flector - Mighty Man - No. 227

flector - Mighty Man

Now, I could have sworn that I reviewed this CD (EP) some time back and if not in this blog, then where? Can't be on some forum, as I don't do those anymore. There's no way out of this misery but to admit, I forgot it completely (not the CD, but doing the review). Preliminaries: The CD can be bought via www.flector.space and clocks in at just below the 20 minute finishing line. Recording was done in 2018. Everything in place? As it should be.

Full disclosure: I know Carlo Gartenmann personally because he did everything possible to bring our book "From Roxette To Ramona - Dr. Feelgood And Wilko Johnson On Record" through the stages to the printer. Super job done and he sure did his magic on the doorstopper. There's a lot of his input there, some things he did on his own and, I have to admit, I couldn't have thought of a better way to do it.

Carlo has been the guitar player and lead singer in a few bands down the road. One of them was a rather Blues/Rock oriented combo (Red Lizard) and an earlier one (Nightcaps) was actually drifting more into the Krautrock vein ca. early 70's. I mean, I saw it that way, because I'm an old Krautrock fan from way back and the funny thing is, Carlo never concurred. However, I can quote chapter and verse from german bands that must have been his influences. He's totally in denial.

1978-1990: Charlesmax

1991-1998: Ed Rea’s Ratman Walk

1999-2002: Ohr

2002-2013: Nightcaps

2014-2017: Red Lizard

Well then, here's his latest outfit (I'm talking about "his latest" because he looks like the mainman here), although I'm sure this is not a big boss thing. The music? I can't really compare it to other bands, because this music is a bit of a niche product in my collection. And with the description of genres all watered down nowadays, I'm not sure I'll hit bull's eye.

I can safely say, this is not for your average Blues, Rock or MOR fan. The tracks are more Prog than anything else (be careful, Prog is a very wide field and includes Death Metal stuff as well - which this music isn't). Yes are lame compared to flector (all lower cases - not my typo). What you don't get is senseless noodling, everything is conchise and to the point. The music is at times rather rocking and at other times quieter. One thing that strikes me, is, how good the whole band is with their instruments. And, although this is a private release, the recording is sonically excellent and a joy to listen to, in case your a HiFi buff.

GOT IT! At times it reminds me of Uriah Heep (the organ made it click). Early ones when they had their greatest hits. Yes, there's a certain similarity. I knew I wasn't a complete stranger to this music. 😇 Plus some more, I let you know if I can dig up some other band's name.

Of the three tracks are all originals and the credits are with Cedy Häuptling (music and lyrics), Carlo (muscic) and Susanne Gartenmann (lyrics). Back to the quality: It's very interesting to hear a band with that level of craftmanship, especially when they are not backed by some major label (in fact everything is self released. What I wish for, is a full album coming our way soon. That would be something well worth waiting for.

flector, like all other bands, do have the problem of cancelled gigs (due to the Corona virus spread) and what not. I know, support is a much used (and abused) term nowadays, but if you buy their CD, it gives you good Karma (and an excellent CD!).

Cheers

Roland

Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue - Live At The Louisiana - No. 226

Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue - Live At The Louisiana

The third CD from Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue. I don't pretend to be aware of this band since time began, in fact, they only came to my attention via the current Pete Gage release. I'm not that nosy, but someone endorsed by Pete, well I had to check it out and bought myself the two studio albums and here we are, a live one. Before the suspense is killing you and you can't get to the end of this review, it's a great album. Nothing to see here anymore. Thank you!

The name Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue might be a tad misleading, because it's so much more. Blues, sure, but there's also Rock'n'Roll or a dinner for two instrumental (I kid you not), well worth the price of admission. You won't get the rough type of Blues here, it's more the polished variant, although I hasten to add, it's not overpolished. You'll not be "Bored To Tears", if I may quote Greg Koch. This CD will keep your mind set on the music.

As hinted above, this Blues (etc.) is not your headbanging, stagediving kind of music. It's very laid back a lot of the time and there's brass and keyboards and it's like a puzzle, since all pieces fall into place quite nicely. The music does speak to you in a peaceful way and it says "listen to me, you can bring all your problems to the table when this is over and done with, but right now, you're here with me". And if you're anything like me (be careful what you wish for), you do as you're told.

Having said what I just said, there they are, accelerating up the hill and "Sweet As Honey" blares out of the speakers. Serves me right to call this "laid back a lot of the time". Well, let me rephrase this, the CD is diverse and that's what I like as much as the professional playing, the excellent recording and the songwriting (four tracks are Ruzz's originals). You get a total of eight tracks (wether the other four are covers, I can't say, without any research into the matter), clocking in at just under the fifty minute mark.

