More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Jeff Beck's Debut With The Fitz & Startz

 

THE FITZ & STARTZ-I'm Not Running Away/So Sweet U.S. Capitol 5356 1965

This one off 45 by the obscure Manchester U.K. beat quartet The Fitz & Startz goes down in the annals of history as being the earliest known commercial recording of Jeff Beck, who though not a band member, contributed lead guitar on the A-side as a 20 year old session guitarist. Originally released in the U.K. as Parlophone R 5216 in December 1964 it was issued the following month in the United States. It made nary a ripple on either side of the Atlantic.  

"I'm Not Running Away" is catchy in no small part due to Beck's hypnotic, melodic guitar licks (with an interesting effect that sounds similar to something Joe Meek would have concocted) and the distinct high backing vocals that stick in your brain . Those same high backing vocals remind me of The Honeycombs and the lead vocalist brings to mind The Applejacks.

Photo c/o manchesterbeat.com

"So Sweet" is a mid tempo disposable beat ballad. It has a slight country/Everly's feel to the double tracked lead harmony vocals and sounds like your typical '64 beat ballad (not unlike an Escorts or Merseybeats flip side). 

"I'm Not Running Away" featured on a 2003 Jeff Beck CD collection "Shapes Of Things: 60's Groups And Sessions", the flip side has not been reissued to my recollection.  

Hear both  "I'm Not Running Away" and "So Sweet":

https://youtu.be/qbuK5C-G-c4?si=-E9INiUatOOy2aTZ

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band

 

GENO WASHINGTON & THE RAM JAM BAND-Water/Understanding US Congress CG-269 1966

Swinging London soul legend Geno Washington was originally from Evansville, Indiana but curiously despite a massive career in England only saw two U.S. releases. Today's specimen was his first of just three. 

 Back in the U.K. today's release was his second U.K. single issued in April 1966 as Piccadilly 7N 35312, it was released here the following month. 

 "Water" was composed by the songwriters Miller and  McCoy. As far as I can tell Geno Washington was the first artist to record the track. It's a very brass heavy number which for Geno's studio recordings was always a strong suit because his voice was not always up to par (to my ears anyway). The track has a great swing thanks to the Ram Jam Band and their razor sharp playing, but again it's Geno's voice that's not exactly a plus.

"Understanding" was originally penned and recorded by Johnny Nash, again the musical backing is straight on solid but again the vocals are a tad weak. Both sides have been collected on a lot of compilations, the most recent being Castle's "Foot Stompin' Soul" and is also available to hear on Spotify. 

 

Hear "Water": 

 https://youtu.be/6GpFghcJu6Y?si=nZ4hGxF3Y2RK5VBT 

 Hear "Understanding": 

 https://youtu.be/VHuHJl13q0A?si=fdbwT2NgNg2qjxhc

U.S. Soul/R&B;/Jazz/Blues 45's For November

1. FRANCES FAYE-"Comin' Home Baby" Audio Fidelity 45-125 1966

I never tire of hearing version's of Mel Torme's "Comin' Home Baby". This up tempo version has punchy brass and a strong female vocal with some very heavy hitting in the musical backing (I particularly enjoy the piano trills and drummer who is absolutely bashing the shit out of their kit).

https://youtu.be/63ynDKiKX1w?si=UCov2o5Mq58IMpTg

2. AL GREENE & THE SOUL MATES-"Don't Leave Me" Hot Line Music Journal 15,000 1967

Yes this is THE Al Green years before stardom. This was the second pressing of what was his first single. It's incredible!! The violins and falsetto backing remind me of Dexy's Midnight Runners!! There's literally so much going on in this with vibes, strings, organ and powerful backing vocals. The riff being played by the violins is hypnotic! Oh and then there's Al's voice, which needs no review....

https://youtu.be/4vqWF_Y4Soo?si=RDh6QZndZpgc5sPg

3. THE WOODEN TRUMPET-"Theme From N.Y.P.D" Amy 11000 1967

I was first introduced to this number via the Johnny Hammond Smith version. It appears this preceded it by one month. Whereas the Johnny Hammond Smith version is led by the organ this is an amazing combination of horns that are positively astounding in a moody sort of way and the descending brass lines remind me a lot of the "Batman" theme.

