Sunday, June 15, 2014

Song of the Week: The Cryan' Shames - Ben Franklin's Almanac


I've been digitizing records all day today. Came across this gem from a band I don't much like, The Cryan Shames. They charted with Sugar and Spice. Pure putrid pop. But this flip, Ben Franklin's Almanac, written by the young guitarist, Jim Friars, is magnificent. Might I even say...perfect. And here it is on the original label, Destination, before they got picked up for national circulation on Columbia and charted.

This also marks the second appearance of a band with a member who has only one hand. And the other is?
at

7 comments:

  1. FlipsiderFebruary 2, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    The Barbarians?

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  2. Nitro RetroFebruary 2, 2013 at 3:31 PM

    Moulty!

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  3. Chad HarrisFebruary 2, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    The 5th drummer for Spinal Tap? Stumpy sump'n rather.

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  4. FlipsiderFebruary 2, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    The musicianship on this is fabulous and the whole instrumental end of the song rocks. I'm particularly drawn to the rhythm guitar - it's got a real Jerry McGeorge Gospel Zone vibe.

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  5. On The Flip-SideFebruary 4, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    I agree whole heartedly, Jack.

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    Jim Fairs was the song's writer. I got an autographed Sugar and Spice LP years ago and on it he spelled his name "Jymn." Pretty cool.

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  7. On The Flip-SideFebruary 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    Pretty cool, indeed. I just love the musicianship throughout the song. But it is the music change-up at :41 that grabbed my attention when I first picked this up in about 1986.

    Jack, you are correct. This has a real Shadows of Knight feel to the end of the song. Both Chicago bands.

    Morgynmn

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