The Sound - Jeopardy (1980)

The Sound released Jeopardy back in 1980, a real overlooked post-punk masterpiece that holds up well 30 years later with great songs like Heartland, Missiles and Heyday. The band hailed from London and included Michael Dudley, Adrian Borland, Bi Marshall and Graham Green. The band recorded one further album From The Lions Mouth.

Charley D. And Milo - S/T (Epic, 1970

Here is a excellent country rock album from 1970 by Charley D. And Milo. If you read great rock ‘n’ roll publications such as Ugly Things, you may have read the very informative and interesting article on these guys written by Justin F. Farrar in the winter 2009 issue.

If you like the country rock sounds of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Michael Nesmith or New Riders of The Purple Sage you’re sure to love this record. In fact Michael Nesmtih mainstay Orville “Red” Rhodes plays the pedal steel on this record. Don’t misread this though, Charley D. And Milo have their own unique wonderful sound. Here’s to hoping that someday this record will get a proper reissue.

The Kreeg - Impressin'

Impressin' by Albuquerque’s The Kreeg, contains both Lance singles (“Impressin'” b/w “How Can I” and “For Your Love” b/w “When I’m With Her”) plus 11 previously unreleased songs.

Cadillac Tramps - Tombstone Radio

Tombstone Radio the second great record from the Cadillac Tramps, this one is from 1992.

Cadillac Tramps - S/T

Another great band that needs more recognition, from Orange County come the Cadillac Tramps. If you have never heard the Cadillac Tramps brand of punk rock with loads of chunky guitar and a small dose of blues, you’ve been missing it. This is their first record coming out on Doctor Dream Records in 1991, which was sold to Mercury/Polygram in 1997, and is long out of print, along with all of the Cadillac Tramps catalog.

The band was Mike “Gabby” Gaborno on lead vocals, Johnny “Two Bags” Wickersham on guitar and vocals, Brian Coakley on guitar and vocals, Warren Renfrow on bass and Spanky on drums. Johnny Wickersham now plays guitar with Social Distortion and had previously played in the U.S. Bombs and Youth Brigade. Gabby (aka Jefe) formed Manic Hispanic along with other Cadillac Tramps members and other punk rock veterans.

According to the Cadillac Tramps MySpace page, the band is still playing and recently played the House of Blues in Anaheim. So if you dig these guys please support them by purchasing their records or go to a show if they come to your town.

Cadillac Tramps - It’s Allright

Next up It’s Allright, the third record from the Cadillac Tramps. This record kicks ass and is (in my opinion) the best of the three. The band would go on to release Cadillac Hearse and Live.

Landslide - Two Sided Fantasy

Two Sided Fantasy from Landslide, yet another obscure Capitol record, this one released in 1972. This grooves in a bluesy hard rock style with touches of latin percussion and slide guitar. It doesn’t take too much imagination to hear influences from Santana and the Allman Brothers, as well as Johnny Winter. Not exactly a killer album, but a worth while and pleasant listening experience.

American Blues - Is Here

American Blues is perhaps better known for its members than the music itself. This Texas band consisted of Dusty Hill (bass), Frank Beard (drums), Rocky Hill (guitar, vocals) and Doug Davis (keyboards). Of course Dusty Hill and Frank Beard would later go on to hook up with Billy Gibbons from The Moving Sidewalks to form the infamous ZZ Top.  Is Here was the bands first long player, issued on the Karma label, American Blues would release one further LP titled Do Their Thing before calling it quits.

Psychedelic Crown Jewels - Vol. 2 & 3

Psychedelic Crown Jewels volume 2 and 3 contain some excellent tunes, the bands and tracks are definitely more obscure compared to volume 1. Right out of the box volume 2 starts with “Love Go Round” by The Counselors, one of my personal top 25 garage tracks of all time. While nothing else on these two volumes is going to eclipse “Love Go Round” you’re gonna find an awful lot to like here. I believe everyone should have these two discs in their sixties garage collection, get your very own copies before they go out of print.

The Original Sins - Acidbubblepunk

Acidbubblepunk was a 1994 release from The Original Sins, plenty of fuzzy phased guitar histrionics and swirling organ on this aptly titled CD.

The Original Sins - Big Soul

Big Soul is the debut LP from Bethlehem Pennsylvania's The Original Sins. This classic slab of garage was originally unleashed in 1987 and then re-released in 1994 on CD with half a dozen extra tracks. The Original Sins, led by howler/guitarist J.T. (John Terlesky), managed to release several albums between 1987 and 1997.

Free Flight - Unreleased Dove Recording Studio Cuts 1964-’69

FREE FLIGHT

Minneapolis’ famed Dove Studios was conceived by Don Peterson and Darold “Arv” Arvidson in the spring of ’64. Amazingly all of the equipment in the studio was designed by Arvidson, being a electronics design hobbiest. Within a year the studio outgrew itself and a second location was set up on James Avenue in Minneapolis. The new location featured all solid state equipment, which was a one of the few if not first in the country at that time. Between 1964-1970 Dove recorded hundreds of groups of all types. The studio closed its doors in early 1970.

The Psychedelic Sixties

I hope everybody had a happy and safe new year, and best wishes to all of you in 2010.

For my first post of 2010 I bring you The Psychedelic Sixties, a rather odd compilation with tracks you don’t usually see side by side. Yes there are a quite a few tracks that most have heard a zillion times before, but then I can’t assume that either. Seems to be a mostly Texas vs. the UK theme, with some exceptions. Classifying “Lies,” “You Ain’t Tuff,” and “Romeo and Juliet” as psychedelic may not be accurate, but who cares, this is a pleasure to listen to regardless. So if your in the mood for a great sounding cross section of mid to late sixties sounds give this a spin, it may surprise you.