The Wailers - Outburst!

The Wailers.
Like, Bob Marley and the...?
No.
Absolutely not.

These Wailers were five white guys trying to tear it up on their first United Artist release from 1966:

Knowing absolutely nothing about this band, my first quest for knowledge led me to read the liner notes on the back of the LP, which are pretty funny...

"Brothers and Sisters, to witness THE WAILERS in action is to believe!...A personal appearance by THE WAILERS is a 'happening'...Soon the beat's into you, penetrating skull and belly...That haunting ever riding whang comes from the unique lead guitar of Neil Anderson...They are what they are."

The group, at that particular time, consisted of John "Buck" Ormsby on bass, Kent E. Morrill on organ and lead vocals, Neil Anderson on lead guitar, Ron Gardner on sax and lead vocals and Dave Roland on drums and lead vocals. Internet and Wikipedia research reveals that the entire group has passed on as of 2016.

There appears to have been many incarnations of the band since their formation in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington.  The only constant member was Morrill.  The band was also known as "The Fabulous Wailers" and even had their own record label, Etiquette, from 1962-1966.  Legend has it that Jimi Hendrix was a fan, and the band even helped give a start to garage rock greats, The Sonics.

Most of this record features songs entirely written by someone named R. Wayne Davies.  After a Google search, I discovered that Davies (aka Ron Davis, aka Ronny Wayne Davies) went on to become well known as a country song writer, and gained some pop fame as the writer of Three Dog Night's fourth album title track, "It Ain't Easy".

This is an interesting album.  It really is a hodgepodge of types of songs.  One song can be incredibly rocking, like "Out of Our Tree", and the next, a Left Banke type baroque pop number like, "Tears Don't Have To Fall".  The album not having a particularly distinct sound can be good and bad.  It's good if you like variety, but also, you find yourself just thinking that the different songs sound like a number of bands from the era could be doing them instead of thinking, "Oh yeah, this is the Wailers."

I give it two and a half stars.

Side One:

You Won't Lead Me On

I Want to Walk With You

Think Kindly Baby  (Makes me think of "Listen People" by Herman's Hermits.)

Out of Our Tree (Definitely the stand-out track.  I remember John putting this on one of the comps he would make for me while we were dating.  Grungy, hard garage rock at it's best.  The song was written by three members of the group and is the only track not penned by Davies.)

It's You Alone

Bad Trip

Side Two:

Hold

My Girl  (Reminds me of The Turtles.)

Turn and Run

Sit in My Room

Tears Don't Have To Fall  (Reminds me of The Left Banke.)

I'm Looking Down at You (Sounds a bit lounge-like.  I like it, but it's a completely different sounding band from the sound of "Out of Our Tree".)

Now, let's get John's take on this record:

Where did you buy this record and when?
"I bought it at Princeton Record Exchange.  I don't really remember exactly.  Had to be late 90's, early 2000's.  1999 or 2000, I think."

Do you own it in any other format?
"No.  Just the LP."

What is your over-all impression of this album?
"This is a weird and odd record for them.  These guys were contemporaries of The Sonics, predated The Sonics and they had records on the same label.  I don't know the whole back story, but they somehow hooked up with this R. Wayne Davies and recorded a whole bunch of his folksy songs.  This one song, "It's You Alone", started to break out and the band got picked up by United Artists.  That song became a hit in the San Francisco area, so they got booked to play at the Fillmore.  The people who came to see them expected this nice folk rock sound, but The Wailers busted out with "Out of Our Tree" and freaked everybody out.
This is kind of a departure for them with no original material except for two songs."

Favorite Track?
" 'Out of Our Tree'.  Killer garage classic with loud, booming drums."

How many stars out of five?
"A four.  There are some pleasant songs, but not what you'd expect from The Wailers."

Thanks for stopping by!
Same rules apply as before.  The first person to comment with a number between 1 and 12 and a number between 1 and 75 will help me randomly choose the next record.

What a Way to Die: 15 Forgotten Losers from the Mid 60s

This week's record of random (Unit 11, Number 66) is "What a Way to Die: 15 Forgotten Losers from the Mid 60s" on the aptly named Satan Records.

