Category Archives: Country

Categories: Knight (Schenectady), Latham, Mechanicville, New York, Schenectady, Scotia, Troy, Upstate New York, Vibra, Vibra-Sound, Vibra-Sound Recording Studio

The Vibra-Sound Recording Studio and label

January 28, 2016 Chris Bishop 29 Comments

The Vibra-Sound Recording Studio and label started in Schenectady or Rotterdam, New York circa late 1966. I’m not sure where exactly the studio was, but New York State business records list a residential address on Crestwood Drive in Rotterdam for Vibra-Sound, and also include a later starting date in 1969, with the business closing in 1992. However, several of the singles listed here such as the Heathens and Delirium are earlier, from sometime in 1967.

Nate Schwartz appears as engineer and also as a representative of the label in an local news item from the early ’70s. Initially the studio was located in Schwartz’s garage, with the control room in the basement without a window between.

Vibra-Sound had its own Vibra label, plus variations like Vibra-Sound, VSS, and others that were customized for the artist. Later productions often share publishing by Robert Barry Music BMI.

Below is a general discography in approximate chronological order of records made at Vibra-Sound / Vibrasound, with my comments.

Any additions or corrections would be appreciated, as well as info on any of the artists listed here.

45s:

Vibra L-103 – Elaine Brooks & the Pushers (Albany/Schenectady) “I’m So Blue” (Brooks) / The Pushers – “The New Thang” (C. Nelson) both published by Kama BMI
“The New Thang” is a cool instrumental with saxophone, tambourine and plenty of echo. I’m surprised to see what must be some connection to Kama Productions of Utica, NY in the publishing company (see the end of my article on the Roosters for more info on Kama and related productions).

Vibra L-104 – The Heathens (Schenectady, NY) – “The Other Way Around” / “Problems” (both written by Michael Dellario, arranged by Hooker-Stahl, Petticrew, Sheer & Marquez)
Maybe the most well-known garage single of the NY capitol region.

Delirium Vibra 45 Never Comin' Home — 45 scan from the unparalleled collection of Bosshoss

Vibra L-136 – Delirium (Mechanicville, NY) “I Need Your Lovin'” / “Never Comin’ Home” (both songs by T. Sullivan, Wall Music BMI)
A very rare single, and musically as good as the Heathens. If anyone has info on this band please contact me.

Vibra L-137 – The Dimensions (Latham, NY) – “The Pilot” / “Dimension Beat” (both by Federici, Federici, Olson and Speciale for Wall Music, BMI)
Another fine garage single, According to copyright records from February, 1967, The Dimensions were Martin Federici, Arthur Federici, Dominick Speciale and David Olson. I’ve also found a new clip from 1965 verifying the members of the group.

Vibra Sound 423702 – Sound with Brass – “Shine Down on Me” / “Lollypops and Roses / Wall St. Rag”

Vibra-Sound 121969 – The Changing Times – “Free As The Wind” / “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” 1969
Good versions of both songs, the capitol region being one of the few places where the Myddle Class had extensive radio play. Label credits for “Free As the Wind” give S. Trimochi, S. Lane in error, as the original song was a collaboration between Gerry Goffin & Carole King, and Rick Philp & Dave Palmer of the Myddle Class.

The Changing Times were from Mohonasen High School, Rotterdam, NY, with members Kurt Eastman, Mark Eastman, Gary Esposito, Bob Launders. and David Cilberti on vocals (thank you to David for his comment below)

USS 102 – The Chimes of Freedom (Scotia, NY) – “Did You Ever” / “Jungle Rock” (Hamilton, Francis, Pytlovany)
For more info on the Chimes of Freedom see my post on the group.

unreleased demo – The Concepts (Ravena,NY) – “Faces Come, Feelings Go” 1968. Presumably from an acetate, this track is on the Garage Beat ’66 vol. 2 CD

