Seven entrees into the new year we simply have been very busy with all things going around here. Last week's Samantha Fish dazzling the crowd with her performance and then taking off to Chicago for Buddy Guy and now returning to the cold grey fog that is Des Moines. Have to sit this one out; the car's not fixed.
For all my work and worth of finally seeing Samantha Fish playing live, I'm surprised that the blog of her Davenport show has only reached 11 views, which is shocking considering the fact that Samantha is the most researched name in this blog. I can't figure that one out but I'll do my best to promote her, even though I'm doing this on my own time and dime. Guess my review wasn't that great after all.
Thinking we hit our strive with our best month ever, I've been feverishly trying to update and keep in touch with the latest goings on but looks like reality is sitting back in and we'll be returning to the land of 2,000 views again. Which I have to take as a labor of love since this blog will not be in the league of the other well knowns who tend to favor Mumford and Sons and get on David Bowie's case on his new album. The biggest can of worms opened was that it will be released via Columbia/ISO, which Bowie has been a part of in over 12 years. Doesn't look like Bowie is going to tour on this album so basically this is a special project issued on a major label. And nobody buys albums anymore.
Except for the ill fated Davenport trip, I have yet to step forward into Half Priced Books this year. Not that it matters, it just that I have been busy with other things and the weather is too cold to go anywhere although we are in the last of a January thaw that begin last weekend and has continued to this day but it's foggy outside. I'm sure I passed on a few interesting things but let's face it, I'm swimming in a sea of dollar bin cds and don't have anymore room to acquire anymore either. Unless I can get some more shelves up around here. The mentality here continues to keep looking for things I passed up on but seems only time I have to listen to is when I take the player up to work. But let's face it, so much music and so little time. The new music is going have to be pretty damn good for me to even consider it in this day and age.
I continue to read Bob Lefsetz blogs when he puts them out and I pick and choose between them. I have no use for the blog when he talks about skiing in Aspen or whereever he goes for ski action. And hope he doesn't come across the same fate that came to Claude Nobs or Sonny Bono. The man loves Mumford and Sons, I don't. He thinks the new Bowie single is bland and not hit worthy, I do too. Let's face it, Bowie's 90s stuff is forgettable and although I do like his 2002 "farewell" album Reality, I hardly ever play it. Heathen was total crap, Outside was worse and let's not discuss Hours..... Good to see Tony Visconti back behind the producer's booth and Earl Slick is as reliable as a sideman ever was but will I listen to The Next Day when it comes out? I really doubt it. Give Me Substance says the cynical ole man and echoed by the crabb. Or maybe I'll wait till it comes into the used bins. That is if we still have any used bins around town.
Which comes to The Townedgers, a band that I'm a part of and talk a lot in this blog but don't expect you the reader to follow their music. Their heyday came from the 90s and if anything have taken a long vacation since 2008's soul draining Pawnshops For Olivia. But there had been finished product that never got out to the masses, not that the masses are clamoring for it. Their catalog of the 2000's is in shambles and need of some TLC. So in 2013, it was time for yours truly to start looking through the archives and make available once again stuff that was one and done. First up is 7/7/07 a one day romp in the studio of past efforts, but basically a fun but ragged romp through some TE comps and a cover of Summertime Blues to boot. That will be reissued via the fine folks at Pizza/Maier Records. Next is a remix and re imagined Light At The End Of The Tunnel-The Dennanbaugh Remix album which makes a more metallic sound than the original 1996 album with drums more to the forefront rather than back. Not exactly thrilled with the sound of some of these but it's for my own amusement, not radio or Lefsetz either. A third reissue project is another one day romp into the studio with more TE covers and failed hit Solon but somehow that master has gotten lost in the wide range of crap around the house. Once I find it, we command some airwork and throw it out to the world. The 2009 aborted Country album to which outtakes from Pawnshops and Highway Home if and when we find the damn master to that and finally, The Great Lost Townedgers Album to which remains a secret. I had aspirations to revisit the TE 20 album but the master tapes are missing as well, so that's on hold till I find the fucking things.
As for new Townedgers music, we are on the clock but we have two projects that are going as I type this. One a new album of new songs including a punk version of Greenback Dollar. And second Town's Edge Rock Revisited to which I pay tribute to the first album of music that I ever did that turned out worth a shit. Long time producer Richard Dennanbaugh will be there with words of encouragement. And a whip should I get too lazy and play bejeweled till the daylight comes. So if the folks at Half Priced Books may have to put out a APB about my whereabouts, rest assured that I'll return eventually. But this being the 30th anniversary of Town's Edge Rock, what better way to revisit the past by remaking the songs that made that album special. So for fans of the TE (all 8 of you), the clouds are beginning to part and the TE's return is coming down to make music more fun for those who like their independent garage rock on the ragged side.
As they say, stay tuned for further developments.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Top Ten Of The Week-January Thaw
If you take away the 8 inches of snow we got about three weeks ago you could make an observation that this winter would be like last, not much snow and above normal temps but the fact is it's been cold most of the time here. This week promises 40 degrees and sunshine before it gets cold again. No shortage of tunes here though.
Marty Stuart continues to have his own show on RFD. TV to which doesn't get shown around here but came across this little tidbit from a few years ago. Turns out the link still works.... The Marty Stuart Show on RFD.TV. Ya remember those country music shows of long ago and far away on Saturday's back when TV was good. Probably before your lifetime, well Marty Stuart has a half hour variety show on Saturday Nights on RFD-TV. Too bad our cable company won't let us trade MTV for RFD TV.
http://www.martystuart.com/MSS.htm
1. Runaway-Samantha Fish 2011 What better way to start out the top ten this week with the hot rocking number that she threw upon the crowd Saturday Night in Davenport. For all intent purposes, Samantha has done wonders over here at Crabb Top 10 land, since she is the most searched name here although my Saturday Night review didn't garner much on the ratings chart. But I was there to witness her playing up a storm up close and personal, especially on the floor to which jump up on a chair and shred away on the guitar chords. Used to think Susan Tedeschi was like that too but Samantha Fish just blows her out of the water. Move over, there's a young gunslinger in town and will return again just to know you know she mean business.
2. No-Bulldog 1972 After the Rascals broke up, Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish formed this band that made an album for Decca and a one hit wonder for them as well. Major songwriters were Billy Hocher and John Turl. KLWW played this song, don't recall KCRG ever did. I think this popped up on a K Tel album as well. Had the single somewhere but not in my collection, found it in my dad's. Don't know how that got in there, I'm still looking for Red Eye Blues from Red Eye, another 45 that has vanished without a trace.
3. Mighty Morris Ten-Episode Six 1966 Another obscure 45 that I knew nothing about being released in the US but I guess this came out on Warner Brothers back in the 60s. The Episode Six's discography is even more scattershot than then Jamey Ryan attempt that I did on the Singles Going Steady 10 blog. It's a bizarre surf and drag song more in kin with Jan and Dean and the forgotten Cabin Crew She Ain't A Lot, Episode Six decided upon a drag song with a motorcycle? Mod Bike? Hell I don't know. Other side was a cover of the Beatles' Here, There And Everywhere. Written by future producer Roger Glover. BTW, this sound by this band would be night and day the next time they invaded Warner Brothers, Glover and Ian Gillan the lead singer would turn another band's fortunes around to a more harder rock, Deep Purple. http://www.deep-purple.net/features/episode-six/episode-six.html
4. I'm In Love-The Fourmost 1964 More popular in England then they ever were over here, they recorded a bunch of songs that were written by John Lennon or Paul McCartney. They recorded for Parlophone but in the US the songs were picked up by Atco to which I found the 45 at Ragged Records, later Capitol issued a couple singles, one produced by Ron Richards of the Hollies fame. Here There And Everywhere. Thank God for the internet for this history of the band: http://www.thefourmost.co.uk/#/history/4532382692
5. Give Me Just A Little Bit More Time-Falstaff 1995 The guilty pleasure album of the month is Pravda K tel tribute album Star Power since I added a track last week and this week, we get just about a note by note similarity by these bunch of unknowns to which they show their alt rock power by having a meltdown ending. This song is their claim to fame since Google brings up other bands with the name Falstaff but nothing sounds close to this band. Forever a unknown I guess.
