This Tromsø/Norway act started as The Arctic in spring 1964. They headed to Stockholm/Sweden to pursue a professional career and it was there where they met the businessman Sten Ekroth, who became their manager. Ekroth's idea was to make the band as big as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and it was him who came out with the name "Pussycats". Their first single "Ebb Tide/Cadillac" sold nearly 25,000 copies. Their follow-up "Gonna Send You Back To Georgia/Donna" did not sell nearly as much, but at least it was not a week without the Pussycats was featured in the press. Their career was marked by scandal stories, often arranged by their manager. Their debut-album Pssst! Pssst! was hailed as a masterpiece in the press, and from a historical perspective, the LP is considered to be a milestone. No other Norwegian artists had until 1966 been able to make a rock LP of such convincing quality, both in terms of sound, performance and song material. The album was also one of the '60s greatest successes in Norway and stayed ten weeks on top of the charts, which was a Norwegian record. During a publicity tour in the summer of 1966, the Pussycats' second LP was recorded in Hamburg. Mrrr... Mrrr... was a bold mix of catchy pop songs and more experimental tunes and received ovations in the press and sold well again. Prior to the release of Mrrr... Mrrr... Ekroth quit his job and Totto Johannessen took over the management. More singles followed and they developed now a more polished Pop sound with less success. "Vanya Maria/Death Is Coming" was their last release as The Pussycats and perhaps their only record with hints of Psychedelia. Another 45 "Sjøreisa/Mors Minner" came out under the pseudonym Sailors but didn't make much impression. Soon after the band quit but in 1971 Trond Graff and Sverre Kjelsberg reformed the group with new members. Their only output was the album "Touch Wood" in 1973 which moves towards Progressive and Jazz.
The Pussycats Story (PolyGram 847502-2 / 1990) includes all their singles and the best tracks of their two albums.
Tracklist: - Ebb Tide - Cadillac - Donna - Gonna Send You Back To Georgia - Boom Boom - Gone, Gone, Gone - Danny - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - The Last Time - Just A Little Teardrop - Let Me Stay With You - Purdy Patsy - Baby Baby - Don't Love Me - Love Me Tonight - Why Have We To Wait - Song - They Say... - Regrets - I'm Going Home - The Craftsman - True True Lovin' - Travellin' - A Night Of Life - Rain - Call Me - Vanja Maria - Death Is Coming Personnel: Trond "Eddy" Graff (lead gtr, vcls, organ) [ABCDEFGHI] Ottar "Jimmy" Aasegg (rhythm gtr, vcls) [ABCDEFGH] Sverre "Teddy" Kjelsberg (bs, lead vcls) [ABCDEFGHI] Ingemar "Reddy" Stjerndahl (keyb'ds, vcls) [AC] Friedel "Freddy" Brandt (drms) [ABCDEFGH] Dennis Wilhelmsson (keyb'ds, vcls) [B] Christian Reim (keyb'ds) [D] John Erik Holtan (keyb'ds) [E] (Arild Boman (keyb'ds) [F]) Janne Løseth (lead gtr, vcls) [G] Per Christian Hansen (gtr) [H] Bjørn Henriksen (gtr) [I] Bror Dahl (sax) [I] Knut T. Johannessen (drms) [I] Band origin: Tromsø (Norway)
Rock; Christianity; guitars; church... in the 21st century these words don't seem odd together. But, in 1961 rock meant "devil music" and church meant "boring". The Pilgrims changed all that. Raise among the world-war bombsites of southeast London, the five "Pilgrims" were part of the first generation to be called "teenagers". The swinging sixties had started and it was not cool to be Christian. These full-blooded teenagers with a love for rock music became christians but opted not to conform. They put faith and rock together and changed christian music for good. The Pilgrims were the first wholly electric Christian rock group and shocked the churches of their day. Later bands broke through into mainstream recording, radio and TV, but The Pilgrims were breaking traditions and taboos. After playing at a church service attended by Princess Margaret the group were condemned on national radio by a Countess (no less!). But The Pilgrims didn't want upper class approval; they spoke to their own generation in a language they understood. The group played in churches, to be sure, but their favourite audiences were in beat clubs and dives where nobody was pretending to be holy. When you listen to The Pilgrims you can sense the rawness and enthusiasm of a newfound faith; nut the music is polished and professional. They put heart and soul into their playing and wanted to be the best. At a 1966 concert in a 2,500-seat auditorium opposite Westminster Abbey they were feted as "not only the best, but also the LOUDEST Christian group". [..] taken from the liner notes
The Pilgrims have all my sympathy. Except for the lyrics you would'nt believe that they came from the Christian environment. The music leans towards early UK R&B/Beat but with a sound that is closer to american garage bands. Not every track on this CD (LRL 001 / 2004) is a winner but songs like "Hey You", "Thank You Lord" or "There's Something In Your Life" will satisfy every garage-head and lovers of raw and wild Beat. On this occasion I would like to recommend you the highly enjoyable UK Xian Beat compilation on the excellentRoots And Traces: Spurensicherungblogspot.
