1. "Love is a Drag," a 1962 LP of love songs by men, for men, was a mystery wrapped in an enigma for over 50 years. The album cover warned, "For Adult Listeners Only" and promised, "Sultry Stylings by a Most Unusual Vocalist," who remained unnamed, as did its producer. The songs took classic standards like "The Man I Love" and "Mad About the Boy," songs intended to be from a woman to a man, and changed them to from a man to a man. Man-on-man vocal action!
Now we know the back story: Big Band singer Gene Howard, despite being straight and married to a woman, agreed to sing on the record with LA session musicians. Producer Jack Ames released the record under a fake label, "Lace Records," so his Edison International Records wasn't pigeonholed as gay. The album sold well in Hollywood, and Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Bob Hope were among its biggest advocates.
"Love is a Drag" will be reissued by Modern Harmonic, on gold vinyl as well as CD, with original liner notes and new addenda, later this month. Here's the playlist. Sing them in your manliest voice: "Lover Man," "He's Funny That Way," "My Man" (from Ziegfeld Follies of 1921), "Bewitched" (Pal Joey), "Bill" (Show Boat), "The Boy Next Door" (Meet Me in St. Louis), "The Man I Love" (Lady, Be Good), "Mad About the Boy" (Words & Music), "He's My Guy," "Jim," "Stranger in Paradise" (Kismet ), and "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" (Show Boat).
2. Comes word of two new cookbooks for melancholy modern music-lovers. "Defensive Eating with Morrissey: Vegan Recipes From the One You Left Behind" and "Comfort Eating with Nick Cave: Vegan Recipes to Get Deep Inside of You" were both created by Automne Zingg with recipes by Joshua Ploeg (from Microcosm Publishing).
As per their press materials, DEWM "invites the reader to create strange and delightful recipes good enough to console even Moz on his saddest days." CEWNC "shows the great master of emotional expression stuffing himself with comfort classics while shedding the occasional solitary tear.
"Best yet, all the recipes are vegan, so everyone can enjoy these delights, even Morrissey!" These cookbooks don't seem exactly authorized by the celebrities whose name recognition they trade upon, but whatever. No animals were harmed.
3. Meantime, here's advance notice that the first biography of late gay artist Keith Haring for young readers, "Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing" by the pop art icon's sister Kay Haring, will be published this coming Feb. 14.
Although it's been 26 years since his death, Haring's creations are still taught in elementary and middle schools as a colorful introduction to the pop art movement. "KH: TBWJKD" is the origin story of how the modern art legend came to be. "The picture book biography follows Haring from his days doodling in his childhood home to his meteoric rise as one the most influential artists of the late 1970s and 80s. Written by Keith's younger sister Kay, it sheds light on Keith's great humanity, his concern for children, and his disregard for the establishment art world. Featuring reproductions of Keith's signature artwork, this is a story to inspire, and a book for Haring fans of all ages to treasure." Sign us up for a copy.