Deep Cut Six Pack Volume Three: The Hollies

As you may or may not recall, I once, foolishly, wrote a piece for The Huffington Post claiming The Hollies "Butterfly" was a better album than "Sgt. Pepper." I believed it when I wrote it and I believed it on and off since I wrote it. As of this writing, I still love "Butterfly" more than most albums, but I have seen the error of my ways.

This week's Deep Cut Six Pack puts together two from "Butterfly," two from "Evolution," one from the 1965 self-titled release, and a stunning live version of a song you should all know and love.

The Hollies were much more than "Bus Stop" and "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress," and if you feel like going in, start with their trilogy--"For Certain Because," "Evolution," and "Butterfly, often referred to as their "Rubber Soul," "Revolver" and "Sgt. Pepper."

TRACKLIST
The Games We Play
Postcard
Too Many People
When Your Light's Turned On
Would You Believe
Carrie Anne (Live At Lewisham)

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Blotto On Patto

Pre-dating the Ohio Players "Skin Tight" by two years, and also twice as nasty, here is Patto and "Singing The Blues On Reds." This track is badass. Give it a spin.

The three albums released by Patto from 1970-1972, are unlike anything before or since. They aren't even like each other. Labelled "progressive," Patto served up everything from psychedelia, to jazz and funk, to straight Free-inspired blues. Each record keeps you guessing in the best possible ways. And let me go on record by saying, Ollie Halsall is a guitar god and John Halsey, aka Rutle, Barry Wom, is a monster on the kit.


Each album is represented here. Let me know what you think. I'm currently binging.

Hot For Hot For Teacher

On paper, I should hate this. Ironic and smarmy never sit well with me. A whole album of this would send me flying off a roof. But this one track from The Bird & The Bee's new Van Halen tribute record kills me. Just this track. No more. This one interpretation is enough. I think it cooks, especially the solo.

Songs Of The Week, 2019: 8/3-8/9

Night Flight- Led Zeppelin
Cocoe-Joe Bataan
Up In Heaven (Not Only Here)- The Clash
Electrify Me- The Plugz
Funeral- Second Hand
It's Madness- Marvin Gaye
Follow Your Bliss- The B-52's

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Night Flight- Led Zeppelin
I had a habit when I was a kid. I would pull a new record out of the sleeve and put it on, not looking to see if it was side one or two. So, "Night Flight," which opens Side Four of LZ's "Physical Graffiti" was the first song I heard off that epic and will always feel like an opener to me.

Cocoe- Joe Bataan
I've seen this track listed as "Coco," "Coco-e," and "Cocoe." However you spell it, it's a terrific slice of late 60's/early 70's NYC, and for my ears, sounds perfect coming out of Led Zeppelin.

Up In Heaven (Not Only Here)- The Clash
BBJ's references to "Sandinista" on his African mix planted the seed. Couldn't do all six sides, but managed Sides 1, 5 and 6.

Electrify Me- The Plugz
I've mentioned The Plugz here countless times. Two records. Both essential. It's east-L.A. punk with a twist. Get into it.

Funeral- Second Hand
Yet another recent discovery while digging through the psychedelic rabbit hole. Second Hand released two albums, one in 1968 and another in 1971, that both contain some of the most interesting sounds I've heard in a while. Some of it is admittedly, weird for the sake of weird. But occasionally, they get onto something. Both records, "Reality" and "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" are worth checking out.

It's Madness- Marvin Gaye
What does it say about an artist when one of his most stunning vocal performances is left on the cutting room floor? "It's Madness" is a thing of beauty.

Follow Your Bliss- The B-52's
And speaking of things of beauty, this "Cosmic Thing" instrumental closer is one of the most aptly named songs in history.

Deep Cut Six Pack Volume Two: XTC

The debate continues almost 20 years after the last XTC record--were they a better band before "Skylarking" or after? I don't care. I love it all, though I will say, my Top 5 are the band's last 5.

Here is a six pack featuring some of my favorite deeper cuts. No other purpose here other than some good music to share. And because Andy's guitar solo in "Church Of Women" is one of the most beautiful sounds ever created.

TRACKLIST

Let's Make A Den
Toys
Merely A Man
I Can't Own Her
Wrapped In Grey
Church of Women

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Bad Kitty Music #14: Gram Parsons

GRAM PARSONS - GRIEVOUS ANGEL 1974. Gram Parsons is one of those guys who probably died perfectly. His relatively scant discography (.4 Byrds albums, 1.4 Flying Burrito Brothers albums, an International Submarine Band album, and 2 solo albums) was just enough to cement his legacy before he died in a delightfully decadent desert-themed drug demise in 1973, well before the disco LP would have doomed everything. That said, the version of Boudleaux Bryant’s “Love Hurts” on this album is the real deal. For real. While I suppose all copies of this LP are technically posthumous, this one is among the leastest posthumousest. If you have heard the hype, but not wiped the wipe, you may want to consider making the trip to verdant New Jersey for this Saturday’s Second Saturday Record and CD Show, and snag this slab of timeless ‘70s twangrock.

-John G.


Bad Kitty Music #13: Sleepy Hollow

Bad Kitty Music #12: The Everly Brothers

Bad Kitty Music #11: Albert King/Otis Rush


Bad Kitty Music #10: Uriah Heep

Bad Kitty Music #9: George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Bad Kitty Music #8: Bob(by) Darin

Bad Kitty Music #7: Todd Rundgren

Bad Kitty Music #6: The Rockets

Bad Kitty Music #5: Rush

Bad Kitty Music #4: Dr. John

Bad Kitty Music #3: Terry Reid

Bad Kitty Music #2: Roy Buchanan

Bad Kitty Music #1:  Bobby "Blue"Bland

Just Another All Japanese Girl Heavy Metal Act In Maid Outfits

A friend texted me last with some ticket info about a band called Band-Maid playing at NYC's Mercury Lounge. I didn't know who Band-Maid were, but I noticed tickets were $70. I don't recall anything ever being $70 at Mercury Lounge other than their IPAs. The photo of Band-Maid in the text is of Japanese woman with guitars in maid outfits, and their Wikipedia description reads:

Band-Maid, stylized as BAND-MAID and formerly as BAND-MAID®, is a Japanese rock band formed in 2013. The band combines a rock sound with a maid image modeled on Japanese maid cafés.

While this may appeal to some, I was immediately turned off by all of it without hearing a note, thinking first and foremost, I have a lawn, will you please get off of it. Band Maid, or is it BAND- MAID, has sold out the Gramercy Theatre and is now charging $70, which by NYC standards is admittedly not bad, but still twice the cost of a name headliner at the Mercury Lounge. And while they might be the greatest rock band since The Who, I saw nothing but gimmick. I hate gimmick.

It was time to listen. I mean, that's the right thing to do, yes?

These ladies play some damn good heavy metal. The two videos posted here both sound terrific, with a solid drum sound and some killer riffage. But I still have mixed feelings about all of this.

I can't help but think if both these songs were played without visuals, Band-Maid would be just another heavy metal band in the third slot of the Skid Row anniversary tour.  But, from a marketing point of view, I think Band-Maid and all involved, are mad geniuses.