LEE WILLIAMS AND THE SYMBOLS - I'LL BE GONE

I can't seem to find much info about this artist/group, but they did release a few more 45's on this label (another of which I own and will be a future 45 of the day). Seems as though they were from New York/ New Jersey but I can't say with 100% certainty.

The grooves show that it's yet another perfect Sunday oldie.

from 1966...

PARLIAMENT - RED HOT MAMA

For those who are unfamiliar with the story, here's a very brief recap...

George Clinton began his group of slick doo wop vocalists as the Parliaments in the late '50's, eventually morphing into an incredible Detroit soul band that hit big with "Testify" in 1967, and released some other incredible singles along the way (a few of which have been featured here). Around 1968, Clinton somehow lost rights to the the name "Parliaments", just around the time things were getting very FREAKY and hence the birth of Funkadelic (the same singers and more or less the same musicians who played in the latter day Parliaments). In 1970, George somehow got the rights to the name back, and released an LP (Osmium) as Parliament (no "s" this time) and a few singles.

This track (later recut by Funkadelic) features some of the most raw vocals and ripping fuzz guitar (genius guitarist Eddie Hazel) every cut by the P Funk gang (and that's quite a feat!).

The single and album didn't sell, and the Parliament name was retired until 1974, where George used the Parliament moniker to explore a more commercial (but never boring) brand of sci-fi funk.

from 1970...

PARLIAMENT - RED HOT MAMA

ALBERT COLLINS - THAW OUT

Been far too long since I've featured an instrumental of any sorts around here. This is one primal slab of molten hot lava from the blazing Texas guitarist. Dig the organ!

As Albert was known as the 'ice Man", this was another of his records to feature a 'cool" name (the previous record to this was called 'Frosty").

A great one from the last blast era of electric blues that basically ended at the end of the sixties. And what a blast it was.

from 1964...

ALBERT COLLINS - THAW OUT

THE IKETTES - I'M SO THANKFUL b/w DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR ME

An absolutely perfect double sider! In addition to backing the Ike & Tina review, the Ikettes released a string of great records on their own, and it's been far too long since I've featured one.

"I'm So Thankful" is one of those songs that screams HIT while flip slide "Don't Feel Sorry For Me" is an incredible, raunchy number with great bad girl lyrics.

from 1965...

THE IKETTES - I'M SO THANKFUL

AL PERKINS & BETTY BIBBS - HOMEWORK

This gritty Chicago duet is such a SEXY record...I'll shut up and let the grooves speak.

from 1965...

AL PERKINS & BETTY BIBBS - HOMEWORK

MC5 - LOOKING AT YOU b/w TONIGHT

Being as it is memorial day here in the USA, it only seems fitting to feature a memorial of the fallen brothers in one of the all time greatest rock n roll bands; Detroit's legendary MC5. Of course, there are many musical greats that are no longer with us to remember today, but this is a record I've wanted to feature for a while, so I will take this memorial opportunity.

The world lost Rob Tyner and Fred "Sonic" Smith far too early. You will always be remembered!

These two tracks from the '5 sound GREAT in 45 RPM mono so here you go.

from 1969...

MC5 - LOOKING AT YOU

KAREN SMALL - BOYS ARE MADE TO LOVE

Believed to be from Pittsburg, Karen recorded this glorious record and at least one other for the tiny Venus label (I haven't heard that one yet).

Yet another outtasite example of mid 60's female soul.

from 1966...

KAREN SMALL - BOYS ARE MADE TO LOVE

FREDDIE SCOTT - YOU GOT WHAT I NEED

Luckily, there is a search feature within this blog; I thought I'd featured this song ages ago but I hadn't. Glad I checked, as this is such a good one it almost slipped through the cracks of my blog clutches.

Born in Providence, RI, Freddie Scott got distracted from studying medicine to make his career in music, and placed an early song of his on a Ricky Nelson album. Freddie cut a demo in 1963 for songwriters Goffin and King that went on to be a huge hit for himself (it was intended to be recorded by Chuck Jackson) with "Hey Girl" which was his biggest hit.

