Halloween Weekend Reggae & Soul Parties!!!

This is where you should be Friday night! I'll be joining the boys on the turntables, before, between and after the bands!!! Got my box o' soul ready to keep you dancing all night long!!!
...and this is where you should be Saturday night!!!

Mad Monster Party? - Trailer 1969

Yay! It's halloween! Time for all the old classics!

kiss dolls commercial

Man...they just don't make toys like they used to! Wish I could ask for these for Christmas!!!

Vintage Shoe Collection & more owls!

My friend posted a pic of some of her shoes on her blog...said they were some of her favorites. I loved this idea and since vintage shoes are a subject of one of my many collections that I consider a favorite, I thought I'd share a couple of pics with ya! The line of black lace-ups are from the 1970s. I think they are all West German made and of course they are men's shoes originally, but I love the style, toe detail and heel!
This group includes a 1970s blue suede pair, a tan leather & suede 1970s Twiggy style and my old favorite 1960s Ladies Florsheim pumps that I got for $2!


In addition to my shoes, my owls seem to have become a favorite of mine too! In addition to Leanna Lin's Wonderland in Los Angeles (that I've blogged about previously; take a look here for a recent write up: Leanna Lin’s Wonderland: Japanese pop culture cute meets retro whimsy - Los Angeles art scene | Examiner.com), I recently got them into a local store! Who's Your Betty on College Ave. in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland is now carrying them! http://www.stitchesforbitches.com/ This store is super cute and has an amazing selection of jewelry, bags, pouches, hair decorations, kids things, etc. all with a bit of a rock and roll edge. My friend Mireya from El Ponk! is also selling her handpainted wallets there. (www.elponk.com, www.elponk.blogspot.com, www.elponk.etsy.com)


This is the last large group of owls I made and are now partially in Leanna Lin's Wonderland and partially with El Ponk...so if you're in LA and want an owl, go check them out!

I Know You Got Soul!!!!

I got a few records in the mail today. One is Doing It To Death by Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s. This record inspired me to check out more on Youtube. It lead me to one of my favorite all time songs, I Know You Got Soul by Bobby Byrd:
...which lead me to Eric B & Rakim's song of the same name and heavily samples the original:
In addition to Bobby's tune, I recognized a few additional samples. I wanted to see what else I was missing, so looked it up and found this amazing blog post from Ethan Hein's Blog: http://www.ethanhein.com/wp/2010/eric-b-and-rakim
Everything you ever wanted to know and more is covered in this post! It blew my mind when I saw the 'family tree' of sorts for the songs off the album Paid In Full, where this song is found. Highly recommend reading this bit of musical history!
And, to give tribute to the second most recognizable sample in this song, here's a Jackson 5 video...starts off with I Want You Back, the song sampled. It goes into a medly of several other Jackson 5 songs, but I liked this video the best with all their amazing outfits and the drummer and keyboardist too!

WHERE IT'S AT! Tonight!!!

Come down to say hi!!!

Modern Day Space Age Fashion of the Stars???

Okay, so this morning, I saw this video on Bing Videos: Check out this great MSN video: Space Age Star Style

...and it made me think of this...among so many other music stars in the 1970s who had grasped ahold of the cosmic for inspiration. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rhianna...they ain't got nothing on the folks from the 70s! This fashion statement bridged all generes, from soul and funk, to disco, glam, jazz and hip hop. Below are just a few examples...oh, and note that it wasn't just the ladies in glitter and lame'!

Parliament-Funkadelic


Labelle

Sun Ra

Afrika Bambaata

and who could forget David Bowie!

STEREOLAB 「 LO BOOB OSCILLATOR 」

Yes, underneath my 'soul girl' cover, there are a few other musicians/styles that I love that are waaaay outside of this box! Stereolab is one of them and for all of the bands that I've seen in my life, I've seen them the most times! I love this song and highly recommend this entire album, that is solid all of the way through. I discovered Stereolab in 1996 and they've been a favorite ever since! Enjoy!

Early 1960's Lincoln Continentals...pure class!

