Less Talk More Music

For the most part I've just about stopped paying attention to the news. As the saying goes "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference". And there is soooo nothing I can do about what's going on these days. Everywhere you turn there are more big corporations asking for government bailouts from quagmires that I can't help but think were created by their own greed and shortsightedness, and workers by the thousands losing their jobs. And quite frankly, when I think about it all, it depresses and scares the hell out of me. So, as a measure to save what sanity I have left, I have decided that all I can do is try to take care of myself and not worry about the rest of the world's mistakes. So far I remain optimistic about our new president but I am realistic enough to realize that he is just one person and that it's going to take awhile for things to turn around. So for now, on with the music.

The Beau Brummels - Don't Talk To Strangers

Of all their singles, this is easily my favorite. Those harmonies when they sing "baaaaaaaabe" are nothing short of awe inspiring. And I am old enough to remember how amazing they sounded coming through my little transistor radio speaker.

Etta James - Tell Mama

This was Etta's biggest hit but, according to her autobiography "Rage to Survive", she never really liked it. Nonetheless, she turns in a powerful vocal and it's big danceable beat is an almost guaranteed floor-filler.

Earl Hooker - Frog Hop

As is evidenced here, Earl Hooker was an above average blues guitarist, despite never attaining the success and reknown of some of his contemporaries. "Frog Hop" was recorded for Chess Records in the early 60s. 
Grandpaboy - Dead Man Shake

Grandpaboy is actually an alias for Paul Westerberg and on this track, the ex-Mat wears his Rolling Stones influence right on his sleeve. 

Joe Clay - Get on the Right Track

"...Right Track" is one of a handful of singles by Joe Clay released by RCA who were looking to capitalize on the success of Elvis Presley. But Clay is no mere imitator and most of his releases are quite worthy in their own right. According to his website, Clay is still performing today.

Kevin Ayers - Shouting In A Bucket Blues

KA is probably best known as one of the founding members of Prog rockers Soft Machine. Not being a big fan of the genre I must admit I never paid much attention to him but after hearing a friend tell me about his music I was intrigued. This song reminds me somewhat of John Cale's "Vintage Violence" album - which is by no means a bad thing.
Moon Martin - No Chance

The spirit of Buddy Holly definitely lives on in this track. "No chance of loving you, no chance at all". We've all been there and Martin captures the despair of the moment beautifully without falling into melodrama and self-pity.

Dorothy Berry - You're So Fine

Produced by David Gates, who would later go on to form the soft-pop group Bread, this update of the old Falcons hit is one of many records that came out in the years 1963 - 1965 that was influenced by Phil Spector's bigger-than-life production style.

Lee Dorsey - Candy Yam

I've always loved Lee Dorsey's funky yet good-time style of singing. Vocalists like Otis Redding, David Ruffin and Wilson Pickett may have had more grit and soul but very few singers had the welcoming warmth that Lee Dorsey brought to his records.

The Scientists - Frantic Romantic

"Frantic..." was The Scientists debut single released in 1979.  Their later material had a much more grungy and dirty edge to it but even here there is a certain amateurish, ragged quality that adds a lot to its charm.

T.R. and the Yardsmen - I Tried

From the absolutely essential "Friday at the Hideout" comp on Norton, comes this mid-60s stomper. As far as I can tell from Soybomb's Garage Database, "I Tried" was their only single but it's still enough to guarantee them at least a footnote in the history of 60s Garage R&R. 

The Blue Hearts - I Wanna A Kiss

Back in the late 80s and early 90s these guys were superstars in their native Japan, selling out large stadiums. It was at that point that their record company tried to launch them stateside but the language barrier proved to be too much of an obstacle. Nonetheless, their records are upbeat, catchy and sing-alongable in any language.  
Tim Buckley - Song For Jainie

From his first album, released in the fall of 1966 this is one of his prettier songs. Subsequent records would show him moving in a more jazz influenced direction.

The Scorpions - Keep-A-Knockin

These guys started out as a German beat combo imitating their heros like The Yardbirds and Pretty Things. After not too long they took on a more metal sound, became very successful and are still performing today. But for many of us this is truly among their finest moments.

Buddy Love - Heartbreak Hotel

Buddy turns in a remake of Elvis' early smash at twice the speed as the original. While, at the time, it came and went without a trace, today it is a big favorite among Rockabilly fans and can be found on a number of compilations. 

The 13th Floor Elevators - Tried To Hide

This is the B-side of "You're Gonna Miss Me" and it's a totally different, much faster recording than the version on their first album. Rumor has it that there is a 10-CD box set of Elevators material coming out early next year which will consist of stereo and  mono versions of their albums from the master tapes for the first time as well as a ton of alternate takes and live shows. I can't wait.

The Society - High & Mighty

I just love this kind of primitive, pre-LSD psychedelia. From the sound of things, I'm guessing they were still mainly playing covers of the hits of the day at local dances yet, with all that was happening in the 60s and maybe having smoked some pot from time to time, were beginning to expand their musical horizons.
Richard & The Young Lions - You Can Make It

One of the best shows I've ever seen in my life has to be the Richard & The Young Lions show at Maxwells about 8 years ago. Richard Tepp, their lead singer (who has since passed away) was so sickly and frail that he literally had to be helped on and off the stage but once he got behind the mike, he sang, ranted, raved and shouted like he was still a kid of 16. If ever anything on this earth was a sign of Rock & Roll's rejuvenating powers, this show was it. Of their 3 singles, this was their last and, in my opinion, their best.

With a smile you took me in and showed me love again