Dark Clouds, Vol. 6

image from Pacific Northwest Bands

There it happened again...
The sixth volume of the epic Dark Clouds series: an array of moody garage music recorded in the mid-to-late-60s! If you want to start from the beginning of the hexalogy, you can download Vols. 1-3, Vol. 4 and Vol. 5.

So this is what I came up with for Vol. 6: a nice little mix of uncomped rarities to appease the garage gods, and a few of my absolute favorites (psst, the Amoebas and the Weads) to welcome my friends who are just delving into this profound musical realm.

This is the real deal. No sophisticated production, no pretension. Just raw, real, emotive performances. Record hiss, crackle and pop, and anomalous (okay, at times downright off-pitch) vocals galore. I can't tell you how much of a joy and surprise it is to continually stumble upon and unveil these types of nuggets. I hope you enjoy! Please feel free to contact me if you can provide additional band info or corrections. Thank you!


01 The Ascensions - "All Alone" [Gemini 100] (1967) Philadelphia, PA
02 The Wild Cherries - "I Cried Once" [Shoestring 112] (1966) Hampton, VA
03 The Soule Survivors - "Shadows" [River 1306] (1967] Biloxi, MS
04 The Amoebas - "Look At The Moon" [unknown] (1964) Baltimore, MD
05 Sleepy Hollow - "Dark Of The Night" [unknown] (1967) Bridgeport, CT
06 The Intruders - "Bringin' Me Down" [Claremont 665] (1966) Rockford, IL
07 The Royal Knights - "I Don't Want To Go" [Snap SN-005] (196?) USA
08 Lindy Blaskey & The LaVelles - "My Baby Done Left Me" [Space 0003] (1965) Albuquerque, NM
09 The Nomadds - "I'm In Transit" [Radex MLP 6521] (1965) Freeport, IL
10 Billy & The Kids - "It's Not The Same" [Julian 104] (1965) Wenatchee, WA
11 The Squires - "I Can't Do It" [Atco] (1966) Bristol, CT
12 The Counts - "I Will Lose My Mind" [Kingston 19693/4] (1969) Valley View, PA 
13 The Swaydes - "Why" [Paris Tower 108] (1967) Tampa, FL
14 Druids - "Old Willow" [Columbia 4-43639] (1966) Scranton, PA
15 Public Nuisance - "Time Can't Wait" [demo] (1968) Sacramento, CA
16 The Meen - "Say You Love Me" [Varmint VPB-103] (1967) USA
17 The Newports - "Feelin' Low" [Zebb 155] (196?) Ormond Beach, FL
18 The Jades - "I Cried" [Holiday H-101] (1966) Union, KT
19 The Weads - "Don't Call My Name" [Duane 1042] (1965) Stonybrook, NY
20 Road's End - "When I Look At You" [Brahma 621661/2] (1966) New York, NY
21 The Kan Dells - "Do You Know" [Bear 1971] (1965) Minneapolis, MN 
22 The Grapes - "You'd Better Come Home" [Purple 110] (196?) La Porte, IN
23 The Second Generation - "Baby I Need You" [Klan] (196?) USA
24 The Dukes - "Take Your Love" [Signett 3265] (1967) Goshen, IN
25 The Society - "One Way Ride" [Feature 817R-112] (1966) Janesville, WI
26 Low Ebb - "Somewhere" [Patten Bennett 1001] (1965) MI
27 The Willing Mind - "Decide" [Night Owl 6912] (1969) Horicon, WI
28 The Alexander Rabbit - "I Didn't Even Thank Her" [A&M 1101] (1969) Trenton, NJ
29 The Mirror's Image - "If You Are Nowhere Now" [Catamount 01000] (196?) NJ
30 The Members - "I'll Get By Without You" [Label 102] (1966) St. Petersburg, FL


Grab Dark Clouds, Vol. VI -------> Over here!

still from Frank Capra's The Miracle Woman (1932)

A warm, fuzzy and prosperous 2013 to all of you!
xoxo

Dark Clouds, Vol. 5: An Ode To Winter

(still from the 1948 weeper, Portrait of Jennie, dir. William Dieterle)

Hi friends! So for months I've had the idea floating around for a wintery themed mix, but was waiting for the weather to get cold, rainy, windy, just super duper gnarly so I'd have some kind of inspiration to draw upon. And I'm still waiting! I should know by now, being a native/naive Californian, that not a chance in hell was Mother Nature gonna grant us such prolonged weather. We might as well be ground zero for global warming! Not that I don't mind one bit, but I'd one day love to stare sullenly out the window at a torrential storm or play in the snow like most normal kids do... not admire colorful, fiery sunsets from my 15th floor office building or shuffle around the beach in ironic graphic tees, BBQing, sipping icy Tecates at the end of January/beginning of February. Siiiigh. But I digress...

Oakland did get several hours of rain and apocalyptic-like fog last week. And for that, I was ever so grateful to use that precious time to assemble a slightly eclectic mix of seasonal moody tunes for you, opening with the predictably distressing "Lonely Winter" (a song later covered by the Bee Gees), and drawing to an optimistic close, finishing with the haunting yet encouraging chorus on "Need Some Sunshine." This mix is slightly distinguished from its Dark Clouds peers in 1) genre: garage rock reigns, but I had to throw in some soft/sunshiny, folk rock, and a Joe Meek production that were just too rad to pass, and 2) location: with the occasional Canadian exception, you might've noticed my unintentional sense of patriotism in past mixes. But for this one I've gone global (thanks to a newly renewed passport) - bowing down to England, Norway and Australia! 

