Jimmy Jazz by The Clash (1979)

Ah, the Clash, one of the seminal punk bands. They certainly had the punk attitude, but was their music really punk rock? Their music almost seemed too diverse to just be labeled punk, not that there would be anything wrong with that. Here is one of their underrated tracks that always makes me feel good. Well, feel good and be safe as we say goodbye to 2018...

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

He-He-Ho by The Giants (1971)

Now here is a German band with nice little bluesy garage number from their only single...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAnf_BKZdU8

King And Country by Television Personalities (1982)

When London-based post-punk band Television Personalities released their third single in 1980 for Smashing Time!, they included as the B side a rather forgettable three minute song called King And Country that kind of ripped off the opening riff of the Byrds Eight Miles High. Fast forward two years, and the band included this six minute version of the same song with some significant changes on their They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles LP. This version is much more interesting. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60RWmTtzulY

Istemem by Erkin Koray (1971)

In this space, I've featured a few Turkish psych/folk/rock artists over the years, such as Barış Manço, Edip Akbayram, and Selda Bağcan. However, the Turkish (or Anatolian) rock scene would not be what it was if not for the pioneering work of guitarist Erkin Koray. He was making psych/rock music in the mid sixties before the genre was very popular in his home country. Here he is from 1971.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tuD4agnxEE

Zulu Stomp by The Brand (1964)

From Birmingham, England, The Brand's B side of their only single would most likely be labeled as cultural appropriation today as it was unlikely there was any direct connection between the band and this African ethnic group. But, it was 1964, so we'll just enjoy this hoppin', mostly instrumental, number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Dp_47n6mI

Guilt Parade by The Birthday Party (1982)

And now for some Australian post punk...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYb4pUGBGww

Israelites by Desmond Dekker & The Aces (1969)

What better day for a song with pseudo-religious overtones...Merry Merry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxtfdH3-TQ4

Nobody But You by Lou Reed and John Cale (1990)

When Andy Warhol died in 1987, it was a sad day for the art world and the world in general. A silver lining to Andy's passing was that his death prompted the architects of the Velvet Underground(Lou Reed and John Cale) to start talking for the first time in years. These conversations led to the creation of a masterful joint effort dedicated to their former manager/spiritual leader that would be titled Songs for Drella. I remember hearing this album when it came out and being moved to tears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-a5UKVoZpY

Time to Tell by Cosey Fanni Tutti (1983)

Imagine that it is the early 1980's and you've been kidnapped and tied up in a basement somewhere it Italy. Today's song could very well be the soundtrack to that terrifying experience. At least, that is how I enjoy this long spooky electronic piece from the onetime member of Throbbing Gristle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7R0pBPWXeg&feature=youtu.be

Crazy 'Bout You Baby by Jerry Williams (1972)

Not to be confused with the Swedish singer with the same stage name, this Jerry Williams was from Dallas and played guitar. Here is a bit of a scorcher in the rock vein from his self-titled debut LP release(which could have used some better artwork).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty-dXsi2AgM

Love Me Like A Man by Bonnie Raitt (1972)

A couple of years ago, my wife and I happened to go see James Taylor on the 4th of July at Tanglewood in beautiful western Massachusetts. On this particular occasion, he welcomed a special guest, Bonnie Raitt, to sing a couple of songs. A word of advice to James; when singing a song with Bonnie, all eyes and ears are tuned to Bonnie. Her voice is/was always so distinct and powerful. Over the years, I found myself wishing that she recorded less produced material, like today's featured song from her sophomore effort. On those occasions, when it was just her and a guitar, the results were often magical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reaGKcwp1nI

Murder, Tonight, In The Trailer Park by Cowboy Junkies (1991)

I can't imagine how many times I played the Cowboy Junkies' Trinity Session CD during my freshman year at college. That year, I seemed to have Lou Reed's New York, Trinity Session, and Zeppelin bootlegs on constant rotation. An odd mix. Strangely, though, I lost touch with the Cowboy Junkies future releases. There must not have been enough radio friendly material to keep them in the airwaves. That's too bad, as they produced some good music in the 90's. Here they are off of their Black Eyed Man LP from 1991.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFLawgf718I&feature=youtu.be

Smoko by The Chats (2017)

Now, for an early Christmas gift, you now have an anthem for taking a break at work. From the Sunshine Coast in Australia, I give you some young punks playing perhaps the best song released in the last two years in this deliciously cheesy video. Sure, they are ripping off Led Zeppelin with the Communication Breakdown riff, but when did Led Zeppelin ever worry about ripping off anyone else. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j58V2vC9EPc

Bad Hearts by The Tights (1978)

From Worcester(England, that is), The Tights were a punk band that managed to release a couple of singles before calling it quits. Here they are from their second one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IXeu-Hk0M0

Lady of Fortune by Rhinoceros (1970)

