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-
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