YOUNG FLOWERS : You Upset Me Baby (1969)

Danish blues-rock! These guys were important in bringing blues and psychedelic music to the Netherlands in the late '60s (it seems every European country had a band like this). The Young Flowers didn't stray too much from the blues-based format, and were very similar in sound to UK bands like Cream. They were also the backing band for the late PETER THORUP for a little bit (whom I showcased in Oct. 2007. They may even be playing on that track). This particular song seems to be an acid-blues version of "Jailhouse Rock"; I like the distorted guitar sound. The soloing isn't bad either. For some reason, this track appears on both of their official releases at the time, but here's the version from the second album.

: Original album cover :
Song: "You Upset Me Baby"
From the LP "Vol. 2" (Sonet) 1969

LINEUP:
Peer Frost : guitar, vocals
Peter Ingemann : bass
Ken Gudman : drums

: Alternate album cover :

Get it here : You Upset Me Baby

SHAKTI with John McLaughlin : La Danse Du Bonheur (1976)

When John McLaughlin put the Mahavishu Orchestra on hiatus in the mid-70s, very few people expected this to be his next project! Basically trading electric instruments for acoustic, and sitting down instead of standing up, he helped expose the jazz community to more world music. Of course, McLaughlin being McLaughlin, he cherry-picked some of the best Indian musicians for this 'supergroup'!

It looks like Zakir Hussein is on tour! So let's hear something. This is the opening track off of the second album. One of the most impressive parts of this tune is the call-n-response vocal intro, which starts in 4/4 time, but shortens the signature and speeds it up (6/8, 5/8, 5/16??), until the rest of the group jumps in.

Song : "La Danse Du Bonheur"
From the LP "A HANDFUL OF BEAUTY" (Columbia) 1976

LINEUP:
John McLaughlin : guitar, producer
Zakir Hussein : tabla
L. Shankar : violin, vocals
T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram : ghatam, vocals

Get it here :

La Danse Du Bonheur

THE MONKS : Monk Time (1966)

R.I.P. Dave Day (1941-2008)

The Monks were/are one of the strangest rock bands in history. A bunch of American GIs stationed in Germany, and post-discharge decided to stay and start a band. Their gimmick was dressing up as Franciscan monks (in complete monk garbs and haircuts), but with nooses tied around their necks! They are now credited with early use of feedback, minimalist rock sound, screaming vocals, social commentary and all-around punk influence. And now there's a documentary hitting the theatres around the world (coming soon here!).

Mr. Day was the group's banjo player (yes, BANJO), who recently passed. Here's an obit:

"Dave Havlicek (Dave Day), banjo player, guitarist, singer and songwriter: born 1941; married; died Renton, Washington 10 January 2008.

Dave Day was the electric banjo player with the Monks, the rock'n'roll band made up of GIs stationed in Germany in the Sixties. They first played surf and beat music in the style of the Ventures and the Sonics, but soon developed a striking look – involving tonsures and the occasional cassock – to match their proto-punk sound.

Using chanting, feedback, improvisation, repetitive riffs and primal rhythms, and delivering subversive tirades against the Vietnam war and the atomic bomb, the Monks were ahead of the times. The debt that bands such as the Fall, the Fuzztones and the Gossip owe them was repaid when these musicians took part in Silver Monk Time: a tribute to the Monks in 2006. The Krautrock connoisseur Julian Cope has called the Monks' only album Black Monk Time "a gem born of isolation and the horrible deep-down knowledge that no-one is really listening to what you're saying"."

Here's the opening track from their first classic album. Rock and protest!

Song : "Monk Time"
From the LP "BLACK MONK TIME" (Polydor) Mar. 1966

LINEUP:
Gary Burger : vocals, guitar
Larry Clark : organ
Roger Johnston : drums (R.I.P. 2004)
Eddie Shaw : bass
Dave Day : banjo (R.I.P. 2008)

Get it here : Monk Time

THE FORTUNES : Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again (1971)

R.I.P. Rod Allen (1944 - 2008)

Well, it was SUPPOSED to rain! Either way, another dead musician. Rod Allen was a member of The Fortunes, one of the numerous British Invasion bands that followed in the wake of The Beatles. He died of liver cancer at age 63.