Tracklist: - Hey You! - Thank You Lord - Heaven's The Place For Me • Version 2 - There's Someone In Your Life - I Didn't Care - Think It Over • Version 2 - Wait And See - Do You Believe In God? - Heard It All Before - Any Time Of The Day - Who's Your Lord? - I Know I'm Going To Heaven - He Wants You - I Don't Need You - What Are You Doing With Your Life? - Think Of God's Love - I Praise The Lord - Don't You Think It's Time - Heaven's The Place For Me • Version 1 - I Found A Special Friend - Think It Over • Version 1 Personnel: Derrick Phillips (rhythm gtr, vcls) [ABC] Don Sanders (lead gtr, bs) [ABCD] Ian Wilkie (drms, vcls) [ABCD] John Hubbard (bs, vcls) [AB] Chris King (vcls) [A] Tony Goodman (vcls, lead gtr, hrmnca) [BCD] Band origin: London
Discographie: 45's: 1. Heaven's The Place For Me/Think Of God's Love (Herald 2416) 1964
The Wild Cherries started as a R&B combo in 1964. In their early days they often shared the gigs with The Purple Hearts. After a radical line-up change only founding member Les Gilbert remained and took over the keyboards. Lead guitarist Lobby Loyde (aka Barry Lyde) came from the Purple Hearts and as a five piece they released their first two singles in 1967. With new bass player John Phillips two more 45's followed a year later. The band went through a series of personnel changes and at the end of 1969 they finally call it quits. Lobby Loyde reformed the band as a power trio in 1971 but after a lone single the band finally falling apart. Half A Cow Records, who was responsible for the great Purple Hearts release "Benzedrine Beat", put out a complete discography (except the '71 recordings) of the Wild Cherries material (Half A Cow HAC 113 / 2007). Sad to say that "That's Life" didn't live up to my expectations. It is said that they were an adventurous and breathtaking live-band but on their recordings it seems that they couldn't unlock the handbrake. The strangely titled debut "Krome Plated Yabby" is not bad but nothing exceptional. The follow-up "That's Life" is far better and like its predecessor very much in the Cream style. The A-side of their third single "Gotta Stop Lying" is the best song to my ears and not unlike british psych-influenced Freak Beat. The 16 unreleased tracks, nine of them live, are more thrilling than their official releases. Especially their version of "Tobacco Road" is rough-as-guts and the live-version of "Without You" lives up for the name "Wild" Cherries. The CD comes with a 36 booklet and extensive liner notes.
Tracklist: - Krome Plated Yabby - Everything I Do Is Wrong - That's Life - Try Me (I'm Not as Bad as You Think) - Gotta Stop Lying - Time Killer - I Don't Care - Theme for a Merry-Go-Round - Without You - Coming Home Baby - Tobacco Road - Worried Blues - You Don't Love Me - Get Out of My Life - Bye Bye Bird - Without You [version 2] • live - I'm Your Kingpin • live - Mad Man Blues • live - Tobacco Road • live - Parchman Farm • live - Smokestack Lightning • live - My Generation • live - Ain't Got You • live - Baby Please Don't Go • live Personnel: John Bastow (vcls, hrmnca) [AB] Malcolm McGee (lead gtr, vcls) [AB] Rob Lovett (rhythm gtr, vcls) [AB] Les Gilbert (bs, organ) [ABCD] Geoff Hales (drms) [A] Kevin Murphy (drms) [B] Danny Robinson (vcls) [CD] Lobby Loyde (lead gtr) [CDEG] Peter Eddy (bs) [C] Keith Barber (drms) [CD] John Phillips (bs) [D] Matt Taylor (vcls) [E] Barry Sullivan (lead gtr, rhythm gtr, bs) [EF] Steve Pristash (bs) [EF] Barry Harvey (drms) [E] Brian Wilson (lead vcls) [F] Tim Piper (gtr) [F] Teddy Toi (bs) [G] Johnny Dick (drms) [G] Band origin: Melbourne (Victoria/Australia)
Discographie: 45's: 1. (C) Krome Plated Yabby/Everything I Do Is Wrong (Festival FK 1879) 1967 2. (C) That's Life/Try Me (Festival FK 2052) 1967 3. (D) Gotta Stop Lying/Time Killer (Festival FK 2258) 1968 4. (D) I Don't Care/Theme For A Merry Go Round (Festival FK 2535) 1968 5. (G) I Am The Sea (Stop Killing Me)/Daily Planet (Havoc H 1006) 1971
E.P.'s: 1. (C) Krome Plated Yabby (Festival FX 11422) 1967
An influential band from Canterbury/Kent that underwent a fluctuate line-up and served as a stepping stone for most of the members to the better known Soft Machine and Caravan. The Wilde Flowers never made an official release up to 1994 as Voiceprint put out a collection of demos from 1965-69 (Voiceprint VP 123 CD). The majority of the tracks were recorded 65/66 and although the instrumentation is in the typical Beatsound, Robert Wyatt's and Kevin Ayers' vocal treatments had already that special Canterbury-style (it's up to you if you like it or not). I must admit that this release is more an artefact and rather of historical interest. There are a few notable songs, though: "Those Words They Say" and "Time After Time" get the full Beat treatment, "Impotence" has all the indications for the later Soft Machine adventures while the best and one of their earliest songs "He's Bad For You" is a haunting R&B ballad that would had fitted perfectly on a Captain Beefheart setlist.
Tracklist: - Impotence (1969) - Those Words They Say (1966) - Memories (1966) - Don't Try To Change Me (1965) - Parchman Farm (1965) - Almost Grown (1965) - She's Gone (1965) - Slow Walkin' Talk (1965) - He's Bad For You (1965) - It's What I Feel [A Certain Kind] (1965) - Memories [Instrumental] (1965) - Never Leave Me (1966) - Time After Time (1966) - Just Where I Want (1966) - No Game When You Lose (1966) - Impotence (1966) - Why Do You Care (1968) - The Pieman Cometh (1968) - Summer Spirit (1968) - She Love To Hurt (1969) - The Big Show (1969) - Memories (1969) Personnel: Graham Flight (vcls) [A] Brian Hopper (gtr, sax) [ABCDE] Hugh Hopper (bs) [ABCD] Richard Sinclair (gtr) [AB] Robert Wyatt (drms) [ABC] Kevin Ayers (vcls) [B] Richard Coughlan (drms) [CDE] Pye Hastings (gtr, sax) [CDE] Dave Lawrence (bs, vcls) [CDE] Dave Sinclair (keyb'ds) [E] Band origin: Canterbury (Kent/UK)
This group originated from Finspång/Sweden. Their only album from 1966 is a pleasant affair with nice vocal harmonies and melodies that were heavily influenced by the "Beatles-Revolver"-era. This CD (EMI 724385930225 / 1998) contains all their singles and the above mentioned album.
