From time to time I'll bring to you an old tune that may be brand new to your ears. Should it have been a hit? You decide. Any comments can be sent to gerry@groovyreflections.com ...GRoove on!
August 26, 2022 - What were you thinking?
Everybody's sniffing it...uh, ok! The song, Banapple Gas, was part of a concept album by Cat Stevens. The LP, Numbers was released in late 1975 and was truly a step in the wrong direction here. Gone was much of the catchiness that previously made his music popular, and the "story" tells of a fictional place, Polygor, a planet with nine residents living there. A castle with a "number machine" sends out digits across the galaxy, the universe, and beyond. As far as the song goes: Was he condemning drugs, endorsing them, being silly or being spiritual? Surprisingly this single, long forgotten by most all, made it to #41 in Billboard! P.S. Banapple Gas is also known as Amyl nitrate, used to treat various heart diseases, and when used recreationally has a psychotic effect.
October 20, 2021 - Ronnie Spector "Light"
I heard this tune recently on a Sirius/XM channel listened to it a few times since. She got me on the initial "uh oh oh oh." Could Ronnie Spector have heard this song back in 1961? It's possible. Janie hailed from Patterson NJ it's highly possible that Triangle was a major hit on the NYC airwaves. Ms. Grant had a few showings on the pop charts but never reached stardom despite the efforts of manager Jerry Grant. While he was successful marketing the talents of The Angels he couldn't bring the neighborhood kid he discovered up to their level. Below is her debut and biggest effort which made it to #29 nationally in 1961. A line from the song: "You torture me with kisses"; who writes this stuff anyway?
JUly 7, 2021: Make Me behave?
Poor Slade. The U.S. didn't care for this talented British band all that much even when they made the effort to move here in 1975 and become international superstars. They racked up twenty top 20 hits from 1971 through 1984 in the UK; SIX number ones! I remember first hearing Gudbuy T'Jane from 1972; guess it did okay in the New York metro area but nationally it reached #68. Forgot all about them until the top 20 earworm hit Run Runaway in 1984; their biggest song stateside. While they're cited numerous times by several U.S. bands and covered by them as well, they never received their glory here. I started exploring more of their music in the 90's, purchasing two compilation CDs and in particular, discovered this 1974 gem of a ballad, Everyday, though I really don't get the line about behaving. (chuckles)
May 31, 2021: With Rockpile assisting...
Turns out a year and a day ago (if you scroll down) I wrote about Nick Lowe. And you know what? He gets a mention here too, for being married to Carlene Carter and producing her earlier works, up to around 1981. Her third album, Musical Shapes, released in 1981 that has all four Rockpile members (Lowe, Edmunds, Billy Bremmer, and Terry Williams) participating. For the single release, she sings an adorable duet with Dave Edmunds, Baby Ride Easy, where Dave displays some vocal twang. But for all the promotion, including the "official" video below that promotes her parentage (June Carter Cash is her mama), Carlene's star didn't rise all that high. Baby Ride Easy is her only appearance on the U.S. Country charts, stalling at a dismal #76. Nick Lowe, underrated musical genius that he is, gave it his all with her music but not with the shaky ten year marriage.
March 17, 2021 - when bobby met sally.
Sally Grossman, who passed away last week, was the wife of music mogul Albert Grossman, who, while he had a nose for picking talent, could also pick a bone with his stable of artists and create financial havoc with them with his higher than average commissions. Those GRoovy folks he managed included The Band, Todd Rundgren, Dylan, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. While Albert developed his musical and real estate empires in the hamlet of Woodstock, NY, the Mrs. was mysteriously absent though she made an appearance on a Bob Dylan album, his fifth studio LP, Bringing It All Back Home. Sally Grossman built a theater in Woodstock after her husband's death in 1986, helping to keep the little town alive. Rest in Peace Sally and thanks for the music. And here's a tune from the album that you HAVE heard...Subterranean Homesick Blues.
February 27, 2021 - The "Country" Jimi Hendrix?
I can't take credit for the title of this blog. It was sort-of on Twitter. Sort of. Anyway, long before Jimi started playing his guitar with his tongue, and before many of us were even born, there was Roy Clark, multi-talented musician. I first heard of him with the song Yesterday, When I Was Young, but really learned to enjoy him on Hee Haw. This clip, date unknown, likely dates back to the 50's. Roy is having a grand old time (possibly at the Grand Old Opry) with a rag time tune dating back to 1898, 12th Street Rag. The song wasn't published until 1914, after the composer, Euday Bowman, sold it. Later recorded by Louis Armstrong in the 1920's. The song mutated, with a rearrangement and and lyrics added and eventually evolved into a Jazz standard. It's unknown if Roy Clark recorded the song but he sure did have fun with it, taking it to another level.
