A dramatic reading of one of my favorite Ray Bradbury short stories anchors this session. Try to ignore the fact that I refer to a Bradbury "tune"; in fact, as musical as the master's prose is, it's probably as accurate a misstatement as you're ever going to hear.

Vintage ads for Coca-Cola and a prominent Illinois politician are also on the agenda.

Plus, I spend a couple of minutes reminding you that I'd love to sell you some musical fiction of my own ...

The songs:
She Said Her Name Was Saffron - Marc Gunn
You Bug Me Baby - Larry Williams
For Your Boy and My Boy - Peerless Quartet
God's Gonna Cut You Down - Odetta
Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits - Marc Gunn

A 3.5-minute journey through seven audio formats is featured in this particular trip through the attic - to wit:

"Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" - Odetta
"The House of the Rising Sun" - Jack Elliott
"Old Blue" - Cisco Houston
"In the Mood" (2 78s, a cassette, 45, 33, CD and download versions) - Glenn Miller
"Tar Paper Stomp" - Wingy Manone and his Orchestra

Along the way you'll hear clips from "The First Family" with Vaughn Meader and "Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD" starring David Hasselhoff.

OK, maybe you don't "rock" when you're talking Ole Svenson & His Smorgasbord Band, Bing Crosby and Benny Goodman ... download and enjoy!

First off, I tell you about the tri-speed turntable that powers this podcast, and then Ole checks in with the now-classic "Yingle Yingle Yumping Beans." After a word from the company that brings you the very best chocolate, we check out a couple of Beatles covers from Bing Crosby ("Hey Jude") and Benny Goodman ("Octopus's Garden").

While we're on the subject (and after a commercial message a la National Lampoon Radio Hour), a brief introduction to Emitt Rhodes, who was marketed as a McCartney sound-alike but was quite an artist in his own right. The link takes you to a nifty interview that I discovered after the show was put to bed.

I had to hear the Ballad of Serenity again before bringing in Marc Gunn's version of "Hero of Canton," and then it was time for Rockosaurus Rex to ring in the new year a couple of days early.

A special hat tip to Wally Conger, who influenced this show in ways you'll hear about. Wow, it's good to be back — I hope you agree.

Coming your way: Vintage ads for Camel and Budweiser, with The Crew-Cuts stepping in for the latter. Also ...

+ Sweet Dawn My True Love, a B-side from Crispian St. Peters
+ You Can Have Him, a lost treasure by Dionne Warwick
+ Railway Station, from Oshkosh's own Bill Waters Band
+ Sixteen Tons by Eric Burdon, the best thing about Joe Versus the Volcano

... and a lot of jabbering from yours truly.

UPDATE 12-17-08: Yumpin Yiminy, I went almost a week forgetting the "55" illustration I tracked down for this episode. Whatever. It's there now.

"Chapter 1: The Matter of the Cookies" launches our dramatic recitation of the upcoming novel The Imaginary Revolution by my imaginary friend B.W. Richardson. Because he didn't quite meet the goal of having the first three chapters ready, B.W. opened his notebook and gave me a couple of mini-scenes to pique your interest for the rest of the story.

Also in this episode: "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Reinald Werrenrath ... "Harrigan/Yankee Doodle Dandy" from Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians ... and "Two Dollar Shoes" by Rosie Thomas.

You're going to want to have your podcatcher primed and ready for UWA #54, that's all I'm sayin' folks.

Barack Obama's comment about the need for "aggressive diplomacy" with Iran reminded me of an Anakin Skywalker line, which led to a little audio collage that also incorporates The Prisoner and that other guy running for Big Guy this year.

Other features of this 53rd trip to the Attic: Two versions of "I'm a Monster" by the inimitable Scotty MacGregor ... The memorable "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think" from the lost Dylan Hears A Who project ... "That's Cool" by Adam and the Couch Potatoes ... and a big announcement about upcoming episodes.

Even if I'm a couple of days late for Independence Day, I have to read from the Declaration and play the Hurtado Brothers Royal Marimba Band version of "The Stars and Stripes Forever," don't I? I mean, it's tradition! Also within this slightly longer trip to the Attic are a couple of tunes by Red Ingle and his Natural Seven and the complete and unabridged Rusty in Orchestraville, one very interesting adventure. Oh, and there's a little Spike Jones in there, too.

What made me hesitate: eulogies to my friend kyfho and to Danny Federici, as we return to the Attic at last. Highlights include:

"Hold On To Your Freedom" from Jennifer Avalon ... quite a few clips from Firefly and Serenity among other memorable movie moments ... "Don't Let Us Get Sick" by Warren Zevon via the Internet Archive ... old ads for Rheingold beer and Good N Plenty ... "What Have You Got That Gets Me" from the Bob Crosby Orchestra with Marion Mann ... another Animal Story ... and "Undecided" by The Ames Brothers.

And I add this in memory of kyfho:

"As a juror, I will exercise my 1000-year-old duty to arrive at a verdict, not just on the basis of the facts of a particular case, or instructions I am given, but through my power to reason, my knowledge of the Bill of Rights, and my individual conscience. When needful, I will judge the law itself." -L. Neil Smith

THE BIG 5-OH ... Oh boy ... 50 trips up to the Attic ... who woulda thunk. I'm rushing this up online and then taking off for a Saturday night date with Red — talk amongst yourselves and I'll be back with the show notes at a later date ...

UPDATE — OK, here we go. First, an authentic no-prize to the first person to name the five sources of the audio in my "explosive" introduction to the show. Hint: Four are movies.

As the show moves along, highlights include ads from Schaffer Beer, Doublemint gum, Mr. Clean and the new 1958 Edsel. The musical numbers:
+ Teddy Boy Stomp - The Buggs
+ I Can Always Find a Little Sunshine in the YMCA - Lambert Murphy with Orpheus Quartet
+ Who Could Be More Wonderful Than You - Aileen Stanley and Billy Murray
+ Always Love You - w.p. bluhm
+ Good Vibrations - James Gadson
+ Stardust on the Moon - Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra
+ We Go Well Together - Cab Calloway and his Orchestra

Thanks for coming along for 50 episodes, and hang in for the next round of 50! Oh yeah, and about that other project I mention in this show: Check this out.

After a false start by The King, we pull a bushel of corn down from the Attic, including a couple of Animal Stories by Uncle Larry and Lil' Tom, and a movie ad from the legendary National Lampoon Radio Hour. Our musical selections:

+ Peter Cottontail - Mervyn Shiner
+ Roving Gambler - U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd
+ Another Brew Bartender - Whitey Knight
+ Wang Wang Blues - Elliot Everett and his Orchestra
+ Easy - Harry James
+ When You Come Back - Raymond Dixon and Orpheus Quartet
+ Dirty Water - The WhizBang Shufflers

He's ba-ack ... with a sneak preview of the new book The Adventures of Myke Phoenix, along with a smattering of other shtuff: "In Malibu" by Johnny Proctor ... and off the 78's, "Learn to Do the Strut," written by Irving Berlin and performed by The Georgians ... "A Little Bit of Heaven" by Charles Harrison ... "My Eyes (Get Me in Trouble)" by the inimitable Muddy Waters ... and the "William Tell Overture" by the even more inimitable Spike Jones and his Orchestra.

