Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

Three_Roses!

 

Well, that wraps up the vocal group 45 of the week series. Hope you dug it. If you missed one, I will be posting the full CD to download in the coming weeks. Tentative title; Bottle Up and Go Do the Hunch!

 

Special thanks to Rex Doane for hipping me to a lot of these amazing sides...

 

KtSA

Greg Cartwright's Reigning Sound interview on the Fringe Factory Radio Show!

Now you can hear Greg telling us about his very first band, stories about his grandma's magic attic and his tips for picking up the cool chicks in high school!!!
It's all here on the Fringe Factory! - and listen to the Fringe Factory Radio Show on Aug. 6th at 8pm, as Greg guests DJ's a set for us!!!

Crayons To Perfume's Girl Of The Week: Ernie Djohan! The Swingin' Singapore Sweetie!

Ernie Djohan is an Indonesian singer who was much beloved in the 60’s, singing both traditional songs and pop hits of the day. Her career started as a child, in 1962 when at the age of 11 she began singing for radio. Later that year she won a vocal contest and scored a record deal with Phillips. Ernie won my heart with her rendition of ‘To Sir With Love’ natch – this is where Crayons To Perfume gets it’s name!




But it’s her version of ‘I’m A Tiger’ that made me an Ernie Djohan fantatic!



This week's Crayons To Perfume features these delightful songs from Ernie, Twistin' Gals, Belgian Gals and so much more!!!

LISTEN NOW! Crayons To Perfume is ON THE AIR!

It's Crayons To Perfume's first show!!!! Exclusive to WFMU's Rock 'n Soul Ichiban, Crayons To Perfume is a new girl group show - we feature all kindsa gals from 1960-1969, be it traditional girl groups, soul, r'n'b, yeye, popcorn, rock'n roll and occassionally we'll feature psychedelic chicks, country cuties, and other boppin' babes!

Our first segment features all the fab femmes of our recent fave girls of the week! We've got Shirley Matthews from Toronto, Les Surfs from Madagascar, Tammy from Puerto Rico, The Angeliques from Sweden, The Beat Chics from the UK, Barry St. John from Scotland, Jenny Rock from Quebec and all American gals Dee Dee Sharp and Miriam Linna. Give us a spin!

Crayons To Perfume

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

Eenie_Meenie!

Crayons To Perfume Girl of the Week: Barry St. John - the lil' gal with the big voice!

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** - CRAYONS TO PERFUME'S FIRST SHOW COMES TO WFMU ROCK 'n SOUL ICHIBAN THIS WEEK!!!!**

Barry St. John was merely a teenager when she recorded her first 45 in 1964. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland (and named Liz Thompson), Barry joined Ian Campbell & The Midnighters and then Bobby  Patrick & The Big 6. In 1961, the Big 6 moved to London and in 1962 they began to tour Germany and eventually moved to Hamburg. During this time Barry St. John was discovered as a solo artist and moved back to London by request of her management. In 1964 she recorded her first single for Decca a cover of the Shirelle's 'Thing of the Past'. However Barry was just cutting her teeth on those earlier singles. I think she really came into her own in the late 60's with one of my faves, her whalloping version of  'Cry Like A Baby'.

;

I also like some of Barry's earlier sides, especially 'Brand New Man'



Check out her versions of 'Bread & Butter',  and 'Hey Boy' - she really can belt it out.

As an added bonus, here is 'Sweet Talk Me Baby' by Bobby Patrick & The Big 6!



Here's Barry St. John's entry on the fab Ready Steady Girls site

Crayons to Perfume is coming to WFMU's Rock'n Soul Ichiban THIS WEEK!!, hosted by Glynis Ward, dj girlgroupgirl

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

Mah_Mah_Chicken_Pot_Pie!

Crayons To Perfume Girl of the Week: Jenny Rock! the Quebec Cutie!

Jenny Rock is now known for her rather crazy, awkward and adorable version of  'Mal' (cover of Deep Purple's 'Hush'). However she started off as a more cute and cuddly Quebec ye-ye singer who began her solo career in 1963 when she was signed to Select records and released 'Douliou douliou Saint-Tropez'. Saint Tropez was a popular topic of the time, a seemingly romantic destination often featured on film, so Jenny's song became very popular! 
Wanting to move into a more rock'n roll vein, Jenny became influenced by the British Invasion, which in turn influenced her with American rock 'n roll. She released one of my favorite versions of  'Walkin' The Dog' during this time.



She soon became influenced by soul music, and released the fantastic 'Le train pour Memphis'.


