In Dan's Garage #152...

Greetings music lovers! Glad to be here again after another long hiatus. I wish I had more time to do this, but as long as I can get something in a few times a year, I'll be happy. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday this year, I know I did, and I hope the upcoming Christmas season will be a good one as well. I'm trying to be optimistic this year, as my lovely wife and I have experienced some setbacks, most notably, the passing of our cat Miko, who was what we all called a "love whore". He was a lovable little fuzzball, and we will miss him dearly. We also had a catastrophic breakdown of our refrigerator just before Thanksgiving day, which threw our plans into chaos, but with the help of family, we managed to have a nice celebration without any issues.

That being said, my NY Giants are absolutely HORRENDUS this year, and the Yankees did make it to the World Series, but were beaten soundly by the LA Dodgers. Kudos to those guys. I'd rather see the Yanks get beat by The Dodgers than anyone else in the league.

Records... Yeah, these things keep coming into my mail box and I have a ton yet to be blogged, so I'll keep going into the non-foreseeable future. I just wish I had more time to record and write, but hopefully I'll find some xtra hours when we start hunkering down taking things slowly during the winter months.

As usual we've got a veritable "cornucopia" of fine 45's here so please enjoy!

Sonny Flaharty And His Young Americans - Whole Lotta Shakin' / Please Be Real (1964)

Dayton Ohio's Sonny Flaharty had a slew of 45s released from the 50's into the 70's with, most notably, The Mark V, The Grey Imprint, and The Young Americans as we hear on this 45. Super tuff version of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic here, with a decent B side.

Mad-Ladds - Dream Lover / Midnight Terror (1964)

I'm not exactly sure where The Mad-Ladds were from, but Ohio would be a really good guess. Pressed at the infamous Rite Records pressing plant, this was one of thousands of 45's released privately during the 50's through the 70's. real straight up garage band stuff here.....

Smoke Ring - That Girl Was My Girl One Time / Her Love's A Lie (1966)

The Smoke Ring were from the Midwest, Norfolk, Nebraska to be specific and had somewhat of a hit in 1969 with "No Not Much". This, their first, was released in 1967 and has a lot of Beach Boys/Four Seasons style falsetto vocals but it moves along quite nicely. "Her Love's A Lie" is a decent moody ballad.

Blackburn & Snow - Stranger In A Strange Land / Uptown Downtown (1967)

Jeff Blackburn and Sherry Snow were a Folk Rock duo from San Francisco and were in the thick of the mid-sixties music scene there at the time. This 45 is a real gem, and is at least as good as, or better, than most of the stuff that came out of San Fran at that time. Unfortunately, they really never hit the big time like many of their contemporaries, and that's a shame. 

As a side note, it was rumored that Sherry Snow was considered to be Signe Anderson's replacement in The Jefferson Airplane, but she declined wanting to continue with Jeff Blackburn. "Stranger In A Strange Land", was written by David Crosby using "S. Omar" as a pseudonym.

Erik - She Belongs To Me / One Too Many Mornings (1965)

I'm trying to hash out the history of "Erik" and his other 45 which I featured a while back on IDG #66 part 2, but as far as who "Erik" was, I haven't come up with any facts. Yet.

General International was a label established by Alan Lorber who was responsible for creating the "Bosstown Sound", that were bands from Boston who were supposedly paralleling the scene in San Francisco at the time. Lorber created that for MGM records and they featured some really good groups like The Beacon Street Union, Pluph, Orrpheus, and several others. Unfortunately, The Bosstown thing never really caught on and was panned by some of the press. 

General International released only three 45s in its existence, two by Erik, and one by Layng Martine Jr. who became a successful writer of country music.

One of Erik's songs was co-written by Bobby Comstock, so is Erik Bobby Comstock perhaps????

Probably not, but Erik's rendition of "She Belongs To Me" is really good with some ringing 12 string guitar at the fore. "one Too many Mornings is OK but falls a bit short.

Gary Farr & The T-Bones - Give All She's Got / Don't Stop And Stare (1965)

This was the only record that Gary Farr And The T-Bones managed to release in the U.S., but they did have an E.P. in the U.K. entitled, "Dem Bones Dem Bones Dem T-Bones", a clever title if you want my humble opinion. This is a great 45 which I was extremely glad to get my hands on, both sides are great mid-sixties British R&B, although "Give All She's Got" is definitely on the moody side. Keith Emerson was in this band for a spell, but I don't think he plays on this particular 45.