Who is Charlie Francis? He had some surprisingly tasty tunes on a series of budget albums in the early to mid-1960s, and a search for Charlie resulted in a surprise I should've seen coming.

In this edition, we hear Charlie Francis sing "A New Love," "Mountain of a Man," "Just Tell Me When," "Believe in Me" and "Little Girl." If you haven't heard the show yet and want to be surprised with me, don't click on this, the link I refer to during the story.

Also, the megahit "I Got a Crush on Obama," thoughts on creativity by Dave Slusher of the Evil Genius Chronicles, and classic Robot Theater from the legendary Illinoise! podcast by Just Pete and NASA Janet.

Last but not least, an unabashed plug for The Imaginary Bomb by B.W. Richardson, edited and published by moi over at Lulu.com.

New Year's Eve is a time of review and renewal and resolutions, and I share some of my big plans for Ought-Eight in between fun shtuff, including:

Auld Lang Syne, Rockosaurus Rex
Hi-Diddle-Diddle, Guy Lombardo
Wildroot Cream commercial, King Cole Trio
Anybody Here Remember Radio?, Stan Freberg
The Boogie Woogie Flying Cloud, Hank Snow
Just Today, w.p. bluhm
Re: Your Brains, Jonathan Coulton
A Wee Deoch an' Doris, Harry Lauder

Actually, no, Mary Woronov (pictured) does not appear in this episode, but we do share several clips from one of her greatest cult hits, when she played conflicted scientist hero Audrey White.

I spend most of the show rummaging through the Attic in search of this thing I saw in the newspaper once - UWA 45 is sandwiched between "A Laptop Like You" and "Podsafe Christmas Song" by Jonathan Coulton. Featured tunes include "Deck the Halls" by Rockosaurus Rex ... "Giggling Gertie" from Vaughn de Leath ... "O Lutefisk" by Molly and Sonny Boy ... "Emilia Polka (Laughing Polka)" by Lawrence Duchow ... my dramatc reading ... and "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" by Yogi Yorgesson.

I emerge from the Attic covered with dust and shellac. We begin on a serious note, bringing renditions of "Trees" by John Charles Thomas and Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours."

Moving from the sublime to the ridiculous, here are "I Want to Be Bad" by Helen Kane, who was boop-boop-a-dooping before Betty, and in fact she boops in this song at least once ... the immortal "I'm My Own Grandpa" by Lonzo and Oscar ... and "Yingle Bells" by Yogi Yorgesson.

If you're feeling a little down - we had six inches of snow over the weekend so I understand - The Revelers remind us that "Just Around the Corner" could be sunshine. And Jonathan Coulton offers the sounds of the season from "Chiron Beta Prime."

Back to rummaging around the Attic. In addition to some lovely clips from It Happened One Night and other flicks, UWA 43 includes:

"Don't Blame Me for What Happens in the Moonlight," from Perry Botkin Jr. and friends ... "Hello Again" by Herb Oscar Anderson ... the immortal "Pachalafaka" from Soupy Sales ... "Great Balls of Fire" from the New Grass Revival ... a showdown between The Shadow and a nutcase ... "Sweet Potato Piper" with Bing Crosby featuring John Trotter's Pan Fried Five ... and our beloved Aileen Stanley and Billy Murray round it off with "When the Leaves Come Tumbling Down."

Hi folks, I turn the microphone over to a special guest host in order to get out a Fifth of November edition of Uncle Warren's Attic. I hope you enjoy the change of pace!

Featured tunes:

"Free the People," Los Gallos
"Guy Fawkes Day," Paul Melancon
"1812 Overture," Amsterdam Concert Orchestra
"Ballad of Serenity," from the film of the same name

And if you don't own V for Vendetta yet, well, click here.

In addition to the usual collection of odds and ends, this edition brings you:

"March of the Toys," from Babes in Toyland, by the Victor Concert Orchestra conducted by Nathaniel Shikret

"Phonograph Blues," Robert Johnson from the Internet Archive

"Mama Don't Rush Me Blues," Willie Jones (whom you can also hear singing "Sweet Patunia" in UWA #19)

"You Blacked My Blue Eyes Once Too Often" by Lonzo and Oscar

"Chicken Reel" by Les Paul

"Oh! Sweet Mystery of Life," Bing Crosby

All of it brought to you by Fruity Oaty Bars - they'll make a man out of a mouse, etc.

Uncle Warren unplugged: Red and I on the road, a couple of my old folk tunes ("You Can Tighten My Belt" and "Hi Horse Tweedledum Ladies"), and a taste of what the Attic might sound like if I paid the license fees and played non-podsafe stuff.

You'll hear "fair use" clips from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Judee Sill, Tommy James and the Shondells, Leahy and Copper Box, and a complete tune from podsafe bluegrass gods The WhizBang Shufflers. Enjoy!

It’s long past time I gave you a little more taste of Maria Daines with her partner and guitarist guitarist Paul Killington. After launching the show with Carne Cruda’s “Amazing Artichoke of World Peace,� we dive into Maria’s “Tear Down the Walls� and “Alright When The Morning Comes.�

After we sing the praises of the 1960 Studebaker Lark, it’s time for Aileen Stanley and Billy Murray and the 1924 classic “You’ll Never Get to Heaven With Those Eyes.� Then, from the Internet Archive, Warren Zevon sings “Veracruz� - thanks Kirsten for the heads-up on this terrific recording.

We extol the wisdom of saving Top Value Stamps, and then it’s time for a little Boo Boo Davis. The tasty blues tunes “Tell Me What to Do� and “Boo’s Boogie Woogie� close out our 39th adventure together. By the way, Maria and Boo Boo were last heard back in the legendary Episode #20.

We start out the show with an authentic recording of the Uncle Warren's Attic show from Jan. 17, 1961, as President Dwight D. Eisenhower presents his farewell speech to the nation. It's a historic address, and it provides a lot of room for thought about what's happened in the past 46 years or so.

Also on the show are a 1966 ad for the film "Lady L" from the Jean Shepherd show ... "Liar Liar" by singer-songwriter Julie Harris ... "Grow" by singer-songwriter April Start ... and "I'm Beginning to Remember" by Jimmy Lee and Johnny Mathis - no, not that Johnny Mathis.

It comes with a promise to be back in a week - what am I thinking?!?

It's another dip into my pile of platters that spin at 78 rpm, including two peeks at the "Flying Saucer" mania of the mid-1950s.

