ALL THE PEOPLE - WISH I HAD A GIRL LIKE YOU

From Miami, All The People released three 45's, lead singer Robert Moore a few solo sides, and also a few with a group called Miami. All of these records sank without a trace, although one of All The People's other 45's has been sampled several times.

I really dig the easy groovin' sound of this record, the lyrics are clever, and Robert Moore turns in an excellent vocal performance.

from 1972...

ALL THE PEOPLE - WISH I HAD A GIRL LIKE YOU

SIR DOUGLAS - SHE DIGS MY LOVE

Sir Douglas is (of course) the late, great Doug Sahm from Austin, TX. Doug was a musical melting pot who absorbed country music (he was a child prodigy musician), blues, rock n roll, soul, Tejano, and Tex Mex musics, sliced it all up and cooked up a career that was one of the most diverse in the history of music. I'm a massive fan of this man's music and spirit; his love of diversity in music AND people is a guiding light.

By 1967, the original Sir Douglas Quintet had broken up, thanks to an unfortunate pot bust in Texas; Most of the band was landlocked in Texas on probation, but Doug himself split for San Francisco; California became his home base for many years, and was the site for SDQ MK II (the group which scored their second massive hit, "Mendocino' in '68). The freakout guitar intro was undoubtedly influenced by Doug's new home in San Francisco, and the vocal is one of Doug's most upfront and raw.

As for THIS record, I'm guessing that Doug went back to Texas to record with Huey P Meaux one last time; although it's not a quintet record, Augie Meyer's unmistakable organ is present, and the two-step beat (ala "She's About A Mover") was probably also bashed out by Johnny Perez.

This song came on my ipod shuffle play, and I had all but forgotten how great it is; I had to double check my archives to make sure I didn't feature it at some point on this site. I thought I did, back in 2008 or so, but NOPE, it's making its debut here. This is a VERY scarce record, and even though it hardly ever turns up, it's usually quite inexpensive when it does.

from 1967...

SIR DOUGLAS - SHE DIGS MY LOVE

LITTLE ARCHIE - ALL I HAVE TO DO

Entering into SERIOUS soul stomping territory with this jam...

Little Archie (Himons) only cut two 45's, but his life in music extends far beyond that; he began as a drummer while still a teenager, and eventually made his way to the attention of Dial Records chief Buddy Killen, who saw his potential as a lead singer. Not only did Archie show off a husky vocal style, but he wrote the track as well. Archie has lived around the world, started reggae and blues bands, busked, and apparently now performs acoustic soul in West Virginia (which I'd love to hear).

It's a sad realization at this point to realize that I've just about exhausted all of the records from this era in this style; there's still a FEW wants on my list, but at this point I've just about filled every gap in my collection of records in this style (which happens to be a real favorite kind of sound). Sure, there's more out there, but some of them I could never afford or they just don't move me personally, for whatever reason. It sure has been fun sharing them here, though!

from 1967...

LITTLE ARCHIE - ALL I HAVE TO DO

LARRY HOUSTON - I NEED LOVE

What this song lacks in lyrics (they are nearly as simple as a haiku) it more than makes up for that deficiency in its hard hitting groove and the amazing, vibrato laden vocals of Chicagoan Larry Houston. Larry released most of his records on his own, and hasn't been heard from since the early '80's.

from c1975...

LARRY HOUSTON - I NEED LOVE

JACKIE LOMAX - (I) FALL INSIDE YOUR EYES

I've had the greatness of Jackie Lomax on my mind practically non-stop for the last 24 hours, and it makes me sad to think that this man was oozing so much talent but (for the most part) went unnoticed during his lifetime.

This gorgeous ballad (covered by Percy Sledge) showcases not only his excellent vocal stylings, but also his songwriting chops. Even though Jackie had a glowing endorsement from the Beatles (as well as superb production from George Harrison), he may have done better on another label, as the drama of the looming Beatles breakup had a negative effect on the promotion of other artists on the Apple roster.

I'm also a big fan of the simple, elegant graphic design of the Apple Records picture sleeves, and this one is a stellar example.

from 1969...

JACKIE LOMAX - (I) FALL INSIDE YOUR EYES

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

(originally posted 11/12/08)

One of the most soulful English voices of the '60's (and beyond) has passed away; you were fabulous, Jackie Lomax.

