Best of the Best

Bonus cuts:
The same songs listed above, live. The Mule have released three live albums to date, Live At Roseland (this one's great but is currently out of print and fairly hard to get a hold of) Live With A Little Help From Our Friends (Available in 2 or 4 disc versions) and The Deepest End (One concert, over 5 hours of music spread over 2 CDs and a DVD). It's on these albums where you can hear Beautifully Broken weave in and out of Prince's When Doves Cry, or hear the Dirty Dozen Brass Band add horns to John the Revelator turning the short Son House tune into a 7-minute epic. Great stuff.

Comments:
If you share my opinion that live is the way to hear Gov't Mule, then you're in for a treat. As of a few weeks ago, the Mule joined acts like Phish and Primus in offering every single concert that they play for download just a few days after the gig. The shows cost around $15 depending on which format you choose to download, and are all at least two discs worth of music, though many are three. Haven't heard too many yet, but can tell you that the Halloween show which kicks off with the Mule's take on the Rolling Stones classic "Sympathy For The Devil" is exceptional. Head to www.muletracks.com if you want to grab a few shows of your own.

Bonus cuts:
Into The Sun / Aimless Lady / Get It Together / I Don't Have To Sing The Blues / Comfort Me / I Want Freedom / People Let's Stop The War / Upsetter / No Lies / Rock & Roll Soul / Walk Like A Man (You Can Call Me Your Man) / Shinin' On / Can You Do It / Just Couldn't Wait / Release Your Love

Comments:
Grand Funk Railroad was one of the most successful hard rock bands of the 1970's, formed in Flint, Michigan by guitarist/songwriter Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer. Both were former members of a popular local band called Terry Knight & the Pack. (After the Pack's demise, lead singer Terry Knight became Grand Funk's manager but was terminated by the group a few years later). Farner and Brewer recruited bassist Mel Schacher, formerly of Question Mark & the Mysterians and named the new group after Michigan's well-known Grand Trunk Railroad. Capitol Records signed them immediately after seeing the electrifying power trio perform at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival and the band went on to produce a series of top-selling albums over the next few years (five of their eight releases from 1969 to 1972 went platinum, and the others all went gold).

In 1973, the band officially changed it's name to Grand Funk, and the group scored a number one Top 40 hit with the Todd Rundgren-produced "We're an American Band." Their follow-up LP, "Shinin' On" contained another number one hit with a rollicking cover of Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion." However, interest in the group began to fade after the release of their next LP, "All the Girls in the World Beware!!" The band's name was changed back to Grand Funk Railroad and they remained together in 1976 to work with producer Frank Zappa on the LP "Good Singin', Good Playin'." Shortly thereafter, Farner left for a solo career, and the remainder of the band released an album as Flint with guitarist Billy Elworthy.

The original members of Grand Funk Railroad reunited several times to record and tour throughout the 80's and 90's – their final release being a live benefit album entitled "Bosnia" from 1997. Two years later Capitol Records paid tribute to this legendary band by issuing the three-disc box set retrospective entitled "Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999."

Bonus cuts:
Hell in a Bucket / Ripple / Dark Star Jam / Us Blues / St. Stephen / Terrapin Station / Love Light / Bertha / I Need a Miracle / Cassidy / Friend of the Devil / Deal

Comments:
All of the above songs are interchangeable. They are all uniquely The Dead. Every Dead Head has their favorites and love them all equally. The Dead have many official studio albums and several official live CD's, but since they were one of the first bands to allow tapings at their shows, there are thousands of bootlegs of their concerts floating around out there. Since they are the granddaddy of all jam bands, live is the way to go, and the bootlegs are a great way to catch a small bit of the live magic. There are several DVD's of concerts out there too. One of the best is The Closing of Winterland. Leading up to that New Years Eve 1978 concert, Bill Graham displayed a billboard that read, "They're not the best at what they do, they're the only ones that do what they do." That about nails it down.

