A UFO In CLT

Someone pointed out to me today that it had been ages since I posted anything to the blog, and I suppose they are correct. I've been busy with other things, and time sort of gets away from me. So here's something from my trip to Charlotte, NC that I meant to bring you earlier. This is a piece of public art located in downtown called Grande Disco. It's quite the impressive piece, and it was one of the things I wanted to make sure I saw while in Charlotte. It reminded me a little of a Borg spaceship (in a new shape that we haven't seen before, but plausible in my mind) or perhaps the spaceship that brought the giant cockroach to earth in Men In Black. Either way, it's an impressive piece of work. I think it used to spin, but it's currently fixed in place.



Hmmm, I guess this piece isn't unique.

Live From The CLT

Here I sit at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, waiting for my flight. I just realized after an hour of sitting here that they have free Wireless internet. Of course, I have to re-log in every three minutes for some reason, but that may be because I'm way at the far end of Terminal E, about as far from the main building as you can get. Probably not much signal left by the time it gets down here. Anyhow, I wanted to throw up a quick picture for you, and it has to be quick because I can see my plane at the gate now. This is a dragonfly I saw at the Latta Plantation on Saturday. Right after I took this we went to the raptor center where I got to see much larger winged creatures. But those pictures will have to wait for another day.

Honeysuckle

We went to the Carolina Raptor Center in North Carolina today, and they had something I'd never seen before. You're looking at an albino red-shouldered hawk! I thought they had a cockatoo in a pen when I first walked up, and then I saw the beak. This girl was beautiful. They say she's not a full albino, and she did have a few dark feathers on the back of her head, but everything else was white. I don't think you'll ever see one of these in the wild.

By the way, Honeysuckle is her name, in case you were wondering where that title came from.

Where In The World

Anybody want to guess where Ernie (Not Bert) is this weekend? This Queen greeted me when I walked out of the airport.

Pre-Fay

I was at Mom and Dad's for a little while today after it had rained, and I shot these rain drops on some leaves. The name of these plants was right on the tip of my tongue, but I lost it. They come in these incredible bright colors, but they can be difficult to photograph, I think these came out pretty nice. I wonder what it is about the surface of the leaves that causes the water to bead up like this?

Caladiums! That's what they are!

Available Or Not

This billboard has been bugging me for several months now. It's on the Eastbound side of Interstate 4 near the intersection of I-75, on the wrong side of the road for the direction it faces. But that's not the problem. The problem is that it says AVALIBLE. I think they meant for it to say AVAILABLE, but they didn't quite get all the letters in there or in the right order. I hate typos, especially big ones. Well, I guess big is relative, but this one is billboard sized.

Full As It Gets

I almost missed the full moon last night, and then I almost didn't get a chance to post the picture today. But I didn't, and then I did, so here's the shot I know you've all been waiting for. Looks to my eyes like there was some haze in the air, or, more likely, some thin clouds when I shot this. I know there were plenty of clouds about, but I thought they'd all passed when I shot this. But I don't think it's as sharp as the full moon from last month.

The Waxing Moon

See! It's getting bigger!

Look Who's Back

This is the first time I've seen the moon since the last picture I showed you, about eleven days ago. Around here, it clouds up and rains in the afternoons, and often it remains cloudy the rest of the night. So I haven't been able to spot the moon for a while. But tonight, as I sat at the computer recording some more Christmas music, there she was. So I ran outside and got you this shot. Enjoy!

No Haystack Necessary

I finally went out and got myself a new needle for the old turntable today. I think it's been over four years since I got the last one. Well, I think I actually bought a pair of needles last time, so it really hasn't been four years since the last new one. I changed it up and recorded a few things (you'll note the Christmas LP counter is up to 12 at the moment), and I don't think it's really made that much of a difference. But better safe than sorry. The backs of all my old albums constantly tell me the horrible things a worn needle can do to my records, so sometimes I get a bit anxious. But now I'm good for a while. Just for the record, you can get needles at most musical instruments stores. Mine came from the local Sam Ash. They've usually got a DJ department, and that's where they keep the needles. Just take the old one in with you.

BOOM!

So, I'm sitting here at my computer desk, recording some Christmas music, when I hear some thunder outside. I keep working. I hear more thunder. Keep working. But something is gnawing away inside my head. I should be doing something else. Then I realize I don't hear any rain. And it's after sunset, so it's dark. And there's thunder, which means lighting, and it's dark, and it's not raining. I should be outside trying to get a picture of some lightning! I haven't done that in probably five years, and at least three cameras ago. So I grab all my stuff and head outside. I set up the camera, set it to a wide-open shutter for some five second exposures and try to shoot. But the camera won't auto-focus. I try to set it to focus on infinity, but I can't see anything through the lens to see if I have it right. I waited too late to go outside, because the storm seemed to have moved away. But, I got one shot out of about fifty. It's out of focus, there's water on the lens, but it's lightning! Pretty cool, eh?

