More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The First Gear

THE FIRST GEAR-"Leave My Kitten Alone/ A Certain Girl" US Mar-Mar 315 1964

I'm always intrigued by the host of obscure U.K. 60's sides that came out in the United States during the 60's. One of the more interesting ones is today's topic on the Mar Mar label, a short lived off shoot of Chess records who put out a mere three singles. The first was by Ringo Starr's brief stand in for some Euro and Australian dates, Jimmy Nicol and his Shubdubs ("Humpty Dumpty" b/w "Night Train", Mar Mar 313, a US issue of the UK 45 Pye 7N 15623), followed by Aussie's Tommy Adderley with Max Merritt and his Meteors ("I Just Don't Understand" b/w "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" Mar Mar 314).  Today's subject was the label's final release launched in October 1964 (issued in Britain at the same time as Pye 7N 15703). Both sides were produced by the legendary Shel Talmy.

"Leave My Kitten Alone" by The First Gear was one of the stand off tracks from Greg Shaw's influential 1980 LP compilation "Pebbles Volume Six: The Roots Of Mod". First cut by Little Willie John in 1959 on King. The First Gear's version was their debut 45, aided in no small part by the nimble fingers of session man Jimmy Page who's distinctive mid 60's guitar style has it's foot prints all of the track. The number is frantic, driven at an insane amphetamine fueled pace accented by Page's tasty over the top guitar solo, the birth of freakbeat! The vocals also have a frantic feel to them like they're a bunch of pilled up/blocked beat freaks!

The actual A-side is a version of "A Certain Girl" (first recorded by Ernie K. Doe in 1961 on the Minit label). It's a rocking affair thanks again in no small part to Jimmy Page's distinctive volume pedal guitar technique but the lead vocals are interesting with some almost frat rock style backing vocals on the call and response. 

Both sides have been reissued on a host of compilations over the years ("Freakbeat Freakout", "Doin' The mod Volume Three" etc). "A Certain Girl" was most recently on the Ace records CD comp "Making Time: A Shel Talmy Production".

Hear "Leave My Kitten Alone":

https://youtu.be/klLVFD1zzxE

Hear "A Certain Girl":

https://youtu.be/LRfIoh_8sZo

Songs 2-Tone Taught Us

1. THE CATS-"Swan Lake" UK BAF BAF1 1968/ US Bell 809 1969
This reggae flavored version of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" was introduced to many of us via Madness' cover of their debut LP "One Step Beyond". Based around a classical piano piece it's rocked up with a reggae back beat it was the debut single for The Cats, a six piece act from London and reached #48 in the U.K. charts.

https://youtu.be/9HPPwHZ6sRo

2. PRINCE BUSTER-"Madness" UK Blue Beat BB 170 1963
So many 2-Tone/'79 ska bands covered tunes from Prince Buster's 60's catalog so it was difficult to pick just a few. "Madness" spurned a band of the same name who also covered this track AND paid tribute to the great man himself ("The Prince"). "Madness" was Prince Buster's ninth single for the famous Blue Beat label and what a single. Backed by a slow ska/boogie shuffle beneath Buster's socio-political message it's topped off by a brilliant horn solo.

https://youtu.be/EZC6Ot1MLP0

Scan c/o 45cat.com

3. ANDY & JOEY-"You're Wondering Now" UK R&B JB 162 1964
Vocalists Reuben Anderson and Joanne Dennis aka Andy & Joey cut a handful of less than impressive singles for four different British labels in the mid Sixties. "You're Wondering Now" was their second U.K. single issued on the famous ska label R&B (named so for it's owners Rita and Benny). Most of us learned it from the cover version on the Specials untitled debut LP. The original is a mid tempo ska shuffle duet with a harmonica solo!

