FOT Forum

The Best Show on WFMU => Show Discussion => Topic started by: Mr. Spacely on March 23, 2011, 01:19:56 PM

Title: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Mr. Spacely on March 23, 2011, 01:19:56 PM
In my quest to be a S&W Complete-ist, a couple questions have cropped up:

1. Does anyone know the track-listing for The Best of the Best Show volumes 1 and 2? I believe these were '03 and '05 Marathon giveaways. I'm curious to know if they have any original S&W material.  I couldn't find any info about them on this board or on the 'Net.  Believe me, "I wiki-ed it," too.

2. Who does the art on the official album releases? And is there more to the cover art besides the, well, cover? I ask because I own them all as digital releases, and I would be so sad to discover that there are hilarious S&W liner notes or something I'm missing out on.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Rhymes with Don Draper on March 23, 2011, 01:37:08 PM
I have Vol. 2 New Hope for the Ape Eared and Vol. 3 Hippy Justice in physical form.  They're drawings in the CD inlay, but the linear notes are straightforward.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: AaronC on March 23, 2011, 01:43:08 PM
1. Does anyone know the track-listing for The Best of the Best Show volumes 1 and 2? I believe these were '03 and '05 Marathon giveaways. I'm curious to know if they have any original S&W material.  I couldn't find any info about them on this board or on the 'Net.  Believe me, "I wiki-ed it," too.

The Best of the Best of The Best Show on WFMU Vol 1

1. 'The Tommy Song' by The Hinterland Probabilities
2. Tom Gets His Life Threatened By A Co-Worker
3. Julian From The Strokes Calls The Show
4. Sountrackappella - Live at Maxwell's
5. An Enraged Perry Farrell Fan Checks In
6. An Excerpt From 'Get On The Rascal', The Gorch's Audio Tour Diary
7. Samson Is Looking For Love
8. 'You Are The One' by Jon & Jon
9. 'The Tommy Song' by Petey
10 Philly Boy Roy's ''Twas The Night Before Christmas, Philly Style'

The Best of the Best of The Best Show on WFMU Vol 2

1. Batter Butler
2. Philly Boy Roy's Last Will + Testament
3. Ronald Thomas Clontle Interview
4. Mike Sajak Calls His Paperboy
5. Pout - Secret Dancer
6. Pout - (We Gotta) Party For Peace
7. Pout - Life Goes On (For Some Of Us)
8. Pout - (I'm) The World's Greatest Lover (Oh Yeah)
9. Pout - (I'm) On The Prowl
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Omar on March 23, 2011, 01:56:18 PM
Casey Burns does the S&W album art.

http://caseyburns.com/ (http://caseyburns.com/)

As Draper said, the liner notes are standard credits/thank youse.

In case you have not seen it before, I wrote a fairly long S&W press bio that was included (in abridged form) in the press packs for The Art of Slap release:

http://www.recidivism.org/2008/09/tbsowfmuwds_p1.html (http://www.recidivism.org/2008/09/tbsowfmuwds_p1.html)

Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Mr. Spacely on March 23, 2011, 02:02:18 PM
Omar, that's a fantastic write-up. Thank you for posting.  I only had a chance to skim, but I'll digest it later.  I love analyzing the comedy of S&W, particularly the characters and their common lack of impulse control and their shared commitment to obliviousness (which always turns to rage).

And thank you, AaronC for posting those track-listings.  That's great.  But also sad, because they appear to have more original content than I expected.  The hunt is on!
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Pidgeon on March 23, 2011, 02:06:16 PM
1997? How old is Tom's show?
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Denim Gremlin on March 23, 2011, 02:42:04 PM
1997? How old is Tom's show?

The Best Show as we know it started around 2000, Tom had a music show on WFMU on and off for several years before that.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on March 28, 2011, 03:13:30 PM
Hey Guys,
    It's funny, I was just looking into a similar concern, and happened upon this thread.  Regarding the liner notes, do they include which shows each bit is from?  From what I understand, anything on the CDs have been taken down from the archives.  I have a project in mind that will require extensive use of archived materials, and knowing when specific things are from.  If they're not on there, do we have people (possibly you, Omar) who know when each thing is from?  I'd really like to be able to have a physical, tangible copy of these albums. 

