I’ve been looking at my book list and realizing that I haven’t been reading enough. My resolution is to get all the books I’ve started finished. I started reading Snow Falling on Cedars, Last of the Mohicans, and the Audacity of Hope, and I’ve got a “to read” list of about a dozen others. I’m going to finish these three by the 3rd and then move on to some great books for 2011.
Ep!phanee Solo Albums
E-PARTY (1968)
E-Party was an unremarkable album of mostly dance music, featuring heavy drums. Almost all instruments were played by Ep!phanee. All songs were written and performed by Ep!phanee.
1. America
2. Jump
3. Action Inaction
4. Dance Dance Dance
5. Rope
6. Come and Get Me
7. Lift it, Swing it
8. Vertical
9. One Step
10. Princeton Prison
11. West Coast
12. Sunshine Divine
13. Walking Wonder
14. Shuffle
Experimental (1969)
As the title suggests, Experimental was filled with music experimentations, as well as bits and pieces of songs that should have been finished before being recorded. The one decent track was Pinapple Dance, later recorded in a much finished version on Rebel Girls. All songs on the album were performed by Ep!phanee with a rotating group of studio musicians. Ruth De Molay played drums on all tracks except Darkness. All songs were written by Ep!phanee except Burnt Umber with was by Ep!phanee and Ruth De Molay.
1. Pineapple Dance
2. Darkness
3. Burnt Umber
4. Trademark
5. Scream of Rage
6. Daily Life
7. Last of the Buffalo
8. Not a Man, Not a Brother
9. Early Life
10. Give Me Bread
11. Magna Carta
12. Request
13. Sand Dollar
14. Fire
15. What is the Question?
16. Somebody for Somebody
Det Underbara Fantastiska Svenska Albumet Som Jag Alltid Ville Göra (1969)
As a native of Sweden, Ep!phanee was determined to write and record an album in Swedish, which she did between the Ladybugs sessions for Platinum Dream and Matching Tattoos. The album was popular neither in Sweden nor anywhere else, though it has gained a cult following over the years as an (unintended) comedic album. All songs are written and entirely performed by Ep!phanee.
1. Jag Vill en Munk
2. Den Verkligen Verkligen Långa Sången
3. Jag Dricker Saft
4. Gör Kärlek i Badkaret
5. Stora Filmer på Filmteatern
6. Välkomna till Aphuset
7. Ett Stoppinköp
8.Jjag Tycker om en Mans Sak om det är Stort
9. Böj Mig Őver
10. Vaccuum Städerskkärlek
11. Två Gånger under en Bro
12. Du Ttog Tiden att Läsa Det
Virgin (1970)
The virgin album is far more famous for its cover than any of the songs it contained. Not content with the rather tame nudity displayed on Platinum Dream and Naked, Ep!phanee posed in full frontal glory on the front cover and full rear nudity on the back. The album was sold wrapped in a brown paper cover. All songs were written and performed by Ep!phanee.
1. Virgin
2. Song Garden
3. I Want a Donut
4. Trials
5. Apple
6. Customary
7. Ambulance Service
8. Deadly Games
9. Her Plea
10. Fight the System
11. Come Home
12. First Choice
13. Virgin (reprise)
Long Held (1971)
Sometimes (non completely unfairly) called Ep!phanee’s first real solo album, Long Held is so named because the vast majority of the songs on the album were written prior to 1967. All songs were written by Ep!phanee and most feature pop form of lead guitar, guitar, bass, drums. A number of famous musicians lent their talents though no records exist of exactly who played what on various tracks.
1. Make Your Donation #73 on the singles chart.
2. Science
3. People are the Same
4. Anxiety
5. Hystory
6. Imperfect
7. You Amuse You
8. Sanctity of Purpose
9. Riding the Reins
10. Our Place in the World
11. Living with God
12. The Secret Doctrine
13. Chances to Change #30 on the singles chart.
14. Never Mindful
Memories of Dust (1972)
The most successful Ep!phanee solo album, Memories of Dust was not without its bizarre experiments. The Hysterian National Anthem is a track that consists of a twelve minute long series of screams, while My Wish is 15 seconds of barely audible murmuring. Still, Cortez, After the French Kiss, I’m a Fool, and Darkness Always Falls are all solid songs. Memories of Dust was released as the only single. It climbed to number 3 before dropping to number 7, but it stayed in the top ten for almost two years. Since that time it has been listed as one of the most influential songs of all times in lists by critics and social historians alike.
