The Beatstaklers Debut: "Ev'rybody's Talking 'Bout My Baby"

THE BEATSTALKERS-Ev'rybody's Talking 'Bout My Baby/Mr. Disappointed U.K. Decca F 12259 1965

Glasgow's Beatstalkers burst onto the scene in November 1965 with their debut "Evr'rybody's Talking 'Bout My Baby", their first of three singles for Decca.

Driven by some fuzz guitar and a combo organ intro it musically reminds me of a more ballsy Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. It's slightly soulful with it's "call and response" vocals and is a thoroughly rocking affair with the driving beat, incessant fuzz guitar/organ lick and punctuated shouts of "Hey! Hey! Hey!". 

The flip side, "Mr. Disappointed" is disappointing. The vocalist sings almost beyond his range and the number itself is a complete throwaway despite a really nifty combo organ solo.

Both sides are available on the HIGHLY recommended CD/LP compilation curated by Lenny Helsing (of Green Telescope/Thanes fame and the final word on all bands Scottish and 60's) "The Beatstalkers-Scotland's No.1 Beat Group" which contains all three of their Decca singles and their subsequent four singles for CBS (including no less than three David Bowie compositions). 

Hear "Evr'rybody's Talking 'Bout My Baby":

https://youtu.be/ZEpiHypY_5s?si=WUU70G1-GjR2JJFT

Hear "Mr. Disappointed":

https://youtu.be/QyCY9DePy48?si=PVASTo3Tfkm3x0YX

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Jimmy James and the Vagabonds

  

JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS-Come To Me Softy /Hi Diddly Dee Dum Dum (It's A Good Feelin') U.S. Atco 45-6551 1968

Swinging London club legends Jimmy James and The Vagabonds were huge on the live circuit but failed to make many inroads chart wise, so it comes as some surprise that Atco issued two singles and two LP's here (and HBR issued their debut American single). Interestingly this release had it's sides reversed from the British issue (Pye 7N 35320) which was curiously issued a whole two years prior!

"Come To Me Softly" is a Jimmy James composition is a heavily orchestrated soul ballad that borders on easy listening with it's Chopin-like ivory tinkling and shimmering strings. It's not unlistenable but not something I want to play again and again. 

My preference is "Hi Diddly Dee Dum Dum (It's A Good Good Feelin')", originally cut by The Dells in 1963.  Like the A-side it's lushly orchestrated but Jimmy's voice (bearing more than a hint of inspiration from Otis Redding's ) and the band's playing and backing vocals make it possibly the most powerful thing they ever cut in my estimation. The stellar production was handled by Anthony King with "supervision" by Jimmy and the Who's former mod Svengali Peter Meaden (who was managing the band at this point). He also wrote the liner notes for their 1967 Atco album "The New Religion". Sadly it would be Jimmy's final U.S. 45 with the Vagabonds!

Both sides were collected on the comprehensive CD collection "Sock It To 'Em J.J.: The Soul Years". 

Hear "Come Softly To Me":

https://youtu.be/lsoZaSQqrxk?si=xXwqsizs1g006uZa

Hear "Hi Diddly Dee Dum Dum (It's A Good Good Feelin')":

https://youtu.be/Rt1IZ2ya7h0?si=OwEF_VJDrcjvOrMz

America Loves The Who! 10 American 60's Who Covers

 Ten 60's American covers of songs by The Who!

The Who didn't reach the American Top 10 until 1967 when " I Can See For Miles" traveled all the way to #8 ("Happy Jack" rose to #13 prior to this) . With that said they were foist on the American public with "I Can't Explain" on December 19, 1964, a whole month before it's U.K. release! Despite taking almost three years to reach the American mainstream (aided in no small part by their explosive performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967) the band always enjoyed a hardcore following in the U.S. in little pockets of dedicated underground fans in places like Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois (to name a few). This could not be exemplified any better than a cursory look at the vast number of band's (mostly on obscure independent labels) that covered tracks by The Who in the Sixties. Enjoy!

1. THE KORDS-"Boris The Spider" Laurie LR 34-3 1967

The Kords hailed from sunny Florida and chose to cover a John Entwistle Who composition (it even got a release in New Zealand!). This cover of the Ox's most famous 60's Who tune does not really differ much from the original and is pretty much a carbon copy but gets high marks for obscurity!

https://youtu.be/sMPDoTbxEHw?si=vfOuCg-cbD0kTnXP

2. RAIN-"Substitute" A.P.I. API-337 1967

This Los Angeles band cut this mondo obscuro cover of "Substitute" (a popular number among the forgotten U.S. bands like The Tower Of London, Malibalavi etc). Sticking to the original's arrangement they manage to inject an interesting mix of frat rock meets soulful overtones. Curiously they chose the modify the Who's censored version (which saw them replace "I look all white but my Dad was black" with "I try walking forward but my feet walk back" exclusively for it's American release) with their own lyrics: "I see right through your plastic mask, I'd like to leave but I can't turn back, my shiny shoes they are made out of sack..".

https://youtu.be/4i64AwRML3o?si=fuQGoxi5iVvKlR4T

3. BLUE-"Sad 'Bout Us" Iris IR-1036 1968

It doesn't get any more obscure than this boys and girls! Hailing from Salt Lake City, Blue add a jangly folk rock delivery to this cover of "A Quick One's" strongest track. The harmonies are halfway decent even if they are a bit raw in places.

 https://youtu.be/q4ZMDQ8x_zY?si=pfXUUH5VX7y96Gtj

4. THE ROVIN' KIND-"My Generation" Dunwich 45-146 1967

There are at least half a dozen covers of this track by American 60's bands (The Count Five, The Bards, The Human Beinz, The First National Band, The Iron Gate etc) so picking one was tough. This one has always been my favorite of them all. The vocals are pure snotty American 60's garage teen and the pace is quickened considerably from the original and even, if I'm not committing sacrilege here, far more ballsy than the original at times!

