The Cobras [Memphis] - "Restless" b/w "Shake Up" (Stax, 7" - 1964)

The one and only platter by The Cobras from Memphis TN (not to be confused with the quite many I guess gangs of the era - I know a few garage hoots, too...) was a revelation for the guy this side your computer screen, from the word go! and its first spin ever! Cause you know, what we got here is actually people an another way cool version of the Mar-Keys (Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn and Terry Johnston - not Packy Axton though, as some might still claim) fooling around the studio with an old Link Wray inspired instro-burning riff, dated back (as the legend says) in their high school days and resurrected in 1964 when these guys were among the Stax's hit-making factory hottest players and songwriters. OK now, shape the picture: One of THEE BEST ever Rhythm and Soul acts, are trying to fuck with Linkster... And fuck yes, this is as good and as cool as you might think and even better!!! I mean, even if you're among those hardcore Fred Lincoln Wray, Jr aficionados (I am too, welcome buddy...), in a drunk night you can easily mistake it as an attention of yours escaping gem! B-Side has the equally kick ass "Shake Up" titty-shaker, a dipped up to your throat Memphis rhythm and blues shit kicker full of the well known MGs/Keys grit! Give yourself a good listen and then question yourself how this haven't been yet heavily compiled?!

The Mar-Keys/Booker T. & The MG's - "Back To Back" (Atlantic/Stax, 1967)

Hi there! I had an argument (all my life seems to be an argument but i really like it, haha!) the other day 'bout some same old stupid debate, on who's the best guitarist ever walked this earth, blah blah, blah. OK, i have a tremendous respect for Jimi but he was a bit too show-off for me. You know, my negative/reactional nature drove me all these years to go find some 'replacements' as answers to the 'public's opinion' on many things considered as 'classics' or 'untouchables'. So you can't hold all these Eric Claptons, Jeff Becks, Richie Blackmores, Stevie Ray Vaughans and let me preach in the names of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Link Wray and Steve Cropper!
And all this weekend was an enormous trip to what great Steve Cropper did. From Booker T & the MGs to Mar-Keys, and from Blues Brothers to every single southern soul star was choiced to back up as the master six stringer of the Stax/Volt factory. For some strange reason this record wasn't heard more than two times since the day bought it. For some strange reason i listened to it back to back, four times in a row. A live at Paris back in 1967 recording, when the Stax/Volt Revue, was setting up Europe's stages on fire. Really now, this is as hot as it gets, and for sure one of the best and most underestimated live documents ever! The two legendary Memphis outfits, with Steve Cropper of course doing his thing, delivering the most solid groove ever waxed! This is substantially what should be called 'party music'!

Bo Diddley - "Bo Diddleyrama Grind Series Vol. I, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut! Thee Originator's Instros" (WAXCD 002)

The original idea belongs to Kogar's Jungle Juice (this blog's cool place to hang out - check my blog roll) and I've posted his version also in the very early days of the blog, but... was obviously something not right with me and this rar file. I decided then to expand the whole brilliant idea, include better sounding rips of the songs and make (along with my faithful partner in crime, Jean Philippe - without whom...) a proper CD jewel case artwork for you out there who want things be done in a more connoisseur way.
I've learned many Bo songs when I was younger by the cover performances of groups like the Tell Tale Hearts or the Crawdaddys at first and in continuance by monsters in the likes of The Pretty Things or the Downliners Sect and I knew till then that I must go find the originals. You can't go to "z" without knowing first all the previous letters of the alphabet, right ( I've learned it in reverse as you might guess...)? So, when I first downloaded Kogars version, I peeved by two things immediately...1st. the absence of many more brilliant tracks and 2nd. why the included songs were in a such a low bitrate? I mean, if the “rights owners” of these blasts are going to hunt you down, give 'em a good reason at least, ha-ha!
I started ripping the tracks, tag them with all the right info for the listeners, place them chronologically and add as many more songs a CD lets today. I still let out sadly some amazing tracks (the two instros from the Bo/Chuck Chess album are the first that come in my mind right this moment) but hey, there's nothing more you can do about it. I stole our series title (yes, hopefully there be more) from a dude I don't know his (nick) name, but I thank him anyway and I encourage him to contact me and get his credit if he ever land to the WTS planet of loon. This is PURE cut and shave chunka chunk Bo, speechless and mighty as ever! If you like what you're about to hear - you own to yourself to go get the records. Cheers! 
*No bootlegging on WTS - WAX CDs. This is ONLY for Soul Self Satisfaction and/or educational purposes. Share and dance freely!

