Dirt Road Band

Posts have been light lately... Apologies. So so busy with work right now! Found a copy of this cool garagey rural-ish pounder from the Bronx recently and figured I'd share the sounds. Both sides have that great youthful 60s flashing immediacy... and rightfully so, as I doubt they ever cut anything else. Mysterious label I don't know much about either... thought for a minute when I first picked it up that it was the prolific country studio out of New Mexico, yet a NY address and a production credit to the Maple Syrup Kids (!?) is about all there is to tell. A friend mentioned that this Gold Dust may have had some soul singles out too. If anybody has more info drop a line!


Mrs. Past


I've Been Thinking About the Past

Bob Harrison - Yellow Moon

In the micro-genre of local Elvis impersonator LPs there's usually little to write home about... Rick Saucedo managed to pull a real rabbit out of the hat with his soft-psych sublimation of faded crooner vibes into something truly effervescent on the rare Heaven Was Blue LP, but usually it's just a guy with a bad haircut and even worse retreads of the King's hits put alongside glassy-eyed tributes to his departed holiness, in leather may he rest. Bob Harrison's Yellow Moon on the other hand is something completely different, a record that manages to capture a workingman's struggles with the music business and life in general but funneled through the late night vortex of Elvis's loungiest desperado ghost reality. What appears at first to be a novelty based on a jacket that has been well-loved for years by aficionados of weird lost sleeves reveals itself to be an LP's worth of perfect blue collar rockabilly grunge, 11 original songs detailing life in the slow lane of a talented yet strange crooner about 15 years too late for the vibe he's really tapped into - and the honesty of that fade is just remarkably endearing and special. The record opens up in a way similar to the beloved Dane Sturgeon - a man out of time, but perfectly in sync with his own slightly warped reality. Girls, cars, life on the road, lost loves - all pop out of the twilight and into your ears with flangey backing trio hitting such a moody dark persuasion, eerie back-up vocals illuminating the corners and creeping out the back door for another cigarette break. Really beautiful stuff that grows on you, and should appeal to fans of a variety of genres. Can't say I know much about the man aside from a California address that has lead nowhere as far as locating Bob in the 21st century. I have another LP of his from a few years later that showcases him in full impersonator mode - billed as Lil' Elvis - and lacking a little in the creative depth that makes this one so special. Bob if you're out there, certainly get in touch, otherwise hope you enjoy on this yellow moon, and I'll seeya soon.



Our Memories

Take Flight

Found this obscure longhair college compilation this December in a junk store back east, and was really pleased with some tracks on here, as well as that unruly monster bird adorning the jacket! Montgomery Community College has other LPs, as I understand it, but this one has stayed buried longer for some reason. Hailing from what would seem like the winter of '74-'75 come 9 stoney moss-covered pieces of tranquil atmospheric hippie folk. Really nice stuff, overall. Love the opener by Samuel John McCullough Jr. which reminds me of the magnificent Jackdaw LP by Larry Conklin, Diana Donahue's "Colors in the Wind" is a great comp-able piece of haunting female folk-psych, Paul Franzo's guitar soli instrumental is actually kind of devestating in the context of the album's play-through (2nd to last song) - just takes it nicely to a space beyond voices and narrative like you're leaving behind all that for a higher reflection into something else, and finally the ultra-light-Deadhead-panache of "The Drifter" by Mitch Schuck - the only cut that really breaks out into electric rock though granted it's super subtle and a treat if you like low-key doped local Dead-sound-alikes. Perfect atmosphere for a record like this, and a good one for this time of the year when it seems like everything stalls and your mind wants to freeze up like the rest of it... Cheers, J


Colors in the Wind by Diana Donahue

Tracks!

