Thursday, August 7, 2014

Aesop's Fables - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me/They Go Out And Get It (1968)


Not a huge fan of this one in general, but I think the B-side is a bit better.





Blues Magoos - One By One/Dante's Inferno (1967)

Two fantastic yet completely different sides of the Blues Magoos.  The A-side was on their smash hit album "Psychedelic Lollipop", yet the B-side is apparently a single-only release for whatever reason.

Just a quick note: I don't advocate the use of mind-altering substances, but you might need one or two to appreciate the B-side at its fullest potential...





Marvin's Circus - Come To Me/Two Losers (1967)

Here's some nice bubblegum from an Ohio band. Never seen a stock copy of this one.
The B-side has never been compiled anywhere, and it's a pretty funny song, so here are the lyrics.

"I was drawn to the track by magnetic attack
For to enjoy some recreation
When I soon got the urge for a buck or two to splurge
And began this one-man conversation:

"Yes, I will win.
No, I can't lose.
I'm full of sin
(Or is it booze?)"

All at once it began, my million-dollar plan
For the horses were now in the running.
Mine was in second place, behind just one space.
Please, jockey, please do something cunning!

Do what you can
To win this race
Or else this plan
Will be a disgrace.

In a minute I would know: would it win or place or show?
For the race was just about completed.
I just hope that he goes and wins it by a nose
For I can't afford to be defeated.

Please break ahead
Oh, don't stop now!
Don't trade this race
For a call-out(?)!

Well, as you might have guessed, that horse was second best
Though I must 'mit, I'm really that much wiser.
As for that poor hag, that wretched, sorry nag,
He ended up a bag of fertilizer."








Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Mom's Apple Pie - Dawn Of A New Day (1972)

This group is, tragically, best known for album cover art that features a subtle "apple pie" of sorts (though the proper terminology might have something to do with cherries, but let's keep it classy, shall we?)...and being on the controversial Terry Knight's Brown Bag label likely didn't help matters.  It's a shame they didn't make it big (...sorry) for anything other than that cock-up (...really sorry).

As a side note, the Brown Bag company sleeve is designed just like a brown bag, complete with a jagged edge at the top. Cool, huh?



Timmy Willis - Gotta Get Back To Georgia/Don't Let Temptation (Come Between You And Me) (1968)

Getting away from rock for a moment, this is a prime soul record that's got great screaming vocals by Mr. Willis himself.  Would you believe 99 cents at an antique mall?






The Crescent Six - And Then (1965)

This is a record I never thought I'd own.  It's a great moody garage song that appeared on the renowned "A Heavy Dose of Lyte Psych" compilation in 1997.  I first discovered it while making a garage mixtape from YouTube uploads a few years ago, and now a copy is in my hands!  (And don't worry, it sounds much better than it looks.)



Rasputin's Stash - Your Love Is Certified (1971)

I know little about this band, but this is a great piece of soulful radio-ready rock from a label that churned out a little bit of everything.


The Stillroven - Hey Joe/Sunny Day (1967)

I know, I know...you could spend a day and a half counting all the covers of "Hey Joe" floating around.  But in my opinion, the three best versions are by the Heywoods, Euphoria's Id, and this Minnesota band, the Stillroven.  And wouldn't you know it, the B-side is a fantastic slice of garage/psych too! Something for everyone.






The Barbarians - Take It Or Leave It (1965)

The A-side of this hit record, "Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl", is well-known from inclusion on Nuggets and other compilations.  Yet for whatever reason, the B-side seems to be overlooked and underrated, so here it is.



Monday, August 4, 2014

Kent Morrill - The Dream Maker (1972)

Kent Morrill was legendary among Pacific Northwest garage rock fans as the lead singer of the Wailers.  This record is completely different from any of the Wailers' output, but is still a nice bit of orchestrated pop.


The Gibsons - Hey Girl/The Magic Book (1968)

Here's a nice piece of UK bubblegum, or psych (depending on which terminology you feel applies better) from a group across the water.  This appears to have been a minor hit in the UK, despite being marketed towards the pre-teen crowd.  The B-side was later covered by Peter's Pipers, among other groups.





The Rugbys - The Light (1969)

Their second release after their smash hit "You, I", this Louisville band fronted by Steve McNicol released this great psych song as the B-side to "Wendegahl The Warlock", which was much less of a hit than their breakout single.



Ratchell - Julie My Woman/Out Of Hand (1972)

Sadly, the most notable thing about this record seems to be the band's logo on the label - common practice for some labels, like Elektra, but not so much for Decca.  This and Ratchell's other release (which, also on Decca, has a different logo) are the only ones I've seen on the label with a band logo.






Circus - Stop, Wait & Listen/I Need Your Love (1972)

I believe this record was a regional hit in Cleveland, Ohio.  Both sides are pretty great, but unfortunately, it's not the easiest record to find and the A-side has some needle burn...

This one came from a sparsely-populated (in terms of records) flea market in Lawrenceburg, Indiana a couple of years ago.





The Rock And Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Co. Of Philadelphia - 19141 - On A Summer Night (1968)

Try to say that band name five times fast with a mouth full of bubblegum!  This tune was re-released under the much more concise name "Sugar Canyon".

I have to apologize for the horrible sound on this one - I bought this Canadian pressing and did not expect it to be as badly mastered as it was.  I'll have to keep an eye out for a cheap US edition.



Double Feature - Handbags and Glad Rags/Just Another Lonely Night (1967)

A recent eBay purchase. I discovered the B-side thanks to the '60s Psych Pop Treasures compilations, but quickly discovered that the A-side was fantastic as well.