Hemlock VSS-2/09 – Art Anderson and the Anderson Family – “Don’t Come Knockin’ At My Door” / “I’ve Been Searchin’ in My Dreams” (both by A. Anderson, Robert Barry Music, BMI, ZTSP 140404, 1968)

Knight Records KN-1 – Marshall Hanson and the Hamps – “Dark Clouds” / “Waiting for My Love” (1966, State Music Productions, ZTSC122592/3)

Governor VSS-910 – Bob “Rebel” King and the Knights of Music – “Suspicious Illusions” (R. King) / “For the Good Times”

Al Knight Records VSS 2704 – Al Knight ”Dreaming Dreams of Yesterday”

Zep Records KN-4 Tim Ryan ”Angels in the Front Row”

Bob "Rebel" King - Governor 45 Suspicious Illusions — Scan courtesy of Brian Kirschenbaum

W.S. Highway 2710 – West Side Highway – “Spring Song” (J. Hochanadel) / “I’ve Got a Way” (D. Vroman) (both Robert Berry Music, BMI, Vibra-Sound 2710, ZTSP 140682/3)

Cobb 81935 – The Universal Set – “Ballad For Linda” / “Memphis Express” (both by E. Locke, Robert Barry Music, ZTSP 144640/1)

Darec VSS 81943 – The Dignitaries – “Steppin’ Out” (R. Gigliotti) ZTSP 144740

Hemlock 81946 – Cathy Lee, Anderson Family – “The Dark Side of the World” / “Our Side” (ZTSP 144893, Vibra-Sound 81946)

Kandy 101 – The Essentials – “Baby You Get to Me” (S. Wheeler) / “Oklahoma Blues” (F. Stay, S. Wheeler) both Robert Barry Music BMI, 1969

Kandy 82042 – The Essentials – “Sunshine Baby” / “Freedom” (both by Squeeky Stay for Robert Barry Music BMI, Vibra-Sound 82042, ZTSP-221980, 1970)

JC 82017 – 2nd Foundation – “Wipe Out” / “I Am The One” (D. Spensley, Robert Barry Music) (ZTSP 221697/8) – instrumentals produced by Johnny Cefala

Katy VSS 2705 Dusty Atcher and River Valley Boys – ”Right, But I Think It’s Wrong”

Little Records VSS-82043, Jimmy Lane and the Incredible 5 – “Deal With It” (J. Lane) / “What Kind of Man” (S. Brooks, J. Wortham) (both Robert Barry Music, BMI, A Little-Mickens Production, ZTSP 222378, Vibra-Sound 82043)

The Lightning Brothers Brothers Two 45 Wild Smoke — “Wild Smoke” is an excellent 70s rock song

Brothers Two 6023-13 – The Lightning Brothers – “Crazy Jane” (W. Braemer, S. Hansen, M Ilnicki, P Ilnicki) / “Wild Smoke” (W. Braemer, P Ilnicki) (both Robert Baby Music, an Albert Perrone Production, pressed by Queen City Album in Cincinnati)

Jinhea DC-100 – Squeeky Stay and Mark Galeo – “Slippin’ Away” / “Mrs. Jones”, early 1970s

Rambler 2712 – Jerry Madore and the New Prairie Ramblers – “Wishing” / “Blue Blue Eyes”

EROS Records VSS 1239 – The Ridgerunners – “Stop, Look and Listen” / “King and I” (Robert Barry Music, produced by Watrobski Enterprises Broadalbin, NY 1973)

CMS 5105-40 – Billy D. Hunter, the Country Joe Revue “My Heart’s Still Doin’ Time” / “Old Five & Dimers” A Conway-Murray Production

476-45P – Bunz Rock Show – “Doctor Rock & Roll” / “Raw Power” (both by S. Atwood, C. Cirrone, B. Deitz, R. Hull, 1976)

Neon Records 6084-24 – Skip Johnsen – “My Friend John” / “I Like You” (1976)

Sit’ n Bull 6072-31 – Night Conference – “I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)” / “Kansas City” (1976)