This is a later track that miraculously never was a hit. Just doesn't seem fair! It's so catchy, well performed and sung with majesty by Freddie. No wonder the intro hook has been sampled more than a few times by hip hop artists.

from 1968...

FREDDIE SCOTT - YOU GOT WHAT I NEED

MAGICTONES - GOOD OLD MUSIC

George Clinton must have really had a jones for this track, as he recorded it with Parliaments, again with Funkadelic, then behind the producer's chair with the Magictones, as we hear here.

This is (yet another) superb version of this song and it still seems to be relatively obscure in the annals of Detroit soul/ funk.

from 1969...

MAGICTONES - GOOD OLD MUSIC

MABLE JOHN - WAIT YOU DOG

You TELL HIM, Mable!

from 1967...

MABLE JOHN - WAIT YOU DOG

BILLY GAYLES WITH IKE TURNER'S RHYTHM ROCKERS - I'M TORE UP

This is one wild record, especially intense for 1956! Deplorable human being/ musical genius Ike Turner lays out some incredibly hot guitar on this boozer's anthem featuring vocalist Billy Gayles tearing it up.

If more mid-50's ears would have heard this one, it would have caused a scandalous outrage. Makes even me wanna be a juvenile delinquent!

from 1956...

BILLY GAYLES WITH IKE TURNER'S RHYTHM ROCKERS - I'M TORE UP

DORIS & KELLEY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY

Another day, another mystery record!

I am completely transfixed by the psychedelic, deep vibe of this song. Sadly, it appears as if this is the only record that these two made. A pity, but at least we have this one.

As always, any information about this record would be greatly appreciated.

from 1967...

DORIS & KELLEY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY

TAURUS AND LEO - I AIN'T PLAYING BABY

A mystery record! The only info I was able to find out about these guys was that this is a Detroit record (no surprise!).

An incredible, gritty record with excellent duo vocals. I'm taking a guess at the year.

As always, if you know anything about it, PLEASE write me!

from 1968...

TAURUS AND LEO - I AIN'T PLAYING BABY

FREDDIE HUGHES - GOTTA KEEP MY BLUFF IN

A while back I featured a track from Fred Hughes, and made the common mistake of confusing him with today's artist (a saavy reader pointed out my mistake).

This is the bay area Fred Hughes, most famous for his hit "Send My Baby Back". This is an earlier track and it's another one of those perfect Sunday afternoon tracks.

from 1968...

FREDDIE HUGHES - GOTTA KEEP MY BLUFF IN

BO DOLLIS AND THE WILD MAGNOLIAS INDIAN TRIBE - HANDA WANDA

Another great find from my New Orleans trip! A list member/ friend from NOLA hipped me to this one and it proved very hard to find; luckily my fave record store (Domino Sound Record Shack) had a copy.

This was the first release using the Wild Magnolias name; two later albums saw the involvement of NOLA legend (and daily 45 favorite) Willie Tee (although I haven't seen anything that says he isn't on this record, it's typically not listed in his discographies).

I don't think this record has ever been reissued, so I'm very happy to present it here.

There is a great bio about Bo Dollis here: http://www.wildmagnolias.net/bios/

from 1970...

BO DOLLIS AND THE WILD MAGNOLIAS INDIAN TRIBE - HANDA WANDA

THE SHARPEES - TIRED OF BEING LONELY

The Sharpees, based in St Louis, cut many records in Chicago including this one. No wonder, as it is yet another wonderful representation of the Chicago soul sound.

from 1965...

THE SHARPEES - TIRED OF BEING LONELY

San Jose: Soul night TONIGHT!

THE VIBRATIONS - LOVE IN THEM THERE HILLS

Here's one by request! Yes, I'll gladly post requests, as long as it's something I have, and/or haven't previously featured.

