Back From the Ipod Pt. 4

The last few days have been what spring in NYC is all about. Sunny, in the 60s, not too muggy - perfect weather for walking around or finding a favorite spot and settling in for some people watching. For me, all of these activities are much more fun with a cool soundtrack to go along with them. So once again, here are some selections from my Ipod in whatever random order Itunes decides to put them.

Roky Erickson - Bermuda

This is not the original single version which, as I remember was a good deal slower but it's a nice rendition nonetheless. LIke Brian WIlson, Roky has been to hell and back and the fact that he is still making music at this point in his life is a miracle for which I am truly grateful.

The Deflowers - I'm the One

Back in the 90s I was reviewing records for a number of small fanzines and while I don't remember who sent me this 45, I really liked this record and wrote it up whenever I could. Hopefully that might have sold an extra few copies for them although, judging by the fact that I haven't heard anything else by them since, I'm guessing probably not.
The Flatmates - I Could Be In Heaven

Back around that same time my friend TweeKid was really into the whole C86 thing and while much of that music was a little too fey for a tough-assed garagenik like myself, some of it definitely caught my attention. Subway Records' Flatmates were one of the better bands of that era. Amazon has a nice retrospective of their best stuff which is well worth picking up.

Joe Tex - I Wanna Be Free

Although Joe Tex was mainly known for his preaching style ballads, he started out as a Little Richard imitator and even later on in his career he could rock out when he wanted to. This was one of those occasions and even though this wasn't a chart hit for Joe, it's still a fine record.
The Royal Knights - I Wanna Know

Long-time readers of this blog are well aware of my fondness for mid-60s garage band sounds. This is a perfect example of what I love about it. It's not an especially memorable song, the musicianship is adequate at best and the singer can barely hit the correct notes. It's a bunch of snotty teenage kids from no place special going into the studio, giving it their all and somehow coming up with something magical despite all odds. To me, that is the real essence of what Rock and Roll is about. "...Know" has been on a few different comps including one volume of Teenage Shutdown but this particular rip is taken from Volume 3 of Norton Records' "Fort Worth Teen Scene" series which I highly recommend to anyone into garage bands.

Sonny Burgess - Itchy

This was originally recorded for Sun Records although I'm not sure if it was actually released at the time.

Roy Loney - Neat Petite

One-time member of The Flamin' Groovies, Roy went solo and released a handful of albums in the 70s and 80s. This song was always a favorite. I understand that original Groovies Roy L. and Cyril Jordan recently united with the A-Bones backing them down at Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans. Must've been totally amazing.

The Neanderthals - Rock The Universe

I've seen these guys a few times (although not in a few years) and they were never less than total drunken fun even when I hadn't had a drop. These guys never forget that when people come to their shows, they just want to forget their cares and cut loose. 3CLFS at it's best. Yee-haw!!
Bobby Marchan - Sad Sack

For the early part of his career Bobby sang with Huey Piano Smith & his Clowns. But despite cracking the Billboard Top 40 in June of 1960 with the ballad "There's Something On Your Mind", his solo career never really took off. This track was among a handful he recorded for Dial Records back in the 60s.

Fickle Pickle - Saturday

With such a stupid band name nobody could be blamed for dismissing these guys as a bad novelty act without even giving them a listen. In fact, when their album was reissued a few years ago, John from Rockit Scientist had to do some convincing to even get me to listen to it. Behind that ridiculous moniker however is a really pretty Left Banke influenced psych/pop album. Listen for yourself.

The One Way Street - See the Light

From the great state of Louisiana comes this slightly psych sounding garage rocker. From the overall vibe and sound of things, I'm guessing that a little bit of herb might have gone into the writing and recording of this little gem.
The Chevelles - She Don't Come Around

Since the late 70s Australia has spawned a number of really top notch power pop bands and The Chevelles are among the best. They actually played a show with the Stems at Maxwells in Hoboken, New Jersey last year and it was a night nobody who was there will forget.

