Fritzi on albums

The Uncle Henry Collection

I have a box full of my own uncle's old 78 rpm records, which my cousins gave me after his memorial service a couple of years ago. My goal was to clean them up and transfer the songs onto CD for them - life, of course, has gotten in the way.

Part of my plan when I got back to the Attic was to get to that project, make it a regular segment of the podcast - "gems from Uncle Henry's stash" or some such. Still an idea.

The trouble with my Biggest Ideas for the new series is that they're labor-intensive upfront; I'd need to get a lot of extra work done before the launch. I do want to try it, though, so I guess I should just get to it and quit whining.

Getting it ready on a timely basis may mean forgoing the iguanodon sound effect. I think everyone could probably live without it, though.

Remodeling the attic

I'm telling you, I'm sure this is going to work if I just have some time to get the job done - hey come on, I'm on the phone here, what do you need? The iguanodon sound effect? I don't know, we'll figure it out. Wait a minute! Do iguanodons make any sounds anyway? You know what, I should call you back anyway. I've got some situations here, and oh! Somebody just walked in. Talk to you later, OK?

Hi there — sorry the place is such a mess, you know what happens when you leave something alone for a whole summer. I nearly choked on the dust when I opened things up.

I've had some plans for this place in the back of my mind for a couple of months now, and it's long past time to put them in motion. They involve at least a 16-week series, and hopefully that will give us enough momentum to keep sailing.

Sorry to hit and run, but I've got my hands full. Hard to find good help, you know. See ya! Hey!!! The guitars go next to the mixing board! What good are they going to do in that closet? Yumpin yiminy anyway ...

Music and podcasts coming

I will have a second collection of free old recordings up soon.

Later this summer I will be putting a collection of new music up for sale and launching a 13-episode season of Uncle Warren's Attic.

Just so's ya know.

The Will To Fly - a w.p. bluhm collection

First and foremost, thanks to Sunni for her comments about "Wanting To Live Forever" and suggesting that I make it more readily available. Without further ado, click here to listen or download the song (there's another link below, of course.)

THE ALBUM: From a dub between two cassette recorders with a nylon string guitar in 1974, to a recording using all computer-generated instruments in 2000, these 15 tracks comprise what I consider my "best of" those years.

The songs cover a variety of adventures, misadventures, ups and downs that we should talk about some night over a beer or two. For now, thanks for listening and I hope you like it.

Words and music by w.p. bluhm (except for track 8)

THE SONGS: You can play them by clicking on 'em or download using your computer's standard download procedures.

1. Years of Our Lives (6:55/Written 1977/Recorded March 18, 1986)
2. Seems Like Old Times (2:25/1978/Dec. 22, 1985)
3. Crying Over Spilled Thyme (2:56/1977/1977)
4. Always Love You (2:49/1976/March 30, 1986)
5. Sweet Sarah Wilde (5:08/Sept. 6, 1984/Dec. 21, 1985)
6. Priscilla (3:33/1972/1975)
7. Darling Don't You Cry (3:52/1974/1974)
8. Happy Talk (4:32/Rodgers-Hammerstein 1949/1992)
9. Sha-la-la-la-la-la (1:49/June 6, 1985/Dec. 22, 1985)
10. Snuggle Bunny (2:31/Feb. 7, 1999/Feb. 21, 2000)
11. The Best is Yet To Be (3:36/June 22, 1986/1987)
12. Wanting To Live Forever (5:05/Jan. 27, 1986/March 30, 1986)
13. Billy and Jody (2:51/June 30, 1988/July 26, 1989)
14. Don't You Worry (3:25/Aug. 30, 1986/1987)
15. I Thank God (4:15/Jan. 30, 1987/1987)

Please e-mail me with questions and comments.

THE LEGALESE:


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Uncle Warren's Attic 58: The Pedestrian, and more

A dramatic reading of one of my favorite Ray Bradbury short stories anchors this session. Try to ignore the fact that I refer to a Bradbury "tune"; in fact, as musical as the master's prose is, it's probably as accurate a misstatement as you're ever going to hear. Vintage ads for Coca-Cola and a prominent Illinois politician are also on the agenda.

Plus, I spend a couple of minutes reminding you that I'd love to sell you some musical fiction of my own ...

The songs:
She Said Her Name Was Saffron - Marc Gunn
You Bug Me Baby - Larry Williams
For Your Boy and My Boy - Peerless Quartet
God's Gonna Cut You Down - Odetta
Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits - Marc Gunn

Download here, click the podcast icon or press "play" on the player at the top of the right rail.

UW Attic 57: History of recorded music

A 3.5-minute journey through seven audio formats is featured in this particular trip through the attic - to wit:

"Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" - Odetta
"The House of the Rising Sun" - Jack Elliott
"Old Blue" - Cisco Houston
"In the Mood" (2 78s, a cassette, 45, 33, CD and download versions) - Glenn Miller
"Tar Paper Stomp" - Wingy Manone and his Orchestra

Along the way you'll hear clips from "The First Family" with Vaughn Meader and "Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD" starring David Hasselhoff.

Download here, hit the pod icon or click "play" at the top of the right column.