https://youtu.be/iKxqTpeen78?si=TW6IM55Be8DBzLKi

4. LEE ANDREWS AND THE HEARTS-"Quiet As It's Kept" RCA Victor 47-8929 1966

Backed by a slight Latin beat and horns that play a "Louie Louie" style riff this number is a nice combination of a ballad with a danceable mid tempo beat that's quite infectious! Apparently it's in demand with pensioners on a certain soul scene across the pond. 

https://youtu.be/8L95j8PjbhQ?si=2YIn5dyH6p2UTQDL

5. LOWELL FULSON-"Blues Rhumba" Checker 854 1957

This early side from the legendary Lowell Fulsom (titled Fulson here) is a funky little honky tonk instrumental that has a really eccelctic mix of stride blues piano and conga drums creating a really interesting mix that ends quite abruptly!

https://youtu.be/jCCA8BJtT5Q?si=NeCZ1rSNQwtRbcuB

6. MICKEY MURRAY-"Shout Bamalama" SSS International SSS 175 1967

This cover of an early Otis Redding recording is almost unrecognizable until the vocals start because it's delivered at literally five times the pace of the original! There's Memphis style horns, looping bass and a spiritual backing vocals chorus of "we shall be free" all creating an interesting groove.

https://youtu.be/cwRxJaIM4us?si=RpEkUpJM0cZ2duSB

7. J.J. BARNES-"Baby Please Come Back Home" Groovesville GV 1006 1967

Detroit's J.J. Barnes cut this 45 after a slew of amazing singles for the local Ric-Tic label. This track is a moody mix of strings, congas and falsetto backing vocals that give an absolute Temptations meets Four Tops '67 feel (the backing vocals weave a melody that is dangerously close to "Get Ready"). Smooth as silk this number would not have been remotely out of place on any of the Motown imprints!

https://youtu.be/6n82CFE7Fdc?si=T2kUj2mC6sycHf2C

8. THE PAC-KEYS-"Greasy Pumpkin" Hollywood 1118 1967

The Pac-Keys were a side project led by Packy Axton (a founding member of The Mar-Keys and other side projects like The Packers, L.H. & The Memphis Sounds and The Martinis). Curiously this number is one of his more restrained instrumentals despite a song title that would lead you to expect something funky, but it's not coming off like a cross between "Groovin' With Mr. Bloe" meets "Soulful Strut"! Mind you it's not a bad thing, just far more restrained when compared with previous works.

https://youtu.be/RYI0NZd3v68?si=kQp0sGBGYcIPZKWW

9. JACKIE AND THE STARLITES-'I'm Coming Home" Fury 1057 1961

This interesting mish mash of The Coasters meets James Brown (the beat and tempo owe a bit to "Shout And Shimmy", which curiously it precedes by a year!) is a non stop 100 mph raw stormer by this New York vocal group (also known as The Starlites) that's far more funky than anything I have ever heard by them. 

https://youtu.be/dUUso5TdT-Q?si=-qXMe3ZaycpevGLn

10. MARGRET ANN WILLIAMS-"Ten Commandments Of Soul"  Sue 45-134 1965

Our final selection is a reading of The Moonglows "Ten Commandments Of Love" with a deep male bass voice speaking out the commandants while Williams, in an almost shrills voice ad libs over the top while lush strings and a basic bass/piano/drums lay down the groove.

https://youtu.be/zByHK5S_L4s?si=NVZfU3sAz0K4UeMv

All scans c/o 45cat.com

Manfred Mann-"My Little Red Book" 1968

MANFRED MANN-My Little Red Book (All I Do Is Talk About You)/I Can't Believe What You Say US Ascot AS 2241 1968