1. Memories of Dust #3 Hit
2. Damnation
3. Cortez
4. After the French Kiss
5. I’m a Fool
6. Darkness Falls Always
7. The Hysterian National Anthem
8. Little Bit of Honey
9. Bringing it Down
10. My Wish
That Time in New York City (1972)
This album was recorded live in Central Park. Ep!phanee: vocals, guitar, piano. Florence Grabe: guitar, sitar. Sandra Bracegirdle: bass. Ruth De Molay: backing drums.
1. America
2. Pineapple Dance
3. After the French Kiss
4. I’m a Fool
5. Memories of Dust
6. Make Your Donation
7. Chances to Change
8. Hystory
9. You Amuse You
10. Damnation
11. Cortez
12. Darkness Always Falls
13. Memories of Dust Reprise
The Island Republic Band (1973)
This album was recorded at Thatch Cay, the first since Naked. Ep!phanee: vocals, guitar, piano. Florence Grabe: guitar, sitar. Sandra Bracegirdle: bass. Ruth De Molay: backing drums. Diana Montegnio: other. With this album, Ep!phanee began remaking some earlier experimental work into real songs. Not surprisingly, this was her best selling solo album to date.
1. America
2. After the French Kiss
3. I’m a Fool
4.You Amuse You
5. Ett Stoppinköp
6. Chances to Change
7. Decorating
8. Purging your Liver
9. The Family from Hell
10. Rice Wine
11. Women of the Congo #27 on the singles chart.
12. A Winning Christmas #80 on the singles chart.
13. Memorable for Me
14. Radio-Vid Ready
Favorite Attraction (1973)
Featuring a now standard band, Favorite attraction expanded Ep!phanee’s rock library. It surpassed The Island Republic Band in Sales and gave her her first number one solo single. Ep!phanee: vocals, guitar, piano. Florence Grabe: guitar, sitar. Sandra Bracegirdle: bass. Ruth De Molay: backing drums.
1. Favorite Attraction #8 on the singles chart.
2. Changed My Mind #1 on the singles chart.
3. Hanging at the Joint
4. My Birthday
5. Fireworks
6. Fat Lady
7. Stick out your Tongue
8. What’s Bothering You?
9. Wounded
10. The Wasted Land
11. Bluefish in the Sea
12. Sounds Within
13. Fair Play
14. Neanderthal #19 on the singles chart.
Overwhelmed (1974)
The final Ep!phanee solo album featured her regular line-up of musicians along with a string of friends. She returned to the Buddy Holly well and produced several popular new recordings of the old songs.
1. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (Buddy Holly)
2. Love’s Made You a Fool (Buddy Holly)
3. Heartbeat (Buddy Holly)
4. She’s My Dream (Ep!phanee) # 41 on the singles chart.
5. Maybe Baby (Buddy Holly)
6. Oh Boy (Buddy Holly) #8 on the singles chart.
7. I’m Gonna Love You Too (Buddy Holly)
8. Lying Awake at Night Alone (Ep!phanee)
9. Words of Love (Buddy Holly) #28 on the singles chart.
10. The World’s a Stage (Ep!phanee)
11. Crying Waiting Hoping (Buddy Holly)
12. True Love Ways (Buddy Holly)
13. Midnight Shift (Buddy Holly)
14. Overwhelmed (Ep!phanee)
Guide to the Ladybugs: Songs and Albums.
Rebel Girls (1974)
The return to the recording studio by The Ladybugs after more than three years, Rebel Girls was the most momentous event since the introduction of the radio. Within one month it had become the best selling album of all time. To date, only the title track has been released as a single.
1. Rebel Girls (Penny Dreadful) #1 on the singles chart.
Ep!phanee: backing vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: lead vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
2. Get out of my Head (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: backing vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: lead vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
3. Love in China (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
4. Supermodels with Guns (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
5. Drag Your Troubles with You (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals, tambourine. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
6. Pathetic Human (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals, piano. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
7. Possibilities (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
8. Go to Heaven (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals, organ. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
9. Between my Legs (Penny Dreadul)
Ep!phanee: backing vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: lead vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
10. Rip it Up (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: backing vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: lead vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
11. Don’t Smoke While I’m Sleeping (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
12. Undeserved Honor (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
13. Laws Control the Lesser Man (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: organ. Penny Dreadful: lead vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
14. Pineapple Dance (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals, guiro. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
Police Constable Saba Colbshallow and Police Constable Eamon Shrubb led the three men down Seventh and One Half Avenue toward the docks. Though they had stopped short of getting the service revolvers out of the gun case, both policemen carried their truncheons on open display. For their part, the three men looked nervously in every direction. Several times, one of them shrieked when he saw a little blond girl walk by.
