More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Wynder K. Frog

WYNDER K. FROG-Green Door/Dancing Frog U.S. United Artists UA 50156 1967

United Artists belated interest in plugging the U.K. Hammond instrumental combo Wynder K. Frog was no doubt inspired by their modest success on these shores with the Spencer Davis Group when "I'm A Man" reached #10 in the charts (though once that ball was rolling Steve and Muff Winwood had jumped ship but that's another story).

"Green Door" was the U.S. debut single by Wynder K Frog (we discussed one of their U.K. releases here and it's U.S. version here) released in May 1967 three months after it's U.K. counterpart (issued on Island WIP 6006 it was their third U.K. 7" release).

"Green Door" is a Hammond and horns instrumental version of a 1956 U.S. hit for Jim Lowe (later covered by The Cramps on their LP "Psychedelic Jungle").  Full of funky Hammond chops c/o organist Mick Weaver, "Green Door" is carried by some strong horns and lots of shouts and clapping giving a sort of party atmosphere to the tune (much like the same feel they'd use on their next 45, a turbo charged version of "I'm A Man").

"Dancing Frog" is equally as frantic with some well punctuated "Uhh"s inserted in between some jazzy Hammond trills and with some more subtle horns.  Minus the organ it formed the backing track for a Jimmy Cliff number called "Let's Dance". Both tracks have a long history of being staples for mod/soul DJ nights for the past 30+ years. It was previously issued on the band's debut U.K. LP (not released in America)  "Sunshine Super Frog" .

"Green Door" was issued on Wynder K. Frog's debut U.S. LP "Out Of The Frying Pan" (United Artists UAS 6695 in 1968) and "Dancing Frog" appeared on the U.S. soundtrack LP for the cheezy Swinging London film "The Touchables" ( 20th Century Fox Records S-42006 1968) as well as their debut U.K. LP (reissued on CD) "Sunshine Super Frog" .  As far as modern reissues go "Green Door" is available on the Edsel CD reissue of the LP "Out Of the Frying Pan" and a Northern Soul compilation 4 CD set titled "A Complete Introduction To Northern Soul". "Dancing Frog" is available on a  reissue of "The Touchables" soundtrack (along with another Wynder K cut "Blues For A Frog") on iTunes in the US.

Hear "Green Door":

http://youtu.be/nF3bhR5okRM

Hear "Dancing Frog":

http://youtu.be/4OfVcnhg1mM

The Moody Blues-"Fly Me High"

Way back when we first began we wrote about the debut 45 by the revamped Moody Blues "Mk. II" (as we called them) and their first single "Fly Me High". Through the beauty of YouTube I've discovered 3 separate live versions of it from French TV which I've posted here in chronological order (starting with a brilliant one a few months before the single was even released from late 1966):

1966

 

1967

  

1968

   

Ten More of the Most Monster 60's British Mod/R&B Records.....

Awhile back (two years ago) we dug up 10 British 60's mod/R&B 45's (you can see them here) and I think it's time we came up with ten more.....

Scan courtesy of 45cat.com

1. LISTEN-"Everybody's Gonna Say" U.K. CBS 202456/U.S. Columbia 4-43967 1966
Robert Plant's debut record was with this November 1966 45. This tune tucked on the bottom of a decent cover of The Rascal's "You Better Run" and is a pure raver. The first time I heard it to my ears it sounded like The Small Faces with a horn section and female backing vocalists. That was 1991 when I heard it (and it's A-side) on a bootleg CD called "Visions Of The Past Volume 3", I still stand by that impression. Sadly it's not been comped anywhere else that I'm aware of.

http://youtu.be/4AGFj9b2tIw


2. MIKE PATTO-"Love" U.K. Columbia DB 8091 1966
Recorded while Mike Patto was still fronting The Bo Street Runners (and prior to his joining Timebox) this 45 released in the final weeks of 1966 on the flipside of "Can't Help Talkin' About My Baby".  "Love" is an upbeat and almost poppy tune an aided by some incredibly cool Hammond via Tim Hinkley and of course Patto's soulful vocals.  It has cropped up on several compilation CD's which is in itself a testament to it's demand: "Rubble Volume 2: Pop Sike Dreams", "Take My Tip: 25 British Mod Artifacts From The EMI Vaults"  and Goldmine Soul Supply's "British Soul 2".

http://youtu.be/fj3kzE674y4

Scan courtesy of 45cat.com

3. ROBERT PLANT-"Laughin', Cryin', Laughin'" U.K. CBS 202656 1967
I debated on including two Robert Plant tunes in this list but to atone for the horror that is and was Led Zeppelin you can't have enough good things in your back catalog and this one, the B-side to his November 1967 single "Our Song" is too good to leave off. Backed by some solid brass and carried by Percy's Steve Marriott styled vocalizing it's a non-stop stormer from start to finish (with some over the top no expenses spared production as well).  My fave bit is the middle part where some atmospheric organ comes in when the whole thing slows down and Plant croons "and every day's blue Monday since you've gone away...".  Why and how this has never been reissued is just plain fucking criminal.