I imagine that some are only at Amazon as MP3s to save on money for CD production.  My brother has all the albums, so I could get the MP3s that way, but I want to support Tom and Jon.  While the artwork is not as important, since you can import it into iTunes, all the info in the notes would not necessarily be included.  Thanks, in advance, for any help with this.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on March 28, 2011, 05:31:18 PM
Hey Guys,
    It's funny, I was just looking into a similar concern, and happened upon this thread.  Regarding the liner notes, do they include which shows each bit is from?  From what I understand, anything on the CDs have been taken down from the archives.  I have a project in mind that will require extensive use of archived materials, and knowing when specific things are from.  If they're not on there, do we have people (possibly you, Omar) who know when each thing is from?  I'd really like to be able to have a physical, tangible copy of these albums. 

I imagine that some are only at Amazon as MP3s to save on money for CD production.  My brother has all the albums, so I could get the MP3s that way, but I want to support Tom and Jon.  While the artwork is not as important, since you can import it into iTunes, all the info in the notes would not necessarily be included.  Thanks, in advance, for any help with this.


   -Zach


Try the posts towards the bottom of http://buffcoat.blogspot.com (http://buffcoat.blogspot.com)


Also, do a search on that page for "No Archive."


Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on March 30, 2011, 07:20:29 PM
Wow!  I saw 51 matches for "No Archive" on that page.  Is that serious?  Are all of them because of the CDs?  I can't imagine there are that many?  It's sad to know that much Best Show is missing, counting all of the remainders of those shows, not contained on the CDs.  It would be nice if they were available, but skillfully chopped up, with maybe notes that the missing material is available on whichever album it's on.  My project idea just took a serious hit, though I'm sure it can still be taken pretty far without that material.  We shall see.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Brandon0476 on March 31, 2011, 11:13:33 AM
Man, I wish I could hear the "Pout" stuff. That sounds amazing!
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: fish on March 31, 2011, 05:58:56 PM
Man, I wish I could hear the "Pout" stuff. That sounds amazing!

There are episodes very early on in the archives with a lot of Pout content - interviews & whole songs.
They all have Pout in the title.
http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/BS (http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/BS)
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on March 31, 2011, 09:39:05 PM
Most are because of the CDs.  Each track on the CDs comes from a show.  The idea's been kicked around to put those archives back up, in a redacted form, but nothing so far.

Perhaps if someone who talks to Tom personally were to offer to do it, it would be more likely to happen.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on April 07, 2011, 06:50:30 PM
Did it get mentioned whether the album bits are notated as to which unarchived shows they're from, so wet some idea of that, at least?  I don't see that in the thread.  Thanks.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on April 07, 2011, 08:54:29 PM
Did it get mentioned whether the album bits are notated as to which unarchived shows they're from, so wet some idea of that, at least?  I don't see that in the thread.  Thanks.


   -Zach

Try the posts near the bottom of buffcoat.blogspot.com.

Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on April 07, 2011, 11:01:01 PM
Buffcoat,
   I think I'm missing something.  While that listing of all the appearances and notes about which ones are not archived or missing appearances is super-impressive, and related tangentially to what I have in mind, all I see is the list, then a post at the bottom about the general premise, with links to this site, the archive playlist, and where to buy the albums at Stereolaffs.  Where am I not looking?  Thanks for your help.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on April 07, 2011, 11:58:28 PM
Zach - I read it as you were asking for hints as to which archives originally contained which bits on the Stereolaffs CDs.  I figured out a few, including:

December 12, 2000: Radio Hut () No Archive
January 9, 2001: The Gorch () No Archive
May 15, 2001: No Archive [Star Wars Release]
January 6, 2004: (Show 1): Kimmy McCook [Angry Record Promo Guy] () No Archive
December 14, 2004: Hippy Johnny (2:13) No Archive
February 8, 2005: Philly Boy Roy (), Old Skull (2:03) No Archive
...

Some of the later ones I listened to before the archive was taken down.


I think I meant to go back and fix the remaining ones but never did.  If anyone figures more out, that would be great and I'd gladly add them.

Hope that helps a little bit.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on April 08, 2011, 09:27:31 AM
Hey Buffcoat,
    Yeah, that's what I was asking.  I was hoping they were maybe notated, as the Best Show Gems are, within the CD liner notes or some other similar form, stating that specific information.  Any more would be helpful, and I appreciate all of your efforts.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Omar on April 08, 2011, 10:52:37 AM
Hey Buffcoat,
    Yeah, that's what I was asking.  I was hoping they were maybe notated, as the Best Show Gems are, within the CD liner notes or some other similar form, stating that specific information.  Any more would be helpful, and I appreciate all of your efforts.


