The Faces “Had Me a Real Good Time” by Andy Neill (Omnibus Press)

To most Americans, the Small Faces are mainly remembered for “Itchycoo Park,” a jaunty little pop rock ditty spiked with psychedelic imagery that cracked the top twenty in the final days of 1967. But in the band’s home country of England and other regions of Europe, not to mention Japan, they were huge superstars. So it was sad and shocking news, in 1968, when lead singer and guitarist Steve Marriott exited the band. And not only were the fans devastated by his departure, but the remaining members of the Small Faces, bassist Ronnie Lane, keyboardist Ian McLagan, and drummer Kenney Jones, also felt the loss. Yet they plugged on, fiddling with this and that, until finally striking gold on an award winning formula that included Rod Stewart on lead vocals and Ron Wood on guitar, who were both recent refugees from the Jeff Beck Group. Shaving their name down to simply the Faces, the band was ready to rock. Read the rest of this entry »

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Village Green Machine “England’s Dreaming Spires” (Paisley Arcade)

Mark Lemon is actually the guiding force behind Village Green Machine. Teeming and streaming with charmingly quirky pop rock tricks, “England’s Dreaming Spires” pays loving tribute to fave raves like the Kinks, the Monkees and XTC, while at the same time providing something fresh and new to what has gone before. Just by glancing at their titles, tracks such as “White Plastic Moccasins,” “Psychodrama” and “The Ghost Princess of Aston Hall” instantly reveal Mark’s lyrics are rich with color and imagination. The humor and wordplay carpeting the tunes add a nice eccentric British mentality to the show. Choppy melodies, complemented by cracked rhythms and uniquely crafted arrangements also characterize the sound and style of Village Green Machine. A solid collection of songs, “England’s Dreaming Spires” rocks in all the right places, pops in all the right places and waves the flower power banner in all the right places. Mark Lemon definitely has a flair for writing, singing and performing this kind of music, and I can hardly wait to hear more goodies from he and his alter ego, Village Green Machine.

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Various Artists “Mad Men – A Musical Companion 1960-1965” (Hip-O Records)

I seldom watch television, so I’ve never seen “Mad Men,” but these songs are stone cold classics through and through. From the rockabilly scented romp of “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” by Connie Francis to the finger-clicking instrumental bounce of Billy Vaughn’s “Swingin’ Safari” to the blissful pop glory of Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want To Be With You” to the smirking croon of “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You” from Dean Martin to the organ happy garage punk of the Sir Douglas Quintet’s “She’s About A Mover,” this double set of songs firmly portrays the era in which they were recorded. The years 1960 to 1965 were a rabidly fertile period in pop and rock music, and “Mad Men” strongly emphasizes the diversity, imagination and plain old fun that adorned the radio dial the time. Clarence “Frogman” Henry’s heart-tugging, soul dripping “But I Do” has to be one of the best love songs ever transferred to tape, and for a dash of purebred British beat there’s Manfred Mann’s ridiculously contagious “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy.” Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar,” Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell,” Lloyd Price’s “Lady Luck” and Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” are always pleasures to hear as well. Proposing a nice mix of ballads, rockers, traditional pop movements, novelty ditties and rhythm and blues sounds, “Mad Men – A Musical Companion 1960-1965” is an essential investment.

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“Psychedelic Moods Part Two – Journey Thru Inner Space With Sunset Love and Inner Sanctum” (Cicadelic Records 976)