https://youtu.be/fVZlVL-GT-4?si=OpA0JnyVu3NhP4Yu

5. THE SAINTS-"Out In The Street" Summit 402 1967

The Saints hailed from Illinois, a state that the Who enjoyed a very strong base in the 60's (along with Michigan). The tempo is increased considerably from the original and it has a frat rock meets blue eyed soul feel turning it into a "call and response" number. It's incredibly primitive in it's production/recording but completely original in it's interpretation.

https://youtu.be/zpqiD3sphBM?si=qakXgi--XRHl-WAA

6. SONS OF CREATION-"Run Run Run" Four Sons 4S16803 1968

I can't tell you much about these guys who I believe are from Alabama. Their crack at one of the most powerful tracks on "Happy Jack" (the U.S. issue title of the Who's "A Quick One" LP) is probably the only American cover version of it. They apply the usual American 60's fuzz guitar/snotty vocals and Farfisa organ combination to it which tones down the edge of the original but still works, though just barely.

https://youtu.be/TF3o0jfF3Co?si=5dgWxfeqWl17s0U9

7. THE SPONTANEOUS GENERATION-"Pictures Of Lily" Fevre 8680 1968

These fellas hailed from Atlanta, Georgia and did what's basically a note for note cover of the original BUT they saturated it in really strong, well structured double tracked harmony vocals which actually better The Who in my book! 

https://youtu.be/LtwsxXBUuOE?si=hkYl06WjkDyidn_n 

8. OSCAR AND THE MAJESTICS-"I Can't Explain" U.S.A USA 851 1966

Hailing from Gary, Indiana, Oscar and The Majestics cut this fuzz lacerated cover of The Who's debut single with prerequisite frat rock backing vocals and plenty of tambourine with some really cool guitar flourishes and some nifty, searing guitar solos!

https://youtu.be/ugvQC4z5PWo?si=te8xz27VdOcgECl5

9. THE LITTER-"Legal Matter" Scotty 803G-6710 1967

Tucked away on the flip of the legendary Twin Citie's combo's  "Action Woman" was their interpretation of this Pete Townshend anti-marriage ditty from the first Who LP. It's punked up with searing fuzz guitar and a doubled pace that carries it along nicely and is probably my favorite of all of today's selections.

https://youtu.be/jzkhgwUTgEQ?si=07uyIsqkKPGGRc4w

10. THE GREEK FOUNTAINS-"I'm A Boy" Pacemaker PM-250 1966

Alright boys and girls, this band hailed from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and their cover of "I'm A Boy" is interesting because the delivery though close to the template of the original is almost...goofy? The vocal delivery is almost tongue and cheek but  the playing is solid (especially the drummer)!

https://youtu.be/E3JDzKmWbUw?si=tQsUO_X0sk9k3DdX

Zoot Money R.I.P.

We're a little late here in paying tribute to George Bruno Money (better known as Zoot Money) who passed away on September 8th. Over the decade and a half that we've been posting here we have paid tribute to his 60's career quite frequently, especially in the 7" form. Along with the likes of the also recently late John Mayall, Geoprgie Fame, Chris Farlowe and Graham Bond etc (to name a few) Zoot was the epitome of British 60's mod r&b scene, or as it's often known as "the Flamingo jazz scene", in honor of the London night spot owned by his manager Rik Gunnell which was the stomping ground for all of these acts and many others. Zoot was a legend not just onstage but offstage as well, immortalized in Brian Auger's "George Bruno Money" (from his 1968 album "Definitely What!") and name checked in Georgie Fame's "Keep Your Big Mouth Shut" (from his 1967 LP "Two Sides Of Fame"). I've compiled ten of my favorite tracks by him in no particular order as my personal tribute to him.

1. "Let The Music Make Your Happy" LP track U.K. "Transition" Direction S8-63231 1968

Zoot's debut "solo" album was issued on Direction in 1968 and it utilized four tracks previously recorded for an album as his brief psychedelic venture, Dantalian's Chariot (see # 5 below) but rejected by Direction. The rest of the album followed his previous genre of mod r&B/soul/jazz, much to the approval of Direction. It kicks off with this track penned by Zoot and his guitarist Andy Somers (later Summers of The Police). It's a cheery brass filled soulful number that defies description outside of what I call "cheerful good time music"!

 https://youtu.be/RwrYZ1BUgfI?si=wzCQbBMqYFwiiq0x

2. "Something Is Worrying Me" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 7697 1966

I'm probably committing blasphemy in putting this to print but I think Zoot's interpretation of of this Otis Redding number (his third single with Columbia) knocks the stuff out of the original. It perfectly epitomizes the British r&b "Hammond n horns"  moniker with a wailing brass section and truly groovy funky Hammond organ trills throughout. He may not have had the voice of Georgie Fame or the organ skills of Brian Auger but what a sound!

https://youtu.be/kUdRfbPYGvk?si=ZqI7JxRL9NPkRHPQ

3. "Good" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 7518 1965

I'll admit I had to do some research to find out who cut the original of this Bob Crewe composition (it was Dee Dee Sharp and her version was credited to Crewe/Linzer/Randall) that was Zoot's second single and his debut on Columbia (see #10 for his debut 45). It's slightly poppy but it's beautiful hand clap backed groove with prerequisite Hammond n' horns actually makes it work.

https://youtu.be/891vHgyb6O4?si=SJh42hC2LBepDGyd

4. "Let's Run For Cover" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 7876 1966

