Birth of the Octopi!

More journeys into the unknown this week from chez Den (Scunthorpe this time...) coupled with a visit to the Lowry to see the ever-good Frisky & Mannish (previously blogged 'ere). I've convinced my squeeze to watch another French flick that had been lurking on the hard drive for months which was the bees knees (those Frenchies seem to be able to churn out the flicks with much more class than the mockney gangster cack that keeps tricklin' down the leg of British cinema...don't even get me started on Danny D**r. Anyway, a couple more rag- bag tunes that have popped into the idea box this week along with the loverly Amelie Soleil...future star of Burly Q on July 3 (tickets available here)

More bonkers fun from the greatly under-rated 80's beacon-shiners XTC in their never bettered 60's alter-ego the Dukes of Stratosphear...I dig the bonkers WW1 vibe!

The Dukes of Stratosphear- You're a good man Albert Brown

It never ceases to surprise me how you can find good stuff lurking out there. This would have seriously fried my wig as a teeny-bopper with so much stuff available (I can barely keep up now...I really need to jack in the stinking day-gig). This is a Swedish (Methinks) pop singer's take on the great track by Carole King. The orig has been doin' the rounds in my world since '98 but this version may just top it...judge for yo'selves peeps.

Alice Babs- Been to Canaan

Carole King- Been to Canaan

Great flick that whizzed by and didnt outstay it's welcome. Perfectly demonstrating just how messed up those teenage gal's can be...

Water lillies trailer

Possibly one of the best promo shots I've seen in a long time of the loverley Amelie Soleil who is due to land at Burly Q in July. Fantastic burlesque that uses a prop that no-one else is ever gonna try and copy...can't wait to see this act for real!

Amelie Soleil show reel

Burning with a low blue flame

In Den land things took an unexpected detour down a dead end last week but with the schnoz firmly to the grindstone now he's back churning out his weekly editions of guff-like prattle and noise. So tune in those cab doors pop-pickers and open those windows on the eyeball pleasers...

First out of the traps is everyone's favourite crooner to be blown up by the Nazi's- Al Bowlly. He's been one of my £1 bargain LP snags of late and there's been a few docu's about him on Radio 2. They tell me this guy was the first vocalist to operate a hand mic...he's got a lot to answer for then...seriously under-rated everywhere but in S12 Al deserves your TLC.

Al Bowlly- Guilty

And on to the smokin' palamino that is Jane Russell singing I song I first heard on the isle of Maui last August, not only heard folks but actually learnt to play on the uke! So imagine my surprise when I found this version...Burly Q fans should look out for our July show for a little Hawaiian interlude!

Jane Russell- Lovely hula hands

What can I say about this flick? It would appear in Den's dictionary under 'Eyeball pleaser' for it's sheer beauty and stylized greatness along with the bizarre sight of Gene Kelly speaking French. However, it's a load of fluff that goes nowhere. The best bit comes 1o mins when Catherine Deneuve sings this ditty with her sis "Les Chanson des jumelles"...take it away gals...

Les demoiselles de Rochfort

Fall in and dig the happenings

Another Burly Q is firmily under the belt and with just 6 weeks 'til the next un I gotta start movin'. The ol' idea box has been boxed in by a number of bad cats this week. And in this case bad isn't as good as you could possibly get. Take it away, Den.

So first up this time is the mildly amusing Ruth Wallis who I snarfed up an album called (and I kid yea not) "French postcards set to music". Outrageous I guess at the time this (and the actual vinyl, which sounds more like an LP pressed on wet cardboard) hasn't aged particularly well. I'd like the think the working title for this ditty to the hay parlor was "Beard".

Ruth Wallis- Queer things

I've just finished flicking the paper on Nick Tosches 'Dino'. I asked my sidekick Cherry the other night what she thought a Dean Martin roast was and her reply involved Frank Sinatra and some dumb dolly from the Sands hotel circa 1962. Anyhow, in my head I had visions of Dean and all his show biz pals all scoffing nosh around a big table. We were both wrong it's this bizarro concept...I'm told by Tosches that there was some clever editing going on in some of these as they couldn't get 'em all together at the same time. Avoid the Sammy Davis episode for the usual black and jew gags. This one, however, rips apart America's oldest and most intelligent Prez...Fudge me this Rickles character looks more like the Thing than that bloke who works with my trouble and strife!

Don Rickles on Dean Martin's Roast...roasting Ronald Reagan

I'm a bit hit and miss when it comes to plugging what I dig in the world of burlesk. But with the Burly Q hangover biting my better half pointed me in the direction of the NY- based Nasty Canasta and her fanstastical ginchy fan-dance. I dig it. You should too!

