Yes And Also Yes

''I had a big thing for Raymond Scott loops. Hell, I could probably eke out a living producing hiphop records, using nothing but breakbeats and Raymond Scott compositions.''

—MIKE DOUGHTY

Today Mike Doughty dropped his new album, YES AND ALSO YES. There's no connection to Raymond Scott on this record, but we wanna plug it anyway. Irwin and I are big fans of Doughty's music and his 1990s band Soul Coughing — and not just because they released three tracks with Raymond Scott samples.

"Bus To Beelzebub," from their first album RUBY VROOM, was based on adapted loops from Scott's "Powerhouse," as heard in numerous Bugs Bunny cartoons. "Uh, Zoom Zip," from the same album, uses samples from the RS Quintette's recording of "The Toy Trumpet" that are so distorted they went unidentified for years. By contrast, the loops from the RSQ's "The Penguin" heard throughout SC's "Disseminated," on their 2nd album, IRRESISTIBLE BLISS, are easy to spot. I love the track and think it's one of the coolest uses of Scott samples by any artist, but Doughty is ambivalent. "The lyrics are not my proudest," he explained for SCUG.net. "Don’t get me wrong, I’m pro-nonsense, but at the time we were sequencing the record I dismissed the song as 'harmelodic vaudeville.' Democracy won out, the song made the record, and it ended up being the only damn song on the record that Robert Christgau liked when he reviewed it in Spin."

Doughty has been busy — he also released an album of loop-based electronic music this month called DUBIOUS LUXURY. He explains, "I wasn’t noisy about it, at the time, but much of the sampled stuff in Soul Coughing was my work: the crazed Bugs Bunny sample on 'Bus to Beelzebub,' the peculiar Raymond Scott sample on 'Disseminated'." But don't expect more Raymond Scott samples. "After the first record, my bandmates were increasingly unreceptive to loops I brought in from other people's music. Maybe they were right, we woulda been poorer, giving our money away to other composers," he said at MikeDoughty.com. "I could only use the majority of the loops live — gone are the days when Warner Bros. would write a fat check to pay off the Raymond Scott estate and Toots Hibbert for their unsuspecting contributions! Even rappers are too smart to use samples these days."

ADDED BY I.C.: Doughty just confirmed he'll perform live on my WFMU program on Weds. September 21, between 5-6pm (Eastern). MD also performed a couple of songs on WFMU's snarky SEVEN SECOND DELAY, hosted by Ken Freedman and Andy Breckman, broadcast from the UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE on July 27.

Mark Mothersbaugh and The Electronium

Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) with the Motown version of Raymond Scott’s instantaneous-composition invention, THE ELECTRONIUM (and a Yamaha DX-7), in Scott’s guesthouse in Van Nuys, CA, 1993. [Photo by Mr. Bonzai, published in BILLBOARD magazine]

“Raymond Scott was like an audio version of Andy Warhol. He preceded Pop-Art sensibilities, and he played with that line between commercial art and fine art, mixing elements of both worlds together. I love and respect Raymond Scott's work, and it influenced me a lot. I'm a big fan.” —Mark Mothersbaugh

UPDATE — Synthtopia.com reblogged, and adds: 

Saturday Synth Porn:
There are multiple layers of music history captured in the photo. Scott’s work was an inspiration to Bob Moog, who created the Minimoog that was used extensively on Devo’s early albums. The Electronium is now owned by Mothersbaugh, but is not in working order.
Image: Mr. Bonzai, via Jeff Winner’s Raymond Scott blog

Mazel Tov!

As the month expires, we confess that we neglected to observe that September 2011 marks the 90th anniversary of Harry Warnow's (not-yet-Raymond Scott's) Bar Mitzvah. We apologize for the oversight. There is no existing documentation for the exact date, nor the location of the services or reception, but it would have been scheduled for September 1921. His parents, Joseph and Sarah, would have been very proud of Harry if—despite his vocal shortcomings and stagefright—he had the courage to sing his haftorah.