I've listened to it quite a few times since I got it in the mail and somehow, I think this is a close contender  for album of the year 2020. I'm not pulling your leg. And now over to a commercial: Please do support bands such as Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue, because, especially now, they don't have any income from gigs when everything goes belly-up. Don't let bands such as this hold the short end. CDs can be bought at their website.

www.thebluesrevue.com

Thank you!

Cheers

Roland

One Foot In The Grave (US Punk Band) - Nr. 225

One Foot In The Grave (US Punk Band)

Must have been 1992 when I became aware of a band called One Foot In The Grave. A Punk band consisting of folks well into their retirement age. I've no clue anymore how I came across their debut CD "Lookin' Good! Who's Your Embalmer?" I might have bought it from a local shop, no idea! What did I expect, no idea, second round! I'm into weird stuff (not what you're just thinking now) and my passion for the far side of music might have led me this way.

Their debut is anything but Punk. Good Rock, more in the Pop vein, but excellent songwriting with hooks galore. Some covers and a handful of originals (as far as i can tell). The lyrics are sometimes quite witty, but I don't really buy into their "Punk" attitude. It's all a bit set up and frankly speaking, I always suspected a bunch of studio musicians having more than a hand in this. Even back then, there was not really any useful information to be found and it's become even worse over time.

This said, the CD is very enjoyable and you can thank me later for pointing you this way. These days, it's probably only available on Discogs and the like (and it won't break the bank either). The reason I'm waxing about this, I'm not listening to much music these days, my count for last year is around 3 LPs, 10 CDs and that's it folks! Still interested in everything Rock, Blues and Jazz, But I'd rather dwiddle my thumbs than sitting in front of the Stereo. The reason this band came up again, I've read a piece about Rock on the hard side of town and One Foot In The Grave came up. Not this outfit, but close enough to want me to dig through my CDs and give them a spin. I did find them in the first 30 seconds of looking for them (which is an exceptional rarity as my collection is spread all over the flat) and these things sound as fresh as they were more than 20 years ago.

And this here, "Old Farts ...", is their second outing (from 1995). A worthy successor and the recipe is still the same, that is to say, good songwriting (some covers again) and songs laden with hooks. Both CDs come in at around 30 minutes each. So, this is not like you have to spend a week listening to their total catalogue, because, this was the complete output of One Foot In The Grave (as far as I know). I, for one, would have liked more albums, but the novelty seems to have run its course. Or health was indeed an issue. If the claim, that some members were even around the 70 year mark, is even remotely true, I'm not much out on a limb to guess, that some members are pushing the daisies now. Well, it's "Two Feet In The Grave" now!

Well worth your time and cash, you won't go wrong here.

Cheers

Roland

Janus - Gravedigger - Original German Harvest - No. 224

Janus - Gravedigger - Original German Harvest

The original Janus "Gravedigger" is a release from Germany (1972) and commands quite a bit of cash if you want to own one, wether pristine condition or not. There's also a legal CD available and ... some counterfeits. I've made myself clear about where I stand with regards to counterfeits (as opposed to bootlegs), but usually it doesn't raise my bloodpressure at all. Except when I see, that folks are being taken advantage of.

Now, this record is a staple in my collection (at least the CD version) for decades and I managed to buy myself an original copy by shelling out the appropriate amount of cash a year or so back. But when I see that some guy is trying to be smart and sells his stuff as the original in the hope that he finds someone who can't tell left from right, this is where it gets my attention:

This here is plain fraud. There never was a coloured original version of this LP (note, that the seller claims this is a 1 (which I read as first) press (pressing).

Also note his sales drivel about how rare this is (you wish!) and how this is supposed to be a collector's item (right and the devil is a squirrel). The nearly EUR 280.00 are a bit on the lower side for a top condition original LP, but way off for a counterfeit item such as the one on offer. Discogs says this:

Sales not allowed! We can discuss the integrity of the Discogs database until the cows come home, but at least they mark something only unofficial if a label or an attorney or whatever has contacted them. But here's another database (where this is marked as bootleg - sorry, they don't know the difference between bootleg and counterfeit - musiksammler.de)

Now, if you ask me, this counterfeit version is, at a guess, worth maybe all of EUR 20.00 and no change. Don't tell me the seller doesn't know what he's trying to flog off here. Those kind of sellers get on my nerves, can't stand these guys.

Cheers

Roland

P.S,: And btw, this counterfeit is from around 2010 (and not 1972)

P.P.S.: And a happy New Year and all the best in 2020!!!

Dynamites - Too Late: The Complete Recordings - Part 2 - No. 223

Dynamites - Too Late: The Complete Recordings - Part 2

Just today the mailman rang twice (only once, in fact) and here I am, owner of the Dynamites box "Too Late: The Complete Recordings". This is all rolled into one: Great haptics, a benchmark in the history of Swiss Beat/Garage of the 60s and especially the Basel area and one item you have to put your false teeth back in, when you try to explain to your grand-grandchildren what the Dynamites meant for the Northwestern part of Switzerland.