October 1966 saw the arrival of “Psychedelic Moods,” an album by the Deep depicting different phases of an acid trip. Glazed with weird sound effects and far out lyrics, the disc was indeed a daring statement and praised in certain quarters, but flopped on a commercial level. Shortly after the album hit the shops, Mark Barkan, who along with Rusty Evans, guided the Deep, set about laying down tracks for a subsequent effort in a similar vein. Mark recruited a Greenwich Village band, Inner Sanctum, and although a handful of tunes were recorded, they were unable to find a label to support their cause, prompting the material to remain in the can. Better late than never, as they say, so here’s the goods. Fueled by jagged, choppy licks and sneering vocals, “Little Tin Soldier” is an anti-war sentiment, where “The Man Who Shot Your Mother” also contains rather cryptic verse and carries a rugged garage rock band sound. A catchy melody washes over “The House Of Yesterday,” while “Snow Petals” opts for a drowsy, dreamy ambience. Armed with a philosophy and vision akin to groups like the Electric Prunes and the Thirteenth Floor Elevators, Inner Sanctum clearly resided on the strangely wonderful side of the fence. Read the rest of this entry »

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“Psychedelic Moods” – the Deep (Cicadelic Records 977)

Originally released on the Cameo-Parkway label in the fall of 1966, “Psychedelic Moods” not only wins a gold medal for being the first recording to employ the phrase psychedelic in its title, but it also holds court as a truly innovative experiment. The main brains behind the project were Rusty Evans, who boasted a background in rockabilly and folk music, and Mark Barkan, who penned tunes for the likes of Lesley Gore and Dusty Springfield. As the Deep, the duo’s goal was to create something of a concept album where each song focused on a select stage of an acid trip. Due to weak distribution, the disc slipped through the cracks, but has since become a much sought after collectors item. Although “Psychedelic Moods” has been reissued on a couple of different occasions, this record marks the first legitimate release, complete with bonus tracks and extensive liner notes and interviews. Read the rest of this entry »

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TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS “Mojo” (Reprise Records)

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THE FROGGIES “Leather and Lace: An Anthology of the Froggies” (Rue Records)

Contrary to widespread belief, the eighties were not all about synthesizer music and hair metal bands. Those courageous enough to investigate the deeper recesses of the scene would have stumbled upon a host of brilliant acts, and the Froggies are one band that fit the bill. Hailing from France, the group paid no mind to the current trends of the decade and were content to concentrate on music they personally preferred. Stacked to the ceiling with raw boned rock and roll, “Leather and Lace: An Anthology of the Froggies” examines the band expertly blending shades of Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochran with the power pop perspectives of The Flamin’ Groovies and The Plimsouls to electrifying effects. Had the Froggies existed in the sixties, there’s little question they would have given the gods of the era some serious competition. Tracks such as “Bang Bang (You’re Dead),” “Lisa Child,” “The Boy With The Hole In His Heart,” “Let’s Practice,” “(There’s A Party In The Cave,” “Love At First Sight” and the title cut of the album ripple, swagger and strut with perpetual energy and excitement. Generated by cackling guitar licks, incisive drum beats and chunky hooks, “Leather and Lace: An Anthology of the Froggies” is a barrel and a half of fun. The rhythms are danceable and the songs are great to sing along with. Now this is real rock and roll!

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The Beacon Street Union
“The Eyes of The Beacon Street Union” (Tune In Records)
“The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens” (Tune In Records)

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Various Artists “Forty One Sixty The Songs of The Shambles” (Blindspot Records 109)

The curious title of this Shambles tribute album stems from the fact that this was the address where the band’s fearless leader, Bart Mendoza, once lived and wrote many of their tunes there. 4160 Bachman Place, San Diego, California was actually the exact location. The Shambles evolved from another great band, Manual Scan, and the disc contains material from both groups. Active from 1980 to 1992, Manual Scan were power popping Mod gods, and when The Shambles came into being shortly after their demise they duly followed suit and are still going strong today. Like the bands that inspired them, Manual Scan and The Shambles concentrate on hooky pop pleasures. Not an ounce of fat cushions their tunes, as they’re short, sometimes sweet and sometimes sassy. Read the rest of this entry »

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“Eleven Unsung Heroes of Early Rock and Roll” by Dick Stewart (Lance Monthly Press)

