Teen Flip

Ernie Fields - Teen Flip

I really flipped out when I heard this. From 1960, this is the same talented crew that produced Workin' Out -- that's Ernie Fields, Ernie Freeman, Plas Johnson, Rene Hall and Earl Palmer. This tune also seems to have been known as the Texas Twister in some parts. Any way you look at it, this is a truly mind-blowing example of a top-shelf instrumental rocker.

Last Night

The Electric Prunes - I Had Too Much To Dream
The Electric Prunes - Luvin

The Electric Prunes were a garage group from California who found success in 1966 with one of today’s selections, I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night). Written by the songwriting team of Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz, It’s a psychedelic gem that has the distinction of being the lead track on the seminal Nuggets compilation. The flip side it also great, very catchy. After their first two LPs, the name The Electric Prunes was annexed by two producers named David, Hassinger and Axelrod. As covered on this blog over six years ago, in 1968 these guys released some fantastic religious themed psychedelic music, using session musicians, under the name The Electric Prunes. I, for one, really enjoy both incarnations.

Guest Post: Iron Cross

Today’s selection is brought to us from the collection of DJ Fritz who, along with Nice Sean, runs the Buzzsaw Joint club night at various venues around London. They cover a similar range of styles as yours truly, playing Rock'n'Roll, Surf, Rhythm & Blues and 60's garage – what great taste! Please make Fritz feel very welcome and, if you ever get the chance, go and experience the Buzzsaw Joint.



Debbie Lori Kaye - Iron Cross

What we have here is The Iron Cross by the young Canadian artist Debbie Lori Kaye. This 45 was recorded in 1966. It’s a mid tempo record with a big production and has a cool 60’s girl group vocal style in parts. The lyrics in this song are slightly strange but it just adds to the quirkiness as it is a conversation between mother and daughter involving the German Iron Cross that the daughter was given to by her boyfriend. The copy I have obtained is a radio station copy and I am not sure if it ever had a full release. Fans of Debbie often compare her to Brenda Lee and feel that had she been born ten years earlier, she would have surely been just as famous. The Iron Cross is great little weird record that was later covered by the garage band The Untamed Youth.

Spinnin', spinnin', spin

Little Richard - Jenny, Jenny

Jenny, Jenny is one of the best Little Richard songs, therefore it's one of the best early rock'n'roll tunes. I love the way he sounds completely overwhelmed when he screams "spinnin', spinnin', spin". It was included on his debut album of 1957, Here's Little Richard, and was also released as a single that year, climbing to #10 on the US charts. This was his highest position since Long Tall Sally (#6), which was released the previous year, and was only matched by Good Golly Miss Molly in 1958. The fact that these songs didn't chart higher is a bit ridiculous, considering their influence, not to mention how bloody incredible they are. Naturally, they all fared better on the R&B charts.

Bad Times

Billy Hope - Bad Times

From 1958, here's a nice instrumental R&B stroller from drummer Billy Hope and The Bad Men. Unfortunately, my copy is a bit scratchy, but you get the idea.

I ain't seen hide nor hair

Ray Charles - Hide 'Nor Hair
Ray Charles - At The Club

Ray Charles was a hard working chap. You only need to take a peek at his discography around the time this record was released (1962) to know that. Charles is backed by the Marty Paich Orchestra on today’s selections, which were both written by Percy Mayfield. Although at a glance you couldn’t tell, Mayfield’s lyrics are typically downbeat, with the protagonist ending up in an unenviable femme-related situation on both occasions. This is unsurprising from the talent who came up with an incredibly feel-good tune about a man being kicked to the curb by his lady – and perhaps Charles’ greatest recording – Hit The Road Jack. At The Club was the a-side and Hide ‘Nor Hair was on the flip, but I’m presenting them round the other way because, well, just because.

Thunder Storms

The Storms - Tarantula
The Storms - Thunder

The Storms were the band of guitarist and rockabilly singer, Jody Reynolds. They first graced this blog with their presence only a month ago, with Fire Of Love. As well as that, today's selections feature the deep tones of saxophonist Plas Johnson, who played with the Ernie Fields Orchestra on Workin' Out, posted here just last week. Tarantula and Thunder are a pair of tough sounding instrumental rockers from 1959 and if you dig that sort of thing, you'll really dig them.