Latin soul at it's finest!! Willie and his boys lock themselves into a serious groove on this cut. Also available on the highly-recommended Rhino compilation "Sabroso! The Afro-Latin Groove".
from Uno, Dos, Tres (Verve) available on CD - Uno, Dos, Tres/Spanish Grease (Verve)
"Don't you know that my hate is everlasting, baby?" The story of the Monks is the story of rock & roll...in an alternate reality, perhaps. Take a bunch of bored US servicemen stationed in Germany about to be discharged, put them in a band, and have them decide to freak out the establishment by dressing in black capes, shaving their heads into monk's tonsures and wearing nooses as neckties. Perhaps not so shocking in these days after punk rock, but this was 1965. Oh, and don't forget the electric banjo. What began as a fairly standard surf/beat combo called the Torquays mutated into this band, churning out some of the most nihilistic music you've ever heard, even by German standards.
from Black Monk Time, available on CD (Repertoire)
13 May 02 ·PappaWheelie: Over-Beat is Punk Rock! Glad to meet another convert.
Another great dramatic pop number by Mina, this song is from the comic Alberto Sordi film, 'Fumo di Londra'. The backing track is identical to that used in the film, although Mina's version was released separately as a single. What can I say? This is an other deeply affecting dramatic pop number in which Mina belts out the words in a heartfelt manner. If these are the same words I used to describe her track 'se telefonando', then that's because this song is pretty much in the same vein, with a heavy, brass-laden pop arrangement. ps. a version of this song exists with none other than ME singing in Italian - reverb-laden vocals belted out karaoke style over the same background track.
from the single Breve Amore available on CD - Studio Uno 66 (BMG Italy)
04 May 01 ·tinks: the 'fumo di londra' soundtrack was recently reissued as a 2lp set, with tons of outtakes. i really, really love it. i'd make a recommendation from it right now, but i can't remember the song title, and the record isn't with me. argh! 04 May 01 ·delicado: The one which really bowled me over was 'Mr Dante Fontana'! Like 3 brilliant songs rolled into one! 04 May 01 ·tinks: wouldn't you know it? that was the one i was trying to remember! i couldn't recall if that was the title or if they just said "hey, mr. dante fontana" a lot. 16 Feb 04 ·jeanette: Also from that Fumo Di Londra album: that fabulous 'You Never Told Me'. A Brit-girl-sound lost classic! 16 Feb 04 ·delicado: Yes; that's actually an English-language version of this same song
Kinda surfy bouncy arrangement of this old Gershwin number, with five-part harmonies! Free Design ain't got nothin' on these cats!
from You Were On My Mind (A&M) available on CD - You Were On My Mind/Make Someone Happy (Collectors' Choice)
23 Jun 03 ·konsu: These people were just great. So many great versions of cool songs, done in some unexpected yet refreshing ways! "Love me not tomorrow" is such a moody stunner, and I love their bossa-folk version of "Make someone happy"! For fans of 60's folk-pop that takes chances, and consistently amazes. 17 May 06 ·bullitthead: they kept me alive and well through Viet Nam
Interesting early composition/production work from Axelrod. Vaguely calypso-inspired orchestral pop with a very prominent piccolo and what sounds like a French horn solo...I think that I hear a glockenspiel in there, as well. All layered over trademark Axelrod drums and a cool walking bassline.
18 May 02 ·Sem Sinatra: I'd be interested to know exactly what David McCallum did on this track ... maybe the glockenspiel 24 May 02 ·tinks: well, according to the liner notes, he supposedly is the conductor of the thing. i've seen his conducting in action in the film "the big tnt show" and all that i can say is that it looks sorta dubious. 30 Oct 03 ·utada: David McCallum's father played french horn for the london symphony-he played french horn on the Beatles "for no one"-I think this is he and not the son
