So here is where I introduce part of the non-retro Janey.  Yes, it is true, I dig things that don’t relate to the 1950s and 60s! Vagabond Opera among them.  They are an eccentric array of people dressed in near cartoonish (and I mean this in a good way) attire of turn of the century fashion.  Their music is that of gypsies and cabarets and entertaining from start to finish.

As for the park atmosphere for concerts, you must get there early if you want a decent view, for the further you sit back, not only the less you see, the less you hear. This is not due to bad acoustics but mainly because the people in the back aren’t there for the band itself, but rather for the idea of lounging in the park with a live band playing and chatting it up.

Tomorrow I’m off to Liz’s sale over at Xtabay. $1, $5 and $10 items, plus 20% off everything in the store!  So come check it out over at 2415 SE Clinton!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

On a chilly January morning in 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley was born in his family’s small two-room Mississippi home.  Elvis would have been one of two children born into the Presley home, but sadly, his twin brother, Jesse, was a stillborn.  Elvis’s family was close knit, working class and at an early age he expressed interest in music, singing at a local fair at the age of ten.  In 1946, unable to buy the bicycle he wanted, Elvis’s parents purchased a guitar instead.  At the age of 13, the family moved to Memphis, there he became enthralled by the gospel and blues music of the area, and in high school he won the talent show by singing and strumming his guitar.

In 1953, Elvis made his first demo at Sun Records, recording “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin”.  The next year he recorded again and owner Sam Phillips was present.  The following year Phillips talked again with Elvis, and introduced Elvis to fellow musicians.  He also earned a spot on the show Louisiana Hayride, further exposing him to other musicians.  In 1955, after landing Bob Neal as his manager, he signed his first contract with RCA Records.  Elvis’s first album, the self-titled Elvis Presley, hit number one on the Billboard pop charts and soon reached $1 million in sales.  Elvis made several appearances on the Milton Berle Show and the Steve Allan Show before the ever controversial Ed Sullivan Show in 1956, the first of three appearances.  Later that year, Elvis began the pattern of musicians crossing over into movies, his first film, Love Me Tender, left its audiences enthralled and begging for more.  The next year, 1957, Elvis bought the now infamous Graceland, although he had little time to enjoy it, because December brought his draft notice and in March of 1957 he entered into the US army.  While in the army, his mother passed awhile and met his future wife, Priscilla, then 14, in 1959.  The next year, Elvis was discharged.

The 1960s, a turbulent time in the US, were spent making movie after movie and still recording.  While one can say Elvis battled the British Invasion, Elvis embraced the Beatles, who spent time with Elvis at Graceland.  In 1967, in neon lit  Las Vegas, Elvis and Priscilla were married, and the next year, Priscilla gave birth to Lisa Marie Presley. The couple divorced in 1973.  The 70s, in some opinion were not kind to Elvis, while he still toured, he became a nostalgic act, whose audience had shifted from screaming teenage girls bulldozing security officers at concerts to  calmer older women, relaxed in their seats.  After a long period of touring, Elvis passed away of heart failure at Graceland.

Without a doubt, Elvis changed music and changed it forever.  Nearly ever rock musician since has had Elvis to thank.  His iconic hip movements and voice has lasted generations and inspired many.  Happy Birthday, Elvis.

For those who like a little more rock in their Christmas, Brian Setzer has a few Christmas albums out as well, which are full of great covers, including “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” duet with Ann Margaret, as well as originals like “Santa’s Got a Hot Rod”.

Plus, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have a Christmas album as well, and I may be inclined to say it’s their best album yet.  Unlike other Christmas albums, this one is mostly originals, like “Rockabilly Christmas” and “Christmas Time in Tinseltown”.  They also do a spectacular version of “Mr. Heatmiser”.  So sit back, mix some rum with that eggnog, watch the color wheel spin on that aluminum Christmas tree and enjoy the sounds of Christmas the way it was meant to be.

The week in California, combined with my research essay, put me behind in terms of decorating, and I won’t be getting to a lot of it until this weekend.  There’s a two day flea market this weekend, I work on Sunday, plus I have my WWII final Tuesday, American West final Wednesday, and my “Vice in the Rose City” 25 page essay due Thursday! Not to mention Thursday is my four year anniversary with Patrick.  Sheesh.

This show, unlike the LA New Years show, had an opening act, which was local Portland band the Midnight Serenaders, a jazz band with inspiration from the 1920s-30s.  Impressive and passionate about their music, the Midnight Serenaders were a nice warm up, and in similar vein to Squirrel Nut Zippers.  After a twenty minute or so break, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy hit the stage.

