We're doing something that we've rarely done here at Big And Tall Records; issuing two different recordings of the same work at the same time. If you want to read about the recording of the original version of this song, you can read it here, so we'll stick to the Two Swedish Gentlemen version in this post.
This is the second song the Two Swedish Gentlemen have recorded with us, the first being Lutefisk, issued just before Christmas in 2024. Ollie and Sven (can't get much more Swedish than that!) are still kind of a mystery as we don't know a lot about them. Not that they're secretive at all, they're just super busy. They play a lot of gigs through the years, and usually go back to Sweden and take a month or so off. They have told us they've got some more songs to record, so maybe we can get info about them then.
If you really want to know what the lyrics say, you most likely will have to follow along. It's sung in an accent that is clear one moment, confusing the next. Hüsker Dü is the name of a popular memory game published first in the 1950's, and that is still available today. During the 1970's, the game's advertising contained subliminal messages that had the words 'buy me' running throughout the ad. Whether these kinds of things actually work to get people to buy is still open for debate, but it is illegal to insert them into ads. There were complaints to the FCC about them, and the game's manufacturer took them off the air.
There was also a Rock Band by that name in the 1980's.
When you don’t know where are the keys to your car,
Two Swedish Gentlemen, a group that Big And Tall Records recorded a while back recently sent us an older recording of the Sundström Chamber Orchestra, a rather obscure music group in Sweden. The recording is a song titled Hüsker Dü (Do You Remember?) The Swedish Gentlemen told us there aren't any copyrights or any other rights attached with the recording, and that the orchestra is no longer in existence. And try as we might, we could find no reference to it and found no copyright issues as stated. The Swedish Gentlemen said there would be a recording of their version of this song coming our way soon, so we waited until it came.
Well, soon in Sweden means something different than here, as it took three months for their version to arrive. The group has made a good arrangement that was originally for orchestra. What we can tell from both recordings is that the lyrics are very similar in that they are both sung in heavily accented English. No lyric sheet was sent with the recordings so we had our resident lyric and language guru listen to the songs and write them out the best he could. While they may not be perfect, they will give you a very good idea what in the hell they're singing about! And it sure sounds like the same lyrics in both versions, so go figure! So this is the original. It's interesting to compare the two versions. The original is more dramatic, almost a mini-cantata. The second version is by a much smaller group, and can be read about here.
When you don’t know where are the keys to your car,
Ada Shymore and The Boogie Men have released a song addressing the internet, how great things were expected of it in the development stages, and what it evolved into. They make a valid commentary of the excessive ads, internet viruses, all kinds of schemes to make money at your expense. And somewhat the same history has befallen the two previous communication technologies; radio and television.
The way it works is that producers of a product pay for advertising to get the word out to the consumer to get them to buy a product. That fact made the advertisers or sponsors, in charge of what will be the content of what is broadcast. They're paying the bills, so they have the say-so. Not the best thing if you stop and think that they can cancel any kind of content they don't like, for any reason. Works the same for any form of media. One of the few places where that didn't apply (Oat least in theory) was public television and radio. That has changed. Advertising and sponsor control of programming has made its way into that as well,
With the internet, this system has been taken to extreme. Some advertisers bombard a person's email (what can be considered a non-public, personal thing) getting you to buy their product, and leaves the door wide open for scammers. So yeah, there's plenty to bitch about with the internet, but by now most of us think we can't get along without it, as cell phones has done to telephone communication. We now have the best (and worst) of both realms, as the cell phone and the internet have become combined in a pocket sized beast.
Enough of all that! Ada and The Boys make their point in this song, even as far to suggest turning the whole damn thing off and pick up a book! We were wondering where they were going after their first recording. Maybe this will be a band with many more surprises to come!
They said the world wide web
Would be the information highway
With so much data on it,
On every subject and byway
It kind of missed the mark
After starting out okay
The information highway now?…..
No Goddam way!
A wasteland of advertising,
All kinds of nasty porn
Influencers advising
From money to hearts forlorn
A word to the wise is in order
Ya can’t believe much of it!
Rumors, idle gossip, lies
Mostly a bunch of shit!