8th Annual Jackpot Records Music & Film Festival at The Bagdad Theater in Portland

The new award-winning Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be screened as part of the 8th Annual Jackpot Records Music & Film Festival at the historic Bagdad Theater in Portland, Oregon, on September 27th at 8pm. Director Stan Warnow will attend:

We spend months wandering the celluloid highway looking for masterpieces. We've landed some genuine Portland premiers, had extremely colorful director appearances, and evaporated the minds of young and old alike with features that genuflect before no genre. We hope that you get as excited about this year's week of wonders as we are.

The Bagdad Theater: "This marvelous relic of Hollywood's Golden Age is a movie palace full of wonder and surprises. For nearly four generations now, the Bagdad's Mediterranean/neon persona and daily films have made it an icon of Portland's vibrant Hawthorne District. The interior is an attraction in and of itself, with barreled arches, ornate wrought-iron fixtures, brilliant mosaics and painted Mediterranean designs and characters."

“Music and film often have a symbiotic relationship, as legions of great music documentaries attest. This stuff is priceless, and not only that, it’s free. Get to these screenings early if you want a seat.” —THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE 

Powerhouse Road

During a research mission in April of 2001 to locate Raymond Scott’s Manhasset mansion, Piet Schreuders and I found only this evidence of its previous existence — the access road to the house that Scott named in honor of his classic tune. The mansion can be seen in its full glory here:

Caption on this photo reads: "On the sloping backyard lawn of their Manhasset, Long Island, home, singer Dorothy Collins and her husband, composer-conductor Raymond Scott, hoist daughter Debbie, 2½, aloft for a giddy dash downhill. Their 30-room home is in the background. Credit (United Press Photo) 5/3/57"

"A-Muzik Film Series" at Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany

DECONSTRUCTING DAD, the new award-winning Raymond Scott documentary film, will be screened on August 25th at 9pm, at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany, as part of the A-Muzik Film Series. Director Stan Warnow will attend.

Museum Ludwig houses PopArt, Abstract and Surrealism, and has one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe. It also features many works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

MK Gallery's "Friday Night Films" in Milton Keynes, England

On Friday, August 5th, at 6:30 pm, the new award-winning Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be screened at MK Gallery in Milton Keynes, England, as part of their "Friday Night Films" series. £5 (concessions £3) • Pre-book on 01908 676 900

"Our Mission Statement: MK Gallery provides free access to high quality, innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art from around the world. In its programme MK Gallery stimulates participation and debate, building relationships between artists and audiences."

"Movies on a Big Screen" at The Guild Theater in Sacramento, California

The new award-winning Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be screened at the historic Guild Theater in Sacramento, California, on August 7th, at 7:30pm as part of the "Movies on a Big Screen" series. Admission: $5.00 • 2828 35th St, Sacramento, CA

The Guild is the only remaining of the early-20th century theaters Oak Park was known for. Completed in 1915, the building's structure reflects the influence of the Moorish Revival. For decades, it was a premiere entertainment destination, and in its earliest days played host to vaudeville shows. St. HOPE Academy has restored The Guild Theater and showcases film, lectures, and live performances.

"'Movies on a Big Screen' fits perfectly within our distribution goals, in that they put to screen films that may not secure week-long runs in a commercial theater, but can highlight independent films and bring them to Sacramento — remember, the capital of California — and add to the great creative spirit that lives in that community."
—Arts Engine/Media That Matters

75th Anniversary of Raymond Scott's Music: 1937—2012

2012 marks the 75th Anniversary of Raymond Scott's music, which is forever associated with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck — though bandleader-composer Scott had no interest in cartoons. Ever!

