Weavers, The - On Tour

Name: The Weavers (originally No-Name Quartet)
Album: On Tour
Year: 1957 (1962)
Style: Folk, Vocals
Similar Bands: Bachelors, Kingston Trio, A Mighty Wind, Seekers, Rooftop Singers
"One-Word" Review: Banjangaly Harmonies
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Vanguard

Cover, Record

Back, Record

On Tour (1957)

1. Tzena, Tzena, Tzena 2:24
2. On Top Of Old Smoky 2:24
3. Drill Ye Tarriers, Drill 2:14
4. Fi-li-mi-oo-re-ey 2:28
5. Over the Hill 1:01
6. Clementine 2:51
7. The Frozen Logger 2:16 (James Stevens Cover)
8. The Boll Weevil 2:29
9. Talking Blues 2:27
10. I Don't Want to Get Adjusted 1:31
11. So Long 2:32 (Woody Guthrie Cover) /
12. Michael Row the Boat Ashore 3:31
13. Wreck of the "John B" 2:25
14. Two Brothers 2:27
15. Ragaputi 2:13
16. Wasn't That a Time 2:05
17. Go Tell it on the Mountain 2:37
18. Poor Little Jesus 1:43
19. Mi Y'Malel 1:54
20. Santa Clause is Coming, It's Almost Day 1:22
21. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 2:31

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Pete Seeger - Vox, Banjo (Almanac Singers, Paul Campbell, The Union Boys, Work O' the Weavers, Woody Guthrie, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, John Benson Brooks Trio, Don McLean, Steve goodman, Guy Davis, Joan Baez, Sonny Terry  many )
• Ronnie Gilbert - Vox (Paul Campbell, Holly Near, Peter Paul & Mary, Woody Guthrie)
• Lee Hays - Vox (Almanac Singers, The Baby Sitters, Paul Campbell, Woody Guthrie)
• Fred Hellerman - Guitar, Vox (Paul Campbell, Peter Paul & Mary, Ruth Rubin, Larry Kent, Leon Bibb, Paul Clayton, Marylin Child, Sandy Paton, Joan Baez, Odetta, Theodore Bikel, Judy Collins, Oscar Brand, Chad Mitchell, Sunny Schwartz, Guy Davis, Cobble Mountain Band, Stan Scott, Sam Scheer, Belafonte)
• Harold Leventhal - Producer

Unknown-ness: I don't believe I've heard of the Weavers. Maybe, as they have been around a long time, and Pete Seeger is a familiar name. But I imagine this to be imagine this will be olde-timey vocal harmonizing songs, where instrumentation is but a non-showcased afterthought or simply to keep rhythm & melody. With a setlist of 21 songs, all performed live, and a bunch of familiar traditional titles, I imagine this will get a little samey, too.

Album Review: This was recorded for their Xmas concert at Carnegie Hall, so applause bookends the tracks. Hootenany would be an accurate portrait of their banjangley folk harmonies. Their musical choices are international and quite varied with the record split into 4 sections: Classic Songs, Tall Tales, History/Geography, and Peace & Good Will. Often, one member will recite the upcoming lyric before it is sung in order to encourage audience sing-a-long.

The highly influential folk band (pre-dating Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan; all were influenced by the Weavers) started as a political group, with Seeger and Hays together as Alamac singers, protesting WW2. In 1941,with Germany moving into Russia, the US sentiment changes to pro-war propaganda, and the band became a pitched entering the war until the US finally joined the Allies. The band officially organized in 1948, thanks to a music circle Seeger organized in his basement called People's Songs. As the Red Scare / McCarthy era began, Seeger & Hays were questioned as US Communists, both refusing to testify in their own defense, putting them under FBI surveillance, denying them television / radio performances, leading to the loss of their Decca record contract and demise as a band in 1953. They got back together and played Carnegie Hall in 1955, had success with the recording, and set up a tour through 63, with occasional reunions. Seeger left the band in 1958 over plans to record a tobacco commercial, which he was against due to their danger & feeling of selling out. Their first tv appearance since 1951 performed on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 67. They would have appeared on the Jack Paar show, but refused to sign a loyalty oath to the US against communism.  Hays passed in 1981, Seeger died in 2014, Gilbert passed in 2015, and Hellerman died in 2016.

Stand Out Track: Wreck of the "John B"

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Britannica
PBS
History: NBC '62 Ban
Live About

Encyclopedia

Warren, Paul & Explorer - One of the Kids

Name: Paul Warren & Explorer
Album: One of the Kids
Year: 1980
Style: Powerpop, Oldies
Similar Bands: Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Forbert, Pezband, Shoes, Records
"One-Word" Review: Good & Plenty Pop
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA
Label: RSO, Polygram

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

One of the Kids (1980)

1. One of the Kids 3:04
2. Takin' Her Back 4:01 (single)
3. The Others 2:29
4. A and R Man 3:06
5. Suzanne 3:59/
6. You Can't Touch Her 3:25
7. Kiss Me Chrissy 2:56
8. Faded Glory 4:30
9. For the Love of a Girl 3:07
10. Hats Off to Winners 2:50

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Coleman - Producer
• Paul Warren - Vox, Guitar (Rod Stewart, Rare Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Explorer, Jack Wagner, Robin Trower, Neil Norman, Bobby Sexton, Richard Marx, Ventures, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Funkadelic, Elkie Brooks, Prism, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Richard Marx, Tamara Champlin, Eros Ramazzotti, Alessandro Mara, Joe Cocker, Her Name is Death, ABC, Actual Russian Brides, Nite City)
• Steve Gornall - Guitar, Vox (Carl Stewart)
• Jimmy Hunter - Drums (Nite City, Nick Gilder, Hilary Laddin, David London, Gabriele Morgan, POOK Family All Star Line Up Band, Fortune, Bobby Barth, Bobby Alexander, Greg Ginn. Beckley)
• Dene Jordan - Bass, Vox 
• Doug Schwartz - Engineer Asst
• Steve Hall - Mastering
• Charles Weinberger - Mgmt
• Greg McCutcheon - Mgmt
• Glenn Ross - Art Direction
• Tim Owens - Design
• Moshe Brakha - Photos
• Rachel Guinan - Cover Kid
• Andy Owens - Cover Kid

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the mixed message of Warren smoking in front of the kids, yet declaring himself as one of the kids in the title is a shame. The kids, obviously from the future sport the 80's new wave business clothes with Geordie La Forge glasses. There was a big drive in the early 80's to mark yourself as new wave with the Red, Black & White color scheme, and this fits in with the red lines across the title and back of album. So the only question is how nerdy or power poppy will this record be...no mention of keys on the member list, so my guess is that it most likely won't be the bouncy neurotic powerpop, and will lean on the more pub rock sound.

Album Review: The album is full of singer/songwriter powerpop, lots of Beatles influence in the simple melodies, and basic, catchy song structures. The only difference, and quite shockingly so, is the driving metal anxiousness of "For the Love of a Girl."

Last June, I added a record from his band, Nite City, that preceded this album. Starting in the early 70's, Warren was a session guitarist for Motown Records (recorded The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"), as he was discovered in the area at 17. He moved with the label when they relocated to LA. After this one album and a bankrupt RSO label, he began his stint as a guitar for hire, before he ended up as touring guitarist for Richard Marx in 1987 - 1994 and Rod Stewart 1999 - 2013.