Don't get me wrong.  I do enjoy the genre popularly known as "Garage Rock", but what I don't like are the records that sound like every other garage rock record.  Yes, I know, it's not a genre that one expects the world from right?  The sound that is built upon four chords and a drum beat.  However, to me, to end up as a favorite in my music heart, it's got to have an excellent beat and enough melody and changes to actually say something. 

Whenever my husband listens to records at home, it's these types of songs that tend to make the floors shake.  I don't mind, and I even hear a few that stick to me musically.  Just like that, this album has done the same.  Some hits, some misses, and some that are just (sorry) unremarkable to me.

Let's take a look at the tunes included in this compilation:

Side One:

1.) The Pleasure Seekers - What a Way to Die:  So, there's a pic of these women on the back cover.  Not to be one who makes generalized statements, but I'm going to anyway.  Women in bands in the 60's didn't tend to sound like that and look like this:

But, it's the Quatro sisters.  Yep, one part being Suzi Quatro.  Who would later go on to have her fame (Happy Day's-ish that it may have been) looking like this:

2.)  Larry & the Loafers - Let's Go to the Beach

3.)  The Teddy Boys - Don't Mess with Me

4.)  The Grains of Sand - That's When Happiness Began:  Sounds like strains of "I Wanna Be Your Man" by the Stones and "Little Girl" by Syndicate of Sound put in the blender and poured into this tune.

5.)  The Magic Mushroom - I'm Gone: I couldn't help but think of "You're Gonna Miss Me" by the 13th Floor Elevators.  They're not exactly alike, but perhaps it was "inspired" by.

6.)  The Knaves - Leave Me Alone

7.)  The Renegades - 13 Women:  The best part of this song is the organ.  It gives it something different and makes it a little more foreboding. 

Side Two:

1.)  The First Four - Empty Heart

2.)  Richard and the Young Lions - You Can Make It:  I'm just guessing (haha), but this is probably the reason why my husband bought this record.  I know he LOVES "Open Up Your Door", and often talks about when he saw the reformed band when he was back home in New Jersey.  This song is quite good, and very superior to what I have heard on this compilation as of yet.  (Probably why they are the only band on the cover...or maybe it's one of the only bands they could find a picture of?)  I don't know much about Richard and the Young Lions, but their signature seems to be raucous songs with that "build to explode" format that makes a crowd happy.  I can only imagine how much fun it was/is to see them live.

3.)  The Beech-Nuts - My Iconoclastic Life:  The only thing I like about this song is the using the word "Iconoclastic" in the title.



4.)  The Human Beingz - Evil Hearted You:  Everyone knows "Nobody But Me", but this is just an okay cover of a great song.  You can't touch The Yardbirds.

5.)  The Swingin' Machine - Do You Have to Ask?:  You don't have to be the greatest singer in the world to front a garage band, but I don't think they even tried.  The guitar isn't bad, though.

6.)  The Enfields - She Already Has Somebody:  This one is pretty good!  They seem to have thrown enough of a bit of everything in to keep it interesting.  Decent lyrics, mixed with some surf rock, mild psych and melody.

7.)  The Pleasure Seekers - Never Thought You'd Leave Me:  Why do I have a feeling that the makers of this compilation just really, really wanted to put this Pleasure Seekers single that they had on a compilation album?

8.)  Special Extra Bonus Cut:  "...the first known recording of a notorious 60's punk band that everyone seems to love."  Complete with sax. Must be called "Gonna Have a Twist Tonight" or perhaps "Hideaway".  I really don't know who it is.  The singer sort of sounds like Tommy Smothers.  Is it Iggy?  I'm sure John will know...

On to John...

Where did you buy this record and when?
"I got that at Curmudgeon Records in Highland Park, NJ.  Had to be in the late 90's, early 2000's."

Do you own it in any other format?
"No, but I'd like to have it on CD for ease of convenience.  I haven't played it in so long and there's some killer tracks I was hearing while you were listening to it."

What is your over-all impression of this album?
"That's one of the best garage comps I've got!  There's really like one weak track on the end...I think it's the Standells."

Favorite Track?
"The Richard and the Young Lions track.  It's really cool how they put the Harry Harrison thing on the beginning and the end."

