“Forgotten Songs”

Play clip Forgotten Songs

The deep, crooning baritone you hear at the beginning and end of “Forgotten Songs” is actually a 1993 recording of my father, Philip Brourman singing one of his own tunes, “Gambler’s Blues”; a song he wrote during his time as a P.O.W. in Germany during World War II. (He is accompanied by my sister, Michele Brourman, a brilliant songwriter herself). Daddy used to say that songwriting was only one of several strategies he and his buddies came up with to keep their sanity during that awful time. (They also formed a men’s chorus and gambled trading cigarettes and Red Cross rations. Daddy was an avid card player throughout his life). [Read more]

America

I was 15, going on 16 – just like the song says in The Sound of Music.

I was invited to my first party at a friend’s house without parental supervision. Of course, this was unbeknownst to my parents, who would never have let me go if they had known that the Hendersons were off somewhere for the weekend, leaving my friend, Catherine, alone with her ten year-old sister. Obviously, the Hendersons had much more faith in their daughter’s good judgment and moral compass than my parents had in mine - a fact which I deeply resented, and I thought to myself, “Sure! Might as well fulfill their worst fears, since it’s clear that being a nice, compliant, goody two-shoes – which I have always been – doesn’t get me any respect!” I don’t remember anymore how I got to the party. Probably, my father drove me there. He probably gave me the “third degree” all the way over. I probably lied through my teeth, swearing up and down that the party would be duly chaperoned and there would only be girls and absolutely NO alcohol.
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Watching “Ed Wood”

Last night Art and I had a truly fabulous night watching “Ed Wood”‘, a film made in 1994 starring Johnnie Depp in the title role with Martin Landau co-starring as Bela Lugosi. (Martin Landau won an Oscar for his performance, which, I am sure, was absolutely deserved.

First of all, if you don’t know, Ed Wood was a writer, director and producer of some of arguably some of the worst movies ever made. I haven’t laughed so hard in many years! Johnnie Depp as Ed Wood was, well, wooden in a way that must have been an enormous challenge for such a gifted actor. Most of all, he reminded me of Mickey Rooney in the Andy Hardy series of films. He mouthed the kind of “aw shucks” lines that under most circumstances would make me cringe — lines such as “The kids really love that sort of thing” (while making a pitch for one of his epically bad films).

On the other hand, just below the surface of the hilarious antics, there was a poignancy that broke your heart. Here was a man who was burdened with a secret compulsion to dress up in women’s clothing, a transvestite, who suffered greatly because of it. Still, he dutifully confessed to his future wife on their first date, afraid that later on she would, like his former girlfriend, discover the truth and abandon him. He was naive, vulnerable, and utterly honest. In a pivotal scene, he has been chafing under the scrutiny of a group of investors from the Beverly Hills Baptist Church, who are trying to wrest artistic control of his picture. He goes to the Brown Derby (an iconic Hollywood restaurant) and has a chance encounter with his idol, Orson Welles. Although at that time, Wood was outrageously dolled-up in drag, Welles seems oblivious to this and has a serious, artist-to-artist conversation with young Wood. Welles concludes the conversation by telling Ed that he must be true to his artistic vision. Wood, newly energized by this encouragement from one of the gods of Hollywood filmdom, goes back to his set and recaptures artistic control, going on to complete the crowning achievement of his career, “Plan Nine from Outer Space”. (I use the term “crowning achievement” in the broadest possible sense of the word).

There is another thread to the film which must be mentioned: Ed Wood stumbles upon the famed star of the horror genre of the ’30s and ’40s, the man synonymous with Dracula, Bela Lugosi. By the time Wood befriends the older man, Lugosi is “washed up” by all accounts, a drug addict whose wife has recently died, living alone in a very modest and unkempt house in Baldwin Hills with a pack of small dogs. Ed does his best to resurrect (pun intended) Lugosi’s career by starring him in several of his own pictures. There is a growing bond of friendship between the two men, and Lugosi comes to depend on Wood, so much so, that he calls Wood up on many occasions in dire peril. The younger man always shows up, always treats Lugosi with utter respect and reverence.