Brotherhood - Are You A Turtle? (Yes I Am) / Mari (1969)

Here's a 45 that's interesting, not that the music is anything special, it's just a good ol' band from the South doing a high energy James Brown thing, and very well I might add. It's the "Turtle" thing that makes it interesting. A "Turtle" you ask????? Well... "This was the theme song of the unofficial U.S. Space Program's Turtle Club, of which Wally Schirra was president" That's a quote I obtained from an unknown commenter on the "It's Great Shakes" blog, a fine one indeed. Another commenter stated that these guys were originally "The What-Knots", whose 45, also on Dial entitled "I Ain't Dead Yet",  was featured in IDG #123. That's most likely very accurate as a B. Wilfong appears on the writing credits of both 45s. By the way, The What-Knots 45 shares the same high energy James Brown vibe as this one does. OK, hit the dance floor!

Les Sauterelles - Dream Machine / Heavenly Club (1968)

I remember first hearing this on "Electric Sugar Cube Flashbacks Vol. II" way back in the 80's. It was a comp I had stumbled upon after hearing Vol. I which was perhaps THE FIRST, 60's comp I ever purchased. I remember going into The House Of Guitars one Sunday afternoon, and I bought Flashbacks and "Acid Visions", which at the time was only one volume. Oh yeah, this 45 was on Vol. II, and I always loved it. I managed to get a copy rummaging through Fat Chuck's warehouse way back when, but like a complete idiot, I sold it on Ebay, with some other way cool 45's that I won't mention here because it pisses me off just thinking about it. I was fortunate enough to find another copy just recently after taking several stabs at it on Ebay, and scored a decent one for what I consider a bargain.

Les Sauterelles were a very popular band from Switzerland, that released ten 45s in their country but managed to get only one here in the U.S. "Dream Machine is superb with it's mix of acoustic and heavily fuzzed out electric guitar, and the kooky "music box" interlude toward the end. "Heavenly  Club" is a somewhat more subdued psychedelic number.

Doug Adams & The Early Morning Traffic - I Can't Wait To See You / Hontusharaya (1967)

I don't have much info on these guys, except that they were most likely from El Paso, Texas and that Doug Adams was in another band called "Wailing Wall" that had an L.P. on Suemi records in 1970. Kind of makes sense as that label was also out of El Paso. As for the record, it's decent moody fuzz laden folk/garage/psyche with more than a hint of Christian overtones in the lyrics. 

Notes From The Underground - Down In The Basement / I Wish I Was A Punk (1968)

Here's another Bay Area group from Berkeley to be specific, that probably should've gotten a little more publicity. A real good two sider from this period where bands from this area took a few more chances than most.

Eric Marshall & The Chymes - The Countess / I Can't Love You Anymore (1968)

I'm gonna try to piece together a "bio" on this band, based on what paltry info I could come up with on the interwebs. Eric Marshall and The Chymes were most likely a Minneapolis/St. Paul area group. "Moby" Steinberg was an artist, songwriter, and producer for Dove and Candy Floss records. Much of Candy Floss' output was finely crafted pop songs as we can hear on this record, an early release on Sire. This was included on a comp called "The Lost Music Of Mid-America", but I haven't heard it yet, but I'd really like to!

Fast Eddy - Hey Lou / Do You Wanna make Love (1971)

There's not a lot of info on this early seventies "bone-cruncher". I kinda figured that Fast Eddie was from Ohio, given the fact that this was pressed in Cincinnati by QCA, but from what I can gather, "Smooth Ruth Productions" was out of Grand Rapids, Michigan and this may have been their one and only release. 

Shira - Liar / Frank's Ant Farm (1973)

I coulda swore I saw some detailed info on these guys, but alas, it got lost somewhere in the google universe. What I do know for sure is that Shira was from Philadelphia, and were apparently a very popular hard rock band at the time that didn't quite make it. Too bad, this is really great heavy psyche.

Right Here

 

I've Got This Covered....

 OK, so I got a bit messy with my last post inserting Microsoft Image Composer files instead of .jpg's. All is well. I re-upped the .rar file with the proper covers on the link, but for those that have already downloaded the previous one, here are the files you're looking for.  Looks like I'm gonna have to lean on the Q.C. department here.....

FRONT

BACK

In Dan's Garage...#151

Greetings music lovers!!!! I've been home sick the past few days, and thought it would be a great opportunity to spin some 45's and share them with you all. I just got hit with some kind of "non covid" respiratory virus, and it's taking me down HARD. That being said, I like to use my time of convalescing to good use, so here we are today!

