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(Roger Chapman of Streetwalkers - once proudly admitted he beat out Tom Jones in a singing contest)

Our sister site Late Night Music Club ran a clip from a performance by Streetwalkers on German Television in 1975. As luck would have it, I just happened to have a concert recorded by the BBC at their Paris Theatre, also in 1975.

Roger Chapman has one of the most unique and expressive voices in music - hands down. I had the pleasure of meeting him during his days with Family during their short tour of the U.S. for the release of Bandstand, about a year or two before they broke up to form Streetwalkers. He admitted, rather proudly that, early on in his career he was in a singing contest, alongside another aspiring singer, Tom Jones. Roger won the competition and I guess you could say the rest was history.

But in any event, Streetwalkers were sadly together for only a few years before packing it in around 1977. Times and audience tastes had changed and the gutsy, distinctive voice of Roger fell somewhat out of favor. But not for long. He is still recording, with various alumni of Family and Streetwalkers, and it's good for all of us they are.

But for now, a look back at Streetwalkers from 1975 and the inimitable Roger Chapman.

Well, it's the middle of winter and I'm stuck in Michigan, where the sky is gray and the ground is white- but turning gray. Ugh. Luckily I've got Les Double Six and Quincy Jones to help me escape to a different place and season: They take me for a stroll through Paris in Spring.

Let us know where you've been or where you'd like to be, but please do so musically. The Late Night Music Club and Travel Agency is now open for business.

For swaying around your abode on a Saturday night, you can't beat Canadian songstress Vanda King doing the old Irving Berlin standard, "You Can Have Him."

PS Also, don't miss Gordonskene's post of a full Peter, Paul, and Mary concert from The Hollywood Bowl (one hour long) at the main Late Night Music Club page.

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(Before ELO, Jeff Lynne had a little band called Idle Race)

I just noticed Late Night Music Club put up some ELO, and that reminded me of an earlier band Jeff Lynne was in. Idle Race were certainly one of the catchier bands of the psychedelic era, and the bore a strong musical resemblance to another band from the same period, The Move. So much so, that Idle Race actually recorded (or covered as they used to call it)a Move song "Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree". So it would only make sense that Lynne would join The Move in 1970 which would eventually morph into ELO a few short years later.

But for now, here is a track off their first album, Birthday Party issued in 1968 for Liberty Records in the states and the UK, On With The Show - don't let the cartoon music fool you at the intro - it gets down to business in a few seconds.

But Psychedelia was unpredictable that way.

Well, its happened. The best heavy metal tour package of the year has been announced. Mastodon will be embarking for a full US headlining tour in support of their hit record Crack the Skye with the live version of Dethklok (The band in Cartoon Networks's hit show Metalocalypse), Boston hardcore legends Converge, and sludge masters High on Fire. You already know how much I like Mastodon.

Presale tickets are availible now, and general public ticket sales begin Friday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m.

The dates are as follows:

Oct. 02 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Oct. 03 - WaMu Theater - Seattle, WA
Oct. 04 - Orpheum Theatre - Vancouver, BC
Oct. 06 - Big Four Building - Calgary, AB
Oct. 07 - Shaw Conference Centre - Edmonton, AB
Oct. 09 - Great Saltair - Salt Lake City, UT
Oct. 10 - Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO
Oct. 12 - Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
Oct. 13 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO
Oct. 14 - Val Air Ballroom - Des Moines, IA
Oct. 16 - Myth - St. Paul, MN
Oct. 17 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
Oct. 18 - Eagle's Auditorium - Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 20 - LC Pavilion - Columbus, OH
Oct. 21 - The Fillmore - Detroit, MI
Oct. 23 - Sound Academy - Toronto
Oct. 24 - The Fairgrounds - Buffalo, NY
Oct. 25 - Armory - Albany, NY
Oct. 27 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
Oct. 30 - Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY
Oct. 31 - Patriot Center - Washington, DC
Nov. 01 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 05 - Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
Nov. 06 - House of Blues - Myrtle Beach, SC
Nov. 07 - Hard Rock Live - Orlando, FL
Nov. 08 - Pompano Beach Amphit - Pompano Beach, FL
Nov. 11 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Nov. 12 - Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX
Nov. 13 - Austin City Music Hall - Austin, TX
Nov. 14 - Brady Theater - Tulsa, OK
Nov. 16 - Pan American Center - Las Cruces, NM
Nov. 17 - Mesa Amphitheater - Mesa, AZ
Nov. 18 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Nov. 19 - Palladium - Los Angeles, CA

I just wanted to remind all C&L readers that we've really expanded our new "sister sites" and there is a ton of new stories, videos, historical events and excellent music to choose from while you visit the site. We do front page many posts that appear on them, but there just isn't enough room so make sure you check them out. Click on the graphic located on the top right hand column to easily connect with them.

Video Cafe

Newstalgia

Late Night Music Club or the LNMC

The Blue America site will be reloading new progressive choices for upcoming elections soon and we'll have live chats with candidates conducted there as well.

I'll be writing more about other improvements and new sites that I will be unveiling as soon as I can.

Thanks for all your help.