Sunday, February 16, 2025

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.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

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.

Friday, February 14, 2025

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.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

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! 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

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!!

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"

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

RUFUS GORE & HIS ORCHESTRA - "Rib Tips" (1954)

 
I think it was about 1965 when my family left a Chinese restaurant call "The Pagoda" to go home, and we went into a little market next door, and my Dad grabbed a handful of 45's nobody wanted for probably 25 cents apiece, and one of them was this single call "Rib Tips" that was recorded by Rufus Gore and His Orchestra on the "King" label.
The flip side was called "Big Ends," but "Rib Tips" was the song I dug the most.
Then in 1973 I met these two girls named Cricket and Squirrel, and one of them had a boyfriend who was in a band. I played him this song, and he liked it so much, he borrowed my 45, but he never returned it.
In the 90's I found a copy for sale on eBay, so I snatched it right up, but when it came in the mail, it turned out I wasn't paying attention and it was a 78.
I bought a cheap little Crosley record player just so I could listen to it, and later I made myself an mp3, and now I have that 78 version for sale on Discogs.
All for this..........

Monday, February 10, 2025

STANLEY CLARKE - "Lopsy Lu" (1974)

 
When I first started getting into Jazz Fusion in the mid 70's, this was one of my favorite albums by a bassist. Stanley Clarke is simply amazing at what he does, and he's joined on this LP by some of the finest in the business at the time, with child prodigy Tony Williams on Drums, the phenomenal Bill Connors on Guitar, and Jan Hammer on the keys.
Here's a groove that I never get tired of! 

Sunday, February 9, 2025

I WANNA BE THE BEATLES (1964)

 
I was messing around this morning looking for some music to listen to, and I came across this record from 1964 titled "The Fabulous Beats Go Country Style!"
The music is early Beatles' style ripoff music made to try and capitalize on The Beatles' popularity.
This was a fairly common phenomenon back in the 60's.
This music on this record is supposed to be Beatles' style, but tinged with country. Does it work or not is up to you to decide. Part Liverpool and part Bakersfield, here's....
 
Here's a couple more examples of how this all worked. These cheap labels like Coronet made records that you would find at small grocery store or dime store displays, and they would normally sell for around 99 cents. 
I first saw this 1964 album called "The Beetle Beat" by The Buggs in a small grocery store named "Miracle Market," but I wasn't suckered into buying it.
They tried everything, a cover tune or two, and songs that had titles that sounded like Beatles' songs. They made the guys comb their hair down to resemble something close to a Beatles' haircut, and would say things like "Recorded In England" to complete the facade.  
Here's a song made to sound like a Beatles' tune.
 
 
Yet another record from 1964 in this masquerade was this one by B. Brock And The Sultans titled "Do The Beetle." They liked to misspell Beatle a lot to avoid copyright infringement I would imagine.
This album has one Beatles' cover, and the rest are off the wall 'Beetle' tunes.
Here's a pretty crazy exmple.
 
Pulling out all the stops, and last but not least in this little series is yet another record from 1964 that baffled me for years before the internet came around titled "The Beagle and the Four Liverpool Whigs."
This record on the Sutton label barely even tries. 
There's one Beatles' cover, and the rest of the music is all over the place, because this was just a repackaging of another album recorded earlier by The Spark Plugs called "Crazy Beat." All they did was change the name of the band and change the order of the songs.
 
So if you've never heard it before, get ready for the least song ever to sound like The Beatles.

Friday, February 7, 2025

SLOW CHILDREN - "Spring In Fialta" (1982)

 
The music of the 80's needs to make a new revival. There was too much that was too fun that too many people missed out on the first time, and this self-titled 1982 LP by Slow Children is a damn fine example of what I'm talking about! I couldn't find the song that I was looking for on YouTube, but this one will do just fine!