Alan 7054-25A – Alan Burn “Unless You’re Born Again” / “Jesus the Healer” with James Caulfield (backup vocal), and musicians Ernie Burnell, Joe Latorra and Mark Carnival

Also many square dance records on the Jay Bar Kay Records label by the Rustlers and others

LPs:

Vibra-Sound 8014N5 – The Common People – Come Rest In My Heart (need confirmation of this one)

VRS-741 – Yankee Doodle Band – Yankee Doodle … Comes To Town

Vibra-Sound 82031 – Birdcage Beat: The Moods & Sounds of Go Places with General Electric 1969

82055/6 – The Golden Fox Steakhouse Presents Live the Vito Mamone Trio and Carlos & Rosita (The Chaynas); Lou Mauriello, technical assistant.

Brian Kirschenbaum and Max Waller provided many additions to the discography.

Categories: Blacknight, Dallas, Texas

Theze Few

January 25, 2016 Chris Bishop 5 Comments

Theze Few formed in Dallas and cut one single for the BlacKnight label in 1966, “Dynamite” / “I Want Your Love”. Dan Seals wrote both songs, though the labels mistakenly list his name as D. Feals, published by Tall Pine BMI.

Members of the band were:

Danny Seals – saxophone
Larry Stevens – lead guitar
John Colley – piano
Mike Woolbright – bass
Buddy Lay – drums

By the 1968 Irving Teen-A-Go-Go, the band had changed their name to the Southwest F.O.B.

The blog …from the rear view mirror… quoted the Dallas Morning News from when Dan passed away in 2009:

Dan Seals, 61, was born in West Texas but moved to Dallas as a teenager. He graduated from Samuell High School in Pleasant Grove in 1966. He and classmate John Colley, who later changed the spelling of his last name to Coley, formed a group with three other Samuell students called the Playboys Five. That became Theze Few, which morphed into the legendary Dallas high school band Southwest F.O.B.
As the friendship blossomed, Seals’ brother Jim was emerging as a musical superstar. Jim Seals was part of the multi-platinum-selling duo Seals & Crofts. But Dan Seals and Coley would soon put their own stamp on music.
They formed England Dan & John Ford Coley and became the toast of 1976 when their single, “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” and album, Nights are Forever, became gold records, meaning each sold more than 500,000 copies.

Lonestar Stomp covered the Seals family, including brother Jimmy and father Wayland.

Categories: Georgia, Unknown

The Vandals’ “Your Love Will Die”

January 21, 2016 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

The Vandals are possibly from Georgia but I haven’t seen any definite info on the band.

“Your Love Will Die” is a speedy, chaotic and excellent punk song, with ringing guitar, busy drumming, and shouted vocals not quite in unison. One guitarist plays both rhythm and lead. “Mary” is a fine ballad, there’s a clip on youtube but it has a skip in it at the end of the guitar solo.

The only member’s name I have is Steve Randall, who wrote both sides for Boldlad Music, BMI but I can’t find a copyright notice for these songs.

Categories: Alabama, Channel 1, Mobile

Sax Kari’s Channel “1” Records

January 17, 2016 Chris Bishop 5 Comments

Recently I picked up two singles on the Channel “1” label, by the Eyes of Reality and the Systems. The label intrigued me for the 7-B distribution listed at the bottom, as 7-B, or Seven B, was a great New Orleans funk label owned by Joe Banashak.

I quickly realized these were not New Orleans productions, but instead came out of the Mobile, Alabama studio of Sax Kari, who wrote, produced and/or sang on each of these.

Saxton Kari had a long career in music, but I know his name mainly from Preston Lauterbach’s eye-opening history, The Chitlin’ Circuit.

The first single on Channel “1” was the Eyes of Reality doing a laid-back funky come-on, “What You Waitin’ On Girl”. The flip is the even more mellow ballad, “Goin’ Back”. I’m not sure who was playing in the Eyes of Reality, but Saxton Kari wrote and sang both sides.

