_________________________________________________________________
RESIDUE LINER NOTES _________________________________________________________________
By far, the Residents greatest interest in recording music takes the form of the concept album. This is clearly seen in such universally acclaimed masterpieces as The Third Reich 'n Roll, Eskimo, and the discs that make up the Mole Trilogy. However, when the Residents compose new music, what comes out is not always exactly in line with the restrictions that a conceptual work has placed on it. Hence, the oddball song that never finds a home on an LP.
With this in mind, Ralph Records has undertaken to dig into what the Residents call the "mop tapes." The reference is to "mopping up" after an LP is completed, collecting unused material onto one tape.
Of the twelve songs on this collection, four were selected from the mop tapes. "The Sleeper" was written in 1979 and is said to have been inspired by Ennio Morriconi's "Magic and Ecstasy." The Residents had become fascinated by the layering of rhythmic patterns found in this particular tune.
At the time that Mark of the Mole was being recorded, a strange love song showed up, "Boy in Love." While it is musically similar to Mark, the lyrics and delicate handling sets it apart.
"Jailhouse Rock" was recorded in the summer of 1982 as a break from rehearsal on The Mole Show.
Shortly after the resignation of President Nixon, "Saint Nix" was put on tape. The original vocal proved to be unsuitable and was re-recorded for inclusion here.
In addition to the four oddballs, Ralph Records selected five rare recordings. "Whoopy Snorp" is one of these. It was released in 1977 on Blorp Essette, a compilation of songs released by a Los Angeles based free music society.
Before the existence of Ralph Records, the Residents were recording album length tapes. None of these tapes have ever been released. A decision was made to include an excerpt from one of these, "Kamakazi Lady." This was recorded in 1971. "Shut-up Shut-up" was an extra one-minute song that, while not on The Commercial Album, was released in England and France on singles. The Residents excluded it from Commercial because they thought it sounded too trendy. Fred Frith carries this song with his "heavy" guitar.
When critics started making such a fuss over Eskimo, the Residents responded by setting themes from the acclaimed album to a disco beat and releasing Diskomo in early 1980. San Francisco's largest disco was taken over for a release party that featured a night of dancing to "wierd" and "new" music. While it wasn't too popular with the regular disco crowd, in less than a year new wave disco had become popular. In two years it dominated the dance clubs. This version of Diskomo as been remixed and edited to approximately half of its original length.
"Walter Westinghouse" also has been remixed, though the length is still the same. "Walter" was on the EP Babyfingers, the third side of Fingerprince. This was released through the Residents fan club. "Walter" can also be found in it's original form on the Recommended Records Sampler in England.
"Anvil Forest" and "Open Up" were both written for The Tunes of Two Cities LP. But there was no room to put them on. "Open up" features a fine guitar solo by Snakefinger.
"Ups and Downs" is a good example of a song being adapted for an album. This is the original recording, lasting some 3:04. Since the Residents were recording The Commercial Album at this time, only 1-minute songs were acceptable. "Ups and Downs" was re-recorded and opens side two of Commercial. Its length? One minute, of course.
"Residue"! And what else does one call twelve hand-picked left-over Resident tunes anyway? _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
OUR FINEST FLOWERS LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
What's a group to do when it's twentieth birthday rolls around; when the only comparable lasting musical units are the Grateful Dead or The Rolling Stones, and they both have had members die, for christsake.
Some people thought a nice collection of "greatest hits" would be a suitable observance. So The Residents tried to write down their "greatest hits" until suddenly one of the guys got a stomach ache and threw up on the song listing. The guy that made the mess had to wash the list off and in the process pretty well smeared the ink all around the paper. Everybody thought it was funny so they started reading the words, or at least what the words looked like. "Perfect Goat," one said. "I think we should put that on our album"
They knew the vomit was no accident, it was an omen. They tore the paper into little pieces and dropped them onto the floor. It was still wet. Some of the pieces you couldn't read anymore, but they didn't seem to care.
Somehow, ideas came from those torn slips. And sure enough, "Perfect Goat" did make it on the album, along with fifteen other tracks that Dr. Frankenstein would have surely been proud to have stitched together.
Yes, these are new songs. Just like all good pop music, there is something familiar about them, something friendly. But as you listen, never forget that vomit is at their core: twenty long years of painful regurgitation.