Chanukah In August-Day 1

I didn't want to leave any of my Jewish friends out, so here are a couple of Chanukah songs I found in the past month that I wanted to share. Both of these come from the kiddie-oriented records I shared with you a couple of days ago.

Track one is simply entitled Chanukah and it's by Steve Clayton & Gail Contini from their album Holidays To Sing About (Ultrasound ULT 3420, 1979).

Track two is Spin, Dreidel, Spin by Sing & Learn from Holiday Songs (Macmillan, 1987).

Well, it's not much, but it's all I've got. Here's the download link, but I don't think you get to light a candle today. I've shared Chanukah in August songs before, but it's been a while.

Christmas In July 2008-Day 32

Surprise! Did you think I was done? Just because it's August doesn't mean I can't still celebrate a little bit of Christmas in July. In fact, what I've got here are the last few tracks that I had ready to go, but didn't manage to squeeze them in anywhere else, plus a couple of tracks that I never got around to recording last month, but didn't want to leave them lying there until next year. It turns out to be a fairly big pile of spares, actually, so here goes!

The first five tracks are from a record put out by The Music Company Of North America called New Music Directory-Concert Band Edition (The Music Company Of North America MCNA 1986-2, 1986). These are sample songs for which they will sell you the music and arrangements and your school band performs them at concerts. I found these to be a little interesting, but nothing you're going to write home about. The songs include A Charlie Brown Christmas, December Fireside, Greensleeves, Happiness Is Christmas and Only Santa Knows.

Next up are three tracks by Andre Previn Conducting The London Symphony Orchestra from the album entitled Andre Previn Conducts (Angel S-37021, 1974). These include Fantasia On "Greensleeves", March Miniature From "The Nutcracker" and Waltz Of The Flowers From "The Nutcracker". I had hoped to share out several side-long collections of music from The Nutcracker this year (Like last year), but I didn't get around to it. Maybe next year.

Track nine is Suite No. 1, Op. 43: Marche Miniature by The Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler, Conductor from the LP Marches In Hi-Fi (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2229, 1958). Is this from The Nutcracker also? I'm not sure... And you've seen this LP earlier in the month. Plus, you've seen the actual LP before...

Track 10 is Skaters Waltz from the album Dance Party (Plymouth P-12-83) by the Plymouth Dance Orchestra. Nothing too exciting, I'm afraid.

Track eleven is Sleigh Ride by Thomas Hascomb Conducting The International Theatre Orchestra from the album Music Of Leroy Anderson (Hurrah HS-1011). I could have brought you plenty of different versions like this from various Leroy Anderson tributes, but I tried to limit myself. You're welcome.

Track twelve is another Tchaikovsky, this time it's spelled Tchaikowsky: March From The Nutcracker, Op. 71 by Arthur Winograd Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London, taken from the LP Marches For Children (Audio Fidelity FCS 50,007, 1959).

Track thirteen. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. The Simon Sisters. The Simon Sisters Sing For Children (Columbia CR 21539, 1973). One sisters name is Lucy, the others name is Carly.

Last but not least is another Victor Herbert medley, this one encompassing Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life, Sweethearts Waltz, March Of The Toys, Toyland, Streets Of New York and Thine Alone. It's performed by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra from the LP Music Of Victor Herbert (Columbia Masterworks ML 4430). If nothing else, it's long.

There. Now I'm done. Everything else in the Christmas in July 2008 folder is either a repeat that I didn't catch before recording it, or a mono version that was later supplanted by a stereo copy, or not really a Christmas tune. Here's the download link. Oh, and there was a day 32 in 2007, but not 2006.

Big thanks to everyone out there who downloaded some tracks. Especially those of you who took the time to comment. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Don't forget to come back after Thanksgiving, there might be a tune or two here worth downloading. Maybe...

Christmas In July 2008-Day 31

Happy New Year! I mean, happy 31st of July! That's right, it's the end of the month, and that means there's only one way to celebrate. How about 16 different versions of that old chestnut, Auld Lang Syne? And only three of them are from Guy Lombardo!

Let's begin with the great Jo Stafford who passed away earlier this month. Her version comes from the LP Jo Stafford Sings Songs Of Scotland With Words By Robert Burns (Columbia CL 1043).

Version two is by The All-Star Orchestra Conducted By Bobby Byrne from the LP The Great Themes Of America's Greatest bands (Grand Award G.A. 33-392). You got another track from this LP earlier in the month.