http://youtu.be/uWfVT3dX6HI

Scan courtesy of 45cat.com

4. TOMMY BURTON COMBO-"I'm Walkin'" U.K. Blue Beat BB 237 1964
The flip side of their lone Blue Beat 45  "Lavender Blue" (one of three white British bands to record on the label, the others were Mickey Finn and the Blue Men and Syko And The Caribs, whom are reputed to have been fronted by Christine Keeler's brother!) is this romp through the Fats Domino number with some gritty guitar, sax and mega raw vocals.  It's pretty lo-fi but in a charming sort of way sounding not unlike something Joe Meek might've cut in his bathroom or a bargain basement Graham Bond Organization at a date where they forgot the organ!  Another tune screaming for a reissue!

http://youtu.be/4kwQ-j9Yzm0

5. EDWICK RUMBOLD-"Come Back" U.K. CBS 202393 1966
Sadly relegated to Side B of the semi mediocre "Specially When" is this in demand ripping freakbeat meets mod/r&b tune.  Driven by some faint combo organ and in your face guitars pounding out a rocking rhythm for the soulful, impassioned vocals the track never lets up, dig the frenetic guitar solo!  Comped on the semi dodgy CD's "Echoes In The Wilderness" and "Portobello Explosion: The Mod Pop Sound Of Swinging London".

http://youtu.be/uyzQY_60a9A

6. OSCAR-"Club Of Lights" U.K. Reaction 591003 1966
The follow up to Pete Townshend penned "Join My Gang" was the up tempo monster recorded by Oscar Beuselinck (aka Paul Nicholas) written by Townshend's protege Speedy Keen (who also wrote "Armenia City In The Sky" on "The Who Sell Out" and later of Thunderclap Newman). Kicked off by some fantastic fuzz guitar and a driving beat the number seems to me to epitomize the commercial/cash in London night spot discotheque a go-go sound.  As contrived as that scene/genre may be this one really moves, especially when the horns kick in. Reissued on the CD (and appropriately titled) "Portobello Explosion: The Mod Pop Sound Of Swinging London".

http://youtu.be/227Lp0t6i7k

7. THE MIKE STUART SPAN-"Still Nights" U.K. Columbia DB 8066 1966 
This Brighton band was, for a time, a Hammond and horns r&b act before shedding that image and going on to be the heavy and extremely collectible act they are better known as. This number was the flip of their cover of The Drifter's "Come On Over To Our Place" written by lead singer Stuart Hobday. Powered by some seriously powerful horns (the band featured a four piece and later two piece horn section) it's a perfect melding of soulful r&b with tinges of what would be coined "freakbeat" (much like a similar formula employed by the Quik, The Richard Kent Style etc). Sadly the band's guitarist on this track, Neil Langham fell to his death whilst on L.S.D. charting a firmly anti-drugs direction for the band. Comped in the 90's on a bootleg CD "Purple Pill Eaters" it has luckily been captured on the M.S.S. CD retrospective "Children Of Tomorrow".

http://youtu.be/1vPtC21xjqE

8. THE UNIVERSALS-"Hey You" U.K. Page One POF 032 1967
A chunky, jaunty number that reminds me of an amphetamine version of the Move's "Wave Your Flag And Stop The Train" this B-side of the band's poppy/soul "I Can't Find You" this track is punctuated by some gritty feedbacking guitars, powerful horns reminiscent of The Richard Kent Style and a vocalist who sounds like a soulful John Sebastian! Reissued on the essential but dodgy "Echoes of the Past" CD/LP comp.

http://youtu.be/E_o-rpSjC3g

9. THE EXCEPTIONS-"The Eagle Flies On Friday" U.K.  CBS 202632 1967
The debut 45 by this U.K. trio is this hard driving number accented by some vibes, incredibly soulful vocals and a great but subtle fluid bass line. The vocals and vibes make it sound a bit like a Timebox track till the blistering freakbeat guitar solo comes on. Raw power! Comped on  the CD's "Chocolate Soup For Diabetics Volume Four" and "Rare Beat Tracks Volume 3".

http://youtu.be/G_TA0M-5KaQ


10. THE ORGANISERS-"The Organiser" U.K. Pye 7N 17022 1966
Tucked away on the flip side of "Lonesome Road" is this jazzy Googie Rene meets Booker T style instrumental with some incredible Hammond work, bongos and a guitar solo that'd do Alvin Lee proud! Long among the holy grail of British mod/r&b records no one seems to know a thing about these fellas. It's been comped on CD's on the very first volume of Sequel's "Doin' the Mod Series" (Volume One, " The Go Go Train") and "Instro Hipsters A Go-Go 3".

http://youtu.be/c5vaCxwsz3E

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The Mustang

THE MUSTANG-Why/Here There And Everywhere U.S. Ascot 2231 1967

File under "we haven't got a fucking clue". The Mustang "Why" is a quite uncommon U.K. 45 from 1967 (U.K. issue Parlophone R 5579 March 1967). I know nothing about the band or the record, in fact this was their only single that I'm aware of and I only knew the tune because my old pals in Minneapolis, Minnesota The Conquerors covered it back in 1998 on their Get Hip 10" E.P. "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Dead".