Jenny concentrated on her studies for a few years, but came back to deliver that endearing 'Mal'! Dig the I Dream of Jeannie hairstyle!


Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

Do_The_Cha_Cha_Cherry!

Support Your Local Honky Tonks

Raise a glass to Greg G

Side one

Side two

HIGHER than we are down, The Fringe Factory Radio show featuring the High Leary's and more!

High Learys Two To Match
The Fantatics I Will Not be Lonely
The Jury Who Dat?
The Ogres Life, Love & The Pursuit Of Happiness
The Grains Of Sand That’s When Happiness Began
The Baron Four She Said Yeah
The Neumans I Don’t Mind
The Eyes I’m Rowed Out
Francoise Guy Aouai Vens t’en
The Flight Reaction World Is Black
The Treez You Lied To Me Before
The Superfine Dandelion Mr & Mrs Potato Head
The Purple Barrier Dawn Breaks Thru
Information Face To The Sun
The Roaring 420’s Blue Jay
The Phantom Keys Gloria’s Nightmare
Crown’s Clan No Place For Our Mind
The Boston Dexters Nothing’s Gonna Change Me
The Split Ends Rich With Nothing
The Sick Rose Get Along Girl
Los Aspiriadoras Tornado Man
Ali Baba & Ses 4 Voleurs Shishka bob ye ye
Viv & The Sect Wasting My Mind, Wasting My Time
The Shadows of Knight Darkside
The Fort Mudge Memoria Dump Band: Mr. Man
The Sound Sandwich Apothecary Dream
July Friendly Man
Driving Stupid Horror Asparagus Stories
Wau Y Los Arrghs Bli Bli Blah
Max Frost & The Troupers Free Lovin
Tammy j Wooly Bully
The Wailers You Were Not Using Your Head
Ultimate Spinach Ego Trip
Thee Flypped Whigs Want, Need, Love
The Outsiders Touch

Crayons to Perfume Girls of the Week: The Angeliques, Sensuous Swedish Swingers!

The Angeliques were the first Swedish all-girl group, hailing from Goteborg in 1965. Their first EP is in Swedish, their second in English, 'You're Easy To Love' which opens with quirky organ sounds and some zinging guitar. Poppy, rock-y with hints of soul, it's a sound winner!




-you can read more about the Angeliques on Swedish Beat and hear the flipside to 'Your Easy To Love',-'Sunshine Boy'


Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

GUMBO!

Crayons To Perfume Girl of the Week: Dee Dee Sharp, the lil' filly from Philly!

Answering a newspaper ad for a young girl who could read music and play piano, Dee Dee Sharp at 13 years old had no idea she was embarking on a life long entertainment career. She began to sing backing vocals for various musicians including Chubby Checker and appears on 'Slow Twist' (although not credited).
In 1962 Cameo Parkway Records decided to put Dee Dee out in front, and she recorded 'Mashed Potatoes' - a dance song in a very similar vein to Chubby Checkers hits. Here's Dee Dee singing 'Mashed Potatoes' live - whadda cutie!


Recently I discovered some of the lesser known songs Dee Dee recorded, and I particularly like 'Deep Dark Secret' - she sounds so mature here and I think it really shows how well she can sing!


Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

The Fringe Factory Radio Show - in memory of Patrick Lundborg

The Fringe Factory Radio Show for July 9th 2014


This episode of the Fringe Factory Radio Show is dedicated to the memory of Acid Archivist and Activist Patrick Lundborg. Richard and Glynis are on a kooks tour, taking turns playing sets of our fave modern day garage and psychedelic bands, 60's Canadian soul and girl garage. Come with us and take in all the things that make LIFE WORTHWHILE!

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

Shortnin'_Bread!

Crayons To Perfume Girls of the Week: Nichole and Monique of Les Surfs - the Madagascar Movers!

Les Surfs were a family group - brothers and sisters in the Rabaraona family from Madagascar. Nichole and Monique were the only girls in the group, and began their carriers at a very young age - just 7 and 8 years old when they won a television singing contest. This led them on a tour of Madagascar.
In 1963, the group, now named Les Surfs played on French television, and they became very popular covering English pop songs in French. As they toured, they went to Spain and Italy - again, recording popular American (mainly) songs in other languages. The group was tight and classy, wearing the latest fashions and appealing to people of all ages.
By the late 60's the Rabaraona family were getting married and having children, so they decided to end the band. Eventually most of the family emegrated to Canada.

Les Surfs left behind a great string of  hits -  including this EP, with 'Shoop shoop va l'embrasser', fab version of  'It's In His Kiss'.



Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

The Fringe Factory Radio Show - LISTEN NOW!