The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight

The Soft Boys have always had their share of cult fans and "Underwater Moonlight" is the title song from what is probably their most popular album. For a history and discography of the band, check Wikipedia.
Jerry and the Playmates - Want-a-Love You

From Tulsa, Oklahoma Jerry and Co. probably recorded this organ fueled pounder sometime in 1966. Man, I love this stuff!
John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom

Like many people of the 60s generation, I first heard "Boom Boom" when it was recorded by Eric Burdon & The Animals". Back in 1964 I don't think white teenage radio was ready for Mr. Hooker.
Nick Lowe - What's Shakin' On The Hill

I saw Nick Lowe in concert a few months ago, just him and an acoustic guitar. While I was used to hearing him with a full band backing him up, listening to NL on his own made me realize just how clever and insightful so many of his songs are. While he's just put out a 2-disc best-of, his original albums from the late 70s and 80s remain out of print for the most part which is a damn shame.

My baby's got a touch of class

Confederacy of Dunces

Every so often I come across something that is too good to keep to myself, something that needs to be shared so that in it's own small way it can perhaps make the world a more agreeable place for those who care to check it out. In this case that something is a book I just finished reading: "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole. While Mr. Toole's style is definitely his own, he does share a healthy sense of the absurd and a somewhat skeptical worldview with some of my favorite authors like Carl Hiassen, Tom Robbins and Kurt Vonnegut. And, like these authors, he conveys that sense without resorting to silliness or being too obvious or preachy about it. Sadly, Mr. Toole committed suicide in 1969 at the age of 32 so this is his only book. In addition to the tragedy of anyone feeling so despondent that suicide seems to be the only answer, it is also sad to think of what the world lost as he would have no doubt become one of the premier authors of our time. But that tragedy doesn't take away from the fact that "A Confederacy of Dunces" is one of the funniest books I have ever read and one I am happy to recommend to all of my fellow bloggers. And now onto the music.

Apples in Stereo - The Rainbow

Here in NYC today it is sunny, about 65 degrees, flowers are beginning to bloom and the Yankees have won 2 in a row. So spring is definitely here in all its glory and this particular song is the perfect musical accompaniment. 
Big Al Downing - Down on the Farm

Although "...Farm" is rather well known in collector circles, it didn't do all that much back in 1958 when it was first recorded. While he definitely took a huge musical cue from Little Richard, this is a fine rocker in its own right. 

Foxboro Hot Tubs - The Pedestrian

By now it is fairly common knowledge that Foxboro Hot Tubs are really Green Day in their garage alter egos. I always think twice about posting anything by a popular major label band but I am doing so here in hopes that listening to this will encourage some of you garage heads out there to check out their album which came out last year. To me this more than holds its own when played next to anything by favorite modern-day garage bands like The Lyres, The Woggles  or The Swinging Neckbreakers.

Nolan Porter - Ooh Baby

Until I discovered it on a Kent Records compilation I had never heard this particular record before. But it certainly sounds like it had hit potential and would've sounded fabulous blasting out of car radios in 1965 or 66 when, I'm guessing it was recorded. 

The Kinks - Rosey Won't You Please Come Home

"Rosey..." is taken from one of my all time favorite Kinks albums, "Face to Face".  Up to that point their albums were basically just collections of songs but "Face..." has a distinct stylistic unity and really shows Ray Davies' maturity as a songwriter and storyteller.

The Huntingtons - You Better Mend Your Ways

With their Beatlesque harmony vocals, these guys definitely don't typify what has come to be known as the Northwest sound of the 60s. But, hailing form Tacoma, Washington they were definitely part of the NW musical scene at the time. For anyone interested, this is taken from the Trip in Tyme Vol. 4 comp. 
Lil' Bob & The Lollipops - Agent Double O Soul

If I had a time machine, I'd definitely be taking a trip to the early-mid 60s in Lafayette Louisiana to check out Lil' Bob and Co. wherever they were playing. Listening to them on record I can only imagine how exciting and fun they must have been live. 

Miles Davis - Milestones

Like John Coltrane (who also played on this session) and Duke Ellington, Miles Davis' influence goes far beyond the world of Jazz. Ten years or so after this was recorded (1958) Miles would revolutionize the Jazz, Rock and R&B world with "Bitches Brew", his unique fusion of all three genres into something completely new. But for me, this is the Miles I like best. The album this is taken from, "Milestones" and his next one"Kind of Blue" are regarded as stone classics by just about anyone with an interest in Jazz or American music of the 20th century.

Mose Allison - Your Molecular Structure

While Mose does not have the same stature as Miles in the Jazz world, he is still one of my favorite artists. Like JK Toole as described above, his lyrics and wry understated vocals convey an appreciation of the absurdities of this world. Someone once said that he sings "with a twinkle in his eye" and that's about as apt a description of his style as I've ever heard. And he's also a wonderful piano player as well as you can hear on this track.  