Many fans of the group equate a Dead concert to a spiritual experience. Paul Krassner once asked Jerry Garcia, "Have you ever felt like you've been in communication with beings of a higher intelligence than humans?" He replied, "I've had direct communication with something which is higher than me! I don't know what it is, it may be another part of my mind. There's no way for me to filter it out because it's in my head. It's the thing that's able to take bits and pieces of things and give me large messages. To me, they are messages as clear as someone speaking in my ear, they're that well-expressed and they have all the detail that goes along with it. Sometimes it comes in the form of an actual voice and sometimes it comes in the form of a hugeness, a huge presence that uses all of the available sensory material to express an idea. And when I get the idea it's like dah! Oh, I get it! And it's accompanied by that hollow mocking laughter. You stupid fuck! You finally got it uh? Geez it's about time. (laughter) For me, enlightenment works that way, but it's definitely a higher order of self-organization that communicates stuff."

Get it?

Bonus cuts:
The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink- A thirty second long acoustic song from the compilation, Short Music for Short People, and Homecoming- the second of two nine minute plus tunes from the band's latest, American Idiot.

Comments:
If you already have all of the Green Day records and are yearning for more, check out a band called The Network. The five members of the group have never been seen without their trademark ski masks, but it is widely rumored that should someone manage to jump on stage and pull the masks off, they'd expose all three members of Green Day along with a few of the fellas from Devo.

Bonus cuts:
Guns, Guns, Guns / Talisman / So Long, Bannatyne / Take It Off My Shoulders / Proper Stranger / Do You Miss Me Darlin' / Star Baby / Rain Dance

Comments:
Hailing from Canada, The Guess Who evolved from a local Winnepeg band called Chad Allan and the Expressions. The group consisted of local talent including guitarist Randy Bachman, who went on to form Bachman Turner Overdrive in 1972. When the Expressions released a new album in 1966, the record company, Quality, listed their name as "Guess Who?" on the jacket, hoping to fool record buyers into thinking that the British Invasion-influenced music was actually by a more famous group in disguise. When the album failed to chart, Chad Allan decided to leave the band and was replaced by keyboardist/vocalist Burton Cummings, who was instrumental in bringing the band overnight recognition. In 1969 they signed with RCA Records and had enormous success starting with the top 10 smash "These Eyes." They went on to become one of the most popular rock and roll bands ever to emerge from Canada, and recorded some of the best pop/rock of the 1970s. After being disbanded for a number of years, some of the original members including Cummings and Bachman reunited in 2000 for an enormously successful tour of the United States and Canada.

Bonus cuts:
Covers of Bob Dylan's "Knockin On Heaven's Door", The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil" and "Dead Flowers" (Bootleg Only), Aerosmith's "Mama Kin" and Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" – none of which appear on the band's final album, the all covers disc, The Spaghetti Incident, which pretty much no one on earth likes other than me.

Comments:
While Axl Rose is promising a new GNR album (with a totally new band other than himself and the keyboard player that no one cares about) early next year, you might want to take note of the fact that he's been making that same promise every year for close to a decade now. In the meantime, fans might want to check out CDs from two other versions of the GNR, which also aren't the real thing. First, the more high profile of the pair, is Velvet Revolver, a band that features more members of Guns N Roses (Slash,, Duff and Matt) than Guns N Roses currently does, as well as Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland. Their debut CD Contraband, will be enjoyable to fans of either of the groups that were frankensteined into this band. Second, there's a cd floating around called "The Roots of Guns N Roses". The disc features five songs, three versions of each, by Axl and Izzy's band prior to GNR, Hollywood Rose. While one version of each song would surely have sufficed, the disc is still very cool and a worthwhile purchase for more hardcore fans.

Bonus cuts:
The bad news is, the first two Hamell On Trial albums, Big As Life and The Chord is Mightier than the Sword, are now out of print. The good news is that there are two fairly easy ways to get a hold of this great, great music regardless. First, there's a CD called Mercuroyale: The Best of the Mercury Years, which is basically a greatest hits album culled exclusively from the first two records. The collection comes frustratingly close to having every song from the period that it covers; there are only six or seven songs missing. This should be enough for most people, but if you're a collector (read: if you exhibit unhealthy obsessive behavior) like I am, not having those six or seven cuts will drive you crazy. The answer is to buy the original albums used. They're usually up on either Ebay or Amazon, and chances are (sadly) you can get both of the originals used for less than the price of the greatest hits disc new. Another essential Hamell track, and this one I have no idea how to get a hold of if you don't already have it, is his cover of Bob Dylan's It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding). Hamell recorded the song so it could be released as an exclusive track on a CD that came with an issue of Uncut Magazine…about two years ago. Another cool track with the exact same story is the mini-medley of Clash tunes, White Riot/Hitsville UK . . . which was on an exclusive Uncut disc last year.