I just grabbed a bunch of 45's that haven't been posted yet, and did my "stream of consciousness"  thing which to be perfectly honest with you, works out quite well. I have a "system" where I "mark" the 45's I haven't posted yet, with a little sticker as you can see in this pic....

So, anything I come across with this little marker, is fair game for this blog, and let me tell you, I am overrun with sleeves that have these little colorful stickers on them! 

I think this is a pretty good edition as I've included some very recent acquisitions, along with some 45's that have been hanging around for a while waiting to be let loose on this here blog 'o mine. 

Thanks to all who stick around here and please share all this with your friends and loved ones!!!!!

The Deltones featuring The Gypsy - Bow Legged Annie / La-La-La (1959)

Back in 1992, I lived in a rented duplex with my former wife and my first born, which was comfortable, but ownership of the property was tenuous at best. We were literally chased out of this place after living there for three years and the whole situation was chaotic. In all the chaos, I lost a box full of VALUABLE 45's and this was one of them. I saw this on Ebay and had to buy it because it was one of my absolute favorites.

I don't know who the "Gypsy" was, but I'm guessing he's the lead vocalist on this white hot slice of rockin' R&B. Please enjoy!

Bobby Flores - Every Day I Have To Cry / Hey Girl, Please Listen (1968)

I'm not exactly sure if this 45 is from 1968, but I don't have anything telling me otherwise. Bobby Flores, according to this little blurb in a trade mag...

was from Fresno, CA. "Everyday I Have To Cry" was written by R&B great Arthur Alexander, but Upstate NY legend, Steve Alaimo was the first to have a hit. It's been covered numerous times by The Gentrys, Dusty Springfield, The Bee Gees and others. Bobby turns in a nice performance here. Pure pop music.

Uniques - Bolivar J / Lady's Man (1965)

I love The Uniques. They had a slew of 45's on Paula Records, and I still don't have all of them yet, although I think I only need two or three more, and this was one I'd been wanting for a while. Bordering on Garage, R&B, and Country, they consistently released great music during the mid sixties. Joe Stampley would later have a successful career in Country music.

Grasshoppers - Mod Socks / Twin Beat (1965)

Here's another one that has slipped through my fingers dozens of times!!!!!

The Grasshoppers were from suburban Cleveland, OH and included a guy named Benjamin Orzechowski who played rhythm guitar, drums and sang as well. He later moved to Boston, bumped around there for a few years, changed his name to Benjamin Orr, met Ric Ocasek, formed a band called The Cars, and received worldwide fame. Orr sang on The Cars' "Just What I Needed" as well as a bunch of other hits. I love these stories of guys that played in local bands like The Grasshoppers, only to hit the big time later. Orr died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 and was admitted to the sleazy and corrupt Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with the Cars posthumously in 2018.

I Giganti - La Tomba Dell Amore / Proposta (1967)

I Giganti (The Giants) were an Italian group from Milano and had around 19 45's released in Italy, a very popular band I may say. I've been lucky enough to find two of their 45's which are a mixed bag of pop and psyche.

Westwinds - A Look Into Your Eyes / Summer (1966)

Not sure where these guys are from. Something tells me Pacific Northwest, and something else tells me Minneapolis, MN. Can someone out there help???? Both sides are lightweight garage sounds with a good dose of Wurlitzer Electric piano.

Del Shannon - She / What Makes You Run (1966)

Del Shannon's Liberty years were probably his best. He had top notch production, top notch material, and he seemed to be at the top of his game vocally, witness his version of "Under My Thumb", which rivals the Stones' original. Written and produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, those two assholes gave the song to The Monkees who would have a hit with it, or at least it was one of their more popular songs on their TV show. I wish Del had gotten more of a fair shake on this stuff. I get it, he was considered "old hat' by 1966, and business is business, but I feel he should have gotten better treatment. I saw him at an oldies review with a bunch of aging "has been" acts back in the 90's just before he passed away, and he was far and away the best act in the show. 

Thanks Del.

Devons - Come On / A Little Extra Effort (1966)

The Devons had three 45's on Decca, quite a mixed bag if you ask me. I haven't heard their first one, but their second 45 was a cover of "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" and had a distinct folk rock flavor to it. This one on the other hand, sounds like The Four Seasons backed by a solid garage band.

I am NOT a Four Seasons fan. I had a fight with a co-worker once (nothing physical mind you) about who was the greater Italian - American artist, Frank Sinatra, or Frankie Valli. Well, I'm firmly in the Sinatra camp, but my co-worker was trying to make a case for Frankie Valli, and even accused me of not really being Italian. 

