The Groove Grotto!

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards - I Know What He Wants For Christmas (But I Don't Know How to Wrap It)

2010-12-10T14:10:00.002-07:00

Year six of hosting this at the Groove Grotto, this is a classic. Enjoy! This really is a great album and a lot of fun!

New, improved link with clean tags and embedded art for your iTuners!

I Know What He Wants for Christmas (But I Don't Know How to Wrap It) — Rapidshare

Front Cover art

Back cover art

Photo of the vinyl

Attack of...Mushroom People!

2009-10-26T20:32:00.005-07:00

I have never seen this album in my life. And believe me, I've seen hundreds of thousands of albums. This one appeared to me at a thrift/used clothing store for 99 cents. Of course, with a name like "Attack of...Mushroom People!" and group names like the Wow Wow Hippies, how can you resist? Anyway, this is chock full of Japanese garage rock...some sung in English, most in Japanese. Couldn't find a year on it, but my guess is that it's early 1990s. Enjoy this rarity!

Track - Artist
1. Brand New Cadillac — Go-Go 3 with the Beat Mint 4
2. Namida No Okurimono — Gathers
3. Koi No Dancehall — Cheese
4. You Can't Sit Down — Pinkies
5. Little Shimmy Brown — The Strikes
6. Do Shite Bokuo Erandano? — Mammys
7. My Funny Honey — Hippy Hippy Shakes
8. Boku WA Collector — The Collectors
9. Koi No Majutsushi — Time Machine
10. Neon Lights — Yuji Okiyama
11. Tokyo Night — The Poodles
12. Telstar — Bravo Komatsu
13. Flying Jelly Attack — Shonen Knife
14. Honey Boy — Baby Baby
15. The Ancient Hours — The Phantom Gift
16. Bad — The Twenty Hits
17. Tolkin' Planet Sandwitch — The Red Curtain
18. Love Helicopter — Love Helicopters
19. Birds Pale Eyes — The Muddy Lamps
20. Aisare-Takute — Eva-01
21. Blue Mayonnaise — The Wow Wow Hippies
22. In Your Season — Mutant Monster Beach Party

Attack of...Mushroom People!

Jim & Tammy - Oops! There Comes a Smile

2008-06-18T22:00:00.002-07:00

Yes, that Jim and Tammy. Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker present children's songs and stories in a very Marcy vein in this 1975 LP. Undeniably weird, especially the first side. And what about the cover art? The stuff of nightmares! Another Goodwill find...enjoy!

Tracks
Side 1
1. The Joy of the Lord
2. What a Wonderful Day That Will Be
3. Oops! There Comes a Smile
4. Happiness is the Lord
5. God is Watching You
6. Do Lord
7. I Wonder
8. Heaven is a Wonderful Place
9. Praise the Lord
10. God's Not Dead

Side 2
11. The Pearl of Great Price
12. Noah's Ark

Links...
Side One
Side Two
Cover Art

Marcy - Favorite Songs and Choruses by Marcy

2008-06-17T22:33:00.003-07:00

It's nice to be posting a few albums again...been a long time, huh?

Here's another Marcy for y'all... as strange as ever! These don't show up too often, but they are always quite surreal!

Track Listing:

Side 1:
1. Sing, Sing, Sing
2. A Little Talk with Jesus
3. No Other One Can Love Me So
4. Jesus Knocks, Knocks, Knocks
5. Count Your Blessings
6. Isn't He Wonderful
7. The B-I-B-L-E
8. Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Side 2:
9. Open Up Your Heart
10. Just Whistle a Little Song
11. 'Tis So Sweet to Walk and Talk with Jesus
12. Oh, I'm Gonna Go to Heaven
13. I'm Singing on My Way to Heaven
14. I'm a Little Candle
15. Writing All the Time
16. His Name is Wonderful

Links...

Marcy Side 1
Marcy Side 2
Cover Art

How to CB

2008-06-16T23:38:00.003-07:00

Breaker One-Nine, Good Buddy!