Kent Morrill of The Fabulous Wailers (R.I.P. 1941-2011)

I just found out that the organist/vocalist of the NW legends and proto-punk masters, the (Fabulous) Wailers, died a few days ago after some years battle with the fuckin' disease... His wife said that the night before sang in his sleep "Louie Louie", a song the Wailers had an equal share in fame as the song's own writer the mighty Richard Berry! You can actually read more on this on the Louie Report... If you don't own already the Wailers material, you should start immediately. White Trash Soul sends his boundless respect to Kent Morrill for what he achieved in life. The Wailers, The Sonics and the Louie! Its' all about THREE CHORDS, a CATCHY TUNE and a bunch of UNDECIPHERABLE WORDS! R.I.P.

The Crossfires - "Out Of Control" (Sundazed, 1995)

I fuckin' hate the Turtles! I can't stand the hippies anyway - so imagine if these hippies were fat stoned singing altogether with "pom-pom-poms" and shit,  "So haaaaappy togeeetheeeerrrr!"... Grrrrrrr!!! I need an uzi and a clip of bullets!
Ain't life full of contradictions? The Crossfires were one of these repugnant things. I mean, take a serious look on these photos here. OK, did you check them carefully? Awright, then give a listen to these fuckers recordings. I tell you people and before you can take a judge for yourself, the Crossfires were a bunch of strolling savage teenagers! One of the USA's most killer surf-instro combos! And actually were the first incarnation of the...Turtles for fuck's sake. As a one track mind i am there was no chance to give a shot on this CD if i knew first who got involved. I know, I'm a sucker but at least respect my honesty. That's another out of print compilation and don't know why these good folks at Sundazed HQ didn't re-reissue yet, gems like this one (preferable format this time, vinyl).  From the known surf hymns of "Fiberglass Jungle", 'Chunky","Inferno" and "Silver Bullet" to inspired rockenrollers like Buddy Holly's "That 'll be the Day", "Justine" and the mean lean "One potato two potato", the 'fires just sets dance-halls on (what else?) fire! All these sides along with the Flo & Eddie produced DMZ Sire LP, gives you some reasons to respect something of the Turtles history and proves that none was born a square, he becomes one later! 
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Fiberglass Jungle! 

The Phantom Surfers - The Great Surf Crash of '97 (Lookout - 1996)

Although the Phantom Surfers claim their selves as "the worst surf revival band", believe me are among the best if not the best!
They formed in 1988, part of a scene tilted on rock n' roll with comrades like the Mummies & the Trashwomen, and created a blast which has deeply roots in the late 50s-early 60s surf movement and especially on monsters like the Trashmen, the Crossfires and the Revels!
As the legend says, formed just to fill the last hour a gig at the University of Santa Cruz. You know...University means Frat! Santa Cruz means Surf! What's best for them except for their "in the red" music, is the totally COOL image with the Lone Ranger-masks plus the white suits! I always loved a cool uniform on a hot band or on a hot gal!
Their debut LP, "18 Deadly Ones" released by Billy & Miriam of course under Norton's signature and that's the biggest compliment! If the KICKS crew digs something, at least is something you should buy and play hard!
This is my fave (along with their debut...) release of these mysterious mask-men and it was a huge surprise when i noticed that the label's logo was by...Lookout! A company mostly known for mediocre pop-punk...
Anyway, as far as i know they still exist and if its true, we still have a hope to listen cool surf instros, even if the calendar says 2010!

