THE TOP TEN GARAGE SONGS

OF THE 60's

By Steve Ludwig

OK, so a garage band was generally thought of as a group of amateurish musicians who practiced their playing in the garage of one of its members. "Amateurish" is, of course, open to debate; but from its earliest roots (around 1963), that was at least the perception of garage songs and the bands that performed the music.

Their songs were not polished, production-wise...certainly very little studio "trickery."

But some of the greatest music in rock and roll history was "garage rock."

So I hereby present to you my humble, totally subjective list of the Top Ten Garage Songs of the 60's.

A few points to be made first...

A group like Paul Revere and the Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay sang some of the best garage songs ever ("Just Like Me" and "Hungry," among others). But I never really thought of them as a garage band. I suppose it's because of their "Paul Revere uniforms" that made them seem, to me, too polished to be a garage band. Nothing against them as a band; Mark Lindsay is one of the all-time great frontmen of the 60's, and I highly recommend you see him in concert when he's in your town!

The first wave of garage songs spanned the years 1963-1967, so that's where I tried to keep the list, within those years.

Also, just because a song may be considered a classic doesn't necessarily mean I put it on my list; I never liked "Louie, Louie," but it's a bonafide classic.

And when in doubt about whether or not a song qualifies as "garage," I simply go by how Steven Van Zandt describes a garage song: "Not much production but it's just cool."

Finally, it's impossible to narrow it to just ten, but I'll try...

Number 10:    "Sorry" - The Easybeats

"Friday on My Mind" by the Easybeats is definitely a cool song, too, but "Sorry" is garage from start to finish.

Here it is:       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drNqZWzj5GY

                                                 

Number 9:     "Talk Talk" - The Music Machine

                       I got me a complication

                       And it's an only child...

                       My social life's a dud

                       My name is really mud

Lead singer Sean Bonniwell wrote this tale of teenage lament (teen pregnancy even!) in 1966. The Machine's look originally consisted of each band member wearing one black glove (so there, Michael Jackson!).

Bonniwell died in December 2011.

                                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZExWt-bj-k

                                                            

Number 8:             "Lies" - The Knickerbockers

Not the Beatles. But they do sound like the Fabs, don't they?

The pride of Bergenfield, NJ definitely makes my Top Ten list. It didn't hurt their chances that they use Beatles harmonies and Paul Mac-style "whooo's" throughout the song. 

By the way, I hope you're diggin' the go-go dancers in these videos!

                                         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n03a7cLf0M

                                                        

Number 7:                "Psychotic Reaction" - Count Five

This one could've easily been higher on the list, but like I wrote earlier, it's nearly impossible to keep it to ten anyway!

In their early live shows, all five members of the group performed in Count Dracula capes...Hey wait...COUNT Dracula, FIVE members...I think I get it!

This song was kind of unusual in the fact that singles in 1966 rarely were over three minutes long, but this one was.

                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBTT3VPriV8

                                               

Number 6:               "With a Girl Like You" - The Troggs

I know, I know, "Wild Thing" by the Troggs is a garage song classic and it would definitely be in my Top Twenty, but you can't beat the "ba ba bom bom bom ba ba bom bom" when Reg Presley sings it. Presley's head kink is also way cool. 

Sadly, Reg died earlier this year of cancer, as well as complications from a series of strokes.

                               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6__s2-iytA0

                                                  

Number 5:    "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" - The Electric Prunes

The title of the song alone (and the group, for that matter!)  gives it a fighting chance to be on any Top Ten list. But the song makes it an easy choice. 

Psychedelic garage rock, baby!

When you watch this video from the Mike Douglas Show, you HAVE to keep watching after the song when Mike interviews the band with his co-host Barbara Feldon (Agent 99!), and she plays the drums!!!

Gotta love the 60's!

                                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3wjUsZnkS0

By the way, the Prunes also sang one of the best songs from the Easy Rider soundtrack, "Kyrie Eleison."

                                        

Number 4:     "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet" - The Blues Magoos

More psychedelics, this time from the Bronx, NY. 

When a song opens an album titled Psychedelic Lollipop, uh, yeah, I think it  falls under psychedelia, no?

In 1967, they opened for headliners Herman's Hermits (The WHO went on after the Magoos!).