December 15, 2020 - Hot in texas!
Some little 'ol Texas bands become famous; others don't, despite possessing talent. High schoolers Southwest FOB ("Freight on Board") hopped on the psychedelic bandwagon in 1968 and gave it their best shot. They did score a deal with Stax records on their Hip label. "Smell of Incense" made it to number 56. Perhaps the most important achievement the band made was launch the careers of Dan Seals and John Colley who later became in 1970's England Dan and John Ford Coley. Larry "Ovid" Stevens, who founded the band, went on to have an illustrious career touring or playing with people such as Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Bread, Seals & Crofts, and Chicago, to name a few.
October 22, 2020 - GRoovin' with the CIA?
Ah yes…LSD makes for a groovy song! Hot dogs will taste so good you’ll never eat anything else. The trio Factory, with their UK freakbeat stylings had this single in 1969 and one other the previous year. Remembered today only by extreme diehards of the psychedelic genre. This video, likely produced at a later date, sends out chills as it relays a story of LSD dousing in it’s ugliest form surrounding the fate of Dr. Frank Olson, who toiled as a biological warfare scientist for the CIA. I did read that in 1975 President Gerald Ford apologized for the mysterious occurrences associated with Dr. Olson's demise in 1953.
July 31, 2020 - "Immodium, hire this guy!"
Poking around on YouTube the other day I found this gem stuck in cyberspace (pun intended) by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. He gives it his all in this live performance, and succeeds. Not only with presenting the song, but he appears to have, um, relieved himself of the ailment as well. Screamin' Jay, born Jalacy Hawkins, never got credit where credit is due. There wouldn't be an Arthur Brown nor an Alice Cooper without him paving the way. Over the top costumes including capes, a simulated bone piercing, and all manners of props. While he was gifted with operatic vocal chops, rarely would he sing a song "straight." For a good example of his soaring tones, try "I Love Paris." Of course, I must mention "I Put A Spell On You" which most people are familiar with thanks to CCR. "Constipation Blues" below was released as a B-side in 1970.
June 13, 2020 - Hey, what about sloopy?
One of those people who made a smaller impact on the world that deserves a little recognition for her broad range of talent. I recently stumbled across her on YouTube and listened to "Friends and Lovers Forever" a b-side to her 1966 single "I've Got a Lot of Love Left in Me" and thought the song sounded a bit familiar. Caught it on the second listen; the big clue was Bert Berns as a co-writer. Apparently, this tune lifts "Hang on Sloopy" with new lyrics. Nancy Ames was a singer in the folk and Latin genres and released music from 1963 to 1968. She also appeared on the U.S. edition of "The Week That Was", a political satire program that aired from late 1963 to mid 1965 The show boasted future stars Alan Alda and Gene Hackman. Nancy sang the opening song which would review the news of the previous week. Enjoy "Friends and Lovers Forever."
June 1, 2020 - Ah, ya ya ya ya, ya ya ya ya , ya ya yaaa ya...
Folk goes doowop! Little Darlin' was written by Maurice Williams and was originally recorded by his band The Gladiators (later The Zodiacs) in 1957. The Diamonds covered it very quickly and their version shot up to number three on the U.S. Pop Charts. And then there's Joan. Sometime in the early sixties, she had some fun with the song, singing it beautifully and making us giggle at the same time. Thank goodness someone was recording that concert! Her version turned up on the Very Early Joan LP released in the eighties. A clashing of styles to be sure, an odd choice of song for her, but it's all in the spirit of silliness.
May 30, 2020 - "In cognicko"
Yikes! I didn't realize how long it's been! Anyway, I've been reading Nick Lowe's biography. Jolly good. I was surprised to find how many recordings he's appeared on...yeah, of course I knew about the Rockpile thing. He was one busy dude between writing songs, recording solo, recording with others, and producing others. Here's a odd 45 from him a few years before "Cruel to Be Kind" where he is under cover as The Tartan Harde, playing homeage to those Scottish darlings who hit it big starting in '74 in the UK. I give you Bay City Rollers, We Love You. If you want to be big in Japan, made a record like this.
