In Dan’s Garage…#80

Happy Thanksgiving all! I was thinking a bit today on what exactly to give thanks for, and there’s a lot so I won’t get into details except to say that I give thanks that I live a decent, albeit humble, life. That’s OK. I like it that way. I give thanks for my kids and my lovely wife and for the fantastic music that is presented here and everywhere else on this great earth. I do not give thanks to the 46+ bags of leaves that I’ve had to clean up over the past few weeks. Those sons-a-bitches can stay on the trees for all I care. OK, there’s my rant for the day! Here’s a nice Thanksgiving offering for all, including the ones out there who don’t celebrate it. Enjoy.

Wanted – In The Midnight Hour / Here To Stay (1966) A Detroit area band that had about 8 45s released, some having the same song on different labels. In any case, this one was nationally released on A&M and has a decent cover of Wilson Pickett’s “Midnight Hour” on the the top side, but the real genius tune is “Here To Stay” which is a top notch teen ballad that fits squarely into the “moody garage” category. Excellent.

Bob Troy – Tell You What I’m Gonna Do / I Never Worry (1966) Very cool “big production” recording but still has a good feel to it. I don’t know much about Bob Troy, who may have been a studio concoction, but John Simon who produced this worked The Cyrkle’s “Red Rubber Ball” as well as classic rock icon LP’s Big Brother & The Holding Co. (Cheap Thrills) and Blood, Sweat, & Tears.

Bootles – I’ll Let You Hold My Hand / Never Till Now (1965) Four totally hot chicks dressed in boots warbling about letting you hold their hand.

Jim Edger & The Roadrunners – Tennessee Stud / Wait A Little Longer (1966) It’s ironic that after posting DeWayne & The Beldettas’ version of this country classic last post, I’d come across another version by yet another Oklahoma based group. This one’s not quite as frantic, but good anyway. The flip is fairly decent too.

Palace Guard – Falling Sugar / Oh Blue (1965) One of my all time favorites. This group included a very young Emmit Rhodes at one point and I think My Three Sons star Don Grady was in this band too.

7 Sons – Don’t You Dare Say No (1966) Good soul influenced 45 from Iowa.

Pete Klint Quintet – Shake / Walkin’ Proud (1967) The Midwest was certainly a hotbed of “blue eyed soul” as evidenced by groups like The Fabulous Flippers from Kansas, and Iowa’s Pete Klint Quintet who covered Sam Cooke’s “Shake” very nicely on this 45.

Richie Bruce – I Plan My Life / Any Girl That Wants Me (1966) I’m not sure who Richie Bruce Is, but he’s probably Wayne Brewster the songwriter credited on this very obscure but cool 45.

Terry Knight & The Pack – A Change On The Way (1966) Deep thoughts from Terry Knight & the pre-Grand Funk Railroad gang.

Velvet Illusions – Velvet Illusions / I Was Born To Be A Rolling Stone (1967) One of the coolest WSAY finds ever. A great L.A. group that released four 45s including the classic “Acid Head”.

Ragamuffins – Four Days Of Rain / It Wasn’t Happening At All (1967) I gotta say that the A side of this 45 is perhaps one of the best folk-rock songs ever. Why this didn’t make it I can’t say for sure, but it wipes the floor with junk like “Eve Of Destruction” on the most overrated songs of all time (in my opinion).

Better Sweet – Like The Flowers / I Can’t Do It By Myself (1967) Good up-tempo garage by a Memphis group. These guys (and one gal drummer) were reportedly from New Jersey and were attending college in Tennessee.

Ides Of March – Give Your Mind Wings / My Foolish Pride (1967) Another fantastic effort by this Chicago group. The B side finds them heading into “Vehicle” territory.

Jesters – Cadillac Man / My Babe (1966) Rough and tumble R&B from a Memphis group that obviously shunned “The British Invasion” sound. One of the last 45s to be released on the original Sun label.

Pleasure Seekers – Theme From The Valley Of The Dolls / If You Climb On The Tigers Back (1967) I really wish I knew the story on this one. I’m not 100% sure these are the same gals from Detroit who’s “What A Way To Die” is an absolute garage punk classic, or some studio concoction by a bunch of corporate chumps who didn’t know if the “real” Pleasure Seekers even existed, or didn’t really care, because the band members never mention this 45 in any interviews I’ve read. In any case, it’s a nice lightweight piece of psych/pop especially the flip.

Arrows – Apache ‘65 (1965) Let’s end this party with a nice up-tempo version of Apache.

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