The Sands of Time - Come Back Little Girl

I'm pretty sure I've posted at least one other song off of the "Crude P.A." from which this song comes. Funny how at the time it came out, I didn't appreciate that particular compilation as much as I do now. Listening to this song, as much as I like it, I can't help but wonder how much better it would've been if they would actually have sung into the microphone.

Shirley Matthews - Big Town Boy

I remember hearing this song on the radio when I was a kid back in the early 60s, probably on WINS. Upon checking my Joel Witburn Billboard Charts book I was surprised to learn that it never even cracked the top 100. Too bad as it's a damn fine record. 
The Spaniels -Play It Cool

In Doo Wop circles The Spaniels are regarded as almost God-like and their records such as "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight" and "Baby It's You" among others, are rightly seen as vocal group classics. But like many Doo Woppers, they also had a more raucous R&B side to them as well, and "Play It Cool" is a perfect example of that.
Augustana - I Still Ain't Over You

I first heard Augustana last summer on a road trip when a friend played me a CD-R he put together of newer pop/rock bands he thought I'd like. On the basis of the 2 or 3 songs I heard that day I went out and bought both of their albums and I don't regret it. Featuring a commercially crafted Power Pop sound their songs resonate with a warm humanity that I find so easy to relate to. According to Wikipedia, this is their most recent single from late 2008.
The Magic Plants - I'm A Nothing

Over the years this song has appeared on a number of garage comps and has come to be regarded as a garage classic. My guess is that original copies of this record, if one can be found at all, are going for close to 4 figures at this point. 
Major Lance - Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um

From 1963 to 1970 Major Lance was no stranger to the charts with 12 records that made it to the Billboard Top 100. This was his biggest hit, rocketing all the way up to number 5 in the early months of 1964.

Gary Lewis &The Playboys - She's Just My Style

Speaking of chart successes Gary L & Co. had their fair share as well, even making it to number one with their very first single "This Diamond Ring". "...Style" was always my favorite of all their records getting as high as number 3 in early 1966. Consumer note: Collector's Choice is coming out with a 2-disc package of all their 45s, complete with B-sides. In many cases the flipsides were just as good as the hit so if you are at all a fan of these guys, this might be well worth checking out here.

Take a look and see if you like it

It's Baseball Season!!!

Baseball Season 2009 is finally underway and from my moniker I guess it's not too hard to tell where my loyalties lie. After an incredible spring the Bombers didn't look too terrific the other day against Baltimore but I remain optimistic nonetheless. After all, in 1998 when they had their best year ever they went 0-4 to start the season. CC Sabathia was less than stellar and there was some sloppy playing all around but I think they have the makings of a great team that could go all the way. Their pitching staff, both the starters and in the bullpen, is strong and they have a nice mix of proven veterans and hot prospects. Like many Yankee fans I have grown somewhat tired of ARod and his drama and it will be interesting to see what they can do with Cody Ransom playing third base. I think it is going to be a fun year.

The Beach Boys - Forever

"Fovever", written by Dennis Wilson, is  from "Sunflower" which has always been one of my favorite Beach Boys albums. Whatever I can say about this lovely ballad doesn't begin to do it justice, so just stop reading and listen to it. 
The Bluestars - Social End Product

I first heard "...Product" when it was covered by The Chesterfield Kings on (if I'm not mistaken) their "Don't Open 'Till Doomsday" LP.  This is the original from the mid-60s. Over the past 10 years there have been a number of comps issued covering the mid-60s Australian and New Zealand garage scene and (not too) surprisingly there was a world of incredible music from down under just waiting to be discovered. For more info you might want to check here or here. 

Dwight Yoakam - Same Fool

DY is one of a new breed of Country singers with a pronounced Rock and Roll sensibility to his music, even going so far as to cover songs by Cheap Trick and The Clash. He has close to 20 albums out (maybe even more - I've lost count) and for fans like me every one is worth owning. Newbies may want to start with his Greatest Hits package.  

Eddie Boyd - Come Home

Bea and Baby was a Chicago blues/R&B label in the late 60s and early 70s. Until this 2-disc retrospective was issued a few years ago I had never heard of them but that was truly my loss. Featuring some well-known artists along with a handful of unknowns, if you like this song and want to hear more, this is well worth your time and money.

