The Cryan' Shames - Sugar & Spice

I recall seeing the Cryan' Shames play at a 4th of July outdoor picnic/cookout party at my grandmother's country club.  It's must have been in the late '60's and I would have been 8 or 9 years old.  The band was set up outside behind the clubhouse, near the river - where the noise would not disturb the "adults."  A local (Berwyn, IL?) band by the name The Second Story was the opening act.  I think my brother was old enough to "buy" the 45 of Sugar & Spice (Ben Franklin's Almanac as B side).  I just bought this LP today at an estate sale a block from my house.  With the warmer weather, we are getting very close to Garage Sale Season, and I am getting Vinyl Fever.  On the back of the record, there is a list of the band numbers, with their nicknames, and ages.

The Crusaders - Chain Reaction

Above is the inside (opened) cover of the album Chain Reaction, by The Crusaders.   Prolific is the word for this band.  In one form or another they have released over 40 albums since 1961.  From Left to right, acording to the record credits, are: Wayne Henderson (trombone & brass); Wilton Felder (saxes & bass); Joe Sample (keyboards, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, synthesizer); Larry Carlton (guitars); and Stix Hooper (drums & percussion).  They are now known as Wayne Henderson and the Jazz Crusaders.

Chicago's Playlist - our hometown records

As their 40th anniversary approaches, Chicago magazine ranks "the 40 best albums ever by Chicago artists,” [by Jeff Rudy].  I own just one of the records. The Chicago Transit Authority’s self-titled 1969 debut album.  The band name was later shortened to just Chicago.  As for the other 39 on their lits: By artist, from 40th on up: Paul Butterfield, The Buckinghams, Local H, the Impressions, Screeching Weasel, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Eleventh Dream Day, Koko Taylor, The Jesus Lizard, Muddy Waters, Grupo Montez de Durango, Styx, The DJ Fast Eddie, Material Issue, Howlin’ Wolf, The Chi-Lites, Neko Case, Mahalia Jackson, Lupe Fiasco, Ministry, R. Kelly, Chicago (above, at no. 17), Big Black, Earth Wind & Fire, Cheap Trick, Herbie Hancock, Tortoise, John Prine, Kanye West, Andrew Bird, Louis Armstrong, Liz Phair, Curtis Mayfield, Muddy Waters (again), Naked Raygun, Smashing Pumpkins, Willie Dixon, and at number 1: Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  The magazine defines a "Chicago record" as a nonclassical recording by an artist who is local by birthright or who adopted Chicago as home, or at least lived in town, at the time the recording was made.  Does anybody really know what time it is - care?

Waiting for the Sun (Barney Hoskyns) - a book review

I am enjoying the Barney Hoskyns book "Waiting for the Sun; a Rock and Roll History of Los Angeles."   Barney begins with the jazz club scene on Central Avenue.  I am at the part now where the surf scene is waning as the Beach Boy and The Byrds have to contend with the Beatles.  The author gives credit to John Henry Ramistella (Johnny Rivers), as he played Chuck Berry songs, for first creating what would become the LA Sound.  The author tells how producer Lou Adler drifts into Gazzari's and sees for the first time - people dancing to rock and roll music.  In the book, Hoskyns relates how in 1964 Phil Spector is desperate for a follow-up hit after Be My Baby as he comes in contact Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield.  With their soulful voices, black sailers at the El Toro Navy base dubbed them the righteous brothers.  Hoskyns details the Wall of Sound recording of You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling.  Spector and Jack Nitzsche re-assembled The Wrecking Crew - with Hal Blaine and his monster drum kit.  Johnny Rivers Golden Hits is on the Liberty/UA Imperial label, produced by Lou Adler, some with Hal Blaine on drums.  TRB Greatest Hits is on the blue Verve Records label.