Greetings friends and followers! I'd like to thank all of you who left comments on my last, and all previous posts. I'm very flattered, and I hope you're enjoying them. Extra special thanks go out to the people who've left valuable information about some of these bands, and hey, if any of you were actually in any of these groups, we'd love to hear from you! Alrighty then, let get this show on the road!
Shevelles - Oo Poo Pa Doo / Like I Love You
Great beat version of Jessie Hill's classic, by an unknown UK group. There's at least one other 45 by these guys, although it's in a poppier style. I'll post that one later....
Birdwatchers - Wake Up Little Susie / She Tears Me Up
The Birdwatchers were a rather prolific group from Tampa, FL who released about 21 different 45s in various styles. "I'm Gonna Love You Anyway" is perhaps their most famous. This early one is real garagey and is kind of tough to find.
Conchords - Little Black Egg
Here's another mystery group doing a nice version of Little Black Egg. The flip's a cover of The Tornadoes "Telstar" which I'm saving for a special "Instrumental Edition"
Jason Eddie & The Centremen - Singing The Blues / True To You
Totally whacked out version of this standard which has been covered by everyone from Guy Mitchell, to Marty Robbins, to Marie Osmond. This is a prime example, actually it's probably THE BEST example, of how crazy Joe Meek could get in the studio. Where he got the idea for that absolutely crazed guitar riff is beyond me. Sheer genius. Jason Eddie was actually Billy Fury's brother, and continues to perform to this day, doing a tribute to him.
Saints - Girl Forgive Me / Don't Make Me Wait Around
Another real obscure group from The Bronx. Real teen garage stuff here with some rather off key vocal harmonies.
Shy Guys - Feel A Whole Lot Better / Without You
Real good version by a Detroit area band, with a vocal harmony thing in lieu of a guitar break. The flip is a cool up tempo garage number.
Lance Fox & The Bloodhounds - You Got Love / That's Your Problem
Here's an interesting 45 by another unknown group. Famed songwriter/producer, Jerry Ragavoy has his name all over this record, as well as Bert Berns who worked with Van Morrison, The Strangeloves, The McCoys, and a bunch of others. If this is some kind of studio group, they're pretty damn good in my opinion, as both sides are terrific garage with great cheesy Farfisa organ dominating both.
Emotional Upsets - Maintain Your Cool / Baby Baby
This mystery group does a fine job aping Mitch Ryder. Both sides of this are great Blue Eyed Soul tunes with a nice garage flavor to them.
Tropics - As Time's Gone / Time
Awesome garage/punk burner from Tampa, FL. The Tropics had several 45s, two of which are on Columbia, and are their best. My question is, how the hell did Teo Macero, the guy who produced such rockers as Dave Brubeck, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis end up in the studio with these guys??????
'Twas Brillig - Dirty Old Man / This Week's Children
One of Minnesota's best garage/punk acts. These guys were formerly known as The Electras, and had a bunch of 45s, all great. Both sides of this one are intense punkers, with the flip side being real menacing.
King Bees - On Your Way Down The Drain
Not to be confused with the Canadian King Bees, this group was from New York City and some of their members went on to back up James Taylor. Hear their first one on In Dan's Garage #4.
Fifth Estate - That's Love
This group evolved from The 'D' Men, whose "So Little Time" is one of my favorites. The Fifth Estate's claim to fame was a cover of "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead". They had a penchant for doing whimsical pop type things, but this song really stands out with its ringing 12 string guitar and almost snotty vocals.
Energy Package - This Is The Twelfth Night / See That I Come Home
This group also released 45s as The Boys From New York City of which "I'm Down Girl" is one of my favorites. This one's a great psyche number backed with a nice folk rocker.
Jefferson Handkerchief - I'm Allergic To Flowers
Everyone should know this classic psychedelic novelty which has made the rounds of many compilations. Obviously a studio group which probably included Dave Burgess who played with The Champs of "Tequila" fame.
49th Parallel - Close The Barn Door / Twilight Woman
From Calgary, Alberta Canada, this group had the fantastic "You Do Things"/"Labourer" on RCA. They later had a poppier psych sound as heard on this 45. Both sides of this are great, and Twilight Woman was actually a hit in Canada and parts of the US.
Good Rats - The Hobo / The Truth Is Gone
Wow. I could probably fill a few pages on this band's story, but I'll be brief. The Good Rats, also known as "The Worlds Most Famous Unknown Band", are from Long Island and are led by vocalist Pepi Marchello. The debuted in 68 with this single and an album of great psych on Kapp records which really went nowhere. After a few years they changed their lineup, adopted a great hard rock sound and released "Tasty", an album which I wore the grooves out of when I was a teenager. Never real superstars, they did in fact share the bill with some of the greatest rock acts, including The Rolling Stones, Kiss, and The Ramones. They still perform to this day and continue to make regular visits to Rochester.