I reprise Buchanan and Goodman's marvelous "Flying Saucer" record from 1956 to set you up for a (to any family members, I apologize) remarkable unfunny knock-off called "Out of This World With Flying Saucers" by Dave Barry and Sara Berner, who I'm sure were nice people.

Surrounding those are such lost gems as "Hotta Chocolatta" by the De John Sisters ... "Who's Sorry Now" by Les Stevens' Clover Gardens Orchestra ... "Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip" by Anita O'Day ... "Oh Baby What a Night" by Billy Murray and Walter Scanlon ... and "Look Who's Talkin'" by Ted Daffan's Texans.

As usual the show is also peppered with other great moments from pop culture history.

I'll give you eclectic, my pretty -- and your little dog, too! The lineup: "Immortality," William Jennings Bryan (1908) "Welfare Blues," Josh White (1934) "Address to American Indians," President Woodrow Wilson (1913) "Asleep in the Deep," William F. Hooley (1911) Live PSA for safe driving (1953) "Minor Swing," The WhizBang Shufflers (2004) "The Radio Guy," Warren Bluhm (1996; recorded 2007) "Destination Unknown," The Rebel Soul Band

This short story will be part of UWA 36, but I'm releasing it separately for those of you who like your tales to stand alone.

From the wild and wooly 1920s comes the story of one of the era's biggest recording stars, who apparently lost a fortune in the 1929 stock market crash but is making a modest return to the spotlight thanks to intrigued fans like moi. I've been contemplating "The Aileen Stanley Story" ever since I started finding other tunes in the wake of the big reaction to "Keep Your Skirts Down Mary Ann" way back in UWA #3.

Here's the jazzage1920s.com biography that I lean on for much of the info in this episode ... and here's another interesting source. And if you'd like to explore more of her music, here and here are a couple of links to the Internet Archive.

For this Independence Day edition of Uncle Warren's Attic, and to make up for the long silence, this show features two dramatic readings - one many of you have heard before is my short story "Wildflower Man," and the other is a reading of a speech you may have heard some of, but may not have ever heard in its entirety - Patrick Henry's address to the Virginia House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775. It's still pretty electric.

Musical friends include the WhizBang Shufflers, who present the opening and closing tracks of their absolutely free album "Baffle the Bird of Death" - the irrepressible "It's All New" and the bonus track "bonus track."

We also hear from Five Star Fall and The Kokoon, whose work you can find at Magnatune, where the slogan is "We Are Not Evil." And we also have a reprise of Giles' rousing version of "Freedom." Oh, and thanks to Kirsten of Enjoy Every Sandwich for her kind words and actions.

I tried to make it worth the wait - let me know how I did!

What has happened here is something which, up until a few days ago, was entirely beyond the scope of man's imagination ...

You have heavy doses of a sixties-style band called The Sealed Weasels (Remember "Zen Hot Dog" in UWA 20?), along with seasonings from movies and TV, a little Andy Partridge, Anna Burck, Eisenhowers, Carl T. Sprague and John Charles Thomas ... but not a great deal of Uncle Warren ... at least not Uncle Warren's voice, just Uncle Warren the sound editor.

What does this episode mean? Philosophers will be debating that question for centuries. I wonder why the wonder falls ...

PROMISED UPDATE: So what all was in there? Well, the Sealed Weasels sang "Cold Turkey Sandwiches," "The Illuminati and Me" and "Bionic"; That was the first verse of Carl T. Sprague's "Oh Bury Me Not On the Lone Prairie"; Andy Partridge sang the theme from my second-favorite TV show of all time, "Wonderfalls"; Sonny Rhodes sang the theme from my all-time favorite, "Firefly"; and the Eisenhowers sang "Everything is Not Enough"; John Charles Thomas wanted to be "Home On The Range"; and a Marvel-style no-prize goes to anyone who can tell me where the "Alice, will you marry me?" clip comes from. There's other stuff in this show, but I hate to give away all my secrets ...

Oh! One last acknowledgement: Anna Burck's Music iQuiz is one of the funnest podcasts out there!!

Goodies I unearthed this week in Uncle Warren's Attic:

"The Mining Ship the Red Dwarf," by Marc Gunn & The Dubliners
"Excelsior," Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, dramatic reading by moi
"Get Happy," Raymond Scott and his Orchestra
"Let's Claim the Moon for the U.S. - Now!" by Pierre J. Huss, Mechanix Illustrated, February 1957. Sharp-eared listeners will note that your humble host, who performs the dramatic reading, managed to throw in a sci-fi element by reading the headline as "Let's Claim the U.S. for the Moon." Not sure why moon beings would want to annex a piece of earthly real estate, but there you have it.
"We'll Be Dancing On The Moon," Trade Martin
"Ingrian Polka - Kuppari Eeva," Off to California. Yes, the reason the title isn't mentioned on the show is I wasn't sure how to pronounce it!
"Jasper Tabby Kitty Cat-y," Marc Gunn & The Dubliners

Can you identify the voice in the Peter Pan commercials? No big prize awarded, just the satisfaction of knowing his name before I tell you at the end.

Speaking of peanut butter, much tasty stuff in this edition, along with a semi-promise to drop by more often again!

The musical numbers: "Glow Worm" by Homer and Jethro ... "Ghost Riders in the Sky" by the Sons of the Pioneers and by Scat Man Crothers ... "Listening House" by Lazarus and the announcement of Ikthuscast ... "It's a Bloody War" by Homer & Jethro and "28th of January" by the Piney Creek Weasels ... "Pull the String" by Jonathan Coulton ... and "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Gene Austin.

A half-dozen gems uncovered during a trip to the antique store last week.

"Behind the Clouds (There's Crowds and Crowds of Sunbeams), Gene Austin
"Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay," Pete Daily's Chicagoans
"Limehouse Blues," Curly Hicks and his Taproom Boys*
"O Sole Mio," Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra
"Little Rock Getaway," Les Paul
"Over the Rainbow," Del Courtney and his Orchestra

Make sure you check the links this week ... lots of fun info!

*Couldn't find a link for these guys - best I found was a phorum entry where someone asked (at the bottom, "Anyone know anything about this group? They recorded a dozen or so discs for Bluebird around 1940. Can't decide whether they're a country band, a jazz band, or a polka band. Features accordion and vibraphone leads with guitar, bass, washboard and drum rhythm. Kind of addictive."

Your Uncle Warren and Dave Slusher have thoughts (separately) about the value to the creative process of having a day job. Dave, of course, is the guy behind the Evil Genius Chronicles and other important endeavors, and in this particular episode he refers to Hugh MacLeod's "Sex and Cash Theory."

Along the way we bring you music from the Podsafe Music Network and myself: "Write About Me" by Jeff Coffey ... "The Future," an aural collage by w.p. bluhm ... "Slugbug" by The Egerton Boyz ... "The Maid on the Shore" by Ceili Moss ... "She's Wild" by People Coyote ... and finishing with "Sweet Sarah Wilde" by w.p. bluhm.

