Some of us here at Big And Tall Records are old enough to have come from larger families.This latest by Melvin and The Boys rings pretty true. Mama would tell us if we complained about the food, "This isn't a restaurant," and Dad would sure back her up. We took an informal poll of people in the office, and the vast majority of them agreed with the title of the song. The problem is, that even in the best of economic times, it takes lots of money and work to feed a large family. Back in the time we are assuming Melvin is singing about (late 1950's, 1960's, early 1970's) liver was a fairly cheap source of protein. Problem is, for many of us it has a chalky texture, and a really off-putting, minerally taste. When you stop and think about what the liver's function in the body is, mainly one of the largest filters of toxins and other harmful substances from the body, it doesn't sound like something that would be good to eat!
That's not to say it isn't good for you, at least in moderation (like many organ meats it is high in cholesterol). It is rich in B vitamins, copper, iron, all kinds of stuff the body needs and can use. And we did check out the lyric that talked about eating raw liver as a treatment for anemia years ago. It certainly was! Uncooked, raw liver! How nasty!
Back when I was a kid Came from a big family Sit ‘round the dinner table Brothers, sister and me
My Dad didn’t abide being fussy Always had to eat what Mom cooked She’d say, “This isn’t a restaurant!” If you gave the food a dirty look
Liver! (Nasty liver!) Like eating a greasy piece of chalk Liver! (Nasty liver!) Like a piece of over cooked tree bark!
Dad liked it browned in a skillet Then put it in a baking pan In the oven with onions and bacon To smell it I could hardly stand!
Dad was always ready with a lecture How it was good for blood systemic How his Mother so many years ago Had to eat it raw because she was anemic
Liver! (Nasty liver!) Cover the crap up with ketchup Liver! (Nasty liver!) It still made me want to throw up!
I covered it up with ketchup On my fork some cooked onions I’d stick Cut me off a piece of the crap Stick it in my mouth really quick!
Wasn’t too bad ‘til the onions and ketchup Dissolved into the taste of the liver The more I tried to chew it up It kept getting bigger and bigger!
Every time we had the stuff It was the same thing for me But I vowed right there and then When I grew up, then I’d be free
From eating liver! (Nasty liver!) Never, never gonna eat it again Makes my taste buds choke and quiver Never, never gonna eat it again
If the only thing to eat On earth was that crap I’d gladly starve to death It’ll be no mishap!
Dry as chalk, smells like death Never abide it on my plate Only thing I’d use it for Would be catfish bait!
Liver! (Nasty liver!) Like eating a greasy piece of chalk Liver! (Nasty liver!) Like a piece of over cooked tree bark!
Another song from Melvin and The Boys about number 47. Not complimentary at all about the Chief Executive, one of the band members spoke to us on the phone about the bands political awareness:
"There comes a time when what artists produce reflects their own time, or it doesn't. Our band does play in classic rock style usually, but that doesn't mean we can't make social commentary within that form and tradition. Rock and Roll was originally a form of protest, so we think our recent songs about the present administration are fitting.
"With many people now conditioned to short soundbites of news relayed by blaring headlines, people's collective memories are short. It was only a year ago since Trump went through his trials that ended up in 34 felony convictions, and many have forgotten all about them. When (and if) the MAGA regime loses power, a constitutional amendment should be worked on that would prevent a convicted felon from running for president. He fomented a failed insurrection, and was convicted of 34 felonies, yet he still was allowed to run, and the feeling of the country at that time gave him a thin margin of victory. He's been dismantling our entire way of life piece by piece, leading this country to despotism. All in the name of his over-inflated ego and sick mind!"
The man has such small hands But he's got a magic finger He uses it on any woman And complains they all just linger
He doesn't use a pencil or pen To sign his filth to law of the land He uses the dirty magic finger From his grubby, fat little hand
Ink it up! Spit on it! Make it nasty like you can do Shove it in! Make it spin! Do the nasty like you can do
The magic finger was found guilty In court in a long tedious trial Where a jury of his peers did find The woman he truly defiled
He acted the spoiled snot that he is The Judge tried to take it in stride But the disgust that people showed in court Wasn't really something that they could hide
It will not fail! Leave the hangnail! Let the pussies suffer a lot! He's just a big ass! With no class! He treats women like a harlot!