Thursday, February 6, 2025

GABRIEL AND THE ANGELS - "That's Life (That's Tough)" (1962)

Back from an era when expressions like "Lump it," "Get over it" and "Tough Shit" were common, here's a single from 1962 by Gabriel And The Angels called "That's Life (That's Tough)."
 The B side was a little ditty called "Don't Wanna Twist No-More," the sad story of a guy who only wants to slow dance so he can hold his baby!
Straight out of New Jersey, here's

I  guess this song doesn't make much sense unless you know what the super popular "Life" magazine was, so here is what the June 22, 1962 cover featuring Marilyn Monroe looked like.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

JONATHAN RICHMAN & THE MODERN LOVERS - "Abominable Snowman In The Market" (1976)

 
How can you not love Jonathan Richman? I've had the pleasure of seeing him perform twice in completely different environments, and he was infectiously entertaining both times.
This self-titled LP came out in 1976 and featured songs like "Hey There Little Insect" and "Here Come The Martian Martians," but this song cracks me up every time I hear it.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

THE MOVE - "I Can Hear The Grass Grow" (1967)

 
To my knowledge The Move were never that popular in the United States, and after doing hours and hours trying to figure out why, I finally decided they were just too damn cool.
They have never even been considered for entry into the rock and roll hall of fame.
That's just sinful!
This song drives me crazy, I love this video, these guys had moves, steps, and I swear this is the only song where I'm heard the lead singer let out a sharp whistle in the middle of the song to punctuate the excitement of the tune!
The Move were totally unique, and if you've never heard their music before, then enjoy the Hell out of this incredible song from 1967.

Monday, February 3, 2025

REV. TOM FROST - "Mind Over Matter" (2025)

 
My pal Rev. Tom Frost has been very busy lately and has just come out with a new release titled 
"Mind Over Matter," and Damn! It's a good one!
You can find it almost anywhere, so there are no excuses not to!

 
There are so many cool songs on this release I had a very hard time picking out just one. So, what I would do if I was you, would be to go get myself some because Tom is the real deal!
Need proof? Here you go!!

Sunday, February 2, 2025

LITTLE FEAT - "Dixie Chicken" (1973)

 
Little Feat is one of my favorite bands, and almost every song off of their first four or five records is a classic, so it was hard to choose just one, but here's a good one from this iconic 1973 album titled "Dixie Chicken.
When this album first came out, I played in for a good friend and her musician boyfriend who were in town visiting, and I'll never forget this guy saying that they'd never make it because to him they just sounded like another bar band. All I can say is, boy was he wrong!!

Friday, January 31, 2025

BARRY REYNOLDS - "I Scare Myself" (1982)

 
Barry Reynolds had a whole lot to do with the Marianne Faithfull LP "Broken English," and without a doubt, he's some kind of a musical genius.
The "I Scare Myself" album title and song came from a Dan Hicks classic titled "I Scare Myself" from ten years earlier.
 
 
And here's the awesome original version from 1972.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

MARIANNE FAITHFULL - "Broken English" (1979)

 
Well, I never planned on this being a musician's obituary blog, but when I found out that Marianne Faithfull just passed away, I felt compelled to do this since I had already planned on it anyway. I've always been a big fan of Marianne from the 60's when she had the sweet and demure hit, "As Tears Go By" and into the 70's and beyond.
By the time "Broken English" came out in 1979, she had been through a lot, the innocence was gone, and years of smoking had changed her voice. Her version of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" on this album is amazing. She will be missed, and this song is just as relevant today as it was in 1979!

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

JOE LIGGINS & HIS HONEYDRIPPERS - "The Honeydripper" (1945)

 
 "The Honeydripper" by Joe Liggins first came out in 1945. It is possibly one of the catchiest songs of all time. This song is so insidiously good that I have had to stop listening to it because it's addicting, and if you're not careful, it can get stuck in your head for weeks!
A honeydripper is either a hand tool used to get honey out of a jar, or it's a very cool and suave guy, or maybe both!
It's infectious, and I've warned you. If you listen to this song you just might find yourself  jumping for joy, and not know why!

