Primitive Sound System & Chuck Daly at D.C.'s Tavern - Thursday May 2 from 9:30PM to Closing

Hello Y'all,
I don't think I have been this busy in a very long time.  I didn't get to do a gig drawing which bums me out but I did have time to hit some stores on Record Store Day.  Many, many years ago I read that there were more songs recorded when Husker Du did the sessions for the "Statues" 7-inch.  "Statues" wasn't the breakneck bulldozer that was soon to come on Land Speed Record.  Ironically it leaned more towards what later became their own version of Hardcore, a more Pop or well crafted song played at double-timed speeds.  I picked up "Statues" about a year after it came out and it promptly made appearances on almost every mixed tape I ever made. At one point I read that the remaining songs were to come out possibly on the B-side of a 12-inch but that never happened.  Recently I read that the two songs, "Writer's Cramp," and "Let's Go Die" would finally be released by Numero Group as a 10" on Record Store Day 2013.  Despite all of my dislikes for Record Store Day there was no way I was going to miss out on this release.  I contacted a few local stores and both Iris Records in Jersey City and Tunes in Hoboken said they ordered the single.  I queued up at Tunes at around 8:30AM and made it inside where I was able to get a copy.  It certainly did not disappoint.  Later that day I got to spin a set at Iris and pick up a few more things including a couple of records I have been looking for, for a long while.  If Wretched Store Day is truly about your local record shop than Iris and Tunes are definitely two of my favorites.

As seems to be the routine each of these vinyl holidays, stores and patrons alike wish that the releases could be ordered and then pressed in numbers so that the actual customers that frequent the store can purchase the releases from their favorite record store.  This way they wouldn't have to beat the sharks and assholes that just buy as much as they can, from as many stores as they can get to and then dump the records on eBay.  I assume these are the same assholes that call records, vinyls.    

I have way too many record stores that are or have been my "favorite" to list them all.  I have been able to find amazing records on every vacation I have been on or touring around with my band.  Anyone who ever thought vinyl was dead never really collected records or appreciated how much better analog is to digital.  If you are anywhere near Hudson County make sure you stop at both Iris and Tunes.  If you enjoy both White Man(n)as equally then make sure you also hit The Record King while in Hackensack.  Proof of the enduring nature of the format a friend is opening a shop upstate New York in a few weeks - Clockwork Records 6 Spring St, Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706.

Larry the Hunter will keep pouring you drinks until the music stops.  It's like the most dizzying game of musical chairs ever.  It's been a few months since Chuck has been at the tables so this should be a good one.

See you there.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 2nd - 9PM to Closing
Pat. James Longo - Primitive Sound System
Chuck Daly - DJ YouCan'tPutALabelOnMe

D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550

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Some new records…

LP's:

Nick Drake - (S/T compilation)  (Island Records Ltd. cat. 3732604)

Big Star - "Nothing Can Hurt Me"  (Omnivore Recordings cat. OVLP - 61 (Orange Vinyl))

The dB's - "Revolution of The Mind"  (Orange Sound cat. ORA 1012 (Clr Orange Vinyl))

Karriem Riggins - "Alone Together" Record 1 & 2  (Stones Throw cat. STH 2296 & 2297)

CSC Funk Band - Funkincense"  (Electric Cowbell Records cat. ECR 707)

Wyldlife - "Time Has Come To Rock & Roll"

Mary Lou Williams - "Zoning"  (Mary Records Inc. cat. M103)

Golden Void - S/T  (Thrill Jockey cat. THRILL 318)

Metz - S/T  (Sub Pop cat. SP 1015)

45's:

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Animal X"  (Kobalt Label Services cat. LC 29472 (Pic Disc))

Sir Douglas Quintet - "Interpreta en Espanol"  (Smash / Mercury cat. S2 - 268)

dB's - "Picture Sleeve" b/w "Write Back"  (Orange Sound cat. ORA1011)

