Thrift Store Music: 2RetroPop

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Rosenshontz - Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear

Name: Rosenshontz
Album: Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear
Year: 1986
Style: Children's Pop
Similar Bands: Kids Bob,
"One-Word" Review: Cringeful Embarrassing Multi-Genre Pop
Based Out Of: Brattleboro VT
Label: RS Records

Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear (1986)

Rosenshontz Rap 2:27
Do Be Do Good 3:20
Billy Don't You Cry Now 3:20
Quiet Time 2:55
Bobo & Fred 3:28
Go For It 3:12 /
Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear 2:57
Mr. Stringbean 4:40
The Circus is Here 3:20
Little Light of Mine 3:12
The Best That I Can 3:24

Album Rating (1-10): 2.5

Members & Other Bands:

Gary Rosen - Vox, Classical Guitar
Bill Shontz - Vox, Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax (Roberta Peters)
Bill Usher - Percussion (Sharon Lois & Bram, Bruce Cockburn, Horseflies, McBride, Dave Essig, David Wiffen, Irish Rovers, Bill King, Truck, Bob McBride, Valdy, Doug McArthur, Stringband, Shirley Eikhard, Willie P Bennett, Raffi, Ron Nigrini, Zachary Richards, Robert Paquette, Marie-Lynn Hammond, Travellers, Sesame Street, Wicky Sears, Mark Rust, Tuin)
Tom Griffiths - Bass (Sandy Hooks, Jim Thompson, Bob McGrath, Colin Linden, Willie P Bennett, Joe Mavety, Chris Spedding, Dean McTaggart, Terry Blersh)
Gary Craig - Drums (Bruce Cockburn, Colin Linden, Eddie Schwartz, Chris Hall, Wrabit, Arrows, Air Supply, Teal, Terry Kelly, Alannah Myles, Rita Coolidge, Dan Hill, Eddie Kirkland, Exchange, Scott Dibble & Watertown, Lawrence Gowan, Suzie Vinnick, Barbara Payton, Blackie & Rodeo Kings, Rick Fines, Anne Murray, Aidan Mason, Stephen Fearing, Lennie Gallant, Mae Moore, Salamander Crossing, Katherine Wheatley, Ray Montford, Roberta Michele, Ruthann Springle, Leonore Elaine, Parmela Attariwala, Arlene Bishop, Kathleen Edwards, John McDermott, Rex Goudie, Melissa O'Neil, Linda McLean, Charlie A'Court, Edwin, Tyler Kyte, Agnessa, George Canyon, Twilight Hotel, Sora, Terri Clark, Jenn Grant, Jim Brickman, Justin Rutledge, Ian Tamblyn, Kirsten Jones. Tim Chaisson, Jadea Kelly, Lee Harvey Osmond, Doug Paisley, Stuart Ward, Jenny Scheinman, Eden Brent, Lindi Ortega, Steph macpherson, Lucas Chaisson, Steve Dawson, Big Dave McLean, JadeMya, Michelle Willis, Campbell Woods, Fred Penner, Trailerhawk, Nashville Cast, Joe Aylward)
Bucky Berger - Drums (Chiliwack, Rise and Shine Band, Rough trade, The Canadian Aces, Flying Bulger Klezmer Band, Raffi, Murray McLauchlan, Compass, John Mays, Fruteland Jackson, Garnett Ford, Marie-Lynn Hammond, Mendelson Joe, Jerry Brodey, Scott Merritt, David bradstreet, Chris & Ken Whiteley, Available Space, Morgan Davis, Brent Titcomb, Fred penner, Eric Anderson, Deborah Dunleavy, John Hammond, Sylvia Tyson, Jackie Washington, Mose Scarlett, Penny Lang,grit Laskin, Amos Garrett, Kathy-Reid Naiman, Fathead, Garth Hudson, Treasa Levasseur, Al Lerman, harmonica Shah,
John Bride - Guitar (Greaseball Boogie Band, Shooter, Time Twins, Stella, Partland Brothers, Rita Chiarelli, The Panthers, Men Without Hairs)
Keven Breit - Electric Guitar (Folkalarm, Sisters Euclid, Stretch Orch, Superfenerous, The Guess Who, Norah Jones, k.d. lang, Janis Ian, the Breits, Celine Dion, Jane Siberry, Amos Lee, Rosanne Cash more)
Ray Parker - Synth, Piano (Cargo, barry White, Blue Peter, Muscle Tones, O Ji Ji,. Cliff Edwards, Sharon Lois & Bram, Semsame Street, Keith Hampshire, Albert Hall, Sidney Bechet, The Front, Bob McGrath, Stan Rogers, Terry Carisse, Ken Tobias, Guido Luciani, Brian Browne, Terry Kelly, Anita Perras, Joan Kennedy, Eric Nagler, Rankin Family, Susan Aglukark, JP Cormier, Celtic Connection, Bruce Guthro, Jeff Heley Band, Good Brothers, Cyril MacPhee, Louise Lambert)
Alex Dean - Alto & Tenor Sax (Al Henderson, Bobby Rice, DEW East, Kieran Overs, Rob McConnell, Kam Falk, Sharon Lois & Bram, Jim & Rosalie, Sesame Street, Aaron Davis, Henry Kucharzyk, Jeffrey Hatcher, Purplechanges, Arlene Smith, Barry Elmes, RJimmy Riley, Cynthia Schloss, Kieran Overs, Wayne Wade, Tyrone Taylor, Memo Acevedo, Acoustics, Oliver Jones, John Herberman, Mel Torme, Tom Leadbeater, Universal Honey, Matt Minglewood, Dave McMurdo, Humber Jazz Ensemble)
Colina Phillips - Backing Vox (Laurie Bower, Northern Lights, Sway, Hollywood Vampires, Tiaras, Alabama, Alice Cooper, Triumph, Moxy, Anne Murray. Nils Lofgren, Doug & the Slugs, Murray Mclauchlan, Rough Trade, Bruce Cockburn, Martha & the Muffins, Rick Moranis, more
Sharon Lee Williams - Backing Vox (Basic Black & Pearl, Northern Lights, Sway, Hollywood Vampires, Michael Bolotin, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Rough Trade, Moxy, Bruce Cockburn, Martha & the Muffins, Rick Moranis, Anne Murray, Atomic Betty, more)
Shawne Jackson - Backing Vox (Sweet Blindness, Hollywood Vampires, Majestics, Mandala, Domenic Troiano, Rory Block, Bill Amesbury, Alice Cooper, Diane Heatherington, Murray McLauchlan, Long John Baldry, Doug & the Slugs, Rough Trade, Bob & Doug McKenzie, Garnett Ford, Wrabit, Moe Koffman, Rick Morrison, Robotman & Friends, Craig Ruhnke, Lisa Price, Bruce Cockburn, Martha & the Muffins, Santers, Luba, Robert Armes, Doug Cameron, Sheree jeacocke, Partland Bros, Voices With Heart, Christopher Ward, Siobhan Crawley, Hugh Marsh. Rick Moranis. Sheree, Lisa Lougheed, Rick Santers, Patria, Sattalites)
John Whynot - Synth Emulator (Bruce Cockburn, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Colin Linden, Blue Rodeo, Whitenoise, harlan Pepper more)
Kevin Doyle - Engineer
Ivar Vaag - Asst. Engineer
Scott Boyling - Asst. Engineer
Marjorie Merena - Art Direction & Design
W. Allan Gill - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it looks quite interesting...i mean the album name is quite juvinile, as are the photos of stuffed animals with instruments. However, the two members are two older, middle aged men. There is a quote of praise from Parents Magazine (and Newsweek), so maybe this is designed for little kids.

