U.S. Soul/R&B/Jazz/Blues 45's For February

 

1. LITTLE GENIE BROOKS-"The James Brown Bougeloo" U.S. Carol 105 1966

No that's how "boogaloo" is really spelled on the label. This 100mph horns backed work out is a TOTAL James Brown pastiche from the horns, the breaks and of course the lead vocals with lots of quotes from various J.B. songs. Any idea who Little Genie Brooks was?

https://youtu.be/eufzcFMujTY

2. THE PIPS-"Room In Your Heart" U.S. Vee Jay VJ 386 1961

This call and response r&b screamer is Gladys Knight and the boys but credited to "The Pips". It has elements of doo-wop mixed in with frantic r&b that works thanks to the tight delivery and energy. Originally issued on the HunTom label, this was reissued on Vee Jay just months later. 

https://youtu.be/BdGHd7ja49c

3. MARJORIE BLACK-"One More Hurt" U.S. Sue 45-132 1965

This obscure release on the legendary Sue label could easily pass as an obscure Motown side in it's up tempo delivery and the key changes. It's totally danceable and merits immediate investigation to those not familiar with it!

https://youtu.be/Dkg8UVLDFK0

4. BARBRA MERCER-"Hey!" U.S. Golden World GW-21 1965

The vibes and call and response/up tempo backing vocals on this pretty much guarantee it's a huge dance floor classic but copies are surprisingly affordable. 

https://youtu.be/S2As29AfL1I

5. ADOLPH JACOBS-"Move Around Easy" U.S. Class 253 1959 

This twangy little proto rock n' roll meets r&b number is where the sock hop meets gritty bluesy gut bucket r&b. It's poppy but off set by the greasy saxophone solo and busy bass lines.

https://youtu.be/SAAJoJ9MHCw

6. CHRISTINE COOPER-"Heartaches Away My Boy" U.S. Parkway P-983 1966

Sweets strings, Motown punctuation on the vibes/scronking sax (the number has multiple similarities to a few Supremes numbers) and beautiful lead/backing vocals make this, understandably one of the most sought after soul 45's on the Cameo Parkway label. Pure magic!!

https://youtu.be/iXNcckwxspE

7. THE PUSSYCATS-"Come On And Ska" US Keetch 45-6003 1964

I'm always keen on cash in U.S. 60's ska records, most are absolutely dreadful but this girl group track sounds like The Shangri-La's performing over a Millie Small backing track (with some more soul than Mary Weiss and the girls ever had) !

https://youtu.be/iX0TLYm7gwU

8. SOLOMON BURKE-"Be Bop Grandma" U.S. Atlantic 45-2114 1961

This one is all over the place. It's r&b, doo-wop, rock n' roll etc. Solomon Burke is clearly emulating Elvis on the lead vocals and the honky/wonky sax and blistering guitar licks make the number. The lyrics are a corny story of a hip shakin' grandma who likes to get down with the rocking hits when she's alone. Creepy.

https://youtu.be/T5a9RNmpV6k

9.  THE ORLONS-"Heartbreak Hotel" U.S. Cameo C-319 1964

Big props to the HBO Elvis documentary for hipping me to this incredibly soulful/call and response storming cover of the King's 1956 hit. It has an almost sophisticated "uptown soul"/Motown feel to both it's delivery and production!

https://youtu.be/1eQ7iABZv0A

10. GARNET MIMMS-"Looking For You" U.S. United Artists UA 951 1965

One of Garnet's most sought after singles after "As Long As I Have you" is this vibes/female backing vocals/Northern soul strings propelled ditty full of interesting tempo changes and over the top production.

https://youtu.be/GX1lYmU4dFo

All scans c/o 45cat.com

U.S. Soul/R&B/Jazz/Blues 45's For January

1. FRANK FOSTER-"Harlem Rumble" U.S. Tri-Ode 120 196?

This number is all over the place. It starts out like something you'd expect a Rat Pack crooner to do and then it turns into a funky little instrumental that evokes the hustle and bustle of the big city meets the theme song to an unwritten vintage 60's cop show!

