Big Joe Long - The Things You Do

"Big Joe" Long - Just For A While/The Things You Do (Progressive Sounds Of America 1148) 1966 [1965]

Here is a great Dylan inspired folk-rocker that I don't know anything about. "Big Joe" Long was apparently from Encino, California. The single was first released under the moniker Big Joe Long And 'The + 2' on Sanctus Records in october 1965. It was then picked up by the Progressive Sounds of America label some time in 1966. That label also put out a wild folk-jangler by a band called The Roosters which you can read about on the excellent FLOWER BOMB SONGS. I don't know why PSA didn't credit 'The + 2' when they chose to re-release it. Neither of the cuts seem to have been self-penned. 'Just For A While' is written by D. White whilst 'The Things You Do' is credited to C. Bounds.

'Just For A While' appears to have been the A-side and is a nice upbeat rocker which includes some pretty glockenspiel. It appears on Teen Blast USA! #2. To me, however, 'The Things You Do' is the superior side. It has a really loud and cool guitar sound covered in layers of reverb and an organ that sounds like the one played by Al Kooper on Dylan's records at that time. I wouldn't be surprised if "Big Joe" was a huge fan of Dylan's recent 'Positively 4th Street' single, they sound very similar in structure and tempo. To my knowledge this song remains uncomped.

"Big Joe" Long - 'The Things You Do'

Abracadabra!

The reason for the post is that I want to recommend that you read Abracadabra! A free e-book telling the story of the Beatles 1966 album Revolver. It is written by Raymond Newman who decided to share it with fellow Beatles fans for free. It was published back in 2006 but I only just discovered it so maybe you haven't read it either.

As you might know, "Abracadabra" was actually a working title for Revolver. The book deals with the influences on the Beatles in 1965-66, in particular Indian culture and music, LSD and art. It is really well written and has a lot of interesting sources. I enjoyed reading the book very much so if you in any way are interested in these things, you'll be sure to dig it as well.

You can find it here.

The Beatles dig it too...

The Bad Seeds - He's Lying

The Bad Seeds - He's Lying/King Of The Soap Box (Columbia 43670) 1966

Not to be confused with the Texas outfit of 'A Taste Of The Same' fame, these Bad Seeds were from Erlanger, Kentucky, according to the Ugly Things Searchin' For Shakes database. This, their only 45, was recorded in New York and released on Columbia Records. The two songs were conducted and produced by Robert Mersey. Like their label mates in The Byrds, The Bad Seeds build their sound around a ringing 12-string jangle.

'He's Lying' was written by J. Foster and is a warning to an old girlfriend about her new guy. It has some great cord progressions and a really neat guitar sound. The J. Reynolds penned 'King Of The Soap Box' is even more in the folk-rock vein. It appears to be a protest against protesters and is likely to be influenced, once again, by P.F. Sloan's 'Eve Of Destruction'. It was compiled on Mindrocker #7. 'He's Lying' appears to be uncomped?

The Bad Seeds - He's Lying

sdrawkcab

Ever since I heard Revolver at the age of 10, I've been in love with the sound of a backwards guitar solo. I remember being in awe when listening to 'I'm Only Sleeping' and 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. What were those otherworldly sounds? Other prime examples include 'Thoughts And Words' and 'Change Is Now' by The Byrds (heck, even 'Mind Gardens' have some cool guitar sounds).

I decided to make a mix that presents some of my favourite songs that contain a reverse guitar solo.

The Clientele - I Had To Say This (Suburban Light, Pointy Records 2000 [1999])
Syd Barrett - Dominoes (Barrett, Harvest 1970)
Razorcuts - Mary Day (R is for... Razorcuts, Matinée 2002 [1986])
The Jam - That's Entertainment (Sound Affects, Polydor 1980)
The Mad Hatters - Dancing With The Dead (Wham! Bam! Thank You Dan, Vinyl Japan 1995 [1984])
Pale Fountains - Reach (Pacific Street, Virgin 1984)
The Rites - Things (from 45, Decca 1967)
Galaxie 500 - Another Day (On Fire, Rough Trade 1989)

Dennis And The Times

Dennis And The Times - Flight Patterns / Just If She's There (Trend 3330) 1967

Besides Dennis Burlage, the Times consisted of Dennis' brothers Dean and Guy along with Paris Aiken and Skip Watts. The boys came from Norfolk, Virginia and released this 45 with promotional help from daddy Burlage in 1967. A couple of years later they released their second and final 45, the heavier sounding 'Whenever You Want Me' backed with a cover of the Cryan' Shames' 'Denis Dupree From Danville'. Apparently they decided that it would be a clever pun to change their name to Denis and The Times which might explain why 'Flight Patterns' is sometimes credited to that moniker. As you can see on the label their name was indeed Dennis And The Times in 1967. You will also spot a promo sticker for the Trend label which was based in Smyrna, Georgia.