                                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh2bfT73Zi

                                                            

Number 3:         "Pushin' Too Hard" -  The Seeds

                               Well all I want is to just be free

                               Live my life the way I wanna be

The late Sky Saxon (he died on the same day as Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett) fronted the Seeds. Another of their songs, "I Can't Seem To Make You Mine," could just as easily been on this list, too. I guess the determining factor in choosing "Pushin' Too Hard" is so that you can watch the Seeds' appearance (as the "Warts"...teehee) on the 60's TV show, The Mothers-In-Law. As you'll see, those mothers-in-law (and fathers-in-law) were strictly Squaresville, but the Seeds were groovy all the way!

                                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKc4-NU9oP8

                                                      

Number 2:          "My Little Red Book" - Love

                             And each girl in my little red book

                             Knows you're the one I'm thinkin' of

One of the coolest guys ever was Arthur Lee, lead singer of the band, Love.

He took this Burt Bacharach song and threw it in the garage where it belonged!

Lee's "boop boop boop boop boop boop boodle boo" easily rivals Reg Presley's "Ba ba bom bom ba"...and I'm not being facetious!

It brings those neat kind of goosebumps whenever you hear it sung.

(A garage song that deserves a very honorable mention is also by Love: "Seven and Seven Is." Again, Arthur Lee's vocals send shivers up the neck:

                      

                 Through a crack of light I was unable to find my way 

                 Trapped inside a night but I'm a day and  I go

                 Ooh bepp bepp Ooh bepp bepp, yeah!  )

                               

                                               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hLP8_F2fkw

PLEASE check out this live performance of "My Little Red Book" by Arthur from 2003. He really still had it!

                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF1aARQ0x2E

Arthur Lee died in 2006.

                                            

Number 1:                    "96 Tears" - ? and the Mysterians

                                            You're gonna cry, cry, cry, cry

                                             96 tears. 
Question Mark wrote and sang the best garage song of all time (in my humble opinion).

Opening with the now-legendary Vox organ riff (played by fourteen-year-old band member Frank Rodriguez), "96 Tears" defines garage rock.

Its relatively simple lyrics tell the story of hope-- hoping to show the girl who once controlled him that someday the roles will be reversed, and she will be the one crying 96 tears...

                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7uC5m-IRns

No question about it, Q still tours. Here's a performance from 2011, in a PBS pledge drive. Like Arthur Lee was able to, Question still rips it up live.

                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnDswlfZgak

                                                              

And that's my list.

Agree? Disagree?

I'd really like to read your opinion!

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THE 8 BEST COVER VERSIONS BY 

THE BEATLES
("Any old way you choose it...")

By Steve Ludwig

Each of the Beatles' first three albums released in Britain contained 14 songs performed by our beloved boys from Liverpool. On each of these 14-song collections, six were songs written by other performers. Three albums, 18 cover versions. 

The reason for so many covers? I suppose it was a combination of feeling they had to rush-release albums before the "bubble burst," constantly touring, and simply not having written enough original compositions.

But they weren't just "throwaways" sung in order to fill an album's grooves; I can't think of a single song recorded by JPG&R that was a waste of time (and don't tell me "Mr. Moonlight"!!!!).

They sang these songs with such reverence. 

In their live shows, they made sure to give credit to the original artist. Fans might be familiar with the Hollywood Bowl concert album (combining shows there from 1964 and 1965, and released on vinyl in 1977...not available on CD or download, except in bootleg [Beatleg?] form); before introducing Ringo's vocal spot for the song "Boys," Paul said, "By a group called the Shirelles...Just a minute, I'm checking..." John quickly let Paul know he was correct: :"Yeah...Yeah!"

So here's what I'm gonna do. I've chosen my Top Eight cover versions by the Beatles. Why eight? There were around 25 cover versions done by the Beatles on their original released albums, so I figured I'd take a third of those 25. Why a third? STOP ASKING SO MANY QUESTIONS!!

 I've decided not to include their Decca auditions (done mostly in one take) nor any cover song from their Beatles At the BBC album (done live and also in one take). Not that there aren't any worthy candidates from those collections, but I chose from the ones the boys took time with in the studio. They could do multiple takes, make their sound better if they pleased (pleased me).

So, here we go, in reverse order, from Number Eight (days a week) to my Number One choice (and all of these, both the Beatles' versions and the original artists' versions, are easily found on YouTube...but make sure you listen to the studio versions!!):

NUMBER EIGHT: "Honey Don't"

The Beatles loved Carl Perkins. "Matchbox," "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby," a slew of others by Carl from the BBC sessions...and "Honey Don't." "Honey Don't" was originally released by Carl Perkins in 1956. It was the B-side of "Blue Suede Shoes."