How many stars out of five?
"Five out of Five. It's a great comp."

And for my next blog,  the first person to comment with a number from 1 to 16, and another number from 1 to 75, that will be my next randomly selected record from John's vault. :-)





Status Quo - Piledriver

Let’s see… what do I know about Status Quo?  Well, I don’t think any self-respecting lover of good sixties music could not remember “Pictures of Matchstick Men”.  What a great tune!  However, it never made me want to investigate their other musical odysseys.

This album, Piledriver, was released in 1972, about four years after “Matchstick Men”.  This being the only album I’ve fully heard from Status Quo, I would have to say that they probably fit well in the early 70’s, bluesy, Zeppelin world that was popular at the time.  

Honestly, when I first put the needle in the groove and heard the first tune on this record, I was not impressed.  I am not a fan of early 70’s blues-rock, unless it has something different to say, or maybe a hook or two. That’s just my taste.  However, I was pleased to discover that it does get a bit better here and there. 

Track Listing:

Side One:

Don’t Waste My Time

O Baby

A Year

Unspoken Words 

Side Two:

Big Fat Mama

Paper Plane

All the Reasons

Roadhouse Blues

“O Baby” isn’t too terrible on the ears, and “A Year” is a bit (again, sorry for using this as a descriptor) soft-Zeppelin-esque. 

I could probably live without ever hearing “Big Fat Mama” again.  To me, it’s an example of generic blues-rock that takes over five minutes to say…practically nothing.

“Paper Plane” sounds to me like it was either a single, or had single potential.  It sounds like something you’d hear on a top 40 station in the early 70’s.

“All the Reasons” is a fairly nice tune with some good guitar.

And “Roadhouse Blues”…yep, it’s a cover of the Doors song.  I don’t mind the original, but this is just another oft-covered bar-band tune that really doesn’t impress much.  Granted, Status Quo is more talented than your average bar band, but maybe they should have just finished the album with more of their original work.

I don’t really feel that I’m all that qualified to judge blues-rock, as you already know that I’m not a big fan, but this album doesn’t seem too bad.  If you like this type of rock, you may want to check it out.  The songs do tend to go on longer than I personally like, and the vocals are not remarkable, but again, that’s just my opinion.

 Overall, it’s not something I’d visit again, but I’m glad I gave it a chance.

  
Let’s see what John has to say….

Where did you buy this record and when?


“I think I got this at Tommy’s store in Cranford.  When, I don’t really remember. Had to be maybe in the early 2000’s.”


Do you own it in any other format?

“No”


What is your over-all impression of this album?


“I bought it for “Paper Plane”, which is an awesome song.  But, I don’t remember much about it.  It didn’t leave much of an impression on me.  This is what they were known for after their psychedelic era.  It’s not bad.  It’s just not my thing.  Interesting cover of ‘Roadhouse Blues’.”


Favorite Track?


“Paper Plane”

 How many stars out of five?

“I’d give it 3 and a half or four.  Just for ‘Paper Plane’ alone.”

 And for my next blog,  the first person to comment with a number from 1 to 16, and another number from 1 to 75, that will be my next randomly selected record from John's vault. :-)

Gabor Szabo - Spellbinder

Spellbinder. What an accurate description!

I am honestly not a huge fan of jazz in general. For me, most of the time, I just don't "get it". Yeah, I know, I should be scorned now because I volunteer at a predominately jazz radio station, but there is some that I do really enjoy...about 20%. For me, a lot of times, jazz generally goes on and on and on and I don't really see the point, but this record, for sure, has set me straight in a way.

This album is absolutely amazing. I put it on and right from the start, I wasn't bored in any way. Aside from the couple minutes it took me to scan the album cover and size the pictures, I sat here in the early afternoon sun and just immersed myself in this great instrumentalist.



Side One:
Spellbinder
Witchcraft
It Was a Very Good Year
Gypsy Queen

Side Two:
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
Cheetah
My Foolish Heart
Yearning
Autumn Leaves
Speak to Me of Love

While, in my opinion, side one is a lot more interesting than side two, it's all good. The gatefold cover also had some great descriptions of the songs and a little about Gabor Szabo himself, since I pretty much had no idea about him. It is interesting to note that "Cheetah" was inspired by a "new New York discotheque", which I believe I have some pictures of in one of my old Life magazines. Very cool.

