MIKE WALLACE - NATURAL HIGH / MANDARIN, 1970

Here's another one I found unexpectedly in the wild recently.  In fact I couldn't believe my eyes.  I  had this one saved in my Ebay search for quite a while...  Anyways, Mike Wallace was a UK native though the British release is much harder to find than this US version and is priced accordingly.

'Natural High' is an upbeat Kinks sounding number with a simple but effective guitar riff and some orchestration. The author goes on about being high on life for 3 plus minutes, getting 'stoned on the sun and the moon and the stars' and that sort of jazz.  It's a very fun and catchy song which went nowhere on the charts in late 1970.  The flipside 'Mandarin' is a decent mid-tempo pop song with slight folk/country leanings sounding much of it's era.  Both of these cuts will be featured on ROSE COLORED CORNER EPISODE 4.

JENNIFER'S FRIENDS - IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE / VISIONS, JUNE 1968

I unexpectedly picked up this single today for cheap and thus was quite pleased.  I've had this record on my wantlist for some time now, and wasn't expecting to find it down the street in a local shop.

Jennifer's Friends are mysterious unknowns who cut this lone single for Buddah Records in 1968.
On the topside you have 'In The Land Of Make Believe', an Easybeats cover which is somewhat similar to that version, though it does add some looseness and spontaneity to the mix making it standout.  It's a great orchestrated pop song that you might file next to your later period Left Banke singles.

The flipside 'Visions' is my pick, a real mind trip which slows the tempo down quite a bit.  Swirling organ, deep bass, vocal harmonies and even a bit of harmonica illustrate this slow burner with dreamlike effervescence.  There's even a killer fuzztone guitar outro which fades the song into oblivion.  Great stuff..

BILL SODEN - SOAKIN' UP SUNSHINE / OLD TIME MOVIES, JULY 1968

I picked up this Bill Soden single based on the strength of his earlier releases, namely the way cool sitar laced pop sike gem 'My Mermaid And Me' and the stunning orchestrated folk ballad and personal favorite 'Rainy Day'.  Both of these tracks were released on the Compass label in 1967 and can be found on Fading Yellow comps respectively..  Adding to the curiosity was the absence of any info regarding this single on the net, not even a Youtube clip which is pretty impressive in 2016!  It's one of those records that's neither common nor a collectors item..

After obtaining and listening to this 45 I'm left with slight disappointment, but only on account of the greatness found on his earlier singles.  Bill Soden seems to have taken a heavy Lovin' Spoonful/John Sebastian approach on this record.  In fact, 'Soakin' Up Sunshine' basically comes off as a direct ripoff of 'Daydream'.  The resemblance is uncanny and while 'Daydream' was a smash hit for The Lovin' Spoonful in 1966, 'Soakin' Up Sunshine' sunk without a trace 2 years after the fact.   Absolutely no disrespect to Bill Soden as this record gets lodged into your ears just as any great pop song does.  'Old Time Movies' is executed in similar fashion giving off a slight Nashville influence.   Bill Soden would go on to record a fourth and final single on yet another label, Cotillion, later in 1968.

THE ELECTRIC PRUNES - I'VE GOT A WAY OF MY OWN / WORLD OF DARKNESS

Well, another record store day came and went and the world is left with a new pile of overpriced waste that will soon be forgotten.  Among the rubble were a few releases that sparked my interest, and like a mindless junkie I went down to the local dealer and got my fix.  I'm fortunate enough to live in a city where the supply is plentiful so I had no trouble getting the goods for a reasonable price.

One of the releases of interest was this Electric Prunes single put out by Sundazed.  This 45 features two scrapped songs from 1966 using the previously unavailable mono mix.  In addition they fashioned a killer label replicating an 'era-correct' promotional release from Reprise.  This was the main selling point for me, and I appreciate that the folks at Sundazed recognize how important the label is to the 60's vinyl fetishist.

