Category Archives: Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Rare Funk Volume One (2005)

April 10, 2013 – 08:56

front Rare Funk Volume One (2005)
Scratchy, Grimy Funk And Soul Sides

Can’t tell you anything about this one. I found it on my hard drive and kept it because it’s a collection of artists I’m unfamiliar with, performing a cross-section of long-lost 60s/70s soul & funk sides. The kind that never made it to the Hit Parade, as evidenced by the artists’ monikers, which tell you they were never once subjected to the scrutiny of internal focus groups bent on star grooming; Johnny Cool And The Cycles, Hunts Determination, Bob Smith And The Boo-Koos, The Packeys?!?… Probably why I was attracted to all this in the first place. The music comes from old 45s (natch) and the styles, while a slightly mixed bag, are sometimes fun, sometimes dated (dated prior to their own already dated recording date) and sometimes just plain curious. The price is right, anyway. Hear some examples below.

TIMMY SIMS Countdown (2:15)
NELSON CALLOWAY Funky Horns (3:12)
JOHNNY COOL AND THE CYCLES Peel The Banana (2:44)
THE SEVEN SOULS Groove In (2:41)
SOULSETTERS Can You Dig It (1:53)
BO DUD AND JOHNNY TWIST The Get It (2:50)
MIGHTY GROOVE MAKERS Let’s Dance Some Mo’ (2:55)
SHINDIG SMITH AND THE SOUL SHAKERS Through Fooling Around (2:33)
MERGIE HENDRIX Nothin’ But A Tramp (2:38)
GLORIA WALKER You Hit The Spot Baby (2:52)
LEVERT ALLISON Chase The Sun Boy (2:07)
THE 20th CENTURY Hot Pants (3:28)
THE PACKEYS Dig In (1:51)
LEON FERGUSON Miss Dolores Funk (2:00)
HUNTS DETERMINATION I Need Love (2:31)
GROUP THERAPY Mechanical Funk (2:35)
JONATHAN Trackin’ (3:14)
BERNARD CALVIN TLC (3:11)
BOB SMITH AND THE BOO KOOS That Thing Is Green (3:00)
ROBERT HARRIS Funk On (3:10)

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OJAYS Various Artists

The Philly Sound: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976)

April 5, 2013 – 10:22

The Philly Sound: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976) (1997)
Sweet, Sweet Soul Music

Many thanks to Don From Oregon for posting this very cool 3CD collection in comments earlier this year. Wonderful soul concoctions – characterized by epic string arrangements, old school soul harmonies, pre-disco rhythms and a few nods to grittier side of Memphis soul – all organized like a perfect storm of soul in the hands of Gamble & Huff who, through their own Philadelphia International Records, came to embody the sound of “Philly Soul.” Plenty of essential hits, like “Expressway To Your Soul” and “Me And Mrs. Jones” highlight a collection heavy on The O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and MFSB, with material almost all written by Gamble & Huff. When I first grabbed this, I cued up the first disc just to get a taste and ended up listening to the entire set non-stop. We’ve got another, promo-only collection of Gamble & Huff material in the archives, HERE (where you’ll also find a rabbit hole of cool, promo-only compilations by Robert Lamm, Harry Nilsson and Pomus & Shuman). Find this one at Amazon HERE.

1
SOUL SURVIVORS Expressway To Your Heart (2:19)
THE INTRUDERS Cowboys To Girls (2:38)
ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS I Can’t Stop Dancing (2:20)
JERRY BUTLER Only The Strong Survive (2:35)
THE O’JAYS One Night Affair (2:18)
THE INTRUDERS (We’ll Be) United (2:51)
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD Silly, Silly Fool (2:31)
WILSON PICKETT Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You (2:47)
JOHNNY WILLIAMS Slow Motion (Part 1) (2:57)
BILLY PAUL Me And Mrs. Jones (4:45)
BUNNY SIGLER Regina (3:09)
LAURA NYRO & LABELLE The Bells (2:55)
JOE SIMON Drowning In The Sea Of Love (3:20)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES If You Don’t Know Me By Now (3:26)
THE O’JAYS 992 Arguments (6:06)
THE EBONYS You’re The Reason Why (3:04)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES I Miss You (8:37)
THE O’JAYS When The World’s At Peace (5:19)
BUNNY SIGLER That’s How Long I’ll Be Loving You (2:53)
THE O’JAYS Back Stabbers (3:06)
2
THE O’JAYS Love Train (2:58)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES The Love I Lost (6:23)
THE O’JAYS Now That We Found Love (4:40)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES Yesterday I Had The Blues (7:33)
THE INTRUDERS I’ll Always Love My Mama (6:37)
THE O’JAYS For The Love Of Money (7:19)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES Bad Luck (6:24)
THE O’JAYS Don’t Call Me Brother (8:56)
MFSB Zach’s Fanfare (I Hear Music) (0:51)
MFSB Love Is The Message (6:36)
BILLY PAUL Am I Black Enough For You (5:17)
THE O’JAYS Sunshine (3:42)
THE THREE DEGREES When Will I See You Again (2:58)
MFSB (featuring THE THREE DEGREES) TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia) (5:49)
3
THE O’JAYS Livin’ For The Weekend (6:36)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES Wake Up Everybody (7:33)
THE JACKSONS Enjoy Yourself (3:25)
ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS I Could Dance All Night (2:41)
THE O’JAYS I Love Music (6:52)
THE TRAMMPS Love Epidemic (4:49)
THE O’JAYS Stairway To Heaven (6:17)
THE JACKSONS Show You The Way To Go (5:30)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE Do It Any Way You Wanna (3:17)
MFSB My One And Only Love (4:34)
THE O’JAYS Rich Get Richer (4:24)
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES Hope That We Can Be Together Soon (3:41)
DEE DEE SHARP Ooh Child (5:09)
BUNNY SIGLER Love Train (7:01)

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Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS 2010 Pop Sampler

February 14, 2013 – 12:45

Here’s a 2010 pop sampler we quickly put together from the hundreds of free MP3s that Amazon gives away. Listen to all the songs below and grab the entire 10-track collection via Comments. Click any album cover to visit Amazon and download the single track yourself, or preview the rest of the album. You’ll need to sign up with Amazon (and live in the land of the free) to download them directly. I was listening to this while writing this post and, for a cobbled together set, it accidentally sounds pretty good. With a couple spins you might find some new favorite bands.

TEENAGE FANCLUB Baby Lee (4:24) from Shadows
PERNICE BROTHERS Jacqueline Susann (2:18) from Goodbye, Killer
TOMMY KEENE Places That Are Gone (3:51) from A Retrospective
THE YOUNG VEINS Change (2:35) from Take A Vacation!
THE LOONS I Wanna Get You (3:22) from Red Dissolving Rays Of Light
THE GRIP WEEDS Speed of Life (3:51) from Strange Change Machine
PAUL WELLER Wake Up the Nation (2:20) from Wake Up The Nation
PETER CASE Look Out! (3:31) from Wig!
CLINIC I’m Aware (2:59) from Bubblegum
PAUL COLLINS Losing Your Cool (2:41) from King Of Power Pop!

Tags 2010 Pop Sampler | Comments (7)

BILLY BREMNER DAVE EDMUNDS DR. FEELGOOD ELVIS COSTELLO GRAHAM PARKER NICK LOWE RACHEL SWEET RUMOUR Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS The Stiff Records Box Set (1992)

February 13, 2013 – 12:54

The Stiff Records Box Set (1992)
History’s Assessment: Stiff Was Worth A Fuck

Speaking of Nick Lowe… Here’s Stiff’s first box set assessment of their late 70s (and beyond) pop and punk catalog. For capturing a moment in time, this is a box that will serve the cause, though… some of these artists are ones I’ve never associated with Stiff, but then… I don’t have a memory. For the streaming player, I just posted some of my faves. You’ve surely got your own. The Stiff Records Box Set is available at Amazon (HERE), though I never really investigated the similarities and differences between this one and The Big Stiff Box that came out in 2007 (HERE). Some swear by it, though, and the mastering on the latter should be superior. Find many of these artists in the archives.

1
So It Goes – Nick Lowe
Heart Of The City – Nick Lowe
Between The Lines – The Pink Fairies
Cincinnati Fatback – Roogalator
Styrofoam – Sean Tyla
New Rose – The Damned
Blank Generation – Richard Hell
Stab Your Back – The Damned
Less Than Zero – Elvis Costello
England’s Glory – Max Wall
Maybe – Jill Read
One Chord Wonders – The Adverts
Alison – Elvis Costello
Jo Jo Gunne – Dave Edmunds
Whole Wide World – Wreckless Eric
Kill – Alberto y los Trios Paranoias
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll – Ian Dury
Razzle In My Pocket – Ian Dury
Suffice To Say – The Yachts
Let’s Loot The Supermarket Again (Like We Did Last Summer) – Mick Farren
Watching The Detectives – Elvis Costello
My Old Man – Ian Dury
Police Car – Larry Wallis
Yankee Wheels – Jane Aire
Back to Schooldays – Graham Parker

2
I Love My Label – Nick Lowe
Marie Provost – Nick Lowe
What A Waste! – Ian Dury
I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself – Elvis Costello
Whoops-A-Daisy – Humphrey Ocean
I Think We’re Alone Now – Lene Lovich
Jocko Homo – Devo
Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick – Ian Dury
Semaphore Signals – Wreckless Eric
I’ll Get By In Pittsburgh – Jona Lewie
B-A-B-Y – Rachel Sweet
Lucky Number – Lene Lovich
Solitary Confinement – Members
Frozen Years – The Rumour
Take the Cash (K.A.S.H.) – Wreckless Eric
They Don’t Know – Kirsty MacColl
You’ll Never Get Me Up in One of Those – Mickey Jupp
Who Does Lisa Like? – Rachel Sweet
Drive Friendly – Motor Boys Motor
Win or Lose – Lew Lewis & Reformer
Hop – Theatre of Hate
One Step Beyond – Madness
Emotional Traffic – The Rumour
Inbetweenies – Ian Dury
Lucky Seven – Lew Lewis & Reformer

3
My Girl – Madness
Israelites – Desmond Dekker
Buena – Joe “King” Carrasco
Stupefaction – Graham Parker
You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties – Jona Lewie
Trouble With Love – Any Trouble
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted – Dave Stewart
Mercury Poisoning – Graham Parker
Let Go – Dirty Looks
Baggy Trousers – Madness
It’s My Party – Dave Stewart
Green, Green Grass of Home – John Otway
Three Bells In A Row – Tenpole Tudor
Stop The Cavalry – Jona Lewie
Going Left Right – Department S
Is Vic There? – Department S
If You Need Me – The Equators
Wunderbar – Tenpole Tudor
Allamana – Desmond Dekker
Pretend – Alvin Stardust
Loud Music In Cars – Billy Bremner
Throwing My Baby Out With the Bathwater – Tenpole Tudor
Just One Cornetto – Pookiesnackenburger
Who Likes Jazz? – Via Vagabond
You Broke My Heart In 17 Places – Tracey Ullman

