NEW 1964 LINE OF ZENITH TELEVISION SETS! Steve Kosareff 2015-04-27 | Portland, Oregon Zenith distributor, Bubby Cronin, made this film to reach all of his dealers in the Pacific Northwest in the fall of 1963 to show off the new line of Zenith television sets. Bubby, sadly, passed away in 2016. His sons run the family business, Electrical Distribution Inc., but he graciously gave me an on-camera tour of his private television set museum in 2009 and a portion of it appears in "TV MAN." I am hopeful that the whole tour will appear at some point as supplemental material on a home video release because Bubby showed me some amazing television sets that the American Zenith company manufactured over its 50-year history before it was purchased and dismantled by LG Electronics in 1999. Visit the "TV MAN" documentary site at www.TVMan.tv or Facebook page at facebook.com/TVManTheMovie
THE GLASS EYE INVASION Steve Kosareff 2025-08-24 | Life has never been the same since the Invasion....#theglasseyeinvasion #midcentury #vintage #retro #bookaholic #bookworm #bookish #books #book #bookstgram #nonfiction #popularculture #culturalheritage #culturalhistory #television #televisión #tv #documentary #documentaryfilm #midcenturydesign #midcenturymodern #midcentury #postwarmodernism #postwar #gamer #gamerlife #tiktokers #tiktok
Bobblehead TV Joe recounts television during WWII which inspires author Steve Kosareffs designs. Steve Kosareff 2025-07-30 | Bobblehead repairman, TV Joe is back to regale us with television during the Second World War. Big Band Singer Betty smiles at author Steve Kosareff's inspired WWII television merch designs for his store, the-glass-eye on Redbubble.THE GLASS EYE INVASION--TELEVISION SETS INVADE THE MIDCENTURY HOME available on Amazon. Read a sample at https://a.co/d/hEvLztaT-Shirts, other apparel and merch available at the-glass-eye.redbubble.com#1950s #1950sfuture #1950svibes #booklover #midcentury #midcenturymodern #midcenturydesign #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagefashion #retro #television #tv #television #worldwar2 #worldwarii #secondworldwar #bookrecommendations #booktube #booktok #bookstagram #bookish #bookworm #book #book #redbubbleshop #redbubbledesign #redbubbleseller #redbubbleproducts #redbubbleartist
TV Joe Shares The Glass Eye Invasion Television Sets Invade The Midcentury Home by Steve Kosareff Steve Kosareff 2025-07-26 | TV Joe, a character created by author Steve Kosareff shares his new book, "THE GLASS EYE INVASION--TELEVISION SETS INVADE THE MIDCENTURY HOME" available at Amazon https://a.co/d/hEvLzta and t-shirt and merchandise designs from the book at the-glass-eye.redbubble.com #1950s #1950svibes #1950shistory #1950sfuture #midcenturymodern #midcenturyhome #midcenturystyle #midcentury #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagefashion #vintagedecor #retro #television #tv #glasseyeinvasion#SteveKosareff #books #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #booktok #booklover #tshirt #tshirts #tshirtlovers #tshirtlover #popculture #history #historylovers #historydocumentary #historyuncovered #historymatters #culture
THE GLASS EYE INVASION TELEVISION SETS INVADE THE MIDCENTURY HOME Steve Kosareff 2025-05-03 | It’s TV Time!Strap on your beanie, spin the propeller, and travel back in time when the first television sets invaded American homes. It’s 1952 and you’ve heard of television. You’ve even seen a demonstration at a county fair–but you don’t own a television set. You’d have one¬–except for one little problem: there isn’t a television station in your town. Fortunately, the FCC has just lifted its freeze on new television stations and your city is planning to be the first out the gate with television. Unfortunately, so does every other city in the United States. The television set gold rush is on!Unlike anything before it, including the radio, telephone and telegraph, the television set transformed the American home forever in ways both good and bad. It altered family relationships, both within and without the family. Lives were now scheduled around favorite television programs which, unlike today, could only be seen during their original broadcasts. Visiting with friends and relatives took a backseat to viewing television either, in avoiding other people, or inviting them in to commune in front of the television set. Early owners hosted planned, and sometimes spontaneous, television parties. Many people believed television would be the end of polite conversation and, worse yet, civilization. Television sets were a national conduit for conversations on child rearing and education; provided respite for people who were physically challenged; and even tested one’s vision before sending them to the optometrist for glasses. Television sets acted as channels for conspiracists who thought their sets were watching them or receiving signals from outer space. Broken television sets tested men’s electronic repair abilities and provided more than one lonely housewife a repairman to pay her attention. The one thing all these early television set owners had in common was that, no matter how hard they may have tried, they couldn’t live without their television set. The Glass Eye Invasion had conquered America.
SATIN PUMPS: THE MOONLIT MURDER THAT MESMERIZED THE NATION Steve Kosareff 2021-02-24 | The infamous 1959 Finch-Tregoff murder is revisited by former Bernard Finch patient, Steve Kosareff in his new true crime memoir, SATIN PUMPS: THE MOONLIT MURDER THAT MESMERIZED THE NATION. This short film looks back at Kosareff's idyllic childhood through family home movies to contrast it with the family doctor who lived just six miles away during the time he and his medical assistant paramour, Carole Tregoff, conspired to murder his wife, Barbara.Purchase SATIN PUMPS on Amazon: https://t.co/X1EHMJlffz?amp=1facebook.com/satinpumpsfacebook.com/wildbluepresswildbluepress.com/satin-pumps-steve-kosareff-true-crime#truecrimepodcast #truecrimebooks #midcenturymodern #Hollywood #LasVegas #truecrimestories #satinpumps #palmsprings #losangeles #truecrimebooks #vintage #1950s #midcentury #westcovina #covina #truecrimepodcasts #audiblebooks #audiobooks #truecrimepodcast #truecrimecommunity wildbluepress #bernardfinch #caroletregoff
Ghosts of Daydream Believer - John Stewart Documentary Project - Sales Trailer Steve Kosareff 2018-06-14 | Sales trailer for a documentary project on singer-songwriter focuses on how he was compelled to write songs about Robert and John Kennedy based on his his relationship with the family.