The Five Keys - Ling Ting Tong

Making its Billboard chart debut on Christmas day 1954, with a background chorus of "I smokum boo" this might have been one of the first Rock and Roll records geared for the teenage market with a pot reference.  If it was I'm sure it went unnoticed by the white radio programers at the time as it actually made it up to number 28.   

Gin Blossoms - Idiot Summer

I've always thought that these guys were one of the better and more consistent power pop bands around. They remind me of  an American version of Teenage Fanclub. This is from their first album "Dusted".

Herman's Hermits - Don't Try To Hurt Me

Although Mr. Noone & Co were chart toppers back in the 60s, "real" music lovers like myself always kind of pooh-poohed them as little more than teenybopper pablum. Which doesn't mean that I didn't own a copy of "Herman's Hermits On Tour" from which this song comes. I just  didn't admit it to anyone. Luckily for everyone concerned they are finally getting the respect they deserve.

Jack Green - So Much

Although at this point in time he is regarded as little more than a footnote in the annals of pop music, Jack Green does have a nice way with a tune. The album from which this is taken, "Humanesque",  is currently out of print and someone is asking over $190 for the only copy being sold on Amazon.  It's a great album but....

Jackie DeShannon - When You Walk In The Room

Just about everyone reading this probably knows the Searchers' hit version of "....Room" but here is the original as done by its original writer. Note the Phil Spector influence.  
The Oxfords - Time And Place

From Louisville, Kentucky I sure hope these mid-60s rockers enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame. To me, this is the essence of what Rock and Roll is about. Yeah, the big hits are great and I love 'em but it's the little bits that fell between the cracks, many of which are almost totally forgotten by the original band members but are revered by a few fanatical collectors today, that get me even more excited. 
The Stones - All Down The Line

Speaking of hit makers, this supposedly comes from a proposed live album that was supposed to come out after their 1972 tour. The sound quality is a little rough for an official album but the energy of their performance comes through loud and clear.  

Sonny Rhodes - You Better Stop

As with garage bands, the world of 60s Soul is filled with snappy little records that for one reason or another, never made it much past the launching pad. A case in point is this punchy upbeat dancer recorded for the Galaxy label.

The Tell-Tale Hearts - Bye Bye Baby

Mike Stax is probably best known as being the driving force behind the "Ugly Things" fanzine but in the mid-80s he was the bass player, along with Ray Brandes, Bill Calhoun, David Clouden and Pete Miesner in this 60s retro-styled garage band.  Over the last 20+ years many bands of this type have not aged all that well but these guys managed to put it all together in such a way that still sounds fresh today. 
The Beatles - Think for Yourself (Dr Ebbets mono)

The stereo mix for "Rubber Soul" is one of the worst abominations ever in popular music, with the vocals all the way on one side and the instruments on the other. Ugh! Luckily for us there is Dr. Ebbets who not only remixed the stereo version of this album and made it listenable but also served up a punchy mono version as well. I just read that in September of this year EMI is releasing all of their albums newly remixed in both stereo and mono. If they are smart they'll hire the good Doctor to do that remixing.   

Grandpaboy - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Grandpaboy is really ex-Replacement Paul Westerberg and here he turns in a stirring version of Hank William's classic. Next to the original of course, the best rendition of "...Lonesome.." I ever heard was when Patti Smith sang it at a free concert in Hoboken in 1996. Nonetheless, Paul really gets to the heart of it in his own starkly strung-out fashion.
The Kindred Spirit - Under My Thumb

To the best of my knowledge this version of The Stone's "Under My Thumb" has not been reissued on any commercially available compilation although it has circulated on a few privately pressed CD-Rs over the years. On first listen it doesn't sound like anything special but the geeky nerdiness of the singer and the 

unprofessionalism of the production in general soon exudes its own charm.

I've got more important things to think about than you 

I'm Baaaaaack!

I know it's been awhile and I can't blame anyone who's given up on me and stopped checking in. Truth be told, there was no one reason I haven't been posting. Ennui, procrastination, other things on my mind and whatever else all had something to do with it but each time I'd think about doing another post, I'd just end up doing something else. Not much is happening on the job front. My severance ran out as of around March 7 but luckily I have some money saved up and I will continue to get medical insurance thru Cobra.  Over the last few weeks I have noticed a few more Cobol jobs being posted but they have yet to turn into any actual interviews and I am seriously thinking about possible alternative careers. But enough about all that, let's get to what you came here for, mainly the music.