6. Lonely Weekends-Jerry Lee Lewis 1972 Over and done in a Ramones like minute forty four this was a top fifty country hit for The Killer. Charlie Rich had a bigger with this.
7. I Asked For Water-Howlin Wolf 1956 Upon the fact that Samantha Fish takes a lot of her inspiration from the man himself everybody should know that the Rocking Chair (Aka Howlin' Wolf) is required listening to anybody who wants to understand the blues or for that matter rock and roll since so many British acts took their cue for Chester Burnett but of course Stevie Ray Vaughn paid tribute to the man by covering a few songs himself. At the FYE Moline, they were the only place that had this CD and since my original CD has issues being played on my player it was time for a upgrade. Of course, being home and stuck with a flu or allergic reaction to something I tore up the place trying to find the discman that had the Wolf CD in it and freaked out to the point that I called the Quality Inn in Eldridge to see if they had it and was even more freaking out,till I lifted up the blanket on the couch and found it underneath. To which I breathe a sigh of relief and thanked the lucky stars that I found it. AND DON'T DO THAT TO ME EVER AGAIN! Update: I switched Howling for My Baby in exchange for this moody blues classic.
8. You'll Be Mine-Stevie Ray Vaughan/Double Trouble 1985 Speaking of SRV doing Howlin Wolf......Why not?
9. I Sat Back And Let It Happen-Leroy Van Dyke 1962 I guess this top ten is taking on a more Conservative approach judging all by all the blues and obscure 45s it has been taking the more I dig into this. The fourth single from the batch of records that I took home from the folks, this 45 has seem better days and better glories as a frisbee 45. But then again this may have been in bad shape when I picked it up at the Church garage sale years ago. Most of Van Dyke's time at Mercury was trying to rewrite Walk On By and How Long Must You Keep Me A Secret (written by Barry Mann of Who Put The Bomp fame) shadowed the country top forty of 1962. B side sounds more into Don Gibson's territory of Don't Tell Me Your Troubles or Sea Of Heartbreak judging by the bomp bomp bomp of the bass singer on this song. I think this 45 of mine might be considered for the next batch of fun with scratchy 45s, whenever that takes place.
10. Too Many Ways To Fall-Arc Angels 1992 Charlie Sexton joins up with Doyle Bramhall 2 and Double Trouble to make a wonderful but a bit overlong album but I don't think had a proper followup. They tour from time to time but for me they just fell off the map. Co-written with Tonio K (Life In The Foodchain) this song got some moderate airplay during the early 90s. Still holds up well after these years.
Five Me More!
Freeze Frame- J. Geils Band 1982
I Didn't Know I Loved You Till I Saw You Rock And Rolled-Gary Glitter 1972
Spiders And Snakes-World Famous Blue Jays 1995
Congo Square-John Mayall 1990
Teenage Icon-The Vaccines 2012
News wire:
Willie McCoy checked out, best known as the dude to sang about wanting his baby back ribs. But they had a feast at his funeral. http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/bbq-themed-funeral
Actually McCoy died September 8th:
David Bowie celebrated his 66th birthday by offering up a new single and new album slated for April. It's his first new album since Reality of 10 years ago. The new single Where We Are Now (up for a limited time) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWtsV50_-p4&feature=youtu.be
Coming off the record month of views, looks we'll be back to the usual 2000 mark again, so I guess the novelty has worn off. But to the faithful I am working on some more new stuff and at the same been quietly restocking the back archives of 2009. I really don't promote back history but it's neat to see what was going on during that year, March and April 2009 archives are now restored from other websites. As always you're welcome to check the history of that month. Once we get that done we'll turn our attention to 2008. One month at a time.
Finally, special thanks to the clerk at the Eldridge Casey's for letting me park my car there after the Saturday Night breakdown and to the clerk at Quality Inn for her hospitality in my time of need. And of course my brother for getting my car back home. Couldn't done with it without y'all. Next time I should consider bringing my own toothpaste though. But the Eldridge Quality Inn had 100 channels of digital cable to choose from and ME TV to boot. If you're in the neighborhood, tell them Crabby sent ya.
Not that they will give you a discount but it will be free promotion for me! ;-)
Marty Stuart continues to have his own show on RFD. TV to which doesn't get shown around here but came across this little tidbit from a few years ago. Turns out the link still works.... The Marty Stuart Show on RFD.TV. Ya remember those country music shows of long ago and far away on Saturday's back when TV was good. Probably before your lifetime, well Marty Stuart has a half hour variety show on Saturday Nights on RFD-TV. Too bad our cable company won't let us trade MTV for RFD TV.
http://www.martystuart.com/MSS.htm
1. Runaway-Samantha Fish 2011 What better way to start out the top ten this week with the hot rocking number that she threw upon the crowd Saturday Night in Davenport. For all intent purposes, Samantha has done wonders over here at Crabb Top 10 land, since she is the most searched name here although my Saturday Night review didn't garner much on the ratings chart. But I was there to witness her playing up a storm up close and personal, especially on the floor to which jump up on a chair and shred away on the guitar chords. Used to think Susan Tedeschi was like that too but Samantha Fish just blows her out of the water. Move over, there's a young gunslinger in town and will return again just to know you know she mean business.
2. No-Bulldog 1972 After the Rascals broke up, Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish formed this band that made an album for Decca and a one hit wonder for them as well. Major songwriters were Billy Hocher and John Turl. KLWW played this song, don't recall KCRG ever did. I think this popped up on a K Tel album as well. Had the single somewhere but not in my collection, found it in my dad's. Don't know how that got in there, I'm still looking for Red Eye Blues from Red Eye, another 45 that has vanished without a trace.
3. Mighty Morris Ten-Episode Six 1966 Another obscure 45 that I knew nothing about being released in the US but I guess this came out on Warner Brothers back in the 60s. The Episode Six's discography is even more scattershot than then Jamey Ryan attempt that I did on the Singles Going Steady 10 blog. It's a bizarre surf and drag song more in kin with Jan and Dean and the forgotten Cabin Crew She Ain't A Lot, Episode Six decided upon a drag song with a motorcycle? Mod Bike? Hell I don't know. Other side was a cover of the Beatles' Here, There And Everywhere. Written by future producer Roger Glover. BTW, this sound by this band would be night and day the next time they invaded Warner Brothers, Glover and Ian Gillan the lead singer would turn another band's fortunes around to a more harder rock, Deep Purple. http://www.deep-purple.net/features/episode-six/episode-six.html
4. I'm In Love-The Fourmost 1964 More popular in England then they ever were over here, they recorded a bunch of songs that were written by John Lennon or Paul McCartney. They recorded for Parlophone but in the US the songs were picked up by Atco to which I found the 45 at Ragged Records, later Capitol issued a couple singles, one produced by Ron Richards of the Hollies fame. Here There And Everywhere. Thank God for the internet for this history of the band: http://www.thefourmost.co.uk/#/history/4532382692
5. Give Me Just A Little Bit More Time-Falstaff 1995 The guilty pleasure album of the month is Pravda K tel tribute album Star Power since I added a track last week and this week, we get just about a note by note similarity by these bunch of unknowns to which they show their alt rock power by having a meltdown ending. This song is their claim to fame since Google brings up other bands with the name Falstaff but nothing sounds close to this band. Forever a unknown I guess.
6. Lonely Weekends-Jerry Lee Lewis 1972 Over and done in a Ramones like minute forty four this was a top fifty country hit for The Killer. Charlie Rich had a bigger with this.
7. I Asked For Water-Howlin Wolf 1956 Upon the fact that Samantha Fish takes a lot of her inspiration from the man himself everybody should know that the Rocking Chair (Aka Howlin' Wolf) is required listening to anybody who wants to understand the blues or for that matter rock and roll since so many British acts took their cue for Chester Burnett but of course Stevie Ray Vaughn paid tribute to the man by covering a few songs himself. At the FYE Moline, they were the only place that had this CD and since my original CD has issues being played on my player it was time for a upgrade. Of course, being home and stuck with a flu or allergic reaction to something I tore up the place trying to find the discman that had the Wolf CD in it and freaked out to the point that I called the Quality Inn in Eldridge to see if they had it and was even more freaking out,till I lifted up the blanket on the couch and found it underneath. To which I breathe a sigh of relief and thanked the lucky stars that I found it. AND DON'T DO THAT TO ME EVER AGAIN! Update: I switched Howling for My Baby in exchange for this moody blues classic.