   -Zach

I can provide all of this information later today.  Just to be clear: you are asking for the original air date of the calls that appear on the S&W CDs, yes?
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on April 08, 2011, 01:51:56 PM
Hey Omar,
    Yeah, that's correct.  I knew I could count on you for this.  Both you and Buffcoat are invaluable sources of knowledge for all sorts of Best Show universe tidbits.  Thanks to you, both, for your help, regarding this.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Omar on April 08, 2011, 05:07:47 PM
Rock, Rot & Rule (SL-001, 1999; r: 2004)

11/19/97 (pre The Best Show)

1999 release: Layout by MG Howie for RedDot Design

2004 re-issue: Illustration and design by Casey Burns; mastered by Chris Stamey

Note: All Stereolaffs releases are produced by Jon Wurster and Tom Scharpling

Back cover blurbs on both releases: Gregg Turkington, Gerard Cosloy, Ira Kaplan, Amy Poehler, and David Cross


Chain Fights, Beer Busts and Service with a Grin (SL-002, 2002)

Disc One

1. The Music Scholar (9/4/01)
2. The Gorch (1/9/01)
3. Mike Healy (Part One) (7/17/01)

Disc Two

1. Citizens For A True Democracy (1/23/01)
2. Radio Hut (12/12/00)
3. Mike Healy (Part Two) (7/17/01)

Assembled and edited by Chris Stamey and Jon Wurster
Artwork and layout by Casey Burns

Back cover blurb: Todd Hanson, Head Writer, The Onion

New Hope for the Ape-Eared (SL-003, 2004)

Disc One

1. Mother 13 (7/30/02)
2. Chocolageddon (2/11/03)
3. The Chippert Report (3/18/03)
4. Todd and the Audio Guru Pt 1 (7/1/03)

Disc Two

1. The Gas Station Dogs (4/2/02)
2. Tom's Daddy (5/28/02)
3. Consolidated Ball Bearings (10/23/01)
4. Todd and the Audio Guru Pt 2 (7/1/03)

Mastered by Chris Stamey
Illustrations and design by Casey Burns

"Wired" written and performed by Jon Wurster; production and additional guitar by Brian Dennis at Studio

"Rock 'n' Roll Dreams'll Come Through" written by Scharpling/Wurster/Morrison

Back cover blurbs: Conan O'Brien and Neal Pollack

Hippy Justice (SL-004, 2005)

Disc One

1. Hippy Johnny (12/14/04)
2. Old Skull (2/8/05)
3. Darren from Work (1/18/05)

Disc Two

1. Timmy von Trimble (12/30/03)
2. Rock 'n' Roll Car Dealership (12/23/03)
3. Kid eBay (6/15/04)

Assembled by Brian Paulson, Jon Wurster and Tim Harper
Artwork and layout by Casey Burns

Back cover blurbs: Dave Willis and Patton Oswalt

The Art of the Slap (SL-005, 2007)

Disc One

1. Jock Squad (10/11/05)
2. The Auteur (3/14/06)
3. Philly Boy Roy (7/11/06)

Disc Two

1. Andy from Lake Newbridge (10/18/05)
2. Tornado Todd (4/25/06)
3. Postal Slap Fight (4/18/06)

Bonus Disc

Mother 13 ... The First Rock Band on Mt. Everest (two-part saga) (5/2/06 and 5/9/06)

Assembled by Jon Wurster and Zeno Gill
Artwork by Casey Burns

Back cover blurbs: Paul F. Tompkins and Ben Gibbard
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on April 08, 2011, 06:18:09 PM
Great job, Omar.

I will *sniff* note that all of those were findable in the Newbridgctionary except Darren from Work, which I inexplicably didn't have.  Although not in as easily understood a form, of course.  *Sniff*

Thanks for your appreciation, Zach - I started doing it for my own completist/OCD stuff and it turned into a pretty thorough listing.

Also - Tornado Todd is 4/25/06 and the Auteur is 3/14/06.