01 Steve & the Board - "Lonely Winter" [Spin EL 31997] (1966) Sydney, AU
02 Hollie Helloms & the Rhythm Kings - "Don't Blame It On the Rain" [Major 1015] (196?) Waynesboro, VA
03 The Whether Bureau - "White and Frosty" [Laurie 3431] (1968) New York, NY
04 The Unrelated Segments - "It's Gonna Rain" [Liberty 55992] (1966) Detroit, MI
05 Nocturnal Day Dream - "Dark Dreary Night" [Unknown] (196?) U.S.A.
06 Firebeats Inc. - "This Rain" [His Master's Voice NCLP 5] (1966) Oslo, Norway
07 The Rainy Daze - "Snow and Ice and Burning Sand" [UNI 73002] (1967) Denver, CO
08 The Kasuals - "Listen to the Rain" [GMA 4] (1964) Chicago, IL
09 The Early Americans - "It's So Cold Outside" [Paris Tower 106] (1967) Tampa, FL
10 John Leyton - "Wild Wind" [Top Rank International JAR 585] (1961) Essex, UK
11 The Fredric - "Saturday Morning With Rain" [Forte 80461] (1968) Grand Rapids, MI
12 Jan & Lorraine - "Snow Roses" [ABCS 691] (1969) London, UK
13 Brigadune - "Misty Mornin'" [Verve VK 10655] (1971) Los Angeles, CA
14 The New Dawn - "It's Rainin'" [Garland GR 70-4569] (1970) Salem, OR
15 Teen Tones - "Long Cold Winter" [T&T 2487/8] (1964) South Bend, IN
16 The Sinners - "Only On A Rainy Day" [Craig 210] (1966) PA
17 Sunset Love - "Winter's Day" [Collectables 0665] (1968) Odessa, TX
18 The Rising Storm - "The Rain Falls Down" [Remnant BBA 3571] (1966) Andover, MA
19 Philamore Lincoln - "The North Wind Blew South" [Epic BN 26497] (1970) UK
20 The Ill Winds - "Fear of the Rain" [Reprise 0423] (1965) Los Angeles, CA
21 The Rock Garden - "The Wind Is My Keeper" [Revise 300] (1967) Camden, AR
22 Electric Train - "Thru Winter and Sunshine" [Moxie M 106] (196?) Marin County, CA
23 The Magic Mushrooms - "Let The Rain Be Me" [East Coast 1001] (1968) Philadelphia, PA
24 The Morning Dew - "Winter Dreams" [Audio House Acetate] (1966) Topeka, KS
25 The Omen & Their Luv - "Need Some Sunshine" [Daisy 4825] (196?) Tuscaloosa, AL

Download 'Dark Clouds Vol. 5: An Ode To Winter' --> HERE!!
Download Vols. 1-3 --> right here
Download Vol. 4 --> and here

Hope you enjoy! Feedback (be it good, bad, constructive, creepy, off-topic, etc.) is always welcome. Thanks!

Check out Cosmic Bonfire, the mixtape I made for the Bold Italic

Happy New Year, friends! I've rung in the new year with some cross-pollinating, and created a mystic, lite-psych mix (of mostly old and several new) for San Francisco's Bold Italic, Mixtape Monday series -

http://www.thebolditalic.com/blog_posts/1586-mixtape-mondays-cosmic-bonfire

Thanks to Nikki Grattan for the beautiful photo and write-up!

Enjoy!

Sax In The Garage!!

(photo courtesy of http://pnwbands.com/)

Who doesn't love loud, hot sax? Whether it be a rad riff or badass solo, you can never have too much sax!

Now before you get turned off (or on!) let me make it clear this isn't the latest release from John Tesh!

01 The Nocturnals - "Because You're Gone" (1965) Vancouver, BC
02 The Reactors - "Do That Thing" (1967) Suffolk, VA
03 The Knights - "Those Things You Do" (1965) Albuquerque, NM
04 The Blazers - "Lovin' To Do" (1966) Kansas City, MO
05 The Sants - "Leaving You, Baby" (1966) AL
06 Clap - "Bluff 'Em All" (1971) Manhattan Beach, CA
07 One Eyed Jacks - "Love" (1967) Champaign, IL
08 What's Happening - "Baby, You're Hurtin' Me" (196?) USA
09 The Vandaliers - "She's Mine" (1964) Toledo-Cleveland, OH
10 The Dominions - "I Need Her" (1966) Eugene, OR
11 Thee Midniters - "Looking Out A Window" (1967) East Los Angeles, CA
12 The Rumblers - "I Don't Need You No More" (1962) Norwalk, CA
13 The Jujus - "I'm Cryin'" (1966) Grand Rapids, MI
14 The Esquires - "Sadie's Ways" (1965) Jonesboro, AR
15 The Imperials - "Crossfiring" (196?) Seattle, WA
16 The Four A While - "Low Class Man" (1966) Charleston, IL
17 The Galaxies - "I'm A Worker" (1965) Tacoma, WA
18 Stairways - "Don't You Care" (196?) PA
19 The Futuras - "Hurt" (1966) Cleveland, OH
20 Phil & The Frantics - "Say What You Will" (1965) Phoenix, AZ
21 The Break-Outs - "Are You Mad At Me?" (1964) Greenup, KY
22 The Plague - "The Face Of Time" (1966) Thunder Bay, ON
23 The Wheel Of Fortune - "Long Long Day" (1967) Salem, OR
24 Wayne & The Impressions - "I Saw You" (1965) Pottsville, PA
25 The Five Of A Kind - "Never Again" (1965) Fort Worth, TX
26 Freddie & The Swingin' Bachelors - "You Had Your Chance" (196?) USA
27 The Dynamic Deadbeats - "No Second Chance" (196?) Philadelphia, PA
28 Banshees - "So Hard To Bear" (1965) Burlingame, CA
29 The Epicureans - "Baby Be Mine" (1966) Fairmont, MN
30 The Executioners - "The Guillotine" (1965) Youngstown, OH

(photo courtesy of http://pnwbands.com/)

Download 'Sax In The Garage!!' ---------> aqui

Guest comp: Haunters by Jeanpop2

Originally released in February of 2009, Jeanpop2's amazing comp focuses on beautiful, sometimes eerie-sounding - but not scary - haunters from all over the world. Despite a couple of repeat offenders (from Dark Clouds and Autoharp comps), this might be one of my favorite homemade comps, with an impressively resplendent mix of garage, psych, pop, folk, and soul. Give it a whirl !