Over the years, there has been consensus among film historians that Ed Wood was, by most measures, the worst director of all time. Indeed, his movies were made on a shoestring budget, sloppy in their execution, and were built on concepts such as, “Grave diggers from outer space”. Still, I couldn’t help feeling that he was a man worthy of respect. Hollywood “chewed him up and spit him out”, just as it did many others. We’ll never know what Ed Wood might have been had he not been what he was. I don’t know whether the world is a better place for films like, “Plan Nine from Outer Space”. But I can say that he was a steadfast, loyal, and compassionate friend to Bela Lugosi and in general, conducted his personal life with integrity. Isn’t that the more important measure of a man?

Darlene Love And The Blossoms - What I Remember

I believe I first heard of the Blossoms when they appeared on Dick Dale’s “King Of The Surf Guitar” (I was lucky enough to be on that session playing guitar next to Glen Campbell but that’s another story). I’m not sure if the girls were at the date but I soon learned that they were singing background on just about everything in town. I also heard of their association with Phil Spector, The Crystals and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. (That’s Darlene Love, Fanita James, myself and Jeanie King in the picture.)

After I left Dick Dale, Mike Patterson and a few of us started a band called The Fugitives. We had been backing up the Righteous Brothers on various gigs around Southern California before their big hit “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”. After that hit The Fugitives became the backup band for the Righteous Brothers. The Blossoms had been singing on most of the Brothers’ records so it only seemed natural that they join us on the road as the backup singers.

For some reason I became the designated driver for the girls, and the four of us spent a lot of time together. As we did most of our touring in the south (and this was the mid 60s) it became very interesting to see the look on peoples faces as I squired the gals around Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Two instances stick out in my mind. On one occasion we were driving to a gig through the back roads of North Carolina. We were lost and I stopped for directions at a small general store. All I remember is that the four of us were not greeted too warmly, and I said to the girls “let’s get out of here fast!” and we did. On another occasion we were at an airport somewhere in Louisiana. Evidently, it wasn’t generally appreciated that we should be traveling together, particularly as there was much obvious camaraderie and affection among us. Of course — we were lucky we didn’t get ourselves killed!

It became obvious at one point that Bill Medley and Darlene were very fond of each other. For whatever reason it never went beyond that, maybe because of the times. In any event, as the story was told to me, the relationship was the inspiration for the song “Brown Eyed Woman” written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. I always thought that was a great record, but it was only a hit in some major cities. I guess the country wasn’t ready for that sentiment.

Another tidbit Darlene mentioned to me was how Phil Spector wouldn’t record her or release her from her contract, so she was in limbo for a number of years unable to release records under her own name.

Mike Patterson was actively involved as manager and road manager for the Brothers, but after they broke up he continued his role as manager for Bill Medley and various other acts, including The Blossoms. One day around 1971 Mike asked my writing partner, Joe Reed, and myself to write and produce some sides for a Blossoms album. This became their only album and was released on Lion/MGM Records. It was great to be re-united with them again. They were always fun to be with and of course their singing was out of this world! We recorded it at MGM recording studios on Fairfax in L.A. and used a lot of the “cool” Motown players of the time, as well as Gene Paige as the arranger. Also, here is a picture of me on a ladder dropping a pawn shop guitar plugged into a Marshall amp, cranked to the max, for the explosion on “Shockwave”.

A few years ago I was pleasantly surprised, watching one of the Lethal Weapon movies, to recognize Darlene playing Trish. I was also pleased to hear that she appeared in the Tony nominated 1985 Broadway musical, Leader of the Pack, based on the songs of Ellie Greenwich.

I was sad to hear of Jeannie’s death of a heart attack in 1983. I haven’t seen or spoken to Darlene or Fanita since the 70s but I have such fond memories of working and hanging out with them so many years ago.

Dick Dale and Will Ferrell.

What do Dick Dale and Will Ferrell have in common? Well bear with me and I will enlighten you!

I ran across some old pictures the other day and it reminded me of a bit of trivia that some of you might find interesting. BTW my meanderings have no chronological order - it’s just how they happen to pop up.

After I returned from Vietnam in 1962 I was discharged from the Marine Corp and rejoined Dick Dale and The Del Tones (or His Del Tones as we were sometimes referred to). At different times Dick would have two sax players. The one constant sax player was Barry Rillera, who, as I have mentioned before was a great guitar player. The second player would change from time to time. I believe Barry was there before I left for overseas, but I’m not sure of the other. It may have been Armando Frank or someone named Jerry? (not sure, help!).