Both sides were penned by lead guitarist Guy Burlage who most likely also plays the electric 12-string that dominates the songs. 'Flight Patterns' starts out as a haunting mid-tempo song with an inventive chord progression but then suddenly all hell breaks loose. Shamelessly they take 'Eight Miles High' to new heights with what is probably one of the wildest and fastest 12-string freak-outs ever. Just as the song is about to burn up in the stratosphere they touch down and finish it off with some 'CTA 102' sound effects.

The flipside 'Just If She's There' is more Byrdsian folk-rock. Both melody and arrangement is actually quite similar to 'Is Yours Is Mine' from the first solo album by ex-Byrd Gene Clark which was released early in 1967. Makes you wonder if Dennis & co. were among the few people who were aware of Clark's genious at that time?

Dennis And The Times - Flight Patterns

The How - Dreaming Of Lily

The How 'Dreaming Of Lily'/The Aislers Set 'Hey Lover' 55530/slr75 October 2000

No, this is not a typo. This really isn't The Who although 'Dreaming Of Lily' incorporates practically every gimmick the early Who ever made. Right from the screaching guitar freakout in 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere' to the "cello cello" refererance from 'A Quick One', 'Dreaming of Lily' sounds like a long lost track recorded by some London art school mods in early 1966. The first 30 seconds is just a recording of a cool 1965 interview of a cocky Pete Townsend ("basic Shepherds Bush enjoyment").

The How is Stewart Anderson from Boyracer and Matt Hartmann from noisy bands such as Henry's Dress. It might be pastiche but they do rock pretty darn hard. Even the drumming comes close to Moon the Loon (okay, perhaps if Moonie was playing with a hangover). I think the single might be sold out but maybe there are still copies floating around? I bought mine around 2001-2. The single is a split 7" with the flipside making room for some girl-group from The Aislers Set. It was a joint release between Slumberland in the US and 555 in Australia/UK. It is pressed on blue vinyl for the right target effect. The How released a similar sounding 7" in 2006 that is still availible from the label.

The How - Dreaming Of Lily

Spike Drivers - Strange Mysterious Sounds

The Spike Drivers - Strange Mysterious Sounds / Break Out The Wine (Reprise 0558) 1967

Even though the Spike Drivers sounded a lot like your average San Fransisco band they were actually from the Motor City, Detroit, Michigan. They started out as folksters but eventually ended up sounding like a psychedelic version of the early Vejtables or perhaps even a freaky Mamas & Papas. A nice mixture of Eastern influences and psych tinged folk-rock.

'Strange Mysterious Sounds' has some wonderful druggy lyrics, apathetic sha-la-la's, finger bells and an addictive raga solo. Strange mysterious sounds, indeed.

Spike Drivers - Strange Mysterious Sounds

Someone e-mailed and asked if I could upload the b-side to this single 'Break Out The Wine'. I'm not sure I'll be making a habit out of uploading both sides of 45s in the future but it's nice to know that there are actually people who enjoy this blog. So here you go. The song is indeed a fine folk-rock'ish ballad.

Spike Drivers - Break Out The Wine

Trans Atlantic Train - The Train

The Train / You're Bringing Me Down (Tower 321)

Trans Atlantic Train were from Monterey* and thus probably part of the psychedelic San Fransisco scene. Maybe they even boarded the "Trans-Love Airways". 'The Train' certaintly has an Eastern flavour to it, especially the guitar solo. The background harmonies imaginatively imitate the sound of a steam train whistle. I wonder if the bass player was on close terms with the producer 'cos the bass sure is present in the mix. The b-side is more conventional sounding, while not bad at all.

Being from San Fransisco there also appears to be a Grateful Dead connection according to this site where I got the following information:

"Transatlantic Train were from the Monterey area. The group were originally The Dutch Masters. They changed their name to Transatlantic Train sometime in 1966. The line-up of the group was probably Bob Buccelli, Steve Bayard, Tom Mullenix, Dennis Brown and Tony Costa.

Transatlantic Train recorded at Golden State Recorders in San Francisco in early 1967 and released one single later in that year. The group continued performing with varying personnel until 1969 but did not release any further recordings".

Trans Atlantic Train - The Train

*Update: A friendly soul has pointed out to me that the Trans Atlantic Train were actually from Marin, Ca.

FELT - Tuesday's Secret

Felt - Space Blues (CRE 060T) 1988

In 1979 Lawrence formed Felt with the ambition to release 10 singles and 10 LPs in 10 years time. He actually managed to pull it off without ever putting out a bad record. Their first records were dark, psychedelic and minimalistic. Later ones saw Felt sounding more organic and accessible. Add to that two instrumental albums, one of them sounding like late 60s cocktail jazz. Felt were eclectic to say the least but most of the time they had a very distinct sound: shimmering knife-sharp guitars, Lawrence's voice mid-way between Lou Reed and Tom Verlaine, strange lyrics of alienation and eventually an ever-present organ similar to Dylan 1965-66.