Nasty Canasta- Fan dance

Playing bedwarmer

There's been a lot spilling from the ol' pie chopper recently and maybe one or two too many of the pies an' all. So I've got some more platters for ya from the good ol' tube with a bit of Elvis 70's style- glam, crap novelty records, a welcome return for Dino (just reading the Tosches biog) and the puppet master that is Leggy Pee (great moniker, gal!)

First outta the traps is perhaps the ugliest bunch of mugs this side of Uggville. The guy with the girls hair and earrings kills me. I have this fantasy Elvis Lp where he records some stuff from the seventies...this is one 'em. These munters are coming up on the rails in Chez Den...

Mud- Rocket

I make no apologies for this stinker of a tune. I recently DJ'd at a dance- craze themed night which featured novelty sides a go-go but thankfully not this one. It's worth watching to see Ted's huge arms flapping in the breeze. This guy's got mits like a wicket-keepers gloves! I wonder what 'Wesley' is like...then again, mebbe not.

Ted Cassidy- The lurch

The mid-60's Dino is unfairly dissed by Tosches and even the early 80's had it's ups in Den's book...(I admit it- I love Cannonball Run...! it ain't no sin to take your skin off and dance around in your bones...!). Anyway, Den's sibling has this side tucked away in the attic and I tried to find the ever elusive 'Shades' but no dice so hear Dean do Motown people...

Dean Martin- The tracks of my tears

A great stage name and Leggy pulling off the difficult trick of making something hard look easy. I'm never sure if the folks get it tho as they fall into the trap of thinking that she's just trotting out some bilge. Judge for yourselves but I like it!

Miss Leggy Pee

The beginning of the end?

So is this the last night of a non- Tory Government? Please not let it be so...I have in the traps a few weird things this week that don't really follow any particular theme. First up is a clip (he cannot be serious! if he is I'll go out on a limb and call him a dumb-ass yank racist!) of Henry Rollins ripping apart Mozza (maybe he had jumped down the worm hole after hearing 'Lighten up Morrissey?), then we've got some of the elusive Sparks/ David Lynch, hillbilly family combo The Toy Hearts who I discovered at my fave dining car in South Derbyshire and finally recent fave Sammy Davis Jr (I snagged 3 LPs from one of my dealers) doin' the best version of 'Hi heel sneekers' I has ever 'erd. Remember folks the 21st century marvel that is Zamzar!

Henry Rollins on Morrissey and Britain

I've been trying to track down some Sparks LP's for a long while and they're rare as hen's teeth. This vid for a track from 'Angst in my pants' features the moustachio one stripping and is directed by David Lynch. What else could Den want? (Maybe a little less of the 80's stadium sound!)

Sparks- I predict

The Toy Hearts- Stronger

Sammy Davis Jr- Hi heel sneekers

Burnt face, Haloumi, Damp and no Sparks LP's...

So on to Nottingham for a long overdue visit for myself and Mark. I'm pleased to report that reem swag was hawled and reeb was consumed (all within the daily allowances!). I'm gonna focus on the US version of 'Pennies from heaven' for you which is housed in a tasty sleeve with pics a plenty and many classy 30's tracks. I can't think of another soundtrack that I have two versions of...haven't seen the flick with Steve Martin tho. Helen Kane sued the producers of 'Betty Boop' for nabbing her act we in turn highlighted that Helen had nicked Clara Bow's...she sure is a hot tomato! And on to Irving- a song I can't hear without thinking of those cute rabbits at the start of 'Everything you wanted to know about sex or were afraid to ask...' I've stuck an extra track on here for you Aaronson nuts...

Helen Kane- I want to be bad

Irving Aaronson and his commanders- Lets misbehave

Irving Aaronson and his commanders- Crazy words, crazy tune

Pennies from heaven clip

What do you keep in a noddy holder?

So I'm back; avoiding that dust cloud by the skin of my gnashers. Plenty O' time to cast the old peepers over many a page so I'm gonna fess up and tell you that the best reads were 'The electric Michaelangelo' and 'Lady Chatterley's lover' by D. H. Lawrence, which appears to be set in my manor. Anyhow, I was reading about Third Man records which sounds like a blast and I came across the great lookin' Black Belles. Anyway, check out 'What can I do' (their debut) but I've included the flip (a cover of 'Lies' by The Knickerbockers featuring a nice surprise halfway through!). I've also got you a classic Northern side that my bro span on Sat down at Chick Habit...I hadn't heard this one for a good ten stretch...And finally a track from Slade from the LP 'Slade in Flame' that I managed to net for a mere £1 from the great Rare & Racy in Sheffield. It's about time I watched that film again...

The Black Belles- Lies

The Sapphires- The slow fizz

Slade- This girl