I found this one at the local Goodwill last week and couldn't resist posting it. As a kid in the 1970s, I vividly remember my dad jabbering away on his CB radio in our Ford Econoline van during a few cross-country trips. Unfortunately, the van was broken into and the CB stolen in Chicago, and I don't think he ever replaced it. CB radios are still strong with truckers, but rarely does the phenomenon cross to four-wheelers. Back in the mid-to-late '70s, it was HUGE. My cousin even published a book on CB lingo back then.

This record is particularly funny because of announcer Leif Jensen's big, bold reads of the CB lingo of the time. Enjoy, and step back about 30 years ago......back before GPS, cell phones, Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run!

Track listing:
Side 1
1. CB Introduction and Equipment
2. Part 95...Breaking a Channel
3. Ten Code...CB Terms (Part I)
4. CB Exercises One & Two
5. Radio Check...Mayday Call

Side 2
6. Call For: Directions/Road Conditions/Police Report
7. CB Exercises #3, 4, 5
8. CB Terms (Part II)
9. CB No-No's/Etiquette
10. Close

Links...
Side One
Side Two
Cover Artwork

More good shows comin' to El Paso at State Line Restaurant

2008-05-30T22:02:00.002-07:00

Wayne "The Train" Hancock will be rollin' in to El Paso at the State Line Restaurant next week (Wednesday, June 4). FREE SHOW!

El Paso's own Sleepercar will be there on June 26th. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town during the show. Would have been good to see Chris H. Did anyone else catch 'em on Jay Leno? Their recently-released album "West Texas" is very solid.

And the Gourds will be playing there as well on Wednesday, July 17! It's been a long time since I've seen these guys perform, but they're GREAT live!!

Tom Waits...Dear El Paso....

2008-05-21T10:36:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow El Pasoans...this message is to IMPLORE you to go to the Tom Waits concert at the Plaza Theatre on June 20.

Those of you that know me know that I've been a Waits maniac for about 20 years, and this is truly a special show to come to El Paso. He's the top artist on my living-musicians-to-see-before-I-die list. His songwriting is riveting.

He tours very infrequently. People come from Europe and across the country to see him perform. His shows ALWAYS sell out. And we need that to happen right here in El Paso.

Again, this is a truly special show. Tickets CANNOT be purchased at the door. Only at Ticketmaster.

Several musicians cite Waits as their favorite performer. Several have covered him (Los Lobos, Bruce Springsteen, even actress Scarlett Johanssen just did an ENTIRE ALBUM of Waits covers)!

PLEASE GO!!!!

Buddy Holly and Lubbock

2008-03-13T08:39:00.004-07:00

This past weekend, my family made an overnight trip to Lubbock, Texas for a tournament my daughter was in. I've wanted to visit Lubbock to see the Buddy Holly Center since it opened a few years back, but at 370 miles, it isn't a quick drive away. So here was a good opportunity.

I've been a fan of Buddy's music for a few decades now. His influence is undeniable. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Hollies...so many are indebted to the lanky Texan who, along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, was tragically was killed on February 3, 1959 in a small plane crash outside Clear Lake, Iowa. He was only 22 years old.

The Center's small but fascinating displays of Buddy's personal items — including his signature glasses found at the crash scene — give tremendous insight on a young musician who was bursting with creativity, technique and a true DIY ethic. I know Lubbock may not be on many travel destinations, but if you're visiting West Texas, it's definitely worth visiting.

This statue of Buddy, near the Center, was unveiled in 1980. Surrounding the statue is a West Texas Musicians Walk of Fame.

I find it very odd that El Pasoan Bobby Fuller (who made a hit of "I Fought the Law," written by Cricket Sonny Curtis). Holly's influence on Bobby Fuller was tremendous. Fuller died under mysterious circumstances at age 23 in 1966.

We traveled a few more miles so that I could pay my respects to Buddy at his gravesite, just a few dozen feet within the Lubbock Cemetery. He is buried to the left of his father.

