LARRY & THE BLUENOTES - NIGHT OF THE PHANTOM

Some of the best executed garage rock records were cut in Texas, and this incredible track is certainly at the upper echelon of the era.

Between the confident and tight musicianship and vocals and the frightening, intense lyrics, it's hard to believe that this record is the work of a teenage band- especially one from the suburbs of Fort Worth.

The record was initially cut as 'Night Of The Sadist", but producer Major Bill Smith made the group go back into the studio and overdub the word "Phantom" (after first suggesting "burglar") over the already recorded track each time the word "sadist" was sung. I can definitely hear the remnants of of the "s" sound of "sadist", especially with headphones. Although the word change was made as a commercial consideration (the producer felt that no radio station would allow the word sadist on the air), I think the song is WAY better as "phantom", as it invokes a certain type of imagery that makes the record even more powerful. Plus, they cranked up the reverb on the "night of the phantom" lines (undoubtedly to cover up remnants of the sadist) which ends up being an ultra cool touch that just makes the record even spookier.

Of course, this was EDGY stuff for 1965, and even though the record was picked up from its initial local pressing by 20th Century Fox Records, it went nowhere commercially and is a highly sought out record in either pressing.

Funny how the two songwriting band members (vocalist Larry Roquemore and Larry Slater) are listed by their first names (Larry-Larry) for the writers credit.

from 1965...

LARRY & THE BLUENOTES - NIGHT OF THE PHANTOM