https://youtu.be/syQPM5J2cvw

2. LESTER LANIN-"West Indies Ska" U.S. Phillips 40217 1964

I could probably do an entire post of cod ska U.S. 60's releases, but like a bad fish dinner I might never be able to remove the stench. That said...this one is actually a wailing organ/sax led call and response number with a vocalist not unlike Jackie Wilson. 

https://youtu.be/rzn2Cts7OQE

3. UNCLE SAM & THE WAR MACHINE-"Spy Girl" U.S. Blue Onion BO-103 1967

Don't let the title fool you this number is an uptempo soul groover (possibly of the blue eyed variety) and sounds like an amazing mix of The Blues Magoos or Standells meet Bob Brady and the Conchords. 

https://youtu.be/HUbxscwSVP8

4. GERALD WILSON ORCHESTRA-"Light My Fire" U.S. World Pacific 88148 1967

There's something intriguing for me about kitschy, campy easy listening versions of hits in the 60;s, this is no exception. Led by a flute this number is one third supper club jazz, one third elevator music and one third big band. But what a glorious combo!!

https://youtu.be/oTXO-ZIeUQ4

5. TOMMY & CLEVE-"I Don't Want To Share Your Love" U.S. Checker 1154 1966

This powerful soul belter comes across like a Checker/Chess answer to Sam and Dave. It's a mid tempo soul smoker done by this duo (who I can't tell you a damn thing about) with a greasy sax solo! Found on the flip of their "Boo-Ga-Loo Baby" (a great tune as well, not to be confused with the J.J. Jackson number). 

https://youtu.be/XSFX-qWm_mE

6.  SHAWN ELLIOT-"The Sidewinder" U.S. Roulette R-4700 1966

Shawn gets a lot of press here for his cheezy but interesting stab at the ska release "Shame And Scandal In The Family". He cut this vocal version of Lee Morgan's classic as a B-side of the lame "Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love", it's cheezy but an interesting rendition that grew on me after a few plays.

https://youtu.be/Zx1OjNkapJc

7. LEE ROGERS-"Go-Go Girl" U.S. D-Town 1067 1966

Found on the flip of "I'm A Practical Guy", this uptown soul stormer kicks in with thundering drums and mellow horns (that perfectly accent the track) and powerful vocals. 

https://youtu.be/rxWP7ao7Yz0

8. SUNNY & THE SUNLINERS-"Trick Bag" U.S. Tear Drop 3081 1966

This gritty little ditty has hysterical lyrics about a guy who's woman is cheating on him on top of a sophisticated groove of horns that sound like a B grade Stax session and a tempo that sounds a but like "Treat Her Right" meets Lee Dorsey.

https://youtu.be/DVd4TAvOW5U

9. ALABAMA WATSON-"Cost Me" U.S. Bluestown 704 1965

This slow blues number comes from a cat I have never heard before. It's a slow blues shuffle that's fairly ordinary but there's something about it that catches my ear.

https://youtu.be/aAdXSjy__Wc

10. MARY LOU WILLIAMS-"Chunk-A-Lunk Jug Pt 1" US Sue 715 1959

We close out with this jazzy little number that musically reminds me of Mose Allison with just piano, bass and drums. Perfectly smooth and 100% sophisticated, just how I like my "mod jazz".

https://youtu.be/jbLH8wYACLE

ALL SCANS C/O 45cat.com

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Cat Stevens Via Paul & Barry Ryan

 

PAUL & BARRY RYAN-"Keep It Out Of Sight/Missy Missy" US MGM K 13719 1967

Brit hearthrob/twins Paul & Barry Ryan, sons of Marion Ryan (the Doris Day of Britain) were splashed everywhere because of their famous mum AND their step father Harold Davidson, an agent responsible for hosts of U.K. package tours LITERALLY got them on pretty much every huge package tour in Britain (there's a great anecdote about that in Ian McLagan's autobiography where he refers to them as "Paul and Bloody Barry Ryan").  The band released a ten singles in Britain on Decca and later MGM.  Five Decca sides and one MGM release came out here in the United States on MGM. Their commercial impact here was nil. 