Roky Erickson and the Aliens - "Mine, Mine, Mind" b/w "Bloody Hammer"  (Light In The Attic cat. LITA 45-027 (Pink Vinyl))

JD McPherson - "Fire Bug" b/w "A Gentle Awakening"  (Rounder / HiStyle cat. 1161 876-1 (Red Vinyl))

Sir Doug Espaniol

Husker Du - "Amusement" & "Statues" b/w "Writer's Cramp" & Let's Go Die"  (Numero Records cat. 25764 17047)

Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson - "The Bottle" b/w "Your Daddy Loves You"  (Charly cat. CHARLY 115 S (Ltd Ed of 300 on Green vinyl)

Mike Watt + The Black Gang - "Rebel Girl" b/w "30 Days In The Hole"  (Org Music cat. ORGM - 2001)

The Rolling Stones - "Five By Five"  (ABKCO cat. 8936)

Elvis Costello - "Live at Hollywood High" ep  (Record Store Day release ltd ed No. 0660)

Golden Void - "Rise to the Out of Reach" b/w "Smiling Raven"  (Thrill Jockey cat. THRILL 332)

Big Star - "In The Street" b/w "When My Baby's Beside Me"  (Ardent cat. ADA 2902)

Dusty Springfield - "Am I The Same Girl? (Soulful Strut)" b/w "Earthbound Gypsy"  (Philips cat. 326 996BF (w/ Pic Slv))

Lyn Collins - "Mama Feelgood" b/w "Fly Me To The Moon"  (People cat.PE 618)

Primitive Sound System, Chuck Daly and Bronco Billy Dolan at D.C.'s Tavern Thursday February 2nd from 9PM to Closing

Hello Y'all,
Ground Hog Day is one of my favorite holidays.  I love the fact that it, out of all the holidays on the calendar, truly celebrates nothing.  There are no scientific findings around Phil's abilities. He pokes his head out of his hole and then sticks it back in.  No matter what he does someone interprets it as either a short or long Winter and … Yeah… holiday over.  Considering there seems to be  an endless supply of Phils it is just as creepy as all the other holidays based on mythical characters.  This year we are going to celebrate in style, "Six More Weeks of Soul!"  OK, so it is just five hours, but it sounds better with six weeks.  It's been a while since we have done a Soul night and I am really looking forward to it.  As always be kind and rewind, tip your bartenders and above all if you drink don't drive and if you drive keep off the sidewalks.  See ya there!

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 2nd - 9PM to Closing - DOING THE GROUND HOG CHILDREN!
Bronco Billy Dolan
DJ SixMoreWeeksofWinter!  - Chuck Daly
Puxatony Sound System - The Soulful Rodent

D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550

http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoboken-NJ/DCs-Tavern/89733686005 <- Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dcs-Tavern/111745052195139 <- Facebook Local Business Listing
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27386563721 <- Facebook Group
http://foursquare.com/venue/34395 <- On Foursquare

Master Tattoo Artist, Sand Painter and Synchronized Swimmer - Chuck Daly: http://www.jerseycitytattoo.com

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I am bringing WAY too many records.  Some classics and some that hopefully you may not know.