When I rejoined Dick in 1962 he was playing at Harmony Park. The second sax player was a new arrival from North Carolina named Lee Ferrell (OK, now you know where this is going!). Because Lee and I were the new guys in the band we became friends and went on to work in a number of little bands around the area (on our off nights with Dick). Lee was a quiet guy off stage, but we would be playing in these small local bars and some nights he would just do the craziest things - Jump up on the tables or the bar while playing, pull out a crazy wig and just generally cut up. You never knew when it would happen and he would be totally spontaneous. He was very, very funny.
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Lies, Sex and Politics!

Let’s talk politics.

Yes, I know. Mom always said there were two topics of conversation to avoid: 1) religion; 2) politics. But I am a rebellious child, and so I am flagrantly violating Mom’ s rule. Some of you won’ t like what I have to say. That’ s fine. So far, this is still a democracy, and I still have the right to say annoying things. Sometimes I feel - especially in the middle of a presidential campaign - that all politics is just a matter of smoke and mirrors. I find that I have a lot of company in that belief. Lots of people decline to vote at all, saying, basically, “What’ s the difference? They’ re all the same!”. To them I say, “Yes, you’ re probably right, but to paraphrase George Orwell, “Some politicians are more (the same) than others”. Let’s review.

Do all politicians lie? Well, as the joke has it, like lawyers, only when their lips are moving. But seriously, folks. Is there a difference between lying and exaggerating? Is there a difference between lying and being mistaken? Is there a difference between manipulating the voters and honestly trying to answer their needs? The question of lying is at the heart of this discussion. It would be easy to tar all politicians with the same brush, but is that fair? And more importantly, is it accurate? And even more importantly, does that mean that all of us should just sit on our hands on November 4th?

Eight years ago when “Dubya” ascended to the throne, I was none too happy, but I so wanted to believe in our system of government that I tried to give him the benefit of a doubt. I tried hard to believe him when he said he was a “uniter and not a divider”. I tried hard to believe him when he said war was only the option of last resort. I tried hard to believe that, deep in his heart, he wanted only the best for all of the people he supposedly represented. But eight years is a long, long time. I have had to admit to myself, finally, that this country was duped. Lots and lots of intelligent people believed Bush’s campaign rhetoric. They thought they were getting a “compassionate conservative”. What could be better, after all? Instead, (IMHO), we got a dangerous, manipulative, war-mongering administration, stone deaf to the real issues of the majority of voters in this country. This “fiscally responsible” administration has left us deeper in debt as a nation than we have ever been before. We are engaged in two wars in the Middle East, with lots of saber-rattling and “tough talk” coming out of Washington. We no longer walk soflty and carry a big stick. It seems we just carry a big stick. The Supreme Court has been skewed far to the right politically, as you might expect from any administration whose core constituents are made up primarily of the the most zealous of evangelicals and “neo-cons”. There are other issues, I’m sure. This is just the list that immediately pops into my (admittedly left-leaning) mind.

And what of the preceding eight years with Bill Clinton at the helm? Well, we know for sure that there was a budget surplus at the end of those eight years. We know that apart from some very targeted air strikes in Bosnia, it was a peaceful eight years. We know that people in general were economically better off than they are now, the middle class in particular. And, yes. Bill Clinton cheated on his wife. His enemies in Washington did a little sleuthing and made him testify to Congress concerning the affair. And in an effort to maintain the dignity of the office and, I would assume, not to humiliate himself or his family, he lied about it clumsily. Stooping to an unbelievable low, the Republicans dug up a blue dress and caught Bill Clinton in a lie. For that lie, they gleefully impeached him. “High crimes and misdemeanors”? Really? Having a tawdry little affair with a willing young woman and then lying about it? How many presidents have been held accountable for such behavior, let alone impeached? Oh, that’ s right: None!

But here is the point. Whatever else you may believe about the last two administrations, and no matter what side you may take in terms of liberal versus conservative, they were certainly different.

So, now we have yet another chance to discern the difference between out-and-out lying and overstating the truth. We have a chance to guess who has our best interest at heart and who is in the back pocket of powerful lobbyists. In spite of all of the confusing claims and counter-claims, we must try to figure out who is the “good guy” and who is the “bad guy”, or at least, who is competent and who is simply ambitious. We must at least try to make a difference. Otherwise, what hope do we
have?

If you’ re still not registered to vote, NOW is the time. Maybe you don’ t agree with my views. Fine. Vote and prove me wrong! Just vote!