Sol Hoopii - 40's Hawaiian steel guitar

You can watch Sol Hoopii in a rare Christian promotional film from 1943.  The video definitely doesn't show him at his most impressive, but its a unique film, either way.  Many name Sol as the all-time greatest lap steel guitar player.  His most famous recordings were with his Novelty Quartette and Novelty Five from '33-'38.  Note: In the clip above his name is mispronounced, it should be Sol "Ho-Op-Pee."  

Download a Sol Hoopii record HERE.

Los Bravos: "Going Nowhere"

Spain's Los Bravos from 1966 with an amazing song...the video is almost distractingly ridiculous...pure 60's.  This song was also featured in the Nuggets 2 Compilation.  

And, just like a Phil Spector drag racing song : "One of Los Bravos' founding members Manuel Fernandez committed suicide on 20 May 1967, at the age of 23, after the death of his bride Lottie Rey in an auto accident."

September for lovers: Yves Montand "Les Feuilles Mortes"

Yves Montand was a very popular Italian born French singer and actor.  He was discovered by Edith Piaf in Paris, and she became his mentor, and lover.  He later went on to marry several times, and have affairs with high profile women, like Marilyn Monroe.  Yes, September is for lovers. 

""[H]e died on the set... On the very last day, after his very last shot. It was the very last night and we were doing retakes. He finished what he was doing and then he just died. And the film tells the story of an old man who dies from a heart attack, which is the same thing that happened!"

Download Chante Paris HERE. 

 

S.E. Rogie - "I wish I was a Cowboy"

From Sierra Leone, its Highlife/Palm Wine guitarist and singer S.E. Rogie.  Born in 1926, he began performing early, while working as a tailor.  He started playing music professionally in the 60's.  He recorded mostly during the 70's and 80's and died in 1994, shortly after releasing his last album "Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana."

Download "Palm Wine Guitar Music" HERE.

BUY IT if you really dig it.

Suicide "Surrender"

Suicide (Alan Vega and Martin Rev) was like no band before or after.  Well, maybe some after, as their sound has been highly influential...but no one quite got it right like Suicide.  Their first album (S/T - 1977) was unbelievably progressive and unique for its time.  I urge you to check it out (clip below).  

But above is a track from their 1988 album, "A Way of Life."  Keep in mind: this was done before this sort of thing was considered ironic...it was genuine.

Download "A Way of Life (1988)" HERE. 

PS - As AQD posted a bit back, Bruce Springsteen did a wonderful cover of Suicide's Dream Baby Dream.  Check that out HERE.  Bruce continues to surprise with his eclectic taste.

Waiphot Phetsuphan เจ็ดปีที่รอคอย- ไวพจน์ (Thailand)

Waiphot Phetsuphan is a Thai music legend.  I don't know if he's still alive or not...He started in the 60's and proved himself a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.  About half way through his career, his lyrics became religiously oriented; focusing on simple Buddhist themes.  For more info check out StereoMono, and Monrakplengthai.  

Download a record by Phetusphan HERE.

Patrizia e i Six Lions (Italy)

Here is a crazy group from Italy called Six Lions.  In the clip above, Patrizia is singing with them.  I can't find any info about the group, except that they're from the 60's and they did some crazy beat/garage stuff including some covers.  Download an album below.

DOWNLOAD A Six Lions album HERE.

September for lovers : Porter Wagoner - The Cold Hard Facts of Life

September may be for lovers, but love can be dark.  Porter Wagoner often showed the darker side of love.  This is a great dramatic story song from 1967.  So "Who taught who, the Cold Hard Facts of Life?"  Yes, September is for lovers.  You can download the brilliant album below.  (THE LINK IS FIXED, IF YOU CHECKED EARLIER)

Download the album HERE.

Sir Victor Uwaifo - Kirikisi

Here's a track by Nigeria's Victor Uwaifo.  His biggest hit was in 1966, called "Guitar boy and Mamiwater," which was "inspired by an encounter (which he has long maintained actually occurred) with a mami wata (mermaid) while lounging on Bar Beach in Lagos."

"Uwaifo's hobbies include swimming, bodybuilding, gaming, reading, writing, and bringing up other people's children."

Download the sweet record Guitar Boy Superstar HERE. 

 

BUY IT if you really dig it. 

George Johnson : The Whistling Coon (1891)

Today's post is a true piece of history.  This is the VERY FIRST RECORDING by an African-American !  Ever.  From, 1891, its George Johnson, with "The Whistling Coon."  Now, its tough to hear the music through the surface noise/etc, but just to think, this is someone singing and whistling from 120 years ago!  Yes, it's offensive.  If you follow the video to youtube, there is a bit of the story behind it.   

Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas

The wonderfully titled Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas is a 2LP (or CD) set featuring "Tropicalia Psychedelic Masterpieces from '67-'76."  It's well packaged, it comes with a huge booklet and 3D glasses.  