Tracklist: - Wondering - Nothing But Moan - Little Down-Hearted Arthur - Im Krankenhaus - Please Girl Put Me On Your List - Suit-Men Crowd - He's A Friend Of Mine - I Can't Catch Them - Mr. Great Blues - Restless Feeling One Hour After Dinner - The Taperecorder - The Leaves Of The Summer - Frosty Stars On A Window-Pane - Meet Mr. Edgar - Through My Door - Displeasing Message - One Way Ticket (To The Blues) - Take My Suzy - Wrong Side - Easy To Fool - Umbrella - Drizzle - Puzzled - I Can't Sleep - Only Love Personnel: Olle Nilsson (gtr, vcls) [A] Kenneth Larsson (gtr, vcls) [A] Conny Larsson (bs, vcls) [A] Thomas Palmkvist (drms) [A] Torgny Lind (drms) Curt Bergh (drms) Band origin: Finspång (Östergötland/Sweden)
Discographie: Albums: 1. 14 In A Bunch (Olga LPO 03) 1966
45's: 1. Wondering/Nothing But Moan (Olga SO 16) 1965 2. I Can't Catch Them/Through My Door (Olga SO 22) 1966 3. Displeasing Message/Little Down-Hearted Arthur (Olga SO 30) 1966 4. One Way Ticket/Take My Suzy (Olga SO 35) 1967 5. Im Krankenhaus/Meet Mr. Edgar (Olga SO 39) 1967 6. Wrong Side/Easy To Fool (Olga SO 42) 1967 7. Easy To Fool/Frosty Stars On A Window Pane (Olga SO 51) 1967 8. Through My Door/Meet Mr. Edgar (Olga OLE 002) 1968 9. Umbrella/Drizzle [Rain] (Olga OLE 006) 1968
This highly talented band from Marseille is definitely my favourite french group. They released five E.P.'s on the Riviera label and one as "Les Ambitieux" on Columbia. They also tried to get a foot on the british market and released one 45 under the moniker "Darwin's Theory" but "Daytime" (which was "Dis-Nous Dylan" with english lyrics) didn't make any impact there. This cool sixteen-track compilation (Belle Amie 0100 / 2000) contains their best work from 1965-68. From my personnal view "LSD 25", "Si Tu Reviens Chez Moi" and "Twiggy" are absolutely essential for every psych/freakbeat connoisseur.
Tracklist: - Cara-Lin - Hosanna - Dis-Moi - Je Te Veux - Prie! - Lsd 25 - Dis-Nous Dylan - Si Tu Reviens Chez Moi - Cette Fille-La - Trop Tard - Ces Mots - Oum Tse Oum Papa - Olivier - Longue, Longue Nuit D'Amor - Twiggy - Mets Du Sucre Dans Ton Café Personnel: Claude Olmos (lead gtr, back vcls) Francois "La Canard" Paoli (gtr, tambourine, back vcls) Jean Fredenucci (vcls, bs) Guy Matteoni (keybd's, vcls) Michel Donat (drms) Band origin: Marseille (France)
Discographie: 45's: 1. Cosa Mi Vieni A Dire/Quel Che Ho Fatto (Pathé AQ 1323) 1965 2. Daytime/Hosanna (Major Minor MM 50) 1966
[1. italian release] [2. as Darwin's Theory]
E.P.'s: 1. Danse, Danse Encore/Ces Mots/Dis-Moi/C'est Pas Vrai (Columbia ESRF 1662) 1965 2. Cara-Lin/Trop Tard/Oublie-Moi/Cette Fille-La (Riviera 231142) 1966 3. Dis-Nous Dylan/Hosanna/Si Tu Reviens Chez Moi/Prie! (Riviera 231181) 1966 4. Qu'as-Tu Katioucha/LSD 25/Je Te Veux/Olivier (Riviera 231212) 1967 5. Oum Tse Oum Papa/Anna/Longue, Longue Nuit D'amor/ 1.000.000 D'annees Avant Jesus Christ (Riviera 231265) 1967 6. Twiggy/Mets Du Sucre Dans Ton Café/Cinema Muet/ La Fabrique De Savon (Riviera 231321) 1968
This Northampton-based raw R&B group's 45s are now extremely rare and sought-after. They were originally known as The Cornflakes and also recorded a further 45 as Mal and The Primitives. Musically, comparable to the early Pretty Things, you won't need a second mortgage to get to hear these 45s. They're considered to be such definitive British R&B recordings that they've been heavily compiled and are well worth a spin. They also recorded four acetates for Pye; one of which was the superb Oh Mary, a grinding R&B number. Jimmy Page is also said to have helped out on their second 45, whilst Help Me was also recorded by The Rebounds. In 1965 Mal joined the band and they relocated to Italy as a quartet (at least according to the photo on their 1967 album). Aside from Mal, they comprised Jay Roberts (vcls, gtr) from the original line-up, Pick Withers (drms) and one other. Withers was later in Spring and Dire Straits. He stayed in Italy with The Primitives for three years. Line-up 'B' recorded two singles and the an album Blow-Up (Arc ) 1967. This R'n'B/soul-influenced album has been reissued in the nineties and the re-issue includes both sides of their debut Italian single Yeeeh!.../L'Ombra Di Nessuno (which is Dozier-Holland's Standing In The Shadow Of Love, with Italian lyrics) along with their follow-up Italian 45 Johnny No (Hoyt Axton's Thunder 'n Lightnin') and other cover versions like Stevie Winwood's Gimme Some Lovin', The Strangeloves' Cara Lin, Gina Gina (which is Holland-Doziers' Reach Out I'll Be There), Don Covay's Sookie Sookie, which was later covered by Steppenwolf, Charlie Rich's Mohair Sam and an original penned by Jay Roberts Mister Haertache (which is misspelt like this on the sleeve). (taken from "Tapestry Of Delights")
"Maladjusted" (Castle CMRCD 051 / 2001) contains their Pye/Piccadilly singles, a demo of "Oh Mary" (this track is reason enough to get that CD), their great french E.P. and the "Blow Up" album that was only released in Italy.
