Len Barry – 1-2-3

1965 Decca D-74720

Len Barry’s 1-2-3 is amazing pop tune – it’s got chamber-pop charm, with a mild R&B groove. Every time I hear the tune- it reminds me of washing dishes at Salvation Army.  KFRC  played it every other morning – (no, this was not in 1965 – it was 1999) I was a strong dishwasher – so strong, they bumped me up to pots and pans.  This song  is a panacea for most anything. Especially when I start to worry about things, that have not happened.  1-2-3, oh, that’s how elementary it’s gonna be:

1-2-3

Introducing: Impediments

2009 HPR998 + HPR999

Born and raised in Berkeley, CA -  Impediments have stayed true to the fundamentals of  rock and roll.  Nick, Ray, Mike and Rene are prepping to embark on their first national tour. They will have copies (CD/LP) of their debut for sale at shows. Please check their MySpace for tour dates, updates and release information.

LeAnn

I’m toasting my favorite new perfume – Success!

Michael Schenker Group – Are You Ready To Rock

1981 Chrysalis PV 41336

Michael Schenker just a played a bar 3 blocks from my house on Saturday night. It was surreal, although I did not attend I was walking to get some tacos and I ran into Andy, Whit and James – all dudes I went to high school with.  The odds of me bumping into them – With all this MJ stuff going down – MSG’s message is clear -  I am certain MJ would agree- having loved the sound of a great rock riff -  Spare the pretense, (You can! I have faith in you)- and dig the sound of  a Gibson Flying V Mark 1 with Marshall amplification.  Are you ready? Then dig the LP recording:

Are You Ready To Rock

Leon Haywood – Come and Get Yourself Some

1975 20th Century Records T-476

Leon Haywood looks amazing on his LP cover. He’s got an orange pant suit, paisley lined  with a some sort of gabardine tattersall cape attached.  (Dig my inner-fashionisto) The cover alone was enough for me to buy this record a few years back.  And then when I listened – I got goosebumps.  Nevermind the salacious lyrical content – dig the sound  and string arrangements.  True soul, direct from LP:

I Want’a Do Something Freaky To You

Thursday Night

Apache

The Greatest Hits

Sir Lord Von Raven

Pretty Vanilla

Thursday Night @ The Stork in Oakland.