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,

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND - "No Sleep Blues"

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!

 FELA AND AFRIKA 70 - "Zombie"

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.

THE YOUNGBLOODS - "Beautiful"

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.... 

THE REEKERS - "Don't Call Me Flyface"

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!

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

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

BETTY DAVIS - "F.U.N.K."

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.

THE METERS - "People Say"