_________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
NOT AVAILABLE CD LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
While there are a million stories about The Residents, one of the more intriguing concerns the recording of their second LP, Not Available. Early in the career of the band, the "theory of obscurity" was introduced to them by the German avant-guardist, N. Senada. The plan called for the creation of complete projects that were literally not intended to be heard by anyone other than its creators. The Residents realized the truth in this ideal: that music really was difficult to record without considering the audience. They thought the experience gained by completing such a project would prove worthwhile toward achieving an independent attitude toward music. N. Senada had also been quick to point out that such a project reduces the amount of artistic clutter that is quickly swallowing the planet.
Not Available was completed in 1974 and stored. Several years later, in 1978, The Residents were severely over schedule on their opus, Eskimo. The final release deadline set by the record company arrived only to find that The Residents had fled to Europe and taken Eskimo with them. In desperation, the record company pulled Not Available from the masters room and released it. Surprisingly, The Residents were not upset by this fact since it in no way violated their original intent. Eventually Eskimo was retrieved from the bank vault in London but, ...well... that's another story. _________________________________________________________________
Title in Limbo
The Residents had long wished to collaborate with one of their favorite bands and label mates, Renaldo & the Loaf. Unfortunately, The Residents are based in San Francisco, and Renaldo & the Loaf are in Portsmouth, England. The opportunity came at last in 1983 when the two bands were able to spend a few days together in San Francisco. Time was short but well utilized and many of these tunes became favorites of the creators. Since the LP has long since gone out of print, the groups have here selected their favorite tracks from the original album in hopes that Title in Limbo will not become simply "in limbo". _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
MEET THE RESIDENTS CD LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
The Residents began collecting interesting and unusual tapes in the early 60's in an effort to expand their awareness of the very nature of sound. The tapes came from everywhere... cassettes of soldiers in Vietnam singing songs with impromptu instrumentation... reels from second hand shops... sounds effects and bird call collections from garage sales... and, yes, even a few bootleg tapes of well known pop artists going avant-garde between takes which were purchased on the black market and stored in a local bank vault.
The Residents not only collected other peoples tapes, but gained widespread notoriety for their unusual recordings. The underground network carried their reputation across the oceans where it finally hit the ears of the then unknown Englishman, "Snakefinger" Lithman. Packing a few clothes, he flew directly to San Mateo, California where the Residents then had their sound studios, in hopes of studying tapes of early Cajun music the Residents were alleged to have recorded while in college in Louisiana. Snakefinger had also brought an acquaintance that he had met in the woods of Bavaria while on an expedition there for Britain. That friend was none other than the Mysterious N. Senada who had developed a complex musical system based upon phonetics.
For six months Snakefinger, N. Senada (who spoke very little english), and The Residents worked together recording and listening to tapes. A few lucky people were even able to catch impromptu performances by The Mysterious N. Senada and Snakefinger at several of San Francisco's folk and jazz clubs.
The Residents negotiated with Warner Bros. Records executive Hal Halverstadt over the rights to the Snakefinger/N. Senada/Residents tapes, but Warner Bros. hit by a slump in record sales, decided the audience appeal was too limited and at the last minute withdrew their offer.
Snakefinger returned to England to become a rock and roll star, and The Mysterious N. Senada, well he just disappeared one day. The Residents have ventured to guess that he has probably gone to the arctic regions. He believes some musical link is hidden among the Eskimos of the frozen north.
The music on this album is not that of Snakefinger or of The Mysterious N. Senada. The Residents have taken the basic ideas of the phonetic organization but have applied the theories to a more western style of music. The translation does not always hold intact, though there is more than Enough example of this staggering new music style.
The instruments used on this record have been tuned to approximate Western culture harmonies and artistic freedom is assumed for the right to substitute normal instruments where necessary.
Listen closely to the record. Let the strangeness wear off through a couple of plays. Soon you too will whistle the merry tunes and wonder along with The Residents who that old man N. Senada really was. _________________________________________________________________
Meet The Residents was released in 1973 on Ralph Records. The Residents did sign a short lived contract ten years later with Warner Bros. (UK). Snakefinger became a renown solo artist until his untimely death in 1987. The Mysterious N. Senada is still missing. _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12 _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
GOD IN 3 PERSONS SOUNDTRACK LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
God in Three Persons was written as a theatrical piece. As such, the musical background must at times assume a supportive role to prevent it from competing with the story. While this is consistent with the project concept, some excellent music is at times lost in the epic.