“Kafira,” said Eamon. “Buck up, man. She’s not even the right little girl.”
“Keep walking,” said Saba.
Saba had come in first thing that morning to find Eamon slumped over asleep at his typewriter. That was not particularly significant in and of itself, but when he found out that the last thing the other constable remembered was a visit by a certain young sorceress, things looked more ominous. Lon Fonstan in cell one was asleep, and upon waking at first, claimed not to have seen anyone at all.
“Maybe we can have a little magic tell us what you’re not remembering?” Saba had said.
“Oh yeah,” Fonstan sneered. “Who you going to get to do that?”
“Maybe Zurfina.”
“I don’t think so,” had said Fonstan.
“I’ll bet Mother Linton could do it.”
Fonstan had chewed on the possibility for a moment.
“Well, Senta came in to say hello. She was only here for a minute. Gave me her best. Said goodnight. End of story.”
“And you didn’t see or hear anything unusual in the cell next door?”
“I was busy reading the book you gave me,” said Fonstan, holding up Pilgrimage into Danger. “I quite like the part where they have to fight off the adulterous women.”
“It’s supposed to be metaphorical,” Saba had suggested.
“Well, I didn’t see or hear nothing.”
Saba suspected that his double negative hid the truth in plain sight.
As for the three men in cell number two, they all had seemed in perfectly good health, with the exception that all three had soiled their pants sometime during the night. The stories they had told of the demon child who had visited them with plagues, while fantastic, were not dismissed by the police constables. All three were adamant about booking passage on the S.S. Majestic as soon as it came into port, an idea both PCs thought had merit with or without sorcery. The men had demanded protection on their way to the ship.
The formation reached the dock area, where they were met by a fourth man. He had been present for the first run-in with the Lizzies, which the constables had managed to stop, but apparently was at home when the second incident involving the slapping of the lad had occurred. He had arrived in Birmisia with his three friends and had decided that if they were leaving, he would leave as well.
“Oh blooming heck!” said one of the men in custody, scrambling at once to hide behind his fellows. “There she is.”
Sitting on a wooden crate not fifty feet away, wearing a multihued blue dress, was a twelve year old blond girl. She had her hands crossed in front of her chest and her feet crossed at the ankles. She definitely had her eye on the four men.
“You’re the law!” squealed one of the men. “You’ve got to protect us!”
“Eamon, take them and see that they are able to purchase steerage class passage back to Brech,” said Saba. “I’ll see about our little friend.
He walked across to stand in front of where Senta sat.
“You know you could be charged with assault, aggravated assault, assault on a police constable, interfering with a police investigation, and illegal entry into a secure facility. I imagine I could find several more charges if I opened up the Corpus Juris.”
“I doubt you’d be able to hold me.”
“Don’t get too cocky. Mayor Korlann and his daughter may be very fond of you…”
“That’s not what I mean,” said Senta. “I doubt your jail would be able to hold me. And if by some chance it did hold me, how long do you think Zurfina would allow it?”
“Zurfina has to follow the law, just like everyone else.”
“That’s why you were at our house about to experience life as a marsupial or a toad. But you’re about the only one in Birmisia with bullocks like that. Zurfina exterminated what… a hundred thousand Lizzies? Nobody has come to call her on that.”
“That was a time of war.”
“Yes, sort of. Well, I’m done being afraid of anyone because they’re bigger or stronger, or because the law says I have to be. If somebody gets in my way, I’m going to knock them down, hard.”
“These men aren’t in your way,” said Saba. “In fact, they’re doing their damnedest to get out of your way. They’re leaving the continent. Leave them alone.”
“I’m not even here for them,” said Senta.
“Then what, pray tell, are you here for?”
“I want to see who gets off the ship. There’s another practitioner of the arts aboard.”
“Great. You going to kidnap them, like Zurfina did?”
“Probably not. This one’s a great deal more powerful that Miss Jindra. I just want to get a butchers.”
Saba sighed.
“Pick which road you walk down carefully, Senta.”
Guide to the Ladybugs: Songs and Albums.
Naked (1970)
Naked was actually recorded before Blue Science, but disagreements over production caused the tapes to be shelved for eight months. A documentary of the making of the album shows the band stressed to the breaking point. Many critics panned the album, but when it became obvious it might be the last work of the Ladybugs, it went double platinum. The cover featured the band again in conservative nude shots, this time at a public bath house.
1. Naked (Penny Dreadful) #1 on the singles chart.
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
2. What Are Little Boys Made of? (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums. Other: orchestra
3. Watch Word (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: lead vocals, guitar, accordian. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass, organ. Ruth De Molay: drums.
