Time Machine co-ordinates VICLXXXII67752171

 

Today we go to May 21st, 1972- the day of Laszlo Toth.

Laszlo, or as he felt he should be better known, Jesus Christ, announced himself as risen from the dead, which would have been the second time, and proceeded to attack the stone Mary that was part of the Pieta with a geologist's hammer.  So today, I thought I would bring on Dr Freidriech Flewoffer, a psychologist who has studied the case...

Elvis:  WHAT?  Why on earth would we wanna do that?

Because I'm curious.  We'll have Dr Flewoffer on right after the first of our 3 debuts- and could it be Cover Summer II setting up?  Here's Olivia Newton-John and Paul Anka with their brand new take on an old classic at #10...

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So, Dr Flewoffer, welcome.  What, in your opinion, would make Toth do such a thing?

Dr F:  Is very seemple, my friend.  He t'ought his Mama was the greatest woman in ze world.  But, you see, that spot was already taken in the eyes ov man by der Virgin Mary.  And if his Mama had to be Mary, den he must be Jesus!

But why would he then say he had "risen from the dead", when Jesus had already done that?

Dr F:  Because for him to be Jesus was a subliminal, jah?  His faith was dead, so to be Jesus meant he had to "rise again". 

And the attack on the statue?

Dr F: He was, or supposed he was, a geologist.  This made it so that he had rose somehow from the stone- say, the stone ov der statue.  If he was stone, so was his Mama.  So he tried to chip her out ov der stone and back to life.

EP:  That's about the stupidest thing I ever heard come up with!

Dr F:  See, child you say that because you are the part of Chris's persona that can get away with sayink or doink such t'ings.

Elvis, a part of MY persona?  This I gotta hear.

Dr F:  Certainly.  You see, Chris is lonely at night.  To gain a sense of camaraderie, he must create a cast out of his own resources.  Like Elvis, who is the not-too-bright, not so cerebral, 'buddie'.  The Lawyer, He is the straight man, the anchor to vat passes as reality, and der little bald guy is obviously the Sancho Panza to Chris's Don Quixote.  Why, it as much as says so in der name ov der blog!

Horace Bellbottom:  Sir, I shall have you know I am NO figment of imagination...

But, Horace...

HB:  I have been a barrister of good standing for the last nearly half-century.  I have defended clients before the Crown Court...

EP:  Sure that ain't "clown court"?

But, Horace...

HB:  And, Doctor, I resent your attempts to demean my career with your psychobabble!  Mr Presley's, I just ignore as usual.

But, Horace, you ARE imaginary... we all are inside the Tardis!  Even the readers are imaginary, to an extent.  They have to surrender a bit of their reality to even figure out what goes on here most of the time. 

HB:  But, I have a real picture...

EP: Of a real guy that ain't you!  C'mon, bud, lemme take ya down for a soda.

HB:  Yes... yes, perhaps that's best....

Doctor, you might have some good points, but let's continue this after the next debut at #9.  No cover this, but new stuff from Canada, thanks to Debbie the Doglady, from the Tea Party...

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So this week had 26 Panelists from 74 stations, and evolved into a tight, 2-song race.  Doctor, would you be adverse to reading off the finalists?

Dr F:  Not at all!  Please choose from:

Amazing Grace by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, at #64 on Cashbox this week.  This choice would signify a deep spiritual character in the voter.

Oh Girl, by the Chi-Lites, #4.  This choice would indicate abandonment issues.

The Staple Singers, I'll Take You There, #1.  This indicates a strong, self-confident choice.

Roberta Flack, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face at #2.  A strong current of dependence and self-abasement shows itself here.

Sammy Davis, Jr, The Candy Man, at #15.  This indicates a naive immaturity, a childish abandon.

And finally, Joe Tex and I Gotcha, at #6.  Frankly, I'm baffled on this one.

All right, there's your choices... uh, and your free psychological profile.  Doctor, we're about 23 weeks out from the end of full-time Time Machine posts, and there has been a certain trend since the announcement of that, of, well, odd choices for guests- including yourself.  Do you think this might be problematic?

Dr F:  Only in the sense of your readers will have even less idea ov vat is goink on then usual.  And I gather that is tenuous at best.  I believe your inner host persona is vantink to get everything he wants to say out before it ends.  And vat he vants to say, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Hmm... I hadn't noticed how much you look like Stuart Smalley...  anyway, let's put up that last debut at #8 now- our second cover from a Donovan original with credit to Arlee Bird who used it on a BOTB post- from 1969, here's Trini Lopez...

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Well, Doc, I feel a lot better!  And to show you my appreciation, how about I give you the honor of giving the Overseas If You Please and the big mover?

Dr F:  I t'ink you are tryink to get out of payink me for pschiatric advice, my friend...

True, but it WAS unsolicited, more or less, and I KNOW Horace will want to make that stand up in court, so...

Dr F:  Ah, vell played, my friend.  Very Vell, let us take the honor for vat it's worth...

In England, the top song this week is T-Rex and Metal Guru...

New Zealand had Nilsson's Without You...

The First Time I Saw Your Face was top in Canada... 

Australia had Amazing Grace...

South Africa had Daniel Boone's Beautiful Sunday...

And also, the Netherlands on Radio Hilversham had the beautiful Jerney Kaagman  with her band Earth And Fire with Memories...

Great song, and a former Beauty Contestant!  And, Der ... er, the big mover?

Dr F:  Dat vould be Cher and Living In A House Divided, up a mere 19 from 75 to 56.

Thanks, Doc!  And now, the remaining M10:

7- The Explorer's Club up ,one with Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy

6- and holding for Matthew Sweet's Challenge The Gods

5- Down a notch for Major Murphy and Attention

4- Up 3 for POWERS and Legendary

3- Back down from the top for Blackberry Smoke and Ain't The Same

2- and holding for Redspencer and Happy

 and the new #1....

...the Overcoats, with Tennis, and The Hardest Part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the Panel picks?

The RSDG, Joe Tex, and Sammy got you 6.7%...

Ms Flack gets you 10.8%...

But the winner, by a margin of  17.5- 14.8%....

...The Staple Singers and I'll Take You There!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whether we'll take THEM with us to 1973, tune in next time to find out!