The Diplomats - Don't Bug Me

I'd never heard this record before until I got it on a Minit Records comp a few months ago but, being the fan of upbeat 60s soul that I am, this has been getting a lot of Ipod play lately. If anyone knows of an original for sale or trade, please get in touch.

The Argyles - White Lightnin'

Back in 1966 these young Texans recorded this stompin' version of the old George Jones favorite. By the sound of things, they might have had more than a little of that White Lightnin' in the recording studio at the time.
Bo Diddley - Bo Meets The Monster

I'm willing to bet that this was recorded mainly to cash in on the horror movie craze of the late-50s/early-60s but underneath all the gimmicks, this is pure Bo.  
Bobby Sherman - Hey Little Girl 

Before he was a chart-topping big star in the late 60s, Bobby was a regular on Shindig and I'm guessing that this was recorded around 1965 to try and take advantage of that exposure. It didn't do much for his career at the time but it's a really nice pop record nonetheless.

The Brogues - I Ain't No Miracle Worker

I never heard "...Miracle Worker" back in the day, but with it's "It-Ain't-Me-Babe" vibe, this is pure proto-typical mid-60s folk rock at its best. 

The Del-Mars - Snacky Poo

I don't know if there ever actually was a dance called the Snacky Poo but it really doesn't matter. Total care-free, mindless fun is what's in store here. 
The Lazy Cowgirls - Another Lost Cause

Through the years The Lazy Cowgirls have always been one of my favorite bands. Here they take a song which could be a serious downer in lesser hands and turn it into a celebration. 
The Monkees - Take a Giant Step

This was originally the flipside of "Last Train to Clarksville" but I actually always liked this song better. I love that little fill someone (I'm sure it's not Mickey Dolenz, the alleged drummer of the group)  does on the bass drum about 1:40 into the song.
Mickey Dolenz - Don't Do It

Speaking of Mickey Dolenz, this was something he recorded in his pre-Monkee days. While it's nothing you haven't heard before it's still a nice garagey rocker. 
Tim Tiny - I've Gotta Find Someone

I've got to admit that until I got the "$15,000 Worth of Rockabilly" comp from which this comes I'd never heard of Mr. Tiny before. Which is actually kind of a shame because he has a better than average voice and with the right production and promotion he could've been "somebody". 

The Stones - The Last Time

This is from their live show in Honolulu in July of 1966 which is about 1 month after I saw them at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in NYC. Except that the show I was at had to be stopped after 3 or 4 songs as the fans (girls and guys alike) kept rushing the stage.
Ruby Johnson - No No No

Although she may never have made a big name for herself, Ruby Johnson is well known and loved by soul fans around the world. And what's not to love? Gritty, passionate southern-style soul at it's best.

Senseless Things - Passions Out Of Town

Back in the early-mid 90s I honestly thought that these guys, along with the Mega City 4, had a chance of taking the Rock and roll world by storm. Intense, intelligent, tuneful 1977-style punk without that self-conscious, anti-social outrage that sometimes made the original punks a bit hard to take seriously. It never happened the way I thought but a lot of damn fine music was left in their wake.  

Squire - Walking Down King's Road

Getting back to that Monkees connection one more time, if Dolenz, Nesmith & Co. had been British Mods in the early 80s, they might have sounded like this. And that is by no means a bad thing.

The Unrelated Segments - Where You Gonna Go?

After "Where You Gonna Go" appeared on the "Journey to Tyme" LP comp back in 1982 it quickly became a favorite of garage-heads everywhere. And 25-plus years later it's still gets the adrenaline pumping just a little bit faster every time it gets played. 

Sonny Rollins - St Thomas

One of the best concerts I have ever seen in my life was a free show that Sonny Rollins gave at the park at Lincoln Center one summer night in 1998. The place was packed and even though at no time was I ever closer than a few hundred feet from the stage, it remains one of the most intense musical experiences I have ever had. 

A shadow, a feeling deep in my mind

The 45.2 Minute Workout

It's been awhile since I've posted here and the truth is that I've just been lazy. But I'm turning over a new leaf now. Although it may still be cold outside the warm weather is not all that far off. Pretty soon it will be t-shirt and bikini time. And as this winter has lasted for what seems like forever, many of us may have put on an ounce or two. So, as a public service and because no one wants to look at a bunch of flabby bodies, I've provided the 45.2 minute workout. Think of it as YankeeBoy's version of 'Sweating to the Oldies'. So get up offa that couch and shake that funky groove thang!   

