Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Bitter Blue - Kin Vassy



Kenny Rogers once said that former First Edition bandmate ,Kin Vassy, could sing " higher, harder and longer than anyone else".Vassy, along with Alex Harvey, Tony Joe White and Jim Ford, is another one of the lost country & western greats. Here's his 45 cover of the Cat Stevens song "Bitter Blue". It's got an edgier, more twangier sound than the original. Enjoy.


Friday, August 27, 2010

I've Got My Finger On Your Trigger - Slim Harpo



Slim Harpo was a rocker's bluesman. Everyone from The Stones to Z.Z. Top have been influenced by this  harmonica maestro. His nickname ,Harpo,was actually derived from popular harmonica slang. "I've Got My Finger On Your Trigger" isn't one of his better known songs, but it should be. It was released on Excello Records in 1969 along with another superb 45 of "Folsom Prison Blues".

**Notice the "Triger" typo on this copy**


Slim's Folsom Prison Blues

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Sound of Music - Black Affairs


Black Affairs was a roots reggae band from the Dominican Republic circa 1970s. "Sound Of Music" is their striped down, standout stoner track off the LP Ca Waké. Clocking in at under seven minutes it's not exactly radio friendly, but man is it one sweet, sweet groove. Lay back to the lo-fi goodness and enjoy.


World Of Music

Monday, August 23, 2010

At The Hotel - Eunice Collins


"At The Hotel" is one of those rare, slow-burning, soul ballads that can't be replicated. Eunice Collins's lovelorn pleading is so authentically genuine that it breaks my heart everytime I give it a listen. It's an impressive example of a torch song that actually manages to sear itself into even the most hardened of psyches.


At The Hotel

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Tracker - James Anderson

James Anderson's "The Tracker" is a forgotten funk oldie produced by Huey P. Meaux (A.K.A. The Crazy Cajun). Huey was credited with huge hits like "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" in addition to also running the mighty SugarHill Recording Studios back in the 1970s.

**side note this 45 calls their A-Side the Plug Side instead**


The Tracker

Barabara Lynn's "You'll Lose A Good Thing" was another production hit for Huey P. Meaux.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby - Jimmy Gilford


Jimmy Gilford's "Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby" is a hard doo-woppin', hook-heavy oldie. The original 1962 pressing still fetches a hefty price tag in the hundreds of dollars. To my knowledge this song has never been reissued or compiled on any mix album. That's a pity too because the record  pops with pleasure from start to finish. Enjoy.



Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Funky Way - Calvin Arnold

Here's another tight 45 single from 1968. Calvin Arnold's "Funky Way" is dedicated to all the good guys that have been funked over by an unappreciative woman. "Ain't that a funky way to treat somebody".


Funky Way

Monday, August 2, 2010

A Day In The Life Of Bonnie And Clyde - Mel Tormé


Mel Tormé's 1968 title track from "A Day In The Life Of Bonnie And Clyde" recounts the outlaw couple's fateful demise as seen through the eyes of a rollerskating witness. The Velvet Fog may not have been an illustrious rat packer, but he was one of the cooler jazz cats around. And man could that daddy-o scat! Other groovy songs include "Cab Driver" and his surprisingly upbeat depression anthem "Brother Can You Spare a Dime". Why this record hasn't been reissued is beyond my comprehension.