Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Buoys - Timothy "Golden Classics" (1971-73 us, fine classic rock with counrty folk influence)
"Timothy” really was about a mule, but a lot of people thought he was another trapped miner." Rupert Holmes, the man who wrote "Timothy", was still trying to explain his 1971 hit for The Buoys in a 1988 interview to promote his new Broadway musical, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Laughing, Holmes swore the anguished song about the two survivors in a trio of trapped miners was not an ode to cannibalism.
It was easy to laugh then, but it wasn't so funny when Scepter Records issued the single by the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania quintet. Even though the song would eventually go into Billboard's Top 20, many radio programmers were reluctant to play the song, especially when listeners called demanding to know why some band was singing about eating this poor miner. It also didn't help when there were media reports about college students holding 'Timothy For Lunch Bunch" gatherings.
Whatever the song was about, the notoriety did help get a hit for the group made up of Fran Brozena - keyboards, Gerry Hludzik - bass, Chris Hanlon - guitar, Carl Siracuse - drums, and Billy Kelly - lead vocals. They were discovered by a Scepter engineer, who then approached Holmes about writing a song to help the quintet get some attention. He agreed, and the song ultimately became Holmes' first real hit as a writer. Holmes also wrote a number of songs and played keyboards on The Buoys' debut Scepter album.
It featured 'Timothy" and two other minor chart successes that also told odd stories. "Bloodknot" was said to be about a reform-school ritual while "Give Up Your Guns" was about an old West shootout. Although Holmes would go on to chart success as a singer, going Top 10 with "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" and "Him", The Buoys soon sank out of sight. Scepter issued a few other singles, all featured here.
The group then signed to Polydor, cutting two singles, "Don't Try To Run" and "Liza's Last Ride", also included on this album. In 1980, a couple of Buoys - Billy Kelly and Gerry Hludzik, who was also known as Joe Jerry - were back in music as a group called Dakota. Their self-titled album on Columbia failed to generate any attention.
by Mark Marymont
1. Timothy (Rupert Holmes) - 2:49
2. Give Up Your Guns (Rupert Holmes) - 4:16
3. Sunny Days/Memories - 5:02
4. Tell Me Heaven Is Here - 3:33
5. The Prince of Thieves (Rupert Holmes) - 4:17
6. Castles - 2:27
7. Bloodknot (Rupert Holmes) - 2:13
8. Tomorrow (Rupert Holmes) - 3:26
9.Streams Together - 2:48
10.Good Lovin' - 2:30
11.Pittsburgh Steel - 4:13
12.Absent Friend - 3:51
13.These Days - 2:47
14.Sunny Days - 1:25
15.Don't Try to Run (Brozena, Kelly, Hludzik) - 3:21
16.Dreams (Brozena, Kelly, Hludzik) - 3:26
17.Look Back America - 6:34
18.Liza's Last Ride - 2:55
All songs written by the Buoys except where noted
The Buoys
*Bill Kelly - Lead Vocals, Guitar
*Jerry G. Hludzik - Bass, Vocals
*Chris Hanlon - Guitar
*Fran Brozena - Keyboards
*Carl Siracuse - Drums
with
*Sally Rosoff - Cello
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Reg King - Reg King (1971 uk, great classic rock with glam shades)
Reg King belonged to the Action, Mighty Baby, Blossom Toes, B.B. Blunder family tree, leaving the Action before they became Mighty Baby and performing with (ex-Blossom Toes) B.B. Blunder after releasing this acclaimed and rare solo record.
Members from the bands above would form the backbone for this project, recorded over three years and guesting Stevie Winwood on keys. The Action had cut their teeth covering Motown soul during the mid 60s and those influences had not gone amiss for this LP, albeit through distorted guitars and stoney jams.
The leadoff track “Must Be Something Else Around” is a blistering slice of hard English rock that probably gave Led Zep a brief jolt of anxiety. “That Ain’t Living” has the explosive impatience of certain tracks I know from The Action, but add this album’s key ingredient: raw and relentless blue-eyed soul, propelled by Reg King’s voice – probably the best of the British hard-rock-soul singers.
It’s not a grand slam on the other hand. I’m not much of a blues-hound, so “Down The Drain,” or six-minutes of predictable blues doesn’t do it for me. But “That Ain’t Living” pushes hard through a fully worthwhile six of spirited rock. There are a couple less memorable tracks, but the good hooks make this record worth a spin. Perhaps a good introduction to the Action family tree .
by Brendan (The Rising Storm)
1. Must Be Something Else Around - 4:35
2. You Have Yourself a Good Time (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 3:10
3. That Ain't Living (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 6:41
4. In My Dreams (Reg King, Alan King) - 3:54
5. Little Boy - 2:57
6. 10,000 Miles (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 3:30
7. Down the Drain - 6:15
8. Savannah - 11:52
9. Gone Away (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 2:38
10.Must Be Something Else Around (Guide Mix) - 6:20
11.Must Be Something Else Around (Rough Mix) - 4:37
12.You Have Yourself a Good Time (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 4:23
13.Down the Drain - 3:10
14.Nobody Knows Where We Are - 5:58
15.10,000 Miles (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 4:05
16.Gone Away (Reg King, Peter Dale) - 4:21
All tracks written by Reg King unless as else stated
Musicians
*Reg King - Guitar, Vocals
*Brian Auger - Keyboards
*George Barker - Trumpet
*Brian Belshaw - Bass, Vocals
*Marc Charig - Trumpet
*Peter Dale - Vocals
*Elton Dean - Saxophone
*Michael Evans - Bass
*Frank Farrell - Bass
*Brenda French - Vocals
*Brian Godding - Guitar, Vocals
*Barry Jenkins - Drums
*Nic Jones - Percussion
*Alan "Bam" King - Guitar
*Danny McCulloch - Bass
*Paul Nieman - Trombone
*Roger Powell - Drums
*Martin Stone - Guitar
*Peter Swales - Vocals
*Mick Taylor - Guitar
*Dick Thomas - Drums
*Doris Troy - Vocals
*Kevin Westlake - Drums, Guitar
*Ian Whiteman - Bass, Flute, Keyboards
*Steve Winwood - Keyboards
*Jo Wright - Guitar
Related Act
1964-90 Action - The Ultimate Action
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The Skeptics - The Complete Early Years (1965-69 us, splendid garage beat, 2012 Gear Fab release)
The Skeptics were one of Oklahoma's most famous rock bands. They started playing as a band sometime in either 1964 or 1965 and hailed from the town of Bartlesville, about 80 miles north of Tulsa. Jerry Waugh, their lead singer, a principle songwriter , had his first known recording with “It's A New Thing To Me” b/w “Not Another Cloudy Day” which was released in early 1965.