Note: "Holley" is the correct spelling of Buddy's name. He adopted the shorter version after a botched spelling on a contract he signed.

Kay Martin Sings Naughty and Nice Songs

2008-01-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy 2008 everyone! I know 2007 wasn't the best year of posting for me. Not sure if 2008 will be either. But none the less, here's a New Year's posting for you. The always wonderful Kay Martin with he album "Sings Naughty and Nice Songs." Two pieces in the links. The second link has hi-res cover and flipside art. 320kbps mp3 format, from my vinyl. Great liner notes. The only Kay album I'm missing (as far as I know) is "Live at the Lorelei." Anyone out there with it? I saw a copy on eBay, but it slipped by me.

As always, I enjoyed "I Don't Know What He Wants For Christmas (But I Don't Know How to Wrap It) for the holidays. It even got good rotation on XM Radio's "Special Xmas" channel, and has for three years now.

My favorite of Kay's albums still remains her self-titled album with the Body Guards, but IKWHWFC (BIDKHTWI) is a close second.

I also have her great Live in Las Vegas album (albeit, the tamer green cover), but it's been posted elsewhere on the Web.

So...... my best wishes for a great new year. Thanks to all the fans.... and please encourage these great albums to be re-pressed for future fans!!

Kay Martin Sings Naughty and Nice Songs, pt. 1

Kay Martin Sings Naughty and Nice Songs, pt. 2

Here's the back cover art:

REPOST: Arthur Lyman - Bwana'a

2007-05-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

By request, here is the repost of Arthur Lyman's exotica classic Bwana'a...

Bwana'a

Groove Grotto updates? Hopefully soon...

2007-05-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi all—

I've had quite a few nice comments lately, as well as a few questions. I'm got a lot of tidying up here to do, but I've simply been so busy the past few months that it's been impossible. I'll do my best to get a rerip of the first Kay Martin disk as well as posting the Arthur Lyman album as soon as possible. I have another Kay Martin album arriving in the mail any day now, so I will be posting it, too. I apologize to all who have been waiting. Please know it's not due to laziness! :-)

—Mondo Loco

More Kay!

2007-05-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Of course, you can still find two of Kay's albums here
Kay Martin and Her Body Guards

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards - I Know What He Wants For Christmas (But I Don't Know How to Wrap It)

Interesting info about a Groove Grotto fave — Kay Martin!

2007-05-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Very interesting article about Kay Martin at ChristmasYuleBlog — one of my favorite sites! A little bit about the history and mystery of one of my favorite pair of *ahem* lungs...

Also, a little bonus photo of an ashtray from the lodge she apparently still owns! (found this pic on eBay).

http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/

Christmas with Marcy

2006-12-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

Fudgeland has posted "Christmas with Marcy"! There's also a Marcy video that has to been seen to be believed. Go get 'em!

Found this funny...

2006-07-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

Google AdSense (which I have on this blog) is directing people from my blog to Christian sites (thanks to Marcy and Ministry). Wow. Now I need to mix it up!

Ministry's Lieslieslies video linkage!

2006-07-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

Check out Ministry's video for "Lieslieslies"! Directed here in El Chuco by Zach Passero. it's appeared on MTV2 and Headbanger's Ball already. Can't say enough good about it. So watch it. Now.

Lieslieslies

Marcy - Marcy Sings Hymns

2006-06-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

Was able to crank the last of the Marcy Spectacular out before I left town. Enjoy!

Tracks:
1. Near the Cross
2. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
3. What a Friend
4. 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
5. Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
6. Amazing Grace
7. Holy, Holy, Holy
8. All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
9. My Faith Looks Up to Thee
10. Blessed Assurance
11. I Love to Tell the Story
12. Jesus Saviour, Pilot Me
13. Rock of Ages
14. Abide with Me
15. Jesus, Lover of My Soul
16. My Jesus, I Love Thee

Marcy Sings Hymns (GigaSize)

Marcy Sings Hymns (Rapidshare)

Marcy - Sing with Little Marcy at Home

2006-06-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

Here's part three of the Groove Grotto's four-part Marcy spectacular! Stee-raight from vinyl. Feel the power!