01 William Penn & The Quakers - "Ghost Of Monks" (1966) Boise, ID
02 The Clue - "She's The Reason" (1967) Midland, TX
03 Kenny & The Kasuals - "As I Knew" (1967) Dallas, TX
04 Paul Martin - "It Happened" (1966) NY
05 Pussyfoot - "Hasty Words" (1967) London, UK
06 Chris Lucey - "Girl From Vernon Mountain" (1966) Tuscon, AZ
07 Reuben Bell & The Casanovas - "It's Not That Easy" (1967) Shreveport, LA
08 Derby-Hatville - "Turn Into Earth" (1967) Lubbock, TX
09 Flower Power - "Stop" (1967) Melbourne, FL
10 The Dhag Dhag's - "Tipo Sicodelico" (1968) La Paz, Bolivia
11 Brym Stonz Ltd - "Times Gone By" (1967) Tyler, TX
12 The H.T.3 - "I'm The One" (196?) Minneapolis, MN
13 The Juniors - "Lost Friend" (196?) Athens, Greece
14 Mad Lads - "Everything Is Blue" (196?) Hawarden, IA
15 Normie Rowe - "Going Home" (1967) Melbourne, Australia
16 The Mojos - "What She's Done To Me" (1966) Hurricane, WV
17 New Colony Six - "The Time Of Year Is Sunset" (1966) Chicago, IL
18 The Moxies - "I Must Apologize" (1965) Paducah, KY
19 The Nightcrawlers - "The Last Ship" (1966) Daytona Beach, FL
20 The Redcoats - "Words Of Wisdom" (1965) Wildwood, NJ
21 Diamond Joe - "Fair Play" (1963) New Orleans, LA
22 The Savages - "Quiet Town" (1965) Bermuda
23 The Spiders - "Yves" (196?) Tokyo, Japan
24 Johnny's Guitar - "Supannahong" (1965) Bangkok, Thailand
25 The Syndicats - "On The Horizon" (1965) London, UK
26 Uncivilized - "Back Again" (196?) U.S.A.
27 Yabancilar - "Agit" (1967) Ankara, Turkey
28 The Fantastic Dee-Jays - "The Love Of Ours" (1966) McKeesport, PA
29 Virgil Griffin - "A Forgotten Lover" (196?) Greenville, MS
30 The Persuaders - "Whispering Surf" (196?) NY


Download 'Haunters' --------> HERE !!

Dark Clouds, Vol. 4

Let's ring in the new decade with yet another volume to add to the Dark Clouds series.
Happy Melancholy New Year everyone! Listen and weep -

01 The Smubbs - "Down On The Corner" [ABC Paramount] (1966) New York, NY
02 The Dynamics - "All She Said" [Jerden] (1966) Seattle, WA
03 The Beau-Jives - "Something's Wrong" [Tamio] (196?) U.S.A.
04 The Invaders - "Cryin' All Night Long" [TMS] (1967) U.S.A.
05 The Grodes - "I've Lost My Way" [Rally] (1966) Phoenix, AZ
06 Terry Randall - "Tell Her" [Valiant] (1966) Los Angeles, CA
07 The Dangs - "Lil' Girl" [RBP] (196?) U.S.A.
08 Leaping Ferns - "It Never Works Out For Me" [X-P-A-N-D-E-D Sound] (1965) Los Angeles, CA
09 Charlotte And Emily - "Love Not Have I" [New Voice] (196?) New York, NY
10 The Distant Cousins - "Empty House" [Date] (1967) New York, NY
11 The Dolphins - "I Should Have Stayed" [Yorkshire] (1966) Larchmont, NY
12 Robb London & The Rogues - "Bitter Tears" [Beckingham] (1965) San Antonio, TX
13 The Satins - "The Lonely One" [Aldon] (1967) New York, NY
14 The Era Of Sound - "Stay With Me" [Delta] (1966) Espanola, NM
15 The Fabulous Four - "Now You Cry" [Coral] (1966) Kansas City, MO
16 The Tuesday Club - "A Goddess In Many Ways" [Unknown label] (1967) U.S.A.
17 The Five Tymes - "Hold Me Now" [Bear] (1965) Duluth, MN
18 The Monacles - "You'll Do It Again" [Variety Films] (1966) Garden Grove, CA
19 The Remains - "But I Ain't Got You" [Epic] (1965) Boston, MA
20 The High & The Mighty - "Trying To Stop Cryin'" [ABC] (1966) Detroit, MI
21 The Avlons - "Mad Man's Fate" [Pyramid] (196?) Toccoa, GA
22 The Other Half - "I Won't Be Back" [Bell Sound] (196?) U.S.A.
23 The Strangers - "Plan On Someone New" [Jubilee] (1965) U.S.A.
24 Those Boys - "The Only Girl" [FED] (1966) Houston, TX
25 The Fugitives - "Don't Pretend" [Trophy] (196?) Portland, OR
26 The Travelers - "Libby" [Prism] (1966) Dayton, OH
27 The Other Side Of Time - "What Ya Gonna Do" [R.S.D.] (196?) U.S.A.
28 The Fogcutters - "Cry Cry Cry" [Liberty] (1965) Denver, CO
29 The Embermen Five - "My Love For You Won't Die" [Studio City] (1967) Minot, ND
30 The Mourning Formation - "Rider" [Pinpoint] (196?) U.S.A.

Download Vol. 4 -----> HERE

Find the first three volumes -----> HERE


Feedback is always appreciated : )

Guest comp: Rascalized ! by Jeanpop2

Rascals-inflected cuts and other garage soul delights from the godlike Jeanpop2. Listen to (or podcast) his rad radio show every Wednesday from 8:30PM-10:00PM French time (11:30AM-1:00PM PST) here !