Today's piece was their seventh 45 in Britain (Decca F 12567 February 1967) and was their fifth here, issued approximately two months later. Joining the ranks of many performers reaping the benefits of Cat Steven's songwriting prowess (see more here), Paul and Baz got a crack at a number that unlike many of their peers attempts, had not been (and never was) issued by Cat himself. "Keep It Out Of Sight" is without a doubt their finest single. Produced by Mike Hurst (also producer of many of Cat's Deram sides) and arranged by band leader/film score conductor Alan Tew (also on board with Cat's Deram releases) "Keep It Out Of Sight" is one of those distinct mid 60's British records that incorporates very staid and "normal" backings like strings and horns but makes them freaky. From the shimmering violin strings creeping in behind cellos and castanets and the thundering drum breaks the number is NOT your typical M.O.R. orchestrated pop tune. Throw in marimbas and horns that sound straight off The Pretty Things oft maligned "Emotions" LP (one day I will get around to publishing a piece trying to vindicate that album) and you have a deliciously eerie pop psych opus! 

The flip side, "Missy Missy" was previously issued in Britain as the A-side of their sixth single (Decca F 12520, November 1966). For some reason their British flip to "Keep It Out Of Sight", "Who Told You?" was curiously lopped off! "Missy Missy" is a dreadful M.O.R pop ditty that sounds dreadfully like The New Vaudeville Band meets The Bachelors. Aughhhhh!

"Keep It Out Of Sight" most recently appeared on two CD digipak boxes in the U.K.: "Let's Go Down And Blow Our Minds: The British Psychedelic Sound Of 1967" , a three CD set on Grapefruit and the more "mod" leaning "Halcyon Days: 60's Mod, R&B, Brit, Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets" three CD set via Strawberry. "Missy Missy"? Who cares....

Both sides are also available on the now out of print German CD compilation of Repertoire "The Best Of Paul & Barry Ryan".

Hear "Keep It Out Of Sight":

https://youtu.be/G3MEHYIQ6rw

Hear "Missy Missy":

https://youtu.be/PGs3_6KzWes

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The Searchers "Popcorn Double Feature"

 

The Searchers-Popcorn Double Feature/Lovers U.S. Kapp K-811 1967

The Searchers had a fairly modest impact on the United States charts starting in February 1964 when "Needles And Pins" reached #11 and introduced them to the American hit parade . After that they managed six more hits in the American Top 40 with a staggering 17 singles released from '64-'66 mostly on the Kapp label (their earlier releases were on Liberty and a few on Mercury). By 1967 the band's American career was past life support and were another British Invasion band in the morgue with a toe tag, "killed by flower power and psychedelia" (or just plain overkill). 

The band always had a knack for covering interesting American tracks, so for their final U.S. release in February 1967 on Kapp they chose a tune called "Popcorn Double Feature" (issued in the previous month in the U.K. as Pye 7N 17225). It was later released by American artist Tim Wilde on Tower in July. Unfortunately as was the case with their previous singles , it saw no chart action in the States. 

To the uninitiated "Popcorn Double Feature" is an impressive track both musically and lyrically. It sings about changing times and social ambivalence ("People are flyin' and babies are cryin' don't nobody care at all, there's love and there's laughter and good things come after just follow the bouncing ball..."). The Searchers rock it out with jangling guitars meshing with the band's typical smooth harmonies. The number is backed by some interesting strings that put the track firmly in the "pop psych" domain and ranks as one of their strongest releases in my mind.

The flip side "Lovers", is a McNally/Pender original (the band frequently had originals on the B-sides of many of their singles). It's a tepid  beat ballad of sorts, total cabaret fodder with it's clacking claves and inoffensive volume. Next...

Both sides are available everywhere because the band's Pye catalog has been issued to hell by Castle Communications. 