All in all, I give "Spellbinder" a 4 out of 5 star rating. I'll absolutely be looking into more of his stuff.

If you are a slight jazz nay-sayer and don't believe me as to how awesome this is, check out the title track here:



John?

Where did you buy this record and when?

"This has to be a very early purchase of mine from Izzy's, so it has to be 1995 or 1996."

Do you own it in any other format?

"I have it on CD"

What is your over-all impression of this album?

"It's great! It's hard to describe. It drifts along and sucks you in, and it's relaxing. Great guitar."

Favorite Track?

"The title track, 'Cheetah', and 'Gypsy Queen'."

How many stars out of five?

"Four and 1/2. I knock it down for 'Autumn Leaves'"

The Ventures - Swamp Rock

I'm back from vacation and ready to take on some more records. It's a massive task. I just realized that not only do I have that whole record shelving unit to go though, but there's a bunch more in one of John's closets and in a record cabinet that haven't been "rotated into" the general population yet. I'd better get crackin'.

Tonight's record, The Ventures. Like most of these records I've been pulling out, I can't say I know all that much about The Ventures. But, being all instrumentals and being a group that has been around for so long, I wonder how many personnel changes there have been.



This record had to have been released around the late 60's, I would guess. I've never been a fan of "Swamp Rock" myself. Never cared for CCR, and I HATE "Honky Tonk Woman" by the Stones. (I know, I know. Terrible, right?) I don't like "Brown Sugar" either. Go figure. Not my sound.



Track Listing:

Side A:
Carry Me Back
Honky Tonk Woman
Muddy Mississippi Line
Jambalaya
Swamp Rock
Niki Hoeky

Side B:
Green River
Suspicious Minds
Catfish Mud Dance
Proud Mary
Gumbo
Plaquemines Parish

Overall, this isn't an album I'd probably listen to again. The Ventures are pros, of course, but it's just not for me. I do like, however, that they covered "Suspicious Minds", one of my very favorite Elvis tunes.

I give it two and one half stars.

John?

Where did you buy this record and when?

"It was before I was working at Izzy's...so probably '94 or '95. It's cool to see Izzy's handwriting again..."




Do you own it in any other format?

"No"

What is your over-all impression of this album?

"It's not one of my favorite Ventures albums. This is probably the first time I've listened to it since I bought it. Very countryish. I quite like 'Gumbo'."

Favorite Track?

"Gumbo!"

How many stars out of five?

"Three stars for 'Gumbo'...the rest of it's kinda bland."

Robert Plant - Now and Zen

Webster's Dictionary defines zen as...ugh, never mind.

Tonight's installment is "Now and Zen" by Mr. Robert Plant. Officially one of the most BORING records I have ever heard.



Side One:
Heaven Knows
Dance on My Own
Tall Cool One
The Way I Feel

Side Two:
Helen of Troy
Billy's Revenge
Ship of Fools
Why
White, Clean and Neat



I have to say, I've always liked "Tall Cool One". I feel that the song is the one redeeming quality of this album. But, is it due to the fact that it samples Zeppelin? It's a cool 80's rock tune. Everything else is...meah. (That's the best description I can find.) I'm sure somebody out there thinks this is genius, but for me, I just don't feel it, ya know?

But, I did find another receipt gem in the album:



Purchased in March of 1988, by young John.

In 1988, this was me:



I didn't know who Zeppelin was. Or Robert Plant. I was too busy watching Woody Woodpecker and Kids Incorporated, coloring, and pretending I was a singer/actress to my stuffed animals. :-P

One and 1/2 stars.

John?

Where did you buy this record and when?

So, obviously we know you bought this in 1988. Where at? "Looks like Sound-a-Rama in downtown Rahway. If not there, at the mall somewhere."

Do you own it in any other format?

"I have a few songs on that 2-cd Robert Plant comp/best of."

What is your over-all impression of this album?

