Side 2 of an out-of-print vinyl album by talk show host Alan Burke (1922-1992), reading selected love poems from his book My Naked Soul, published by Libra Publishers in 1968. (17:15)

Bio from Hollywood.com:

Born: Richmond, Virginia on 9/15/1922
Died: 8/25/1992
Sharp-tongued host of a syndicated NYC talk show that was notorious for its emphasis on the sensational. "The Alan Burke Show" ran from 1966 to 1969 on what was then Metromedia's WNEW, New York. Burke's loudmouthed approach to political discourse served as the model for the fleetingly popular "Morton Downey Jr Show" on WWOR-TV, New York. Programmer Larry Fraiberg was responsible for creating both shows.

Many are not familiar with Alan Burke, one of the pioneers of talk shows on radio and television. If you're old enough to remember his unique and controversial show on Metromedia WNEW New York Channel 5 (and syndicated throughout the country), then this rare volume of poetry will surprise and reveal to you a side of Burke one never thought possible.

If you happen to be of the female gender and in love, then Burke's overly dramatic passion soaked work may be for you. For the acne-faced record goon with an aching heart it does nothing but piss you off. I do however think that this album is worth showcasing due to its rarity and for those who can appreciate his wisdom and versatility.

Side 1 (18:10)

Antagonistic and intoxicated, Joey reconfirms his title as the most obnoxoius and pathetic caller on Tampa's airwaves. Calls to Bob Lassiter, Lionel and Jay Marvin conclude the premiere episode of what eventually became a regular practice of compiling Joey tapes into excellence in tape making. (42 min.)

A fan of The General's and wanna hear more? Well, go there then to his page at http://thegeneral.podomatic.com!

This is the forerunner to a series of compilation tapes entitled A Tape In The Life of G (not to be confused with A Day In The Life of G). After being barraged by a plethora of tapes from Tampa, I took on a project to edit out the best material from literally hundreds of tapes sent to me over the years from the General (a.k.a. Joey). This can be considered the pilot episode to that series which will be posted in the weeks to come (lucky you!).

Another historic cassette, here. The tape literally evolves from a Mixed Bag tape with a bit of what Billy calls, 'material' to a pot-pourri of commentary, prepared schtick and tape editing. Excellent space jazz, the personnae of 'Billy' evolves and gets comfy, (he constantly claims that he is running out of material, yet seems to have a never-ending supply), high octane space jazz and more. A true primer in the Billy Bob School of Tapecraft.

P.Q. Ribber
3/12/07

Part two continues in a more humorous vein with lots of song parodies and Howard Stern bits from his days at WNBC. Also included is a 1987 radio broadcast of a Gay Rights rally with Bob Grant in NYC, WFLA's anti-gay talk show host Mark Larsen in Tampa and outraged callers to assorted talk radio shows. (74 min.)

When this audio tape was originally released on October 15, 1990, the Gay Movement was reaching a frenzy that demanded its acceptance in society, regardless of it opponents in the political arena and in the electronic media. However, the war raged on from then and to this present day. Listen in to this segment of history, archived by talk radio shows from 17 years ago. (47 min.)

The controversial tape that broke up 2 Man Audience! Who's a Jew? Who's not a Jew? What are the qualifications of being a Jew? Can one not wear a yarmulke and tefilin and still be a Jew? Who's the asshole? Who isn't? What are the prerequisites to being an asshole? Who's opinion counts? Who's doesn't? Who's really upset? Most importantly, who's a Jewish? Listen and judge for yourself! Part 2 available below. (46 min.)

The controversy continues... (47 min.)

This second installment continues with classic calls from Clara to Bob Grant, a rare performance of "The Friends of Sheen" by the Billy Bob Band, Nino the Mindboggler and the dilemma of the black man in white America. (45 min.)

Another classic theme tape produced by The Lizard. An angry African-American insists on telling talk show host Barry Farber that it is the white man's fault for the black man's plight in today's society. It is left up to you, the listener, to decide, rather than the tapemaker to make a stand one way or the other. Another amusing highlight on Part 1 is the Phoney Warren's call to Bob Grant and Sick Rick's calls to talk show hosts Lynn Samuels and Rush Limbaugh. Released Oct. 6, 1989. (47 min.)

This tape, probably doesn't sound very notable. There's some great laughs and material here, believe me and every person who has ever made a tape for friends or other reasons should appreciate this Mixed Bag of Bags. To the circle of tape-makers at the time, this tape was a breakthrough. Not merely a mix tape, not a talk tape, not a single-themed tape, but a potpourri, as well as its opening salvo of tape provocation. Disrespecting Burke.... well, that just wasn't being done.

Really, though, for it's promise of talking, this is essentially a strange music mix tape. Schmaltz abounds, as well as music from the cult classic horror film '2000 Maniacs'. For a fellow who boasts of his talking, he gives precious little explanation to the funny bits of recorded conversations and material presented. I think it stands on it's own, or I would explain some of the stuff held in these two commemorative podcasts.

The snips of Billy's cousin's aspirations are priceless. The choice of music such as the Mills Brothers and Frankie Lymon are disquieting and yet, perfect in their eternal cassette moment. Also included is the theme music from 'The 10th Victim' a strange pop-art film from the '60s that showed on channel 9 in NYC when we were all growing up. Wonder if it's on DVD, yet?

Great silliness and this is the tape that pushed the envelope that little bit and changed the way Mentor people made tapes. It's a shame we didn't have the internet, back then. This tape is about 21 years old. That is kinda strange, in itself. It even includes the first exposure I had to Slick Rick!! I look forward muchly to the reactions of others to these recordings!

PQ Ribber
2/28/07

Billy from Buffalo doesn't seem undersand C.B. radio courtesy, as he berates fellow C.B.'ers, treating them as if they were callers to a radio talk show. Award-winning mixdom from Tapemaster Lizard. (31 min.)

A winner of the 1987 Mentor Grammy Awards, this is one of the Lizard's best cut-up production tapes, mixing annoying phone messages with music. Part one features Axie, a persistent "friend" of the Lizard's, who keeps calling him to see if he "would like to get together.....if it's at all possible, and even if it's not". Release date 1/16/87. (30 min.)

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TALK SHOW HOST BOB LASSITER

Released on July 6, 1991, this is probably the last "produced" tape by The Lizard, after a successful run of entertaining and award-winning tapes such as Our Operators Are Temporarily Busy, We Didn't Aks To Come To America and Guess Who's Not The Jew, to name just a few. All of these, plus many more by other artists featured on the Mentor label, will be showcased here in the months to come. Part 2 follows below. (46 min.)

(46 min.)

Recorded circa 1978, these interviews take place on the streets of South Fallsburg, NY. Our interviewer, a Mr. Foul Vaness, asks the local citizens the question, "What do you think is wrong with South Fallsburg?". Highlights include Preston Jones, an amputee and Charles Johnson, a seasonal worker at one of the hotels in the Catskills. (11 min.)

"The sweat oozes and gushes out of my wide open pores as the evilness pours out of me. The demonic depression sets in as all my energy is lost via the sun and complete inability to cope, thus eventing in the screaming is helpful. I've completely cracked up. Immobile, indecisive, incorrigible, incognito, incomprehensible, inconscious and totally incapable of going on any further. I'm a-go Mickey." (21 min.)

It appears this last installment ends about two-thirds into Side A, after which our hero returned to New York, where he filled the rest of the tape with guitar instrumentals. These will be featured, along with some of the General's other solo works, and many much other tapes on The General's own podcast page. Go there then at http://thegeneral.podomatic.com

"Now...to those who might be listening...unauthorized, as they probably are...you have no future in the Army, and are destined to a life in limbo on Earth, in Heaven and in all that lies in between.

Rod? Tell them..."

"Joel? You're right. Those who are listening are condemned. You have the power to make such statements while I am still dead."

More Burke, assorted noises, a screaming match and losing money at the dog track. (30 min.)

"Warning #2: Those who are listening via casssette Teac or others, are prohibited by law, federal, state and local from doing such matters covert subversive to this General: You are perished on this Earth, as good as dead. Let that be a lesson. Heed those thoughts. I am Burke's main man. Thank you." (30 min.)

"I think that it's now that I take this opportunity to tell you who is in my new band. Everybody that there ever was on this planet preceding us. Everyone that has lived and died and now are dead are in my band! Billions....billions of people. Mine to control, I have the key. I won't be pushed, shoved, nor filed, stamped, briefed, debriefed or numbered. I'm a zombie. The leader, and as such, will take control. The dead are massing. We have complete assurances that we will win. Don't resist. Don't defy me. Die. Be one of us. Morgan."

"I heard what you just said, and I must remind you of one fact: that you are using a false voice, trying to disguise your voice and give vent to your frustrations for never having made it in show business, you poor fool. I saw my name in lights. Good night, sir." - Burke

Gettin' down with Supah Jimmy G, Rabbi Rashi and the Jewish American Simcha welcome back Alan Burke from vacation. It is imperative that we continue to preserve and archive these precious gold tapes as the little felt pads are beginning to fall out of the cassette cases. (32 min.)

Although Burke is on vacation, Jerry manages by inviting Preston Jones and Rabbi Rashi Shapiro into the car. (31 min.)

The G-man assumes the personna of Jerry Stevens, a bumbling nebbish who waites tables down at "The Club". Sometimes the masking tape from his broken sunglasses hangs down while he works. Eventually he is demoted to busboy. (31 min.)

Our hero the G-Man continues his madcap monologue in the confines of his automobile, where he resides during his first week in sunny Miami. (31 min.)

In our first of many podcasts, we are offering the classic six-part series of the award winning A Day In The Life Of G tapes. Presented and narrated by the General (formerly of 3 Man Army fame), Volume One begins on February 21, 1979 (28 years ago) where we find our hero arriving in Miami and temporarily living in his car. What better way to introduce all of us to the airwaves of Miami radio. "It's the Wednesday, it's Spaghetti Day!" (31 min.)

For more of The General, visit his exclusive page at http://thegeneral.podomatic.com/