Spitball Army

“Cat Man Do” is not the greatest title for this animated short.  Maybe “WAKE THE F*&@ UP!!” would be better.  Anyway.  My late cat Ziggy used to do this every morning, especially the patting on the face bit.  I laughed until I was nearly sick the first time I saw this little vid, which brilliantly creates great character with simple line drawings and minimal sound effects.

He rises from his desk, drives home, eats lunch slowly, lies down on the sofa. Outside, the asphalt bubbles, the leaves are still.

– Written by @Ralphley.

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 1 Apr 1945 P.M.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Mar. 29, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I don’t have any idea what time it is.  They may call us to chow at any time.  I felt like I wanted to write to you though, so here I am.  I’ll probably finish the letter later, but anyhow I should get a good start.

     Sweetheart, I love you so much.  It seems like all I do is think of you.  I relive some of the things we’ve done together and I’m happy thinking about them.  I can see you so clearly Sweetheart and I can understand why it’s you that I fell in love with.  It couldn’t be anyone else.  No one could ever take your place Sweetheart.  I love you with all my heart Sweetheartt.  I am yours and you are mine Sweetheart till death do us part.

     Before I knew who you were when I first saw you, I think I fell in love with you.  You were so gay and full of life – always laughing.  You were the life of the party – from then on you were my life.  You were so small and beautiful, Sweetheart.  The only great change since then is that you are now my wife.  I haven’t seen you for quite awhile Sweetheart – not actually – I see you all the time in my dreams – but I know what changes have taken place.  You have become more serious; you are just as full of life.  And I believe you like to laugh just as much.  You are still small but much more beautiful.  You are all mine now, aren’t you Sweetheart?  At the time you were far from it.  You tried to make me believe that anyway.  I wonder if you were.  I have my doubts Sweetheart.  That doesn’t matter though.  Just so I know for the present and future.  I’m all yours Sweetheart.  I hope I will be able to take care of your every little desire.  I want to make you the happiest person in the world, Sweetheart.  It isn’t in my power to do much now, but this can’t last forever.  It will all be over one of these days.  Then we can look back on it.  We – just you and I Sweetheart – will look back and think how lonely it was and how we missed each other.  Then it will all seem like a dream, because we will be together again – happy again.  I hope I will be able to keep that promise I made to you.  I’ll be back to you, Sweetheart.  I’ll do my best.  God only knows how much I want to come back to you.  The sooner I get back, the happier we will both be.  I love you Sweetheart.  Be careful and take good care of yourself for me Sweetheart.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart.

She calls her grandchild Pooh Baby, and talks about him frequently. The AARP class leader hears it as Baby Poo and looks confused.

Card is titled: “Drive-Thru Tree Park.”

Printed on the back of the postcard:

Towering 315 feet into the sky with a 21-foot base diameter, the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, known world-wide, is the center of attraction at Drive-Thru Tree Park.  Full sized autos easily negotiate the hand-hewn opening at the Tree’s base.  Drive-Thru Tree Park is the first large redwood grove north of San Francisco on the Redwood Hwy. at Leggett, California, near the junction of U.S. 101 and California Route 1.

Photographed by Robert Freeman.

Publication information:  Kolor View Press, Los Angeles, CA 90064.  Printed in U.S.A.  ©1975.  KV6668.  ©1977 Freeman-Von Normann, Miranda, CA. 95553.

The number 153 is printed in the square locating where the postage stamp is to be affixed.

Card is titled: “Drive-Thru Tree Park.”

The sign in the photograph reads:  CHANDELIER TREE  Height 315 ft. Diam. 21 ft.  DRIVE-THRU TREE PARK since 400 B.C.

Printed on the back of the postcard:

CHANDELIER DRIVE-THRU TREE – The Chandelier Tree is a world renowned attraction near the junction of Redwood Hwy., U.S. 101 and Calif. State Route 1 at Leggett, Calif.  Full size autos easily drive through the hand-hewn opening at the tree base.  Drive-Thru Tree Park is the first large redwood grove on U.S. 101 north of San Francisco.  The Chandelier Tree is only  one of the Park’s many attractions.

Photographed by Robert Freeman.

Publication information:  Kolor View Press, Los Angeles, CA 90064.  Printed in U.S.A.  ©1975.  KV6668.  ©1976 Freeman-Von Normann, Miranda, CA. 95553.

The number 152 is printed in the square locating where the postage stamp is to be affixed.

We, the public, were probably never supposed to hear demos, those unpolished, unfinished early rough takes of songs.  We were meant to hear and consume the “best” version of a song, the one that gets sent to radio, that got pressed as a 45 or a cassingle, that occupies the half-inch of space right after the first track on side one.

But, at some point along the route between the birth of the compact disc and the rise of digital delivery, it was decided that the inclusion of extra tracks (unreleased songs, demos and outtakes) would enhance the sellability of the music product.  Thus, today you can buy a disc containing one of your favorite albums with songs tacked onto the end where, previously, there had been a play-out groove or just silence.  It’s not what was originally intended; it’s, using the parlance of the biz, “added value.”