Where the hell am I going with this???? 

Look, I get that both those guys were nice Italian boys from New Jersey, hell, Frankie Valli was even on The Sopranos and did an admirable job on that show, that is until he got whacked by a couple of Italian guys that Tony Soprano hired. But Frank Sinatra is still "The Chairman Of The Board", OK??? 'Nuff said.

Oh yeah, this 45. This was produced by Gary Usher who also took care of The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Surfaris, The Hondells, in other words, he was quite an eclectic guy, but certainly focused quite a bit on surf and vocal related groups. As I stated previously, both sides of this 45 have a Four Seasons style to it, I like "A Little Extra Effort" better because it has a bit of a folk/rock influence. 

Jon Mark - Night Comes Down / Baby I Got A Long Way To Go (1965)

Here's a cool and interesting 45! Jon Mark played guitar with Marianne Faithful, and a group called "Sweet Thursday" that included Nicky Hopkins, and Alun Davies (who would go on to play with Cat Stevens), but he is most famously known for playing "fingerstyle guitar" in John Mayall's post Bluesbreakers band, and is on Mayall's popular "Turning Point" LP. After his stint with Mayall,  he and sax player Johnny Almond created Mark/Almond and had a certain degree of success in the seventies. 

"Night Comes Down" is very cool and sounds a lot like the stuff he played with Mayall. The flip is also great, possibly better than the A side. Apparently, this was produced and co-written by Shel Talmy, and "Night Comes Down" would later be released by The Mickey Finn on one of their 45s, also produced by Talmy.

New Lime - Whenever I Look In Her Eyes / And She Cried (1965)

Here's a band that we've featured several times. I've often stated that The New Lime were from Cincinnati, OH, but I guess they were actually from Kentucky, Campbell County to be precise, which is just across the river from Cincinnati. Now that we've got the geography lesson out of the way, we can discuss this 45 which is the first released by this group. They would have 15 45's total released on Fraternity, Counterpart, Minaret, Boss, and even a couple on Columbia, as they were picked up for national distribution because of their regional popularity. Most of their sides are really good, although there's a few clunkers in the mix. This two sider is very good. 

Third Degree - Your World's Gonna Be My World / My Guy (1968)

Lets take a sharp U-turn here with some syrupy girl group sunshine pop sounds! "My Guy" is pretty bland, in fact, it's an embarrassing attempt at pulling off a Motown classic. They do redeem themselves somewhat on the flip, which is a pretty good up-tempo sunshine-pop at that. 

Joy Unlimited - Oh Darling (1969)

Joy Unlimited were a band from Germany that featured Joy Fleming on lead vocal. I guess they were kind of a prog-rock act, but I wouldn't know for sure because the only thing I've ever heard from them is this fine cover of The Beatles' "Oh Darling". They pretty much nail this one, and don't take to many liberties with it.

Jellyroll - Help Me Over / Trying To Forget Someone Too (1971)

Jellyroll was one of a plethora of bands promoted by "MCA" in the late 60's and early 70's. MCA, during this period, consisted of a bunch of labels, most notably Uni and Decca, but also included Coral, Brunswick, Kapp, and others. Eventually, everything ended up on MCA Records as they absorbed them all, but some of what was released during this era was pretty cool heavy psyche and progressive rock. This one's a good example.

Android - Lucky Man / Society's Child (1970?)

I’m putting the B side of this first, because it's really the more interesting one. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer were perhaps the epitome of British progressive rock acts, although I'm sure you can make a case for others (Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant....), so it's fascinating how a virtually unknown group, that I think were from Pennsylvania,  re-worked "Lucky Man" without the synths, and added a cool fuzz guitar solo to it. This really isn't a bad version of the song. I'd love more info on these guys if anyone out there has some! Oh, by the way, the other side isn't too bad either!

Have Fun

 

In Dan's Garage...#150

Greetings music lovers!!!!! Holy crap. This my be the longest hiatus from this thing I've ever had, not that I'm not into this anymore or anything, it's just that life gets in the way. At 63 I still get up to work everyday for the University Of Rochester, I'm up to five (count 'em FIVE) grandchildren, my Ma, God bless her is 93 years old, and she's not going anywhere anytime soon, and I have my beautiful house and my lovely wife to keep me busy, as well as The True Believers (my band), who have made a major comeback this past year after the untimely death of our beloved bass player Jerry Flanagan, who passed away in July of 2020. We finally re-grouped after ace bass player Jim Lampert joined us, a veteran of the Rochester music scene and one of the finest musicians I've ever had the opportunity to rub elbows with. This cat has got it together, and as a working musician, I'm finding myself busier than ever! I've also had a few issues with my health, mostly back related. But I still carry on as usual.