SURVIVORS - John Stewart - Duet with John Denver Steve Kosareff 2017-03-09 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart recorded this American opus on the heels of Watergate as a duet with John Denver, a children's choir, and orchestra 43 years ago. Time has not diminished the song's impact about political corruption and its effect on every American in the intervening years.
The Ghost of Daydream Believer Documentary Project Trailer Steve Kosareff 2017-02-06 | 50th Anniversary of "Daydream Believer"
Dreamers on the Rise - John Stewart - Tribute to John and Robert Kennedy Steve Kosareff 2016-05-09 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart once said his song, "Dreamers on the Rise" was about the campaign workers who worked so optimistically, and ultimately, tragically, on Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. I've expanded the song visually and made it more personal and directly related to Stewart's 1960s political hopes. When Stewart was a member of the Kingston Trio he personally gave President Kennedy a copy of the Trio's new album, "The New Frontier," named after Kennedy's vision of economic and social development. Although their meeting was brief the two men bonded. The Trio was recording a new album when Kennedy was assassinated and the grief Stewart felt inspired him to write "Song for a Friend" over the weekend that all Americans who were alive at the time, still remember with a rare clarity. Stewart also marched in Selma during the civil rights movement with Dr. Martin Luther King. Where he could have traded on his high profile as a member of the Trio by publicly announcing his participation as a celebrity, he chose instead to remain low-key and show his support as one man among many. Stewart first met Robert Kennedy when he was Attorney General under his brother's presidency and Stewart's friendships with both, RFK and JFK, and his participation in RFK's presidential campaign, made him an endearing friend of the Kennedy family. Although John Stewart is no longer alive, his death has not diminished the love and respect the Kennedy family has for him.Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary and its website johnstewartdocumentary.wordpress.com
Robert W. Morgan Special of the Week - John Stewart Steve Kosareff 2016-03-13 | BOSS JOCK ROBERT W. MORGAN - JOHN STEWART FAN EXTRAORDINARELos Angeles Boss Jock Robert W. Morgan's syndicated radio program, "Special of the Week"s guest artist for the weekend of December 13-14, 1980 was singer-songwriter John Stewart. Morgan was more than familiar with John and his music. He had been a fan since first hearing John's "California Bloodlines" album in 1969. It led to John co-hosting Robert's "Groovy" television show on station KHJ-TV (Channel 9) for the remaining weeks that it was on the air. With cancellation in the wind, Robert and John created a free-wheeling comedy show that at one point had John and Robert dueling with blow dryers! And of course there was John's music. He performed live on the show with Buffy Ford and his band. Only one videotape master exists of the "Groovy" show and it is purportedly in Morgan's widow, Shelley's and/or daughter, Susanna's hands. It would be great to have the programmed digitally transferred to see the Robert and John act one more time.For this "Special of the Week," Robert "interviews" John in between audio clips of his songs as a solo artist and a member of the Kingston Trio. For good measure he even throws in a clip of the Monkees version of "Daydream Believer." Of note at the beginning of the program are John's fans waiting in line at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood who are asked there reactions to John and his music. Even Robert's young daughter, Susanna, who is in line, gets into the act singing an acappella version of "Gold" which had been John's hit recording at the time.A Side Note: I worked at a law firm that represented Robert during the last few years of his life. When he called the office and we spoke he was even more humorous on the phone without the constraints of the FCC. It's one of the few times in my life that I remember laughing so hard. Robert was a truly an outrageous character. He is sorely missed by those who grew up with him on Los Angeles radio.Visit the John Stewart Documentary Project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary and its website johnstewartdocumentary.wordpress.com
Clack Clack - John Stewarts Memorial to Robert F. Kennedy Steve Kosareff 2016-03-08 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart first met RFK when he was attorney general. The two men bonded and when RFK decided to run for president in 1968 he called Stewart to see if he would be part of the campaign. John jumped at the chance and put the album he was recording with Buffy Ford on hold and two began a series of whistle stop singalongs warming up crowds for RFK from train platforms and auditoriums across the country. During his time on the campaign trail John began writing "Clack Clack" about the campaign train and crowds RFK inspired and who in turn was moved by the people who came out to greet him. When RFK was assassinated, a grief-stricken John completed "Clack Clack" as a memorial to RFK.Vistit the John Stewart Documentary Project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary and its website at johnstewartdocumentary.wordpress.com
TV Man corrugated display in action at Cinema 21 in Portland Steve Kosareff 2015-10-26 | TV man screens November 5th at 7 p.m.
