Sound Beat

<p>The mythical Sirens have long been depicted as tantalizing, seductive, banes to the existence of accursed sailors, enchanted by their fatal song.  The Greeks had them as winged maidens, but somewhere along the way, the meaning shifted: in most European languages, the word <strong><em>Siren</em></strong> translates as “mermaid”. You’re listening to the Green Brothers Novelty band with “Siren of the South Sea”.</p> <p>If the smell of fresh-brewed coffee renders you helpless, you may have run into Melusina today. Starbucks has used the half-woman, half water-serpent’s likeness since 1971, based on a Norse woodcut. Why the nautical theme? Starbuck was the name of Captain Ahab’s first mate in <strong><em>Moby Dick</em></strong>.</p> <p>Here&#8217;s a <a title="http://northstargallery.com/mermaids/" href="http://northstargallery.com/mermaids/mermaidhistory2.htm">great site </a>about mermaids, sirens and the bunch.</p>

<p>The scene: a dimly lit jazz club. A lone spot light illuminates the musicians, plying their trade amidst billowing plumes of smoke. Cigarette smoke, you’d assume…unless you were Harry Anslinger.  Anslinger was appointed the Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1937. Policy-wise: think…the McCarthy of marijuana.  His target: International kingpins? Schoolyard pushers?  No.  “Musicians,” he told a senate committee in 1948 “and not good musicians, jazz musicians.” Jazz was exploding at the time, and there was an immediate backlash.  He could’ve used a softer PR tactic…but, come on… the jazz songbook is full of lightly-veiled references to marijuana, from Stuff Smith’s “If You’re a Viper” to Louis Armstrong’s “Muggles”.  And some songs…some songs made no attempt at pretense. You’ve been listening to Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and others with 1945’s…“Groovin’ High.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first moving-picture machine in history, the kinetoscope, was developed by William Kennedy Dickson , while under the employ of Thomas Edison. One of the biggest problems with early films was the need for, and unavailability of, light. So when Edison built the Black Maria studio in 1893, he had it completely covered in tar paper, to attract light. Not only that, but the ceiling had a retractable window.And, because it was Edison, the whole building was constructed on a turntable that could pivot said retractable ceiling towards the best angle of light.</p> <p>The first copyrighted film was not a comedy, a thriller, but a…ahem…bodily function. It was entitled “Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze”, and known commonly as “Fred Ott’s Sneeze”. Ott was another Edison employee, and his sneeze was arguably the most famous in film history…until Woody Allen’s. For more on the film industry’s early days, follow this link to a great breakdown at <a title="http://www.filmsite.org/pre20sintro.html" href="http://www.filmsite.org/pre20sintro.html">AMC.com</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Like Slim Gaillard said, “The Atomic Cocktail” is “the drink that you don’t pour”…until Las Vegas bartenders made it one. You see, in 1951, the government announced Nevada would be home to new bombing test sites. There was, understandably, heightened tension in the area…but then, Vegas knows a thing or two about relieving tension. Hotels and bars embraced the plans and the Atomic Cocktail was born. Want to make your own? (info courtesy of Esquire Magazine) Just take:   1 1/2 ounces vodka 1 1/2 ounces brandy 1 teaspoon sherry 1 1/2 ounces Brut  champagne Stir the vodka, brandy, and sherry well with cracked ice, then strain into  a chilled cocktail glass and add 1 1/2 to 2 ounces cold brut champagne. Garnish  with plastic three-eyed fish from Simpsons playset. Note: If you use the  sweeter Spanish brandy, opt for the drier Amontillado sherry. Conversely, if you  use the (dry) cognac, choose the (sweet) Oloroso. We strive for balance in all  stirs.  

<p>El Capitan is a selection from, and title of, Sousa’s first operetta. A political thriller set during the Spanish possession of Peru, it debuted in Boston in April 0f 1896.</p> <p><strong><em>This</em></strong> recording, though, was made by the London Concert Orchestra and recorded on a Lambert Cylinder. They’re the <strong><em>easy-on-the-eyes</em></strong> cylinders, coming in shades of pink, as well as purple, blue and black. And they’re also pretty rare…they were the first cylinders made of celluloid, making them much more durable than wax. But…the parallel technologies battle among early-20^th century cylinder manufacturers was a fierce one.. Lambert would only produce their records from 1901 to 1905. For a more-detailed breakdown of the Cylinder Wars, check out our blog at soundbeat.org.</p>