Take it all with a grain of salt
Don’t you click on it!
Or else you’ll be overloaded
With a slew of lyin’ shit!
It’s hard to read on the web
Without getting bombarded
By ads on top of ads and ads
Of all things real and sordid
Lurking everywhere
A virus to infect you
Spend time and money to cure it
By the time you’re all through
All kinds of people make money
Uploading videos of crap!
A lot of stuff pulled out their ass
To treat you like a sap!
Go ahead, give your email,
You don’t know what you’ve done.
Your inbox will be overloaded
With everything under the sun
You’ve won a prize at games you never played
You’re account has been frozen, that you never had
Percy McCoy's latest song, Might Be My Fate, shows a lot of growth in his song writing abilities. It's a tender ballad about a love he hopes will grow, but that it might be too late for that to happen. This is a marked departure from many of his songs that can quite frankly strain the limits (and sometimes break them all together) of good taste. The music is constantly good, very tight and rhythmic. We're speaking about his lyrics. Even a tender ballad by Percy sees the use of the 'F' word, but only twice. In fact, those two times are the only swearing in the whole song. Obviously Percy is wearing his heart on his sleeve, and the song has a decidedly melancholy feeling to it. The artist has been going through some hard times the last few months, and we hope that this song is a signal that his situation is about to change for the better!
We are proud to announce the 100th recording just released from Big And Tall Records! It's appropriate that this milestone is reached by the release of a song by Tugboat Jackson. He's one of our cornerstone artists that helps us bring forth more quality recordings from him and others.
The repertoire of Brisa Caribeña seems to entail practically the entirety of Latin American music. The Tango originated along the border of Argentina and Uruguay late in the 19th century, and was influenced by many forms of dance and music. There are traces of European music tradition, as well as Cuban, Spanish, and African influences. It was a dance of the impoverished people, played for entertainment in brothels and saloons. It became extremely popular and began to spread the world in the 1900's. There were many parts of society that condemned the dance as being too sexual and inappropriate for the public. The music itself was also considered strange because of the various influences heard in it, as most people in Europe and America had not heard African and Cuban music.
Sophia Johnson, vocalist
As Ragtime was at first condemned and then embraced, so too did the Tango. Both Tango and Ragtime carried mutual influences, and influenced each other as they became popular around the same time in history.
As with many forms, there became many different styles of the dance develop. These were seen in different areas of Argentina and in fact the world. The music also developed differing styles. The Tango, while no longer the rage, has a core following with dancers and musicians, and continues to scandalize the more conservative parts of society.
Minerva Peña, the usual lead singer was unavailable for the recording date, so one of the band members, a percussionist named Sophia Johnson stepped in. She is one of the few members of the band that is not of Latino extraction, but she became interested in Latin American music and went on to study it in college. This is her first time recording as a vocalist for Big And Tall Records, and we welcome another artist to the fold!
Been a stretch since Goggle Eyes Brown and his Oglers have been around! What was a catch-all group for many years is now solidly consistent, so much so they were on tour for a few months. They were back in the area to rest up when Big Marv found out and went to see them.
Big Marv is a mover and shaker here at Big And Tall Records since we made him an associate as well as an artist. He's running over with ideas, but his band The Hodads are down in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, so he's without a band. He's been wanting to do some ragtime for us, and he's known Goggle Eyes and the band for years, although they've never played together before. Big Marv ran an idea for a ragtime song by them, and they jumped at the chance! Goggle Eyes usually does the piano playing, but he moved off the bench and in front of the microphone as the lead singer so Big Marv could play with them. The result is RAGTIME! The song has a little bit of history of the genre as well as some good music!
Most of us in the office went to the studio to watch them record it, and Goggle Eyes and Marv recruited us to sing the responses to RAGTIME! in the song. Goggle Eyes doesn't sing very often. He says his voice is too weak for the stuff they like to play. But it fits the spirit of this song very well! Big Marv is a little ticked at us for giving him credit at the end of the title, but goggle Eyes and the gang (as well as all of us!) thought it was the right thing to do as it pretty much was his idea! He denies that he wrote the song, gives credit to the whole band by calling it a group effort, but we've got our suspicions!