This track was a bit of a comeback for the group as they entered the 70s, guaranteeing their place on the oldies circuit. Good harmonies, catchy melodies, and strong vocals. A hit!

Song: "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again"
Single A-side (Capitol) 1971

LINEUP:
Rod Allen : vocals, bass
Shel Macrae : vocals, guitar
Barry Pritchard : guitar (R.I.P. 1944 - 1999)
Andy Brown : drums

Get it here : Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again

THE ENID : Punch And Judy Man (1980)

Here is a selection from the vastly underrated UK prog band, The Enid. Very much in the 'symphonic' territory of the genre, these guys have quite a rabid fanbase, mainly due to their continued fusion of classical music with 'rock' instruments. As always their music takes a lot of inspiration of other bands of the era, most notably GENESIS in their more introspective moments. Yet there are some surprising similarities to how VANGELIS composes in some instances.

However, this track is almost completely different than the majority of their work. There is obviously a KING CRIMSON Mk III influence in its aggressive rhythmic patterns and guitar work. The song is effectively split into four sections: the first and third are fast and rhythmic, while the second and fourth slow things down to give the listener a rest (being serious musicians and all, there just HAS to be woodwinds and synths). I like almost being able to bop my head to it. Special mention should go to the drummer Robbie Dobson for playing his a$$ off (take a listen to his playing from 5:02 - 5:15; is Neil Peart making a cameo?).

Here is a blurb from a fansite:

"The album opens with Punch And Judy Man, which as can be aptly deciphered from the title is a schizoid piece of music. It features the band at possibly their rockiest, with various sections devoid of the lush orchestration. In fact the initial section of this particular track is the closest the band come to actually playing progressive rock as most people know it, though this is then contrasted by the melodic orchestration replete with woodwind to finally conclude with the characteristic merging of both classical and rock genres."

Song : "Punch And Judy Man"

LP "SIX PIECES" (PYE Records) 1980

LINEUP:

Robert John Godfrey (keyboards)

Stephen Stewart (guitar)

Francis Lickerish (guitar)

Martin Russell (keyboards and bass)

William Gilmour (keyboards)

Robbie Dobson (drums and percussion)

Get it here : Punch And Judy Man

A TASTE OF HONEY : Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978)

R.I.P. Anthony Joseph "Tony" Ben (1942-2008)



"An accomplished percussionist, Tony moved to Los Angeles in 1972, and soon began touring and recording at Capital Records with the singing group The Sylvers.
Later he joined the group, Ronnie Laws and Pressure, with whom he recorded for the Blue Note Label.
The Ronnie Laws group opened for various artists including War, The Jazz Crusaders, Roy Ayers, Tower of Power, Sarah Vaughn, Grover Washington and Freddie Hubbard.
Later he joined the group A Taste of Honey and recorded 'Boogie Oogie Oogie' with the duo.
Subsequently he toured with Donna Summer, Dionne Warwick, the Commodores, the Spinners, Frankie Vallie, Smokey Robinson, Lou Rawls amongst others.
An automobile accident led to glaucoma, a condition that resulted in the loss of most of his vision. He was diagnosed as 'legally blind', attending the Braille Institute and additionally accompanied Stevie Wonder live.
Tony reunited with Frances Cranon Stubblefield, his high school sweetheart in 1995 and they shared twelve years together prior to his passing."

So here's a classic disco track by A Taste Of Honey, with a double female lead-vocal, lead-instrument attack. Tony Ben had joined this group on percussion, although I'm not sure if he's actually ON this track; yet he did go out on tour to support the album, so we'll leave it at that. This song won the group "Best New Artist" in the 1979 Grammy's however. It's got a great bass-line, great guitar licks, and production by the Mizell brothers.