01 Giant Crab - "It Started With A Little Kiss" (1967) Santa Barbara, CA
02 The Buckinghams - "Love Ain't Enough" (1966) Chicago, IL
03 The Caravelles - "Self-Service" (1966) Phoenix, AZ
04 Little Willie & The Adolescents - "Looking For Love" (1967) Orlando, FL
05 The Myddle Class - "Who Does He Love" (196?) Summit, NJ
06 Five Cards Stud - "Beg Me" (1967) New Haven, CT
07 The Hassles - "Every Step I Take (Every Move I Make)" (1967) New York, NY
08 The Vagrants - "I Can't Make A Friend" (1966) Forest Hills, NY
09 The Solitary Confinement - "A Winner Never Quits" (1968) Detroit, MI
10 Aesop's Fables - "Take A Step" (1967) Hampstead, NY
11 The Soul Survivors - "Expressway To Your Heart" (1967) Philadelphia, PA
12 The Illusion - "I Love You, Yes I Do" (1969) Long Island, NY
13 The Uniques - "I'll Do Anything" (1967) Springhill, LA
14 Daze Between - "Every Little Raindrop" (1967) New York, NY
15 The Warlox - "You Can't Win" (1967) Alexandria, VA
16 The Bad Boys - "Love" (1966) Frederick, MD
17 The 5c Stamp - "Gotta' Go Now" (1968) Eastaboga, AL
18 The Five Emprees - "Mama Didn't Know" (1966) Benton Harbor, MI
19 Larry Knight & The Upsetters - "Hurt Me" (1966) Detroit, MI
20 The Bougalieu - "When I Was A Children" (1967) Albany, NY
21 Soul, Inc. - "Love Me When I'm Down" (1968) Louisville, KY
22 The Blue Beats - "Extra Girl" (1966) Danbury, CT
23 The Spectrums - "I'll Never Fear" (1966) Newark, NJ
24 Gary & The Knight Lites - "I Don't Need Your Help" (1966) Cicero, IL
25 The Yo Yo's - "Leaning On You" (196?) Memphis, TN


Download 'Rascalized !' ---------> HERE !!

Mini-comp: Unconventional Instruments Of The 60s: The Autoharp

Inspired by Mark Brend’s, ‘Strange Sounds: Offbeat Instruments And Sonic Experiments In Pop,’ (a fantastic read!), this hopefully reoccurring series of blog posts will focus on strange and unusual instruments used by pop, psych, garage, and soul artists during the 60s (and, in rare cases, the early-70s). Most of the artists in Brend’s book profile bigger names and their hit records. I plan to stay true to my primary intention of this blog, and continue to showcase the underrated/under-appreciated/obscure. So let’s kick off this series with the autoharp!!

History 
The autoharp is a fairly recent invention as far as musical instruments go. While there is actually some debate about the exact year the autoharp was invented, it was definitely sometime in the late 1800's. Some sources give Zimmermann credit for his 1871 patent of the idea for the autoharp. Other sources say that Gutter should get the credit for his 1883 patent and creation of the instrument (or rather, something somewhat similar to today's autoharps). 

What is an autoharp? 
Basically, an autoharp is a chorded zither. It is a stringed instrument that normally is made up of 36 strings (although, this number varies as there are several custom instruments out there of all kinds of specifications). A typical store bought autoharp will have 15 or 21 chords. Some of the older factory made autoharps may have only 12 chords. The exact chords used and the arrangements of the chords vary depending on the manufacturer. Many autoharpists change the chord bars around to an arrangement that best suits their needs. These chord bars dampen the strings that are not in the chord (using felt) so that you can easily play the desired chords on your autoharp. While the autoharp is not actually a true harp, it can certainly produce some beautiful harp-like sounds. 

What can you do with an autoharp? 
If you've ever even heard an autoharp before, chances are that you heard someone doing some simple strumming on one. The autoharp is great for strumming chords because you don't even need to know what notes are in each chord to be able to strum the chords. However, there is so much more you can do with an autoharp. The autoharp can function as a rhythm instrument in a band. You can also play melody on an autoharp, which is something that most people don't realize. Even though the autoharp is essentially a chord instrument, you have to remember that chords are in fact made up of individual notes. These individual notes can be picked out so that you can play beautiful melodies and even back yourself up with some chords. 

How do you play the autoharp? 
There are several different styles of playing the autoharp. This instrument does not have as many boundaries as say, a flute or violin. The autoharp can be played on a table or your lap. You can play the autoharp cross-handed or if you don't want to cross your hands, you don't have to. You can play the strings above or below the chord bars, your choice. If you don't want to play the autoharp laying flat, you can also hold it upright and play it Appalachian style, with or without a strap. You can stand up or sit down and play the autoharp. Some autoharpists use fingerpicks, others use flatpicks. Some people prefer to use their fingernails or even their bare fingertips to play the autoharp. If you look for an autoharp video on YouTube, you will see a huge variety in styles. Many people just play accompaniment, but there are still many different picking and strumming styles to choose from. Others play melody, but some use the chorded method while others use open noting. If you're tired of sticking to other people's rules on how to learn an instrument, the autoharp is for you. No rules, no boundaries, just fun and music.


Okay, so who's actually played the autoharp? 
Autoharps have been used in the United States as bluegrass and folk instruments, perhaps most famously by Maybelle Carter and Sara Carter of the Carter Family. The instrument was then introduced to mainstream pop audiences in 1964 when the Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian started experimenting with unusual sound combinations: “I played autoharp and knew it had never been used on a pop record. I'd been screwing around with the idea of taping a ukulele contact microphone to the back of the autoharp, and hearing its amplified sound was a real ‘Eureka’ moment. I realized instantly that this could be the heart of a new sound.”

Other bands like the Monkees and Rolling Stones followed their lead and featured the autoharp on several of their own recordings.

But what about psych... pop... SOUL? What? Yes to all! Download this mini comp (link below), and listen to these brilliant songs where the autoharp play a predominant, memorable or inspirational role:

01 The Electric Prunes – “Big City”
Previously recorded by San Jose’s The E-Types, “Big City” is one of the more popier tracks put out by this experimental psych band. The ethereal autoharp is played by James Lowe, who also sang lead and played harmonica and guitar. 