Comments:
Hamell on Trial is one guy with one guitar (at least most of the time) but as he explains in his song The Meeting, he doesn't play folk, he plays rock and roll. What Ed (that's Hamell) does is takes punk, forces it into bed with folk, and adds a wicked sense of humor for flavor. End result is high intensity acoustic rock and roll with lyrics like, "You think you might be Jesus, let's be frank, you're the lead singer of a big rock band, let's get the bass player to nail you to a cross, long rusty spikes right through your hands! I mean fuck it. Why go halfway?" Utterly brilliant stuff . . . if you didn't know, now you do. Go place a bid.

TOP 10 TRACKS:
1. Simple Song of Freedom 2. If I Were a Carpenter 3. Reason to Believe
4. Don't Make Promises 5. Misty Roses 6. Lady Came From Baltimore
7. Red Balloon 8. Smugglin' Man 9. Love Hymn 10. Never Too Far
Extra: Tim Hardin 1 & 2 on Verve are Brilliant

Comments:
Hardin's singing style, with his throaty vibrato, was unique. Although largely known as a folk artist he considered himself a jazz stylist (listen to Misty Roses) and at times used jazz musicians to back him up. (Check out Smugglin'Man from Tim Hardin 3-Live In Concert recorded at New York's Town Hall). All of his recordings contain a mellow rawness and sincerity throughout, but it was his songwriting that was exceptional.

Rod Stewart's version of 'Reason To Believe' helped establish him as a solo artist. 'If I Were A Carpenter' was a hit for both The Four Tops and Bobby Darin. It is interesting to note that Hardin's only chart single was the Darin penned "Simple Song Of Freedom." It is one of those perfect records and must be heard.

Joan Baez, Leon Russell, The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, Bob Segar and many others have recorded and performed amazing versions of Hardin's compositions. In the 60's, after a stint in the Marines, which he hated, Lenny Bruce put him up in his home and even bought him a piano. Tim performed at the Woodstock festival, but never made it to the film. His personal life was a struggle. He had an addiction to heroin, suffered from stage fright and respiratory problems. Sadly he died from an overdose on December 29, 1980.

There is a beauty and honesty in his records that still holds up today.

Tracks compiled by Ray D'Ariano / Back to index

Bonus cuts:
If Looks Could Kill / Who Will You Run To /Alone / All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You /
I Didn't Want To Need You

Comments:
This whole thing started in 1963, believe it or not, with brothers Roger and Mike Fisher and their friend Steve Fossen. It was called the Army back then, which eventually became White Heart, and finally ended up as Heart. When sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson joined the group, in 1970 and 1974 respectively, the true beginnings of Heart took place. The dynamic vocal abilities of Ann Wilson were front and center with the group in the early days, and that aspect of the band still remains intact to this day. The band has always had the good fortune of having excellent talent elsewhere as well. Michael Derosier, and later Denny Carmassi on drums; Steve Fossen, Mark Andes, and Mike Inez have all had turns at the bass duties at one time or another; and the 20 year stint of the brilliant Howard Leese on guitar served as the "beating" of this Heart from 1975-1995. And last but not least, "the other sister," Nancy Wilson. Besides being the beauty of the band, she has served as a gentle voice as well as an absolutely radiant guitar player. And yes, she's married to Cameron Crowe too.