4
Sign Of The Times – Belle Stars
Sweet Memory – Belle Stars
Language Problems – Electric Guitars
Breakaway – Tracey Ullman
Like Dust – Passion Puppets
Dangerous Dreams – Jakko
Destination Lululand (Humdiddlededumhoowahayha) – King Kurt
Sick Bed Of Cúchulaínn – The Pogues
Pick Me Up – Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First-Born Church of the Living God
Here Is My Number – Makin’ Time
Dark Streets of London – The Pogues
Wild Child – The Untouchables
New England – Kirsty MacColl
Pretty One – Jamie Rae
Free Yourself – The Untouchables
Sally MacLennane – The Pogues
Brilliant Mind – Furniture
Don’t Wait Up – Dr. Feelgood
Killer Joe (Right Cross) – Tommy Chase
Shake Like Judy Says – Furniture
Hunting Shooting Fishing – Dr. Feelgood

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Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS New Musical Express: Pogo A Go Go! (Cassette 1986)

December 17, 2012 – 10:33

NME: Pogo A Go Go! (1986)
Flashback Time

I swiped this from the blog Press Play And Record, who are doing something pretty cool by digitizing dozens of ancient cassettes given away by the UK’s New Musical Express (and other mags) back in the 80s. These are great little time capsules capturing a moment in time that some wish they’d never left, and this particular edition, Pogo A Go Go! (NME 021), is a fun blast of late 70s punk and new wave. The rip is top-notch (@192), even though the unreleased demos are kinda shoddy, but blame NME’s sources for that. It was the 80s, after all. Still, it’s a worthy collection for those that long ago lost these documents of an earlier technological age. Visit Press Record And Play for more of the same.

THE SEX PISTOLS Satellite (Suburban Kid) (Unreleased Version) (4:08)
THE UNDERTONES True Confessions (1:54)
THE NIPPLE ERECTORS King Of The Bop (2:03)
TELEVISION PERSONALITIES Part Time Punks (2:36)
SHAM 69 Borstal Breakout (2:04)
THE DAMNED Stretcher Case Baby (1:45)
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS Watching The Detectives (A Demo Version) (4:29)
THE STRANGLERS Choosey Susie (3:10)
VICTIM Strange Thing By Night (2:57)
THE CLASH 1977 (Demo) (1:43)
JOHNNY MOPED Incendiary Device (2:07)
THE SLITS Typical Girls (3:54)
ALTERNATIVE TV Love Lies Limp (3:03)
SWELL MAPS Read About Seymour (1:27)
THE JAM In The City (2:17)
THE FALL Bingo Master’s Breakout (2:23)
SUBWAY SECT Ambition (3:03)
WIRE Dot Dash (2:22)
THE BUZZCOCKS Orgasm Addict (2:01)

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Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Refugees – An Anthology Of The Famous Charisma Label 1969-1978 (2009)

December 4, 2012 – 10:56

Refugees – Anthology Of The Famous Charisma Label 1969-1978 (2009)
Obscure Brit Experiments In Music Fusion

From a personal perspective… when I started looking beyond the radio at the dawn of the 70s, I began by investigating jazz, world music and obscure Brit pop. Oldsters remember that practically everything was obscure back in the late 60s/early 70s, and getting an “import” album in those days required ordering it from a hip record store (if your town was lucky enough to have one), waiting… and then paying nearly twice the price for something you had few details on, since the alternative music press was almost as anemic as routes for international vinyl exchange. So, plenty of the artists that were signed to the highly regarded Charisma label – who routinely combined varying aspects of pop, rock, jazz, English folk and fusion – were on my hit list; Bo Hansson, The Nice, Van Der Graaf Generator, Hawkwind and even String Driven Thing (whose domestic debut was a mainstay of department store cut-out bins). Alas, many of those once cherished vinyl albums are long gone from my collection now, victims of storage issues and changing musical tastes. As a result, I never replaced a lot of those great old albums with CD versions… so hearing some of the music on this cool, 2009 3CD collection is, for me, like stepping into a time machine. Hear tracks from Van Der Graaf Generator, Rare Bird and Audience, below. Click the cover art to better read the participants. Amazon’s got new copies for under $20, HERE.

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MOJO PRESENTS Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionery From The UK Underground 1965-69 (2001)

November 15, 2012 – 12:20

Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionery From The UK Underground 1965-69 (2001)
A Psych Box To Get Psyched About

Another great box from the archives. 4CDs, compiled by the fine folks at MOJO Magazine, chronicling the UK psychedelic experience. Compilations always create quibbles, but this is a great listen regardless of what’s been omitted or curiously added. The names below will tell you all you need to know, but your ears are the ultimate decider… and they should be pleased. Check out the great 1968 psych tune from McGough & McGear (a.k.a. Mike McCartney), “So Much.” Includes booklet art. Out of print, and it’s not cheap at Amazon.

1
McGOUGH & McGEAR – So Much (4:02)
AQUARIAN AGE – 10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box (3:27)
THE NICE – Flower Ring of Flies (3:18)
RUPERT’S PEOPLE – Dream On My Mind (3:25)
SHY LIMBS – Reputation (3:33)
TINTERN ABBEY – Vacuum Cleaner (3:06)
THE DAVID – Light Of Your Mind (2:51)
THE MISUNDERSTOOD – I Can Take You To The Sun (3:40)
GRAPEFRUIT – Dear Delilah (2:28)
PROCOL HARUM – Shine On Brightly (3:33)
BAMBOO SHOOT – The Fox Has Gone To Ground (2:52)
THE WHO – Armenia City In The Sky (3:13)
FOCUS THREE – 10,000 Years Behind My Mind (2:16)
TIMEBOX – Gone Is The Sad Man (3:44)
WORLD OF OZ – Peter’s Birthday (2:55)
THE TICKLE – Subway (Smokey Pokey World) (2:42)
FELIUS ANDROMEDA – Meditations (4:10)
WARM SOUNDS – Nite Is A-Comin‘ (3:01)

2
KALEIDOSCOPE – Flight from Ashiya (2:42)
JULY – The Way (4:15)
INCREDIBLE STRING BAND – Witches Hat (2:34)
DONOVAN – Celeste (4:10)
RAMESES & SELKET – Mind’s Eye (2:42)
THE END – Shades Of Orange (2:41)
VIRGIN SLEEP – Love (2:25)
BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST – Pools Of Blue (3:09)
TALES OF JUSTINE – Monday Morning (3:23)
BILLY NICHOLLS – Girl From New York (3:19)
THE ACCENT – Red Sky At Night (3:14)
MICK SOFTLEY – Am I The Red One (2:31)
ORANGE BICYCLE – Laura’s Garden (3:15)
CALEB – Baby Your Phrasing Is Bad (3:18)
AMAZING FRIENDLY APPLE – Magician (3:23)
THE MOLES – We Are The Moles, Part 1 (4:34)
THE 23rd TURNOFF – Michael Angelo (2:25)
BIL FAY – Screams In The Ears (3:25)

3
PURPLE GANG – Granny Takes A Trip (2:37)
SMOKE – My Friend Jack (3:07)
IDLE RACE – Impostors Of Life’s Magazine (2:18)
PRETTY THINGS – Talkin‘ About The Good Times (3:44)
DONOVAN – Hurdy Gurdy Man (3:12)
THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP – Time Seller (2:52)
DENNY LAINE – Say You Don’t Mind (3:10)
THE MOVE – I Can Hear The Grass Grow (2:58)
THE KINKS – See My Friends (2:43)
PETER COOK & DUDLEY MOORE – The L. S. Bumble Bee (2:45)
THE YARDBIRDS – Happenings Ten Years Time Ago (2:57)
THE SMALL FACES – Green Circles (2:43)
THE HOLLIES – King Midas In Reverse (3:08)
DAVID McWILLIAMS – The Days Of Pearly Spencer (2:34)
THE HERD – From The Underworld (3:19)
ERIC BURDON & THE ANIMALS – Sky Pilot (7:39)
TRAFFIC – Paper Sun (4:13)
SIMON DUPREEE & THE BIG SOUND – Kites (3:45)

4
THE ATTACK – Colour Of My Mind (2:29)
ALLEN POUND’S GET RICH – Searchin‘ In The Wilderness (3:19)
FIRE – Father’s Name Is Dad (2:33)
THE ORANGE MACHINE – Dr. Crippen’s Waiting Room (3:03)
PENNY PEEPS – Model Village (2:54)
THE FAIRYTALE – Run And Hide (2:31)
MANDRAKE PADDLE STEAMER – Strange Walking Man (3:13)
THE STATUS QUO – When My Mind Is Not Live (2:49)
THE POETS – In Your Tower (2:32)
SANDS – Listen To The Sky (3:46)
SYD BARRETT – Octopus (3:46)
THE APPLE – The Other Side (3:18)
THE FLIES – I’m Not Your Stepping Stone (2:41)
HERBAL MIXTURE – Machines (2:04)
TOMORROW – Revolution (Phased Version) (3:48)
THE SORROWS – You’ve Got What I Want (2:00)
THE KOOBAS – Royston Rose (3:52)
SAM GOPAL – Escalator (2:51)

Tags Acid Drops Spacedust & Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionery From The UK Underground 1965-69 | Comments (9)

FAUST Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Space Box: 1970 & Beyond – Space, Krautrock & Acid Trips

November 13, 2012 – 04:50

Space Box: 1970 & Beyond
Space, Krautrock & Acid Trips (1996)
Einstein Had Space/Time All Wrong.

From the archives, since I’m still walking the dog. An outstanding 3CD collection of extended space rock explorations from a slew of Euro time-trippers and drug takers. Various artists collections are typically a mixed bag, but the overall vibe of this collection is consistent and rewarding from start to finish. You’ve gotta love the extended 8 to 12 minute excursions, though, the sample below is a concise piece from Amon Duul II that might give you a hint of the hive’s mindset. If you like your rock with dubby electronic effects, heavy-handed jazz, mind-numbing drums and an Einsteinian ethos, you’ve come to the right place. Drugs not included. Amazon has it.

