Luie Luie – Touchy
Voted the most talented solider in the US Army, Luie Luie is one brilliantly demented guy. This is a concept album of sorts about “dances” known as “Touchys” that involve, you guessed it, touching people. Some may disagree, but Luie believes that “It is a wonderful idea for people to get together and touch.” Although I often practice Touchys myself, my favorite song is a serious one about the “darker side of life” and has nothing to do with Touchys. Luie plays all the instruments himself, and I’m at a loss of words to describe what’s going on musically so you’ll just have to listen.
Edit: Legit CD reissue now available from Companion Records.
36 Comments
Still plays in Victorville, CA. Apparently his show kicks ass. I met the dude, he is intense and hilarious. Best quote: “Irwin Chusid has a bear in his closet!” If anyone ever finds this record please send it to me.
This might be the most awesome thing I’ve ever heard in my whole life. damn!
his mustache kinda looks like a slug
Wow! That’s some crazy ish.
Wow, his mustache does kinda look like a slug! Was he on Love Boat?
More clips please!
I want this record in an almost physical way.
What do you mean by physical way? Please clarify. :)
What do you mean almost???
Captain Beefheart only wishes he could make records this weird. He HAS to play all the instruments because no one else could hear the beat. Is there reverb on the HORNS? Is it skipping? Is he underwater? Oh, my gosh, this is great, great stuff.
Does anybody know his real name? Under what name does he perform today? How old is he?
i went with my homeboy who is working on releasing the reissue to see luie preform at a mediterrian resturant in victorville about a year and a half ago. luie was getting super fat and soupy on his reverberated trumpet licks and the dixieland clarinet gangsta who was jammin with him was mafia as fuck. indian gaming officials give luie fat tips. scene was sick as fug.
ap
Two weeks ago I found a Luie Luie 7″ from 1976 (Touchy is from 72 or so). Fuzz, moog stabs, Luie’s trumpet, Spanish lyrics, a good disco vibe; one track cops “do it” from ‘The Hustle.’ Some of the heaviest latin funk I’ve ever heard (not like that’s saying much). He really goes for it. Actually it makes El Touchy sound like a ride to grandma’s house. Hope this is on the reissue.
I found this record at WZBC but I can’t figure out when it was put out. Does anyone know?
What the…!?!?!?!?
awesome
more audio cleeeeps!
Wow, talk about out. This is crazy. Reminds me of Coltrane.
I grew up on Luie Luie music at “Ernie’s Mexican Restaurant” on Lankershim Blvd., in North Hollywood. My mother took the original photos for this album cover. I would love to give the negative to Luie Luie since she has passed away. You can contact me via email, Angelitaliana@aol.com
weird but absolutely hip!
Please share more of the information from the back sleeve… He’s a mural painter, a karate fanatic etc etc. I think people would get a kick out of it. Great record.
i think the sound clip sounds like the invaders spacing out album…wish i could hear the whole thing!
I just got my CD issue of Touchy.. And I have been playing it constantly, and I freaking love this album. The best way to enjoy this album is in the company of like-minded audio curio fans. And, repeated listenings will help you decode the din and racket. What first sounds like incompetent noodling and banging will morph itself into a symphony of Latino bachelor pad funk the likes of which you have never heard. Take the music of Herb Albert and mix it with the turmoil and uncertainty of the post-hippie 70’s and you get this. Defintley a product of its time. god bless you, Luie!
someone PLEEEASE reasure me that Luis Johnston is alive and well.
DOUGLAS!!!!!!
could you tell me where i could find that 7″ or will you sell it too me.
Sorry, I sold my copy of Bump Me Baby… But I’m glad to say that Luie is alive and well. Also, if you are getting high on the Luie vibe I recommend you check out a movie called “The Big Turnaround.”
i have a 2 part question for anyone who can answer them.
Did Luis recently overdub the speeches before all the songs on “El Touchy” or was that part of the original Mix.
and second… Does anyone know where he still preforms, i’d give anything to see his act.
Luie recorded the opening statement of authenticity for the CD reissue, but all the song introductions appeared on the original recording.
The LP opens with the words “Hi. My name is Luie Luie. And I’m here to tell you about a new dance called the Touchy.”
What year was the movie “the big turnaround” made?
i found one that ws made in 88′ but saw nothing of luis johnston on it. is he an extra, and is the movie worth owning?
Luie plays a major role in the film. Usually Ernest Borgnine will get top billing, since he’s got the biggest name in the cast.
Luie is credited for his acting under the name Luis Latino. He wrote the screenplay under the name Luis Johnston. He wrote the soundtrack under the name Luie Luie. If you enjoy his album, the film is surely worth owning. At this moment, there are copies available at Amazon.com for less than $1.00. It’s like the Citizen Kane of the border crime action b-movie genre.
i went ahead and ordered “the big turnaround”…
haha, i got my copy for like 10 cents…
thank you so much for the recomandation, and all of the information.
He is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and is still playing in Victorville California. People just love him and adore his music. He is a type of prodigy with music.. He can play any instrument and create all genres of music!!
Does anybody know where I can get his album??
He has the dopest moustache!! He is so awesome!
I always wondered who created touchy.
ha! thats my grampa.
he is really magic!
The Touchy album is still awesome after all these years…I for one would like more of Luie Luie music…Does anyone else want the same??? Please comment if you want more…
I recently picked up a 7″ of “Bump Me Baby”
Thanks to the reissue now I have some great tunes to share with my idiot neighbor who is always blaring his radio with some dumb commercial-laden rock station. That trumpet really packs a blast!