King Coleman - The Boo Boo Song Pt. 1

I realize that I already posted this song back in October but it seemed like such a perfect way to start this playlist that I figured 'what the hell'. Either that or I totally forgot that I had previously posted this song until a few minutes ago. 

Billy Ocean - Love Really Hurts Without You

I'm pretty sure that this was Billy's first single back in 1976. He went on to have a whole slew of hits in the 80s but this Motown soundalike is definitely where my interest in him begins and ends.
Bobby Bennett - You're Ready Now

With Northern Soul being the rage in England for the last 30 years it comes as no surprise that they have their share of home grown talent. This track comes from a Goldmine Soul Supply compilation of British soul records.

Billy Butler - The Right Track

Billy recorded a number of tracks for Okeh Records in Chicago that are now rightly regarded as Northern Soul classics. "Right Track" has been included on a number of NS compilations over the years. 
Chubby Checker - The Twist

This is probably the all-time ultimate dance record. Back when it came out it seemed that the whole world was twisting up a storm. I remember one Thanksgiving when I was about 9 or 10 watching some program on TV and every half hour Chubby would come on and give twisting lessons. In it's way and for a short time the whole twist craze was actually more popular than The Beatles would be a few years later. Of course The Beatles defined a generation. It was us young hip folks against the older generation of squares who just didn't get it. But back in the much more innocent early 1960s, literally everyone was twisting, young and old. I think even my parents might have tried a twist or two.  

Dr. Feelgood - Baby Jane

Even Johns & The H-Bombs - Rollin' Through the Night

While each of these bands got their start and learned their craft on different continents, it's pretty obvious that they are both coming from the same place musically. Sun Rockabilly and Chess Blues nurtured by a steady diet of 3-chord loud and fast Rock & Roll. It work every time. 
Joe 'King' Carasco - Caca De Vaca

I saw Joe with his band the Crowns a few times in the late 70s and they never failed to get the whole house dancing like lunatics. I always thought they should have been more popular than they were but for whatever reason they never really broke through.    

Little Carl Carlton - Competition Ain't Nothin'

Carl had a Top 10 hit in 1974 with his cover of Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love" but this was his first chart entry back in 1968, making it to number 75 on Billboard's Top 100.   
Chris Clark - Do I Love You

I'm not sure which one was recorded first but Chris' has the same backing track as the more notorious (i.e expensive) version by Frank Wilson. Both are great and I can't imagine why one of them wasn't at least a minor hit.   
The Contours - First I Look at the Purse

This used to be a favorite at the Empire State Soul Club dances and it's just as infectious today as it was back then. And who knows, with the economy being what it is these days, these may be words to live by.    
Sam the Sham & The Pharohs - I've Got A Voodoo Doll

"...Voodoo Doll"was, as far as I know, only an album track and never released as a single. But it has all of the ingredients that made their records so irresistible.   

The Standells - Dirty Water

To me, "Dirty Water" was the quintessential garage record with it's 1-4-5 chord structure, pounding beat and snarly vocals. I still have my original copy on the brown Tower Records label and although I've played it to death, this is one record I'll never grow tired of.
The DC5 - Concentration Baby

This is one of the DC5's later b-sides although it went quite unnoticed at the time as, by 1967, they were generally considered to be passe. Nonetheless, it's a great dancer and one that I can imagine The Fleshtones covering and doing a great job of.  
The Sonics - Money

Set the amps to 11 and let 'er rip. From the very beginning that's what the Sonics were all about and once you've achieved perfection, there's no need to ever change. I sorely regret missing them at last years' Cavestomp but I've seen some of the videos on Youtube and they were simply incredible.

The Soul Survivors - Shakin' With Linda

According to the garage database there were at least 4 bands calling themselves the Soul Survivors back in the 60s and this particular bunch came from Pittsburgh. I've always loved their version of the old Isley Brothers classic.  
The Lyres - Help You Ann

"..Ann" has always been one of The Lyres' best known records, even making it onto Rhino's "Children of Nuggets" box a few years ago. The Lyres had their own unique sound and this song is them at their best.