“Not Another Cloudy Day” featured the female vocals of Nedra Price, who had an earlier hit “Let’s Have A Party” with the Moonglows in 1964 on the Ponca label with b/w “Sugar Booger”. Bobby Shivel played bass for Nedra on this recording, thus the connection to The Skeptics.
The Skeptics first release as a band came in 1965 with “For My Own” w/b “I Told Her Goodbye” on the Trush label with a great picture sleeve. Original members included Jerry Waugh on Vocals and Harp, Bobby Shivel on Bass, Gary Shivel on Organ, Luis Biggerstaff on Lead Guitar, and Garry Mars on Drums.
The group enlisted the songwriting service of Wayne Carson Thompson for their final two 45’s. Thompson had enjoyed some earlier success with such hits as “Always On My Mind”, “The Letter” and “Somebody Like Me”. This line up continued on until 1969 when Jerry Waugh left the band and the group moved towards for more of the funky, horn driven sounds of the early 70’s.
They formally disbanded in 1974. Rumor has it that their manager released an unauthorized LP in 1969 which contained all their 45’s but a copy of it has yet to turn up with collectors.
by Roger Maglio, April 2012
Tracks
1. It's A New Thing To Me (Jerry Waugh) - 2:03
2. Not Another Cloudy Day (Maynard Helmuth) - 2:54
3. For My Own (Jerry Waugh) - 2:42
4. I Told Her Goodbye (Jerry Waugh) - 2:15
5. Ride Child (Jerry Waugh) - 2:15
6. Apple Candy (Original Version) (Jerry Waugh) - 2:56
7. Apple Candy (Alternate Version) (Jerry Waugh) - 3:01
8. Stripes (Jerry Waugh) - 3:09
9. Certain Kind Of Girl (Jerry Waugh) - 2:46
10.Bit O' Honey (Wayne Carson Thompson) - 2:14
11.East Side Tenement House (Wayne Carson Thompson) -2:39
12.Turn It On (Wayne Carson Thompson) - 2:24
13.She's A Gas (Wayne Carson Thompson) - 2:25
14.Down To the Bone (The Skeptics) - 2:53
The Skeptics
*Jerry Waugh - Vocals, Harp
*Bobby Shivel - Bass
*Gary Shivel - Organ
*Luis Biggerstaff - Lead Guitar
*Garry Mars - Drums
Guest
*Nedra Price - Vocals
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense And Peppermints (1967 us, classic psychedelic flower power, debut album, 2011 sundazed issue)
The Strawberry Alarm Clock made musical history with its first single, the infectiously psychedelic “Incense and Peppermints,” which topped the singles charts in December 1967. It remains one of the Aquarian Age’s most enduring anthems. And as the California combo’s debut LP demonstrates, there was a lot more to the Strawberry Alarm Clock than their iconic trademark hit.
Incense and Peppermints combines gorgeously melodic flights with a Sunset Strip sensibility—the album is filled with trippy soundscapes, fuzzy guitars, sophisticated harmonies and the evocative lyrics of tracks such as “The World’s on Fire,” “Birds in My Tree,” “Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow” and “Paxton’s Back Street Carnival.” The result is a surprise-filled collection that All Music Guide calls “a strangely compelling mix of psychedelia, sunshine pop, garage rock, and California harmony.”
Mastered from the original stereo UNI?reels, this compact disc edition includes new liner notes by Domenic Priore and features the album’s unique original cover art.
Sundazed
Tracks
1. The World's on Fire (E. King, G. Bunnell, L. Freeman, M. Weitz, R. Seol) - 8:25
2. Birds in My Tree (S. Bartek, G. Bunnell) - 1:54
3. Lose to Live (C. King, T. Stern) - 3:15
4. Strawberries Mean Love (G. Bunnell) - 3:02
5. Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow (S. Bartek, G. Bunnell) - 3:04
6. Paxton's Back Street Carnival (S. Bartek, E. King, G. Bunnell, L. Freeman, M. Weitz, R. Seol) - 2:04
7. Hummin' Happy (E. King, G. Bunnell, L. Freeman, M. Weitz, R. Seol) - 2:24
8. Pass Time With The SAC (G. Bunnell, L. Freeman, E. King, J. Pitman, M. Weitz) - 1:21
9. Incense and Peppermints (J. Carter, T. Gilbert) - 2:47
10.Unwind with the Clock (E. King, M. Weitz) - 4:13
Strawberry Alarm Clock
*George Bunnell - 2nd Bass Guitar, Vocals
*Randy Seol - Drums, Bongos, Vibes, Vocals
*Lee Freeman - Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
*Edward King - Guitar, Vocals
*Mark Weitz - Vocals, Organ, Piano, Harpsichord
*Gary Lovetro - 1st Bass Guitar, Vocals
For more Strawberries
1968 Wake Up...It's Tomorrow
1968-69 The World In A Sea Shell / Good Morning Starshine
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Betty - Handful (1971 us, rough psych biker boogie roll, Shadoks remaster)
Originally recorded in 1971 by California's long-forgotten Betty, Handful is an interesting and frustrating album, but not because of any of the songs on it. The ten tracks are standard for the time period and show that the musicians were competent if not particularly imaginative songwriters. Opener "Boogie with You" has a distinct roadhouse feel reminiscent of the Doors or Canned Heat. Guitarists Mike McMahon and Anthon Davis lay down some funky guitar licks accented by Tom Jordan's piano and an able rhythm section comprising Al Rodriguez on drums and Kerry Kanbara on bass. And the other nine songs on the album are variations on this theme.
