Sonic's Rendezvous Band "Sweet Nothing" 1998

More famous in death then when they were alive, .Sonic's Rendezvous Band has attained legendary status in the pantheon of Michigan rock.They existed from 1975-80 and during that time issued just one 45, the monumental City Slang, original copies of which now change hands for hundreds of dollars. They barely played outside their home state, yet their impact is still felt today, in bands from Stockholm to Seattle to Sydney, and all points inbetween.

Sonic's Rendezvous Band arose, phoenix-like, from the ashes of four of the Motor City's finest proponents of high-energy rock - the MC5, the Stooges, the Rationals, and the Up. The members steadfastly refused to bank on their illustrious pasts. They insisted on a more original kind of expression - hardly a guarantee of steady employment for a local band in the mid-to-late '70s.

Scott Morgan was the instigator of the first version of the band. He and Fred "Sonic" Smith called it the Orchids, for one low-key show on a blizzard-swept Detroit night. Several line-ups later and the pair settled on a backline of Scott "Rock Action" Ashetion (ex-Stooges) on drums and Gary Rasmussen (The Up) on bass. 

Bloodied but unbowed by the implosion of his former band, the rabble-rousing MC5, "Sonic" was fast evolving past his roots in Berry/Stones drive into a guitarist/songwriter/singer of unmatched emotional directness and power. Morgan was the former Rationals' blue-eyed soul-brother supreme Morgan, arguably the finest American rock singer and no slouch as a songwriter and guitarist.

Sonic's Rendezvous Band was more than just a quartet that rocked hard, although they did THAT with a vengeance. The confluence of Fred's spirituality and Scott's soulfulness made them much, much more. 

Recent releases of studio and live material - the Sweet Nothing and City Slang albums on Mack Aborn - make it easy to hear what the band could deliver in performance. But Gary Rasmussen has indicated that in rehearsals, the band would warm up with jams a lot more free-form than anything they ever played publicly (although audience recordings of "American Boy" provide a tantalizing taste of what those jams MIGHT have sounded like).

In more ways than one, this band was THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY. It seems criminal that they never found a wider audience in their day _ and begs the question, Why? Part of it has to do with the fact that they weren't charismatic performers in the way the Five or Stooges were. Scott Morgan freely admits today that "we just stood there looking at our shoes." 

Another factor was the depressed state of the local music scene generally and both a lack of major label interest and a reluctance to tour generally, as Sonic Smith moved more into domestic life with wife-to-be Patti Smith.

Then there was the creative tension between Fred Smith and Scott Morgan, itself a positive creative force and a limiting factor at various stages of the band's life. Sonic's Rendezvous Band was arguably the right band in the wrong time. - KEN SHIMAMOTO

Sonic's Rendezvous Band:

Scott Morgan (Rationals): voc, fender telecaster guitar / Fred ‘Sonic‘ Smith (MC5): voc, mosrite & rickenbacker guitars / Scott ‘Rock Action’ Asheton (Stooges): drums / Gary Rasmussen (Up): fender precision bass, voc

recorded live April 4, 1978, Detroit

trax:

1. Dangerous 2. Getting There (Is Half the Fun) 3. Let's Do It Again 4. Hearts 5. Love and Learn 6. Heart of Stone 7. Sweet Nothing 8. Asteroid B-612 9. Song L 10. City Slang

ELMORE JAMES "The Ultimate Collection"

Elmore James electrified Robert Johnson s acoustic rural blues number “I Believe I'll Dust My Broom”, transforming it into a swaggering, metropolitan juggernaut that has dwarfed everything else he did. However, he was far more than a one trick pony and this 60 track set highlights the enduring brilliance and versatility of a performer who would go on to influence the likes of Ry Cooder and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac.trax disc 1:

01 Dust My Broom 02 Bobby's Rock 03 It Hurts Me Too 04 Anna Lee 05 Country Boogie (Tool Bag Boogie) 06 Dark And Dreary 07 Hawaiian Boogie 08 Strange Kinda Feeling 09 Early In The Morning 10 Everybody's Fishing 11 Stranger Blues 12 Hand In Hand 13 Late Hours At Midnight 14 I Held My Baby Last Night ('52 Version) 15 Look On Yonder Wall 16 Mean And Evil 17 Sinful Woman 18 Quarter Past Nine 19 Hoy Hoy - Elmore James & Little Johnny Jones 20 Standing At The Crossroads

trax disc 2:

01 The Sky Is Crying 02 Rollin And Tumblin 03 Done Somebody Wrong 04 Can't Stop Loving 05 Elmo's Shuffle 06 Cry For Me Baby 07 Fine Little Mama 08 Baby What's Wrong? 09 Happy Home 10 Long Tall Woman 11 I Believe 12 No Love In My Heart 13 Make A Little Love 14 Rock My Baby Right 15 She Just Won't Do Right 16 Take Me Where You Go 17 So Mean To Me 18 The Way You Treat Me 19 Wild About You 20 The Sun Is Shining

trax disc 3:

01 Shake Your Moneymaker 02 Sho' Nuff I Do 03 Please Find My Baby 04 The Twelve Year Old Boy 05 I Can't Hold Out 06 Coming Home 07 Dumb Woman Blues 08 Blues Before Sunrise 09 Elmore's Contribution To Jazz 10 Dust My Blues 11 I Was A Fool 12 Knocking At Your Door 13 Make My Dreams Come True 14 She Brought Life Back To The Dead 15 1839 Blues 16 Sweet Little Woman 17 Cut That Out 18 Held My Baby Last Night ('60 Version) 19 Sunny Land 20 Goodbye Baby

...served by Gyro1966...

"SOUL CARGO" Vol. 5

The Early Years Of "Groove" And "Popcorn" Music Back In 1966Popcorn (sometimes Belgian Popcorn or oldies popcorn) is a style of music and dancing first established in Belgium in the 1970s and 1980s. The style includes a wide variety of mostly American and British recordings of R&B and soul made between the late 1950s and mid 1960s, often relatively obscure, and characterised by a slow or medium, rather than fast, tempo. The style has been described by musician and writer Bob Stanley as "possibly the last truly underground music scene in Europe".

trax:

1. No Girl - Billy Steward 2. This Is Beg Of You - Jimmy Norman 3. You No Aint To Cool - Cash Mccall 4. Falling Inand Out Of Love - Johnny Nash 5. Creatrix Did It - Monk Higgins 6. Stuk On You - Peets 7. Boogaloo On Broadway - Johnny C. 8. Long After Tonight - Jimmy Radcliff 9. Love It Is - Harvey Scales 10. Poquito Soul - One G. & Three 11. Doing The Mules - Bobby Bland 12. Im A Good Woman - Barbara Lynn 13. The Ten Commandments Of Man - Nicky Lee 14. The In Crowd - Dobby Gray 15. Chitlin Con Carne - Kenny Burrell 16. Ooh Baby - Bo Diddley 17. One Kiss - J. G. Watson 18. Spanish Moss - Braceros 19. Cant Get Satisfed - Br. Jack Mcduff 20. Bottom End - Dynatones 21. Womans Got Soul - Impressions 22. Cantaloup Island - Donald Byrd

...served by Mr.Eliminator, Skip and anonymous…

The Brood "In Spite of It All" 1988

Crazy, wild, teeth-baring record by a bunch of scary-ass babes that PUTS TO SHAME the wimp-rock that was floating about the ether 'round about '88. These girls are tough and raw and pull no punches. I did the gnawing on my hand thing more than a few times listening to these angry wild girls, because really, there's nothing better in the world than a girl, a guitar, and bangs that nearly hide the eyes. One of those records I was always aware of but can't believe I did without for so long. A snarling, gritty, garage masterpiece. - RustyJamesPortland, ME garage rock revivalists the Brood formed in 1983 around the talents of Chris Horne (guitar and vocals), Crystal Light (drums), Betsy Mitchell (bass), and Asch Gregory (organ). The band's debut single "And I Know" appeared in the October 1985 issue of underground garage rock publication 99th Floor Fanzine #7 on a Flexidisc EP, and was followed in 1986 by "Writing on the Wall" and "You Lied to Me Before," both of which appeared on the various-artist compilations Deadly Spawn and The Sounds of Now, respectively. The band continued to release singles and appear on compilations in anticipation of their 1988 debut LP In Spite of It All, a 16-track onslaught of punk-infused, '60s-inspired fuzz-rock that predated the mainstream garage rock revival of the late '90s/early 2000s by nearly a decade. The Brood went on to release three more albums, including Vendetta (1991), Hitsville (1995), and Beyond the Valley of the Brood (2000), the latter of which featured a mock soundtrack cover that depicted the quartet as a girl group called the "Swizzle Chicks." - by James Christopher Mongertrax:

01 Satisfyin' 02 Cry 03 Why Don't You Call Me? 04 See If I Care 05 I'm Not The One 06 Everybody's a Liar 07 Don't Look for Me 08 I Need You There 09 You Lie 10 You Turned Your Back on Me 11 How Many Times 12 You'll See 13 Yer No Good 14 I'll Put You Down 15 Taste of the Same 16 On Fire

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 21

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Little Bo Peep (Jimbo) - The Five Sparks 2. Jenny Jenny (Olympic) - The Stone-Agers 3. I'm Gone (unissued) - Vic Gallon 4. What A Dream (Gold Dust) - The Three Tuffs 5. Ich-I-Bon # 1 (Tamla) - Nick & the Jaguars 6. Hong Kong Twitch (Kris) - Jimmy Luke & the C-Riffs 7. La Fiesta Esta De Abiente (Musari) - Los Sonambulos 8. The Hearse (Gemini) - Terry Teen 9. Come On (B&C) - Herman Willis 10. Barb Wire (CLW) - Little Ellis & the L7's 11. Dimples (West Coast) - The Fabulous Silver Tones 12. Senorita Dizzy Lizzy (Ideal) - Los Silver Rockets 13. Dianne (unissued) - Glenn Mooney 14. (You've Got Me) Movin' And Groovin' (Spear) - Buddy Sharpe & the Shakers 15. Tick Tock (Big Red) - Bob Calloway 16. Sundown Special (unissued) - The Page Boys

...served by Gyro1966...