Ragtime has played a big part in both Big Marv and Goggle Eyes' band from early in their careers. Marv won a ragtime playing competition when he was but 13 years old growing up in New Orleans, and Goggle Eyes started out with a Ragtime band many years ago. We hope to hear more from Goggle Eyes and his band in Ragtime or any other kind of music they play. And big Marv? Well, looks like ya can't hold the guy back, he loves to play!
The Irish group Craic Agus Ceol (Fun and Music in Gaelic) brings for the their latest, another song in the form and spirit of a Sea Shanty. The group makes no bones about the fact that they write their shanties themselves, that they are not authentic tunes. it isn't all what they do, but on occasion they write one when the spirit strikes. One of the singers in the group is a descendant of sailors going back to the days of wind and sails, and has commented he heard a lot traditional ones at family get-togethers when he was young, and it left an impression.
First we've heard from Delmar in a while, at least as a recording artist. He has been learning the ins andouts of recording and producing, and already has two songs he's done with other artists. He did send some comments along with his latest recording:
I've been really busy on the ranch as well as the studio working with my housekeeper/cook Marie and my head ranch hand Amos. I'm quite pleased with both recordings, and very proud of them both. Hopefully we'll get some more songs from them soon. This new recording of mine is a little different. Just me singing and playing the piano, no back ups, and I've got my best no accent Midwestern voice on. This is the voice I used in important legal cases I had, at least in the Northern part of the state of Ohio. Southern part no so much, as a southern accent is more prevalent there. All depended what the case was and the strategy. Like it or not, a southern accent can be taken by those who are prejudiced against it as a sign of ignorance. So if I had the chance to make my case better in court by being a 'good ol' boy' I'd use the accent, or a 'learned legal expert', I'd lose it. It's just too bad that accent prejudice still exists to that extent. As you folks know, my natural way of speech is southern inflected and that's what I've done in my previous songs. Thought it'd be interesting to drop it in this song.
I recorded it all by myself in a few takes in my studio really late at night that ended up going into the morning. Been practicing getting my piano chops back, and it just came out as a bluesy little piece instead of country. I'm really fortunate in my life that I've had all the opportunities I've had, to get scholarships for law school, to get my degree, work hard, and be able to retire with all this in my mid forties. But you have to be prepared to work your ass off when you get the opportunity, or you might as well not get it!
This is the first time we've heard Delmar's piano playing to this extent, and we're impressed. This is indeed a different kind of song for him since he's been recording for us, and it underlines not only his talent, but versatility as well.
We're back to Halloween time, as The Noir Players have a new recording, this time dealing with vampires. There's no doubt this is a full orchestra group as we get an extended introduction before the song itself begins. Their recordings amount to mini symphonic cantatas that always deal with morbid subjects. Honestly, sometimes they come off as rather corny, but this doesn't seem to bother the leaders of the group.
So for those of you who enjoy their excursions, we present their latest: The Vampire
Some say they are but a myth A figment of the imagination. But where there is a myth, There is an underlying consideration.
Within every myth, there is something concrete That has been expanded out of proportion To the basic truth that lies there, A most unsettling emotion.
Are vampires of this earth? Are they real, a tangible being? Or are they merely a product, Of a night of horrible dreaming?
Because of the modern world's depictions, They don a mask of sexuality Males suave and debonair, Women beautiful and predatory
But in folklore, they are far from that. Their ghastly form attacking all. From full grown adults, To children so very small.
Do they really travel in different forms? Looking for their next victim? Seeking another blood feast, A meal that's fit for him.
Vampires exist in the sense That they inhabit our unconsciousness A representation of ancient fears Of a death of violence and bloodlessness
With our corpses completely bled out And dead for eternity It is what so many are afraid of A death for all eternity!
So belief in the myths of the past Run underneath all our desires Going back years and eons To feed the myth.... of the vampires!
As it is with the blood sucking myths Goes with the rest of man kind's story With parts of it hard to comprehend That is sick, tragic, and gory!
Imagine, an attack from a vampire, Taken from the folklore of many Asleep in bed, they attack to be fed And leave your bloodless body.