As a kid, I grew up riding around in old cars. My dad was, and still is, a car guy. He's had everything from a 1929 Studebaker Touring Car to a 1968 VW bug Limo...and so many in between! I don't think he's ever owned an early 60's Lincoln though, and being that he is a Ford man, specifically, I can't believe that this one never made it into his garage! But, all those Friday nights as a teenager heading out to all the car meets at the retro 50s diners around the San Fernando Valley, car shows and general awareness of "old cars"...I came to realize that the early 60's Lincolns are what catch my eye! I love the styling, still got all the class of the 1950s with chrome detailing, etc, but moving forward into what the 1960s become with smoother and more boxy angles...and who can say those suicide rear doors aren't to die for?! Yup, if/when I can afford an old car again, this is the one I will aspire to! I've always loved my convertibles, but I think with this particular car, the hard top is where I'm at!

Here's the Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Continental
This is a very interesting read and I highly recommend it!

Oh, by the way, mine will be all black, low and beautiful!

Jive Turkey 1974

Will be adding this to my "must see" list!

Ramsey Lewis Trio ~ Barefoot Sunday Blues

I just picked up this record today from my friend at one of our local swap meets. I'm having a listen and am loving it! The tunes are so laid back, smooth and perfect for a "Barefoot Sunday" afternoon! I own quite a few Ramsey Lewis Trio records and I enjoy each one of them. I understand that this album has never been released on CD, but I've found a place where you can download it in case you're interested. http://allfreedownloadlinks.net/free-music-downloads/jazz-music/ramsey-lewis-trio-barefoot-sunday-blues-lp-rip/

Here's a sample of one of the tunes. Enjoy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqy_WaErK80

Check out El Ponk!

My good friend Mireya, of El Ponk fame, has been making some truly amazing adornments and decorative objects in preparation for Day of the Dead celebrations and craft/art sales. She and her boyfriend, Pancho, create, sculpt and paint so many cool things it's hard to pick out my favorite! I'm including a few pics of her newest creations, but you can see more at her ETSY shop: www.elponk.etsy.com; her blog: www.elponk.blogspot.com; and her website: www.elponk.com

She is based out of Los Angeles and participates in lots of various handmade shows throughtout Southern Cali. You can also find them vending at classic car/hot rod shows and the upcoming annual Day of the Dead festivities at Self Help Graphics in East LA and I believe they will also be at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary event, so keep an eye out! They do have a select offering of objects at several stores in LA, but you'll have to take a look at her website to get that info! If you're in the Bay Area, Who's Your Betty? on College Ave just started carrying her handpainted wallets! www.stitchesforbitches.com

Internation Rare Groove is where it's at!

I have a hard time turning on the radio and finding a station that I can listen to. There's a local public radio jazz station that I like, but it won't do for all times! When I'm at home, and not listening to records, I found a more than decent online station through iTunes. It's called "International Rare Groove". There are times that they throw in a song that leaves me wondering, but for the most part, these guys know what's going on! Every time I listen they either remind me about a song that I should add to my collection or more often introduce me to many amazing new tunes. It's "class in session" for old soul, funk, disco, and reggae tunes, with a little latin soul, bossa nova, tropicalia, afro beat/soul and jazz thrown in for good measure!

Give a listen here: http://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/international-rare-groove You won't be disappointed!

I like this too!

Gotta admit, these things are pretty cool! I found them on a German webstore site called "Donkey Products". Love many of the fun and playful items they have on their site and I highly recommend taking a look! So clever! Enjoy!
http://shop.donkey-products.com/de/auswahl/striptea-5-teebeutel
http://shop.donkey-products.com/de/kitchen/pissiger-hund-trinkglas

I like this!

When logged in to Blogger, there's a button at the top that says "Next Blog". I decided to click through to see what else is out there. After several blogs of really no interest to me, I came upon this one called "Simple Observations". I think the blog owner is taking photos in Poland, which I'm guessing is his/her homeland. Beautiful shots where little bursts of color bring warmth to the otherwise cold and dismal weather and industrial surroundings. I appreciate their juxtoposition of suject(s) and setting, bright colors and neutrals, nature and industry. Including a sample photo to pique your interest and hopefully get you to click through to their blog!
http://towiech.blogspot.com/

Today's musing...

I finished my book. I've been reading Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" for the past few months. Lunchtime reading...maybe 15 minutes at a time. Each day, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to get back to the lives of Dean, Sal and friends. This book reminded me how the wanderlust of life is so important to human existance...well, maybe more specifically, to my existance! This book reminded me to sieze life with all I have...take chances and follow dreams. I read the final words of the final chapter on the bus while crossing the Bay Bridge back home into Oakland. At first I was disappointed that I had not completed the book in a more grand location...but then I realized that where I was could not have been more perfect. I was "on the road", crossing the very same bridge that Sal Paradise had so many times. My destination may not have been nearly as far as his, but this thought brought a smile to my face. I looked out the window and saw the familiar bank of fog on the Bay and knew this was the perfect location to complete this story that brought adventure back into my imagination!