"SOUL CARGO" Vol. 4

The Early Years Of "Groove" And "Popcorn" Music Back In 1966The fourth volume in the legally dubious but musically rock-solid Soul Cargo series digs much deeper into the crates than its predecessors -- the sheer volume of obscure soul singles here is astounding, and better still, is matched by the music's consistency and quality. The clear highlight is the Jewels' "Opportunity," a slinky, swaggering classic that's arguably the most sublimely soulful girl group record ever cut -- there's also the Bob & Earl perennial "Harlem Shuffle" (later covered by the Rolling Stones), and "Experiment in Terror!," a rare soul instrumental by the great Henry Mancini. But by and large, this stuff is rare and almost totally unknown -- other highlights include Clay Hammond's "Dance Little Girl," Alvin Cash's "Alvin's Boogaloo," and Donald Austin's "Pea Shooter." Unfortunately, as a result of the non-existent liner notes, there's no information on who these guys are, where their music originates, or if there's anything else to track down. Add to the equation its muffled audio, and Soul Cargo, Vol. 4 is a good compilation that, in different hands, could have been truly great -- still, for hardcore aficionados of rare grooves, it's hard to pass up. (Jason Ankeny, Allmusic)

trax:

1. Two In The Morning - The Spooners Crowd 2. Must I Holler - Jano Thomas 3. Pigmy - Billy Larkin 4. Pea Shooter - Donald Austin 5. Dance Little Girl - Clay Hammond 6. Follow The Leader - Willy Terry 7. Help Me - Ray Sharpe 8. I Want You To Have Everything - Lee Rogers 9. Comin' Home Baby - Mel Tormé 10. Lenny Goofed - The Naturals 11. Moscow Twist - Lionel Torrence 12. Opportunity - The Jewels 13. Harlem Shuffle - Bob & Earl 14. Experiment In Terror - Henry Mancini 15. Hanks Groove - Hank Jacobs 16. Stand By Me - Spyder Turner 17. Alvin's Boogalo - Alvin Cash 18. Ain't No Reason For Girls - Bobby Marchan 19. Soul Samba - Davy Jones 20. Billy's Bag - Billy Preston

...served by Gyro1966...

The Canary Sect "47 On My Mind" 2011

Limited to 500 copies! Five years after the release of their astonishing debut album "Shake it, but don't break it!", the Barcelona based five-piece is back with a new collection of incredible tunes called "47 on my mind", exploring almost every side of classic 60s beat and r'n'b influenced sounds. If you have been lucky enough to enjoy their raw stage appearances at any of their amazing live shows, you're probably aware of what the Canary Sect is capable of. If not, put the needle on the record and prepare yourself for the Sect's wild maximum rhythm'n'beat!!! - fuzzoverdoseIf you have been lucky enough to enjoy their raw stage appearances at any of their amazing live shows, you're probably aware of what the Canary Sect is capable of. If not, put the needle on the record and prepare yourself for the Sect's wild maximum rhythm'n'beat !!! These guys will certainly let the mods dance and the rockers roll. When Manuel Navarro decided to form the CANARY SECT in Barcelona in the spring of 2003 to keep the spirit of truly authentic rhythm'n'blues alive, he never thought that this band would soon become the hottest beat sensation Europe has to offer these days. The CANARY SECT combine the essences of traditional UK mid-sixties r'n'b, made famous by bands like the WHO, the DOWNLINER SECT, the SMALL FACES, the PRETTY THINGS and the BIRDS and the classic US soul and blues brilliance of legends like Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker and come up with a whole set of new hip-shakin' beat monsters, recorded and produced at Circo Perrotti studios in Gijon by the 'wizzard of fuzz', Jorge 'Dr.Explosion' Munoz. Driven by the wailin' harmonica of singer Manuel Navarro, the five-piece that consists of (ex)-members of some of the finest spanish garage-bands of the past 20 years, such as LOS NEGATIVOS, LES CACTUS, the BORN LOSERS and LOS WALKYSONS will be seen in action at an all-nighter near you shortly. Just listen to their incredible version of the old DOWNLINERS SECT raver 'Roses' and the stompin' beat of the furious 'Ain't got no time' and you know what we're talking about. It will make you shiver, like it did when we first heard it. The album includes guest appearances by Jorge "Dr.Explosion" Munoz on bongos and Parsley on organ. - copasetic

trax:

01 Roses 02 Ain't Got No Time 03 Gonna Make You Mine 04 I Want Your Love Again 05 47 On My Mind 06 Wyoming Bill Kelso 07 Red Or White Wine 08 Things Have Changed 09 Threat Of Time 10 To Kanarini Ap'tin Kypro 11 My Surnamesake 12 Everybody's Gonna Be Happy

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 20

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Hot Rockin' Mama - Larry O'Keefe 2. Rock Del Tom Tom - Johnny Tedesco 3. Shot-Gun - The Dreamers 4. Cha, Cha, Cha - Bobby Jackson 5. Nineteen Years - Johnny Gentry 6. Comin' Through - The Rhythmics 7. Train To Satanville - Gin Gillette 8. What About It - Roy Kildare 9. Messin' With The Kid - Baby Huey 10. Fugitive - Johnny & The Thunderbirds 11. Black Widow Spider Woman - Jack Hammer 12. Shawnee - The Premiers 13. Blond Head Woman - Unknown Artist 14. Money - Richard Wylie 15. Got Something For You Baby - Pinky & Jim Jenkins 16. Back Up - New Mason Dixons

...served by Gyro1966...

"SOUL CARGO" Vol. 3

The Early Years Of "Groove" And "Popcorn" Music Back In 1966The third volume in the legally dubious but musically rock-solid Soul Cargo series digs much deeper into the crates than its predecessors -- the sheer volume of obscure soul singles here is astounding, and better still, is matched by the music's consistency and quality. The clear highlight is the Jewels' "Opportunity," a slinky, swaggering classic that's arguably the most sublimely soulful girl group record ever cut -- there's also the Bob & Earl perennial "Harlem Shuffle" (later covered by the Rolling Stones), and "Experiment in Terror!," a rare soul instrumental by the great Henry Mancini. But by and large, this stuff is rare and almost totally unknown -- other highlights include Clay Hammond's "Dance Little Girl," Alvin Cash's "Alvin's Boogaloo," and Donald Austin's "Pea Shooter." For aficionados of rare grooves, it's hard to pass up. (Jason Ankeny, Allmusic)

trax:

1. Let Me Know - Billy Preston 2. Let Me Your Boy - Wilson Pickett 3. Sweet Inspirations - Sweet Inspirations 4. My Back Scratcher - Frank Frost 5. Ali-Baba - Champs 6. There Goes My Baby - Garmel Minns 7. Song For My Father - Horace Silver 8. Daddy Rollin Stone - Derek Martin 9. San-Ho-Zay - Freddy King 10. Cant Hold Back The Tears - Little Milton 11. Viva Tirado - El Chicano 12. Fever - Earl Grant 13. Please Love Me - Betty Everett 14. I Miss You Baby - Mary Johnson 15. The Horse - Cliff Nobles & Co. 16. I Dont Wanna Hear It Baby - Grover Mitchell 17. Safe And Sound - Fontella Bass 18. Soul Smokin - Little Grady Lewis 19. Do It One More Time - Alvin Cash 20. Foolish - Eddie Harris

