Continuing the series of Vintage Photos
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Music Birthdays, June 12
July 12th: Born on this day
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Christine McVie, keyboards, vocals Fleetwood Mac - 1943
John Wetton, bass, vocals, King Crimson, U.K. Uriah Heep, Roxy Music, Asia - 1949
Philip Taylor Kramer, bass guitar, Iron Butterfly. - 1952 (died February, 1995)
Christine McVie, keyboards, vocals Fleetwood Mac - 1943
John Wetton, bass, vocals, King Crimson, U.K. Uriah Heep, Roxy Music, Asia - 1949
Philip Taylor Kramer, bass guitar, Iron Butterfly. - 1952 (died February, 1995)
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monterrey, Mexico 01
Continuing the series of Vintage Photos
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
Music Birthdays, July 11
July 11th: Born on this day
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Jeff Hana, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 1949
Richie Sambora, guitar, Bon Jovi - 1959
Susanne Vega - 1959
Jeff Hana, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 1949
Richie Sambora, guitar, Bon Jovi - 1959
Susanne Vega - 1959
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico - 02
Continuing the series of Vintage Photos
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"Street Scene, Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico"
Sabinas Hidalgo is about 1/2 way between The US border and Monterrey. About 250 miles from The Alamo. Like the recent photo of Iaeger, WV, it doesn't really seem like a destination city....
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"Street Scene, Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico"
Sabinas Hidalgo is about 1/2 way between The US border and Monterrey. About 250 miles from The Alamo. Like the recent photo of Iaeger, WV, it doesn't really seem like a destination city....
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Cardinals vs Pirates
As of 7/9/2011
STL 48-42 0.527 ---
PIT 46-43 0.506 1.0
Bucs are assured of being above 0.500 at the All-Star break, first time since '92, I think. Way cool! But the Cards have Pujols back, annd he drilled a 2 run HR tonight.
It's looking like a fun show the rest of the summer!
STL 48-42 0.527 ---
PIT 46-43 0.506 1.0
Bucs are assured of being above 0.500 at the All-Star break, first time since '92, I think. Way cool! But the Cards have Pujols back, annd he drilled a 2 run HR tonight.
It's looking like a fun show the rest of the summer!
Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico - 01
New serires: Vintage Photos
Several years ago, we came across a collection of old B and W photos. Presumably taken by my father. But this was well after he passed away, so we really don't know much about them. I've had them for several years, and have finally gotten around to starting the scanning process...
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"House, Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico"
Sabinas Hidalgo is about 1/2 way between The US border and Monterrey. About 250 miles from The Alamo. Like the recent photo of Iaeger, WV, it doesn't really seem like a destination city.... more Hmmmmmm
Several years ago, we came across a collection of old B and W photos. Presumably taken by my father. But this was well after he passed away, so we really don't know much about them. I've had them for several years, and have finally gotten around to starting the scanning process...
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"House, Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico"
Sabinas Hidalgo is about 1/2 way between The US border and Monterrey. About 250 miles from The Alamo. Like the recent photo of Iaeger, WV, it doesn't really seem like a destination city.... more Hmmmmmm
Welch, West Virginia
Continuing the series: Vintage Photos These are a collection of old B and W photos, presumably taken by my father. I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after he returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
Snake Farm, Route 11, Virgina
Continuing the series: Vintage Photos
These are a collection of old B and W photos, presumably taken by my father. I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after he returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"Snake Farm on Route 11, Virgina"
According to Google, Route 11 parallels I-81. Of course, I-81 didn't exist when these photos were taken. And through the joys of the internet, I've found it! As noted on the flyer: Two miles soth of Edinburg in the heart of the famed Shenandoah Valley of Virgina.
These are a collection of old B and W photos, presumably taken by my father. I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after he returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"Snake Farm on Route 11, Virgina"
According to Google, Route 11 parallels I-81. Of course, I-81 didn't exist when these photos were taken. And through the joys of the internet, I've found it! As noted on the flyer: Two miles soth of Edinburg in the heart of the famed Shenandoah Valley of Virgina.
Friday, July 08, 2011
And The Hits Just Keep Getting Harder To Find....
Time for more wild and wacky fun with numbers, looking at trends in popular music!
Tuesday we looked at the trends of Novelty songs, showing a significant drop over the decades. Wednesday and Thursday, we looked at Instrumental artists, showing an even more dramatic drop in the number of instrumental songs.
So how about overall? How many songs have been reaching the top of the charts?
I tabulated the total number of sangs per year to crack the Top 10, then took a 10 year average to get some smoothing. See any trends?
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Between 1960 and 1967 the number of Top 10 songs rose pretty steadily. Between 1966 and 1976 it was remarkably steady, between 100 and 106 Top 10 songs per year. There was a bit of decline starting in the mid / late 70’s into the 80;s (disco?), then a rebound to the “100-songs-per-year” level by the end of the decade. Then a steep and steady decline through the 90’s. And then bottoming out around 2001. Since 2001 the average has remained quite steady, between 56 and 60 Top 10 Songs per year.
The glaring thing? Over the past decade, the number of successful songs has been about 40% less that it was through the 60’s and 70’s.
Aren’t folks making good music? Is it just another sign that the music industry is leaning towards a general “same-ness”?? Fewer Instrumentals? Fewer “novelty” songs. Fewer songs making it to the top of the charts?.
No wonder popular music is struggling.
Tuesday we looked at the trends of Novelty songs, showing a significant drop over the decades. Wednesday and Thursday, we looked at Instrumental artists, showing an even more dramatic drop in the number of instrumental songs.
So how about overall? How many songs have been reaching the top of the charts?