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

HANK III - "Risin' Outlaw" (1999)

 
I've seen Hank III perform 'live' two times. Once was a horrible outdoor noise mess, and the second time was one of the best country shows I've ever seen. Hank Williams III emulates his grand daddy much more than Hank Jr. He doesn't care about the country music industry, he just makes good country music and sometimes just does whatever the Hell he wants to, and this CD called "Risin' Outlaw" from 1999 just proves it! Stuff like this......

Monday, January 27, 2025

THE COWSILLS - "Global" (1990)

 
My buddy Rich Arithmetic sent me a song from this 1990 album by The Cowsills the other day, and we both had the same opinion, who knew The Cowsills were so good? We'd both written them off as forgettable 60's pop, and now we both agree, they were pretty damn good. 
Judge for yourself and see if you agree!

Sunday, January 26, 2025

JOE FARRELL QUARTET - "Follow Your Heart" (1970)

 
Sometimes music just moves you, and that's how I feel about this 1970 album and group of musicians.
Joe Farrell is a master of the saxophone, and he's joined here by a quartet of some of the finest jazz musicians on the planet, Chick Corea playing Piano, Jack De Johnette on Drums, Dave Holland on Bass, and the phenomenal John McLaughlin on Guitar.
Here's some of best advice you'll ever get.....

Saturday, January 25, 2025

BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY - "Down On Me" (1967)

 
Now here's a real head scratcher for you, and a song off of this 1967 self-titled album by Big Brother And The Holding company.
How is it feasible or possible that Janis Joplin is in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but the band she was in isn't. Janis made a handful of records before her early demise at the age of 27, but to me some of her best work was with Big Brother, like this early song.

Friday, January 24, 2025

DOLL BY DOLL - "Remember" (1979)

 
Doll By Doll is one of my favorite bands, and this album is brilliant. Jackie Leven is one of the best vocalists ever, it's just that simple. This album called "Remember" from 1979 is stellar, and this song is amazing. The lyrics are a little morbid at times, but overall, this is one of the finest songs ever written or performed!!

Thursday, January 23, 2025

THE GODFATHERS - "Birth, School. Work, Death" (1988)

 
I don't know a whole lot about the band named The Godfathers, but what I do know is there's a song on this album that I never get tired of listening to.
This album was called  "Birth, School, Work, Death," but I think they forgot one more word, sex! 
It's just like the Hokey Pokey, "That's what it's all about!"
From 1988. here's

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

LARRY CORYELL - "Coryell" (1969)

 
In 1969 Jazz Guitarist Larry Coryell came out with this album simply titled "Coryell." I had never heard any guitar work like this before, and with drums and bass being supplied by Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, and Chuck Rainey, there is music on this album that is beyond description. Well, I could describe it, but it would take a whole lot of writing.
Here's a song that is one of my favorite instrumentals in any genre. Larry does what he does best, and Bernard and Chuck brilliantly supply the perfect background to keep it going.
 Wind it up, let it loose, bring it back, and let it go again, and again!!
There are some more structured songs on this record with other players like Ron Carter and Albert Stinson, but the real deal is this!

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

JULIE DRISCOLL/BRIAN AUGER & THE TRINITY - "Open" (1968)

 
This album by Julie Driscoll/Brian Auger & The Trinity titled "Open," was too cool in back in 1968, and it's just as cool to this very day. The sound, the arrangements, the selection of tunes, were all choice. 57 years later, I still have this album, and for good reason. Soulful and funky, this record has stood the test of time but is appreciated by so few.
 
 Here's a song that was written by Roebuck "Pops" Staples of The Staples Singers, and Auge and Jools with the help of Clive Thacker on Drums, and Dave Ambrose on Bass, do it up right!