4. Biography (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guiro, harmonica. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
5. Cauliflower (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
6. Civilization (Ruth De Molay)
Ep!phanee: guitar, tambourine. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: vocals, drums.
7. Classic (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
8. Don’t Go Around Saying That (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums. Other: orchestra.
9. Your Education (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
10. Witness (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass, drums. Ruth De Molay: bongos.
by foober on Feedbooks.com
Gads.
There’s at least two more books in exploring this story (and ever-so-optimistic romance). Not to mention the potential conspiracy theory angle. Please don’t give up on it!
Without spoiling anything, as a father, I have to say I got tears in my eyes precisely where you expect. It did feel that this rich vein was left unexplored. What really happened?
Hats off Wesley! Very much enjoyed!
by senthusiast on Feedbooks.com
Cute story. A nice light read for me. I enjoyed it.
by: Talisman on Smashwords.com
This book is the first book that i read on my new kobo e-reader. I have to admit the story was real engaging from the very beginning. And I am glad that the story did not follow standard android type plots and moral dilemma’s (Ok maybe the main character had a little guilt about her but not much) With that said the ending was great but very fast, I am with a few questions at the end- Perhaps intended by the author – the basic question i think is it different to fall in love with a “hive” robot- or one with individual quirks and free-will?
by: Charles Brentner on Smashwords.com
I enjoyed this story. What man hasn’t wanted to have the perfect fantasy woman at one time or another. I agree that a sequel would be nice. The characters are well established in “His Robot Girlfriend” and it would be interesting to explore more of what could happen in the world that Mr. Allison has created in this book.
by Awsome on iBooks
A must read !!! It’s also free!!!!!!
by Joel Noriel on iBooks
The book will start slow but this book really shows what the future could look like which isn’t all that much different from our own. But it is a fantastic tale which captivated me in more ways than one. I love this book and if there is a second book I’m sure I won’t be disaapoint.
by Me 4412 on iBooks
Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next one!!!
Ladybugs Albums and Songs
Blue Science (1970)
The last Ladybugs album recorded before the famous breakup, Blue Science wasn’t released until after Naked. It is generally considered the better of the two albums. The second side consists of reworked nursery rhymes which are usually played together as a single piece.
1. Burn Me (Ep!phanee) #1 on the singles chart.
Ep!phanee: vocals. Penny Dreadful: acoustic guitar.
2. I’m a Vat Baby, Baby (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
3. Give me a Man (Steffie Sin) #1 on the singles chart.
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
4. Blue Science (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: lead vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
5. Dress if You Will (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
6. The Sandman (traditional)
Ep!phanee: lead vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: harmony vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: harmony vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: harmony vocals, drums.
7. Baa Baa Blacksheep (traditional)
Ep!phanee: piano. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass, fuzz base. Ruth De Molay: vocals, drums.
8. Three Little Kittens (traditional)
Ep!phanee: vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: vocals, drums.
9. Twinkle Twinkle (Taylor, Taylor, Mozart)
Ep!phanee: piano. Ruth De Molay: vocals.
10. Sleep in My Bed (Ep!phanee, Penny Dreadful, Steffie Sin, Ruth De Molay)
Ep!phanee: lead vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: harmony vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: harmony vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: harmony vocals, drums. Other: orchestra.
11. Ladybug Ladybug (traditional)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums. Other: choir.
Ladybugs Songs and Albums
Matching Tattoos (1969)
Matching Tattoos was a song written about fish tattoos which both Ep!phanee and Penny Dreadful had applied. Penny’s was later removed. The album was generally accepted as the best Ladybugs album since Blessed Nobody, with several solid rockers, though only two were released as singles.
1. Casanova (Penny Dreadful) #1 on the singles chart.
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
2. Matching Tattoos (Ep!phanee) #1 on the singles chart.
Ep!phanee: lead vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
3. Love is Life (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
4. I Hate My Life (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
5. Piñata (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: lead vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
6. Strange Nature (Steffie Sin)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
7. Hardly Hard (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
8. My Own Approval (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
9. Second to Too Many (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
10. Crank it Up (Penny Dreadful)
Ep!phanee: guitar. Penny Dreadful: vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
11. Assault of Age (Ep!phanee)
Ep!phanee: lead vocals, guitar. Penny Dreadful: backing vocals, guitar. Steffie Sin: backing vocals, bass. Ruth De Molay: drums.
12. Always do Right (Ruth De Molay)
Ep!phanee: piano. Penny Dreadful: guitar. Steffie Sin: bass. Ruth De Molay: vocals, drums.
City of Amathar 