If you haven't been watching "American Idol," this little seven-minute tribute will make no sense to you. If you have, it speaks for itself.

Back soon with a "real" episode.

Linda Perhacs made one of the great "lost" albums that has recently been found and re-released to great acclaim. This week's UWA gives you a mini-tour of Parallelograms. Then it's off to the late 1930s and Pretty Kitty Kelly. A little Ames Brothers ... a little Zax ... another taste of "The Dog Song" ... a Piney Creek Weasels encore ... and before you can say "Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters," we're outta there again. Have fun!

A bevy of blues and other goodies off the old 78s and such. The show launches with a mystery track, though, followed by "If You Don't Somebody Else Will" by Jimmy Lee and the "other" Johnny Mathis.

Then there's the legendary Kelly Harrell recording of "I Wish I Was A Single Girl Again," recorded a half-century before Prince, retrieved from the Internet Archive.

It's mostly blues the rest of the way: Josh White and the "Stormy Weather Blues," Furry Lewis and "Mean Old Bedbug Blues," the "Phonograph Blues" from Robert Johnson, and finally "Whoa Back Buck" by Leadbelly with the Golden Gate Quartet. Which reminds me: This episode contains a small dose of "adult language."

The show closes with "The Vamp" from 1919, performed by the Joseph C. Smith Orchestra with Harry MacDonough and Billy Murray.

After a montage of great movie moments, Dennis Day sets the stage with his celebration of a jolly Irish hooligan, "Clancy Lowered the Boom."

In a track the Internet archive labels "Edison machine rehearsal (1914)," Harry Houdini offers a $1,000 reward to anyone who can reveal a certain one of his secrets.

I had a very odd dream the other day, and the only memory that lingers is the haunting melody in the background, which I recognized at once as "The Prisoner's Song," the 1924 Vernon Dalhart recording that (I'm told) was a huge hit in its day.

Another nod to March 17 is the Podsafe recording of "Leis A Lurrighan" by Ceili Moss, which oddly enough is a Belgian band. Then it's off to the instant classic "Green Eggs and Ham" by, um, Bob Dylan. I first heard this incredible recording on Jawbone Radio. Thanks, Len and Nora.

From there it's off to "Summertime" by Peach Stealing Monkeys - very compelling, says I - and all of a sudden we're out of time and all that's left to do is dance a "Night Dance" with Green Druid.

Freedom's on my mind a lot, and I got to thinking about freedom after reading about the Copyright Royalty Board and its ridiculous new fees for Webcasters. So this show includes a lot on that subject, including a huge tip of the hat to everyone participating in ventures like the Podsafe Music Network.

I have become an instant fan after hearing the Rebel Soul Band, and UWA 25 has two great tunes from this "groovin' rock 'n' roll band" devoted to "creating music with a message." I kick off the show with "Where You Going?" and move into a celebration of freedom with their song "Big Brother."

After a quick reminder about a certain important document of freedom, if you've listened before, you already know "Free the People" by Los Gallos, one of the best songs I've heard on this theme in a very long time.

Giles then wraps up the cycle by reinventing Richie Havens' classic tune "Freedom."

After I rave about the new TV show "Heroes," time has already run out, but not before we close with a cover by podsafe guru Jonathan Coulton. This edition also includes a small pile of goodies culled from old Mets broadcasts ... enjoy!

This week ... odds and ends ...

"I Found a Million Dollar Baby" by w.p. bluhm (1991)

"How'd You Like To Spoon With Me" by Franklyn Wallace (1905)

An interesting report from the early days of radio (1937)

"The Touchables," a seldom-heard novelty record by Dickie Goodman (1950-something)

"To Be An Angel," an often-played podcast hit by Uncle Seth (2006)

And Elmer Davis with news and commentary circa 1939.

Once upon a time there was a lovesick college student named Warren, his guitar named Herbie, and a pair of stereo cassette machines. The four of them spent quite a bit of time together.

For reasons I have yet to fathom, I hauled the old tapes out this week and decided to inflict some of my earliest songwriting and recording efforts on my small but patient audience. Here, then, are 1973 recordings of:

Bacon in the Jell-O
Pretty Baby
Emerald
Wish You Were There
Baby Baby
Do You Believe in Magic
Pleasant Mary

You may be able to detect, in these tapes, hints of what would come later, after I became an uncle and all. It'll either be interesting or excruciating, hopefully not boring. I will completely understand if you flee for your life - but please come back for #24.

Have fun!

The name of the boys choir that performs "Gloria" and "Credo" on today's show is les troubadours du roi baudouin. I wasn't going to insult them by trying to pronounce that! The link will take you to the reproduced liner notes of their long-out-of-print LP, "Missa Luba."

I was surprised to see that Osibisa is still active, or rather that the band became active again about 20 years ago after its flurry of recordings in the early 1970s. The recording of "Che Che Kulé on this show is from a somewhat worn copy of their album "Heads"; please forgive the pops and crackles.

After a commercial break from the immortal Jean Shepherd, Will Rogers submits some thoughts about Congress for us to mull, and then we head off to the battlefield singin' a song. From 1915 and the Great War, Albert Farrington sings "It's A Long Way to Tipperary," and then from 1942 and World War II, Carl Hoff and his Orchestra (featuring the Murphy Sisters) present an unpleasant little ditty directed at the rulers of the Japanese Empire. The words are unpleasant, but the music is sprightly.

This episode represents a return to normal (or what passes for such) after a couple of "theme" weeks. Enjoy!!

In addition to assembling the six remaining tunes in my Batman songs collection for you, this episode debuts Mobile Uncle Warren, as I introduce the songs while driving to work and talking to my new digital recorder. I promise not to use it too often - unless you want me to!

The songs, by The Meriettes or The Bats, if you will:

"The Battiest Car Around"

"Here Comes the Batmobile"

"It's the Batman"

"Ho Ho Ho The Joker's Wild"

"The Wonderful Boy Wonder"

"Look Out It's the Batman"

And once again, warning: Listening to these songs all at once may make your brain explode. I won't take responsibility if you ignore this warning.

P.S. I forgot to mention during the show that the sound quality of "The Wonderful Boy Wonder" suffers because the record was actually manufactured off center, so as the song progresses it develops a bit of a wobble. Hey, I bought it for 49 cents ...

And thanks again to Red for another stellar cameo performance, this time as herself.

Fair warning: This one is different from everything that came before.

Everyone who has ever been on the radio has a dark place in their soul. Maybe it comes out on the full moon, maybe it comes out when they realize how silly life in general is ... but every so often they sneak off to that dark place and become ... a Top 40 DJ.

Recently, listening to tunes I'd downloaded from the Podsafe Music Network and Sub Pop Records, I found myself falling into that dark place, and before I realized what was happening ...

It was too late.