8. You'll Be Mine-Stevie Ray Vaughan/Double Trouble 1985 Speaking of SRV doing Howlin Wolf......Why not?
9. I Sat Back And Let It Happen-Leroy Van Dyke 1962 I guess this top ten is taking on a more Conservative approach judging all by all the blues and obscure 45s it has been taking the more I dig into this. The fourth single from the batch of records that I took home from the folks, this 45 has seem better days and better glories as a frisbee 45. But then again this may have been in bad shape when I picked it up at the Church garage sale years ago. Most of Van Dyke's time at Mercury was trying to rewrite Walk On By and How Long Must You Keep Me A Secret (written by Barry Mann of Who Put The Bomp fame) shadowed the country top forty of 1962. B side sounds more into Don Gibson's territory of Don't Tell Me Your Troubles or Sea Of Heartbreak judging by the bomp bomp bomp of the bass singer on this song. I think this 45 of mine might be considered for the next batch of fun with scratchy 45s, whenever that takes place.
10. Too Many Ways To Fall-Arc Angels 1992 Charlie Sexton joins up with Doyle Bramhall 2 and Double Trouble to make a wonderful but a bit overlong album but I don't think had a proper followup. They tour from time to time but for me they just fell off the map. Co-written with Tonio K (Life In The Foodchain) this song got some moderate airplay during the early 90s. Still holds up well after these years.
Five Me More!
Freeze Frame- J. Geils Band 1982
I Didn't Know I Loved You Till I Saw You Rock And Rolled-Gary Glitter 1972
Spiders And Snakes-World Famous Blue Jays 1995
Congo Square-John Mayall 1990
Teenage Icon-The Vaccines 2012
News wire:
Willie McCoy checked out, best known as the dude to sang about wanting his baby back ribs. But they had a feast at his funeral. http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/bbq-themed-funeral
Actually McCoy died September 8th:
David Bowie celebrated his 66th birthday by offering up a new single and new album slated for April. It's his first new album since Reality of 10 years ago. The new single Where We Are Now (up for a limited time) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWtsV50_-p4&feature=youtu.be
Coming off the record month of views, looks we'll be back to the usual 2000 mark again, so I guess the novelty has worn off. But to the faithful I am working on some more new stuff and at the same been quietly restocking the back archives of 2009. I really don't promote back history but it's neat to see what was going on during that year, March and April 2009 archives are now restored from other websites. As always you're welcome to check the history of that month. Once we get that done we'll turn our attention to 2008. One month at a time.
Finally, special thanks to the clerk at the Eldridge Casey's for letting me park my car there after the Saturday Night breakdown and to the clerk at Quality Inn for her hospitality in my time of need. And of course my brother for getting my car back home. Couldn't done with it without y'all. Next time I should consider bringing my own toothpaste though. But the Eldridge Quality Inn had 100 channels of digital cable to choose from and ME TV to boot. If you're in the neighborhood, tell them Crabby sent ya.
Not that they will give you a discount but it will be free promotion for me! ;-)
Monday, January 7, 2013
Crabb Bits:Davenport Disaster, KMFH Returns
The morning after the night before and somehow I have come down with a new kind of flu that makes it look like I have the fucking mumps. I looked into the mirror this morning and seen my lips sore and sticking out like fucking Mick Jagger. Just what we need, being sick with some kind of new born flu.
I did not intended to go to Davenport on Saturday, had things to do around here in trying to help The Townedgers record their new album but I heard about Samantha Fish playing there that night so I went online and ordered up a ticket only to find that the printer here didn't have any more ink. That's when I should have known that maybe I should have stayed home but I made a commitment to see Sam when she was in the neck of the woods. Off to Wally world to get some ink and back again and exchange cars to drive to the Quad Cities.
There's a reason why I don't do winter trips to any town here, it's too cold, too snowy and there's no guarantee the cars will make it and back. I did managed to stop at the Source Bookstore and Ragged Records for music and ended up spinning some scratchy 45s at Ragged before they turned the lights out on me. Across the river to Salvation Army there and came to find that they moved the vinyl over to another side and most of it got thrown all over the place. Nothing found. Then it was off to FYE for waste another hour and pick up some of their 99 cent throwaways, next to the 50 percent off Christmas stuff. Of course, got no peace from the 4 FYE workers bothering the hell out of me either, I'm still pissed that they closed the Coral Ridge FYE a few years ago. Got a replacement copy of Howlin Wolf's Rocking Chair album, plus the worst David Lee Roth CD ever made Your Filthy Dirty Mouth, plus EMI's Best Of Diviynls and a Sam Phillips CD for a dollar, and a Tim Buckley best of CD. Not bad considering that I really wasn't bargain hunting, just wasting time before heading to see Samantha Fish tear it up on stage.
The highest of highs was of course Samantha going to town on a very explosive 90 minute set but I did misjudged the fact that if I got there at 8, I could probably find a seat only to discover we blew that one. Couldn't find a seat and most of the time was ready to smack the the couple in front of me who came out of nowhere and obscurred the view from where I was at to the point, well I may as well move closer to stage. And then snaked myself around the maze of picture taking folks on the dance floor. And to be at the right spot to have Miss Fish jump on a chair in front of me and playing guitar and having a good time of it. And regretting that I left my camera at home. Since I got to meet her on the floor I didn't see the need to do the meet and greet so I moved out to the lighted walk across US 67 to the car only to have some drunk dude wearing a horse head. But still walking on air managed to make it to the car to go home.
Then the lowest of lows happened. Driving past I-80 the car's heating system light came on and as I was seeing the temp go way beyond H, it appeared to me that I wasn't going to make it home and that I could have two choices to make. Either find the first motel room and call a wrecker in the morning, or spend the night between New River and the Wapsipinicion River in 10 degree weather. Thankfully the girl at Casey's let me park the car there and I can spend the night at the Quality Inn across the street. To which I came back out to find that my right rear tire ran over a fucking nail and it was flat. I wasn't going nowhere.
It got worse. I couldn't sleep at all over there, it was a nice room, 100 channels of nothing to choose from but my body rebelled against me throughout the night, my nose drying up from one side to another when I moved to the other side of the bed. I had problems with the free toothpaste and toothbrush it seems, after brushing, my face swelled up to which it still is today. Then I ended up getting ankle spams as well. Next day, my brother came out and helped getting the damn car back home to which he said that a hose clamp was the problem of the coolant and spending 40 bucks for putting coolant in the car and seeing 35 dollars of it forming a lake in the Casey's parking lot.
To paraphase the events:
One ticket to see Samantha Fish in concert: 14.50
Replacement Ink in Printer since I ran out: 55.00
Crappy Mexican Food: 16.12
3 Quarts of Anti Freeze that most leaked out: 40.10
One night at the Eldridge Quality Inn 80.75
Price of paying for gas to get my car back home 58.00
A couple 45s and a CD at Ragged Records: 22.00
FYE stuff: 22.55
A Blues Magoos CD at The Source. 7.00
Getting canned stuff at Big Lots: 28.00
Breakfast stuff at Casey's: 5.25
Total: 349.27
Having Samantha Fish come off the stage in barefeet and playing lead in front of me: PRICELESS!
And I'm sure I'll be game to do it all over again too. I just hope the next time the car behaves better.
Long time ago KFMH was the best FM radio station playing album rock favorites till 1993 when some guy with lots of money bought them out and it became a crappy country station before a radio corporation bought him out and made it into another top forty autotuner station. On Facebook it was announced that KFMH is coming back to become a pirate radio station on the net. Which is fine and dandy. Now all we need is to get something that we can listen to it at work. I would have loved to see KFMH return back to the radio but since Cumulus and Clear Channel owns most of the FM airspace, we're pretty much boned. But for now you can find KFMH via this link: http://www.facebook.com/ThePlusPirateRadio?ref=ts&fref=ts
While things were going down in Davenport, Sammy Johns has checked out of town in his Chevy Van. He was 66.
Photo of the week: If you're a committed bargain hunter, you'll go to great lengths to find the lost classic.
