Back on the Chain Gang Again

For the last 3 few weeks I have been enjoying some much-needed down time. Miracle of miracles, despite company policy against such practices, I got a renewal of my contract at the ol' pickle factory. So, for the first time since October of 2008, I had time to myself with the luxury of knowing that I had a job waiting for me on the other end. It's a nice feeling. I'm not much of a traveler so I didn't go anywhere but living in NYC there is never a shortage of things to do. Being the procrastinator that I am I only accomplished about half of the things on my to-do list but that's OK - I can always take care of some of those things tomorrow hahaha.But since I have decided to keep Time On My Hands active and I don't know when I will have the time to do another post after this week, I decided to put up a new playlist. Once again you long-term visitors to TOMH will find some repeats from earlier (and presumably dead) posts, but I've thrown in some new goodies to make it interesting for everyone.But before I get to the music, if you are up and about tonight, from 11 - midnite EST, you might want to check out the 4th edition of my "Platterpuss Rock & Roll Record Party" on Top Shelf Oldies radio.

Artful Dodger - You Know It's Alright
Back in the mid pre-punk 70's when I was starting to tire of the usual radio fare, I read a review of Artful Dodger's first album in Rolling Stone and sure enough, they were like a breath of fresh air. Of course, once punk happened they sounded kind of tame but 30-something years later they still sound pretty damn fine to me.
Carla Thomas - Same Thing
I'm not sure if this was ever a hit single for Ms. Thomas but if not it surely wasn't for a lack of quality. Upbeat and danceable with an almost Motownish feel to it I wish I would have known about this one in my DJing days.
The Gentlemen - It's A Cryin' Shame
Many long-time garageniks remember this song as being one of the highlights of Pebbles 5. Here it is in primo sound quality taken from a privately pressed CD-R .
The Relyea's - Country Boy
What a wonderful cover of Billy LaMont's "Country Boy". I must admit to being a sucker for that kiddie vocal sound.
The Groove Farm - Red Dress
I was first turned on to these guys by my friend Matthew who, at the time, went by the name Twee Kid and was totally into that whole C-86 thing. But these guys always seemed to have a bit more bite to them than many of their indie-pop cohorts. I'm pretty sure "Red Dress" is a cover but I can't place where I might have heard the original.
The Redwoods - Please Mr Scientist
I heard this record online and went straight to Gemm Music and purchased an original copy of the 45 for $40. Money well spent in my opinion. Brill Building mainstay Jeff Barry was a co-writer and may have even sung on this little gem.
Curt Boettcher - I Love You More Each Day
Before his untimely death at age 43 in 1987, Curt had been the brains and inspiration behind a whole slew of incredible singles and artists, mostly of the soft-rock and light psych variety in the late 60's and early 70's. "I Love You More Each Day" was the single from his "There's An Innocent face" album which was released by Elektra Records in 1973.
The Outasts - Long Tall Sally
This has always been a favorite of mine. While many of the records that came out in mid and late 60's Japan and lumped in under the "Group Sounds" banner are hardly worth a second listen, there are definitely some diamonds among the dreck and this demented version of Little Richard's classic is certainly one of them.
Dean Kohler - Gooseberry Pie
According to Google there actually IS something called gooseberry pie although from the pictures, it doesn't look like anything I want to try anytime soon. But that didn't stop Dean Kohler from recording this ode to his favorite confection in 1968.
The Skunks - Dance With the Fuhrer
Back in the early daze of Punk it seemed that there were no rules at all and anything was possible. I'm not sure what, if any, kind of a statement these guys were trying to make or whether they just had a weird sense of humor but "Dance..." is a pretty catchy and cool tune if you don't have to hear it too many times.
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross - Twisted
I first heard this song on a Joni Mitchell album and while our lady of the canyon did a pretty good job of it, nothing beats the original as sung by Annie Ross.
The Rayders - I Feel Fine
I'm willing to bet that even in their homeland of New Zealand these guys never saw anything approaching that mystical 15 minutes of fame. Listening to this record objectively there is almost no justification for its existence except as a cheap Fab Four cash-in. Nonetheless I find myself really enjoying this slavish imitation of one of 1964's biggest hits.
Thea Gilmore - Ever Fallen In Love
"...Love' is one of my all-time favorite songs and while this arrangement is not something I would want to hear more than occasionally, it still works somehow. Listen and judge for yourselves.
Freddie Cannon - June July & August
Ever since I bought the 45 of "Palisades Park" on Swan Records and turned it over to find this rocker gracing the b-side, it's been a summer favorite.
The Booze - Ain't It the Truth
Ah, the power of the Internet. Had I not heard these guys on some blog or other I would never even know of their existence, which would be a damn shame. If the Greenhornes' or The Woggles' brand of loud, fast and snotty garage appeals to you then you definitely want to check these guys out. Their Myspace page is a good place to start.
Z.Z. Hill - Baby I'm Sorry
For whatever reason, despite being a first-rate soul singer, mainstream crossover success has always eluded Z.Z. Hill. This upbeat mid-60's dancer seemingly has got it all.
Ronnie Bird - Elle m'attend
For my French visitors, in honor of Bastille Day, here is Ronnie Bird's version of the Stones' classic "The Last Time". As much as I've always loved this record by The Stones, I also like Ronnie's version. He also does a nice version of The Hollies' "Come On Back" which I will be playing on my show tonight.

No more ifs or ands or buts