalo Springfield, went into the studio with members of the L.A. Philharmonic and ended up with a record that is more like the Moody Blues or The Association. The album is reviled by some, loved by others, and unknown by most. I especially used to enjoy this one after everyone had left my basement and I was unwinding in the wee hours. The album is one that has been described as "popedelia" but I still think of it as kind of psychedelic. Take a listen and let us know what you think...
Time to Vote! Hallucinogens are not needed to enjoy these songs. It's music for any occasion. Either way you might or might not like them. Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'MIKE'SRAMBLINGS' 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
There will also be another posting for the Insecure Writer's Support Group coming next Wednesday. And don't forget to come back for the results of the above Battle. Those will show up on Friday November 8.
I was on Creativity Highway when I pulled over to a rest stop to take a break. I went into the bathroom building for a moment and when I returned my car was gone and I was stranded at the rest stop. Fortunately they have a nice comfortable waiting area with sofas and such so I can relax until my new mode of transportation comes. I mean this all metaphorically of course--not literally. Or do I?
Battle of the Bands Results
The Spooky Halloween Battle
My most recent Battle was a Halloween special that featured the beach music stylings of Frankie Stein and his Orchestra against the far out sounds of spacey Jeff Barry. These were both songs that entertained me when I was a kid and embedded themselves in my musical memory.
In my brief research effort I could not find any actual information about Frankie and his Ghoul Crew. It's likely the albums were compiled using various studio musicians. Several albums have been released under the band name and it's all pretty listenable sixties instrumental music if you can deal with the "scary" sound effects that are interwoven throughout the music. That's what I loved when I was a kid.
On the other hand, Jeff Barry was a credible songwriter who wrote many hits most of you know well. With his partner, they cranked out songs like "Be My Baby," "Hanky Panky," "Leader of the Pack," and "Do Wah Diddy," and so many others. He also with his wife and on his own wrote numerous television show themes and song used in film. "Face from Outer Space" is among his earliest efforts done when silly novelty songs were all the rage. That's when his song caught my attention. I've never heard it played elsewhere since then other than finding it on YouTube. The song really has stuck with me over the years.
Between the two songs, if I were to choose background music played on a loop then I'd probably go with Frankie Stein. However as far as the better--or at least my favorite--I'd have to cast my vote for Jeff Barry. Not what the majority opted for.
Final Vote Tally
Frankie Stein 7 votes
Jeff Barry 4 votes
Next Battle November 1
I won't say anything about how we're getting close to the end of another year. Or maybe I just did...
