A Texas Double header : THE MOVING SIDEWALKS - 99TH FLOOR + SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET - MICHOACAN

Folks, please donate whatever you can to help the good people (and pets) of the great state of Texas.

In honor of the Lone Star state, here are two of my FAVORITE Tejas rock n roll records- originally posted here sometime in 2007-2008.

The Moving Sidewalks featured Bill (later Billy) Gibbons on vocals and guitar, pre- ZZ Top. The group became one of the big draws on the Houston scene and not only opened for fellow Texans The 13th Floor Elevators but also when big time touring acts came thru town. Legend has it, when the Sidewalks opened for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimi was so taken by Billy's playing that he gave him a pink Stratocaster and Hendrix was on record as stating how much he liked Gibbon's playing.

Two Sidewalks were drafted, which revamped the lineup and the band became ZZ Top in late 1969. I had the pleasure of meeting the ZZ fellas a few years back, and I mentioned this record to Billy and how much I loved it. His response was 'keep that one in a safe place', and I could swear thatas he said that sentence it sounded like one of harmonized voices as heard on Eliminator and Afterburner.

'99th Floor' will always be a garage rock perennial, as its inclusion on the Pebbles Vol. 2 helped cement its status as one of THE great psychedelic garage rock cuts.

from 1967...

THE MOVING SIDEWALKS - 99TH FLOOR

Ahhhh my beloved Sir Douglas Quintet; originally "designed" by producer (and, most disturbingly a convicted pedophile) Huey P. Meaux to be a Cajun flavored answer' to the British Invasion, the group went on to be pioneers in mixing beat, blues, soul, cajun, psychedelia and Tejano music in a way that shouldn't work but practically ALWAYS did, thanks to the brilliance and genuine soul of Doug Sahm.

This incredible track was cut for the excellent Kris Kristofferson film "Cisco Pike", and was only released as a 45 (itself a record that took me MANY years to find).

from 1971...

SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET - MICHOACAN

(2017 note) FUCK 'Sheriff Joe' for busting these guys for pot back in the '60's, and FUCK HIM for all his other racist atrocities.

THE SEVEN SOULS - I STILL LOVE YOU + I'M NO STRANGER

A few folks have written asking if I plan on making the tracks downloadable again. The answer to that is no, I'm afraid. However, there are several advantages to the new mode: for one thing, artists + songwriters (or their estates) will make a little $ off of the streaming listens. I'm uploading everything in uncompressed audio, so my transfers are nifty quality (other than the surface noise/ groove wear present on my copies). Also, everything will stay up forever (or at least as long as this is all possible). If you MUST d/l, there are plenty of ways to do it off of youtube, but you'll have to figure that out on your own (hint: it's very easy).

(Originally posted 8/2009)

One of the greatest (and quite possibly THE finest) west coast soul records, this sublime 2 sider is a record I dreamed of owning for a long time, and happily it now resides in a special place in my collection. Sure, the labels may be in rough condition but the record sounds great and I am just glad to have it any any condition, and very happy to share it with everyone here. Part of the fun in collecting records is the anticipation of getting certain ones, and if we had 'em all, there's nowhere else to go (so I don't mind if it takes me many years to get that particular record; it's worth the wait). (2017 addendum: I don't have much at all on my want list these days, and the ones remaining are STILL so tough to find, even after so many years of digging IRL and in the virtual world).

The Seven Souls were formed at the University of Oregon, and were an integrated group who moved south to Los Angeles and were taken under the tutelage of musician/ producer/ pimp Larry Williams who cut this absolutely perfect record with them. Sadly, they only released one other record (OK but not at the 'other worldly' level of this one). The group sported not only two phenomenal lead singers (Ivory Hudson takes the lead on 'I Still Love You", and sax player Henry Moore sings 'I'm No Stranger') but also young Bob Welch (later of the early 70's lineup of Fleetwood Mac which gave us "Sentimental Lady") is playing those righteous, upfront guitar licks.

from 1967...

THE SEVEN SOULS - I STILL LOVE YOU + I'M NO STRANGER

Also, I'm making my debut behind the 1's and 2's tonight at FUNKY SOLE... LA's greatest soul party, at The Echo. I'm on the patio at 11:00.

 

GENE CHANDLER - MR BIG SHOT

(first posted 9/16/08)
Gene Chandler was featured MANY times on Daily 45.  I absolutely love the guy, and am fascinated with his career which found him not only as performer, but also songwriter, A&R man, and producer. Gene also worked closely with the incredible creative forces behind the Chicago soul sound (Curtis Mayfield, Carl Davis, etc) and his choice of songs, writing, arrangements, and vocal style is (in this writers humble opinion) are the epitome of (Chicago) soul. This is a tricky record to find, as it was released at the very end of the line for Constellation Records. The label was out of luck, out of money, and out of hits and very few copies were pressed/ distributed. In a way, this record was ahead of its time, in that it shows a much harder edged soul sound (here, the guitar takes front and center in the mix) that started to be more prevalent within the next few years.

from 1966...