Next comes what sounds like a real band, the Systems, doing an original by Doug Previto, “How High Is High”. I presume Doug was a member of the group. The flip is “Where Did I Go” a song by Carson and Tim Whitsett. Tim Whitsett led the Imperial Showband with Tommy Tate, who cut the definitive version of this song for Musicor.

Francine King cut the third Channel “1” single, “Two Fools” a spare funk vocal that has its fans.

I haven’t heard the next Systems single, the intriguingly-titled Sax Kari composition “The Story of My Hair” b/w another Doug Previto song, “Oh How I Wish”. The group’s name is listed as simply the System, singular, and the label has a new design. The label name was spelled Channel One for COR-711 and COR-712.

The System Channel 1 45 The Story of My Hair — A faded label but has Sax Kari’s autograph

The last single on the label is another one I haven’t heard, Simon Birk’s “Babbalulla”.

Channel “1” Records discography

COR-701 – Eyes of Reality – “Goin’ Back” / “What You Waitin’ On Girl” (PRP 10771/2)
COR-702 – The Systems – “Where Did I Go” (Carson Whitsett, Tim Whitsett for Whitsett Bros Music/Catalogue Music BMI) / “How High Is High” (Douglas Dwight Previto, Kari Music BMI) “A Gulf Coast Production”
COR-703 – Francine King – “The Grapevine Can’t Tell You” / “Two Fools” (PRP 11471/2)
COR-704 – The System – “The Story Of My Hair” (Sax Kari) / “Oh How I Wish” (Douglas Dwight Previto)(PRP 13911/2, )

COR-711 – Francine King – “Dirty Man” (Bobby Miller) / “Yo Yo”
COR-712 – Dirty Red Morgan Group – “Your Chicken Ain’t Funky Like Mine” / “Finger Lickin’, Funky Chicken”

COR-720412 – Simon Birk – “Babbalulla” (J. Simmons, Channel One Music) / “Love Never” (PRP-38351/2)
COR-770518 – Benny Watson – “Sunday Afternoon In Memphis” / “Going Down for the Third Time” (both by Jerry Powell, released 1977)

Unless indicated otherwise, all songs written by Sax Kari and published by Tune-Kel and/or Kari Music BMI.

Thank you to Peter for pointing out a few unknown to me, and to Gordon Dodson of the Barons from Ozark for the scan of the Francine King single.

Categories: Cincinnati, Counterpart, Dana Lynn, Ohio

The Great Society, Cincinnati, Ohio

January 15, 2016 Chris Bishop 11 Comments

The Great Society from The Great Society, from left: Steve Sturgil, Tom Wise, Bill Bayer, Tilo Schiffer and Charlie Jung — The Great Society, August, 1967
from left: Steve Sturgil, Tom Wise, Bill Bayer, Tilo Schiffer and Charlie Jung

The Great Society were students at the University of Cincinnati, except Steve Sturgil who attended the University of Kentucky. The band’s lineup was:

Tilo Schiffer – lead singer
Tom Wise – lead guitar
Bill Bayer – piano and organ
Steve Sturgil – bass
Charlie Jung – drums

First mention I can find of them is from March 1967 at Granny’s and then at the Four Seasons’ Pirates Cove in July.

Great Society Pirates Cove at the Four Seasons, Cincinnati, July, 1967

A letter to the Enquirer from fan Penny Phelps in June, 1967 mentions them playing at the Psychedelic Lollipop, Granny’s, Lakeridge Hall, Seven Hills Veterans Hall and the Round Table.

They released one single, first on the Dana Lynn label in June, 1967, then on Counterpart C-2613 in August. “She’s Got It On Her Mind” has a hypnotic keyboard sound, a great drum backing with accented beats, and a captivating vocal melody.

The flip “Second Day” is another tuneful winner, heavy on the echo like the A-side.

Lead singer Tilo Shiffer wrote both songs, published by Counterpart – Falls City Music, BMI.

A second letter from Penny in December notes that Bill Bayer and Tilo Schiffer both went into the Navy by the end of 1967, but that the three remaining members would try to continue.