No jail time was pending at all Just a wallopin' big fine But if you get elected To collect they'll have a hell of a time!
The office has its privileges How in the world does he even rate? Others say we'll just have to bide our time Cuz he can't run again in '28
But the magic finger don't discount He's such a genius, he always wins He'll wiggle the crusty, stinking thing And change the law and run again!
But he really ain't got no choice But to use the magic finger slim Outside of his big fat nasty mouth It’s the biggest thing he can put in
We here at Big And Tall Records haven't heard anything from Melvin and the boys for a while, so we were delighted and a little surprised to get this new recording file. Surprised because it is political in nature, and they've always concentrated their efforts on a vintage rock style for the most part. To be sure, this song is in their usual style. It's just the subject, namely Trump playing golf in Scotland. If Trump went to Scotland to avoid any confrontation, he was disappointed as many Scots protested his presence there. The fact that he's on tape cheating at golf. Not surprising for a man whose ego is bigger than the great outdoors!
You can always tell he's lyin' And a sure way of provin' You can see he's tellin' a whopper If his blubber lips are movin'
He's a cheater and criminal A gangster that is complete His golf video from Scotland Proves he's Commander in CHEAT!
Don't have to dig much at all To show all his connections He's a woman molester With 34 convictions
He's a cheater and criminal A gangster that is complete His golf video from Scotland Proves he's Commander in CHEAT!
He's aced all his IQ tests Didn't flunk a single one of 'em If ya do not believe it Ya just have to ask him
He's a cheater and criminal A gangster that is complete His golf video from Scotland Proves he's Commander in CHEAT!
Have them drop yer golf ball Donald When ya end deep in the rough Those ain't the only balls you've dropped Being such an idol's gotta be tough!
Commander in cheat old and rusty With a limp dick dinky and crusty Trying to divert attention From your Epstein connection Flood of records have not ceased If they will ever be released Prove you're in a really deep rut Trying to hide...a wonderful secret
The latest from Melvin Peckerwood And The Mama's Boys gives a glimpse back in time when a date for a young couple was going out for a burger and a drive-in movie double feature. And like the song lyrics say, sometimes the best show wasn't on the screen!
There are very few drive-in movie theaters left now, but at one time they were quite prevalent. The first drive-in movie theater was in Comanche, Texas in 1921, which of course showed silent movies. They slowly increased in number. In 1947 there was around 155 outdoor theaters in The United States, and by the time of the start of the baby boom era in 1951 there were over 4,000 of them nation wide. With the end of WW II, couples were having families, and the drive in movies offered the ma cheaper alternative than going to indoor theaters. The kids were brought along, no baby sitter was needed, and many of the theaters offered dollar a carload nights, where a car full of adults and kids could get in for a dollar.
Melvin's song deals with a young man thinking he can have his own 'private showing', but the girl thwarts his plans.
Melvin and The Boys seem to be going through another phase. This song, Garage Band, is a song that reminisces about the music scene of the 1950's, an era when none of the group lived in, but they have a good feel for the time. This song's lyrics continue that, but the music itself is more intense, closer to more current hard driving sound. We'll see where it takes them. They're all talented musicians, so it'll be interesting.
Since their first recording for Big And Tall Records, Melvin Peckerwood and The Mama's Boys has produced a string of, at the very least, interesting songs. They can play in different styles from 1950's style Rock and Roll to more modern pop. All of the group members are singers as well, and they take their turn in the solo vocal department, which gives their recordings a great deal of variety.
The group has always had an open invitation to other musicians interested in playing with them. When a piano player is needed, Big Marv steps in to fill in for their ill keyboardist. They have a first class sax player now as well. With this latest song, Mind Your Business, they had a guitarist from Goggle Eyes Brown and The Oglers sit in playing rhythm guitar and backup vocals. Harry Keeler was impressed with the group, and has suggested Goggle Eyes do a cover of the song. So that's forthcoming.
The song deals with something that is a real annoyance; a guy that sticks his nose into your business, even when you're trying to smooch with your girlfriend!