UNCLE WARREN'S ATTIC TOP 7

1. Rollin' - Maria Daines

2. Sin City - The Legendary Hucklebucks

3. Zen Hot Dog - The Sealed Weasels

[tie] The Dog Song - Piney Creek Weasels

5. Say I Love You - Ruby James

6. Atlantica - Speed Limit 35

7. The Ghost of an Unkissed Kisses - Trembling Blue Stars

UPDATE: I can't believe I forgot to acknowledge the contributions of my partner, Red, who makes her podcast debut in the roles of news reader Red Roberts (not her real name!) and Jeanie, Caller #15. Thanks, hon! It wouldn't be the same without you.

 

This show ended up revolving around sounds that you don't hear much anymore: A telephone ringing, an electric typewriter, a steam engine. Along the way, as always, we unearth a few tunes.

The centerpiece - or the longest piece - is a 1993-ish radio report I did about the Milwaukee Road 261's visit to Green Bay. This magnificent steam engine was restored to its original working condition, and capturing its sounds was one of the highlights of my halcyon radio days.

Musical entries are "Hobo Bill's Last Ride," a 1930 recording by Jimmie Rodgers you can find at the Internet Archives ... "North of Milwaukee, South of Green Bay" by Big City Bob and the Ballroom Gliders. A Web search will land you a guy named Big City Bob, but this record seems to predate the contemporary Bob's musical activity ... "Sweet Patunia" by Willie Jones a k a Will Baker, a 1927 recording for which precious little info is "out there."

... of working in radio, covering the news and Studebakers are interspersed with some tasty music by Los Gallos, the Young Iroquois Drummers, Paul Whiteman and Melanie Lewis (pictured). The exact set list goes like this:

"Amor Prohibido," Los Gallos (from the Podsafe Music Network)

"Honor Song," Young Iroquois Drummers of the Oneida Nation, from UW's personal stash of tapes from his radio news career

Thoughts about radio and podcasting from Dave Slusher of the Evil Genius Chronicles, via the Podcast & Portable Music Expo

"Anything Goes," Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra, from the Internet Archive

"Satisfy Me," Melanie Lewis (from PMN)

"Golden Hawk," w.p. bluhm (from the forthcoming album "Songs From The Attic")

Enjoy!

New music, live music, old music and a peek inside Spider-Man comics. What more could you ask for? It's UWA 17!

The musical features: The opening salvo of "Rama Lama Ding Dong" by The Edsels ... a brand-new version of "Hanky Panky" by The Vultures ... a smidgen of "Smile" by The Beach Boys ... the old chestnut "Gee" by The Crows ... the enigmatic "Double-Double: A Waltz for Voice" by Uncle Seth ... the psychedelic pop nugget "Sunday Girl"* by The Telling Eye ... and Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" by Greensky Bluegrass. And a couple of other surprises.

* On the show I identify it as "Sunday's Girl," but there is no apostrophe-s in the song title. I also didn't realize until later it's a cover of a Blondie song - a very good song, I might add.

Sources include the Podsafe Music Network and the Internet Archive.

Celebrating 2007 and the spirit of freedom with nifty stuff from 1922 to the present day! The show is peppered with moments from the classic James Stewart vehicle Shenandoah, which should be mandatory viewing for kids of all ages.

The picture of Hemi the cat in the sink has nothing to do with this show; I just think it's cute. Hemi occasionally drapes his body over my left arm and falls asleep while I'm typing, so he's kind of a silent partner to the podcast.

Courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network comes Rockosaurus Rex with "Auld Lang Syne," the only way to start the new year, says I.

After a Marines recruiting ad from Lefty Frizzell, we welcome back Billy Murray and Aileen Stanley, who spiced up UWA #3 with their rendition of "Keep Your Skirts Down, Mary Ann." This time around they perform a piece I found at the Internet Archive called "I'll Stand Beneath Your Window Tonight and Whistle." All that whistling inspired me to follow it up with a vintage excerpt from Lux Radio Theater; I bet you can guess what it is!

"I Wonder How You're Doing" is a song I wrote and recorded at home in 1985; it becomes the latest Uncle Warren project to be hauled out of the attic and shared with the world.

Then it's back to the present day for Jonathan Coulton's wonderful a cappella tune, "When You Go," and a brand-new piece by Los Gallos called "Free the People" - a terrific sentiment to start the new year with, says I.

After an ad for the new Sunday edition of Newsday, we close out with Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter doing his song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," perhaps best known as the piece that Kurt Cobain made his own when Nirvana played MTV's "Unplugged."

All this and 22 seconds of Firefly, too - what are you waiting for? Download the darn thing!

My little attic studio is still under reconstruction, so nothing from my collection this time, but lots from the Podsafe Music Network!

"The Awful Green Things from Outer Space," Clouseaux

"Joy," Michael Lucklow

"Married a Magician," Dust Poets

"Betty," The Lascivious Biddies

"Loopy" (GarageBand experiment), w.p. bluhm

"Rocking Harder," Lee Rocker

"WNBC," Gentlemen's Gun Club

Back to something resembling normal next time - in the meantime, Happy New Year and see ya soon!

A new era begins in Uncle Warren's life as he produces his first GarageBand podcast. Bert, what do you know about that? Merrrrry Christmas!!!!

This is an odd one, because the musical selections are either from 78 rpm records or .mp3s - there's no in-between. Among the gems here:

"Joy to the World," Robert Shaw Chorale

"March" from "The Nutcracker Suite," Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy.

"Chiron Beta Prime," Jonathan Coulton

"The Cherry Tree Carol," Robert Shaw Chorale

"Twelve Days of Christmas," Robert Shaw Chorale

UW's Christmas memories, music "The First Noel," Mario Ajero
a nifty piece I found at the Podsafe Music Network

"Podsafe Christmas Song," Jonathan Coulton

UPDATE: Whoops! I forgot to mention Orson Welles and Lionel Barrymore from the 1939 radio performance of "A Christmas Carol"

"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," Philly Orchestra

As I say in the podcast, this show is to celebrate the holiday season. If you�re celebrating something besides Christmas, Happy Hannukah, or Merry Solstice, Awesome Kwanzaa - whatever greeting you prefer, consider yourself greeted. Pour out a glass of milk, grab some cookies, and settle in!

Toss out the script and grab that guitar - it's Uncle Warren unplugged to start the night with (once more) "Seems Like Old Times."

After a word from our sponsor, we make a quick visit to the Evil Genius Chronicles to talk about podcasting for a spell.

Our first musical guests are Josh White, singing "Take a Gal Like You," and Josh White Jr. with "If I Knew Then."

Then let's gather around for a reading of Mark Twain's famous story "The War Prayer," written in 1905 but not printed until 1923.

While we're in the '20s, it's Paul Whiteman with the slightly naughty "Last Night on the Back Porch."

And after an important word from Johnson Wax, Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, with help from the Pied Pipers, Connie Haines and a young man named Sinatra, bring us our musical finale, "Snootie Little Cutie."

Enjoy!