Zoot was a very big interpreter of the material of British songwriters Tony Colton and Ray Smith and this track was his first of several of their tracks he released. "Let's Run For Cover", his fourth single for Columbia, is a subdued but powerful little ditty that's catchy yet incredibly soulful and sticks in my brain frequently in the most pleasant of ear worms. The flip "Self Discipline" was also a Colton/Smith number as was it's follow up (see #9). 

https://youtu.be/otb10AZnzII?si=IqDwKL7BxRu7UR0e

5. "Madman Running Through The Field" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 8620 1967

We covered Zoot's temporary foray into British psychedelic way back when here, so we'll cut to the chase and talk about the song. Kicking the mod-jazz/r&b out the window on it's head, "Madman Running Through The Fields" (penned by Money and Somers, who not to let a good bit go unused, later recycled the wonky chord in it for The Police's "Walking On The Moon") is a freaky little number with backwards cymbals, ethereal flutes, discordant guitar chords and eerie organ and a trippy vocal refrain that no doubt inspired The Dukes Of Stratosphear.

 https://youtu.be/QY-LXqkKyhk?si=xhyIOeS4xU6G2WSM

6. "The Mound Moves" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 8090 1966

Tucked away on the flip of somewhat tepid Colton/Smith number "The Star Of The Show" (Zoot's sixth and next to last Columbia 45) is this monster instrumental penned by Money and Somers that sounds like the Small Faces jamming with Georgie Fame's horn section. The guitar is blisteringly reminiscent of The Bluesbreakers "solo" 45 "Curly" meet's Steve Marriott's fret work on any SF's Decca instrumental jams and Zoot's Hammond never sounded so churchy OR so good. Powerful stuff! Play it again....

https://youtu.be/w10yhuYwYg4?si=tJrwNDz8yVls-Lsl

7. "I Really Learnt How To Cry" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 8171 1967

Tucked away on the flip of Zoot's final Columbia single, the Colton/Smith composition "Nick Knack" (about a wayward party animal, something Zoot was reputed to be in the 60's!) was this absolutely mind blowing little Money/Somers original. Sparsely backed by acoustic guitar, somber/subdued horns and organ it's both laid back (dig the classical guitar piece and mellow jazzy horns on the middle) AND trippy (perhaps anticipating #5 with it's pseudo psychedelic "sky-ing" phasing on the vocals).

https://youtu.be/kJDPJbbJi0I?si=bf3JzWi6gUo5h6rg

8. "Coffee Song" LP track U.K. "Transition" Direction S8-63231 1968

Zoot cut this Colton/Smith number (also cut but unissued by Cream at the same time as well as former London r&b stalwarts The Shevelles) that was intended for the cancelled Dantalian's Chariot album but re-used for his LP "Transition". It's a somber little ballad of sorts about a couple who meet in a cafe at a rail station and the aging note left at the table by one half to request another meeting. 

https://youtu.be/FtMCK7v_lRo?si=xyH4ZrcjNDU4SoIr

9. "Big Time Operator" U.K. 45 Columbia DB 7975 1966

Zoot Money's only U.K. hit was this July 1966 45 (his fifth for Columbia and again from the pen of Colton/Smith) which reached #25 in the British charts. It's ballsy, brassy and perfectly musically AND lyrically suited as Zoot's vehicle. For more on this track we chatted about it way back when over here. 

https://youtu.be/SxgVlcKgkCU?si=tDaxRC-9H0hpuoI9

10. "Zoot's Suite" U.K. 45 Decca F 11954 1965

Zoot's debut single was a sole 45 released on Decca label in August of 1964 with a cover of The Daylighter's "Uncle Willie" with this tasty original instrumental on the flip side. "Zoot's Suite" is a perfect slice of of greasy/jazzy "Flamingo jazz mod r&b" with his Hammond organ trading licks with his slick horn section. The sax solo is completely suave yet funky. 

 https://youtu.be/8agTtXEewzA?si=Yov7_UUPpOHT6FQ-

The Psych Scene- Volume Two Imagined

In 1998 Decca issued a 25 track CD called "The Psych Scene", one of several "Scene" compilations issued of tracks culled from the Decca/Deram archives. Unfortunately any further official volumes were not forthcoming so I decided to create an imaginary track listing of another volume utilizing tunes from the Deram and Decca labels. 

1. VIRGIN SLEEP-"Love" Deram DM 147 1967

2. THE END-"Loving Sacred Loving" Decca F 22750 1968

3. TINTERN ABBEY-"Beeside" Deram DM 164 1967

4. CHRISTOPHER COLT-"Virgin Sunrise" Decca F 12727 1968

5. THE PYRAMID-"Summer Evening" Deram DM 111 1967

6. MARC BOLAN-"The Wizard" Decca F 12288 1965

7. BARRY MASON-"Over The Hills And Far Away" Deram DM 104 1966

8. THE SYN-"Flowerman" Deram DM 145 1967

9.  ALEX HARVEY-"Horizons" Decca F 12640 1967

10. THE WORLD OF OZ-"Peter's Birthday (Black & White Rainbows)" Deram DM 187 1968

11. BILL FAY-"Screams In The Ears" Deram DM 143 1967

12. THE NASHVILLE TEENS-"Last Minute" Decca F 12657 1967

13. THE TRUTH-"Walk Away Rene" Decca F 12582 1967

14.  THE MOODY BLUES-"Leave This Man Alone" Decca F 12670 1967

15. DENNY LAINE-"Catherine's Wheel" Deram DM 171 1968

16.  AL STEWART-"The Elf" Decca F 12467 1966

17. TURQUOISE-"53 Summer Street" Decca F 12756 1968

18. THE ATTACK-"Neville Thumbcatch" Decca F 12725 1968

19. RUSSELL MORRIS-"The Real Thing" Decca F 22964 1969

20. PETER COOK & DUDLEY MOORE-"The L.S. Bumble Bee" Decca F 12551 1967

21. THE HUMAN INSTINCT-"Death Of The Seaside" Deram DM 167 1967

22. PAUL & BARRY RYAN-"Keep It Out Of Sight" Decca F 12567 1967

23. PINKERTON'S COLOURS-"Magic Rocking Horse" Decca F 12493 1966

24. TINKERBELL'S FAIRY DUST-"Twenty Ten" Decca F 12778 1968

25. FRIENDS-"Mythological Sunday" Deram DM 198 1968 

Artwork care of Charlie Starkey. 