I did not intended to go to Davenport on Saturday, had things to do around here in trying to help The Townedgers record their new album but I heard about Samantha Fish playing there that night so I went online and ordered up a ticket only to find that the printer here didn't have any more ink. That's when I should have known that maybe I should have stayed home but I made a commitment to see Sam when she was in the neck of the woods. Off to Wally world to get some ink and back again and exchange cars to drive to the Quad Cities.
There's a reason why I don't do winter trips to any town here, it's too cold, too snowy and there's no guarantee the cars will make it and back. I did managed to stop at the Source Bookstore and Ragged Records for music and ended up spinning some scratchy 45s at Ragged before they turned the lights out on me. Across the river to Salvation Army there and came to find that they moved the vinyl over to another side and most of it got thrown all over the place. Nothing found. Then it was off to FYE for waste another hour and pick up some of their 99 cent throwaways, next to the 50 percent off Christmas stuff. Of course, got no peace from the 4 FYE workers bothering the hell out of me either, I'm still pissed that they closed the Coral Ridge FYE a few years ago. Got a replacement copy of Howlin Wolf's Rocking Chair album, plus the worst David Lee Roth CD ever made Your Filthy Dirty Mouth, plus EMI's Best Of Diviynls and a Sam Phillips CD for a dollar, and a Tim Buckley best of CD. Not bad considering that I really wasn't bargain hunting, just wasting time before heading to see Samantha Fish tear it up on stage.
The highest of highs was of course Samantha going to town on a very explosive 90 minute set but I did misjudged the fact that if I got there at 8, I could probably find a seat only to discover we blew that one. Couldn't find a seat and most of the time was ready to smack the the couple in front of me who came out of nowhere and obscurred the view from where I was at to the point, well I may as well move closer to stage. And then snaked myself around the maze of picture taking folks on the dance floor. And to be at the right spot to have Miss Fish jump on a chair in front of me and playing guitar and having a good time of it. And regretting that I left my camera at home. Since I got to meet her on the floor I didn't see the need to do the meet and greet so I moved out to the lighted walk across US 67 to the car only to have some drunk dude wearing a horse head. But still walking on air managed to make it to the car to go home.
Then the lowest of lows happened. Driving past I-80 the car's heating system light came on and as I was seeing the temp go way beyond H, it appeared to me that I wasn't going to make it home and that I could have two choices to make. Either find the first motel room and call a wrecker in the morning, or spend the night between New River and the Wapsipinicion River in 10 degree weather. Thankfully the girl at Casey's let me park the car there and I can spend the night at the Quality Inn across the street. To which I came back out to find that my right rear tire ran over a fucking nail and it was flat. I wasn't going nowhere.
It got worse. I couldn't sleep at all over there, it was a nice room, 100 channels of nothing to choose from but my body rebelled against me throughout the night, my nose drying up from one side to another when I moved to the other side of the bed. I had problems with the free toothpaste and toothbrush it seems, after brushing, my face swelled up to which it still is today. Then I ended up getting ankle spams as well. Next day, my brother came out and helped getting the damn car back home to which he said that a hose clamp was the problem of the coolant and spending 40 bucks for putting coolant in the car and seeing 35 dollars of it forming a lake in the Casey's parking lot.
To paraphase the events:
One ticket to see Samantha Fish in concert: 14.50
Replacement Ink in Printer since I ran out: 55.00
Crappy Mexican Food: 16.12
3 Quarts of Anti Freeze that most leaked out: 40.10
One night at the Eldridge Quality Inn 80.75
Price of paying for gas to get my car back home 58.00
A couple 45s and a CD at Ragged Records: 22.00
FYE stuff: 22.55
A Blues Magoos CD at The Source. 7.00
Getting canned stuff at Big Lots: 28.00
Breakfast stuff at Casey's: 5.25
Total: 349.27
Having Samantha Fish come off the stage in barefeet and playing lead in front of me: PRICELESS!
And I'm sure I'll be game to do it all over again too. I just hope the next time the car behaves better.
Long time ago KFMH was the best FM radio station playing album rock favorites till 1993 when some guy with lots of money bought them out and it became a crappy country station before a radio corporation bought him out and made it into another top forty autotuner station. On Facebook it was announced that KFMH is coming back to become a pirate radio station on the net. Which is fine and dandy. Now all we need is to get something that we can listen to it at work. I would have loved to see KFMH return back to the radio but since Cumulus and Clear Channel owns most of the FM airspace, we're pretty much boned. But for now you can find KFMH via this link: http://www.facebook.com/ThePlusPirateRadio?ref=ts&fref=ts
While things were going down in Davenport, Sammy Johns has checked out of town in his Chevy Van. He was 66.
Photo of the week: If you're a committed bargain hunter, you'll go to great lengths to find the lost classic.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Samantha Fish Takes Davenport
I'm not a big fan of doing winter bargain hunts, it gets too cold, too snowy and icey on the roads and the car is untrustworthy, but upon checking my Facebook for the latest stories I heard that Samantha Fish was coming up to Davenport en route to a Chicago show, opening for Buddy Guy at Legends Sunday Night. On perhaps one of the biggest spur of the moments I've done, I ended up getting an online ticket to get see her at The Redstone Room in historic Davenport's RME's building downtown. It's a lot like CSPS here in CR, only the RME Building is a couple blocks from the Mississippi River. Only 10 dollars gets you in.
For the most part of the afternoon I bided time by hitting The Source Bookstore and then Ragged Records, playing scratchy 45s till they kicked me out at closing time and then on to waste more time at FYE and dinner at Habernareros, then thought I could get a decent seat when I got there at 8.
That wasn't the case when I got there, there was a capacity crowd there and hung at the door for the better part of the evening trying not to get bumped by people coming in and trying to look over the shoulders of a couple that hindered my view of the opening act The Winter Blues All Stars, a collection of teenagers covering classic R and B songs. Mostly of the hits (Superstition, At Last, Let The Good Times Roll), the teen girls singers could belt them out, although the blonde (forgot her name) kinda overdid At Last and the band not exactly hitting the right notes. But they had a excellent drummer in Cooper and a girl Saxophone player (think her name was Antionette) not more than 13 but could play the rhythm to Superstition just about dead on. Good to know that teens are still interested in playing blues and not trying to sugarcoat everything to bad beats and autotuner. The Winter Blues All Stars, I hope can continue to play the blues,especially the sax player.
It takes a lot to convince me when it comes to play the blues; hell everybody around here does it be it pedestrian like The Blue Band which are good at their game or Ellis Kell who's one of the best if not the best that Davenport has to offer. Samantha Fish comes from Kansas City is fast becoming one of the hottest blues player, male or female on the circuit. I kinda came late to hearing her after buying Runaway last year and it influenced me to make a substitution on the best of 2011 since her album came too late for 2012. Samantha is fairly well known in Davenport, playing there twice last year and returning Saturday Night. Upon hearing Runaway I figured her to be in the league of a Bonnie Raitt but judging last night, she's more in tune with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Hubert Sumlin to which she played three Howlin' Wolf songs and a crazed Who's Been Talking and Killing Floor. Backed by a perfect combination section of Chris Alexander on bass and Go Go Ray on drums, they complimented Sam with aggressive but on the slower number a more subtle style. Go Go was a pleasure to watch on drums.
I wasn't exactly pleased of where I was sitting between the passerby's and the couple in front of me moving their damn chair out in the middle of the aisle so I basically ventured up closer to the stage. About the time that Samantha took her shoes off and played barefoot from there on out. Playing new songs from her forthcoming album (She says it should be out in May), the crowd seemed to enjoy them as much as the Wolf numbers. About that time, she caught on fire and the last two numbers from her Runaway album, Money To Burn and the title track to which both songs went over ten minutes and showed the world that Samantha Fish when it comes to the blues, she's the real deal. I have never seen anybody attack these song with the intensity not unlike regular blues artists who simply go through the emotions. Samantha, really feels the blues with her expressions and guitar playing that you can't help but get taken over by the power of her music.
The last number Runaway is her signature tune and she takes it home, jumping off stage, swinging along with the crowd right to the point that she's right next to me wailing away on guitar like a female Stevie Ray. Then jumps on the chair and still plays without missing a beat. Her interaction with the crowd, even though she may be a star, she's one of us. And it makes all of us love her that even more. And here I am, sitting there, managing to make my way so close to the point of touching her that OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE's Right With Me, playing guitar in front of me on top of a chair. One of those moments that I wished I would have bought a camera to document it all. Then she bounced right off the chair, back on stage and rocking us up to the top of the hour.