TV MAN Promotional Short Steve Kosareff 2015-09-29 | TV MEN EXPOSED IN PORTLAND ON NOVEMBER 5!RECENTLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE!Recently discovered, this short promotional film was created during the production of "TV MAN." It's longer than the trailer and gives more detail about the film and its participants.Cinema 21, November 5, 7pm http://www.TVMan.tv
TV MAN Cinema 21 Trailer - Coming to Portland, Oregon - November 5, 2015 Steve Kosareff 2015-09-14 | Shot on various locations in Portland, "TV Man: the Search for the Last Independent Dealer" premieres in the Pacific Northwest at Cinema 21 on November 5 at 7 pm. A combination of time travel and family reunion, "TV MAN" revisits a way of life that has mostly disappeared from the landscape. Relive-- or experience for the first time--the wonder of television in the 1950s and 50s in this warm, humorous documentary.Visit the website http://www.TVMan.tv or Facebook page @ facebook.com/TVManTheMovie for more information and memorabilia.“Charged by alternating currents of nostalgic bemusement and wistful melancholy…”Variety“…A rich combination of nostalgia and present-day concerns. It’s unlike any other documentary out there, and so deserves to be seen, enjoyed and mulled over.”TrustMoviesAdvance Tickets on sale at Cinema 21 @ app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=22&p=1
Looking Farther into the Future - 1970s Zenith Promotional Film Steve Kosareff 2015-08-03 | "Looking farther into the future some day we may watch TV on large flat panels."And boy did we, predicted this Zenith Television research and development executive in the early 1970s.Why does the future feel like the past?www.facebook.com/windowtothefuture Visit the "TV Man: the Search for the Last Independent Dealer" documentary site at http://www.TVMan.tv
Norman Rockwell Dumont Television Set Ad and Commercial Steve Kosareff 2015-08-03 | During research for "Window to the Future" I came across a live commercial circa 1950 for a 1951 Dumont television set. There are two things that make this interesting. The first is that the commercial for the set was also broadcast on the Dumont television network which only existed for a few years from the early to mid-1950s. The second is that the commercial opens with the same actors in a Norman Rockwell ad which I immediately recognized from my collection. Thus, this video opens with the print ad in color, transforms into the same ad in the b&w broadcast, and then segues into the same actors who had posed for the ad seated for the opening of the commercial. Keep your eyes on the girl: she looks off to the side to the director for her cue to come to life. Visit the "TV Man: the Search for the Last Independent Dealer" documentary site at http://www.TVMan.tv
MORGANS TV & APPLIANCE THEATRICAL COMMERCIAL Steve Kosareff 2015-08-03 | This Port Clinton, Ohio mom-and-pop appliance store produced a promotional film for a local drive-in or walk-in theater in the late 1960s. Warren Morgan the owner ran the store from 1956-82 when he retired. That's his son Jeff making adjustments on the color console at the end of the film. Warren passed away at the age of 80 in 2008.Remember there's "no down payment" at Morgan's, just 36 easy ones to follow once you get that color console out the door. Visit the "TV Man: the Search for the Last independent Dealer" documentary site at http://www.tvman.tv
One More Town - The Kingston Trio Steve Kosareff 2015-07-24 | As many John Stewart records and CDs I purchased and concerts I attended over forty years, I never came across "One More Town." That is until I started researching this documentary project on John two years ago. Upon hearing the song for the first time on the Kingston Trio album, "Something Special," I thought I was the first one to discover gold, until I found out that the song charted in 1962 and the Trio and John had sung it over the years. John even recorded it with Nick Reynolds in the mid-1980s for a cassette/CD (one of the few of John's I did not own) and the two sang it in a series of club dates during this period. One of these was at a venue in Santa Monica near my home which I was also not aware of and managed to miss. A home video recording was made at the time which I was able to recently view. The two men's voices on "One More Town" sounded much as they did 25 years earlier (although Bob Shane was missing). John and Nick's great friendship was on display as the two kidded each other mercilessly and it was deeply moving to see and miss them."One More Town" features a large string section and it works very well on the recording, playing counter to and off the acoustic guitar particularly during the musical bridge. According to John he worked with arranger/conductor Jimmie Haskell to make the arrangements organic to the songs. It pays off here. A SIDE NOTE: a list of recording personnel for the vocals and rhythm session includes two fiddle players, but they are nowhere to be found on the mix. It's possible once the large string section was recorded the fiddle tracks were deemed unnecessary. Visit the John Stewart documentary project at johnstewartdocumentary.wordpress.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Chilly Winds - John Stewart - Rare 1973 Single Steve Kosareff 2015-07-23 | This rare John Stewart single incorporates pedal steel guitar on the "Cannons in the Rain" album cut. The Kingston Trio and John performed the John Phillips-John Stewart penned song in their many concerts over the decades. If there's another Stewart song other than "Daydream Believer" someone knows who is not familiar with him, it is likely "Chilly Winds" due to the many folk artists over the years who love the song and continue to perform it. Its universal story of wanderlust, broken hearts and longing for warmer climes guarantees the song a long shelf life. The pedal steel guitar blends beautifully with the harmonica, guitar and strings and adds a nice touch of heartache to the recording.The accompanying music video is part of an on-going project to create visual media to promote a live performance concert celebration of John's music to be filmed in conjunction with the documentary project. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Willard/The Oldest Living Son Medley - John Stewart Steve Kosareff 2015-07-22 | Arguably John Stewart's 1970 album, "Willard," may be his finest example of Americana music. If author John Steinbeck recorded a music album this would have been it. Although the recording of the album began in fits and starts, the final product is one of my favorites--and first John Stewart album I discovered. In fact, he signed and gave me a copy at an industry performance at Universal City in the Alfred Hitchcock Theater. I really can't put into words the impact his music had on me when I first heard him. But it touched a very deep place in my soul, as I know he has many of you over the years.The album was engagingly produced by Peter Asher who brought along his friends Carole King and James Taylor. The album features--among many famous musicians--Fred Carter, Bryan Garofalo, Doug Kershaw, Chris Darrow and Bill Mumy. John Andrew Tartaglia provided the orchestral arrangements.Hope you enjoy this medley. Visit the Facebook page for the John Stewart documentary project at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary for other music videos, news on the project, related postings, photos and other memorabilia.