02 Every Mother’s Son – “I Believe In You”
Monkees-style pop band who had a Top-Ten hit in the U.S. in ’67 with “Come On Down To My Boat.” But they unfortunately lost their notoriety after the release of their second album, and dissipated by ’69. “I Believe In You,” from their first album features gentle autoharp from vocalist and guitarist, Larry Larden. 

03 The Merry-Go-Round – “Time Will Show The Wiser”
This pop band who was well known for producing singer/songwriter Emitt Rhodes, released only one album in ’67. “Live,” the first single from their album, became a huge hit in LA. “Time Will Show The Wiser” was the b-side, featuring overdubbed autoharp played by producer, Larry Marks, became somewhat well known too, as the Fairport Convention cut a version on their 1968 debut album. 

04 The Mystery Trend – “House On The Hill”
One of the more overlooked bands of the San Francisco music scene. But rather than mindless jamming or trip-outs, they were more interested in putting out well-crafted pop songs, recalling Burt Bacharach or Brill Building. “House On The Hill,” one of their exceptionally strong pieces, features electric autoharp. 

05 Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours – “Mirror Mirror”
They were one of the first groups in Britain to use an amplified autoharp (following the success of The Lovin' Spoonful in the States). They were signed to Decca Records in late 1965 and recorded "Mirror, Mirror", which became a No. 8 British hit in 1966. Autoharp player Samuel ("Pinkerton") Kemp was also a vocalist in the band. 

06 The Golden Earrings – “Daddy Buy Me A Girl”
More known for their countless hits during the 70s ("Radar Love") and 80s ("Twilight Zone,” "When The Lady Smiles"), the electric autoharp kicks off “Daddy Buy Me A Girl,” their second hit single released in the summer of ’66. 

07 The Avengers – “Everyone’s Gonna Wonder”
Considered by many to be the finest pop song to be recorded in the 1960s in New Zealand. This song comes off their first album, after hooking up with US hippie hitch-hiker Chris Malcolm who went on to write over half of the songs on this record, playing and singing his tunes to the band on his autoharp. The band went on to become one of the biggest local sensations of the late 60s, releasing seven 45s and three LPs in their two year period of fame. 

08 The Folklords – “Jennifer Lee”
This Canadian band released one album in ’68 then disappeared into obscurity. “Jennifer Lee” is like most of the songs on the album: a nice piece of folk/sunshine pop with resonant autoharp and guitar. 

09 Hearts And Flowers – “10,000 Sunsets”
This band was among a handful of '60s groups to turn out stellar major-label releases to little or no acclaim, and only faint memory among the few who heard them at the time. Their two Capitol albums of West Coast country-inflected folk-rock predated or paralleled many. Their eerie cover of Hoyt Axton’s, “10,000 Sunsets,” was one of the many Hearts And Flowers songs featuring singer and guitarist Dave Dawson's hypnotic use of the autoharp. 

10 Michaelangelo – “Son (We've Kept the Room Just the Way You Left It)”
Yet another band who only recorded one album. Sounding more like a record from the late '60s than the early '70s, its folk-rock-psychedelic blend was unusual for prominently featuring the autoharp of Angel Autoharp (as she's billed on the record), which sometimes functioned much as a lead guitar or organ would within a rock lineup. 

11 The Charlatans – “We’re Not On The Same Trip”
The first on the scene of the 60s San Francisco psychedelic rock bands. With most of their songs written by Dan Hicks, his classic anthem of hippie relationship ennui, "We're Not On The Same Trip" (with band founder, George Hunter, on autoharp), should have had the success he envisioned for it. The Charlatans were not fated to get swept up in the massive SF Band Signings by major labels in the 60s. 

12 The Lewis & Clarke Expedition – “Freedom Bird”
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Travis Lewis (aka Michael Martin Murphey) was a passing acquaintance of Mike Nesmith. The connection helped Murphey and songwriting partner, Boomer Clarke, place one of their compositions "Hangin' Round" with the Monkees, in the process bringing them to the attention of Colgems which quickly recognized their potential and signed them to a recording contract. Produced by Jack Keller and built around the talent of Lewis and Clarke (the line up rounded out by multi-instrumentalist (autoharp included) Ken Bloom, guitarist John London and drummer Johnny Raines) actually debuted with an instantly obscure 1966 single for the small Chartmaster label. While parallels to The Monkees were apparent, there were also some major difference; notably the fact the band were all capable musicians and namesakes Lewis and Clarke were responsible for the majority of material. That said, their debut was easily as good as anything in The Monkees catalogue. Unfortunately, with Colgems devoting most of his energy to marketing The Monkees, neither the band nor the LP had much in the way of promotional support. Needless to say, it failed to chart. 

13 George Edwards – “Never Mind, I'm Freezing”
Ex-folk troubadour who cut a solo 45 for Dunwich Records. Directly after recording “Never Mind, I’m Freezing, “he sang backup on the Shadows Of Knight album, ‘Gloria.’ He continued to work at Dunwich as an in-house session vocalist before he joined H.P. Lovecraft in February 1967. 

14 The M.H. Royals – “She's Gone Forever”
Chicago area band who recorded two fine garage 45’s. Any more info would be greatly appreciated. 

15 The Dutch Masters – “You're Nearby Me”
An experimentally daring group with a proto-punk attitude. They started off as backing vocalists for My Records label-owner, Earl Denton. They continued on their own and recorded two solid 45’s. 

16 Diamond Joe – “Fair Play”
The inspiration for this blog series, “Fair Play” is one of the great lost soul songs of the 60’s. Never discovered, not even comped, it probably never even had any airplay outside of New Orleans. With brilliant arrangements by Allen Toussaint and heart-wrenching vocals by Diamond Joe, this is probably the only soul/R&B record to feature autoharp (?) A masterpiece !!


Download 'Unconventional Instruments Of The 60s: The Autoharp' - HERE

Collaboration: Big Town Boys - The Toronto Sound (1963-76), by MJH & MDS

Ohh Canada!

Myself and Michael J. Hawkins present 'Big Town Boys,' dedicated to Toronto's rad music scene from the early 60's - mid 70's. Enjoy!