"Blind with Shame" contains some poppy guitar hooks and a catchy chorus, and "Thank You" replaces the piano with an organ and blues riffs with Moby Grape-inspired metal chords. On "Lights Gonna Shine," the band travels the farthest afield by trading out the shouted lyrics and boogie sensibility of the other tracks for a more folk-oriented point of view.
Listening to the album does pique an interest in the band that put them together, and in that regard Shadoks Music misses out. There was a huge opportunity here to track down the members of the band for interviews and have them put Handful into both an artistic and a historic context. It's nearly impossible not to wonder what became of Betty.
by Mike Burr
Tracks
1. Boogie With You (Anthon Davis) - 2:53
2. Blind With Shame (Anthon Davis) - 2:60
3. Just For Fun (Mike Mcmahon, Anthon Davis) - 4:01
4. High Rollin' On The Freeway (Lee Marks, Anthon Davis) - 3:33
5. River Bummin' (Lee Marks, Anthon Davis) - 3:35
6. Handful (Of Love) (Mike Mcmahon, Anthon Davis) - 3:19
7. Thank You (Lee Marks, Anthon Davis) - 4:09
8. Learn How To Boogie (Lee Marks, Anthon Davis) - 3:28
9. Harley Perdoo (Lee Marks, Anthon Davis) - 3:23
10.Lights Gonna Shine (Mike Mcmahon, Anthon Davis) - 3:05
Betty
*Al Rodriguez - Drums
*Mike McMahon - Guitar
*Kerry Kanbara - Bass, Vocals
*Anthon Davis - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Guest Musicians
*Tom Jordan - Keyboards
*Lee Marks - Chorus
*Ed O'Donnell - Chorus
1973 Good Dog Banned - Good Dog Banned
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Sunday, August 12, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Various Artists - Essential Pebbles Vol. 2 (60's us, fantastic garage beat gems, double disc set)
With 28 volumes in their vinyl version of the series and another 23 volumes in the companion High in the Mid-Sixties series (not to mention its ten-volume Rough Diamonds set), to put it all out on compact disc would have been perhaps a bit much, even for the most perversely dedicated of fuzz fanatics. What Bomp has opted for instead is to cherry-pick the absolutely most-requested tracks from the original volumes, then pad it out with a similar number of super-obscure and ultra-rare bonus tracks.
Highlights include the Rogues' "How Many Times," Neal Ford & the Fanatics' "Shame on You," Jaybees' "I'm a Loner," the Baker Street Irregulars doing a great version of the Yardbirds' version of "I'm a Man," the Original Sinners' "You'll Never Know," the Fading Tribesmen's "More Feathers," the Vistas' "Don't Know" and Ye Court Jesters' "But I Still Love Her." If fuzz-toned guitars, Farfisa organs and lots of tambourine is what floats your boat, then this is the compilation you've been waiting all your life for.
by Michael "Cub" Koda
Artists - Tracks
Disc 1
1. Rogues - How Many Times - 2:24
2. Neal Ford And the Fanatics - Shame on You - 2:13
3. Jelly Bean Bandits - Generation - 2:58
4. Sonny Flaherty And Mark V - Hey Conductor - 2:30
5. Denims - I'm Your Man - 2:22
6. Evil Encorporated - Hey You - 2:08
7. Ravin' Blue - It's Not Real - 2:29
8. Jaybees - I'm a Loner - 2:20
9. Spirit - Man Enough for You - 3:06
10. Wig Wags - On My Way Down the Road - 2:16
11. Four Fifths - If You Still Want Me - 2:07
12. Soul Survivors - Shakin' with Linda - 2:56
13. Magic Plants - I'm a Nothing - 2:43
14. Live Wires - Love - 3:21
15. Inmates - More Than I Have - 2:34
16. Sinners - Nice Try - 2:13
17. Cole And the Embers - Hey Girl - 2:25
18. Kama Del Sutra - She Taught Me Love - 2:17
19. Sweet Acids - That Creature - 3:01
20. Evil Encorporated - The Point Is - 2:34
21. Danny's Reasons - Triangles - 2:10
22. Baker St. Irregulars - I'm a Man - 4:47
23. Dee And Tee - Something's Comin' - 2:25
24. Yo Yo's - Crack in My Wall - 2:56
25. Original Sinners - You'll Never Know - 2:33
26. Les Lutins - Laissez-Nous Vivre - 3:23
Disc 2
1. Purple Haze - Shades of Blue - 2:18
2. Dawn 5 - Mike's Bag - 1:42
3. Denny Noie And the Catalinas - It Ain't a Big Thing - 2:20
4. Fading Tribesman - More Feathers - 2:22
5. Lost Souls - It's Not Fair - 2:06
6. Spirits Of Oxford - But You're Gone - 2:42
7. Vistas - Don't Know - 2:34
8. Chimes - #38 - 2:28
9. D.C. Drifters - Louisiana Blues - 3:23
10. Dean Kohler - Gooseberry Pie - 2:52
11. Children - I Can Feel It - 2:29
12. Why Four - Hard Life - 2:07
13. Why Four - Not Fade Away - 2:13
14. Doo And the Diddits - I'm a Man - 2:51
15. Night Watch - The Good's Gone - 2:18
16. Night Watch - Shake - 2:12
17. Rick And the Rivals - Stricken by You - 2:34
18. Sinders - Get Out of My Life - 1:34
19. Abstracts - Always Always - 2:10
20. Crying Shame - Come on Back - 2:37
21. Berries - Baby Won't You Follow Me Down - 2:34
22. Outcasts - I Wanted You - 1:59
23. Lunduns - It's Gonna Be Alright - 3:31
24. Ye Court Jesters - But I Still Love Her - 2:08
25. Checkmates - Eyes on You Baby - 2:18
26. Inner Prism - Bad Seed - 2:49
27. Classics 5 - Wine, Wine, Wine - 2:12
28. Inn Crowd - Gotta Find a Girl - 2:14
29. Lawson And Four More - If You Want Me - 2:42
More Pebbles
Essential Pebbles Vol. 3
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Wailers - Wailers Wailers Everywhere / Out Of Our Tree (1964-65 us, awesome garage beat)
August of 1964: the Fab Four are tearing it up on their first American tour, and one of the first stops is in the Pacific Northwest, where they are due to play the Seattle Center Coliseum to a typically riotous response. During a lull in the press conference prior to the show, George Harrison takes KJR dee jay Pat O'Day aside to politely enquire, "are those blokes the Wailers still around?"