Monday, January 20, 2025

COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH - "Electric Music For The Mind And Body" (1967)

 
"Electric Music For The Mind And Body" by Country Joe and The Fish came out in 1967. Personally, I can't think of any other groups that have ever sounded like this, because that's how unique this music was, and now here it is some 58 years later, and nothing's changed.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

LINK WRAY - "God Out West" (1971)

 
Here's a song that will show you that Link Wray is one of the most underappreciated musicians in history. Most people just know Link from his classic instrumentals like "Rumble," but Link was so much more multi-dimensional than that. This record came out in 1971, and I've worn out my copy over the years.
This was a classic family production recorded in a backyard 4 track studio.
 Link sang and played guitars, bass and dobro, and was joined by his younger brother Doug playing the drums and doing some background vocals, his other brother Vernon Aubrey Wray (aka Vernon Wray & Ray Vernon) doing the engineering and producing, and rounded out with Bobby Howard, Steve Verroca, and Billy Hodges doing everything else.
I like every single song on this LP, so it was extremely difficult to choose just one, so listen to this one, and if you like it as much as I do, go and listen to the rest of the whole album on YouTube.

Saturday, January 18, 2025

BILLY COBHAM - "Spectrum" (1973)

 
One of the most intense records of 1973, and maybe any year for that matter, was this album by Percussionist Billy Cobham titled "Spectrum." Joining Billy is Jan Hammer on Keyboards, Lee Sklar on Fender Bass, and the phenomenal Tommy Bolin playing guitar. You might want to sit down before listening to this, because it just might make you dizzy!

Friday, January 17, 2025

ROY BUCHANAN - "Live Stock" (1975)

 
Roy Buchanan was one of the most underrated guitarists of all time in my humble opinion. He did things with a guitar that no one had ever done before, and I'm sure he did some things that have never been done again. That's just how unique of a talent he was. Roy's story is a tragic one and he was gone way before his time, and it just wasn't fair.
 Here's one of my favorite songs with a message for us all from this 1975 album called "Live Stock" with the fabulous Billy Price on vocals.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

THE STANDELLS - "Dirty Water" (1966)

 
I always thought that "Dirty Water" from 1966 was the first album released by The Standells, but they actually had an earlier record in 1964 called "In Person At P.J.'s" that was mostly all the standard cover tunes of the time that a whole lot of bands recorded like "Louie, Louie," and/or "Money."
 
The Standells are one of those bands that I can't for the life of me figure out why they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On this album alone, they had two of the most iconic songs of the 60's that people still listen to today, "Dirty Water," and "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," and just like Paul Revere and the Raiders, it just doesn't make sense. 
The lead off song on this album is one that you don't hear often, or even at all, and I think it's a good one!
 
Cool tune, but I think I like this instrumental version better! 

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND - "The 5000 Spirits Or Layers Of The Onion" (1967)

 
I bought this album by The Incredible String Band titled "The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion" back in 1967 or 1968, and to this day I still remember where it came from, and that's because I don't think I've ever heard another album quite like this one in my whole life.
From the incredible album cover to the incredible songs within, this record is just something else, and I don't even know what that something is, it's that baffling!
So many crazy songs, it was really hard to choose just one, but this one I've never gotten tired of listening to, something we've all experienced at one time or another,

Monday, January 13, 2025

FELA AND AFRIKA 70 - "Zombie" (1977)

 
This tremendous 1977 album from the Fela and Afrika 70 is a in league of it's own! Period!
Fela's full name was Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti and his voice went silent in 1997. Fortunately he left us with recordings like this!

Sunday, January 12, 2025

THE YOUNGBLOODS - "Elephant Mountain" (1969)

 
The Youngblood's 1969 album "Elephant Mountain" is one of those kinds of records I never get tired of listening to. It's happy, well played, goofy, and serious all at the same time. It's just a lot of fun to listen to, and here's a beautiful example of what I'm talking about.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

THE REEKERS - "Don't Call Me Flyface" (1964)

 
Even though this record came out sixty-one years ago, I just found out about it a couple of years ago.The band was from Garret Park, Maryland, and they were called The Reekers, and because they wanted a hit, they decided to release this song called "Don't Call Me Flyface."
This song is a truly maniacal and fascinating instrumental, and what I like to call the ultimate chase song that will just reach out a grab you, so enjoy.... 

