Jewel Akens - Tic Tac Toe
This was the flip side of Jewel's big hit "The Birds and The Bees" but I actually like this song better.
This was the flip side of Jewel's big hit "The Birds and The Bees" but I actually like this song better.
Jalla Jalla - Minnesota Plates
Back in the early 90's when I was writing record reviews under the name The Platterpuss, I read an article in the fanzine "Noise For Heroes" about the music scene in Finland. I wrote a letter to one of the labels featured in the article, Hiljaiset Levyt Records, and received a nice package of CDs, LPs and 45s. There was a ton of terrific stuff in that package but this 45 was definitely the standout.
Back in the early 90's when I was writing record reviews under the name The Platterpuss, I read an article in the fanzine "Noise For Heroes" about the music scene in Finland. I wrote a letter to one of the labels featured in the article, Hiljaiset Levyt Records, and received a nice package of CDs, LPs and 45s. There was a ton of terrific stuff in that package but this 45 was definitely the standout.
Head & The Hares - One Against The World
Back in the 80's and early 90's the garage punk revival scene was in full swing and many of the bands of that era were making music that was as vital as that of their original 60's inspirations. Head & The Hares' music was a bit more introspective and not quite as wild as that of their contemporaries like The Chesterfield Kings and The Lyres but it still holds up really well today.
Glen Campbell - About The Ocean
By now most of you readers know that Glen Campbell is sadly nearing the end of his career, having been diagnosed with Alzheimers last year. In his prime, there was no one who could evoke that feeling of gentle wistfullness the way he did. Like many of his best songs, "About the Ocean" was written by Jimmy Webb and can be found on his "Reunion" album.
Back in the 80's and early 90's the garage punk revival scene was in full swing and many of the bands of that era were making music that was as vital as that of their original 60's inspirations. Head & The Hares' music was a bit more introspective and not quite as wild as that of their contemporaries like The Chesterfield Kings and The Lyres but it still holds up really well today.
Glen Campbell - About The Ocean
By now most of you readers know that Glen Campbell is sadly nearing the end of his career, having been diagnosed with Alzheimers last year. In his prime, there was no one who could evoke that feeling of gentle wistfullness the way he did. Like many of his best songs, "About the Ocean" was written by Jimmy Webb and can be found on his "Reunion" album.
Jackie Moore - Precious, Precious
Back in late 1970 Jackie hit the Billboard charts with this slow burner, eventually cracking the Top 30. I never get tired of this song.
Back in late 1970 Jackie hit the Billboard charts with this slow burner, eventually cracking the Top 30. I never get tired of this song.
The Menace - You Don't Even Wink Your Eye
This is perhaps my favorite record of this post. I tend to think of this track as the best song the Hollies never recorded. The Menace were a Hong Kong band back in the mid 60's. To the best of my knowledge they recorded a few singles and an album for the HK based Diamond label. Unfortunately, original copies of this 45 are pretty scarce and this low-quality mp3 is all that exists - for now anyway. These guys are apparently still friends and get together every so often to make music. And they still sound damn good. Check out this video from 2007.
This is perhaps my favorite record of this post. I tend to think of this track as the best song the Hollies never recorded. The Menace were a Hong Kong band back in the mid 60's. To the best of my knowledge they recorded a few singles and an album for the HK based Diamond label. Unfortunately, original copies of this 45 are pretty scarce and this low-quality mp3 is all that exists - for now anyway. These guys are apparently still friends and get together every so often to make music. And they still sound damn good. Check out this video from 2007.
Tico & The Triumphs - Noise
This is just one of many teen pop records written and recorded by Paul Simon in his pre-S&G days.
This is just one of many teen pop records written and recorded by Paul Simon in his pre-S&G days.
The Lazy Cowgirls - Loretta
While there is nothing that original going on here, when it comes to Stooges/Dolls influenced 3-chord Punk 'n' Roll, few do it better than these guys.
Little Jimmy Rivers & The Tops - Puppy Love
I've always been a total sucker for that kiddie lead vocal doo wop sound and this is definitely one of the best examples.
While there is nothing that original going on here, when it comes to Stooges/Dolls influenced 3-chord Punk 'n' Roll, few do it better than these guys.
Little Jimmy Rivers & The Tops - Puppy Love
I've always been a total sucker for that kiddie lead vocal doo wop sound and this is definitely one of the best examples.
The Rolling Stones - Twenty Flight Rock
There are some folks who say that the Stones exemplify everything that is so cool and wonderful about Rock & Roll and I am definitely one of those people. I saw them back in 2005 and the energy and fire was still there in spades. This was recorded on their US tour in 1981.
There are some folks who say that the Stones exemplify everything that is so cool and wonderful about Rock & Roll and I am definitely one of those people. I saw them back in 2005 and the energy and fire was still there in spades. This was recorded on their US tour in 1981.
Blue Ash - Abracadabra (Have You Seen Her)
Back in 1973, when disco and singer-songwriters reigned supreme, Blue Ash released their first album " No More No Less" on Mercury Records. Needless to say, at the time it went nowhere but today it is regarded as a powerpop classic.
Back in 1973, when disco and singer-songwriters reigned supreme, Blue Ash released their first album " No More No Less" on Mercury Records. Needless to say, at the time it went nowhere but today it is regarded as a powerpop classic.
The Thomas Group - Autumn
Back in the mid 60's it seemed like PF Sloan could do no wrong, cranking out hit records for The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, The Turtles, and a host of others. This is one of his lesser known gems although to these ears there is no reason why it couldn't have been a hit. Anyone looking to investigate PF Sloan's music a little further might want to start here.
Back in the mid 60's it seemed like PF Sloan could do no wrong, cranking out hit records for The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, The Turtles, and a host of others. This is one of his lesser known gems although to these ears there is no reason why it couldn't have been a hit. Anyone looking to investigate PF Sloan's music a little further might want to start here.
Bonnie Raitt - I Ain't Blue
From her very first album, simply titled "Bonnie Raitt", this has always been one of my favorites. Those of you who are mostly familiar with her later recordings might be pleasantly surprised with the somewhat rougher and more organic vibe of her earlier music.
Larry Donn - Honey Bun
While not a household name by any means, Larry Donn is quite well known among fans and collectors of 50's Rockabilly. "Honey Bun" came out on the Vaden label in 1959 and I shudder to think how much original copies of this must be changing hands for at this point in time.
Jefferson Airplane - She Has Funny Cars
Back in Feb. or March of 1967 when I was a little tyke of 15, I went to EJ Korvettes with the intention of purchasing the latest album by The Young Rascals. Instead I came home with Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" and the first 13th Floor Elevators album. Life hasn't been the same since.
Everybody's gonna be there, yeah yeah yeah.
From her very first album, simply titled "Bonnie Raitt", this has always been one of my favorites. Those of you who are mostly familiar with her later recordings might be pleasantly surprised with the somewhat rougher and more organic vibe of her earlier music.
Larry Donn - Honey Bun
While not a household name by any means, Larry Donn is quite well known among fans and collectors of 50's Rockabilly. "Honey Bun" came out on the Vaden label in 1959 and I shudder to think how much original copies of this must be changing hands for at this point in time.
Jefferson Airplane - She Has Funny Cars
Back in Feb. or March of 1967 when I was a little tyke of 15, I went to EJ Korvettes with the intention of purchasing the latest album by The Young Rascals. Instead I came home with Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" and the first 13th Floor Elevators album. Life hasn't been the same since.
Everybody's gonna be there, yeah yeah yeah.
