Woody Allen’s dreamy Midnight In Paris inspired me to look up vintage radio stations to start my work week. I am well aware that roaming the streets of Paris and hanging out with Getrude Stein beats a monday morning in an Amsterdam office in every way imaginable, but you take what you can get: Itunes, Radio Dismuke and The 1920′s Network for instance.

When “When You Wish Upon A Star” came by, I probably looked very much like this and that’s a face I wish upon everyone. The song’s got nothing to do with the roaring twenties or Paris (unless… Euro Disney…. no, let’s not even go there), but Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy and Jiminy Cricket are pretty dreamy regardless and 1940 is a damn long time ago as well.

“When You Wish Upon A Star” was written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington and originally sung by Cliff Edwards, looking like Jiminy Cricket.

Pssst: Skeeter Davis’ and Trini Lopez’ versions are the bee’s knees as well.

“Aus” by Peggy Peters (aka Tina Rainford, real name Christa Zalewski, however no relation to Diddy or Prince.) was released in 1964 as the B-side for “Ich setzte alles auf eine Karte”. It is said to be a German cover of Lulu’s “Shout”, but it honestly took me a while to hear the resemblance. And even now that I do, I feel the word “cover” doesn’t really apply. Or maybe it does and what I consider to be covers, are actually nothing more than uninspired copies… Semantics Schmantics!

Cover or approximation, you can be the judge:

So here goes: Maia’s the backup singer for Hello Saferide, but has produced a few lovely solo albums as well. Sweden: the musical gift that keeps on giving! Although in this particular case Japan deserves some credit as well, her father’s from Tokyo.

Here’s “Say Goodbye” from the 2007 album “Though, I’m just me”. And perhaps you’d like to listen to “You and me and everyone we know” (not to be confused with “Me and You and Everyone We Know“) or “Gothenburg” or “Roselin” as well. All equally sweet.

I’m happy to report that my head is still attached firmly to the rest of my body, although I must admit that entire muscle groups are protesting out loud. It appears a night of old school riot grrrl jumping followed by a night of even older school rocking and stomping does do damage to one’s body.

Both records are 16 track compilations, put out by Sheik Records, this very month. Buddy Miller’s Teen Twist is one you’ve probably heard before, but to quote the record, it’s the “Wildest version ever!!”

Longstocking only ever released one album: “Once Upon a Time Called Now”, and 13 years after the fact, it still rocks. Unfortunately I was never able to see them performing live, but here’s the next best thing:

Need I explain how much influence “Uncle Phranc” has had on the Queercore movement? I think not. However I do think it’s worth mentioning that Phranc has been a Tupperware consultant for years, which in me evokes the following train of thought: That’s awesome! –> Or at least very fascinating –> Or is it one of the biggest paradoxes in queer music history? –> Who cares, anyone up for a queer tupperware/household appliances party?

Go watch Bulldagger Swagger, folks.

And while you’re at it, here’s “M-A-R-T-N-A”

Now I’m viewing my memory reel in reverse,
Scrolling back to come to feel your weather then
Now I’m noting the Himmlers of our parabola,
To predict the points of “thou shall not return”

Without further ado, here it is. Very belated, and yet in time for summer!

If I had a hammer
I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land
I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out this song that’s been stuck in my head for days now
All over this land
Oohooh oohooh, Oohooh oohooh

You’re very welcome.

“Why Baby Why” also appears on the 2005 “Sixties Japanese Garage-Psych Sampler”, a compilation of Japanese singles dating from 1966 to 1969 that you should listen to!