PHAROAH SANDERS - "Love Will Find A Way" (1978)

 

Back in the 60's Pharoah Sanders was a little difficult to listen to for the majority of the population. He played nothing but pure jazz, and back in those days they were making up the rules as they went. 

Almost 20 years later and Pharoah had mellowed out some and we were lucky enough to be entertained by music like this. From his 1978 LP titled "Love Will Find A Way," (and we can only hope so) here's some pure genius from one of the masters.

PHAROAH SANDERS - "Pharomba"

THE DIRTBOMBS - "Ultraglide In Black" (2001)

 

How Can you not like a band with a name like The Dirtbombs?

You can't, that's how, and this 2001 LP titled "Ultraglide In Black" just reinforces that idea. 

Just check out this powerful tune, and see if you disagree.

THE DIRTBOMBS - "Chains Of Love"

ERNEST RANGLIN - "Surfin" (1996)

 

Ernest Ranglin is a crazy good guitarist, and this 1996 album titled "Below The Bassline" is a classic example of what the man can do.

This music is laid back, sweet and sublime, or in other words, Ernest Ranglin doing his thing! 

It will relax you, but it won't put you to sleep!

Irie Ites.

ERNEST RANGLIN - "Surfin"

JERONIMO - "Cosmic Blues" (1970)

 

This was an interesting album titled "Cosmic Blues" from 1970 by a German band called Jeronimo that was founded by Rainer Marz on guitar and vocals. Joining Rainer were Gunnar Schäfer on bass and vocals and Ringo Funk playing the drums.

Another good riff based song.

JERONIMO - "News"

THE SUNRAYS - "Andrea" (1966)

 

The Sunrays were The Renegades until Brian Wilson's Dad, Murry, got ahold of them and tried to turn them into a Beach Boys clone band.

One or two hits later, and the rest is history.

THE SUNRAYS - "I Live For The Sun."

THE JOHN MAYALL BLUES BREAKERS - "Bare Wires" (1968)

 

I absolutely love this 1968 LP by The John Mayall Blues Breakers called "Bare Wires. I think it is has some of the most phenomenal music on it that you're ever going to hear. The instruments combine for an airiness that is unreal, and then there is the freaking amazing guitar work by Mick Taylor to top it off.

 

  I've listened to thousands of records in my life, and I still know of nothing that compares to this record.

 Side one is titled "Barewires-Suite" and is composed of four songs, and I found them individually on YouTube, but I just couldn't present it that way. These songs are one complete package and need to be heard the way they were meant to be heard.

 

In addition to everything John does, the Drums by Jon Hiseman, the Violin by Henry Lowther, the Horns by Chris Mercer and Dick Heckstall-Smith, the Bass by Tony Reeves, and the Guitar of Mick Taylor are just stellar.

THE JOHN MAYALL BLUES BREAKERS - "Barewires Suite"

CLASSIC 'GUITAR RIFF' ROCK SONGS (Thanks Rich!)

 

For the last couple of days, Rich Horton and I have been having a conversation about classic rock songs that were based on a single guitar riff repeated over and over throughout a song, a practice not used so much in today's music it seems, and it's interesting because these are also a lot of my favorite songs of all time that were hits.

I'd have to write a book to cover all the bases on this topic, so here's a handful of examples.

Probably the most famous of riff based rock songs is this one from 1965, and for good reason!

THE ROLLING STONES - "Satisfaction" 

 

This 1964 hit by The Kinks is another awesome example.

THE KINKS - "You Really Got Me" 

 

The concept was still working in 1968.

CREAM - "Sunshine Of Your Love"

 

Maybe even more well known than "Satisfaction, and that's hard to do, is this 1973 hit by Deep Purple.

DEEP PURPLE - "Smoke On The Water"

A few other titles you can search out for yourself are songs like "Mr. Soul" by Buffalo Springfield, "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix, "Day Tripper" by The Beatles, "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young, "Dirty Water" by The Standells, and "Fresh Garbage" by Spirit. 

That's just barely the tip of the iceberg, but seek those all out and I guarantee that you will have a Helluva good rockin' time!

Last but not least, from 1979, here's

THE KNACK - "My Sharona"

TODD RUNDGREN - "Todd" (1974)

 

Todd Rundgren is some kind of musical genius capable of writing incredible pop/rock songs, but sometimes he likes to color outside the box, and here's a great example. From his 1974 LP titled simply "Todd," here's Todd just doing what he wants to do, because there is definitely no commercial potential for a song as cool as this!

TODD RUNDGREN - "The Spark Of Life" 

GEORGE & TEDDY AND THE CONDORS - "In Person From Ciro's Le Disc" (1964)

 

I've never heard this whole 1964 album by George & Teddy And The Condors, but there's one song on this record that just floors me and I never get tired of it.

The bonus is that even though the quality of  this Scopitone video is not that great, the original video is great!

If this song doesn't move you then you might need to check your pulse. Sixty-one years later, and this song is still hotter than Hell. 

THE CONDORS - "Just Like Me"

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"

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..........

RUFUS GORE & HIS ORCHESTRA - "Rib Tips"

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! 

STANLEY CLARKE - "Lopsy Lu"

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....

THE FABULOUS BEATS - "There She Goes"

 

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.

THE BUGGS - "Liverpool Drag"

 

 

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.

B. BROCK AND THE SULTANS - "30 Lb Beetle"

 

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.

THE SPARK PLUGS aka THE BEAGLE AND THE FOUR LIVERPOOL WHIGS

"Painless Thoughts" aka "Chicken"

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!

SLOW CHILDREN - "Spring In Fialta"

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

THE MOVE - "I Can Hear The Grass Grow"

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!

It's everywhere, it's everywhere!!

 

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!!

REV. TOM FROST - "Green Fairy"

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!!

LITTLE FEAT - "Fat Man In The Bathtub"