Composer, electronic music pioneer, inventor, and bandstand drill sergeant Raymond Scott was born Harry Warnow, in Brooklyn, in 1908. After graduating from Juilliard, he wrote the 1934 hit song “Christmas Night In Harlem,” recorded by Louis Armstrong. In December 1936, Scott debuted his six-man “Quintette,” which featured jazz giant Bunny Berigan on trumpet and drummer Johnny Williams, father of famous movie score composer John Williams. By early 1937, Scott's Quintette were stars on radio, on records, and — after landing a contract with 20th Century Fox — in Hollywood films. The RSQ reeled off a string of quirky hit records, including “Powerhouse” (recorded February 20, 1937 in New York at their first studio session). Thanks to its being quoted by Carl Stalling in dozens of LOONEY TUNES, the "Powerhouse" melodies have become genetically encoded in the DNA of every earthling.

The Raymond Scott Archives celebrates the 75th with a series of live events and special projects (listed below). If you plan to coordinate an event, record Scott's tunes, or write about Scott, contact: info@RaymondScott.com. We can provide sheet music, photos, and historical resources. We are available for interviews and to host local programs.

• On December 1st, 2011, the New York-based Raymond Scott Orchestrette reunited to perform at Lincoln Center, as part of the Target® Free Thursday series — watch the new video slideshow with music: here

• Basta Audio-Visuals, the European label is planning several releases, including two vinyl LP replicas (which are available now — details here): Scott's 1957 orchestral THIS TIME WITH STRINGS, and a rare stereo mix of 1959’s THE UNEXPECTED, performed by Scott’s all-star jazz ensemble The Secret Seven. And a new 2-track single has also been released on the iTunes store — info: here.

• The award-winning Raymond Scott documentary, DECONSTRUCTING DAD will be screened at movie theaters and international film festivals: ScottDoc.com

Live performances of Scott's animated compositions (jazz, pop, and electronica) will take place around the globe, including:

• UK: Stu Brown Sextet and Mr. McFall's Chamber present ongoing concerts of Scott repertoire

• USA: The West Point Band’s Quintette 7 perform RSQ repertoire

• Norway: The MeaNensemble presents “White (Brain) Wash in concert: A Tribute To Raymond Scott & the Perfect World of Commercials”

• New York: Brian Carpenter’s Ghost Train Orchestra performs “Powerhouse Stomp: A Tribute To Classic Cartoons” 

• Spain: Racalmuto recreate the RSQ's six-man lineup and repertoire

• San Francisco: Jeff Stanford’s Cartoon Jazz Orchestra and Septet perform Scott classics accompanying cartoons

• Colorado: The Expedition Quartet present “An Acoustic Dinner with a Pack of Hungry Cannibals”

• Los Angeles: A multimedia show at the Redcat theater in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, curated by composer Ego Plum, and movie score orchestrator/composer Steve Bartek of Oingo Boingo on Friday, November 9th, 2012

________________________________________________

CONTACT:

Jeff E. Winner • The Raymond Scott Archives

RaymondScott.com • info@RaymondScott.com

Phone: 267-970-4396
View or Download Press Release: here

________________________________________________

P.S. Check-out this new collection of 75 YouTube clips of the Raymond Scott classic, "Powerhouse," celebrating the 75th anniversary of the RS Quintette's debut studio recording, on February 20, 1937, in New York: HERE <<<

Portrait of RSQ © by Drew Friedman

Network Awesome: "The Sound of Surreal"

According to THE NEW YORK TIMES, "Network Awesome is like TV Land for the online set." Today, Network Awesome Magazine posted, "The Sound of Surreal," a new feature with their Raymond Scott video collection, augmented by a new interview with Jeff Winner (me), conducted by staff writer, Kristen Bialik. Watch and read: here. And before you surf away, check-out their hundreds of hours of new and vintage shows:

“Programming includes a documentary about Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, an old episode of Groucho Marx’s You Bet Your Life, an episode of Speed Racer, a flashback of ABC’s 20/20 from 1981, a film adaptation of Jules Verne fiction and an episode of The Twilight Zone. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to which programs are picked or how they’re stitched together, but that’s part of what makes Network Awesome work.” 