Melvin and The Boys offer up their latest, that sees them move away from their usual Classic Rock 'n Roll style to a more modern pop style. There's enough talent in this group that they can take up an opportunity to mix their style, despite the fact that there's been some personnel changes, some temporary, some maybe not so much.
Their regular keyboard player is still out with an illness, so Big Marv our resident piano wizard has been filling in. Now he's out with a bad infection in 2 fingers in his left hand. His doctor suggested he lay off the piano until they both heal with the help of antibiotics. He kept trying to play when he first noticed the pain and redness in the fingers. His doctor said that he should have came in for an appointment right off, as the infection may or may not have healed on its own. And worse case scenario, he could have lost the fingers, possibly his hand! So he's taking the doctors advice, (and we at Big And Tall Records read him the riot act to take care of his fingers!) keeping the hand in a sling, and taking IV antibiotics to hopefully get it cleared up faster. So perhaps the different sound with this recording is a result of not having a solid keyboard in the mix.
Melvin Peckerwood And The Mama's Boys latest exploits the saxophone section to good effect. Whatstarted out as just a group of session musicians that sat in on Melvin's recordings has become a sound that blends very well with the rest of the group. Scuttlebutt has it that Melvin is trying to get them to join the band and go on tour, but the session men don't seem too interested. They did tell him that at least for the foreseeable future, they'd be available for more sessions with the band.
This new recording deals with a lady named Sue that evidently has a well endowed chest. The singer is warning one of the other men to quit gawking at her! Not such a different subject for a rock and roll song, but the lyrics are. The music fits the lyrics very well! Another home run for Melvin and The Boys!
An obvious reference to the classic rock song Hound Dog by the immortal king of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, Melvin Peckerwood And The Mama's Boys put their own spin on it with Ain't Nothin' But A Sick Hound Dog. The group has undergone some personnel changes, and for this recording have a full compliment of saxophones to enrich the sound. With Big Marv anchoring the bass line on piano with the group's regular bass guitarist 'Greasy' Nutly, the song beats out a regular rhythm throughout.
The group's sound varies from basic rock and roll of drum kit, lead guitar, bass guitar, and singer, to this larger ensemble. Their subjects vary as much as the ensemble. We at Big And Tall Records look forward to their next creation!
You can’t take out a girl,
For a burger, and a flick
You always take them out
To do somethin’ sick
You took out Betty Lou,
To see a school play,
You went and took her parkin’
But she walked home anyway
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Pervin’ all the time
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Aimin’ for a crime.
You ain’t never been normal,
Ain’t pervin’ no sister of mine!
You took out pretty Tammy but she gave you the whammy!
Tried Sue instead, but she smacked you in the head!
Cindy threw a fit, wouldn’t stand for it!
Hoped Joan would fall, but she kicked you in the balls!
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Pervin’ all the time
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Aimin’ for a crime.
You ain’t never been normal,
Ain’t pervin’ no sister of mine!
Sooner, maybe later,
The word will sure get out.
Then all the girls in school
Will start to leave you out!
Then you’ll bellyache
How you’re so all alone
When you try to call the girls
They’ll just hang up the phone!
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Pervin’ all the time
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Aimin’ for a crime.
You ain’t never been normal,
Ain’t pervin’ no sister of mine!
Hope it's sooner than later, All your ex dates will tell. Then the rest of the girls Will say no way in hell!
Then you’ll bitch and cry How you’re so all alone When you call any girl They’ll just slam down the phone!
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Pervin’ all the time
You ain’t nothin’ but a sick hound dog,
Aimin’ for a crime
You ain’t never been normal,
Ain’t pervin’ no sister of mine!
Keep on walkin’ perv!
No!
You can’t have my sisters number!
Pervert! Sicko! Deviant! Weird Oh!
No! You can't have my number either!
No, not my mothers, or my brothers,
or anybody I know!
Another tale from Melvin Peckerwood and The Mama's Boys. You keep annoying this guys girl and he's gonna Open Up A Can Of Whup Ass! This group fits in with most of the others here at Big And Tall Records in that they usually tell a story, this group's stories many times centers around the early 60's in story line and music.