GENE CHANDLER - MR. BIG SHOT

Belita Woods - Grounded b/w Magic Corner

(originally posted 3/2007)

Although Belita Woods only released three solo singles, they are three records that I deeply cherish. In the later 70's Belita went on to sing with disco band Brainstorm, and had a few dance hits (driven mightily by her powerful voice) with that group.

Her first release (1967) was the incredible double sider "Magic Corner b/w Grounded"; which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest two-siders in 45 RPM history. 'Grounded' was the b-side, but it's just so damn powerful that I'm featuring it first. I'm a massive fan of the period in soul when the hard edged, funk tinged sound was coming in to more vocal oriented tracks; that sound is displayed here in an unparalleled way. 'Magic Corner' is a dreamy song, but it's no less intense thanks to the unbelievable vocal performance; Belita sings so hard that her voice distorts the tape and/ or microphone in several spots. Magic stuff indeed.

Belita Woods passed away far too young (63) in 2012; she was a touring member of the P-Funk mob for many years, a tiny little lady with a massive voice.

from 1967...

Lezli Valentine - I Won't Do Anything

I'm back!

Gonna keep the daily 45 archives alive as best as I can, with the highest possible audio. It's truly touching how many people still write with kind words, or the people I meet/ speak to in real life that this site has made a positive impact upon.

Can't possibly keep up 'every day', but my goal is to repost something from the archives a few times a week, seasoned with the occasional 'new' track.

(originally posted on 10/12/2012)


This record is downright HAUNTING. A lone acoustic guitar picks out the intro and sets the mood, which leads into the brilliant song and arrangement. Lezli Valentine (a founding member of The Jaynetts), turns in such a gorgeous, restrained performance, and is backed by a heavenly group of ladies (or is it Lezli overdubbed?) on backing vocals.

This record sounds like the soundtrack from a dream, and I can't get enough of it. It's so subtle that the depth of what's happening can easily be overlooked through its hypnotic power.

from 1968...

LEZLI VALENTINE - I WON'T DO ANYTHING

RAY AGEE - THE MONKEY ON MY BACK

I know, I know...it's been a while! I've been very busy establishing my online record store among other things; however, I realized that I've been accumulating some more post- worthy 45's, and it was high time to get back into action.

I can think of no better record than this to return with - this side from Alabama born/ Los Angeles based vocalist Ray Agee (with an uncredited female vocalist who truly steals the show here) is by far the best recent discovery I've had in years. (Of course I would never make any claim on discovering a record - I mean in the sense that it's new to me; however, not many people 'in the know' seem to know about this one.)

Ray Agee made several records with West Coast guitarist Johnny Heartsman, and Johnny cranked out a superb arrangement for this haunting track. While the song itself (and Ray's vocal delivery) is undoubtedly influenced by Ray Charles, the raw vocals and downright frightening lyrics make any comparison inconsequential.

Fate definitely smiled down on me the day that I found this one - I had only 90m or so to spend in a store that had countless boxes of unsorted, filthy 45's. I didn't make it thru every box, but fortunately I did get to the box that had this one. I'd never heard it before, but I know Ray Agee and figured for 50c it would be worthwhile. I certainly was...

from c1963...

RAY AGEE - THE MONKEY ON MY BACK
Upload Music Files - Upload Audio - The Monkey On My Back

FBI - RHYTHM TRIP b/w DO SOMETHING FREE

This record is a complete mystery; not only is it the only known release from this mysterious group called F B I, but it also seems to be the only release from the Oakland, CA based Daisy Records.

Whatever the back story, this is a FREAKY double sided psychedelic funk slab. It kinda goes without saying that this record is RARE (like, REALLY rare); however, I'm not one that freaks out on records just because they're 'grails'. There has to be something captivating in the grooves, and this one has IT. Drum breaks, fuzzed-out wah wah'ed guitar, a SUPER bad bass player, excellent group vocals, creative horn charts? Check. Both sides flat out COOK, and there's just no more words needed for these two jams. I'm taking a guess at the year; if you know more, please write.

I won't say how many exactly, but I traded off BOXES of 45's to score this record a few months back. No joke! Granted, they were mostly cheapies, but it helped stock up my pals Allen and Michael's store (Needle To The Groove, San Jose, CA) with 45's for a LONG time.

from c1971...

