Uncontrollable Urge by Devo (1978)

Are We Not Men? We are Devo. Asked and answered. I don't know if you classify Devo's early work as punk, new wave, or something else. I do know that this has got to be one of the best first songs of a first LP.

I didn't know about this song or LP when it first came out. Hey, I was only 7 years old. My first exposure to Devo was about three or four years after this with the video release of 'Whip It'. There was no escaping knowing about Whip It in the early days of MTV. That tune has its own merits, but I know prefer their earlier work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8UcpmUQkNU

Best I Can by Rush (1975)

For years, in college, a group of friends of mine thought of the first Rush album as a cult classic divorced from the rest of the Rush discography. And even today, this remains somewhat true. The first album was without Neil Peart and didn't have that signature Rush sound quite yet.

Fly By Night was, of course, the second album by Rush and the first with Peart. This album starts to develop the sound of Rush as we know it today, but still with some flashes of the first album. Here is a track that seems to bridge the two sounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLSBdWk3Ac4

Primitive Man by Jerusalem (1972)

Wow, just discovered this band yesterday. This is some heavy stuff and a great output for a band's first album. Unfortunately, this British band would not release another one. Maybe they were ahead of their time. This hard rock album was produced by Deep Purple's Ian Gillian. It is not surprising as you can hear some similarities to Ian's work. At the same time, this band has a distinct sound.

Here is a sample dose of what you would find with the rest of the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QclSTWfJrk

Nothin' by The Ugly Ducklings (1966)

Nothin' fancy here. Just some lost classic garage rock from a Toronto band in 1966. It just amazes me how quickly rock blew up all over the world in the 60's. Bands were starting everywhere creating honest quality music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEz20FgZTX4

Down in the Flood by Fairport Convention (1974)

For most music fans, if you've heard of Sandy Denny, it's because she was a guest vocalist on Led Zeppelin's "The Battle of Evermore". Years before this guest appearance, she was singing for Richard Thompson's Fairport Convention in probably the best known version of that band. By 1969, she had left the band.

She returns to Fairport in 1974(now without Thompson) and lends her voice to this bluesy track. Sandy would leave the band again by 1976. She then died in 1978 after suffering a brain hemorrhage falling down a flight of stairs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmwip3si4p4

Ditch by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (1994)

In the ashes of my infatuation with Nirvana, my 24-year old self was seeking other bands to fall in love with. Back in 1994, there seemed to be many choices(By 1996, the national rock scene seemed to have deteriorated significantly). I stumbled onto the nondescript named Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's Orange album and was blow away. This would cause me to go back and discover music that Spencer had previously made with Pussy Galore and Boss Hog. These bands are worth checking out, as well.

Here is a track from Orange that typifies this great 90's album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8sWq2tDeYY

Have Mercy Judge by Chuck Berry (1970)

There are few declarative statements you can make about rock n' roll due to the subjectivity of its listeners. Even a particular fan of the music may change his or her preferences over a period of time. I am no exception as my musical tastes have changed a lot over the years. With all of that said, my opinion on who was the greatest, most significant forefather of rock n' roll has not changed since I was fourteen years old. That man is Chuck Berry. Someday, Chuck will be gone and that will be a shame. I found this write up on Chuck from the great rock critic Robert Christgau for whom I share a similar opinion on Chuck's greatness.

This tune from 1970 marks Chuck's return to Chess Records. It is the side B of "Tulane" and is a blues number with a very enlightened viewpoint for the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lAmr849Va8

Buzzard by Armageddon (1975)

Armageddon only released one album in the two plus years they were together. It is definitely a lost classic. While former Yardbirds' lead singer, Keith Relf, was the most known entity of this band, Martin Pugh's guitar really stands out on this progressive rock release.

It would have been interesting to see what else might have come out of this group of musicians, but a lack of support from their record company, reported drug use, and Keith Relf's declining health brought this band to a halt by 1976. Keith Relf would die months later in an electrocution accident playing a guitar without properly grounded equipment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_z_Irh5AFU

Baby, Don't You Do It by The Who (1971)

This 1964 Marvin Gaye tune was most famously covered by the Band(with the title Don't Do It).That's the signature version for me, as huge fan of the Band and of the Last Waltz, in particular.

The Who had covered this song live in '65. They got around to recording this studio version in 1971 with help from Mountain's Leslie West on lead guitar. Ultimately, this was included in a Who's Next re-issue in the 90's. This song fits right in with arguably their best studio album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjpkYoYKDzE

Fortune Teller by Tony Jackson with the Vibrations (1965)

My first introduction to "Fortune Teller" was from Live at Leeds, the Who's seminal 1970 live album. More often than not, I fall in love with the first version of a song that I hear. Other versions, while perhaps interesting, usually don't hold up to the version I first fell in love with. This song is an exception.

