The Eyes - I'm rowed out

Small Faces

Smal Faces - Small Faces - IMMEDIATE (1967)

Small Faces was the second LP of that name issued by the band in the space of a year, a fact that -- coupled with its release a year later in America in somewhat modified form as There Are But Four Small Faces -- has always confused fans of the group's work. This particular album was the Small Faces' Immediate Records debut, and caught the group in the transition from an R&B-based mod band into a psychedelic-oriented outfit. They were still finding their way along the trail from sweaty, soul-drenched James Brown- and Otis Redding-inspired covers and originals to flower-power trippiness, and the short running time and the relative lack of Steve Marriott lead vocals (Ronnie Lane is out front on three of the 14 numbers, in addition to the presence of an instrumental) reveal that they were still laboring to find a sound and a collective voice with which they were comfortable, amid other activities (lots of gigs plus playing on other artists' work as the unofficial Immediate Records house band). The short running time didn't prevent this from being a pretty imposing album, however, especially in its original British edition. "(Tell Me) Have You Ever Seen Me" would probably have been a single but for the fact that Steve Marriott and producer Andrew Oldham gave it away to a quartet of Small Faces admirers called the Apostolic Intervention -- no matter, for it made a strong album opener and a great lead-in to "Something I Want to Tell You" and the ballad "Feeling Lonely," which slides into the heavier-weight instrumental rocker "Happy Boys Happy," which showcases Ian McLagan's keyboards and Kenney Jones' drums. "My Way of Giving" was a superb soul shouter that could have been a B-side in the group's earlier phase, but the real treat is the bejeweled, soaring, spaced-out dream account of "Green Circles," with its beautiful lead piano and exquisitely spacy choruses, leading to a tough, crunchy-textured bridge and finale. Side two opened with "Become Like You," a trippy acoustic guitar-dominated psychedelic ballad, leading to the elegant opening strains of the punchy "Get Yourself Together" and the funny, Cockney-flavored "All Our Yesterdays," with its heavy brass and trumpet embellishment. "Talk to You" was another Marriott soul belter, and "Show Me the Way" was a superb harpsichord workout for McLagan, who got an even better break on "Up the Wooden Hills to Bedfordshire" amid Marriott's acoustic guitar strumming, all closing on the delightfully trippy, upbeat "Eddie's Dreaming" (which featured Georgie Fame's band supporting the quartet). Some of the music lacks the kind of polish that the group would bring to subsequent projects, but Small Faces was still a major leap forward for the group, as far in front of their 1966 album of the same name as, say, Rubber Soul was from Help! in the Beatles' output. Not everything on it worked perfectly, but as a complete LP it was one of the great psychedelic/freakbeat documents of its era, only eclipsed in their output by their next album, Ogden's Nut Gone Flake.

1. (Tell Me) Hove You Ever Seen Me
2. Something I Want To Tell You
3. Feeling Lonely
4. Happy Boys Happy
5. Things Are Going To Get Better
6. My Way Of Giving
7. Green Circles
8. Become Like You
9. Get Yourself Together
10. All Our Yesterdays
11. Talk To You
12. Show Me The Way
13. Up The Wooden Hills To Bedfordshire
14. Eddies Dreaming

Get it: HERE

Nederbeat Dutch Nuggets 63-69 - Vol. 1

Not an awful lot to say about this, but some excellent bands with their own take on the style of the British Invasion.  Some bands you will know like Q65, others you may not, but what I do know is that is an excellent bit of output from our friends in the Netherlands!

Disc 1
1. The Chums - She'll Marry Me
2. The Skope - Wanna Dance
3. The First Move - My Love Has Gone
4. Chapter II - East Of My Place
5. George Cash - The Phantom Of My Past
6. The Shane - Lady Bountiful
7. You And Me - Take Me Or Break Me
8. Johnny & His Cellar Rockers - I Love You (Yes I Do)
9. The Sharons - Turn On The Coloured Light
10. Disillusion '21 - Think Of The Good Times
11. The Dukes - Blue Revelations
12. 4PK - As Tears Go By
13. The Mods - Moef Ga Ga
14. Linda Van Dyck - Sunday Kind Of Feelin'
15. The Tower - Captain Decker
16. Attention! - I Can't Help Myself
17. Dragonfly - Celestial Empire
18. Group Gloria - So Good To Dance
19. The Nicols - Delighted To See You
20. The Caps - When You're Feelin' Blue
21. Het - She'll Stay
22. Short '66 - Going My Way
23. The First Move - He Looks Like A Swine
24. Roek Williams & The Fighting Cats - I Know What I Want
25. Q65 - Feel Her Still
Disc 2
1. The Chums - You're The Sweetest Girl
2. The Skope - Stop Quarreling Now
3. The First Move - A Hard Night's Fight
4. Chapter II - She Sends Me Away
5. George Cash - Long Hard And Dry
6. The Shane - Gotta Hold On
7. You And Me - Oh The Way She Held Me Tight
8. Johnny & His Cellar Rockers - Why
9. The Sharons - That's My World
10. Disillusion '21 - Distance
11. The Dukes - Join-In
12. 4PK - I Laugh At You
13. The Mods - Land Of 1000 Dances
14. Linda Van Dyck - You Don't Love Me
15. The Tower - Steps Into Space
16. Attention! - Picture Me Fool
17. Dragonfly - Prince Of Amboyna
18. Group Gloria - So It Goes
19. The Nicols - It's Easy To Say
20. The Caps - Enough For Two
21. Het - I Got You (I Feel Good)
22. Short '66 - Come The Day
23. The First Move - There Is More
24. Roek Williams & The Fighting Cats - Let's Forget
25. Ro-d-ys - Flowers Everywhere

Get it here: http://www.filestube.com/d14da732d42181ac03e9,g/Various-Nederbeat-1-63-69-CD-1.html

Blow Up A Go Go!

Put this in your CD player and you'll be set for the night. The album is like a time machine, sending you back to 60s London, during the height of the mod scene. Unless you were a fixture at mod clubs in the 60s or are somewhat of an expert, there's a very, very good chance you've only heard two or three songs on here. Another great thing about the album is that it's no niche album; the great tunes, Hammond organ, and Northern Soul beat throughout are universal. It's catchy and dancable, and I guarantee that when you play it people will come up to you and beg to borrow it. There are no low points on this album, in terms of tempo (there's nothing you can't dance to) or quality (not a single clunker to be found).

1. Bert's Apple Crumble – The Quick
2. Blow up a Go-Go! - James Clarke
3. Somebody Stole My Thunder - Georgie Fame
4. Sweet Pea - Soul Hooligan
5. Love Potion No. 9 - The Coasters
6. Breakaway – Johnny Otis So Watts
7. I'm the Man - The Spencer Davis Group,
8. Cloud Nine - Mongo Santamaria
9. Bongolia - Incredible Bongo Band
10. Sahara 72 - The Bobby Hughes Experience
11. Exploration – The Karmisnky Experience
12. Beat Goes On - Buddy Rich
13. House of Bamboo - Andy Williams
14. Psychedelic Sally - Eddie Jefferson
15. Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr
16. Soul Time - Shirley Ellis
17. Responsable - Jacques Dutronc
18. She's Got Everything - The Kinks
19. Shake - Shadows of Knight
20. Humanize - The Big Boss Man

Get it: Blow Up!

The Ugly Ducklings - Ducktales

"Ducktales" is a reissue of some 45's and unreleased material plus some tracks from their sole lp-"Somewhere Outside".These are the Ugly Ducklings of GARAGE band fame,from 1965-1968,out of Toronto,Canada.Highly sought after by fans of garage-beat-punk from around the world.The reason for their popularity is primarily be-cause of their solid garage-punk material and raw delivery.Lots of influences are evident,but mainly early Stones,Yardbirds and Kinks plus a definite Pretty Things appreciation.
Buy either of these cds,"Somewhere Outside"or "Ducktales" NOW!You won't be disappointed.These boys rock! And, the folks at Unidisc did a great remastering job on both cds.

Tracklist

1. Just In Case You Wonder

2. I Wish You Would

3. I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore

4. Gaslight

5. My Little Red Book

6. Hey Mama (Keep Your Big Mouth Shut)

7. Nothin'

8. 10-30 Train

9. I Need Your Love

10. She Ain't Used To Me

11. Rimb Nugget

12. I Can Tell

13. Epilogue

14. I Know What To Say

Get it: Quack Quack

POWDER - BIFF! BANG! POWDER

Get it: HERE

"Powder, led by guitarist/vocalist Rich Martin and bassist/vocalist brother Tom Martin, were a fiery Who/Small Faces influenced mod band hailing from CA. Unlike many of their contemporaries, Powder didn't play the typical jangly guitar pop psych of the day, 1967-69, but rather a power chord style rock.

The first 16 tracks on this 77 minute disc are the complete recordings of Powder proper. Obviously influenced by the fiery style of the Who, Powder rock hard. Even the song titles, especially "Magical Jack" are reminiscent of the Who (Happy Jack). These tracks are followed by a single released by vocalist Ray Columbus & The Art Collection (Powder) with "Kick Me" paired with "Snap Crackle & Pop).

Can we say Biff, Bang, Pow! Then come five tracks recorded by Powder under the moniker The Art Collection sans Mr. Columbus. Among these tracks is a great cover of The Who's "So Sad About Us." The disc ends with four tracks recorded by the Brothers Martin under the pseudonym Thomas & Richard Frost. In total, 27 tracks, 77 minutes, of mod style power pop. If you enjoy British mod rock, you'll love the music on this disc. Released on the wonderful Distortions Records label which recently announced it was discontinuing cd production, this cd may soon become extinct.

Don't miss out on a real treat. This is heavy mod rock American style. At its best. Act now, don't delay lest you miss the boat. This disc was compiled by none other than 60s rock expert Alec Palao, compiler of many fine Ace Records' Big Beat releases. In other words, big time 60s hard-edged mod rock compiled by the master himself.

It is essential for fans of mod rock, and an absolute necessity for fans of The Who and The Small Faces.

The Eyes - Arrival of The Eyes

ARRIVAL OF THE EYES.

In 1965 and 1966, the Eyes released a clutch of singles that stand up to the Who's work from the same era in their blend of extremely innovative guitar feedback/distortion and anthemic mod songwriting. "When the Night Falls," "The Immediate Pleasure," "I'm Rowed Out," "You're Too Much," and the dry "My Generation" satire "My Degeneration" are revered highly by British Invasion collectors. The bursts of electronic mayhem were quite advanced for the time, though like the Who they had hooks and harmonies to counterpoint the madness. They weren't as memorable as the Who and didn't approach commercial success. After a much softer fourth single and an ill-conceived album of Rolling Stones covers (recorded under the name the Pupils), the group disbanded. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

1. The Eyes - When The Night Falls (2:34)

2. The Eyes - I'm Rowed Out (2:56)

3. The Eyes - The Immediate Pleasure (2:56)
4. The Eyes - My Degeneration (2:45)

5. The Eyes - Man With Money (2:43)

6. The Eyes - You're Too Much (3:21)

7. The Eyes - Please Don't Cry (2:36)

8. The Eyes - Good Day Sunshine (2:02)

9. The Eyes - My Degeneration Alt (2:36)

10. The Eyes - Man With Money Alt (2:36)

11. The Eyes - When The Night Falls Demo 1 (2:57)

12. The Eyes - I'm Rowed Out Demo (3:18)

13. The Eyes - The Immediate Pleasure (2:41)

14. The Eyes - Radio London (0:30)

15. The Eyes - Shakin' All Over (3:27)

16. The Eyes - When The Night Falls Demo 2 (2:59)

17. The Eyes - I Wanna Be Your Man (1:47)

18. The Eyes - Not Fade Away (2:14)

19. The Eyes - If You Need Me (2:52)

20. The Eyes - 19th Nervous Breakdown (3:42)

21. The Eyes - As Tears Go By (2:54)

22. The Eyes - Satisfaction (3:53)

23. The Eyes - Route 66 (2:16)

24. The Eyes - The Last Time (3:06)

25. The Eyes - Play With Fire (2:23)

26. The Eyes - Get Off Of My Cloud (3:08)

27. The Eyes - Little Red Rooster

28. The Eyes28 - It's All Over Now

 

Get it: EYES