01 The Secrets - "Cryin' Over Her" (1966)

02 The Underworld - "Love 22" (1968)

03 A Passing Fancy - "I Believe In Sunshine" (1967)

04 The Quiet Jungle - "Ship Of Dreams" (1967)

05 Stitch In Tyme - "Point Of View" (1966)

06 The 5 Rising Sons - "She Just Likes Me" (1966)

07 The Fringe - "Token For My Mind" (1968)

08 The Threads Of Fybre - "Believe Me" (1967)

09 The Canadian Squires - "Leave Me Alone" (1965)

10 Levon & The Hawks - "He Don't Love You" (1965)

11 The Ugly Ducklings - "That's Just A Thought That I Had In My Mind" (1966)
12 The Magic Cycle - "It Was You" (1967)

13 The Big Town Boys - "It Was I" (1965)

14 The Five Shy - "Try To Be Happy" (1968)

15 The Scarlet Ribbon - "Four In The Morning" (1968)

16 The Berries - "Night Winds" (1965)

17 The Shays - "This Hour Has Seven Days" (1966)

18 (Those) Rogues - "Wish I Could See You Again" (196?)

19 East African Fair - "I Won't Stare" (196?)

20 East African Fair - "Lovin' Every Little Thing You Do" (196?)

21 Little Caesar & The Consols - "If (I Found A New Girl)" (1963)

22 Ronnie Hawkins - "It's Alright" (1976)

23 R. Dean Taylor - "Indiana Wants Me" (1970)

Feedback is always welcom. Thanks!

Download 'Big Town Boys' -----> HERE !!

Guest comp: Daydreaming In The Garage, by Jeanpop2

A mighty fine set of 60's dreamy (yet not psychedelic) garage tunes !!!

01 The Distant Sounds - "Dreamin'"

02 The Amoebas - "Look At The Moon"

03 The Knights Of The Road - "Do You Really Care"

04 Michael - "Gotta Make My Heart Turn Away"
05 Carol with The Omens - "September"

06 Me & The Other Guys - "Runaround Girl"

07 We The People - "(You Are) The Color Of Love"

08 The Magic Sounds - "I'm In Love With You"

09 Fox & The Huntah's - "Funny Kinda Day"

10 Jack London & The Sparrows - "Sparrows And Daisies"

11 Friends Of The Family - "Blue Boat Makes Me Sad"

12 The Five Americans - "Tell Ann I Love Her"

13 The Deverons - "Blue Is The Night"

14 Mavricks - "Trains"

15 Forbidden - "How Do You Prove"

16 Shades Of Blue - "Oh How Happy"

17 Book - "Where She's Gone"

18 The Light Brigade - "Won't You Tell Me"

19 United Travel Service - "Like Me"

20 The Kasuals - "Listen To The Rain"

21 Mike & The Ravens - "Living In A Dream"

Download 'Daydreaming In The Garage' -----> HERE !!

Visit Jeanpop2's blog -http://www.jeanpop2.over-blog.com/

Cool Ones! Tuff Sounds From The 60s

"You're almost tough!"

01 The Shag - "Stop & Listen" [Capitol] (1967) Milwaukee, WI

02 Sounds Unlimited - "Cool One" [WSAL] (196?) NC

03 Roy Head - "You're (Almost) Tuff" [Backbeat] (1967) Houston, TX

04 The Dynasty - "I've Gotta Shout" [Royal Court] (1966) Superior, WI

05 Joey Day - "The Chase" [Rust] (1967) IN
06 The Bold - "Gotta Get Some" [Cameo] (1966) Springfield, MA

07 The Rock Garden - "You Got Me Signed" [Acetate] (1967) Camden, AR

08 Hidden Charms - "The Hill" [Norton] (196?) Washington, DC

09 The Hysterics - "Won't Get Far" [Tottenham] (1965) San Bernardino, CA

10 Danny Burk & The Invaders - "Ain't Goin' Nowhere" [Ara] (1966) Memphis, TN

11 The Grifs - "Catch A Ride" [5-D] (1967) Charlotte, NC

12 The Trashmen - "Same Lines" [Tribe] (1966) Minneapolis, MN

13 The Free Thinkers - "You Were Born For Me" [Mala] (1965) Toronto, Cananda

14 'The Wild Angels' - Movie Promo Spot (excerpt)

15 The Hands Of Time with Davie Allan & The Arrows - "Blues Theme (vocal)" [Tower] (1967) CA

16 The Charles - "Motorcycle" [Calliope] (1966) Rochester, NY

17 Everybody's Children - "Number 1 Lover" [Sidewalk] (1967) CA

18 Jeannie, Jim, Tom, Bill - "Silly Whim" [No label] (1965) MN

19 The Shane - "Don't Turn Me Off" [Brent] (1965) CA

20 Marcus - "The Life Game" [Unreleased] (196?) Philadelphia, PA

21 Tino & The Revlons - "Lotta Lotta Lovin'" [Dearborn] (1966) Detroit, MI

22 Randy Hobbs - "You Better Run" [Gator] (1960) Winchester, IN

23 The Daze Of The Week - "One Night Stand" [Piece] (1966) Tacoma, WA

24 The Rooks - "Gimme A Break" [Mustang] (1965) Tacoma, WA

25 The Glass Family - "Teenage Rebellion" [Sidewalk] (1967) Los Angeles, CA

26 The Real List - "Pick Up The Marbles" [CP] (1966) PA

27 The Syndicate - "Love Will Take Away" [Dore] (1965) Los Angeles, CA

Download 'Cool Ones' ----> HERE !!!

60s Garage Legends: Jokers Wild

Jokers Wild

Years active: 1967-69

Origin: Minneapolis, MN

Members:

Gene Balabon, lead guitar; Pete Huber, drums; Dave Wagner, lead vocals; Denny Johnson, bass; Dave Middlemist, keyboards; Bill Jordan, lead guitar; Greg Spring, keyboards; Lonnie Knight, lead vocals, lead guitar; Dale Strength, second lead guitar; Danny Kane, guitar

Jokers Wild was most likely another group formed with their sights on recording and eventual stardom. They could rightly be nicknamed "The Incredibly Shrinking Group," as they began as a six-piece outfit, dropped one guy to five, and ended up as a trio for their final recordings.