But there is something carries over From their vicious blood drinking Your soul is commandeered, Your self-determination is shrinking!
You have become a vampire, like them. And after a while, you feel a hunger And you too go off to feed, And tear lives and souls...asunder!
We welcome a new group to Big And Tall Records,The Alpine Bunch. They're a European group, most of the members from Germany. They're in this country to check out venues and any interest in their music. They play traditional music heard in Switzerland, Germany, and other areas where The Alps are located. They have recently begun to write some of their own material.
Their spokesman and lead singer Emil Zimmerman speaks 4 languages, with English being among them. He had this to say about their song Booze It Up! :
We come from a part of the world where alcohol and beer in particular has been a way of life for centuries. Some have said this came about so many years ago because the brewing and distilling techniques renders water of questionable safety into a safe beverage to drink. That may be true to a limited extent, but we cannot overlook the intoxicating effects these beverages had, and how enjoyable these effects have been to mankind over the centuries.
There has been a heightened regard for the damage alcohol can do to the human body. Not just in extreme quantities, but that the ingesting of alcohol at all is unsafe. For many years, there has been spread around that a glass or tow of beer or wine a day is not only safe, but good for you. This is being disputed by recent findings.
Considering how so many cultures are alcohol consuming cultures, and so many industries make a profit from it, there may be many years before there's agreement about the dangers of alcohol consumption, if there ever is an agreement among all parties. We wrote the song Booze It Up! to help bring the public's attention to recent developments and many people's response to them. The backlash to the song has been swift and strong, and we have no doubt that it will be so in The United States as it has been in Europe. Indeed, members of our own group have differing opinions. So we perform this song, for whatever it may be worth.
We got the recording of this song form our associate before Mr. Zimmerman's comments, so we didn't know what to make of it. Is it making fun of the allegations, or making an ironic point about their validity? We were close to refusing to publish it when our associate sent us Mr. Zimmerman's comments.
The band is a large ensemble with strings, and the best elements of a German Oompah-pah band. They have a good reputation in Europe, and as also perform in English, we decided to give them a shot! (No pun intended!)
They say drinking alcohol is bad for you
Who is they? (Doctors say!)
That alcohol no good for you!
What do they know any way!
A little glass of vine is good for you!
Helps you relax, and digest!
If one is good, two is better!
A snort once in a vile is best!
They say alcohol pickles your liver
Who is they? (The Gastro Doctors say!)
Alcohol pickles your liver
What do they know any way?
A glass of beer is good for you
Helps you unwind after a busy day!
If one is good, two is even best!
Couple beers pickle nothing any way!
They say alcohol can cause cancer too.
Who is they? (Oncologist say!)
That booze cause cancer for you
What do they know any way?
A snort of schnapps is real good, ya!
It gives you cleaner breath, taste like candy cane,
The latest by Tugboat Jackson is a dark song. His voice sounds particularly raw in this recording, and as usual his guitar playing is exceptional. The first line of the song 'Be a student of human nature' and the rest of the lyrics as well as most of the recordings he's done for Big And Tall Records, could be his personal mantra. He seems to know a lot about human nature, and says he learned about it in his hardware business of many years:
Yeah, when I ran the hardware store, it was a neighborhood store as well as servicing some of the local contractors. You learned real fast which customers you could trust, and which you couldn't. Gotta say, most people wanted to be up front with their dealings with me, and I was the same with them. But there's always some, a minority to be sure, that want to cut a fat hog in the ass and screw you over. It was bad enough if a lot of money was involved, but I could understand that more than the grumpy horses ass that wants to quibble over something that costs 69 cents. In the beginning, I'd give in to them if they pitched a big enough fit. Didn't want the hassle, wrote it off as the price of doing business. But after a while, I said hell no! They can pitch as big a bitch as they wanted to, but if it wasn't right, it wasn't right! Had to call the police on two people in all those years. One started tearing up the store, throwing stuff off the shelves and all that. The other was gonna go out to his truck and get a damned gun! Both were arrested, the guy with the gun really got in hot water. But just two in 30 years is a pretty good record, I'd say. Anyhow, I wanna say that this song may come off as a little cynical about people, which isn't a bad thing to my mind. There are some folks that mean to do you harm, period. But there's a lot of good folks, more good than bad. Ya just gotta be alert, and watch out for yourself.