To swing and dance where the swingers swung

Less Talk More Music Pt. 3

Once again there's not a whole lot to report on in YankeeBoy land. Winter is definitely beginning to wear out its welcome but the good news is that Spring Training is right around the corner. One has to wonder though, with things being in the state that they're in, will there be anyone left who can actually afford to go to the new high priced stadiums here in New York. But that's another conversation for another time. For now I am sick of the economy, sick of job hunting, sick of thinking about job hunting and sick of talking about it.  So enough of this  - let's get to the music.

 

The Couriers - Feelings

This track comes off a comp called "Crude P.A." and crude it certainly is. Basically we're talking about yet another variation on  "Louie Louie" with a slightly different melody and new lyrics. Not that there's anything wrong with that. No siree.  

Dan Kibler - So Wendy Says

Last Sunday I went to my friends annual Anti-Superbowl party. It's one of the few things that makes the post-holidays winter tolerable as I get to hang out with friends I that I don't see as often as I used to. At one point my friend Wendy said that, with the exception of the Beach Boys song, there just aren't any really good Wendy songs out there. So Wendy, if you're out there, this one's for you. 
Bobby Freeman - Little Girl Don't You Understand

"Little Girl..." is your basic Chuck Berry/Little Richard influenced late 50s rocker. While it may never have been very 'innovative' or 'new', it still shakes some serious ass. 

The Kinks - Low Budget

A friend mentioned to me recently how he heard this song for the first time in a few years and how it really was quite relevant to these times. He's certainly right on that account. Ray Davies' understated sense of humor gets the point across without sounding pedantic.  
Len Barry - I Struck It Rich

Here's a little blue-eyed Northern Soul from the former lead singer of the Dovells. It was even a minor hit for Len, making it to number 98 on Billboard's Top 100 in September of 1966. 

Bob Dylan - Boogie Woogie Country Girl
Lou Reed - This Magic Moment

These 2 songs are being lumped together because they both come from the long out-of-print Doc Pomus tribute album. I've always loved Dylan's take on Joe Turner's hit and Lou Reed takes this old pop standard to places it's never been before or since. The list of records and artists that Doc Pomus was involved with goes on forever. I was lucky enough to spend a little time with him near the end of his life and he was always a gentleman with great stories to tell.

The Original Sins - Not Gonna Be All Right

The Sins were definitely one of the bright lights of the East Coast garage scene in the 80s and 90s. There was a point when it seemed that JT was writing songs in his sleep, so plentiful was his output. "...Alright" is from their first album "Big Soul", which I see is now out-of-print and selling for $40 on Amazon. Ouch!   
Big Boy Pete - Sheer Lunacy

The story is that BBP recorded a whole slew of songs, at least 2 albums worth, back in the mid-late 60s, most of which never saw the light of day. I hadn't heard of him until his music started being reissued about 5 or so years ago. This is from my favorite period of British psych, that short time when bands were just beginning to experiment but had yet to start to take themselves too seriously and get 'progressive'. 
The O'Jays - Deeper - In Love With You

"Deeper..." was recorded in the late 60s, a few years before they had all of those records on Philadelphia International. This too was a Gamble/Huff production, although with a grittier sound than their later hits.     
The Vertebrats - Left In The Dark

A little bit of power pop from the early 80's, although this has a few more rough edges than much of the skinny tie music being produced at the time. Fans of "Tim" era Replacements will surely like this. 
William Walker&The Ray O-Vacs - Party Time

This was totally unknown, at least to me, until it was reissued a few years ago on the "Black Huthia Cuthia" comp. Loud and crude with all the subtlety of  a bullet in the head, this is meant to be cranked up LOUD.

John Coltrane - Greensleeves

"Greensleeves" is an old folk songs that many of us have been hearing since childhood. I never thought of it as a vehicle for an extended jazz piece but then again I don't possess the genius of John Coltrane. Coltrane and his band, especially pianist McCoy Tyner, take this simple melody and turn it inside out in more ways than anyone could have dreamed possible. 

They're a size 28 but I take 34

This, That and a Little Bit of the Other

There's not much new going on in Yankee Boy land these days. Unemployment is playing absolute havoc with my sleep patterns and as I am somewhat of a compulsive overeater, that makes it harder to maintain any kind of healthy food diet. I still keep in contact with my old manager from my last job and every time we speak he tells me of more people that I know who are no longer with the bank, having been laid off. They keep calling this a recession but it's starting to feel more like a full-fledged depression to me.  A friend of mine said that instead of bailing out Wall Street who it seems are using much of that money to give themselves bonuses despite their lousy performance, we should give that money to all the crack heads and junkies out there. At least we know that they will spend the money and put it back into the economy which can certainly use the influx of cash. Maybe he's onto something. 

