Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Cher

Sonny Bono originally wrote this often covered song for Cher back in 1966. 'Bang Bang' was one of her first and earliest hits. Having discovered this song while watching Tarantino's Bill Kill, I just assumed it was more of an exclusive Nancy Sinatra standard. Boy, was I wrong. There are more than a few versions that I prefer, such as Terry Reid's guitar heavy adaption and Betty Chung's Chinese cover. This melancholy recording is a little scratchy, but worth listening for the cinematic violin accompaniment. Enjoy.


Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)

My Kinda People B/W God Bless - Wolfmoon

'My Kinda People' is an uplifting 45 written and produced by Swamp Dogg and preformed by Wolfmoon (a.k.a. Tyrone Thomas). The single is actually a response song to Swamp Dogg's 'These Are Not My People' and serves as a funky tribute to all the down-home "kind, kind people that make a better, kinder world".


My Kinda People

'God Bless' is a cute bedtime prayer as imagined by a child and witness by his father. Little Johnny, the son, has a very thorough list of blessing requests and eventually include his ease-dropping parent.

God Bless

You Can Be Replaced B/W Going Down Slow - Little Sonny

'You Can Be Replaced' is a 1972 seven inch from the "New" King of Blues Harmonica, Little Sonny. The single features some hard barrelhouse blues using the old standby 34b. I'm very particular about my blues harmonica. If you can't feel it don't play it (cough...Blues Traveler and any other contemporary band with blues in its name..cough) and Little Sonny could certainly feel it.


You Can Be Replaced


Going Down Slow

Funky - Chamber Brothers

The Chamber Brothers are most known for their hit 'Time Has Come Today'. Unfortunately, most listeners, myself included for many years, confused them with the Rolling Stones. The four Mississippi brothers (plus one white drummer) definitely had southern soul roots, but I was surprised to also learn of their friendship with Pete Seeger and participation with the Newport Folk Festival.

Anyway, 1970's 'Funky' is decidedly not folky, not in the slightest. It's an unconventionally groovy, goodtime track that's been on my crate digging radar for some time. Enjoy.


Funky

Funky Like A Train - The Equals

Before rocking down to Electric Avenue, Eddy Grant fronted a reggae cross-over band named The Equals. They released several blogworthy singles, but right now 1976's 'Funky Like A Train' is the song that keeps clanking around the tracks in my head. All aboard!


Funky Like A Train

It Must Be Love - Labi Siffre

The first time I felt compelled to collect music was after listening to Madness in 1981. I treasured my first childhood 45s, 'Our House' and 'It Must Be Love'. I may have even slept with them, very delicately. No stuffed animals for this kid! It wasn't until decades later that I discovered Labi Siffre's version from 1971. There's no ska horns, runaway funeral processions, big birds or killer whales, but I love the original ballad just the same. Enjoy.


It Must Be Love


Notice Labi's cameo towards the end of the video?

I Want Some B/W Darling, Darling I Love You - Johnny Soul

What a cracking good slab of double-sided vinyl! Seems like every song on Groovy Rotations is either about gettin' some, wantin' some or keepin' some. This 1970 release from Johnny Soul is no exception. Both sides are rootsy northern soul numbers, somewhat reminiscent of Otis Redding. Enjoy!


I Want Some


Darling, Darling I Love You