Tugboat continues to evolve as an artist and musician, and we're very happy to have him under contract! He's taking a liking to some of our other artists, and may be expanding his sound in the future with saxophones and other instruments.
Amos Carter along with Marie Flores is one of the persons Delmar Gentry inherited with the horse ranch he bought in Flagstaff, AZ. Amos has been playing the double bass for many years, and has played on some of Delmar's recordings. Delmar found out that he not only could play, but that he had a band a few years ago that played in the area. They played Country/Western, Rockabilly, Boogie Woogie, and about any other style people wanted for about ten years. It was three years ago when the band broke up, not due to any drama, but to the changes in some of the band members lives. Plus, playing on the weekends (as they all had full time jobs) in venues up to 200 miles away was getting them pretty tired.
Delmar kept urging Amos to make a recording, as he knew the group wrote a song they always opened their shows with, My Name Is Amos, but Amos wanted to help Marie with her recording first. Shortly after that was done, Amos rounded up what was available of the old group and they filled out the rest from musicians Delmar knew. The three original members are Amos on double bass, lead guitarist Henry Dodson, and pianist Bart Velmer. The song had been written about ten years ago, when Amos was working for the ranch's previous owner. The horse ranch was in the business of raising the animals for sale, and Amos decided to keep the lyrics the same. The song is a hybrid of Boogie Woogie and country. Delmar produced and recorded this song at his Flagstaff studio as well.
Amos has some Hispanic heritage on his mother's side, and has been active in the Latino music scene off and on since his band quit performing. So now Delmar's trying to get Marie, Amos, and maybe himself, to do some songs.
For those of you that follow Big And Tall Records, you may be wondering where Delmar Gentry hasbeen. He's been busy on his new ranch, dealing with his horses and meeting all kinds of new people and musicians. He's been working on some new songs that he says will be coming out soon, but in the mean time he's been convincing and working with his cook/housekeeper at the ranch, Marie Flores, to record a song. Delmar tells us about it:
Shortly after I sealed the deal for the ranch, I overheard Marie as she worked in the kitchen. She was singing a Mexican song in Spanish of course, and as my knowledge of Spanish is sparse, I couldn't understand all the words. But the quality of her voice made quite an impression on me. She was singing softly as to not be heard, but it was a voice that had an interesting carrying power to it even at such a low volume. She was embarrassed when she caught me listening to her, and immediately stopped singing, and refused to continue no matter how much I urged her on. So I made it a point to walk softly, and I found her singing many more times in the same sweet voice that betrayed a certain richness and power to it.
It took much coaxing over the next two months to persuade her to let me work with her to created an original song for her to record. It was definitely a group effort, as she contributed some of the melody and lyrics. We worked with other musicians to flesh out the song. Even Amos Carter, my Chief Ranch Hand and double bass player contributed a steady bass line in a nice rhythm. It took us many takes in my studio before Marie was comfortable enough to give the quality of singing I knew she could, but after that, it came down to five takes, any of them could have been used. The result is I Love My New Home, a song about coming to America, and becoming a legal citizen. She insisted on my participation on the piano. I was a little taken aback by the lyrics about me, but she insisted on including them as well. She came to this country when she was 14 years old with her family of 3 brothers and a sister. She did finally admit to me that she had some voice training in the church when still in Mexico, and she said her family is all musically inclined.She is a very special woman, keeps the household at the ranch running smooth as silk. Does most of the cooking, and makes some of the most delicious food I've ever eaten! She's not only an expert with Mexican cuisine, but can cook good old American fare as well.
We suggested that Delmar be listed as the presenter in the title, Delmar Gentry Presents - but he refused. This was her moment to shine, he said. Delmar produced, and recorded it in the new home studio he installed out at his ranch in Flagstaff, AZ. Marie insisted on keeping a few Spanish words and phrases in the lyrics, as well as her Mexican accent in some of the pronunciations of words.