What it is:

Excerpt from radio dramatization of It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed

Theme: "Seems Like Old Times," w.p. bluhm

A plug for the new Uncle Warren's Attic a-store

"Tip Toe Through the Tulips," Johnny Marvin (pictured)

A collage from the CD A Guitar's Carol by Keith L. Cooper

"Toastin' Marshmallows," Judy, Johnny & Billy (1959)

Vintage radio ad: Spry

"Melting," w.p. bluhm

"There Goes Robin" by "the Batman band." On the show I say this is the song that taught me the words pugilist and philanthropist, but when I listened again I see I misremembered. The mighty Robin is not described as a philanthropist in the song.

Coming soon: The "first annual" Uncle Warren Christmas Show.

Odd that DVD troubles would delay an audio podcast, but that's what happened - I finally decided to go on with the show despite a pesky machine that only played half of the movie clips I wanted to use to explain "spigot lines," those miraculous movie moments when someone turns the spigot on your tear ducts. Musical moments:

New theme: "Seems Like Old Times," w.p. bluhm

"The Christmas Song," King Cole Trio, off an authentic 78 rpm record.

"Riders in the Sky," Spike Jones

"The Day John Glenn Came Home," Fifi Barton

Watch for "Uncle Warren's Attic," the astore, coming to a Web site near you, hopefully in time for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving! This episode contains:

A scene from March of the Wooden Soldiers

"Perry Shriner: Court-Appointed Lawyer" from the National Lampoon Radio Hour, Nov. 2, 1974

"How Do You Do, Mr. Sponsor" - unidentified jingle

"Hot Pretzels" - The Glahe Musette Orchestra

"Der Froehliche Wanderer" - Obenkircher Children's Choir

"At the Ball, That's All" - Sons of the Pioneers

After opening with a blip from the immortal "Revolution 9," we revisit the Beatles mono vs. stereo phenomenon with the near-breakdown that made it onto the official stereo version of "Please Please Me." Then it's on to Uncle Warren's homage to "Revolution 9," a little number called "I Can't Do That."

Next up, John Kongos' tender ballad "Tomorrow I'll Go," not from his cult classic album Kongos but from an earlier album called Confusions About A Goldfish. Then, after a vintage ad for the new RCA Victor 45 rpm music system, it's time for the centerpiece of this visit to the Attic.

Jean Shepherd is best known as the author/narrator of the wonderful 1983 movie A Christmas Story, but from 1957 to 1976 he was a fixture on WOR radio, New York, where he established himself as (IMHO) the best storyteller in radio history. Here he gives a dramatic recitation of "The Face Upon the Barroom Floor," an 1887 poem by Hugh Antoine d'Arcy, illustrative of how his show was a fantastically eclectic mix of stuff that we'll no doubt share in future episodes. For now, your best bets in learning and hearing more from Shep are FlickLives.com and the Shep Archives.

After a complete left turn to bring you an unforgettable moment from Gammera the Invincible, we close with a lovely tune called "Whatever Happened" by Lazarus, a very fine folk band from the 1970s.

Technical note: You may notice (but hopefully not) a drop-off in audio quality this week - a few hiccups occurred on the way to converting the analog tape recording into an .mp3. But on a show that likes to keep the wear and tear of old recordings intact, it should not inhibit your enjoyment of the ride.

Another Sunday night visit - I may be back Wednesday again, but let's enjoy this trip first. The long-awaited Sgt. Pepper tracks, Lonnie Donegan, Leadbelly, Connie Francis, Wilfred Glenn and Glenn Miller all are part of this trip - oh, and hey, hey, it's a radio ad from the Sixties, too.

Sorry the show notes are a little sparse today - I'll try to fill them out as the week wears on.

For a time I thought we'd never get this show going again, but here 'tis, the seventh edition of Uncle Warren's Attic. Just in time for Election Day, we have some deep thoughts about freedom from William Wallace, V and Malcolm Reynolds sprinkled among some fun old tunes, mostly from the 1960s and 70s this time. And even a couple of memorable moments from the so-bad-it's-good classic "The Creature with the Atom Brain." And you might want to try a drinking game: Take a shot of your favorite beverage every time I say "Anyway." Just don't drive afterwards, unless your favorite beverage is Pepsi.

The musical features: From U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd's immortal album, "Mountain Fiddler," the confessional "Rye Whiskey."

The return of The Morgan Brothers, central Wisconsin's tastiest 1970s bluegrass band, and their take on "As Tears Go By."

It wasn't exactly the hula hoop, but at least the 1960s 10-minute craze the "Jingle Jump" had a catchy, er, jingle.

According to the record collectors newspaper Discoveries, "No Vacancy" is just about the only song Neil Sedaka released on vinyl that hasn't been collected on CD yet ... It reminds me a little of "Splish Splash," the Bobby Darin hit from the same general era.

Reminiscing about Neil Sedaka's multi-tracked tunes gives me a chance to segue into one of my own little efforts, "Sha-la-la-la-la-la."

And finally, the late, great, underappreciated Judee Sill with "Things Are Looking Up," one of the unfinished tracks from her never-completed third album. You really, really have to hear Judee Sill's stuff.

Thanks for your patience, and enjoy UWA #7! See ya again soon.

In this special edition of UWA:
Flying Saucer, Part 1 - Buchanan and Goodman
Not to Return - Randy Bachman
Any Road - George Harrison
I Don't Want to Know - The Donnas
Joe - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
The Rollicking Man From Mars - Scotty MacGregor
Flying Saucer, Part 2 - Buchanan and Goodman

"Nothing came at all, I just got stuck on these two chords and a phrase ..."
I had a lot of fun putting this one together - thanks for coming by for a visit! Oh, and you need this link for sure to order a few pounds of Sunni's caramels: SunniMaravillosa.com
I was a huge New York Mets fan growing up. Not so much nowadays - I didn't watch any of the recent games when they came within a game of the World Series - but as a kid I was nuts about 'em. The 1969 World Series was one of the great highlights of my kid-dom. So I shouldn't have been surprised when I remembered all the words to the "Meet the Mets" theme that started out all their radio broadcasts back then. For all I know, it still does. Haven't been out there to listen for a while.
I don't know why I decided to share the beer sounds with you. It was an impulse. It adds to the show's atmosphere, though, don't ya think?
While on the subject of my childhood, I also loved comic books, which is how the Batman records got into my attic. The songs were somewhat disappointing, as you'll no doubt hear, but the packaging was pretty nifty and well worth the 49 cents each (I think this was before the New Jersey sales tax was invented, too! so it wasn't 52 or 53 cents, it was what the label said: 49 cents.) It was tough picking out which song to inflict on you, but "The Joker Gets Trumped" won out.
Reminiscing about my childhood morphs into discussion of caramels, with a hearty recommendation from your humble host.
This week's foray into the mid 20th century brings us Nat Gonella and his New Georgians with an infectious tune called "I'se a Muggin'" - I figured you might need another infectious tune to get "The Joker Gets Trumped" out of your head. Gonella's has the advantage of being a tasty jazz recording.
After a brief interlude, we move into the tale of how "Wanting to Live Forever" was composed. "WTLF" is the true story of a morning in January 1986 when I sat down with my guitar with a goal to write a new song, got stuck on two chords, and found myself wondering what the point was. As I wrote, I ended up with some words of encouragement for anyone who ever wonders why they're following whatever dream they're pursuing.
Once again Kirsten contributes a valuable piece of the podcast - thanks! - when I mentioned the other day I wasn't sure which version of "Wanting to Live Forever" I was going to play - the 1986 recording, which I made about four months after writing it, or the new version I'm just polishing now, she wrote, "I'd like to hear both." Why not? It means postponing a bit from the National Lampoon Radio Hour for a couple of weeks, but it was fun to spend time talking about the creative process and sharing the evolution of a song I'm kind of proud of. I hope you like it. Next week should be a fun one - y'all come back now, here?
Download .mp3