Tracks:

1. I'll Be a Sunbeam Bright
2. God's Love
3. Shining Stars
4. When I Say My Prayer
5. Noah and the Ark
6. All Things Bright and Beautiful
7. God's Childhood Handiwork
8. Show a Little Bit of Love and Kindness
9. Just Like Me
10. A Soldier for Jesus
11. Do What You Can Where You Are
12. Trust in the Lord
13. Spend a Little Time with Jesus in Prayer
14. I Love the Sweet Story

Sing with Little Marcy at Home (GigaSize)

Sing with Little Marcy at Home (Rapidshare)

Marcy - Sing-Along With Marcy

2006-06-19T23:05:00.000-07:00

Here's part two of a four-part Marcy spectacular. This one is a strong contender for world's most disturbing cover art. Matching outfits? A ceramic deer? A note from Dale Evans? I even like the big honkin' $3.98 price tag. Another wild thing is that there are a minimum of 16 Marcy albums (they're pictured on the back of my next Marcy post)! Marcy somehow cranks out 16 syrupy-sweet tracks in just over 20 minutes.... straight from thrift store vinyl!

Tracks:
1. Everybody Ought to Know
2. Daniel in the Lion's Den
3. Kiddies with the Curl on Top
4. Be Careful What You Do
5. I've Found a Wonderful Friend
6. Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul
7. I Know Who Holds the Future
8. Near the Cross
9. Am I in Heaven
10. Wake Up
11. I Tuned In On Heaven
12. It's a Wonderful, Wonderful Life
13. God is Love
14. I Have the Joy
15. Oh, It Is Wonderful
16. When You Pray

Sing-Along with Marcy (GigaSize)

Sing-Along with Marcy (Rapidshare)

Marcy - Sing with Marcy

2006-06-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here's the first part of a mini Marcy spectacular! Marcy (Tigner) and "Little Marcy" are one of the most bizarre "duos" in the world of Christian music. Tigner's doll-like ventriloquism acts have to be heard to be believed (let alone the trippy Les Paul-like guitar work. "Join the Gospel Express" is waaaaaay out there. Be healed! This comes dee-rect from vinyl (and sorry for the cover art, my copy was severely water damaged, but then, ya can't expect much from a 25-cent rekkid!

Tracks:

1. Oh Say, But I'm Glad!
2. Wise Man and the Foolish Man
3. Do You Know
4. I'm Gonna Work
5. There's a New Song in My Heart
6. When We See Christ
7. Do Lord
8. Little Feet Be Careful
9. God
10. Join the Gospel Express
11. The Lord is Counting on You
12. I've a Longing in My Heart
13. Is It Fair?
14. The Lighthouse Song
15. I Don't Have to Wait
16. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
17. Over the Sunset Mountains
18. Thank You, Lord

Sing With Marcy (GigaSize)

Sing With Marcy (Rapidshare)

Ferrante and Teicher - Blast Off!

2006-06-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

Here's one that was featured in the infamous "Incredibly Strange Music" books. Definitetly one of Ferrante and Teicher's most interesting LPs, and great cover art! I found this one for a buck at the local Goodwill about 10 years ago. Interestingly, this album appears to have been recorded in mono only, which is a shame, because many of the dynamics of it certainly lend to a stereo recording. Here is "Blast Off!" direct from vinyl!

Tracks:
1. I Got Rhythm
2. Merry Widow Waltz
3. Chopstick Cha Cha
4. The Last Time I Saw Paris
5. In the Rain
6. Bye Bye Blues
7. Love
8. Hurdy Gurdy
9. The Continental
10. Ain't Misbehavin'
11. 'S Wonderful
12. Busman's Holiday

Blast Off! (GigaSize)

Blast Off! (Rapidshare)

The Happy Moog!

2006-06-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

Get yer Moog on! Great track names on this one!