Tracklist: - Help Me
- Let Them Tell
- You Said
- How Do You Feel?
- Every Minute Of Every Day [Mal Ryder & The Primitives]
- Pretty Little Face [Mal Ryder & The Primitives]
- Forget It [Mal Ryder & The Spirits]
- Your Friend [Mal Ryder & The Spirits]
- Lonely Room [Mal Ryder]
- Tell Your Friend [Mal Ryder]
- Oh Mary [Demo]
- Oh Mary
- I Don't Feel Myself
- Mr. Heartache
- Tears In My Eyes
[Blow Up-LP / 1967]
- Gimme Some Loving
- L'ombra De Nessuno
- No Response
- Johnny No
- Cara-Lin
- Yeeeeeeh!
- Gira, Gira
- Every Minute Of Every Day
- Mister Heartache
- Ma Beata Te
- Sookie, Sookie
- Mohair Sam
- L'incidente
Personnel [The Primitives]: Jay Roberts [real name Jeffrey Farthing]
(vcls, gtr, bs) [AB]
Geoff Eaton (lead gtr) [A]
John E. Soul (gtr, hrmnca, keyb'ds) [A]
Roger James (bs) [A]
Mike Wilding (drms) [A]
Mal Ryder [real name Paul Bradley Couling]
(vcls, hrmnca) [B]
Dave Sumner (gtr) [B]
David "Pick" Withers (drms) [B]
Band origin: Northampton (Northamptonshire) → Italy
Discographie: Albums:
1. (B) Blow Up (Arc SA 22) 1967
[1. italian release]
45's:
1. (A) Help Me/Let Them Tell (Pye 7N 15721) 1964
2. (A) You Said/How Do You Feel (Pye 7N 15755) 1965
3. (B) Every Minute Of Every Day/Pretty Little Face
(Pye 7N 15915) 1965
4. (B) Yeeeeeeah!/L'ombra Di Nessuno (Arc AN 4108) 1967
5. (B) L'incidente/Johnny No (Arc AN 4136) 1967
[3. as Mal & The Primitives]
[4. + 5. italian release]
E.P.'s:
1. (B) Oh Mary: Oh Mary/I Don't Feel Myself/
Mr. Heartache/Tears In My Eyes (Vogue INT 18093) 1966
[1. french release]
Personnel [Mal Ryder & The Spirits]: Mal Ryder [real name Paul Bradley Couling]
(vcls, hrmnca) [AB]
Vode Chequer [real name Bob Wakley] (gtr) [AB]
Tony Merry (bs) [AB]
John "Hands" Hathaway (piano) [A]
Larry Reddington (drms) [A]
Mick Charleton (drms) [B]
Band origin: Oxford (Oxfordshire)
Discographie: 45's: 1. Cry Baby/Take Over (Decca F 11669) 1963
2. See The Funny Little Clown/Slow Down
(Vocalion V 9219) 1964
3. Your Friend/Forget It (Piccadilly 7N 35209) 1964
4. Lonely Room/Tell Your Friend (Piccadilly 7N 35234) 1965
Forming in 1963 as The Intruders and later known as The Quinstrells they became known as The Dearly Beloved in late '65 and were Tucson's most popular '60s band. Shortly after their name change Dan Gates, a DJ from a local radio station KTKT came along with the tape of a song called Peep Peep Pop Pop. The group were not at all keen at first but eventually he persuaded them to record it at the Audio Sound Recorders Studio in Phoenix and a record deal was negotiated with the New Mexico-based Boyd label. They got the band's name wrong on the label and the 45 was released in 1966 and credited to The Beloved Ones. It was a No. 1 hit in Tucson that year and held the No. 1 position for many weeks on KTKT radio. Consequent upon its success the 45 was leased to Columbia, who at least got the band's name right. With national distribution the 45 almost made Billboard's Top 100. Fuelled by their success the band headed to LA to record an album for Columbia. They recorded twenty songs in all in just three half day sessions! These sessions spawned their next 45. Tom Walker wrote the 'A' side, the flip was the work of The Grodes' leader Manny Freiser. The posthumous Voxx compilation includes some tracks from this session, but Columbia didn't promote the band or release the LP. Around this time Pete Schuyler left the band and was replaced on drums by Rick Mellinger from The Grodes. On a further trip to LA the band were spotted playing with The Leaves by a White Whale rep. and this led to them signing a new record contract (having sued Columbia to get out of their previous one). Larry Cox had to return to Tucson the next day to get married so they left LA at 3 a.m. taking turns with the driving. Eventually they all fell asleep including the driver. Inevitably they crashed and Larry Cox was killed instantly. The rest of the band sustained injuries. To make matters worse Larry's death negated their White Whale contract because it contained a clause stating that the band would have to stay intact. The band tried to keep going but never successfully replaced Larry. The 'A' side of their final 45 was a haunting song written by Larry about death ironically shortly before his own tragic demise. The flip, a punker with a ripping bass line, was a regional hit. Vocalist Jim Perry sang on the 'A' side and Terry Lee took the vocal role on the flip. Arguably this 45 was their finest moment. The Voxx compilation (Voxx 200.018 / 1984) is an excellent guide to their career with full liner notes by Lee Joseph which have been summarised here. It contains all the band's better 45s and some of their unreleased recordings for Columbia. (taken from "Fuzz, Acid & Flowers")
Known for their great acid-punker "Flight 13" this great band is heartly recommended to all garage fans.