"I don't really like it anymore. 'Tall Cool One' is interesting, but it sounds totally 80's. It's just kind of boring.
I saw him on that tour in July of '88. Cheap Trick opened. My sister's friend made us late and we only saw the very end of Cheap Trick. I really don't remember a lot of the songs Robert Plant played, it was kind of dull. I remember 'Communication Breakdown' was the encore and everybody got excited 'cause they thought it was Jimmy Page that was there, but it was just a member of Plant's band wearing a long coat."

Favorite Track?

"Tall Cool One....that's about it."

How many stars out of five?

"Three...and that's being nice."

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moo

Honestly, when I first met John and I found out he liked Pink Floyd, I was like, "Eh?" What little I knew of Pink Floyd is probably what most of the average music listening population know. And that knowledge led me to be not much of a fan.

My most vivid memory of listening to Pink Floyd was sitting in the back of my brother Robert's car with my best friend Jennie in 8th grade listening to "The Wall". It scared Jennie. "This music is really creepy..." she said as she laughed and cowered in her seat. I didn't think it was scary, just a tad boring. (Now I'll duck as all die-hard Pink Floyd fans throw garbage at me.)

So, thankfully, John opened my eyes to the difference that is Pink Floyd in the Syd Barrett era. According to some 'Teen mags I have from the 60's, they were known as 'The' Pink Floyd. And to me, I think that's how it should be.

I can also honestly say that I'm not a huge psychedelic music fan. My personal tastes are a bit quirky. I like melodic music, but that's not to say a heavy guitar/jumble of sounds track can't spark my interest. In fact, psychedelic music can be a bit quirky in and of itself.

Tonight, my musical journey brings me to...



Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moo

Yes, a boot. (Shhhh...)

Track listing:

Side A:
Astronomy Domine
Candy and a Currant Bun
Apples and Oranges
It Would Be So Nice
Intersteller Overdrive
Scream Thy Last Scream

Side B:
Heart Beat, Pig Meat
Crumbling Land
Embryo
Point Me at the Sky
Come in Number 51, Your Time is Up
Mademoiselle Knobs




Just typing some of those song titles had me laughing...ah, sorry.

Anyway, back to the show.

I think this album is....ok. I'm not that well versed in Pink Floyd, so I'm sure that someone who is would have much more interesting things to say about the production of these songs and maybe even the stories behind them. So, I won't burden anyone with my analysis because I'm sure it would be entirely off-base. I did enjoy "Apples and Oranges", "It Would Be So Nice", "Crumbling Land", and really liked "Point Me at the Sky" (which really quite rocks). They have a bit of that British melodic touch that I do enjoy. I just can't get with the whole, "Let's go on for quite some time and not really go anywhere" type song. Maybe I have a short attention span when it comes to music, but then again, that's just personal preference rearing it's head again.

I give it two stars.

Yo, John...

Where did you buy this record and when?

(First, I have to show you this:)



(Cool, huh? Occasionally, when I'm rooting through John's music or books, I'll come across a receipt from the purchase. I find this both amusing and endearing. Looks like he bought a copy of Goldmine, a Them album, and a Pretty Things album. Interesting that they just listed this as "Records". Oh, and I have to mention, that by 2/25/89, I'd just turned eight. Hehe.)

So it was purchased it Vintage Vinyl in 1989. At 12:27pm.

Do you own it in any other format?

"I have a lot of the early singles on a CD now."

What is your over-all impression of this album?

"You know my feelings about Pink Floyd...I love the Syd Barrett stuff and the pre-Dark Side of the Moon stuff. Just don't get into the dreamy-stoner type stuff."

Favorite Track?

"I love 'Point Me at the Sky', and I like the alternate take of 'Interstellar Overdrive'."

How many stars out of five?

"Five"

Neil Innes - How Sweet to Be An Idiot

I would just like to start out by saying that even without having heard this album before, which I haven't, I think Neil Innes is awesome.

His work as "Ron Nasty" (and principal songwriter) in The Rutles (which I absolutely love), as well as what little I know of him as a member of the Bonzos had me going into this listen with a lot of respect. And I found that none of that was tarnished.



"How Sweet to Be An Idiot" was Neil Innes' first solo record, cut in 1973. So, this was probably after the Bonzos and a bit before The Rutles act gained any popularity.