Song : "Boogie Oogie Oogie"
From the LP "A TASTE OF HONEY" (Capitol) 1978

LINEUP:
Hazel P. Payne : lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar
Janice M. Johnson : lead vocals, backing vocals, bass
Perry L. Kibble : keyboards, backing vocals, producer
Donald R. Johnson : drums, backing vocals
Larry & Fonce Mizell : production

Get it here : Boogie Oogie Oogie

THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS : Dirty Tricks (1974)

Ohhh man, funky grooves from the all-girl vocal group. Originally started by Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney) in the '60s, they were the backup singers for Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl". They were later were picked up as the backing vocal group for ELVIS PRESLEY from 1969 until his death in 1977. They released a number of their own albums during that time, mostly for Atlantic records, but also had some recordings with Stax.

The Sweet Inspirations on stage behind Elvis:

This track is their second and last single for Stax records before going with Elvis full-time. There is a funky anger here, and great call-and-response vocals.

Enjoy the sunny days!

Song : "Dirty Tricks"

Single A-side (Stax 0203) 1974

LINEUP:

Myrna Smith : vocals

Estelle Brown : vocals

Syvlia Shemwell : vocals

Get it here: Dirty Tricks

PLACEBO : Blue American (2000)

Time to get a little mellow, courtesy of the UK group, Placebo.

From Wikipedia:
Blue American is a song on alternative rock band Placebo's third album "Black Market Music". The song is soft and not heavily dependent on instruments, having more of a concentration on lyrics.
"Blue American" has a dark tone; in it, the protagonist seems to reflect over his life while referring to novels (such as Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin") and self-help books. The character expresses acceptance of his nature as "pretentious" and also expresses gratitude to his mother.
According to singer-lyricist Brian Molko, the character is "attacking his parents, his culture, his culture's history, self-help, psychiatry." Regarding the mention of his mother, Molko explained "[I]t just fitted. When it came out, I thought it would be really nice to make her quite happy. Because I'm sure most of the subject matter of our songs doesn't make her very happy. So, at one point, maybe for one verse at least, she might think, 'Oh, that's nice. My son still loves me.'"

Song : "Blue American"

From the LP "BLACK MARKET MUSIC" (Virgin) Oct. 9, 2000

LINEUP:

Brian Molko : vocals, guitar

Stefan Olsdal : bass

Steve Hewitt : drums

Get it here :

Blue American

311 : Don't Stay Home (1995)

311 is on tour! They were one of the many rap-rock bands from the '90s. However, they were slightly different in that they incorporated ska, reggae, and singing into the mix, with some catchy hooks. This is the first single from the group's third album, which ended up being their breakthrough.

Song : "Don't Stay Home"
From the LP "311" (Capricorn) Jul. 25, 1995

LINEUP:
Nicholas Hexum : vocals, guitar
Chad Sexton : drums, percussion
Timothy J. Mahoney : guitar
P.Nut : bass
Count SA : vocals, scratches

Get it here : Don't Stay Home

UNKLE - Rabbit In Your Headlights (video)

This is the critically acclaimed video of the song.

UNKLE with THOM YORKE : Rabbit In Your Headlights (1998)

This is a track by hip-hop/trip-hop duo UNKLE from their debut album. It features Radiohead singer Thom Yorke, and unsurprisingly ends up sounding like a Radiohead song!

Song : "Rabbit In Your Headlights"
LP "PSYENCE FICTION" (Mo'Wax) Sep. 29, 1998

LINEUP:

Vocals, bass, synth : Thom Yorke

Music : DJ Shadow

Get it here : Rabbit In Your Headlights

As a bonus, here is the "Suburban Hell Remix" of the song as done by none other than DAVID AXELROD: Rabbit In Your Headlights (Suburban Hell Remix)

BUDDY MILES meets JIMI HENDRIX meet SANTANA : Them Changes (1969/70)

Buddy Miles R.I.P. 1947 - 2008

"Buddy Miles, the drummer in Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys and a hitmaker under his own name with the song “Them Changes,” died on Tuesday at his home in Austin, Tex. He was 60.

"His death was announced on his Web site, which said he had been battling congestive heart disease.