Tracklist: - Every Time It's You • as The Intruders
- Why Me • as The Intruders - Keep It Moving
- Bonus Track (KTKT Promo 1965)
- Peep Peep Pop Pop
- You Ain't Gonna Do What You Did To Him To Me
- Wait Till The Mornin'
- Iceman (Wild About My Loving)
- Music Revolution
- Strange Feeling
- Take It Easy
- It's All Over
- I've Got A Girl [alt. take] • as The Quinstrells
- I'm Not Coming Back
- Merry Go Round
- Flight 13
Personnel [Dearly Beloved]: Larry Cox (vcls) [AB]
Tom Walker (gtr, vcls [ABC]
Terry Lee (gtr, vcls [ABC]
Shep Cooke (bs) [ABC]
Pete Schuyler (drms) [A]
Rick Mellinger (drms) [BC]
{Jim Perry (vcls on "Merry Go Round") [C]}
Val Valinto (bs)
Tom Riply (vcls)
Lenny Lopes (drms)
Band origin: Tucson (Arizona/US)
Discographie: 45's:
1. (A) Peep Peep Pop Pop/It Is Better (Boyd 157) 1966
2. (A) Peep Peep Pop Pop/It Is Better
(Columbia 4-43797) 1966
3. (A) Wait Till The Mornin'/You Ain't Gonna Do
What You Did With Him To Me (Columbia 4-43959) 1966
4. (C) Merry Go Round/Flight Thirteen
(Splitsound SSDG-5) 1967
[1. as The Beloved Ones]
Personnel [The Intruders/The Quinstrells]: Larry Cox (vcls)
Tom Walker (gtr, vcls)
Terry Lee (gtr, vcls)
Shep Cooke (bs)
Pete Schuyler (drms)
Band origin: Tucson (Arizona/US)
Discographie: 45's: 1. Every Time It's You/Let Me Stay (Gallant no#) 1963
2. Then I'd Know/My Name (Moxie MRC 101) 1964
3. Now She's Gone/Why Me? (Moxie MRC 104) 1964
4. I Got A Girl/Tell Her (Moxie MRC 105) 1965
This Greenwood/Massachusetts band was best known for the classic garage-pop tune "I Wonder". A collection of their best tracks was released by BamCaruso (BamCaruso KIRI 067 / 1988) and contains some cool garage sounds as well as their later orchestrated pop songs "Greener Days", "Drifter's Sunrise" and "Just A Good Show".
Tracklist: - I Wonder - You Better Run - Spoonful Of Sugar - Six Days In May - My Baby Don't Care - Never Go Right - I Don't Want To See Her Again - Somebody Please - Drifter's Sunrise - Kicks - Try Too Hard - Good Lovin' - Crackin' Up - Dance Last Night - I Want Your Lovin' - Hungry - Greener Days - Just A Good Show Personnel: Johnny Freeman (vcls, gtr) [AC] Sid Herring (vcls, gtr) [ABC] Vince Montgomery (bs) [ABC] Don Wood (drms) [ABC] Johnny Sanders (gtr) [B] Band origin: Greenwood (Mississippi/UK)
The Rokes achieved much more success in Italy, than they did in their homeland, but their UK 45s are now quite collectable and When The Wind Arises was quite psychedelic. Norman Shapiro was born in London in 1943 and by the time he was seventeen was playing guitar and singing with Rob Storm & The Whispers (who later became Robb Storme Group). Norman then played for a while backing Gene Vincent's Blue Caps, followed by a stint in The Shel Carson Combo in 1961, touring Germany's clubs such as Top Ten Club in Hamburg, and supporting Tony "Colin" Hicks for a two month tour in Italy in 1963, where the band changed their name to "The Cabin Boys". Spotted on tour by their (soon to be) new manager, they were renamed The Rokes and backed the young girl vocalist Rita Pavone before recording a demo for RCA Italiana. This led to the release of "Shake Rattle and Roll" on RCA subsiduary ARC Records, but this failed to create any impact. A second 45 followed after they played at the "Festival Degli Sconosciuti" (Contest For Unknown) in Ariccia (Rome), performing "Un Anima Pura" sung in broken Italian. The song was received favourably, and although it was unsuccesful, it did point the way ahead for the remainder of the bands existence. In 1965 The Rokes began writing original songs and had some hit's: Grazie A Te (aka Clint Ballard Jr.'s I'm Alive) which reached No. 12 and C'e Una Strana Espressione Nei Tuoi Occhi (a version of Jackie DeShannon's When You Walk In The Room) which got to No. 11 in the Italian Charts. They also released their debut album The Rokes. The following year, the band had further success with Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi and E La Pioggia Che Va, both of which remained in the Top 20 for over 25 weeks, and they were also voted second best Beat Group in Italy at "Cantagiro 1966". Another track Piangi Con Me written by Shapiro/Mogul was released in the UK as Let's Live For Today and also covered by The Living Daylights. In the US, The Grassroots also covered the song, where it sold over two million records, although the band never received any money from the song. In 1967 their first entry in the "Festival Di San Remo" Bisogna Saper Perdere was poorly received by the critics, but went to No. 2 in the Italian Charts, and remained in the Top 20 for fourteen weeks. They returned to the festival the next year where they performed Le Opere Di Bartolemo with US group Cowsills, and again the following year where they backed a little girl vocalist Nada with the song "Ma Che Freddo Fa", coming 5th for the journalists and critics. 1970 saw a decline in the groups fortunes, as the public taste changed, and they played their last concert in front of 3,500 people at the "Festival De L'Unità" on the 8th August. The concert was organised by the Communist Party! The Rokes are still remembered fondly in Italy, although they never managed to recreate their success elsewhere. Shel Shapiro has remained active in the music business, as songwriter, producer and manager, and in 1977 founded "Spaghetti Records" in Milan, discovering new talent such as Luca Barbarossa. He now works in TV collaborating with music journalist. Gianni Minà. Mike Shepstone later played with Mick Brill (ex Thane Russal Band) in Pax, whilst Johnny Charlton became an Art expert, and now runs an Art Gallery in Rome. Bobby Posner returned to England and lives in Hastings. Shapiro and Shepstone also released a single in 1966 under the name Les and Kim La Mia Ispirazione/Unchained Melody (ARC 4096). (taken from "Tapestry Of Delights")
This 2 CD-Set was released by BMG (BMG 74321963432(2) / 2002). This will be my last post for the next 2 weeks. I'm on vacation now.