Stand Out Track: For the Love of a Girl

Links:

Youtube album + 1 extra track
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Rate Your Music

Down Underground

This Is Powerpop
Local Show 2010

Tee Set - Ma Belle Amie

Name: Tee Set
Album: Ma Belle Amie
Year: 1970
Style: Oldies, Baroque Pop
Similar Bands: Box Tops, Kinks, Tom Jones, Association
"One-Word" Review: Wispy Jovial Pop
Based Out Of: Delft, Netherlands
Label: Colossus Record Corp.

Cover, Back, Record

Inner Gatefold, Record

Ma Belle Amie (1970)

1. Ma Belle Amie 3:10 (single)
2. What Can I Do 1:55
3. Walk On By My Door 2:27
4. I Don't Want to Know 2:10
5. Charmaine 3:23
6. Finally In Love Again 3:20 /
7. If You Do Believe in Love 2:47 (single)
8. Since i Lost Your Love 2:17
9. Long Ago 2:41
10. Here in My House 3:05
11. Bring a Little Sunshine 2:45
12. Magic Lantern 4:30

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Tetteroo - Vox, Producer (Tinus Plotseling, Defenders, The Shats, The Delft Blues, Musicians Union Band)
• Franklin Madjid - Bass (James Mean)
• Joop Blom - Drums
• Dill Bennink - Guitar (Black Albinos)
• Hans Van Eijck - Organ, Guitar, Composer, Arranger (Rattles, Spencer Davis Group, After Tee, Abdul Hassan Orch, Jumping Pop-In, Carmen Sars, Lee Towers, Musicians Union Band, Bart Kaell, Helmut Lotti)
• David Krieger - Art Direction
• Cover Art - Tim Lewis
• Jerry Ross - American Representative

Unknown-ness: I never heard of the Tee Set. No date on the record, but it felt like a 60's psych band, which can really be hit or miss...original or packaged to piggy backed to mimic and rip off another band. But even those bands are not always terrible. So it was a gamble of quality, but i am pretty sure it is going to be wispy psych pop.

Album Review: With an undertone of blues on occasion, this is an upbeat collection of sunny pop reminds me an awful lot of the Box Tops, but occasionally spills over from a band effort into lounge/vocalist production ala Tom Jones ("Magic Lantern" & "If You Do Believe In Love"). But the more bluesy stuff, like "What Can I Do" is really good. And part of the verse and piano work of "Finally In Love Again" reminds me of Elvis Costello's lighter work.

They are a Dutch band, and broke out in the US with this record and title track reaching #5 on the Billboard chart. They lasted about 10 years, 1966 - 1975, with occasional reunions. They were the first Dutch band to start their own record label (Tee-Set Records). "She Likes Weeds" was a hit in NZ, but because it was suspected to be a drug reference (it was not: was a reference to 1965's Michael Caine film "The Ipcress File") it was banned in the US. Singer Tetteroo passed away from liver cancer in 2002 (55).

Stand Out Track: What Can I Do

Links:

Spotify extended album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

All but forgotten oldies

Bad Cat Records

imdb

Second Hand Songs

Rate Your Music

Band Name Explained

Kit Kats (the) - It's Just A Matter of Time

Name: The Kit Kats
Album: It's Just A Matter of Time
Year: 1967
Style: Male Vocal Group, Baroque Rock
Similar Bands: Association, We Five, Turtles, Bachelors, Kingston Trio, Beach Boys, Herman's Hermits, Four Seasons, Zombies, Vogues
"One-Word" Review: Old Time Barbershop Vocalists with a wild side
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, Pa
Label: Jamie Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

It's Just A Matter of Time (1967)

1. Let's Get Lost on a Country Road 2:25 (single)
2. Breezy 2:30 (single b-side)
3. Cotton Fields 2:33 (cover)
4. Liza-Jane 2:34
5. These Are a Few of My Favorite Things 2:20 (cover)
6. The Nut Rocker 2:00 (B Bumble & the Stingers cover) /
7. Funny How Love Can Be 2:05 (Carter-Lewis cover)
8. That's The Way 2:10 (single)
9. Sea of Love 3:05 (Phil Phillips cover, single)
10. Won't Find Better Than Me 2:45 (single)
11. You Got to Know 2:40 (single)
12. Cold Walls 2:20 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Finiz - Producer, Engineer
• C(K)arl Hausman - Rhythm & Vocal Arrangements, Vox, Keys (Chancellors, Roscoe & the Green Men)
• Richard Rome - Strings & Horn Arrangements (African Suite)
• Kit (Carson Wesley) Stewart - Vox, Drums
• John Bradley - Vox, Guitar (Chancellors)
• Ronnie Cichonski (Shane) - Bass
• Dom Romeo - Engineer
• Phil Macey - Engineer
• Max Bodden - Photos
• Tom Kennedy - Cover Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of The Kit Kats. But they look like a generic Hermans Hermits, Monkees or Beatles band of the mid to late 60's. I can't imagine it being anything else than musicians for hire playing record label suit composed music, even if the bio on the back gives them credit as musicians playing the south-eastern chunk of PA and seashore resorts.

Album Review: Sometimes getting close to the harmonies of the Beach Boys, this packaged band that looks like it might be mod like the Beatles or Kinks has more in common with the Weavers, Bachelors and Kingston Trio, with barbershop harmony vocals and light, whispy songs. They even make "Favorite Things" sound like a monk's religious chant. At least that's on the A side of the record, or the "parent's side"...on B, they let their hair grow a little longer, and have punchier and more dance-able melodies (save "Cold Wall"). It is a much more mod song, with You Got to Know getting a little crazy, like a sugar filled toddler crashing.

They were local to the Philly area, especially at their start, but they played from Harrisburg to the shore (The Riptide in Wildwood). With local success making them enough money- more than they may have found had they broken out nationally, they stayed local, only chancing national success with "Country Road" reaching #119 on the billboard charts. They lasted 12 years however, 1962 - 1974, and had a name change to New Hope in 1969 (and at times, went by Pablo Ponce Four or the Tak Tiks). They were different and a cut above their competition, if only because they blended a lot of popular styles and played their own instruments. They reunited a handful of times in the tri-state area, and still will (as of 2015), but Kit Stewart passed away in 2001.

Stand Out Track: That's The Way

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Spectropop
Cape May County Herald
Media Five Entertainment Archive
All But Forgotten Oldies

Keith Sykes - I'm Not Strange I'm Just Like You

Name: Keith Sikes
Album: I'm Not Strange I'm Just Like You
Year: 1980
Style: Americana, Oldies Rock, Roots Rock
Similar Bands: Fabulous Thunderbirds, Walter Egan, Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Forbert, Blasters
"One-Word" Review: Buddy Holly Updated
Based Out Of: Memphis, Tenn.
Label: Backstreet Records, MCA Distribution

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics & Credits, Record

I'm Not Strange I'm Just Like You (1980)

1. B.I.G. T.I.M.E 3:09
2. Love to Ride 4:15
3. Smack Dab in the Middle 2:38 (Charlie Calhoun cover)
4. Ain't That Some Lovin' 4:31
5. 928 2:07 /
6. I'm On A Roll 2:45
7. Maybe I'm a Mockingbird 3:58
8. Makin' It Before They Got Married 3:37
9. When My Work Is Done 2:57
10. I'm Not Strange (I'm Just Like You) 3:12