Here are some Soulful 45's casting a shadow on the tables…

BT And TB - "Queen of The Ghetto"  (Philadelphia International Records cat. ZS8 3571)
I have said it all too often but I love instrumental music.  I will usually take an instrumental over a vocal track any day.  I am sad that bands don't put an instrumental track on their records or on the b-side as often as they used to.  It was really common.  Here Bobby Taylor and Thom Bell take performer credits as well as arranger and producer credits.  Is there nothing these guys can't do.  When I first picked this 7-inch up I noticed the date, 1975 and the title, "I Can't Quit Your Love" and thought this is not only the wrong date but that title says bad late 70's Soul ballad.  Nope, not even close, it was an instrumental with a clavinet running through it as the lead or voice.  The song wasn't bad and for some reason I immediately thought how incredible it would have been if  Yaphet Kotto would have played Jim Rockford on The Rockford Files.  No offense to James Garner but it would have been pretty cool.  Ever the optimist I flipped it over and was very pleasantly surprised.  This was far closer to what I was looking for and there was still that Action movie soundtrack vibe I love.    I wonder if this was ever used in a movie?  It should be.  It opens up with really big sound, lots of horns and a wah guitar jumps out accenting the beat with some really nicely recorded drums.  The song pulls back on the big sound and trims it back to the essentials, bass, drums, keys, and guitar.  The horns slowly build back up before repeating the theme which is what really gives it that sound track feel.  This is a movie I want to see.  Eddie Harris was right, "Theme In Search of a Movie" indeed.  I am not sure who the "Queen of The Ghetto" is or what her story was but I am glad i got to know her for at least  three minutes.

The Ice Man's Band - "Come Together" and "Ain't Understanding Mellow" b/w "It's Down To That" and "People Make The World Go Round (That's What Makes The World Go Round)"   (Mercury cat. MEPL-22 (Promotional Copy / Not For Sale))   
One of the first "records" I ever owned was actually a cassette.  When I say, "I owned" it is because my Dad has a great record collection and we spent most of our time going through it and studying them.  My son doesn't seem to share this same curiosity as he told me recently, "Why do you tell me about the people playing the music.  I either like it or I don't, all that other stuff is boring."  He definitely has a point.  If you aren't interested in the details it just gets in the way of listening.  I guess he will never read these emails because here I get to talk too much about the records I love.  Where was I?  Oh yeah, The Stylistics.  The Best of The Stylistics to be exact and yes I still have the cassette.  The Stylistics made a very deep impression on me, one that remains to this day.  The song that immediately stood out for me was  "People Make The World Go Round…"  I knew right from the opening that this wasn't your typical ballad.  The open chimes and bass line are peaceful but have an obvious sadness.  The opening lyrics let you know right away that there may be something wrong in your neighborhood, "Trashmen didn't get my trash today."  This is no "Betcha By Golly Wow."  The next line is even more poignant, "Buses on strike want a raise in fare; So they can help pollute the air."  Holy shit!  The thing that should keep cars off the road, hopefully gives us all more "breathing room" in our cities, helps us to get to work on time, and saves us money is also a major contributor to pollution.  Yikes, WE ARE ALL DOOMED!  They then turn their sights on Wall Street.  Wall Street blames the long hairs for them loosing money and then they turn around put up their feet and smoke a fat cigar without a care in the world.  Tomorrow they'll find someone else to blame while they get richer and richer.  Sound familiar?  Nothing changes.  But people do change and that is what the song is about.  Go underground get out of the line of fire and make changes to the way things are done and how people act.  People make the world go round and are responsible for changing the world.  Quite a task to say the least.  Over the years I have collected several versions of this song.  I have rarely found a bad version.  When I dropped the needle on the "Introducing The Ice Man's Band" LP I got chills.  These guys captured the very essence of what makes the song so great.  The environment it creates is one of being uncomfortably close, not like a hug but more like the feeling you get in a crowded elevator.  Everyone avoiding touching one another and for the most part silent.

Mickey and the Soul Generation - "Iron Leg"  (Maxwell cat. L-803)
How the hell have I never written about this record before?!  This was one of the first "Funk Instrumentals" I ever owned by an artist I had never heard of.  "Iron Leg" is basically a Jazz / Funk Instrumental and heavy as hell.  The opening of "Iron leg" sounds like a fog horn or maybe someone leaning on their car's horn in traffic.  There is a tambourine that keeps the time throughout the entire song, it is steady and in the groove.  Every instrument is in the pocket and hitting hard.  The bass is as heavy as the fog horn sound and the drums are heavy as the bass.  The only instrument that takes a subtle approach is the guitar.  You find yourself uncontrollably caught up in a mid-tempo shoulder bob and then  suddenly you are thrown against the wall when the horns burst in.  There is a brief break and the Mickey Tucker takes a solo on the organ.  This instrumental is as cool as it gets and I could play this endlessly and never get bored.