1
HAWKWIND – Valium 10 (12″ Version) (7:52)
PRESSUREHED – Slo Blo (8:06)
AMON DUUL II – Wolf City (3:21)
RON GEESIN – Mominous (1:28)
F/I – Boots Of Ascention (7:59)
CLUSTER – Apropos Cluster (8:47)
ARCHITECTURAL METAPHOR – Brainticket (7:40)
GONG – Gongwash Indelible (5:49)
PORCUPINE TREE – Burning Sky (11:36)
CHROME – Third From The Sun (4:43)
NIK TURNER – 10 Seconds Of Forever (3:15)
ALIEN PLANETSCAPES – International Sponge (6:12)

2
GURU GURU – UFO (10:23)
MELTING EUPHORIA – In Aquarian Dream (6:18)
KRAFTWELT – Deranged (Zero Gravity Mix) (6:10)
DARK MATTER – Past Zero Time (12:14)
HARMONIA – Sehr Kosmisch (10:57)
DARXTAR – This Alien Nation (Space Mix) (7:22)
MICHAEL MOORCOCK’S DEEP FIX – Time Center (4:35)
FARFLUNG – Vision Of Infinity (7″ Version) (4:42)
BRAINSTORM – Number 6 (5:51)
CONRAD SCHNITZLER – Contrapuntal Interstellar Radars (3:32)
HAWKLORDS – Time Of … (4:01)

3
FAUST – Devoted Bone Dance (11:52)
HELIOS CREED – Leaving The Body (4:31)
POPOL VUH – Ich Mache Einen Spiegel (8:42)
ANUBIAN LIGHTS – 12-24-2011 (4:32)
NICK RIFF – Tribal Elders (4:55)
HARVEY BAINBRIDGE – The Changing (3:26)
ZERO GRAVITY – Interferon (3:35)
DILATE – Tangerine Sky (5:22)
KLUSTER – 22.09 (Edit Version) (5:59)
STEVE PEREGRINE TOOK – Scorpius (Deep Space Version) (4:08)
THE BRAIN – Vortex In My Cortex (5:54)
SPIRAL REALMS – Cysyrgy (5:52)
SURFACE 10 – Gamma Days (8:05)

Tags Space Box: 1970 & Beyond - Space Krautrock & Acid Trips | Comments (8)

Various Artists

C-Box Links (Before They Disappear)

August 12, 2012 – 18:14

Thanks to everybody for upping and including download links for our visitors in C-BOX (while I’ve been poolside eating bon bons). I’ve gathered most of them here so they don’t disappear so quickly. Sorry there’s no info or presentation. I’m not even sure about some of the titles, much less the bit rates. BIG TIME DISCLAIMER: I haven’t downloaded most of these, and don’t know the details about them. I originally grabbed links from a few trusted sources we’ve been dealing with, but other readers have been adding some cool stuff, too, so we included those, as well. We’ll see how it goes and if there are any issues. I may not continue this practice, so you’re advised to get your C-BOX links ASAP when they appear. Feel free to report any problems, updates or missing links, and we’ll take care of what we can. Many thanks to Grateful, Kwai Chang, Don From Oregon, Dean From New Jersey, 3410, Barrie B and Timer (and anyone I left out). Check comments for even more links!

Randy Newman Peyton Place (1965 Soundtrack) (@320): HERE
Beckley/Lamm/Wilson (America/Chicago/Beach Boys) Like A Brother : HERE
FZ The Rest Of Just Another Band From L.A.: HERE
Fela Kutu Expensive Sh*t: HERE
Various Artists Rubaiyat – Plunderphonics (Rare Elektra 5 Track Promo w/Doors, Metallica, MC5, Tim Buckley & Carly Simon): HERE
BlossomToes What On Earth (Rarities 1967-69): HERE
Tabitha’s Secret (Pre-Matchbox 20): HERE
McKendree Spring 3: HERE
McKendree Spring Too Young To Feel This Old: HERE
McKendree Spring s/t: HERE
Coca Cola Commercials Vol 2: HERE
Rock N Roll Radio Spots Volume 8: HERE
Rock N Roll Radio Spots Volume 6: HERE
Rock N Roll Radio Spots Volume 5: HERE
Rock N Roll Radio Spots Volume 2: HERE

MULTI-TRACKS (Individual Tracks)
The Beatles Multitracks (MOGG Files): HERE
Deep Purple Highway Star Multi-Tracks (FLAC): HERE
John Bonham Four Sticks (Isolated Drum Tracks): HERE

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MOJO PRESENTS ROLLING STONES Various Artists

MOJO PRESENTS: The Roots Of The Rolling Stones (2012)

July 13, 2012 – 12:30

The Roots Of The Rolling Stones (Aug 2012)

Not a very creative freebie from the latest edition of MOJO, as there are dozens of these kinds of tributes to the Rolling Stones from various sources… but, you can’t fault the music. It’s some of the best on earth. I’ve got it on now and am loving every second of it.

Elmore James & The Broom Dusters - Dust My Blues
Eddie Taylor - Bad Boy [Original]
Jimmy Reed - Hush-Hush
Bo Diddley – Cops And Robbers
Dale Hawkins - Susie Q
Gene Allison - You Can Make It If You Try
Muddy Waters - I Wanna Be Loved
The Coasters - Poison Ivy
Arthur Alexander - You Better Move On
Bo Diddley - Pretty Thing
Chuck Berry - Memphis Tennessee
The Crickets With Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away
Muddy Waters – I Just Wanna Make Love
Jimmy Reed - Honest I Do
Slim Harpo - I’m A King Bee

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Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS White Lace & Strange (Heavy Psych And Power Fuzz From The USA 68-72) (2007)

December 29, 2011 – 09:10

White Lace & Strange (2007)
Truth In Advertising.

If you’re the type that came of age during the Cream/Experience era, or if you just get a chubby when you hear the words “heavy psych and power fuzz,” then you’re in the right place. This is the obscure stuff, originally issued in 2004, then re-issued in 2007. The only names I recognized were Road (Noel Redding’s band) and Illinois Speed Press. Please watch your step entering the Wayback Machine. Amazon.

THIRD POWER Persecution (3:29)
THUNDER & ROSES White Lace & Strange (3:15)
THE HOOK Dimples (2:54)
THE POWER OF ZEUS It Couldnt Be Me (3:53)
BANCHEE John Doe (4:33)
BROTHER FOX AND THE TAR BABY Steel Dog Man (3:47)
THE LEMONADE CHARADE Hideaway Of Your Love (2:26)
GENESIS Angeline (2:53)
BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE Loveless Lives (3:35)
MOUNT RUSHMORE Someone Else’s Games (4:36)
THE ILLINOIS SPEED PRESS Get In The Word (2:59)
THE FIELDS Bide My Time (3:19)
ROAD Spaceship Earth (3:32)
EDEN’S CHILDREN Knocked Out (3:16)
T.I.M.E. I Think You’d Cry (4:22)
UNDERBEAT Darkness (3:00)
THE YELLOW PAYGES I’m A Man (5:06)
LINCOLN STREET EXIT Time Has Come, Gonna Die (4:11)
THE UNIQUES My Babe (2:30)
THE FORT MUDGE MEMORIAL DUMP The Seventh Is Death (5:30)

Comments (13)

CHINGON LOS LOBOS ROBERT RODRIGUEZ Soundtracks Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Mexico And Mariachis: Music From And Inspired By Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi Trilogy

December 28, 2011 – 12:05

Mexico And Mariachis: Music From And Inspired By Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi Trilogy
The Cinematic Sounds of Mexico

A 2004 collection of material that, as the title states, bears a relationship to the films of Robert Rodriquez. It’s a cross section of styles, all with a Mexicali theme, featuring many of Rodriguez’s familiar crew of go-to guys – an incestuous array, featuring Chingon (with Rodriquez himself on lead guitar), The Cruzados (with Tito Larriva, who also performs solo), Del Castillo (Chingon’s main man) and even pals Los Lobos (naturally). The Cruzados material dates back to the days of 80s roots rock, and there’s a killer rendition of “Cancion Del Mariachi” by Los Lobos & actor Antonio Banderas from Desperado. Watch the film’s stylish intro below (and check out that Guitar Bar). There’s also a face ripping “Malagueña Salerosa,” which appeared during the credits of Kill Bill 2 (hear it on our Chingon post). Fans of Rodriquez know how essential music is to his films’ flavor & feel, and Mexico And Mariachis helps to bring those musical elements into view.

CHINGON Malagueña Salerosa (4:07)
TITO LARRIVA & CHINGON Alacran Y Pistolero (3:36)
PATRICIA VONNE Severina (3:04)
THE CRUZADOS Flor De Mal (4:04)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Theme From El Mariachi (1:36)
TITO LARRIVA Back To The House That Love Built (Acoustic) (3:45)
ANTONIO BANDERAS & LOS LOBOS Cancion Del Mariachi (2:07)
LOS LOBOS Volver, Volver (Live) (3:49)
THE IGUANAS Por Mi Camino (5:31)
THE CRUZADOS Just Like Roses (4:59)
DEL CASTILLO Spanish Castle Tango (3:06)
LOS LOBOS La Pistola Y El Corazon (3:29)
THE LEFTOVERS Torquay (2:43)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Once Upon A Time In Mexico (Main Titles) (2:40)

Tags Mexico And Mariachis: Music From And Inspired By Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy | Comments (11)

GIL SCOTT HERON Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS A Place For You – A Tribute To Gil Scott-Heron (2011)

December 12, 2011 – 10:31

A Place For You (2011)
A Little Something For Gil

I forget what I was poking around for when I stumbled on this, a righteously expert tribute to Gil Scott-Heron that surfaced not long after his death in May, 2011. The main theme involves a Marvin Gaye riff, from “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),” and an original composition (spearheaded by French vocalist, Sandra Nkake). There’s also a musical introduction to the project that’s delivered in an effectively ghostly fashion, mimicking Heron’s style, and attitude. The remixers make ample hay of the Marvin riff, blending and bending it into reggae, hip-hop and different groove musics. I quibbled with a couple, but overall liked the entire package. The one-page tribute, HERE, credits all the other artists involved. You can download the poorly tagged 160 kbps files individually from the source… or you can grab a more organized zip in comments.