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Keith Sykes - Writer, Vox, Lead & Rhythm Guitars (Jimmy Buffett, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, John Prine, Billy Prine, )
• John Hampton - Drums, Backing Vox, Percussion, Engineer (Todd Rundgren, Hard Rain, Todd Agnew, Mylon Fefevre, Tommy Keene,  many more)
• Mike Brighardello - Bass, Backing Vox, Percussion (Giant, Steven Curtis, Lydia Miller, Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Imperials,Glen Campbell, Jummy Swaggert, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Travis Tritt, Oak Ridge Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emmylou Harris, Shania Twain, BJ Thomas, Jeff Foxworthy, Barry Manilow, Corey Hart, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Eddie Rabbitt, Lee Ann Womack, Clint Black, Van Zandt, Faith Hill  many more)
• Mike Crews - Guitar, Backing Vox
• Joe Hardy - Bass, Backing Vox, Engineer (Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Ry Cooder, Georgia Satellites, Replacements, Jim Corcoran, Mylon LeFevre, Deborah Conway, CJ Chenier, Degarmo & Key. Siniestro Total, Marie Wilson, Cross Canadian Ragween, Loud Machine, Damn Quailes, Billy Gibbons, Tommy Keene, Tom Cochran, Jeff Healy Band,   many more)
• Ed Degarmo - Organ, Engineer (Degarmo & Key, The Cause)
• Jerene Sykes - Producer
• Greg Ladonyi - Mixing
• BACKING VOX/AUDIENCE ON TITLE TRACK: Terry Dane Adney, Redbeard & Sandy, Walter Dawson, Suzanne Phelps, Kay King, Trish Mitchell, John Kilzer, Stacey Parks, Bobby Grace, Harry Chittenden, Jamie Chittenden, Bobby Lane, Sky King, Jody McCarthy, Bobby Maupin, Lynn Yates, Luis Scholes, Robert Donahue, Mark & Debbie Jowers, Gerry Haas, Mary Tillerson, Tommy Jackson, White Heart, Steve Camp, Ace Cannon, Stacie Orrico many more)
• Doug Sax - Mastering
• Mike Reese - Mastering
• Tom Corcoran - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this singer/songwriter. I'm guessing he's gonna be your average storyteller, unpretentious singer, that is part bar room open miker (miller lite can), part musician's musician (photo on back in the studio) trying to break the mold (based on the album title) but won't.

Album Review: The album is part Americana, Roots rock, and part revival of the style of Buddy Holly- pretty much the formula of any singer song writer trying to sound different. The only stand-outish track- and not really for good- is the album ending title track. It features what sounds like a live audience of folks with background conversational ambiance to a Blasters-like song with some yelps, whistles and claps. The audience also does a bit of  call and response with the chorus, reminding me of Chuck Berry's My Ding-a-ling live recording.

Sykes has had a long career in the music industry rollercoastering between performing and writing. He has performed solom accompanied many famous musicians, and was even in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers. He has also written many songs recorded by others like The Judds, John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rosanna Cash, Guy Clark, George Thorogood, Sissy Spacek, Mitch Ryder Rodney Crowell, and he co-wrote Volcano with Jimmy Buffett. He started out in 1968 after hitchhiking to the Newport Music Festival and was inspired by Arlo Guthie's perfomance of "Alice's Restaurant Massacree." He even performed the single B.I.G. T.I.M.E on SNL in 1980, in support of this album, which was released on Tom Petty's record label.

Stand Out Track: B.I.G. T.I.M.E

Links:

Youtube (9/10 tracks, missing Mockingbird)
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

website

facebook

second hand songs

about KS

Trop Rockin

American Songwriter

Sunshine Company (the) - s/t

 Name: The Sunshine Company
Album: S/T
Year: 1968
Style: Oldies, Pop, Psych
Similar Bands: Essex Green, Camera Obscura, Easybeats, Monkees, Bee Gees, Belle & Sebastian, Harpers Bizzare, Mamas & Papas, Association
"One-Word" Review: Hippy Loungey Pop
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Imperial Records, Liberty Records

Cover, Sleeve Advert, Record

Back, Sleeve Advert, Record

The Sunshine Company (1968)

1. Look Here Comes the Sun 2:53 (John and Terence Boylan) (Single)
2. Reflections on an Angel 2:38  (single b-side)
3. Love, That's Where It Is 2:09 (T.Kaye, B. Schwartz, J.Fine)
4. Sunday Brought the Rain 2:41 (Gregg Allman)
5. I Can't Help But Wonder 2:11(Tony Michaels, Vinny Gormann)
6. I, To We, and Back Again 3:33 /
7. It's Sunday 2:15 (single) (Les Baxter)
8. You Don't Know Her Like I Do 3:10 (Steve Gillette)
9. Your Heart is Free, Just Like the Wind 2:27 (Chevallier-Thomas-Rivat-Shakespeare)
10. If You Only Knew 2:50 (Curt Boettcher)
11. Darcy Farrow 2:35 (Ian & Sylvia, Steve Gillette) (b-side single)
12. Without Really Thinking 3:36

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Joe Saraceno - Producer
• George Tipton - Arrangements
• Maury Mandeau - Arrangements (John Bettis, Malina Reynolds, Steve Gillette, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sevrin Browne, Mary Catharine Lunsford, Steve Martin Brothers)
• Larry Sims - Arrangements
• Lanky Linstrot - Engineer
• Woody Woodward - Art Direction
• John L. Eastman - Illustration
• Linda Graham - Poem
• William E McEuen - Mgmt (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
• Mary Nance - Vox
• Larry Sims - Bass (Loggins & Messina, Feather, Chris Hillman)
• Merel Bregante - Drums (Loggins & Messina, Feather, The Dirt Band, Chris Wall, Don McCalister, Eric Hanke, Sarah Pierce, Severin Browne, Chris Hillman, Steve martin, Gertrude Bradley,  Robert Jetton, Michael Brewer, Rich Rodgers, Cliff Sarde, John McEuen, Austin Lounge Lizards, Volunteer Fire Ants, Dale Watson, Jeff Hughes, James Durst, Bret Graham, Paul Cotton, Mandolin Bros, Regan Brown, Kelly & Ellis, Mike & Pam Martin)
• Douglas Mark - Guitar (Redeye)
• Dave Hodgkins - Guitar (Grains of Sand, Redeye)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like your typical late 60's hippy, happy, shiny love band, so i'm guessing this will be upbeat bubblegum pop...maybe a little psych, too?

Album Review: So the album doesn't deviate much from it's cover image and genre. It will sometimes fall backwards on the ultra light bachelors vocal bands or loungey elements. Their name alone puts them solidly in the niche genre built around similar sounding bands, "sunshine pop." Their name was actually taken from the brand of snacks/crackers that shares the same name, and only materialized once they had a nationally charting single (Happy). They only lasted about 2 years recording 3 and a half albums, perhaps because the label greatly forced their creative hand in a different direction than what the band wanted. 