The encore was another lengthy jam, this time a rework of Funk 49, the old Joe Walsh song with Go Go and Chris adding some solos before Samantha ends it all with one more guitar solo and then it was all over for the night, a great way to end the evening, as she did a meet and greet with fans afterwards along with Chris. Go Go was tearing down his drums as I left and I'm sure there'll be a next time to which Samantha will return to the area (she plays in Des Monies on Friday the 11th at the Gas Light, I recommend you go see her if she's in the area or in Kansas City as she'll be playing to sold out shows there). I still stand by my remark of a few months ago and even more so last night that I have heard and seen the new face of the blues and that person remains Samantha Fish.
She IS the real deal.
For the most part of the afternoon I bided time by hitting The Source Bookstore and then Ragged Records, playing scratchy 45s till they kicked me out at closing time and then on to waste more time at FYE and dinner at Habernareros, then thought I could get a decent seat when I got there at 8.
That wasn't the case when I got there, there was a capacity crowd there and hung at the door for the better part of the evening trying not to get bumped by people coming in and trying to look over the shoulders of a couple that hindered my view of the opening act The Winter Blues All Stars, a collection of teenagers covering classic R and B songs. Mostly of the hits (Superstition, At Last, Let The Good Times Roll), the teen girls singers could belt them out, although the blonde (forgot her name) kinda overdid At Last and the band not exactly hitting the right notes. But they had a excellent drummer in Cooper and a girl Saxophone player (think her name was Antionette) not more than 13 but could play the rhythm to Superstition just about dead on. Good to know that teens are still interested in playing blues and not trying to sugarcoat everything to bad beats and autotuner. The Winter Blues All Stars, I hope can continue to play the blues,especially the sax player.
It takes a lot to convince me when it comes to play the blues; hell everybody around here does it be it pedestrian like The Blue Band which are good at their game or Ellis Kell who's one of the best if not the best that Davenport has to offer. Samantha Fish comes from Kansas City is fast becoming one of the hottest blues player, male or female on the circuit. I kinda came late to hearing her after buying Runaway last year and it influenced me to make a substitution on the best of 2011 since her album came too late for 2012. Samantha is fairly well known in Davenport, playing there twice last year and returning Saturday Night. Upon hearing Runaway I figured her to be in the league of a Bonnie Raitt but judging last night, she's more in tune with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Hubert Sumlin to which she played three Howlin' Wolf songs and a crazed Who's Been Talking and Killing Floor. Backed by a perfect combination section of Chris Alexander on bass and Go Go Ray on drums, they complimented Sam with aggressive but on the slower number a more subtle style. Go Go was a pleasure to watch on drums.
I wasn't exactly pleased of where I was sitting between the passerby's and the couple in front of me moving their damn chair out in the middle of the aisle so I basically ventured up closer to the stage. About the time that Samantha took her shoes off and played barefoot from there on out. Playing new songs from her forthcoming album (She says it should be out in May), the crowd seemed to enjoy them as much as the Wolf numbers. About that time, she caught on fire and the last two numbers from her Runaway album, Money To Burn and the title track to which both songs went over ten minutes and showed the world that Samantha Fish when it comes to the blues, she's the real deal. I have never seen anybody attack these song with the intensity not unlike regular blues artists who simply go through the emotions. Samantha, really feels the blues with her expressions and guitar playing that you can't help but get taken over by the power of her music.
The last number Runaway is her signature tune and she takes it home, jumping off stage, swinging along with the crowd right to the point that she's right next to me wailing away on guitar like a female Stevie Ray. Then jumps on the chair and still plays without missing a beat. Her interaction with the crowd, even though she may be a star, she's one of us. And it makes all of us love her that even more. And here I am, sitting there, managing to make my way so close to the point of touching her that OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE's Right With Me, playing guitar in front of me on top of a chair. One of those moments that I wished I would have bought a camera to document it all. Then she bounced right off the chair, back on stage and rocking us up to the top of the hour.
The encore was another lengthy jam, this time a rework of Funk 49, the old Joe Walsh song with Go Go and Chris adding some solos before Samantha ends it all with one more guitar solo and then it was all over for the night, a great way to end the evening, as she did a meet and greet with fans afterwards along with Chris. Go Go was tearing down his drums as I left and I'm sure there'll be a next time to which Samantha will return to the area (she plays in Des Monies on Friday the 11th at the Gas Light, I recommend you go see her if she's in the area or in Kansas City as she'll be playing to sold out shows there). I still stand by my remark of a few months ago and even more so last night that I have heard and seen the new face of the blues and that person remains Samantha Fish.
She IS the real deal.
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Return Of Singles Going Steady 10-Dust On The Grooves
Busy Busy Busy.
That seems to be the motto here at Crabb Top Ten Music Emporium. Top ten songs of 2012 continue to come in, this time from the folks at Underground Radio. http://undergroundgarage.com/radio-show-2/siriusxm-top-picks-2012.html
With The Townedgers taking over the time poverty, I don't forsee any big bargain hunts outside of what Half Priced Books has on hand but they been picked clean during the 20 percent off sale. The other night, I started on another venture of scanning forgotten 45s and putting them into a blog and thinking of calling it Guess the 45. I'm sure nobody would have ever guessed The Cabin Crew on the last offering. From 45 Cat.
This year, I have decided to take a closer look at the forgotten songs of the past rather than trying to buy the new latest and greatest craze for new music. What good is it when you buy a new album, play it once and then file it away or donate it back to Goodwill? So I spent part of yesterday going through some of the vinyl that I left behind at my parents house and came up with some forgotten chestnuts of the past for the ongoing Singles Going Steady series. One thing I noticed that I always had a bit of variation of 45s, thanks to the boxset 45 we used to get at K Mart, where you buy 10 for 2 dollars or something to that effect. Most of them didn't get played much, they were used for frisbee tossing, if it was Led Zeppelin, Tommy James or Ray Charles we didn't give a flying foo but nevertheless they did shape up a strange listening habit here of being everything to the influence of my music tastes. It's a shame with my variation of this type that I didn't get my own Sirius Radio Show but then again, I'm not Little Steven either. So it goes.
A lot of these records came from the Box of Records that used to be the way to hear different types of music out there. Most of the higher priced Northern Soul 45s came from the cut outs, which explains the BB shot or drill holes on the label or in some cases, where the careless driller would drill a hole on the exit groove when he missed the label. Course that would have been a dream job for me, drill a hole in a 45 that was a chart failure or simply got too many copies pressed. Back in the late 60s Woolworth's seem to have many copies of Aaron Neville Tell It Like It Is that nobody wanted. Even back then, there were plenty to choose from. For the most part, most of my 45s came from a time when I was a child not even 10 years old but having a collection that was the best in town. Some weren't taken care of very well and it shows. If anybody has a decent copy of Amanda Humphrey's Call On Me/Power Of Love (USA Records 840 1966) let me know. I'm sure we can work out a trade or compensation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpVdsaC3nlo
I have no idea how my dad got Call On Me, it may have been a radio promotion and they were going around gas stations and dropping some of them off. It's a very tough Chicago soul groove and a nice call and response from the horn as Humphrey's voice fades out at the end. Some 45's acquired at that time was a Motown Supremes song to which I can't remember, The Gentry's Every Day I Have To Cry and Sam The Sham Red Hot. More about Amanda Humphrey's discography here: http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/H/amanda_humphrey/index.php
You Tube remains a treasure trove for the forgotten and even surprises me for what is out there. Case in point number 2, Jamey Ryan Sunshine Blue (Show Biz 235) A corny country song but the words are so simple anybody can sing them. I don't know much about her but my dad loved this song much he used to sing along to this. Another song that the grooves got wore down to the nub. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79JIynwvcxQ
Jamey also recorded another followup, When I Want Some Hurt Again (Show Biz 239) which was a nice Patsy Cline twang to it but like Sunshine Blue, did nothing on the charts. In fact there's a link between Jamey and Patsy since Charlie married Jamey after Patsy Cline perished in that infamous plane crash. Ryan never did achieved the fame and fortune that Cline ever did.