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The Merseybeats "Don't Let it Happen To Us"

THE MERSEYBEATS-Don't Let It Happen To Us/It Would Take A Long Time U.S. Fontana F-1513 1965

The Merseybeats released five singles in the U.S. and today's specimen was their fourth, launched in June of 1965. It was released in the U.K. as Fontana 568 the previous month where it was their sixth single.

I'm going to be dead and honest and admit that I think this is probably the band's weakest single. It also marked the return of the band's original bassist Billy Kinsley, who though not as vocally strong as his temporary replacement John "Gus" Gustafson still isn't a bad vocalist (him and Tony Crane later became a singing duo The Merseys).

"Don't Let It Happen To Us" is a tepid number, wonderfully executed with great harmonies and moody/jangly guitar but the song itself is just plain boring.

The flip is a band original "It Would Take A Long Time". It's a slow countrified group original ballad, wonderfully executed but equally mundane. It was originally recorded with John Gustafson but added Billy Kinsley's vocals upon his return. It was penned by band members Tony Crane and Aaron Williams. 

Both tracks are available on the thoroughly comprehensive 2021 Grapefruit two CD collection "I Stand Accused" which collected everything the band and it's members recorded in the 60's. 

Hear "Don't Let It Happen To Us": 

 https://youtu.be/5vxsenNOZPg?si=NGPlT58_E6D_RCaT 

 Hear "It Would Take A Long Time": 

 https://youtu.be/p0rYjVP4XRg?si=Dcc5NxYtEPDI0bkk

Flower Power Backlash: The Loot "Don't Turn Around"

 

THE LOOT-Don't Turn Around/You Are My Sunshine Girl U.K. CBS 3231 1968

Andover, England's Loot has often been associated with The Troggs as they hailed from the same area and were both signed to Larry Page's Page One label. Their last two singles for the label were also produced by Troggs drummer Ronnie Bond and their debut release "Baby Come Closer" (UK Page One POF 013 January 1967) was previously released on The Troggs LP "Trogglodynamite". We profiled their debut on Page One here.

They had interesting, almost schizophrenic music career in that they were simultaneously on two labels in Britain at the same time, CBS and Fontana. The reason being that the band were signed overseas to a contract with the Belgian label Pallette for European releases by Hal Carter and Stan Phillips (who were involved in The Troggs management, continuing the band's Troggs connection) which were in turn licensed to the CBS for a British release creating quite a bit on curiosity and confusion over the years. 

"Don't Turn Around" was the band's fourth single and their second and final release for the CBS label (after two prior releases on Page One, you can view their previous CBS 45 here). Lyrically it's an incredibly cynical take on flower power and "the beautiful people":

"What are you going to be tomorrow when you have thrown your flowers away.....you're the conformist to convention, I am the one who is free..... you may be one of the beautiful people today..." 

Quite curious as the band fully embraced the "flower power" image as seen on the German picture sleeve for this single below! Musically the number is incredibly layered in woodwinds, congas, sweeping strings and a quasi Middle Eastern/Indian lilt to the melody with well crafted harmonies and plenty of phasing thrown in.

German picture sleeve

The flip side "You Are My Sunshine Girl" is extremely disposable pop garbage that would have been suited as a late 60's Herman's Hermits album track.

"Don't Turn Around" was first unearthed in 2007 for the incredible 4 CD compilation "Real Life Permanent Dream: A Cornucopia Of British Psychedelia 1965-1970" and both sides were included on the comprehensive 2005 Radioactive CD comp ""Singles A's & B's". 

Hear "Don't Turn Around":

https://youtu.be/IHAyNfT9lSY?si=RyGgIgDZ40VjtVWq

Hear "You Are My Sunshine Girl":

https://youtu.be/58Qm9NqPLt4?si=5oiCTOV0T9Ds2V3l

John Mayall R.I.P.

 I'm breaking my Summer sabbatical to pay tribute to the Godfather of British blues, the great, now late, John Mayall. I can think of no better way to pay tribute to him than to select a few of my favorites by John in no particular order. 

1. "Blues City Shakedown" U.K. Decca F.12120 1965

Released on the flip of John's second single "Crocodile Walk", "Blues City Shakedown" is a catchy little instrumental propelled along by Mayall's masterful harp blowing on top of his ivory tinkling with Roger Dean on guitar, John McVie on bass and Hughie Flint on drums. I'm not normally a fan of harmonica instrumentals but this one has such a catchy and melodic groove it's hard to say "no" to!

https://youtu.be/qviqDapTKc0?si=KuP002hf5c12yT4p

2. "On Top Of The World" compilation LP track recorded 1966 "An Anthology Of British Blues" U.S.  LP Immediate Z 12 52 006 1968