"Mr. Miles played with a brisk, assertive, deeply funky attack that made him an apt partner for Hendrix. With his luxuriant Afro and his American-flag shirts, he was a prime mover in the psychedelic blues-rock of the late 1960s, not only with Hendrix but also as a founder, drummer and occasional lead singer for the Electric Flag. During the 1980s, he was widely heard as the lead voice of the California Raisins in television commercials. "


Here are THREE versions his best-known track "Them Changes". The first was recorded New Year's Eve 1969-70 at The Fillmore in San Francisco, to be released on the only album by Jimi Hendrix's Band Of Gypsies. This version is stripped down to a three-piece. The vocals are slightly off (I guess that happens if you're playing drums and singing simultaneously), but Hendrix wails as usual. There's also an interesting breakdown in the middle of the song.
As recorded by Jimi Hendrix

From the LP "BAND OF GYPSIES" (Capitol) Apr. 1970

LINEUP:
Jimi Hendrix : guitar
Buddy Miles : drums, vocals
Billy Cox : bass

Miles went on to re-record the track in the studio on his own album, this time with a full band. The horns add an extra layer to the track, but less jamming of course.

As recorded by Buddy Miles
From the LP "THEM CHANGES" (Mercury) 1970

LINEUP:
Buddy Miles : drums, vocals
Bob Parkins : organ
Wally Rossunolo : guitar
Billy Cox : bass
James Tatum : tenor sax
Robert Pittman : alto sax
Teddy Blandin : trumpet

The final version is from when he teamed up with Santana's band for a one-off live album. This one brings the full band sound to the stage, and there's a great little keyboard solo in the middle. Check out the funky groove they latch onto starting at 3:32. Buddy's singing is in full form by this point. Also notice that COKE ESCOVEDO is on this one!

As recorded by Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles
LP "LIVE!" (Columbia) 1972

LINEUP:

Carlos Santana : guitar

Buddy Miles : drums, percussion, vocals
Neal Schon : guitar

Ron Johnson : bass

Mingo Lewis : keyboards

Bob Hogins : keyboards

Hadley Caliman : sax

Luis Gasca : trumpet

Richard Clark, Coke Escovedo : drums, percussion

Mike Caravello, Victor Pantoja : percussion, congas

Get them here :

Jimi Hendrix - Changes
Buddy Miles - Them Changes
Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles - Them Changes

LOCAL H : P.J. Soles (2004)

Local H were a rock band who got lumped in with the alternative rock scene of the '90s. Their big schtick was the fact that for the most part, they were a duo, with singer Scott Lucas re-jigging his guitar to come through bass and guitar amps simultaneously. This would create the illusion that there was a bass guitar playing with him. As always, a few bad breaks and record company mishaps let them fall through the cracks. But they're still out there plugging away, with a new album to come out this year.
This track is from a recent album, indicating Lucas' odd obsession with actress P.J. Soles (who was in "Rock And Roll High School", "Halloween", "Stripes", and more recently Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects"). Even the cover art is an homage to her!

P.J. in "Rock And Roll High School", with The Ramones :

Song : "P.J. Soles"

LP : "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES?" (Studio E) Apr. 6, 2004

LINEUP:

Scott Lucas : vocals, guitar, bass

Brian St. Clair : drums

Get it here : P.J. Soles

LALO SCHIFRIN : Jaws (1976)

Roy Scheider
R.I.P. 1932 - 2008

"With his soft, hurt eyes, rugged features and broken nose, Roy Scheider had the look of a trammelled hero. A star of some of the most admired thrillers of the 1970s, he usually played heroic characters beset by obstacles — their partners, their commanders or their vices. He will be most remembered for Jaws — one of the few films in which his character is still alive when the end credits roll. His greatest regret, however, was that he never returned to the stage to play the classical hero roles that were his calling for 15 years.

"In 2004, Scheider was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. In June 2005, he underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat the cancer which was classified as being in partial remission. Scheider died on February 10, 2008 in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital. He was 75 years old. Though a cause of death was not immediately released, Scheider's wife attributed her husband's death to complications from a staph infection."
In tribute to Scheider, I'm posting a funky version of the theme to the movie "Jaws". It was arranged and conducted by Lalo Schifrin (who has done hundreds of scores for films anyway!). This was his first album for the great CTI jazz label, so of course it has a GREAT lineup (including Hubert Laws! He was featured in a recent post).

