Fats Domino - I'm Ready

Imperial 5585, 1959

Piano Oriented Rock - whatever happened to that. So many fifties rockers pounded the keys, then it seems like that all stopped with the British Invasion.

For years I only knew this tune from The Band's cover off Moondog Matinee, until I found this 45 at a yard sale. Obviously they didn't do it justice. I love the abrupt change back to the root at the end of the "Talkin' on the phone..." part - a neat little detail The Band didn't bother with. Lazy fuckers.

Oran "Juice" Jones - The Rain

"I gave you things you couldn't even pronounce"



Def Jam 38-06209, 1986


Classic '80s R&B hit. Love the "Later That Night" monologue at the end.

It's all about the clothes.

The Everly Brothers- Bowling Green

Warner Bros. 7020, 1967


A strange one. In an apparent attempt at updating their sound, they released this little baroque pop ditty in the Summer of Love. Oboe intro? check. Shiny, happy backing vocals? check. Fruity singalong hook in the chorus? We are Go.

It actually did chart, briefly, depending on what survey you check - the last time that would happen until their reunion in the '80s.



The album this was taken from is worth checking out. The same fruity backing singers keep popping up, along with random smatterings of fuzz guitar and general identity confusion. Their cover of "Whiter Shade Of Pale" is stunning... and just plain wrong.

Chuck Berry - Joe Joe Gun

Chess 1709, 1958


B-side of "Sweet Little Rock And Roller".

This is not your typical lion vs. elephant jungle drama novelty tune. Chuck's playing is great on this track, with some fine rhythm backup by Bo Diddley (you can hear him yelling in the background)

but the real standout is Fred Below's insane drums. Garage Jazz!