I haven't posted anything since last October, and that's a shame, because I still have LOADS of content to share with all of you out there! Some followers may think that things have dried up. On the contrary, I've got more stuff to share than ever! So, here we are many months later with a new post full of cool 45's. You know the drill...I sift through boxes of records and find cool stuff to post, kind of a stream of consciousness thing. I have these little "dot" stickers I place on my record sleeves to distinguish the 45's I haven't posted vs. the ones that I have. Turns out I'm seeing a lot of dots, so here we go!

This one's a mixed bag of Garage, Psych, Surf, Sunshine Pop, and a classic novelty for your pleasure. It's good to be back.

Fendermen - Don't You Just Know It / Beach Party (1960)

Let's start with this. The Fendermen were duo (two guitars!) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had a big regional hit with "Mule Skinner Blues" which was released locally on Cuca Records, and was then picked up by Soma Records for national distribution. They named themselves after the Fender guitars they played. They really only had one more 45 outside of this one, "Heartbreakin' Special" which came out in 1961, and that was it for The Fendermen.

Astronauts - KUK / Baja (1963)

I really love the Astronauts. Hailing from Boulder, Colorado, they cut their teeth on nailing down a surf sound that rivaled the best band from California. They later dipped their toes into straight up garage sounds, folk rock, and even some Beach Boys style pop ala "Pet Sounds". This is their 1st 45 on RCA, and an essential surf two sider.

Bassets - So Bad (1966)

This is most likely a studio group put together by Artie Kornfield who produced and arranged this. He and Steve Duboff had a bunch of 45's on Philips (a Mercury subsidiary) as The Changing Times, and at least one as The Sterlings on Mercury. This is a pretty good beat influenced tune, the flip on the other hand kinda sucks so I left it out.

New Colony Six - The Power Of Love / (The Ballad Of The) Wingbat Marmaduke (1966)

The New Colony Six is one of my favorite "garage" bands from the sixties. I put "garage" in quotes because they were actually a well rehearsed and well produced band out of Chicago, Illinois. They had two LP's, "Breakthrough" which had the local hit "I Confess", and "Colonization" which this, and three other 45's came from. The 'A' side of this is pretty cool with the typical cheezy organ in the background, and the flip is also good as well, telling a tale of some fantasy BS while still keeping it down to earth. This was the LAST 45 I needed for my "pre-Mercury records" NC6 collection. They would eventually turn into a decent Sunshine Pop band, but none of that material was as good as this.

Pretty Things - Don't Bring Me Down / We'll Be Together (1964)

YEAH BABY!!!! I was pretty stoked when I scored this 45, and for fairly cheap I might say! It's The Pretty Things at the top of their game. I don't think I need to say much about this one except that when I was assembling this, I thought this 45 was from late '65 or '66. I was wrong. This one is from 1964, so compare it to all the other "Beatlemania" stuff, (or even Stones for that matter) that came out in that year. Pretty heavy shit if you ask me.

Bill Hjerpe - Behind The Times / Mrs. Frost (1966)

I featured this guy back in '22 in IDG #144 with something called "Navigation Blues", a Dylan inspired track. This 45 isn't much different, in fact it's even better! Bill Hjerpe had two 45s on Epic and wrote a couple of songs for Rochester, NY legends The Show Stoppers, who were supposedly discovered by John Hammond who was a bigwig at Columbia Records at the time. He brought them into the studio and had them record two of Hjerpe's songs which were both in this style. I think this guy was one of the more creative figures in the '60s and its a shame he never really had more success. 

XL's - Wheels / We Must Find A Way (1967)

I did a very quick search on this group and found out that they were from St. Louis, backed up a singer named "Patti", had a couple of 45's on Dot Records and most likely headed to L.A. where Snuff Garrett produced these two great sides for White Whale Records. They had one more 45 after this one but I haven't heard it yet.

Brimstones - I'm In Misery / Cold Hearted Woman (1966)

All I got on this one is that they were from Placerville, CA which is just outside of Sacramento. Not a killer, but a decent 45 nonetheless.