From the liner notes of this funky LP:
"The electronic device that has created a musical revolution. It has sparked a fantastic new concept in popular and classical music. It's the logical evolution of a music scene that's plugged into the electric age. Bach is a groove on this instrument, but it's got other colors in its electronic palette of sound. The world needs love, and this Moog Synthesizer can get with the heart and flowers scene like crazy. This is The Happy Moog!"

Obvious references to Wendy (Walter) Carlos' sublime "Switched On Bach" LP, The Happy Moog was created in 1969 by Jean Jacques Perrey and Harry Breuer.

Tracks:
1. March of the Martians
2. Paris 2079
3. Re-Entry to the Moon
4. Moog Foo Young
5. Blast Off Country Style
6. Saturn Ski Jump
7. Space Express
8. In a Latin Moog
9. In a Happy Moog
10. Short Circuit

Straight from wax!

The Happy Moog! (GigaSize)

The Happy Moog! (Rapidshare)

Les Baxter - Hell's Belles

2006-06-10T23:27:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Here's some rare Les Baxter at his grooviest! The soundtrack to Hell's Belles — a 1970 Maury Dexter biker flick. "Too Young...Too Tough...Too Itching for Action to look for it. She'll make it where she is!" Straight from vinyl, baby! Oh yeah!!

1. Wheels
2. Hell's Belles
3. Soul Groove
4. Dan's Theme
5. Hot Wind
6. Take It From Me
7. Chain Fight
8. Travelin' Man
9. Dan Again
10. Hogin' Machine
11. Scoobee Doo
12. Goin' Home

Hell's Belles (GigaSize)

Hell's Belles (Rapidshare)

Kay Martin and Her Bodyguards

2006-05-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!! After dozens of requests for this album, here it is in its glory! Kay Martin and Her Bodyguards! I actually found this LP at a Salvation Army about eight years ago, and it remains one of my favorites. Side two is particularly amazing. A couple of notes: I hope to remaster this again soon after getting my turntable in better shape. When I do, I will rerecord and remaster it again, but for now, this version is extremely listenable. It's uploaded here at 192 with flat EQing. There is some surface sound and some very infrequent distortion which is due to the actual record, not the record player or recording. It's very undetectible. I haven't dated this LP, but there is what appears to be a stamp (probably done by the original owner) that says 1957. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!!

Tracks:
Side 1
1. Fever
2. Blue Moon
3. Big Mamou
4. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
5. Sentimental Journey
6. I Ain't Mad At 'Chu

Side 2
1. The Heel
2. Summertime
3. Swamp Girl
4. I Got It Bad
5. Johnny Guitar
6. Baby, Did You Hear

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards (GigaSize)

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards (Rapidshare)

Pix from new Ministry video!

2006-05-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Al Jourgensen's never been the kind of chap to mince words. Good for him. There ain't too many people with the cojones to say they way they really feel any more. Here are some screen captures from Ministry's latest video "Lies, Lies, Lies," from the forthcoming album "Rio Grande Blood." Directed by my good bud Zach Passero, the song is a no-holds-barred indictment of Gee Dubya's war in Iraq (we need more songs like this!). Go-go girls, a family watching the media's distortion of truth and Al and Co. pounding it out. This is going to be a damn solid and heavy album. I will post a linky to the video when it comes out. I even got to have a cameo in the vid! That's me giving a new recruit his buzz cut prior to being shipped off to the Middle East. Let's end this war now.

Ministry's Al Jourgensen autographs records for the Groove Grotto!

2006-03-10T01:01:00.000-07:00

My good friend Zach Passero just completed a video for Al Jourgensen of Ministry and the Revolting Cocks. It's for "Fire Engine," the first single off RevCo's new album, "Cocked and Loaded." I asked ZP to see if Al (who lives in El Paso) would sign some of my 1980's vintage Ministry vinyl. Al was glad to oblige, and, I was told, was jazzed to see that some of us have kept his rekkids in great shape! Keep your eyes open for the Fire Engine video, which I can testify, is nothing short of amazing. I'll provide a linky when it goes public!