I love seeing bands that are so into in their music, so much so that they live the period they are trying to invoke.  With wide brimmed fedoras and double breasted suits, BBVD takes you back in time as they sing covers of Cab Calloway intermixed with their original songs.  Their latest album “How Big Can You Get?” celebrates the music of Cab Calloway with wonderful covers that breathe new life into his hits, while also respecting the originals.  Since it was their latest, they did spend a lot of time on Mr. Calloway, including informing the audience of his importance, influence upon them, and his time at the Cotton Club.  If you’re interested in my review of the album click here.

BBVD left the stage after performing “So-Long-Farewell-Goodbye” – their trademark, but stayed and signed autographs after. Something they didn’t do in LA.  I bought their poster, which was only $5.00 and had all of them sign it.  I also got my picture taken with  their trumpet player, and my favorite member, Glen “The Kid”.  Even after 16 years together (with all the original members I might add), BBVD is still alive and swingin’ and as polite as ever.  They’re heading to Texas next, and hitting up the midwest through November and December until they end up once again at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA on New Years Eve.  So, check ‘em out and see if they’re coming to your state! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

As for other things going on in life…I had my WWII mid-term exam today, and Monday brings my American West mid-term.  Plus, I’m still swamped with research for my Portland Vice essay.  And did I mention I’m also hosting a Halloween party?  And I have family in town this weekend?  It’s a nightmare to say the least.  But I will post Saturday blogging about decorating retro for Halloween, and about the concert.

I hope you have a lovely and safe Halloween weekend!

I’ve heard various versions of their performances, via CD, including the great recording Live at the Sands.  So, I knew I was in for a lot of racist jokes as well as jokes regarding Dean Martin’s drinking.  What I wasn’t prepared for was the amount of dirty jokes.  But the rest of the show? Wonderful.  If you know anything about the Rat Pack’s shows, it wasn’t just songs, but comedy sketches as well, which are included in this new rendition.  This show is also updated slightly with newer jokes making references to Viagra and Brokeback Mountain.  The man performing as Dean Martin not only looked very much like the original, but sounded incredibly like the real deal.  The performer playing Frank also sounded very much like Mr. Blue Eyes himself, however only his hair reminded me of Sinatra.  As for Sammy, I was a little disappointed.  He didn’t look or sound very much like the real Sammy, but he was a fantastic performer regardless.

I went to see the show Friday night with my dad (another Rat Pack lover) and loved it. So much so, that upon returning home, I bought tickets for Patrick and I to go last night and saw it again.  I knew that this performance was as close as I was going to get, and it was well worth it.  The Rat Pack was only in Eugene two nights, but you can catch it nightly at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where it’s a dinner and a show (just like it was in the 60s), unlike the touring version, which is only the show.  So, if you’re in Sin City, check it out! I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed.

As for my essay, so far I’ve been using Phil Stanford’s book, Portland Confidential as a kind of guide to write my paper.  Several pages in Portland Confidential are images of newspaper pages, yet they were hard to read.  Thankfully, the university library has loads of newspapers on microfilm and yesterday I had my first experience in the microfilm collections. Sheesh, what a trip.  But it’s also very nostalgic.  Flipping…er, scrolling…through all of the old 1950s newspapers is a real window into the past.  From the ads, to the movies being released, to the photos of people, back when men wore hats and women wore gloves.  I only spent about an hour getting to know the system – I had a few hitches (i.e. trying to get the roll into the machine) but I eventually got three stories printed that I wanted about the senate hearings.  I’ll need to make a few more trips in the near future.

As for other aspects of life…last night Patrick and I  returned to the WOW Hall to see the Koffin Kats. There were two opening acts, Toxic Zombie of Portland and The Sawyer Family of Eugene.  With zombie make-up and a pink zebra fabric covered upright bass, Toxic Zombie certainly qualifies as psychobilly rather than rockabilly.  And while a lot more hardcore than I normally go for, they were highly entertaining, as well as very nice.  The bass player even got into the mosh pit for the artists who followed. The Sawyer Family I expected to be rockabilly, yet turned much more punk, despite the upright bass.  Have I mentioned how much I love upright basses?  Their slow songs though were outstanding and their performance on stage was stunning.  As for the headliner, the Koffin Kats, I already knew what I was in for, rockabilly, but a little heavier on the rock part.  Their lead singer, who also plays upright bass has that classic rockabilly twangy voice you’d expect, however their music is a little more on the rock side than say Brian Setzer’s solo work.  But nevertheless, I enjoyed myself since it’s always nice to go ultra rock out now and again. If you want to see more pictures, just check out my Flickr.  I did pick up a shirt (I usually can’t leave a concert without one). How adore able is a little demon kitty playing with an eyeball?

