Earl Van Dyke and The Soul Brothers - That Motown Sound Lp

Earl Van Dyke was a keyboardist, bandleader, and stalwart member of Motown’s fabled backing band, the Funk Brothers. This album, aptly titled That Motown Sound, is comprised of "instrumental versions of the hits made famous by" Motown artists and songwriters. All these songs are amazing and it’s cool to hear each of them so raw and exposed without vocals. Earl Van Dyke takes the lead on the cuts supplying keyboard riffs and melodies in place of the familiar vocal parts. I was pretty amped to find this record in such great condition. When a record is this good, and almost fifty years old, it’s safe to assume a natural patina and wear and tear has taken hold. As you can hear, on both sides of the platter, this particular copy has held on strong and still sounds minty fresh.

Enjoy the tunes!

Earl Van Dyke - That Motown Sound (Motown, 1965)

Side 1

1. Nowhere to Run
2. Come See About Me
3. You're a Wonderful One
4. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
5. My Girl
6. All for You

Side 2

1. Too Many Fish In The Sea
2. Try It Baby
3. The Way You Do The Things You Do
4. Can I Get A Witness
5. Can You Jerk Like Me
6. Money (That's What I Want)

New Digs - Mid August 2012

I've always seen Wilson Pickett records out in stores, but for whatever reason, found reasons to pass in favor of something else. I appreciate his output and have always enjoyed the material I have on 45, but it's possible I knew I could always score his records in a pinch and just steered clear. I recently found a stash of Wilson Pickett records that were in such great shape, I felt foolish not to finally make a move and bring 'em home. I'm glad I did, as his output honors the sweaty dance numbers for which he is mostly known (and I am most familiar) while also finding time to slow it down every now and then to make for a more varied listening experience. Dig it!

Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour (Atco, 1965)

Wilson Pickett - The Sound Of Wilson Pickett (Atco, 1967)

Wilson Pickett - I'm In Love (Atco, 1968)

Wilson Pickett - The Midnight Mover (Atco, 1968)

New Digs - Early August 2012

I've scored some nice Tamla records the last couple weeks. It's getting tougher to find this stuff really clean since everybody stayed getting down with this stuff from back in the day 'til now. I must have missed a day of Motown class, or maybe I never really paid that much attention, but Marvin Gaye's album In The Groove is actually the original press of his classic I Heard It Thrrough The Grapevine, same songs and everything. I guess once the title-cut beacame so popular, Berry Gordy thought it would be a good idea to re-title the record with new packaging to capitalize off the singles popularity to boost sales. I like the cover for In The Groove way better... and it's still nice to have both versions! ;)

Here are the other recent pick-ups:

The Marvelettes - On Stage (Tamla, 1963)

Marvin Gaye - In The Groove (Tamla, 1968)

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Greatest Hits (Tamla, 1971)

Marvin Gaye - Super Hits (Tamla, 1970)

The New Way - "I'm Sorry 'Bout That w/ Lookin' Like A Nut Nut"

I've had this 7-inch for a while now, and always wondered about the label and artist as I've never seen either turn up since. It turns out that The New Way is actually the moniker of singer Billy Guy of The Coasters fame. The label, Guyjim, was created by both Billy Guy and J.R. Bailey, a onetime member of The Cadillacs. Both sides on this 45 are pretty strong, and I've even played the cut “Lookin' Like A Nut Nut” out a few times. I just love the opening lines of the song and the fact that it celebrates, of all things, the wonders of the mini-skirt!

Here's to all the mini-skirts, with nothin' you can compare it,

Here's to every pretty girl, that ever dares to wear it,

Here's the thought that all you men, should really start to ponder,

Are the skirts really getting shorter, or all the legs getting longer?

 Funny how that question is still one to ponder 45 years later...Both sides have been uploaded for you listening and viewing pleasure!

The New Way - Side A: "I'm Sorry 'Bout That / Side B:  Lookin' Like A Nut Nut" (Guyjim Records, 1967)

The Fuzz - "Like An Open Door"

Take a listen to this promo 45 by all-girl soul trio, The Fuzz. Released in 1972 on New Jersey's Calla Records, “Like An Open Door” finds lead vocalist Sheila Young disdainfully expressing regret as she lets an old flame, who she still loves, keep coming back for more. Despite the fact that she knows it's over, and her dude can't be pinned down, she let's it happen just to feel close to him again. Relationships are complicated!