As you have probably already noticed the list is broken into two different sets of lists. I did this for many reasons. The band's first record, "Dreamboat Annie," is the cornerstone of the Heart catalog for many fans. The early list includes four tracks from that album (Magic Man, Crazy On You, Sing Child, White Lightning & Wine). Many fans of the band view a sharp contrast between the Heart of old, and the newer, slicker Heart. Therefore, I chose to keep the old classics at a safe distance from their more modern counterparts. (Sneaking in an additional ten tracks might've had something to do with having two lists too!) The modern Heart list draws four tracks from my personal favorite album from the band, "Brigade." "The Night," "Tall, Dark Handsome Stranger," "Stranded," and "Fallen From Grace" are all powerful songs from an album full of great material. The fans that gravitate more to the "new," more modern sound of Heart, usually find the self-titled album from 1985 to be their favorite. Songs like "These Dreams," "What About Love," "Nothin' At All," and "Never" are all on my list, and they all define the band in its modern glory. As a fan of all the band's material, I found it hard to choose between the old and the new. There are songs that defined this band in their 70's heyday ("Magic Man," "Crazy On You"), but there are also songs from more recent years that sum up the band's existence as well ("Alone," "These Dreams"). Heart is a band that has grown perfectly with the times, and continues to put out amazing material to this day.

Bonus cuts:
Burning of the Midnight Lamp / Bold As Love / Fire / Crosstown Traffic / Night Bird Flying / Castles Made of Sand / Are You Experienced? / Up From The Skies / Spanish Castle Magic / Have You Ever Been (to Electric Ladyland)

Comments:
Seattle, Washington native Johnny Allen Hendrix (his name was changed to James Marshall Hendrix at age 4) did not become a star overnight. During the early and mid-60s he was a backup and session guitarist for R&B greats like Little Richard, King Curtis and The Isley Brothers. Animals bassist Chas Chandler, who was looking for new talent to manage, spotted Hendrix performing in a New York City nightclub and realized his potential star power. In 1966 Chandler convinced him to move to London, where he began recording with his newly formed band, The Experience, featuring Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass. Jimi Hendrix and the Experience became stars in the UK when their first 3 singles all went Top 10 and their astonishing debut album Are You Experienced? became a million seller in a remarkably short period of time. Relatively unknown in the United States, he made his American solo debut at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and was a huge hit. His shattering performance at Monterey made him a rock and roll idol of colossal proportions, but his star would only shine for a mere 3 years as he was found dead of drug-related complications on September 18, 1970. Considering the enormous legacy he left behind, Hendrix surprisingly had only 3 official studio albums during the course of his short career, yet he did have a lot of recorded material that has been, and continues to be released in various compilations. The great Jimi Hendrix was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

TOP 10 TRACKS:
1. That'll Be The Day 2. Not Fade Away 3. Peggy Sue 4. Maybe Baby
5. It Doesn't Matter Anymore 6. It's So Easy 7. Rave On
8. Everyday 9. Oh Boy! 10. Words of Love

Comments:
Buddy Holly was a tremendous influence on many of rock's biggest stars. The Rolling Stones first record, "Not Fade Away," was a Buddy Holly tune, The Hollies named themselves after him. The Beatles picked their name in honor of Holly's band, The Crickets. In 1958 he produced the first record by a young guy named Waylon Jennings. Years later Linda Ronstadt had a huge hit with his "It's So Easy, and on and on.

As a young guy, Holly was bursting with energy and confidence. He knew he was going to make it and in short, he went for it with great determination. For example, when Elvis played in Lubbock, Texas young Holly befriended him and they went to the movies. Soon Holly was opening on Elvis shows.

When he first had a chance to record in Nashville, record executive Owen Bradley told him that "That'll Be The Day " was the worst song he ever heard. Unfazed, Buddy, with a whatever it takes attitude, took his band to Mexico where they found a friendlier studio to record in. The next version of "That'll Be The Day" became a huge hit.

Buddy recorded all the songs mentioned above in less than two years. He died in a plane crash when he was only 22 after giving his final performance at The Surf Club in Clear Lake Iowa. He had split with The Crickets by then and Waylon Jennings was in his band. Jennings, along with Dion and The Belmonts, took the bus after the show, while Buddy, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper took the plane that never made it to the next gig.

Waylon recalled how he and his friend were joking as they said goodbye. Buddy said, I hope the bus breaks down, and Waylon kidded back, I hope that your plane crashes. The comment haunted him for years.

Buddy Holly was a shooting star who flashed across the early rock and roll skies, but was a major star nonetheless.