...served by Mr.Eliminator, Steve626 and Skip…

The Gravediggers "Move it!" 1989

Crypt's rarest LP ever with the first, french press of B.F.T.G Vol.1. One small press. in 1988 and never reissued. Primitive garage soundin' rock-a-billy from Anaheim. Cool band featuring Wally Hersom (future Big Sandy & Fly-Rite Trio!) on upright. Wild & trashy inept Rockbilly! Some raw covers of Lou Millet (Republic), Warren Smith (Sun) or the Sonics plus self-penned garage rockers. 
Super rare! The LP was also produced by Wild Billy Childish (Milkshakes, Mighty Caesars, Headcoats...). Cool artwork by Cliff Mott.The Grave Diggers are of historical importance for; the unique music they performed, time frame in doing so, the established musicians whom were involved with their growth and the music of substance band members went onto perform and record later.
The Grave Diggers (2 words) were a Southern California , rockabilly, Surf-instro, Quasi Jazz, 60's punk band whom left no retro stone unturned musically, hence the name. Established in Early 1983 by friends and classmates Upright Bassist, Wally Hersom, Guitarist Michael " Mick" McCarthy, Singer/Guitarist, Jason Goodman and Drummer, Quinn Millard.
In 1985 they released the self recorded "Monsters At Play" EP on Mark Lee Goodale's Bobbette Records to follow years later in 1987 with "Move It" a full length LP released on Infamous raunch autourist Crypt Records with artwork provide by Cracked Magazines Mort Todd. "Move It" was recorded at Coyote studios in Brooklyn, New York over a 1 day session yielding 25 songs, some of which never released. Produced by Billy Childish of Thee Mighty Ceasers /Thee Headcoats / Milkshakes fame. The Grave Diggers after playing 2 nights in New York on Crypts Bad Music Seminar with Acts such as; The Raunch Hands, A-bones. The mighty Ceasers, Rat Bastards etc... returned to Socal to break up days later. Recent reports of The Grave Diggers Bobbette EP have been sold at prices exceeding $300.00 per record. Wally Hersom went onto play and write with Big Sandy and the Fly-rite Boys, Mick McCarthy and Quinn Millard started Medicine Rattle and release a widely acclaimed record " Unbottled "Cargo Records Produced by Billy Zoom of X (American band) to become the short lived OC alt-rock darlings. Jason Goodman began performing Joe Altruda in with Jump With Joey.
The Grave Diggers eclectic mix of music is can now be viewed as a few steps ahead of its time. Playing Swing and Jazz before the outbreak of such bands as Royal Crown Review, Trash and 60's punk before the White Stripes, and on... - from wikitrax:

01 Rumblin'Ubangi Stomp 02 The Witch 03 The Wild Kind 04 Black Cadillac 05 Love Me (Redux) 06 Thunder & Lightning 07 Hey Girl, Come See Me 08 Wild Mind 09 Move It 10 Slippin'In 11 Insane 12 Say Goodbye Libby 13 Love's In Season 14 Get Off My Back 15 Cool Ghoul

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 19

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Why Not - Grover Cleveland 2. Shake Loose - Doug Bowles 3. River Of Love - Jerry Dion 4. Oh Babe - Lester Robertson 5. The Crowd From 23rd Avenue - Don Bishop 6. Wait & See - Clay Fulton And The Cindells 7. Stayed Away To Long - Harvey Hurt 8. The Ghost Song - Salty Holmes 9. Nightmare - Don Bishop 10. What A Line - Carl Story 11. Bulldog Bop - Junior Declovet 12. Crazy Bait - Ronnie Goode 13. Sea Goin' Man - Tex Neighbours 14. Indian Giver - Skip Graves 15. Gone, Gone, Gone - The Flaming Embers 16. Wild Boy - Rocky Holman - Mort Wise And The Wise Men

...served by Gyro1966...

"SOUL CARGO" Vol. 2

The Early Years Of "Groove" And "Popcorn" Music Back In 1966Here are 20 more underground and rare tracks from the seemingly endless vaults of Popcorn and Groove records from the mid-'60s in Detroit. There are some well-known tunes here, at least as far as the Northern soul underground scene goes: Chico & Buddy's "Can You Dig It?," "Open the Door to Your Heart" by Darrell Banks, "The Loop" by Johnny Lytle, "Hot Cakes" by Baby Cortez, and David Porter's killer long version of "Hang on Sloopy." But there's more, such as Lou Rawls' little-known classic "Dead End Street," Roscoe Robinson's "That's Enough," and Bud Harper's brilliant "Mr. Soul." Once again, the great wealth of Detroit's soul scene is displayed here in all its complexity, depth, and variety outside the Motown empire. The music here tends to be a bit more raw, more immediate, and a bit funkier. But the sound is unmistakably Detroit. The story is in the singles themselves. Many of the people here, such as Barbara Acklin, James Booker (yeah, that one!), Johnnie Taylor, Robert Parker, and a few others went on to further careers, most of them on the fringes, but a few slipped through the cracks, and the only evidence of their particular and important contributions to the many-rooted tree of soul are sides like these. However, there is a problem with this set, although it shouldn't stop soul fans from seeking it out: This is a pirate pure and simple, and nobody is seeing money from it except the folks who put it out. That sucks, though it's no different from what major labels do with fancy accounting departments. For those seeking it out, make a donation to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation or another musicians' charity fund if you feel you need to make it right. But the music? There's nothing like it. (Thom Jurek, Allmusic)

trax:

1. Can You Dig It? - Chico & Buddy 2. So Far Away - Hank Jacobs 3. Drown My Heart - David Coleman 4. Hungry For Love - The San Remo Golden Strings 5. Open The Door To Your Heart - Darrell Banks 6. Jerk And Twine - Jackie Ross 7. The Entertainer - Tony Clarke 8. The Loop - Johnny Lytle 9. That's Enough - Roscoe Robinson 10. Love Makes A Woman - Barbara Acklin 11. Gonzo - James Booker 12. Mister Bang-Bang Man - Little Hank 13. Mama Didn't Lie - Jan Bradley 14. Hot Cakes - Dave "Baby" Cortez 15. Dead End Street - Lou Rawls 16. Mr Soul - Bud Harper 17. Blues In The Night - Johnny Taylor 18. I'm Blue - The Ikettes 19. Caught You In A Lie - Robert Parker 20. Hang On Sloopy (long version) - David Porter

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians "Respect" 1093

What frequently happens to me in regards to Robyn Hitchcock is that I'll listen to an album and then forget all about it. When I rediscover it months or years later, I find myself thinking "Wow, I'd forgotten this song was on this album!" Some of his songs stick with me long after I've forgotten about the albums they're from. This happened to me most recently with Moss Elixir.
Respect is another one of those albums. I re-discovered it recently and found myself saying "Huh, I'd forgotten that this was the album 'Arms of Love' was on." Respect has some classic Hitchcock tracks ("The Wreck of the Arthur Lee," for example, and the aforementioned "Arms of Love"). While it contains some overly silly material ("The Yip Song" and the utterly bizarre "Wafflehead"), its true value is on Hitchcock's more somber, thoughtful side ("Then You're Dust," "Serpent at the Gates of Wisdom").
This isn't necessarily an album for fans of Hitchcock's sillier "Balloon Man" side, but it is an excellent showcase of Hitchcock's songwriting ability. It's out of print, but it's definitely worth tracking down. - By Scott RichardsonMany of Robyn Hitchcock's fans were less than enchanted with his 1991 album Perspex Island, with the glossy production usually cited as its crippling flaw, but the disc's real problem was that the surface sheen tended to emphasize the fact that the songs weren't up to Hitchcock's usual standards. Thankfully, Hitchcock's next set, 1993's Respect, was a noticeable improvement on all fronts. Most of the album was recorded in Hitchcock's home using a mobile recording truck, and while the results hardly sound homemade (producer John Leckie knew when and where to add needed embellishments, and the recording has a firm but spacious sound), they lack the excess aural gingerbread of Perspex Island and the sessions have a warmer, more organic sound. The arrangements also offer a bit more adventure, from the Beefheart-ian a cappella strangeness of "Wafflehead" to the percussive synthesizers of "The Yip Song" and the epochal horns and strings of "The Wreck of the Arthur Lee." And with the accompaniment for the most part stripped back to Hitchcock, Andy Metcalfe, and Morris Windsor, Respect offers a tighter focus that serves the songs well; Hitchcock's surrealism has a more human dimension on this set than one usually expects, and "The Arms of Love" and "Serpent at the Gates of Wisdom" possess a warmth that's engaging and moving. And while saying "Believe in love and I'll believe in you" may simply be a bad pun in a song called "The Wreck of the Arthur Lee," in context Hitchcock makes it sound as if he means a good bit more, and it's a lovely moment on one of Robyn Hitchcock's more unappreciated albums. - Review by Mark Demingtrax:

01 The Yip Song 02 Arms of Love 03 The Moon Inside 04 Railway Shoes 05 When I Was Dead 06 The Wreck of the Arthur Lee 07 Driving Aloud (Radio Storm) 08 Serpent at the Gates of Wisdom 09 Then You're Dust 10 Wafflehead

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 18

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Tag Along - Tommy Todd 2. Let's Go Wild - Alvie Self 3. My Baby Loves To Rock - Del Reeves 4. Beating On The Bars - Travelin' Texans 5. Baby's Boss - Johnny Scoggins 6. Do The Hully Gully - King Coleman 7. Trouble - Hedley And Lee 8. Early Next Mornin' - Gary Von Ilg 9. Won't You Be My Baby - Jerry Banes 10. Bye-Bye - Duals 11. Hurricane Baby - Curley Money 12. Rockin' In The Coconut Top - King Ivory Lee 13. Ford And A Shaker - James Gallagher 14. The Cheater - Bobby De Soto 15. I've Got A Bead On You Baby - 5 Williamson Bros 16. TV Commercial - Johnny Parker

...served by Gyro1966...

