Brian's Music Musings: January 2008

Sunday, January 27, 2008

 

Kuf-Linx, Double A, Gator Tail


There were a couple of groups with the same basic name, spelled a little differently, that even had the same song. The less popular group was on the Dootone label, and they actually changed group members to make the story even more confusing. But the group in the spotlight today is the Challenge label artist called the Kuf-Linx. They had the west coast hit of So Tough, while the Casuals/Original Casuals had an east coast record on the Houston based Backbeat records. So Tough by the Kuf-Linx can be found on several variations of the previously mentioned Challenge label -blue, green, and the standard maroon. It was also pressed up as a 78. Their follow-up was a great two sided disc called Service With A Smile/Eyeballin. One side of their third and final Challenge disc is shown to the left. All That's Good is done uptempo, just like their previous plug sides. Listen to it HERE! The flip is a great ballad called Climb Love's Mountain. This is by far their least common record, and it didn't light up the charts as they hoped.
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Have you seen or heard recordings on the Double A record label? I have one by Teri Stevens, a Dick Roman waxing, and just got another one by the Skyliners. No, it's not the Jimmy Beaumont group that sang Since I Don't Have You, but a different white group that sings "Rock And Roll Ruby". It's a pretty decent effort, and the Teri Stevens record is good, too. I played it on my radio show once, and I may need to revive it again on a future program. Double A is another label I will be researching and trying to collect in the future.

I have many elusive records on my want list. I suppose there are so many because it is actually the cash that is so elusive, and not the record. Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson had a record called the Shake Dance on Atlantic, and I finally located a 78 of the disc. It seems the compilations I have bypass this rockin instrumental, and I don't know why. It's a great mover, and should be on the must have list of any fan of Jackson.



Sunday, January 20, 2008

 

Impaks,more on the Velvetones and Pixies

I finally added the Impaks interview I did last year. I aired it last night on my radio show, and had really hoped to be able to play some of their unreleased records, but that was not to be. An interesting group, with some great history. I have always said that the stories from groups that only released one or two records can be every bit as interesting as a group with 10 records, or maybe more so. Check it out and listen to the interview. At the moment, I don't have any additional interviews scheduled or in the can. I suppose I need to get busy and find someone that wants to talk about themselves.
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As mentioned last week, I did add the Velvetones "Glory Of Love" on my first and second pressings page. I pictured the Aladdin 78 and the Imperial 45. There were actually several variations of the Aladdin 45, and for that matter, a second Imperial release on a different record number. Trying to keep up with every variation, release, and style is tough, but the exact reason the hobby is so much fun. On the same general subject, I will be adding a nicer picture of the Royal Teens "Short Shorts" from the Power label. The one I have currently has several autographs on the label. It was nice to get a clean copy, finally!
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I mentioned the Pixies record on AMC and Don Dee in last week's blog. For a record that had local play in the DC area at best, I am amazed at the variations of the Don Dee record. It was mostly pressed on the gold label, less on the black label, and I just obtained the promo on the standard white label. Could there possibly be more variations? It can't possibly have as many as the Shytones/Hi Tones on Fonsca!




Sunday, January 13, 2008

 

Pixies,Jo-Ann Campbell,Ronney Scalair


Just added to my page of first and second pressings is the record shown by the Pixies. From what I know, they were a Washington DC group that had two releases on the AMC label, and this one shown was also issued on the Don Dee label - both on gold and an all black label. According to an interview I had with Kaye Krebs of the Pixies Three, they were planning to list themselves as the Pixies, until they found this group after performing an artist search. The record was largely unsuccessful, but a very good effort. You can also see some of the latest additions to my first and second pressings, if you have not visited the page in a while. Artists like Johnnie and Joe, the Tazmen, and the Tri Lads are the most recent. Next on my list to add is the Velvetones Glory Of Love, first issued on Aladdin and then Imperial.

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From the pop oriented Point label, I found what appears to be Jo-Ann Campbell's first record called Where Ever You Go. It was issued on both promotional and regular stock copies, and is not a bad record. She went on to record a ton of records, including a few LP's. She performed on many New York area shows, and was a regular on Alan Freed's programs as well. The point label is interesting, but I suppose I find all labels that way. There were at least 11 issues in it's short life. The Pony tails, Marlena Karr, and Jeri Rene are discs in my collection. I actually have a video performance of Jeri Rene singing Go Way Joe on the Milt Grant show from 1957. It is quite an interesting performance that has to be heard/seen. As with many guest performances of the era, it was a live performer lip syncing their record.
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Anybody ever heard of Ronney Scalair? I have a 45 on the Grand label of Philadelphia with the songs Lost And Found backed with Sylvy. The Grand label is part of a new series, and this has record number 2000. It was autographed to his "Buddy and sparing partner Rocky". Best I have found so far is from a CD titled Teen Town Volume 3, with a cut from a different record on the Dominant label, number 3000, called Ponytail. That was released in 1964. So, I gather he was a boxer and was likely from the Philadelphia area.
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Sunday, January 06, 2008

 

Mad, Ray Stevens

I have certainly enjoyed listening to records on the Mad label. Unfortunately, I only own one record on the label, so have relied on a great CD to make u for my shortfall on the label. There is a wide variety of musical styles and artists. Freddie and the Freeloaders, Red Holloway, Mad Man Jones, and my record by Lefty Guitar Bates, called Back Ground. Check out the tracks on the CD.
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I have always been a fan of Ray Stevens. I enjoy his comedy records, but also like some of his early recordings. prep, Capitol and NRC have some unStevens sounding records and are fun to listen to. My latest Capitol record is School backed with The Clown. It was his last release on Capitol in the 195o's. Ray Stevens is an artist that I have accumulated records as opposed to secifically going on an all out, no holds barred search, where I don't sleep at night until I'm done.
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Cutting the blog a little short today. We have had some wild weather in Northern California, so I have not had time to research items this week.

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