Tracks compiled by Ray D'Ariano / Back to index

Bonus cuts:
Easy answer: Anything. Convoluted answer: There are multiple versions out there of a lot of Son House's songs. He was originally recorded by Alan Lomax during one of Lomax' trips to the Mississippi Delta as an archivist for the Library of Congress. That would've been sometime in the 1930's and early 40's. Those recordings, which are priceless now, were then made simply to document America's roots music, not to make a star of the musician.

Fast forward thirty years to the blues revival of the 1960s, and we find Son House (who hadn't played music at all in about a decade, and hadn't played with regularity in two decades) "re-discovered" and re-recording his songs for commercial release.

For a good sampling of both types of Son House recordings, check out the disc Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Son House. It's the only disc I know of off the top of my head which covers both eras. I'm sure there are others. Do your own research. As I stated in the easy answer, anything you find will be worth it.

Comments:
Son House is fixin' to take over the penthouse of my personal blues hierarchy. When Muddy Waters, considered by many to be the greatest bluesman of all time, was asked if the legendary Robert Johnson was a better guitar player than Son House, he said that he thought they were about equal. Anyone who knows the blues will tell you that this was about as high a compliment as one blues musician could give another. Later, as it turned out, researchers discovered that House was something of a mentor to Johnson and actually taught him how to play! Son House's guitar work is stellar, and his vocals are, simply put, as good as it gets in terms of Delta blues. Eddie J. "Son" House Jr. is as essential as it gets.

TOP 10 TRACKS:
1. Mind Over Matter 2. Six In The Morning 3. New Jack Hustler
4. O.G. Original Gangster 5. Cop Killer (with Body Count)
6. It's On 7. Watch The Ice Break 8. Midnight 9. Ice MF T
10. Ya Shoulda Killed Me Last Year (Spoken Word)

Bonus cuts:
In my opinion, there has not been one rap album, regardless of sub-genre (pop, gangsta, whatever) since Ice-T's 1991 album O.G. Original Gangster that was as good. So called geniuses like Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls made their careers out of copying what Ice was doing five years earlier. The album is a rap masterpiece and should be in the collection of anyone spouting off about how great Eminem or 2Pac are. (Okay, okay, that first Dr. Dre solo album was as good, but otherwise, Ice-T is the man!)

Comments:
In the early 90's, Ice-T found himself in the middle of one of the biggest controversies in recent music history. Both Presidential candidates in the 1992 election singled Ice out as an example of what was wrong with our values in this country. At the center of the storm was a song called Cop Killer on an album by the same name. The song, which was by Ice-T's group, Body Count, was regularly referred to in the media, as well as by the President and the Vice-President, as a rap song. In actuality the song, like every other song Body Count ever recorded, was a heavy metal/hardcore punk song. After months of protests and boycotts, the song was eventually cut from the album which was also subsequently re-named. Thirteen years later, Cop Killer has never been reissued. The following year, Ice was dropped by Warner Brothers Records for refusing to tone down the content of his next album, Home Invasion. Ice then formed his own label and released the album unedited with the following disclaimer as its first track:

"Attention. At this moment you are now listening to an Ice-T LP. If you are offended by words like s**t, b**ch, f**k, d**k, a*s, h*, c*m, dirty b**ch, low motherfu**er, ni**a, h**ker, sl*t, tra*p, dirty low sl*t tr**p b**ch h* ni**a f**k s**t, whatever, take the tape out now! THIS IS NOT A POP ALBUM! And by the way, s**k m* motherf**king d**k!" (Note: I was in favor of putting the disclaimer up unedited, but the older guys here at Are You On Something took offense . . . pu**ies.- Mike)

For the next several years, Ice continued to make and release uncompromising rap and hard rock albums. No one was safe from his ire. He answered back the president's comments as if he was just a rival MC in an old school battle rap and even said his own fans "ain't shit" in one song! Regardless of your opinion of his music, there can be no doubt about the fact that Ice-T is an icon of freedom of expression. Presently, Ice-T hasn't released an album, either solo or with Body Count, in six years. Instead, for the past 5 years Ice has made his living as an actor on the television show, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. He plays a police officer.