Easily my favorite 45 I came across last year was this total mystery science head-scratcher from presumably Indiana... A copy surfaced on eBay and got sold to a friend of mine and somehow I wound up with this beater a few months ago. Suffice it to say, I need an upgrade! But anyhow, those kinds of details are marginal, and the real intrigue with Tracks is primarily based on how outrageously good the 45 is... two sides of absolutely smoking 70s biker-psych, the kind of stuff heads dream about all day long - and on LP there is virtually nothing on this level left kicking around to be uncovered anymore. "Lady of Darkness" is the real meat and potatoes of this claim, a brooding melancholic dirge with psychedelic guitar runs spasming all across your radar. It's a really powerful piece of music, as well as a full on sonic attack. The flip "Let Me Play," which is actually the A-side, is a little more straight-ahead in a sort of phasy hard-rock mode, but to my ears an equally monumental slab with searing leads and deranged harmonica playing. My daydream is that somewhere out there Tracks are sitting on a box of tapes... if this 45 is any indicator it would be some wicked wicked stuff. As of yet, we're not even sure if the record is actually from Indiana - the closest we get is that it was issued under the auspices of "Wanamaker Productions" which for the moment is an equally mysterious entity as Tracks themselves! So I leave you with some soundfiles from my toasted copy... and if anyone related to the project or label runs across this please, please, please get in touch...



Lady of Darkness


Let Me Play

Billy Ashe - You in You

It’s been a few years since I first heard Billy Ashe’s unheralded 1971 debut “You in You” (Thanks, JC!) but the album has only grown for me as a wonderful piece of warm and talented local folk music. It’s the kind of LP private press hounds crave, a very homemade unassuming atmosphere that is both low-key and sincere at the same time. The catch here for me, is that unlike 4 million other guys with guitars, Billy wrote some excellent songs and captured a really unique vibe that I just can’t quite tie to any other major musician of the era. Sure, you can pick up a piece of Dylan here or there - without the sarcasm though, and maybe a sliver of Buckley in the lilt, but for the most part Billy really shoots from his own rustic hip - and it’s great (I will say, something about the title track distinctly reminds me of the Mayo Thompson sound on Corky's Debt to his Father!). Hailing from Salado, TX, Ashe made the LP just for the sake of putting a few songs out there, though according to a friend who spoke with him, most copies didn’t make it much further than Billy’s dry and dusty neck of the woods. There’s a wonderful late-afternoon feel to the proceedings, very mellow thoughtful stuff that moves from verdant finger-picked guitar passages to lyrical soliloquies verging on the dream-like and nocturnal, reflections on life in the setting sun. The bottom line, like so many works, is love. It’s everywhere here, in all of its shades. Complex, mature stuff that definitely deserves some more listeners - so here‘s hoping you enjoy it. I’ve included some scans from the lengthy mimeographed booklet with illustrations and lyrics that came with the LP. Beautiful work!

Twilight Nuages

Probably my favorite new spin of late '09 was this unknown song-writer's demo from a Connecticut high school music teacher named Bill Last. I had the pleasure to talk with Bill about the record and how it came to be, an interesting story no doubt - though I'd like to sing it's praises a little bit first. "Twilight Nuages" is quite possibly the most purely gleeful, unabashedly classy, wildly recorded albums I own, or have had the pleasure to hear... I'm reluctant to post mp3s, because most of my friends didn't really respond to the music in that format, but upon first hearing it in person I just about went through the ceiling and proceeded to spin the thing back to back nearly 10 times in a row... Basically a work-a-day songsmith, Bill put together a group of students from his school and formed a little band to get his material out there. Recorded live in one take, the atmosphere is pure living-room heart-on-their sleeve realness, and due to the fact that Bill had actually penned some true gems and absolutely let the band rip the whole package just takes off for the stars. I'll say, this may not be for everyone... or at least that's what some people tell me... but I think Twilight Nuages is quite possibly one of the best real-people garage-pop extravaganzas ever. I would say you've got to forgive a tendency towards the lighter side of 70s song-craft, but I think that undermines the whole appeal of Bill's completely unfettered and utterly charming approach. I'll be the first to say it, he wrote some damn fine pop songs and projects the world of joy it is to play and sing music straight from the heart. This thing just totally glows. A real high-light for me, as well, are the various teenage female vocalists who take the lead here and there... they provide some of the most evocative performances from a high-school group I've ever heard. Try it on for yourself, and let me know what you think. 100 copies pressed and distributed to friends and family circa 1977 in glorious midnight blue splatter vinyl! Happily, JDF

2010 Wants!

Hello friends, and a happy new year to you all! Sorry for a laconic lack of content the past 2 weeks, though I assure you there is much good coming soon. I returned home after the vacation to a fried internet connection so things have been a little touch and go, but I wanted to take this opportunity to do a strictly once annual want-list post, basically heavy-duty private press stuff, much of it *impossible* but in the name of the new year, and a healthy stack of nice trade LPs I figured I'd give it a go (I know, it's a ridiculous list - but what do they say, "when you wish upon a star"?). My promise to you is that I won't bore you with any posts like this till 2011, but if you're interested in moving any of these records please drop me a line here. Good trades or green paper (when available!) awaits...

100% UNKNOWN FIBERS. "ODD LOTS" (1971)
4TH MOVEMENT. "4TH MOVEMENT" (1980) [Tryangle]
A-AUSTR. "MUSICS FROM THE HOLY GROUND" (1970)
ALCO. "THREADS OF LIFE" (1972)
ALI-BABA REVUE. "LET IT ALL HANG OUT" [Boss]
ALL IN ONE. "ALL IN ONE" [KPS]
ALL OF THUS. "ALL OF THUS" (1968) [Century]
ANONYMOUS. "INSIDE THE SHADOW" (1981) [A Major Label]
ARCESIA. "REACHIN'" (1972) [Alpha]
ARICA. "ARICA" (1972) [Woo-Soo]
ARICA. "AUDITION" (1972) [Audition]
ARK. "VOYAGES" (1978) [no label]
ARROW. "COMING ATTRACTIONS" (1977) [JAMA]
BACHS. "OUT OF THE BACHS" (1968) [Roto]
BERMUDA TRIANGLE. "BERMUDA TRIANGLE" (1977) [Winter Solstice]
BERRY, BOB. "HEAVY BERRY" [no label]
BIRCH, STEVE. "RIKKY THE MUSICAL" (1978)
BIXBY, DAVE. "ODE TO QUETZALCOATL" [D-24]
BLACKBIRD. "BLACKBIRD" (1974) [Vinnick Studios]
BLACK VELVET. "BLACK SPIRIT" (1973) [Krio]
BLUEBYRD. "BLUEBYRD" (1975)
BLUE LIGHT. "REFLECTIONS OF THE INNER" [BLPC]
BOA. "WRONG ROAD" (1971) [Snakefield]
BOYLE, BOBBI. "A DAY IN THE LIFE" [Encino]
BOUSSAC, JORGE. "CASCADA"
BRADSHAW LEATHER, DON. "THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US" (1972) [Distance]
BRANDT, MARC. "BACK TO BETTER DAYS" (1973) [no label]
BRIGMAN, GEORGE. "JUNGLE ROT" (1975) [Solid]
BUMP. "BUMP" (1970) [Pioneer]
BURNT SUITE. "BURNT SUITE" (1972) [B.J.W.]
BUTLER. "BUTLER" (1973) [Family]
CACY, MICHAEL. "GATHERING" (1972) [Smiling Tomato]
CEDAR CREEK SOCIETY. "CEDAR CREEK SOCIETY" (1971) [Dessa]
CENTER FOR TRUTH, THE. "CENTERING" (1971) [Rexius]
CHARLES. "AT HARLOW'S" (1969) [Cube]
CHILDREN OF ONE. "CHILDREN OF ONE" (1969) [Real]
CLAP. "HAVE YOU REACHED YET?" (1972) [Nova-Sol]
CLEM HUTCHINS. "DOES IT AGAIN" [Jaguar]
CONCRETE RUBBER BAND. "RISEN SAVIOR" (1974) [American Artists]
CONGREGACION. "VIENE"
CONKLIN, LARRY AND JOCHEN BLUM. "JACKDAW" (1981) [no label]
CONTEXT '70. "CONTEXT '70" (1970) [no label]
CORBIN, FRANK. "ONE FELL SWOOP" (1976) [Prelude]
COUVSON, BILLY. "BONGO SENSATIONAL SOUL" (1977) [Bongo]
CRASH COFFIN. "CRASH COFFIN" (1974) [Mus-I-Col]
CREME SODA. "TRICKY ZINGERS" (1975) [Trinity]
CRISTAL WEBB. "MISTY MORNING" (1973) [no label]
CRYSTAL BALL. "IT'S NOT TOO LATE" (1977) [Album World]
DAMIAN AND THE CRITERIONS. "AVANT GARDE" (1982)
DAMIN EIH, A.L.K. & BROTHER CLARK. "NEVER MIND" (1973) [Demelot]
DEEP, THE. "PSYCHEDELIC MOODS" (1966) [Cameo]
DOM. "EDGE OF TIME" (1971)
DREAMIES. "AURALGRAPHIC ENTERTAINMENT" [Stone Theatre]
ECHOES AND A DREAM. "ECHOES AND A DREAM" (1973) [no label]
ERIC. "ERIC" (1970) [CEI]
ESTES BROTHERS. "TRANSITIONS" (1971) [Edcom]
EYES. "NEW GODS: AARDVARK THROUGH ZYMURGY" (1977) [World Theatre]
FARM. "FARM" (1970) [Crusade]
FARQUHAR, J.W. "THE FORMAL FEMALE" (1972) [Brainblobru]
FEATHER DA GAMBA. "LIKE IT OR GET BENT" (1971) [D.G.]
FERRIS WHEEL. "SUPERNATURAL GIRL" (1974)
FOLLIES BAZAAR. "CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS" (1975) [Follies Bazaar]
FOUR WISHES. "WITH LOVE" (1969) [Pasque]
FREEMAN, PHILLIP H. "(PETER ISLAND GOSPEL SINGER)"
GANDALF THE GREY. "THE GREY WIZARD AM I" (1972) [GWR]
GARONE, JOEY. "WAVES OF TIME" (1981)
GEORGE-EDWARDS. "38:38" (1977) [no label]
GHETTO BROTHERS. "POWER-FUERZA"
GILBERT, JOHN/MEADE RIVER. "JOHN GILBERT/MEADE RIVER" (1972) [AV]
GOOD CHEER. "TIME FOR GOOD CHEER" [ORS]
GREENWOOD, CURLEE & THOMPSON. "ONE TIME, ONE PLACE" (1972) [no label]
GREER. "BETWEEN TWO WORLDS" (1973) [Sugarbush]
GREY EAGLE BAND. "UNDER DIRECTION OF: OPAL J. JOHNSON"
GRINSTEAD, SPARKY. "WON OUT" (1978) [Sparlene]
GRUDZIEN, PETER. "ALBUM NO. ONE (IN TWO SIDES) THE UNICORN" (1974) [P.G.]
HAKU. "NA MELE A KA HAKU" (1976)
HALFORD, DAVE. "TULESBERG" (1973) [no label]
HALFORD, DAVE. "THE DAVE HALFORD RECORD" [no label]
HALF TRIBE. "ONLY STARTIN'" (1965) [Frank Webber Productions]
HARBINGER. "SECOND COMING" (1975) [AE]
HAPPY SOUNDS. "LIVE AT THE CARIBE ALTON" [VU]
HARM'S WAY. "TIME MACHINE" (1981) [no label]
HAWAIIAN SPOTLIGHTERS. "MAUNA KEA BREEZE"
HENDRICKSON ROAD HOUSE. "HENDRICKSON ROAD HOUSE" (1970) [Two:Dot]
HIGGINS, GARY. "RED HASH" (1973) [Nufusmoon]
HI-HOPES. "ABILITY" (1970) [Band 'n' Vocal]
HOI'POLLOI. "HOI'POLLOI" (1972) [Custom Fidelity]
HOOKER, D.R. "THE TRUTH" (1972) [On/XPL]
HOWE, RICH. "A SUMMER" [Century]
HUBBS, STAN. "CRYSTAL" (1982) [no label]
HUCKERT, JOHN & MARY LITTLE. "THROUGH THE MUSIC I WILL LOVE YOU" (1975) [no label]
INDIANA FEATURING GARY HALL. "BACK HOME AGAIN" [Mark II]
ITHACA. "A GAME FOR ALL WHO KNOW"
J-ANN-C TRIO. "AT TAN-TAR-A" (1966) [Burdland]
JARVO RUNGA. "DEMO DISC" (1972) [no label]
J C & THE B'S. "1ST AND 10" (1975) [Essay]
JONES, ANDY. "THE FIRST NOT THE LAST" [Brougham Records]
JONES', DEL POSITIVE VIBES. "COURT IS CLOSED" (1973) [Hikeka - psych mix]
JR. & HIS SOULETTES. "PSYCHODELIC SOUNDS" (1971) [no label]
JULIAN, RON AND SANCTUARY. "LITTLE BOY" (1969) [Stereophonics Corps]
KAPLAN BROS. "NIGHTBIRD" (1978) [Quinton]
KENNELMUS. "FOLKSTONE PRISM" [Phoenix Internat'l]
LARRY T. AND THE FAMILY. "I'M MOVING ON" (1980)
LAST NEXT. "SHANTY BLUE FOLK" (1972)
LAST CALL OF SHILOH. "LAST CALL OF SHILOH" (1972) [Last Call]
LESLIE BROTHERS. "WANTED" [Cupid]
LES TEMPS HEUREUX. "...EN CES JOURS" (1971)
LU-WOWS, THE. "DREAM BUBBLES" (1967) [Premier]
McLAIN, HARLEY & J.B. "NATURAL PEOPLE'S LEAGUE" (1980) [no label]
MADRIGAL. "MADRIGAL" (1971) [Spyder]
MAIDEN VOYAGE. "IN NEW YORK" (1974) [F.R. Dickinson]
MANTRA. "MANTRA" (1970) [MMC]
MASTRO QUINTET, VINCE. "GREATEST HITS" [Clevetown]
MAZHAR VE FUAT. "TURKUS TURKU CAGIRIZ" [Yonca]
MELANSON, MARK. "THE HAUNTED HEARSE" (1970) [Color Esoterics)
M.H.S. ROCK. "ON RECORD" (1981) [RPC]
MICHAEL ANGELO. "MICHAEL ANGELO" [Guinn]
MINETTE. "COME TO ME AT TEA TIME" (1968) [Collectors Choice]
MOLES, THE. "MOLES" (1969) [Bandwagon]
MOORE, R. STEVIE. "PHONOGRAPHY" (1976) [Vital]
MOOSETRACKS. "MOOSETRACKS" (1972)
MORLY GREY. "THE ONLY TRUTH" (1972) [Starshine]
MUNDY, MARC. "MARC MUNDY" (1971) [Tomarc]
MUTHA GOOSE. "MUTHA GOOSE" (1975) [Alpha Omega]
MYSTERY MEAT. "PROFILES" (1968) [Director]
NEW CREATION, THE. "TROUBLED" (1970) [Alpha Omega]
NEW DAWN. "MAINLINE"
NIGHTSHADOWS, LITTLE PHIL & THE. "SQUARE ROOT OF TWO" (1968) [Spectrum]
NUCLEAR DEBRIS. "IN SPACE NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU FART" (1981)
OCTOBER. "OCTOBER" (1979) [Charisma Sound]
OFOEDIAN DEN. "THE BIRDS" (1970) [Rock Bottom]
PATRON SAINTS. "FOHHOH BOHOB" (1969) [no label]
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL. "PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL" (1969) [no label]
PERSPECTIVE. "SYLLABUB" (1970) [Gerry]
PICHNARCIK. "SINGS ASTROLOGY" (1976) [Zodiac Records]
QUOTH THE RAVEN. "NEVERMORE" (1972) [Triple G Records]
RAINBOW PROMISE. "RAINBOW PROMISE" (1972) [New Wine]
RATLIFF, K.S. AND BLACK MAGIC. "FEAR OF THE NIGHT" (1981)
RAYNE. "RAYNE" (1979) [no label]
REALITY FROM DREAM. "REALITY FROM DREAM" (1975)
REAL THINGS, THE. "EXPRESS" (1975)
REAM, KIT. "ALL THAT I AM" (1978) [Creative]
REFLECTIONS, THE. "THE UNIQUE SOUNDS OF..." (1971) [RSVP MC]
RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS. "RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS" (1976) [Pacific]
R.F.D. "LEAD ME HOME" (1971) [no label]
ROY WILLIAMS TRINITY. "GOOD NEWS IN TOWN" (1979)
RUBIN & ROTFREE. "ATLANTA UNDERGROUND - FREEK MUSIC" (1971) [Purple Haze]