Hear "Popcorn Double Feature":

https://youtu.be/MAqHQZsb1Wg

Hear "Lovers":

https://youtu.be/BppCRW4DeLk

U.S. Soul/R&B/Jazz/Blues 45's For November

1. CANDY MAN AND THE CANDY BARS-"Voodoo Man" U.S. Roulette R-4707 1966

Starting with a maniacal laugh worthy of Screamin' Jay Hawkin's this number is an uptempo go-go groover with call and response backing vocals and bluesy guitar licks behind a funky beat.

https://youtu.be/nTwFY5lvJlw

2. SHIRLEY MATTHEWS-"Big Town Boy" U.S. Atlantic 45-2210 1963

This number owes more to girl group sounds than r&b but it's uptempo enough with it's soulful hand claps that lend a quasi Motown feel to it (accented by an interesting muted trumpet solo).

https://youtu.be/WCTdx37QoAg

3. DUKE BROWNER-"Crying Over You" U.S. Impact 1008 1966

This in demand dance floor smash on Detroit's underdog label Impact has subtle strings (no doubt attracting shuffling speak freaks in Northern dance halls) and strong vocals. The number sounds lost like it wants to be more soulful but can't because the production and backing reeks of blue eyed soul. An original copy will set you back a grand....

https://youtu.be/wBb-hYEb49w

 

4. PATTI'S GROOVE-"It Won't Last Long" U.S. Columbia 4-43484 1965

Starting out with some raunchy guitar this number teeters between plaintiff girl ground sounds and hip swaying soul with lead vocals that remind me of a husky Debbie Harry, but the delivery is rapid fire and therefore quite danceable. In retrospect it sounds, musically,  like something The Outsiders (American sort) would have released.

https://youtu.be/F0x4QjDqzko

5. CHARLES PERRY-"I've Got A Feeling Called The Blues" U.S. Melic 4138 1963

Starting with some jazzy female vocals like a haunting siren the number quickly turns into a catchy little r&b belter that's like the illegitimate love child between Mel Torme and Roscoe Gordon with a Dave "Baby" Cortez style organ solo spicing things up. 

https://youtu.be/sTd4b7S2NAE

6. THE VIRGINIA WOLVES-"Stay" U.S. Amy 966 1966

This pounding re-do of the Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs hit is one third Four Seasons, one third brassy soul and one third frat rock (dig those punctuated shouts of "Stay!" that sound like a football sideline). Somehow it all works, splendidly. Perfect for the dance floor.

https://youtu.be/iixebWnRUIA

7. CHRIS COLUMBO-"You Can't Sit Down" U.S. Battle B-45904 1962

The flip of Columbo's reading of "Stranger On The Shore is this fairly note for note cover of Phil Upchurch's rollicking instrumental "You Can't Sit Down". Whereas the original has the organ bearing the prevalent role the horns are in the focus here. It doesn't best the original but as one Garcon said "vive la difference". 

https://youtu.be/S1XPeoVGvV0

8. LONNIE SATTIN-"Watermelon Man" U.S. Scepter 1251 1963

This cover of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" is a curious mix of gritty soulful r&b backed with prerequisite Latin rhythm, jazzy flute and suave lead vocals which are sadly detracted by some mildly annoying female caterwauling in the background, like those great Georgie Fame tracks in '64 with The Breakaways screeching in the background. 

https://youtu.be/jS06yB7hAIc

9. TOM AND JERRIO-"Boo-Ga-Loo" U.S. Jerry-O JO 110 1965

This amazing slice of boogaloo r&b is punctuated by hand claps, a driving beat and some ad libbing vocals calling out latest dance crazes and indecipherable gibberish. It was later co-opted by The Emperors and later Jerry O. as "Karate Boogaloo". 

https://youtu.be/vGr8vnbp65A

10. PRINCE HAROLD-"Born To Please" U.S. Verve VK 10530 1967

Located on the flip of "Why'd You Go Away" this slick produced, sassy stormer is carried by some incredibly powerful horns and these heavy duty breaks and soulful female backing vocals. Incredible!