In 1968 the Great Society played shows at the Coney Island water park and at LeSourdsville Lake with the Rapscallion Sircle.

The Dana Lynn label lists Ray Allen as engineer and reads “A Tom Dooley Production”, while the Counterpart lists Allen as producer.

Dana Lynn only released three singles that I know of, notably the Lemonpipers “Quiet Please” (70610), the Great Society (70611) and Tom Dooley “Talkin’ Bout Love” / “Stay By the Phone” (010).

Counterpart was also local to Cincinnati, but had greater distribution than Dana Lynn.

Categories: Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

The Collection from Fort Mitchell, KY

January 14, 2016 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Collection from Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

The Collection came from Dixie Heights High School in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. A profile by Tom Lutes in the Cincinnati Enquirer from November, 1965 lists the members as Don Brewer, David Conover, Chris Comer and Tom Ramsey.

“Their manager Jeff Goode says they play any kind of music, from rock ‘n’ roll to classical, including Mozart’s First Concerto.”

The band did not record to my knowledge.

Categories: Cincinnati, Ohio

The Blackwatch and One Step Beyond

January 12, 2016 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Blackwatch (misidentified as the Wanted), at "One Step Beyond, July, 1967 — The Blackwatch (misidentified as the Wanted), at “One Step Beyond, July, 1967

Blackwatch, For Sale, Wolf Pack, the Wanted at One Step Beyond Cincinnati Enquirer, July 1, 1967 — Shows at One Step Beyond in July, 1967: Blackwatch, For Sale, Wolf Pack, and the Wanted

Cincinnati group the Blackwatch cut some demos but never released any records. Their name appears half a dozen times in the Enquirer’s pages in the summer of ’67, but unfortunately there was no feature on the band.

Johnny Schott – lead vocals
Doug Hawley – guitar
Rich McCauley – keyboards
John Gilsinger – bass
Jay Sheridan – drums

Buckeye Beat has a long history of the band.

In June of ’67 the Blackwatch played at the Deer Park movie theater on shows with WSAI DJs Bob White and Tom Kennington. In the first week of July, 1967, they played for three evenings at a newly opened teen club, One Step Beyond.

The following week, One Step Beyond featured the Heywoods, Ivan & the Sabres and Salvation & His Army.

From a feature in the Enquirer on July 15, 1967:

They’re springing up like mushrooms – new teen clubs that is! The newest one in this area is “One Step Beyond” at 8532 Beechmont Ave. in Mt. Washington.
“The club features three separate rooms, The Twilight Zone (just for chatting), Our Generation Room (for dancing) and This Place (for eating). Refreshments are being served in This Place here by Pat Hess. Waiting in line are Mary Jo Rickard, Debbie Arnold, Rick Anthony and Bob Barney.
“One Step Beyond” is a joint effort of the young people of Anderson township and an adult group called CONCERN …. Shown playing is the band “Wanted.” The club is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 8 p.m. until midnight and dress is informal.

Blackwatch-not-Wanted, One Step Beyond Correction, July 22, 1967 — Letter from Jean Hess correcting the photo caption from the previous week

A week later, Jean Hess “Teen Board Member” for One Step Beyond wrote a letter to correct the caption, saying, “The great band that was pictured is the ‘Blackwatch,’ not ‘Wanted.’ The Blackwatch played four nights at the club and have gained a reputation of being one of the grooviest groups in Cincy!”

The third week of July the club featured the New Lime, then the Lemon Pipers!

I can’t find any mention of the Blackwatch after the summer of ’67. One Step Beyond lasted into 1968, including a show in February with Ivan & the Sabres, the Quaker Rebellion and Red Brale. Then it also disappeared, at least from the news.

Ivan & the Sabres, the Quaker Rebellion, and Red Brale at One Step Beyond, Feb. 24, 1968

Categories: Cincinnati, Florence, Kentucky, Ohio

The Wanted & Co.