This left over Immediate track was recorded during the same August 1965 session that yielded "I'm Your Witch Doctor" (see below) and did not see the light of day until 1968's "Blues Anytime" Immediate records sampler (issued as "An Anthology Of British Blues" in the North America). There's a charming shuffle to it with a mild boogie woogie feel on the piano that brings to mind Manfred Mann's jazz tinged r&b and Mayall's vocals are laid back and carefree and the closest he ever came to recording a "pop" song. Out of nowhere Clapton let's rip with an over the top, eerie guitar solo that returns during the fade out.

https://youtu.be/IAZIvIfOPv8?si=CZTdvDxeTOHVP1Qd

3. "I'm Your Witch Doctor" U.S. Immediate ZS7-502 1968

This one off recording for Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate imprint was first issued in Britain as Immediate IM 012 in October 1965. It was reissued in the U.K. again by Immediate in June of 1967 (as IM 051) and first issued in the States in 1968. In the Summer of 1965 Mayall's contract with Decca was about to expire and in August he and The Bluesbreakers went into the studio with Jimmy Page in the production chair to record some tracks for a possible single on Immediate records. "I'm Your Witch Doctor" is historic in that it marks's the debut of Eric Clapton following his departure from The Yardbirds and is also Mayall's first recording with his brand new Hammond M-100 organ (famously emblazoned with "JOHN MAYALL" in large lettering stenciled on the front). Without a doubt it's Mayall's most up beat and powerful single with an almost jazzy swing to it accented by his sinister organ and blistering guitar bursts from "God".  Also along for the ride are John McVie on bass and Hughie Flint on drums.

https://youtu.be/lseUZfS514Y?si=W2xe6P9NJW02YjiV

4. "All Of Your Love" LP track "Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton" U.S. LP London PS 492 1966

From the legendary "Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton" album (aka"Beano") "All Of Your Love" opens the LP with Clapton's incredible sonic assault on the ears complemented by Mayall's funky new Hammond organ on top of John McVie (bass) and Hughie Flint's (drums) solid backbeat while Mayall croons his heart out. Later recycled by The Bluesbreakers in the Peter Green era on their "solo" 45 rpm outing without Mayall, "Curly". 

https://youtu.be/rUUEtCBhn_Q?si=lXM9RZV98p0UP0C2

5. "Suspicions" U.K. Decca F 12684 1967

Mayall's seventh single for Decca was the unveiling of an all new (all star) Bluesbreakers featuring a young Mick Taylor (formerly of the Gods) on lead guitar, future Free member Andy Fraser on bass, Dick Heckstall-Smith (recently demobbed from the Graham Bond Organization) on sax, future Wynder. K. Frog member Chris Mercer on sax and recently departed  Artwoods drummer Keith Hartley . Heavy on the horns it marks a departure from what you would expect from The Bluesbreakers but Taylor's electrifying guitar licks remind the listener just what made his backing band so legendary.  Mayall belts his heart out soulfully in an ode to his woman who is stepping out. 

https://youtu.be/neUNdz25gSs?si=MIoBtICdm03eji0V

6. "Jenny" U.S. London 45-LOS-20037 1968

One of my favorite Mayall tunes is this unusual single from '68, unusual because it features no one but Mayall but there are some bluesy guitar licks that were played by Peter Green but there is no bass or drums, just bare bones , haunting vocals with an odd echo and guitar. Savaged by the press at the time of it's release it's unique and is a predecessor of Mayall's later drummer-less recordings. 

https://youtu.be/xcjNxrnxw1E?si=IIRf463V-jwd3qCU

7. "Ridin' On The L. And N." E.P. track "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers With Paul Butterfield" U.K. Decca DFE-R 8673 1967

From the E.P. that featured four tracks cut in November 1966 with visiting American blue eyed blues dude Paul Butterfield, this number is a brilliant effort by the two of the most famous white bluesmen from both sides of the Atlantic! Sung by Mayall with Butterfield blowing some harp that sounds like it's been dredged from some lonesome train yard it is easily the strongest track from the E.P. Despite what has been written no members of the Butterfield Blues Band played on the E.P.'s sessions.

https://youtu.be/EWrL_N5QW1A?si=FjlPGA_9jbC2SPFv

8. "Sitting In The Rain" U.K. Decca F.12545 1967

Mayall's fifth Decca single is this simple, musically sparse (see "Jenny" above) number that evokes the rural blues feel of someone sitting on a porch with the simple hands slapping thighs as percussion and some very simple guitar licks while Mayall croons on top of it all. Despite it's lacking bass or drums it works, but the public, like most if not all of Mayall's 7" releases, couldn't be bothered. 

https://youtu.be/X8IOeuGnrjc?si=kQyer1FmtcwznoiH

9. "Key To Love" U.S. London 45-LON 20016 1966

From the above mentioned ""Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton" album "Key To Love" is a driving stormer of a track with blistering guitar by Eric Clapton and the powerful horn section of Alan Skidmore (tenor saxophone) and Dennis Healey (trumpet). It's uptempo delivery really packs a punch and it was issued in the U.S. (and the U.K.) as the b-side to the album's reading of Mose Allison's Brit r&b standard "Parchman Farm".

https://youtu.be/gDkPEDTcVMg?si=Z07hU28gRE4wPySW

10. "Crawling Up A Hill" U.K. Decca F.11900 1964

This is where it all started for me. In 1989 I came across this track on the incredible Kent compilation LP "Rhythm N' Blue Eyed Soul". Mayall's debut single was this catchy original that perfect encapsulated the mid 60's British mod/jazz term "Flamingo jazz" (named for the venue that was home to the likes of Mayall, Georgie Fame. Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money etc). It's got some incredible harp wailing, laid back Mose Allson style lead vocals, combo organ and an amazing guitar solo by Bernie Watson (who left the band soon after it's May 1964 release). 

https://youtu.be/cc_mr7FnnBs?si=YL3UuXb3GGva9AGN

The author is EXTREMELY indebted to the incredible book "Strange Brew: Eric Clapton & The British Blues Boom 1965-1970" by Christopher Hjort which was invaluable in providing information on many of these recordings. 