New York at Night - RCA Color Television Commercial Circa 1960 Steve Kosareff 2015-07-10 | I acquired a 35mm print of this commercial on eBay several years ago. As with most color prints from this era it had taken on a very magenta hue. I've color corrected somewhat but it could still use some work. If anyone has informational background on this commercial please post a comment here. Visit the documentary film page http://www.TVMan.tv and its Facebook page at facebook.com/TVManTheMovie and the book that served as inspiration, "Window to the Future" on Facebook at facebook.com/WindowToTheFuture
The Wild Side of You - Written and Performed by John Stewart Steve Kosareff 2015-06-28 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart's 1977 rocker about the all-consuming addiction of destructive attractions. While Stewart as narrator mostly speaks to his fear of the uninhibited nature of his partner, he is more afraid of himself for letting his guard down in pursuit of something that may have consequences beyond his control. I do not know if John had any personal connection to the song while creating this music video, but he would have obviously seen many of the films produced during the 1940s and 50s from which I have drawn clips of femmes fatales and may have been inspired, if not by these films, some of their source novels. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
The Queen of Hollywood High - Written and Performed by John Stewart Steve Kosareff 2015-06-28 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart's 1982 single from his album, "Blondes," features Lindsey Buckingham and Linda Ronstadt vocals. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Wild Side of You Steve Kosareff 2015-06-12 | "The Wild Side of You" written/produced/sung by John StewartBy 1976 John Stewart had been dropped from three record companies and had been without a recording contract for over a year—a lifetime in the music industry. With things looking bleak he decided to throw caution to the wind and make a direct appeal to his fans. RSO Records Vice President, Al Coury, was considering signing Stewart but remained on the fence. Stewart asked his fans at his current Palomino Club playdates to send a note to Coury asking him to sign Stewart. The ploy worked. In a short amount of time Coury received almost 500 cards and letters in appreciation of John’s talent. Since RSO received little mail at its new Sunset Boulevard offices (and for an artist that wasn’t even on its roster) it was enough to motivate Coury. Producer Mentor Williams (brother of singer/songwriter Paul Williams) was hired to produce John’s RSO album in Nashville. But from the beginning there was friction between John and Mentor. John, who had been in the music industry for almost two decades at the time, didn’t like being told how to play and sing by Mentor who was unrelenting in his methods. The two continued to butt heads. Finally, John had enough, grabbed the tapes ending the Nashville sessions (which were not completed), and returned to Los Angeles. He pleaded his case to Coury, who gave him just $8,000 to complete the album which would be appropriately titled, “Fire in the Wind.”With limited money to complete the album but now at last in charge of his domain, John Stewart had to produce results under challenging circumstances. With little money to “sweeten” the album he couldn’t afford additional re-recordings or even instrumental tracks. The lush orchestrations on his previous RCA album were definitely off the plate, even if he wanted them. But the stripped down nature of the production and John’s knowing this might be his last album resulted in deeply personal and unusual song topics. Although he had written and sung about romantic relationships in the past, on “The Wild Side of You,” John addressed the all-consuming addiction of destructive attractions to a driving rock beat. While Stewart as narrator mostly speaks to his fear of the uninhibited nature of his partner, he is more afraid of himself for letting his guard down in pursuit of something that may have consequences beyond his control. I do not know if John had any personal connection to the song while creating my visual motif for the music video, but he would have obviously seen many of the films produced during the 1940s and 50s from which I have drawn clips of femmes fatales and may have been inspired, if not by these films, some of their source novels. To skip directly to “The Wild Side of You” go to 48:12 on the timeline. NEXT UP: a medley of “Willard”/”Oldest Living Son”Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Hung on the Heart Steve Kosareff 2015-06-04 | JOHN STEWART MUSIC CELEBRATION PROTOTYPE CONCERT NEW SONG ADDED: “Hung on the Heart (of a man back home)”John Stewart’s third album for RCA Records, “Wingless Angels” (which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year) would be the most expensive and lushly produced of any of his solo albums over his career. Coming off two previous RCA albums that, although they were critically acclaimed and held in high regard by fans, did not sell in numbers the label expected. If only the album had the sheen, say of fellow colleague and friend, John Denver’s albums, it might sell in similar numbers, so the thought must have been by the label. Unfortunately, throwing huge amounts of money at a production whose content was not as focused as “California Bloodlines”—or even “Cannons in the Rain”—proved to be a mixed blessing. While the album produced at least one blockbuster number, “Survivors,” other lesser recordings detracted from the impact of what might have been a great album. One of the songs that was designed to be a hit for adult MOR, “Hung on the Heart (of a man back home)” did not climb the charts. Nonetheless, the heavy investment in production that incorporated a large string section and echo chamber on John’s vocal gave the song an eerie, ghost-like quality that was hypnotic. Producer Nik Venet (who earlier produced “California Bloodlines”) said John Stewart should never be backed by strings, then did an about-face and engaged heavy orchestrations on “Wingless Angels.” Was this move due to an order by RCA? Or was it Venet’s decision alone? The problem with the orchestrations may have been that the arranger, although talented, was not right for John Stewart, such as John Andrew Tartaglia or Jimmie Haskell (who both had previously arranged for John’s recordings) would have been. “Wingless Angels” was missing an Aaron Copeland/Virgil Thomason American Music sensibility that Tartaglia or Haskell would have incorporated in their arrangements. Being burned by the heavy type of orchestration incorporated in “Wingless Angels” recordings must be at least one of the reasons none of John Stewart’s recordings going forward never featured anything more orchestral than a single violin or a horn or saxophone. To skip to “Hung on