 Show notes at UncleWarrensAttic.com.

Show notes are at unclewarrensattic.com.

Another episode of my new podcast while we wait for B.W. to finish writing ... Warren

"The Cliff," by Warren Bluhm
Theme, "Not to Return," Randy Bachman
1966 ad: Palisades Park
Pet Peeve: The mangling of "Devil with a Blue Dress"
"Happy Talk," w.p. bluhm
"Toot Toot Tootsie," Arthur Lange's Orchestra
"Two for the Road," The Morgan Brothers
"Branded" TV theme

Nice folks mentioned on the show: Wally Conger and Sunni Maravillosa.

Hi folks, Warren Bluhm here -- while waiting for The Imaginary Lover "This time fer sure, Rocky" edition, I sat down to tinker with the tape recorder and came up with a "test" version of Uncle Warren's Attic, a little podcast that shares stuff I've accumulated in my lifetime as a packrat. If you like it, I'll do more. In fact, I'll probably keep trying until I come up with something you do like, either here or at its own site.

Stuff I've packed into this trial run:
Take 1 - Take 2 - Take 3
Theme: "Not to Return," Randy Bachman
An update on plans for The Imaginary Lover
Vintage ad for Miller High Life
"Harmonica Player," John Sebastian
Alternate fadeout of "God Only Knows," The Beach Boys
"There's Nothing Else to Say," The Incredibles
"First Date," w.p. bluhm
Vintage ad for Blue Coal

If you like the show, let me know by e-mailing me at wpbluhm@netnet.net or just click on "Comment." Thanks!

Chapter 1. The players. George Hermann bats in the bottom of the ninth with the Series on the line. Bob Whelan buys a gun.

Well, here we are again, folks. I'm Warren Bluhm serving as the voice of the very shy B.W. Richardson, author of The Imaginary Bomb and now its sequel, The Imaginary Lover. I have two interesting and potentially exciting facts to share with you before we leap into the action.

First, this sequel was begun shortly after The I-Bomb was completed back in the late 1980s. If you've joined us before, you know that B.W. shopped the book around a little bit and then put it in a box for about 18 years. Only with the advent of the Internet and podcasting, which allowed us to tell the story without convincing a publisher to print it first, did the world of imaginary physics finally see the light of day.

But because the sequel was only half-completed, that means the finished story will bear the distinctive mark of present-day B.W. Richardson. His modesty prevents me from suggesting what that means, but at the very least it means we might expect a bit of a statement about liberty, and courage in the face of tyranny, themes that The Imaginary Bomb only hinted at.

The other interesting and potentially exciting fact to share is that, as we begin the podcast, The Imaginary Lover is not complete. He's been working on and off all summer, but B.W. is still moving through the middle and late chapters as of the start of recording. That very likely means there will be some revisions of the early chapters when the story makes it into print someday, to smooth out continuity and insert some foreshadowing. It also means this will be a fresh and somewhat raw experience - I half suspect that B.W. will be ripping pages off the printer and handing them to me as we record Chapters 11 and beyond. But we'll cross those bridges when we get to them.

While waiting for The Imaginary Bomb II or whatever it's to be called, here's a gentle little story I wrote about the power of a free man. No production values, no music, first take, no edits, and even some jostling around the wires by Speedbump the kitten. I hope you like it.

Chapter 27. Parting shots and new beginnings. The guys wrap things up, hint at sequel possibilities and head off to buy a drink.

Hang around after the story concludes for some random announcements and a lovely parting gift. It's been a fun ride and we sure hope you enjoyed it. Check back here for future announcements about The Imaginary Bomb and B.W. Richardson's Imaginary Age. And, if you're subscribed, stay subscribed; your podcatcher just may surprise you someday soon.

Keep up with your author:
Montag by B.W. Richardson
Send e-mail to bwrmontag@yahoo.com

... and your narrator and podcast producer:
Green Bay Free Radical by Warren Bluhm
Send e-mail to wpbluhm@netnet.net

Chapter 26: The power of the imaginary bomb. In which we get a detailed look at what happens if you set off one of these puppies.

Author's note: When I started writing The Imaginary Bomb, I had two little scraps of words. First, I had an opening sentence, "The ship was rushing through space at twice the speed of imagination." I started fleshing out in my mind what that first sentence could mean, and I thought about moving spaceships through the use of "imaginary physics," that is, vessels operating by imagination as a power source. When I thought about how through history, new technology has usually been converted into weaponry, I realized I had my title and a hazard for my heroes: The Imaginary Bomb. Finally, I started thinking about what an imaginary bomb could do, and what came to mind eventually became the last paragraph of Chapter 26. Writing the story, then, became an exercise in linking the first sentence to that paragraph. Out of that exercise sprang Bob Whelan, Pete Wong, Linda Franco and Walter, Lt. Joshua True and, last but certainly not least, Baxter Hetznecker. I hope you've had as much fun hearing about their adventure as I did when they first jumped out of my keyboard. -- B.W. Richardson

Here are links to the two Web sites mentioned in the closing remarks:
Out of Step - Wally Conger (and his review of The I-Bomb)
Sunni Maravillosa and the Conspirators

And be here again Wednesday night for the final chapter, a few random announcements and a lovely parting gift.

The chapters tonight and tomorrow night take us to where our little adventure has been moving all along!

Chapter 25: Surprise within a surprise. The final showdown leads to the final countdown.

Stay tuned after Wednesday night's last chapter for news and thoughts about where your author and your humble podcast producer go from here.

To vote for The Imaginary Bomb at Podcast Alley, visit here and click on "Vote Now!" You're allowed one vote per month. Thanks!!

Chapter 24. Meanwhile, back at the Quonset ... It's a standoff! Bryzynski's mercenaries are holed up with Linda and an ImagCorp employee named Dave in the military room at the company's Lunar Research Center, surrounded by a Special Forces team led by Lt. Joshua True. They've armed the imaginary bomb to detonate in 100 seconds when Bryzynski gives the command or is killed. All this has happened while Bob Whelan and PeteWong were tied up (loosely) with one armed guard at the mercenaries' Quonset hut headquarters.