Those blokes the Wailers were indeed still around, though since the onslaught of the Beatle-led British Invasion the Tacoma combos cachet had been dimmed somewhat, in record terms at least. The six year old Wailers had enjoyed a run of classic, timeless rock'n'roll singles such as Tall Cool One and Louie Louie, records that were both commercially successful and wielded considerable influence, and had additionally issued three long players, including one album - 1961s The Fabulous Wailers At The Castle that single-handedly established the benchmark for rock in the Northwest.
But like so many established American bands of that era, the Wailers confidence began to wither in the face of the ostensible glamour of their overseas cousins. So the band hit back with a fine collection of mostly self-penned British flavoured numbers, with hitherto emphasis on harmony vocals, thanks to multi-talented recent addition Ron Gardner. Released at the beginning of 1965, Wailers Wailers Everywhere is often overlooked by Wailers fans but it's a strong album and a lot better than most American attempts at Merseybeat. Of particular note is a storming take on Ya Ya, with tremendous playing from guitar god Rich Dangel.
Ironically, Dangel and original drummer Mike Burk soon tired of the bands Anglophile direction, and by the summer of 1965 both had quit the band. With the arrival of replacements, Neil Andersson on guitar and Dave Roland on drums, a new and exciting Wailers began making the scene up and down the West Coast, purveying a raucous garage-flavoured rock that owed some debt to the influence of the Wailers protoges the Sonics. Wailers' members and Etiquette label honchos Buck Ormsby and Kent Morrill wisely harnessed the youthful energy of their new line-up in the studio to produce the Out Of Our Tree album in late 1965, with the raucous, punchy single of the same name that preceded it constituting perhaps the combos finest moment on vinyl. Compared to the politely recorded "Everywhere", "Tree" was crude and deliciously distorted but remained undeniably in the Wailers tradition of stomping bring-down-the-house rock. And with punky originals like Gardener's snotty Hang Up, the masters could still teach the apprentices a thing or two.
This is the first time these classic Northwest 1960s albums have appeared on compact disc, and in common with the rest of our Etiquette series, the loaded 2-on-1 package feature great sound, rare pix and extensive notes, not to mention a handful of non-LP bonus cuts (including a classy Brian Wilson knock-off, All My Nights, All My Days). And this is not our last wail with the Fabulous Wailers, either- watch this space.
by Alec Palao
Tracks
Wailers Wailers Everywhere 1964
1. You Better Believe It (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 2.14
2. Do You Wanna Dance (Bobby Freeman) - 1.58
3. The Wailer (Rich Dangel) - 2.21
4. Tomorrow's Another Day (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 3.02
5. Just A Little Bit Louder (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 2.41
6. Hold Back The Dawn (Kent Morrill) - 2.04
7. Tears (Version I) (Rich Dangel, Kent Morrill) - 2.24
8. Since You Been Cone (Version 2) (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 2.13
9. How Do You Feel (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 2.17
10.I Think Of You (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 2.27
11.Dont Take It So Hard (Rich Dangel, Kent Morrill) - 2.12
12.Ya Ya (Lee Dorsey, Morgan Robinson, Clarence Lewis) - 2.25
13.You Weren't Usinc Your Head (Version I) (Ron Gardner) - 2.12
14.Back To You (Rich Dangel, Kent Morrill) - 2.13
15.Hang Up (Version 1) (Ron Gardner) - 1:16
16.Livewire (Rich Dangel, Kent Morrill) - 2.14
17.All My Nights, All My Days (Ron Gardner) - 3.05
Out Of Our Tree 1965
18.Out Of Our Tree (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill, Neil Anderson) - 3.29
19.Mercy Mercy (Dog Covay, Ron Miller) - 2.46
20.Hang On Sloopy (Bert Russell, Wess Farell) - 3.33
21.I'm Down (J. Lennon, P. McCartney) - 2.27
22.Unchained Melody (Alex North, Hy Zaret) - 4.40
23.Baby Dont You Do It (E. Holland, L. Dozier, B. Holland) - 3.58
24.Dirty Robber (Version 4) (Rich Dangel, John Greek, Kent Morrill) - 2.36
25.I've Got Me (Rich Dangel, John Ormsby, Kent Morrill) - 2.05
26.Summertime (George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin) - 5.04
27.Little Sister (Hank Ballard) - 1.57
28.Hang Up (Version 2) (Rich Dangel) - 2.24
29.Bama Lama Bama Loo (Richard Penniman) - 2.25
The Wailers
*Rich Dangel - Lead Guitar
*Buck Ormsby - Bass, Vocals
*Mike Burk - Drums, Vocals
*Kent Morrill - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano
*Ron Gardner - Tenor Sax, Vocals
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Thursday, August 9, 2012
Various Artists - The Sound Of Young Sacramento (60's us, lightning flashes of brilliance from the golden state)
The mid-1960s rock scene in Sacramento may appear isolated and insular especially when compared to the activities of the neighbouring San Francisco Bay Area, but its teenage audience was as partisan as any other across the United States in those halcyon days. Major acts like the Stones and the Byrds played Sacramento before they ever properly visited San Francisco-.-on their rare stateside visits, the Hollies and the Zombies avoided the Bay Area altogether, heading straight for Sac. The hip programming of the city's two AM power-houses KROY and KXOA fuelled the teen market, whilst savvy promoters exploited it to the max. And there were hundreds of local garage bands ready to cater to the massive, restless audience in the city and its environs.
