(Released on 2/9/2016)
Salute to Bob and Ray, featuring Phil Proctor of the Firesign Theatre.
Audio production by Phil Fountain
Graphics design by Phil Fountain
Produced and distributed by Tom Gedwillo, Chromium Switch Industries
(Released on 9/10/2015)
A special elongated episode of CSR, as we salute Frank Zappa & The Mothers. Also featuring a Firesign Theatre/Zappa sound collage from Cat Ishikawa.
Audio production by Phil Fountain
Graphics design by Phil Fountain
Produced and distributed by Tom Gedwillo, Chromium Switch Industries
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These Proctor and Bergman interviews were conducted by Steve Marshall of KNX radio in Los Angeles during the 1972 presidential election. These were originally released by Columbia Records on a white label ‘promo only’ LP, A Firesign Chat with Papoon (catalog #AS-41). These interviews plus excerpts from the “Martian Space Party” film, the 1972 album “Not Insane or Anything You Want To,” and material from 1976 and 1980 were released on the 2002 compilation album Papoon for President, produced by the late Bill McIntyre.
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With a relatively slight body of recorded material and a trajectory as mysterious and uneven as their music, Neutral Milk Hotel became one of the more important and influential bands in indie rock on the strength of how unique and connective their songs were. Centered around the songwriting of founder and key member Jeff Mangum, NMH explored faith, spirituality, sex, and mortality from skewed and unpredictable angles all their own.
They’re known for their experimental sound, which has been described as a mixture of indie rock and psychedelic folk, with lo-fi production. Critics have noted many other musical influences, including Eastern European choral music, Canterbury Sound, circus music, marching band music, musique concrète, drone music, free jazz, and Tropicália. Neutral Milk Hotel songs typically involved simple chord progressions that Mangum would strum on an acoustic guitar. Often as the song progressed, more instruments would be introduced. The band members played a wide range of instruments; on In the Aeroplane Over the Sea for example, conventional instruments like drums and distorted guitars were paired with unique instruments like the singing saw, uilleann pipes, and Digital Horn.
The Martian Space Party was performed before a live audience and broadcast on KPFK-FM as the final episode of the “Let’s Eat” radio series on March 30, 1972. The performance was filmed in 16mm, and recorded on 16-track tape by CBS engineers outside in a mobile truck. On April 16, the Firesigns assembled a miniature set on Phil Austin’s porch and filmed insert shots of the monster Glutamoto attacking Monster Island. Final editing was finished by May 4. The movie was screened on June 29 at the Directors Guild of America theatre in Hollywood.
Two PDFs available for download are from David Ossman, and MSP director Stephen Gillmor. David’s “Martian Space Party Diary” covers the first half of 1972 as they begin writing material for the Not Insane album, and for the live radio special. Stephen’s interview (courtesy of Fred Wiebel’s Firezine magazine) details his filming of the MSP broadcast and his involvement in other Firesign Theatre projects.
For your listening pleasure you can stream or download Let’s Eat #13 – The Martian Space Party and join the others at The National Surrealist Light People’s Party Convention.
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“It’s Just This Little Chromium Switch Here” (1972-1975) was the first publication for fans of the Firesign Theatre. The Chromium Switch “webzine” started in 2010 with my publishing partner Phil Fountain. Interviews were conducted via E-mail and kept in a hermetically sealed jar until publication. Those dossiers are now available for you, the viewer, by simply clicking the button for the .zip file
The Fort Mudge Memorial Dump
Mercury Records, 1970
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Identified with the Bosstown Sound (a marketing campaign to promote psychedelic rock and psychedelic pop bands in Boston), it was the only album from the Walpole, Massachusetts band. Members were Caroline Stratton (vocals), Dan Keady (guitar, vocals), Richard Clerici (guitar, vocals), David Amaral (bass), and James Deptula (drums).
Active from 1969-1973, they were relatively obscure among the era’s psychedelic rock sound collective. Stratton and Keady guided the vocal and guitar elements of their acid-rock approach. By the way, the band’s name came from Walt Kelly’s comic “Pogo”.
Golden Earring
Polydor Records, 1970
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The eponymous sixth studio album from the Dutch prog-rock band deserves a second listening. It’s a comprehensive introduction to their musicianship, especially if you were only aware of 1973’s Moontan, their first U.S. release that charted.
