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