A Place For You (Original Track) (6:04)
Introducing A Place For You (2:04)
Mark de Clive Lowe Remix (4:28)
Loik Dury Remix (4:18)
Dj OIL Remix (7:07)
Grant Phabao Remix (5:43)
Vadim Vernay Remix (3:51)
Jeff Sharel Remix (6:33)
Doctor L Remix (5:30)

Comment (1)

Various Artists

Black Friday: Box Set Style (New & Upcoming Box Sets)

November 25, 2011 – 23:59

It’s that time of year again. The march of the seasonal box sets is energized even more this year to take advantage of all the last, aged, baby-boomer record buyers on planet Earth still collecting (and still not downloading). I think the labels know their catalogs have only so many incarnations left before their core audiences die off… only to be replaced by a new generation of buyers who couldn’t even imagine storing their music in the place they live. Here’s a cross-section of some interesting releases coming up this pre- and post-holiday season. The prices are the current going rates at Amazon. If you pre-order, the price is locked in if it goes up (and it sometime does). If it goes lower, you get the lower price, too. Most of the descriptions are from Amazon, too. Follow the links for track listings and other details. Happy shopping.

QUEEN
Royal Orb USB Limited Edition Premium Box Set (Dec. 6, 2011)
$288.99. 15 Digital Albums in FLAC & 320. Includes: Lined gift box, with a majestic orb emblazoned with a Queen logo. Top crest removes to reveal a USB drive containing ALL Queen studio albums and photo gallery. Inside of the orb lies a pendant necklace resting in a red velvet collector’s bag. Audio content will be provided in 24-bit FLAC (44.1 kHz) and MP3 (320 kbps) formats, fully compatible with PC and Mac. Includes: Queen (1973), Queen II (1974), Sheer Heart Attack (1974), A Night at the Opera (1975), A Day at the Races (1976), News of the World (1977), Jazz (1978), The Game (1980), Flash Gordon (1980), Hot Space (1982), The Works (1984), A Kind of Magic (1986), The Miracle (1989), Innuendo (1991), Made In Heaven (1995).” Amazon.

QUEEN
Wembley Roadie Cube (Dec. 6, 2011)
$201.99. 2CDs. Includes:Photo book featuring rare photos from The Magic Tour, Queen – Live at Wembley Stadium 2-Disc CD Set. Replica Concert Tickets and VIP Passes. Full Page Tour Ad. Hand-Drawn 1986 Tour Map Replica Poster by Harold May (Brian’s father). “Friends Will Be Friends” Scarf “Magic Characters” Hawaiian shirt (L/XL). Inflatable Freddie cartoon character doll. All packaged in a mini-roadcase. Amazon.

MOTORHEAD
Complete Early Years (Feb. 21, 2012)

$617.56. 8CDs, 7CD Singles, a 7″ Vinyl Single. CDs: Motorhead, Overkill, Bomber, Ace Of Spades, No Sleep Till Hammersmith, Iron Fist, Another Perfect Day & No Remorse. CD Singles: Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers, Louie Louie, Golden Years EP, St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Killed By Death, Stand By Your Man & Shine. 7″ Vinyl: “Leaving Here”/”White Line Fever”). Complete Collectors Guide To Motorhead book. Justin Hampton Motorhead print. Concert program replicas, hard back book featuring full color programs. 3 Born To Lose, Live To Win’ pin badges. Amazon.

MANFRED MANN
40th Anniversary Box Set (Dec. 27, 2011)

$300.36. 21CDs. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Creature Music has compiled this box set comprising 21 CDs, a 36-page booklet of the band’s history with extensive notes for each album, a 32-page book of Manfred’s own memories and anecdotes and a poster of the current band. The catalog CDs have been remastered and repackaged in LP-style sleeves. The albums have the original UK running order and refreshed sleeves. Live In Ersingen is a brand-new live recording from 22 July this year, featuring the band’s latest vocalist, Robert Hart. Leftovers is a compilation of the hit singles and rare or previously unavailable recordings. Albums in the set are Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Glorified Magnified, Messin, Solar Fire, The Good Earth, Nightingales And Bombers, The Roaring Silence, Watch, Angel Station, Chance, Somewhere In Africa, Live In Budapest, Criminal Tango, Masque, Manfred Mann’s Plains Music, Soft Vengeance, Mann Alive (2CD), 2006, Live In Ersingen 2011, Leftovers. Amazon.

THE KINKS
Kinks In Mono (Dec. 27, 2011)

$179.03. 10CDs (UK-only). Includes The Kinks’ first seven albums: The Kinks, Kinda Kinks, Kontroversy, Face To Face, Something Else, Village Green Preservation Society & Arthur. Also: Three extra CDs collecting the EPs (Kinksize Session, Kinksize Hits, Kweyt Kinks & Dedicated Kinks) and remaining Mono material, plus a 32 page pop annual style book with new notes, rare photos, memorabilia, discographical information and more. Each CD is housed in a digipak. Amazon.

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Fifteen Minutes – Homage To Andy Warhol (Dec. 13, 2011)

$509.00. 3CDs, 4 Vinyl LPs. 15 Minutes: Homage To Andy Warhol was created with the full approval of The Andy Warhol Foundation For The Visual Arts and is headlined by Columbia Records artists Bob Dylan and Patti Smith + 16 other world-renowned fine artists, poets, painters, photographers,actors and musicians. Each artist in this collection offered an original recording and original work of art in a limited edition inspired by their relationship with Warhol. Includes: 4 vinyl LPs, 3 CDs, liner notes, artist photos & sixteen 12″ x 12″ collector quality color offset lithographs. Amazon.

THE BEACH BOYS
The Smile Sessions Box Set (2011)

$139.99. 5CDs, 2LPs, Two 7″ singles. The band’s legendary 1966-’67 sessions for the never-completed SMiLE album – “the most famous unfinished album in rock & roll history.” Includes: Three-dimensional shadow box lid featuring the original artwork, 60 page case bound book, 7″ vinyl singles (“Heroes and Villains” & “Vega-Tables”), 2 LPs of stereo mixes and session highlights (not available on CDs), 12″ x 12″ booklet, 24″ x 36″ poster of Frank Holmes cover art. Amazon.

THE ROLLING STONES
Some Girls Super Deluxe Edition (2011)

$143.80. 2CDs, 1DVD, 7″ Vinyl Single. Super Deluxe Edition contains the digitally remastered and expanded two CD Deluxe Edition of the album, a bonus DVD, 7″ vinyl single, hardback book, a set of postcards, Helmut Newton prints, and a poster. Amazon.

THE ROLLING STONES
Some Girls Wig Box (Dec. 6, 2011)

$127.72. 2CDs, T-Shirt. Apparently numbered & limited to 600 copies. Wig Box packaging – inspired by the original press release, includes both CDs from the Deluxe Edition, Hair Pick, Red Lipstick USB with 1GB storage, compact mirror and a Rolling Stones T-shirt packaged in a hairspray can. Amazon.

ELVIS COSTELLO
The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook (Dec. 6, 2011)

$261.35. 1CD, 1DVD, 10″ Vinyl EP. Limited to 1500 copies worldwide, each set is individually numbered with a special commemoration card autographed by Elvis Costello. Live box set, recorded over a 2-night stand at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on May 11 and 12, 2011. Includes a 40-page hardcover book, a tour diary of Costello’s musings from each tour stop, a 20″ x 30″ concert tour poster and a postcard. The DVD is from Costello’s show on May 12, 2011, and includes a special guest appearance by the Bangles, plus bonus footage including behind-the-scenes moments captured with the Imposters as well as extra performances not included in the main set of the show. The 10-inch vinyl record features four songs only available in this set. All this is housed in a lavish box with a working spinning replica of “The Spectacular Spinning Songbook” on the front cover! Amazon.

PHISH
Hampton/Winston-Salem ’97 (Dec. 6, 2011)

$29.58. 7 CDs. Hampton/Winston-Salem ’97 contains all the music played over 3 shows for a total of 45 songs – over 8 hours of music – including never-before-heard material from soundchecks at both venues. Amazon.

ELVIS PRESLEY
Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives (Dec. 6, 2011)

$27.70. 2CDs. Complete collection of all tracks Elvis recorded for the Louisiana Hayride radio show between 1954 to 1956. All tracks are remastered and include restored & more complete versions than before. Presented in a 100 page hardback book with rare & unreleased photos.
29 total tracks. Amazon.

THE WHO
Quadrophenia The Director’s Cut (Super Deluxe Edition) (2011)

$126.69. 5CDs, 1DVD (Audio) & 7″ Vinyl Single. Digitally remastered and expanded Super Deluxe edition. Features a remaster of the original double album, Pete Townshend’s previously unheard demos including songs that didn’t make it onto the original album, an exclusive eight track 5.1 sound DVD, a deluxe hard-back book, previously unseen personal notes, photographs, memorabilia and other exclusive material. Amazon.

PINK FLOYD
The Wall: Immersion Box (Feb. 28, 2012)

$119.99. 6CDs, 1DVD. Discs 1&2: The Wall, digitally remastered by James Guthrie, 2011. Discs 3&4: The Wall Demos (previously unreleased). Discs 5&6: Is There Anybody Out There: The Wall Live (digitally remastered in 2011 by James Guthrie). Disc 7: DVD – Another Brick In The Wall pt2 – Promotional video, restored in 2011). Behind The Wall documentary, Gerald Scarfe Interview. Short filmed extract of Earls Court concert featuring animation. 44 page booklet, exclusive Storm Thorgerson Art Print, 5 Collectors’ Cards featuring art and comments, Replica of The Wall Tour Ticket, Replica of The Wall Backstage Pass, Scarf, Prints/Cards of Mark Fisher’s stage drawings, 3 x white marbles with design of bricks. 9 Coasters (unique to this box) featuring early Storm Thorgerson design sketches. Amazon.

JOY DIVISION
Plus Minus (Dec. 27, 2011)

$62.17. 10CD Singles. Retrospective box set consisting of CD replicas of 10 singles presented in a clam shell box. All tracks have been newly re-mastered from original tapes. Compiled by journalist and author Jon Savage, the box set is released in celebration of Ian Curtis – in the year that is the 30th anniversary of his death. Includes singles which have previously been issued and some which have been created specifically for this release. Amazon.

WHITESNAKE
Box ‘O’ Snakes: Sunburst years 1978-1982 (2011)
SUB-TITLE

$233.91. 9CDs, 1DVD, 7″ Vinyl Single. Limited box set includes: a color poster and a 90-page hardcover book. Overseen by David Coverdale, this box includes remasters of the five studio and two live albums that Whitesnake released from 1978-82, plus two previously unreleased live albums recorded for the BBC at the 1979 and 1980 UK Reading Rock Festivals. The DVD features 10 promo clips, four rare BBC TV performances and a previously unreleased U.S. live show filmed in 1980 on the Ready An’ Willing tour. The coffee table-style book includes a new 10,000 word interview with Coverdale and Bernie Marsden discussing Whitesnake (1978-1982) plus many unpublished photos and rare memorabilia. The seven inch vinyl is a replica of the Snakebite EP, the very first release from Whitesnake, faithfully reproduced on white vinyl. Amazon.