Following the precedents set by the motion picture soundtrack and modern music marketing techniques, The Residents are please to release this Instrumental Excerpts version of God In Three Persons. _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
GINGERBREAD MAN LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
I've skipped the installation and execution notes here.
About The Residents
The Residents are an anonymous group of artists based in San Francisco who are primarily known for the creation of experimental music, performance, and video. In slightly more than two decades, they have released over 20 albums of recorded music, toured the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan with three different performance pieces, and have been credited with the invention of a new art form, the music video. The creative output of the group has steadfastly defied categorization, but has always been marked by a consistent vision that is at once both mysterious and disturbing.
Exploring The Residents' Gingerbread Man
Welcome to a mind-bending study of nine characters created by the legendary Residents and innovative ION.
About the Disc
The Residents' Gingerbread Man is a unique hybrid Compact Disc that actually combines two types of digital data on the same disc. One set of data exists on track 1 of the CD and is specifically meant to be used with a properly configured computer and CD-ROM drive. This is refered to as The Expanded Album (TM) version of the disc. The other set of data utilizes tracks 2 - 11 and provides approximately 37 minutes of standard Redbook Audio that can be played on any CD-Audio player. This is the complete Gingerbread Man album and is referred to as the audio only version of the disc.
A Cryptic Perspective
The one thing that appears certain is that The Residents' Gingerbread Man is, at its core, simply the latest Residents album. It just so happens that the album is a CD, but that's fine, because The Residents were making albums long before there were CDs. Pushing and tugging at the edge of technology is always the case with The Residents, so it seems fitting that not only is this an album that's a CD, but it's a CD that's both a CD-Audio and a CD-ROM on the same disc.i In either format you are provided access to the lives of 9 distinctively different characters who seemingly have little in common. Little in common, that is, except for the presence of the Gingerbread Man in each of them. It's been suggested that if you listen carefully, you can pick out the haunting theme of The Residents' Gingerbread Man that pervasively weaves through each character's song. _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
SANTA DOG '92 (1992)
This was distributed as a Christmas present to all UWEB members in January, 1993. The single track, Santa Dog '92, is a 12:41 minute long version of Santa Dog. _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12 _________________________________________________________________
GOD IN 3 PERSONS LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
Philip Snakefinger Lithman 1949-1987
Snakefinger was set to add his usual astounding guitar licks to this project as soon as he returned from the European portion of touring with his band, The Vestal Virgins. Unfortunately, a fatal heart attack in Linz, Austria prevented these planned guitar tracks from being recorded. Snakefinger's guitar can be heard on many of our recordings including: "Satisfaction", The 13th Anniversary Show, and Duck Stab. His loveing friendship and guitar solos are greatly missed.
The Residents _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
FOR ELSIE CD LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
THE RESIDENTS FOR ELSIE New Years Eve 1989-1990
A SMALL PRESENT FOR HAVING PAID A LARGE FEE TO ENJOY CUBE-E THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSIC IN 3 E-Z PIECES THE COWELL THEATER SAN FRANCISCO CA
For Elsie is based on a folk tune that has been ripped off by lots of people, most notably Beethoven
He first introduced for Elise on New Years Eve 1889-1890, exactly 100 years ago tonight
Actually, I just made that up, but it would be wonderful if it were true, wouldn't it?
_________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
THE EYES SCREAM LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
In 1972 Penn and Teller met The Residents. While their connection may not seem apparent at first, the individual personalities beneath the stage personas soon found a common ground of belief and outlook. Penn eventually joined The Residents on tour as narrator of The Mole Show and Penn and Teller both joined The Residents or the special grand finale of The Thirteenth Anniversary Tour So when the time came to make this video, it seemed obvious that no one would be better than Penn and Teller to guide the uninitiated through the often bizarre world of The Residents.
The Eyes Scream covers almost twenty years of The Residents doing what The Residents do... including excerpts from videos (all part of The Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection), excerpts from critically acclaimed live performances (much of which has never before been seen on video), and a general sprinkling of the esoteria that has made the group one of history's most creative art and entertainment curiosities.
