The Rance Allen Group: Lying On The Truth and Up Above My Head [1972]

Rance and his brothers Tommy and Stevie doing their thing "live" at the Wattstax Festival, Los Angeles Coliseum, August 20, 1972. Brother Tommy in particular gets stupid nice on drums during Lying On The Truth with some sick hi-hat/snare interplay. According to my liner notes, "Unbelievably, Rance had never played [Lying On The Truth] before and never would again." How about that?

See the movie!

Donny Hathaway: Jealous Guy (Live) [1972]

"I was dreamin' of the past..."

Could this be the best Lennon cover? Just a year after the song's release on Imagine, Hathaway must have felt a strong pull to do this on his own terms; to make this song his own. His arrangement brings with it a freight train of sincerity, soul and emotional baggage to bring the house down. When he's 'shivering inside' you know his heart's breaking right in front of you. When it takes two syllables just to sing 'cry' at the 2 minute mark, well, damn, will someone please forgive Donny?

Grateful Dead: Peggy-O [1977]

Recorded at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ on 9/3/77, and broadcast on WNEW in New York.

Buy Dick's Picks Volume 15 here.

Fashiøn:
Something In Your Picture (Alternate Playback) [1982]
Street Mechanik [1982]

The beautiful sonic environment that is "Something In Your Picture (Alternate Playback)" must be heard on vinyl and at high volume to be fully inhabited, but hopefully this will at least give a sense.

Gabor Szabo:
Rambler
It's So Hard To Say Goodbye
Reinhardt

from Rambler [Creed Taylor Industries, 1973]

all compositions by Wolfgang Melz

Lemon Jefferson: Two White Horses [1927]

Four-on-the-floor.

Nicodemus: Computer Knife And Fork [1986]

No fucking clue what this is about, but I like it.

Talk Talk: Another Word [1982]

Mark Hollis - Vocals
Lee Harris - Drums
Mike Robinson - Mixing
Paul Webb - Bass
Simon Brenner - Keyboards

Buy The Party's Over here.

Aquarius Producoes Artisticas: Wave [1972]

I'm told that "Aquarius Producoes Artisticas" = Marcos Valle and Azymuth. This is from an album called Brazil By Music: Fly Cruzeiro, which was produced for Cruzeiro Airlines, either for promotional purposes or (I hope) for in-flight listening. It seems to me that the melody of this Jobim standard somehow contains the meaning of life, and, like most great easy-listening tunes, it sounds a bit like this.

own it for 9,800 yen

801: Rongwrong-->Sombre Reptiles [1976]

from 801 Live, recorded at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 3 September 1976

"Rongwrong" was written by Quiet Sun-drummer and This Heat-founder Charles Hayward. Genius melody and chords. A drummer wrote that? :)

It occurs to me that in addition to "Sombre Reptiles", I also listened to Peter Gabriel's "Excellent Birds" yesterday. How many adjective/animal jams can you name?

David Bowie: Be My Wife [1977]

Buy Low here.

Charles Mingus: Adagio Ma Non Troppo [1972]

I've been listening to Let My Children Hear Music a lot as of late. I love this song - it reminds me of "Bolero", "Sketches of Spain", and the score to some unfinished epic. Dim the lights and be transported.

A.D. presents: the Over The Edge soundtrack (highlights)

Cheap Trick: Hello There [1977]
Cheap Trick: Downed [1977]
Halen: You Really Got Me [1978]
Jimi: Come On (Part 1) [1968]
The Ramones: Teenage Lobotomy [1977]
Valerie Carter: Ooh Child [1977]

Did anyone see that movie Over The Edge [1979]? I remember seeing it on cable at my dad's house in the early 80's, and for whatever reason it made a lasting impression. Please enjoy these selections from the soundtrack, of which the highlight is, for me, Valerie Carter's wicked soft-rock take on "Ooh Child", which memorably closes the film as the kids ride off on a bus to reform school.

In researching this movie I have learned that it was a favorite of Kurt's; indeed one of his 3 favorite movies. When Kurt used to rock those goofy oversized sunglasses it was apparently a subtle tribute to the taciturn, sunglasses-wearing character of "Johnny" from O.T.E.