Hey Gang,

The Fringe Factory Radio Show from June 18th 2014 is ready for your aural pleasures. If you dig FUZZ Fuzz and more Fuzz, garage, psych and psylliness than this is for you!


The Fringe Factory Radio Show for June 18t 2014

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

Moo_Goo_Gai_Pan!

Crayons To Perfume Girls of the Week: The Two Of Clubs, a double dose of blonde ambition!

The Two of Clubs were a double dynamite duo of platinum blonde pretties from Ohio, who met working at Guys & Dolls, a local club. Linda Edmonson was married to the club's band leader, Carl Edmondson who also worked with the Fraternity Records label (and produced Lonnie Mack). Hence, Linda and Patti Valentine were released on Fraternity Records.
Walk Tall 'Like A Man' (a Verdelle Smith cover) is one of my all-time favorite girl group records, although short on the big, broad sounds so many girls used, the Two Of Clubs 'Walk Tall' still holds true to the sounds that make a record catchy like bells, and the Shangri-la's style finger snaps to open the track.




Their first single was a cover of Petula's Clark's fantastic 'Heart'. The Two of Clubs slightly less polished, non-orchestrated version sounds garagey and has a rawness about the production even though the girls vocals just soar together at times. It's a really great version!




1967's final record (and the girls final effort) was 'How Can I Be Happy' on the B-side, with Joe Meek-esque spacy organ sounds that make it sound more like a record from 1963!  It's written by Linda, who wrote several of the groups songs.



For the full story on The Two of Clubs, head on over to Spectropop! Where the whole world of girl groups and big, 60's pop sounds await you!


Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

Gene Norman's Son Presents

Sometimes, turning the keys of your jazz-heavy recording enterprise over to your son can produce strange and beautiful results.

Especially if you are Gene Norman, and your son has an otherworldly fascination with sci-fi monster music, and your son can actually compose, AND your son titles his sonic creations with names like "Tits From Mars."

Such is the case of Neil Norman who released a handful of science fiction themed LP's starting in the late 1970's.

But it was this 1974 single that started young Neil's career down the proverbial constellation hole. Kim Fowley certainly did his part in corrupting (?) Neil, producing and adding vocals to the scuzzy A-Side "Wild Boys."

Equal parts Zeppelin, T. Rex, New York Dolls, and Bowie, this anthem of debauchery includes such lyrics as:

"We are in the Wild Boys, satisfied by what you never tried."

The perky-titled flip "Tits From Mars" opens with a bassline eerily similar to Sabbath's "Children Of The Grave," but quickly veers off - warp speed - to boldly go where no record label owner's son has gone before.

Neil Norman still maintains ownership of the GNP Crescendo catalog, and hand delivered this single to Permanent Records in Los Angeles, CA.

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

Munch!

Crayon's To Perfume Girl of the Week: Shirley Matthews, my Big Town Homegirl!

Shirley Matthews may seem like a one hit wonder with her fab 'Big Town Boy' (also the name of her backing band, the fab Big Town Boys from Toronto, Ontario who released fab records like 'August 32nd' on their own)but Shirley was much more than that.
Shirley was a telephone operator!



Originally from the small town of Harrow, Ontario - a small town near Lake Erie, across from Toledo, Ohio - Shirley moved to Toronto to work for Bell Canada and resided on Jameson Avenue, in the community of Parkdale. Shirley made extra money singing at Club Blue Note in the evenings, and was eventually discovered by Bob Crewe while he was visiting Toronto. Bob took Shirley to New York where they recorded 'Big Town Boy' for Canada's Red Leaf Records in 1963 (released on Atlantic in the US)- and the song rocketed to #10 on the Canadian charts and Shirley won Female Vocalist of the Year at the Juno awards in 1964!


Her follow up 'Private Property' released in '64 charted, but the two following singles 'He Makes Me Feel So Pretty' and 'Stop The Clock'(Tamarac in Canada and Amy in the US) -filled with those wonderful and typical girl group flourishes such as claps & bells, did not fair as well.


In 1965 Shirley, also an athlete, decided to settle down, get married, raise a family and become and entrepreneur in the fitness and sports field. Sadly Shirley passed away in 2013.

As a bonus, here are the Big Town Boys!


Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

B. Brock And The Sultans Do The Beetle

Whoever these guys were, they ripped.

Crown Records put out a fair amount of schlock in their day, but this 1964 LP release to capitalize on Beatlemania is in an entire league of its own.

"Do The Beetle" "30 LB. Beetle" and "Feed The Beetle" are all wild surf instro-burners worthy of single releases, but the off-key, unassured vocal cover of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" seals the deal that this off-the-rails kitsch long player would fade into record buying obscurity for years to come.

