Showing posts with label Toto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toto. Show all posts

Monday, August 26, 2024

International Dog Day


Happy International Dog Day! Here's one of the most famous dogs in movie history Toto with his owner and companion Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) straight outta The Wizard of Oz!

"Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are" 

Arf! 

IDD on the WWW -

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

What Becomes A Punk Legend Most...


Max's Kansas City: 1976 & Beyond 
coming to CD ad Vinyl on May 5th via Jungle Records
 
The original Max's Kansas City 1976 pioneering punk club album, 
extended with an extra 30 tracks and historical notes

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore
Max's Kansas City is the legendary New York City nightclub that became the focal point for the city's hip artistic community from the late 60's until the early 80's. In its initial period, it was famously often populated by Andy Warhol's Factory crowd, and played host to new artists such as the Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, the Stooges, Bruce Springsteen and countless others. It became a base for jet-setters, glam rockers and celebs, until the scene faded and it shut its doors at the end of 1974.
Reopened in 1975 under new management, Peter Crowley was hired as music director. The new young bands he booked helped spawn, in tandem with CBGBs, the New York City punk scene. In 1976 Peter compiled a studio album of acts associated with the club, Max's Kansas City 1976, to help promote the club. It featured the first released recordings of Suicide, The Fast and Warhol-era veteran Wayne County, whose title-track gave a roll-call of many of the famous acts who'd regularly performed there. 

Now the original album is reissued as Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond, greatly extended to 40 tracks on a double-CD and a selection of 25 tracks on a double-LP. As well as the aforementioned Suicide, Fast and Wayne County, the new extended album features the New York Dolls, the Stillettos, the Offs, the Senders, Philip Rambow, VON LMO, Iggy Pop, Knots, Roland Alphonso, Cherry Vanilla, Nico, Joy Ryder, Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers and Sid Vicious amongst many others. It includes many previously unreleased tracks and rarities. Compiled by Peter Crowley, who also contributes notes detailing the history of the album. Writer, musician and Max's scenester Jimi LaLumia provides historical overview sleeve-notes along with biographies of the artists in a 20-page booklet.

Jimi LaLumia writes:

"Max's Kansas City 1976 as an expanded edition two record vinyl and double CD collection, celebrates the historic first compilation of recordings by bands that were making big noise in New York City, and, thanks to a hyper active UK music press, around the world in a pre internet, truly underground manner. Melody Maker, a British music weekly, was especially keen on the post Velvet Underground / New York Dolls / Alice Cooper / Iggy & The Stooges scene that was inspiring the most unusual creatures to want to be in bands.

The Max's album was my go to album for months; finally, tracks from Wayne County, Cherry Vanilla, and The Fast... Not to mention Suicide and Pere Ubu. I got introduced to Harry Toledo and the John Collins band: I won't go into all the details here, because I wrote extensive detailed liner notes for the Jungle Records UK re issue coming in May, with additional notes from Peter Crowley, which are worth the price of the album, not to mention all the added extra tracks, so I'll simply say that if you think you know everything about the late 70's downtown scene, some additional reading material and bonus tracks are headed your way."
This item can be pre-ordered via MVD Shop or on Amazon

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

We Are Part Of A "Rhythm Planet"

Angel City Chorale
Photo: Danny Moloshok
"People of the world today, Are we looking for a better way of life
We are a part of the rhythm nation" - Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson

Angel City Chorale (ACC), the acclaimed Los Angeles choir led by Artistic Director Sue Fink, will present Rhythm Planet, the first weekend in June, featuring the music of two-time Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin and other world beats. A stunning musical journey that traverses the globe, Rhythm Planet celebrates both our diversity the humanity that unites us all. ACC’s 150+ voices, its orchestra, and a rhythm section playing percussion instruments from around the world will combine to create an exhilarating and joyous celebration of Earth's rich cultures and beauty. A concert highlight will include 

ACC’s version of Toto’s “Africa,” (almost 3 million YouTube views). Special guest Tin will also conduct a portion of the concert with Fi nk. The family-friendly Rhythm Planet world music concerts will take place at Wilshire United Methodist Church in Los Angeles over two very special nights on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, 2016. The performances start at 7:00pm and include a 15-minute intermission; a dessert reception follows each performance. For additional information on ACC, please visit http://angelcitychorale.org/concerts-events/rhythm-planet-concert.

Tickets for ACC’s annual spring concerts are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Children’s tickets (ages 5-12) are $22 and seniors are $27 (both in advance and at the door). Preferred front-of-house seating may be reserved online for $50 in advance and $55 at the door; children’s preferred tickets are $42/$47; and seniors’ preferred seats are $47/52. VIP tickets (all categories) are $75. Advance tickets are available via the ACC website or by calling 310-943-9231. Online ticket sales close at 10:00pm on the day prior to each show. Same day tickets may be purchased at the door. Wilshire United Methodist Church is located at 4350 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 (between Highland Ave. and Wilton Pl.; map). Free parking is available in the venue’s small parking lot and on neighborhood streets. Early arrival is strongly encouraged.

“At our spring concerts this year, we will create a cinematic soundtrack that scales Earth's mountains, traverses her rivers, revels in her dawns and sunsets, and reaches to the stars,” says ACC’s Fink.

Rhythm Planet –

Rhythm Planet will take audiences on a stunning musical journey that traverses the globe. Featuring the music of Christopher Tin and other world beats, ACC’s 150-member choir and 34-piece orchestra will present a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity as well as the common ground that unites humanity. Selections from Tin’s world-bending masterpieces, Calling All Dawns and The Drop That Contained the Sea will be featured. The Drop That Contained the Sea depicts global visions of water, from the snows of Mongolia to the rains of Africa. Calling All Dawns celebrates the circle of life in 12 languages.

Pieces by Aaron CoplandMoses Hogan and Ēriks Ešenvalds will also be performed. In an unforgettable moment in store for audiences, a field of sonic stars will surround concert guests as percussion from crystal glasses unites with the majesty of human voices joined in harmony.  

Links –
• Angel City Chorale - http://www.angelcitychorale.org
• Angel City Chorale on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AngelCityChorale
• Rhythm Planet FB Event Page - https://www.facebook.com/events/796527613817032
• Angel City Chorale on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/AngelCityChorale
• Angel City Chorale on Twitter - https://twitter.com/AngelCityChoral
• Angel City Chorale on SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/angelcitychorale