September 23, 2019 - A worthy follow up
Progressive rock was rooted in Europe and these Dutchman certainly fit that mold with their unique, GRoovy sounds. Focus formed in 1969, in Amsterdam, and had numerous personnel changes over the years; currently they have one original member as well as one that's been around almost as long. Most folks recall the biggest hit by Focus, Hocus Pocus in 1973 with it's la dee dah chants and uplifting notes soaring high enough to break glass. They followed up their hit with this ode to a lovely lady (whoever she may be) named Sylvia, stalling at #89 on the US charts, but a top 10 in the Netherlands and the UK.
September 9, 2019: Who needs French?
The Pop-Tops, a seven member Spain-based vocal ensemble, cite their influences as The Left Banke and Procol Harum. That qualifies them as GRoovy. Their Euro hit was originally written in French by Hubert Giraud; Pop-Tops lead singer Phil Trim rewrote the lyrics in English. Two other acts recorded the tune around the same time, all three versions fared well. Pop-Tops enjoyed at least a top 10 in several European countries. Only their version of Mamy Blue (or Mammny Blue) hit the U.S. shores, peaking at #57 on the hot #100 and #28 for adult contemporary. In 1973 The Stories covered the tune and made it to #50.
August 26, 2019: GRooviness - The Swedish way.
Just figured out where Joey Ramone got his style from. This GRoovy psychedelic band 'o Swedes, known as the Hep Stars, founded in 1963. They boasted Benny Andersson as a member, providing keyboard and writing tuneage. If the name is unfamiliar he was later in a little group called ABBA, Sweden's biggest export. Benny joined after he was spotted performing in another band and was quickly snatched up. Svenne Hedlund, the group's lead singer, is still active in music. Here's one of their chart topping hits in Sweden from 1966.
August 12, 2019: Look up and be groovy.
One of many the brilliant British psychedelic groups of the later 60's, Wild Silk shared a similar fate to the Monkees with the English equivalent of the Wrecking Crew playing the instruments. Now that you've gotten over the shock that session bands backed up many a British group think about a pleasant melody, soft "invasion" style harmony, and obvious influence from The Beatles amid a heady mix of sunshine, bubblegum, psychedelica and bloomin' flower power in this GRoovy example of their efforts.
June 16, 2019: Is Liquor Quicker?
The Lemon Pipers were formed in Ohio and quickly reached regionally popularity, eventually touring with GRoovy Sixties bands such as Spirit and Traffic, which happened after they signed with Buddah Records. The Buddah label, with Neil Bogart in charge, was busy pushing Bubblegum music. In 1968, somehow they managed to get the band to record a little ditty about a green tambourine, which went to number 1. The band was not pleased with this new found direction, preferring their hard rock and blues sound. Sadly, the label wanted another hit and had the band record the follow up "Rice is Nice" which wasn't as successful, stalling at number 46 on the charts.
June 10, 2019:
Scottish singer Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie changed her name at the age of 14 when her future manager declared "She's a real Lulu of a kid." Lulu became a British TV star and a recording artist in the 60's; a highlight of her career happened when she had a part in a big screen production and the title tune she sang on reached the top of the pop charts in the U.S. and Canada. This all happened in 1967 with the GRoovy movie, "To Sir With Love." In England, the tune turned up as a B-side. Oops. Here she is in 1968 with a top 10 in England, "I'm A Tiger." Oh ...the innocence. UPDATE: The video with Lulu cavorting with tigers is no longer available for U.S. viewing so I've substituted.
June 3, 2019: Mary Mary and Long Tall Sally, among others.
In the U.S. these GRoovy guys were one hit wonders. They were cranking out the tunes in Australia though. We were oblivious, unfortunately, of the talents of The Easybeats. They became known for their poppy Beatlesque tunes. causing fans to scream and shout with a passion when seeing them perform. This phenomenon was dubbed "EasyFever." After relocating to England the group gained international hit status with "Friday on My Mind." In Australia they racked up seven top ten hits. This 1968 Australian hit "Gonna Have a Good Time" also known simply as "Good Time" boasts Steve Marriott of Small Faces and Humble Pie fame on guest vocals.
May 27, 2019 - Oh Mickey You're so fine...
15+ years before most everyone heard the name Toni Basil she was delighting us in movies and song while behind the scenes building a very fine career in choreography, including The Monkee's Head and David Bowie's Diamond Dogs Tour. She had acting roles in the GRoovy movies Village of the Giants and Easy Rider, among many others. Toni stepped out of the shadows in 1982 at the age of 39 with a redo/remake of the song "Kitty" by Brit band Racey and along with her cheerleader cuteness scored a five week top charter in the U.S. with "Mickey." But heck, you don't need to hear that one again when there's this gem from 1966, "I'm 28" where she declares that she is haughty and horny; quite the combo.