"SOUL CARGO" Vol. 1

The Early Years Of "Groove" And "Popcorn" Music Back In 1966The multi-volume Soul Cargo series compiles the best of the so-called "groove" and "popcorn" singles of the mid-1960s, and this first set, which assembles music from 1966, is among the best of the bunch. With the exception of a handful of tracks like J.J. Jackson's gritty "But It's Alright," most of the disc's 20 cuts will be unfamilar to all but the most avid soul collector, a situation which speaks volumes about the myopia of oldies radio playlists but says nothing about the consistently high quality of the music here. Singles like Gwen McCrae's "Lead Me On," Wilmer & the Dukes' "Give Me One More Chance" and Billy Butler's "You Ain't Ready" deserve consideration as lost classics, while novelties like Jamo Thomas' "I Spy for the F.B.I." and Rex Garvin's truly bizarre anti-LSD parable "Believe It or Not" are goofy delights. Although the complete absence of liner notes prevents Soul Cargo from offering a truly definitive portrait of the era, the series is nevertheless a goldmine for collectors; if you've exhausted the riches Motown and Stax have to offer, rarities like these are the next place to go. (Jason Ankeny, Allmusic)

trax:

1. Soul Cargo - Leon Haywood 2. Going To A Happening - Tommy Neal 3. Lead Me On - Gwen McCrae 4. Hey Mister DJ - Bobby Moore 5. Give Me One More Chance - Wilmer & The Dukes 6. Believe It Or Not - Rex Garvin 7. Thread The Needle - Clarence Carter 8. (I'm So) Thankful - The Ikettes 9. Untie Me - The Tams 10. Do Watcha Wanna - Donnie Elbert 11. Jade East - Ramsey Lewis 12. Affinidad - Erroll Garner 13. I Spy For The FBI - Jamo Thomas 14. You Ain't Ready - Billy Butler & The Enchanters 15. But It's Alright - J.J. Jackson 16. Hole In The Wall - Billy Larkin 17. Black Fox - Freddy Robinson 18. Danger He's A Stranger - The Five Stairsteps 19. Baby Scratch My Back - Slim Harpo 20. Minstrel And Queen - The Impressions

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians "Queen Elvis" 1089

This recording is an incredible piece of work by the great and underappreciated Robyn Hitchcock. This CD is sadly out of print so if you can find it buy it. Songs like "The Devils Coachman" "Freeze" "Wax Doll" and "Veins of the Queen" are mysterious, riveting and between the usual salient lyrics of Mr. Hitchcock and the sheer power of the sounds created on this recording you will be amazed and will find yourself listening to this incredible work over and over. Many thanks Mr. Hitchcock! - By Kid ByronHitchcock redeemed himself on this collection -- song for song more vital than Globe of Frogs. "Madonna of the Wasps" is a timeless pop song, but the record is mired in modern-rock production and synthesizer sounds. "One Long Pair of Eyes" remains a Hitchcock standard, and the bizarre "Wax Doll" and "Veins of the Queen" kept Hitchcock at the fore of eccentric rock, making him the only appropriate heir to the English king-loony throne formerly occupied by Syd Barrett. - Review by Denise Sullivantrax:

01 Madonna of the Wasps 02 The Devil's Coachman 03 Wax Doll 04 Knife 05 Swirling 06 One Long Pair of Eyes 07 Veins of the Queen 08 Freeze 09 Autumn Sea 10 Superman 11 Veins of the Queen [Royal Mix] 12 Freeze [Shatter Mix]

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 17

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Rock & Roll Indian Dance - Little Butchie Saunders 2. Rock & Roll Atom - Wayne Busby 3. Wild Streak - Johnny Fallin 4. Lawdy Mama - Edgar Blanchard 5. Wake Up - Jack Burns 6. Moanin' Soul - Roland Stone 7. Recorded In England - Rod Bernard 8. I Can Tell - The Shifting Sands 9. Sway & Move With The Beat - Donnie Brooks 10. I Got The Blues - Van Dells 11. Shimmy Shuffle - Vulcans 12. Soda Pop - Vince Maloy 13. The Golden Stairway - The Raindrops 14. Jingle Jump - Danny Pfeil 15. Mene Gene - Andre "Mr Rhythm" Williams 16. Motorcycle - Tico & Triumphs

...served by Gyro1966...

DM BOB and The DEFICITS "Cajun Creole Hot Nuts" 2008

Going back to the Americana roots of rock 'n roll with an added brand of Cajun, rockabilly, southern R&B and lo-fi garage results into the sound of DM Bob and The Defictits. With their debut album Bad With Wimen released in 1996 and a number of comparisons to Southern Culture On The Skids and '68 Comeback, their EP Mexico Americano came out that same year and made Crypt Records history...The Louisiana Wild Dog and his pals are back, starting his first band 1983 in Louisiana doing Hound Dog Taylor stuff... Then they moved to Germany and started the Deficits with Susie (distant nice of Django Reinhard) and Tank Top (George Patton's bastard son) first record in 1994, first album on Crypt recordings in 1996... and now their newest Album on Voodoo Rhythm, it's as SWAMP as it can get, more Louisiana is not possible, get into the strange world of DM Bob and the deficits, where they mix up Cajun, Rock'n'Roll, Blues and even do Sly Stone Covers, Wild Hillbilly White Trash!

trax:

01 Who Done It 02 They Called Him Took 03 Name Game 04 Meat Man 05 Slide Off Of Your Satin Sheets 06 Alien Baby 07 Only 13 08 Mad Dog 09 Into My Own Thing 10 Super Payaso Contra Hormiga Atomica 11 Texian Boys 12 Loco 13 Facist In The Courthaus

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians "Globe Of Frogs" 1988

Just another great collection of should have been smash hits.He stole the show when he opened for R.E.M., and I've been a fan ever since. This album epitomizes Robyn Hitchcock's style: jangly, funny, refreshing, and clever. This album has a sort of mystical air to it, broken only by visualizations of fat men, floating and and then exploding, leaving debris of skin and lunch leftovers on your sleeve. For me, highlights include the fun 'Tropical Flesh Mandala', 'Balloon Man' of course, and the nice little perfect pop number, 'Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis)' which illustrates that when Robyn sets out to write something meaningful and a tad bit commercial, he can still do it without compromising. Reviewer: Christian Buckley (Washington State, United States)Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians:

Robyn Hitchcock (Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Vocals), Peter Buck (12 String Guitar), Andy Metcalfe (Bass, Accordion, Keyboards, Vocals), Glenn Tilbrook (Harmony Vocals), Morris Windsor (Drums, Harmony Vocals), Chris Cox (Mandolin)

trax:

1. Tropical Flesh Mandala 2. Vibrating 3. Balloon Man 4. Luminous Rose 5. Sleeping With Your Devil Mask 6. Unsettled 7. Chinese Bones 8. A Globe Of Frogs 9. The Shapes Between Us Turn Into Animals 10. Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis)

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 16

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Sinful Woman - Bill Browning 2. Lonely Island - Eddie Cash 3. Kawliga - Vorris LeBlanc 4. Fire Engine Baby - Jiv-A-Tones 5. You Know It's True - Ricky Jones 6. Shake 'Em Up Rock - T Texas Tyler 7. Little Girl Next Door - Collay & Satellites 8. Bad Times - Scotty McKay 9. The Grave - Tony Casanova 10. Honky Tonk Queen - Bobby Hankins 11. Stormy Weather - Eddie Cash 12. Billy Cannon - Jay Chevalier 13. Flipsville - Stormy Gayle 14. Crazy Kings - Los Crazy Kings

...served by Gyro1966...