Album Review: Wow. I don't think i've ever heard anything more embarrassing. Not really sure who this is for, or who would actually think about buying this for themselves or their kids. It is just awful style representations of rock, "rap (which sounds closer to Devo)" pop, vaudevillian country, with lyrics that try to relate to young children or present motivational anecdotes. One can only hope there were all only good intentions with this duo, as they do have a 9+ album discography (and i've only seen positive reviews and praise, so that's great to discover). Still, I hope this was no child's first experience with music. One of their songs was picked up and played on Captain Kangaroo in the mid 70's, and from there, they transitioned from an adult act to a kids act, moving from NYC to VT. When their popularity waned in 1993, they split ways and performed solo-ly independently, only reuniting once as a benefit for an ailing Rosen in 2005. He passed away in 2007 from ALS. Shontz focused more on environmental education in music, and made his solo career almost completely void of Rosen. As they invited kids to their shows to bring their favorite teddy bears in the audience, it should be no surprise that their big hit was Teddy Bears' Picnic, which even became an emmy nominated video.

Stand Out Track: The Best That I Can

Links:

Spotify Full Album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Rosen article Morning Call 1999

geek usa

rotten tomatoes Teddy Bears' Picnic

Friday, December 5, 2014

Death By Chocolate - Zap The World

Name: Death By Chocolate

Album: Zap the World

Year: 2002

Style: Retro Pop

Similar Bands: Pizzicato 5, Belle & Sebastian, Pipettes, Monkees, retro commercials

"One-Word" Review: Beatnik Psych Lounge, ya dig?

