The Good Guys Win, THE GOOD GUYS WIN!!!!

Now that the elections are over, it's time to give a sigh of relief and a shout for joy. So much has been written about the historical significance of this election that I don't feel it's necessary to go into all that here. Make no mistake, there are still going to be some tough times ahead. Eight years of George Bush and his cronies have left this country in a really big mess, both at home and abroad. President elect Obama is inheriting a truckload of problems and it's going to take awhile for him just to sort through it all and undo the damage. But right now, today is a day for celebration. So no sad songs on this day. No broken hearts, no two-timing lovers, no weary blues from waitin'. Today we've got blue skies, Rock & Roll, dancing, and love that's true blue and lasts forever.

 
The Monkees - Good Clean Fun

"The pain is finally down as the engines start their sound". A little countrified pop written by Mike Nesmith, it's the sound of a man realizing where and with whom he belongs. Not a bad thing for anybody.   

George Strait - Blue Clear Sky

George Strait has been a fixture in the C&W world for a long time. It's a world that I must admit I know little about. But just like that old saying goes "I don't know much about art but I know what I like", this song just makes me feel good.

Barbara Greene - Long Tall Sally

While no one can match the original for sheer zaniness, Barbara Greene gives it all she's got and more than holds her own. Of course, that crazy bass vocal in the background helps quite a bit. 

Billy Lee Riley - Flyin' Saucers Rock & Roll

Talk about classic Sun records with any Rockabilly fan and it's almost guaranteed that "Flyin' Saucers..." will come up in the conversation. And why not as this record's got it all - loud guitars, pounding beat and a frantic vocal - not to mention little green Martians. 

Merrill Moore - House of Blue Lights

Mixing elements of Jazz, Boogie Woogie and Western Swing with a Rock and Roll rhythm his sound is easily identifiable. Although his was not the original version, HOBL, which has been recorded by a number of different artists from The Andrews Sisters to George Thorogood, is one of his better known recordings. He remained active in music, playing clubs and parties up until his death in 2000.

DDDBM&T - I'm On The Up

When compared to some of their contemporaries, DD & Co's. output is sometimes considered pretty lightweight. For the most part their early records are upbeat feel-good affairs that make no attempt at social significance. I often find myself thinking of them as a 60s version of the Bay City Rollers, and that's a good thing. 

The El Capris - Oh But She Did

There's nothing like a little up-tempo doo wop to put me in a good mood.  Despite the fact that he thought she'd never leave him but 'oh but she did', he really doesn't sound too broken up about it. 
Etta James - Tough Lover

Although Ms. James is mostly known for her mid-late 60s soul hits on the Chess family of labels, her career spans a half century and she is still performing today. 'Tough Lover" is one of her earlier sides recorded for the Modern label in the mid-50s. 
The Boys - First Time

"First Time" is about....well, the first time (nudge nudge wink wink). There's nothing like some adrenaline and testosterone fueled pop-punk to get the blood flowing. This is from their first self-titled album which remains one of my favorite albums of the 70s British punk era. 

The Hoodoo Gurus - (Let's All) Turn On

Here's another track from the first Hoodoo Gurus album. I'm not sure how popular they were/are in their native Australia but unfortunately in this country they are known to only a fairly select few, despite having been on a few major labels.  
Johnny Allen - The Promised Land

Just as it's hard to do a bad version of a Chuck Berry song, it's also kind of difficult to take one and really make it your own. But here Johnny Allen does just that, adding a down home zydeco flavor while still maintaining a nice level of energy. Don't you just love that accordion solo?  
The Kinks - Till The End Of The Day

This has got to be one of my favorite records ever, a true desert island disc. No matter how bad things get, this simple ode to feeling good to be alive, always reminds me of what's really important. 
The Marvelows - I Do

Speaking of feeling good, this song, with possibly the catchiest refrain ever, is another guaranteed mood uplifter. Which is probably why The Marelows made the Billboard Top 40 in the summer of 1965 for the first and last time.    
The Tempests - Look Away

Like many garage music fans I first heard this song on the fantastic "Riot City" comp, which for sheer dumb fun remains one of the best party platters ever. The Swingin' Neckbreakers also do a great version of this song in a medley with Bunker Hill's "The Girl Can't Dance". I'll have to post it sometime.

The Chiffons - I Have a Boyfriend

Aah, true love. I met my boyfriend a week ago, we're going to get married, stay in love for always and live happily ever after. If only it really were that simple.
Tim Tam and The Turn-Ons - Wait A Minute

Many times I've travelled home from work in a totally crappy mood, after having the worst day ever when this song would come on my Ipod (or Walkman) and by the third line, with those pounding drums and piano chords kicking in, I'm grinning like a kid in a candy store. A perfect blend of garage and doo wop.

Lulu - I'll Come Running Over

Lulu's voice has always had that peculiar twang that can sometimes put people (i.e. me) off a bit. But on this mid-60s beat stomper she's just perfect. It was also done by some US garage band and while their version is OK, hers is definitely the one.  
The 5,6,7,8's - (I'm Sorry Mama)I'm a Wild One

It's been a number of years but I used to see these ladies play live fairly often and their shows were always loads of fun. At first they were not all that accomplished on their instruments but being Japanese, cute and into good music, they totally charmed their (mostly male) audiences. Over the next few years they improved a lot musically but still maintained their charm and Rock and Roll spark.
Los Milos - Lucila

To close out the proceedings this time, we go south of the border for this fun fun fun version of Little Richard's "Lucille". I love those background vocals and especially, the horn playing on the break. 

She looks like a great big horse