the Heart” go to 45:13 on the timeline.NEXT UP: "The Wild Side of You"Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Just An Old Love Song Steve Kosareff 2015-05-31 | TWO NEW SONGS ADDED: “Kansas Rain” and “Just An Old Love Song”After John Stewart was dropped from Capitol Records he soon discovered he had a fan and champion in Warner Bros. Records’ Joe Smith, who quickly signed him. Smith had a great ear for musical talent. His signings during the 1960s and 70s brought fame and fortune to the label such as that of Petula Clark. Although Clark had been an international recording artist for a decade, she was little known on this side of the Atlantic. Smith’s decision to release her recording of “Downtown” in late 1964 on Warners in the U.S. even before her English label, Pye did, finally allowed her to capture and captivate the U.S. with her beautiful, optimistic vocals. She would go on to release a string of hit recordings for almost a decade on Warners. And Petula Clark was just one of many Joe Smith successes at Warners which included Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and Emmylou Harris. At the time of John Stewart’s signing to the label in 1971, it looked like he had finally found a good home.The two albums John recorded for Warners (“The Lonesome Picker Rides Again” and “Sunstorm”) were released within a very short period of time of each other: five months. I remember at the time of my purchasing “Sunstorm” thinking that it had been released very quickly on the heels of “Lonesome Picker” (a somewhat unusual practice at the time). I didn’t think about it too deeply because I was just excited to have another John Stewart album so quickly. But why were both albums released in such a short period of time? It’s possible Warners wanted to get another Stewart album out after the disappointing sales of “Lonesome Picker.” It’s also possible it was something else. Both albums could be considered twins—or maybe they were meant as a double album (which might explain their close releases if the studio had more than enough material stockpiled). Not only were they recorded for the same label, but they were both produced by John’s brother Michael and featured most of the same musical personnel (based on this a double album or recording sessions for a single one that went on and on trying to get a handle on the material now appears to be likely). Among the musicians was orchestrator and conductor, Jimmie Haskell who had worked with John during his Kingston Trio days a decade earlier creating the arrangements and conducting the orchestra for the group’s “Something Special” album which included John’s song and the Trio hit, “One More Town”. On John’s two Warners’ albums, Haskell created small chamber pieces that supported the songs for which they were arranged, giving them a special ethereal quality. You can hear it particularly on “Just An Old Love Song” (also listen for Jennifer Warnes’ high background call-and-response vocal). Haskell’s arrangements added considerably to “All the Brave Horses,” “Joe,” “Bolinas,” and backed John’s father’s recollection and recitation of his “Account of Halley’s Comet”.John said that the two albums were not favorites of his and, if at least among the reasons, because he and his brother Michael could not get a handle on the albums, it would go a long way in explaining why. Even so, John would go on to sing many of the songs live over the decades in his concert performances. And even though the Warners’ albums were transitions between better Capitol and RCA releases, they nonetheless still contain some great John Stewart recordings that expand his catalogue of epic tales cinematically with all the aural colors orchestrations brought to them. Along with John Andrew Tartaglia’s arrangements on “Willard,” Jimmie Haskell’s orchestrations on the two Warners’ albums brought us as close to a John Stewart meeting-of-the-minds with Aaron Copeland and Virgil Thomson that we will ever know.To skip to the medley of “Kansas Rain”/”Just An Old Love Song” go to 42:04 on the timeline. To revisit “One More Town” go to 08:47.NEXT UP: "Hung on the Heart (of a Man Back Home)"Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Cody Act 1 Steve Kosareff 2015-05-25 | John Stewart first recorded his song, "Cody" with his future wife, Buffy Ford in 1968 for their duet album, "Signals Through the Glass." Although the album did not sell well, the song proved almost as durable as his "Mother Country" and a popular fan favorite when performed live over the following decades. As such, John and Buffy again sang and recorded "Cody" in front of a large audience in 1974 for John's seminal "Phoenix Concerts" album. This is the recording used here. John and Buffy's sing passionately about a man who helped forged the American West, now largely sick and forgotten at the beginning of the 20th Century. I can't recall who it was, but John acknowledged that "Cody" was based on a real person, although it wasn't Buffalo Bill Cody. To create this song visually I have used a number of photos of explorer-reporter Captain Jack Crawford who, coincidentally, resembles Buffalo Bill and was a friend. Both men died within two months of each other in 1917 from kidney failure. Captain Jack had quite an interesting life of his own and several books have been written about him. Take a quick course on his history by looking him up in Wikipedia here at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wallace_Crawford. To skip to "Cody" go to 38:56 on the timeline.Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentaryNEXT UP: a medley of John's songs "Kansas Rain"/"Just An Old Love Song"
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Queen of Hollywood High Steve Kosareff 2015-05-22 | NEW ADDITION! --Medley of John Stewart's "Runaway Fool of Love" and "The Queen of Hollywood High"I've recently come to believe that both of these songs are related, not only because Lindsey Buckingham arranged and sang backup vocals on them, but also thematically telling the stories (in the first song) of a man who can't love enough women; and (in the second) a young woman who has no problem attracting men. "RUNAWAY FOOL OF LOVE"As much as a fan of Elvis Presley John was, as a celebrity performer he only had two brief run-ins with the King. Both were when he was a member of the Kingston Trio. One took place in the early 60s in Hawaii when the Trio was performing in the State and the group was tempted with a meeting, only to have Presley basically drive by and wave. The second occurred in Las Vegas where the Trio was performing near the end of the Stewart group. Late one night John was in the Dunes Hotel's coffee shop by himself when he heard a familiar voice behind him say, "Alone again, Stewart?" He turned around to see Elvis with four showgirls in a booth. Tongue-tied, John could not carry on a conversation. That was the last he saw or heard