It was a common practice in the 60's for labels to squeeze everything they could out of a band, especially when they moved onto a new label. Case in point Manfred Mann. When the band switched lead singers in 1966 and switched from HMV to Fontana in the U.K. they switched from Ascot/United Artists to Mercury in the U.S. Two years and four singles into their contract with Mercury, Ascot issued two singles. The second of those was today's subject, "My Little Red Book (All I Do Is Talk About You)" is an odd duck as it was first released on Ascot back in May, 1965 as AS 2184 with the release of the film "What's New Pussycat" (which featured the tune in a scene in the film) with "What Am I Doing" as the flip. Fast forward to April 1968 and "My Little Red Book" was again issued, this time with "I Can't Believe What You Say" on the B-side. I have yet to figure out the reason Ascot would issue a three year old record (and mention it's inclusion on an equally old long player on the label), though I suspect it might be in relation to the Manfred's return to the charts with "The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)" (Imperial did the same move in '68 when Georgie Fame struck gold on Epic with "The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde" they rushed out "Last Night"). 

All that out of the way "My Little Red Book (All I Do Is Talk About You)" is amazing. It's far more powerful than the version Bacharach cut with Tony Middleton on vocals. From the pounding piano and funky organ to the subtle flute, Paul Jone's vocals swing. Every time I hear it I can't help but think of Peter O'Toole's wooden dance moves to it in the discotheque scene in the film "What's New Pussycat"!

The flip is a pedestrian cover of Ike and Tina's "I Can't Believe What You Say". It's not awful by any means but I always felt that the Manfred's were better at blues and jazz than they were at soul!

Both sides were compiled on the essential 4 CD collection "Down The Road Apiece Their EMI Recordings 1963-1966". 

Hear "My Little Red Book":

https://youtu.be/zWKa6uyhFJU?si=2b9-N53yOG_ib50p

Hear "I Can't Believe What You Say":

https://youtu.be/3p1BieOTNV0?si=T-V2vQ5CDRZkCA7e

The Merseys-"The Cat"

The Merseys-The Cat/Change of Heart U.K. Fontana TF 845 1967

The Merseys were a short lived U.K. duo comprised of former Merseybeats John Banks and Billy Kinsley. Formed upon the demise of The Merseybeats, The Merseys managed to do something the Merseybeats never did: break into the U.K. Top 10, in April 1966 their cover of The McCoy's "Sorrow" peaked at #4. Unfortunately they were destined to be a one hit wonder. 

The Merseys with The Fruit Eating Bears
photo c/o https://www.themerseybeats.co.uk/

"The Cat" was their fourth single of six in the U.K. on Fontana. It was my introduction to the band when my friend Keith Patterson put it on a legendary mix tape he made me in 1989. Penned by Tin Pin Alley duo Roger's Cook and Greenaway it's lyrically unimpressive but the band's vocals and musical backing are amazing (interestingly the band over accentuate their Liverpool accents). The backing music reminds me a lot of The Who circa 1966 (the band were briefly were managed by Lambert & Stamp). I'm especially taken by the blistering proto raga guitar solo by future Badfinger member Joey Molland, who was a member of the Mersey's  backing group The Fruit Eating Bears (not to be confused with a punk band of the same name). 

The flip "Change Of Heart" was written by Tony Crane. It has a ragtime type piano and a interesting trumpet solo and the whole thing reminds me of a throwaway Harry Nilsson track or a disposable Mike D'Abo era Manfreds tune, it's not unlistenable but nothing I would play twice.

In 2021 Grapefruit records issued a thorough two CD collection of all of The Merseybeats/Merseys tracks and subsequent spin off bands and includes both sides of this 45. 

Hear "The Cat":

https://youtu.be/Nw9VMTytIoc?si=nP8DYlSmVpffD9Fa

Hear "Change Of Heart":

https://youtu.be/akzBm7X4Yyc?si=o-8eX0yClsooOQu5

U.S. Soul/R&B;/Jazz/Blues 45's For October

1. FRED PARRIS & THE RESTLESS HEARTS-"No Use In Crying" Checker 1108 1965

This impassioned soul ballad sounds like a cross between the vocals of Jackie Shane and the backing vocals of The Kelly Brothers. The musical structure is not dissimilar from a late 50's doo wop number (like The Flamingos maybe?).

 https://youtu.be/EWoDeEUnVyc?si=AWa0WYDl9A9gb60B

2. THE FABULOUS PEPS-"With These Eyes" Wheelsville 109 1966

This mega obscure number is 101% high octane soul with strong horns, hip hand claps, fantastic brass and some great falsetto vocals bringing to mind The Impressions. 