All of this is glued together by the gentle cynicism of Penn and Teller who offer a few of their own insights into the Residents phenomena... or do they?
_________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq _________________________________________________________________
ESKIMO CD LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
North of Greenland, well within the Arctic Circle, and on the floating ice continent surrounding the North Pole, lived a nomadic tribe of Mongolian descendants known as the Eskimo.
Their culture was passed down through generations in the form of adventurous tales and ceremonial music.
This album attempts to recreate not only the Eskimo ceremonial music, but also a living context for its existence, in the form of Eskimo stories. Although on the disc, the stories are told purely with sound, a written account is provided to aid your appreciation of this unique culture. For maximum enjoyment, this record should be listened to with headphones while reading the enclosed literal accounts of what you hear. Eskimo should be played in its entirety. A relaxed state of mind is essential. Warm clothing or a blanket should be within easy reach.
_________________________________________________________________
The Replacement
While nearing completion of their epic Eskimo album in 1979, The Residents were asked to contribute to a compilation project that Ralph Records was planning called Subterranean Modern. The concept called for four bands to contribute one-fourth of an album each based loosely on "San Francisco". The Residents gleefully took to the idea of a break from the tightly defined Eskimo music and quickly produced a four song story of a man who is feeling his life slowly being drained away, while another man just as slowly replaces him. Sand drips through the hour glass, Big Ben strikes a final note, the king is dead... long live the king. Does anybody want some roses?
_________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12
_________________________________________________________________
DUCK STAB CD LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
The fifth LP release by The Residents, Duck Stab started off its life as an EP of seven songs. The record proved to be a big hit and was soon united with a second EP, Buster & Glen, to form the LP, Duck Stab / Buster & Glen. All the tracks from the two EP's are represented here. This release, recorded in 1977, startled the world's ears with its "modern-day nursery rhyme" characterizations. It is fitting that Goosebump, a contemporary Mother Goose, has been added to complete this Compact Disc.
"Ignorance of your culture is not considered cool."
--- (quote from a 1978 Duck Stab poster) _________________________________________________________________
Goosebump
Somewhere in the giant master-plan of The Residents, there was an idea for a children's record... a re-recording of Mother Goose with the original sinister overtones left intact. Since most of the popular rhymes were of English original, The Residents contacted the only Englishman they knew, Snakefinger, to advise them on the meaning of these obscure and absurd lyrics. Snakefinger, with his usual excitement for unusual projects, threw himself into the recordings to such a degree that eventually his name was added to the GOOSEBUMP cover as co-conspirator.
All the sounds are originated using only children's toy instruments from Toys-R-Us... although adult studio toys are employed to drastically change and enhance them. _________________________________________________________________
EuroRalph Special Edition Notes
DUCK STAB
For many admirers of the group, Duck Stab has been the ultimate release by The Residents. It is reported that Duck Stab "lifted many people across the country out of the slumber of the Seventies". We at Euro Ralph do not know whether this is true or not. But it's a fact, that the original 7" EP, with 7 songs and 16 minutes of music, resulted in a limited sound quality. Therefore the songs on this little disc have been re mastered for better sound, evolving in more pleasure for admirers of "Constantinople" and the like. Enjoy.
BUSTER & GLEN
Due to the greed of The Residents record company Ralph Records, Buster & Glen had a very limited life of it's own. Instead of being released as a 7" EP, commercial reasons degraded Buster & Glen to become somewhat like Duck Stab's bonus tracks appendix. Euro Ralph always believed that the material on Buster & Glen was too strong to end up as a B-side. And now this masterpiece finally appears on a 3" CD of it's own, being part of this split-cover-release. All tracks experienced the same sound enhancement as it's sister release Duck Stab. _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq _________________________________________________________________
DISKOMO / GOOSEBUMP LINER NOTES
_________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL 12" -- 45 RPM DISCO RECORD
DISKOMO
THE RESIDENTS
Based in the LP "Eskimo"
DISCO Will Never DIE!
----------
GOOSEBUMP
The Residents and Snakefinger
All sounds heard on Goosebump were originated on toy instruments which were provided by Toys-R-Us, Inc. _________________________________________________________________
© 1996 Tzoq Last revised: 96-02-12