The demos in this playlist come from these circumstances, for the most part, and they run the gamut from earliest performed sketches to nearly complete versions of the songs.  None of these are the versions as released on the albums proper, but some, like Los Lobos’ “Peace,” The Replacements’ “Kick It In” and Iron & Wine’s “Free Until They Cut Me Down” sound as if they’d fit in perfectly with those artists’ finished recording styles.  Alternately, the majority of these tracks reveal nuance and creative depth in their bareness that a full-production gloss easily hides.

Approximate playing time: 71 minutes.

1. Paul Simon  “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” acoustic guitar demo  (1973)
2. Buffalo Springfield  “Can’t Keep Me Down” acoustic guitar demo  (1966)
3. Cat Stevens  “Rubylove” acoustic guitar demo  (1971)
4. Los Lobos  “Peace” full-band demo  (1992)
5. The Beatles  “No Reply” full-band rehearsal, “Your Face” version  (1964)
6. The Replacements  “Kick It In” full-band studio demo  (1987)
7. Bob Dylan  “Dignity” acoustic piano demo  (1989)
8. Ryan Adams  “Halloween” stripped performance from the Demo EP  (2000)
9. Josh Ritter  “In the Dark” acoustic guitar demo  (2006)
10. Billy Joel  “Miami 2017” acoustic piano demo  (1975)
11. Simon & Garfunkel  “Bridge Over Troubled Water” acoustic piano demo with hand taps and humming, take 6  (1970)
12. Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey  “Angels” full-band original demo  (1990)
13. The Doors  “Moonlight Drive” early full-band demo with harmonica  (1965)
14. Donovan  “Museum” acoustic guitar demo  (1967)
15. Elvis Costello  “Suffering Face” acoustic guitar demo  (1986)
16. Billy Bragg  “Cindy of a Thousand Lives” solo electric guitar demo  (1990)
17. Son Volt  “Highways and Cigarettes” acoustic guitar demo  (2007)
18. Lucinda Williams  “Everything Has Changed” acoustic guitar and mandolin demo  (2007)
19. Iron & Wine  “Free Until They Cut Me Down” acoustic guitar and banjo demo  (2004)
20. Elton John  “The King Must Die” acoustic piano demo  (1970)

[audio:Fred_FM_playlist_081510.mp3]
Fred FM playlist (15 August 2010)

Some notes on the songs:

• The Beatles’ version of “No Reply” featured here I refer to as the “Your Face” demo version.  Paul is having a grand time with that little phrase, which really does have a habit of sticking in the brain.  I can attest to this, as I used to sing the song in much the same way when I was a kid.
• I recently watched TWO film documentaries about The Doors (Classic Albums: The Doors and When You’re Strange) and they both recount the transforming moment when Jim Morrison sang “Moonlight Drive” to Ray Manzarek, convincing Manzarek that Mr. Mojo Risin was the man to lead the band.  Funny thing is, Morrison’s vocals on this early demo hardly sound like the charismatic frontman that we have come to know from the band’s recordings and live concert films.  And then there’s that harmonica, which was replaced by a slide guitar on the Strange Days album version.
• Isn’t it a shame that Elton John had to go and get old?  I’d love to hear him singing new material as he does on this demo of “The King Must Die.”  I guess I’m just stuck spinning the early – and terrific – EJ albums for the rest of my life.  But, man, they are truly great.

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 1 Apr 1945 P.M.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Mar. 25, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     Well, I think I’ll try again.  Maybe today I can get to your letters and answer them.  I didn’t seem to get around to them yesterday.  I love you Sweetheart.

     I almost ate too much candy yesterday.  I ate the biggest half of 2 pounds of hard candy.  It was good, but it almost got me down.  I was munching on it all afternoon and last night.  We played cards last night – pinochle.  That seems to be the favorite game around here.  It is peculiar but their are very few of these guys who ever heard of much less played euchre.  The last time I played any was on the boat coming over.  I think I still know how though.  Want to test me on that?

     My odds and ends, as you call them, are getting along better.  We’ve had quite a few days of damp weather lately and I think the accompanying coolness helped out a lot.  As I am writing this, the only thing I am conscious of is the athlete’s foot.  Of course I was referring to the only one of my odds and ends that I was conscious of.  You are always on my mind whether I want you there or not.  As yet I’ve found no time when I didn’t want you there and I doubt if any such time will ever come.  Do you know what my main pastime is?  Well, it’s daydreaming and thinking of you.  It is the most pleasant thing I can find to do out here.  Back there – now that is another thing.  Not too different though – it would be the realization of my many dreams and such pleasant fulfullment.  Could there possibly be any doubt in your mind as to what I am referring to?  Shouldn’t be, it’s you.  You’re wonderful and I love you with all my heart Sweetheart.

