Monthly Archives – October 2008

Howard Nishioka – Street Songs

If I had to distill the essence of this album down to one word, I would go with Maelstrom. If I’ve got two words to work with then it’s Shit Storm. Howard Nishioka, who plays electric and acoustic guitar and bass guitar (and vocals on a couple songs), sounds like a man tearing holes in […]

Problems of Adolescence: A Guide For Teacher-Led Discussion

Unintentionally(?) over the top and hilarious Teacher’s Aid lp from the 60’s highlighting various “problems” the modern teacher/parent might face. It’s all acted out in skits which have a bizarre, stilted, almost John Waters-esque melodrama factor, and few if any seem to actually have any closure or teach any lesson. I’d give anything to be […]

Rod Poole – For Bag / Derek

Rod Poole was an excellent and unique musician who died a tragic and pointless death in mid-2007. Todd S. Jenkins wrote “On May 13, 2007, Poole and his wife, Lisa, were walking through the parking lot of Mel’s Drive-In in Hollywood when a car driven by Angela Sheridan, 24, of Los Angeles, nearly backed into […]

Tom Carlile & The Craftsmen: Original Sounds

Tom Carlile would later see some success as a country artist, but this early LP is previously undocumented. Dating from circa 1968, it’s a vanity pressing with a certain amount of money poured into it, as indicated by the prestigious studios where it was recorded. I guess they didn’t have any dough left for a proper artist […]

Marquee Revue: Live

The generic ‘sun-dial’ cover keeps delivering hits, here in the form of an early 70s club band who pack a lot more punch than expected. Straight outta Omaha, the Marquee Revue have more in common with fuzzed out hippie cover bands like Smack or Marble Phrogg than the lounge-rock acts they’re usually lumped in with. They […]

Moods: Live At Turner Hall

Apart from everything else, the great state of Texas produced a number of cool club band LPs in the 1960s. Kenny & The Kasuals’ “Impact” is familiar to many, and the Jades from Dallas cut two enjoyable albums in a similar style. The Moods, from Luling, didn’t release this until 1969, but for all practical […]

Teen Challenge: Praise-In

As a second generation Orange Countian who squandered his youth on drugs I can’t help but identify with these youngsters in some strange way. Who knows, it could have totally been Rick from Anaheim* who rode shotgun that one time my Dad, hopped up on Angel Dust, hot-wired a car and cruised to the Long […]

Stan Tracey: Under Milk Wood (Columbia 1965)

Comped by Peterson, known by many, inspired by Dylan Thomas – I need to include the track Starless and Bible Black in this chart for the simple reason it is one of the most emotive, and tragically deep British Jazz cuts I’m aware of. Bobby Wellins whispering treatment on tenor sax is simply spellbinding, Tracey’s […]

Tonton Macoute: S/T (RCA Neon 1971)

Not a straight Jazz LP the group draw on their various influences in this Jazz/Prog/Blues mongrel recording. As a whole the album works well with the Jazzier moments shining through on several numbers. The track included here is called. “Don’t Make Me Cry” [Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Johnny Griffin: Foot Patting (Youngblood 1970)

Originally released in 68 as “Lady Heavy Bottom’s Waltz” on Vogue. A great LP featuring – Johnny Griffin, Benny Bailey, Ake Persson, Sahib Shihab, Francy Boland, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clare, Kenny Clarke. Highly VG+ friendly with several Mod / Soul Jazz cuts and several boppy numbers. Known widely for the dance-floor track “Turks Bolero” featuring […]