This trio of fine Finnish ladies’ talent is as big as their hair. Why, Maire Tammenlasko (accordionist) also wrote two of the songs on this record (including “Kapakkalaulajatar” or “Cabaret Singer”) and did most of the arrangements. Hannele Lehtonen is the Geddy Lee of the trio, playing bass guitar and singing. Amelita Tammela studied classical cello and piano, but now (or at least in 1974), bangs the drums slowly. These nordic chicks have played in the leading hotels and night clubs throughout Finland, according to the liner notes… and offer “this album to you for your listening and dancing pleasure.”
So put on your Finnish dancing shoes, because we now bring you:
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Both of the above are Finnish Folk Songs; don’t ask me how to pronounce them or what they mean. However, they both have an insidious way of getting stuck in your head, even if you don’t know a word of Finnish.
There are no credits on the album whatsoever–nobody will own up to creating this masterpiece, except for Winston Jones, the “leader.” Which happy, be-ponchoed dude in a colorful silly had is he? Alas, we’ll never know. All we know is that this records contains 12 of our most beloved tunes rendered in none other than– steel drums! Each cut is a voyage of multiculturalism as we hear Caribbean rhythms and sounds bang out “Paris Mambo,” “Spanish Eyes,” “Guantanamera,” and of course, the staple of all records done in the ’60s, Offenbach’s “Barcarolle” from Tales of Hoffman. Crank up this album in the dead of winter when you yearn to be on a golden beach under palm trees with a bunch of guys with brightly-colored maracas emblazoned across their chests smiling at you.
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As 1980s German country music goes, I suppose this is pretty catchy. It doesn’t have any of the sad themes of modern country music– nobody loses a truck, nobody’s dog dies, it’s just happy little ditties about cowboys with a lot of slide guitar. But, it’s in German. Can you picture Herman Goering riding the range? Helmut Kohl rustling cattle? Well, neither can I, which is why I love this album.
The best track on the record is undoubtedly “Jonny Galaxis,” which is a space anthem set far in the future. It is the tale of Jonny Galaxis, the the 3-eyed futuristic space cowboy and seasoned sheriff, who threatens the narrator with a parking violation.
Here is my crappy translation (you at least get the gist of it):
Es war im Jahr 3010
In der weiten Ebene des Alls
Die Seidler zogen zu tausenden gen Jupiter
Auch ich war mit meinem 18düsigen Vierzigtonner
Unterwegs nach Westen, als ich durch die wildeste Stadt
Des Universums kam!Sechs Uhr Morgens
Die Sonne geht auf.
Er kommt mit schwerem Gang die Milchstrasse rauf.
Sein Lasercolt hängt tief,
Der Stetson lässig schief.
Und ich weiss—es gibt kein zurück.
Er ist der Sheriff dieser Gegend
Und der schnellste im All.
Sogar der Stern an der Brust ist aus Edelmetall.
Er geht auf mich zu,
Mir rutscht das Herz in den Schuh
Und ich weiss—jetzt brauche ich Glück.JONNY GALAXIS
Ist ein Sheriff der Praxis
Alles was er macht, macht er gründlich und sofort.
JONNY GALAXIS
Ist ein Sheriff der Praxis.
Er kennt kein Pardon
Bei ihm kommt keiner davon.Drei stahlblaue Augen
Blinzeln mich an
Und seine Reibeisenstimme sagt: Hör’n sie junger Mann.
Sie stehen im Haltverbot.
Bei sowas sieht Jonny rot.
Also schmeissen sie die Undertasse an, sonst sind sie dran! |
It was the year 3010
In the farthest reaches of the universe
The (silky strings?) pulled thousands to Jupiter.
But I was in my 18-jet 40-tonner
On my way to the west,
when I came to the wildest city in the universe!6:00 in the morning
the sun rose.
he walks with a heavy gait up the Milky Way.
His laser-Colt hangs low,
His Stetson perched at an angle
And I knew there was no turning back.
He’s the sheriff around here, and the fastest in the universe.
Even the star on his chest is precious metal.
He walked towards me
My heart rushed into my shoes
And I knew now I needed luck.JONNY GALAXIS
Is an experienced sheriff.
Everything he does is done thoroughly and imwp-content/uploads/unpleasanttely.
JONNY GALAXIS
Is an experienced sheriff
He knows no pardons
Nobody gets off lightly with him.Three steel-blue eyes blink at me.
And the iron friction of his voice says: “Listen up, young man!”