Even though Felt's records continued to recieve glowing reviews the buying public still chose to ignore them. Paradoxically, when Felt finally came close to having a hit it was with the song 'Primitive Painters' in collaboration with the Cocteau Twins. To me the track is one of their weakest and it sounds very typical of it's time without sounding very much like Felt. By 1986 Felt moved on to Creation Records where they also released their best records, Forever Breathes The Lonely Word and Poem Of The River.

Space Blues was their last proper single release. Tucked away safely on the b-side is a tune called 'Tuesday's Secret' which is unknown even to a lot of Felt fans. With its gorgeous Rickenbacker hook it might be a bit atypical but it is still unmistakably Felt. A fusion of the Byrds, Dylan and 80s guitar pop and if that wasn't enough it also has the one of the coolest 12-string breaks you're likely to ever come across. Doesn't get much better than this.

Felt - Tuesday's Secret

The Clientele - Kelvin Parade

The Clientele - The Lost Weekend EP (Worm 78) Spring 2002

London-based The Clientele were formed in 1991. Influenced both by post-punk bands like Television, Galixie 500 and Felt along with 1960s groups like the Zombies, WCPAEB and Forever Changes-era Love their sound is timeless but solidly grounded in the 1960s.

Most of the Clientele's early stuff has an otherworldy sound with spherical vocals drowned in reverb, crystal clear tremolo guitar, hypnotic bass patterns and jazz-influenced drumming. Dripping with lucidity the songs' lyrical imagery is inspired by 1920-30s surrealism. The compositions have a hazy aura similar to the 1966-67 work by then Byrd David Crosby.

A handfull of singles were released in the late 90s, compiled on the excellent Suburban Light in 2000. The Clientele continue to release great records and at least their first two or three LPs should certaintly be of appeal to fans of 60s pop and lite psychedelia. They are also a magnificent live act so be sure to catch them if they play in a town near you.

The Lost Weekend was their second 10" release. Along with the usual pop songs is an Eric Satie-like piano piece and a disorientating and psychedelic field recording of the London subway called 'Boring Postcard'. Despite its immediate drowsiness 'Kelvin Parade' is the most upbeat song on the EP, almost like the Factory's 'Path Thru The Forrest' played on 33 rpm.

The Clientele - Kelvin Parade

Poppyheads - Cremation Town

The Poppyheads - Cremation Town/Pictures You Weave/Dreamabout (Sarah 006) April 1988

Another single from the Sarah label. I don't know much about this band, apart from the fact that this was their only proper vinyl release. They also put out a flexi on Sha La La that came along with a fanzine. The band might very well be from Bristol since that was the home base of both Sarah and Sha La La.

'Cremation Town' is almost archetypical "c-86" with it's punky drum beat and singing style inspired by Edwyn Collins from Orange Juice. It has that certain Beatles-meets-the-80s sound. The other songs on the single aren't as catchy and needs a few more spins before they sink in.

The Poppyheads - Cremation Town

The Dantes - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love

The Dantes - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love / 80-96 (Jamie 1314) 1966

According to their myspace the Dantes were from Columbia, Ohio. They released three singles, this being the first. It was a regional no. 1. They also played Stones and Byrds covers which explains the trebley jangle sound that coats this beat stomper.

The b-side is a cool instrumental harp-driven r&b raver. My copy appears to have had quite a few spins at some wild teenage parties back in the day; hence it is quite worn. In a way I think it fits the record though. Gives it a rough edge. That being said, it wasn't that expensive anyway...

The Dantes - 'Cant Get Enough Of Your Love'

Uploads in June

I've been very busy lately and I need to find the time and energy to transfer some records and take photos, upload etc. I hope to be able to post again next week or something like that.

Meanwhile, enjoy this cool pic from an old Danish brochure about the film The Big T.N.T. Show I bought some time ago.

Galaxie 500 - Flowers

Galaxie 500 - Today (Aurora 002) 1988

Galaxie 500 were named after a 1960s Ford car. They're probably one of my two favourite 80s bands (the other being Felt which I will feature later on). They released three LPs, all exceptional. On Fire is a good album to start out with if you don't know the group.

'Flowers' is the opening track on their debut LP Today. The song has a slow, stoned quality and singer Dean Wareham slacks off a couple of great guitar solos. The band was often accused of sounding too much like Velvet Underground but to me they actually sound a lot more like the quiter moments of the Golden Dawn, like 'This Way Please'.

My copy is the original American release. The vinyl is paper thin.

Galaxie 500 - 'Flowers'