Five years of sleuthing have gone into the preparation of The Sound Of Young Sacramento, the latest volume in the Nuggets From the Golden State series, which focuses on the very best teen garage and folk-rock groups that visited the Bill Rase Recording Studio & Talent Centre from 1965 to 1967. Bill's modest operation in those years gave these teenage combos an affordable outlet with which to immortalise themselves on wax, and as a result many bands beat a path to his Franklin Boulevard door.
Rase custom-pressed singles for the acts to sell at their shows, often in batches of a few hundred or less, resulting in some captivatingly rare releases. Included here are several records that are acknowledged punk classics, such as the superbly snotty I'll Be Gone by the Opposite Six and the psychotic surf of Too Much Loving by Dixon's Liberty Lads. Also featured are the, lesser known yet no less worthy, records by the Children Of Stone, Hustlers, Kee-Notes and others. There's Brit-Invasion sounds from the Coachmen and cryptic minor key moodiness from the Living End and the Night.
Unlike so many other studios, Bill Rase meticulously archived all his master tapes from the period, and close examination of these has thrown up further unreleased and quite astounding gems of a punk and folk-rock variety. We therefore proudly present several previously unissued ear-opening cuts from both popular Sacramento groups like the Psy-Kicks and Fugitives, and hopelessly obscure high school combos such as the Mergers, Chelsea Sidecar, Kix and Goodtime Music Co. The high standard and idiosyncratic sound of all the recordings featured makes this an exceptionally strong and listenable compilation.
In addition, the diligent research for the project required tracing members of each act featured, which in turn uncovered a wealth of facts, photos and memorabilia, cramming the booklet with an authoritative history of both the groups and the scene from whence they came. After widely-acclaimed releases in the Nuggets' series from Sacramento-related groups like Kak, the Oxford Circle and She, The Sound Of Young Sacramento continues to mine the motherlode of great rock'n'roll from the mid-1960s heyday of California's capital.
by Alec Palao
Artists - Tracks
1.The Opposite Six - I'll Be Gone - 2:22
2.The Mergers - Love, You Funny Thing - 2:43
3.Liberty Lads - Too Much Loving - 3:55
4.The Coachmen - Money (That's What I Want) - 2:28
5.The Coachmen - And That's Why - 2:27
6.The Hustlers - Linda - 2:46
7.The Insurgents - Summertime - 2:33
8.The Kee-Notes - Quit Changing Your Mind - 1:53
9.The Psy-Kicks - Summer Tears - 2:32
10.The Psy-Kicks - The Second Time Around - 1:59
11.The Fugitives - Blowin' My Mind - 2:29
12.The Children Of Stone - Mary, Can't You See - 2:22
13.St. George And The Dragons - Trust Me - 2:41
14.The Living End - A Night Like This - 2:48
15.The Living End - Brigitta - 2:48
16.The Goodtime Music Company - Aristocrat - 2:20
17.The Goodtime Music Company - Passionate Love - 2:25
18.The Reflections - Let Me Go - 2:39
19.The Reflections - A Little Bit More - 2:34
20.Don Wright And The Head Set - Why Did You Lie? - 2:23
21.The Walking Flour - Hoochie Coochie Man - 4:30
22.The Walking Flour - I Want To Be Your Driver - 2:28
23.The Gallery Production - Do I Have To Come Right Out And Say It - 2:23
24.Organised Confusion - That I Love You - 2:47
25.The Kix - I'll Wait For You - 2:05
26.The Kix - What Would Life Be - 2:16
27.The Night - To Realize My Mind - 2:02
28.The Night - Too Much Loneliness - 3:00
29.The Chelsea Sidecar - Thinking Of You - 1:59
30.The Chelsea Sidecar - Special Girl - 2:22
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Blue Phantom - Distortions (1971 italy, fascinating heavy psych with a mushroom cloud, 2012 Kismet extra track edition)
This legendary 1971 album was recorded by unknown musicians in Milan, for use as incidental music in films, television and radio. Almost each and every track is a short, heavy acid rock symphony ... Disturbing, dissonant, and even downright menacing. An astounding blend of creepy grooves and distorted guitar, it was released in tiny numbers in Italy, France and the UK, and is highly sought-after by collectors today. This welcome reissue comes complete with the only other track released under the Blue Phantom name.
Tracks
1. Diodo - 3:48
2. Metamorphosis - 2:59
3. Microchaos - 2:43
4. Compression - 2:46
5. Equilibrium - 4:00
6. Dipnoi - 2:50
7. Distillation - 3:44
8. Violence - 3:08
9. Equivalence - 2:35
10.Psycho-Nebulous - 4:53
11.Uncle Jim (Bonus track) - 2:46
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Various Artists - English Freakbeat Vol.6 (1963-66 uk, exciting lost tunes)
English Freakbeat Vol. 6 the CD has some different tracks from the original vinyl issue. Twink was one of the members of the Fairies, an under-appreciated British rhythm & blues band; Twink would later be one of the founding members of a very different band, the Pink Fairies.