You’re standing in a “no stopping zone.”
This makes Jonny see red.
So throw yourself into the saucer, otherwise you are it (?)! |
“Truck Stop Mama” is an ode to a chick at a truck stop. I don’t really understand what they’re talking about, since I don’t know colloquial German trucker speak, but it sounds like they’re saying “truck stop mama is the best hammer. She’s our best piece, everyone she knows always comes back. Truck stop mama is an absolute hit, pampering truckers is for her the best luck.”
That sounds kinda dirty, which the rest of this album totally is not, as far as I can tell. But, who knows? Sit back, get yourself a bottle of Jack Daniels (or whatever the German equivalent is– Jagermeister?), chew on a stalk of hay and listen to the woes of the lonely (but not too lonely) German cowboy.
Jonny Galaxis
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Here’s a light, dreamy album packed with a whopping sixteen tracks of organy goodness. Marjorie seems to have been one of the major players of the 60’s organ scene, with at least 7 LPs to her name that I can find online. Here, Marjorie’s playing the Lowrey Organ, which according to Wikipedia was one of the first transistorized organs, and which apparently she was a spokeswoman for. The Lowrey here has a lighter, more etherial quality than the Hammond, and some of the tracks have cool guitar and vibraphone arrangements woven in. A sweet, swingin’ album with a nice upbeat tempo throughout.
Listen:
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(2Mb MP3)
Some bouncy high-camp Hammond organ from Lenny Dee, famous for his hit “Plantation Boogie.” Whereas most Hammond organistas stuck to quiet, soothing ballads and slow, stultifying hymns, Lenny made his name with upbeat, sometimes goofy arrangements and swingin’ rhythms. These twelve tunes are are sure to enliven your next roller-rink-themed cocktail soiree. Lots more info on Lenny here and here. And don’t forget to get his autograph!
Listen:
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The next few posts from me will be all organ records, from my growing collection. Planned:
So mix yourself up a Manhattan, put on your best polyester double-knit slacks, sit back, and enjoy the swingin’ sounds of organ ecstasy!
OMG, I just discovered that the theme song to proto-homo 60’s TV show “The Odd Couple” has lyrics:
No matter where they go
They are known as the couple.
They’re never seen alone
So they’re known as the couple.
As I’ve indicated
They are never quite separated,
They are peas in a pod.
Don’t you think that it’s odd.
Their habits, I confess
None can guess with the couple.
If one says no it’s yes
more or less, with the couple.
But they’re laugh provoking;
Yet they really don’t know they’re joking.
Don’t you find
When love is blind
It’s kind of odd.
But remember kids– they’re not gay, they’re just (as my Grandma liked to say) “good friends.”
Here’s a fun album that’s sure to irritate Classical musicians and delight bongo fans. Classical standbys by Debussy and others, arranged with a swingin’ Latin beat. Surprisingly sweet and listenable. I tried looking for some info on Galian, but aside from the occasional listing at used record stores (and this photograph,) he seems to be practically unknown. I have a few other LPs from “Discos Corona,” and they’re almost always a good listen.
Listen:
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(Danse Macabre) 2.2Mb MP3
I just learned that the Association of International Glaucoma Societies has a theme song, namely the rousing “Glaucoma Hymn.” Picture yourself slowly losing your sight, amidst a luxurious wash of horns and angelic choruses:
Glaucoma, Glaucoma, Glaucoma
Constricting vision slowly
Halted by progress of science
Vision of a world united
Beyond all science knowing
But remember that Glaucoma is no laughing matter, kids! Listen to the “Glaucoma Hymn” here.
World Vision Inc., is an organization that gets Americans to ease into their Middle Class White Guilt by sponsoring orphans in other countries. In the early 60’s, they auditioned a bunch of “pensive songbirds” (Korean orphans) to sing their Seouls out (har har). Apparently they had the right idea, as this is the orphans’ 5th album. They also got to be on the Steve Allen Show, Bozo the Clown Show, and perform for “little Caroline Kennedy, daughter of martyred United States President John F. Kennedy.”
Why the boys have to wear little bowties and suits where the girls get to wear traditional-looking bathrobe things is beyond me. Maybe that was part of their fund drive– donate today, and little Soon-Yi can finally get dressed!
Though most of their repretoire is Christian and in English, such as “He Lives” and “We Plow the Fields And Scatter,” they also cover the
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which seems to be on every single album recorded in the 1950s and 60s. No wonder it’s my grandfather’s favorite tune to play on the piano for hours at a time.
