It's time to dip your toes into "Dirty Water" - The Standells and their enduring 1965 hit, that is! We gab about the snotty vocals, their appearance on The Munsters, we rank the drum fills - and of course, we crack the code of the song's lyrics. The next version is by The Gants - who add fuzz and relocate the song to Miami. But they musta forgot to learn the song! The Apollos are some North Carolina kids who keep the song in Boston but their accents would rarely be heard in Southy! The song crossed the pond to Ol' Blighty when The Inmates authored a very Dr. Feelgood-y version. And finally, back to Boston, for a risible, post-World Series win version by Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Pee-yew - go jump in the Charles, Bronson!
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1:48:40
Dumb Head
This week we're talking about a Girl Group Goofy Great - 1963's "Dumb Head" by Ginny Arnell. The lyrics are dangerously self-deprecating, the production is Spectorian, and there's FUZZ and a kazoo solo - played by GA herself. OH, and an infamous hook - something the Ramonesmight have sold their leather jackets for. The second version is super goofy and stoopid and it's by The Sharades, from England. Joe Meek produced it, so it has some otherworldy sounds (via a Clavioline) in addition to GREAT bug music vocals from Maggie & Gloria. No one covered the song until Girlfrendorevived it in the 90s. It's a cover of The Sharades/Joe Meek, not Ginny Arnell and we're getting into the realm of the ironic here. Finally, Primetimereleased a punky version in 2016 that seems to have a bone to pick with the original and just wait for that crucial change to the lyrics. Somebody kiss us please!
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1:25:24
I Don't Believe
This week the spotlight is on a 1965 folk jangler by The Guilloteens: "I Don't Believe" is a raw, blue-eyed soul vocal outing reminiscent of the Righteous Brothers. They shoulda been on The Flintstones!! In 1966, The Five of Us came out with the first cover version. It's less raw, but it's smooth as Kraft Creamy! The same year, The Moonrakers pepped the song up considerably and made it into a toe-tapper. The song returned to Memphis in 2002 when Reigning Sound payed homage to their 60s forebears. It's a pretty muscular version, but the vocals are soft & sensitive. You'll feel no pain!!
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1:25:01
Who? What? Why? When? Where?
A theme episode that's so garage you better test for carbon monoxide:Who Do You Love - The PreachersWhat a Girl Can't Do - The HangmenWhy - The Dirty WurdsWhen Shadows Fall - The JadesWhere You Gonna Go - Art Guy
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1:43:31
Sit Down I Think I Love You
You know what they say about the bird in the hand ... this week the bird is Buffalo Springfield's "Sit Down I Think I Love You." It's a nice jaunty tune with Stephen Stills (we think) pitchin' some clever woo at a potential beloved. And three guitarists! Lots of tasteful flourishes, with some fuzz. The second version (& the first one in the bush) is the hit version by The Mojo Men. It's like a Mississippi boat ride, or a trippy, caftan walk down Scarth Street in Regina, Saskatchewan. But most people just call it "baroque pop." The third bird is from Chicago - The Growing Concern give us a dual-woman vocal attack and a cool psychedelic arrangement - a wild solo! The fourth and final fowl is Simon Turner, who has appeared on our show before as The King of Luxembourg. This one reminds us of Lynn Redgrave's song in "Smashing Time" and the future sounds of Mike Alway's Él Records. Give us a try?
The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even intolerable. We place special emphasis on the “moments” in these songs where, perhaps, a new interpretation will emerge from. A close look at song structure is also present in our discussions. If that sounds academic, maybe it is a little bit, but we like to keep the analysis in the spirit of the songs we speak of – which means we drink some spirits (for Erik, it’s bourbon, for Weldon, it’s Stambecco) – and that means by the third song, things can get a little wild. Basically, we talk about rock!
Australia