In November of 1965 Dave Wagner was bassist for a group called The Arrdvarks. As they were breaking up, Dave called Denny Johnson and asked him to be the bass player for a new band he was starting along with fellow Arrdvark, Gene Balabon. They picked up drummer Pete Huber from a band called The Gremmies. They still needed another member to fill out the band. Denny remembered a guitar/keyboard player he had worked with earlier, Dave Middlemist, from the band The Cavaliers.

They played their first job as The New Gremmies, later to be called The Chord On Blues, and then The Scoundrels. One night Dave Wagner was playing cards with friends, including Donnie Larson (of The Underbeats). Donnie suggested to chance the band name to Jokers Wild. And from then on the name stuck with them.

Eleven months later, Gene Balabon left the band and was replaced by Bill Jordan on lead guitar. Four months later, Dave Wagner and Dave Middlemist left to start a new band, The South 40 (later called Crow). The remaining members enlisted the Illusions keyboardist, Greg Spring, and after trying several singers they got Lonnie Knight from the Rave-Ons. After six months Bill Jordan left to join a country band and Lonnie Knight became the lead player for Jokers Wild. They added Dale Strength from The City Strangers on second lead guitar. But he left after six weeks. Danny Kane of the Stillroven joined the band and left after three weeks. Three months later Greg Springer left, and the band was down to three members. Six months later Lonnie Knight and Greg Springer both joined The Litter and went to Chicago, only to re-join the Jokers Wild six weeks later ! Greg left the band again four weeks later. Finally in the fall of 1969, after a chaotic (to say the least) ten months, the Jokers Wild were no more. Phew !

By far the most experimental of all the acts on the great Metrobeat label, Jokers Wild was also the most well-represented by vinyl releases.

Their singles:

All I See Is You [Metrobeat 4451] (1967)

I Just Can't Explain It [Metrobeat 4451] (1967)

Because I'm Free [Peak 4456] (1968)

Sunshine [Peak 4456] (1968)

And the unreleased cut:

All The World's A Copper Penny

Dark Clouds: A Moody Garage Compilation - In Three Acts !

Sigh, cry, die! This series of comps focuses on the moody side of the 60's. For those of you who are new to the "garage rock" genre I'll give you a brief introduction:

"Garage rock" is a musical genre that was coined in late-70s to define the raw form of rock'n' roll that popularized the United States and Canada in the early to late 60s. Why is it called "Garage"? Because it was made in the garage? To some extent, yes. Many performers did often rehearse in their families garages with their cheap Sears-bought instruments. Most were young, very amateur and naive. Most themes centered around high school life and a certain deceitful girl. Lyrics and delivery were notably more passionate and aggressive than what was common for the time. And bands ranged from one-chord repetetiveness to near studio musician quality.

All of the songs you will find on the 'Dark Clouds' series never made the commercial charts, let alone the local/regional charts. In fact, the majority of 60s garage bands only released a few singles and then called it quits (or got drafted!). Besides a few exceptions, there were hardly any stars that emerged from the Garage rock heyday of the 1960s; although I believe their influence is still felt to the present day.

Dark Clouds, Vol. 1

01 The Peers - "Once Upon A Time" [Le Jac] (1966) Minneapolis, MN
02 Me & The Rest - "Dark Clouds" [Brass City] (196?) Waterbury, CT
03 The Cobras - "I'm Hurtin'" [Scoop] (1964) Santa Cruz, CA
04 The Driving Wheels - "One Year Ago Today" [Pan Am] (1966) San Antonio, TX
05 The Younts Bros., Inc. - "Love Is A Game" [Grey Ghost] (1967) U.S.A.
06 The Patriots - "As Fall The Leaves" [1776] (1966) Cedar Rapids, IA
07 The Great Society - "And I Know" [USA] (1966) Villa Park, IL
08 The Valiants - "Don't Make The Same Mistake" [Dot] (1966) U.S.A.
09 The Vandals - "Ballad Of A Loser" [Big Rock] (1965) Bradford, PA
10 The West Coast Branch - "Linda's Gone" [Valiant] (1966) Redondo Beach, CA
11 The Creation - "Sun And Stars" [Centrocord] (196?) U.S.A.
12 The Canoise - "Something I Could Do" [IGL] (1966) St. Cloud, MN
13 The Prophets - "Sad On Me" [Twin Spin] (1967) Chicago, IL
14 The Hangmen - "The Girl Who Faded Away" [Monument] (1966) Washington, D.C.
15 John Winfield, Jr. - "Laugh" [Dore] (1966) Los Angeles, CA
16 The Quarrymen - "Why" [Sara] (1966) East Dubuque, IL
17 Tresa Leigh - "Until Then" [Lyndell] (196?) PA
18 The Wild Flowers - "Moving Along With The Sun" [Aster] (1967) Phoenix, AZ
19 The Elegant Four - "Time To Say Goodbye" [Cousins] (1967) Bronx, NY
20 The Rocks - "My Only Love" [Woodrich] (1965) Nashville, TN
21 The Druids - "A Man Should Never Cry" [Columbia] (1965) Scranton, PA
22 The Decompressed Impossibility - "You Can't Ride Away" [Inevitable] (196?) U.S.A.
23 The Trodden Path - "Don't Follow Me" [Night Owl] (1967) Mequon, WI
24 The Hucksters - "It's So Hard" [Brutal] (196?) U.S.A.
25 $1,000,000 War Babies - "Hey Little Boy" [Dante] (1966) Chicago, IL
26 Dale & The Devonaires - "Come Back To Me" [IGL] (1967) Fort Dodge, IA
27 The Younger Brothers - "This Feelin' In My Heart" [Wendy] (1967) Statesboro, GA
28 The Kings Ransom - "Mistakes" [Integra] (1968) Allentown, PA
29 The Wind - "He Who Laughs Last (Laughs Best)" [Early Morning] (1966) Canoga Park, CA