Stinky Lou and The Goon Mat with Lord Bernadro "12 Roots n' Boogie Blues Hits" 2008

Stinky Lou and the Goon Mat are a rockin' blues band featuring a washtub and a harmonica that wails. The music makes you want to kick up your heels and dance on a table. 'Boogie Man' and 'Lonely Man' stand out to me as their best songs on this album. I strongly recommend this to anyone who likes fast pace rock n' roll sounding blues that has a dirty south New Orleans sound to it. (Record Runner)Adrenaline and alcohol fused primal BOOGIE mayhem Trash. Matthias Dalle ( the goon mat) is hip to the hypnotic drone that is reminiscent of a Junior Kimbrough, STINKY LOU assaults his washtub base not unlike a man whose hair is on fire...and LORD BENARDO...that boy has positively lost his mind and plays the most demented and groovin' harp the good old world has to offer. Now all the hip blues punk kids talk like they've been to a juke joint and we all know that they haven't but I'll be damned if these boogie fiends wouldn't have stood their ground in Chulahoma or Holy Springs alongside the almighty R.L. Burnside, T- Model Ford and their whisky guzzlin' bloodshot-eyed chums. Now this ain't cutesy blues...this is testosterone driven drinkin' and dancin' music and certainly ain't nuthin' for the under aged. These partisan bluesmen are out to raise Cain and casualties are to be expected - mothers beware of your daughter 'cause these boys have ideas...and they ain't pure. (Voodoo Records)

trax:

01 Show Me Your Tits 02 Boogie Man 03 Lonely Man 04 Looking For A Girl 05 One More Time 06 Supermarket 07 The River Is Laughing 08 Booooooogie 09 Talking Man 10 Promotion Boogie 11 Sexual Feeling 12 Ode To You

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians "Element Of Light" 1086

it's stuffed with jangly, druggy, mid- and down-tempo pop-rock that's brought to life by creative instrumentation and studio effects like backwards tracks - and like the Edge, Hitchcock makes up for his lack of lead guitar chops by trying hard to get some interesting sounds out of his guitar.Element of Light, Hitchcock's second studio album with the Egyptians, remains one of his finest moments and offers a convincing argument for his talents as a pop craftsman. Using John Lennon's work for Revolver and The Beatles as a template, Hitchcock wrote an elegant set of songs for Element of Light, songs that contained all of his cryptic lyrical sensibilities, yet featured more refined melodies and song structures. The Egyptians play with a subtle grace, moving between the stately "Winchester" and light psychedelia of "If You Were a Priest" to the bracing attack of "Tell Me About Your Drugs" with ease. While it sacrifices some of the edgy tension of Hitchcock's earlier work, Element of Light is his most melodic and eerily beautiful record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideRobyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians:

Robyn Hitchcock: Bass, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals / Andy Metcalfe: Bass, Percussion, Piano, Drums, Keyboards, Vocals / Morris Windsor: Guitar, Percussion, Drums, Vocals / Chris Cox: Bass, Percussion, Trumpet, String Bass / James Fletcher: Saxophone / Roger Jackson: Organ / Roger Jackson: Keyboards. Piano, Vocals, Harmonica

traxfromwax:

1. If You Were A Priest 2. Winchester 3. Somewhere Apart 4. Ted, Woody And Junior 5. The President 6. Raymond Chandler Evening 7. Bass 8. Airscape 9. Never Stop Bleeding 10. Lady Waters & The Hooded One

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 15

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Jukebox Bop - Dale Wayne 2. Trashman's Blues - Kai Ray 3. Jim Dandy - Sara Lee 4. Scrounge - Clyde Arnold 5. She's Got It - The Rackets 6. How Can I Make Her Mine - Bobby Roberts 7. The Monster Twist - Tyrone A Saurus 8. She's A Moonlighter - Johnny Carlton 9. Blondie - Danny Meva 10. Annie Don't Work - Johnny Wade 11. Oogly Googley Eyes - Fanatics 12. Cool Down Baby - Elton Anderson 13. Teen Queen - The Swingin' Rays 14. Prescription Rock 'n' Roll - Rulie Garcia

...served by Gyro1966...

THE WALTZLOVES "Rockin Country Gumbo" 2003

This label puts out the most interesting and diverse music! From psychobilly to surf to retro '60s style garage rock to country blues music. The Watzloves are a band featuring Deutschmark Bob of DM Bob and the Deficits - a great Hounddog Taylor inspired trashy blues-garage rock band - but this is quite different. It's a sort of mix (hence the CD title I 'spose) of country, zydeco, calypso and New Orleans jazz. Silky Toss plays accordion and does the lead singing, Bob (who actually hails from Louisiana, though he lives in Germany now) sings backing vocals and plays guitar, washboard, and drums, and Jakebus plays slide guitar, tuba, and sings backing vocals too. There's an obvious strong Cajun music feel, and I'm not a huge Zydeco fan but this is pretty cool stuff. The songs are all neat little stories, and the playing by all is excellent. There's a twisted sense of humor permeating it with songs like "You Are The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly" (a Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynne duet cover), "Voodoo Queen" and "You Are So Strange," but not enough to make it simply a novelty act. "Go Away Now" is my favorite song overall, a super-catchy little number with a rockin' beat. Fun stuff here. (Alan Wright, Cosmic Debris)trax:

01 Heart To Give 02 I Have A Dream 03 Wrong Song 04 Jealousy 05 Country Girl 06 You Are The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly 07 Zydeco Dance 08 Cherry Stone 09 Chopped 10 You Are So Strange 11 Drive Your Car 12 Boy Who Cant't Dance 13 Voodoo Doll 14 Go Away Now

...served by Gyro1966...

The Canary Sect "Shake It, But Don't Break It" 2006

Here's a brandnew band from Spain that will surely let the mods dance and the rockers roll. When Manuel Navarro and Pablo Jimenez decided to form the CANRAY SECT in Barcelona in the spring of 2003 to keep the spirit of truly authentic rhythm'n'blues alive, they never thought that this band would soon become the hottest beat sensation Europe has to offer these days.The CANARY SECT combine the essences of traditional UK mid-sixties r'n'b, made famous by bands like the WHO, the DOWNLINER SECT, the SMALL FACES, the PRETTY THINGS and the BIRDS and the classic US soul and blues brilliance of legends like Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker and come up with a whole set of hip-shakin' beat monsters, recorded and produced at Circo Perrotti studios in Gijon by the 'wizzard of fuzz', Jorge 'Dr.Explosion' Munoz, which can all be found on their debut-album 'Shake it, but don't break it'. Driven by the wailin' harmonica of singer Manuel Navarro, the five-piece that consists of (ex)-members of some of the finest spanish garage-bands of the past 20 years, such as LOS NEGATIVOS, LES CACTUS, the BORN LOSERS and LOS WALKYSONS will be seen in action at an all-nighter near you shortly. Just listen to their incredibe version of the old YARDBIRDS raver 'Stroll on' and the stompin' beat of the furious title track 'Shake it, but don't break it' and you know what we're talking about. It will make you shiver, like it did when we first heard it. from Soundflat:

http://www.soundflat.de/shop/shop.cfm?artnr=10543

The Canary Sect:

Manolo Navarro (voz y harmónica), Pau Loewe (guitarra solista), Alfredo Calonge (guitarra rítmica), Pablo Jiménez (bajo), Francesc Gosalves (batería)

trax:

1. Nasty Girl with a big mouth 2.Frank the engineer 3.Stroll on 4.You'll get over it 5.Shake it but don't break it 6.Hot water town 7.I wish 8.Tell me what I need 9.I'm rowed out 10.Barbara Ann 11.I want you back 12.See me in action 13.Bad Time

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 14

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Two Ton Annie - Johnny Marlo 2. Shot Rod - Conny & The Bellhops 3. Riot In Cell Block No 9 - Ron & Joe 4. All Night In Jail - Rod Bernard 5. Shimmy Shake - Billy Land 6. Seventeen Steps - Ben Smith 7. Shiverin' And Shakin' - Dean Beard 8. Betty Lou Got A New Tatoo - The Creep 9. Romeo's Teacher - Lanny Duncan 10. Teenager's Party - The Rythm Rockers 11. Rip It Up Potato Chip - Kenny Lund 12. Tip Tap And Tell Me - Gene Terry 13. Baby Do - Johnny & The Joys 14. Blue-Grey Rock - Sean Martin 15. You Heard Me Knockin' - Billy Adams 16. Rampage - Eddie Angel

...served by Gyro1966...

"Crate Diggin' Fever"

Compiled by Dean Rudland (of the Acid Jazz and Ace labels), this release from the Harmless' Backbeats division features deep cuts from labels like Brunswick, Hot Wax/Invictus, Contempo, Hi, and Philadelphia International. As indicated by the title, Crate Diggin' Fever: The Cult of Rarity is aimed at soul fans who already own the classic hits and aren't into paying collector's prices for obscurities. Some of the inclusions -- such as Jean Carn's "Don't Let It Go to Your Head," Laura Lee's "Crumbs Off the Table," and the Average White Band's cover of the Isley Brothers' "Work to Do" -- aren't all that rare, but there are plenty of deep gems and very little filler. (Allmusic)This issue opens with The Futures' 'Ain't No Time Fa Nothing" (1978), likely to be familiar to those around during the 'Rare Groove' explosion of the mid to late 1980s, and is very similar in style to Earth, Wind & Fire. 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head' (1976) by Jean Carn is an absolutely wonderful record, featuring a plaintive yet seductive vocal over a grooving orchestral texture. Laura Lee's 'Crumbs Off The Table' (1972) is a song of a woman's emotional and physical despair, whilst Al Green's 'Love Ritual' (1975) propels along with a quirky guitar and keyboard underpinning. Fans of R&B and Motown will warm to Barbara Acklin's 'Just Ain't No Love' (1969) and Honey Cone's 'Sittin' On A Time Bomb' (1972), and older Hip Hop fans will smile in recognition with the opening of Archie Bell & The Drells' 'Don't Let Love Get You Down' (1976), and may also wonder at the potential of 'Beware' (1972) by Ann Peebles and Bobby Marchan's 'Push The Button' (1974). Much of the material here has been drawn from the Philadelphia International and Brunswick back catalogues, and except for one track (The Jones Girls 'You Can't Have My Love' (1984)) draws predominantly from the 1970s (with two from the late 1960s). Despite this fact the material is varied and, most importantly, is of sufficient quality (in qualitative and mastering terms) to ensure repeated listening. Undoubtedly, 'Crate Diggin' Fever' fits nicely within the expanding 'Back Beats' catalogue, and once again Dewhirst has managed to issue good quality music. Simply Buy. (Dusty Groove)

trax:

1. Ain't No Time For Nothing - The Futures 2. Don't Let It Go To Your Head - Jean Carne 3. Crumbs Off The Table - Laura Lee 4. Work To Do - Average White Band 5. Love Ritual - Al Green 6. Tropical - African Music Machine 7. Stoned Out Of Mind - Maryann Farra & Satin Soul 8. Shake A Leg - Jackie Wilson 9. Ali Shuffle - Alvin Cash 10. Is It Something You Got - Tyrone Davis 11. Just Ain't No Love - Barbara Acklin 12. Sittin On A Time Bomb - Honey Cone 13. Don't Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & The Drells 14. You Can't Have My Love - The Jones Girls 15. Picnic In The Park - MFSB 16. Beware - Ann Peebles 17. Don't Leave Me (instrumental) - Holland & Dozier 18. Push The Button - Bobby Marchan 19. Thats All A Part Of Loving Him - Tommie Young 20. Front Row - Romeo Strutt 21. See You Through The Eyes Of A Blind Man - Satisfaction Unlimited

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians "Gotta Let This Hen Out" 1985

"This is fun music with an often biting sense of humour"Hard to pick a favorite Hitchock album, but this live release has to be near the top. He really gets down and rocks hard on this one. Several songs are at their best on this live release, even better than the studio recordings. It must've been a hell of a concert. Great versions of "Leppo and the Jooves" and "Heaven." My favorite song from this album is "Egyptian Cream" (God what a weird song!) "Brenda's Iron Sledge" is another highlight. (w00dchaz1965)
Recorded at the Marquee in London shortly after the release of Fegmania!, the live Gotta Let This Hen Out! is a tense and exciting record, finding the raw energy that usually goes untapped in Robyn Hitchcock's music. Although the album makes the Egyptians sound more like a rock & roll band than they actually were -- they never played with such reckless abandon before or since -- the driving performances don't wreck the melodic and lyrical eccentricities of the songs; instead, the increased vigor gives the music a searing power, obliterating the notion that Hitchcock's songs are delicate and precious. The set list also accentuates Hitchcock's strengths, relying on his most accessible and melodic material, whether it's newer Egyptians material like " "Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl," and "Acid Bird," or earlier Soft Boys tracks like "Kingdom of Love", "The Face of Death," and "Leppo and the Jooves." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideRobyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians:

Robyn Hitchcock (Guitar, Vocals), Andy Metcalfe (Bass, Vocals), Morris Windsor (Drums, Ice Cream), Roger Jackson (Keyboards)

traxfromwax:

1. Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl 2. Kingdom of Love 3. Acid Bird 4. Cars She Used to Drive 5. My Wife and My Dead Wife 6. Brenda's Iron Sledge 7. Leppo And The Jooves 8. America 9. Heaven 10. Listening to the Higsons 11. Face of Death

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 13

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Is There No Love For Me, Love? - Johnny McAdams 2. Ugly Face - Pearls 3. Big Sandy - Joe Griffith 4. Crazy Little Woman - Three D's 5. Watch My Smoke - Vince Anthony 6. Rockin' In My Knees - Honeycones 7. Will Travel - Rod Willis 8. The Cat - Rod Willis 9. Twenty One - Tommy Danton 10. Nine O'Clock - Johnny McAdams 11. Twist At The Top - Seniors 12. Typing Jive - Alvin & Bill 13. Help Me - Casuals 14. Oh Happy Days - Daniel Bridges 15. Tear Down The House - Morty Marker 16. I'm Walkin' - Larry Storch

...served by Gyro1966...

DOUG SAHM & AUGIE MEYERS "Back To The ‘Dillo" '77

This CD contains the second set of the Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers & friends reunion show at the Armadillo in Austin, Texas on May 10, 1977. The first set was released as "Live Love" by Sir Douglas Quintet. The second set, reviewed here has several SDQ alumni and other friends on board. Great sound quality and audience enthusiasm! The set has several songs unique to Doug's issued work - the only SDQ song is a fun version of Nuevo Laredo. If you are a fan of the late great Doug Sahm you will love this CD. (Record Runner)In the '70s Augie Meyers cranked up a label called Texas and released a string of albums. The catalog included several live recordings involving a group of musicians that could be credited as loosely as they are for this production, or might also be known as the Sir Douglas Quintet or the Texas Tornados. Anyway, it's Doug Sahm and his faithful sidekick Augie Meyers plus many of the usual cohorts, including a horn section that sounds as if it has been practicing unison statements after every meal for the last decade. The live recording sound is perfectly acceptable for a '70s rock date, and the only thing that might detract from the experience of reliving a night at the infamous Armadillo Ballroom is the almost ridiculous jukebox nature of the program. Sahm's sidemen often complained that the leader neglected his brilliant original material for the sake of playing as many different covers as possible, and if the matter ever came to a jury trial, this recording could be brought in as exhibit A. There is a Chuck Berry song, followed by pretty little "Susie Q," followed by "Crazy Arms" -- well, it is like a frat party that gets crashed by an old redneck trucker carrying a boom box. The last two songs are a cover of "Purple Haze"--very nice, as could be expected -- and five minutes of jazz, competent, unexpected, and a weird way to end the show. This last instrumental, "Outro Song," is credited to Sahm, and there are only three other examples of his songwriting performed, best of which is a romping version of "Nuevo Laredo." (Eugene Chadbourne, Allmusic)

trax:

01 Intro 02 It's Just The Same Ole Story 03 Get On Up 04 I Pity The fool 05 Think About It, Baby 06 Carol 07 Susie Q 08 Crazy Arms 09 George Jones Song 10 Nuevo Laredo 11 Purple Haze 12 Outro Song

...served by Gyro1966...

The Jazz Messengers - The Jazz Messengers (1956)

Hi, this is the french release of Columbia ‎– CL 897, the first Jazz Messengers recordings if I understood well, great music anyway. Enjoy that vinyl rip!!! - Magic Kaic's MusicThe very first edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers was unfortunately short-lived, and as excellent as they were collectively, it was the beginning of a trend for the members of this group to come and go. Unbeknown to Blakey at the time, he would become a champion for bringing talent from the high minor leagues to full-blown jazz-star status, starting with this band featuring Detroit trumpeter Donald Byrd, East coast tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, and pianist Horace Silver, a jazz legend ever after. It's evident that although there is much cohesion in the group, Byrd's star was on the rise the fastest, and he would leave in a short period, replaced briefly by Clifford Brown, then Kenny Dorham. What is most remarkable in this first recording for the band is how several of these selections have become classic hard bop vehicles, revered and replayed by thousands of bands over time worldwide. "Nica's Dream" is the best known of them all, typical of the calypso beats Blakey favored at the time, with a singsong, hummable melody led by Byrd that is pure soul personified, and drenched in unrequited blues. Their take of "The End of a Love Affair" is one of those arrangements that would be hard to top, filled with deft rhythm changes and a distinctive group signature sound identified by the Mobley-Byrd tandem. "Ecaroh" ("Horace" spelled backwards) keeps the Latin beat but puts in a breezier context, a simple beauty of a tune only the pianist and Blakey could have conceived, and called their own at the time. "Infra Rae" is a quintessential hard bop workout, and "Hank's Symphony," while not a classic, is innovative in that it uses an Asian inspired introduction, an Afro-Cuban base, and a wild hurricane force via Blakey's fast, inspired, cut-loose drumming. In retrospect, the Jazz Messengers could easily be tagged the eighth wonder of the world, starting with this finely crafted first effort that definitely stands the test of time. - Review by Michael G. Nasto (allmusic.com)

trax:

01. Infra-Rae 02. Nica's Dream 03. It's You Or No One 04. Ecaroh 05. Carol's Interlude 06. The End Of A Love Affair 07. Hank's Symphony.mp3

...served by Magic Kaic's Music...

Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians "fegMANIA!" 1985

An English eccentric in true Victorian style, Robyn Hitchock is probably the most introspective and poetic veteran of Britain's late 70s rock revolution.After the stripped-back collection I Often Dream of Trains, Hitchcock slowly formed a backing band called the Egyptians with ex-Soft Boys Andy Metcalfe and Morris Windsor and keyboardist Roger Jackson over the course of the next year. Fegmania!, the Egyptians' first album, was a distinct departure from both the Soft Boys and Hitchcock's previous solo work, featuring layered, intertwining guitars and keyboards that created lush and thick sonic textures. Even with the more detailed arrangements, the songs remained twitchy and off-kilter, with melodies that usually went in willfully unpredictable directions, yet remained catchy all the while. Fegmania! was Hitchcock's most consistent work to date, featuring such highlights as the Eastern-tinged "Egyptian Cream," and the creepy "My Wife & My Dead Wife," and the relatively straightforward "The Man with the Lightbulb Head." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideThe Egyptians:

Robyn Hitchcock (Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals), Andy Metcalfe (Bass, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals), Morris Windsor (Percussion, Drums, Vocals), James Fletcher (Saxophone), Justin Grimaldi (Conga), Roger Jackson (Keyboards, Vocals), John Kingham (Drums), James Smith (Guitar)

traxfromwax:

1. Bells Of Rhymney 2. Egyptian Cream 3. Another Bubble 4. I'm Only You 5. My Wife & My Dead Wife 6. Goodnight I Say 7. The Man With The Lightbulb Head 8. Insect Mother 9. Strawberry Mind 10. Glass 11. The Fly 12. Heaven

The Woggles "Rock and Roll Backlash" 2007

"No, the Woggles aren't a kiddies band, unless your toddler chain-smokes Camels and knows how to tap a keg. This Georgia four-piece plays in the style of 60s-era Troggs, Kinks and Sam the Sham. Wilder than the Strokes, as melodic as Hoodoo Gurus and more in control than the Hives, this is a rock dance party from start to finish. Steven Van Zandt has championed this band on his Underground Garage radio show and no wonder: These dozen slabs of beefy goodness will have you grinning all day and all of the night." --BostonHerald.comThe Woggles aren't trying to reinvent the garage rock wheel, but after slogging it out in every dive club imaginable since 1987, they realize that bringing new spins to the formula neither dilutes it nor opens them up to the dreaded sellout finger-pointing. Recorded at Rick Miller's (Southern Culture on the Skids) Kudzu Ranch in North Carolina, produced by Jeff Walls (ex-of Guadalcanal Diary), and mastered by the near legendary Rodney Mills, the quartet has a formidable backline for its first album in four years. The guys rise to the occasion with some of their finest material. The Woggles have experienced a surge in popularity through exposure on Little Steven's weekly radio show. Since this album is released on his Wicked Cool label, that is likely to continue. Little has changed in the group's approach, though a bit more British Invasion mixed with American garage invigorates the sound of these 12 originals. There is even a spaghetti Western throwback with reverbed guitar and mariachi trumpet ("El Toro"). Occasional horns on a few other tracks also prove that different ingredients added to their established jittery rock & roll stew can bring much needed spice to the concoction. Lead singer the Professor Mighty Manfred is in fine trashy shape, as is the foursome's recent guitarist, known only as Flesh Hammer. Songs such as "Time of My Own" and the title track boast singalong hooks and lyrics that veer toward the members' obvious love of an earlier time and their dedication to saving the purity of rock & roll. You won't need any convincing that they are up to the task after one spin of this raw, rollicking slab of retro-rocking. It's a trip back to the '60s when the Standells, the Seeds, and all the other bands on the Nuggets collection were making music that might have seemed disposable at the time but is now considered classic. Add The Woggles to that pack, because they are every bit as committed, brash, and raw -- and Rock and Roll Backlash is all the evidence you need. - Review by Hal Horowitztrax:

01 Rock and Roll Backlash 02 It's Not About What I Want (It's What You Get) 03 Porridge 04 There Goes Danger 05 I Gotta Go Now (Up on the Floor) 06 Drive On 07 El Toro 08 Sayonara Blues 09 The World Is Falling 10 Time Of My Own 11 Black Sheep 12 Blasting Cap

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 12

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Gonna Get Me A Satellite - Ernest Tucker 2. Rock These Blues Away - James Savage 3. Hoochie Coochie - Tommy Martin 4. Rock 'N' Roll Fever - J.R. Warren 5. Worrying Kind - Merv Benton 6. Rhythm In My Bones - Danny Diamond 7. You're Gonna Miss Me - Chuck Bradford 8. Rag Mop - Wesley Reynolds 9. Hawaiian War Chant - Playboys 10. Bop-A-Lena [live] - Ronnie Self 11. I Wonder If You Wonder - Jimmy Kirkland 12. I've Got My Eyes On The World - Charles Walker 13. Wolf - Four Mints 14. Do Your Best - Vince Maloy 15. Tarzan - Bobby Williams 16. Weepin' And Awailin' - Silva-Tones 17. Hide And Seek (Parts 1 & 2) - Bunker Hill

...served by Gyro1966...

"ESSENTIAL ROCKABILLY" The Mercury Story

A particularly fine entry in this great series - Mercury really had a slew of all time classic rockabilly sides like Rockin' Daddy and Slip Slip Slippin' by Eddie Bond, Let's Get Wild by Rudy Grayzell, I Ain't Givin' Up Nopthin' by Ben Hewitt, Done Gone by George And Earl, Who Shot Sam and Maybe Little Baby by George Jones and Love Bug Crawl by Jimmy Edwards - all included here. There are also great lesser known sides from Connie Dycus, Royce Porter, Roy Moss (three great songs including updates of bluesy country songs You Don't Know My Mind and You Nearly Lose Your Mind), Don Johnston, Billy Wallace (his loping Burning The Wind with it's fine acoustic guitar work is a personal favorite), Narvel Felts and others. Not a single track is less than excellent and many are great! (FS) (ROOTS & RHYTHM)

trax disc 1:

1. Rock-A-Bye Baby Rock - Connie Dycus 2. Maybelle - Jackie Cray 3. Rockin' Daddy - Eddie Bond 4. Let's Get Wild - Rudy Grayzell 5. Good Time - Royce Porter 6. Jukebox Help Me Find My Baby - Tommy Mitchell 7. You Don't Know My Mind - Roy Moss 8. Draggin' - Curtis Gordon 9. I Ain't Givin' Up Nothin' - Ben Hewitt 10. Done Gone - George, Earl 11. Born To Love One Woman - Don Johnston 12. Crazy Blues - J.P. Richardson 13. Who Shot Sam - George Jones 14. Double Talk Baby - Conway Twitty 15. You're My Big Baby Now - Roy Moss 16. Flip Flop Mama - Eddie Bond 17. Rock, Roll, Jump & Jive - Curtis Gordon 18. Love Bug Crawl - Jimmy Edwards 19. Burning The Wind - Billy Wallace 20. You Break Me Up - Ben Hewitt

trax disc 2:

1. Sitting On Top Of The World - Curtis Gordon 2. Cry Baby Cry - Narvel Felts 3. You Nearly Lose Your Mind - Roy Moss 4. Slip, Slip, Slippin' In - Eddie Bond 5. I Want A New Girl Now - Ben Hewitt 6. Maybe Little Baby - George Jones 7. Dangerous Redhead - Jerry Raines 8. I Can't Help It - Bing Day 9. I Need Your Lovin' - Conway Twitty 10. Blue Moon Baby - Dave Diddle Day 11. You're The One That Done It - Thomas Wayne 12. Whirlwind Blues - Ben Hewitt 13. Mobile, Alabama - Curtis Gordon 14. Bobbin' Bonnie - Eddie Bond 15. My Search - Ben Hewitt 16. Little Mama - Tommy Mitchell 17. Sugar Doll - Johnny Jay 18. Dance Me To Death - The Hi-Liters 19. Maybe Baby - Conway Twitty 20. All The Time - Sleepy LaBeef

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock "Trolley Bus 2" 2010

Robyn Rowan Hitchcock (born 3 March 1953) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar.

Coming to prominence in the late 1970s with The Soft Boys, Hitchcock afterward launched a prolific solo career. Hitchcock's musical and lyrical styles have been influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Syd Barrett. Hitchcock's lyrics tend to include surrealism, comedic elements, characterisations of English eccentrics, and melancholy depictions of everyday life. His themes include the eternal contingencies of existence — namely: death, sex, and eating. (Recognising these themes, he released an EP in 2007 called Sex, Food, Death and Tarantulas.)

