Mosaic - Mosaic LP

Some kinda blissed-out 8-piece jazz-fusion ensemble (alright, you already know if you'll be downloading this or not) that might have been based in Champaign, IL. Adventurous enough with its formula-meddling forays into funk, latin grooves, progressive rock and some choice bits vaguely reminiscent of Grand Wazoo-era Zappa.

MOSAIC

Supporting Actress - An elegant tease with report

Quite an interesting band that was loosely based in Normal, IL for a short time around 1995-97 (I think) before splintering off into various other projects and pathways. I befriended a couple of the folks in the band and was impressed at the enthusiasm and creativity with which they pursued every aspect of the whole DIY lifestyle matrix thingy. Steven, the guitarist, seemed to devote every waking minute to either playing in what seemed like a million different bands and recording projects, running a cassette/record label, distributing strange little zines and self-published books, relentlessly networking (ah the days of snail mail and megalithic long distance telephone bills) and just generally trying to share and instigate community in any way possible.

This 7" has three songs that I still enjoy though to this day I have no idea what half the lyrics mean. Incredible use of a Frank Sinatra painting on the back cover! They also recorded a fine CD, which I should dig out and listen to one of these days.

Dirty fingers working in the garage
new link, sorry 'bout the fuckup

Country Girl Kay - Life is Not a Bed of Roses b/w Arkansas Boogie

Super crackly and hiss-y goodness on this ancient mystery slab about which I know nothing, except that it turned out to be the dusty prize lining the bottom of a box of mostly abysmal country 45's purchased at a garage sale in Cortland, Illinois. Who is this Country Girl Kay and what's her story? The internet yields nothing, and a Google image search is probably a bad idea depending on your taste in rural-themed smut. I would love any information if anyone has the slightest clue. Until then all we're left with is two simple and enjoyable ditties of unadorned singing and picking.

boogie woogie down the line

Many thanks to the anonymous reader who pointed me in the direction of this obituary:

Country Girl Kay is Helen Evelyn (Kay) Smith Whittaker Gardner.
March 7, 1923 - March 12, 2002
Born in Missouri. Died in Washington (state).

Kay and her sister Wanda grew up as country singers, and were regular performers on KWTO in Springfield, Missouri ("The Smith Sisters"). Wanda met and married singer Ted Henderson and they went on to perform and tour as the country duo "Wanda and Ted."

Ted introduced Kay to Carson Jack Whittaker, a Livingston Montana singer who was looking for a duet partner. The two traveled the US, performing as a duo, and in the 1940s they married, eventually moving back to Montana. Carson Jack then gave up performing to became Kay's manager, and she was soon billed Country Girl Kay. They formed the Whitkay record label during this time (recording at Valtron Studios in Helena). Carson Jack was murdered July 1964, while hitchhiking near Afton, Wyoming. According to media coverage of the crime, when the accused shooter was discovered, he had in his possession a suitcase containing "unpublished songs" written by Kay.

(The Whitkay recordings were all made before 1964, as Kay did not record after her husband's death - but the exact year the singles were made is not determined).

Kay stayed in Montana, and later married Bill Gardner, who moved the couple to Cutbank. In 1975 Bill passed away and she moved to Kalispell, where she taught music, and performed locally.

In 1999 she relocated to Washington state, to be closer to her son. She died in a nursing home in Spokane, and is buried in Buffalo, Missouri.