Happy birthday Herschell Gordon Lewis!

The great Herschell Gordon Lewis celebrates his 85th birthday today, enjoy this 2010 documentary on the one and only "godfather of gore"!

Crime Stoppers Atlanta

Red Dodge Nitro

Our dear pal and Ichiban co-founder, Greg G was the victim of a horrific hit and run on his bicycle this week in Atlanta, Georgia.  He is in stable but critical condition in the ICU at Grady Hospital.  Please keep him in your thoughts for a speedy recovery.  If you know anyone that lives in Georgia, please send them a link to this story.  The driver is still at large and there is a Reward fund that you can donate to.  If you'd like to send get well greetings, email ghostwave@comcast.net.

Ray Price - Invitation To The Blues (2:51)

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

Hungry!

 

Crayons To Perfume Girl of the week - Miriam Linna: She's Everybody's Baby Now!

Miriam Linna has a brand new single and LP out NOW on Norton Records! The fab gal of Norton, Kicks Books, The A-Bones (who also have a new LP out on Norton), Kicks Magazine and yes, of course, The Cramps has knocked it out of the ballpark with a sweep of Spector/Mortonish 60's pop that will be music to your ears.
Here's a taste of Miriam's smashing live debut performance!




Out NOW is Miriam's first solo 45, 'My Love Has Gone' (Del Shannon) backed with an amazingly lush 'There Goes My Babe' - a cover of an early Neil Young composition.

Look for the new LP out June 10th, 2014 - "We tried to do meaningful songs that people may not have ever heard, a lot of 'em are lesser known songs" said Miriam when I spoke to her a few weeks ago. All of the songs are covers except for one, and all of you will be surprised at her choice of material, which is perfect for her style, and her voice such as the Ramones 'Questioningly' and Reparata & The Delron's 'I'm Nobody's Baby Now' which Miriam makes sound more like a Shangri-La's song.

Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl  
thanks to Rare Meat for the footage!

Freddie King Shows Us What It's All About

King Freddy Shows Us What It's All About

Freddy Cannon! (From Village Of The Giants, 1965).

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

 

Service_with_a_Smile!

Trouble In My Arms (MP3)

Johnny & Jonie Mosby  -  Trouble In My Arm

How 'bout a few minutes of ultra-catchy honky-tonk for your Tuesday night?

Run, Run, Run

1 The Who: Run Run Run
2 The Gestures: Run, Run, Run
3 Ronny Douglas: Run, Run, Run
4 Thom Kelling: Run Run Run
5 The Supremes: Run, Run, Run
6 Giorgio & Marco's Men: Run Run
7 Third Rail: Run, Run, Run
8 Norma Tanega: Run, On The Run
9 The Mourning Reign: Run Run Run
10 The McCoys: Runaway
11 Flanagan & Allen: Run Rabbit Run
12 Amen Corner: Run, Run, Run
13 The Velvet Underground: Run, Run, Run
14 Yuya Uchida & The Blue Jeans: Run, Run, Run
15 Jo Jo Gunne: Run Run Run
16 Ann Peebles: Run, Run, Run
17 Tim Dandy: Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
18 Tommy James & The Shondells: Run, Run, Baby, Run
19 Delroy Wilson: Run Run
20 Jim Webb: Run, Run, Run
21 Orval Prophet: Run Run Run
22 The Riats: Run Run Run
23 Darlene Love: Run, Run, Runaway
24 Bo Diddley: Run Diddley Daddy
25 Jerry Williams: Run Run Roadrunner
26 Stonewall Jackson: Run
27 The Great Scots: Run, Run For Your Life
28 The Teen Turbans: Didn't He Run
29 The Carousels: The Run-Run
30 The Illusion: Run, Run, Run
31 Yoko Ono: Run, Run, Run
32 Cheater Slicks: Run, Run, Run

RUN RUN RUN

Crayons to Perfume Girls of the Week: The Beat Chics! One Single Wonders

The Beat-Chics released just one double sided swingin' single on Decca Records in 1964. This all-girl group was founded by drummer Chrstine Lee (blonde)in 1964 when she was just 18 years old. Joining her were Moira Page playing saxophone, Mary Cullen on organ, Lesley Arden and Anne Bridgeman on guitar and Una Mellor playing bass.

 In November of 1964 they released the double sider: 'Skinnie Minnie' and 'Now I Know' on Decca, featuring Jimmy Page on lead guitar.

Both Jimmy Page and the Beatles? Oh, Now I Know (wink wink!!)

Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

Crayons to Perfume Girl of The Week: TAMMY! The Puerto Rician Dynamo

Tammy (no last name known) was a child recording star in her homeland of Puerto Rico. She has two LP's and a half of her own (one half shared with Julio Angel, the Puerto Rican equivellent of Paul Anka in the 60's). The records are a mixture of popular songs, some traditional music and amazingly rockin' tunes.


 I think her best is 'Perro Que Ladra (no muerde)' - a dog that barks does not bite - (pretty much a cover of  'Shaggy Dog').

'Una Chica Ye Ye' is another goodie!

I found the 2 a Go Go LP in a thrift store for .25 cents on my honeymoon, I'd say it was a pretty good deal.

Crayons to Perfume is coming soon to WFMU's Ichiban Soul, hosted by Glynis Ward, DJ girlgroupgirl

 

 

Jim Burgett on the ORO Label

When one thinks about great rockabilly records of the late 50's & early 60's, more often than not "Lake Tahoe" does not come to mind.

But that's exactly where Jim Burgett & his band first set up shop at the American Legion hall in 1957.

The boys gained enough notoriety on the scene that Columbia came calling, and in 1961 Burgett released the spooky minor-key ballad "The Living Dead" b/w "Let's Investigate."

After this, Burgett returned to cut two discs on the Modesto, California ORO label that released his first single "I Believe In You" b/w "Live It Up" in February 1960.

These recording sessions produced his arguably most well-known track "Scene Of The Crime" b/w "I Wouldn't Dare" in 1963. The same year saw the release of "Pauline" b/w "This Is The Night."

Burgett's only other major label 45rpm release was " Now I Taste The Tears" b/w "Innocence Is To Blame" on MGM in 1969.

Jim Burgett now lives in Las Vegas, where he still performs on a regular basis.

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

You_Gotta_Be_Bohemian!

 

WFMU Record Fair

Fool's Paradise Saturday 1-3

See you this weekend at the WFMU record fair!!!  Come by Sunday for Rock, Soul, Hillbilly AND Western LPs and 45s priced to move!

Sun Ra Centenary

Today, May 22, marks the 100th anniversary of the day that the immortal Sun Ra first arrived on Earth. To celebrate his centenary, here is a collection of links that will both entertain long time acolytes of the intergalactic one as well as inform those who are just discovering this titan for the ages.

First up, you can listen to last Sunday's broadcast on WNYC when David Garland welcomed Michael D. Anderson (aka the Good Doctor and Dr Bop) and WFMU's Irwin Chusid to talk about the legacy of Sun Ra and the new reissues of his music that the two of them are overseeing. An informative and entertaining hour of music and conversation that should not be missed.

WNYC: Musical Messages from Saturn: 100 years of Sun Ra

Type "Sun Ra" in the search box on YouTube and you will find an endless supply of music and video clips. But here are a few longer videos that will give you a fuller picture of his singular genius.

Sun Ra: Brother from Another Planet is a one hour BBC documentary from 2005 directed by Don Letts, an excellent overview of his life and career, featuring interviews with Wayne Kramer, John Sinclair, Archie Shepp, members of the Sun Ra Arkestra, and many others along with lots of vintage performance footage.

Sun-Ra: A Joyful Noise is a 1980 jazz film by Robert Mugge documenting performances by Sun Ra and His Arkestra in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore, along with interviews and rehearsal footage.

Sun Ra: Prophet of Music is a half-hour episode of Detroit Black Journal, originally broadcast on WTVS television in 1981.

Space is the Place, filmed in 1972 and released in 1974, is Sun Ra's feature film. An utterly unique blend of science fiction, surrealism, comedy and jazz, Space is the Place is essential viewing for fans of Sun Ra's music and psychotronic movie fans alike. (edit: upon revisiting this post a year later, the YouTube link I originally provided has been removed. I have replaced it with a version of the movie which is split into six parts, below is Part 1).

All of this audio and video should be plenty to keep everyone busy on this most holy of days. But to continue keeping up on all news Sun Ra, bookmark the Sun Ra Arkive and follow it on Facebook. I also recommend a new paperback published by the good folks over at KICKS Books, This Planet is Doomed: The Science Fiction Poetry of Sun Ra, collected from tape recordings and transcriptions culled from the Sun Ra Archives. 

Sun Ra left this astral plane on May 30, 1993, but there is no doubt that he is still out there, perhaps living on his native Saturn, watching us from afar, or more likely zigzagging across the universe and spreading his message to interplanetary life in galaxies we mere mortals don't even know about yet. 

Vocal Group 45 of the Week!

 

 



Bohemian!