The garage-y feel of this version by the ex-Searchers bassist/vocalist stands out to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-NOBj8uWU

Singapore Silk Torpedo by The Pretty Things (1974)

Guitarist Dick Taylor was in one of the very early versions of the Rolling Stones with Brian Jones and Mick Jagger. He left early on though in 1963 when he hooked up with Phil May to form the Pretty Things. Their new band had some mid-level success in the 60's, but continued to record through the 70's. There have been numerous line up changes over the years, but the core of May and Taylor have performed together as recently as 2013.

The Silk Torpedo album was the first released on Led Zeppelin's new Swan Song label back in 1974. Here is their pseudo-title track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zllfzo5lxNI

In Need (live) by Grand Funk Railroad (1970)

My early memories of Grand Funk Railroad were that of an up-and-down band. I loved "We're An American Band" and "Closer to Home", but hated "The Loco-Motion" and "Walk Like A Man". Of course the songs that I liked were vastly overplayed.

Years later, I would dig a little deeper into their work. They are still an up-and-down band as far as I am concerned. They knew how to rock, but always seemed to be looking for a "hit". Anyways, here is a scorcher from their first live album,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1de_CBBebI

Night of the Sadist by Larry & the Blue Notes (1965)

This garage classic from the heart of Texas did not see the light of day until many years later. The band's manager at the time had the band overdub the lyrics to say "Night of the Phantom" as 1965 was not ready to have a song title with 'Sadist' in it. More details can be found here.

Controversial lyrics aside, this tune has a great laid back garage sensibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83kYS1bEmjk

Teddy Boy by Thirteen (1979)

The band Thirteen was just another English band from the late 70's that never really had great success. They did manage to release one single in 1979 featuring this song, Teddy Boy. And what a song it is. This tune really makes me feel for the 70's.

You can read a little more about this band here.

Thanks to the internet, this band is finally getting a little recognition. Check them out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG7-KoBRZZk

Preacher by Fuzz (2013)

Guitarist Ty Segall has put out 7 albums with the Ty Segall Band, the Fuzz LP, and numerous other 12" and 7" releases. And, oh by the way, he's 27 years old. This guy is definitely a prodigy. Check out his Wikipedia page to see his body of work. While this blog has focused, and will continue to focus primarily on music from the 60's and 70's, this psychedelic grunge music that is being created today is worthy of recognition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9Tcx_GL1Y

Pacific Ocean Blue by Dennis Wilson (1977)

Dennis Wilson's 1977 album, and title song featured here,  may be the only Beach Boys' related work that doesn't sound like it was recorded in the early 60's. Not that there is anything wrong with the Wilson brother's early work, this solo album is just delightfully unexpected.

It is too bad that the Beach Boys' drummer never got around to completing the follow up to this album before his untimely drowning death in 1983.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er1LsKPXLj8

In The Street by Big Star (1972)

I recently watched the 2012 Big Star documentary, Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me. I have to say that up until seeing this, I had almost no knowledge of Alex Chilton and Chris Bell's Memphis band. It was definitely worth watching; albeit somewhat depressing.

After downloading a couple of their records, I discovered of a couple of gems. Make no mistake, these guys weren't hard rockers. They did, though, have a distinct pop rock sound for the time. Here is a song that would later be covered by Cheap Trick and used as the theme to the That 70's Show sitcom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx6XeBhZETg

We Used to Know by Jethro Tull (1969)

Jethro Tull is a band for which my appreciation grows as I get older. While they were never "heavy metal", their stuff was eclectic and very well played.

Most casual fans of classic rock haven't heard this tune, but I'm guessing some members of the Eagles had heard it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgO7MamJnqM

Slicker Drips by the White Stripes (1999)

I remember 31-year old me driving home from running errands one day and being blown away by a song that I just heard on the radio. I had to wait another day or two to hear it again. This time, I found out that the name of the song with Fell in Love with a Girl and the band was the White Stripes. This was the kind of raw sound my ears had been searching for since Nirvana crashed and burned. Once I found out that this band was a two piece, I was even more intrigued. This sent me on a three year jag where the Stripes were my favorite band. Of course, all good things come to an end. The Stripes didn't so much burn out as much as just slowing down and calling it quits. I moved on to other musical infatuations.

Here is a song that is lesser known, but still emblematic of their sound.

http://deeprockmining.blogspot.com/2015/01/dont-need-your-lovin-by-chocolate.html

Don't Need Your Lovin' by the Chocolate Watchband (1967)

The Chocolate Watchband didn't get any airplay come the 1980's, as far as I can recall. My only knowledge of the band was that their name would scroll up on those 60's Music Compilation TV ads. You know, "Get 75 swingin' hits of the psychedelic 60's on 5 CDs or 8 cassettes for only $29.99". Due to these ads, I associated this band with other acts on these compilations, like the Strawberry Alarm Clock or the 1910 Fruitgum Company. Since I was thoroughly unimpressed by Incense & Peppermints, I didn't seek out other bands I thought were of the same ilk.

