The Friday Follies Republicans AND Democrats Didn't Want You To See!

Man this week sure flew by, didn't it?

In any case, here's more oddities, obscurities, rants, foibles and other sights and sounds for your dining and dancing pleasure!

1) This Should Be The Offical Seal of The Democratic Party: I got the Republicans last week, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!:

2) Another Literally Unsung Guitar Slinger - Dennis Coffey: While not exactly a household word, Dennis Coffey a native of Detroit MI, came up through the ranks of Motown's famous studio band The Funk Brothers and added his distinct cutting, psychedelic and wah-wah enhanced sound and riffs to MANY Motown classics from the late 60's to early 70's (just before Motown relocated to L.A.). In 1972, Dennis had a monstrous hit single of his own, a funky, grooving, catchy and psychedelic instrumental called "Scorpio" (it actually got to #6 on the Billboard charts that year). It sounded almost like a deranged deconstruction of the Batman theme but with the funkiest rhythm section you ever heard in your life (it was The Funk Brothers BTW, christened for the single and the "Evolution" album as The Detroit Guitar Band), in fact, the middle drum/percussion breakdown has been sampled by NUMEROUS hip-hop folks (most famously on Young MC's hilarious "Bust A Move", about the only rap tune I could ever listen to). Dennis' wall-of-guitars sound was like no other at the time. The album "Evolution" (recorded on the now long gone Sussex label in late 1971) didn't sell much, at first. Then, in Detroit, a number of discos and dance clubs were playing the track "Scorpio" and people started to register their enthusiastic approval on the local dance floors. Before long, in early 1972, Sussex released "Scorpio" as a single and it caught on nationwide (I would jump for joy every time that song came on New York's WABC AM when I was but a lad of 12). Amazing to me that I actually lived to see an era where cool instrumentals could get radio airplay and become hits, I sure do miss that!

Dennis continued to release albums as a solo artist (platters like "Going For Myself", "Instant Coffey", "Finger Lickin' Good" among others) and did more sessions, even doing the score for a hilarious blaxploitation flick called "Black Belt Jones". He lived in L.A. for a time but eventually moved back to his native Detroit. These days, if you happen to swing through Detroit, you can catch Dennis laying down the funk at venues like Baker's Keyboard Lounge

And better still, Dennis has written a book about his experiences at Motown and beyond, the honest, insightful and many times HILARIOUS "Guitars, Bars and Motown Superstars".

Finally, check out Dennis' website HERE for all the latest!

3) Alternatives To The iPod: We all know that Apple was the company that really got the digital music revolution up and roaring with the iPod (although other companies had made attempts earlier but with none of the success). Many people swear by the Apple iPod now that some of the thornier issues seem to have been ironed out (short battery life being among them). Still, the iPod has other issues, and for me the most odious one is the fact you CAN'T replace the battery yourself, you have to send it in to Apple and pay some outrageous amount of money for it. No thanks, I'd rather do it myself for a fraction of that. Plus, other mp3/digital file players for the most part are compatible with far more download sites, not just iTunes. What brands are worthwhile? Personally, I'd recommend Creative, Phillips and San-Disk, but steer clear of ANYTHING made by Sony, RCA (just pure JUNK!) and cheap off-brands. Microsoft has an iPod rival called Zune, but personally, I don't support Microsoft any more than I have to.

One of the obvious benefits with non-Apple players, you can change your own batteries! Only one real drawback, accesories for non-Apple players are a bit hard to come by still. One user's perspective HERE

4) Pointless Legislation #3312: This is an actual law on the books in Chico CA, and I quote: "Detonation of a nuclear device within city limits shall result in a $500 fine" For more sidesplitting legislative lunacy, take a few minutes and visit, http://www.dumblaws.com/ . Oh CRAP!! I hope they didn't see me eating peanuts in church! And another thing, DO NOT shoot at moving targets from your car, unless it's a whale!

5) Pointless Legislation #3313: According to a recent AP report, in Coral Springs Florida, circa 1975, a law was passed that required businesses to inform customers (by means of signage) if that shop sold products made in Communist countries. Thing was, NOBODY even bothered to enforce it! At this point, a vote is about to be taken to repeal this ridiculous statute.

6) Why No Bush Rant In This Friday Follies?: Very simple, George Dubbaya hasn't pulled anything as outrageously stupid this week as in previous weeks, it's not even registering on the Stupid Meter right now, but there IS always next week, stay tuned. Being a genius at being stupid sure takes a lot out of a guy I guess.

7) RE; Larry Craig: Looks like Sen. Craig is NOT having a good week, his pathetic attempt at withdrawing his guilty plea was struck down by a judge (THANK GOD!) and not only that , he withdrew his offer to resign (BAD MOVE!). Weell Larry, how are people going to miss you if you won't go away quietly in the first place?

8) The GOP NEEDS To Change It's Name: And it should be changed to LID, which stands for Liberals In Denial.

PS: Extra bonus cool points to ANYBODY who can guess what the bicycle-powered contraption at the top of this post is....

HAPPY FRIDAY ONE AND ALL!