The Vibrations had a long and fruitful career (beginning in the mid 50's), but never managed a crossover hit. This track was recorded at the same session that yielded the legendary (and past daily 45) "Cause You're Mine/ I Took An Overdose" (possibly the best double sided soul monster single, ever). This record has the same driving sound; a very very good thing in this listeners eyes!

from 1968...

THE VIBRATIONS - LOVE IN THEM THERE HILLS

J.J BARNES - SAY IT

The intro of this song really blows my mind; it almost sounds as if they had a major gaffe at the beginning and that the record actually starts in progress. Mistake or not, it's such a cool effect!

This is a great example of a production "making" a song; the tune itself is cool but if someone were to play it alone on a guitar or piano it wouldn't be anywhere near as exciting as it is with the incredible drumming and horn parts (not to mention JJ's always excellent vocals).

from 1966...

J.J BARNES - SAY IT

LOWELL FULSON - MAKE A LITTLE LOVE

Reportedly born in a Choctaw native American reservation, Lowell Fulson made a name for himself as one of the PREMIER west coast bluesmen after his family relocated to Southern California and had a long career in which he penned a handful of standards. Also, his raw to the bone version of "Tramp" was refined and taken into the stratosphere by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas.

Here, in this follow up record to Tramp, we find Otis flaunting his newly found fame with one of the catchiest choruses in all of sixties blues. Not to mention that super funky band behind him.

from 1967...

LOWELL FULSON - MAKE A LITTLE LOVE

CARL CARLTON - DON'T WALK AWAY

Here is the first record released after "Little" was dropped from then 16 year old Carl Carlton's name.

Yet another great one from this wonderful Detroit singer.

from 1969...

CARL CARLTON - DON'T WALK AWAY

CHUCK CARBO - CAN I BE YOUR SQUEEZE?

In an interesting twist, I found a copy of this record (which was on my want list for quite some time) on a California label (it was originally released on a local New Orleans label, then was picked up for national distribution) while on my trip to New Orleans. California dude finds California pressed copy of New Orleans record in New Orleans! Perhaps the logical explanation would be that this record was so popular locally that it was still selling even after it was released on a bigger, national label.

I would believe it, as this is one red hot record. Chuck Carbo's career started out in NOLA in the 1940's, and in the fifties his group morphed into the Spiders, who had a number of r&b hits.

This track finds Chuck in the studio with Eddie Bo and his brilliant band and the results are, well, downright ass shaking. The b side ain't shabby, either.

from 1970...

CHUCK CARBO - CAN I BE YOUR SQUEEZE?

THE WEBS - I WANT YOU BACK

Here's another white hot piece of NYC soul from this great group. This is yet another incredible record cut under the wing of Lou Courtney (no stranger to this blog) who co-wrote and co-produced it.

from 1968...

THE WEBS - I WANT YOU BACK

BEST OF 45 of the day: Happy birthday, John Lennon

If I were to point at one thing that influenced who I came to be, as both a musician and record collector there is no doubt in my mind that I can point to the early influence of the Beatles (and John Lennon specifically). In hearing tapes of John Lennon guest DJ in the 70's (which I heard as a young teenager in the late '80's through the "Lost Lennon Tapes" radio series) I was exposed to rare r&b/ soul records that were favorites of John's which began my quest as a 45 collector.

John Lennon (both in interviews and once when he guest DJ'd on WNEW in New York in 1974) sung the praises of both 'Watch Your Step" and "Some Other Guy" as being great examples of "son of What'd I Say records". Of course the Beatles also covered "Some Other Guy" in that sublime clip from the Cavern Club in 1962. Man, those boys were HIP picking up on obscure soul records (although these records actually saw UK releases, contrary to the stories of sailors importing 45's).

BOBBY PARKER - WATCH YOUR STEP

RICHIE BARRETT - SOME OTHER GUY

BARBARA ACKLIN - AM I THE SAME GIRL?

With the massive amount of great singles that were released in the period I generally cover, sometimes old favorites get temporarily forgotten about while I feature new additions to the collection. This is a perfect example of one of those!