Furthermore, one can not overstate the influence of Cheap Trick on Nirvana. I remember Kurt citing them as an influence in an interview, and after re-listening to these Cheap Trick tracks I'm seeing the connection more and more, even down to Robin Zander's hair.

To read more about Over The Edge, look no further than ClaudeZachary.ote, clearly the premier O.T.E. website on the Internet. Which other site features painstakingly-rendered scale-models of New Granada in miniature?

The Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil (The Neptunes Full Length Remix) [2003]
The Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil (Fatboy Slim Full Length Remix) [2003]

Because it's Friday and I don't think we have any more versions of Also Sprach Zarathustra to post.

Buy the album here.

The Jack Bruce Band: How's Tricks [1977]

Floorboards and high skies.

Buy the album here.

Phil Manzanera/801: Island [1977]

from the album Listen Now

Grandmixer D.ST.: Megamix II: Why Is It Fresh? [1984]

There is massive jackhammering and drilling going on right outside my window as I type this (not to mention dudes yelling at each other in Russian), so the only thing I can do to match the chaos is to crank this oldie-but-goodie from the formative years of rap.

Nice Lars Ulrich-style double-bass drum work on this.

Choking on sawdust now. Gotta run...

Brainticket: Black Sand [1971]
Brainticket: Places of Light [1971]

Joel Vandroogenbroeck: organ, flute
Ron Bryer: guitar
Werni Frohlich: bass guitar
Cosimo Lampis - drums
Wolfgang Paap - tablar
Voice by Dawn Muir
Hellmuth Kolbe - Potentiometers, Generators and Soundeffects

You know that any band with a guy named Cosimo on drums is going to, at the very least, have good equipment.

Taken from Cottonwoodhill, which you should buy from the link below.

Back cover:
Join in...
Listen to the first
recording of this LSD/
Hashish/Fixy/Jointy
Sound.
Take a trip to your
inner light.
See the hallucinations
of reality rise out
of the groove.
you've got
your brainticket now!
Hallelujah!

Inside cover:
Advice
After listening to this record your friends
won't know you anymore.

Warning
Only listen once a day to this record.
Your brain might be destroyed!

Hallelujah Records takes no responsibility.

Suffice to say, right now I wish I was living in 1971 Switzerland.

To buy Cottonwoodhill and read more about it, go to Other Music, and search for "Cottonwood hill". The space is necessary.

Family Fodder: Film Music [1981]

Crikey. I finally got around to listening to some of these Family Fodder singles last night, and while I knew this band was good, I didn't expect to be blown away to this degree. I listened to this song about 7 times in a row. As of right now, this is my favorite song of all time and Family Fodder is the G-BOAT (Greatest Band...). This song is really reminding me of something, I can't figure out what. Maybe Gold Soundz (similar harmelodics, and both songs use the word "empty"), but I still don't think that's it.

Visit the Dark Beloved Cloud to order your copy of Water Shed, the first new Family Fodder album in 17 years! (Dark Beloved Cloud has a lot of cool older FF material available, too.)

We have to stop for lunch!

Can: Musette [1976]
Can: Aspectacle [1979]

Musette features:
Holger Czukay: bass guitar
Michael Karoli: guitar
Jaki Liebezeit: drums, percussion
Irmin Schmidt: keyboards, synthesizer
Damo Suzuki: vocals

Aspectacle features:
Michael Karoli: guitar
Jaki Liebezeit: drums
Irmin Schmidt: keyboards
Rosco Gee: bass
Rebop Kwaku Baah: percussion
Holger Czukay: editing

Buy Can here.

The Rolling Stones: I love ladies [1974]
The Rolling Stones: Dance (pt. 2) [1979]
The Rolling Stones: Too tough [1983]

Three studio outtakes from Keith, Mick, & Co.

I love ladies is from the Black & Blue sessions. Dance (pt. 1) is the second outtake (of 3) from the Emotional Rescue sessions. Too tough is from the Undercover sessions.

The album version to Dance (pt. 1) was posted by SPC back when Emmett was away. It's worth listening to the outtake version followed immediately by the studio version.

