1. TOMORROW'S KEEPSAKE-"Elevator Operator" Canada RCA Victor Canada 57-3442 1967
This mega rare Canadian release of a track from Gene Clark's debut solo LP "With The Gosdin Brothers" strips down the original and reinvents it as a garage punk amphetamine with swirling Farfisa organ and the speed of delivery almost doubled from the original and a quirky pronunciation of the title. Interestingly it's noted on the label that it was recorded in the United States.
2. BRIAN INGLAND-"The World Of Gorillas And Monkeys" US Mala M12,023 1968
This strangely titled number no doubt has the "Planet Of The Apes" film in mind (right down to the weird trumpet call when the Apes hunt the humans in the first movie) and the call and response "all human beings will be flunky's in the world of gorillas and monkeys". It has a weird tempo that shifts from a pulsating soulful go-go groove to something mellow like a 1967 Four Seasons recording. Mindblowing stuff.
3. NOEL ODOM AND THE GROUP-"I Can't See Nobody" US Uptown 763 1969
1969 is a bit late to jump on the Bee Gee's bandwagon that was quite popular in '67-'68 but this number works. The lead vocalist is incredibly soulful, in fact I think he sings even better than Robin Gibb on the original. Throw in some swirling organ/harpsichord that gives it a Spooky Tooth feel and you have yourself a fairly interesting version!
4. THE TAPESTRY-"(One Afternoon On) Carnaby Street" U.S. Compass CO-7006 1967
With a title like this I had to check this one out. It's actually a fairly interesting, though somewhat pedestrian baroque pop ditty not dissimilar to '67 Peter & Gordon (complete with a little regal trumpet bit giving it this "Penny Lane" meets The New Vaudeville Band). The vocals and production owe a great deal to The Association. Curiously enough it even got a U.K. release!
5. THE ELECTRIC ELVES-"Hey Look Me Over" U.S. MGM K13839 1967
Best known for the musical launch pad for one Ronnie James Dio, The Electric Elves sole single is a beautiful example of how The Who impacted middle America in the 60's. Bearing a slight resemblance to "Substitute" , "Hey Look Me Over" is a 100 mph power pop basher with amazing hooks and of course there's a mandatory split second rave up and plenty of "ba ba ba bop's".
6. THE DANTES-"Under My Thumb" U.S. Cameo C-431 1966
Here's a hot on the heels of the original cover of the Stones tune, it's beauty lies ion it's sparse/bare bones simplicity. The guitar tone sounds like a bargain basement Gabor Szabo. I don't know why but the lazy almost mundane feel to this appeals to me.
7. RAGA AND THE TALAS-"My Group And Me" World Pacific 1966
This Jackie DeShannon penned number (she produced it as well and her involvement came from the fact that her brother, Randy Myers, fronted the group) is not what you would expect from a band with "Raga" in their moniker It's a jangly mid tempo tune with a driving bass line and some really moody/cool harmonies.
8. JOE FRANK & THE KNIGHTS-Can't Find A Way" U.S. ABC Paramount 45-10782 1966
Opening with some power pop/Who-like power chords this number turns into a snotty garage punk number with prerequisite combo organ and call and response backing vocals. Joe Frank would later find fame with Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds.
9. THE GREEN BEANS-"Don't Give Me No Friction" U.S. Mercury 72504 1965
This number first came to my attention back in the 80's via a cover by Aussie 60's garage punks The Missing Links, though not as snotty or powerful as their cover it's equally amazing. The vocals are laid back and poppy but the musical delivery is tough with some fuzzed out guitars throughout and great harmonies.
10. THE RAVIN' Blue-"Love" U.S. Monument 45-968 1966
This full on British pop art inspired raver owes an incredible amount of influence to The Who in both it's frantic delivery, backing vocals and distinct floor tom whacking. The vocalist stutters like Roger Daltrey in "My Generation" and the whole delivery is incredibly inspired by it but not in the least bit derivative or plagiarizing. I love the pulsating shouts of "Love!" throughout the number! Strangely it was released in several countries on the Continent as well (but not England!).
