Christmas Vespers 1986, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, USA. Directed by Clarence Martin.

Out Of The Orient, Crystal Skies - Westminster College Choir, 1986

Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, USA. Directed by Clarence Martin. Music by Boris Ord (1897-1961) based on Medieval text (Sloane Manuscript).

Adam Lay Ybounden - Westminster College Choir 1983

Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, USA. Directed by Clarence Martin.

Star Carol - Westminster College Choir 1983

Fittle Groove

The recent revival of the “Bloom County” comic strip reminded me of something I did for fun back in 1986 or 87.  Fans of the strip may remember that Bill the Cat (who is sort of the anti-Garfield) started a heavy metal band called “Billy and the Boingers” in which he played "electric tongue."  The comic’s creators held a competition for people to submit songs and recordings of the band, with the winning entry being included as a tear-out vinyl record (remember those?) in the next Bloom County book.  I was inspired to write and record this song. It didn’t win the competition, but was a lot of fun to create. It’s a very tongue-in-cheek parody of heavy metal bands at that time (which perhaps hasn’t changed a lot since then) and Bill the Cat’s general vibe, which was “an attempt to create a character so repulsive that it would have absolutely no merchandising potential.”  Here are the lyrics. There are a number of inside references to the character of Bill from the comic, such as the fact that he died and was then resurrected via cloning.

Billy and the Boingers

Hello my name is Billy, I’m a cat who’s lived and died
I’m a flea-infested hairball with a mangy orange hide
You wouldn’t want to meet me, cause I smell like kitty dung
But I know that you’ll appreciate the way I play my tongue!

We’re Billy and the Boingers
Billy and the Boingers, Billy and the Boingers
Here with music for the ’80s
Brought to you direct from Hades!

We’re material embodiments of all your darkest fears
And very proud to play so loud it’s painful to your ears
So if we sound so bad you figure something must need some adjusting
Don’t fiddle with your radio, the truth is, we’re disgusting!

We’re Billy and the Boingers
Billy and the Boingers, Billy and the Boingers
Just look at all our hair - 
We’re your mother’s worst nightmare!

We’re Billy and the Boingers
Billy and the Boingers, Billy and the Boingers
We’re really quite uncanny
Working hard to rock your fanny!


Billy And The Boingers

This is a song I composed while staying in an old mill on a river in central France.

"The River Flows" by Avery Hall

Original tune by Bob Nicoll. Performed and produced by Bob Nicoll and Barry Hall.

"Passing Through" - Bob Nicoll and Barry Hall ©2012

Original song by Bob Nicoll. Vocals by Danny and Sasha. Produced by Barry Hall.

"Cat's Eye" - original song by Avery Hall, performed by Half Circle (Avery and Barry Hall)

Bombarde

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