from Presley until years later when he received a phone call from RCA Records, which both artists recorded for at the time. Elvis reportedly warmed up backstage by singing "July, You're a Woman." Although he never recorded nor sang the song onstage, the RCA rep was now saying that Elvis would like John to write a song for him. Thus, "Runaway Fool of Love" came to be. Although Elvis never recorded the song, John did a number of times including this studio version arranged by Lindsey Buckingham."THE QUEEN OF HOLLYWOOD HIGH"This recording is one of my favorite John Stewart songs. It was released as a single in 1982 by Allegiance Records (John's label after RSO Records) from the album, "Blondes". Lindsey Buckingham arranged the song and sang backup vocals. Linda Ronstadt added her high-sweet harmony that hits the recording out of the ballpark. When she sings about angels in the song you can hear them in her voice. Oddly, in researching the John Stewart documentary project I have yet to come across any print or audio interviews with John commenting on this song, a disappointment because I would love to hear how the song came about. To skip to "Runaway Fool of Love" on the timeline go to 35:57. NEXT UP: the "Phoenix Concerts" recording of "CODY"Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Dreamers on the Rise Steve Kosareff 2015-05-15 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart once said his song, "Dreamers on the Rise" was about the campaign workers who worked so optimistically, and ultimately, tragically, on Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. I've expanded the song visually and made it more personal and directly related to Stewart's 1960s political hopes. When Stewart was a member of the Kingston Trio he personally gave President Kennedy a copy of the Trio's new album, "The New Frontier," named after Kennedy's vision of economic and social development. Although their meeting was brief the two men bonded. The Trio was recording a new album when Kennedy was assassinated and the grief Stewart felt inspired him to write "Song for a Friend" over the weekend that all Americans who were alive at the time, still remember with a rare clarity. Stewart also marched in Selma during the civil rights movement with Dr. Martin Luther King. Where he could have traded on his high profile as a member of the Trio by publicly announcing his participation as a celebrity, he chose instead to remain low-key and show his support as one man among many. Stewart first met Robert Kennedy when he was Attorney General under his brother's presidency and Stewart's friendships with both, RFK and JFK, and his participation in RFK's presidential campaign, made him an endearing friend of the Kennedy family. Although John Stewart is no longer alive, his death has not diminished the love and respect the Kennedy family has for him. To skip directly to "Dreamers on the Rise" go to 33:20 on the timeline. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentaryNEXT UP: A medley of "Runaway Fool of Love" and "The Queen of Hollywood High," both with arrangements and background vocals by Lindsey Buckingham.
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Bolinas Act 1 Steve Kosareff 2015-05-09 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart's own "Brigadoon"-ish song, "Bolinas," shares real-life traits with the Lerner & Lowe stage and film hit's mythical Scottish town. Stewart's 1971 recording tells his story of a small Northern California beach town that is almost mythical in its off-the-beaten path location and citizens' reclusiveness and disdain of development and outsiders. Today, even almost 45 years after Stewart recorded the song with his future wife, Buffy Ford, Bolinas remains locked in time, a period that reminds one of 1960s and early 70s culture with its buildings, cars, dress, and attitudes. There is a reason people live in Bolinas. The town is not easy to find and residents want to keep it that way. Over the years directional signs on Highway 1 have been removed by locals; at least one sign is in the local museum. Bolinas is really a state of mind more than an actual place and that's what Stewart wrote about in his song. The courthouse clock and railroad track may never have existed outside Stewart's song, but their imagery only contributes to this amazing recording---along with "the mayor digging for clams and the people who don't give a damn.""Bolinas" features a rare backing chamber orchestration in a John Stewart song. Arranger Jimmie Haskell who had worked once ten years before with Stewart when he was in the Kingston Trio, provides a small string section and a beautiful oboe solo. Together with John's and Buffy's blended voices, the recording--and the song--are Stewart fan favorites. To skip to "Bolinas" go to 30:00 on the timeline. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumemtary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Because of a Dancer Act Steve Kosareff 2015-05-08 | HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND!"Because of a Dancer" looks back at a man's long-term relationship with a woman he owes his life in old age. Singer-songwriter John Stewart's song owes its existence to his 40-year relationship with wife and singer, Buffy Ford. Stewart sings of "waltzing through time" in his senior years made possible by his dancer-partner. The song is a sweet tribute to Buffy--and all wives and mothers who have loved and stood by their families. It is the toughest yet most-rewarding job of all. Thank you, ladies.To skip to "Because of a Dancer" go to 26:30 on the timeline or to enjoy other songs composed and sung by John Stewart just start at the beginning of this celebration of his music. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Heart of the Dream Act Steve Kosareff 2015-05-01 | John Stewart’s rocker, “Heart of the Dream,” could well be considered the yang to his “California Bloodlines” yin. While “Bloodlines” celebrates the emotional and spiritual qualities the State arouses in people, “Dream,” looks at its darker side underneath the beauty of the land and its people, particularly those who live in the song's heart: Malibu. While the song is a celebration of the area it also reminds us of that evil comes with it in the guise of government and corporations who take advantage. More importantly, Stewart tells us that he (and we) are just as guilty for coveting a never-ending--nor fulfilling--stream of sex, money and possessions.Although “Heart of the Dream” was recorded 25 years ago and first released on Stewart’s “Bombs Away Dream Babies” album, it is just as relevant, if not more so, today. To skip to "Heart of the Dream" go to 23:18 on the timeline.NEXT UP: “Because of a Dancer” Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through California Bloodlines A Steve Kosareff 2015-04-28 | "California Bloodlines" is one of John Stewart's most popular songs. Recorded in Nashville and first released in 1969, the song's title implies historical roots, but that is not the case. "California Bloodlines" speaks of Stewart's emotional and spiritual ties to the State and he had many being born, raised, and married to a woman who also had deep emotional and spiritual roots to California. Native-born Californians at first glance may appear to be the only audience the song resonates with, but that is also not the case, for it speaks to people who have deep emotional and spiritual ties to any place they call home, even if they were not born in the State nor ever set foot in it. To skip to "California Bloodlines" go to 20:15 on the timeline.NEXT UP: Another of John Stewart's California songs, this time his rocker, "Heart of the Dream." Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Road Suite Act 1 Steve Kosareff 2015-04-24 | John Stewart wrote many songs of wanderlust on the road during his career. As part of the prototype concert I have created a suite of four of his road songs: "Johnny Flamingo on the Blue Dream Road," "July You're a Woman," "You Can't Look Back," and "Pilots in Blue." For those of you familiar with John's life and career the last several images in "You Can't Look Book" will spark reminders of television and film appearances that might have been, but just like the song says, you can't live in the past. To skip to the road suite of the concert go to 14:55 on the timeline. Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentaryNEXT UP: "California Bloodlines"
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Fourth Song Act 1 Steve Kosareff 2015-04-18 | DAYDREAM BELIEVER'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROTOTYPE CONCERT – CELEBRATING JOHN STEWART'S AMERICAN SPIRIT - Third & Fourth Songs - "One More Town" and “Chilly Winds”I was not aware of John Stewart until the first time I saw him by accident as a 19-year old a few months after “Willard” was released in 1970. Thus, I became a fan when he was already a solo artist past his Kingston Trio years. I wasn’t familiar with John’s Kingston Trio work until last year when I started researching this documentary project and discovered “One More Town.” It is now a favorite recording. Orchestrator and conductor Jimmie Haskell was hired by Capitol Records to score the song and the others for the Trio's 1962 album, “Something Special,” the group’s first use of orchestrations on its recordings. It can be argued that the powers-that-be went overboard on the strings, woodwinds and horns on the album, but some of the recordings are actually enhanced. One of them is “One More Town.” According to John’s account he heard that Capitol was going to sweeten the recordings with an orchestra and made his way to the studio where the overdubs were taking place. Initially, he was not happy with what he heard and worked with Jimmie Haskell to bring what he felt were overwhelming motion picture arrangements down to earth. John loved the work of classical American composers Virgil Thomson (listen to his great score for the 1958 film, "The Goddess" loosely based on the life of Marilyn Monroe) and Aaron Copeland and had an ear for how an orchestra might work on his recordings. He would work with Jimmie again almost a decade later on his two Warner Bros. albums, “Lonesome Picker” and “Sunstorm” (think of the orchestral arrangements on “Bolinas,” “Just an Old Love Song,” “Crazy,” “All the Wild Horses,” and “An Account of Halley’s Comet” and you can remember and still hear how well they work).“One More Town” and “Chilly Winds” were composed during John’s early Trio years. The songs are almost twins with protagonists who have to keep moving on, searching for an ideal that may not exist. There are two key words (“flatboat” and “schooner”) and a phrase (“girls in pink tights but their faces were all painted on”) in “One More Town” that set the song's time period around the turn of the last century and I looked for images and a story line to follow same, as I did with its companion, “Chilly Winds.” I hope you enjoy both of them. If you prefer not to watch the concert from the start skip down the timeline to 8:46 to pick up the beginning of “One More Town.”NEXT UP: a suite of John’s road songs consisting of “Johnny Flamingo on the Blue Dream Road”/”July You’re a Woman”/”You Can’t Look Back”/”Pilots in Blue” Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Daydream Believers 50th Anniversary Prototype Concert Opening Suite through Second Song Act 1 Steve Kosareff 2015-04-15 | DAYDREAM BELIEVER'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROTOTYPE CONCERT - Celebrating the music of John Stewart's American SpiritSinger-Songwriter John Stewart’s involvement with human rights movements dates back at least to the 1965 marches in Selma where on his own, and not as part of the Kingston Trio, he joined other celebrities in civil rights protests. In the mid-1980s he was part of a movement to feed the homeless in Los Angeles which he wanted to see expand nationwide. Although his song, “Under Heavy Fire” came out of his struggles with RSO Records to keep up the momentum of hit songs from his successful “Bombs Away Dream Babies” album, I have expanded the emotional content to John’s concerns about Americans on the fringes of society in the attached music video. This concert prototype would be a celebration of John's music sung by his colleagues and new and established artists singing over 50 of his most-loved songs with a few surprises. The concert is envisioned as opening with a live orchestral suite of the songs in both acts of the show, as it does here. The first song is a call to arms, as it were, "Sing My Heart Away," and the second song is John's rocker (with a special guest), "Under Heavy Fire. UPCOMING THIRD SONG: a medley of “One More Town”/”Chilly Winds.” Visit the John Stewart documentary project on Facebook at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Lady and the Outlaw - John Stewart - Rare 1969 Capitol Records Single Steve Kosareff 2015-03-30 | Between John's released albums, "California Bloodlines" in 1969 and "Williard" in 1970, he recorded material for two aborted albums, one with producer Chip Douglas (which contained the first released recording of "Armstrong") and the other in Nashville with most of the musicians from "Bloodlines." The 1969 version of "Lady" predates a second recording on John's 1973 album, "Cannons in the Rain." The arrangements for both recordings are similar although the chorus is more noticeable on the 1969 recording, particularly, Buffy Ford's background vocal which is soars above the others. I don't know whether the 1969 version of "Lady" came out of the Los Angeles sessions with Chip Douglas or the later Nashville sessions. I hazard to guess the latter. This 1969 single was re-released decades later on a Capitol Records compilation album entitled, "American Originals."