Stand Out Track: I Can't Help But Wonder, Love, That's Where it Is

Links:

Youtube album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Best Of Liner notes

all but forgotten oldies

rate your music

Soul Survivors - When the Whistle Blows, Anything Goes

Name: Soul Survivors
Album: When the Whistle Blows, Anything Goes
Year: 1967
Style: Oldies, Psych, R&B/Soul
Similar Bands: Box Tops, Animals, Zombies, Association, Sam & Dave, Paul Revere & the Raiders
"One-Word" Review: Quirky Psych Rock N' Blue-Eyed Soul Roll 
Based Out Of: Philadelphia
Label: Crimson Records, Inc

Cover, Record

Record, Back

When the Whistle Blows, Anything Goes (1967)

1. Do You Feel It 3:46
2. Please Please Please 3:29
3. Too Many Fish in the Sea...Shake 5:53
4. Dathon's Theme 2:46
5. Taboo-India 3:43 /
6. Expressway (To Your Heart) 3:33 (single)
7. Respect 2:43 (Otis Redding cover)
8. A Change is Gonna Come 3:48
9. Hey Gyp 4:54
10. The Rydle 2:36

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands: 

• Howard Michaels - Bio
• Joe Forglone - Drummer (Steeplechase, Duane Allman)
• Paul Venturini - Organ (Privilege, Duane Allman)
• Chuck Trois - Guitar 
• Charles Ingui - Vox (Dedications, Cindy & Roy, Felix Cavaliere, Duane Allman)
• Richard Ingui - Vox (Dedications,Cindy & Roy, Felix Cavaliere, Duane Allman)
• Kenny Jermiah - Vox (Dedications, Duane Allman)
• Nat Segall - Producer
• Joe Tarsia - Engineer
• Richard Price / Snyder Studio - Album Design
• Shelly Roseman - Cover Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Even with their sticker on the cover, promoting Expressway To Your Heart, i can't say i know this band. The look is a little out there, scattered and varied with a little bit psych (especially the font) and a little bit R&B-Disco

Album Review: The band itself is little bit garage, a little bit soul / r&b, all catchy oldies rock. Single "Expressway..." sounds a little like "Soul Man," was the first hit single from Gamble & Huff, and was inspired by the Schuylkill Expressway. They cover Otis Reddings version or Respect, the same year that Franklin's ground breaking version was released. "Taboo-India" is an off instrumental, with some yelling that sounds like it might shift into the Italian song  "L'urlo Negro" by the Blackmen. Per the back of the record, the band met via an accident on the NJ Turnpike and hanging out / recovering in a nearby diner afterwords where they discovered a mutual admiration for soul music (thus Soul Survivors in 1966). They basically stopped performing & recording after a few years absence of a follow up hit in the mid 70's. It was not until after they were referenced in a Steely Dan song (Hey 19) that they returned to playing & writing in 1987. Richie Inqui passed away in 2017, but the rest still work with the Hooter's Drummer David Uosikkinen's Philly Tribute Supergroup "In the Pocket."

Stand Out Track: Expressway (To Your Heart)

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Richie Ingui Obit 1-12-17

Ingui Obit Best Classic Bands 1.14.17

All but forgotten Oldies

way back attack

Rate Your Music

Rosenshontz - Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear

Name: Rosenshontz
Album: Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear
Year: 1986
Style: Children's Pop
Similar Bands: Kids Bob,
"One-Word" Review: Cringeful Embarrassing Multi-Genre Pop
Based Out Of: Brattleboro VT
Label: RS Records

Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

 Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear (1986)

1. Rosenshontz Rap 2:27
2. Do Be Do Good 3:20
3. Billy Don't You Cry Now 3:20
4. Quiet Time 2:55
5. Bobo & Fred 3:28
6. Go For It 3:12 /
7. Rock N' Roll Teddy Bear 2:57
8. Mr. Stringbean 4:40
9. The Circus is Here 3:20
10. Little Light of Mine 3:12
11. The Best That I Can 3:24

Album Rating (1-10): 2.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Gary Rosen - Vox, Classical Guitar
• Bill Shontz - Vox, Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax (Roberta Peters)
• Bill Usher - Percussion (Sharon Lois & Bram, Bruce Cockburn, Horseflies, McBride, Dave Essig, David Wiffen, Irish Rovers, Bill King, Truck, Bob McBride, Valdy, Doug McArthur, Stringband, Shirley Eikhard, Willie P Bennett, Raffi, Ron Nigrini, Zachary Richards, Robert Paquette, Marie-Lynn Hammond, Travellers, Sesame Street, Wicky Sears, Mark Rust, Tuin)
• Tom Griffiths - Bass (Sandy Hooks, Jim Thompson, Bob McGrath, Colin Linden, Willie P Bennett, Joe Mavety, Chris Spedding, Dean McTaggart, Terry Blersh)
• Gary Craig - Drums (Bruce Cockburn, Colin Linden, Eddie Schwartz, Chris Hall, Wrabit, Arrows, Air Supply, Teal, Terry Kelly, Alannah Myles, Rita Coolidge, Dan Hill, Eddie Kirkland, Exchange, Scott Dibble & Watertown, Lawrence Gowan, Suzie Vinnick, Barbara Payton, Blackie & Rodeo Kings, Rick Fines, Anne Murray, Aidan Mason, Stephen Fearing, Lennie Gallant, Mae Moore, Salamander Crossing, Katherine Wheatley, Ray Montford, Roberta Michele, Ruthann Springle, Leonore Elaine, Parmela Attariwala, Arlene Bishop, Kathleen Edwards, John McDermott, Rex Goudie, Melissa O'Neil, Linda McLean, Charlie A'Court, Edwin, Tyler Kyte, Agnessa, George Canyon, Twilight Hotel, Sora, Terri Clark, Jenn Grant, Jim Brickman, Justin Rutledge, Ian Tamblyn, Kirsten Jones. Tim Chaisson, Jadea Kelly, Lee Harvey Osmond, Doug Paisley, Stuart Ward, Jenny Scheinman, Eden Brent, Lindi Ortega, Steph macpherson, Lucas Chaisson, Steve Dawson, Big Dave McLean, JadeMya, Michelle Willis, Campbell Woods, Fred Penner, Trailerhawk, Nashville Cast, Joe Aylward)
• Bucky Berger - Drums (Chiliwack, Rise and Shine Band, Rough trade, The Canadian Aces, Flying Bulger Klezmer Band, Raffi, Murray McLauchlan, Compass, John Mays, Fruteland Jackson, Garnett Ford, Marie-Lynn Hammond, Mendelson Joe, Jerry Brodey, Scott Merritt, David bradstreet, Chris & Ken Whiteley, Available Space, Morgan Davis, Brent Titcomb, Fred penner, Eric Anderson, Deborah Dunleavy, John Hammond, Sylvia Tyson, Jackie Washington, Mose Scarlett, Penny Lang,grit Laskin, Amos Garrett, Kathy-Reid Naiman, Fathead, Garth Hudson, Treasa Levasseur, Al Lerman, harmonica Shah, 
• John Bride - Guitar (Greaseball Boogie Band, Shooter, Time Twins, Stella, Partland Brothers, Rita Chiarelli, The Panthers, Men Without Hairs)
• Keven Breit - Electric Guitar (Folkalarm, Sisters Euclid, Stretch Orch, Superfenerous, The Guess Who, Norah Jones, k.d. lang, Janis Ian, the Breits, Celine Dion, Jane Siberry, Amos Lee, Rosanne Cash more)
• Ray Parker - Synth, Piano (Cargo, barry White, Blue Peter, Muscle Tones, O Ji Ji,. Cliff Edwards, Sharon Lois & Bram, Semsame Street, Keith Hampshire, Albert Hall, Sidney Bechet, The Front, Bob McGrath, Stan Rogers, Terry Carisse, Ken Tobias, Guido Luciani, Brian Browne, Terry Kelly, Anita Perras, Joan Kennedy, Eric Nagler, Rankin Family, Susan Aglukark, JP Cormier, Celtic Connection, Bruce Guthro, Jeff Heley Band, Good Brothers, Cyril MacPhee, Louise Lambert)
• Alex Dean - Alto & Tenor Sax (Al Henderson, Bobby Rice, DEW East, Kieran Overs, Rob McConnell, Kam Falk, Sharon Lois & Bram, Jim & Rosalie, Sesame Street, Aaron Davis, Henry Kucharzyk, Jeffrey Hatcher, Purplechanges, Arlene Smith, Barry Elmes, RJimmy Riley, Cynthia Schloss, Kieran Overs, Wayne Wade, Tyrone Taylor, Memo Acevedo, Acoustics, Oliver Jones, John Herberman, Mel Torme, Tom Leadbeater, Universal Honey, Matt Minglewood, Dave McMurdo, Humber Jazz Ensemble)
• Colina Phillips - Backing Vox (Laurie Bower, Northern Lights, Sway, Hollywood Vampires, Tiaras, Alabama, Alice Cooper, Triumph, Moxy, Anne Murray. Nils Lofgren, Doug & the Slugs, Murray Mclauchlan, Rough Trade, Bruce Cockburn, Martha & the Muffins, Rick Moranis,   more
• Sharon Lee Williams - Backing Vox (Basic Black & Pearl, Northern Lights, Sway, Hollywood Vampires, Michael Bolotin, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Rough Trade, Moxy, Bruce Cockburn, Martha & the Muffins, Rick Moranis, Anne Murray, Atomic Betty, more)
• Shawne Jackson - Backing Vox (Sweet Blindness, Hollywood Vampires, Majestics, Mandala, Domenic Troiano, Rory Block, Bill Amesbury, Alice Cooper, Diane Heatherington, Murray McLauchlan, Long John Baldry, Doug & the Slugs, Rough Trade, Bob & Doug McKenzie, Garnett Ford, Wrabit, Moe Koffman, Rick Morrison, Robotman & Friends, Craig Ruhnke, Lisa Price, Bruce Cockburn, Martha & the Muffins, Santers, Luba,  Robert Armes, Doug Cameron, Sheree jeacocke, Partland Bros, Voices With Heart, Christopher Ward, Siobhan Crawley, Hugh Marsh. Rick Moranis. Sheree, Lisa Lougheed, Rick Santers, Patria, Sattalites)
• John Whynot - Synth Emulator (Bruce Cockburn, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Colin Linden, Blue Rodeo, Whitenoise, harlan Pepper  more)
• Kevin Doyle - Engineer
• Ivar Vaag - Asst. Engineer
• Scott Boyling - Asst. Engineer
• Marjorie Merena - Art Direction & Design
• W. Allan Gill - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it looks quite interesting...i mean the album name is quite juvinile, as are the photos of stuffed animals with instruments. However, the two members are two older, middle aged men. There is a quote of praise from Parents Magazine (and Newsweek), so maybe this is designed for little kids. 