As part of the Mersey Beat scene, it's no surprise that Jackie Lomax and George Harrison rubbed shoulders early on in their careers (Jackie was in the Undertakers at the time). Jackie was one of the first artists signed to Apple Records, and his brilliant Apple album "Is This What You Want"  was produced by George Harrison, and all the Beatles except John Lennon appear on the record. The first single from that LP, "Sour Milk Sea" is stellar, but the b side is a CRACKING piece of psychedelic English soul (I recommend listening to 'The Eagle Laughs At You" first). Jackie released several other (some excellent) solo LP's (as well as a non-LP 45 on Apple), and was also a member of the groups Heavy Jelly and Badger in the '70's. Percy Sledge also notably covered Jackie's beautiful ballad 'I Fall Inside Your Eyes" in 2004.

from 1968...










JACKIE LOMAX - SOUR MILK SEA

b/w THE EAGLE LAUGHS AT YOU

THE AMERICAN BREED - GREEN LIGHT

The American Breed are best known for their '67 worldwide smash hit "Bend Me Shape Me", and this Chicago based band wore their soul influence so well that they eventually evolved into funk superstars Rufus in the '70's.

"Green Light" was one of several follow up singles to "Bend", and while it made only a slight impression on the charts, is a fine example of an interracial group laying down some fantastic, stomping soul sounds on top of a catchy-veering-into-bubblegum territory song. Basically, a perfect single.

from 1968...

THE AMERICAN BREED - GREEN LIGHT

THE DAYLIGHTERS - OH MOM (TEACH ME HOW TO UNCLE WILLIE)

(originally posted 2/17/11)

I've been on a serious hard driving r&b kick lately, as evidenced by yesterday and today's posts.

This is one WILD record, from a group known more for smooth vocal harmonies. The Uncle Willie dance was a massive sensation in Chicago during '63-'64, and spawned many records related to the craze. Out of all of them that I've heard (I have a handful of them) this is by far my favorite and it's so much more EXTREME than the other Uncle Willie records! The Uncle Willie itself is a cool, simple step that involves shuffling the feet heel to toe; dancing the Uncle Willie to this song is sure to be a great way to lose weight and have fun in the process.

from 1964...

THE DAYLIGHTERS - OH MOM (TEACH ME HOW TO UNCLE WILLIE)

MOSES & JOSHUA - GET OUT OF MY HEART b/w THEY DON'T WANT US TOGETHER

No, it's not a gospel record (although the duo name could easily leave that impression), and while there may not be any brimstone in the grooves, there's plenty of fire!

Moses is Moses Dillard, a very talented man who formed a touring r&b revue called The Dynamic Showmen in South Carolina while he was still a teenager c1963, and had a long career as both vocalist and hot shot session guitarist in Muscle Shoals.

By '66, he was paired up as a duo with James Moore ("Joshua") for a few singles released during '66-'68, of which this was their peak, in my opinion. "Get Out Of My Heart" is an uptempo stormer with some fabulous dual vocals, undoubtedly influenced by Sam & Dave; however, these two are not mere copyists as they perform with their own identities. The flip side, "They Don't Want Us Together" is a heart melting, gorgeous deep soul track that showcases the crooning ability of these fine singers.

from 1967...

MOSES & JOSHUA  - GET OUT OF MY HEART

b/w THEY DON'T WANT US TOGETHER

THE LOST WEEKEND - TROUBLE

The Lost Weekend were a group from Gary, IN (25min or so outside of Chicago) that are best known for their (minor hit) group harmony 45 "The Bridge Of Love". This side is something else entirely; a fuzz guitar leads a jazzy soul track (punctuated by driving congas), alongside the social commentary delivered by some top notch vocals.

from c1971...

THE LOST WEEKEND - TROUBLE

WILLIAM BELL - A TRIBUTE TO OTIS (A TRIBUTE TO A KING)

 Happy birthday, Otis Redding.

This record is one of the most heartfelt, soulful tributes ever cut to wax.

William Bell wrote this song days after Otis' tragic death in 1967 and sent it to Otis' widow Zelda more as a private message of sympathy. Legend has it that Zelda loved the track so much she insisted that Stax release it, immediately. Thankfully, they did.

The beautiful picture sleeve shown here is a French issue.

from 1968...

WILLIAM BELL - A TRIBUTE TO OTIS (A TRIBUTE TO A KING)