Buy Undercover here.

Malcolm McLaren and the World Famous Supreme Team: Hobo (Scratch) [1983]

We on a world tour with Mr. Malcolm McLaren
Going each and every place including Spain
Asia, Africa, Tokyo, Mexico
We went to the places where the people told him not to go

produced by Trevor Horn

Willie Bobo: Sunshine Superman and Sunny

from the Verve LP Feelin' So Good

"Sunny" was written and originally recorded by Bobby Hebb. Does anyone know Bobby's "Sunny '76"? Is it worth checking out?

Willie Bobo on CD

Eddie Condon and the Dixieland All-Stars: La Vie En Rose [1962]

"Few people, even among fellow players, follow Condon's own habits: boilermakers (whiskey with a beer chaser) at the bar and milk at home (he thinks milk will keep away ulcers)."
--From the 12.31.45 issue of TIME

Another in the series of versions of La Vie En Rose (see here). This with a Dixieland twist. Swizzinging.

Charley Jordan: Keep It Clean [1930]

If you want to go to heaven when you D-I-E, you got to put on your collar and your T-I-E.

own it!

György Ligeti: Clocks and Clouds, for 12 female voices and orchestra [1972-73]

recorded in 2001 by the Asko/Schönberg Ensemble and the Cappella Amsterdam, conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw

I mentioned back here that this was next Ligeti jam I wanted to hear (based on the title, of course). Fortunately the Internet was listening, and our colleagues at Good Vibrato kindly ruled it here. Thanks, guys.

Hear it in crystal-clear CD-quality sound.

Talking Heads: The book I read [1977]
Talking Heads: No compassion [1977]
Talking Heads: 1-2-3 Red light [1977]

These are taken from the widely-owned FM recordings of the Talking Heads' December 3, 1977 show at the Old Waldorf Theater, in San Francisco.

1-2-3 Red Light is a cover of 1910 Fruitgum Co.'s 1968 single. Find the original on this blog.

Magazine: My Tulpa [1978]
Magazine: Parade [1978]
Magazine: Rhythm of Cruelty [1979]
Magazine: Philadelphia [1980]

A burst of Magazine because I read their catalog will be re-released, and I think they are ace. Their first album is one classic composition after another.

Buy this or hold out for the re-release, which will include bonus tracks.

Hot Chocolate: Put Your Love In Me [1978]

from the album Every 1's A Winner

produced by Mickie Most

sleeve design by Hipgnosis

Change up the groove on this and you could have a dub-reggae tune. Big thanks to Mike for turning me on to Hot Chocolate via the awesome double A-sided single posted last week.

HC on CD

R.I.P. Vinyl Mania. [1978-2007]

Its mortal coil has shuffled but its spirit lives on.

Thelonious Monk: The Man I Love [1971]

NYC all-stars Thelonious and George team up on this mega-depressing facemelter, recorded November 15, 1971, in London, England.

own it!

Flash and the Pan: Waiting For A Train (disco version) [1983]

According to everyhit.com, here is the UK top 20 for late June 1983:

1. Rod Stewart -- Baby Jane
2. The Police -- Every Breath You Take
3. Irene Cara -- Flashdance... What A Feeling
4. David Bowie -- China Girl
5. Elton John -- I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
6. Wham! -- Bad Boys
7. Mike Oldfield -- Moonlight Shadow
8. Flash & The Pan -- Waiting For A Train
9. Shalamar -- Dead Giveaway
10. Bucks Fizz -- When We Were Young
11. Michael Jackson -- Wanna Be Startin' Something
12. Freeez -- IOU
13. Yazoo -- Nobody's Diary
14. George Benson -- Lady Love Me (One More Time)
15. Nick Heyward -- Take That Situation
16. H2O -- Dream To Sleep
17. Booker Newbury III -- Love Town
18. Bob Marley & The Wailers -- Buffalo Soldier
19. Shakatak -- Dark Is The Night
20. Paul Young -- Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)

Are there any other hidden gems in there that I should know about?