Album Review: Wow. I don't think i've ever heard anything more embarrassing. Not really sure who this is for, or who would actually think about buying this for themselves or their kids. It is just awful style representations of rock, "rap (which sounds closer to Devo)" pop, vaudevillian country, with lyrics that try to relate to young children or present motivational anecdotes. One can only hope there were all only good intentions with this duo, as they do have a 9+ album discography (and i've only seen positive reviews and praise, so that's great to discover). Still,  I hope this was no child's first experience with music. One of their songs was picked up and played on Captain Kangaroo in the mid 70's, and from there, they transitioned from an adult act to a kids act, moving from NYC to VT. When their popularity waned in 1993, they split ways and performed solo-ly independently, only reuniting once as a benefit for an ailing Rosen in 2005. He passed away in 2007 from ALS. Shontz focused more on environmental education in music, and made his solo career almost completely void of Rosen. As they invited kids to their shows to bring their favorite teddy bears in the audience, it should be no surprise that their big hit was Teddy Bears' Picnic, which even became an emmy nominated video.

Stand Out Track: The Best That I Can

Links:

Spotify Full Album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Rosen article Morning Call 1999

geek usa

rotten tomatoes Teddy Bears' Picnic

Road (the) - s/t

Name: The Road
Album: s/t
Year: 1970
Style: Psych Oldies & Bubblegum Pop, Funk, R&B
Similar Bands: Bee Gees, Stones, Beatles, Tom Jones, Zombies, Hollies, 
"One-Word" Review: 60's Wedding Cover Band on drugs
Based Out Of: Buffalo, NY
Label: Kama Sutra, Buddah Records , Viewlex Inc

Cover, Promo Sleeve, Record

Back, Promo Sleeve, Record

The Road (1970)

1. She's Not There 3:43 (single, Zombies Cover)
2. Love Is All 3:21
3. Love It Is 4:42 (J. Geils cover)
4. A Taste of Honey 2:32 (Ric Marlow cover)
5. I Can Only Give You Everything 2:47 (single b-side, Them cover)/
6. Dance To The Music 5:29 (Sly & Family Stone cover)
7. Never Gonna Give You Up 3:11 (Jerry Butler cover)
8. Mr. Soul 2:40 (single, Neil Young cover)
9. In Love 1:55 (single b-side)
10. See You There 2:12
11. Rock N Roll Woman 2:52 (Stephen Stills cover) 
12. The Grass Looks Greener on the Other Side 2:31 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Hal Wheeler - Arrange, Conducted
• Bill Radice - Engineer
• J. Pinto / Joey Reynolds / Rencore - Producer
• Jerry Hudson -Lead Vox (Madmen, 6 Pact, Mellow Brick Rode)
• Phil Hudson - Lead Vox (6 Pact, Mellow Brick Rode)
• Joseph Hesse - Bass (Mellow Brick Rode, Just Us 5)
• Jim Hesse - Organ (Mellow Brick Rode, Just Us Five, Caesar & The Romans)
• Ralph Parker - Lead Guitar (Madmen, 6 Pact, Mellow Brick Rode)
• Nick Distefano - Drums (Mellow Brick Road, Just Us 5, Marie Osmond, Billy Joe Royal, Janie Frickie, Johnny Rodriguez, David Loggins, Marshall Chapman, Wheetstone Bridge)
• James S. Bush Jr - Cover Photo
• Silver & Morris - Prepared
• Frank Iannello - Album Design
• Gordon James - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but from the logo/font, hairstyles and their clothes, plus being on Buddah Records, I imagine it will be some Psych/Bublegum Pop

Album Review: The Road, as shortened / updated form of their previous name Mellow Brick Rode, was a band of solid musicians who made their own arrangements on other people's songs for the most part (3 tracks are written by band members). Their arrangement of the Zombie's "She's Not There" was their biggest hit, making top 40 lists in and around their home of Buffalo NY. They never toured further than Massachusetts, per direction from their management, but their reach was across the country. The were comfortable being an ever-present act in the Buffalo area. They had one more album after this one for Kama Sutra records, and after that were then were not a band for many years like an on/off light switch with a revolving door of members. There is brass present on this record, but no mention of who played on it with a credit(s).

Stand Out Track: She's Not There

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Rate Your Music

top shelf oldies

Buffalo Music HoF

Jerry Hudson 2019 obit

Listening Post song of the day

Western NY Music

Jeannie C. Riley - The Generation Gap

Name: Jeannie C. Riley
Album: The Generation Gap
Year: 1970
Style: Country Pop, Southern Bluesy Rock
Similar Bands: Tammy Wynette, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, Dusty Springfield, Lorletta Lynn, Connie Smith
"One-Word" Review: Spunky Country Oldies
Based Out Of: Stamford, TX
Label: Plantation Records, Shelby Singleton Corp.