Tracks compiled by Mike D'Ariano / Back to index

TOP 10 TRACKS:
1. Phantom of the Opera 2. Wrathchild 3. Hallowed be thy Name
4. The Trooper 5. Aces High 6. Two Minutes to Midnight 7. Wasted Years
8. Déjà vu 9. Can I Play With Madness 10. Fear of the Dark

Bonus cuts:
Be Quick Or Be Dead / Prowler, Killers / The Prisoner / Where Eagles Dare / Caught Somewhere In Time / The Evil That Men Do / Judas Be My Guide / Man On The Edge / The Clansman / Out Of The Silent Planet

Comments:
The epitome of metal music and image. For the past 25 years when someone would mention the two words "Iron Maiden" you thought of "Eddie", the band's silent spokesman, who happens to be a 15 foot tall dead guy. You thought of chains, leather, fire, and for some reason…pain. I've been listening to Iron Maiden for the past 15 years, and when people ask me who my favorite band is, Maiden is my answer. You should see the look on peoples faces when I say that. "Iron Maiden? Oh man, you're into that really satanic crazy metal shit." Wow…I wish my name struck that much fear into peoples minds. I guarantee that these people probably never even heard a Maiden song, or at the most, heard the catch phrase "666 the number of the beast." Well for all of those folks who believe this music is poisonous or for those who perhaps fully embraced Tipper Gore's pro-censorship philosophy made popular in the 1980's, I urge you to please open your mind just a little and maybe actually listen to the lyrics that are sung; listen to the actual arrangement and composition of the music being performed; and finally, feel the soul that these musicians put into their playing. All of the above are by no means simplistic and if nothing else, they deserve some respect and musical appreciation.

Let's take away the artwork, the image, the stigma, and talk about what's important here…THE MUSIC. Here is a band that has evolved so much through their existence. I bet you didn't know that before they had a deal, they were considered a punk band, did ya? Take a listen to the song "Running Free" or "Iron Maiden" and you'll see this is quite feasible. They invented the "galloping" drumbeat; they saturated their music with guitar harmonies, and their lyrics, when actually LISTENED to, force you to think and to learn. And finally for the first time in heavy music, we have a bass player who is worth a damn. I'll be the first to admit that the image and some of their songs are corny. But come on, throughout recent music history, there have been a lot of corny images…Kiss, Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P., and dare I say it…The Beatles. But for some reason, during these bands' genesis, the images worked! Not only did they work, but people also copied them, and it worked for the copycats too! So while some things may seem corny, it's probably just because they are dated (bell bottoms, mullets, collars as wide as your nipples). As far as the music goes, the band has 13 studio albums and approximately 150 songs. Even if 75% of their songs sucked, that's still a positive contribution of ~40 really good songs to the music community. There aren't a lot of bands that can say that. In closing, check out the top 10 songs. I put them in age order so you can hear the natural progression of the band. Iron Maiden may just be metal's best-kept public secret.

Comments:
"I Don't Want To Cry," Chuck Jackson's first hit single from 1961 and "Any Day Now" from the following year are two of the most perfect and incredible soul recordings of all time.

Jackson wasn't raw like Pickett or Brown. His amazing baritone voice was as smooth as the violins and harmonious funky harmonies that backed him up on those brilliant records. Chuck Jackson is a class act and it's the total package of his talent and style that makes all of his recordings uniquely special.

He was a fan favorite, and had the girls screaming whenever he performed live at the legendary Murray The K Holiday Shows at the Brooklyn Fox in the 60's. His duet with Dionne Warwick on "If I Let Myself Go" was nominated for a Grammy for best duet, and Michael McDonald had a huge hit with his cover of Chuck's "I Keep Forgettin'." If you listen to Chuck's version you might mistake him for Tom Jones – in fact, his singing was a huge influence on the Welch superstar. You can also hear how he influenced Tom on "Something You Got." Not coincidently, Tom's breakthrough hit "It's Not Unusual" was actually written specifically for Jackson.

Chuck Jackson is one of the few pure soul singers around, the real deal and an American treasure.