FBI - RHYTHM TRIP

DO SOMETHING FREE

SATURDAY'S CHILDREN - CHRISTMAS SOUNDS b/w DECK FIVE

While I don't generally pick favorites, as each year passes this record has gotten deeper and deeper into my soul, and I could probably say that it's my favorite rock n roll Christmas single.

One area that wasn't explored very deeply by US garage bands was the Christmas record; however, Chicago's Saturday's Children were way too sophisticated to be called a garage band.

Here, the band (deeply influenced by the Beatles) melds "Deck The Halls" with Dave Brubeck's jazz standard "Take Five' and turns it into a jazzy, quasi-psychedelic number that I almost guarantee will bring on some holiday cheer. This group had an incredible knack for harmonies, and tackle the tricky 5/4 time signature with ease making for the most hypnotic Christmas record I've ever heard. The other side ("Christmas Sounds") is an exceptional holiday original showcasing their excellent group harmonies and songwriting skill.


from 1966...

SATURDAY'S CHILDREN - CHRISTMAS SOUNDS

b/w DECK FIVE

BETTY LLOYD - SNOWFLAKES

(Originally posted 12/24/11)

One of the prettiest, yet little known soul Christmas singles.

I'm not sure if this Betty Lloyd is the same singer who was a member of the east coast girl group The Percells; Thomas Records  was a Chicago label, and this track certainly has an indelible Chicago stamp on it.

The lyrics brilliantly capture the feeling of being alone at Christmas, but without self pity. Oozing with quality, this song should be a holiday standard.

from 1969...

BETTY LLOYD - SNOWFLAKES

THE MONKEES - CHRISTMAS IS MY TIME OF YEAR b/w WHITE CHRISTMAS

This was a record that I'd been chasing for YEARS until I finally scored a copy a few years back.

Issued both in 1976 (to the fan club in limited numbers) and again in 1986 (this copy), this single hardly ever turns up for sale because both pressings were so limited, and most people tend to hang onto them. I have no idea where the '86 release was even SOLD, as I was both a Monkees fan and reading Goldmine magazine as a youngster during this era and I never remember seeing it for sale, and certainly have never seen it in any record stores. Perhaps producer Chip Douglas repressed it for the fan club only, I'm not sure. I've had both sides of this 45 on a lo-fi bootleg LP for over 20 years, but nothing beats having this copy with the uber-cool picture sleeve showing the fellas in the studio, reunited.

Chip Douglas and (Turtle) Howard Kaylan wrote the song back in 1968, and it was issued as a single by a group calling themselves The Christmas Spirit, which was made up of several Turtles and Linda Ronstadt. While the song was revisited for The Monkees version, it was completely re-arranged in a far superior way for their track, which is pure magic.

The group was unable to use the name Monkees due to legal restrictions, so the record was cleverly released as We Three Monkees. Michael Nesmith chose not to participate, but the rumor mill claims that it's none other than Nez playing pedal steel guitar on both sides. Micky and Davy take turns on the lead vocal, which is heartfelt and lovely, and the song itself is a wonderful thing. What's in the grooves makes it obvious that everyone involved was having a ball when they made the record. Davy takes the lead for a very moving, country flavored version of "White Christmas" on the flip side, which shows how this man could croon with the best of them and how missed he is.

The words written on the back of the picture sleeve, "An expression of friendship and togetherness to make the holidays a little brighter for all of us" couldn't be more spot on.

Whatever it is that you celebrate, I wish you peace, love, and happiness today, tomorrow and everyday.

from 1976...

THE MONKEES - CHRISTMAS IS MY TIME OF YEAR

b/w WHITE CHRISTMAS

Christmas with the Godfather; James Brown wishes you a Merry Christmas

Of course "The Christmas Song" is one of the most-recorded standards of the season, but James Brown beautifully croons the number in a way that wasn't his norm, yet, as usual, he makes the song all his own. His spoken outro is priceless as well.

This single has two takes of the same song, one on each side; both sides were also featured on JB's first (scarce!) Christmas album. 

from 1966...

THE CHRISTMAS SONG

"Don't Leave Nothing for me, I've had my chance you see" is my favorite line on this great track from JB. James Brown and co-lyricist Hank Ballard definitely share the true spirit of giving during the holiday season here, and it's a lesson to all of us. The Godfather remembers that the child without toys was once himself...

YOU can be a Santa Claus yourself by donating to one of my charities of choice - Toys For Tots. Help put a smile on the face of a child this year, and every year. 

from 1968...

SANTA CLAUS GO STRAIGHT TO THE GHETTO

While a few years of shouting the funk may have started putting a strain on James' voice, he returns to his lovely croon on another JB original; "It's Christmas Time". While a lonely Christmas theme may have been used on numerous holiday classics, JB once again puts his own spin on the theme with excellent results and a poetic side that shows the versatility and talent of this legend.

from 1969...

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME