Resources

Category: Resources

HAL, Timmy Fell Down the Well!

robot

Oi, it seemed like the winter break would never end. Now back to business.

Today begins the IARP/EURON Workshop on Robotics for Risky Interventions and Environmental Surveillance. On this site you will find terms like “suitable modularised mechanised structure” (possibly the right size robot?,) “suspected or real disaster” and “swarm of robots.” This site was last modified “on 06/01/2008” so there’s some time travel involved, too.

The Mudd has much on robotics. Robots. Is there anything can’t they do?

So Long, Ike

It may surprise the young folk out there that what is widely considered to be the first rock ‘n’ roll recording was done three years before Bill Haley and the Comets did “Rock Around the Clock.” Jackie Brenston and the Kings of Rhythm recorded “Rocket 88” in 1951, a recording which had nothing to do with either the space program (then non-existent) or a piano. It was an Oldsmobile. Again, ask your granddad. Please enjoy the audio on <a href=""this clip and ignore the wildy inappropriate video. We have a recording in the Mudd, too.

One of the people responsible for that 1951 recording died today. Ike Turner, probably more widely known as the Svengali/abusive husband to Tina Turner, was 76. Ike and Tina were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Today’s CDs

This latest bunch of CDs carries on the Mudd tradition of bringing you just about every kind of music you desire. Today if you want vocal music, we’ve got it, both jazz and classical. How about cello? Some nice string quartets? Does symphonic music float your boat? Done, done, done and done.

Pibloktoq!

mudd snowDiscover is the greatest periodical. Naturally the Mudd subscribes to it. The latest issue (January, 2008) has “20 Things You Didn’t Know About Snow.” We’ll let you read about the other 19, but this one is a doozy: Too much snow can drive a person crazy. It seems pibloktoq, a little understood hysteria, can “cause senseless repetition of overheard words and running around naked in the snow.” Since our area is getting another 2 or 3 inches today (on top of what we already have,) this caught our eye. Since our area is getting another 2 or 3 inches today (on top of what we already have,) this caught our eye. Since our area is getting another 2 or 3 inches today (on top of what we already have,) this caught our eye.

Have Some Fun Tonight

pianoWho has to win the award for the hippest minister ever? Why Little Richard, of course, whose birthday is celebrated today.

Listen to a few versions of Tutti Frutti, including one by Pat Boone (ask you granddad.) For the real thing, watch the master at work on Long Tall Sally, and then compare the version by a very fine cover band. This recording we’ve got.

Rolling Stone has an item about the bizarre rivalry between Pat Boone and Little Richard.

More CDs

It’s December. It’s cold. There’s snow. That means two things are certain: fewer students wearing shorts and flip-flops, and the concert season is in full swing. Today’s CD pile features some fine performances by well-known artists, and some home-grown talent on LU Conservatory CDs. We’ll be dribbling in more LU CDs on future CD piles.