Tracklist: [Disc 1] - Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi - Un'Anima Pura - Grazie A Te - Eravamo Amici - C'è Una Strana Espressione Nei Tuoi Occhi - Piangi Con Me - Spegni Questa Luce - Bambina - Summertime - Quando Eri Con Me - La Mia Città - Ma C'è Un Momento Del Giorno - Bisogna Saper Perdere - Shake, Rattle And Roll - Ci Vedremo Domani - She Asks Of You - Eccola Di Nuovo - Cercate Di Abbracciare Tutto Il Mondo Come Noi - Ascolta Nel Vento
[Disc 2] - È La Pioggia Che Va - Ricordo Quando Ero Bambino - Finchè C'è Musica Mi Tengo Su - Che Mondo Strano - Baby Blue - Le Opere Di Bartolomeo - Se Io Fossi Povero - Lascia L'Ultimo Ballo Per Me - Qui Non C'è Nessuno - Somewhere - Io Vivrò Senza Te - Baby, Come Back (Non C'è Pace Per Me) - Ma Che Freddo Fa - 28 Giugno - Roll Over Beethoven - Per Te Per Me - Ombre Blu - When The Wind Arises (Il Vento) Personnel: Norman David [aka Shel Shapiro] (gtr, vcls) Johnny Charlton (gtr, vcls) Bobby Posner (bs, vcls) Mike Roger Shepstone (drms, vcls) Band origin: London → Rome (Italy)
Discographie: Albums [Italy only]: 1. The Rokes (ARC SA 4) 1965 2. The Rokes Vol. 2 (ARC SA 8) 1966 3. Che Mondo Strano (ARC SA 15) 1966 4. The Rokes (ARC ALP 11006) 1968
45's [Italy]: 1. Shake Rattle and Roll/Quando Eri Con Me (ARC 4013) 1964 2. Un'Anima Pura/She Asks For You (ARC 4021) 1964 3. C'e Una Strana Espressione Nei Tuoi Occhi/ Ci Vedremo Domani (ARC 4046) 1965 4. Grazie A Te/La Mia Città (ARC 4067) 1965 5. Ascolta Nel Vento/Il Primo Sintomo (ARC 4075) 1966 6. Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi/Piangi Con Me (ARC 4081) 1966 7. E La Pioggia Che Va/Finche c'e Musica Mi Tengo Su (ARC 4100) 1966 8. Ride On/Che Mondo Strano (ARC - Juke Box Only) 1966 9. Bisogna Saper Perdere/Non Far Finta Di No (ARC 4109) 1967 10. Eccola Di Nuovo/Ricordo Quando Ero Bambino (ARC 4122) 1967 11. Cercate Di Abbracciare Tutto Il Mondo Come Noi/ Regency Sue (ARC 4137) 1967 12. Le Opere di Bartolomeo/Siamo Sotto Il Sole (ARC 4142) 1968 13. Lascia L'Ultimo Ballo Per Me/Io Vivrò Senza Te (ARC 4152) 1968 14. Qui non c'e Nessuno/La Luna Bianca La Notte Nera (ARC 4156) 1968 15. Baby Come Back/Hello Come Stai (ARC 4169) 1968 16. Ma Che Freddo Fa/Per Te Per Me (ARC 4172) 1969 17. 28 Giugno/Mary (ARC 4182) 1969 18. Ombre Blu/Sempre Giorno (ARC 4194) 1969
45's [UK]: 1. Let's Live For Today/Ride On (RCA RCA 1587) 1967 2. Hold My Hand/Regency Sue (RCA RCA 1646) 1967 3. When The Wind Arises/The Works Of Bartholemew (RCA RCA 1694) 1968
This great band from Stade released along with The Boots one of the best Beat records that came out of Germany. Their music were pretty close to early Kinks and they had an astonishing potential of original songs. They also covered on a later single Het's "Ik Heb Geen Zin Om Op Te Staan". This re-issue from 2001 was an exact repro of their '65 album (Fontana 885424 TY).
