Being April 1st and the letter A, I begin with something which all my followers are well aware of... I hope!
Auctions are my passion, as is the Land of Oz, of which I write children's books about. Years ago, I was summoned by Princess Ozma to visit the Land of Oz and hear tell of Her newest Royal Magician. She commanded me to tell the tale of the Magician of Oz and many other stories, which I am currently engaged in doing.
I mention this because in writing my second Oz book, Shadow Demon of Oz, I chose to write about the Shadow Auction Barn, which I renamed the Umbra Auction Barn (Umbra is Latin for Shadow, go figure?). Anyways, the story begins with the Diggs family participating in a local auction, which is something I do every week here in Terre Haute.
This day, I got very lucky at the local auction house when I came across an album (remember those?) called:
MECO: The Wizard of Oz
Made in 1978, it is a disco version of the story of the MGM 1939 Wizard of Oz movie. To say it is horrible is to be making an incredible understatement!
As you can see, there is the Dorothy & Toto, the Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion, all joined by various funky-dressed citizens of Oz... and even the Wizard, who seems to be controlling things in the background.
Now, I'm proud to claim that I survived disco and the '70's in general, though with music like this, I have no clue how! Back then, drugs were cheap and plentiful, the drinking age was 18 and sex didn't kill you! Oh what times those were...
The album itself is in remarkable condition and when I played it, there were very few pops, hisses or clicks. Funny though, my grandkids are facinated with a big black disc that spins around, that you put a diamond needle on it, and music comes out of it. They have no clue how it works.
On the back of the cover is Glinda and her ever-present bubble, two very happy Munchkins and even the Wicked Witch of the West and three of her flying monkeys in the sky, along with more happy citizens of Oz.
In the credits listed on the back are the usual nods to musicians and such, but there is a whole section devoted to: Musicians from the CORMAR GALAXY.
There is also a section naming folks: From the Planet Serutu. Lots of odd names and strange things... Go figure?
Tomorrow, I take a look at some great Oz books I also acquired at the auction today!
Per Ardua Ad Alta!!!
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison of Oz
I am on board for the whole month of the Alphabet.
ReplyDeleteI adore vinyl. My grands also are fascinated by the strange oversizes discs but love the stories that come out of the speakers. Stories of my childhood. You were a fortunate one at the Auction.
Oma Linda