Jamey Ryan-Discography (Incomplete)
Woman's Prison/Among The First To Know Columbia 44451 1968
Growin Pains/You're Looking For A Plaything Columbia 44469 1968
Willie & Laura Mae Jones/Sweet Wine Bitter Tears Show Biz 228 1968
Holy Cow/All A Woman Asks Show Biz 232 1969
Sunshine Blue/Baby I Tried Show Biz 235 1969
When I Want Some Hurt Again/Written On Your Heart Show Biz 239 1969
Wildcat/Like Mother, Like Daughter Show Biz 501 1970
Memories To Spare/ Show Biz 504 1970
A Taste Of Money/ Show Biz 505 1971
Keep On Loving Me/You Just Moved A Mountain Atlantic Country CY 4001 1973
3. I've Been Loving You Too Long-Billy Vera (Atlantic 2555) 1968
This poor record didn't get much love in my collection, I think it was used for frisbee throwing a few times. Tough little record, didn't break and still plays fairly good, better than the Cabin Crew or Ray Charles 45s from the last blog. Vera is better known for At This Moment which made the top 50 on Alfa in 1981 and later top ten when Rhino reissued it on a best of called By Request which was mostly the Alfa album itself. Vera goes way back to being one of the original blue eyed soul singers of the late 60s, scoring a regional hit with Judy Clay. Working with Chip Taylor (writer of Wild Thing for The Troggs) Vera does a pretty good remake of the Otis Wedding classic. B side Are You Coming To My Party was written by Vera and Taylor. Even though Vera is considered a one hit wonder with At This Moment, he's very well known for penning liner notes to many a blues album and reissues of the 1990s. Billy Vera really does know his R and B.
4. Ten Commandments-Prince Buster (Phillips 40427) 1967
A frustrating bit of music here, Buster was highly regarded in Jamaica with his blend of rocksteady ska, Ten Commandments goes all the way back to 1963 on The Buster label in Jamaica (Blue Beat in the UK) before he decided to either re record it or simply leased it to Phillips in 1967. B side Don't Make Me To Cry was also recorded at a earlier time (Atlantic 2231-1964). Nevertheless, one of the earliest Jamaica recordings to make it to the US. My copy has seen better days. Prince Buster would do a answer record with Princess Buster on the failed followup single Ten Commandments From Woman To Man which was issued on RCA Victor in 1967. (RCA 47-9114) Link to that song here: http://www.somanyrecordssolittletime.com/?p=5728
5. Wipe Out-The Challengers (GNP Crescendo X376) 1966
The Safaris had the big monster hit, but this version really isn't that bad, the drumming is a bit more mainstream. My mom bought this for me at some Webster City grocery store back around 1969.
6. How You Gonna Get Respect (When you haven't cut your process yet) Hank Ballard (King 45-6196) 1968
Co written with James Brown in an attempt to update his sound, this really didn't do much on the chart but you got the funky rhythms that Brown was famous for back then. James Brown would continue to work with him throughout the 1970s as well.
7. Give Away None Of My Love-Otis Redding (Atco 6766) 1970
In my collection, none are more prized than finding anything by Otis Redding, which goes all the way back to the live version of Shake which was the B side to You Don't Miss Your Water. Of course Otis' life was cut short by a plane crash en route to Madison in 1967 but Otis left a whole bunch of recordings left in the can to which Booker T and The MGs would add their instruments afterwards. By the time Tell The Truth came out in 1970, Atlantic pretty much scraped the bottom the barrel but still Otis had enough good music to justify. Even though the band is recording Otis's demos, you can't tell that by the more interesting horn charts that start this song off. Never heard this on the radio. Found the 45 for a quarter up at Rock N Bach in the early 80s when they were based on the old F Ave SW site.
8. Melinda Rose-Deputy Dawg Band (Dawg-Gone DG-002) 1981 They were from Mason City Iowa, backed up Del Shannon when he played here in 1980 and recorded three singles, this one being the best known. B side was SOL was got plenty of jukebox airplay. Inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009. Another quarter record found at Rock N Bach.
9. The Biggest Parakeets In Town-Jud Strunk (Melodyland ME 6015F) 1975 In some ways he reminds me of Jim Stafford in terms of being a comedian and a folk musician although his biggest hit was the sappy Daisy A Day for MGM/Polydor. A couple years later found him on Barry Gordy's country label Melodyland with this tongue in cheek number which KCRG played a few times on the AM side of things. Last minor hit was Pamela Brown (MCA?) Later died of a heart attack while taking off a runway at a Maine airport (1981). The record I have came from a jukebox that was sold at the old Wells Store on 6th St back in the late 70s.
10. Ginger Bread-Frankie Avalon (Chancellor 1021) 1958 The various taste in my music pretty much came from my Mom even though today she disavows any of the music her and her sister used to buy at the old Lincoln record stores before I was even born, I know for a fact that she had at one time had Just Ask Your Heart (Chancellor 1040-black label) and A Boy Without A Girl (Chancellor 1036 pink label) both in her collection. This well worn copy was purchased for 5 cents at the Waterloo Goodwill years ago but it's not the first Frankie Avalon record that I ever knew about, that honor goes to Dede Dinah (Chancellor 1011) I think my mom liked those teen idols of the 50s (Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Avalon etc). Or maybe Grandma Ambrose approved these teen idols over Elvis or Gene Vincent since there was very few Elvis records and no Gene Vincent. Anyway I do know for a fact this record came from Goodwill since the price sticker was ripped off, taking most of the label with it.
BONUS RECORD: One Beer-Chuck Murphy (Coral 61014) That rare record to which rockabilly and dixieland jazz makes that perfect marriage. Originally found as a scratched up 10 cent record at a church sale, I found a much better copy on EBAY for 3 dollars. Quite a bargain I must say.
That seems to be the motto here at Crabb Top Ten Music Emporium. Top ten songs of 2012 continue to come in, this time from the folks at Underground Radio. http://undergroundgarage.com/radio-show-2/siriusxm-top-picks-2012.html
With The Townedgers taking over the time poverty, I don't forsee any big bargain hunts outside of what Half Priced Books has on hand but they been picked clean during the 20 percent off sale. The other night, I started on another venture of scanning forgotten 45s and putting them into a blog and thinking of calling it Guess the 45. I'm sure nobody would have ever guessed The Cabin Crew on the last offering. From 45 Cat.
This year, I have decided to take a closer look at the forgotten songs of the past rather than trying to buy the new latest and greatest craze for new music. What good is it when you buy a new album, play it once and then file it away or donate it back to Goodwill? So I spent part of yesterday going through some of the vinyl that I left behind at my parents house and came up with some forgotten chestnuts of the past for the ongoing Singles Going Steady series. One thing I noticed that I always had a bit of variation of 45s, thanks to the boxset 45 we used to get at K Mart, where you buy 10 for 2 dollars or something to that effect. Most of them didn't get played much, they were used for frisbee tossing, if it was Led Zeppelin, Tommy James or Ray Charles we didn't give a flying foo but nevertheless they did shape up a strange listening habit here of being everything to the influence of my music tastes. It's a shame with my variation of this type that I didn't get my own Sirius Radio Show but then again, I'm not Little Steven either. So it goes.
A lot of these records came from the Box of Records that used to be the way to hear different types of music out there. Most of the higher priced Northern Soul 45s came from the cut outs, which explains the BB shot or drill holes on the label or in some cases, where the careless driller would drill a hole on the exit groove when he missed the label. Course that would have been a dream job for me, drill a hole in a 45 that was a chart failure or simply got too many copies pressed. Back in the late 60s Woolworth's seem to have many copies of Aaron Neville Tell It Like It Is that nobody wanted. Even back then, there were plenty to choose from. For the most part, most of my 45s came from a time when I was a child not even 10 years old but having a collection that was the best in town. Some weren't taken care of very well and it shows. If anybody has a decent copy of Amanda Humphrey's Call On Me/Power Of Love (USA Records 840 1966) let me know. I'm sure we can work out a trade or compensation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpVdsaC3nlo
I have no idea how my dad got Call On Me, it may have been a radio promotion and they were going around gas stations and dropping some of them off. It's a very tough Chicago soul groove and a nice call and response from the horn as Humphrey's voice fades out at the end. Some 45's acquired at that time was a Motown Supremes song to which I can't remember, The Gentry's Every Day I Have To Cry and Sam The Sham Red Hot. More about Amanda Humphrey's discography here: http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/H/amanda_humphrey/index.php
You Tube remains a treasure trove for the forgotten and even surprises me for what is out there. Case in point number 2, Jamey Ryan Sunshine Blue (Show Biz 235) A corny country song but the words are so simple anybody can sing them. I don't know much about her but my dad loved this song much he used to sing along to this. Another song that the grooves got wore down to the nub. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79JIynwvcxQ
Jamey also recorded another followup, When I Want Some Hurt Again (Show Biz 239) which was a nice Patsy Cline twang to it but like Sunshine Blue, did nothing on the charts. In fact there's a link between Jamey and Patsy since Charlie married Jamey after Patsy Cline perished in that infamous plane crash. Ryan never did achieved the fame and fortune that Cline ever did.