Ringo sings lead on this one, with some nifty lead guitar from George. But what still makes me smile the same way I did when I first heard it back in 1964 is when Ringo leads George into the song's second  guitar solo: "Aaahh, rock on, George, one time for Ringo..."  It may be a Carl Perkins original, but Ringo borrows it for a few minutes and makes it the Beatles' own.

I also really like the way Ringo and his All-Starrs sing it live, picking up the tempo ever so slightly and adding the "bop shoo opp, bop shoo opp" background from Carl's original version.
                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9y4jxr1XZg

NUMBER SEVEN: "Long Tall Sally"

The Beatles, especially Paul, also loved Little Richard. When the Beatles met Little Richard on a tour in 1962 in Hamburg, Germany, Paul told his musical idol that "Long Tall Sally" was the first song he ever sang in public. It was in Germany that Richard helped Paul perfect the "whooo!!" falsetto that makes the Fabs' version of "Sally" so memorable.
The original year of release of "Long Tall Sally" was 1956; it was a bonafide hit by Little Richard.
Because they had been singing "Long Tall Sally" since 1957, they nailed it in the studio in one take!
The Beatles' version (Macca on lead vocal) was released in 1964, and it became the closing number of their live shows. However, the "Long Tall Sally" closer was replaced by the Lennon-McCartney rocker, "I'm Down" (which was obviously inspired by "LTS").

At their last-ever concert on August 29, 1966 at San Francisco's Candlestick Park, "I'm Down" was replaced by "Long Tall Sally." While the Beatles hadn't publicly announced that this was their last concert, I have to believe they knew in their Beatle hearts that this would be a fitting way to close the book on their live shows...
                                               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMD0o-sbIlg

NUMBER SIX: "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby"

Another nod to Carl Perkins, this time with George handling the leads on vocal and guitar. 
Perkins released the song originally in 1957; seven years later it was on a Beatles album.
The technique that was used to produce our Georgie's vocals were, at the time, unique. It's known today as STEED (single tape echo and echo delay), and it was developed by Beatles engineers Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott. In layman's terms (I'm a layman), it's as if George were singing inside a giant tin can.
Even in these early days, it was evident that the Fab Four were looking to turn musical convention on its head.
I also like the false musical ending to the Beatles' version. Just when you think George has strummed that final chord, he repeats the musical ending.
A little side note: Paul's company (MPL Productions) now owns the copyrights to the Carl Perkins song catalogue.
                                             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cvUsvp9oB8

NUMBER FIVE: "Please Mr. Postman"

John's double-tracked vocals and overall exhilirating performance makes this a definite Top Five cover.
The Marvelettes took this song to #1, when it was first released in 1961. (The Carpenters also had a #1 with their version in 1974.) 
But it's the Beatles version, that for me anyway, is the most rockin' and rollin'. From the opening tap on the cymbals by Ringo followed one note later by "Wait! Oh yes wait a minute, Mr. postman," the song never stops its groove. The trademark Beatles background harmonies "oooohhh" their way throughout.
The boys reversed genders in the lyrics for their version.
By the time John pleads, "Deliver thee letter, the sooner the better," we're ready to start it all over and listen again!
                                             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cGOFUy4z_g

NUMBER FOUR: "Rock and Roll Music"

Another musical idol and influence of the Beatles was Chuck Berry. 
George took the lead vocals on "Roll Over Beethoven" and the Beatles sang more than a few of Chuck's songs live on the BBC.
It's somewhat ironic that it took a band from England to introduce American rock 'n' roll pioneers to young America. I was ten years old when I first heard "Rock and Roll Music," and it was on the Beatles '65 album here in America. (It was on Beatles For Sale in England). I had never heard Chuck's original version; heck, I had never even heard of Chuck Berry himself  when I was a fifth-grader!
John's lead vocals on the Fabs' version were much louder than CB's original recording from 1957. While Chuck's were kind of even-paced, John's was downright raucous (as were Lennon's vocals on Larry Williams's "Bad Boy" and "Dizzie Miss Lizzy").
There've been conflicting stories about the piano-playing on "Rock and Roll Music." Some say it was only producer George Martin playing, others say Martin, John and Paul played simultaneously on one piano, and still others claim the three of them played on three separate pianos. Regardless how many were tickling the ivories, the effect worked marvelously. 

