Bari & The Breakaways - I Can’t Explain
Posted on April 21, 2008 by Kris Holmes
Quite possibly the finest & most fully realised R&B band to emerge from a sixties New Zealand scene that had a number of fine bands. The Breakaways were the first to get a taste of national success, inspired by bands such as the Rolling Stones, the Kinks & the Pretty Things. "I Can't Explain" was their first single, it was released in 1965 & backed with a cover of the Tommy Tucker/the Kinks track "Long Tall Shorty". Over their 3 year career they released six 45s & two LPs, none of which are that easy to find these days. The Who's "I Can't Explain" was never released as a single locally in New Zealand. Instead, local record companies would give their local bands piles of promo 45s from the UK & US to choose a song to record for their own 45. The label would then often not release the international version with the local recording being released instead. I bet there were some gems of 45s in those stacks given away to local musicians of the time. All of the remaining members of the Breakaways have stayed reasonably active in music & I was fortunate to catch them at a reunion show late in 2007. They were still pretty amazing & I count myself as being pretty lucky to have gotten a chance to witness them live. The interested should still be able to find a CD reissue of both their LPs without too much trouble, well worth it as both LPs are considered something of Garage/R&B classics that now command hefty prices.
To read more on the band check this page: http://www.sergent.com.au/breakway.html
Filed under: 45's and 7's, Garage / Freakbeat, Pop / Rock
3 Comments to “Bari & The Breakaways - I Can’t Explain”
No.
His name was Bari Gordon, he sadley passed away in 1969 at the age of 22.
Leave a Comment
is that bari tashian of “The Remains”??