Like the Monkees, but with greater musical chops, Rhinoceros was a band that was formed by a record company. Elektra Records had a casting call of sorts in 1967 for different musicians for form a new rock band. They ended up pulling together a group that included former members of Iron Butterfly and The Electric Flag. The resulting group released three albums, concluding with 1970's Better Times Are Coming. Here is a track off of that release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6USnEJvv7U

Romantic Me by Polyrock (1980)

Recently, at a hipster record show in Allston, Massachusetts, I was combing through some bins and came upon a sealed copy of a 1980 release by post-punk artists, Polyrock. I had heard of them and had some song of theirs downloaded on my computer, but had no vinyl. So, I picked it up(for $10) and brought it home. As with any sealed vintage record, though, I have to go through the process of determining if I should open it up to enjoy(reducing its value) or just re-sell later on. I'm still deciding! It did prompt me to download the rest of the album and to write this post. Here is side 1, song 1 from their self-titled release.

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

Garden of My Mind by The Mickey Finn (1967)

Now for an English garage band that at one point featured a young Jimmy Page for a few months. After he left the band, the Mickey Finn recorded and released three singles between 1965 and 1967. Here is the last single, and their biggest hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I6OMKmUTNQ

Maschinenland by Abwärts (1980)

And now for something completely different. Jumping ahead to some German post-punk done well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgBCVVtP0M&t=4s

Theme from S.W.A.T. by Rhythm Heritage (1975)

Now this funky track really brings me back to one of my favorite TV shows as a young boy in the 1970's, S.W.A.T.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHDg96-ZN_U

Sangandongo by Niagara (1970)

I understand that I am begging your indulgence by posting a near-20 minute track from a German group playing Afro-Cuban style drum-centric music from a half century ago. That said, it's really good. When I discovered this track on the commute home the other day, I had to play it twice! It's that good. I've attached this post to a random Youtube link as it was the only one not to have the album cover displayed. That self-titled release's album art would not be very Facebook friendly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkgb5nbO18g

Pocket Change by Lettuce (2015)

Modern day funk fusion masters Lettuce have churned out ten albums of funky goodness over the last sixteen years or so. Here is a track off of their 2015 release, Crush. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MibUUSzOeQ

野良猫 by Girls (1977)

And now for a 70's Japanese all-girl teenage rock group, heavily inspired by the Runaways. So much so, that the B Side of this single is a pretty good version of their idol's big hit Cherry Bomb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAouk4bs9Ag

Black Cauldron by Devil's Witches (2017)

Okay, these guys are really trying too hard with the whole badass witch/devil thing. Still, I do enjoy this heavy rock/doom music, especially for having been released just last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4vaRrJrzSs&feature=youtu.be

The Arrow and the Song by Made in Germany (1971)

Originally a beat/garage band in the 60's called Take Five, once Krautrock started to take shape in the early 70's, this Berlin-based band changed their name and their style. Here is a track off of their only full-length release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf3hPSa3Euw

Down to the Bone by Avenger (1985)

German heavy metal band, Avenger, released a full length album in 1984 and then a follow up EP a year later. Usually, the EP comes first. But no matter, here is some speed metal with a tinge of old fashioned heavy metal from a few years prior.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrE2Y7eMMiE&feature=youtu.be

Every Channel by Elevator to Hell (1997)

Staying in the 90's for the third straight day, here is rock band(with psychedelic leanings) from New Brunswick. Not sure if I've ever featured another band from this relatively small Canadian province. In any case, here is a short number from their 1997 release, Eerieconsiliation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL6vmxSyUxE&feature=youtu.be

Fist Through Glass by The Flying Luttenbachers (1994)

I only recently discovered this 90's avant jazz/experimental band. They created some wonderful music that demands your attention. Do not just play this in the background while you do something else. Something else will lose. But if you give it your full attention you just might marvel at what they do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2bODiWY7ks

New Rock by Buffalo Daughter (1998)

[Original YouTube video removed. Link below is active]

Buffalo Daughter is one of those bands that I had completely forgotten about. Somewhere in the bottom of a box of old CDs in my basement sits a cope of their 1998 release, New Rock. I played the death of of this trippy indie rock back when it first came out. This LP by this Japanese band sounds like a harder edge Stereolab. It's definitely worth the listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKfVNdvAv6U

Nothing Special by Trees (1970)

Trees was a British acid folk/folk rock band that was around for about three years. They produced some wonderful music in that time as is evidenced from today's musical selection. It's funny to think that bass player/vocalist Bias Boshell would write Kiki Dee's big 70's hit, I Got The Music In Me. 

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

Down Brownie by ZZ Top (1972)

ZZ Top sure got cheesy in the 80's, but they made some really good grungy Texas-style rock n roll in the 70's. Here they are from 1972 with their salute to Brownsville.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPEm9_B-9U8

Done by Stark Naked (1971)

Here is the short mono version of some early 70's heavy psych that seems to borrow a bit from Smokey Robinson's Get Ready. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nda7PbFpWjc&feature=youtu.be