April Fools' Day prank revealed

Last week, I made an audio discovery during a research mission to Santa Clarita, California. At the home of Mitzi Scott, Raymond's widow, I found a 15-inch tape reel in the garage that contains an electronic 1963 remake of Scott's '30s Quintette classic, "A Boy Scout In Switzerland." • Listen here:

April Fools' Day stunt revealed: Although I did make many discoveries during my recent research mission to Mitzi Scott's home, the track I uploaded yesterday was in fact created by composer, musician, and prankster, Ego Plum (the voice is me, Jeff Winner). The recording was commissioned for the forthcoming 2-CD compilation "SONGBOOK," produced by Takashi Okada. Ego explains his process — and apologizes to Moby (who tweeted it to his approx. 1.5 million followers) — here. Plum and Steve Bartek of Oingo Boingo are curating a concert at the Redcat theater in the Walt Disney Concert Hall to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Raymond Scott's music.

Demotivational Poster

“A motivational poster is commonly designed for use in schools and offices. This kind of poster has been repeatedly parodied, and parody motivational posters have become an Internet meme.”

The mischief-makers responsible for "I Can Has Cheezburger?," "FAIL Blog," and other popular comedy sites, have published this on their VeryDemotivational.com:

Selected comments:

"It’s Raymond Scott, Not Hausmann"

"OMG! He’s tormenting Dorothy Collins!"

"They were married. Doesn’t that go with the territory?"

"I believe this Raymond Scott and he produced many of the beats off of loneytunes. Also if this is the track I Think he is doing it is light works, search it. Its a hell of a track."

• SEE ALSO: "Urban Dictionary"

Urban Dictionary

Finally, Raymond Scott has hit the big-time:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Powerhouse+B

PART FIVE: The Case of the Multiple Raymond Scotts

Raymond Scott had a wild imagination, yet the man born Harry Warnow chose a banal pseudonym. A Google search spotlights plenty of Raymond Scotts who are not our Raymond Scott. Part five — possibly the final installment — of a diversionary series (part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4):

Raymond Scott:
RETIRED RAPPER WITH A BEEF

Benzino is the stage name of this Raymond Scott, who was also an owner of The Source magazine. An "inactive" or "failed" rapper, he may be most famous for his feud (a "beef" in hip-hop vernacular) with rival rap star Eminem, aka Slim Shady, aka Marshall Mathers. Benzino was hating on Eminem's fame, claiming that his success further isolated black and Latino rappers. He even went so far as to call Em "THE RAP HITLER."

Ray fired first with a disrespect record titled "I Don't Wanna" in which he asserted that Eminem was not true to the rap culture. Eminem retaliated with two diss tracks, attacking The Source by revealing their tactics of "butt-kissing motherfuckers for guest appearances," and claiming "real lyricists don't even respect you or take you serious." "The Sauce" reveals a similar lyrical theme as Em continues attacking Benzino and his magazine: "No more Source for street cred, them days is dead / Ray's got AKs to Dave Mays' head / It's extortion, and Ray owns a portion."

The Source then dug up an old tape in which a young Eminem was rapping slurs against Blacks and women. The publication devoted extensive coverage to the discovery of the recordings, and also the (alleged) negative impact that Eminem has had on the hip-hop industry. Em did not deny making the tape, yet sued The Source for defamation and copyright infringement.

Mr. Scott, who is no longer involved with the magazine, still hasn't officially squashed the beef, and continues to feud with Mr. Shady and his associates.

Em discusses the disses: here.

PART FOUR: The Case of the Multiple Raymond Scotts

Raymond Scott had a wild imagination, yet the man born Harry Warnow chose a banal pseudonym. A Google search pinpoints plenty of Raymond Scotts who are not our Raymond Scott. Part four of a diversionary series (part 1, part 2, and part 3):

Raymond Scott: REBELLIOUS COUNTRY STAR

I learned of this Raymond Scott thru an email query to RaymondScott.com:

From: Georgia B.

Date: September 22, 2008 2:43:49 PM EDT

To: Jeff Winner

Subject: Young Ray Scott

Is the country singer, Ray Scott, that is

so popular now, Raymond Scott's son? They

don't have the same voice. I love the young

Ray Scott's bassy voice! And I love his music!!