Side One:
Prologue
Momma Bee
Immortal Invisible
Topless A Go-Go
Feel No Shame

Side Two:
How Sweet to Be An Idiot
Dream
L'Amour Perdu
Song for Yvonne
This Love of Ours
Singing a Song Is Easy

This album is a mix of the serious and the sweetly humorous sides of Neil, which appeals to someone like me a great deal. The majority of the first side is a bit bluesy for my personal taste, but the second side has a lot of lovely songs that have nice little funny parts that had me chuckling here and there. I especially enjoyed "L'Amour Perdu" where he cleverly does some word play with French and English. What can I say...I like witty people.

A few of the songs on side two, I can't help but think they're a bit Beatles inspired, which couldn't hurt considering that Neil would become known for making one of the best Beatles parodys ever...but the music of The Rutles didn't poke fun at The Beatles, so I guess parody isn't the right word. You can tell that Neil has a lot of respect for the group, so his songs are more of a salute than anything.

All in all, I think "How Sweet To Be An Idiot" is a cute little record. Neil Innes just seems to be one of those people that you probably couldn't hate if you tried.

Oh, and evidentally, Oasis took "How Sweet to Be an Idiot" and turned it into a single called "Whatever". Never heard it. They got sued.


I give the album 3 1/2 stars.

John?

Where did you buy this record and when?
This is probably one of my first purchases from Izzy's. It was something I picked up in '94 or '95, before I became an employee.

Do you own it in any other format?
No. I think I have "How Sweet to Be An Idiot" as a bonus track on one of the Bonzos albums

What is your over-all impression of this album?
To be honest, I don't think I've listened to it since I bought it, and I don't remember it being this good! It automatically sounds very British. Great backing musicians too.

Favorite Track?
Just from listening to it now, I like "Momma Bee" and "L'Amour Perdu"

How many stars out of five?
Four and 1/2

The Iguanas - S/T

I say this is self titled, because there's not really a title for it.

Thankfully, there were extensive liner notes on the back of this compiliation to aid me in understanding exactly what this is.

It's Jim Osterberg's first band. You know, Jim Osterberg. That household name. I mean, you can't go anywhere these days without hearing the name, Jim Osterberg.

Um...

Well, for those of us not really "in the know" (like myself), Jim Osterberg is known primarily as Mr. Iggy Pop. Yeah! He was the drummer in this band, and wouldn't you know, that's probably how he came to be known as "Iggy". You learn something new every day...



The Iguanas were a local, Ann Arbor, Michigan band from the early 60's who had recorded some original tracks, but mostly covers of popular early 60's rock tunes. Garage band a-go-go...but that's not a bad thing.

This compilation of Iguana's tracks was released in 1996 by Norton Records, and I find it really cool that they included a few little photos and show flyers on the back cover. I was especially geeked to see the one announcing the Shangri-las with the Iguanas at Club Ponytail in Harbor Springs, MI. That's just north of Petoskey, so I've been there a few times...I wonder where that was at...



Track Listing:

Side A:
1. Mona
2. I Don't Know Why
3. Again and Again
4. Out of Limits
5. California Sun
6. Twist and Shout
7. Walk Don't Run
8. Things We Said Today
9. Surfin' Bird

Side B:
1. Louie Louie
2. Wild Weekend
3. Tell Me
4. Slow Down
5. Johnny B Goode
6. Tequila
7. I Feel Fine
8. Pipeline
9. If I Had a Hammer

"I Don't Know Why" and "Again and Again" are Iguana originals, which is great that they put them first among all the covers, because some of them are downright atrocious. Take "Tell Me" for instance. Ouch. I love "Tell Me". I have the Stones singing "Tell Me" on my mp3 player at work, so I hear it almost daily and I never get sick of it. The Iguana's version was pretty painful.

But, this compliation is what is. It captures the early Iggy in his element. He only "sings" lead on one track, "Louie Louie" (only few bands must have been privy to the lyric sheet to this!), but if you're an Iggy fan, you buy this album. It's a nice garage-y snapshot, and if you listen closely, you can hear some studio chatter, which is usually always pretty cool.

For me, I give it two and three quarters stars, Ed.