As related in our last post about this group, their keyboardist is out of commission for a while, but Big Marv has offered to fill in. Now their lead saxophonist has taken a leave of absence because of family issues. But Big Marv to the rescue again! He found a young lady playing a mean sax in a group a while back, and they offered her a a spot until their regular gets back. Melinda Volare is here name, and her prowess on the sax is put to good effect on this recording! She not only punctuated things nicely in the body of the song, but Big Marv keeps the ending going long enough to give her another opportunity for a few more licks!
Another look back at how life was in the late 1950's, early 1960's by Melvin Peckerwood and The Mama's Boys. We don't know who the group uses as a consultant, because none of the members are old enough to go back that far, but there's a few here at Big And Tall Records that do, and their recordings take us back to those times. One person in particular (who shall go nameless!) here had an experience similar to this way back then, only it wasn't in a Ford!
Credit must be given to Big Marv, our resident studio pianist for his performance on this recording. The group had scheduled a recording session, but their keyboard player came down ill and couldn't attend. The group had all the lead sheets done, and the song has an essential piano part. Big Marv just happened to be in the studio that day, found out about their dilemma, and offered to sit in with them. After some discussion and a couple run throughs, the recording started. After only a few takes, the song was 'in the can'! It's a testament to Big Marv's musicianship, and also his humility as he insisted on taking no credit for his efforts on the recording, as he was happy to help them out.
We've just found out that Melvin's keyboard player will be out of commission for a while with a serious illness, so Big Marv has offered his services on any recordings in the meantime. We've also learned that Big Marv's group, The Hodads, will be taking to New Orleans (or as Big Marv calls it, 'A drinkin' and whorin' extended party' for Mardi Gras. Big Marv isn't going, so he'll be free for any studio work with Melvin or anyone else that needs it.
It was bound to happen, even within a group like Melvin Peckerwood and The Mama's Boys; a break up song. But the group usually has their tongue firmly in cheek, and this song is no different. Once a short list of reasons for a possible breakup, the camel's back, the last straw, is finally reached. We'll leave it to the listener to find out what that reason was, and this previous song by the may be needed as a reference point: My Hero's Name Is Elmer
My hero's name is Elmer,
He always got the shaft!
From the dirty low down rabbit,
Whenever he crossed his path!
Elmer Fudd, got the shaft!
He wasn't a crazy guy!
He just talked a little funny,
That’s the reason why,
The trickster rabbit, always made his life miserable!
Some of our artists do have their serious side, but Melvin Peckerwood and The Mama's Boys usually keep it light, and more often than not, with their tongue firmly in cheek! This time it's all about...PIZZA! We at Big And Tall Records agree; give us pizza!
We at Big And Tall Records don't know the history or traditions of the role alcohol plays in New Year's Eve celebrations, but there are many people who keep the tradition alive. Melvin Peckerwood and The Mama's Boys latest is a song about how one person celebrated.
We've notice that while the group is primarily a classic rock and roll group, there are elements of rock a billy, a country/western offshoot, that is creeping into their work. And equally, Percy McCoy, our resident self-confessed rock a billy artist, has many elements of classic rock and roll in their work. In modern music, sometimes the lines between genres become blurred, and a hybrid forms. That is a good thing, in our opinion. It means that music is expanding and changing!
I was doin’ all right on New Year's Eve,
Had only one lousy drink.
Havin’ a good time nonetheless,
Soon my willpower started to sink.
Soon the bar shut down at 1:O’clock
So we went over to a buddies house.
He had a full bar, plenty of folks
And some real great food that rocked
Made a fool out of myself,
Like I most always do,
My head’s all swelled up and nasty,
My guts got the bottle flu!
Got way too drunk to drive back home,
My buddy told me to stay and bed down.
So we all drank and ate, and danced all night,
Tell ya we sure went to town!
It was one of them times when the more ya drank,
The better the shit began to taste!
So with a plate full of food, and a bottle to boot,
Well, they've done it again! Another quirky song, this time concerning Santa and his reindeer, especially about what kind of 'presents' the reindeer leave! Christmas time has it's share of old favorites, carols that deal with the religiousness of the season, lay songs that address the good feelings people can have, humorous songs, and a few rather dreary ones. This one happens to be funny, if slightly profane. We don't know if it is bound to become a classic, but it sure is a hoot now!