Slim Willis Band - "I Sayed That" b/w "Wine Me Up Baby"  (Reginald Records cat. (none)
Another great bass and drum intro begins "I Sayed That," with a sax that seems to be taunting them both. In the background there is a harmonica that sounds like it is laughing at the unfolding confrontation.  Mid-tempo and almost lumbering, the groove is not a studied one but make no mistake this thing has got one hell of a deep groove.  The organ is in and out of the mix almost observing the goings but to only offer some  advice or an  opinion.  Maybe the organ is reminding them not to loose the groove and keep their shit together.  These guys have let go and are just doing it, letting their instruments speak for them.  Maybe that explains the title.  On playback someone remarked after hearing their performance, "NO WAY, I SAYED THAT!"

La Bert Ellis - "Batman Theme"  (A&M Records cat. 789 (Promotional Copy / Not For Sale))
I have a lot of Batman Records.  None of them sound similar.  The Batman music genre is still a curious one to me.  Why did this one song, the theme of a tongue-in-cheek take on the Batman comic book series spawn so many truly amazing versions as well as entire LPs exploding with mind-blowing music.  I still need many Batman related records and each of those are just as unique as the ones I already own.  Some music is truly "inspired" by the batman series or others capitalizing on the success of the series but even those are exploitation of the highest order.  The funny thing is there couldn't have been tremendous profits in putting out a Batman related record unless you were actually authorized to do so.  If it wasn't authorized you would have had to pay for the right to use the theme and every one of these LPs includes the Batman logo (or a variation of) somewhere on the sleeve.  There are Garage Rock versions, Jazz versions, Rock versions, R&B and Soul versions and ones that are Funky but not necessarily Funk.  I had heard this particular version by La Bert Ellis a few times before tracking a copy down.  All the copies I know of are promotional copies which leads me to believe there may not have ever been an official release.  There is something different about this version than all the other organ based versions.  It opens with the sound of thew Batmobile like many other versions and the music begins almost in a corny fashion with some Moog or Synth effects peppering the mix but when the organ takes over things get serious.  The horns jump in line like some of the best Latin jams and about half way through the organ kicks it up a notch and the whole thing comes to a boil.  After this point there is no stopping it, I can only imagine that the full take of this version is around ten or fifteen minutes.  If I did a version of the theme I would be so torn.  I have no one favorite, each idea, arrangement and genre or style is completely valid and compliments the song perfectly.  Some of the modern takes are far less desirable but unfortunately that seems to be true of a lot of modern music (modern being anything after 1984 or so).  I'm sorry what is the purpose of auto-tuning?  I never tire of versions of the Batman theme and all the other related music and this is a prime example why.

Primitive Sound System on This Is The Modern World with Trouble

Hello Y'all,
On Tuesday October 11th from 10AM to High Noon I get to spin a set of Soulful & Funky ladies on the always great, This Is The Modern World with Trouble. Trouble and I have talked about doing this for a while and have been trading YouTube clips of some of the better performances since. I don't think there is a record in the box older than the early 90's and one record I received just last Wednesday. So this really is the modern world. The vocal styles of the New Funk and Soul scene can vary greatly and so can the quality. The men seem to fail at a far higher rate than the ladies. The voices of James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Dyke, Curtis Mayfield, Syl Johnson, Eddie Bo, Lee Dorsey and countless others from the 50's through the 70's had a quality all their own and still don't sound dated even today. Too often when a young man steps to the mic now, the results are forced, thin sounding and sometimes just plain corny. The guys seem focused on the past and try way too hard to be "real." The ladies on the other hand just get "it." You know "it" when you hear "it" and you definitely know how "it" feels… "IT" feels right. Some ladies sing, some shout and others give it everything they've got as if they'll never get another chance to sing again. Luckily these ladies have very impressive discographies documenting their amazing performances but that also made selections for these two hours difficult. I started buying up New Funk & Soul records in the early nineties as one of the local NYC Funk and Soul re-issue labels began releasing their own 7-inches. Most of those early releases were instrumentals but slowly vocals began popping up here and there. Soon I began to find other labels doing similar releases. The sound was different from the Acid Jazz scene and was definitely not concerned with slick recording quality. Despite being disappointed with many of the male vocals I tried not to make too many comparisons to the originals. Instead I focused on the instrumentals and the wonderful female vocal recordings that seemed to be available in endless supply. I'm not naming any of the records I am bring to the station tomorrow because than why would you listen. Tune in for a bunch of ladies that have brought much pleasure to my ears.