HOOT! Owls owls and more owls!

I've been making these owls for a while now. If you've been watching this blog, you have seen a few of the ones I've made in the past. Recently, I began selling them at a friend's store in Eagle Rock. Leanna Lin's Wonderland had it's grand opening just several weeks ago and both the first and second round of owls she took on consignment from me already sold! So, the week before my LA visit, I worked very diligently on a large number of new ones...14 in total! She took 7 newbies into her store (see last pic in this post for the ones you can buy @ Leanna Lin's Wonderland) and my friend Mireya of El Ponk took another 5 to either sell for me when she does her own sales or to bring down to Flock Shop in Chinatown (stay tuned...will update if any find their way there!). These make fantastic gifts and with the holidays coming up, order yours early for special requests! I have several posted in my Etsy shop: www.questionetc.etsy.com or feel free to contact me here if you're interested in ordering one. :)

http://leannalinswonderland.com/
http://www.flockshopla.com/
www.elponk.com
www.elponk.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/elponk

Clifton's Cafeteria! A bit o' magic in Downtown LA

Last weekend I spent a few days in LA. Saturday afternoon, my mom, brother & his girlfriend and my friend went out for lunch at Clifton's. It's been a while since I've been there, but every time I go, it amazes me that there is still something like that in existance in Los Angeles! So many of the cool old buildings and locations have been torn down, built over or gutted and turned into lofts/condos. My friend told me there is something going on with Clifton's, but hopefully they will be able to stay there for as many more years as they've been there already! Walking into Clifton's is like walking back into time. My mom grew up in South Gate and used to come shopping Downtown and have lunch here in the 1950s and 60s. It's truely a magical experience waiting for you to visit in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles on Broadway @ 7th St.
http://www.cliftonscafeteria.com/home.html

Modes of transportation...

Hope you enjoy!

October is a big month for music!

So, I was asked to create a poster for what will be a very memorable concert for many in attendace. Halloween weekend this all goes down! I will first tell you about the biggest event! Saturday night, October 30th is the night many have been waiting for! Top billed Roy Ellis, AKA Mr. Symarip is best known in the Skinhead Reggae scene for his tunes such as Skinhead Moonstomp, Skinhead Girl and many others. His song Banana, as performed by The Aggrolites, might be familiar to you if you watch the Yo Gabba Gabba kids show. He will be backed by the Sandollar Sound, which is a group of super talented musicians from Southern CA. These guys have been making sweet music for many years and if you're lucky to own one of their very limited releases, you'll know what a treat you'll be in for! Also on the bill are The Impalers and Boss 501. SF Vintage Reggae Society will be represented with DJ's Dukey, Bryan Martin & Mr. Ryha White. This is definitely going to be a show to see! For more info, check out the Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/tracy.parker2?success=1#!/event.php?eid=141651902531499&ref=ts

As if that weren't enough, Friday night will be the pre-party and will have The Inciters (Santa Cruz), 20 Grand Club (LA) and again the Sandollar Sound, but this night playing their own tunes! Dr. Scott (SFVRS) and Jim Fox (Bigger Boss-LA) will be DJing...and as luck would have it, the 3rd DJ can't make it, so I've been asked to fill in! Last minute invite, but I'm super excited about the opportunity! Time to break out all of my choice tunes! Yeah! Here's the Facebook invite for this night too: http://www.facebook.com/tracy.parker2?success=1#!/event.php?eid=161508217199925&ref=ts

Would love to see ya Friday and/or Saturday nights! Oakland, CA is where it's at!!!

I'm Back!!!

Hello Blog friends! I know...it's been too long since I've posted anything here. Work has been super busy and then I took a few days off to head out of town. Anyway, I'm back and ready to share new things with all of you! This is a little of what I've been up to and observing around town. Hope you enjoy!


Nice Victorian home on a walk in Oakland.


My baby doggie at Lake Merritt under the Fairyland sign.


Remember all that stuff about boycotting Arizona? How'd it die down so fast? Anyway, our local graff artist Gatz didn't forget!


Scraper alert!!!


Emeryville Marina beach with my dog.






Pretty little vintage Porsche!


San Francisco is starting work on a new transit hub, so the old Transbay terminal ramps are coming down. Goodbye to another part of SF history. :(