"...So keep a-rockin' that piano!!"
                                                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgOhCmAOuVE
                                                     

NUMBER THREE: "Anna (Go To Him)"

         "I wanted to be able to sing like Arthur Alexander."   - John Lennon

Only five months after Arthur Alexander released his self-penned beauty of a song, "Anna (Go To Him)," the Beatles recorded it.
Even though the parenthetical request is "go to him," both Arthur's original and the Beatles' version say "go with him."
I like Alexander's recording, but I love the Beatles' version. 
John's lead vocals add a tortured pain just not felt in the original. 
John was battling a nasty head cold during the recording session for "Anna," but it only added to its great sound.
 The Beatles weren't THE BEATLES yet on February 11, 1963 when the song was recorded, so they had to brave on with the sessions despite John's illness; they couldn't just come back another day (quite unlike THE BEATLES could after they become the phenomenon they did. After the Beatles became the world's biggest act, EMI Studios [later renamed Abbey Road Studios] worked around the Beatles' schedules).
                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVZDeeorBYk

For another great cover of "Anna," check out Humble Pie's version:
                                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WWd3eTy7l4

NUMBER TWO:  "Twist and Shout"

I know that my friend Joe Potente would probably put "Twist and Shout" as his choice for Number One song covered by the Beatles (and it would be tough to argue with him), but it finds itself right here on my list. (OK, I might give it "1A" status...)
It was written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell, and the great Isley Brothers had a hit with it in 1962. (Actually, the Top Notes recorded it before the Isleys, when the song was called "Shake It Up Baby.")
Just as John's vocals were affected by a head cold while singing "Anna," so was his performance of "Twist and Shout." There's good reason for this; "Anna" and "Twist and Shout" were recorded at the same sessions!
The studio rental time was running out. There were fifteen minutes left and the Beatles would have to be on their ways.
Producer George Martin purposely left "Twist and Shout" as the last song to be sung; John had already told Martin he was not going to hold back when he sang it. And, man, did Lennon let go!
His vocal chords were raw by the time they finished the first take. An attempt at a second take was for naught, as John couldn't sing past the first few lines; his voice was shot. So the version we hear is the first (and only complete) take.
Reports of John coughing up blood afterwards have been disputed. All agree he was drinking milk to coat his throat and sucking on cough drops. When redness appeared in the glass of milk, some in the studio assumed it was blood; but most feel it was simply from the red cough drops.
John said he couldn't speak above a whisper for days after singing "Twist and Shout."
A personal recollection...I remember "Twist and Shout" and its B-side, "There's a Place," were released on the yellow Tollie record label. I can remember thinking as I kept playing "Twist and Shout" over and over again on my record player, "This doesn't sound like John!"

                                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBWv0Bl3Jdg

NUMBER ONE: "Words of Love"

Buddy Holly (along with his Crickets) was a tremendous influence on the Beatles. 
Aside from the name of the group (Crickets / Beatles), Holly himself and his production techniques showed the young Liverpudlians the possibilities that awaited them.
I assure you the fact that Buddy Holly recorded his original version on my birthday (although three years later) has nothing to do with its Number One position on my list!
It's because of the beautiful Lennon/McCartney harmonies, the wonderful, practically note-for-note-of-the-original lead guitar playing of George Harrison, and Ringo's drumming coupled with his playing of a packing case (to resemble Buddy's original sound of another of his songs, "Everyday,") that puts this song above all the others covered by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
I was sitting in the upper deck at Yankee Stadium on a sunny summer afternoon, about 45 minutes before game time, more than 25 years ago. The grounds crew was spraying the infield dirt, chalking the foul lines...Over the booming Yankee Stadium speaker system came the Beatles singing "Words of Love." I had never heard it sound  so rich, so beautiful...John and Paul "hmmmm hmmmm, hmmm'ing" through the Bronx air.
It was at that point I decided that "Words of Love" was my all-time favorite cover by the Beatles.

                                                                                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5FJ-yNzQxs

What are your choices for best covers by the Beatles?

I'd love to read them in the "Comments" section.

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Good health to you all, Steve Ludwig

  

NED MASSEY'S

"FOUR MESSAGES"

An Appreciation

By Steve Ludwig

There's a big locked door

But you have the key

       

                                                                         -"Visitation Day," Ned Massey

Does God exist? If so, what kinds of signs does He send us to let us know of His existence? Is an insect landing on a windowsill a sign, or is it, simply, an insect landing on a windowsill and nothing more?

Ned Massey, singer/ songwriter/ actor, asks and answers these (and other) questions in his incredible play, FOUR MESSAGES.