BILL WYMAN’S RHYTHM KINGS
Collector’s Edition Box Set (2011)

$44.91. 5CDs. From 1998-2001: Struttin’ Our Stuff, Anyway The Wind Blows, Groovin’ and the 2CD Double Bill. Includes: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Albert Lee, Nicky Hopkins, and others! Amazon.

THE BYRDS
Complete Album Collection (2011)

$53.56. 13CDs. EU-only 13 CD box set containing the entire Sony catalog of The Byrds, all housed in mini LP sleeves. Includes: Mr. Tambourine Man, Turn Turn Turn, Fifth Dimension, Younger Than Yesterday, The Notorious Byrd Brothers, Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde, Ballad Of Easy Rider, Untitled, Byrdmaniax, Farther Along. Presumably, the Untitled and Sweetheart 2CD reissues each count as two. NOTE: A few labels recently started releasing these basic catalog compilations, gathering together all of the artists’ recent reissues and boxing them together. Doesn’t contain all the little extras and paper goods that more elaborate box sets now selling. Amazon.

GRATEFUL DEAD
Dick’s Picks Vol. 34: Rochester, NY 11/5/77 (3CDs)
Dick’s Picks Vol. 35: San Diego, CA 8/7/71 & Chicago, IL 8/24/71 (4CDs)
Dick’s Picks Vol. 36: The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 9/21/72 (4CDs)

Nothing to say that hasn’t been said about the first 33 Volumes of Dick’s Picks. Here’s 11 more live Dead CDs, released November 21, 2011… if you can keep up. Click the covers to get to Amazon, or get them directly from the Dead (probably cheaper and with bonuses). The Dead are also giving away a track a day from their archives – all this month (November). So head over and get them all before they disappear. Also, they’re now selling the Dick’s (oops… Dave’s) Picks series in advance. Pre-order the 4 releases due in 2012 (each limited to 12,000 numbered copies, which is new) for $95.00 (details, ends Dec 31.)

Comments (7)

Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves (2006)

November 5, 2011 – 02:10

What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves (2006)
It’s Party Time

RE-UPPED There’s a tangible significance to this massive collection, representing the ghosts of mostly long, gone artists and the memories of generally obscure titles – all originally issued by the extended Warner Bros. family of labels (including many out-of-business offshoots). Much of this music has been lost to history, like roadkill on the busy road to commerce, though, you’ve no doubt heard a handful of these tracks. The bulk of this 4CD collection, however, is known only to aged urban partiers or old white guys with walls full of scratchy 45s. But, like a good history teacher, What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves manages to take well-worn subject material and make it all vital and alive again. When this collection first came my way, I followed my usual M.O. for tackling any large collection… I put a few tracks on just to get a taste (before coming back to it later for more intensive listening). Four uninterrupted discs later I was wanting discs five & six (which don’t exist). A gathering that ranks with the best of all of them, from Nuggets to Trojan Dub. Amazon.

1
THE WATTS 103RD ST. RHYTHM BAND Spreadin‘ Honey
BAR-KAYS Soul-Finger
BROTHER JACK MCDUFF The Shadow Of Your Smile
JIMMY NORMAN Gangster Of Love (Parts I & II)
RUFUS THOMAS The Memphis Train
GRASSELLA OLIPHANT Get Out Of My Life Woman
EDDIE HARRIS Live Right Now
NATURAL BRIDGE BUNCH Pig Snoots, Part I
THE FREEDOM SOUNDS w/WAYNE HENDERSON Soul Sound System
CLARENCE CARTER Snatching It Back
ARTIE CHRISTOPHER Stoned Soul
THE T.S.U. TORNADOES Getting The Corners
TONY ALVON & THE BELAIRS Sexy Coffee Pot
MARK PUTNEY Don’t Come Around Here Anymore
THE COMMODORES Keep On Dancing
THE SOUTHSHORE COMMISSION Right On Brother-Part 1
ELDRIDGE HOLMES Pop, Popcorn Children
COLD GRITS It’s Your Thing
SOUL ANGELS It’s All In Your Mind
JOHNNY CAMERON & THE CAMERONS Funky John
JOYCE JONES Help Me Make Up My Mind
LOU JOHNSON Rock Me Baby
THE NOBLE KNIGHTS Sing A Simple Song
TITUS TURNER Do You Dig It
PHIL MOORE JR. Funky Canyon
THE FABULOUS COUNTS Jan Jan
THE RHINE OAKS Tampin‘

2
CYRIL NEVILLE Gossip
THE MIGHTY HANNIBAL Somebody In The World For You
LITTLE SISTER Stanga
ANADA SHANKAR Jumpin‘ Jack Flash
BRUTE FORCE The Deacon
DON COVAY & THE JEFFERSON LEMON BLUES BAND Sookie Sookie
CLARENCE WHEELER & THE ENFORCERS Right On
CURTIS MAYFIELD (Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below We’re Gonna Go
JOHNNY HARRIS Stepping Stones
6IX I’m Just Like You
THE UNEMPLOYED Funky Thing-Part 1
SHIRLEY SCOTT Messie Bessie
WILLIE WEST Fairchild
THE GATURS Cold Bear
MONGO SANTAMARIA I Can’t Get Next To You
LULU Feelin‘ Alright
MEMPHIS HORNS Soul Bowl
HAMMER Tuane
JOHNNY TOLBERT & DE THANGS Take It Off-Part II
HARLEM RIVER DRIVE w/EDDIE PALMIERI/JIMMY NORMAN Seeds Of Life
WILSON PICKETT Engine Number 9 (Single Version)

3
BABY HUEY & THE BABY SITTERS Hard Times
HOUSEGUESTS What So Never The Dance-Pt. 1 & 2
EUGENE MCDANIELS Headless Heroes
WADE MARCUS Spinning Wheel
EARTH, WIND & FIRE Bad Tune
RASPUTIN’S STASH Mr. Cool
JUNIOR MANCE Don’t Cha Hear Me Calling To Ya
THE STOVALL SISTERS Hang On In There
THE BEGINNING OF THE END Funky Nassau (Part II)
MARK HOLDER & THE POSITIVES Whatever’s Fair
ED ROBINSON Face It
YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED Wah Wah Man
ARETHA FRANKLIN Rock Steady (Alternate Mix) (Previously Unissued)
BLACK HAZE EXPRESS Won’t Nobody Listen
ALLEN TOUSSAINT Goin‘ Down
MALO Suavecito
CHARLES WRIGHT You Gotta Know Whatcha Doin‘
TAMI LYNN Mo Jo Hanna
KING CURTIS Ridin‘ Thumb
MACONDO Almendra
LITTLE RICHARD Nuki Suki

4
UNITED 8 Getting Uptown (To Get Down)
HOWARD TATE 8 Days On The Road
LABELLE Moon Shadow (Edit)
SOCIETY’S BAG Let It Crawl
BLACK HEAT Wanaoh
CLARENCE REID If It Was Good Enough For Daddy
CLAUDIA LENNEAR Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky
THE MYSTIC MOODS Cosmic Sea
COLD BLOOD Kissing My Love
SEATRAIN Flute Thing (45 Edit)
THE METERS Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Push And Shove) Part II
FREDDI/HENCHI & THE SOUL SETTERS Funky To The Bone
BOBBY BYRD Try It Again
CORNELL DUPREE Teasin‘
DR. JOHN (Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away
OSCAR BROWN, JR. Chicken Heads
FUNK FACTORY Rien Ne Va Plus
HERBIE MANN Cajun Moon (Single Version)
DARROW FLETCHER Improve
FAZE-O Riding High
FRED WESLEY & THE HORNY HORNS Four Play (Promo Edit)
EDDIE HAZEL California Dreamin‘ (Edit)

Tags What It Is Funky Soul And Rare Grooves | Comments (36)

Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Can You Dig It? The Music and Politics of Black Action Films 1969-75 (2009)

November 4, 2011 – 10:30

Can You Dig It? The Music and Politics of Black Action Films 1969-75 (2009)
Cool, Huh?

Excellent 2CD collection of some of the best recordings from the early 70s blaxploitation film years. Just peruse the tracks and see what a top-notch collection this is. From the some of the biggest names and better soundtracks to obscure, long-forgotten curios. Outstanding quality. Hear “Shaft In Africa.” Amazon.

1
ROY AYERS Coffy Is The Color
GENE PAGE Blacula
JOHNNY PATE Shaft In Africa
WILLIE HUTCH Brothers Gonna Work It Out
DON COSTA Charley
MARVIN GAYE T Plays It Cool
BOBBY WOMACK Across 110th Street
J.J. JOHNSON Willie Chase
JAMES BROWN Down And Out In New York City
QUINCY JONES They Call Me Mister Tibbs
MARTHA REEVES Keep On Movin’ On
DENNIS COFFEY Theme From Black Belt Jones
CURTIS MAYFIELD Freddie’s Dead
THE BLACKBYRDS Wilford’s Gone
WILLIE HUTCH Theme Of Foxy Brown
ISAAC HAYES Run Fay Run

2
ISAAC HAYES Shaft
CURTIS MAYFIELD Pusherman
JOE SIMON Theme From Cleopatra Jones
JOHNNY PATE You Can’t Even Walk In The Park
EARTH WIND AND FIRE Sweetback’s Theme
JAMES BROWN Make It Good To Yourself
ISAAC HAYES Pursuit Of The Pimpmobile
GRANT GREEN Travelling To Get To Doc
BOOKER T & THE MG’S Time Is Tight
ROY AYERS Aragon
EDWIN STARR Easin’ In
GORDON STAPLES Strung Out
NAT DOVE AND THE DEVILS Zombie March
THE IMPRESSIONS Make A Resolution
SOLOMON BURKE & GENE PAGE The Bus
JACK ASHFORD Las Vegas Strut
DON JULIAN Lay It On Your Head
GALT MACDERMOT Ed And Digger

Tags Can You Dig It? The Music and Politics of Black Action Films 1969-75 | Comments (24)

DAVID JOHANSEN RICHARD THOMPSON SQUEEZE Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS In Their Own Words, Volumes One & Two (1994/1996)

November 3, 2011 – 10:00

In Their Own Words, Volume One (1994)
In Their Own Words, Volume Two (1996)
Eclectic Collection Of Various Artists, Playing Live, Unplugged And Telling Stories

RE-UPPED Before VH1′s Storytellers, radio DJ Vin Scelsa hosted this similar concept, featuring a vast array of artists recorded live at The Bottom Line. Subtitled A Bunch of Songwriters Sittin’ Around Singing, the results were released on CDs in 1994 & 1996. Each artist speaks for half a minute or two before their performance, so the pace is fast, the editing is smooth and a lot of stylistic ground gets covered. 31 artists are credited, but there are plenty of others in the background. For instance, Jules Shear and Marshall Crenshaw back Don Dixon on “Fever.” Richard Thompson plays guitar for both Barrett Strong (author of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”) and the Blasters’ Dave Alvin. Al Kooper’s on organ behind William Bell and that’s Glen Burtnik supporting both Patty Smyth and Derek & The Dominos’ Bobby Whitlock. The intimate live setting makes for a surprisingly consistent listen, considering the artistic diversity. Hear some intros and songs below. One & Two @ Amazon.