"Why" starts off with a cracking drum kick and bounces into a jaunty little ballsy beat number that sounds firmly '65 NOT '67! The driving bass and crunchy rhythm remind me of The Easybeats meet The Kirkbys and the vocals remind me of The Rutles!  Seriously have a listen!

As for the flip, well...The Fourmost and Episode Six covered "Here There And Everywhere" and none of them improved on it so why should anyone else, this is beyond pedestrian?!  'Nuff said.

Has it been comped anywhere? No. F*cking criminal isn't it?!

Hear "Why":

http://youtu.be/7hEM9o6GQ7o

"Just some Medway herberts having a go at being Booker T and the MGs...." .More Plugs For The Competition....

My old stalwart former fanzine editor now blogger over at Monkey Picks has posted a cracking interview with Allan Crockford of Prisoners/JTQ/et al fame which I HIGHLY suggest you pop over and read here.

John Mayall '65: Life Before E.C.

JOHN MAYALL AND THE BLUESBREAKERS-"Crocodile Walk"/"Blues City Shakedown" U.K. Decca F 12120 1965

John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers second 45 "Crocodile Walk" was released in April 1965, a live version was unleashed on the public the previous month on Mayall's debut LP " John Mayall Plays John Mayall: Live At Klook's Kleek" (Decca LK 4680).

At this point The Bluesbreakers ever changing line-up consisted of Mayall on leads vocals, harmonica and keyboards, Roger Dean on guitar, John McVie on bass and Hughie Flint on drums.

"Crocodile Walk" is best described as being from that brief Mayall/Bluebreakers "Flamingo/Klook's Kleek" mod/jazz period.  I write this because his material was still jazzier and akin to that of fellow artists Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Zoot Money etc and had not yet gone full on Chicago blues yet. It has some groovy but simplistic organ and subtle harp blowing and a great bluesy solo from Dean.  Mayall's voice  sounds a bit strained but it's a great tune regardless.  My fave of both sides however is the B-side. the  harmonica lead instrumental "Blues City Shakedown".  The melody/riff is incredibly infectious and is a serious ear worm for those who've never heard it!!

"Crocodile Walk" has been reissued on a Deram/Decca CD compilation of some of Mayall's 60's sides titled "Thru The Years" as well as on a compilation "As It All Began: The Best Of John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers". "Blues City Shakedown" is on  "As It All Began: The Best Of..." and the even more recommended collection "Looking Back", a CD reissue of an amazing 1969 compilation album of Mayall material '64-'67.

Hear "Crocodile Walk":

http://youtu.be/wErMvG4cxao

Hear "Blues City Shakedown":

http://youtu.be/xWgJ2wJqaQE

The Action-I'll Keep Holding On

THE ACTION-I'll Keep Holding On/Hey Sah Lo Ney U.K. Parlophone R 5410 1966

Few singles by The Action are as famous as their 2nd single released in February 1966, a coupling of The Marvelette's May 1965 A-side "I'll Keep Holding On" (Tamla T-54116) and Mickey Lee Lane's August 1965 A-side "Hey Sah Lo Ney" (Swan 4222)."I'll Keep Holding On" was my first introduction to the Action after hearing The chords version I had read about The Action and their 60's mod connection (where I'm not sure) and took a chance in 1982 with the Edsel 45 of "I'll Keep Holding" b/w "Wasn't It You". To be honest at the time I did not like their version of "I'll Keep Holding On" and it was a year or so before I got my head around it, much preferring "Wasn't It You" at the time.

Of course like most Action interpretations of soul tunes they strip "I'll Keep Holding On" down and rebuild it with trademark high backing vocals, kinetic drumming by Roger Powell and Alan "Bam" King and Pete Watson's layers of Rickenbackers and of course not to mention the soulful lead vocals of Reggie King.  My favorite part is 3/4's of the way through when Roger Powell starts putting his double bass drums to use and doubles the beat which adds to the intensity of the number in my book.

"Hey Sah Lo Ney" follows the same formula in that it's not a carbon copy of the original.  The Action ditch the lo-fi grittiness of Mickey Lee Lane's take and make it slick with some semi jazzy licks by Pete Watson introducing the melody on his twelve string Rickenbacker 330 and the band again bringing up the rear with some high backing vocals not at all unlike their heroes The Association and fluid bass playing by Mike Evans.

The Action onstage at their haunt The Marquee where they
clocked in 25 gigs during '65-'67

Of course both tracks are available on the band's essential CD "Action Packed" which is a reissue of all of their existing material recorded for EMI's Parlophone label during 1965 through to 1967.

Below is a clip the band filming miming "I'll Keep Holding On" filmed in London for American TV's ABC-TV program "Where The Action Is":

 

 Hear "Hey Sah Lo Ney":

http://youtu.be/XGKbs558oYM