The SONICS - WITCH

Here's one for everyone who will be dressing up as this song's title for Halloween tonight. Or for anyone else who appreciates the raw, driving sound of Tacoma's finest garage rockers, The Sonics.

from 1964...

The SONICS - WITCH

THE EASYBEATS - I'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY (JUST LIKE YOUR MAMA WANTS)

Note to potential wise guys: yes, this from an EP but it still spins at 45 RPM!

Here's a storming raver from Australia's finest (and first to have a worldwide hit) The Easybeats. This is a track that was only released on the Australian "Easyfever" EP and just might be my favorite thing from these guys. "easyfever" in fact was a term coined by the press to describe (just like "Beatlemania") Australia's rabid reaction to this group that caused near riots down under.

from 1966...

THE EASYBEATS - I'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY (JUST LIKE YOUR MAMA WANTS)

MAURICE & THE RADIANTS - BABY YOU'VE GOT IT

Shortly after The Radiants cut their biggest hit (the superb "Voice Your Choice") the group gave front man (and songwriter) Maurice McAlister top billing for this great record. Simply another fine example of the sophistication of Chicago soul. Minnie Ripperton is also singing the exquisite backing vocals on this track. Maurice left the group shortly afterwords and began cutting records with Mac McLaren as Maurice & mac.

from 1966...

MAURICE & THE RADIANTS - BABY YOU'VE GOT IT

BEN E. KING - CRY NO MORE

First off, let me apologize about the heavy surface noise on this record. It's the type of thing that doesn't stop me from enjoying a record and this is a tricky one to find.

After leaving the Drifters, Ben had a glorious career (including "Stand By Me" which is not only one of the most popular oldies of all time but also inspired hundreds of other records, rhythmically; records that are affectionally known today as "popcorn").

Inexplicably, this incredible song wasn't a hit, anywhere. In this listeners' opinion, this track stands proudly next to "Stand By Me" and "There Goes My Baby" as Ben E's finest moments on wax (and perhaps my favorite). This is also another soaring, epic production by the legendary Bert Berns.

from 1965...

BEN E. KING - CRY NO MORE

CANDY & THE KISSES - THE 81

In this song, Philadelphia producer Jerry Ross "took on" the Motown sound full on with a group of young ladies that sound eerily similar to Martha & The Vandellas. "The 81" is one of the more obscure mid-60's dances that went along with Martha's "In My Lonely Room", and this song cops the feel of that song pretty well, and adds another dimension (the production is almost Motown meets Wall Of Sound to my ears), topped off with sublime girl group vocals.

I absolutely LOVE the twists and turns that the song takes, especially after each chorus. Sublime!

from 1965...

CANDY & THE KISSES - THE 81

MEMPHIS SLIM - CLAP YOUR HANDS

Here's a real raver that was brought to my attention by a list member as being a song I would like (how right he was!)

I was very surprised to learn that Memphis Slim cut a "beat" number like this (that was a big hit in France, apparently). But I guess it's not that surprising after all considering his career was full of uptempo blues.

from 1965...

MEMPHIS SLIM - CLAP YOUR HANDS

THE INTERTAINS - GOTTA FIND THE GIRL b/w I SEE THE LIGHT

This may be the first post ever on this blog on a record from Cleveland, OH (although its' release on a Philadelphia based label made many believe for years that they were a Philly group and with their smooth sound it's easy to make that assumption).

A smashing double sider, both sides have a great, dreamy quality. This was the groups debut single; they released a few more that sadly sank without a trace.

from 1966...

THE INTERTAINS - GOTTA FIND THE GIRL

THE SORROWS - TAKE A HEART

Maximum (UK) R&B right here. The heartbeat pattern that the rhythm guitar and bass do throughout the song is completely mind-boggling.

An absolutely incredible song from this Coventry, UK group. Sadly, this group was ignored in their homeland and abroad (but achieved success in Italy!)

from 1965...

THE SORROWS - TAKE A HEART

SKIP EASTERLING - KEEP THE FIRE BURNING

While he is little known outside of New Orleans (and soul collector circles) Skip Easterling is one of the finest (and under appreciated) "blue eyed soul" singers in history. here, he is paired with NOLA genius Eddie Bo behind the board for an absolute classic of stomping Crescent City soul.

There's a great history on Skip HERE:
http://www.ponderosastomp.com/music_more.php/106/Skip+Easterling

from 1967...

SKIP EASTERLING - KEEP THE FIRE BURNING

THE CAVALIERS - I'VE GOTTA FIND HER

Even though this track has been a staple on the Northern Soul scene for ages, I am not able to find much biographical info at all about the group. As always, if you know anything, please write. This is a great song with an unusual stop-start arrangement and top notch performances.

from 1967...

THE CAVALIERS - I'VE GOTTA FIND HER

GENE CHANDLER - AFTER THE LAUGHTER (HERE COME THE TEARS)

In the ongoing quest of featuring just about everything released by Gene (up til around 1970), here's another perfectly crafted piece of Chicago soul from the golden age. Even though the titles are similar, a completely different song than Wendy Rene's brilliant"After Laughter (Comes Tears)" which, by the way, has also been featured on this very blog.

from 1967...

GENE CHANDLER - AFTER THE LAUGHTER (HERE COME THE TEARS)