Years later, after my ears were opened, I heard this very song and immediately thought it was some Stones' tune that I had never known about. Once I found out it was by the Watchband, I dug into their music. They put out a couple of really good albums in the late 60's, Inner Mystique and No Way Out. They are highly recommended.

This tune was from the soundtrack to(by most accounts) a lousy film, Riot on the Sunset Strip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSU8Kd3__3c

ME 262 by Blue Oyster Cult (1974)

Blue Oyster Cult is a perfect example of a three song classic rock radio band. In other words, classic rock radio stations of the 80's and 90's would only play about three songs of many rock bands of the previous era. With BOC, it was Don't Fear the Reaper(overrated), Burning for You(great tune), and Go Go Godzilla(campy, but fun).

Of course, Blue Oyster Cult had a slew of other tunes. Were they all classic? No. But, here is a song that really captures the 70's rock sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMG1WCVff0I

I Heard it Through the Grapevine by the Slits (1979)

This is probably my favorite favorite version of Grapevine, although I am also partial to Gladys Knight's version. There is something about Ari Up's vocal that just hits me in the sweet spot. (My apologies for the extra short write-ups, but I've been hit with the flu)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bac2wHZoT2Y

Your Love Belongs Under a Rock by the Dirtbombs (2001)

Bolding jumping 23 years beyond any song highlighted in this blog to date, this tune is a truly infectious instant garage classic from this Detroit band that plays on to this day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxe7IiB0-8U

Next in LIne by The Birds (1965)

Before being a member of the Rolling Stones and before joining Faces, Ronnie Wood penned this tune for his British Beat garage band, The Birds. Quality stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJ0okG87XQ

Failures by Joy Division (1978)

For years, my only association with Joy Division was "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and the subsequent New Order sound that I didn't care for at the time. Years go by and I start seeing a lot of people wearing Joy Division t-shirts. Eventually, I go back and sample some songs from their first album, An Ideal for Living. This whole album has got a grittier, punkier feel to it than their work just a couple of years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_b74k2hkXU

The One in the Middle by Manfred Mann (1965)

Whether they knew it or not, Manfred Mann nailed the typical popular music fan on the head with this ditty. Not much has changed in the last fifty years...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw2YBdAQCHg

Queens of Noise by the Runaways (1977)

It still amazes me that a bunch of teenagers from Southern California could pull off this powerful arena rock. Sure, they got some help putting it all together from Kim Fowley, America's version of Malcolm McLaren. But, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, and the gang were the ones out there making the music. The live version, from Live in Tokyo, captures this band at their peak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-erz0Gv_Q

Universal Light by Truth and Janey (1976)

Members of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame (well, the Iowa Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame anyway), this power trio was seemingly lost in the shuffle of heavy 70's rock bands. Their live album, Erupts!, was recorded in 1976 at the height of guitarist BillyLee Janey's powers. It wasn't released until 2001, though. I could easily see this band getting more credit during their day if this live album was released in a more timely fashion. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7nIp0krgnc

Juke Box Music by the Kinks (1977)

As a 6-year old, I think I have some vague recollections of this song when it was released. It must have been simple enough for my 1st grade ears to enjoy. However, this tune seemed to be mostly skipped when the classic rock radio craze of the 80's began. In my teenage years, if I was forced to name all of the Kink's songs that I knew, it would be something like this:

You Really Got Me
All Day and All of the Night
Lola
Ape Man
Low Budget
Destroyer(maybe)

Over the years, as I explore more of the Kinks' music, it always amazes me how underrated this band is. When I was first getting into classic rock, I compared them to the Beatles, Stones, and the Who because they were from England and came up during the British Invasion. In retrospect, that probably wasn't fair. The Kinks released 24 studio albums over a thirty-year period. Quite frankly, I'm still working my way through their rich catalog.

I gave this song from the Sleepwalker album a new listen a couple of months ago, and I had this song in my head for two days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqc0F3Ear9M

Keep on Trying by Slaughter & the Dogs (1978)

Slaughter & the Dogs came up with the Sex Pistols in the mid-70's Manchester/London punk scene. This band seems a fair bit more musically talented than the Pistols, though. Also, I'm not really sure I would classify their music as "punk".  Regardless of classification, their 1978 album, Do It Dog Style, is a solid rocker and not to be forgotten.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pCeLez7Ldk

Come Now by the Troggs (1970)

The Troggs had provided the world the first hit with "Wild Thing" in 1966 and it became the definitive rendition. In addition to their version, Jimi Hendrix and X also would go on to having notable versions. For many years, I was convinced that the Troggs were nothing more than a one-hit wonder. I was wrong. They had a lot of intense garage band style tunes. This song, was released a few years after Wild Thing as a B side to "Lover".

Happy New Year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uY3GYsFliY