As for today, Patrick has his gallery opening at the student union, and tonight, my dad and I are see the Broadway show, The Rat Pack is Back! So, a review of that to come.  Then tomorrow, some friends and I are headed to Lone Pine Farms to do the corn maze and pick pumpkins.  Should be loads of fun!

The music of the Phenomenauts is pretty much this: Sci-fi infused rockabilly.  Their songs and their look are all about space and science – sounds geeky? It may be, but it’s also awesome.  Dressed in custom made uniforms, the Phenomenauts are led by their fearless leader, Angel Nova, who is lead vocals and guitar, the band also includes keyboard, another guitar, drums, and an stand-up bass, played by Deck Chief Nick Wayzar – who is crazy to say the least.

Last night, Patrick and I had the honor of seeing them – my second time, and Pat’s third.  Opening with fog and laser pointers, the Phenomenauts don’t do anything half-way.  They come with their own uniforms, incredible mike-stands, and banners.  Plus fog machines, flashing lights, a modified leaf blower that blows out toilet paper (sounds strange, but it’s fun and hilarious) and a giant balloon of Earth when they play “Earth is the Best”.  Their songs and production put them in league with only one other band: The Aquabats, who are more ska, but it is the rockabilly vibe of the Phenomenauts that makes them so fantastic.

They have three CDs out, and are also into vinyl.  I purchased their vinyl copy of Re-Entry, which is their second album, and got each member to sign it.  Needless to say, I had a blast, and if you’re into rockabilly (and sci-fi) you’ll love The Phenomenauts.

This marked the first of three concerts I’m seeing this month…next Thursday brings The Koffin Kats (who I’ve never seen before), and on the 30th, Patrick and I are heading to Portland to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, plus I’m also see the Broadway show, The Rat Pack is Back next Friday with my dad!  Sheesh!

Of the eleven tracks on the album, the best ones are “The Old Man of the Mountain”, “How Big Can You Get?”, “Reefer Man”, and “Tarzan of Harlem”. The album also includes a new version of their previous cover of “Minnie the Moocher” which was originally done on their first, self titled album.  This new version has a lot more sass and oozing notes, making it better than their previous.

So, should you buy it? Yes.  It is a wonderful tribute to the man of Big Band and perfect for playing at cocktail parties.

In Other News…

I’ve been uploading pictures to my Gallery page.  There are pictures from both my modeling projects, as well as my own photography portfolio.

Tomorrow, I’m off to the Brownsville Antique Show, followed by the Coburg Car Show.  Last Brownsville show I found a killer lamp and the year before found two aluminum Christmas trees.  If you’re in the area between Eugene and Salem, I highly recommend going.  There are loads of dealers, antique shops, and garage sales going on in the area, good food, plus it’s free!

On the eve of World War II, England is home to high style and thrilling night clubs.  Singing at The Scarlet Peacock is Delysia Lafasse (Amy Adams), an American trying to make a name for herself in showbiz by any means possible.  Meanwhile, Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) has lost her third job, and stumbles into becoming Delysia’s personal “social secretary” and Delysia takes her on the ride of her life through lingerie fashion shows and cocktail parties.  A high society comedy akin to The Importance of being Earnest, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a wonderful and heartwarming story with happy endings all round.  The film is based upon the book under the same title, which was actually written in 1939 and was originally set to become a film staring Billie Burke, but when Pearl Harbor occurred, the project was shelved.

Miss Pettigrew is certainly a feast for the eyes.  Chalk full of fabulous outfits from undergarments to hats, and even hair styles.  Amy Adams falls wonderfully into the period and I expect will continue to be cast in this era.  McDormand has yet to produce a role that isn’t stunning, and the role of Miss Pettigrew seems as though it was written for her.  Shirley Henderson (of Bridget Jones, a they Harry Potter films, and even an episode of Doctor Who) also stars and is fabulously bitchy in that stylish way.

In terms of period correctness, there is little to pick at.  In doing pre-1950s films, it is easier to find period correct cars that have had little modern customizations done to them.  I did find a possible error in respects to a claim Delysia makes makes regarding being an extra in a film.  She claims to have been drinking a margarita.  And while there are claims of the margarita being invented before 1940, they were not common until after 1948.  While taking place on the eve of WWII, little attention is given to it with the exception of the climax of the film taking place during an air-raid, and by no means is the film dependent upon issues regarding the war.

A true delight in every sense of the word, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a fun and bubbly comedy for vintage lovers.