The Sonics - Psycho

Leading things off this go round is a pounding classic that is a favorite of just about any garage music fan out there. Many of you probably already have this record on one compilation or another but it's always fun to hear one more time. 
Aerosmith - Shame, Shame, Shame

Smiley Lewis' New Orleans standard has been covered by a number of artists over the years but this is the most flat-out rockin'est version I've heard yet. From their overlooked "Honkin' on Bobo" album.

Blondie - Look Good In Blue

Here's another song that most visitors to this blog have likely heard many times. For some reason I woke up singing it a few days ago so here it is. 
Bo Diddley - 'Deed & 'Deed I Do

This is one of Bo's lesser known efforts on which he is backed by a vocal group, probably labelmates The Moonglows. 

Bobby Moore's Rhythm Aces - Chained To Your Heart

Although I'd never heard this record until fairly recently, it's quickly become a favorite. Despite it's tailor-made Northern Soul beat I think that copies can be found fairly cheaply. Check Gemm Music if you're so moved.

The Epics - Louie Come Home

How many thousands of garage bands were inspired by "Louie Louie" to write and record their own 1-4-5-chord masterpieces? Here's one more in all it's scratchy glory.
The Finkers - Up To You

I'm not sure if Dom Mariani was involved with this record in any way but this Australian combo sounds like they definitely took a page from the Stems/DM3 book of Power Pop.  I don't know if it was originally released as a single (I'm guessing it was) but I got it off of the "Lost Weekend" comp which is now, unfortunately, out of print. 
Home & Abroad - Alison (Please Don't Fall)

"Alison..." is another record that my friend TweeKid turned me onto back in the 90s. I love this guy's voice. They released a few 45s and a cassette back in the day and I'm hoping that the master tapes still exist and that someone eventually puts everything out on CD as I have never heard a copy of this 45 without a fair amount of background noise.

Willie Tee - Walking Up A One-Way Street

I saw Willie Tee at a soul revue a few summers ago and his voice is still in fine form. This mid-tempo stroller was as close as he came to a hit back in 1965.

Los Baby Rocks - Me Nena

It's no secret that south of the border, just like in the US, crazy-assed Rock & Roll reigned supreme back in the late 50s and throughout most of the 60s. Over the years I've heard a few versions of Ron Holden's "My Babe" but this is the wildest one yet.   
The Meteors - Dance Crazy Baby

Speaking of insane crazy Rock & Roll, I've always been partial to The Meteors who manage to combine the rebellious spirit and basic sound of Rockabilly with the pumped-up angry energy of Punk better than just about anyone.   
The Greenhornes - Satisfy My Mind

The first time I saw The Greenhornes they were playing CBGBs on a bill that included The Mooney Suzuki and The Swingin' Neckbreakers and, not to take away anything from the other bands, they totally stole the show. Listening to this years later it's not hard to see why. 
The Primitives - Let Them Tell

There's nothing very original about The Primitives. The wailing harp, the snotty vocals and the double speed tempo are all de rigueur for  British R&B bands circa 1965. But that's precisely the point. So excuse me while I go put on "The Rolling Stones Now".
Doc Starkes - Love Me Like Crazy

"Crazy uhh!! Baby yeah!!" If this ain't a love song I don't know what is. I was going to save this for my next 3CLFS post but it seemed to fit in pretty well here so what the hell.

The Rich Kids - Ghosts of Princes In Towers

When Glen Matlock left the Sex Pistols, voluntarily or not, he hooked up with some guys who could actually play their instruments. I didn't pay the RKs much mind at the time but over the last 30 years (my God, has it really been that long ?!?!) this has aged quite well.      
Sounds Unlimited - Why Doesn't She Believe Me

According to the Garage Database there were at least 4 bands calling themselves Sounds Unlimited back in the mid-60s. These particular Sounds came from Hialeah, Florida. When I used to DJ this record could always be depended on to get the crowd off their butts.  

The New Pornograpphers - It's Only Divine Right

These guys have made 3 albums so far and as far as I am concerned, they are all must-owns for any power pop fan. This song in particular has always been a favorite with that gorgeous melody, those Left Banke styled vocals propelled along by a peppy backbeat and some nice guitar playing. For me this is heaven.

I'll give you some head and shoulders to lie on