The Prunes treatment of 'I've Got A Way Of My Own' which was a tune previously recorded by The Hollies is a favorite of mine, and it's a treat to own on 45.  I actually enjoy the stereo mix, but mono is always nice to hear.  'World Of Darkness' is a great group original that could have easily fit within either of their first two albums making this a truly great double sider.  Here's what frontman James Lowe had to say about it:

"The Electric Prunes were searching for a sound and style that we could capture on record.  Maybe you don't know exactly who or what you are until you lay it down seriously?  Someone suggested a Hollies song, "I've Got a Way Of My Own," as a warm-up.  I remember Preston Ritter doing a press-roll through the entire take.  4-track tape, no edits back then...and we tried it three times through, I think.  How he had any arms left after that escaped me!  We were still trying to establish the band-and decided the harmonies were better left to other groups, so we never officially released the cut.

Mark and I wrote "World Of Darkness" after seeing the Beatles on TV, I think... we recorded it as a demo-and never came back to fix some 'timing' errors.  Oddly, NOW I like those little bumps the most!  They are kind of "youth-don't-give-a-shit" moments!"

MIKE KONSTAN - MY LOVELY ONE / THIS TIME, OCTOBER 1966

This pair of beautiful folk ballads by singer/songwriter Mike Konstan have really been digging deep into my mind lately.  I became aware of this forgotten hero by the inclusion of his song 'This Time' on Fading Yellow Vol. 11.  I slowly became infatuated with the tune and had to track down a copy for closer inspection.

The slightly upbeat and catchy 'This Time', though sunny on the surface, contains a melancholic longing that creates some heavy reminiscing if you have the mind for it.  I really dig Mike's vocals and the guitars are just perfect.  A fantastic piece of songcraft that I couldn't praise enough.

The flipside 'My Lovely One' slows down the tempo, but proves to be just as endearing as the aforementioned gem.  Listening to the opening verse might be a bit off putting at first, and you may initially pass it off as old fashioned, perhaps cheesy.  You soon realize you have a tune on par with any mid period McCartney ballad.  The execution is just stunning, and I find it every bit as good as 'This Time'.

Information on Mike Konstan is rather scarce, but he did eventually record a solo LP in 1973 on RCA records.  I happened to pick up a copy recently and will be sure to reflect on it at a later date..

THE CRESCENT SIX - NIGHTMARE / AND THEN, JUNE 1965

QUICK UPDATE: This blog has been severely neglected in recent times but don't count it out yet.  I've added plenty of new treasure to my magical musical box which I intend to write about in the coming weeks, followed by a new podcast.  I'll start things off with one of my best scores recently, the killer single from The Crescent Six on Rust records.

I first became aware of The Crescent Six with the inclusion of 'And Then' on the great Heavy Dose Of Lyte Psych compilation from Arf Arf records.  This tune really stood out to me among the rest of the cuts on this heavy set.  It had more of an early garage leaning compared the indulgent psychedelic flower vibes (obviously) being the theme of the comp, and sure enough it was recorded earlier than the rest.  Over the years and hundreds of plays later 'And Then' has grown to become one of my favorite songs of all time.

The lyrics could be described as a typical teenage boy loses girl saga, but they are backed with some ghostly spine tingling harmonies that could never be recreated, ESPECIALLY with the advancements of modern technology.  Maybe it was the luck of the draw, but these boys really hit the nail on the head.  The thumping bass and drums are matched with an absolutely killer lead guitar that has a distinct surf leaning, provided by none other than a Mosrite guitar.  This surf sound is further explored on the instrumental 'Nightmare' which is found on the flipside.  Original guitarist/vocalist Tony Barca uploaded both tracks to Youtube a few years back and provided some great information about the origins of the band:

"Contrary to the said origin of Crescent , NY. The Band was from Farmingdale, NY. A small Long Island Community that offered up some great young talent.
The band very was heavily influenced by The Ventures. Then came the British invasion which really lit our fire. Although the Beatles had a lot to do with us moving forward as a band .. The Kinks and The Zombies really influenced the creativity and the sound of our original songs. Seems they stretched the boundaries a bit more at that time. That's what accounts for the sound of of the band. Those Mosrite guitars really sound unique.....

The Crescent Six From Farmingdale , NY recorded as a band from 1964- 1966.. Managed by Simmons & Evans Productions... We played in Greenwich Village at The Night Owl Cafe, Upstairs at the Downstairs, The Village Gate and on Long Island at My House in Plainview and at the short lived Murray the K's World. Those were very exciting days for such young guys.. My father used to roadie for us until I got my drivers license..... We also played at the NY State Pavilion at the Worlds Fair. In 1966 we did a record company show at Farmingdale HS and were received like returning stars."