Jamey Ryan-Discography (Incomplete)
Woman's Prison/Among The First To Know Columbia 44451 1968
Growin Pains/You're Looking For A Plaything Columbia 44469 1968
Willie & Laura Mae Jones/Sweet Wine Bitter Tears Show Biz 228 1968
Holy Cow/All A Woman Asks Show Biz 232 1969
Sunshine Blue/Baby I Tried Show Biz 235 1969
When I Want Some Hurt Again/Written On Your Heart Show Biz 239 1969
Wildcat/Like Mother, Like Daughter Show Biz 501 1970
Memories To Spare/ Show Biz 504 1970
A Taste Of Money/ Show Biz 505 1971
Keep On Loving Me/You Just Moved A Mountain Atlantic Country CY 4001 1973
3. I've Been Loving You Too Long-Billy Vera (Atlantic 2555) 1968
This poor record didn't get much love in my collection, I think it was used for frisbee throwing a few times. Tough little record, didn't break and still plays fairly good, better than the Cabin Crew or Ray Charles 45s from the last blog. Vera is better known for At This Moment which made the top 50 on Alfa in 1981 and later top ten when Rhino reissued it on a best of called By Request which was mostly the Alfa album itself. Vera goes way back to being one of the original blue eyed soul singers of the late 60s, scoring a regional hit with Judy Clay. Working with Chip Taylor (writer of Wild Thing for The Troggs) Vera does a pretty good remake of the Otis Wedding classic. B side Are You Coming To My Party was written by Vera and Taylor. Even though Vera is considered a one hit wonder with At This Moment, he's very well known for penning liner notes to many a blues album and reissues of the 1990s. Billy Vera really does know his R and B.
4. Ten Commandments-Prince Buster (Phillips 40427) 1967
A frustrating bit of music here, Buster was highly regarded in Jamaica with his blend of rocksteady ska, Ten Commandments goes all the way back to 1963 on The Buster label in Jamaica (Blue Beat in the UK) before he decided to either re record it or simply leased it to Phillips in 1967. B side Don't Make Me To Cry was also recorded at a earlier time (Atlantic 2231-1964). Nevertheless, one of the earliest Jamaica recordings to make it to the US. My copy has seen better days. Prince Buster would do a answer record with Princess Buster on the failed followup single Ten Commandments From Woman To Man which was issued on RCA Victor in 1967. (RCA 47-9114) Link to that song here: http://www.somanyrecordssolittletime.com/?p=5728
5. Wipe Out-The Challengers (GNP Crescendo X376) 1966
The Safaris had the big monster hit, but this version really isn't that bad, the drumming is a bit more mainstream. My mom bought this for me at some Webster City grocery store back around 1969.
6. How You Gonna Get Respect (When you haven't cut your process yet) Hank Ballard (King 45-6196) 1968
Co written with James Brown in an attempt to update his sound, this really didn't do much on the chart but you got the funky rhythms that Brown was famous for back then. James Brown would continue to work with him throughout the 1970s as well.
7. Give Away None Of My Love-Otis Redding (Atco 6766) 1970
In my collection, none are more prized than finding anything by Otis Redding, which goes all the way back to the live version of Shake which was the B side to You Don't Miss Your Water. Of course Otis' life was cut short by a plane crash en route to Madison in 1967 but Otis left a whole bunch of recordings left in the can to which Booker T and The MGs would add their instruments afterwards. By the time Tell The Truth came out in 1970, Atlantic pretty much scraped the bottom the barrel but still Otis had enough good music to justify. Even though the band is recording Otis's demos, you can't tell that by the more interesting horn charts that start this song off. Never heard this on the radio. Found the 45 for a quarter up at Rock N Bach in the early 80s when they were based on the old F Ave SW site.
8. Melinda Rose-Deputy Dawg Band (Dawg-Gone DG-002) 1981 They were from Mason City Iowa, backed up Del Shannon when he played here in 1980 and recorded three singles, this one being the best known. B side was SOL was got plenty of jukebox airplay. Inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009. Another quarter record found at Rock N Bach.
9. The Biggest Parakeets In Town-Jud Strunk (Melodyland ME 6015F) 1975 In some ways he reminds me of Jim Stafford in terms of being a comedian and a folk musician although his biggest hit was the sappy Daisy A Day for MGM/Polydor. A couple years later found him on Barry Gordy's country label Melodyland with this tongue in cheek number which KCRG played a few times on the AM side of things. Last minor hit was Pamela Brown (MCA?) Later died of a heart attack while taking off a runway at a Maine airport (1981). The record I have came from a jukebox that was sold at the old Wells Store on 6th St back in the late 70s.
10. Ginger Bread-Frankie Avalon (Chancellor 1021) 1958 The various taste in my music pretty much came from my Mom even though today she disavows any of the music her and her sister used to buy at the old Lincoln record stores before I was even born, I know for a fact that she had at one time had Just Ask Your Heart (Chancellor 1040-black label) and A Boy Without A Girl (Chancellor 1036 pink label) both in her collection. This well worn copy was purchased for 5 cents at the Waterloo Goodwill years ago but it's not the first Frankie Avalon record that I ever knew about, that honor goes to Dede Dinah (Chancellor 1011) I think my mom liked those teen idols of the 50s (Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Avalon etc). Or maybe Grandma Ambrose approved these teen idols over Elvis or Gene Vincent since there was very few Elvis records and no Gene Vincent. Anyway I do know for a fact this record came from Goodwill since the price sticker was ripped off, taking most of the label with it.
BONUS RECORD: One Beer-Chuck Murphy (Coral 61014) That rare record to which rockabilly and dixieland jazz makes that perfect marriage. Originally found as a scratched up 10 cent record at a church sale, I found a much better copy on EBAY for 3 dollars. Quite a bargain I must say.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Fun With Scratchy Records
I'm going to give you a glimpse into my old time records that I used to play a lot as a youngster. As you can tell this record got plenty of play on my stereo to the point that the grooves are just about shaved off. This is Ray Charles-The Train (ABC Paramount 45-10808) B side to Let's Go Get Stoned. My parents bought me and my baby brother a VF Phonograph Record Player and it was a very cheap model. The Train I loved a lot and couldn't a find another copy to save my soul so eventually I waited till Concord Records issued The Complete ABC Singles Of Ray Charles. I had other Ray Charles 45s, The Cincinnati Kid, Here We Go Again and Smack Dab In The Middle all look the same way as well. This record came from the old Wells Store in Waterloo (or maybe it was Arlan's). In the Record Grade guide this would be graded Poor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUAjSB0q7zg
The B Side is Lover's Cove and it sounds a bit like Surfer Girl, and it has more grooves on that side which meant that I didn't like it as much as She Ain't A Yacht. This single was a promo aka Advance Copy. Nevertheless, this is what I call a reference copy, which means it's not playable...unless you want to go buy a new needle afterwards.
I was kinda hoping somebody out there in internet land would have a better copy of Dimension 1031 but alas this is the only sole copy out on the net. In other words kiddies make sure you take good care of your records cuz you may never find another copy of the record ever again. http://www.globaldogproductions.info/d/dimension.html
Further discoveries found that you can hear She Ain't A Yacht from a working podcast of a couple years ago, just fast forward to the right spot but they have plenty of cool tunes as well http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/39350
Somebody actually has a better looking copy of Dimension 1031: http://www.45cat.com/record/d1031us
Further research that Ron Dante was part of this band. Also, this band may have recorded under The Detergents name for Roulette at that same time.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Top Ten Of The Week-Introduction
Hello folks. Allow me to introduce myself to y'all and the basis of The Top Ten Of The Week.
I am a music lover of all kinds but most of my favorites come from the era from 1964 to about 1988 but for the most part the second best part of the new classic rock era started from 1989 and ended around 1998 when either Limp Bizkit became household names or Polygram got bought out by Universal as a birthday gift to a spoiled rotten son of a CEO or something to that effect. I have continued to review and buy new music up till last year but 2013 a new year, I fulfilled my obligations of reviewing new music and from now on am content to revisit the forgotten hits and bands of yesterday. As a child, my folks bought this spoiled rotten brat many 45s from the quarter bargain bins at Woolworth's and other chain stores at the time and I picked and choose a lot of bands from name association and labels, most notable ABC Paramount or MGM. Which means I grew up listening to the Animals and Ray Charles a lot although Tommy James, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix would figure a lot as well.
In high school I begin to buy vinyl albums and in 1977 after getting a part time job I found that I could get the 1.99 special at Target or K Mart although back then the biggest fun was going downtown to Woolworths. But once I discovered the record stores in town (Record Realm, Krackers, Big Apple etc) and seeing more oddiites, my music tastes begin to change. Once the CD era came about, I begin to buy them and from here on out, my collection grew by leaps and bounds, most from finding pawnshop classics and whatever Half Priced Books threw in the dollar bins after they couldn't sell them full price.
We live in a declining time that record stores are becoming extinct and the best record stores is a road trip out of town, where I live we have no record stores but rather used shops or if you want the latest you hope that Best Buy or Wal Mart has them, or Target. Kids today pretty much download from the comforts of home and the Smart Phone, us oldsters still like the feel of physical product in hand.
The internet changed the whole lifestyle when a co worker at work got me on the computer in 1997 and I spent time on Friday Nights staying late and chatting with music buddies in chat room, most notably The Mining Company (Later About) and moving on to MSN Groups. I hung out at Classic Rock at About. Com and used to piss people off by including songs and stuff before and past the classic rock era and eventually got thrown off that site. Steve Anthony aka Hoop started up YardBird's Roost at MSN Groups and invited me to cast my lot with writing a top ten of the week and musical musings to which I took advantage of. When MSN Groups decided that the chat rooms and forums weren't profitable enough, they booted everybody off and I went to My Space in 2006 for 4 years there before moving over to Blogspot in 2010 and been here ever since. After years of being somewhat a quiet entity, we have broken out with over 3300 views last month, our best ever. To which this site got reviewed for another year. And so here we are.
If you're been a loyal reader, welcome back. If you're new to this site, this is how this site works. I blog about things that interests me and in the middle of the week I put up a top ten of songs that have been playing in my player or heard on the radio that stands out, which isn't often. We have Cumulus own most of the radio stations here, they all are crap and play the overplayed. I do my best to pick out the less oblivious and put up something interesting to say about it. Here in the site you can post a comment but you have to use the infamous Captcha thing to prove your not a robot, even I have hard time figuring out half the crappy words Blogspot uses for that. Used to be you could post and go but too many porn spammers and dinkywankers trolling took the fun out of that. Contrary to rumor you can post a comment here, all you have to do is figure out the magic words and numbers.
Late last year, I started using graphics and pictures off various websites to enhance the music and bands at hand as well as cool sites and even though this is still in the infant stage, the response and ratings were positive. A big help was the folks at 45 Cat dot com for the inclusion of some vinyl singles to the top ten of the week. The pics were an such an improvement that even I was going back to the ones that had pics up and thinking that was cool. But then I easily amuse myself it seems. This year with me beginning to work on music projects, I won't be posting as much as I did last year, a whopping 168 posts! But I'm obligated to put a top ten up when the time is due. As they say, read at your own leisure, come back to visit the archives and have fun with this like I have been doing the past 10 years.
1. Rock And Roll Is The Answer-Joey Ramone 2012 Posthumous release of a song from a album that came out last year which would have never seen the light of day had Joey lived but it's not all filler and half thoughts, this could have been a hit. Marky Ramone doesn't play drums on Ya Know....but Richie Ramone does.
2. How Bout That-Bad Company 1993 Ringing in the new year was Bad Company playing at Hiawatha before the end of 2012 which nobody really knew about till it was too late to go and I had other commitments to fulfill. It was the Brian Howe led band that played here and even though Howe's Bad Company gets hardly a second thought anymore, he does put on a good show as he did with BC came through here 20 years ago opening for Damn Yankees. And people still care about Howe's Bad Company since my second most read blog is on Brian Howe/Bad Company. Just like people care about John Miles' Asia., they won't top the original but you'll have a good time if they do play in your area.
3. Welcome Back-Rex Daisy 1995 Some bright minded dude at Pravda Records thought that paying tribute to bad 70s music by 90s alternative bands would be a good idea, doing their own version of K Tel hits and while some of it was good, there's a lot of alt crap that didn't work very well (Kung Fu Fighting sucks in any version and Red Red Meat's take on 10cc I'm Not In Love makes Cromagnon sound like The Beatles in comparsion). Rex Daisy was a local Iowa band that contributed a few songs on various comps, they never did get anything released on Geffen. This won't challenge John Sebsatian' top ten 1976 hit but you can sing along with the words quite well, to which I find myself doing.
4. Real Wild Child (Wild One)-Iggy Pop 1986 Reunites with David Bowie and a start of a two album career with A&M. Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols plays guitar. Actually got played a bit on Q103.
5. Let Down-Radiohead 1997 After years and years of avoiding this album I finally decided to hear it after the pawnshop had a 4 CDs for 10 dollars special and figured I wouldn't be out by much, after all in this day and age it's just buying a 45 back in my time. Radiohead, never a big fave for me although OK Computer is worthy of the praises that it was bestowed upon at the time of release. Thanks to cheap cd's found we can hear what we missed the first time.
6. Don't You Just Know It-Huey 'Piano' Smith/The Crowns 1958 One of rock's original originators Huey played on a lot of Ace Records stuff in the late 50s, Sea Cruise was done by Frankie Ford but it was Huey an his band backing him up. Rocking Phenomena and Boogie Woogie Flu was even better with a herky jerky beat, of course Johnny Rivers had a top ten chartbuster here too. Interesting to note that Island Records in the UK released it under the Sue Records banner in the late 50s. Later covered by Dr. Feelgood and Little Feat. Requested by the brat! I usually give credit to those who request songs for the top ten unlike a certain host of Backtrack. I know I'm acting more like my mom, if I reach her age and act like that I'm sure I won't be doing the top ten by then. I'll be locked up at 3 East.
7. Something Wouldn't Be The Same-Raindogs 1990 Another pawnshop classic band, lead by Mark Cutler with Johnny Cunningham adding some violin work and the rhythm section was part of the Red Rockers. Made two excellent albums for Atco.
8. Wasting My Time-The White Stripes 1999 Hard to believe that Jack White would become King of the garage rock movement of the 00's and in any other band Meg White would have been laughed out of, but if anybody can play along with Jack White, she was the perfect fit. Yes, we miss Meg White too.
9. Stay Free-The Clash 1978 Hard to believe I never got around listening to Give Em Enough Rope till this weekend and the HP Books 20 percent off sale. Hard to even believe that Sandy Pearlman from Blue Oyster Cult fame produced them as well.
10. (Hat's Off) To Roy Harper-Led Zeppelin 1970 What is it with this Zeppelin kick I have been on lately? Just revisiting my roots. Ya kno?
Five more things to ring in the new year:
A Million Miles-Heart 2012
Enjoy Yourself-The Jacksons 1976
Don't Look Down-Saga 1986
Tears In My Beer-The Specials 1998
Brand New Day-No Doubt 1992
Other things:
Mark Prouty announced that Robin Burke, a girl that was on our Junior High school, but didn't graduated with our class, she dropped out passed away. I think back around 8th grade me and her developed a kind of a crush for one another but nothing really ever came of it.
New Years Eve was spent working till about 8 then I went over to a co worker's party and celebrated the ringing in of the new year over there. I managed to make it home okay.
We'll meet again.
PS: Worst country songs of 2012 here: http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-worst-country-songs-of-2012
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