https://youtu.be/KwBCu4-6UuA

4. THE FOUR GEES-"Rough Rider" UK President PT 160 1967
Often mistakenly attributed to Prince Buster (who took it upon himself to give himself songwriting credits for it) "Rough Rider" was actually composed by The Equal's Eddie Grant, Derv Gordon and Lincoln Gordon who released the first version of it as The Four Gees. The Beat later covered it, no doubt via Prince Buster's version as it is his name in the songwriting credits of their version. The original is far more poppy and less rocksteady but still swings in no small part thanks to Derv Gordon's vocals.

https://youtu.be/zVhMfioDIp8

5. DANDY-"Rudy A Message To You" UK Ska Beat JB 273 1967
Vocalist Dandy Livingstone cut a slew of 45's in the U.K. for Dice, Blue Beat, Giant, Carnival but it would be on Ska Beat that he would release this legendary stormer (re-titled by The Specials "A Message To You Rudy" on their debut LP). Released in 1967 during the brief craze of songs about "rude boys" (street wise, disaffected young Jamaican youth) "Rudy A Message to You" does not glorify the rude boy culture but is rather a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of wayward ways. It's melody and lyrics/vocals are nothing short of iconic. Incidentally the masterful trombone solo is from Rico Rodriguez, who also contributed his wares on the Specials version as well.

https://youtu.be/7BwNgQ51hSI

6. EDDIE LOVETTE-"Too Experienced" UK London HLJ 10311 1970/US Steady S 124 1969
The Bodysnatcher's covered this one. It was originally cut first in 1968 on Studio One (SO 2063) in the U.K. by Bob Andy as "Experience" and covered the following year by Eddie Lovette (curiously issued in the US in '69 and the U.K. in '70). To my ears it's the Eddie Lovette version with it's more bouncy upbeat feel that sounds closer to The Bodysnatchers cover. Any thoughts, anyone?

https://youtu.be/yabwMC7b1-s

7. THE PIONEERS-"Jackpot" UK Amalgamated AMG 821 1968
The Beat covered this 1968 track on their debut LP "I Just Can't Stop It". Originally cut by the rocksteady trio The Pioneers, "Jackpot" starts out with a trumpet blaring "Reveille" and the catchy chorus of "hip hip hooray". It's brilliant rocksteady rhythm is 100% infectious.

https://youtu.be/EL3_vr46qoc

8. THE CHARMS-"Carry, Go, Bring, Come" UK Island WI-164 1964
The Charms (in actuality Justin Hinds/Hines) was covered by The Selecter on their debut LP "Too Much Pressure". The original is an amazing horn driven ska shuffle that epitomizes 60's ska at it's best with call and response vocals and a lovely chugging beat accented by some brilliant brass playing.

https://youtu.be/tq2X5tjQiBw

9. DANDY-"Let's Do Rocksteady" UK Giant GN 7 1967
Dandy cut this number that was covered by The Bodysnatchers as the flip of his "We Are Still Rude" single on the Giant label shortly after his opus "Rudy A Message To You" single. The Bodysnatchers version is bouncy and carefree while Dandy's original is a perfect encapsulation of the birth of rocksteady while still retaining elements of the now passe ska.

 https://youtu.be/_Z61pUvFE0A

10. THE MAYTALS-"Monkey Man" UK Trojan TR 7711 1970
Among the many gems on The Specials debut LP was this 1970 Trojan reggae classic by The Maytals. Utilizing the band's famous vocal harmony techniques and it's catchy chorus backed by a bouncy skanking beat, "Monkey Man" is nothing short of brilliant.

https://youtu.be/94fG4A_jQuM

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Johnny Kidd & The Pirates

 

JOHNNY KIDD AND THE PIRATES-"I'll Never Get Over You" / "Then I Got Everything" U.S. Capitol 5065 1963

Johnny Kidd and The Pirates are best known for their seminal rock n' roll classic "Shakin' All Over" (which was their debut U.S. 45 on the strangely named Apt label as 45-25040 in August 1960). American audiences would have to wait another three years for another Johnny Kidd single to surface here in the form of today's item "I'll Never Get Over you" issued in October 1963 (released previously in the U.K. on His Master's Voice POP 1173 in June of 1963). 

"I'll Never Get Over You" was Kidd's ninth British single, his second during the "beat music" era and his second to feature the talents of one of his most famous side men, guitar god Mick Green. Written by Gordon Mills (also responsible writing a few other Kidd covers notably "Hungry For Love" and "Jealous Girl" as well as discovering Tom Jones and supplying him with a slew of hits), it's probably one of his most powerful numbers and reached #4 on the U.K. charts. Kicking off with some crashing chords and a happy go lucky melody "I'll Never Get Over You" musically has the power of a Big Three single but it's Mick Green's proto power pop guitar chords that give the number it's edge, his solo is tasty as well. With one listen to this track it's easy to see why bands like The Who took their inspiration from Kidd & Co.

Johnny Kidd and the boys on "Ready! Steady! Go!" 1963

The flip "Then I Got Everything" (written by Kidd and Mick Green) has some cool Green guitar work with a catchy riff and some brilliant chord chopping, but there's something about it that sounds almost too much like the A-side, regardless it's still half decent. Unfortunately for any American fans of Johnny Kidd and Co. there would be no more U.S. releases by the band, though he went on to record seven more singles in the U.K. for HMV before his tragic death in a car accident on October 7, 1966 on his way home from a gig.

Both sides are available on the indispensable EMI double CD collection "The Complete Jophnny Kidd & The Pirates" (which is available on Spotify). 

Hear "I'll Never Get Over You":

https://youtu.be/9PyHO7dIpfw

Hear "Then I Got Everything":

https://youtu.be/ThR9YhsGnI0

10 LP's You Should Check Out

1. J.J. JACKSON'S DILEMMA-"J.J. Jackson's Dilemma" US LP Perception PLP 3 1970
A big hats off to Mark over at Monkey Picks for turning me onto this album awhile back. By 1970 soul belter J.J. Jackson's glory days were rapidly fading in his rear view mirror, a make over was in order and his backing group known as The Greatest Little Soul Band In The Land became J.J. Jackson's Dilemma. Recorded in the U.K. the album itself is all over the place, which can be both good and bad. There's a freakout guitar/flute instrumental called "Indian Thing" that borders on tedious, but then there's the horn heavy "Who Knows" (that recalls early Chicago) and speaking of Chicago there's an over the top reading of their "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is" that's worth the price of admission alone. It has been reissued on both CD and LP.

2. RANNY SINCLAIR-"Another Autumn" US LP Modern Harmonic MH-8043 2017

With a voice recalling the huskier tones of Ann Margret crossed with the childlike waif voice of Claudine Longet and the pitch of Lesley Gore, vocalist Ranny Sinclair cut four singles for Columbia in 1964-1966 (the final one with Dave Brubeck) that verge on jazz with others being mild pop before retiring from music. Presumably she had cut enough material to enable Columbia to release an LP in 2017 (eight of the twelve songs it contained previously made up her four singles for the label). "Ode to A Cowboy" (a 1965 A-side) is the best thing Lee Hazlewood never recorded and is my favorite of the bunch and "Fan The Flame"(her first single) is silky smooth and punctuated by some brilliant horns, while non-45 tracks like "There Won't Be Trumpets" is luscious jazzy elevator muzak with Lesley Gore style vocals, "Autumn In Our Town" is smoky jazz crooner pop and "Barbara Allen" is lyrically like something out of a creepy b-movie that would not have been at all out of place on a Scott Walker LP. It is available on both CD and LP.

3. HARDIN & YORK-"Tomorrow Today" US LP Bell 6043 1969
From the ashes of the second line up of The Spencer Davis group vocalist/organist Eddie Hardin and drummer Pete York formed this duo. "Tomorrow Today" their debut LP is a rollicking mixture of soulful r&b, funky gospel tinged rock n' roll and an all round good time driven by Hardin's funky Hammond playing that can be as heavy as early Deep Purple or jazzy as The Peddlers. The LP is worth it for the title cut alone with it's deep churchy Hammond and Hardin's soulful vocals (sweetened by some angelic female backing vocals).  it's a brilliant slice of 1969 that is fortunately short on self indulgent solos and pretentiousness so indicative of it's release date. "Drinking My Wine" is like vintage Windwood era S.D.G. meets The Peddlers whilst "Candlelight" is pure early Deep Purple meets Argent organ grooviness. It has been re-released on CD by both RPM and Repertoire.

4. PAT BOWIE-"Out Of Sight" US LP Prestige PRST 7385 1965
Jazz vocalist Pat Bowie's sole LP is best known for it's inclusion of her much sought after debut Prestige 45 "I've Got Your Number". Musically backed by jazz heavy hitters like Milt Hinton (bass). Kenny Burrell (guitar) and Ray Bryant (piano), "Out Of Sight" is at times more supper club jazz which can be interesting (such as on "Get Out Of Town" with it's powerful vocals and smooth sophistication). But it can also be a tad mundane ("The Music That Makes Me Dance").  On the upside there's the hard hitting "What Is this Thing Called Love" (possibly the most up tempo track on the album) and the dreamy "Joey, Joey, Joey" (aided in no small part to the flute magic of Seldon Powell). Sadly it has not been reissued as of yet.

5. GARY FARR-"Take Something With You" UK Marmalade 608013 1969
British r&b veteran Gary Farr tread the boards for quite a few years in the mid 60's with nothing to show for it but a handful of singles and an E.P. that though are all decent bear nothing utterly remarkable. His debut solo LP for manager Giorgio Gomelsky's Marmalade label changed all of that. With help from former Action/current Mighty Baby members and produced by former Action lead singer Reggie King, "Take Something With You" is a brilliant LP that falls somewhere between the first Faces album and Colin Blunstone's first solo LP. Musically lots of the tracks come off like a less heavy Mighty Baby while Farr, having eschewed his blues belter vocals of '64-'66 has found his own voice that sounds like a perfect melding of laid back 60's California rock n roll meets baroque British late 60's folk/pop. The album's lead off tune "Don't Know Why You Bother Child" is a brilliant acoustic guitar/flute driven laid back number that sounds like an outtake from Mighty Baby's second album (ditto for "Green", "Curtain Of Sleep" and "Time Machine") and the title track is pure Ronnie Lane/Faces brilliance. "Why Not" is a wonderful tapestry of flute, acoustic guitar and Mellotron. Original copies are quite expensive but fortunately it has been reissued on both CD and LP (containing bonus tracks in both instances).

6. CHAD & JEREMY-"Distant Shoes" US LP Columbia CL 2564 1966
California based British expat duo Chad & Jeremy are often lauded for their two final US recorded long player's "Of Cabbages And Kings" (1967) and "The Ark" (1968) but little fanfare is ever given to their previous album, 1966's "Distant Shores". It sees them firmly moving out of the airy/folk duo pop of their earlier career and firmly ensconced in jangly, melodic pop full of Byrdsy 12 string guitars, Association style choral pop perfection whilst including obligatory (and sometimes pointless AND unnecessary) covers of contemporary standards. But don't let that last disparaging tidbit discourage you, "Distant Shores" is a mellow masterpiece.  There's a few pointless covers like "Homeward Bound" (though its use of tabla and harpsichord is interesting) and "The Way You Look Tonight". But there's a sublime "Everyone's Gone To The Moon" and the title track is a Byrds meet Association slice of California sunshine pop perfection, as is "I Won't Cry" and "Don't Make Me Do It". Sundazed has reissued it on CD and original LP copies are not terribly hard to find at a decent price.

