Hidden 60’s and 70’s Gems

[CliffMcTainshaw]

I bought this EP in 1965. It never really did much but I always thought of it and still do, as a terrific song. Jeff St John and the ID. Great voice.

 

[screech]

A Scott McKenzie gem, and a great cover by Miguel Rios

 

[Soldier Of Misfortune]

Neil Sedaka is the MAN and this song is a real pearler of a hidden Sedaka song. Never recorded in English - and damn that bass break sounds sooooo good.

 

[stax on the mull]

All time favourite soft psych guitar track. Maybe not what you'd expect from this group that changed its name one more time to become Blue Oyster Cult.

 

[moto748]

Thanks, guys, for some great ideas for further listening, That Labi Siffre track alone; I 'd never heard. Wow, what a tune!

 

[Mofra]

Playing these guys a bit lately - a recent discovery:

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

60s Garage

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Gentle 70s soul. A song about losing a friend in the Vietnam War

 

[MisterB]

My favourite from The Modern Lovers debut album. Many will only know Jonathan Richman from his cameo appearances in the movie "There's Something about Mary" where he appears in a range of scenes singing songs accompanying the scene action. The album was produced by John Cale of Velvet Underground fame, with members at that time including David Robinson (later of The Cars) and Jerry Harrison (later of Talking Heads)

 

[MisterB]

Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band's cover of Robert Pete Williams's "Grown So Ugly" on the debut studio album "Safe as Milk". Arranged by Ry Cooder (whose guitar is quite evident), who left the band shortly after.

 

[stax on the mull]

RIP Brenton Wood who passed on Jan 3, 2025. One of the great soul singers of the 1960's best known for his crossover pop hits such as "Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme A Little Sign", songs that may also be better known by their lame-o cover versions.

This is an early one ("Cross The Bridge"), a non-hit from 1966, which has a kind of brill building production quality. I'll post his slightly unusual cover of The Count Five's "Psychotic Reaction" in the covers thread.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

Frank Zappa's all time favourite song. Not quite 60's as it came out in 1957. Apparently Frank loved the singing of Marvin Holland, the bass singer
Can I Come Over Tonight the Velours

 

[MisterB]

Could very well be the inspiration for Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder from his debut album, Freak Out!

 

[smasha]

Get their album, Moving Waves.

That,Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto.

 

[smasha]

 

[smasha]

 

[stax on the mull]

 

[stax on the mull]

Working my way through the Merrell Fankhauser 6CD box set which has the two Mu albums, his Maui album, and the psych/garage bands HMS Bounty, Fapardokly, as well as a bunch of early surf rock influenced recordings as Merrell & The Exiles.

The 1st Mu album from '71 has some CSN adjacent vocal harmonies and some slightly jazzy to prog country arrangements. Overall, a solid positive hippie vibe. Yes, a couple of dorky looking fellows on the cover. Front left (i'm pretty sure) is Jeff Cotton, ex-Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band, and Merrell Fankhauser on the right.

 

[stax on the mull]

The liner notes with this CD say that Ruthann Friedman was the 2nd female composer to have a US No 1 pop hit with the song "Windy" recorded by The Association. Not sure who would have been the first - I'm guessing Carole King, but it might depend if it's solo composition of lyrics and music or part therein.

Anyway these songs (including "Windy") are demos she made as a songwriter and this is a smooth piece of 60's baroque pop.