Friday, January 10, 2025

DAN HICKS & HIS HOT LICKS - "Where's The Money?" (1971)

 
One of the most talented and underrated artists of all time has got to be Dan Hicks. I was fortunate enough to see Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks right after this album came out, and it was a night of pure magic. The songs, the vocals, the musicians, the harmonies and arrangements were all brilliant.
There's not a bad song on this album, so why not go with the title tune?
There's Dan on vocals and guitars, and then you have the amazing Maryann Price and Naomi Ruth Eisenberg on vocals, the incredible Sid Page on violin and mandolin, and, the oh so solid Jaime Leopold on bass.
I love this record!

Thursday, January 9, 2025

BETTY DAVIS - "Nasty Gal" (1975)

 
I've owned this 1975 album titled "Nasty Gal" for years, and there's not a whole lot to compare it to. Betty Davis was something else, and she's plenty happy to let you know all about it. The bass of Larry Johnson drives it all home.
Betty was born Betty Gray Mabry, but kept the last name Davis after being married to one of the most amazing jazz musicians of all time, Miles Davis for two years. 
If I could go back in time, I'd probably choose having Thanksgiving 1969 with the Davis family.
I can't even think of what it was possibly like.
Take it from a gal who knows, here's

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

THE METERS - "Rejuvenation" (1974)

 
"Rejuvenation" by The Meters is probably one of the funkiest albums ever recorded, period!
In the mid 1970's I was fortunate enough to see The Meters, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson "Live" in the course of just a few months. Those were some good times!!!  
Mix horseradish and hot salsa together, and you might get close to as hot as The Meters were!
With Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste on the Drums, George Porter, Jr. on Bass, and Leo Nocentelli on Guitar, it just doesn't get any better.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

THE EQUALS - "Baby Come Back" (1968)

 
From 1968, here's a song that is just simply infectious. If you can listen to this without tapping your foot, then you probably need to make a doctor's appointment.
Written by Eddy Grant, this song did have some success having reached the top 10 in Belgium and the Netherlands, and got to number 32 on the U.S. Billboard Charts in 1968.
So just in case you never heard it before, or just need to hear it again, here's

Monday, January 6, 2025

VIVA L'AMERICAN DEATH RAY MUSIC - "Smash Radio Hits" (2002)

 
Well, technically, this album is from the 21st century since it came out in 2002, but it was still freakin' twenty-three years ago. Besides, who cares?
American Death Ray, as they were sometimes called, hailed from Memphis, Tennessee, and if you don't keep up, this song will beat you into the ground. I think the correct description would be something like 'insanely intense.' 
Take a deep breath and hold on to your seat!

Sunday, January 5, 2025

C.B.I. - "Big Tears" (1987)

 
I was going to give you something from one of my very favorite bands of the 70's, Doll By Doll, but while I was trying to figure out which one of their amazing songs to showcase, I ran across this song I'd never heard before from 1987 by a band called C.B.I. (Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible) called "Big Tears."
 
C.B.I. was basically Doll By Doll along with Glen Matlock, the original bassist in The Sex Pistols, with one of my favorite vocalists Jackie Leven on vocals, Joe Shaw on guitars, and musical elements from what sounds like about fifteen different songs. I'm pretty sure this should have been a big hit!

Saturday, January 4, 2025

RANDY BACHMAN - "Axe" (1970)

 
Most people know of Randy Bachman as being in the hard driving, hard rocking Canadian band known as Bachman-Turner Overdrive, or BTO, and their big hits like "Taking Care Of Business," and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet," so when I bought this album years ago, it really surprised me that it was full of jazzy instrumentals like this simple Wes Montgomery/George Benson/Santana sounding song!
From an album simply titled "Axe" in 1970