Selling lots of records proves people like the music. But massive commercial acceptance doesn’t necessarily match artistic brilliance or integrity. As the title of this excellent book states, “Eleven Unsung Heroes of Early Rock and Roll,” touts eleven musicians who experienced mainstream success in varying degrees and were highly influential in the development of rock and roll, yet are seldom given the credit they deserve. To the casual radio listener, most of the folks covered here would be considered one or two hit wonders, but their talent, insight and dedication to the music runs deep. Read the rest of this entry »

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Skid Roper “Rock and Roll Part 3” (Blindspot Records 145)

Singer, songwriter and master of a million instruments, Skid Roper initially rose to prominence in the eighties, performing and recording with the wild and wacky Mojo Nixon. Come the nineties, Skid Roper embarked on a solo career, and here’s his third album, the appropriately titled “Rock and Roll Part 3.” Let me being this review by saying those who are already acquainted with Skid Roper will be triply knocked out by the disc, and those who have never heard his work until now are guaranteed to turn into immediate disciples. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Blue Things Story “Volume One 1964-65” (Cicadelic Records 975)

If you lived in the Midwest during the sixties and attended gigs, there’s a good bet you have fond memories of The Blue Things. Based out of Hays, Kansas, the band possessed all the markings of a supergroup. Stellar chops, smart songwriting skills, a sense of adventure and a cool image should have catapulted The Blue Things straight to the top of the charts, but the music business obviously isn’t always fair or kind. The band was even signed to a major label, RCA Records, and aside from producing a rope of righteous singles, they also cut a most excellent album. A Blue Things renaissance occurred in the eighties, as sixties garage rock collectors discovered and championed their efforts. Cicadelic Records, located in Arizona, was the first label to reissue the band’s material on a widespread basis, which eventually resulted in not only a trio of separate installments documenting the many musical phases they went through, but a whopper of a box set. Read the rest of this entry »

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Various Artists “Tribute to JJ Cale Volume 1: The Vocal Sessions” (ZOHO Roots 201007)

Boasting a loyal fan following and seriously respected by fellow musicians, JJ Cale is certainly worthy of a tribute album. Born in Oklahoma, the singer, songwriter and guitarist migrated to Los Angeles in the sixties, where he formed a band called The Leathercoated Minds that recorded an album for the Viva label. Titled “A Trip Down The Sunset Strip,” the disc mainly consisted of psychedelic garage rock hits of the day, and went onto become quite a collector’s item. 1970 saw Eric Clapton cover JJ Cale’s “After Midnight,” which topped the charts and duly provided the fledging artist with widespread recognition. Since then, the two musicians have frequently worked together, and in 2008, their album, “The Road To Escondido” won a Grammy. Swarms of other performers have rendered JJ Cale’s tunes as well, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Dylan, Santana and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Read the rest of this entry »

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Kristi Callan with The Jigsaw Seen “Sleep”/”Morning Glory” (Vibro-phonic Recordings 12023)

Now here’s a great collaboration! Having initially achieved recognition in the eighties as the lead singer of  Wednesday Week, Kristi Callan has continued to pad her resume with a string of shining moments. Aside from carving out a nice solo career for herself, Kristi has also performed and recorded with famed figures such as Dave Davies and The Ventures, and currently fronts Dime Box Band. Active since the late eighties, The Jigsaw Seen is renowned for their bewitching brew of psychedelic pop rock. Discs like “Shortcut Through Clown Alley,” “My Name Is Tom” and “Zenith” are classics of their ilk, and have dutifully awarded the Los Angeles band flocks of fans. Administered by Kristi’s haunting vocals, “Sleep” stands as an electrifying slice of orchestrated pop splendor. Built upon a solid foundation of classy string arrangements and trebly guitar work, the quirky atmospheric tune, which was composed by Kristi, sparkles with melodic radiance. Dipping their toes into the Oasis songbook, Kristi and The Jigsaw Seen deliver a drifting, dreamy cover of “Morning Glory,” set in an acoustic format. As evidenced by this musically literate single, Kristi Callan and The Jigsaw Seen make an artistically compatible team.