Dark Clouds, Vol. 2

01 The Castaways - "Should Happen To Me" [Soma] (1967) Minneapolis, MN
02 The End - "Can't Get Free" [Northeast] (1967) Worcester, MA
03 The Birth Of Spring - "Cause You Lied To Me" [Mercury] (1967) U.S.A.
04 The Rationals - "Gave My Love" [A2] (1965) Ann Arbor, MI
05 The Counts - "Change Your Mind" [B-J] (1966) U.S.A.
06 Lindy Blaskey & The LaVelles - "Movin' Away" [Space] (1966) Albuquerque, NM
07 Steve Melshenker - "(I've Got) Time On My Hands" [Orlyn] (1967) Champaign, IL
08 The What Four - "Tossin' Ship" [Rollem] (1967) Little Neck, NY
09 The Shan Dels - "Please Stay" [Showcase] (1965) Levittown, NY
10 James T. & The Workers - "Let Me See You Crying" [Prophonics] (1967) Bay City, MI
11 The Fabulous Wunz - "If I Cry" [Pyramid] (1966) Charlotte, NC
12 Denny Provisor - "It Really Tears Me Up" [Valiant] (1965) Los Angeles, CA
13 The Emperor's - "And Then" [Sabra] (1965) San Bernardino, CA
14 Black & The Blues - "Another Day" [Rigby] (1966) Magnolia, NJ
15 The New Era - "Won't You Please Be My Friend" [Great Lakes] (1967) Grand Rapids, MI
16 The Moxies - "I Must Apologize" [Monza] (1965) Paducah, KY
17 Flowers, Fruits, & Pretty Things - "Wanting You" [GEP] (1968) Saginaw, MI
18 The Mysterions - "Why Should I Love You" [Jox] (1965) San Antonio, TX
19 The Fogcutters - "I Want Your Love Again" [Apex] (1965) Denver, CO
20 The Banshees - "Why" [Dunwich] (1966) Chicago, IL
21 The Rejects - "Down This Street Before" [Cabell] (1967) Richmond, VA
22 The Warlox - "You Can't Win" [Vermillion] (1967) Alexandria, VA
23 The Clue - "She's The Reason" [Byron] (1967) Midland, TX
24 The Devilles - "You've Made Up My Mind" [Kerry] (1966) Duluth, MN
25 The Missing Lynx - "(You Don't Love Me) Anymore" [Dynovoice] (1966) Cleveland, OH
26 The Rooney Brothers - "Just A Friend" [Columbia] (1968) Los Angeles, CA
27 The Brotherly Lovers - "I'm Gonna Cry" [Eskee] (1965) Philadelphia, PA
28 The Chateaus - "Summer Has Come And Gone" [Jam] (1966) Louisville, KY
29 Creation's Disciples - "I'll Remember" [Dawn] (1966) Bronx, NY

Dark Clouds, Vol. 3

01 Wally & The Rights - "Hey Now Little Girl" [GM] (1967) Gladewater, TX
02 The Blue Dells - "Trust Me" [Starfire] (196?) Cincinnati, OH
03 The Herd - "Sun Has Gone" [Octopus] (196?) East Lansing, MI
04 The Rogues - "Something Beautiful Is Dying" [Mirage] (1966) Dallas, TX
05 The Squiremen Four - "Bitter End" [Squire] (1967) Miami, FL
06 The Preachers - "Pain And Sorrow" [Moonglow] (1965) Los Angeles, CA
07 Bob & Gaylon - "It Belongs To You" [Ventural] (1966) Austin, TX
08 Exchequers - "Is There Some Girl" [Boom] (1965) La Crosse, WI
09 Me & The Other Guys - "I Don't Care" [Hinda] (1967) Centerville, OH
10 The Revolvers - "Like Me" [Ty Tex] (1966) Tyler, TX
11 The Reasons Why - "Why Pack Up" [Amy] (1966) Syosset, NY
12 The Bossmen - "Listen My Girl" [Unreleased] (1966) Flint, MI
13 The Barracudas - "Realize" [Flare] (1966) Bangor, ME
14 The Citations - "Now I'm Gone" [Tuscumbia] (1965) Tuscumbia, AL
15 The Ceeds - "You Won't Do That" [Emlar] (1966) Colorado Springs, CO
16 The Deverons - "Unnoticed" [Raynard] (1965) Milwaukee, WI
17 The Chantells - "I'm Leavin' Here Today" [Century] (196?) VA
18 The Immigrants - "I'm Feelin' Blue" [Starburst] (1966) Salina, KS
19 The Boss Blues - "Before The Dawn" [Direction] (1967) Danbury, CT
20 The Wonders - "Baby Come Back" [MMC] (1966) Omaha, NE
21 The Chessmen - "Sad" [Bismark] (1965) Dallas, TX
22 Neal Ford & The Fanatics - "I Have Thoughts Of You" [Hickory] (1967) Houston, TX
23 Art Guy - "Where You Gonna Go" [Valiant] (1967) Los Angeles, CA
24 The Ill Winds - "(I Won't Cry) So Be On Your Way" [Reprise] (1965) Santa Ana, CA
25 The 7th Seal - "Proud Reflections" [Justice] (1967) Bridgewater, VA
26 The Wild Things - "Love Comes, Love Goes" [Showboat] (1966) Santa Claus, IN
27 The Cornerstones - "You Rule Me" [Metrobeat] (1967] Grand Forks, ND
28 Bobby & Dave with The Royal Flairs - "Hat On Tie" [Tonorous] (196?) Council Bluffs, IA
29 The Sheffields - "Please Come Back" [Destination] (1966) Grand Rapids, MI
30 The Mynt Julep - "Rip Tide" [Ty] (196?) U.S.A.



Download Vol. 1 ----> HERE

Download Vol. 2 -----> HERE

Download Vol. 3------> HERE