Yours truly with John Mayall, Phoenixville, PA 2014

Stax Soulsville U.S.A. Reviewed

 

When it was announced that HBO (ahem "Max") would be launching a four part docu series on my favorite 60's soul label I was tickled pink. I always approach musical documentaries with trepidation, I think it's because all too often they employ too many talking heads and spoil the soup (I think we can finally breath easy in the hope that documentary makers have stopped using Bono). Hopes were high!

"Soulsville U.S.A" is loosely based on the INCREDIBLE 1997 book by Rob Bowman and fortunately features no one outside of the Stax organization with the only exception being Bowman himself. The label's story is told through archival footage and photos along with interviews and narration by Stax stalwarts Booker T. Jones, label founders Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton (the latter through old footage), Carla Thomas, David Porter, Issac Hayes, Dave Moore (of Sam & Dave), Steve Cropper, label exec Deanie Parker and last but not least Al Bell who eventually took control of the label and sadly was instrumental in it's meteoric rise and eventual demise. 

Estelle Axton in front of 926 East McLemore Avenue

It is with the inclusion of Al Bell (a DJ who was brought onboard in 1965 originally as a promotions man to raise the label's profile) that the documentary veers off into less about the label and more about Al Bell. It is he who is the most prominent voice in the series leading my old friend Larry Grogan to aptly describe it as "The Al Bell Show, starring Al Bell, as told to Al Bell by Al Bell". Episode 1 "Cause I Love You" deals with the history of the label from it's founding by Jim Stewart and his sister Estelle Axton to the names that made the label big: Booker T and The M.G's (though the later are rarely mentioned outside of "Green Onions" and their work as a backing band), Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave and of course, Otis Redding. Sadly there's nary a trace of anyone else, no William Bell, no Eddie Floyd, no Mar-Keys, no Rufus Thomas or countless others who appeared on the label. Musically this is a "Stax 101" for beginners. The tragic distribution deal with Jerry Wexler and Atlantic records (which unbeknownst to Jim Stewart, for not reading the fine print, gave Wexler and Atlantic the rights to Stax's entire released catalog) is the first of many traumatic incidents in the label's history. There is an extensive and informative section chronicling the famous 1967 Stax U.K. tour with Otis, Booker T and Co. and Sam and Dave as well as Otis Redding's successful appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Sadly the follow up was Otis and The Mar-Key's  tragic death and the later assassination of Martin Luther King (and the strife both preceding and following his death in Memphis) which are covered in Episode 2 "Soul Man".   It's here that crucial facts begin to be conveniently not mentioned. The label's re-invigoration by Bell in the late 60's and early 70's with Johnnie Taylor "Who's Makin' Love (the label's strongest selling single at that point in 1968) and the mega stardom of Stax writer and producer Isaac Hayes as a performer are covered in Episode 3 "Respect Yourself" and also briefly covers the disillusionment and eventual departure of crucial musicians like Booker T. and Steve Cropper with Bell's inane scheme of releasing a staggering 28 albums simultaneously while treating the backing musicians like assembly line workers (and no mention of his use of thugs and threats to bring the understandably unhappy musicians to heel) . 

"The company became corporate. A mass production assembly line feeling. That whole concept was so foreign to me I just never accepted it. It was pain added to the other pain for me. I didn't want to leave, I had to leave" 

                                 -Booker T. Jones

Despite the fact that Rob Bowman is frequently featured in the series the producers neglected to use his book as a template and as a result decided to downplay the fact that racial tensions within the label were brewing and a backlash of bias that was coming on hard and fast in the wake of Dr. King's assassination. This claimed founder Estelle Axton as it's first victim (Axton's departure is chalked up to "creative differences" in the series). Her beloved Satellite records shop is closed with her departure and turned into studio space.  Bowman's telling quote of the series after Bell's sweeping reorg speaks volumes:

"Al Bell's decision to expand has great consequences as to record sales but terrible consequences in terms of morale"

                          -Rob Bowman

Crucially no mention is made of Al Bell's employment of two unsavory characters of criminal background in the form of Dino Woodward and Johnny Baylor (Baylor was later stopped in an airport in 1972 shortly after the epic Wattstax concert with an enormous sum of cash and a check from Stax for $500,000 in his possession which put Stax on the both the I.R.S. and F.B.I's radar ), nor is there any mention of the physical violence the musicians were threatened with by these unsavory elements. Bell is frequently portrayed in the series as a hapless victim of institutional racism, a well meaning soul caught in a web of unscrupulous contracts and business dealings with the horribly run Farmer's And Mechanics Bank and a disastrous deal with CBS that made the equally horrific deal with Atlantic in the 60's (covered in Episode 2) look minuscule. In truth Bell may have been an unfortunate victim in the case of the Farmer's And Mechanics Bank scandal and the CBS dilemma but his allowing the foxes to guard the hen house backfired, disastrously (also conveniently not mentioned was the paying of Baylor a cool $2.9 million dollars for one year's work in 1972). 

Dino Woodward (left), unknown and Johnny Baylor (right)

at the Stax Xmas party, 12/20/68.

Stax bounds back in Episode Three "Respect Yourself" with Issac Haye's career taking off and his "Shaft" score winning a Grammy in 1972 for Best Motion Picture Soundtrack and the label promoting the highly successful Wattstax gig in August of '72 with a huge roster of artists performing (clips of The Bar-kays, Issac Hayes and Carla Thomas and Rufus Thomas from the event are aired). However it's all downhill from there (as chronicled in Episode 4 "Nothing Takes The Place Of You") with mounting problems from CBS when Clive Davis (who forged the distribution deal with Stax) is unceremoniously canned and Stax's products are nowhere to be found in stores as CBS sits on them. Again it's Al Bell blaming his woes on everyone but himself. Al Bell may have talked the talk of "black power" but the end of the day it was green that really mattered. 

