Thursday, October 28, 2010

My Love's A Monster - Johnny Sayles

Here's a killer hand clapping record from 1965. Johnny Sayles started out with Ike Turner before turning solo and waxing some gritty Chicago style party funk. "My Love's A Monster" is a must have on your next Halloween playlist. Beware, and enjoy!


My Love's A Monster

"Lilly Mae" is another one of Johnny's soul-screeching singles.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Hey Willy - The Hollies

These 60s darlings went through a rock n' roll transformation in the early seventies. The Hollies, and their cutesy pop reputation, needed a hard rock makeover if they expected to compete with their heavier sounding contemporaries (The Who, Status Quo, etc.). When "Hey Willy" was released in 1971 and was unlike anything they had ever recorded before. This track stands toe-to-toe, or platform-to-platform, with the best bowiesque glam music being produced at the time. Enjoy.


Hey Willy

"Hey Willy" was the primary precursor to many of The Hollies later hits such as "Long Cool Woman". It may sound like a Creedence Clearwater Revival song, but it isn't.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Sheldon Churchyard - Larry Jon Wilson

Larry Jon Wilson's "Sheldon Churchyard" brings the eerie swamp funk in his 1976 LP Let Me Sing My Song To You. Rumors of witchcraft and voodoo haunt an old Carolina township in this spellbinding example of southern gothic storytelling.


Sheldon Churchyard

Earlier this summer America lost an amazing talent when Wilson passed away. He was someone Kris Kristofferson said, "Could break your heart with a voice like a cannonball."

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Spooky - Sasperella

Here's a great version of the often covered "Spooky". The obscure groove was released in the late sixties, without lyrics, by Mike Sharpe and Harry Middlebrookes JR. Sadly, information is scarce regarding this particular 45 by Decca label's Sasperella.


Spooky

The Atlantic Rhythm Section is credited with reviving "Spooky" in 1979, and clearing the way for many, many more covers.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Where Evil Grows - The Poppy Family

"Where Evil Grows" is a deliciously sinister slice of bubblegum pop from the 1971 LP Poppy Seeds. The song, which  is rumored to have been inspired by the Manson murders, has a creepy coolness that I particularly enjoy.


Where Evil Grows

While the Poppy Family (Terry and Susan Jacks) might be long forgotten some seventies junkies will remember Terry's mega AM hit "Seasons In The Sun".

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Sneakin' Up On You - Peggy Lee


Peggy Lee's "Sneakin' Up On You", from her 1965 LP Pass Me By, might be the cutest stalker song ever recorded. Several versions were released in the mid-to-late sixties (including Elaine Delmar's slinky and seductive, ultra-groovy recording below), but what places Peggy Lee's version on top? Simple. She playfully incorporates cat purring into the chorus. Enough said.


Sneakin' Up On You





Elaine Delmar Sneakin' Up On You