     Have you been over to visit the girls at school lately?  How many are still there?  How’s Lois coming along? and Danny? and the Kepner brood?  Have you been over to see them?  What’s going on around school?  The next time you go over, see if you can’t get ahold of an Exponent and send it to me.  I just decided I’d like to see one again.  Another thing you could send me is cross-word puzzles.  Maybe it could be arranged, huh?  Do you think you could manage one or two in each letter?  Be sure and send along the answers too.

     How are the buttons paning out?  Are they satisfactory?  I don’t think I would like them but I don’t know.  I sure would like to see them and find out.  If I was there though, I would not want to be bothered with them.  I miss you so terribly much Sweetheart.  I love you with all my heart.  I definitely don’t want to write now.  I just want to think about my wonderful wife.  You are everything to me Sweetheart.  I’m overflowing with love for you Sweetheart but it isn’t coming out in words.  I can’t think of any more to write.  Guess I’ll just dream some more.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart

from The Big Lebowski  (1998)

Driving home, the empty lanes crest at the hilltop. The haze stands firm, but the weary oaks part for the yellow moon, my target.

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 25 Mar 1945.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Mar. 23, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I love you.  Right at the present, that’s all I can think of to say.  We are still doing the same thing day in and day out.  With the exception of 3 beer issues in the last month, there hasn’t been much to break the monotony.  These 3 issues of beer were free for some reason (somebody surely slipped up) so I just gave them away and watched the others make fools of themselves.  That’s their business though, not mine.

     Well, we got some mail.  It was very welcome don’t think it wasn’t.  Your letters mean everything to me at the present.  Let’s hope they keep coming.  I’m not worried about you writing but the letters don’t come through very regular at times.  I don’t get the letters in the order that you mail them.

     I didn’t get very far yesterday when I started this, did I?  I was very rudely interrupted.  I’ll see if I can’t finish it this morning.  You know something, I love you more today than I did yesterday.  If this keeps up, God only knows what will happen when I do finally get back to you.  I’ll bet that doesn’t worry you though, does it?  It doesn’t worry me.  I’m just wondering when I will get back.

     Got some more mail last night from my Sweetheart.  Three very nice letters.  One of them (the latest I have received) was dated Mar. 10.  I got a couple others written in Feb.  Right at the present I have about 10 of yours that I haven’t answered yet.  I’m afraid there isn’t much answering to do, but I’ll see.  By the way, how about numbering your letters so I know if I’m getting them in order.  All I can do now is look at the dates.  That doesn’t do me much good though.  I don’t know exactly how often you write.

     Have you done anything about Dad?  Did you go see him or anything?  According to the letters I’ve been getting from Mother, he still a long way from being ready to get out of bed.  The last I heard was a letter written on Mar. 12.  It seems that with all the time that Dad has with nothing he can do, he has been doing a lot of thinking.  One thing that had him wondering was on which day you celebrated you birthday this year.  In his condition, I guess it rather worried him.  He seems to have a good day then a bad one.  I don’t know of anything I can do.  I’m just waiting for the letter to come telling me that it’s all over.  I don’t know whether it’s coming or on the way or whether it won’t come.  I’m expecting it anyway and I’m hoping I’ll be disappointed.  There’s nothing I can do about what happens so far away as Indiana.  If he does go though, I hope a pleasant understanding is obtained between you beforehand.

     I just started to read through your letters to see what I could write about.  The second sentence was as far as I had to go.  You said your watch had stopped and you didn’t know what time it was.  That reminded me of my watch.  What happened to it?  I suppose you got home with it, didn’t you?  Did you take it to a jeweler to get it cleaned up?  It was a very good watch.  If it’s still worth fixing (and I think it is), I’d like to have it fixed up so I could use it when I get back.  Believe it or not, I expect to be there one of these days.  Don’t asked me how long.  I’m just being very optimistic and hoping for all I’m worth.  I wonder just how much I am worth.  Maybe this will determine it for me.  Anyway – I love you Sweetheart.  You are worth more than anything in the world to me.  You are everything.  You aren’t any more anxious to see me than I am to be back with you.  If I could just look at you, touch you, and hold you in my arms.  I don’t want to talk.  I just want to hold you close and kiss you over and over.  I want to express my love by my actions not by a pen.

     I just happened to notice your letters again Sweetheart.  It doesn’t look like I’ll get them answered this time.  I almost got started though.  The mail will be taken up very shortly and this letter is going to be in the group, I hope.  This has turned out to be a pretty long letter, hasn’t it?  Where did I find all those words?  I’m sure I don’t know.  I haven’t written the same thing over and over, have I?  There is only one thing I would intentionally repeat though.  I might as well written write it over and over.  I keep thinking it.  What – – I love you.  I love you with all my heart – – – – with every part of me.  I’m all yours Sweetheart.  I always will be.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart
                         I love you.