FMU is also in the middle of a fund raising marathon of sorts called, "Shock & Awetober." You can make a pledge to the station - https://www.wfmu.org/marathon/pledge.php or directly to Trouble's show at http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/LM. While you are there listen to all her incredible archived shows.

See Ya!
- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Tuesday October 11th from 10AM - Noon
WFMU
91.1 on your FM dial and at http://wfmu.org online

This Is The Modern World with Trouble
Tuesdays 9am - Noon on WFMU 91.1 fm 90.1 fm wfmu.org
A viking ship appears on the horizon, a likeness of Loretta Lynn carved into its bow. Rare birds flock together to sing Francoise Hardy as soul hits. A sunset of blips and bleeps fills the air.

Jersey City Record Riot! Setlist - June 24th, 2011 12PM - 1PM

The Three Suns - "Volcano" (RCA Victor cat. 47-7416)
Moe Koffman Quartet - "Koko-Mamey" (Jubilee cat. 45-5324)
The Marketts - "Out Of Limits" (Warner Bros. Records cat. 5391)
The Pyramids - "Penetration" (Best cat. 13002)
The Hollywood Tornadoes - "The Gremmie - Part II" (Aertaun cat. 101)
Bobby Kool - "Mole Skin" (Expo Records cat. E-102)
Mr. D. & The Highlights - "Nose Full Of White" (JAS Records cat. JAS 316)
Chicago Cubs Clark St. Band - "Slide" (Chess cat. 2075)
La Bert Ellis - "Batman Theme" (A&M Records cat. 789)
James Brown And The Famous Flames - "I'll Go Crazy" (King cat. 45-6020)
The Ideals - "The Gorilla" (Cortland cat. C-110)
Chuck Danzy - "Git Down" (Nu-Tone Records cat. 532)
The Five Du-Tones - "The Chicken Astronauts" (One-derful! cat. 4824 / 3002)
The Rivingtons - "The Bird's The Word" (Liberty cat. 55553)
Eddie Long - "Mo Jo Workout" (Fun City Records cat. F - 100)
The Mighty Hannibal - "Jerkin' The Dog" (Shurfire Record Productions cat. Record No. 011)
Lowell Fulsom - "Funky Broadway" (Kent cat. K 4535)
Syl Johnson - "Going Back To The Shack" (Twinight Records cat. 118)
Dyke And The Blazers - "Let A Woman Be A Woman - Let A Man Be A Man" (Original Sound cat. OS - 89)
Pigmeat Markham - "Sock It To 'Em Judge" (Chess cat. 2059)
The Ambassadors - "Searchin'" (Sound Stage 7 cat. 45-2607)
Marlena Shaw - "Woman Of The Ghetto" (Cadet cat. 5650)
Marvin Gaye - "You're The Man (Part 1)" (Tamla cat. T 54221F)
Al Green - "Right Now, Right Now" (Hi cat. 45-2177)
Gil Scott - Heron - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" (Flying Dutchman cat. FD 26011)
Gary Bartz Ntu Troop - "Drinking Song" (Milestone cat. MS - 701)
Harold Alexander - "Mama Soul" (Flying Dutchman cat. FD 26016)
Buddy Terry - "Babylon (From Awareness Suite)" (Mainstream cat. MRL 5511)
Robert Lowe - "Back To Funk" (Eastbound Records cat. E 624)
Funk Inc. - "Bowlegs" (Prestige cat. Prestige - 754)
Scacy and the Sound Service - "Sunshine Part 1" (Scacy Records cat. HY 2200)
Parliament - "Red Hot Mama" (Invictus cat. Is - 9091)
Irish Coffee - "The Show" (Parrot cat. 45-356)
Hot Soup - "You Took Me By Surprise" (Rama Rama Records cat. RR - 7775)
Chimo - "In The Sea" (Epic cat. 5-10770)