John?

Where did you buy this record and when?
Vintage Vinyl, as per usual, probably around '96 - 2000.

Do you own it in any other format?
No

What is your over-all impression of this album?
It's not that great. It's sounds like just another garage band, but it's Iggy's first band, and has his first composition on it. It's compitent garage rock - nothing earth shattering.

Favorite Track?
"Mona". It was the official single, and it's the best on this album.

How many stars out of five?
Three
Because it's Iggy.

Bull of the Woods - 13th Floor Elevators (LP 1)

Alrighty, what do I know about the 13th Floor Elevators? Well, the first time I ever heard them was the beginning of the (awesome) movie, "High Fidelity". "You're Gonna Miss Me" is a very cool song, and I remember having a positive nod towards a few of the other Elevators tracks that I've heard John play on the show. So, I went into listening to this one with a fairly good mindset.

The 13th Floor Elevators have a very interesting story, mainly that of leader Roky Erickson. I highly recommend the documentary "You're Gonna Miss Me", that is the story of Roky's life and decent into madness. (I love rock docs. Even if I don't like the band, I tend to watch them because a lot of the times, they're really interesting. That is unless it's about someone I completely can't stand, count me glued to the tv for the time that it's on.) Can't say I know all that much about the group as a whole, though. (We saw "You're Gonna Miss Me" around the same time we saw "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" at the State Theatre, and for some reason...I get them mixed up! Duh...)

Anyway, so this evening I tossed (um, I mean, handled extremely carefully) this record onto John's turntable:




One thing I love about LPs is cover art. Cover art rules. Well, not all cover art, but you get my drift. Back in the day (I'm not THAT old, really, I just like saying that), cover art was, well, art. Yep. Not necessarily photographs (while there are a lot of great photographs used in cover art), but honest to goodness art that somebody actually took the time to produce. I love looking at LP covers. You can't judge a book by looking at the cover (but you know, we all do), but sometimes you CAN judge a record by one.

From the looks of this one...not one of the greatest covers I've ever seen. Yep, a bull, they got that point across. He appears to be starring out from a wooden frame in a burlap sack. Uh-huh. Ok. Moving on.

Tracks:



Side One:
1. Livin On
2. Barnyard Blues
3. Till Then
4. Never Another
5. Rose and the Thorn
6. Down by the River

Side Two:

1. Scarlet and Gold
2. Street Song
3. Dr. Doom
4. With You
5. May the Circle Remain Unbroken

I admit, I played side two first. I don't know why. I had a natural blonde moment and accidentally put the album on the second side first. I looked at the track listing and just thought it was one of those bands who are so cool and existential that they don't use their song titles in the lyrics. Anyway, I have to say that I wasn't really groovin' on the first few songs of side two. I don't really know what else to say but that it just really didn't do anything for me. "With You" was the first song from side two that I enjoyed. "May the Circle Remain Unbroken", I thought was going to be that gospel song, but I was pleasantly surprised. John walked by and said, "Yeah, this song is kinda creepy,", but it reminded me slightly of something cool and otherworldly like a song I enjoy by the group, Spiritualized called "We Are Now Floating In Space" or something like that...forgive my forgetting.

Side One, oh yes, way better than side two, in my opinion. "Barnyard Blues" was very cool for a blues song (not a huge blues fan here), and "Till Then" was probably my favorite track on this album. It sort of reminds me of The Byrds when I really liked the Byrds. On "Never Another", I think I heard that famous jug. "Rose and the Thorn" seemed kind of uneven, and I thought "Down by the River" was going to be that Neil Young tune.

Over all, I give "Bull of the Woods" two and a half thumbs up out of my "all thumbs" five-thumb rating system. (Confusing enough?)

Now, a few questions to John:

Where did you buy this record and when?
Princeton Record Exchange or Vintage Vinyl probably around '99 or 2000.

Do you own it in any other format?
It's included on a CD boxset I own.

What is your over-all impression of this album?
Not my favorite of the Elevators. I like a couple of the tunes. Sounds like a totally different band from their other records. Roky was only on a few because he was institutionallized at this time.

Favorite Track?
"Till Then"

How many stars out of five?
Three 1/2