Volume One
DION – King Of The New York Streets
BARRETT STRONG – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
JOEY RAMONE – I Wanna Be Sedated (intro only)
RICHARD THOMPSON – I Feel So Good
RIC OCASEK – Just What I Needed
JANIS IAN – At Seventeen
JIMMY WEBB – Wichita Lineman
DAVE ALVIN – Andersonville
ARTHUR ALEXANDER – Anna
FRED KOLLER – Let’s Talk Dirty In Hawaiian
LUKA BLOOM – I Need Love
GRAHAM PARKER – No Woman, No Cry
SHAWN COLVIN – That’s The Way Love Goes
BOBBY WHITLOCK – Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Volume Two
GORDON GANO – Songwriter’s Song
SIR MACK RICE/FELIX CAVALIERE – Mustang Sally
BILLY BRAGG – To Have And Have Not
SUZANNE VEGA – Luka
WILLIAM BELL – Born Under A Bad Sign
PATTY SMYTH – Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough
JOHN CALE – Paris 1919
DAVID JOHANSEN – Lookin’ For A Kiss (with intro)
BRUCE COCKBURN – Silver Wheels
GENERAL JOHNSON – Patches
PETE SEEGER – Get Up And Go
CHRIS DIFFORD & GLENN TILBROOK – Electric Trains
MARCIA BALL – Louisiana, 1927
DON DIXON – Fever
JILL SOBULE – I Will Survive
GARY NICHOLSON – Pay Bo Diddley

Tags In Their Own Words Volumes One & Two | Comments (9)

FLO AND EDDIE TURTLES Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Gumby (1989)

November 2, 2011 – 08:56

Gumby (1989)
Obscure Tribute To That Big Green Rubbery Guy

One of our commenters mentioned this ancient artifact from the 20th Century and we thought it might be fun to post it, if only for the Beatles re-write by Flo & Eddie (The Turtles/The Mothers) that captures the fab’s psych years in a rich parody of/homage to “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “I Am The Walrus” (“all we are saying, is give Gumby a chance”). There’s some other fun stuff here as well, including Dweezil & Moon Unit Zappa’s original tribute, Sly & Robbie, Jonathan Richman and even Francis Albert’s kid, Frank Sinatra, Jr., taking an extremely weak swing at the show’s theme song (the kid never really had the chops). All but three of the contributions are original compositions. Amazon.

DWEEZIL and MOON UNIT ZAPPA (In Love) With You Gumby (3:42)
EDDIE WADE Concrete and Clay (3:40)
BRAVE COMBO Zydeco Gumby Ya Ya (2:24)
DONNA McELROY Bend Me, Shape Me (4:37)
SLY and ROBBIE Gumby, We Love You (4:30)
JOHNATHAN RICHMAN I Like Gumby (2:57)
BRAVE COMBO Pokey’s Polka (3:03)
RICK SCHULMAN The Ballad Of Gumby (4:08)
FLO and EDDIE We All Are Gumby (6:01)
FRANK SINATRA, JR. The Gumby Heart Song (Original TV Theme) (3:06)

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Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Chains & Black Exhaust (2002)

October 26, 2011 – 11:01

Chains & Black Exhaust (2002)
Bad Ass Guitar & Funk Weirdness

Fantastic, low-budget various artist collection of obscure 60s/70s funk tracks. It’s been stated that this release was originally limited to 1000 copies… and that a reissue appeared in 2008, identical to the original except missing the track “Showstopper” by Iron Knowledge. Beyond that, you’re kinda on your own when it comes to these cool, long-lost tracks – as the original CD featured no track listings or band names (though, fanatics have since pieced together the details). Sourced from vinyl, the emphasis is on dirty guitar weirdness (think Eddie Hazel or pre-fame Hendrix), while the surface noise is essential.

Skit 1 (0:46)
BLACK ROCK Yeah Yeah (2:55)
BLACK MERDA Cynthy-Ruth (2:54)
DOUG ANDERSON Mama, Here Comes The Preacher (2:49)
IRON KNOWLEDGE Showstopper (3:34)
JACOBS KELLY Funk Key (4:12)
LA CARNIVAL Blind Man (2:29)
PREACHER Life Is A Gamble (2:49)
SIR STANLEY I Believe I Found Myself (2:46)
THE YOUNG SENATORS Ringing Bells Pt. 2 (2:54)
JADE Paper Man (2:35)
GRAN AM Get High (4:48)
CURTIS KNIGHT The Devil Made Me Do It (2:37)
CURLY DAVIS & THE UNIQUES Black Cobra Pt. 2 (3:41)
HOT CHOCOLATE Good For The Gander (3:14)
STONE COAL WHITE You Know (3:51)
Skit 2 (0:46)
CREATIONS UNLIMITED Crystal Illusion (3:18)

Comments (12)

Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Sitar Beat! Vol. I & Vol. II (2006/2007)

October 26, 2011 – 11:00

Sitar Beat! Vol. I & Vol. II (2006/2007)
Psychedelic Indian Music With A Funk Twist

Sitar Beat! gathers together various pieces of music from the 60s, 70s & 80s Indian film industry into a DJ’s mash-up of Bollywood psychedelic, East Indian wailing and cinematic funk with cut-and-paste backbeats and groovy edits. Most of this material was originally released on vinyl back in the day (and includes a few beyond-India oddities like Klaus Doldinger and Serge Gainsbourg), and has since been reinvigorated by modern technology and a long overdue re-appreciation of Bollywood’s colorful contributions to anything-goes film scoring. Lots of Tarantino via Gainesbourg via Morricone via India, though the sound seems a bit distressed. Both I & II are at Amazon.

VOL. 1
KLAUS DOLDINGER Sitar Beat (1:32)
KLAUS DOLDINGER Sitar (Bonus) Beats (1:54)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Dharmatma Theme Music (Tommy’s edit) (3:55)
SAPAN JAGMOHAN Meri Aakhon Mein (edit) (2:59)
ASHA BOSHLE (w/R.D. BURMAN) Dum Maro Dum Live (edit) (3:19)
SERGE GAINSBOURG New Delire (3:00)
SERGE GAINSBOURG Psychastenie (Miles’ drum edit) (3:44)
ANANDA SHANKAR Dancing Drums (5:17)
R.D. BURMAN Rocky Bonus Beats (0:29)
R.D. BURMAN Aa Dekhen Jara (edit) (5:22)
RAGHUNATH SETH Orchestral Music (edit) (3:38)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Somebody to Love (edit) (2:13)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Bairaag Dance Music (edit) (2:43)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Banarasi Babu Beats (0:42)
USHA KHANNA Hotel Incidental Music (edit) (1:14)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Theme From Don (edit) (2:18)
ANNU MALIK (w/ASHA BOSHLE) Sun O Dilruba Dil Ki Yeh Sada (5:46)
R.D. BURMAN The Burning Train (edit) (4:20)
BIDDU Qurbani Bonus Beats (0:20)
BIDDU (w/ MANHAR & ANAND) Hum Tumhe Chate Hain (edit) (5:43)
ANANDA SHANKAR Sa Re Ga (edit) (6:23)

VOL. 2
BABLA AND HIS ORCHESTRA The Witness (4:09)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Feat. ASHA BHOSLE Awara Sadiyon Se (4:05)
S.D. NARANG Everybody Dance With Me (2:57)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Feat. LATA MANGESHKAR Wada Karle Sajna (4:11)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Feat. ASHA BHOSLE Nigahon Ka Adaon Ka (3:39)
R.D. BURMAN Freak Out Music (3:19)
LAXMIKANT PYARELAL Dushmun Title Music (3:03)
KALYANJI ANANDJI Feat. LATA MANGESHKAR Pyar Zindagi Hai (7:23)
USHA KHANNA Tera Jasia Pyara Koi Nahin (5:27)
HEMANT BHOSLE Feat. ASHA BHOSLE Phir Teri Yaad (3:15)
AJIT SINGH Feat. ASHA BHOSLE Main Akeli Raat Jawan (5:10)
LAXMIKANT PYARELAL Bekaraar Bekaraar Bekaraar Kiya (6:08)
R.D. BURMAN Feat. ASHA BHOSLE Aaj Mera Dil (5:28)
LAXMIKANT PYARELAL Feat. MOHD RAFI & CHORUS Dard E Dil (7:02)
KEITH KANGA Butterfly (Version Two) (3:27)
KALYANJI ANANDJI FT. AMIT KUMAR & KANCHAN Laila O Laila (4:29)

Tags Sitar Beat-Indian Style Heavy Funk | Comments (7)

Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS T-Bird Party! A Swangin’ Slew O’ Greasy R&B 1957-61

October 11, 2011 – 08:01

T-Bird Party! A Swangin’ Slew O’ Greasy R&B 57-61
If The Cover Alone Isn’t Whispering Your Name… Just Keep On Walkin’

A collection of crazy-assed, R&B novelty tunes & black dance fads, too wild for radio, too black for whites and too much fun. Greasy shuffles, strutting horns and the kind of shout-out party anthems goin’ on at the real frat party across the tracks from the Animal House. Amazon.