January 11, 2016 Chris Bishop 8 Comments

The Wanted & Co. released one single in 1968, a dark, fuzzed take on “Smokestack Lightning” titled “Why”.

M. Gertin and B. Marksberry wrote the song, but there’s no publishing info on the labels and no one seems to have info on the band.

The A-side is an average cover of the Gants’ “My Baby Don’t Care”. The band recorded the single at King and pressed the records at Queen City Album.

This is likely the same group called the Wanted who played some shows in Cincinnati in 1967, including at the teen club One Step Beyond on Beechmont Ave. in Mt. Washington.

The Enquirer ran a feature on the club with a photo that was captioned the Wanted, but a letter pointed out the band was actually the Blackwatch.

Since the great Detroit area ban called The Wanted was having a modest national hit with “In the Midnight Hour” on A&M, the band likely added “& Co.” on the labels to distinguish them.

Thanks to Scott Lucas for inquiring about the Wanted & Co. to get this post going.

Categories: Atwell, Lafayette, Tennessee

Atwell Records of Lafayette, Tennessee

January 10, 2016 Chris Bishop 11 Comments

Atwell Records of Lafayette, Tennessee released a number of interesting rock record in the late 1960s. Lafayette is about 60 miles northeast of Nashville, and a similar distance southeast of Bowling Green, Kentucky. I haven’t heard all of these, but my favorite so far is the Children single: two very well-crafted original songs featuring strong vocals with lead guitar bubbling in the background.

The A-side was “I Long to See Her” (by Mike Gibson), backed with “Lost Soul Seeker in the Rain” (by Mike Gibson and L.S. Goodman). It came out as Atwell 45-109 in the second half of 1968

Loryn Atwell produced the single, with both sides published by Lonesome Ern & Atwell Publishers, BMI. Publishing credits give full names, Michael Freeman Gibson and Louis Samuel Goodman.

One source stated the band was from Georgia, but this is incorrect. One member and a friend of the band commented below, stating the band was from Munfordville, Kentucky and members were Mike Gibson on vocals and guitar, Sam Goodman on lead guitar, Mike Rife on drums and vocals and Clint Nichols on bass. Joe Terry Crenshaw joined a later version of the band before it finally broke up.

Since writing this post, Lee Bryant contacted Hoot Gibson and wrote an expanded article on the group for this site.

Atwell had a couple fine rural country releases by the Pedigo Brothers & the Tennessee Rhythm Boys and some later teen releases:

Atwell 100 – “She’s Gone” (Earl Pedigo, Hillard Cliburn) / “You Never Looked Sweeter”
Atwell 101 – “A Love Affair Gone Wrong” / “It’s Hard To Smile” (with picture sleeve)
Atwell 102 – Randy & The Rockets – “Once Upon A Time” (Randy Dillahey) / “Rattlesnakin’ Daddy” 8/1965 “kids”
Atwell 109 – The Children – “I Long to See Her” / “Lost Soul Seeker in the Rain”
Atwell 111 – New Musical Express – “Child Of The Midnight Sun” (Gary Agers, Tommy Ramsey) / “Wrong Side Of Love” (Jerry Ford) 1969
Atwell 115 – Midnite Strobe – “Beyond Reason” / “The Future”
Atwell 45053 – Sweet Revenge – “Love Machine” / “Sweet Revenge” (released with picture sleeve of the band around one member in a coffin, mid 1970s)
Atwell 45057 – Bad LT – “Rock & Roll”/ “God Taketh”

Atwell also released EPs by the Tennessee Harmoneers, spiritual LPs by the Singing Youth, the Singing Gospeltones, and the Tomes Four (actually a quintet), a bluegrass album by Ron Knuth, among other religious and country 45s and LPs.

Atwell Studios is credited on some releases on the Re-Echo Records label of Livingston, TN, including The Madhatters “Unchain My Heart” / “That Kind Of Girl”, as well as on releases on the Breeze Records label, also from Livingston.

Thanks to Max Waller for a couple additions to the Atwell 45 discography.

Garage Hangover