Members of the Cheynes include Mick Fleetwood, co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, as well as Peter Bardens and Phil Sawyer. They released several singles between 1963 and 1965. The real name of the front man for Jason Eddie and the Centremen is Al Wycherley, the brother of Billy Fury, a pop star in the late 1950's. Their experimental treatment of "Singing the Blues" was released in the U.S. by Capitol Records in June 1966, Mike Patto did the vocals for Chicago Line and finally the Bo and Beep were actually Kim Fowley with Rolling Stones members.
1. The Fairies - Get Yourself Home - 2:27
2. The Fairies - I'll Dance - 2:08
3. The Fairies - Anytime At All - 2:18
4. Junco Partners - Take This Hammer - 2:20
5. Cheynes - Respectable - 1:57
6. The Wild Ones- Bowie Man - 2:23
7. Rhythm And Blues Inc- Honey Don't - 2:28
8. Erkey Grant And Earwigs - I'm A Hog For You - 2:09
9. David John And The Mood - Bring It To Jerome - 2:14
10.David John And The Mood - I Love To See You Strut - 2:10
11.Bill And Will - Goin' To The River - 2:30
12.Blues By Five - Boom Boom - 2:20
13.Steve Aldo - Baby What You Want Me To Do - 3:38
14.Jason Eddie And Centremen - Singing The Blues - 2:33
15.Bo And Peep - Young Love - 2:41
16.Chicago Line - Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop - 2:51
17.Chicago Line - Jump Back - 3:07
18.The Wranglers - Little Liza Jane - 1:56
19.David John And The Mood - To Catch That Man - 2:12
20.David John And The Mood - Diggin' For Gold - 2:41
21.Nix-Nomads - She'll Be Sweeter Than You - 2:42
22.Bo And Peep - Rise Of The Brighton Surf - 4:22
UK Freakbeat story
English Freakbeat Vol. 1
English Freakbeat Vol. 2
English Freakbeat Vol. 3
English Freakbeat Vol. 4
English Freakbeat Vol. 5
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Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Window - Window (1974 us, fabulous acid psych folk rock)
Judy Kelly grew up in Dallas, Texas. She started singing at age 2 and always dreamed of singing professionally. Judy’s parents purchased her first guitar when she was 11. Her first songs were about school and the Beatles but as her lyrics and music matured, folk and folk rock became her main musical influences.
In the late 1960s, Judy began playing at folk clubs and on the college coffee house circuit. She also started singing with a garage band adding vocals to lyrics written by other band members.
In the summer of 1974, Judy asked several of her musician friends to work on a project which became the album Window. Window was released locally and the title song was picked up by Word records and included in a collection album.
This fabulous folky/psych album from the ‘70s is yet another example of another great album that fell through the cracks in the musical pavement. When references to Wi n d o w ’s self-titled album do pop up on the internet, it is usually in a Christian folk context, although there is precious little of this genre present on this lovely, wistful acoustic album. The star of the show is undoubtedly the (un-named) singer, whose range, poise and delivery are reminiscent of the vocal talents Linda Perhacs, Vashty Bunyan, and even Joni Mitchell in her Court And Spark/Hissing Of Summer Lawns heyday.
Theres lots of trippy psych, particularly on the outstanding The Magician and Noah, and the strong, acoustic guitar-based accompaniment is tight but understated throughout. This, then, is an album that will appeal to lovers of folk-based female vocalist in particular, as well as appealing to those that just simply like good music.
Tracks
1. Silver - 2:58
2. Noah - 3:24
3. Lullaby You - 3:26
4. Day Star - 2:29
5. Comfort Me - 2:42
6. Happy To See You - 2:15
7. Jamie - 2:33
8. Beginning - 3:29
9. The Magician - 1:56
10.You Can Pray - 2:09
11.Window - 2:07
12.Shine - 3:59
13.Jenny’s Song - 2:47
14.The Garden - 3:14
Words and Music by Judy Kelly.
Musicians
*Judy Kelly - Vocals, Piano
*Deni Kington - Harp
*Ed Helbing - Guitar
*Guy Moore - Drums
*Lisa - Contrabass
*Lela - Violin
*Cynthia - Violin
*Alan Steven - Acoustic Guitar
*Bobby Dennis - Keyboards
*Joe Cox -
*Liz Volk - Classic Piano
*Beth -
*Walter Bert Linebarger -
*Don Jordan -
*David Heyman -
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Various Artists - English Freakbeat Vol. 5 (1963-69 uk, more freakbeat treasures)
The English Freakbeat series is devoted to unearthing obscure, non-hit treasures of the British Invasion that are known only to obsessive collectors. Truth be told, many of those treasures were obscure for a reason, which makes these anthologies wildly uneven listening, but there are some gems to be found here.
The highlights of this 21-song volume include a surprisingly pleasant slice of punk-pop from ex-Beatle drummer Pete Best, "The Way I Feel." Thane Russal's "I Need You" is a first-rate Them imitation; Geoff Goddard's "Sky Man" is a truly inspired piece of Joe Meek-produced lunacy about benign space aliens; and the Greenbeats' Merseyish "You Must Be the One" is undoubtedly the most obscure song that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote in the '60s (no, the Rolling Stones never did get around to recording it).
That gives you the flavor of the manic variety on hand here. Some of the cuts are shamelessly derivative early British R&B, and others are simply not as striking as the gushing liner notes would have you believe. The CD also includes some extremely obscure productions by Shel Talmy and Joe Meek, as well as an obscure composition by Jackie DeShannon, that in no way approximates the greatness of their famous work.