Version three is a barbershop version by The Nighthawks, taken from their album The Nighthawks (Chord OBW-6211).

Version four is by George Hamilton IV, Arranged And Conducted By Don Costa, from the album George Hamilton IV On Campus (ABC-Paramount ABC-220).

Version five is from Guy Cheney and the LP Everybody Sing (Mercury MG 20131). I'm guessing this LP was in response to all those Sing Along With Mitch albums, but I'm not certain. You'll see what I mean.

Version six is by The Gene Lowell Chorus and the album Halls Of Ivy (Warner Bros. W 1244, 1959). I think I shared something else from this album, too.

Version seven is from the great Jerry Colonna and the album Let's All Sing With Jerry Colonna (Liberty LRP 3046), where it wraps up the side-long medley on side one. I hope you don't mind, but I edited out all the other songs.

Version eight is an unedited medley called Auld Lang Syne: Skye Boat Song, Bonnie Dundee, Hundred Pipers, Auld Lang Syne, and it's by the Dagenham Girl Pipers from their album The World Famous Dagenham Girl Pipers (Capitol T10125).

Version nine is still another medley, this time including May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You, Now Is The Hour and Auld Lang Syne by Ralph And Buddy Bonds from the LP Open House With Ralph And Buddy Bonds (Epic LN 3492).

I'm getting tired of typing... Version the tenth is the last medley, this time entitled Swingtime In Scotland: The Campbells Are Coming; Comin' Thro' The Rye; Loch Lomond; Auld Lang Syne. It's performed by The Daphne Hellman Quartet on the album Holiday For Harp (Columbia Harmony HL 7167). This is another record you've seen before this month.

Number eleven is from the unstoppable Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra from the LP The Wonderland Of Bert Kaempfert (Decca DL 74117). This was the only track that I recorded and lost this month. For some reason, after I had recorded and tagged it, the file got corrupted and showed as zero bytes. So I had to redo this one.

Number twelve is The Russ Williams Orchestra from A Tribute To The Big Bands (Tops-Mayfair 9660S). Yes, it's from a cheap label, but at least the record is on cool yellow & black marbled vinyl!

Lucky thirteen belongs to Knuckles O'Toole, or, if you prefer, Dick Hyman, and his album Sing A Song With Knuckles O'Toole And His Singin' Gang (Grand Award GA 240 SD). I went to an art show recently by Dick Hyman's wife, but neither he nor she were in attendance. Shame, I wanted to get one of my records signed.

Numbers fourteen and fifteen are both by Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians. They form the intro and finale to the performance captured on the LP The Guy Lombardo Show Recorded Live At Lake Tahoe (Capitol ST 1393).

Number sixteen is again Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians, this time in a hi-fi re-recording from the album Guy Lombardo In Hi-Fi (Capitol W738). You got a much more exciting song from the record earlier in July.

I'm sure you're tired of hearing Auld Lang Syne at this point, so here's a little bonus 17th track. It's Happy New Year from Janeen Brady, from one of the kids records I first shared yesterday, I Have A Song For You, Volume 2-About Seasons And Holidays (Brite Music, 1980).

And that's it. Hope you're happy. Here's the download link, and don't miss the shares from 2006 and 2007. My fingers hurt...

Christmas In July 2008-Day 30

With this post, I should be caught back up, which is a good thing, since it is the next to the last day of the month. But let's not get sidetracked with semantics, lets just enjoy the music. This post shares out tracks that I grabbed from records designed to entertain and educate children. Before you get your hopes up, these all date from between 1979 and 1989, so there's nothing here too exciting.

Let's start with Ev'rybody's Good For Christmas by Steve Clayton & Gail Contini from the album Holidays To Sing About (Ultrasound ULT 3420, 1979).

Track two is Jingle Bell Rock by Greg & Steve from the LP Holidays And Special Times (Youngheart VR009-R, 1989). This is the only non-original song in the bunch.

Track three is Sleigh Bells-Russia by Catherine Slonecki from the album Children's Songs Around The World (Activities AR 56, 1989).

Track four is Santa's Coming from the album Holiday Songs (Macmillan, 1987) credited to no-one in particular, so I credited to Sing & Learn, the name of the series of records it seems to be from. They've changed up the number of reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh from eight to ten. Not sure why.

The rest of the tracks are all by Janeen Brady from the album I Have A Song For You, Volume 2-About Seasons And Holidays (Brite Music, 1980). They are I Like To Play In The Snow, Playful Little Jack Frost and The Very Best Part Of Christmas Time.