https://youtu.be/QqdJzxXi_WY?si=pxN26iVfwc4Lfgmc

3. BILLY YOUNG-"Glendora" Original Sound OS-29 1963

I had long assumed that Brit r&b mavens The Downliners Sect had covered "Glendora" from the Pewrry Como original, that was until I recently heard this! It's moody, soulful and almost doom laden and clearly is where Don Craine and the boys took their version!

https://youtu.be/DprSxokWqD0?si=gSvFjpEKOTcckOCe

4. BIG MAYBELLE-"Oh Lord What Are You Doing To Me" Scepter 1279 1964

Big Maybelle is one of my favorite female soul vocalists and nothing tops her delivery on this ballad that reminds me of a husky Baby Washington. The powerful orchestration and lush backing vocals just adds to the heavy weight of this powerhouse belter!

https://youtu.be/kaYzNbnqQkI?si=8cUdHNrGtfs34kYE

5. MITCH RYDER AND THE DETROIT WHEELS-"Come See About Me" New Voice 828 1967

I've always been sort of ambivalent about Mitch Ryder as I sometimes feel like a lot of his stuff is kind of "samey"? I don't know why but I really dig this Supremes cover. The musical backing is minimal and sounds like a frat rock band and interestingly there's no backing vocals just Mitch's gravelly voice which is where it's charm lies!

https://youtu.be/RVMPQjZrNyk?si=tVlBJGmrI3eJwzt3

6. BRENTON WOOD-"Baby You Got It" Double Shot 121 1967

From it's quirky little combo organ and Brenton's falsetto double tracked vocals and rapid fire/catchy deliver this one always grabs me, especially the chorus. Not to be confused with the Maurice & The Radiants tune of the same name. 

https://youtu.be/BDTFxK-ssnk?si=4_65GyTCeaM6Yy9c

7. TWISTIN' KINGS-"Congo Part I" Motown M-1023 1961

This is hot!! An incredibly catchy drum heavy instrumental augmented by some neo classical ivory tinkling clashing with the heavy and hypnotic beat. Pure Afro-Cuban rhythm guaranteed to stop you dead in your tracks. 

https://youtu.be/j116_-blXak?si=WL0-vgMkgoYx3ExH

8. GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS-"Stop And Get A Hold Of Myself" Maxx 334 1964

This mega pricey 45 is a Van McCoy composition that is power packed with catchy breaks, an infectious groove and some incredible call and response vocals. It's easily one of the bands strongest pre-Motown releases in my estimation.

https://youtu.be/KjLKKLu-eP8?si=n1FHTzdWFK9-2Yiv

9. DONNIE ELBERT-"Along Came Pride" UK CBS 2807 1967

This storming number was not released in the US for some reason. It was recorded in the UK and it's powerful musical backing was care of none other than the legendary Keith Mansfield. It's uptempo groove made it mandatory on the (ahem) Northern scene.....

https://youtu.be/zenjWuZGaT0?si=ka8sphtpnTZY6N8u

10. REX GARVIN AND THE MIGHTY CRAVERS-"Believe It Or Not" Like 45-302 1966

This little gem is an interesting PSA about the horrors of L.S.D. on top of a soulful groove. Curiously there seems to be a lot of references about monsters in the lyrics ("Did you hear about the girl who tried it, she thought she was outta site till she looked out her back window and saw vampires flyin' through the night" or "Did you hear hear about  the man who tired it, he wanted to leave his troubles behind, he wound up goin' crazy, you know he thought that he was Frankenstein")! Regardless of how ridiculous it sounds lyrically the number is a gas!

https://youtu.be/1c5UAJ-s46w?si=2qqHPIBghxA2RVMD

All scans c/o 45cat.com

U.S. Soul/R&B;/Jazz/Blues 45's For September

1. TY HUNTER-"Bad Loser"  Chess 1893 1964

"Bad Loser" was the B-side of Ty's final Chess recording "Something Like A Storm". It's mid tempo soulful delivery punctuated by some powerful horns (dig that trombone) and strong backing vocals reminding me of a poppy Ben E. King. 