RUSH. "THE WAY IT IS" (1975) [Sadbird]
SAGE. "LIKE THE WIND" (1978) [A&B Records]
SAGE. "SAGE" [McCullar Sound]
SAINTE ANTHONY'S FYRE. "SAINTE ANTHONY'S FYRE" (1971) [Zonk]
SAUCEDO, RICK. "HEAVEN WAS BLUE" (1978) [Reality]
SCHIBBINZ. "LIVIN' FREE" (1968)
SEARCH PARTY. "MONTGOMERY CHAPEL" [Century]
SEICHE. "DOSE AFTER DOSE" (1981) [no label]
SHADRACK. "SHADRACK CHAMELEON" (1973) [IGL]
SHARKEY. "SIGNPOSTS" (1975) [Fireworks Discorporation]
SKY DOG. "JUST WANT TO MAKE YOU HAPPY" (1974) [Paw Records]
SOFT ROCK. "SOFT ROCK" (1972) [WC Knapp]
SPECIALISTS, THE. "WHO WILL BUY?"
ST. JOHN CYO-MEMPHIS, THE. "JOHNNY'S WORLD" (1970) [Century]
STONE, ACEY. "OVERDRIVE" (1987)
STONE HARBOUR. "EMERGES" (1974) [Stone Harbour]
STREET AND THE SEA, THE. "THE STREET AND THE SEA" (1975) [no label]
SUNDOG SUMMIT. "ON SUNDOG HILL" (1976) [Audio Mixers]
THESE TRAILS. "THESE TRAILS" (1973) [Sinergia]
THIRD ESTATE. "YEARS BEFORE THE WINE" (1976) [Third Estate]
THOMPSON, MAYO. "CORKY'S DEBT TO HIS FATHER" (1970) [Texas Revolution]
TIGHT LITTLE UNIT. "SINGS JUST SEND HER TO ME" (1966) [Orchid]
TODD CLARK GROUP. "WE'RE NOT SAFE" (1979) [World Theatre]
TOUCHSTONE. "MUSIC OUT OF PANDORA'S BOX"
TREES COMMUNITY, THE. "THE CHRIST TREE" (1975) [Pomegranate]
TRILOGY. "TWO SIDES OF" (1970) [Strange Productions]
UTOPIA. "UTOPIA" (1971) [Laza]
VALE, RICHARD AND THE GEMS. "WHERE AM I GOING" (1968) [Vale Records]
VALE, RICHARD AND THE GEMS. "MANY MOODS OF"
VARIOUS ARTISTS. "I LOVE YOU GORGO" (1968) [Suemi]
VARIOUS ARTISTS. "LIVE AT BLOOD AND BONES" (1972) [no label]
VIRGIN INSANITY. "ILLUSIONS OF THE MAINTENANCE MAN" (1971) [Funky]
WATTS, ALAN. "THIS IS IT" (1962) [MEA]
WESTERMEYER, GEORGE & TOGETHER. "LIVE AT THE SANGRIA" (1974)
WESTLEDGE SCHOOL. "SOUNDS"
WHITE BOY AND THE AVERAGE RAT BAND. "SELF-TITLED" (1983) [Tradewind]
WILCOX, SULLIVAN, WILCOX. "AN ALBUM OF ORIGINAL MUSIC" (1973) [Golddust]
WILD & UNTAMED BLUES BAND. "WILD AND UNTAMED" [no label]
WILSON, GARY. "YOU THINK YOU REALLY KNOW ME" (1977) [Gary Wilson]
WILSON MCKINLEY. "SPIRIT OF ELIJAH" (1971) [Voice of Elijah]
WRAY, VERNON. "WASTED" (1972) [Vermillion]
YA HO WHA 13. "CONTRACTION" (1973) [Higher Key]
YA HO WHA 13. "EXPANSION" (1974) [Higher Key]
YA HO WHA 13. "PENETRATION, AN AQUARIAN SYMPHONY" (1974) [Higher Key]
YONKERS, MICHAEL. "MICHAEL LEE YONKERS" (1974)
YONKERS, MICHAEL. "THY WILL BE DONE" (1976)