Not too much is known about this guy calling himself Yumpalong Yanson, in fact I don’t even known what his real name was. When I do an Internet search the only hit that comes up is my page, that I compile as part of my Scandinavian Comedy music preservation project: http://www.streetsofscience.net/sac.html Yumpalong was yet another Scandinavian-American comic artist that recorded in the early days of the last century. Singing silly songs about everyday life things, like not having enough cash. Yumpalong sings in the signature accent that typified such artists such as himself, Yogi Yorgesson, Stan & Doug and the handful of other artists of that time. From the accent alone you get a sense of the American immigrant world that once was. That is, that people STILL had their cultural accents and roots. America has certainly come along way since Yumpalong roamed the earth.

Fast-forward to the modern age and Swedes and other Scandinavians are still making great music. Only they don’t let their accents through. I’ve spent some years documenting the underground high-energy Rock and Roll scene and it’s connections between the USA and Nordic Europe. I’ve been asked/invited to show photographs at the American Swedish Institute (ASI) during the month of July. http://www.americanswedishinst.org/ASI/Exhibits.html Sweden has been a constant photographic theme for me for a long time, as has been music. Now I’m pleased to exhibit some of my images as the show “Together In The Darkness: the Rock & Roll Music Culture in Sweden”. Showing at the ASI in Minneapolis, MN from June 29th thru August 3rd. In doing this show, my money is certainly in the “going” category that Yumpalong sings to us. I know it’s not cool or polite or whatever to admit this kind of thing, but this exhibit is putting this white, nerdy guy in the dog house. But this is what happens when you care about something, your money comes and then it goes. No use in trying to hold onto it, just keep it moving. I’m hoping it comes back eventually.

To paraphrase Omar Little “Your money ain’t got no owners, only spenders.”

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America is in some bad shape these days and the people in charge could care less. And I tell ya’, the bad news in Michigan just doesn’t stop. Jobs getting erased EVERY day. The auto industry has never been smart enough to grasp the concept of sustainability in economy. Hello, did you fail Economics 101? Long run!! Kwamee is crooked and no one, not even GOVERNOR GRANHOLM will do anything about it! Lightweights, I say, a bunch of lightweights! And this morning on the radio I hear a report that some official committee decided that the answer to retaining college graduates in this state is, get this, create more internships

?? Yeah, because no one would want an actual JOB after college. Why work a real job when you can work for free as an intern? That dangling carrot in front of you, representing the hope that maybe someday the internship will become a job. You pinheads! Jobs jobs jobs is what Michigan needs!!! Stop wasting time trying to ban smoking in restaurants and bars and bring some blasted JOBS back to Michigan. Is all our pinhead leaders can do is get into sex scandals and kill hookers and cut jobs and pussy foot around issues instead of solving problems? Yes, you all know who you are; I don’t need to name names. Ahhhhhh, it feels good to be a taxpayer.

In a fit of rage and frustration I bring you all a history lesson from one bright point of light from this once great state. I only wish the chickens would come home to roost!!! But in the immortal double negative words of Dennis Thompson “...you will shut the f**k up!...don’t make no trouble...”

THE AMERICAN RUSE (Words & music by MC5)

They told you in school about freedom But when you try to be free they never let ya They said "it's easy, nothing to it" And now the army's out to get ya

Sixty-nine America in terminal stasis The air's so thick it's like drowning in molasses I'm sick and tired of paying these dues And I'm finally getting hip to the American ruse

I learned to say the pledge of allegiance Before they beat me bloody down at the station They haven't got a word out of me since I got a billion years probation

Sixty-nine America in terminal stasis The air's so thick it's like drowning in molasses I'm sick and tired of paying these dues And i'm sick to my guts of the American ruse Phony stars, oh no! Crummy cars, oh no! Cheap guitars, oh no! Joe's primitive bar... nah!

Rock'em back, Sonic!

The way they pull you over it's suspicious Yeah, for something that just ain't your fault If you complain they're gonna get vicious Kick in the teeth and charge you with assault Yeah, but I can see the chickens coming home to roost Young people everywhere are gonna cook their goose Lots of kids are working to get rid of these blues ‘cause everybody's sick of the American ruse

Well, well, well, take a look around! Well, well, well, take a look around! Well, well, well, take a look around! Well, well, well, take a look around! Well, well, well, take a look around!

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