WINEHEAD WILLIE & SWEET LUCIE BROWN The Last of the Big Time Spenders, Pt. 1 (2:49)
WINEHEAD WILLIE & SWEET LUCIE BROWN The Last of the Big Time Spenders, Pt. 2 (2:52)
SNEEZE & BREEZE Bongo Boo Boo (2:57)
SATCH ARNOLD On the Run (2:12)
FRANTIC JOHNNY ROGERS Sassy (2:06)
DAVEY JONES The Chase (2:19)
T. VALENTINE Teenage Jump (2:15)
JOHN J. MOSES Night Out (2:45)
J.C. DAVIS Sweet Sweet Love (1:50)
JOHNNY KNIGHT Little Ann (2:18)
QUARTER NOTES Punkanilla (2:07)
BETTY JAMES I’m Not Mixed Up Anymore (2:04)
LUTHER LITTLE Du De Squat (2:39)
SINNER STRONG Don’t Knock It (2:16)
DANNY BROWN Chewn’ Gum (2:20)
CHARLES SHEFFIELD The Kangaroo (2:52)
‘CILE TURNER Crap Shootin’ Sinner (3:00)

Tags T-Bird Party! A Swangin' Slew O' Greasy R&B 1957-61 | Comments (11)

Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS The Doors Of Perception – Dope Funk, Psychedelic Soul And Acid Jazz From NYC ’70 -’74 (2000)

October 7, 2011 – 10:00

The Doors Of Perception – Dope Funk, Psychedelic Soul And Acid Jazz From NYC ’70 -’74 (2000)
Roots Of A Funky Musical Revolution

Fantastic collection of obscure 70s black-centric psych & funk from a variety of artists who, back in the day, were unafraid to push the boundaries of funk, jazz and avant soul music. Don’t let established jazzers like Dizzy Gillespie or Shirley Horn scare you off. These tracks illustrate they were just as adventurous as the post-60s, young turks with nothing to lose. Clearly, this is a collection that’s greater than the sum of its parts and a valuable look at the roots of modern acid jazz and nu-funk. Amazon.

FATBACK BAND – Goin‘ To See My Baby (3:17)
DIZZY GILLESPIE – Matrix (4:04)
MADHOUSE – Get Some of This (4:21)
WANDA ROBINSON – A Possibility (Back Home) (2:34)
BARTEL – Naturally Good (6:49)
JULIUS BROCKINGTON – Rock Steady (3:36)
JAMES MOODY – Heritage Hum (5:02)
LARRY YOUNG – Alive (1:50)
BLACK IVORY – Surrender (2:27)
ADAM WADE & JOHNNY TATE – Brother (Title) (2:00)
SHIRLEY HORN – Consequences of a Drug Addict Role (6:06)
FATBACK BAND – Fatbackin‘ (3:15)
EIGHT MINUTES – I Can’t Get No Higher (3:29)
BARTEL – Summer in the City (3:05)
THE BROCKINGTONS – I Just Got To Know (2:39)
BENNY JOHNSON – Stop Me (3:55)
DEBBIE TAYLOR – Too Sad To Tell (2:49)
THE EXCITERS – Life, Love and Peace (2:12)
DIZZY GILLESPIE – Alligator (5:08)
BOBBY RYDELL – Honeybuns (2:55)

Tags The Doors Of Perception - Dope Funk Psychedelic Soul And Acid Jazz From NYC '70 -'74 | Comments (14)

Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Bombay The Hard Way Guns, Cars & Sitars (1999)

October 7, 2011 – 09:59

Bombay The Hard Way
Guns, Cars & Sitars (1999)
Psychedelic Indian Blaxpoitation

The All Music Guide best tells the story of this simple and perfect mixture of nu-beats and actual 60s/70s Indian soundtrack music – originally produced for low budget action, B-movie blaxpoitation flicks, Bollywood style. A combo of old and new that seamlessly fuses psychedelic Shaft, hip hop, 70s soul, sound bites and Munster muzak with looped hypnotics and plenty of soundtrack space. The sitar work ingeniously sets the album’s tone and the funky undercurrents give it that timeless, retro Tarantino vibe. Probably more of a cut & sample job than the review lets on, AMG still sums it up nicely, saying it “showcases how the Americans and the Italians may have invented the noir and cheap thrill movie soundtrack, but the Indians took it to a whole different level.” Amazon.

Bombay 405 Miles
The Good, The Bad, and the Chutney
My Guru
Ganges a Go-Go
The Great Gambler
Professor Pyarelal
Fists of Curry
Punjabis, Pimps & Players
Inspector Jay From Dehli
Satchidananda
Theme From Don
Fear of a Brown Planet
Uptown Bollywood Nights
Kundan’s Hideout
Swami Safari

Tags Bombay The Hard Way Guns Cars & Sitars | Comments (2)

RICHARD THOMPSON Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS A Thompson Family Christmas (2008)

October 4, 2011 – 07:32

A Thompson Family Christmas
Queen Elizabeth Hall, December 17, 2008

The excellent December 17th BBC Radio 2 broadcast of A Thompson Family Christmas, or – as ringleader Teddy Thompson states before the final group performance – “a family moment which happens once every 30 years or so.” Fine performances by all involved, including family, friends and a rare reunion (of sorts) of Richard & Linda Thompson. Also features Kamila Thompson, Bert Jansch, Chris Difford, Katherine Williams, Ed Harcourt, Justin Bond, Brendan Campbell, Jenni Muldaur and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset. Listen to Richard Thompson’s “Cutty Wren,” below.

Teddy Thompson & Katherine Williams – Silent Night
Kamila Thompson - Purple Snowflakes
Ed Harcourt – Christmas Time Is Here
Justin Bond – New Depression
Brendan Campbell - Albert’s Ashes
Teddy Thompson – Christmas
Katherine Williams – Bright Morning Stars
Kamila Thompson - Last Christmas
Chris Difford – Let’s Not Fight This Christmas
Richard Thompson – Cutty Wren
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset – Tar Barrel In Dale
Bert Jansch – Moonshine
Jenni Muldaur – Christmas Will Be Just Another Day
Thompsons - Blue Christmas

Tags A Thompson Family Christmas | Comments (12)

MATTHEW SWEET RAMONES Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Saturday Morning Cartoons’ Greatest Hits (1995)

September 22, 2011 – 08:46

Saturday Morning Cartoons’ Greatest Hits (1995)
Pure Pop For Pre-People

The All Music Guide simply hated it, but they just had the wrong attitude. Some of the purest pop music written is in the form of cartoon theme songs; meant by design to be short, sticky and easy to digest. Having a slew of alt bands covering those classic Saturday morning pop fests is a cool enough idea. I would have prefered less nineties alt (Helmet, Butthole Surfers, Toadies) and more genuine popsters (Matthew Sweet, Material Issue, Semisonic), but that’s to be expected, since this was released in 1995. It’s true, however, that turning 30 & 60 second themes into 3-1/2 minute pop songs means “filler” becomes a natural part of the process. The artists tend to use those moments to insert their own personalities and ticks. Still, like any various artist/concept, you’ll always want to lose some of the participants. But when the idea works (“The Tra La La Song,” “Josie And The Pussycats,” “Jonny Quest”), it works well. Matthew Sweet plays “Scooby Doo” completely straight-faced, and you can tell the Buttholes are having a blast with “Underdog.” Besides, the lyrics are no more banal than some of Paul McCartney’s. Find it at Amazon (HERE), along with expensive vinyl (HERE) and VHS versions (HERE).

LIZ PHAIR & MATERIAL ISSUE The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) (3:15)
SPONGE Go, Speed Racer, Go! (3:08)
MARY LOU LORD & SEMISONIC Sugar Sugar (3:53)
MATTHEW SWEET Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (3:13)
JULIANA HATFIELD & TANYA DONELLY Josie And The Pussycats (2:53)
COLLECTIVE SOUL The Bugaloos (3:19)
BUTTHOLE SURFERS Underdog (3:56)
HELMET Gigantor (4:15)
RAMONES Spider-Man (2:07)
REVEREND HORTON HEAT Jonny Quest/Stop That Pigeon (3:10)
FRETE! Open Up Your Heart And Let the Sun Shine In (3:31)
VIOLENT FEMMES Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah (Means I Love You) (3:22)
DIG Fat Albert Theme (3:47)
FACE TO FACE I’m Popeye The Sailor Man (3:06)
TRIPPING DAISY Friends/Sigmund And The Seamonsters (4:23)
TOADIES Goolie Get-Together (3:48)
SUBLIME Hong Kong Phooey (3:47)
THE MURMURS H.R. Pufnstuf (3:20)
WAX Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy (3:31)

Comments (6)

BEATLES JOHN LENNON Soundtracks Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Nowhere Boy (John Lennon Bio Soundtrack 2009)

September 1, 2011 – 19:17

Nowhere Boy (2009)
Roots Of The Beatles, With A Sales Garnering Lennon Outtake

At first, I wasn’t all that interested in the 2009 soundtrack to the John Lennon bio, Nowhere Boy. After seeing the track list, however, it appeared to be a decent enough, if standard, “roots of” collection worth checking out. Besides, I was curious about the house band, The Nowhere Boys (masquerading as the pre-Beatles Quarrymen), and was wondering if there might be some hidden magic to be found – like the righteous roots rock of Dave Edmunds’ fictional Stray Cats found on the 1974 Stardust soundtrack. Alas… such is not the case. Though credit should be given to Aaron Johnson, the actor/singer tasked with impersonating one of the world’s most recognizable voices. Johnson does an admirable job of suggesting the early Beatle’s vocal inflections without resorting to the conventional mimicry we’re all familiar with. The remakes of two of The Beatles’ earliest compositions (“Hello Little Girl” & “In Spite Of All the Danger”) is a plus. Besides, if you don’t already have some of these 50s essentials in your digital collection, you probably should. Any knee-jerks crying foul about just the idea of trying to capture this particular time in a bottle, should save their wrath for the producers, instead. They’re the ones that stretched this 75 minutes of music into two CDs, with an unreleased Lennon outtake (“Mother,” sans piano) to sucker the collectors in. Which renders the soundtrack nearly as expensive as the film’s DVD at Amazon. Musically… you could do a lot worse than The Nowhere Boys, but there’s plenty to enjoy here.

