JOE SIMON - WHEN

Buried as a b-side on one of Joe Simon's final (non-hit) singles for the Sound Stage 7 label, there's something about this track that overcomes its own weaknesses. While the song itself is a very simple statement of purpose, the excellent arrangement and Joe's rich vocal help transcend very average material into an uplifting track that jumped out of my speakers and just seemed RIGHT for a Monday morning.

Joe Simon was born in Louisiana, moved with his family to Richmond, CA (where he began his recording career) and as a young adult ended up in Nashville, TN where he signed to Monument records soul subsidiary Sound Stage 7. We just don't hear voices anymore with the kind of depth that Joe Simon sang with.

from 1970...

POOKIE HUDSON - JEALOUS HEART

It's a real shame that Spaniels lead singer James "Pookie' Hudson didn't record more solo singles during the 60's. His sweet voice was perfect for the soul sounds of the day, as heard here and on the absolutely glorious "This Gets To Me" (a past 45 of the day).

"Jealous Heart" itself is also a model for classic songwriting; the strong structure, melody and lyrics yield the type of song that can be part of ANY genre depending on the arrangement.

from 1963...

DARROW FLETCHER - WHAT GOOD AM I WITHOUT YOU

In the ongoing saga of presenting every release from the amazing Darrow Fletcher, here is perhaps his ultimate record. Doesn't get any better, my friends!

This blazing record is also a nice cross section of Chicago and Detroit talent; Darrow was born in the Detroit suburb of Inkster, moved to Chicago (where he began his career at age 15) but cut this (as well as other sides) with Detroit arranger/ musician Mike Terry.

from 1967...

DARROW FLETCHER - WHAT GOOD AM I WITHOUT YOU

SYL JOHNSON CELEBRATION!

Chicago's fantastic reissue label Numero Group has just released an epic box set covering the first decade of the incredible Syl Johnson's recorded legacy, and I give it my absolute highest recommendation as an essential purchase for anyone reading this blog.

I'm very proud to say that I have a very tiny part in this set in that Numero used a scan of my copy of "Do You Know What Love Is" for the beautiful, lavish booklet included in the set. There's no better time than now to repost that incredible gem of a song, released in 1966 and until now has been one of Syl's toughest tracks to track down.


I can say without hesitation that Syl is not only one of my all time favorite artists, and hopefully this set will spread the word to those who are unaware of this man's genius. Syl is highly skilled at song writing, guitar slinging, producing and THAT VOICE... That voice is soul music personified. I've seen him live recently and it's incredible to see and hear a man in his 70's have so much energy with a voice that has lost none of its power and majesty. All hail Syl!!!

THE GIANT CRAB - ESP

Featuring some of the wildest phase shifting sounds this side of The Small Faces "Itchycoo Park", Santa Barbara, CA's Giant Crab bid farewell with this single after two LP's failed to go anywhere.

This cracker of a song would have been perfect for any number of psych out party scenes that were oh so common in films of the late 60s/early 70s.

from 1969...

THE GIANT CRAB - ESP

LONNIE YOUNGBLOOD - SOUL FOOD b/w GOODBYE BESSIE MAE

A super cool double sider, made even more exciting by the presence of none other than Jimi Hendrix blazing on guitar during one of his earliest sessions.

Just like Hendrix, vocal and sax man Youngblood was transplanted into the bustling New York City music scene (he was born in Augusta, Georgia) and odds are the two met while playing with Curtis Knight & The Squires. Lonnie & Jimi obviously had a great chemistry that was demonstrated on this record (as well as on their other single together, "Go Go Shoes") and while Jimi only gets scant opportunities to cut loose, it's clear from Jimi's breaks on "Bessie Mae" that all the pieces were in place for Hendrix to turn the music world upside down only mere months after this record was cut.

This record has erroneously been credited to 1963 many times, due to the "mistake" date on the label, common to so many Cameo-Parkway (and Motown) record labels.

from 1966...

SOUL FOOD

MAJOR LANCE - COME SEE

Nothing like a little bit of Major Lance to reduce the Monday blues!

As is usual for a Major Lance record, the hooks are massive and the rollicking groove is just gonna make you feel good. Guaranteed.

from 1965...

THE EMOTIONS - SOMEBODY NEW

Comprised of the Hutchinson sisters (Sheila, Wanda and Jeanette), these Chicago ladies released over two dozen singles before crossing over in 1977 with the massive "Best of My Love". This beautiful early track features the type of mind blowing harmonies that are only heard by those of blood relations; absolutely seamless!

Happy halloween; the day we can all be "somebody new"!

from 1968...

LITTLE MILTON - SHE PUT A SPELL ON ME

I thought I knew Little Milton records well, but then on a recent trip to Chicago my man Eric Colin (who also sells great records on ebay as mod9933) laid this one on me that I'd never heard before. It was one of those "oh little record, where have you been all my life" moments, and luckily Eric had an extra copy.