Who's got one they want to part with? Asking for a friend....

https://youtu.be/i0L-0NgAjz4

All scans courtesy of 45cat.com

Only In America! 10 U.S. Only Pressings Of U.K. 60's 45's Part Four

1. PINK FLOYD-"Remember A Day" Tower 440 1968

One of the handful of Syd Barrett tracks on the Floyd's second long player was this Rick Wright composed/sung number punctuated by eerie slide guitar and controlled feedback by Barrett, the band's doomed and soon to be sacked leader. A positively odd choice as a single, it was only released here in the States and in Japan as the flip of "Let There Be More Light" making it highly sought after. The single edit fades out after Syd's first slide solo.

https://youtu.be/Mv6LsZNdet4

2. THE SESSIONS-"Let Me In" Fontana F-1529 1965

This Miki Dallon penned track was first cut by The Sorrows on their 1965 UK LP "Take A Heart". The Session's version is almost tripled in speed  and far more rocked out, though not as vocally strong as the original it's a perfect frantic little beat number.

https://youtu.be/3flk7tJAWuE

3. THE THUNDERBOLTS-"March Of The Spacemen" Dot 45-16496 1963

Curiously this Joe Meek penned/produced 45 was only released in the United States. It's fairly mundane and could easily be confused for one of the Tornados mediocre "space" instrumentals that Meek seemed to churn out conveyor belt style, perhaps it was released here to avoid stealing thunder from The Tornados? Next.

 https://youtu.be/SL0rCt8EpeI

4. THE AZTECS-"Whatcha Gonna Do Bout It?" US GNP Crescendo GNP 346x 1965

Under the musical direction of Peter & Gordon  this cover of the Doris Troy classic has a very light/laid back feel to it, oddly not at all dissimilar to P&G's later reading (though not as tough as theirs musically) and not as spirited as The Hollie's rendition it's still worth a listen. 

https://youtu.be/QsSfvtfju-I

5. THE PEDDLERS-"On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" Epic 5-10531 1969

It's positively criminal that this smooth/super club jazz interpretation of "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" was only released as a single in the US because it's positively the strongest track in their catalog. It's lush jazz trio with Hammond and strings bests even Georgie Fame in his "Fame In '67" CBS period. It was later used to amazing effect in a sequence in the TV show "Breaking Bad". 

https://youtu.be/yxf1IFgPH5s

6. THE RENEGADES-"Take A Heart" Karate 45-519 1965

This Finnish (and later Italian) based Brit beat quartet cut the Sorrows hit for a US only release (one of their two 60's releases here). As with The Sessions above, it's for more raw than the original and what's nice about it is it's a completely different arrangement than the original so high marks for that!

https://youtu.be/KaR78kubB_w

7. PETER BEST-"Don't Play With Me Little Girl" Happening 505 1965

Poor ex-Beatle Pete Best only had one single released in the U.K. but here in the States it was open season with six different 45's released on just under a year's time! "Don't Play With Me Little Girl" was the first, produced and arranged by Bob Gallo. It's incredibly soulful, though strangely there are no song writing credits and sadly it's NOT on YouTube!

8. THE PROS AND CONS-"Whirlybird" Decca 31767 1965

This Shel Talmy produced raver is a frantic little beat number with sax and a driving beat complete with a funky lead bass solo and a wailin' organ solo that's short on lyrics (just a guy improvising around "Doing the whirlybird"). Any ideas on who they were?  And because the party won't stop it's spread out of two sides!

https://youtu.be/sjEGnZQ4WGg

9. JAMIE POWER-"There's No Living Without Your Loving" Jamie 1037 1966

This was the third of Duffy's four American 60's singles, curiously this and it's predecessor "She Don't Know" were issued as "Jamie Power". "There's No Living Without Your Loving" was previously tackled the year before by Manfred Mann. Duffy's version has a folk rock feel to it, with it's "Needles And Pins" style jangly guitars but his vocals are still soulful on top of the heavily orchestrated production.

https://youtu.be/6bis8kWpd8s

10  THE APPLE-"Thank U Very Much" Smash S-2143 1968

Released hot on the heels of the U.S. pressing of the original version of "Thank You Very Much" by The Scaffold (Bell 701 January 1968), Page One records pop psych darlings The Apple cut this disposable literally note for note/unimaginative cover version for the U.S. market. Neither version was noticed by the U.S. buying public though it additionally saw a release in the Netherlands. 

https://youtu.be/7ujkcsl39wY

All scans courtesy of 45cat.com

More U.S. Soul/R&B/Jazz/Blues 45's.....

