The Chocolate Watchband recorded for producer Ed Cobb between '66 and '68 down in LA. The recordings don't always feature all of the band as Cobb had a penchant for bringing in studio musicians. He even went so far as to record instrumentals with not a single member of the band in it (think Expo 2000) and even vocal songs with a different singer (think Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go!).
Are You Gonna Be There was written for the band by Cobb's friend and LA songwriter, D. Bennett (who occasionally sang lead on these records as well) and was the third, and last, single under their name (they had done a 4th under the pseudonym of The Hogs). It was released on Tower Records in October of 1967.
The Flip-Side of Are You Gonna Be There is the excellent quasi-instrumental, No Way Out. That song gets an Ed Cobb credit for composer. That said, credible claims by the band suggest they were really the composers of the song. Producers aren't always so honest, you know. The pairing of the two strong songs, the quality of the production and the quality of singer David Aguilar's voice make this one of the most desired singles out there.
Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!
This just might be the pinnacle of American garage.
ReplyDelete"Garage rock's single greatest single?" I don't know about that. Maybe. But, Them's Baby Please Don't Go/Gloria on Decca is my favourite.
ReplyDelete"This just might be the pinnacle of American garage." I think I can live with that statement.
I'll put a good word in for The Yardbirds' Shapes of Things with the flip-side of I'm Not Talking (BTW, in the US it came with Talking AND New York City Blues). That's a pretty killer combo.
ReplyDeleteNow if we were going to get real technical, we have a US pinnacle, a UK pinnacle and a Northern Ireland pinnace. Just think of the possibilities for Australia, Holland, Ireland, Germany and so on...
I sense a new post series coming. Any other suggestions?
I think Australia would have to be Undecided/Wars or Hands of Time, although there's stiff competition.
DeleteThat is very hard to argue with. Though neither is my have MA song, they are a close third and fourth. Paired together...wow.
DeleteHere in the UK the Yardbirds' Shape of Things came with You're a Better Man Than I. Which I think you referenced on another post. I would have to say that is the one you have to go with since they are UK natives.
ReplyDeleteagreed
DeleteNo, no, no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The answer is very clearly The Beach Boys on Capitol Records [5706] with Wouldn't It Be Nice/God Only Knows. Game. Set. Match mutha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I had no idea that God Only Knows is the Flip-Side of Wouldn't It Be Nice. Those are two of The BB's best three songs ever. Good nomination.
DeleteTo eBay I go.
The other being Good Vibrations?
DeleteOh yeah
DeleteNo Way Out, perfection, all the way to it's backtracking end.
ReplyDeleteYep. And I'll add, Are You Gonna Be There. Perfection. The surprisingly slow approach is brilliant
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