https://youtu.be/rquGPj_u05Y

2. ERNIE K-DOE-"My Mother-In-Law (Is In My Hair Again") Duke 378 1964

Ernie's follow up to his 1961 smash "Mother In Law" is this sequel with some funky James Brown style horns is more upbeat than it's predecessor is absolutely contagious thanks to it's tongue and cheek lyrics and perfectly dance-able groove.

https://youtu.be/uE1nrf3Csc8

3. J.C. DAVIS-"Sweet Sweet Love" Chess 1859 1963

Starting with some swirling organ and a preachers style call "Sweet Sweet Love" kicks into a funky call and response 101 mph gospel soul groove that doesn't hold back for it's brief one minute and fifty second soul/r&n revival.

https://youtu.be/vfD8Fv7b9KE

4. JOE SWIFT'S INTERNATIONAL PLAYBOYS-"Bell Bottoms" Onacrest OC-501 1966

A big thanks to the "Mod Jazz" series for unearthing this amazing little saxophone driven instrumental complete with go-go organ and an irresistible groove (it is sadly missing the inanely hilarious banter between the band during the breaks on the version on "The Return Of Mod Jazz" which was an alternate take).

https://youtu.be/HpmbEjm9iZg

5. THE EXITS-"You Got To Have Money" Gemini 1004 1967

Punctuated by some sweet backing vocals and congas hammering out a groovy beat this mega obscure 1967 b-side is probably my favorite soul tune at the moment. The tempo, the delivery and the razor sharp back up singers on top of lyrics about financial disparity is absolutely mindblowing.

https://youtu.be/Gs9R9t7TuCg

6. NAT KENDRICK & THE SWANS-"Wobble Wobble" Dade 45-5003 1963

This interesting instrumental reminds me of something Britain's Sounds Incorporated would have done (especially the guitar licks), it's a bit monotonous at times but the precision horns make it worth listening to, like most offerings by sax player Nat Kendrick.

https://youtu.be/mVRnUqJ_a6s

7. KENNY SMITH-"Go For Yourself" RCA Victor 47-8850 1967

This is an amazing little funky soul 45 that starts off with an interesting bit of social commentary about self preservation ("You better think about #1 and go for yourself!") with some twangy guitar licks, powerful J.B. style horns and some chicken scratch rhythm. 

https://youtu.be/NtqBtuiVCHc?si=VvIJY-gGS63gyyDj

8. BILLY JOE YOUNG-"I've Got You On My Mind Again" Paula 240 1966

I discovered this one a few months back thanks to someone on Instagram (apologies for not recalling who). This number could be considered soulful thanks to the infectious brass and the Northern soul-esque "Hey hey hey" vocal interjections but there's something almost "poppy" that probably ruins it's chance of ever being "danceable", but regardless I think it's amazing.

https://youtu.be/gnyZ4LdKUsM?si=U5lGOwKC7AEPGMpO

9. BOBBY FREEMAN-"I'll Never Fall In Love Again" US Autumn 9 1965

I was first hipped to this gritty little Sly Stone composition/production via a British cover of this by John Lee's Groundhogs (on Shel Talmy's Planet label) which eventually led me to this original. For the uninitiated it's an incredibly powerful belter with some punchy horns, jangly guitars and impassioned vocals by Bobby "Come On And Swim" Freeman. 

https://youtu.be/Dy1z9KyIrOM?si=9TlcFQ9Jt-KjVq6X

10. THE BOBETTES-"I Shot Mr. Lee" Triple-X 104 1960

"1-2-3, I shot Mr. Lee, 3-4-5 I got tired of his jive.." goes the opening line of this macabre sequel to the band's 1957 hit "Mr. Lee" which kicks off with a sax blowing Chopin's "Funeral March". It's uptempo call and response rapid fire vocal delivery are amazingly catchy (with a chorus "shot him in the head boom-boom"). The lyrical fun continues with "5-6-7-8 Mr. Lee had a date, 9-10-11 now he's up in heaven..". The public (my father included) were suitably offended and the record failed to chart.

https://youtu.be/4Yn1jGwcYDw

All scans c/o 45cat.com