by Richie Unterberger
1. The Pete Best Four - The Way I Feel About You - 2:01
2. The Darwin's Theory - Daytime - 2:51
3. The Peeps - Now Is The Time - 2:31
4. The Pickwicks - Hello Lady - 2:32
5. George Bean - Why Must They Criticize? - 1:59
6. Jason Eddie And The Centremen - Come On Baby - 2:25
7. The Untamed - It's Not True - 2:27
8. Geoff Goddard - Sky Man - 2:44
9. The Eggy - You're Still Mine - 2:49
10.New York Public Library - Gotta Get Away - 2:53
11.Chris Sandford - I Wish They Wouldn't Always Say I Sound Like The Guy From The Usa Blues - 2:20
12.The Cryin' Shames - What's News Pussycat - 2:33
13.A Wild Uncertainty - A Man With Money - 2:06
14.The Truth - Baby You've Got It - 2:02
15.Billy J. Kramer - Chinese Girl - 3:11
16.The Impac - Too Far Out - 2:34
17.The Paul Stewart Movement - Too Too Good - 2:52
18.The Greenbeats - You Must Be The One - 1:59
19.Rey Anton And The Peppermint Men - You Can't Judge A Book - 2:16
20.The Four + 1 - Don't Lie To Me - 1:54
21.Thane Russal - I Need You - 2:28
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Monday, August 6, 2012
Hendrickson Road House - Hendrickson Road House (1969-71 us, lost classic of the west coast psych folk, 2011 Wooden Hill extra tracks issue)
So good is this slice of acid West Coast folk that it’s difficult not to go overboard. Lost for more than 40 years and coveted by a handful of acolytes willing to exchange $1,000 for a copy, this is a rediscovered gem so pure it makes all previous claims to that title look like uneducated sycophancy.
The sophisticated jazzy undertow (in places not unlike contemporaries Seatrain) and sparse, intelligent arrangements are bound together by a female vocal so delicious, it could be picked and eaten. Opener Forget About You could be a template – pure, sparkly guitar and wispy, shuffling drums underpin that voice – but the coherence of the material belies its variety. Intense harmonising on Helping Hand, prog-like time changes on Tomorrow Your Sorrow and free-roaming jazz on Yesircantoo – the album is littered with unique and varied touches of class in all departments.
Wooden Hill have rightly lavished time and effort on the package and we get no less than six bonus racks. Whoever you are – or think you are – you need this record.
by Jan Zarebski
Tracks
1.Forget About You - 3:11
2.Theatre King - 2:12
3.Things I Never Knew - 3:42
4.Everybody's Told You - 2:51
5.Sunny Day Rain - 3:04
6.Classical Misconceptions (Parts 1,2) - 2:22
7.Tomorrow Your Sorrow - 3:43
8.Helping Hand - 2:40
9.That's All There Ever Was - 2:09
10.I Wondered If You Knew - 1:49
11.Yesircantoo (Norman Lowe) - 3:39
12.The Seed That Grows - 2:09
13.Tomorrow Your Sorrow - 3:43
14.Forget About You - 3:12
15.Back To Time - 2:03
16.Four And Twenty Blackbirds - 2:26
17.Beachcomber - 2:36
18.Can't Deny It - 2:26
All song by Sue Akins unless otherwise stated.
Bonus tracks from 13-18.
Musicians
*Sue Akins - Autoharp, Guitar, Vocals
*Norman Lowe - Guitar, Vocals
*Phil Wilson - Bass
*Curt Lowe - Bass
*Don Mendro - Drums, Piano
*Dick Muldoon - Congas
*Ken Rose - Saxophone
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Various Artists - Essential Pebbles Vol. 3 (60's europe, still more ultimate '66 garage classics!, two disc set)
This double disc set focuses on European freakbeat from the lands of Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland. Disc 1 is a rollercoaster ride of entertainment, from great peaks of garage bliss to barren lows of wannabe-Stones and Kinks. All the selections from Holland and Denmark are here, with the latter half hailing solely from Sweden. Disc 2 kicks off with Swedish freakbeat before taking the train to Germany and finishing the tour in Switzerland.
Artists - Tracks
Disc 1
1.Rob Hoeke - When People Talk - 2:49
2.Fun of It - Drollery - 2:41
3.Phantoms - Someday I'm Somebody - 2:19
4.Jets - I Was So Glad - 2:21
5.Haigs - Where to Run - 1:53
6.Jets - Worker in the Night - 1:57
7.Lords - Day After Day - 2:14
8.Counsellors - I'll Be Your Man - 2:20
9.Golden Earrings - Not to Find - 1:55
10.Lazy Bones - I'm Driftin' - 2:54
11.A B & C - Vies - 2:08
12.Danny And the Royal Strings - Get Away - 2:29
13.Slaves - Shut Up - 2:16
14.Jack And the Outlaws - Step Into My Heart - 2:43
15.Meteors - Anytime - 3:16
16.Mad Sound - To Masturbate - 4:14
17.Beatcher - What'd I Say - 2:23
18.Tages - Bloodhound - 2:42
19.Palmes - Nazz Are Blue - 2:57
20.Shakers - Move Out of My Mind - 2:28
21.Baby Grandmothers - Somebody Keeps Calling My Name - 7:15
22.Lee Kings - Oriental Express - 2:45
23.Stringtones - Ode to Rhythm and Blues - 2:19
Disc 2
1.Sooner or Later - This Hammer - 2:44
2.Sooner or Later - Night Time - 2:35
3.Melvins - The Man Down There - 2:06
4.Trappers - Too Much Monkey Business - 1:43
5.Shakers - Tracks Remain - 3:41
6.Fabulous Four - 438 S. Michigan Ave. - 3:24
7.Shakers - Who Will Buy These... - 3:43
8.Cads - Call My Name - 2:17
9.Comancheros - It's So Right - 2:19
10.Dee Jays - Striped Dreams - 3:10
11.Demons - You - 1:55
12.Gents - Honor Bright - 2:30
13.Dee Jays - You Must Be Joking - 2:37
14.Flippers - Louie, Louie - 3:04
15.Bootjacks - Stoned - 5:01
16.Ones - Love of Mine - 3:05
17.Drafi And the Magics - I Don't Need That Kind of Loving - 2:12
18.Dukes - I'm an Unskilled Worker - 2:45
19.Sevens - Talk About Her - 2:13
20.Sevens - Panam - 3:10
21.Sauterelles - No No No - 3:01
22.Countdowns - Sex Maniac - 2:35
23.Sevens - In God We Trust - 2:26
24.Sevens - What Can I Do - 2:47
25.Sauterelles - Hong Kong - 3:32
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Saturday, August 4, 2012
Various Artists - English Freakbeat, Vol. 4 (1963-67 uk, impressive raw rhythm and blues)
Issued in 1989 on LP, and on CD in 1997 with all fourteen original tracks intact, plus nine additional bonus cuts. The obscure mid-'60s British R&B here ranges from the generic to the truly exciting, like Thane Russal's Them-like cover of Otis Redding's "Security," and the Clique's pop-punk "She Ain't No Good," and the Syndicats' "Crawdaddy Simone," which has some of the most demented rock guitar of the mid-'60s (although the version here is of lower fidelity than ones that have appeared on other anthologies). Other highlights include the Sons of Fred manic rockabilly-R&B hybrid "I'll Be There" (with some of the zaniest guitar lines to be found on any British Invasion single) and Cops & Robbers' "You'll Never Do It Baby," which was covered by the Pretty Things.