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Lancelot Link Wray 

Diggin' Out Compilation

To this day most rock n roll genres are extensively archived and researched. As a result of this there are some compilations that trough the pass of the ages, grown up and matured as "Holy Bibles". For example, garage got the "Nuggets", the "Pebbles", "Garage Punk Unknowns" and "Teenage Shutdown" comps. Rockabilly - Rhythm & Blues got the "Desperate Rock N Roll" or the "Greasy Rock N Roll" volumes and surf got this!
Yeah! The "Diggin' Out" LP never released as far as i know on digital format. Never include "huge" names of the genre but is full of vital, raw energy. Full or reverbed guitars, full of raunchy saxophones and not at all sweet vocal harmonies like the Beach Boys! These guys here are totally unknown punks of the J.F.K.- era U.S. and even Tarantino was afraid to touch his hands on these greasers! Give a listen first and go buy this record duuuuuuude! File under supershit!

Diggin' Out!

Las Vegas Grind Compilations Volumes 1,2 & 3

"If the Las Vegas of Frank Sinatra is a little too classy, a bit too swank for your taste, you might want to pay a visit to the land of Las Vegas Grind. The lights aren't so bright there and the liquor is cheap. The air is redolent with warm Brylcream and sweaty polyester -- the smell of conventioneers nervously enjoying the kind of entertainment they could never get away with back home. Just remember to bring a wad of one-dollar bills, and don't forget there's a three-drink minimum."

 
The aforementioned describe was taken from allmusic.com for the Strip Records (a Crypt's sub label) " Las Vegas Grind " compilations. Truly there's no better way to describe the sleazy atmosphere you're gonna find in there!
It sounds like Exotica but it's too filthy and dirty to be in that genre! It has all the best elements of rock n roll (rockabilly, rhythm & blues, surf, swing and soul) and all these under the neon lights of a strip bar and the lap dance of of a strapping girl! Don't know who post them on the net but i thank him anyway cause it cost me less time to rip them and upload them my self! 

Las Vegas Grind Part 1 

Las Vegas Grind Part 2 

Las Vegas Grind Part 3 

Link Wray - Early Recordings

There's nothing ever in rock n roll, more thunderous, chaotic, rumblin' and dirty than Link Wray! Be sure that NO words are plenty to describe a performance like "Rumble", "Ace of Spades", "Run Chicken Run" or "Fatback"! What we got here is the very essence of rock n roll at his most primal and savage!  The sound of the wild that captured at his best and finest! The purest, hardest and toughest sides of this music called Rock N Roll created ONLY in Link's hands! This semi-Indian lad was and still is (hands down!) the only one that deserves the exclamation of the WILD! The baddest motherfucker of them all! Compared to him Iggy is a wimp and Lemmy is a linnet! These sides are spooky, snotty and fire-burnin' like no other shit in this world! This compilation must be THEE best of all in the market these days. Sure, Norton's "Mr Guitar" is the most comprehensive, but this THE SHIT man! From the front cover, drenched in yellow with BIG and RED just like the devil, LINK WRAY letters behind this leather dressed from head to toes rebel figure...Fuckin' Wow! First put out from the legendary label of Chiswick, i guess it was 1978 the chronology of my birth's that this CLASSIC hit the streets with his menace! To this day remains the best place to start and finish if you can (or better - if you dare...) your adventure with this switchblade rebel! Every single note on this recording contains energy in the most rawest and primitive condition you might hear in your whole life man! Throughout his recording career many producers or a&r guys tried to clean this animal, but Link's just like a pure-blood dog...You might close it in your apartment and make it for a while treat your guests like a good puppy but once it smells the fear in your eyes and the speed pumping heart  in your chest it bulks and bites you right there in the carotid! Along with The Sonics the first and only TRUE PUNKS EVER....Goodnight.

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