Comments on: Video of Tiny Tim performance mentioned in Pynchon's Inherent Vice http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 08:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: IamInnocent http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643882 IamInnocent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643882 I don't know airdrummer... the little brunette looks like she's thinking: "I would like to have what he's having!". Maybe she did? I don’t know airdrummer… the little brunette looks like she’s thinking: “I would like to have what he’s having!”. Maybe she did?

]]> By: JIMWICh http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643894 JIMWICh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643894 I remember seeing Tiny Tim, backed up by Brave Combo at Club Dada in Dallas back in 1988. He absolutely blew the front and back doors off the place. Unbelievable performance. The man was a performing encyclopedia of early 20th century music and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I remember seeing Tiny Tim, backed up by Brave Combo at Club Dada in Dallas back in 1988. He absolutely blew the front and back doors off the place. Unbelievable performance.

The man was a performing encyclopedia of early 20th century music and it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.

]]> By: PAULLONDEN http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-649785 PAULLONDEN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649785 w0w! What A visionary w0w! What A visionary

]]> By: Andrew http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643905 Andrew Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643905 What do you mean "predicting global warming"? We've been a decade away from the end of the world due to global warming since the 60s ;) What do you mean “predicting global warming”? We’ve been a decade away from the end of the world due to global warming since the 60s ;)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643910 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643910 It's rather odd, the resemblance between Tiny Tim and Count Orlok from F.W. Murnau's <em>Nosferatu</em>. It’s rather odd, the resemblance between Tiny Tim and Count Orlok from F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu.

]]> By: Wingo http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644429 Wingo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644429 Wowzers! Dude was truly the King of Weird. Inherent Vice is a CRAZY good read. Loved it, loved it, loved it. This video puts that scene way more in context. Awesome. Wowzers! Dude was truly the King of Weird.

Inherent Vice is a CRAZY good read. Loved it, loved it, loved it. This video puts that scene way more in context.

Awesome.

]]> By: Burnlab http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643694 Burnlab Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643694 "It’s like Tiny Tim is tripping on acid, entertaining children, and predicting global warming — all at once." I think that's <i>exactly</i> what going on here. Also reminds me of Jim Magas performing with kids on Chic-a-go-go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnR_mVN6q-Y “It’s like Tiny Tim is tripping on acid, entertaining children, and predicting global warming — all at once.”

I think that’s exactly what going on here.

Also reminds me of Jim Magas performing with kids on Chic-a-go-go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnR_mVN6q-Y

]]> By: hopfrog http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643706 hopfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643706 Just. Wow. Just. Wow.

]]> By: pAULbOWEN http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644731 pAULbOWEN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644731 Fabulous. I remember seeing him on some terrible 60s or 70s game show here in the UK. He was impossible to look away from - at once funny, charismatic, slightly scary and wholly other-worldly; a proper pop star, in short. Later I would have similar responses the first time I saw Alice Cooper, Roxy Music, David Bowie. I think my daughter gets a similar vibe nowadays off of Lady Gaga. Fabulous. I remember seeing him on some terrible 60s or 70s game show here in the UK. He was impossible to look away from – at once funny, charismatic, slightly scary and wholly other-worldly; a proper pop star, in short. Later I would have similar responses the first time I saw Alice Cooper, Roxy Music, David Bowie. I think my daughter gets a similar vibe nowadays off of Lady Gaga.

]]> By: Kennric http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643710 Kennric Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643710 Yes, Pynchon is the man we need to put this into context. A lot of context. Please. Yes, Pynchon is the man we need to put this into context. A lot of context. Please.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643714 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643714 Context: this happens on page 108 (thanks pynchonwiki!) when Doc goes to Vehi Fairfield, the constantly tripping acid guru, Vehi plays this song and gives Doc some acid. Doc has a vision that Shasta Fay is aboard the Golden Fang. It would probably be more accurate to say "Video of Tiny Tim song mentioned..." because Vehi is playing it right off the album. To me, this is my favorite part of reading Pynchon novels. It seems like every other week I learn some random fact or historical event, and realize "Oh, that's what Tom was writing about." So thanks for posting this you guys! Context: this happens on page 108 (thanks pynchonwiki!) when Doc goes to Vehi Fairfield, the constantly tripping acid guru, Vehi plays this song and gives Doc some acid. Doc has a vision that Shasta Fay is aboard the Golden Fang. It would probably be more accurate to say “Video of Tiny Tim song mentioned…” because Vehi is playing it right off the album.

To me, this is my favorite part of reading Pynchon novels. It seems like every other week I learn some random fact or historical event, and realize “Oh, that’s what Tom was writing about.” So thanks for posting this you guys!

]]> By: agraham999 http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643715 agraham999 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643715 RIP. We could use a few more just like him in the world. RIP.

We could use a few more just like him in the world.