Cover, Record

Back, Record

The Generation Gap (1969)

1. The Generation Gap 2:44 (single B-side)
2. Fine Feathered Friend 3:25
3. Words, Names, Faces 2:03
4. My Man 2:58 (single)
5. He Made A Woman Out Of Me 2:15 /
6. Duty Not Desire 2:26 (single)
7. Games People Play 2:54
8. Darkness Falls 2:49
9. Holdin' On 2:02
10. Okie From Muskogee 2:35
11. To the Other Woman 2:45

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Southern Graphics Industry - Design & packaging
• The Belmont Agency - Cover Photo
• Jeannie C. Riley - Vox
• Shelby Singleton Jr - Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this singer. But it looks really mod, and hippie with a strong foothold in the Dollywood country south. So oldie, catchy country pop is my guess.

Album Review: There is a lot of pop, catchy melodies, and slightly psych production to fit into the 60's mod sound, but there is also the same amount of country/gospel bluesy swagger to the songs, and Riley's vocals are versatile enough to easily handle both sounds. In 1968, she won the Grammy award for best female country vocal performance on Harper Valley PTA, which held the #1 Billboard spot for both pop & country and spawned movies and tv series, along with a major network variety show for her. Due to the content of the song: a widowed mother who dated and dressed in the 60's mini skit and go go boots style responded to a hypocritical PTA who judged her style negatively, she herself was pressured to match that style against her personal comfort. In the late 70's she became born-again and focused her recordings on gospel music. The songs on here were written by an array of people from Margaret Lewis & Myra Smith (4 tracks), Merle Haggard "Okie From Muskogee" and even Gary US Bonds + Swamp Dogg: Jerry Williams Jr "To The Other Woman," which is kind of a companion piece to her Harper Valley PTA single. Before she moved to Nashville, just out of high school, her four year marriage produced a daughter, Kim, in 1966, who later would accompany her on stage, singing back up, touring with her, and trying out her own career as Riley Coyle.

Stand Out Track: The Generation Gap

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Sun Records bio

IMDB

classic country

KXRB what happened to?

unofficial Facebook

Cocaine & Rhinestones

KRFO Kat Kountry 1-hit wonder

TX Music

Grammy page

Prophets (Thee) - Playgirl

Name: Thee Prophets
Album: Playgirl
Year: 1969
Style: Pop Oldies, Psychedelic, Vocal Group
Similar Bands: Herman's Hermits, Happenings, Buckinghams, Sunshine Express, The Vogues, Tom Jones, Bee Gees
"One-Word" Review: Tame neutered bubblegum vocal pop
Based Out Of: Milwaukee, WI
Label: Kapp, MCA, Universal

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Playgirl (1969)

1. Playgirl 2:05 
2. Broken Heart 2:22
3. Man Enough 2:13
4. It Isn't So Easy 2:29
5. Magic Island 2:31
6. Double Life 2:13 /
7. Some Kind-A Wonderful 2:17 (Single) (cover: Drifters)
8. Heartbreak Avenue 2:38
9. They Call Her Sorrow 3:08
10. I Pretend I'm With You 1:52
11. Kind of a Drag 2:03
12. Shame Shame 2:18 

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Carl Bonafede - Producer
• Dan Belloc - Producer
• Lew Douglas - Producer, Arranger
• Brian Lake - Organ, Vox
• Jim Anderson - Guitar, Vox
• David Leslie - Bass, Vox
• Chris Michaels - Drums
• Tex Meyer - Write-Up
• Don Brown - Write-Up
• Stan Malinowski - Cover Photo
• Milton Sincoff - Artistic Design
• Bill Bradley - Engineer
• Ed Cody - Engineer
• Ron Malo - Engineer
• Don Van Gorden - Remixing

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like another run-of-the-mill late 60's pop group trying to be the next big thing. They probably won't be unusual or break out of the light male vocal ensemble that really owes more to Jack Jones and other crooners more than the Beatles or the Kinks.

Album Review: Strings and light smooth vocals perpetuate the album along, but there are a few shining moments, like "Man Enough" has some drive and big band pop energy. And single Playgirl is a bit in the a Motown swing vibe. "Magic Island" almost has a solid pop backbone, but it loses all of its appeal as it's tries to appease parents with a light lofty orchestral production. This album would be a lot better if it were a lot simpler. But it can't escape the safe zone with production half in cohorts with Tom Jones or Mitch Miller, and one foot trying for the youth appeal. The Youtube link has more songs than what are on this album, and almost every non album track is better than the songs here. It looks like Jim Anderson only wrote 2 songs on here: They Call Her Sorrow & It Isn't So Easy...the rest are covers. Apparently, even the band was unhappy with this album, as their musical tendencies were more toward Hendrix, Cream, Vanilla Fudge, not bubblegum pop, but the record company had their name & ownership, and ran it into the ground.

Stand Out Track: Man Enough

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Youtube full album

something else Almost Hits

Vancouver Pop Music

all but forgotten oldies

rate your music

Second Hand Songs

Last FM

Orion - Fresh

Name: Orion
Album: Fresh
Year: 1981
Style: Country, Oldies, Honky Tonk
Similar Bands: Elvis Presley
"One-Word" Review: Honk-Tonk Elvis Impersonator
Based Out Of: Alabama
Label: Sun International, Shelby Singleton Corp

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Fresh (1981)

1. There's No Easy Way 3:07
2. Baby Please Say Yes 2:16
3. Born 3:04 (single)
4. If I Can't Have You 2:37
5. Ain't No Good 3:10 /
6. Some You Win, Some You Lose 3:05 (single)
7. Look Me Up (and Lay It On Me) 2:15
8. Old Mexico 2:55
9. Rainbow Maker 2:28
10. Anybody Out There 2:37

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Mac Weiman - Guidance
• Shelby Singleton - Presenter
• David Roys - Engineer
• Dennis Carney - Photos
• Betty M. Cherry - Cover Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Orion, or Fresh, or Fresh Orion, or Orion Fresh, but it is very very obvious this will be basically an Elvis impersonator. The big selling point for me to get this was after i saw the beautiful see-through golden record. Like the classic label namesake, the record was like the sun.

Album Review: His name is indeed Orion by stage, James Hughes Bell by social security card. Most of the songs were written by Buddy Harris, the tempos range like a rollercoaster from slow and loungy to upbeat, energetic pub honky tonk. The vocals absolutely sound like Elvis. So much so, that many folks thought Elvis hadn't died in 1977 after hearing Orion/Ellis- a rumor he & Sun Records' Shelby Singleton were not eager to dismiss. In fact, the name Orion was his applied stage name after a book by Gail Brewer-Giorgio was published in 1978 also called Orion, who's protagonist was an Elvis-like pop star who faked his death. Despite the campy and sit-com like mystique, he has performed with many country greats like Lorletta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Tammy Wynette. He also has many fan websites devoted to his career. In 83, he denounced the theatrical name of Orion, tearing off his mask mid-performance, only to don it again in 87 when sales did not grow under his real name. Ellis was murdered in his pawn shop along with his ex wife in 1998 at 53. There is even a 2015 documentary about his life titled Orion: The Man Who Would Be King. The song on here, "Some You Win, Some You Lose," has a general melody and structure to Chuck Berry's "Never Can Tell." 

Stand Out Track: Some You Win, Some You Loose

Links:

Spotify Full Album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

orion jimmy ellis

Orion Movie: Man who would be king

orion discs

Jimmy Ellis Orion STC

elvis fandom

atlas obscura

neat o rama

elvis info net

Hondells (the) - Go Little Honda

Name: The Hondells
Album: Go Little Honda
Year: 1964
Style: Oldies, Pop
Similar Bands: Beach Boys, Ventures, Jan & Dean, Man or Astro-Man?
"One-Word" Review: Racing Advertisement Surf Pop
Based Out Of: SoCal
Label: Mercury Record Corp.