Tracklist: - I'm Your Guy - Mister Tambourine Man - Be Mine - I Will Love You - Stranger In Town - Blue Star - I'm Alive - Mr. Goofy - Faithless Sleep - Dr. Jekyll - Walk By My Side - Blizzards Personnel: Dieter "Dieten" Meyer (drms) [ABC] Joachim Beutler (lead gtr) [ABCD] Gernot Schäfer (bs, rhythm gtr) [A] Gerd "Jerry" Dethlefs (vcls, rhythm gtr) [AB] Jürgen Nehrke (bs) [BCD] Horst "Örtel" George (organ) [BCD] Horst Kupschik (drms) [D] Band origin: Stade (Lower Saxony/Germany)
Discographie: Albums: 1. (D) I'm Your Guy (Fontana 885424 TY) 1965
45's: 1. (C) Isabel/Zu schön (Star Club 148516 STF) 1965 2. (D) Grausame Stadt/Wie gewonnen so zeronnen (Fontana 269327 TF) 1964 3. (D) Ohne Dich/Ich sag ihr Adieu (Fontana 269330 TF) 1964 4. (D) I'm Your Guy/108 Pounds Of Heartache (Fontana 269333 TF) 1964 5. (D) Hab keine Lust heut' aufzusteh'n/Exodus (Fontana 269341 TF) 1965
V.A.: 1. You Really Got Me (World Beat »Fontana 881559« / 1965) 2. Mr. Goofy/Hang On Sloopy (Scandinavia Beatfestifal Hithouse Copenhagen / 1965) 3. Eiszapfen (Arktis) (Gitarren von Beat bis Bach »Philips 843555 PY« / 1965) 4. 108 Pounds Of Heartache (Sweet Beat »Star Club 158022 STL« / 1966)
From Melbourne/Australia the "Spinning Wheels" were a rough and wild R&B band. They did mostly covers but they did it without compromises. All their four singles are included on this album (Corduroy Records CORD 064 / 2003). It's obvious that the label transfer the songs from the original 45's instead of using the mastertapes but to be honest: do you really care if you hear the Pretty Things' "Come See Me" on maximum volume with or without crackles?
Tracklist: - Not Fade Away - Got My Mojo Working (#1) - Little Red Rooster - I'm Saved - Shame, Shame, Shame - One Kind Favour - You Can't Catch Me - Follow Me Down - Bo Diddley - Creepy John - Good Times, Bad Times - Got My Mojo Working (#2) Personnel: Rod Turnbull (vcls, hrmnca, perc) [AB] Donald Hirst (gtr, organ, piano, vcls) [AB] Michael Perrin (gtr, vcls) [AB] Glen Sievers (bs, vcls) [AB] Graham Lord (drms) [AB] Tom Cowburn (lead gtr, hrmnca, vcls) [B] Band origin: Melbourne (Victoria/Australia)
Discographie: 45's: 1. (A) Got My Mojo Working/Follow Me Down (HMV EA 4676) 1965 2. (B) Bo Diddley/Creepy John (HMV EA 4682) 1965 3. (B) Shame, Shame, Shame/Can't Catch Me (HMV EA 4708) 1965 4. (B) One Kind Favour/Saved (HMV EA 4727) 1966
From New Addington/UK their early output on Oak were rough and promising Beat. They later recorded a fine psychedelic 45 as Orange Seaweed which is also included on this album (Tenth Planet TP 016 / 1995). Not my rip but I know at least one person that I can make happy with this post.
Tracklist: - Diamond Girl - For Your Love - Living In The Past - Hurting My Pride - Maybe Sometime - You're My Girl - Baby I Need - Mysterious - Travelling Man - Do You Love Me - Raining In My Sunshine - Pictures In The Sky • as Orange Seaweed - Stay Awhile • as Orange Seaweed - Skinny Minnie • as Orange Seaweed Personnel: Tony Martin (lead vcls) [A] Glyn Stephens (lead gtr) [AB] Ray Neale (lead vcls, rhythm gtr, lead gtr) [ABCDEFGH] Keith Neale (bs, vcls) [ABCDEFGH] Jimmy Barnard (drms) [ABC] Geoffrey Coppens (lead vcls) [B] Red Reece (drms) [D] John Wooloff (gtr) [DE] Les Warren (drms) [EFG] (Peter Morris (piano) [G]) (Roger McKew (lead gtr) [G]) Andy Rosner (drms) [H]
[Line-up G/H = Orange Seaweed] Band origin: New Addington (Surrey/UK)
Discographie: 45's: 1. (A) Diamond Girl/For Your Love (Oak acetate) 1965 2. (C) Living In The Past (Oak acetate one sided) 1966 3. (C) Hurting My Pride/Maybe Sometime (Oak acetate) 1966 4. (C) You're My Girl (Oak acetate one-sided) 1966 5. (C) You're My Girl/Maybe Sometime (Oak acetate) 1966 6. (C) Baby I Need/Baby I Need (edited) (Oak acetate) 1966 7. (G) Stay Awhile/Pictures In The Sky (Pye 7N 17515) 1968 8. (H) Skinny Minnie/Sunshine In The Morning (acetate) 1969
[7. + 8. as Orange Seaweed]
E.P.'s: 1. (D) Travelling Man/Mysterious/Do You Love Me/ Raining In My Sunshine (Oak acetate) 1967
From Omaha/Nebraska this garage band was best known for their song "Suicide" which found its way on several compilations, "Back From The Grave Vol. 3" for instance. 1988 Unlimited Productions released an album full of demos and singles (Unlimited Productions UPLP 1007). The a-side is crude garage recorded in 1965. "She's Not There" is a pretty cool version of the Zombies song. The leftovers are standard garage tunes like "Little Latin Lupe Lu" or "Jolly Green Giant". The things become more interesting on the flip side. The before mentioned "Suicide", "Feelings" or "My Baby Cries" are first rate punkers while "Sunshine Madness" is a sweet and innocent track that should have deserved a better sound. They also released their records as "The Unlimited" and "Bobby & Dave".
