BO DIDDLEY - "Have Guitar, Will Travel" (1959)

 

In 1959 Bo Diddley released this album called "Have Guitar Will Travel" which was a takeoff on a very popular western TV show starring Richard Boone as Palladin called "Have Gun-Will Travel."

 

The following year, Bo released an album called "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger." Cowboy TV shows were very popular back in those days!

Bo Diddley was a genius, and could get away with almost anything in music. Here's a good example, and as crazy as it is, I still really like this song!

It was 1959. I don't think anybody else was doing anything close to this!

BO DIDDLEY - "Mumblin' Guitar"

THE DEVIL'S ANVIL - "Hard Rock From The Middle East (1967)

 

This album from 1967 by The Devil's Anvil titled "Hard Rock From The Middle East" is a just a damn interesting affair. I like International music because it's not necessary to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music. I have no idea what they are talking about in these songs, and I don't care because unless they're Bob Dylan, there's a good chance they're just going to write some stupid love song, but with music like this you can enjoy it without having to endear all those idiotic lyrics.

With a lot of help from Felix Pappalardi of Mountain fame, this record was just too cool for the 60's, and I don't think it probably ever got much or any airplay in the U.S.

THE DEVIL'S ANVIL -"Wala Dai"

ROCKIN ROBIN ROBERTS - "Louie Louie" (1961)

 

There have been tons of cool versions of "Louie Louie" done in minions of different styles over the years, but my favorite has still got to be this one by Rockin Robin Roberts in 1961. The version by "The Kingsmen" is probably the most definitive one, and the one that got more airplay, but for me, the sax in this version is what makes the difference.

ROCKIN ROBIN ROBERTS - "Louie Louie"

Dee Dee Bridgewater - "Just Family" (1978)

 

This 1978 album by Dee Dee Bridgewater titled "Just Family" is an incredible piece of work from the cover artwork to all the fabulous music. Dee Dee has the voice of an angel, what else do you need to know? With only Chick Corea on keyboard, Airto doing the percussion, and Dee Dee's beautiful voice, here's a song unlike any other you're likely to hear any time soon, so just enjoy it's purity.

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER - "Melody Maker"

THE BYRDS - "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" (1968)

 

One of the best country albums ever was made by a rock band, and that would be this Byrds' album from 1968 titled "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo.

In 1966 I had a girlfriend who was an actual Rodeo Sweetheart, so this record has always resonated with me. For everybody else, it's just a great record, and rightly so.

Every song on this album is classic, but here's one with a real message.

THE BYRDS - "One Hundred Years From Now"

KIM FOWLEY - "Sunset Boulevard" (1978)

 

Here's a funny but energetic song from this 1978 album titled "Sunset Boulevard" by musical mastermind and madman Kim Fowley.

This song is pretty silly, but it's also quite infectious. 

Kim didn't care. He just did whatever he wanted to! 

KIM FOWLEY - "Blow Up"

CONGO BONGO - "Depart Before Dawn Don't Look Back" (2025)

 

Here's an update on some of the latest from John Sanders and Congo Bongo 2025. 

If for some reason you are unfamiliar with the work of John Sanders, here's a link to all his music I've presented on this site, from his early bands Ebofyte and Crash-N-Burn to New Power Soul, Memphis Mystics and  Zazerac. 

Get ready to have some fun!!

The Music Of John Sanders!

No need to hesitate, because you can go straight to John's ReverbNation site, and listen to his whole current catalogue, or here's just one of the songs that I think you'll really enjoy!

CONGO BONGO - "Depart Before Dawn Don't Look Back"