Go Little Honda (1964)

1. Little Honda 2:03 (Beach Boys cover)
2. Mean Streak 2:00
3. A Guy Without Wheels 2:05
4. The Wild One 2:05
5. Haulin' Honda 2:30 (instrumental)
6. Hot Rod High  2:10 /
7. Death Valley Run 1:55
8. Two Wheel Show Stopper 2:15 
9. Black Boots and Bikes 3:00 (instrumental)
10. Ridin' Trails 2:16
11. Hon-Da Beach Party 2:17 (instrumental)
12. Rip's Bike 2:00 (instrumental)

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Nick Venet - Director
• Ben-Ven Productions - Producer
• Gary Usher - Arrangement, Song Writer, Guitar (Brian Wilson, Beach Boys, Dick Dale many)
• James R. Silke - Cover Design & Photo
• Rex Updegraph - Recording Engineer
• Roger Christian - Song Writer, Write-up (KFWB Radio)
• Ritchie Burns - Vox, Bass (Competitors, Customs, Four Speeds, Ghouls, Knights, Sunsets, Super Stocks)
• Richie Podolor - Guitar (Bruce & Jerry, La Batterie, Richie Allen & Pacific Surfers, Renegades, Super Stocks, Phil Seymour Iron Butterfly, lots )
• Glenn Campbell - Guitar (you know...)
• Al DeLory - Piano (Donovan, Avalanches, Bob B Soxx & the Blue Jeans, Phil Spector, Wayne Newton, many)
• Tommy Tedesco - (Dave Pell octet, Eddie Cano & Sextet, Emil Richards & Microtonal Blues Band, Avalanches, The In Group, Piltdown Men, 
• Wayne Edwards - Drums (Emeralds, The Mixtures, martin Mul, Maya Angelou, more creds )
• Chuck Girard - Vox (Castells, Chuck & Joe, Love Song, Six the Hard Way, Knights, Voices for the Unborn, Sagittarius, Randall Waller, Tommy Coomes, Debby Boone, Terry Scott Taylor, Super Stocks, Alisa Childers, Tim Moon, Revells, Maranatha Singers, Ambrosia )
• Joe Kelly - Vox (Castells, Chuck & Joe, Six the Hard Way)
• Bill Cooper (Ghouls, Super Stocks, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, John Kay, Stan Kenton Tribute Band, Fountan of Youth more)
• Mike Curb (Rebelaries, Waterfall, Congregation, Productions, Teenage Rebellion, 18th Cenrtury Concepts, Jerry Styner, Michael Lloyd, Billy Strange, Davie Allan & the Arrows others)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they are definitely using Hondas in place of the Beach Boys surf boards, so i assume the sound will be the same. Not sure if this was a promotional band put together by Honda to promote it's own product, or if these lads really like Hondas.

Album Review: The album / band was put together by Gary Usher, who was responsible for many other bands at the time, where he'd bring in a rotation of studio folks to record an album under a new band name. This band featured Glenn Campbell, and they have been featured in three films: Beach Blanket Bingo, Ski Party and Beach Ball. Hondells were inspired by the popularity of the Honda motor bike, which were made for everyone, rather than roughnecks and a negative crowd. The Single Little Honda was written by Brian Wilson & Mike Love, but gifted to the Hondells after the Beach Boys released it on All Summer Long

Stand Out Track: Little Honda, Hot Rod High

Links:
spotify album
wiki
imdb
Discogs
Mental itch
allmusic
song facts
jerry reuss
facebook
pod-o-matic
Record Collector
one hit wonders

Harpers Bizarre - The Secret Life Of Harpers Bizarre

Name: Harpers Bizarre
Album: The Secret Life Of Harpers Bizarre
Year: 1968
Style: Oldies, Psych, Vocal Group, Sunshine / Baroque Pop
Similar Bands: Association, Kingston Trio, Happenings, Sand Pipers, We Five
"One-Word" Review: Super Light Cheery Pop
Based Out Of: Santa Cruz, CA
Label: Pye Record Sales, Warner Bros.

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

The Secret Life Of Harpers Bizarre (1968)

1. Look to the Window 0:14
2. Battle of New Orleans 2:34 (cover, Single)
3. When I Was A Cowboy 2:35
4. Interlude 0:20
5. Sentimental Journey 2:25 (cover)
6. Las Mananitas 1:30 (cover)
7. Medley: Bye, Bye, Bye / Vine Street 4:00 (Vine = Randy Newman cover)
8. Me, Japanese Boy (I Love You) 3:04 (Bacharach cover)
9. Interlude 0:20 /
10. I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise 3:12 G/I Gershwin cover)
11. Green Apple Tree 2:28 (single b-side)
12. Sit Down. You're Rocking the Boat 1:43 (Guys & Dolls cover)
13. Interlude 0:21
14. I Love You, Mama 2:10
15. Funny How Love Can Be 2:35
16. Mad 2:42
17. Look At the Rainbow 0:31(from the film Finian's Rainbow
18. The Drifter 3:03
19. Reprise 0:55

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Nick De Caro - Arrangement
• Perry Botkin Jr - Arrangement
• Kirby Johnson - Arrangement
• Bob Thompson  - Arrangement
• Eddie Karam - Arrangement
• Ron Elliot - Arrangement, Assisting Producer (Giants, Pan, Beau Brummels, Vejtables)
• Randy Newman - Assisting Producer (Peace Choir)
• Ted Templeman - Assisting Producer, Vocal Arrangements, Lead Vox, Guitar (Tikis, Nicolette Larson, Doobie Brothers, Van Morrison, Michael McDonals, Sammy Hagar, Eric Clapton, many)
• Dick Scoppettone - Assisting Producer, Vocal Arrangements, Guitar, Vox (Tikis, Beau Brummels)
• Mike Shields - Assisting Producer
• Joe Sidore - Assisting Producer
• Lenny Waronker - Producer
• Lee Herschberg - Engineer
• Gloria Jones - Gospel Choir (Aquarian Dream, T. Rex [married to Marc Bolan], Brothers & Sisters, Cogics)
• Carolyn Willis - Gospel Choir (Honey Cone, Brothers & Sisters, Girlfriends, Space Angels, Sweethearts, more)
• Sherlie Matthews - Gospel Choir ("His", Blackberries, Nightingales, Paul Johnson Voices, The Belles, Brothers & Sisters)
• Dick Yount - Bass, Vocals (Tikis)
• John Peterson - Drums, Vox (Beau Brummels, Tikis)
• Ed Thrasher - Art Direction
• Bob Zoell - Cover Illustration

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I remember picking this up off the wall of an Oxfam over in the UK on honeymoon, not knowing what it was, but hoping it was some Psychedelic British 60's band I was about to discover.

Album Review: Well, this is a UK pressing of the record, but the band is american, from Santa Cruz. Similar to The Happenings, they repackaged older songs and gave them their own personal touch to their covers. But unlike Happenings, this album is lighter and feels about 10 years older than Psycle, like an archaic Baroque pop vocal style. Their biggest it was covering Simon & Garfunkel's 59th Street Bridge Song a year before this album in 1967. There is a certain Pet Shop Boys quality to the "ahhh" chant in the chorus of "Mad" as well as a Belle & Sebastian vibe to the trumpet melody.