Tracklist: - She's Not There - Little Latin Lupe Lu - Jolly Green Giant - I Feel Fine - Gone, Gone, Gone - Out Of Sight - Suicide - One Pine Box - Feelings • as The Unlimited - Gone Away • as The Unlimited - Sunshine Madness - Tomorrow's Yesterday - Hat On Tie - My Baby Cries Personnel: Dick Hodges (vcls) [A] Brad Starr (lead gtr) [A] Dave Krivolavek (gtr) [ABC] Dave Brubeck (bs) [ABC] Daryl Hill (accordian, organ) [AB] Bob Everhart (sax, vcls, hrmnca) [ABC] Jerry Fleetwood (trumpet) [A] Brian Sallozo (sax) [A] Rick Brown (drms) [AB] Mike Nelson (lead gtr) [B] Mel Matthews (lead gtr, organ) [C] Mike Donion (drms) [C] Band origin: Omaha (Nebraska/US)
Discographie: 45's: 1. (A) Dream Angel/Let's Go (instr) (Sam 119) 1962 2. (C) Suicide/One Pine Box (Marina 503) 1966 3. (C) Feelings/Gone Away (Marina 504) 1966 4. (C) Hat On Tie/My Baby Cries (Tonorous 018) 1966
This Boston band made nine 45's in total (two singles were released under the monicker GTO's). Their music was pretty much in the beat vein like the early Beatles. This CD (Big Beat CDWIKD 151 / 1995) contains most of their 7-inches, some unreleased material and adds the best songs of their soft-psychedelic album they have made as Puff in 1968. Too bad that their most garage song "She Lied" was not represented here (you can find the track on Pebbles Vol. 8).
Tracklist: - Jungle Call - I Wanna Be Your Man - I'll Be On My Way - Don't Fool With Fu Manchu • as The GTO's - Tears Melt The Stones • as The GTO's - Play It! - Bright Lit Blue Skies - Mr. Wind - Can't You See - Mary Mary - Flowers In My Mind
[as Puff / (1968)] - Vacuum - Trees - Rainy Day - Looking In My Window - Who Do You Think You Are? - Of Not Being Able To Sleep - Dead Thoughts Of Alfred - I Sure Need You - When I Wake Up In The Morning - Go With You - Changes
[previously unreleased / (1971)] - My Vision Has Cleared - I Don't Want To I Will - Troubles Personnel: [Rockin' Ramrods] Bill Linnane (lead gtr) [A] Vin Campisi (rhythm gtr) [ABCD] Ronn Campisi (bs) [ABCD] Bob Henderson (drms, perc) [ABCD] Scott Curtis (keyb'ds) [B] Lenny Carelli (lead gtr ) [C] Glenn Jordan (gtr, keyb'ds) [D] Danny McBride (gtr, keyb'ds) [D] Stu Kassner (drms) [D] Discographie: 45's: 1. Jungle Call/Indian Giver (Explosive F 101/2) 1963 2. She Lied/The Girl Can't Help It (Bon-Bon 1315) 1964 3. I Wanna Be Your Man/I'll Be On My Way (Plymouth 2961/2) 1964 4. Wild About You/Cry In My Room (Southern Sound 205) 1965 5. Don't Fool With Fu Manchu/Tears Melt The Stones (Claridge 301) 1965 6. She Rides With Me/Rudy Vadoo (Claridge 312) 1966 7. Play It/Got My Mojo Working (Claridge 317) 1966 8. Bright Lit Blue Skies/Mr. Wind (Plymouth 2963/4) 1966 9. Flowers In My Mind/Mary, Mary (Plymouth 2965/6) 1966
[5. + 6. as The GTO's] Personnel: [Puff] Vin Campisi (lead gtr) David-Allen Ryan (bs, vcls) Jim Mandell (piano, organ, flute, vcls) Bob Henderson (drms, vcls)
Discographie: Albums: 1. Puff (MGM SE-4622) 1968
45's: 1. Looking In My Window/Rainy Day (MGM 14040) 1968
Rare, original and hard to get music is the demand of that blog here. If a record is still available through mailorders I won't post it (but I make exceptions if I get the feeling the dealers force up the prices). Enjoy the music and... ...leave comments (or leave me alone).
This Tromsø/Norway act started as The Arctic in spring 1964. They headed to Stockholm/Sweden to pursue a professional career and it was there where they met the businessman Sten Ekroth, who became their manager. Ekroth's idea was to make the band as big as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and it was him who came out with the name "Pussycats". Their first single "Ebb Tide/Cadillac" sold nearly 25,000 copies. Their follow-up "Gonna Send You Back To Georgia/Donna" did not sell nearly as much, but at least it was not a week without the Pussycats was featured in the press. Their career was marked by scandal stories, often arranged by their manager. Their debut-album Pssst! Pssst! was hailed as a masterpiece in the press, and from a historical perspective, the LP is considered to be a milestone. No other Norwegian artists had until 1966 been able to make a rock LP of such convincing quality, both in terms of sound, performance and song material. The album was also one of the '60s greatest successes in Norway and stayed ten weeks on top of the charts, which was a Norwegian record. During a publicity tour in the summer of 1966, the Pussycats' second LP was recorded in Hamburg. Mrrr... Mrrr... was a bold mix of catchy pop songs and more experimental tunes and received ovations in the press and sold well again. Prior to the release of Mrrr... Mrrr... Ekroth quit his job and Totto Johannessen took over the management. More singles followed and they developed now a more polished Pop sound with less success. "Vanya Maria/Death Is Coming" was their last release as The Pussycats and perhaps their only record with hints of Psychedelia. Another 45 "Sjøreisa/Mors Minner" came out under the pseudonym Sailors but didn't make much impression. Soon after the band quit but in 1971 Trond Graff and Sverre Kjelsberg reformed the group with new members. Their only output was the album "Touch Wood" in 1973 which moves towards Progressive and Jazz. 