He was signed to two major American labels (A&M Records, then Warner Brothers) over the course of the 1980s and '90s, but mainstream success has been limited. Still, he has maintained a loyal cult following and has often earned strong critical reviews over a steady stream of album releases and live performances.

trax:

01 Be Here Now (Studio Outtake) 02 Blue Moon of Kentucky (PT Session Vocal Nick Lowe) 03 Candyman (Nashville with the Tennessee Crawdads) 04 Changes (3 King Halloween 2010 MSF Benefit) 05 Copper Kettle (Propellor Time session) 06 I Still Miss Someone (PT Session Vocal Scott McCaughey) 07 LIfe On Mars (Live at the 3 Kings Halloween 2010 MSF Benefit) 08 Pink Moon in C (Studio Outtake) 09 Quicksand (Live at the 3 Kings Halloween 2010 MSF Benefit) 10 Song for Bob Dylan (3 Kings Halloween 2010 - MSF Benefit) 11 Very Cellular Song (Lead Vocal Mike Heron at Petsival 2009) 12 Wang Dang Doodle (Propellor Time session)

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 11

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. Find A New Baby - Arnold Parker 2. Planet Named Desire - Billy Mize 3. We're Gonna Dance - Wee Willie & The Pals 4. Mortal Monster Man - Savoys 5. Baby It's Too Much - Bobby Wall 6. Party Time - Ray-O-Vacs 7. Goin' Back To Dixie - Wayne Busbice 8. Club Delight - Jack Jolly 9. All Night Diner - George Garrish 10. In My Teens - Artie Dillon 11. Where There's A Will (There's A Way) - Carl Trantham 12. Baby, Baby - Bop-Kats 13. Sheet Board Down - James Wallis 14. Menin Aeide Thea - Big Brown 15. The Bells - Luke Askew 16. Dance Franny Dance - The Floyd Dakil Combo 17. Little Jewell - Wild Bill Taylor 18. Rocking All The Time - Roy Brown 19. I Need You  - George Weston 20. Dime Sime Vas A Ver - Eddie Con Los Shades

...served by Gyro1966...

"THE MELOTONE BLUES STORY"

Superb collection of blues recorded in the 1930s - mostly country blues but also including some more urban titles. Melotone was a budget label that was part of the ARC (American Record Company) group of labels which included Vocalion, Perfect, Oriole, Romeo and Banner and most titles were issued on more than one of these labels and, in some cases, all six! So this is a companion to One Day's previously issued "Gems From The Vocalion Vault" (One Day 244 - $11.98) and includes many of the same artists. Although these tracks have all been reissued before, this is a particularly well chosen selection, and it includes a number of tracks that are hard to find outside of the comprehensive Document reissues like the fine slide guitarist and vocalist Sam Montgomery, the excellent Kid Prince Moore who sings one gospel song and one about the dangers of drinking the cheap alocolic drink "Bug Joice," the superb piano player and vocalist George Noble and others. More familiar names here, with superb performances, include Blind Boy Fuller, Rev. Blind Gary Davis, Lucille Bogan (one of the greatest of all female blues singers), Washboard Sam (a couple of his earliest and best recordings), Peetie Wheatstraw, Josh White, Big Bill Broonzy and others. (FS) (Roots & Rhythm)

trax disc 1:

1. Rag, Mama, Rag - Blind Boy Fuller 2. Bricks In My Pillow - Big Bill Broonzy 3. The Great Change In Me - Reverend Gary Davis 4. Good Gal - Josh White 5. Changed Ways Blues - Lucille Bogan 6. I'm A Prowlin' Groundhog - Washboard Sam 7. Remember And Forget Blues - Peetie Wheatstraw 8. Honey Dripper - Sam Montgomery 9. Skippy Whippy - Mississippi Jook Band 10. Working Man Blues - Floyd 'Dipper Boy' Council 11. Match Box Blues - Big Bill Broonzy 12. Take It Easy Greasy - Lil Johnson & Black Bob 13. Sign Of Judgement - Kid Prince Moore 14. 45. Pistol Blues - Walter Roland 15. Did You Read That Letter - Josh White 16. If You Lose Your Good Gal - George Noble 17. Don't Put Your Dirty Hands On Me - Charley Jordan 18. Undertaker Blues - Buddy Moss 19. Evil Hearted Woman - Blind Boy Fuller 20. Pig Meat Papa - Lead Belly

trax disc 2:

1. No More Ball And Chain - Josh White 2. Becky Deem, She Was A Gamblin Girl - Lead Belly 3. It's Too Late Now - Big Bill Broonzy 4. I Believe I'll Make A Change - Leroy Carr 5. Truckin' My Blues Away - Blind Boy Fuller 6. Club Meeting Blues - Walter Roland 7. Baby Please Don't Go - Sam Montgomery 8. Misterated Love Blues - Peetie Wheatstraw 9. Bug Juice Blues - Kid Prince Moore 10. That Bonus Gone Done Gone Thru - Lil Johnson 11. Got You Water On - Charley Jordan 12. I'm A Rattlesnakin Daddy - Bilnd Boy Fuller 13. Greenville Sheik - Josh White 14. I Belong To The Hand, Hallelujah! - Reverend Gary Davis 15. Seminole Blues - George Noble 16. Don't Tear My Clothes - Washboard Sam 17. Tell Me What You Been Doing - Big Bill Broonzy 18. Mistreated Boy - Buddy Moss 19. Bad Dream Blues - Walter Roland 20. Lonesome Midnight Blues - Lucille Bogan

...served by Gyro1966...

Robyn Hitchcock "Spooked" 2004

Robyn Hitchcock enlisted the help of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings for Spooked-- his first full-length collaboration (not counting, of course, The Soft Boys and The Egyptians)-- and, consequently, it's the most "American" album he's ever made. The record is a departure from Hitchcock's usual eccentric left-of-the-dial pop, a left turn almost as unique as the story behind the album's creation: One of Hithcock's friends sent him a photo of the coronation of a new Miss Ohio named Robyn Hitchcock; the coincidence reminded the English singer of a striking live performance of Gillian Welch's "Miss Ohio"... - PitchforkSometime after the release of 2003's sparse and slightly chilly Luxor, Robyn Hitchcock attended his first Gillian Welch show. Impressed by the duo's rootsy adherence to the organic -- two guitars, two voices -- he approached the longtime fans -- Hitchcock unknowingly signed David Rawlings' guitar at a Boston in-store in 1989 -- and exchanged digits. The unlikely partnership came to fruition at Nashville's Woodland Studios a few months later, and in just six days the lovely, intimate, and typically eccentric Spooked was born. Produced by Rawlings and culled from hours of off-the-cuff originals, Dylan songs, and general weirdness, Spooked harks back to his mercurial I Often Dream of Trains period. References to fungus and food abound, but wrapped in the wooly blankets of Rawlings' signature picking and Welch's winsome harmonies, they take on a fireplace warmth that renders them amiably nostalgic rather than blatantly surreal. On the dew-soaked opener, "Television," Rawlings lays down a beautiful descending lead that wouldn't have sounded out of place on the duo's debut, and its juxtaposition with Hitchcock's "bing a bon a bing bong" vocal entrance is jarring, but when the three of them come together mid-song to harmonize, the results are quietly majestic. Much of the record revisits -- musically at least -- Hitchcock's colorful past. "Everybody Needs Love," with its breathy urgency and electric sitar, sounds like something off of Element of Light, and the lurching "Creeped Out" -- featuring Welch on drums -- could have been the B-side to 1985's "Brenda's Iron Sledge." This is Hitchcock's most rewarding and creative endeavor since 1993's Egyptian-led Respect, and the fact that Rawlings and Welch are there as eager tools to flesh out his English netherworld makes the fellowship feel even more collaborative. It's a testament to both camps' willingness to try anything -- hearing Welch and Rawlings repeating "crackle, crackle, pop" beneath Hitchcock's spoken word sales pitch to extraterrestrials looking to vacation on Earth is a pretty good example -- that ultimately succeeds in making Spooked the left-field gem that it is. - Review by James Christopher Monger

trax:

01 Television 02 If You Know Time 03 Everybody Needs Love 04 English Girl 05 Demons & Fiends 06 Creeped Out 07 Sometimes A Blonde 08 We're Gonna Live In The Trees 09 Tryin' To Get To Heaven Before They Close The Door 10 Full Moon In My Soul 11 Welcome To Earth 12 Flanagan's Song

"DESPERATE ROCK ’N’ ROLL" Vol. 10

Fantastic collection of wild rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll. and rockin’ R&B/Blues from this legendary series. make sure you get them all!trax:

1. This Little Heart - DENNIS SMITH 2. You Drive Me Out Of My Mind - BUDDY LARRISSON 3. Run Rose - BILLY MIRANDA 4. Lovinest Lovin' - DUB DICKERSON 5. Mule Skinner Blues - ROCKY JONES 6. Lovin' Honey - GENE MORRIS 7. Ruby Baby - CODY BRENNON 8. My Baby Is Gone - CHUCK ROYAL 9. Cuttin' Out - "SANDMAN" HOWARD 10. Little Miss Mary - VILAS CRAIG 11. She's Mine - CHUCK MILLS 12. I'm Nobody's Fool - PIANO RED & BERTH COLBERT 13. Gotta Girl - JIMMY FORD 14. My Boy, Sleepy Pete - THE TEMPO-TONES 15. New Hound Dog - FRANK MOTLEY 16. Love Letter - DEL SWADE 17. Silly Lilly - LES TASHER 18. Gonna Take My Guitar - BOBBY HODGE 19. I Wanna Know - ISLEY BROS. 20. Stompen Rock - TONY MARCH

...served by Gyro1966...