JERRY LEE LEWIS Wild One (1:54)
DICKIE VALENTINE Mr. Sandman (2:17)
JACKIE BRENSTON AND HIS DELTA CATS Rocket 88 (2:49)
ELVIS PRESLEY Shake, Rattle & Roll (2:28)
WANDA JACKSON Hard Headed Woman (1:59)
SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS I Put A Spell On You (2:27)
THE NOWHERE BOYS Maggie May (1:56)
THE NOWHERE BOYS That’ll Be The Day (2:10)
EDDIE BOND & THE STOMPERS Rockin’ Daddy (1:59)
EDDIE COCHRAN Twenty Flight Rock (1:45)
THE NOWHERE BOYS That’s Alright Mamma (1:56)
THE NOWHERE BOYS Movin’ And Groovin’ (1:33)
THE NOWHERE BOYS Raunchy (2:04)
BIG MAMA THORNTON Hound Dog (2:51)
GENE VINCENT AND THE BLUE CAPS Be-Bop-A-Lula (2:36)
AARON JOHNSON Hello Little Girl (1:51)
THE NOWHERE BOYS In Spite Of All The Danger (2:54)
JOHN LENNON Mother (3:50)

CHECK BERRY Roll Over Beethoven (2:25)
BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS Rock Around The Clock (2:13)
LITTLE RICHARD Rip It Up (2:24)
ELVIS PRESLEY Baby, Let’s Play House (1:06)
BUDDY HOLLY Peggy Sue (2:31)
BUDDY KNOX Party Doll (2:13)
BOBBY FULLER FOUR I Fought The Law (2:19)
VINCE TAYLOR & HIS PLAYBOYS Brand New Cadillac (2:37)
DALE HAWKINS Susie-Q (2:14)
SHIRLEY & LEE Let The Good Times Roll (2:24)
BARRETT STRONG Money (That’s What I Want) (2:40)
FATS DOMINO Ain’t That A Shame (2:27)
LLOYD PRICE Stagger Lee (2:23)
FRANKIE VAUGHAN These Dangerous Years (2:14)
THE DEL-VIKINGS Come Go With Me (2:41)

Comments (17)

BEATLES Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Meet The Covers! A Tribute To The Beatles (1997)

September 1, 2011 – 10:21

Meet The Covers! A Tribute To The Beatles (1997)
Todd, Harry, Nils and Richie (With A Little Help…)

Simple, but effective compilation from Hip-O Select that gathers together a few of the more inventive realizations of The Beatles’ often impossible-to-better music. There’s no overall ‘concept’ to rally around (besides the obvious), as the track selection has the feel of a knowledgeable pal’s mixtape, with some essential, high quality choices like Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Got To Get You Into My Life” and Nilsson’s celebrated harmony-fest, “You Can’t Do That,” incorporating dozens of Beatles melodies. Like any good mixtape, there are a few gems and a few surprises and, surprisingly, no outright duds (though, the odds dictate that everyone will want to skip something). Todd, The Flamin’ Groovies and The Grass Roots lean faithful, while Richie Havens, Little Richard and Aretha get personally interpretive. In between is a listenable array of styles, from gospel to dance. And… aren’t you at least curious what Siouxsie is doing covering “Dear Prudence.” For an idea that’s about as played-out as it could possibly be, Meet The Covers! is still a fun diversion, worth at least a spin from anyone still desperately clinging (for dear life) to the target demographic age group. Amazon.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE Got To Get You Into My Life (4:04)
ARETHA FRANKLIN Let It Be (3:32)
LITTLE RICHARD I Saw Her Standing There (3:29)
NILS LOFGREN Anytime At All (2:44)
THE FLAMIN’ GROOVIES There’s A Place (1:52)
NILSSON You Can’t Do That (2:20)
THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS I Call Your Name (2:39)
THE GRASS ROOTS You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (2:53)
RICHIE HAVENS Here Comes The Sun (2:43)
TODD RUNDGREN Rain (3:18)
SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES Dear Prudence (3:50)
BREAKFAST CLUB Drive My Car (3:17)
WILSON PICKETT Hey Jude (3:58)
IKE & TINA TURNER Come Together (3:37)

Comments (3)

NICK LOWE Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Velvet Tinmine – 20 Junk Shop Glam Ravers (2003)

August 30, 2011 – 19:45

Velvet Tinmine (2003)
Well-Titled Gathering Of Great Not-So-Greats

Relics from the Glam era. Don’t go looking for your favorites, though, as this is the stuff that fell between the cracks during those scant few years (between the UK’s pop and punk revivals) when Bowie, T. Rex and Sweet were ruling the ears of directionless Brits looking for something new. Velvet Tinmine is a gathering of those forgotten singles that lingered in record stores while the famous taste makers were shaping the latest wave. You’ll soon hear why. But, for fans of the genre, this collection still has all the pert guyliner riffs and pasty-faced hooks you’ve come to love and expect… just without the test of time. Being a Yank, none of these bands are familiar to me, and I suspect they may not even be familiar to many Brits, either. About all I knew was The Tartan Horde, an early Nick Lowe tongue-in-tribute to The Bay City Rollers (the single that would pave the way for his future with Stiff Records). That can’t be THE Damned, right? While most of this collection lacks the brilliance of the classic singles that shaped the (don’t blink) era, it’s important to note that – like its loose American equivalent, bubblegum/power pop – bottom-of-the-barrel glam doesn’t have to be good to be great. This is the original 2003 CD release. The 2009 reissue features four different (not additional) tunes; “Down At The Club” (Chaos), “Clap Your Hands And Stomp Your Feet” (Wild Angels), “Fraulein Love” (Space Waltz) & “Eight Days A Week” (Sparkle) replacing The Damned, Crunch, Shakane and Bearded Lady. If you’ve got those 4 tracks, let us know. Amazon

IRON VIRGIN Rebels Rule (3:14)
HELLO Another School Day (2:54)
WARWICK Let’s Get The Party Going (3:28)
THE DAMNED Morning Bird (2:31)
SISTERS Kick Your Boots Off (2:41)
FLAME Big Wheel Turning (3:41)
THE ARROWS Toughen Up (2:55)
CRUNCH Let’s Do It Again (2:53)
BEARDED LADY Rock Star (3:07)
SIMON TURNER (Baby) I Gotta Go (3:14)
BRETT SMILEY Va Va Va Voom (3:12)
SHAKANE Love Machine (2:51)
WASHINGTON FLYERS The Comets Are Coming (2:28)
STAVELY MAKEPEACE Slippery Rock 70s (2:51)
PLOD Neo City (3:26)
RICKY WILDE I Wanna Go To A Disco (3:06)
THE TARTAN HORDE (NICK LOWE) Bay City Rollers We Love You (3:38)
BIG WHEEL Shake A Tail, Pt. 1 (3:28)
FANCY Wild Thing (2:58)
TUBHUMPER Kick Out The Jams (2:30)

Comments (22)

dB's JULES SHEAR SQUEEZE Various Artists

VARIOUS ARTISTS Just In Time For Christmas (1990)

August 12, 2011 – 09:42

Just In Time For Christmas (1990)
Am I Late?

This is pretty skitzo, I know. It’s August, but here’s Just In Time For Christmas, featuring mostly original, holiday-themed material. The reviews for this 1990 release were dismal. Still, because this is IRS Records in the 90s, there are some great, otherwise impossible to find tracks from Klark Kent (Police drummer Stu Copeland’s alias), The dB’s, Squeeze, Reckless Sleepers (featuring Jules Shear & Wings drummer Steve Holley), Wall Of Voodoo and others. You could do worse. Amazon’s got it cheap.

SQUEEZE Christmas Day (3:55)
REBEL PEBBLES Cool Yule (3:15)
KLARK KENT Yo Ho Ho (3:39)
TORCH SONG Hark (2:25)
RECKLESS SLEEPERS Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday (3:46)
STEVE HUNTER We Three Kings (2:32)
THE DB’S Home For The Holidays (2:50)
MOLLY JOHNSON & NORMAN ORENSTEIN Silent Night (2:53)
DEBORAH HOLLAND It Only Comes Once A Year (3:43)
TIMBUK 3 All I Want For Christmas (3:24)
KENNEDY ROSE More Than One Night A Year (4:06)
DREAD ZEPPELIN All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (2:57)
WALL OF VOODOO Shouldn’t Have Given Him A Gun For Christmas (4:05)

Comments (8)

BOB NIRVANA Various Artists

V/A: UNCUT Presents: Highway 61 Revisited Revisited (2005), SPIN Presents Newermind: A Tribute Album (2011) & REVOLVER: Live From Austin, Texas (2006)

July 25, 2011 – 08:00

When we were gathering together some stray MOJO magazine CDs, our pal Logan came up with a few hard to find ones and, just to be a nice guy, sent along a couple of other cool magazine freebies. Uncut Presents: Highway 61 Revisited Revisited, is a collection of artists recreating some obscure album Bob Dylan released 40 years earlier. A great listen with some unexpected twists. You can check out Dave Alvin, sounding like he’s back in Vegas with The Pleasure Barons on the title track. Logan also sent us a promo CD from The Netherland’s Revolver – a record company-backed promotional CD that spotlights 12 artists (and their releases) from the Live From Austin, Texas series. You get a track from each, including Richard Thompson (in a trio format with bassist Danny Thompson), Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, the great Delbert McClinton and others. The last CD is a free download from SPIN magazine, and was released just this weekend. It features a bunch of (largely unknown) acts celebrating 20 years of Nirvana’s Nevermind. I only gave it a spot check, but most of what I heard was radically re-interpreted, which kinda undermined the whole idea for me. Amazon‘s got the Dylan tribute. Thanks again, Logan.

UNCUT Presents: Highway 61 Revisited Revisited (2005)
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Like A Rolling Stone (6:04)
MARC CARROLL Tombstone Blues (5:17)
PAUL WESTERBERG It Takes A Lot To Laugh… (4:07)
RICHMOND FONTAIN From A Buick 6 (4:12)
WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY Ballad Of A Thin Man (5:58)
AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB Queen Jane Approximately (5:00)
DAVE ALVIN Highway 61 Revisited (5:01)
THE HANDSOME FAMILY Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues (5:43)
SONGDOG Desolation Row (9:55)

SPIN Presents Newermind: A Tribute Album (2011)
MEAT PUPPETS Smells Like Teen Spirit (4:54)
BUTCH WALKER & THE BLACK WIDOWS In Bloom (3:25)
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS Come As You Are (3:48)
TITUS ANDRONICUS Breed (2:59)
THE VASELINES Lithium (3:59)
AMANDA PALMER Polly (3:32)
SURFER BLOOD Territorial Pissings (2:18)
FOXY SHAZAM Drain You (4:04)
JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD Lounge Act (3:05)
CHARLES BRADLEY & THE MENAHAN STREET BAND Stay Away (3:14)
TELEKINESIS On A Plain (3:07)
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Something In The Way (4:12)
EMA Endless Nameless (5:24)

REVOLVER: Live From Austin, Texas (2006)
FATS DOMINO Blueberry Hill (2:41)
TONY JOE WHITE Polk Salad Annie (5:11)
WILLIE NELSON On The Road Again (2:10)
DELBERT McCLINTON Givin’ It Up For Your Love (4:01)
JOHN HIATT Have A Little Faith In Me (4:11)
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON Me And Bobby McGee (4:06)
SUSAN TEDESCHI Voodoo Woman (5:39)
STEVE EARLE Guitar Town (2:33)
DWIGHT YOAKUM I Sang Dixie (3:26)
RICHARD THOMPSON She Twists The Knife Again (3:31)
SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET She’s About A Mover (3:11)
TEXAS TORNADOS Mendocino (4:48)