Southern California Spotlight: The Magic Mushroom - I'm Gone/Cry Baby

We jsut keep spinning more records for our SoCal region of the Battle of the Garage Bands. 

Last week (or was it 2 weeks ago?) we spun San Diego's The Lyrics performing the Chris Gaylord penned ravers from the Summer of '65, So What!! and They Can't Hurt Me. Shortly after recording those two legendary numbers, Chris Gaylord and lead guitarist Mike Allen were fired from The Lyrics. The two wandering minstrels joined with John Buell and Gary Williams to become one anew as The Magic Mushroom. The Magic Mushroom (not to be confused with the Philadelphia band of similar name) recorded only one solitary, single and released that blistering 45 in the Summer of '66 on Warner Bros. records. I believe it was released on a smaller local label, Coastline, under the name The Sons.

The A-Side of this Magic Mushroom rocker is the John Buell composed I'm Gone. Gaylord's Harmonica is front and center in this snotty number about a girl who runs around and fails to realize that she's got a good man right in front of her. But damn, she's going to miss him when he's gone! This song appeared on the legendary What A Way To Die comp. Yep, it's that good.

The Flip-Side is the Gary Williams composed Cry Baby. This number is nearly as good as the A-Side. I would go so far as to say that this had hit potential. Jangling open chords and lush harmonies augment a beautifully restrained lead guitar. 

The band traveled to New York to strike it big, recorded some numbers of Gaylord's at Les Paul's house in New Jersey, but nothing ever came of them. This is it. Can't even find a picture of the band. So enjoy what they left us. We're not even convinced that Gaylord and Allen appear on this recording. See the comment section below. 

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!

The Sorrows - Take A Heart

The Sorrows hailed from Coventry, England and were fronted by Don Fardon. In 1965 they landed a recording contract with Picadilly Records and began releasing a number of very unique and cool records. Finding trouble distinguishing themselves from the other bands in the UK, The Sorrows relocated for a time to Italy. We feature today their third record, Take A Heart, released in the UK in August, 1965. The song was written by one Mickey Dallon.

As you can see from the scans, I also confess to having a record collecting problem. Yep, that's the UK version, as well as a rare US version and an even more rare, Mexican version of the record. All with the original company sleeves of course. It's off to Record Collector Anonymous for this Flip-Sider.

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!

The Montanas - That's When Happiness Began

The Montanas hailed from Wolverhampton, England and released a myriad of largely forgettable records in their lengthy career. We feature today, their best recording. In fact, in my opinion, their only release of note. The song in question is the Don and Dick Addrisi composed That's When Happiness Began which was their first release in the US and their second in their homeland. In the US it was released on Warner Brothers in November of 1966.

That's When Happiness Began was originally recorded by the Los Angeles garage band, The Grains of Sand and released earlier that year in the US. The Montanas picked it up and added a heavy dose of fuzz. You can compare the two releases back to back by clicking here.

The Montanas were Will Howard, Graham Crew, Ralph Oakley and John Jones.

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!

Song of the Week: The Beau Brummels - Can It Be

The Beau Brummels hailed from the North Beach section of San Francisco where they had a residency at El Cid. But it was in San Mateo, California at the Morrocco Room where they were discovered by the owner of Autumn Records, a largely soul based label. The Beau Brummels' 1964 debut album on Autumn Records was one hell of a great debut album and their two singles from that album --  Laugh Laugh and Just A Little --both charted in the Billboard Top 10 despite Autumn Records' distribution limitations.

A year later The Beau Brummels were back in the studio to record their sophomore album, the obtusely named Volume 2. The singles from that album failed to light the world on fire, but it's a superior album to the equally cryptically named first album, Introducing. The 100% original composition album was spearheaded by guitarist and songwriter, Ron Elliot. If there is a flaw to the album it is that singer Sal Valentino doesn't sing lead on each and every song. Bassist Ron Meagher and Ron Elliot handle vocal duties on selected songs just fine, but neither is a patch on Valentino and his far ranging voice. Today we pluck a non-45rpm song from the album: Can It Be. Written by Ron Elliot, the song shows off the bands' skill at their original jangly sound that was surely an influence on The Byrds who were just taking flight at this time. 

Shortly after they recorded this album, Autumn Records was purchased by Warner Brothers who forced the band to record an album of covers. What a stupid idea. This was one of the few bands -- Rolling Stones, Byrds, and Beatles included -- that was capable of releasing full length albums of original compositions. But nope, Warner had them cover Beatles, Sonny and Cher and even do a rendition of Louie, Louie. Ugh. Damn Record company executive weenies.

Declining record sales, Ron Elliot's medical problems and the Vietnam War draft savaged the band who ceased to exist by 1969.

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!

R.I.P. Phil Everly -- The Everly Brothers - The Price of Love/It Only Costs A Dime

The Price Of Love

It Only Costs A Dime

R.I.P. Phil Everly.

May, 1965. The kids in America were no longer yelling "The British Are Coming." Like Hugh Grant in the back of a rental car in West Hollywood with a $20 hooker, the British had already come. The Rolling Stones, The Animals and The Beatles ruled the airwaves. Some Bluecoats like the Beau Brummels and Paul Revere and the Raiders kept their head slightly above the rising tide of Liverpudlians and the likes. (every non-American is now going..."WTF is a  'Bluecoat'?"). Some Americans picked up a guitar and joined the party. But others got washed under. That was the case with The Everly Brothers. Nobody wanted to hear their parents' musicians harmonizing politely. The Everly Brothers were as useful as Hugh Grant's mea culpa. 

But that didn't stop Don and Phil from making 100% great music. The Price Of Love was released in May of 1965 on Warner Brothers Records to a giant yawn. But, in our opinion, this is one of the finest songs the Brothers ever wrote and recorded. It's more rocking than most Every Brothers compositions. Baritone guitar, wailing harp and snotty attitude. The Flip-Side, It Only Costs A Dime, is more traditional Everly Brothers fare. Scorned lover, sweet harmony and clever lyrics.

Enjoy both sides of the single. Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!