May 13, 2019 - How to Greet Someone.
1967: This GRoovy tune with vaudevillian tones made it to number 26 on the U.S. pop charts. It never gets heard (except on Groovy Reflections Radio of course.) It's the first single from the San Francisco scene to make the top 40! How about THAT for an achievement. Sadly the band had but one LP and disbanded. They were produced by the Lovin' Spoonful's producers; probably why they kinda sound like them. Sopwith Camel had a reunion of sorts in 1973 and released another album. DO check this group out!
February 18, 2019 - Need a singer? Just hire rod.
1969: A newly reformed Aussie band, now in England, Python Lee Jackson, needed a singer. They hire Rod the Mod; he records three tunes with them. Rumor has it that Rod received car seat covers for his efforts. 1970: The song below is released and possibly the other two as well. Not a hit. Fast forward to 1972: Released again it proves to be a success; by now Rod Stewart is a household name, thanks to Maggie May. A number 3 hit in the UK and stalling out not far from hitting the top 40 stateside.
february 11, 2019: A song about calories? Introducing ...the Fabulettes.
I say introducing in the title because it's unlikely you've ever heard of this South Florida girl group. Not a lot of info about them exists either. There were four gals altogether but at some point during their 1963 - 1969 run they were down to three. At any rate they sang to us in their late 1966 single release about "losing a pound a day" ...all you had to do was be with a boy who wasn't good enough for you. While many of us have been on that very "diet" let's admit it: we've discovered it doesn't work long term. Give a listen to "Try the Worryin' Way" and marvel at the lyrics.
February 4, 2019 - Lesley on the brink of disaster.
The girl group sound was starting to fade when this '67 tune from Lesley Gore was released. On Billboard it would be her last top 100 hit, reaching just number 82. Sadly, this and the previous single release, which happened to be the title song from her upcoming album, caused her record label to withhold releasing the LP Magic Colors. Thanks for all your good work on this project Wrecking Crew! Bits and pieces of that album would be spoon fed to us over the years. All the songs in their entirety were finally made available on CD just a few years ago. Ironically, the tune that caused all the mayhem is titled Brink of Disaster. Hmmm...
January 28, 2019 ...softly psychedelic?
John Woolley & Just Born were formed in Belgium 1969; they disbanded in 1974. Within that time frame they released just five singles, with the last one being a promo and their first release a cover of the Lieber and Stoller penned Ruby Baby that Dion had a hit with. Look and You Will Find is the b-side of their second release, 1971's You're Lying. I chose this b-side for your GRoovy pleasure because of the clattering chaos that occurs several times throughout the tune, making it the more unique musical pleasure.
January 21, 2019 - An ode to an appliance?
Wow …a recording contract with Deram records. The Moody Blues were on that label too! How excited these lads must have been. After releasing one single later, the band was pretty much done. Tintern Abbey was but one of many psychedelic bands who gave it a whirl. The year was 1967; the single had “Beeside” as the A-side (ha!) and this fine tune, “Vacuum Cleaner” as the B-side. Let us know what you think.
January 14, 2019: "Big town Boy"
Shirley Matthews and her Big Town Girls hailed from Toronto and while Shirley didn't make much of an impact in the states she scored in 1963 with "Big Town Boys" in Canada. The song has wanna be Phil Spector sound to it, and while pleasant and catchy, may be missing just a tad of extra sparkle. It IS worth a listen though and represents all those girl groups of the early 60's who cranked out singles and didn't make the charts like the successful Shangri-las and the Ronettes. Shirley married and retired from music in 1967.
January 8, 2019: "If you don't come back"
This GRoovy GRoup, The Undertakers hailed from England and were formed in the late 50's, evolving from two previous bands. While they weren't exactly hitmakers, they truly made GRoovy sounds with their Merseybeat. Releasing a handful of singles in Great Britain and the U.S., they broke up in 1965 after touring the U.S. Three of the band members chose to stay stateside, most notably Jackie Lomax, who went on to involvement with Apple records and George Harrison. Here's their last single in England, "If You Don't Come Back."
January 1, 2019: "No Dogs Allowed"
José Feliciano, of "Light My Fire" and "Felix Navidad" fame, wrote and released this obscure tune in 1969 after attempting in 1967 to visit England for the first time while accompanied by his service pet, Trudy. Quarantine for a guide dog? What? It's easier nowadays José but back then the intention was to prevent the spread of rabies. The tune only charted in The Netherlands where it reached number six on the charts. Rate this tune below!