The opening of today's show features special guest Pumpkin the Speedbump, who readers of my blog will recognize as Speedbump from last weekend. This is his world podcast debut.

Chapter 23. The bomb. Linda, Walter and Todd reach the room where the imaginary bomb software is stored, and Manuel Bryzynski's mercenary band interrupts with dire results.

Surprise announcement: Instead of six chapters in one day, we're going to give you one chapter a day for six days! Details in the show.

Chapter 22. Martyrs. Linda, Walter and Todd reach the room where the imaginary bomb is stored. People start dying.

In which we start rushing toward a conclusion to this little story.

Chapter 19: You can't tell the bad guys without a scorecard. An explanation for the surprise that concluded Chapter 18.

Chapter 20: The usual suspects. We meet the mastermind behind the surprise, and Major Strasser is shot.

Chapter 21: Desperate invasion. Linda, Walter, Todd and Matt enter the ImagCorp Research Center on the moon.

On or about July 4, the final six chapters will arrive in one big finale. You'll be amazed at how fireworks can be delivered so quietly and without fanfare. And after that - ?

Chapter 16: Assessing the options. Bob tries to enlist Baxter's help, and Linda offers an apology.

Chapter 17: Matt, Todd and Walter. Bob chats with the other two remaining members of Linda's gang, and has a conversation with Walter as the Betsy Ross approaches Earth.

Chapter 18: 12 seconds from home. Our stalwart crew drops Linda and company off on the moon, head for Seattle, and get one more surprise.

Watch for Chapters 19-21 in just a few days, followed by our grand finale - we'll be packaging the climactic six chapters in one big concluding episode.

On behalf of B.W. Richardson and myself, I want to thank you for hanging with us so far in our little adventure. If you're so inclined, please remember to vote for The Imaginary Bomb at Podcast Alley - you need to re-vote after the 1st of every month. Thanks!

We're back! And thanks for your patience during the hiatus caused by the unexpected  death of Warren's mom. To show our appreciation for your hanging in there with us, I-Bomb #4 is packed with six (count 'em) chapters of adventure.

Chapter 10. An imaginary firefight. Baxter Hetznecker surprises Bob and Pete, who are tied up as a squad from Sirius faces off against Linda Franco's little team.

Chapter 11. Rushing through space. Part of Baxter's secret is revealed, and Bob has an intimate conversation with Linda. (Don't get yer hopes up; this isn't that kind of novel!)

Chapter 12. Quarreling over dinner etiquette. Linda discovers that the cargo ship Betsy Ross is not equipped to be vegetarian-friendly.

Chapter 13. Role-playing games. Bob and Pete are greeted, but not exactly welcomed, to Sirius 4.

Chapter 14. True confessions. Bob and Pete are interrogated by Lt. Joshua True, Special Forces. The plot thickens a bit.

Chapter 15. Linda can't get Sirius. It appears the roles of Bob Whelan and Pete Wong in this little adventure are finally coming to an end, but as you may recall, there are 27 chapters, so something must happen to get them back on the hook.

As the Imaginary Bomb podcast resumes, the rest of these recordings are dedicated to the memory of Hilda Bluhm, a sweet lady who was born Dec. 14, 1923, and died June 6, 2006. And thanks to everybody for understanding.

Chapter 7. Off to Barnard's Star. In which our heroes set their sights on the planet BS-2, reminisce on Bob's past with Linda and speculate as to why Linda has abandoned a good job working for ImagCorp and taken to a life of thieving and killing.
Chapter 8. Linda. Docking at the Holo-LuYa Resort on BS-2, Bob and Pete drop Baxter off at the ImagCoaster, the hotel's imaginary roller coaster, and go to the cabin where they suspect Linda and her crew are quartered.
Chapter 9. Sirius Business. Their suspicions having proven correct, Bob and Pete finally find out what all the fuss is about, and then the conversation is rudely interrupted.

How can 20 minutes go by so quickly? When is Bluhm going to retrieve his once-smooth radio delivery? Will we really be back with Chapters 10-12 before next Monday? Only one way to find out, but first you have to download and catch up to Chapters 7-9! Have fun!

Chapter 4. Oh, by the way. While we have a moment, here is a brief primer on the history and essential elements of imaginary physics. You'll finally understand the oldtime movie serial rocketship pictures!

Chapter 5. A small misunderstanding. Bob and Pete arrive on Proximi Centauri 3 and stop at Snooky's Tavern for a brew. Instead they have an encounter that will change their lives.

Chapter 6. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Does Baxter Hetznecker come along for the ride? That is the question. Say yes, OK? Please?

The Imaginary Bomb begins NOW!

I can't really explain the feeling when I heard Warren Bluhm's voice pronounce those words. This story has been sitting in a file in my basement for 18 years, enjoyed by the small handful who read it but not marketed especially well by me. Through the miracles of the Internet and podcasting and a little bit of encouragement from friends, it's finally out in the sunlight. I'm overwhelmed. But enough maudlin stuff. This first edition of the podcast features:

Chapter 1. An unfortunate incident. Cargo spaceship owner Bob Whelan and his co-pilot, Pete Wong, are doing their civic duty after their ship is commandeered for purposes of planetary security to transport an envelope containing ... something ... to Proximi Centauri 3. After an unfortunate, deadly incident, the envelope finds itself in the hands of ... someone else.

Chapter 2. Additional unexpected visitors. As Bob and Pete await a rescue from - oddly enough - a squad from Special Forces, they speculate as to the identity of the "someone else" who intercepted their ship. But nah, it can't be her.

Chapter 3. Intensely awkward moments. The commander of the Special Forces unit and Bob Whelan don't exactly become fast friends. And, of course, it's all because of her.

Tell us what you think, do the voting thing at Podcast Pickle and Podcast Alley, and help us get the word out about imaginary physics. Oh, and if you don't understand the reference to Scott Sigler in Warren's introduction, check this out. Chapters 4-6 should be up by Monday morning, May 22, at the latest. Thanks for checking us out!!!

Another little teaser for the big show coming up May 15. Watch this space over the coming week for more info about "The Imaginary Bomb," B.W. Richardson, Warren Bluhm, imaginary physics in general, and maybe even Baxter Hetznecker.

Testing .. Testing ... Is this on? Oh! Hello - Here is a little four-minute preview of what lies ahead in B.W. Richardson's "The Imaginary Bomb." Watch this space for more teasers and, starting May 15, our first podcast novel together!

This default podcast was automatically generated by the libsyn system. They told us to feel free to delete it at any time, but until we're up and running it's the only thing at the site that you can download, so go fer it, we say. Welcome to Liberated Syndication and The Imaginary Bomb, and check back here for updates about a very nifty podcast book coming soon!