H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror read by David McCallum

posted Jun 5, 2020 by Tom Fasano

H P Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror read by David McCallum (Caedmon TC 1467)

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David McCallum reads H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Dunwich Horror” in this vintage Caedmon recording from the 1960s. McCallum, famous for his role in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” brings the right mix of restraint and dread to Lovecraft’s tale of cosmic horror in rural Massachusetts.

The story follows the strange Whateley family and their dealings with forces beyond human understanding. When young Wilbur Whateley dies under mysterious circumstances, something far worse is unleashed on the countryside. Lovecraft’s genius was in suggesting horrors rather than showing them, and McCallum’s reading captures that perfectly.

Caedmon Records pioneered quality spoken word recordings in the 1950s and 60s. They hired professional actors to create definitive performances of literary classics. This recording, with its striking cover art of the decaying Whateley farmhouse, represents that golden age of audiobook production.

H. P. Lovecraft: Read by Roddy McDowall

posted Jun 5, 2020 by Tom Fasano

There is something quietly touching about this old Prestige LP, with its young Roddy McDowall gazing out in mid-sixties monochrome, as if interrupted in the act of remembering. His readings of Lovecraft’s tales — “The Outsider,” and “The Hound,” — unfold with a careful, almost ceremonious grace. McDowall doesn’t thunder or whisper conspiratorially; instead, he lets the stories rise on their own Gothic vapors, his voice offering the steady pulse beneath their unease.

The effect is less that of a haunted house and more that of a dimly lit study on a winter afternoon: shadows lengthen, language darkens, and dread forms slowly in the corners. McDowall has the rare ability to sound both cultivated and quietly afraid, which suits Lovecraft’s peculiar blend of antiquarian fussiness and cosmic despair. He reads as a man dusting off heirlooms that may, upon closer inspection, still breathe.

What remains is a small, dignified artifact from an era when horror could afford to move at a walking pace. The LP feels at once modest and enduring—a reminder that, sometimes, the most unsettling terrors arrive not with a shout, but with a gentle clearing of the throat before the first sentence begins.

Karl Shapiro

posted Feb 26, 2020 by Tom Fasano

This is the only filmed interview I’ve been able to find of the great poet Karl Shapiro. It’s sourced from a 16mm film by Karl Shapiro and Arthur Hoyle, Santa Monica, CA: Pyramid Films, 1976.
 
 

The Cabbie’s Tale

posted Feb 2, 2020 by Tom Fasano

Tim Fasano, who died last November of cardiac arrest, penned a memoir of life at the margins of society.

Before his YouTube page became a sensation with over 1,300 videos of his search for Bigfoot, Tim Fasano wrote a popular blog called Tampa Taxi Shots. The blogging craze was at its height in 2006, and Mr. Fasano began documenting his view of life on the streets from behind the wheel of a United Cab.

Mr. Fasano often said there was more philosophy in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven than in a college lecture hall.

He often wrote about ne’er-do-wells and down-and-outs, strippers and prostitutes, nightclub patrons, and guys looking for a late-night date. He wrote of vacationers who thought they were long-routed, sick people headed to the emergency room in the wee hours, and the mentally ill. There was no shortage of surly drunks, bums with no money, and addicts who believed Mr. Fasano knew where to score drugs. Several newspapers wrote articles about his blog, and often Mr. Fasano appeared on local television — once for finding a suspicious package at the Tampa airport. News outlets from around the country published obituaries about him, including US News & World Report.

His short, concise posts were compelling and bewitching in their effort to find meaning in the hustle of cab driving. A student of philosophy at the University of South Florida, Mr. Fasano often said there was more philosophy in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven than in a college lecture hall. An amateur photographer, he filled his blog with photos of the road, billboards, and graffiti. He took dozens of photographs of his fellow drivers, many of whom have passed away.

We at Coyote Canyon Press had the pleasure of reading his manuscript a few years ago. Based on his blog entries but fleshed out significantly, his book focuses on the unglamorous lives of people on the margins, people whose stories are rarely told.