Last night, along with my friend Evan Ginzburg, I had the privilege of attending Ned's play at Studio Theater on Theater Row, 410 42nd St., NYC.

I first learned of Ned Massey through Evan. I saw a post by Evan on Facebook about one of Ned's CD's, Bloodties.

I downloaded the album and was immediately hooked. There wasn't a clunker in the bunch. I'm a music lover, and was ashamed of myself; how come I hadn't heard of Ned Massey until only a few months ago? He's been recording for the past thirty years. The late John Hammond, the legendary producer who discovered Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen (among others) put Ned on a songwriting par with both Dylan and Bruce. 

Why hadn't I learned of Ned until only recently?

My question was answered by Ned in Four Messages.

An intimate, sixty-seat theater houses the play. We sat in the second row; Ned and his fellow actors and musicians, Sarah Hund and Christopher Sutton, were practically within arm's length while on the stage. What a way to experience a play!

Four Messages is the true story of Ned's life's experiences, thus far. His story is certainly bittersweet (to say the least).

He grew up in a Catholic household, and, although I promise not to give up any spoilers, suffice to say, Ned has questioned & embraced, embraced & questioned God's existence more than a few times throughout his life in music.

He cites four specific moments in his amazing true story in which he received "messages" from God.

Ned sings songs from his music catalog, with an emphasis on songs from Bloodties and A Brief Appearance (which I've listened to twice already today). Both of these CD's were available at the performance. (Before the show began, Ned let all of us in the audience know that the CD's are there, take them if you want, at no cost [wow!!], or you can leave any donation you'd like. Well, I had already downloaded Bloodties, so I anxiously took A Brief Appearance. I figured out what it would have cost me to buy the CD online, added on the shipping, then tacked on an additional five bucks and gladly put my money in the donations bucket. I urge all of you to do the same; please support the independent arts.)

The very cool, albeit spare, scenery is very creative. Clever use of guitars and Polaroid snapshots, a few chairs and a table are it; but that's all that's needed.Ned, Sarah, and Christopher create the rest of the images through Ned's words.

I was really happy to hear that my two favorite songs from Bloodties, "The Car Swerved"  and "In the Park" were included among the play's songs.

The first half of the play featured Ned playing guitar, singing (a breathtaking voice), as well as narrating between songs; Sarah accompanied superbly on violin, and Christopher, equally superb, played the second acoustic guitar. They also sang backup to Ned's lead vocals.

At strategic points in the play (and in his life), Ned speaks directly to God; and yes, he receives His answer.

The second half features Christopher and Sarah, playing the parts of Ned and his wife Kate, while Massey sits effectively and silently, on stage in full view of us. As the characters of Ned and Kate sing and act out Ned's life in heart-wrenching fashion, Massey interjects at key moments. His sad, almost dejected, countenance communicates his life's worth of angst to the point where I could hear audience members sniffling away the tears.

As promised, I won't offer any spoilers here. I hope you'll be able to experience Ned's brilliance just as all of us in last night's audience did. 

If not, treat yourself; purchase Ned's music. Each song offers a personal glimpse into this, at times, tortured, artist's psyche.

I can't wait to see Ned (as well as other artists) in producer Evan Ginzburg's upcoming film, THE STAGE IS MY ALTAR.

In the meantime, listen to Ned Massey's recent interviews on Evan Ginzburg's Legends Radio.net as well as The Rendezvous Radio Show with Cris and Alysia. Search the shows' recent archives to find the interviews.

I'm hoping after FOUR MESSAGES' current run, Ned will continue to present his incredible story at other venues.

You still have time to catch it. It runs through May 4 at its present location: 410 42nd. St., NYC.

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So, hey, why not check out my radio show? You'll have fun...I promise!! www.PlanetLudwig.com

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE OVER-17,000 PAGE VIEWS.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/LudGuy

Hey, did you know I survived quintuple open-heart bypass surgery, and I had the nerve to think it was funny?

  Well, it's all in my first book, SEE YOU IN CCU: A LIGHTHEARTED TALE OF MY OPEN-HEART SURGERY.

It's available at www.PlanetLudwig.com

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My brother Tom, aside from being a wiseguy, has a blog also! Together with his buddy since second grade, they debate all things political, sports, and pop culture. It's called Second Grade Minds:

www.secondgrademinds.wordpress.com

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As always, thanks for reading and good health to you all!

   -Steve Ludwig