The Funky Drummer Boy

 

“My Little Drum.”  One of the overlooked songs from Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, Guaraldi’s . Variations on “The Little Drummer Boy.”  I love the monastic boombastic of the original, Guaraldi’s is more funky & soulful than anyone other than he could imagine at the time. A Christmas samba. Guaraldi and Charles Schulz inform the modern day suburban creative sect (AKA the hipster) when they are at their best and far more than they’ll ever admit.

Vinnie G

Listening to the Vince Guaraldi channel on Last.FM/Xbox I can plainly hear that the slope created by be-bop in the 1950s to modern day easy listening music. “Lite” jazz, Kenny G, new age music and the even more dreaded world beat.  Listen to Herb Alpert and you’ll hear what kind of monster it’s created. The cheese pouring forth pretty much created the hotel lounge act industry and appears to have inspired every porn soundtrack you’ve ever heard.  Only not in a good way. Herb Alpert defines the trappings of the hipster: A complete lack of style and/or talent covered in cheese and hubris.  The point is, I’m trying to teach the babies something even by osmosis. I think Vince Guaraldi is a good start. I hope they like it.

Guccioni or Not Bob Guccioni

Herb Alpert or Not Herb Alpert

Bonus: What do you get when you cross the “The Little Drummer Boy” with “My Little Drum?”  I think you know. 

The Bing & The Bowie that’s what.  I mean, Bing Crosby is more bad ass than Herb Alpert.  And he’s dead.  Der Bingle, that is.  Herb Alpert less so.

Bonus Bonus! 

Will Ferrell sounds less like David Bowie and more like a James Lipton with a mullet.   

 

Bonus Bonus Bonus!

  

That’s right.  James Brown “The Funky Drummer.”  The funk that Guaraldi, Bing or Bowie can only dream of. I’d suggest that you don’t sit through the whole song.  It’s 9 minutes long and despite the name, the Funk gets pretty boring after a while.

 

 

 

Xmas Cheese

 

Monty Python’s Furry Circus

How the hell did Monty Python know about it?   This clip is like 40 years old and filmed on another continent.    Evidently they’re not only still funny but a bit more clairvoyant than they let on. 

Translation: Dragon*Con is in town this weekend.  As some of you may know my wife & I had twins a few months ago.  They are funner than Dragon Con, about as expensive as the entrance price (only every day) and currently weigh as much as I can carry in comics.  Comics that will eventually be worth the price of a used diaper.  Babies also involve only slightly less cosplay and Leonard Nimoy will definately will not make an apperance at your home for less than $10,000 and a full figured lady of his choosing.  Otherwise, just like Dragon*Con. 

Only we cannot attend.  Probably not attend.  What happen is when you have kids, that means you’ve evidently reached your independant fun/freedom limit for the next 20-30 years.  It’s also no place for very young babies where the crowds swell to near Chinese in proportion.  Twin newborns sort of makes us feel that way nearly every day.  In a good way.

Batgirl and Man 2008.  Courteousy of Rob

A Care Bear and not some sort of pervy anime as was my first guess. Courteousy of anitasarkeesian

Original Wonder Girl and Black Manta in a hotel lobby walk of shame

The comedy stylings of Shatner & Nimoy on the big screen. 

Dragon*Con, or almost any themed convention I suppose, can make you feel like Bicycle Repair Man: Special for being normal while surrounded by the sublime*.  And I mean that in a good way.

*Crikey.  With all the Viking costumes, Bishop get ups and other cross dressing, Monty Python’s Flying Circus practically invented Cosplay and making fun of Cosplayers.  Decades before the Tron Guy**.

 

**Tron Guy not appearing at Dragon*Con this year.  Unless Chad Vader drops out.  Sorry.

cityscape

Photos by Peter Morgan

Tokyo City Hall

Noodle Shop

Fading Glory

St Paul’s Cathedral London

Soul and Spirit

Examining the Icons

Urban Decay

Art Deco Auditorium

Shanghi Skyscape