There are many shows where I put "no archive," but in the early days it may be that they just didn't list who filled in sometimes.  I've gone back and changed them to No Archive/No Best Show to eliminate confusion.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on April 08, 2011, 06:35:42 PM
Hey Buffcoat,
     Sorry that I couldn't figure out how to best find that info on your page.  I thought you just said "No Archive" for things on the CDs, which were the most likely reason for them being so.  I don't know all the bits, offhand, so I wasn't sure what exactly what to look for within the whole comprehensive listing.  Again, both of you dudes are incredibly impressive in your Best Show knowledge stores, and thanks, again.


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Omar on April 08, 2011, 06:40:52 PM

Also - Tornado Todd is 4/25/06 and the Auteur is 3/14/06.


I fixed these in the list above.  They are incorrectly listed in the actual CD liner notes.  Sick!
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Mr. Spacely on April 08, 2011, 07:19:01 PM
Wow, awesome list, Omar.  Thanks!

Hey, I've seen Newbridge buttons on eBay.  Are these knock-offs, or legit memorabilia from a past Premium? If so, what kind of Newbridgverse stuff is out there from years past?  I know there's the Neil Numberman poster and the two official t-shirts, but is there anything else?
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on April 08, 2011, 09:10:39 PM

Also - Tornado Todd is 4/25/06 and the Auteur is 3/14/06.


I fixed these in the list above.  They are incorrectly listed in the actual CD liner notes.  Sick!

How dare they!
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on April 08, 2011, 09:13:05 PM
Hey Buffcoat,
     Sorry that I couldn't figure out how to best find that info on your page.  I thought you just said "No Archive" for things on the CDs, which were the most likely reason for them being so.  I don't know all the bits, offhand, so I wasn't sure what exactly what to look for within the whole comprehensive listing.  Again, both of you dudes are incredibly impressive in your Best Show knowledge stores, and thanks, again.


   -Zach


Thanks, Zach - you helped me update the product for the first time in awhile.


By the way, I've updated the Newbridgctionary through 2010 and am listening to the January shows now!
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: masterofsparks on April 08, 2011, 11:38:43 PM
Wow, awesome list, Omar.  Thanks!

Hey, I've seen Newbridge buttons on eBay.  Are these knock-offs, or legit memorabilia from a past Premium? If so, what kind of Newbridgverse stuff is out there from years past?  I know there's the Neil Numberman poster and the two official t-shirts, but is there anything else?

There are several t-shirts and CDs that came as prior marathon premiums. I don't know years for sure, but these are the ones I can recall:

CDs:
The Best of the Best of the Best Show on WFMU Vol. 1
The Best of the Best of the Best Show on WFMU Vol. 2
The Best You Can Do Is Be Worse Than the Best Show (2007)
Ram tribute CD
Scharpling and Wurster at the Speed of Sound
Best Show Uncovered (emergency marathon mp3 disc with some of the unarchived shows)

Shirts:
Experience the Difference (2002 marathon, I think)
Scharpling Landscaping (2004 maybe?)
Scar-Face
Michael Kupperman

I've also heard about a shirt with a pizza box, but I've never seen one so I don't know if it exists for sure.

I also have a Best Show fridge magnet in the shape of New Jersey that came as part of the 2007 premium.
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: MiddleBro on April 25, 2011, 06:33:11 PM
Hey Buffcoat,
   If you see this, I just wanted to let you know I added the Newbridgtionary to the Related Links section of Tom's Wikipedia page, as I was on it and noticed several other FOT sites, without yours being included.  I hope I helped fix this oversight, as your spot is a much deserved one.  See ya!


   -Zach
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: masterofsparks on April 25, 2011, 08:34:19 PM
I just noticed I forgot to mention the Best Show vs. Blood Sweat & Tears thing that was released on CD as a premium early on (2001, maybe?).
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: buffcoat on April 28, 2011, 04:25:17 PM
Hey Buffcoat,
   If you see this, I just wanted to let you know I added the Newbridgtionary to the Related Links section of Tom's Wikipedia page, as I was on it and noticed several other FOT sites, without yours being included.  I hope I helped fix this oversight, as your spot is a much deserved one.  See ya!


   -Zach

Thanks, Zach!
Title: Re: Questions about S&W Albums
Post by: Mr. Spacely on May 17, 2011, 02:38:37 PM
Something I never thought of until re-listening to a bunch of calls recently...

Does Tom move up the levels on Wurster calls?  Wurster always sounds clearer and more "equal" (despite being on a phone) than say, Spike.

Or this just my imagination?