Category: Music
Accompanist Needed
To build intrigue, the accompanist may be billed as an android, caveman, confirmed serial killer who is shortening his prison sentence through a musical community-service program, or all of the above. Therefore, it is necessary for the accompanist to play from music sheets of binary code, create music by striking the keys with an oversized faux-wooden club, and play with ankles and wrists cuffed.
Some of my singing engagements take place late at night, in the homes of strangers, without audiences or music, and may appear to be elaborate art or jewel heists.
(via Coudal)
St James Infirmary Blues
Kids of today need more cartoons like this!
Fleischer’s Snow White was animated by ONE person, produced by a Jewish animation studio, in the Depression, featuring images of gambling and alcohol, starring a jazz singer.
This is the great Cab Calloway singing St James Infirmary Blues in Fleischer’s Snow White:
I’m guessing the ‘Oh Koko’ that opens the White Stripes version is a reference to this?
There definitely seems to be more than a dash of this to the Wiyo’s Dyin’ Crapshooters Blues too.
Edit: from the song’s Wikipedia entry:
Bob Dylan used the melody in his song “Blind Willie McTell” (released on Bootleg Series, Volumes 1–3), named for blues singer Blind Willie McTell (who recorded a version of the song under the title “Dying Crapshooter’s Blues”); the song makes reference to a “St. James Hotel.”
(via Kottke)
A little bit more Tom Waits
I’ve Been Changed:
When I grow up I would like to have the speaking voice of Alec Baldwin and the singing voice of Tom Waits.