NOTE: Our colleagues at Talking In Stereo have included this track in their latest mix. Check it out. Also, here's the instrumental version in case anyone is craving 7 more minutes of this.

This post is dedicated to Casey Kasem.

Flash and the Pan on CD

King For A Day:
Goodbye
Stay

It's my special pleasure today to be ruling a couple of freshly-minted jams from King For A Day, featuring Randall Funke on guitar, Danny Labich on guitar and vocals, and the top-flight rhythm section of Eric Kalb and Benj LeFevre (both formerly of Deep Banana Blackout). Randy and I have been pals since Centerfold was top of the pops, and I still can't comprehend how he learned to play guitar like that.

Check out kingforaday.org for upcoming shows in the tri-state area; check their myspace and youtube pages for additional KFAD goodies.

Junior Murvin: Police & Thieves [1977]

Junior with Lee Perry on the boards.

The same year, The Clash thieve the tune and never look back.

Phish: Also Sprach Zarathustra [1998]
Phish: Horn [1998]

Recorded at MSG on 12/29/1998.
Horn was added to this post following a rare request.

Other versions of 2001 from:
The Professionals here.
Prophetic Band here.
Meireles e Sua Orquestra here.
This series may or may not continue.

Jerry Garcia: (Finders) Keepers [1973]

Performed on a Wednesday night, 1/17/73, at Keystone in Berkeley, CA.

Setlist.com claims this is the lineup:
Garcia & Saunders w/Jim Vincent, Jerry Love & Roger Troy. w/Bill Kreutzmann & Martin Fiero.

Jerry takes over around the 6 minute mark. Sweetness.

Recorded about a week after the shows that produced this album. Buy it.

Genesis: The Musical Box [1973]

taken from Genesis Live

Been listening to this one again for the first time in about 20 years. You can pretty much see the dwarves dancing around the plinth at the 4:08 mark, but/and the last three minutes will never stop ruling. I'm going with the live version so you can hear the amps buzz.

Steely Dan: Black Cow [1977]

On a rainy day like this a man can't be blamed for wanting to spend the afternoon at Rudy's. So this one goes out to all those happening people in Bucksnort, TN, New York, NY, New Haven, CT, or Tromse, Norway.

In the corner
of my eye
I saw you in Rudy’s
You were very high

Shirley Bassey: What I Did For Love [1976]

engineered by Martin Rushent

from the album Love, Life And Feelings

On a cold, rainy day such as today, one feels the need to be enveloped in the warmth of a voice like Dame Shirley's. No computerized pitch-correction here -- just straight-up talent.

Jesus Acosta & The Professionals: Also sprach zarathustra [1977]
Jesus Acosta & The Professionals: Mambo en sax [1977]
Jesus Acosta & The Professionals: Rio Ontario [1977]

This album was very difficult to track down on the Internet and will probably be for sale on eBay by the end of the week. Rio Ontario ought to be in somebody's student film.

Find other versions of 2001 from:
Prophetic Band here.
Meireles e Sua Orquestra here.
This series may or may not continue.

Find more from The Professionals here.

Hot Chocolate: So you win again [1977]
Hot Chocolate: A part of being with you [1977]

Both sides to a 1977 single from Hot Chocolate. The b-side is very faithful to its descendant. Someone mentioned that A part of being with you was originally by Hot Chocolate, and that comment inspired this post. I've lost that comment.

So you win again was number one on the charts in the UK in 1977.

Stay tuned for more from The Professionals of Belize tomorrow.

But music from Hot Chocolate here.

Dillinger: Flat Foot Hustling [1977?]

produced by Winston "Niney" Holness

Anyone know the year? Or have an mp3 of a longer version or a dub version or Dennis Brown's "Here I Come Again"? Email us with reckless abandon if you do.

Dillinger on CD

Gabor Szabo: Summer Breeze and Mizrab [1972]

from Mizrab

featuring:
Gabor Szabo on public saxophone
Billy Cobham - drums on Mizrab
Jack DeJohnette - drums on Summer Breeze
Bob James - piano/organ
Ron Carter - bass
Ralph MacDonald - percussion

recorded December 1972 in Hackensack, New Jersey