ReCD: Saturday People (Prozzäk)

Saturday People

by

Prozzäk

Sony

2000

***

There before me, in a nice pretty little row on the long work table, sat thirty to forty 1-inch videotapes, resting, waiting for this video tech to run them. My boss briefed me: a gentleman was requesting we compile music videos for a 'music video jukebox'. Fine, even if my professional brain knew that I might not be able to do the entire set on my shift; after all, there were other 'jobs' on the board. And music videos, one on each 1-inch master tape, hardly a pop-and-play format, would require constant attention due to the average running-time of 3 to 4 minutes each.

"Labour intensive", as we say.

Mike, the gentleman client, came by briefly to introduce himself. Nice guy, and very knowledgeable about videotape formats. We talked about the beauty of 2-inch "Quad", and, of course, 1-inch... our tape format for the night.

I warmed up the Ampex VTR and started the job of compiling exciting music videos. The process was straightforward, just requiring those waveform and audio-channel adjustments at the beginning of each tape run, as per the normal procedure, and the manual starting and stopping of the destination Betacam SP recorder.

A few songs in, as I slouched at my desk, with my back to the machine-rack monitors, a tune caught my ear. I reacted the way any fan of Tchaikovsky's music would:

"That's 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'!"

I spun in my chair to take note of what video it was that pulled me away from filling out my latest entry in the 'run sheet'.

A week or two later I bought the album Prozzäk: Saturday People, expressly for that song that made me sit up: "It's Not Me It's You!"

Trivia: If I still had the "Sam's" sales receipt, it would be dated September 10, 2001.

Athot for the Day: Great Balls of Whimsy!

A cat is merely a plush toy with attitude.

Picturing: Directing from Both Ends of the Mitchell II

Sunday Fun: No Church (I Said Sunday Fun)

RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen / CFB Baden-Soellingen, in then West Germany, had two cute little churches parked side by side near the end of a street: houses of two denominations, Catholic and Protestant; directly opposite was the base's hospital; and at the end of the street, watching, stood the fire hall with its fire engines and crash-tenders.

When I was five and six years old my dad would take me to the RC place on Sunday mornings. I remember sitting enraptured by the sermons, specifically by their extraordinary length, especially to this then child, and by what I perceived to be utter emptiness. (It's possible I knew that some things in those sermons made little sense but had yet to hurl the word "emptiness" to describe them.)

One day, a moment I remember well, I said to my dad something in such a way as to avoid any potential misinterpretation:

"Dad, I don't wanna go to church anymore."

His immediate reaction: Laughter. The kind aimed towards the heavens when one realizes that his six-year-old is figuring things out fast. And setting firm his own well-considered belief system.

I pray to no one.

Postscript: That former base is now an airport, Baden-Airpark.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Planets & Tales

For me, February 25th, 1989, involved having a pretty wonderful time at Roy Thomson Hall here in Toronto. With friends I went to see conductor Andrew Davis' return to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for a special concert. A fine double feature:

Gustav Holst's "The Planets"

Raymond Luedeke's "Tales of the Netsilik — for orchestra and narrator"

I had heard "The Planets" many times before this night, but hearing it performed live made me appreciate the stellar work even more — the choral section was absolutely heavenly! (Even considering the then crappy acoustics at RTH.)

Canadian Broadcaster Peter Gzowski told tales as narrator: his familiar voice, at least to CBC Radio listeners, complemented the material, his relaxed style most fitting.

As we rose from our seats at the end of the evening's performances, Rob, one of my two concert-mates, offered something I found interesting: "I liked the second one more."

A Forever Question: Meow

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. Must cats come with Terms & Conditions?

Happy Canada Day! 2025

Like many Canadians, I am so grateful to be living in this great country... especially so, given the fascist state forming just below us.