7. TOM SCOTT with the CALIFORNIA DREAMERS-"The Honeysuckle Breeze" US LP Impulse AS-9163 1967
With an album cover of a guy laying on his back blowing a sax in a field surrounded by colorful graphics that look like they were borrowed from a Blues Magoos album you know that this LP is going to be a little odd. The brainchild of saxophonist Tom Scott (and virtually a who's who of California session players like Glen Campbell, Carol Kaye etc), it's all over the place with a hybrid mix of jazz, raga sometimes with Ray Conniff style singers (perfectly personified with the opening/title cut). There's a slew of contemporary covers, The Association's "Never My Love" (essentially a note for note cover with some honking sax added), a baroque flute/harpsichord muzak "She's Leaving Home" (complete with cheesey vocals) and a sax led freaky version of "Mellow Yellow" that's like Lawrence Welk on a bad acid trip in an elevator! The rest of the LP follows suit from the raga meets Lee Morgan "Blues For Hari" (with some tasty vibes) to the Brady Bunch a Go-Go meets gospel raga of "Deliver Me" it's a bizarre trip worth taking!! It has since been re-released on vinyl as original copies are quite expensive to obtain.

8. JOE PASS-"Stones Jazz" US LP World Pacific WPS-21854 1967
There were loads of jazz albums devoted to 60's rock n roll artists but my favorite of the lot is jazz guitarist Joe Pass 1967 album of interpretations of Stones tunes. Leaving the more trippy/raga jazz versions of Jagger/Richards to the likes of Gabor Szabo, Pass's versions verge on elevator muzak/easy listening thanks to the subtle horn arrangements it still manages to shine brilliantly and reminds me in part of Manfred Mann's jazzy instrumental readings of contemporary pop standards with vibes, flute and Wes Montgomery style guitar licks. There's an uptempo George Benson-esque "Play With Fire" and an upbeat/uptown reading of "Mother's Little Helper" that reminds me of something from an Oliver Nelson LP. But it's not all upbeat, there's a mild Samba/Cocktail jazz take of "19th Nervous Breakdown" and a subtle but swinging downbeat interpretation of "Paint It Black"and not a bad apple in the barrel to my ears. Original copies are quite affordable and there are also a Japanese CD issue from 2012 and a late 80's vinyl repressing by Memoir Jazz (in addition to a Japanese vinyl pressing). 

9. TERRY CALLIER-"The New Folk Sound Of Terry Callier" US LP Prestige PR 7383 1966
Vocalist Terry Callier is best known for his Northern soul "hit" "Ordinary Joe" but rewind to six years earlier when Prestige issued his debut (and astronomically expensive) long player and the name Terry Callier referred to an all together different kettle of fish. "The New Folk Sound Of Terry Callier" is a musically sparse folk/blues affair with just acoustic guitar (by Callier) and bass. His guitar playing reminds me of a less complicated Davy Graham while his powerful voice (the LP's greatest strength) is similar to that of Oscar Brown Jr. The album's stand out track for me is the morose but sublime "Johnny Be Gay If You Can" (an interesting tale of a man who's wife is snatched by Satan and then returned because she's so evil). Further LP stand out's in this folk/blues tour de force are "Promenade In Green", "Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be" and the majestic "Spin Spin Spin". It has been re-released on vinyl by Prestige and Craft Recordings  on CD by Craft (with original Prestige copies fetching as high as $500!!).

10. JOHN ANDREWS TARTAGLIA-"Tartaglian Theorem" US LP Capitol ST-166 1968

This album is a mystery to me. I can find no info about it other than it was the brainchild of a British born composer named John Andrews (or John Tartaglia depending what you read). He first came to my attention with his spaced out version of "Light My Fire" on the 1996 CD compilation "The Sound Gallery Volume Two". It sounded like something from the "Vampyros Lesbos" film soundtrack with it's spine tingling strings, fuzz guitar, sitar etc. Fast forward to a few years ago when I stumbled on the LP and it was even weirder! There's a brilliant Moog vs strings version of "A Day In The Life" that sounds like Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops doing mescaline with Enoch Light. The LP unfortunately can't decide if it's a freak out version of "101 Strings" or armchair muzak (see/hear his versions of "Abram, Martin And John" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", yawn). BUT the LP's strength is in it's freakiness if you can skip the elevator muzak. Sadly outside of a few tracks being utilized on various artists lounge/easy compilations the LP has yet to be reissued, although original copies are not terribly expensive to obtain.