: Lalo Schifrin :

Song : "Jaws" Written by John Williams
From the LP "BLACK WIDOW" (CTI) 1976

LINEUP:
Lalo Schifrin : keyboards
Jon Faddis : trumpet
Joe Farrell : alto sax
Pepper Adams : baritone sax
John Tropea : guitar
Anthony Jackson : bass
Andy Newmark : drums
Don Alias : percusion
Hubert Laws : flute solo

Get it here : Jaws

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - Gethsemane (I Only Wanted To Say) (1973)

So the stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar is touring yet again, but this time it has TWO bonuses! One is the inclusion of LIVING COLOUR frontman Corey Glover as Judas. The second is Ted Neeley, reprising his role of Jesus. Neeley was one of the most popular actors in this role, mainly because he was Jesus in the film-version.

This song from the film is in the second half, where our Jesus "vents his feelings about his imminent death". It's a good display of his vocal range (you can hear him hitting those high notes, like Ian Gillan did a few years before him). And there is a surprisingly funky bass line throughout.

Here is our slightly cock-eyed hero in 1973. Where you lookin', Ted?

Song : "Gethsamane (I Only Wanted To Say)"
From the LP "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (MCA) 1973

Link in title.

THREE DOG NIGHT : Shambala (1973)

And now for some 70's pop! Three Dog Night had a number of hit singles early in the decade, mainly due to their three-vocal attack. Pop? Yes. Cheesy? Often. But they had a hint of soul, and some of their songs still stuck in your head like a tumour.
Here's a blurb from allmusic:
The word "Shambala" is derived from the Buddhist "Shambhala," which is a revelation or a goal of the teachings to acknowledge humanity's desire and aspirations to create a society that will enable the inhabitants to "express the dignity of human existence and to lead meaningful lives within a flourishing culture," according to the Shambhala Meditation Centers. Much of that attitude is reflected in the pastoral and amiable "Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind/On the road to Shambala/Everyone is lucky, everyone is kind/On the road to Shambala." Daniel Moore's lyrics also carry a bit of psychedelic imagery in the lines "I can tell my sister [brother] by the flowers in her [his] eyes/On the road to Shambala." There is a definite spiritual quality suggesting an awakening or pilgrimage during the prominent chorus "How does your light shine/On the road to Shambala," suggesting the rhetorical inquiry, "Is one's life in order?" Likewise, the three-part vocal harmonies relate a gospel flavor, especially on the closing repetitive chorus. The tune was extracted as a single from 1973's "Cyan" album and did exceptionally well, peaking at number three in June of that year. Hardcore Three Dog Night enthusiasts should note an extended and significantly remixed version of "Shambala" was included on the original motion picture soundtrack to the film Drowning Mona (1990). Other artists to have recorded the title are B.W. Stevenson, Rockapella, New Seekers, and Solomon Burke. It has also appeared on a recent episode of "Lost".

Song : "Shambala"

From the LP "CYAN" (Dunhill) Oct. 1973

LINEUP :

Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, Corry Wells : vocals

Mike Allsup : guitar

Jimmy Greenspoon : keyboard

Gordon DeWitte : organ

Jack Ryland : bass

Floyd Sneed : drums

Get it here : Shambala

HUBERT LAWS : How Long Will It Be? (1970)

To change it up a bit, here's a groovy track from jazz flautist Hubert Laws. He is primarily known for taking classical pieces and putting them into a jazz context (with flute being the lead instrument), but he can create some funky music as well. This song is written by the man himself, and features a great lineup of musicians (see below). An early release on the great CTI label.

Song : "How Long Will It Be?"
From the LP "CRYING SONG" (CTI) 1970
-recorded Sep. 24, 1969

LINEUP :
Hubert Laws - flute
Bob James - electric piano, organ
George Benson - guitar
Ron Carter - bass
Grady Tate - drums

Get it here : How Long Will It Be?