Al Bell pointing the finger at everyone but himself.

Stax (and Bell's) wild ride comes to a resounding halt when the bailiff's turn up to shut down a slimmed down Stax (having done a too little too late housecleaning/mass lay-off in the wake of the CBS debacle) after the Union Planter's Bank loan to save the label is foreclosed. Bell chalks it up to the white Memphis establishment declaring war on a successful black run enterprise (curiously NOT at the height of their success), never once mentioning about any of the shady dealings and fast and loose bookkeeping going on at the label. But if there's a loser in this story it's Jim Stewart, who, when the label is about to be swallowed up by its creditors sweeps in with his life savings an a valiant attempt to keep the wolves at bay despite being pushed out of the label by this time. It didn't work and Stewart wound up destitute and lost his house as a result but somehow remains proud and dignified of what he was able to accomplish. Depressing footage of a decaying Stax marquee and building being gutted in 1989 are it's epilogue and there's no mention of the label's subsequent takeover by Fantasy records in the late 70's OR the reconstruction and replication of the original building in it's original location. I guess there wasn't time for that during "the Al Bell show". 

******The Author is gratefully indebted to Rob Bowman's incredible book "Soulsville" which was instrumental in completing this post******

Deram Records Top 10

1. THE MOVE-"Night Of Fear" Deram DM 109 1966

The Move got a reputation of being a slick 5 piece soul music floor show with syncopated dance moves and the band's four vocalists standing across the stage in a line doing obscure gems like Gladys Knight's "Stop Get A Hold Of Myself" or Joe Tex's "You Better Believe It". But when brought in as one of Deram's earliest signings their musical style shifted to originals penned by lead guitarist Roy Wood and the soul covers were left at the door of the recording studio (though they were still on the soul train both on air for BBC sessions and their live repertoire). Roy wrote their debut, "Night Of Fear" with it's distinct "War Of 1812" intro lick, something he said came from his parents love of classical music. It was coincidentally used the previous year by Ike and Tina Turner on their Loma 45 "Tell Her I'm Not Home", something a band with deep appreciation of soul music might well have been familiar with. Regardless it's an amazing track about nightmares (though of course everyone thought it was about a bad acid trip), punctuated by some amazing harmonies and resident mod fashion plate on bass Ace Kefford who adds the possibility of "trippier" elements at play when he soulfully croons "Just about to flip your mind, just about to trip your mind" in a Steve Winwood-esque style the bridge. The band's tight four part harmonies are the proverbial cherry bomb on top. 

https://youtu.be/Hir_rlcWrEE

2. FRIENDS-"Mythological Sunday" Deram DM 198 1968

Friends were a studio only concoction featuring former Ivy League member John Carter and probably a who's who of session musicians. "Mythological Sunday" was the flip side of the insipidly dreadful "Piccolo Man", probably the label's worst offering after the dreadful "I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman". Led by an eerie Mellotron that weaves together a gentle pop psych harmony number that sounds like a '68 Moody Blues outtake, it's a slow build.  The bridge sweeps in with a pop psych opus comprised by everything under the studio sink with harpsichord, majestic/soaring harmonies, piano etc. The number fades out and returns with an ominous solitary organ chord drone and war sound affects as a somber regimental march comes closer and closer with the military chorus singing: "If a million men went off to fight a war in foreign lands and fifty thousand came back home with blood upon their hands, would any soldier that was left come back to fight once more if he could know before he died what he was fighting for" before drifting back off an ending with the Mellotron notes that begin the track.

https://youtu.be/iKPW64wDHwY

3. DAVID BOWIE-"The London Boys" Deram DM 107 1966

Forget "My Generation", "The London Boys" was THE archetype 60's mod anthem. It was, and still is......and much more. Originally recorded when Bowie was signed to Pye, the powers that were rejected the track because of it's lyrics about taking pills. His new label Deram, actually signed him after hearing the track and it was utilized as the flip of his debut Deram release "Rubber Band". From it's somber, glum beginning warble to the lifting full throttle cabaret ending (which David Robert Jones delivers like the Frank Sinatra of modernism) the number is a masterpiece. Restrained by a simple bass/organ backing with strains of brass (muted trumpet and woodwinds) the song builds as the pitch of Bowie's plight reaches it's full descent. Lyrically poignant and proud despite the "against all odds" scenario of hopelessness and failure faced by the song's young protagonist, "The London Boys" ages well. Bowie thought so too and re-recorded it for his aborted (and later posthumously released) LP "Toy" and performed it live several times in the early 2000's (usually sticking to the original arrangement) .

https://youtu.be/scFpxKdm2w4

4. TINTERN ABBEY-"Beeside" Deram DM 164 1967

This two sider is for me, the DEFINITIVE British 60's psychedelic 45. "Beeside" begins with a faint piano that descends in volume until banished by a burst of slowed down cymbal flashes and a tapestry of Mellotron. Then there's some Macca '66-'67 style bass and backwards guitars before the ethereal lead vocals begin. The whole track is a mindblast, there's so much going on it it musically while the lead singer sings about pollination in a piece that at times musically reminds me of the majesty of the classic piece "Carnival Of Animals". And in the timely British pop psych tradition there's some muted  regal trumpet during the chorus that meshes really nicely with the Mellotron. This is British 60's psychedelia encapsulated accept no substitutes or imitations.