From the record, The Youngsters are doing the Lennon/McCartney Beatles/Stones song "I wanna be your man."  I think they do it better than the Beatles or the Stones.

Download Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas HERE.

BUY IT if you really dig it.

Aida Mustfa : Lido

One of my favorites by Indonesian singer Aida Mustafa.  Great garage/pop with the Zaenal Combo.  You can download 5 songs from an LP below, and there's a decent amount of her music on youtube. 

Download the record HERE.

Thanks to Madrotter.

Berkant - Şu Aydının Uşağı (Turkey)

This is a Turkish singer from the 60's called Berkant, singing with Vasfi Ucaroglu Orkestrasi.  The video is wild, the Mp3's are bit more listenable.  This is a world of music I don't know much about. Part of it is clearly very foreign and alien, another part is influenced by western stuff.  Check it out!  You can find a few MP3's over at GarageHangover.

Os Brazões - Tão longe de Mim

Fans of Os Mutantes and other 60's psych/garage should definitely check out Brazil's Os Brazões.  I don't know much about them...I can really only find their self-titled album from 1969.  They mixed tropicalia and other Brazilian music with American garage and psychedelic.  

Download the album HERE.

Slim Smith - "Girls Like Dirt"

Another powerful artist with a sad end; Slim Smith was one of the greatest vocalists of the general "reggae" genre.  He was a member of the Techniques, and later the Uniques.  Here is a classic track you gotta love called "Girls Like Dirt."  You can download a record of him with the Uniques below.  From Wiki -

 

"Smith died in 1973. Unable to gain entry to his parents' house, he broke a window, badly lacerating his arm. He bled to death before he could receive treatment. His death stunned Jamaica. Still widely regarded as one of Jamaica's great vocalists..."

Download the record HERE.

Chantal Goya: Les Annees 60

Chantal Goya is a French singer and actress.  She most famously appeared in Jean-Luc Godard's "Masculin, feminin."  If you like 60's French pop, check it out; and download the record. 

Download the record HERE. 

September for lovers: Otis Rush "Violent Love"

A truly entertaining and bizarre love song, "Violent Love" was written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by the Big Three (I believe).  That's also a great version.  Here's Otis Rush doing it in 1956.  Yes, September is for lovers.

Small Island Pride - Federation (1956)

From one of the best ever calypso compilations, here's Small Island Pride with "Federation."  This is from "Calypso Awakening" (Folkways), featuring recordings from the Emory Cook Collection.  Cook released some incredible music, including the fantastic "Luiz Bonfa: Solo in Rio 1959."

Download Calypso Awakening HERE.

BUY IT if you really dig it.

Trio Visca, Indonesia

This is pure Indonesian girl group stuff from Trio Visca.  The harmonies and styling is very typical of other pop/garage groups of the 60's from over there.  Great stuff, pretty damn hard to find. 

Download the 4-track EP HERE.

Jenks "Tex" Carman - End of the World

I like originals.  Jenks "Tex" Carman was definitely an original.  Some called him a genius, some an idiot savant; he combined hillbilly music, cowboy music, and Hawaiian sounds.  He recorded during the 40's and 50's...here's one of my favorite tracks "End of the World."  Below is a crazy live video from the 50's.  He was truly from another time...maybe another world.

The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968

The Complete Stax-Volt Singles from '59-'68.  Amazing classic R&B and Soul from Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Booker T, and so many others. 

Download Disc 1 Here

Download Disc 2 Here

Download Disc 3 Here

Download Disc 4 Here

Download Disc 5 Here

Download Disc 6 Here

Download Disc 7 Here

Download Disc 8 Here

Download Disc 9 Here

BUY IT if you really dig it.

Clancy Eccles: Bag-A-Boo (Don't Brag Don't Boast)

OK, let's get off the September sap and visit Mr. Clancy Eccles.  Here's Jamaica's own telling you "Don't you brag and don't you boast."  Let's make everything as simple as possible, but not more so.  Let's be humble...you too Clancy.

September for lovers : Arthur Prysock "This is my Beloved"

This is the first (and possible only) post in a series of posts called September for lovers.  Arthur Prysock recorded the album "This is my Beloved" in 1969.  It's a spoken word album with tender heartsong poetry, erotic desires, and loving temptations.  The first track, "I need your Love" starts with an abrasion, then opens up...

At 2:24 into this clip, "Your Body Makes Eyes at Me," moves from the cerebral to the primal; but still remains delicate.  If you listen long enough to let it consume you, it will.  Yes, September is for lovers.

Siamese Soul : Vol. 2

Great comp of Thai pop from the 60's-80's.  Here is a track from  Kwan Jai & Kwan Jit Sriprajan.  

Download the record here.

BUY IT if you really dig it.