—THE NEW YORK TIMES

Watch The Closing Doors:A History of New York’s Musical Melting Pot

Watch The Closing Doors: A History of New York’s Musical Melting Pot is a new double CD and LP series, released today, and compiled by renowned journalist and author Kris Needs:

Needs’ frighteningly-ambitious project aims to capture the fast-vanishing magic of New York City, documenting major musical landmarks and developments. The first volume focuses on the 1940s and 50s, and is accompanied by a book containing the relevant musical and social history, artist biographies, illustrations and Needs own stories and recollections of the city that once never slept. It includes jazz giants such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, and Thelonius Monk, while John Cage and Raymond Scott represent the avant garde. Among the other artists are Billie Holiday, Allen Ginsberg, Nina Simone, and Cab Calloway.

MOJO magazine: “An intoxicating aurel evocation of a lost world” 4-STARS

RECORD COLLECTOR: “One of the most fascinating compilations series we’ve ever encountered” 5-STARS

THE WIRE: “Essential”

VILLAGE VOICE: “A dream soundtrack of every book you ever read, or wanted to read, about postwar New York City” 

"Europe's most important film festival"

The new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be screened 3 times during the 46th annual Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, on July 3rd, 4th, and 8th, at 4pm. Director Stan Warnow, who will attend, adds: "It has a reputation as a Woodstock-like film festival — but it also has the glitz and glamor of a major festival with A-list actors and films on display — this year Judi Dench and John Turturro are getting awards, and John Malkovich will also be in attendance."

The Karlovy Vary IFF is one of the oldest film festivals of all time (the first year took place in 1946). It is the most important international film festival in Central and Eastern Europe and the only festival in the Czech Republic. The festival is open to the public and is visited by thousands of young people.

You are Invited to An Acoustic Dinner with a Pack of Hungry Cannibals

This is your invitation to An Acoustic Dinner with a Pack of Hungry Cannibals. Well, three Acoustic Dinners with a Pack of Hungry Cannibals, in fact: "A collaboration between some of the Front Range's finest musicians on some of the wildest, funkiest music of one of most progressive composers of the 1930's. An evening of the music of the great American composer Raymond Scott, whose music is familiar to millions because of its adaptation by Carl Stalling in over 120 classic Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck and other Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animated shorts. Scott also created numerous spoken word pieces and soundscapes, which will be presented, alongside original music from Schepps, Aller, McCormick, Pelta-Tiller, and Hutchison." Details: here

• Thursday, June 9 at 8pm: Avogadro's Number, 605 South Mason Street, Fort Collins, CO

• Saturday, June 11 at 8:30pm: The Laughing Goat, 1709 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO

• Sunday, June 12 at 7pm: The Dazzle Showroom, 930 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO

White (Brain)Wash Concerts in Norway

MeaNensemble presents:

"Don't Beat your wife (every night)"

White (Brain) Wash in concert
A Tribute To Raymond Scott &
the Perfect World of Commercials

Bubbly and crazy cartoon music in the best Bugs Bunny-style, mixed with absurd advertising fantasies from 60 Years in the United States ... This is the MeaNensemble, a 9-man's All Star Band in this concert version of the critically acclaimed show "White (Brain) Wash" as was played on stages all over Norway and was set-up in three weeks at the Kaleidoscope Theatre in Copenhagen: "A sparkling witty, visually and musically superb virtuoso performance at the European level!"

Friday June 10th and Saturday 11th will be the exclusive prepremiere for Liland and Narvik before tour starting this fall. Then there will be visits to both festivals and live recording in Studio Store in Bodø. More info: here

There is no open ticket sales, but to reserve a place to experience the spectacular ensemble mean, you can contact by phone 95 92 77 91 or email: vibeke.forshaug.min@nfk.no

Friday at 8:00pm — Liland brygge

Saturday at 7:00pm — Mørkholla, Narvik kulturhus