Just curious,

Georgia B.

I explained to Georgia that there is no known blood relation. Yet the manifesto on young Scott's site reveals some striking similarities in musical philosophies: "I'm taking the bull by the horns and doing it my way, callin' the shots, and putting out an album on my own. This stuff is real, it's raw, and it's 100 percent Ray. I'm calling the project 'CRAZY LIKE ME,' I think you'll agree that's a pretty fitting title. The tattoo on my left arm says 'Create the Path,' damn right! The time has never been better in the music biz to do something different - independent of these narrow-minded, chicken-shit, so called behemoth record companies."

Our Raymond Scott didn't have tattoos and was not known to use colorful language like "damn right" or "chicken-shit," but he was often accused of being crazy. The two also share a penchant for descriptive titles. Examples from country Scott's albums include "Do It With The Lights On," "Ashtray On A Motorcycle," "Rats Don't Race," and "Sometimes The Bottle Hits You Back." Damn right, indeed. Check this video for "Hell Got Raised."

PART THREE: The Case of the Multiple Raymond Scotts

Raymond Scott had a wild imagination, yet the man born Harry Warnow chose a banal pseudonym. A Google search pinpoints plenty of Raymond Scotts who are not our Raymond Scott. Part three of a diversionary series (part 1 and part 2):

Raymond Scott: RENAISSANCE OUTDOORSMAN

Called "America's outdoor icon" and the "godfather of modern bass fishing," this Raymond Scott has championed the fishing and hunting industry for decades thru magazines, TV shows, and foundations. Yet Ray is preparing to embark on another career—motivational speaker. "I've done everything from manufacture my grandmother's recipe for chow-chow (a type of relish) to inventing my own LAKE LIFE pump (a water aeration system) to protect my personal bass lake," the p/t inventor explains. His new speaking career has him pumped! "I can't remember the last time I have been so excited about a new direction. It's a perfect fit at this stage of my career." Told he's been called "the Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar of the outdoor world," Scott accepts the compliment. His motivation is simple: "I've got a story to tell. I can help people." And for your safety: The Mustang Survival Deluxe Inflatable Personal Flotation Device.

PART TWO: The Case of the Multiple Raymond Scotts

Raymond Scott had a wild imagination, yet the man born Harry Warnow chose a banal pseudonym. A Google search reveals plenty of Raymond Scotts who are not our Raymond Scott. Here's part two of a continuing series (intro & part one here):

Raymond Scott: THE POP SINGER

"This fresh, multi-talented dreamboy is the next international singing and performing sensation," according to this Raymond Scott's MySpace. You're probably assuming young Ray is just another vapid, prefab ATM for the music industry, but don't be cynical: "This sunnyboy with the golden voice is not a quick manufactured Popstar product, but a well-defined, versatile artist dedicating himself to music projects that speak to his fans." One project indicates boy Ray has something in common with man Ray: both were world-music pioneers. The kid's upcoming "hit single 'Black Widow' is a freshy new tune, combining a trendy blend of Scandinavian pop sounds with a strong American black beat. He calls it Europe meets America!" Check out more photos of dreamboy.

PART ONE: The Case of the Multiple Raymond Scotts

There were several Raymond Scotts. In 1991 Irwin Chusid and Will Friedwald re-introduced Scott as "THE MAN WHO MADE CARTOONS SWING" with a CD of his famous 1930s 'jazz.' Eight years later Gert-Jan Blom and I produced the MANHATTAN RESEARCH INC. book & CD set to reveal another Raymond Scott — the electronic music pioneer and inventor. And there were others: the Broadway composer, the TV star, and the Motown tech-wiz.

Scott had a wild imagination, yet the man born Harry Warnow chose a rather banal pseudonym. A Google search reveals plenty of Raymond Scotts who are not our Raymond Scott. Here's part one of a continuing series:

Raymond Scott:
THE SHAKESPEARE THIEF

This Raymond Scott has been getting lots of press lately. Reportedly, he's an "eccentric playboy" who lives with his mother in England. He's also a book dealer who is accused of stealing a first edition Shakespeare, printed in 1623, that could be worth millions. Following a world-wide manhunt conducted by the FBI, he was arrested in June of 2008 for the alleged theft. Following a court hearing on February 10th, the flamboyant Mr. Scott, who denies the charges, told reporters, "Like Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, I have had to suffer not only the whips and scorns of time but also the law’s delay." The self-described dilettante is currently out on bail, awaiting a trial scheduled for late-August of this year. He faces a total of ten charges; three counts of theft, three of handling stolen goods, and four additional counts relating to crimes of fashion. I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, check this: video news report.