That's it, seven more songs, though I'm afraid none of them are as good as my favorite track in this vein, What If Snowflakes Came In Flavours. Here's the download link, now get busy and download them. Don't forget the shares from 2006 and 2007, and don't say I never gave you anything.

Welcome To KSC

When you visit Kennedy Space Center, they don't have little girls dressed as Mickey Mouse to greet you, they have people of indeterminate sex dressed as Apollo-era astronauts to greet you. And the red stripes indicate that this was the commander of whatever mission he or she might be on...

Christmas In July 2008-Day 29

Day 29, here we go! Another day of seemingly random tracks with nothing really to link them together. It's getting close to the end, so I'm sort of just blowing some things out.

Let's start with the only two tracks that have any sort of link. Both of these tracks are by The Modern Jazz Quartet from their LP Plastic Dreams (Atlantic SD 1589, 1971). The two tracks are titled England's Carol and Variations On A Christmas Theme, but you'll recognize them as God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and The Twelve Days Of Christmas. I don't know why they felt the need to rename them here. Maybe they get higher songwriting royalties or something.

Track three is We Three Kings Of Orient Are by The Brass Of The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Conducted By Alfred Newman from Hallelujah! (Capitol P8529). I've already brought you other Christmas tunes from this LP here and here.

Track four is I Love To Tell The Story/Angels We Have Heard On High by Jack Conner, from another album I've shared tracks from with you before, I Love To Tell The Story (Christian Faith Recordings JC 243). Gotta love that marimba sound!

Track five is March Of The Toys from Frederick Fennell And Orchestra from the album Frederick Fennell Conducts Victor Herbert (Mercury Perfect Presence Sound Series PPS6007). I thought I'd shared this one before, but I can't find any sign that I have, so I must have been mistaken.

Track six is the only version of My Favorite Things that I've shared all year. Got lots of versions in the pile, but this is the only one I recorded. It's by Richard Hayman And His Orchestra and comes from the LP Rogers And Hammerstein's The Sound Of Music (Mercury Wing SRW 16228). Actually, it looks like I've got a typo in there and called him Mannerstein. Odd...

The seventh and final track is a nice version of Our Winter Love by Al Caiola, from his LP Greasy Kids Stuff (United Artists UAS 6287, 1963). You can always count on some good guitar work from Mr. Caiola.

There you have it, seven more Christmas in July tracks. Here's the download link, now have a blast. And as usual, don't forget about 2006 and 2007.

Gone

I tried to get you a shot of the moon today, but it wasn't there. It was a little cloudy when I went out to shoot it this morning, and I couldn't find the little tiny sliver of the moon that I was expecting. I couldn't even find it later in the day once the sun had come up. I guess it's gotten so small that it fades to nothing in the bright daylight. It was a fun series while it lasted, but I think the fun is over now. Oh well.

Going, Going

I've been saying it's almost gone for several days now, as it gets smaller and smaller each morning, yet I continue to shoot the moon, so to speak. This was this morning right after 6 AM. It's almost too low in the sky for me to be able to see it over the buildings across the street. We'll see what happens about 8 hours from now when I check tomorrow morning. You can follow the progress from the last couple of weeks by going here next.

Christmas In July 2008-Day 28

Here we go with Day 28! Three groups of two tracks each, plus a spare track for a total of seven more Christmas in July songs.

The first two tracks take us to Russia, or, at the time they were recorded, the Soviet Union. Song one is Christmas Carol by The Don Cossacks-Serge Jaroff, Conductor, from their eponymous album (Columbia Masterworks ML 5296). Number two is Snowflakes by The Red Army Ensemble from their eponymous album (Vox STPL 513.180). That's a whole lot of eponymous going on...

The second two tracks take us from Russia over to Japan, and electronic artist Tomita and his album Snowflakes Are Dancing-The Newest Sound Of Debussy (RCA Red Seal ARL1-0488, 1974). The two tracks are Snowflakes Are Dancing and Footprints In The Snow. And yes, that is a Moog you hear on these.

The third set of two tracks brings us back to the United States with The Chad Mitchell Trio. Song one is The Virgin Mary from the LP Reflecting (Mercury MG 20891). Song two is Cherry Tree Carol from the album Typical American Boys (Mercury MG 20992). I brought you two other tracks from the Mitchell Boys here and here earlier in the month.

The lonely single track is Teardrops Falling In The Snow by Molly O'Day And The Cumberland Mountain Folks. It's a tearjerker from their album The Unforgettable Molly O'Day And The Cumberland Mountain Folks (Columbia Harmony HL 7299). Not very Christmassy, but that mention of snow sneaks this one in under the wire.

There you go, seven more tracks, but I'm still one day behind. Here's the download link, and don't forget about 2006 and 2007. Goodnight!