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