TONY WORSLEY AND THE BLUE JAYS - JUST A LITTLE BIT

This song is a r&b standard, and there's many great versions (it's one of those songs that's so immediate, so direct that it would take some truly lousy musicians to lay down a lame version), but something about hearing this one for the first time just made me say HELL YEAH. It was one of those moments that us record fanatics savor; I was going through a big stack of Australian records and this was one that within the first five seconds I knew was gonna rock my socks off. And it did.

Turns out Tony Worsley was born in the UK but relocated to Brisbane, Australia where he hooked up with The Blue Jays well after they initially formed in 1959. From what I have read, Tony was surly, rebellious and gruff (which comes across on the record) and one of the first in OZ to grow Beatle length hair.

from 1965...

HERB FAME - YOU'RE MESSIN' UP MY MIND

Man oh man what a STORMING track! Another example of Van McCoy's writing and arranging work in the mid-60's that shows the man practically did no wrong and had a magic touch for capturing exciting soul sounds.

Here we find the debut of Herb Fame, who after this release joined up with Francine Hurd Barker, which began the legacy of Peaches and Herb. Many "Peaches" followed throughout the years, but Herb is still out there in fine voicing touring the oldies circuit.

from 1966...

HERB FAME - YOU'RE MESSIN' UP MY MIND

THE CHESSMEN - WHY CAN'T I BE YOUR MAN

Who IS this group??? This was the only single released by Chess records by "The Chessmen", but this group is obviously experienced and were not the type of neophytes that would cut one record and disappear. This classy record (which bears a strong hook resemblence to "I Can't Help Myself") is simply incredible. Could it be the Dells in disguise??? My vote is that it has to be either a group under pseudonym or a super group of the Chess stable. Whoever they are, they cut a fantastic record!

There were other groups in the 60's billing themselves as The Chessmen and also The Original Chessmen, but I would be willing to bet that none of them had anything to do with this group.

from 1966...

ROY HARPER - MIDSPRING DITHERING

I've been a fan of this eccentric English folkie-with-the-rock-n-roll-verve for many years, but only recently became aware of this single when it turned up in a box lot of records that I scored (I have since learned this was tacked on to the CD reissue of his 2nd LP, but as I don't buy CD's unless absolutely necessary, I missed out on that).

This was even more of a pleasant surprise when I slapped it on the turntable, as apparently it's Roy's attempt (probably under the influence of producer Shel Talmy) to create a commercial, beat oriented single. The results are spectacular, featuring Roy's always excellent vocals and acoustic guitar matched with some mildly swinging backing on top of an excellent song.

Even stranger that this was even released in the USA, as this was his first and only US release until 1969 (neither of his first 2 LP's saw a US release).

I think EVERYBODY is ready for some Spring; right?

from 1967...

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JIMMY ROBINS - WAITIN' ON YOU b/w SHINE IT ON

What a fantastic double sider! These two songs seem so closely linked that I almost view them as parts 1 and 2.

This Texas native relocated to LA in the late '50's, and promptly began cutting records. His massive, gruff voice is a thing of wonder, and he truly earned his nickname "the preacher", as his vocal style is straight out of the church (with lyrics that are 100% secular).

This was his followup record to the amazing "I Can't Please You"; a past 45 of the day and while it doesn't quite match the timeless drive of that song, it stands up very well! Songwriting credits show that his last name was actually "Robbins"; why the "b" was dropped from his stage name is unknown.

from 1967...

WAITIN' ON YOU
http://www.mediafire.com/?4st493jou13tset

SHINE IT ON
http://www.mediafire.com/?66k2el1b4drkk78

CANDY & THE KISSES - SOMEONE OUT THERE

This was the final release from the original lineup of this fantastic Philadelphia girl group (one final single released the following year featured a different lead singer). Candy & The Kisses kept up with the changing soul sound of the late sixties to a degree, but this song does have a more light hearted sound that harkened back to earlier times, but in my opinion that just helps it to hold up so well today.

from 1968...

PATTI DREW - SUFFERER

Today I am proud to present one of my favorite underused styles of music...the SOUL WALTZ! For those who don't know music theory, waltz time count is 1-2-3, 1-2-3 making for a unique syncopation unlike the more common 4/4 time (count 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4). This groove is one of the hardest hitting waltz time soul tracks I've ever heard and it's positively addicting.

The great Patti Drew was last heard on this blog as a member of the Drew-Vels, which consisted of herself, two sisters and Carlton Black. The Drew_vels, fantastic as they were, released only three singles, after which Patti struck out on her own and released some really great records, one of which was a well deserved hit ("Workin' On a Groovy Thing"). This was her first solo outing, originally released in 1965 on Quill records, then reissued in late 1966 by Capitol (which was also the home of the Drew-Vels).

from 1965...

TOMMY GOOD - BABY I MISS YOU

Released by Motown, an excellent song, fantastic performance...WHY wasn't it a hit?????

For as great of a singer as Tommy Good was (and from reports that I have read, still IS), his discography is surprisingly small; only a half a dozen 45's released between 1958-1969!

"Baby I Miss You" is such a fantastic song, and the catchiness definitely gives it a top choice spot as a Motown hit that never was.

from 1964...

THE ATTACK - ANY MORE THAN I DO

Quite simply, one of the greatest UK mod records which incorporates elements of soul, beat, and psychedelia into a most appealing potion that's just gonna make you move. This is one of those records that just oozes excitement and all of the parts click so well, and, the record just flat out COOKS.

The Attack were pressured by producers to cut sides that didn't reflect their true strengths for the a-side, but the group was truly allowed to be themself on a scant handful of b-sides (including this group written song). Shortly after this record was cut in mid-67, guitarist Davey O'List split to join The Nice and bassist Gerry Henderson was off to join the massively successful Marmalade. Singer Richard Sherman assembled an all-new band, but it was all over for the Attack in early 1968.

from 1967...

ELDRIDGE HOLMES - WORRIED OVER YOU

Here we go with another New Orleans record, produced by NOLA genius Allen Toussaint. Toussaint also co-wrote this track with Eldridge, and Eldridge wrote a good chunk of his recorded output of around 30 sides (note to self: I need to snag some more Eldridge Holmes records!)

I love the arrangement of this track, with those great stops and starts that convey the feeling of the song so well.

Sadly, Eldridge never achieved any real success, although his talent far outshone whatever the lack of sales indicated. The man had a rich, soulful voice with strong emotional delivery.

If the intro to this song has never been sampled, it certainly should be; the stop/ start groove would be a perfect foundation to build a track upon.

from 1966...

ELDRIDGE HOLMES - WORRIED OVER YOU