Herman's Hermits - Moonshine Man / Don't Go Out Into The Rain (You're Going To Melt) (1967)

I am a Herman's Hermits defender. If all you have to go on is "I'm Henry The VIII", and "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat", then your opinion of these guys is probably set in stone. They're a bunch of lightweights who really don't play their own instruments blah, blah, blah.... And while those songs are...well...'lightweight", the do garner some merit. They actually played on their records, on their playing is pretty good. Peter Noone may not have been the greatest front man, but he could deliver a solid vocal as he did on "Moonshine Man". This is one of those original 'B' sides that Mickie Most would let them have and by the way, Derek Leckenby was a pretty good player and Karl Green, Keith Hopwood, and Barry Whitwam were a decent rhythm section. 

International Submarine Band - One Day Week / Sum Up Broke (1966)

WAAAAHOOOO!!!!

I've been waiting forever to post this one! This is one of those two siders where you can't decide which one is better, although One Day Week is my pick. The International Submarine Band was formed in Cambridge, Mass. by Graham Parsons and John Neuse in 1965. I'm not going to go through a detailed history of the band, because they were mainly a "Country Rock" band, but I ain't hearin' much country here, tell you what. I mean, dang! These boys are just playin good ol' Rock 'N Roll! It's interesting that these guys, at least this particular 45, reminds me of the Remains (from Boston) somewhat, with the same instrumentation, guitar, bass, drums, and electric piano. Also interesting is that the Remains would cover one of their later songs from 1968, "Luxury Liner". Did these guys know each other in the sixties perhaps when they were hangin' around Boston and Cambridge??????? Inquiring minds want to know.

Evil 'I' - Can't Live Without You / Love Conquers All (1966)

Lately I've found myself buying repros of killer garage 45's. In this case I would call it a re-issue because it was originally released on the Bridge Society label. That being said, kudos to whoever it was that re-issued this wild psychedelic gem in 1996. Both sides are fuzz drenched insanity although "Love Conquers All" sounds a bit like The Doors. Not that that's a bad thing.  I understand that this was a very limited pressing of 300 copies, so I guess it makes it kinda rare.

Racket Squad - Suburban Life (1968)

The Racket Squad were originally known as The Fenways, kind of a frat-rock band that had several 45's on Co & Ce, Roulette, and some other labels. They supposedly backed up The Vogues on "Five O'Clock World", but I can't confirm that. They would eventually change their name to "The Racket Squad", record a couple of LP's on Jubilee and release nine 45's before calling it quits. I like these guys but I can't put a finger on what they do because their style varied wildly from song to song. This one is a nice funky soul/psych number with some great fuzzy guitar and heavy a B-3 organ break. 

The Village - Help Your Brother / A Passing Thought (19??)

Now we're getting deep into the weeds. Another one of those, "I'll take a stab at it" 45's, this gets into some of what most record collectors these days call "Outsider" music. To me it sounds like a bunch of hippie folkies and all the hippie platitudes that go with it, but with just a touch of ineptness that makes it charming. 

Motions - I Want You, I Need You / Suzie Baby (1967)

The Motions were possibly one of the most popular bands to come out of The Netherlands. They started out as a beat group, but as the decade progressed, they started venturing into pop sounds and some blue eyed soul sounds, as we hear on this 45. Guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen would later on form Shocking Blue and have a huge international hit with "Venus".

Precious Treasure - Penny Bright / Cinnamon Taxi (196?)

Here's a little "twee" pop from a girl group, probably a bunch of suburban teens from Massachusetts, with a "killer" sunshine pop two sider. I have no idea who these teen gals were, but this is a fun 45 to spin. Definitely an acquired taste.

Alfred E. Neuman - It's A Gas (1966)

I had to do it. 

This has been floating around in by box for over ten years, just begging to be ripped, and posted on this blog. I have very fond memories of this particular "record". When I was a young lad of five or six, I lived in a neighborhood where EVERYONE knew each other. My oldest brother Vince, or "Vinny" as everyone would call him, was about seven years older and at the time was really getting into music. So were a lot of our neighbors at the time, including Jimmy Gattalerro, A/K/A "Guts", who was really into James Brown, but also bought every issue of Mad magazine, especially the issue that included this cardboard 45. I remember everyone flocking to his house just to hear Alfred E. Neuman "vocalize" while we busted a gut laughing at this. Those were good times. 

King Curtis was responsible for the wild Tenor Sax solo on this cut, and the rest of the band is pretty solid as well. I don't mean to offend anyone here, we all know this record is really juvenile, but we can still laugh at stuff like this...can we???

I think so.

HERE