Bikini Beach Blowout! Setlist - Friday, June 24th- 10PM - 4AM

The Ventures - "The Swingin' Creeper" (Dolton Records cat. No. 306)
The Pacers - "Skeeter Dope" (Alley Records cat. 1013)
The Dartells - "Where Do We Stand" (Hanna - Barbera Records (HBR) cat. HBR 457)
The Falcons & Band (Ohio Untouchables) - "Swim" (Lu Pine Productions cat. L-1003)
Don and Dewey - "Jungle Hop" (Specialty cat. 599)
Big Sambo and The House Wreckers - "At The Party" (Eric Records cat. 7003)
Billy 'The Kid' Emerson - "A Dancin' Whippersnapper" (Tarpon Records Inc. cat. 6602)
Joe Arnold, Davis Combo - "Ride The Wind" (2 Spot Records cat. TS-102)
The Coasters - "Teach Me How To Shimmy" (ATCO cat. 45-6219)
Lester Young - "Wobble Time" (Chase Records Co. cat. 1200)
Chubby Checker - "Slow Twistin'" (Parkway cat. P-835)
Hank Ballard And The Mid nighters - "The Float" (King cat. 45-5510)
Herbie Mann - "The Honeydripper" (Atlantic cat. 45-2379)
Scotty McKay and his Orchestra - "Here Comes Batman" (Savannah Sound cat. SS - 501)
Bobby Freeman - "S-W-I-M" (Autumn cat. Record No. 5)
Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels - "Sock It To Me - Baby" (New Voice Records cat. 820)
The Monkees - "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (Colgems cat.66-1002)
The Combinations - "BUMP BALL!" (RCA Victor cat. 47-9482)
Lenny McDaniel & The New Era - "Something Out Of Nothing" (Seven B cat. 7016)
Ruff Francis & The Illusions - "Give Me Mercy" (Essica Records cat. 002)
Mickey Lee Lane - "Hey Sah-Lo-Ney" (Swan cat. s-4222)
The Sonics - "The Hustler" (Etiquette cat. ET - 16)
Small Faces - "Grow Your Own" (Decca cat. F 12317)
Dance The Slurp - The Wildest…The Kookiest…The Grooviest…The Slurpiest (7 Eleven cat. ????)
Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto - "In The Basement - Part 1" (Cadet cat. 5539)
Lorenzo Holden - "The Wig" (Cee-Jam Records cat. CJ-8961)
Panch Villa & The Bandits - "Ain't That Bad" (Symbol Records cat. Record No. 202)
Chet "Poison" Ivey and his Fabulous Avengers - "Shake A Poo Poo" (Tangerine Record Corporation cat. 45-TRC 989)
Billy Stewart - "Summertime" (Chess cat. 14257)
Marsha Gee - "Peanut Duck" (Penniman Records cat. PENN45013)
The Sensational Guitars of Dan & Dale - "Robin's Theme" (Tifton cat. 45-125)
The Emperor's - "Karate" (Mala cat. 543)
Charlie Lucas And The Thrillers - "Wonderful Feeling" (Waterbird cat. WB001)
The Blue Rhythm Combo - "Take The Funky Feeling" (Merry Disc cat. M - 51)