TOP 10 TRACKS:
1. Crimson & Clover 2. Mony Mony 3. Crystal Blue Persuasion
4. Draggin' The Line (Tommy James Solo) 5. Hanky Panky
6. Mirage 7. Sweet Cherry Wine 8. I Think We're Alone Now
9. Getting Together 10. Out Of The Blue

Comments:
They weren't the Beatles. They weren't even The Kinks, The Rascals, or The Searchers, but they weren't one hit wonders like The Lemon Pipers or The Strawberry Alarm Clock either. What they did was make a string of memorable hit records that were a mainstay on the charts for 5 straight years in the 1960s. When we first heard of them via "Hanky Panky," they were a garage band with a primitive raw sound reminiscent of "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen. Then they had a few bubble gum-style hits before they put out one of the all-time great rock dance numbers, "Mony Mony" in 1968. Billy Idol had a number one with the record in the 80's, but his version lacked that mid-60's rock groove that The Shondells put on the track.

In the late 60's, in the wake of Sgt. Pepper, James Company created their own version of psychedelic bubble gum with two amazing records, "Crimson & Clover," and "Crystal Blue Persuasion." Those two tunes are their Pepper; their Smile; and earn a spot in rock history for their originality and uniqueness. Note if you never heard "Crimson and Clover" be sure and hear the LONG version that is contained on the album of the same name. "Sweet Cherry Wine" was the band's anti-war protest song and "Draggin' the Line" was a Tommy James solo hit. You can hear everything John Mellencamp did since in that one record.

Tommy James and The Shondells didn't have a George Martin producing them. They weren't on a huge label like Warner Brothers with all their promotional muscle. They did it on their own and are worth serious consideration because they made some damn good records.

Tracks compiled by Ray D'Ariano / Back to index

TOP 10 TRACKS:
1. Cara Mia 2. Come A Little Bit Closer 3. This Magic Moment
4. She Cried 5. Let's Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key)
6. Some Enchanted Evening 7. Sunday And Me 8. Walkin' In The Rain
9. Cryin' 10. Only In America

Comments:
Jay and The Americans often get lost in the shuffle of rock's eclectic history, but they were a great New York vocal group who survived the British Invasion, the experimental rock on Progressive FM radio, Motown, and every other musical change in the 60's to create a decades worth of hit records. Influenced by the amazing R & B and doo-wop groups of the 50's – The Flamingos, The Moonglows, The 5 Keys, The Cadillacs, Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters, and all the rest – there were a number of first-rate white vocal groups who transformed doo-wop into a unique pop sound during the pre-Beatles 60's. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were the most successful, but The Duprees, The Capris, The Earls and many others made contributions.

The thing that separated Jay and The Americans from the pack was the astonishing voice of Jay Black. Certainly his group had great producers and excellent material, but it was Black's lead vocals that kicked them up to another level. Jay Black, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Maestro (of The Crests and later The Brooklyn Bridge) are arguably the four greatest voices in early 60's rock and pop. Their first hit was She Cried. Shortly afterwards the original lead singer John "Jay" Traynor left to pursue a solo career. Marty Sanders, one of the group's session musicians, brought in his friend David Blatt, the lead singer of an all Jewish vocal group called The Empires from Tilden High School in Brooklyn. He changed his name to Jay Black and sang lead on all of the groups subsequent hits. Although tunes like She Cried (by Lieber and Stoller), Come A Little Bit Closer (written by Boyce and Hart), and Sunday and Me (a Neil Diamond composition) were original tunes, the majority of their hits were cover records including the pop operatic Cara Mia, originally recorded by Dave Whitfield in 1954, Roy Orbison's Cryin', When You Dance by The Turbans, Walkin' In The Rain by The Ronettes, and a tune that was never released by The Drifters, Only In America. In 1963 the song was recorded by The Drifters, and produced by Leiber and Stoller. Atlantic Records decided not to release it because some felt there were offending lyrics: "Only in America do they make you sit in the back of the bus". Americans member Kenny Vance heard the tune and because of its name suggested they record it. After a few lyrical changes, The Drifters vocals were erased and it became a top 40 hit for Jay and The Americans.

In the early 70's the group threw in the towel. Kenny Vance became musical director for Saturday Night Live for awhile, did a lot of work in the movies, and still performs at oldies shows today with his group Kenny and The Planetones. The voice, Jay Black still knocks out audiences when he appears in concert around the country.

One footnote: In the early 70's, two members of the Jay and The Americans backup band were Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who went on to form Steely Dan.