Boom!
August, named after Julius-you-know-who, formerly known as Sextilis, is here. Let’s get to business.
Today we release the first single from the brilliance that is Tacoma’s Mr. Blackwatch, “See The Cow (Part 2)”. Indeed. This is intended to lead you down the insatiable path.
And of course, on Tuesday, August 13, we are releasing their debut album “Mary, Me”, the fucking genius Concept Album/Rock Opera, split into 2 CDs even though all the songs could have been crammed onto one. Why Tuesday? Are we trying to roll back the clock to the 80’s when all labels put out new stuff on Tuesdays? Nope, it is the birthday of Doug Mackey, the madman behind the cow, and it’s his record, dammit. It has 16 songs in 2 Acts, in a very deluxe package that includes two CDs, a forward by U of Iowa Writers Workshop alum Craig Awmiller, and a 24-page beautifully illustrated booklet of lyrics. Count your blessings!
Is there a record release show? Of courses, my precious! Sunday, August 18, 3-7 at The Valley (1206 Puyallup Ave) in Tacoma. YOU ARE ALL INVITED to join Mr. Blackwatch for their “Mary, Me” CD release party/Doug Mackey’s 60th birthday soirée. Stop by anytime between 3 and 7 for intermittent live music (starting at 4) from the glorious Mr. Blackwatch – playing album, non-album and the errant “bullish*t” covers (dare we hope Thunderball?) – tasty food and frothy drink available for purchase by The Valley, and a piece of Bday cake (until it’s gone)! NO GIFTS please, but feel free to purchase the album 
(did I mention it’s a double CD set with 24-page lyric booklet – you may even wish to buy several and have your Xmas shopping done very early indeed) We most assuredly hope to see you Sunday!
The band + cow.
Jim of Seattle
Jim of Seattle’s Carkeek Park Suite is a brand new suite for full orchestra and two pianos. It’s a 12-movement tribute to Seattle’s greatest city park. Each movement highlights some aspect of this magical place. “The Forest”, “The Beaver Dam”, “The Trains”, even “The Pump Station”, with sound effects from the park itself weaving in and out. Jim: I really tried to make it sound like being there, and there are parts where I scored an actual specific spot. This is my first release since 2016 (omg) and I really busted my brains out to make it great. It is played by my own personal synthetic orchestra, though I hope to get a real live orchestra to perform it someday.
Carkeek Park Suite will be featured as the cover story in Northwest Seattle Living magazine in September, and it will also be available one track a month (with videos) via snail mail postcard through the Jim-of-Seattle-of-the-Month Club, which YOU can join for free for nothin’. (Just have to send Jim your mailing address at jimofseattle@outlook.com.) We are also working on presenting the recording to the public in one of Seattle’s City Parks and we’ll just have to see how that works out.
We will of course be releasing the entire album on Friday, Sept 6, on Bandcamp as well as the usual streaming services.Get yer bliss on!
Tom Dyer – Irish Tour 2024 I blabbed about this plenty last month and it is coming along swimmingly. Tracking is completed, 5 of 12 songs are mixed. An hour’s worth of accidental video footage from the Crane Bar has been discovered that may be put into service. The album will be wistfully making its way to you on Bandcmap, etc. on Friday, Sept 6. as a very attractive CDR as well as the usual download/streaming. To whet your appetite, we will be releasing a digital single shortly, “Bogman”, a lament.
The Green Pajamas Our friends at SoundEffect Records in Greece are going to release an album of Green Pajamas rarities to celebrate the band’s 40th year this October. The LP will be available thru GMR – we will release it digitally as well. Most of these rarities have never been released, a few have had limited digital release on Jeff’s St. Brigid Bandcamp site. I will be mastering the entire bunch and shining them up to a polished luster. There are a couple other Pajama things in the works we are waiting to see how they shape up. More to follow!
The Capping Day Anthology “Who Does Anyway?” has been mastered by Jack Endino and Bonnie is working on the cover. October or November release!
Richard Peterson’s “Christmas Album” is roaring to the finish line. Howie has scheduled up to go take cover photos with RP somewhere out in Snoqualmie. Richard sez it is business attire for the shoot, but I may be able to talk him into a Santa hat. The CDs will hit the stores in November in plenty of time for your Christmas shopping!
Now, off to the beach!
td