In Dan’s Garage…#109

Hi everyone! I think I’m going to keep things simple today. Winter still hangs on here in Upstate NY and it’s been unusually frigid for the month of March. Aside from that we’re still rolling along here at Dan’s Garage central and as long as the 45s keep rolling in, I’ll be sharing them with you. Since spring is right around the corner and summer is on it’s way, I was planning a special post of sorts that touches on the subject of summertime food, specifically, hot dogs and hamburgers, and where to get the best. I know many of you out there have your local favorites, but I just wanted to share the Rochester, NY dining experience which I think is somewhat unique. In the meantime enjoy this latest offering…..

Lulu – Shout (1964) At the ripe old age of 15, Lulu belted out this rollicking version of he Isley Bros. “Shout” and for my money is perhaps the best next to the original.

Harvey Russell & The Rogues – Shake Sherry (1965) Harvey Russell was from Cleveland, OH and was known as “the singing cop” because he really was an actual police officer and played up that angle throughout his career. He teamed up with local combo The Rogues to lay down this raw version of The Contours’ “Shake Sherry”.

Fourmost – You Got That Way / How Can I Tell Her (1964) Managed by Brian Epstein, The Fourmost were one of several Liverpool groups he dealt with and as such, they recorded a couple of Lennon-McCartney songs, specifically “Hello Little Girl”, and “I’m In Love”. This one is an original by guitarist Brian O’Hara with a flip penned by Carter and Lewis who were in the….

Ivy League – Graduation Day / Tossing And Turning (1965) A British vocal trio that originally featured John Carter and Ken Lewis, two of Britain's most prolific songwriters.

Jamie & The Jury – Fooling Around / My Kind (1965) A group from Southern California that featured front man Jamie Browning. You can read the whole Jamie & The Jury story HERE.

Muffins – Subway Traveler (1967) I have to admit being completely ignorant as to who Tim Moore is, but apparently he recorded several solo LPs and rubbed elbows with Frank Zappa, Keith Richards, Peter Tosh, Michael MacDonald, and a bunch of other famous LA cats. This Kinks influenced 45 is the sole release by this excellent group.

Shadows – I Met A Girl / Late Night Set (1966) A nice two sider from Hank Marvin & Co. The A side is a vocal as well.

Next Five – Talk To Me Girl / Mama Said (1966) A classic from Milwaukee, WI. They truly exemplified garage/pop with “Talk To Me Girl”. They had a few other 45s as well which I will feature in future posts. For a more in-depth view of this band go HERE.

Russ Damon – Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong (1965) Russ Damon was actually a guy named Les Ledo who recorded a lot of Do-Wop stuff in the late 50s and early 60s. He had several other records using this name as well as records by the name of Jimmy Lee on ABC Paramount. This one’s a B side and it’s a pretty good protest type folk rocker.

Swingin’ Yo Yo’s – Do Something / Have You Ever (1966) The same Memphis group that recorded the awesome “Gotta Find A New Love” on Goldwax. This one’s a bit tamer but good nonetheless. They had to add the “Swingin’” to their name to avoid some kind of legal conflict.

Will-O-Bees – If You’re Ready / Shades Of Gray (1966) We heard from this group in the last post and here’s another 45 that they released on Date, this time areal good two sider featuring a couple of great covers of the Pride & Joy’s “If You’re Ready” and The Monkees’ “Shades Of Gray”. Both are excellent.

Luv Bandits – Mizzer-Bahd (1967) A completely unknown group that released this one and only middle eastern flavored, fuzz drenched, acid tinged 45 in 1967.

Neal Ford & The Fanatics – That Girl Of Mine / I Have Thoughts Of You (1967) A later bubblegum flavored 45 from this Houston, TX group.

Happy Medium – Fair One / Poison Apples (1967) Another unknown group with a cool psychedelic two sider.

Blues Magoos – I Can Hear The Grass Grow (1968) Here’s an awesome take on The Move’s classic and the last they’d release on Mercury. Afterward they moved in a heavier direction…..

Fireballs – Groovy Motions (1968) The Fireballs had a lot of success in the early 60s as an instrumental combo but as the decade progressed with Beatlemania and the British Invasion, psychedelic rock, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, etc. their popularity waned although they still were a band through it all, until they recorded and released “Bottle Of Wine” in 1967, a really good song that was done in a Creedence style although I’m pretty sure it wasn’t intentional. Well, at least that what it reminds me of…anyway…they kept on keepin’ on and released this “psychedelic” gem in 1968 replete with cool stereo effects!

Litter – Feelings / Silly People (1969) The Litter from Minneapolis had a ton of releases most notably “Action Woman” the song that kicked off the entire Pebbles series. They would record three LPs, two of which were released on local labels and one which was released on ABC’s “progressive” subsidiary Probe. The next two 45s  featured here were from their last LP “Emerge”, a heavier, hard rock effort, although not too far off from what they were doing in the first place.

Litter – On Our Minds / Blue Ice (1970) More of the same from The Litter.

HERE