Active since 1961, founding members Rinus Gerritsen (bass, keyboards, guitar) and George Kooymans (guitar, vocals) were later joined by Barry Hay (vocals, guitar, flute, saxophone) and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums, percussion). Despite a few personnel changes, that quartet remained as the core from 1970-2021. The group then dissolved due to Kooymans’ health issues.
Hay’s flute has a prominent role on Golden Earring, so comparison with Jethro Tull is natural. Although not a virtuoso like Ian Anderson, he adds flavor to such excellent tracks as “Yellow and Blue,” “Big Tree, Blue Sea” and “Back Home.”
They released 25 studio albums from 1965-2012 and achieved international fame when the single version of “Radar Love” became a hit in both the U.S. and Europe.
(Released on 4 June 2011)
Featuring the music of The Doors: studio versions from the “40th Anniversary” reissues, containing outtakes and uncensored alternate takes. Also some live “in concert” cuts, and segments of an interview with Morrison from the CBC.
The Doors – Hyacinth House
The Doors – We Could Be So Good Together
The Doors – Peace Frog
The Doors – Break On Through (To The Other Side)
The Doors – Queen Of The Highway
The Doors – Universal Mind (L.A. Aquarius Theater 1969)
The Doors – Gloria (Aquarius Theater Rehearsal 1969)
The Doors – Soul Kitchen
The Doors – The End
The Doors – Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
The Doors – Waiting For The Sun
Jim Morrison and The Doors – Black Polished Chrome/Latino Chrome
The Doors – Shaman’s Blues
The Doors – When The Music’s Over
The Doors – Light My Fire (N.Y. Felt Forum & Boston Arena 1970)
Jim Morrison and The Doors – Angels And Sailors
The Doors – You Make Me Real (Aquarius Theater 1969)
The Doors – Wild Child
The Doors – The Crystal Ship
The Doors – End Of The Night
Jim Morrison and The Doors – Curses, Invocations
The Doors – Roadhouse Blues (Take 6)
Jim Morrison and The Doors – Freedom Exists/Bird Of Prey
The Doors – Moonlight Drive (Version 1)
The Doors – The Spy (Version 2)
The Doors- Texas Radio and the Big Beat (Copenhagen T.V. Show 1968)
(Released 2011)
Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock
Dr. John & Leon Redbone – Frosty The Snowman
Bing Crosby – Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song)
Lindsey Buckingham – Holiday Road
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick
The Firesign Theatre – A Saint Nick Dangerous Christmas Eve
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra – Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije Suite, Op. 60, IV. Troika
Boston Pops Orchestra – Sleigh Ride
Porky Pig – Blue Christmas
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites Nutcracker, Chinese Dance
The Beatles – Christmas Record 1963
Annie Haslam – O Holy Night
The Firesign Theatre – Our Holiday Wine Testing
Gene Autry – Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Seekers – Jingle Bells
The Roches – Good King Wenceslas
The Ventures – We Three Kings
The Modernaires – Jingle Bell Polka
Peggy Lee – Ring Those Christmas Bells
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites Nutcracker, Miniature Overture
Allan Sherman – The Twelve Gifts Of Christmas
Weird Al Yankovic – Christmas At Ground Zero
Mannheim Steamroller – Deck the Halls
The Ventures – Winter Wonderland
Bob Dylan – Must Be Santa
Elton John – Step Into Christmas
Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
Simon & Garfunkel – Comfort and Joy
Annie Haslam – The Little Drummer Boy
The Beach Boys – Auld Lang Syne
Bob Rivers – Toy Sack
The Firesign Theatre – Toad Away
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Zat You Santa Clause?
The Ventures – Deck The Halls
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – A Mad Russian’s Christmas
The Seekers – The First Noel
Charlie Brown Christmas – Christmas Time Is Here
Harry Nilsson – Remember (Christmas)
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks – Carol Of The Bells
Art Carney – ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
The Firesign Theatre – Xmas In Ratland
Capitol Studio Orchestra – Jingle Bells
Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters – Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
The Roches – Angels We Have Heard On High
Andy Williams – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Frank Sinatra – O Come All Ye Faithful (Adestefidelis)
Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)
Johnny Mathis – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Little Cindy – Happy Birthday Jesus
Mantovani – March Of The Toys
Stan Freberg – Christmas Dragnet
The Ronettes – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Elvis Presley – Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
The Manhattan Transfer – Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season (Medley)
The Roches – Do You Hear What I Hear
John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
