Discovering Frank - The Third Installment

Title: The Frank And Punch Show

Show Release Date: April 28, 2021

Blog Written: February 28, 2023

Albums Covered:

• Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours
• Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
• John Mayer - Continuum
• AC/DC - Back in Black
• Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

We are officially Musical Shenanigans.  

Your big question is how much effort, research, committee formation, surveys, and subcommittees went into the development of this title, and the answer is none of the above.  I found the Buzzsprout website where we could host the first two shows that were recorded and I was in the midst of editing the third show when I needed to create a name for the site.  I just threw out the two words, validated that they were not in use anywhere else in the podcast world (PodSphere? PodVerse?), and sometime before we recorded this show, I floated the name out, and everyone seemed agreeable.  And that is about it.  I know, it's not real sexy.  Sorry.

So let's dive into the show.

Admittedly, the title of this specific show was given more time and effort than the name of the Podcast.  Believe it or not, it actually has a few meanings.  The first, which is discovered in the show, is that Scott does not like Frank Sinatra and listening to his voice made him want to "punch someone in the anus" - he really does wax poetically, doesn't he?  The second meaning plays on the punching and is taken from the old puppet show Punch and Judy - where the two puppets beat the snot out of each other.  And finally, the third meaning is a little more of a reach, but if any of you every watched the television show CHiPs from the 70s and 80s, one of the leads, played by Erik Estrada, was named Frank Poncherello - and that was why the name Frank came first and the show was not called the Punch and Frank Show.  Of course, I do not think anyone likely knew about that reference until this moment.

Also on this show is the introduction of Scott's "Rocket to the Sun" and the respective passengers he is placing aboard.  The subject comes up for a few more shows and then gets forgotten for a long time.  Eventually, we bring it back as a centerpiece (Author's Note: The Centerpiece is the bit that happens between the two rounds that occur in the future, and we are still a few shows away from the concept of "rounds" and doing what we are doing now.)

We are starting to gel and the rhythm of the show is coming together and the number of albums was boosted to five.  And at twenty minutes, with two ridiculous commercials, we are still not hitting at the depth we would eventually hit.  Don't get me wrong, the conciseness works, and this method will work brilliantly when we get to our bracket system way down the road.

The commercial (maybe one can hear the sighing from wherever they are).

Buford's Second Chance Homes was the concept of honest advertising in Real Estate.  They are not trying to hide that a house is haunted, or that a heinous crime occurred in it.  I don't think it really landed, but I have a huge thank you to Scott, my daughter, and Cathy for their voice talents.  Cathy is a veteran podcaster from the show "Stuck in the 80s" - and listening to the very early episodes that she is in, I learned about the dynamics of managing three voices in a podcast and attempting to find the right balance (and I am still learning).  Otherwise, our premise at this time kind of works, but it is still not a great execution - we have a lot to learn!

References:

• In our discussion on Frank Sinatra we reference the Hank Williams song of I'm So Lonesome I Could Die and Documentary on Frank called "Sinatra: All or Nothing at All" (Here is the link to IMDB, and time of writing this, this documentary is not streaming anywhere).

• During the Boogie Down Productions we reference an article on the origins of NYC hip-hop called "Battle of the Boroughs: The Quest for NYC Hip-Hop Supremacy" 

• The misadventures and mysterious death of Bon Scott from AC/DC, read more about it here

• The Fake Fleetwood Mac band that was able to dupe most of an audience before there was an Internet, here is the article.

The albums, as defined by ChatGPT

"In the Wee Small Hours" is a landmark album by Frank Sinatra, released in 1955. The album features songs that explore themes of heartbreak and loneliness, and is considered one of the earliest concept albums. The music is backed by a small jazz ensemble, with Sinatra's crooning vocals front and center. The album's melancholic tone and introspective lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of jazz and pop music.

"Criminal Minded" is the debut studio album by Boogie Down Productions, released in 1987. The album is considered a classic of the golden age of hip-hop, featuring hard-hitting beats and politically charged lyrics. The group's leader, KRS-One, delivers his rhymes with a commanding presence, touching on issues such as police brutality, racism, and inequality. The album's impact on hip-hop is still felt today, with its influence on later artists in the genre.

"Continuum" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter and guitarist John Mayer, released in 2006. The album showcases Mayer's skill as both a singer and a guitarist, with songs that draw on blues, rock, and soul influences. The album features hits such as "Waiting on the World to Change" and "Gravity," as well as deep cuts that showcase Mayer's musicianship. The album's mature and introspective themes have made it a favorite among fans of singer-songwriter and adult contemporary music.

"Back in Black" is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC, released in 1980. The album is considered a classic of hard rock and heavy metal, featuring hits such as "Hells Bells," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and the title track "Back in Black." The album was a tribute to the band's former lead singer, Bon Scott, who had passed away earlier that year. The album's driving beats, thunderous riffs, and singalong choruses have made it a staple of rock radio and stadium concerts.

"Rumours" is the eleventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1977. The album features hits such as "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams," and "Don't Stop," and is considered one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album was written and recorded during a time of interpersonal strife and romantic entanglements among the band members, and the songs explore themes of love, betrayal, and heartbreak. The album's blend of rock, pop, and folk influences, as well as its rich vocal harmonies, have made it a classic of 1970s rock music.