There's nothing else to be said about this smoker other than to just listen to it. And listen to it again. And again. Then turn it up even louder and play it one more time.

from 1963...

LITTLE MILTON - SHE PUT A SPELL ON ME

CAROL JONES - DON'T DESTROY ME

Completely bucking the model of the Detroit sound, this record is one of the rawest, deepest cuts I've ever heard come out of the motor city. Oddly, this record on the tiny Mutt label was also released in three different versions/ mixes! Another version of this song had loud strings ala Detroit, but this version, with its pummeling drums and aching vocals from Ms Jones is the version that knocks my socks off.

One would be forgiven for thinking that this is a recent release from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings; this record is the blueprint for their sound!

from 1968...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Daily 45!

Yes, all, it's been three years since the birth of this blog. Thanks to all of the kind appreciative emails I receive every day from folks around the world it has lasted far longer than I would have ever imagined.

So, as a thank you to all of you who offer moral support, here are two compilations- one soul, one beat- of the best of the first year of posting; all of these files are long deleted from download but they are too good not to share! I selected the tracks by personal faves as well as those that get the most requests. Look for the best of year two, coming soon.


1 Heartbeat 2:31 Gloria Jones
2 Losing Game 2:03 James Carr
3 Magic Corner 3:15 Belita Woods
4 Cause You're Mine 2:12 The Vibrations
5 Soul Is Takin Over 2:49 Henry Lumpkin
6 Illusion 2:43 Bob Brady & The Con Chords
7 Gotta Find A Way 2:03 Theresa Lindsay
8 Some Other Guy 2:20 Richie Barrett
9 I'm A Good Woman 2:21 Barbara Lynn
10 Aint That A Shame 2:38 Lonnie Lester
11 Blowing Up My Mind! 2:48
12 Confessin A Feeling 2:50
13 Rainbow 2:52 Gene Chandler
14 I'm Shakin' 2:27 Little Willie John
15 I Surrender 2:05 Eddie Holman
16 Crazy In Love 2:54 Robbie Montgomery
17 Breakaway 2:18 Toni Basil
18 Cry To Me 2:33 Solomon Burke
19 Peak Of Love 2:39 Bobby McClure
20 Our Love Is In The Pocket 2:46 J.J Barnes
21 Everybodys Goin To The Love In 2:48 Bob Brady & The Con Chords
22 Grounded 2:37 Belita Woods
23 Little Miss Perfect 3:10 Jimmy Dobbins
24 You Better Stop It 2:23 Barbara Mason
25 Echo 2:27 Brenda Holloway
26 I Don't Want A Playboy 1:51 Barbara Lynn
27 Sorry Bout That 2:54 Al Reed
28 After Laughter 2:58 Wendy Rene
29 The Funky Judge 2:52 Alice & The Soul Sensations
30 All Good Things Must End 3:02 The Topics
31 Picture Me Gone 3:17 Evie Sands


1 Scratch My Back 3:03 Tony Joe White
2 Step Inside Love 2:17 Cilla Black
3 Dont Give Me No Lip 2:17 Dave Berry
4 Mystic Eyes 2:44 Them
5 Almost There 2:14 The Turtles
6 Shake 2:29 Shadows Of Knight
7 Whatcha Gonna Do About It 1:59 Small Faces
8 Hurtin For Your Love 2:03 The Balloon Farm
9 Making Time 3:00 The Creation
10 Shaka Shaka Na Na 2:36 The Countdown Five
11 99th Floor 2:16 Moving Sidewalks
12 Just Out Of Reach 2:08 The Zombies
13 Mr Soul (45 RPM mix) 2:36 Burffalo Springfield
14 Let Me Love You 2:15 New Colony Six
15 Pickin Up Sticks 2:39 Kasnat & Katz Fighter Squadron
16 East Side Story 2:26 Bob Seger & The Last Heard
17 Listen Listen 2:37 Merry Go Round
18 No No No No 2:20 Danish Lost and Found
19 Jumbo 2:08 The Bee Gee's
20 Tried To Hide (45 RPM take) 2:20 13th Floor Elevators
21 Leavin Here 2:23 Jimmy Hanna & The Dynamics
22 My Reservations Confirmed 2:51
23 Beauty Queen 1:55 The Herd
24 Omaha 2:20 Moby Grape
25 Babys A Dealer 2:21 Lilys
26 Shes Got Everything 3:07 The Kinks
27 Hide And Seek 3:34 Brian Jonestown Massacre
28 A Question Of Tempature 2:38 The Balloon Farm
29 Sometimes Shes A Little Girl 2:37 Boyce & Hart
30 Think About It 3:46 The Yardbirds
31 Hey Gyp 2:57 The Soul Survivors
32 Stop And Look 2:02 The Id