1.  JOE JEFFREY-"The Train" US Wand WND 11207 1969

Best known for his solitary hit (and debut), March 1969's "My Pledge Of Love", this track was the flip of it's follow up "Dreamin' Till Then". It's an uptempo number that brings to mind Archie Bell and the Drells with a frantic pace heavily centered on the rhythmic guitar strokes and driving beat.

https://youtu.be/iYdDwbwNkcw

2.  THE FOUR PROS-"Everybody's Got Some Soul" US Carla 45-2532 1967

This amphetamine stormer is a dancefloor smash with punchy brass and an infectious groove with obligatory vibes and a muted catchy guitar lick behind the beat. It's high octane soul of course guarantees that it's much sought after.

https://youtu.be/8AprrBAgZyc

3. SIR STAN AND THE COUNTS-"The Nitty Gritty's In Town" US Magnum 45-717 1964

This one is a beautiful, moody piece that starts out with some incredible jazzy chops and is essentially an instrumental with a improvisational "vocal" scatting over the top further accentuating it's understated coolness. 

https://youtu.be/tyXS6ZllztI

4. SILAS HOGAN-"I'm Gonna Quit You Pretty Baby" US Excello 45-2231 1963

This one is an uptempo Louisiana blues belter with just a touch of grittiness (as one would expect from the Excello label), it's charm is Hogan's almost ambivalent vocal growl on top of the usual tried and true blues groove.

https://youtu.be/v7n8zrVu3qk

5. SONNY ACE & THE TWISTERS-"Wooleh Booleh" US Cobra CO-224 1965

This interesting cover of Sam The Sham and Co.'s  smash "Woolie Bully" is delivered in Spanish and has just enough charm to keep it from being pedestrian. Repetitive but worth investigating nonetheless!

https://youtu.be/HZCvKfXfZNc

6. NORMAN WEST-"What Kind Of Spell (Is This I'm Under)" US Smash S-2123 1967

I love this number but it's incredibly marred by a woman's blood curdling wail that's more annoying then dubbed in screams on a John's Children LP track! If you can push the caterwauling out of your brain West's vocals and the funky groove laid down on this is absolutely mind blowing!

https://youtu.be/MVlg3t_9wgA

7. PANCHO VILLA & THE BANDITS-"Ain't That Bad" US Pee Vee 100 1964

Wow! Here's another funky instrumental with some improvisational vocals over the top cutting a catchy groove that's trashy, gritty and utterly soulful. Feel the sweat drip from the walls and smell the stale odor of smoke and drink...

https://youtu.be/XzYEwE-CSFQ

8. BIG MAMA THORNTON-"Wade In The Water" US Arhoolie 45-520 1969

Legendary blues howler Big Mama Thornton has an extensive CV of hip, but none stronger to my ears than this 100 mph soul work out of "Wade In The Water" that leaves Marlena Shaw's version at the finish line as far as I'm concerned.  Another one calling high $$$$$.

https://youtu.be/Fup53Yv2dfc

9. GARNELL COOPER AND THE KINFOLKS-"Green Monkey" US Jubilee 45-5445 1963

Owing just a nod to "Green Onions" this instrumental relies on some honky tonk sax to carry it along with a twangy, greasy guitar solo to keep it from backsliding into a pedestrian r&b instrumental. 

https://youtu.be/9l1d6dqwccc

10. LEN JOHNSON-"One Day" US Ray-Co R-503 1963

This bluesy ballad has just enough atmosphere to once again save it from being a rather pedestrian blues/r&b crooner but it's charm is in it's moody delivery that's just above yet another blues shuffle. 

https://youtu.be/soPUZNLfYs0

All scans c/o 45cat.com