041 - Ninety-nine and a Half -- and New Directions

09/15/11 • -1 min

We start with a band that reversed a trend. Many garage bands broke up in the 1960's when one or more of their members were drafted and sent to Vietnam. The Beachnuts was a band made up of young musicians returning from Southeast Asia.
The New Directions turn in a heavy dose of psych with their 1969 track, "Springtime Lady"
Mel Gaines and the Regents shine in the Soul Spotlight with "What'cha Gonna Do?" It's not only a good example of mid-60's soul, but perfectly captures the sound of East Coast beach music.
We finish with a track from the Scorpios. Could it be that the title of the track "Ninety-nine and a Half" is actually a reference to "Ninety-six Tears?" There's a distinct similarity in the organ work...
Remember -- you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Just download it straight to your computer from this link!
Garage/Soul '66 Podcast #041 - 99 and a Half and New Directions
The Radio Star
This program we play:
The Beachnuts: What Makes You Think
Aliens, Psychos, and Wild Things, Vol. 1

The New Directions: Springtime Lady
Aliens, Psychos, and Wild Things, Vol. 1
Mel Gaines and the Regents: What'cha Gonna Do?
Ol' Virginia Soul, Part 2
The Scorpios - Ninety-nine and a Half
Lost Souls, Vol. 2 - Garage and Psychedelic Rock from Arkansas and Beyond

Previous Episode

040 - The Land of Extremes and All the Time in the World

This podcast starts with another of our many mystery bands. We don't know who was in the band Don't Tread on Me, but we do know they were deep into the psychedelic scene. Their 1969 recording "The Land of Extremes" makes that very clear, indeed. Far out!
Last episode we featured a song by the Electrical Banana, a group Dean Kohler formed while serving in Vietnam. From that same Southeast Asian recording session, they play a cover of Lou Reed's "There She Goes Again" -- done mere weeks after the Velvet Underground's album release!
Ida Sands steps into the Soul Spotlight with a sizzling track she recorded in New York City. "Prophisize" is a gritty ballad well-suited to Sands' voice.
We finish with a gentle rocker from the Mods, "All the Time in the World."
Remember -- you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Just download it straight to your computer from this link!
Garage/Soul '66 Podcast #040 - The Land of Extremes and All the Time in the World
The Radio Star
This program we play:
Don't Tread on Me - The Land of Extremes
Aliens, Psychos, and Wild Things, Vol. Fore!
The Electrical Banana - There She Goes Again
Aliens, Psychos, and Wild Things, Vol. 1
Sir Guy with the Speller Bros. Band - Let Home Cross Your Mind
Ol' Virginia Soul, Part 1
The Mods - All the Time in the World
Lost Souls, Vol. 2 - Garage and Psychedelic Rock from Arkansas and Beyond

Next Episode

042 - Stonehenge and the Sunn Cycle

Another of our mystery groups kick off this edition of the show. The Sunn Cycle went into a studio in Asheville, NC in the late 1960's, recorded a track or two, then disappeared. We play their tune "Acid Raga, Part II." And no, as far as I know there is no Part I.
The Steve Peele Five sing what has to be one of the longest radio jingles ever -- a two-minute paen to a local record store/head shop known as Frankie's. And yes, it was really recorded as a radio ad, not a stand-alone song.
The Soul Spotlight shines on Junius "Bugs" Hughes with just what the doctor ordered -- a heaping helping of funk called "Just What the Doctor Ordered."
We finish with a song to bring everyone together (c'mon people now...). The Stonehenge sing the socially conscious "Try To Help Each Other." Peace, my friends.
Remember -- you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Just download it straight to your computer from this link!
Garage/Soul '66 Podcast #042 -Stonehenge and the Sunn Cycle
The Radio Star
This program we play:
Sunn Cycle: Acid Raga, Part II
Aliens, Psychos, and Wild Things, Vol. Fore!
The Steve Peele Five: Frankie's Got It!
Aliens, Psychos, and Wild Things, Vol. 1
Junius "Bugs" Hughes: Just What the Doctor Ordered
Ol' Virginia Soul, Encore!
Stonehenge: Try to Help Each Other
Lost Souls, Vol. 2 - Garage and Psychedelic Rock from Arkansas and Beyond