I tabulated the total number of sangs per year to crack the Top 10, then took a 10 year average to get some smoothing. See any trends?
Between 1960 and 1967 the number of Top 10 songs rose pretty steadily. Between 1966 and 1976 it was remarkably steady, between 100 and 106 Top 10 songs per year. There was a bit of decline starting in the mid / late 70’s into the 80;s (disco?), then a rebound to the “100-songs-per-year” level by the end of the decade. Then a steep and steady decline through the 90’s. And then bottoming out around 2001. Since 2001 the average has remained quite steady, between 56 and 60 Top 10 Songs per year.
The glaring thing? Over the past decade, the number of successful songs has been about 40% less that it was through the 60’s and 70’s.
Aren’t folks making good music? Is it just another sign that the music industry is leaning towards a general “same-ness”?? Fewer Instrumentals? Fewer “novelty” songs. Fewer songs making it to the top of the charts?.
No wonder popular music is struggling.
The Alamo - 04
New serires: Vintage Photos
Several years ago, we came across a collection of old B and W photos. Presumably taken by my father. But this was well after he passed away, so we really don't know much about them. I've had them for several years, and have finally gotten around to starting the scanning process...
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas"
There are several photos in the series from the Alamo. I'll try and group them together.
Several years ago, we came across a collection of old B and W photos. Presumably taken by my father. But this was well after he passed away, so we really don't know much about them. I've had them for several years, and have finally gotten around to starting the scanning process...
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas"
There are several photos in the series from the Alamo. I'll try and group them together.
July 8th: Born on this day
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Jaimoe Johanson, drums, Allman Brothers Band - 1944
Toby Keith, country singer - 1961
Joan Osborne, singer, songwriter - 1963
Beck David Campbell, Beck - 1970
Jaimoe Johanson, drums, Allman Brothers Band - 1944
Toby Keith, country singer - 1961
Joan Osborne, singer, songwriter - 1963
Beck David Campbell, Beck - 1970
Thursday, July 07, 2011
The Alamo - 03
New serires: Vintage Photos
Several years ago, we came across a collection of old B and W photos. Presumably taken by my father. But this was well after he passed away, so we really don't know much about them. I've had them for several years, and have finally gotten around to starting the scanning process...
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas"
There are several photos in the series from the Alamo. I'll try and group them together.
Several years ago, we came across a collection of old B and W photos. Presumably taken by my father. But this was well after he passed away, so we really don't know much about them. I've had them for several years, and have finally gotten around to starting the scanning process...
I'm guessing they were taken in the late 40's, sometime after my father returned from WWII, but before he graduated college and started his career.... If anybody can discern any clues from the photos, let me know!!
"The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas"
There are several photos in the series from the Alamo. I'll try and group them together.
Whatever Happened To Instrumental Songs (Part 2)?
Yesterday we looked at Instrumental Songs, and trends through the years. While I thought the trend was pretty clear, there was a limitation in the data set. Looking at Artists defined as “Instrumental” adds some vocal songs by instrumental acts (example: “This Boy’s In Love With You” by Herb Alpert). It also overlooks instrumental songs by vocal acts (example: “Frankenstein” by Edgar Winter Group). It also includes everything in the Hot 100, which is a rather broad sample.
So, how about another angle on the data? With only moderate effort, I was able to tabulate the number of Instrumental songs to make the Top 10, by decade. And once again, the trend is crystal clear:
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Instrumentals were a solid part of the music scene in the 50’s and 60’s, with 55 songs per year as significant hits (Top 10). The 70’s saw that number drop (almost) in half, to 28. By the 80’s the number had dropped almost 90% (to 6). Only 1 instrumental made the Top 10 in the 90’s, and none in the00’s. Doesn’t get much clearer than that. What was once a significant part of the popular music scene is now missing.
So why?? Why no “Tequila”? No “Telstar”, or “Grazing In The Grass”? No “Frankenstein” or “Pick Up The Pieces”? Not even a “Chariots Of Fire” or “Miami Vice”. All those songs were not only Top 10’s, but chart Toppers.
I think it's a shame. But them I'm just a grumpy old man.
So, how about another angle on the data? With only moderate effort, I was able to tabulate the number of Instrumental songs to make the Top 10, by decade. And once again, the trend is crystal clear:
complied from data from: http://song-database.com/
Instrumentals were a solid part of the music scene in the 50’s and 60’s, with 55 songs per year as significant hits (Top 10). The 70’s saw that number drop (almost) in half, to 28. By the 80’s the number had dropped almost 90% (to 6). Only 1 instrumental made the Top 10 in the 90’s, and none in the00’s. Doesn’t get much clearer than that. What was once a significant part of the popular music scene is now missing.
So why?? Why no “Tequila”? No “Telstar”, or “Grazing In The Grass”? No “Frankenstein” or “Pick Up The Pieces”? Not even a “Chariots Of Fire” or “Miami Vice”. All those songs were not only Top 10’s, but chart Toppers.
I think it's a shame. But them I'm just a grumpy old man.
Mucis Birthdays, July 7th
July 7th: Born on this day
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Richard Starkey, (Ringo Starr), drums, vocals, Rory Storm, The Beatles - 1940
Warren Entner, Guitar, keyboards, vocals Grass Roots - 1944
Jim Rodford, bass, Argent - 1945
David Hodo, vocals, The Village People, - 1950
Mark White, bass, The Spin Doctors - 1962
Richard Starkey, (Ringo Starr), drums, vocals, Rory Storm, The Beatles - 1940
Warren Entner, Guitar, keyboards, vocals Grass Roots - 1944
Jim Rodford, bass, Argent - 1945
David Hodo, vocals, The Village People, - 1950
Mark White, bass, The Spin Doctors - 1962
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