MY BLOTTO REVIEW (I'M BLOTTO FOR BLOTTO'S COLLECTED WORKS!) I first became a BLOTTO fan during the mid-70's, while working as a bartender in Saratoga Springs, New York. BLOTTO, an Albany based, Novelty Rock 'N Roll band, played locally in the night clubs so prevalent in the area, at the time. They had style, talent, and energy. Primarily they played great original tunes, but they were not beneath covering rock and roll classics, and popular blues numbers. Their sound is reminiscient of "THE TUBES", early "B-52's", and "THE RAMONES", but basically they are unique and full of fun. Current bands like "THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS", "WEEN" and "BARENAKED LADIES", owe much to the road paved by "BLOTTO". Each band member chose their own particular "nom de plume", aka BLOTTO. Thus was born this legendary group of pranksters! "BLOTTO" is: "Sarge Blotto" with his commanding vocals... "Broadway Blotto" cruising gracefully on guitar & vocals... "Cheese Blotto" serving up extra sharp riffs on his palatable bass... "Bowtie Blotto" with his tailor made guitar stylings... "Lee Harvey Blotto", the Lone Drummer... "Chevrolet Blotto" driving keyboards & vocals... ...and finally... "Blanche Blotto", charming Southern gentlemen with her vocal-ease... I have never seen a band with such presence. Always clowning, often in costumes, these guys rock'n roll! Their enthusiasm for their work is infectious! Anyone claiming boredom after a "BLOTTO" show, must be made of wood! My favorite "BLOTTO" story concerns my visit to Phoenix, Arizona in the late 1980's. I was bored to tears with the local FM radio stations. They featured nothing but so-called Classic Rock and Pop Country. I was driving my friend's 1968 Chevy down University, and became stuck in traffic. The old car had only an AM radio, and I tried with major pessimism to find something palatable on the dial. Suddenly, to my delight, I heard those golden tones..."I, I, I just wanna be a lifeguard. I, I, I wanna save your life!" They did. The best radio station, in the country's seventh largest city, was on the AM radio dial! I don't remember the call letters now, but that Alternative station served my needs for the next two years. By the way, "BLOTTO" was very popular on the West Coast. This super collection of "BLOTTO" hits is a must for fans of the eclectic side of Rock 'N Roll. From the hit single "I Wanna Be A Lifeguard"...a rockin' paegan to a pompous beach bum, to "Goodbye, Mr. Bond"...a wonderfully dark tribute to the early villains of the 007 films, the band shows its range and versatility. (By the way, three versions of "...Lifeguard" are included in the CD. A karaoke version is supplied for all of you budding Pavarotti's! And a LIVE version will show you where you went wrong...) In "Too Much Fun" they poke fun at our penchant for excess, and in "We Are The Nowtones", our heroes parody that bane of seventies night clubs, the lounge acts. "I Quit" echoes the frustration of those of us stuck in the lower working class, and "My Baby's The Star Of A Driver's Ed Movie" recalls those sad "Greaser" ballads from the fifties and sixties. Two covers can be found in this collection. Lou Christie's "Lightning Strikes", and the classic "Stop, In The Name Of Love", first executed by Diana Ross & the Supremes. Frankly, "BLOTTO's" versions far surpass the originals. Much of the band's charisma comes from their nostalgic treatment of our adolescent experiences in high school, dating, the drive-in, first job, etc. However, while waxing nostalgic, they are not necessarily kind to those tried and true conventions. Broadway's surgical prose makes precise incisions into the hypocrisy and cruelty of those times. Laying clear the often selfish actions of a generation with too much time on it's hands. "Metal Head" with, I suspect the assistance of 'BLUE OYSTER CULT'S", Buck Dharma, marks "BLOTTO's" take on Heavy Metal music. Good stuff here. Other noteworthy tracks include: "Occupational Hazard", "When The Second Feature Starts", "She's Got A Big Boyfriend", and "The B Side" Over the years I became friends with Kieth Stevenson, better known as "CHEESE BLOTTO". I worked for him in his delivery company "EDIBLE EXPRESS", and later, while working as a cab driver, I became his "chauffer" after gigs at "CIRO'S". I was very upset after the news of his death in October of 1999. He was a talented, friendly man whose beaming smile will be well remembered by his many friends and family. I recently discovered after surfing the "BLOTTO HOMEPAGE", that the band actually got its start during the latter sixties. "BLOTTO" grew out of a wonderful jug band called "THE STAR SPANGLED WASHBOARD BAND". As the jug band, they played virtually everywhere in the New York Capital District. I personally remember a fantastic show at Sheppard's Park in Lake George, a small resort community, about 60 miles north of Albany. I still fondly remember their version of "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor On The Bedpost Over Night?" (Only "BLOTTO" could make that tasty!) "BLOTTO" is an institution up here in the "Boonies". Reunion concerts are always welcomed with enthusiam, and their obvious influence on the local music scene is extraordinary. They have made videos, filmed television commercials, played for charities, and are always available to jam! Despite the death of "CHEESE", and an evolving music market, the band still gets together to please their fans. A long awaited album was released just last year, and more are likely to follow. The excellent, local "underground" newspaper "METROLAND", seldom sees print without some mention of the band, or it's varied interests in our fortunate community. One particular "BLOTTO" tradition involves "CIRO'S RESTAURANT". During the highly-touted August Horse Racing season in Saratoga Springs, the band often graces the stage at this world famous restaurant. Also during the infamous "Caroline Street Block Party", members of the band usually show up in one capacity, or another. Local blues legend Johnny Rabb, Buck Dharma from "BLUE OYSTER CULT", and "SKIPPY & THE PISTONS" have all been known to participate. Now that "COMMANDER CODY" has made his residence in upstate New York, can a super-group be far behind? For more information about "BLOTTO" and kind, visit their web page at: http://www.blotto.net Say "High" to "Bert Blotto"! He maintains the page...when he's not on "Sesame Street"! Tell him "The Wizard Of Odd" sent you!