TV MAN: THE SEARCH FOR THE LAST INDEPENDENT DEALER Steve Kosareff 2015-03-29 | Trailer for the documentary featureA man's beloved childhood television set doesn't work. Is there a dealer left that can fix it? Thus begins a 1,000 odyssey to find a dealer and discover what happened to the once-mighty industry.For more information visit http://www.TVMan.tv or facebook.com/TVManTheMovie or see the FB page for the book that inspired the movie, "WINDOW TO THE FUTURE" at facebook.com/WindowToTheFuture
Maude Frickert Buys a TV - Jonathan Winters Steve Kosareff 2015-03-29 | "Are you going to give me a black-and-white or am I gonna drop you!?"Unless you were a Zenith television set dealer or distributor in 1973 you probably have never seen this funny sketch Jonathan Winters performed in the manufacturer's industrial film as Maude Frickert. Visit the web pages for the documentary, "TV MAN: THE SEARCH FOR THE LAST INDEPENDENT DEALER" and the book that inspired it, "WINDOW TO THE FUTURE: THE GOLDEN AGE OF TELEVISION [SET] MARKETING AND ADVERTISING" at http://www.TVMan.tv or facebook.com/TVManTheMovie and facebook.com/WindowToTheFuture
JOHN STEWART - CHILLY WINDS - 1973 RCA SINGLE WITH STEEL GUITAR Steve Kosareff 2015-03-19 | One of my top-ten favorite John Stewart songs, this rare single was released with the addition of a steel guitar on the "Canons in the Rain" album recording. JS fan Douglas C. Brown suggests the addition was to hopefully get the recording on the country music charts at the time. The song and its recordings over the years have quite a history. John Stewart was friends in the early 1960s with fellow folksinger John Phillips (who would go on to form the Mamas & Papas). The two Johns were both managed (Stewart as part of the Kingston Trio and Phillips as part of the Journeymen) at the time by Frank Werber whose offices were in San Francisco. One night Stewart and Phillips got together at Werber's secretary's home in nearby Sausalito. Phillips had part of a song he had already written and played it for Stewart. On into the early hours of the morning the two men wrote dozens of verses for "Chilly Winds," but when it came time to commit them to paper they could only remember a few and those are the ones that survive. The Kingston Trio recorded the song in 1962 and it became a popular performance in their concert appearances. In 1973 John traveled to Nashville to record his album, "Canons in the Rain" with legendary guitarist/producer Fred Carter, Jr. Bergen White who orchestrated Elvis Presley hits, "I've Lost You" and "Kentucky Rain," was enlisted to compose and conduct a string arrangement for "Chilly Winds." The song speaks to the universal feeling of moving on in one's life. Over the ensuing decades it became a favorite and staple of John's shows. It came full circle when John re-recorded the song years later with his best friend, Nick Reynolds--formerly of the Kingston Trio.For more information on the John Stewart Documentary Project visit facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Armstrong - John Stewart - 1969 and 1973 Recordings and Mashup Steve Kosareff 2015-03-19 | Chance to say that most John Stewart fans believe he was inspired to write "Armstrong" on the day of the moon landing, July 20, 1969. But there is evidence in Capitol Records recording logs that the vocal and rhythm tracks were recorded three days earlier on July 17. This does not diminish the song in any respect. John would have been inspired by the worldwide anticipation. Once the landing occurred and was a success the string arrangement and Neil Armstrong's mantra were added to the other tracks, the recording mixed and released a short time later. The record started climbing the charts but a number of listeners mistook John's concern for conditions back on earth as a knock against American patriotism. John Stewart not a patriot?! If they only knew the man. John's song was a celebration of the event that brought people, not only in the United States together for one magical moment, but everyone around the world. His was an unspoken hope that we could all eventually come together as one. Nonetheless, there was a negative response due to the misinterpretation of his lyrics and intent. Reportedly, some Southern radio stations had "Armstrong" record-breaking parties. The recording dropped off the charts never to fulfill its promise. But that didn't stop John from not only re-recording the song in 1973 but playing it extensively on concert tours and shows over the decades that followed. It also hasn't stopped fans like me from cherishing it. I've posted the original 1969 version of "Armstrong" which was produced and arranged by Monkees' producer Chip Douglas and recorded in Los Angeles. I've also posted the 1973 version produced by Fred Carter, Jr. and recorded in Nashville with a few tweaks to Douglas' arrangement. Although the two versions of the recordings are very similar there are some differences. They are best shown by blending the two songs in a mashup which I have created as the third version on this music video. To keep John mostly in sync singing with himself on both recordings I've used the 1973 recording as a template and three sections of the 1969 recording. It's not perfect but its an interesting comparison of the subtle differences for fans. Visit the John Stewart documentary project, "The Ghost of Daydream Believer" at facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
John Stewart - Sky Blue 8 - 1976 Unreleased Recording Steve Kosareff 2015-02-21 | Singer-songwriter John Stewart wrote an estimated 600 songs over his career. Besides several hundred that were recorded by him and other artists over the years, at his passing he left a rather large amount of unreleased recordings and demos of his songs. One these unreleased recordings is the 1976 rocker, "Sky Blue 8." For information on the John Stewart Documentary Project visit facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
John Stewart - Virginia - 1976 Unreleased Recording Steve Kosareff 2015-02-14 | Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!In celebration, I'm posting one of my favorite unreleased John Stewart ballads, "Virginia" (not to be confused with "The Eyes of Sweet Virginia," which was released and another favorite). "Virginia" is a wistful song of days gone by and love past in a waltz tempo, although it's set in a honky-tonk somewhere in your mind. It's so visual and beautiful I put together an accompanying video. Hopefully, someday someone will record this song and make it the hit it deserves. Visit the John Stewart Documentary Project on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Wheatfield Lady - John Stewart - Studio Recording 1973 Steve Kosareff 2015-02-03 | Mostly unknown 1973 John Stewart recording pre-dates better-known "Phoenix Concerts" album cut from 1974. Stewart's voice has a great sound to it and the male choral background are effective in this bright version of the song. See documentary project on Stewart at http://www.facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
Runaway Fool of Love - John Stewart - Studio Recording Steve Kosareff 2015-02-01 | Mostly unknown recording was created around John Stewart's live 1974 "Phoenix Concerts" album recording of the song. Although the same arrangement, it is hard to tell if this version is a prior studio recording or a rehearsal recording that was made in the empty Phoenix Symphony Hall. There is no echo that a large auditorium might have created on the recording so I am of the mind that this is a studio recording, one that Stewart forgot that he made when he discussed the live concert recording and the later version he recorded with Lindsey Buckingham. Additional information is appreciated. See John Stewart Documentary Project on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/JohnStewartDocumentary