]]> By: brianeisley http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643977 brianeisley Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643977 I'd been wondering about this performance. Good to see it's just as weird and wonderful as I'd imagined. I loved <em>Inherent Vice</em>. It's not his best or most profound work, but it's definitely his most fun. I can't think of any other writer of Pynchon's caliber who can write about pop culture with the same appreciation and ability to find weird connections and context. Not to mention that I read it immediately after <em>Against The Day</em>, his longest and probably most ponderous novel. Lots of wonderful, profound stuff in there, about math and science and time travel and alternate dimensions. It's even got some elements of steampunk. But it was just <em>so goddamned long.</em> So, the two books reminded me of two completely different aspects of the man, both of which I love. Who else can write about both Sofia Kovalevskaya and Tiny Tim with equal knowledge and affection? b. I’d been wondering about this performance. Good to see it’s just as weird and wonderful as I’d imagined.

I loved Inherent Vice. It’s not his best or most profound work, but it’s definitely his most fun. I can’t think of any other writer of Pynchon’s caliber who can write about pop culture with the same appreciation and ability to find weird connections and context.

Not to mention that I read it immediately after Against The Day, his longest and probably most ponderous novel. Lots of wonderful, profound stuff in there, about math and science and time travel and alternate dimensions. It’s even got some elements of steampunk. But it was just so goddamned long.

So, the two books reminded me of two completely different aspects of the man, both of which I love. Who else can write about both Sofia Kovalevskaya and Tiny Tim with equal knowledge and affection?

b.

]]> By: zikman http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643980 zikman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643980 what a brilliant individual what a brilliant individual

]]> By: Takashi Omoto http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643725 Takashi Omoto Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643725 Truly a wonderful thing. Truly a wonderful thing.

]]> By: PixelFish http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644506 PixelFish Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644506 My dad used to play this Tiny Tim song to us when we were little. It kinda freaked me out then. My dad used to play this Tiny Tim song to us when we were little. It kinda freaked me out then.

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643745 Art Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643745 Probably one of the most unique pieces of original performance art that we'll ever see. Thanks for the post. Probably one of the most unique pieces of original performance art that we’ll ever see. Thanks for the post.

]]> By: Witteveen http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644514 Witteveen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644514 oh yes, oh yes... OH YES!!!! That just washed aways some sins. I really believe it did... oh yes, oh yes… OH YES!!!!

That just washed aways some sins. I really believe it did…

]]> By: airdrummer http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643750 airdrummer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643750 talk about scaring the children... talk about scaring the children…

]]> By: fistula spume http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644530 fistula spume Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644530 I absolutely love Tiny Tim! This is the awesome! I've heard and read him say in interviews that he's never done any drugs and was very opposed to them. Still you have to wonder... He's such a magical being. I absolutely love Tiny Tim! This is the awesome! I’ve heard and read him say in interviews that he’s never done any drugs and was very opposed to them. Still you have to wonder… He’s such a magical being.

]]> By: skyscraper143 http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643771 skyscraper143 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643771 You know, throw a wig on Andrew Bird and he could probably do an impressive reproduction of this. The resemblance is uncanny. Or better, challenge him to do something equally wacky and see what he does. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HmkLu24w2o You know, throw a wig on Andrew Bird and he could probably do an impressive reproduction of this. The resemblance is uncanny. Or better, challenge him to do something equally wacky and see what he does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HmkLu24w2o

]]> By: nutate http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643792 nutate Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643792 Inherent Vice! Loved it... I had just read Against the Day, and I was happy to get to a sort of gumshoe novel, more akin to Crying of Lot 49 than anything... only with a cooler ending... imho. Inherent Vice! Loved it… I had just read Against the Day, and I was happy to get to a sort of gumshoe novel, more akin to Crying of Lot 49 than anything… only with a cooler ending… imho.

]]> By: Phrosty http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643794 Phrosty Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643794 It's like Russell Brand meets Al Gore meets the Mad Hatter. It’s like Russell Brand meets Al Gore meets the Mad Hatter.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644070 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644070 Definitely a Coelacanth. Definitely a Coelacanth.

]]> By: thequickbrownfox http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643817 thequickbrownfox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643817 This should be played at the Copenhagen Climate Summit opening. This should be played at the Copenhagen Climate Summit opening.

]]> By: bornonbord http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644075 bornonbord Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644075 It's my understanding that Jim Carrey owns the movie rights to Tiny Tim's life. I worked with a guy in Chicago who would book Tiny Tim shows and put him up in a hotel when he was here through the late 70's and early 80's. He would do it for free in exchange for interviews. Dude's got hours and hours of original material, but can't do anything with it because of Mr. Carrey. It’s my understanding that Jim Carrey owns the movie rights to Tiny Tim’s life.

I worked with a guy in Chicago who would book Tiny Tim shows and put him up in a hotel when he was here through the late 70′s and early 80′s. He would do it for free in exchange for interviews. Dude’s got hours and hours of original material, but can’t do anything with it because of Mr. Carrey.

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644332 dragonfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644332 That is some seriously apocalyptic children's entertainment! Children's shows now should give kids even half that much credit, eh? That is some seriously apocalyptic children’s entertainment! Children’s shows now should give kids even half that much credit, eh?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-842484 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-842484 the children are singing along and laughing during the song - they don't appear to be scared. the children are singing along and laughing during the song – they don’t appear to be scared.

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-644341 dragonfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-644341 Yess! Count Orlok, in the new wiggly model! Yess! Count Orlok, in the new wiggly model!

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html#comment-643830 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-643830 Every time I think I've seen it all... Boing Boing points me to something like this... Every time I think I’ve seen it all… Boing Boing points me to something like this…

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