KAK - Everything's Changing
This Sacramento group evolved from Group 'B' and The Oxford Circle. Their album is very sought after.
Rooneys - Walter Wright
This nice little folksy/poppy number is by none other than Mickey Rooney Jr. Mickey had a nice musical career and appeared several times on Shindig!
Get it HERE
Hi Dan, The Birdwatchers were actually based in Miami (though they got their start in the early days in West Palm Beach). The Tampa story started with FAF and has been carried on through different sources. Barry W. even lists them as a Daytona Beach group in his garage price guide, but that, too, is incorrect. "Wake Up Little Susie" is one of their best, in my opinion. Jeff L.
ReplyDeletethis is a stunning collection of music, thank you!
ReplyDeletegreat job dan thanks
ReplyDeleteyour GREAT Dan! what a treasure these are! thanks so very much for sharing. Roger
ReplyDeleteI suspected that The Birdwatchers were from Miami. I must admit, FAF is where I get a lot of info, but I'm also very skeptical of it too. The authors made a great attempt at compiling information on many obscure bands, but unfortunately it seems as if they did little research on the lesser known ones, sometimes taking info verbatim from garage compilations. I do applaud their attempt at gathering the information under one all encompassing book. That being said, I try to find other avenues on the web to try to obtain info on all these great groups. If you dig deep enough, you'll be amazed at what you can come up with. Thanks for the corrections, and keep the info and comments coming! It's nice to see who's out there!
ReplyDeleteDan
Thanks once again Dan! These are so much fun to listen to.
ReplyDeleteI'm running out of ways to thank you for posting some fantastic tunes,you have a great collection and good taste,thanks.
ReplyDeleteWow, I still have yet to listen to the last volume... working with anew computer, one of those little netbooks. Thanks again and again for all you do.
ReplyDeletePeace and blessings.
I'm more into garage sounds than soul, but I couldn't help trying to track down some info on The Emotional Upsets, and here's what I found: "Maintain Your Cool" was written by Ross Matico (a.k.a. Bud Ross) & Daniel Inncollingo. Matico (a.k.a. Ross) also produced. Both of those guys were co-writers of a song called "Boogaloo (Soul) Party", together with a Philadelphia soul outfit called The Brothers Two, who recorded and released the song on Crimson 1011 in 1967. The funky16corners blog featured that track about a year ago, and you can download it here.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Emotional Upsets, they could've been a "real" band recording a song by the producer and his buddy (a distinct possibility), but if not, then I'd guess that the single was studio one-off. Jamie 1356 came out sometime in mid-'68, definitely after that Brothers Two 45 on Crimson.
Re. Teo Macero: I had a similar reaction when I noticed his production credit on The What Four's "I'm Gonna Destroy That Boy"! That group included the young Jackie-O lookalike wife of A&P grocery heir Huntington Hartford (on bass, no less!). I remember thinking "Jeez--maybe money DOES buy happiness!" Then again, maybe 'ol Teo just came in at 9 every morning and looked at his schedule. One day it's Miles Davis, the next day it's The Tropics or The What Four!
Dan---
ReplyDeleteYou've got a collection of 45s that I can only fantasize about owning! Thanks again for sharing!
Really a great sit Dan.
ReplyDeleteConsider myself a decent collector of A&B sides of 45's from the 60's. Have over 46,300 of those and still growing thanks to you!
If you (or anyone else) would care to visit my website and browse a list(s) of those songs, feel welcome to do it.
http://sixtiesoldiesguy.yolasite.com/
sixtiesoldiesguy
Rich
As always, I'm in love with your compilations. Many thanks for them. I discover wonderful stuff in each.
ReplyDeleteT_H_A_N_K_S_!!!
Thanks a lot Dan ... you're great
ReplyDeleteAs always, great stuff, but a special tip of the hat to the "Good Rats". So close to the edge of fame.
ReplyDeleteDan
ReplyDelete.. you must be roadrunner, i can hardly catch up with you (which is in no way meant as a rebuke)...I'm selection the uncomped tracks of your garage and I've arrived at 8 CD-Rs up to now! as always, thanks a lot and keep the cool stuff coming!
ciao from Milano!
MichaelVee
PS: my favourites are both Bouncin' Beats' sides and the Classmen's Any Old Time