Oddly enough, the same backing track with a piano tinkling out the melody line was re-released as "The Soulful Strut" and credited to Young Holt Unlimited. Stranger yet, Young Holt Unlimited had nothing to do with the track, as it was cut by the band who later became known as Pieces Of Peace (they played on many great Brunswick records sessions as well as backing Syl Johnson). Soulful Strut became (a well deserved hit) while oddly, this track with vocals didn't make much of an impact chart wise.

from 1969...

BARBARA ACKLIN - AM I THE SAME GIRL?

BEST OF Daily 45 #2

Here's a few more that rank high in the "who's searching for what" category. enjoy!

LORRAINE ELLISON - STAY WITH ME



CHI LITES - ARE YOU MY WOMAN?



JACKIE LOMAX - SOUR MILK SEA b/w THE EAGLE LAUGHS AT YOU

MAJOR LANCE - IT'S THE BEAT

The run of 45's by Major Lance (produced by Curtis Mayfield and including the Impressions) are records that are simply guaranteed to lift the mood and make everything alright. These records are celebrations of life and the epitome of Chicago soul.

from 1966...

MAJOR LANCE - IT'S THE BEAT

BEST OF Daily 45 #1: Most searched

While looking at who searches for what songs, I have noticed a few that are regularly sought out. So, once a week or so I will bring some of those back to the site and try to keep them up for good. Enjoy!

SYL JOHNSON - IS IT BECAUSE I'M BLACK?



BIG SAMBO & THE HOUSEWRECKERS - THE RAINS CAME



THE SHOWMEN - OUR LOVE WILL GROW

LEE DORSEY - FOUR CORNERS pt 1 and 2

On my trip last week to New Orleans, I was struck yet again of the overpoweringly great spirit of the city. As an aside, I must first start by saying my two favorite places in the USA are New Orleans and San Francisco. That same spirit is the only thing that could have saved that city from the saddest tragedy of my lifetime, Katrina. It's still appalling that this country handled the hurricane like a bunch of moronic amateurs. To the people of NOLA, my heart goes out to you and much empathy to your losses.

While I was at my favorite record store in NOLA (Domino Sound), I came across this one that's been on my want list for quite some time. Notice how the label is gone; this record survived Katrina. A little rough, but still kicking. Just like the city itself, and of course Lee Dorsey was one of N'awlins great musical geniuses.

from 1968...

LEE DORSEY - FOUR CORNERS pt 1

NELLA DODDS - YOUR LOVE BACK

Hailing from Philadelphia, Nella cut over a dozen 45's in the mid 60's, but sadly never had an LP release. Her 45's are all top notch songs, easily worthy of Motown/ massive hit status.

A glorious record!

from 1965...

NELLA DODDS - YOUR LOVE BACK

JOE TEX - YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BABY

In his long career (cut short first by retirement from music, then sadly by premature death), Joe Tex cut oodles of great records, most of which languished in obscurity.

From '63 til around '72, just about everything Joe released on 45 was good, many were exceptional (also his LP "Soul Country" is a huge favorite of mine; I'll take a moment and plug my band CARELESS HEARTS in that we have taken massive cues from the merger of country and soul music).

This particular track is a favorite b-side of mine; I love the British Invasion style breakdown riff!

from 1966...

JOE TEX - YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BABY

MARVA WHITNEY - IT'S MY THING (YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHO TO SOCK IT TO)

Alright, y'all, I'm back from New Orleans with a stack of new 45's and still glowing from all the amazing music, people, vibe and food of that great city.

Born in Kansas City, MO, Marva became part of the "James Brown show" in the 60's and cut some of the RAWEST records on her own.

An answer record of sorts to the Isley brothers "It's Your Thing", Marva truly gets pushed over the edge by the James Brown band on this track. HOT stuff indeed.

from 1969...

MARVA WHITNEY - IT'S MY THING (YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHO TO SOCK IT TO)