https://youtu.be/k7yyIJkMSWU

5. DENNY LAINE-"Say You Don't Mind" Deram DM 122 1967

"Say You Don't Mind" is one of those classic Deram releases that broke new grounds (The Move, Cat Stevens, Bowie, Tintern Abbey etc).  From it's renaissance evoking woodwinds, strings and rocking backing track it should've been a number one.  No doubt it was probably kept away by some tripe like Engelbert or The New Seekers.  But you can say this, there weren't many people doing this "string section" bit this early on in Deram's roster, which is sad because Denny Laine never really reaped the rewards he should have from this concept.  "Groundbreaking" I think one of the "Disc & Music Echo" clips I have somewhere said upon it's release.  Denny's voice is strong and hits some notes few could get away with, though Colin Blunstone did a wonderful reworking as a single in 1972. Rumor has it that he recorded an entire LP worth of material at the time, but the only thing that was forthcoming was one more single by him for the label eight months later. 

https://youtu.be/Dwg534G-TFU

6. VIRGIN SLEEP-"Secret" Deram DM 173 1968 

We profiled Virgin Sleep's lush debut "Love" in one of our earliest posts (see here). Five months later in January 1968 they returned with this, their second and unfortunately final Deram single, this time with legendary producer/arranger Keith Mansfield providing some stunning orchestral backing. With it's extremely heavy orchestral intro, thundering drums and this high pitched note that is either a flute or some angelic vocals (or both) it's a Brit psych pop magnum opus. Eventually there is a discernible flute as well and in the ultimate "toy town psych" tradition there is a host of mentions of numerous nursery rhyme friendly animals making it a veritable barnyard of psychedelia all concerning the animals and the ability or inability to keep the "secret" ("butterflies sailing in the breeze, go tell it to the queen of the bees now she knows...spider spinning it's web of silk watching the ducks down by the mill, he'll keep the secret until he's ready.."). 

https://youtu.be/c7AGxBiuj04

7. TEN YEARS AFTER-"The Sounds" Deram DM 176 1968

"The Sounds" should have been the A-side. Forget any blues pretensions or 20 minute Slim Harpo covers, "The Sounds" is a full on freakbeat gas from start to finish. Curiously it reminds me a bit of Dennis Couldry's "I Am Nearly There" (UK Decca F 12734 issued the same month) with it's downtrodden, morose vocals with lyrics of mental confusion brought on by "the sounds". Is it about paranoia? A bad trip? A man who has just about had enough of life?  You decide. There's occasional bluesy but blistering guitar licks that burst out while the main verses feature a subtle organ and almost Gregorian chant backing vocals that gloomily plod along like a freakout dirge and it just builds and builds. The organ gets funkier and sound affects slowly start to pile on creating a brilliant cacophony of paranoia and confusion. It stops abruptly and slowly creeps back in for a few seconds. Positively trippy, man.

https://youtu.be/2urSalzMI_4

8. THE 23RD TURNOFF-"Michael Angelo" Deram DM 150 1967

Out of the ashes from Liverpool beat latecomers The Kirkbys (pronounced "Kirby's", thanks Amanda!) lead singer Jimmy Campbell rebranded and relaunched them as The 23rd Turnoff (named after a Liverpool exit on the Motorway, if liner notes to a See For Miles comp LP are to be believed), though apparently Campbell is the only member actually participating in the recording. The lush orchestration and incredibly generous use of phasing are perfectly in keeping with the times as are the regal trumpet trills (is that a piccolo trumpet perhaps?) and an organ going through a Leslie speaker. The lyrics are equally profound ("why should it be that a man such as me who cares not for money and fame, shouldn't be rich with God's natural gifts to have something to show at the end of life's game"). And as was the case with Tintern Abbey, we got but one brilliant single out of them and then nothing.

https://youtu.be/Q1jhT6z2fVE

9. THE EYES OF BLUE-"Supermarket Full Of Cans" Deram DM 114 1967

"Gettin' kind of hung up baby, wondering what you're gonna do...." intones the beat group styled lead singer of The Eyes Of Blue. From their rep back home in Swansea as blue eyed soul purveyors you would expect a lead singer aping Otis Redding. Nope. But that's where the charm of these fellas comes in. Their musical backing is full on high class and probably would have (or maybe might have?) moved the floors at Wigan Casino with with it's precision piano and vibes. But it's the fact that the lead singer is not singing in a soulful way that mimics a black American that makes it work! The number's strength is also due in no small part thanks to in house producer Noel Walker (also responsible for work with fellow label mates and soul loving Welshman Amen Corner). It's 101 mph delivery and the catchy vibes and enthusiastic punctual shouts of "Hey!" before the chorus are positively infectious as are the Action styled falsetto backing vocals. This was their second and  last single on Deram before jumping to Mercury and going prog the following year. Yuck. 

https://youtu.be/Ibhm7KPTtMg

10. THE PYRAMID-"The Summer Of Last Year" Deram DM 11 1967

"I just passed through the place where the sea was warm and clear, and the sun, and the sun was always hot in the summer of last year...", or so went the pastoral harmony pop and sole release by The Pyramid, who were discussed in one of our earliest posts (here). The band's harmonies are pure Californian/West Coast that would do the Association proud but they also bring to mind The Who's backing vocals on say "In The City" or "Glow Girl". There's subtle organ and some heavy fuzz bass (care of one John Paul Jones) and incredible knob twiddling by Denny Cordell (responsible for other Deram acts Beverely and Denny Laine) but it's those layers of vocals and harmonies that keep bringing me back again and again. Pop over to the link above for the original post to read memories of the single's recording by original member Mike Lease. 

https://youtu.be/2-U7Nge5bTw

All label scans c/o of 45cat.com