The Cabbie’s Tale will be published in the summer of 2020.

Investigation of Bigfoot Encounter at Colt Creek Powerline, Hampton Track

posted Nov 11, 2019 by Tom Fasano

Note: This was Tim’s last video. He died of a heart attack a few days later.

In the video titled “Colt Creek Bigfoot Encounter along powerline at Hampton track,” published on November 11, 2019, Tim embarks on a field expedition into a remote area to continue his investigation into potential Bigfoot activity. This area, characterized by a powerline corridor and dense foliage, offers a promising location for setting up trail cameras. The objective of his research is to maintain a series of cameras in rotation, capturing images that could provide evidence of Bigfoot or other wildlife activity. Tim’s commitment to this pursuit is evident as he meticulously plans for regular visits to change media cards and check camera placements.

Tim’s exploration of the area reveals several notable observations. Upon entering the section, he detects movement, which, although obscured by brush, raises the possibility of an upright figure, potentially a Bigfoot. However, he is quick to acknowledge the common issue of perceptual errors in such environments, where ordinary sightings can be misinterpreted as extraordinary. Among the findings, scratches observed on trees suggest the presence of large animals, potentially big cats. Tim is cautious in his interpretation, recognizing the importance of attributing such marks correctly, as they offer insights into animal behavior in the area.

The methodical approach Tim employs in his fieldwork is a testament to his dedication and experience. His strategy involves leveraging natural features, such as water sources, as congregation points for animals. He notes, “Animals don’t go to bars, but they do go to the water,” highlighting the significance of these sites in tracking wildlife. Tim’s keen eye for detail is further demonstrated by his focus on potential evidence, such as the cat scratches and a possible structure, which he evaluates critically rather than jumping to conclusions.

The significance of Tim’s investigation lies in its contribution to the broader understanding of Bigfoot sightings and wildlife patterns in remote areas. By systematically collecting data and analyzing natural formations and animal behaviors, Tim provides a grounded perspective on what might otherwise be dismissed as folklore. His efforts underscore the importance of thorough, evidence-based research in exploring phenomena that straddle the line between myth and reality. As Tim navigates these challenging terrains, his work continues to add depth and context to the ongoing discourse on Bigfoot and its potential existence.

Post Surgery

posted Oct 11, 2019 by Tom Fasano

Not a pretty sight. Sandy took this snapshot of me in PostOp. My hernia repair surgery went fine. I’m home now, but managing quite a bit of post-surgical pain. A few takeaways from the experience: I had no idea how many people are involved in surgery, all the nurses before, during, and after; I also was surprised by how fast the anesthesia kicked in. One minute I was staring at the lights above the operating table, and then suddenly I’m waking up in the recovery room. There was no sense of time or duration. Boom! It was all over with.

Visit to the Huntington

posted Jun 5, 2019 by Tom Fasano


Today, I ventured to the Huntington Library, only to be confronted by an enormous red modernist metal sculpture—an eyesore that immediately assaulted my sensibilities. One can scarcely fathom the logistical gymnastics involved in its creation and installation. The grounds remain marred by ceaseless construction, a Sisyphean endeavor that appears destined to persist indefinitely.

My pilgrimage was prompted by an exhibition of the works of Celia Paul, a British painter previously relegated to the periphery of my artistic awareness. Paul’s oeuvre is an introspective exploration of self-portraits, familial bonds, and the relentless, indifferent sea. Her mother’s death seems to haunt these canvases, with Paul claiming to sense her mother’s spirit in the ocean’s depths. Her art is suffused with an ineffable melancholy, a somberness that permeates each brushstroke, evoking an almost palpable sense of sorrow and introspection.

Graduation 2019

posted May 31, 2019 by Tom Fasano

I had the honor of reading the names of the graduates of Sonora High School class of 2019. At the end, I captured this short clip of the graduates tossing their caps into the air.