"All Covers Compilation ( Addled Tapes 1988 curated by Al Perry)
LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD THIS TAPE
In addition to Al Perry being a legend in the Tucson music scene, Al has toured internationally and is known as a tremendous blues and rock guitarist. He has also penned some mighty fine tunes in his day ( as demonstrated by this very tape and his CDs ). Listen to some of his own tunes and find out more.
Al also hosts a weekly radio show in Tucson on KXCI, called “The Clambake” where he spins whatever goodies he wants. It’s always a fine show.
What inspired you to make this compilation? What year…1988?
Sometimes my musician friends would do a cover of one of my songs and tape it, and I have done that too with other friends songs. I think I had a couple of these and that’s where the idea came from. As a songwriter, I’m sure you know that there is nothing better than hearing someone else do your song. I am a weak vocalist, so when someone who is a really good singer performs one of my songs, I am totally flattered. Brings things up a notch.
1988 sounds about right, I am really bad about documenting that kind of information. And as I told you earlier, I had completely forgotten about that tape until I saw it on your site. I had absolutely no memory of it. Was great to see it there and to hear it again.
Were you aware of any other tape like this being produced before?
If there were, I was certainly not aware of it. Remember about that time there were lots of tribute albums coming out. It was a gimmick the labels were jumping on. There was one for the Byrds then, and the Kinks, and many others. So the idea perhaps came from that.
Were these tapes you had obtained in trade or for your radio show? Did you play this tape on your show?
I compiled this long before I had a radio show.
I remember you doing reviews then too. What publication were they for?
I wrote some stuff for the local paper and for the Tucson Weekly. Also wrote some for some small fanzines. A guy from Tucson was the editor of Goldmine magazine for a while, and he liked my writing, so he would have me review albums for that. Reviewing is great, you get free music, and you get paid for writing about it. Writing comes pretty easily to me. I remember there were a couple things I wanted to review and I would call the labels, and it was really easy to get them to send me stuff. They never questioned my credentials or asked for a sample, nothing! I was shocked. I would also get more things than I was able to review, which I was told to just keep. Can’t argue with that!!!
Did the response to this compilation surprise you at all? Was anyone upset about the treatment of their song?
I don’t remember the response really. If someone was upset, I didn’t hear about it. There were no treatments making fun of anything. I think people are always flattered by hearing someone else perform their songs.
Can you give brief comments or remembrances about each tune. No big essays are needed, just some feelings.
1. Sandra ( Ken Clinger)
Don Campau
This is one of the coolest ones on the tape, the song and the performance. I am sure that’s why it’s up front. Although as I said I had no recollection of this tape, so I am not going to be able to say much.
2. Glue Sniffing Revival ( Al Perry)
The Room 101
Mark Hanley is simply brilliant. All the tapes I’d get from him were tops. Plus he had bands that released records, and all that was really fine too. Flattering to hear this one, it was also covered on an lp by Lee Joseph, so I am glad other musicians liked that song.
3. 3 Years Of My Life ( Fish Kama)
Rich Hardesty
This one was weird. Rich has a great voice, but he did this rockabilly sort of “nice” treatment of Fish’s bitter lyrics. The juxtaposition was unusual to say the least.
4. She Fucked Hitler ( Roberta Eklund)
Dino DiMuro
I don’t know Roberta’s stuff much. Dino is genius, and this is a cool version.
5. 4WDORV (Al Perry)
Fred North
I love this, not just because it’s my song, or because I like Fred North’s music, but his Black Sabbath style rendition of this song in just nuts. I think this is my favorite on this tape, though it’s really not easy to pick a favorite.
6. Another Stupid Video ( Don Campau)
Nick
This one was a great performance of a fantastic song. Remember how much of a threat MTV seemed to be at the time? We all hated it. It was something that had a lot of potential that of course was never realized.
7. Dogma Of Null Unit ( ( Fred North)
Al Perry
Fred is a great composer. I still perform this one with my band nowadays. He had these early things where he used Drum Drops records for the drums. They sounded hilarious. He’s still doing stuff.
8. Big Penny ( Dino DiMuro)
Fish Karma
This one is one of my top favorites on the tape, Dino’s song is one of my favorites and Fish’s version is really out there.
9. May I Have This Dance? ( Nick)
Ken Clinger
Ken’s stuff is always cool. I became addicted to his music early on. It is so unique. I am glad he participated in the tape. Nick always did great stuff too. Haven’t heard from him in forever.
10. On A Dig ( Don Campau)
Dino DiMuro
Dino does Don. Great song, great version. Can’t go wrong. This is a great example of what I am talking about when I say there were really great songwriters on the hometaping scene. Not to mention, the recordings and performances were really top-notch.
11. Die Like A Dog ( Fish Karma)
Fred North
Again, can’t go wrong with a great performance and a great song.
12. 4WDORV ( Al Perry)
Rich Hardesty
Another bit of flattery for me. Rich will still on occasion record versions of my songs, and they are always nice. He’s good!
13. Gabby Medley ( Fish Karma, Gabby)
Gabby
Little bit of filler with the kids, just put that one on for a lark.
14. Pieces Of My Poodle ( Fish Karma)
Nick
I remember Nick had a thing about poodles, right? So it’s natural that he’d re-make this song. I think it was one of his favorite songs.
15. Political Animal ( Fish Karma)
Fred North
What a great song. That’s what gets me about listening to this tape 20 years on. There was some really top-notch songwriting going on among us home tapers, and I think that was what I was trying to show. This should have had a “real” release on lp or CD, now that I think about it. It’s really a good tape, and all the people who did stuff are the best of the hometaping world. Least, they were my favorites.
Thanks Al, great job on this classic set of home taper tunes.