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“Record Store Days” by Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo (Sterling Publishing)

For better or worse, the digital revolution has certainly altered the way people listen to and purchase music. While there’s no denying modern tricks make music immediately accessible, the business, on a financial level and, depending on your personal point of view, artistically, has suffered greatly. Musicians no longer need to rely on labels to package and promote their wares. As time marches on, actual recordings are quickly becoming a thing of the past. A mere click of the mouse on the computer allows one to download any song or album they desire. Such practices, which once could have only occurred in a science fiction novel, are clearly responsible for the demise of countless labels and record stores. Read the rest of this entry »

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“Corn Flakes With John Lennon” by Robert Hilburn (Rodale)

For more than thirty years, Robert Hilburn was not only the music critic and editor of “The Los Angeles Times,” but his interviews, reviews and artist profiles have also been featured in numerous other publications throughout world. Seduced by music at a very young age, Hilburn was particularly keen on the country and rhythm and blues sounds of the late forties and early fifties. He was a teenager when rock and roll came crashing through the gates, and was immediately drawn to this energetic new form of music. While Hilburn’s taste in music sways heavily towards the mainstream side of the dial, he approaches his subjects with an extra keen eye. He remains objective and his intelligent observations definitely provoke food for thought. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Rockets “The Rockets”/”No Ballads” (Renaissance Records 160)

Not to be confused with the Los Angeles band that later changed their name to Crazy Horse, this particular group came from Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1972 by drummer Johnny “Bee” Bandajek and guitarist James McCarty, who earlier had made their claim to fame with Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, The Rockets cut a total of five albums during the course of their existence. Although the band was hot stuff on a local level, they received only pockets of airplay elsewhere. “The Rockets” and “No Ballads,” which were released on RSO Records in 1979 and 1980 respectively, definitely rank as the band‘s best work. Now available on one compact disc, both these albums are ripe for rediscovery. Clinging fast to their Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels roots, the band practiced a festive brand of high energy blue-eyed soul music. Read the rest of this entry »

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Formed in 1965, The Doughboys released two singles, “Rhoda Mendelbaum” and “Everybody Knows My Name,” that have since become favorites with record collectors from here to eternity. Steady gigs provided the Plainfield, New Jersey band lots of exposure, making them a local sensation. It was a sad moment for many when The Doughboys called it quits as the sixties bled into the seventies, but thankfully the members of the band continued playing music. Bassist Mike Caruso took the session route, working with Jimi Hendrix, for instance, while lead singer Myke Scavone joined Ram Jam, who netted a top forty hit with “Black Betty,” and drummer Richard X. Heyman launched a solo career that has resulted in a truckload and a half of critically acclaimed power pop discs. Read the rest of this entry »

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Various Artists “Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968” (Rhino Records 519759) 

If there was ever a time in rock and roll when the rock really rocked and the roll really rolled, it was the mid to late sixties. Because the music was still relatively young, there were no preconceived notions to be had, nor was there such an obsessive emphasis on image and marketing as there is today. Enthusiasm and experimentation reigned supreme. Some of the most thrilling sounds spawned during this period stemmed from the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, and here’s a box set, four discs in all, that guides the listener on a mercurial voyage of what was happening then. Christened after Dick Clark’s television show of the same name, “Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968” contains a whopping one hundred and one tracks, which are split between famous faces and obscure acts. Read the rest of this entry »

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“The British Invasion” by Barry Miles (Sterling Publishing) 

Clocking in at over three hundred pages in length, “The British Invasion” is the perfect coffee table book. Those familiar with the music, art and fashion of the times probably won’t find any real revelations here, but the photos of the performers and assorted artifacts are drop dead gorgeous. Reprints of articles from vintage magazines are a joy to behold, and the text is superbly written. Read the rest of this entry »

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