Based Out Of: London, England

Label: Jet Set

Zap The World - Cover & Backs

Zap The World - Liner Notes & CD

Zap The World - Liner Notes

Zap The World - Liner Notes
Zap The World (2002)

Vox Wah Wah Pedal 1:06
Zap The World Chorus 0:17
Day Out 2:14
Bentley Corniche 0:15
Cut Out Girlscout 4:45
While I'm Still Young 2:19
Lime Green Fitted Blouse (w/ rounded collar & puce cuffs) 0:11
El Graphic 2:25
Bibi Gin 2:05
Bridget Riley 0:18
Artplay 5:17
AB&C Part 2 5:03
Cinammon Grahams 0:12
Zap the World 4:05
Swinging London 3:36
John Steed Swordstick 2:33

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
Angie Tillett - Vox,
Milky - Vox
Jerry Butler - Producer
John Austin - Producer
Matty Green - Producer
El Graphic - Design
John Zimmerman - Photography
Charles Fox - Writer
Norman Gimbel - Writer
George Melly - Writer
John Addison - Writer
Mike Always - Executive Producer

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band, but just from the cover, I imagine it will be some sort of folksy, twee pop music album. I like the artwork’s bold rainbow of colors behind the never-impressed girl on the front reading a British book. This looks like a more bubble gum version of Belle & Sebastian covers, so I was excited to get this and see what it sounded like in a New Orleans thrift store.

Album Review: Apparently, this was a musical group formed by (some say the orchestrator of Twee music), Mike Always, who was a record label producer and produced a lot of music in the 80’s on Red Cherry and El Records. The album spotlights one former hotel chambermaid, and a network of producers and musicians to form this calculated product of sunny 60-70’s pop style covers and promotional bits. Only a few tracks of the tracks are full, fleshed out songs.

“Vox Wah Wah Pedal” is a cover of a commercial for Vox brand guitar pedals that the Electric Prunesdid in 1967.It features delicate British female vocals over the guitar playing for the minute long advertisement.

“Zap The World Chorus” is just a short :17 second taste of the harmonized vocal only section for the upcoming song.

“Day Out” is another delicate female song that takes the listener back to psych/lounge days of early 60’s beatnik music. The organ and vocals remind me of Pizzicato 5. This stylized piece is true to the minimal recording, jazzy drumming, and repetitive loungey guitars.

“Bentley Corniche” is a scripted ad for the car explained by the title. No music, but it is tongue in cheek, as it mentioning that it plays music recorded before 1971.

“Cutoutgirlscout” is a cover from Peter Cook & Dudley Moore’s comedy Bedazzled. It is retro 60’s guitar and keyboard music behind a few spoken word sections. Mostly instrumental, the song’s pace is pushed on by the side to side swaying rhythm guitar hooks and twinkling keyboard repetition. The cycle of music punctuated by the same vocal lines repeats through with little alterations of tempo changes.

“While I'm Still Young” is a cover from the soundtrack to the 60’s film “Smashing Time.” It begins with male Ba-Ba-Ba’s and punctuating guitar strums. The melody is more poppy than loungey. But the bass line keeps the song’s feet on the ground.

“Lime Green Fitted Blouse (w/ rounded collar & puce cuffs)” is a simple diary entry about the singer’s favorite shirt

“El Graphic” is an island loungey 60’s song with flute fludders that border on Cecilio & Kapono and Jimmy Buffett, and lots of harmonized male Ba-Ba-Ba’s. The wavering, echoing keyboard reminds me of BS 2000, but in a shiny and authentic 60’s way.

“Bibi Gin” is a psychedelic 60’s keys, guitar and snare drum musical section behind a shopping list of items spoken. After the first set of items is listed, an echoing lead guitar solos to end the track

“Bridget Riley” is the singers favorite artist, and she gives a little history lesson on her work.

“Artplay” is an airy and jazzy instrumental with vibes, echoing keys, and jazz drums and guitar. Very hip, dig? Just as it is about to end, the singer asks a questions, and it continues to wind down for an extra 20 seconds or so.

“AB&C Part 2” is a great, psych keyboard heavy reprise from AB&C from their first album. It is a different listing of things that start with the letters A – Z. There is a brief musical interlude between J and & and then R and S. It goes through A – J again at the end on repeat.

“Cinammon Grahams” is a journal entry, vocals only, on the singer’s favorite breakfast cereal.

“Zap the World” is a cover of the villain Witchie Poo’s theme song from the show H.R. Puffnstuff. It starts off with the Zap the World chorus, as heard on track 2, as harmonized male and female harmonies. This time it goes into the full song with hazy psych guitars and keys that sound like they were recorded in a warehouse via one microphone set away from the band. It is fun and bouncy, and works as an instrumental, but would benefit from vocals too. After 2:20, the spoken word lyrics are overlaid as ingredients for the villain to make a potion. This is followed up by the chorus. This cycle repeats with different recipes 3 times.
“Swinging London” is a motivating, driving 60’s child-like show tune. It begs for a dance routine, most likely with striped wardrobes and a parasol, as it begs for its listener to join the singer with a romp around London. The song ends, but a toned down instrumental version carries on for another verse-chorus combo to finish out the song.

“John Steed Swordstick” starts off with more male Ba Ba-Ba-Ba Ba’s. And some wah-wah guitar work with a real Monkee’s feel.

Stand Out Track: While I'm Still Young

Links:

Mike Always interview 1998