by Richie Unterberger
Artists - Tracks
1. Thane Russal And Three - Security - 2:41
2. Cops And Robbers - I've Found Out - 2:26
3. Cops And Robbers - You'll Never Do It Baby - 2:45
4. Clique - She Ain't No Good - 2:20
5. The In Crowd - Things She Says - 1:49
6. Mal Rider And Spirits - Forget It - 2:02
7. Snobs - Ding Dong - 2:32
8. Sons of Fred - Baby, What You Want Me to Do - 2:29
9. Sons of Fred - I'll Be There - 2:56
10.Sons of Fred - Sweet Love - 2:46
11.Soul Agents - Don't Break It Up - 2:56
12.Soul Agents - Mean Woman Blues - 2:59
13.Soul Agents - I Just Wanna Make Love to You - 2:27
14.Syndicats - Crawdaddy Simone - 3:11
15.Tony Dangerfield - She's Too Way Out - 2:23
16.Wheels - Call My Name - 2:08
17.Mickey Finn And Bluemen - Reelin' and Rockin' - 2:10
18.Others - Oh Yeah - 2:53
19.Primitives - Johnny Noooooo!!! - 3:12
20.Shorty And Them - Dimples - 5:57
21.4 Degrees - Too Much Monkey Business - 2:57
22.4 Degrees - I've Got My Brand on You - 2:56
23.Stovepipe No. 4 - Pretty Thing - 3:19
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Friday, August 3, 2012
Andwellas Dream - Love And Poetry (1969 ireland, brilliand psych, with killer guitar leads, occasionally veering towards progressive rock, 2009 Sunbeam extra tracks edition)
The Method evolved into Andwella’s Dream and were the primal Irish psyche next to Eire Apparent. Dave Lewis the soaring guitarist who wrote all the songs also recruited keyboardist Dave McDougall, ex McCullochs Struthers & Paterson bassist Dave Stuthers, Nigel Portman Smith and ex One In A Million/Andromeda drummer Jack McCulloch.The bamboo flute and sax was played by future Egg Bob Downes. When Andwella’s Dream moved to London they released their primal 1969 debut Love And Poetry with surging numbers like the thrusty opener “The Days Grew Longer For Love” and guitar razzling “Sunday”.
Dave’s throttling axe exerts fury on “Lost A Number Found A King” with its ancient Indian flute and ambient acoustic textures. The two finest numbers “Cocaine” with McDougall pushing hard and the soaring “Shades Of Grey” where ex Thunderclap Newman Jack McCulloch’s drums are best heard create a furnace of fusion.
Acoustic delights are “Midday Sun”, “Goodbye” and the Hammond rolling “Felix” which opens into crescendo breaks by Lewis. In 1970 they evolved into Andwella and launched a further two albums Worlds End (1970) and Peoples People (1971) plus a bounty of singles. World’s End although a lyrical romantic masterpiece did ignite the past as on the psyche “Michael Fitzhenry” exalting frenetic flute and Dave’s insatiable guitar riffs. The harmonies and melody that bend around the brassy I’m Just Happy To See You Get Her are creative marvels.
Future Bad Company definitely copped the riffs from “Just How Long” while the double linked “World’s End” is just so underplayed. Sterling jazz riffs trip through Steely Dan styled “Back To The Road” with Bob Downes giving it stick in the wind. There’s a bit of Billy Joel in the People’s People or even Tremeloes in the opener “She Taught Me To Love” which crystalises into the spiritual “Saint Bartholomew”.
Lewis was the songwriter extraordinaire having written the award winning film War and songs as varied as “Happy To Be An Island In The Sun”, #1 for ex Aphrodite Child Demis Roussos. David’s 1969 The Songs Of David Lewis remain a collector’s dream.
by Shiloh Noone
Tracks
1.The Days Grew Longer For Love - 3:55
2.Sunday - 3:13
3.Lost A Number, Found A King - 6:03
4.Man Without A Name - 2:41
5.Clockwork Man - 2:44
6.Cocaine - 4:59
7.Shades Of Grey - 3:36
8.High On A Mountain - 2:31
9.Andwella - 3:15
10.Midday Sun - 3:40
11.Take My Road - 3:22
12.Felix - 4:16
13.Goodbye - 2:17
14.Mrs. Mann - 3:59
15.Mister Sunshine - 3:17
16.Every Little Minute - 3:55
17.Michael FitzHenry - 3:42
18.Take My Road - 3:26
19.Man Without A Name - 2:38
20.Paradise Isle - 3:44
21.Miles Away From My Baby - 4:37
All songs by David Lewis
Bonus tracks from 14-21.
Andwella's Dream
*Dave Lewis - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Nigel Portman Smith - Bass
*Gordon Barton - Drums
with
*Bob Downes - Flute, Percussion, Chinese Bells, Tam Tam
*Wilgar Campbell - Drums
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