August, 2010 update: He was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Private Music

Irwin and I have previously warned about the dangers of a stunningly boring album recorded by Raymond Scott in 1957, and subsequently issued under three titles in the US. It's my duty to further caution collectors who value their time and/or ears: a fourth pressing of this dreary record was released in 1966 by the Spanish label Orlador, with the title MUSICA PARA LA INTIMIDAD. I would have guessed this means "Music For Intimacy," but according to at least one Google translator, it's "Music For Privacy." Had RS kept the recording private, the world would be a better place. Not even a sexy chica displaying her color-coordinated pants, shoes, and upholstery can make this lackluster album worth purchasing. If you see this record, run away. If you're unfortunate enough to already own a copy, under any of its titles, please smash it with a hammer into a thousand little pieces, place the debris into a Ziploc baggie, and send it to me or Irwin; we will incinerate all copies at a public bonfire in Texas on September 9th at midnight. Location TBA. Consider this a WANTED poster (click image for larger view):

"pointless music, horrible remastering"

We warned you. Kimba W. Lion reviews Rock and Roll Symphony on Amazon.com:

 "Raymond Scott, so often the quirky innovator, really fell flat on his face with this album. Arranged to please other people rather than himself, the music is blander than bland, failing to evoke the flavor of either rock and roll or symphonic music. A couple of tracks rise to the level of decent MOR, but not really worth the wade through the rest. "The remastering for CD is a pure amateur job. Treble-heavy, with no bass, and a gee-I-can-do-hiss-removal approach to noise reduction that has left a heavy cloud of digital burbles and other artifacts over the music that is far worse than any tape hiss could possibly be. Note to whoever thinks they can remaster for CD: First, buy yourself a decent pair of headphones. Then look for something beyond the first freeware program you find that claims to do noise reduction, and learn how to set the parameters so that the result sounds like music."

Caveat emptor

Raymond Scott fan Fernando saved an email I'd sent him years ago, in response to his curiosity about future reissues of vintage Scott recordings. He reminded me of this excerpt:

I don't know who owns rights to The Rock 'n Roll Symphony (a.k.a Amor) which I have never inquired about. It's my least favorite RS project. I hope it never gets reissued. I'll put a price on the head of anyone who attempts it.

Well, someone hasn't merely attempted to reissue R&RS—they've done it. Don't know whose idea it was, but a pox on their house, head, and genitals. Just for the record: no one connected with the Scott family or business interests—which includes me and anyone else whose name has been prominently connected with reviving Scott's legacy over the past 15 years—had any involvement with this turkey. All blameless.

I'm not saying that you (by which I mean YOU) won't like R&RS. I'm just saying that if YOU love Raymond Scott recordings which have been reissued on CD since 1992, then YOU won't like R&RS. It isn't "rock and roll," and it's not a "symphony." It contains no Scott compositions. It's a tepid bath of Mantovani-styled orchestral yawners. It's soulless, and its utility can be summed up in one word: landfill.

Of course, we are receptive to being convinced otherwise! Until then, R&RS is not recommended, and we'll post no purchase links. Yes, we could have ignored it rather than bring it to public attention. But it was considered worthy of ridicule.

UPDATE: Jeff Winner of RaymondScott.com dropped us a note:

I just remembered an email received years ago that read, "I recently bought a scratchy copy of Rock 'n Roll Symphony at a thrift store for 50 cents. Can you tell me how much this album might be worth?" I forwarded it to you, and you replied, "If I give you another 50 cents, would you scratch it up even more?" He came back, "But it has such a snappy cover! Are you saying the 50 cents I paid for it was too much?" And you shot back, "Original editions had a wooden dowel in the spine. Whittled down for toothpicks, they would justify the expenditure."