Stand Out Track: Mad

Links:
Wiki
discogs
allmusic
spotify
imdb
rate your music
today's life
and and and

Happening (the) - Psycle

Name: The Happening
Album: Psycle
Year: 1967
Style:Oldies, Psych, Bubblegum Pop
Similar Bands: Beach Boys, Jerry & The Pacemakers, Tokens, Turtles, Four Tops, Frankie Valli
"One-Word" Review: Harmonic vocal cover band
Based Out Of: Patterson, NJ
Label: BT Puppy Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Psycle (1967)

1. I Got Rhythm 2:49 (Single, G/I Gershwin Cover)
2. Why Do Fools Fall in Love 2:43 (Single)
3. That Cold Feeling 2:25
4. Down Down Down 2:15
5. Growing Old (Lord, I Must Be Growin' Old) 3:15
6. I Believe In Nothing 2:30 /
7. My Mammy 2:45 (Single, Al Jolson Cover)
8. When I Lock My Door 2:31
9. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows 2:32
10. When the Summer is Through 2:31
11. Every Year About This Time 2:27
12. Bye, Bye Blackbird 3:00 (cover)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Hal Halverstadt - write up
• Max Bodden Associates - Cover Design
• Herb Bernstein - Arrangement, Conductor
• The Tokens - Producers
• Bobby Miranda - Vox (The Four Graduates, Joel Diamond Experience, Alex, FrodoCPU)
• Dave Libert - Organ (The Four Graduates, Alice Cooper, Exuma)
• Tommy Giuliano- Vox (The Four Graduates)
• Bernie La Porta - Vox, Guitar (Emerald Experience, Joe Zisa & Friends)
• Bill Lavorgna - Drums (Pat Williams, Ted Mazio Percussion Group, The Free Design, Enoch Light, Phil Woods, Ian & Sylvia, Twinn Connextion, Richie Havens, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Corporation, Spanky & Our Gang, Carl Oglesby, Marvin Stamm, Tony Mottola, Marge Dodson, Pat Williams, John Berberian, gary McFarland, Gary Burton, Bob Brown, Astrud Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie more)
• "Toots" Thielmans - Guitar (John Zorn, Quincy Jones 1000+ credits)

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, but I imagine it can't be far off from the Monkees or Hermans Hermits, but perhaps a bit more psychedelic, per the album name suggests.

Album Review: Well it is a bunch of oldies piled together, mostly covers that the harmonic vocal group put their own trademark sound on. The musicianship goes a little deeper. Single "My Mammy" could be covered efficiently by Belle & Sebastian after the first 30 seconds go by. Growin Old shows a bluesy R&B side to the band. "When I Lock My Door" has a Sinatra sixties swagger musically. And Beachboys and Bubblegum emits throughout. Their more familiar songs were also covers of "See you In September" and "Go Away Little Girl"

Stand Out Track: My Mammy

Links:
Wiki
webside
discogs
Facebook
classic bands interview
mental itch
rockasteria

Spider Murphy Gang - Spider Murphy Gang Live!

Name: Spider Murphy Gang
Album: Spider Murphy Gang Live!
Year: 1983
Style: 50's style Rock and Roll, Rockabilly
Similar Bands: Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Stray Cats, NRBQ, Ramones
"One-Word" Review: Foreign Retro Oldies Tribute
Based Out Of: Munich, Germany
Label: EMI

Cover, Sleeve Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Spider Murphy Gang Live! (1983)

1. Reissverschluss 3:17
2. Rock'n'Roll Schuah 3:00
3. Schickeria 3:57
4. Ich Shau' Dich An (Peep Peep) 3:06
5. So A Schoner Tag 5:30 /
6. Wer Wird Denn Woana 8:22
7. Mir San A Bayrische Band 3:20
8. Wo Bist Du? 3:17
9. Skandal Im Sperrbezirk 4:00

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Barny Murphy - Guitar
• Michael Busse - Keys (Band Fur Afrika, Minature Tigers)
• Gunther Sigl - Bass, Vox (Band Fur Afrika, Ludwig Seuss)
• Franz Trojan - Drums (Band Fur Afrika, Peter Kent, Schmidbauers)
• Willy Ray Ingram - Sax (Udo Janson, Nick Woodland & the Magnets)
• Schrat Und Funzel - Live Production
• Armand Volker - Engineer, Producer
• Wolfgang Thierback - Engineer
• Von Harald Steinhauer - Producer

Unknown-ness: I know I've heard the name Spider Murphy mentioned before (Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock), but i don't know anything about this band with that namesake. Based on the cover & back, they look like a typical powerpop band, obviously from Germany, so I'm guessing this band has adopted a US rock aesthetic, and play American-style rock and roll.

Album Review: This German band does, in fact, take on the Elvis/Berry rock n roll vibe and sing orignal songs in German. They are still around and playing shows, slated to perform this summer (2020) in Germany (Covid-19 pending). It is fun oldies rock music with a little updated, punky attitude, at least live it sounds like it is performed faster. Schickeria sounds an awful lot like Chuck Berry in the verse. "Wo Bist Du" is basically "I Fought The Law" played like the Ramones. However, "Wer Wird Denn Woana" sounds very much like a jittery new wave track from the era.

Stand Out Track: Wer Wird Denn Woana (album version)

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
band names explained
IMDB
website (german)
Laut.de (german)
Allmusic

Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids - There's No Face Like Chrome

Name: Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids
Album: There's No Face Like Chrome
Year: 1974
Style: Oldies
Similar Bands: Sha Na Na, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Beatles, Beach Boys, Allman Bros
"One-Word" Review: Street Corner Harmony Gang
Based Out Of: Colorado
Label: CBS, Epic

 Cover & Record

Record & Back

There's No Face Like Chrome (1974)

1. Dancing (On a Saturday Night) 2:57
2. Message From Garcia 3:05
3. Heartbeat 2:57
4. Standin' on the Corner 3:10
5. Young Blood 2:14 /
6. The Way I Feel Tonight 3:19
7. Dirty Movies 3:23
8. First Girl 4:41
9. A Fool Like You 3:21
10. Rock and Roll heaven 3:21

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Flash (Mich Manresa) - Lead Vox, Guitars
• Angelo (Kris Moe) - Lead Vox, Keys
• Spike (linn Phillips III) - Vox, Guitars
• Butch (Warren Knight) - Vox, Bass
• Ricco (John Masino) - Drums
• Spider (Dwight Bement) - Sax (Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Nestor Haven Band)
• Wally (Jeff Stewart) - Additional Vox, Drums
• Toxey French - Producer, Arrangement, Engineering
• Eric Prestidge - Engineer
• Terry Jamison - Engineer
• Jerry Leiber - Producer
• Christine Thompson - Producer
• Dixon Van Winkle - Engineer
• Michael Sunday - Mastering
• Pete Rachtman - Personal Mgmt
• Jon Stevens - Cover Photo
• Jim Kornfield - Back Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I think it reminded me of an Edgar Winters album i have, so that was my first impression of what it may sound like. The photo on the back looks like they are rockabilly greasers, so a throwback style is most likely what they play.

Album Review: So this band was famous for their portrayal of 50's bands in both films American Graffiti (as Herbie & the Heartbeats) and Apocalypse Now, as well as the TV show Happy Days (Johnny Fish & the Fins). They run the gamut of straight up oldies, mens vocal corner doo-wop gangs, and even some southern rock. The songs don't come off as jokey, but are tributes to a style of song the guys int he band enjoy performing.

Stand Out Track: Standin' on the Corner

Links:
wiki
allmusic
Discog
facebook
rock n roll dentist
mentalitch