And it's bloody value for money on all accounts:

Here's the box plus the gatefold sleeve. Class A+

And here is the booklet (40 pages) with the Dynamites story and lots of pictures (the story is written in English and you only stumble upon German for handbills, posters and the like, which were scanned as is). Plus the two 12"s, of course.

Plus three posters, reprints to give you the full value.

I haven't listened to the records as of now, but the weekend is ahead and I've nothing else lined up, so ...

What you get here is a beautiful item for your hard-earned cash. It might be difficult to find in a record shop near you, but if you're desperate, just let me know and I try to find a reliable source where you can purchase yourself a copy. Maybe there's even a listing on Discogs (haven't seen one yet, but who knows).

Cheers

Roland

Nine Below Zero - Avalanche - No. 222

Nine Below Zero - Avalanche

Quel surprise, NBZ with an all original set of songs on the market! After you thought they had packed it in and released "Best Of"s and endless "Live" ones and not an original idea in sight, there you are, pray for forgiveness and swear, you'll never ever doubt NBZ anymore. O.K., they let you down the last decade or so (well, yes, "13 Shades Of Blue", but I need to exaggerate a bit or I can leave it well be) and then, this here. A dozen new and original tracks on CD and, can we just have fanfares from the tower, please, on LP(!). Bloody hell and high water! NBZ release their new album on vinyl as well, when it's been a digital wasteland with them for around two decades. Well, in fact, it's been a cool 26 years when the band last released anything on vinyl. Get me paint and a ladder, I have to draw a big cross on the ceiling.

And if this wasn't enough to leave you speechless, NBZ throw in another 2 songs in the form of a 7" (not included on the CD).

You can spin this one when the whole familiy is sitting around the Christmas tree and everyone and their dog gets on each others nerves. Of course, I need time to let the music (and the fact that it's been issued) settle, but from what I've heard so far, I have to agree with someone who said, this is NBZ laid back. Not the Phil Collins idea of laid back, but the Nine Below Zero way to do it.

And now, everyone with ten "Hail Marys".

Cheers

Roland

The Sheapes - The Rhine Beat (z'Basel a mym Rhy) b/w Black Cat (7") - No. 221

The Sheapes - The Rhine Beat (z'Basel a mym Rhy) b/w Black Cat (7")

My first Sheapes 7" (I almost wrote, my first banana - but that'd be a GDR joke). Apparently three singles in the mid 60s and then radio silence. Another of these bands from the Northwestern part of Switzerland, read Basel and countryside. All 7"s by the Sheapes are very hard to find and if you hold one in your hands, expect it to be either battered to death or incomplete (by incomplete, I mean, no picture sleeve available).

Well, mine plays nice although there's some background noise, which disappears completely, once the music sets in. There are some gray stains on the vinyl surface, but I'm not sure where this is coming from. No amount of cleaning the 7" got rid of these spots. Actually, I believe this is a manufacturing error, as was the case with so many records pressed in Switzerland. Either the local (Swiss) record plants at the time were incompetent or just didn't care. My money is on both counts.

The A-side is a local ditty called "z'Basel a mym Rhy" which translates as "In Basel at my (River) Rhine", here it's called "The Rhine Beat", however. In my book, I can live to the end of my days, without hearing the traditional song one more time in my life. I'm just plain tired of this, especailly since you can't get away from it, carnival or otherwise. This is a rocking rendition of course, but really, totally redundant and, I guess, even back in the 60s nothing to write home about. The B-side is a track called "Black Cat" with credits given to P. Brugger. Whatever, but this song is not composed by P. Brugger. No way! This is a very well known track from back in the day, I just have a bottleneck in my brain and can't point out the original song (even though I should).

My copy has a generic company sleeve only and I read on the internet, that just about 50 copies were released with a picture sleeve and the rest came in a generic one (I'm picking my words carefully here, as it's not clear wether generic sleeve was actually a Columbia one or just any other old paperbag). One thing I learned only recently was the fact, that in the 60s, Columbia, Philips and other major players pressed records also on a client basis. That is to say, records bearing Columbia or Philips haven't actually been released by them, they just pressed the lot and got paid for it. So, bands like the Sheapes were never a Columbia signed artist (this is a privately released 7") and the Slaves were never attached to Philips. There's a ton of others.

I still retain a copy of this very single on my wants list, if only in the faint hope of getting a picture sleeve one day. As for the amount paid, it was more than a fair price, even considering the condition and the missing picture sleeve. Now, I'm going to check out the B-side once again, hoping to find the original track.

Cheers

Roland

Dynamites- Too Late: The Complete Recordings - No. 220

Dynamites- Too Late: The Complete Recordings

I don't believe I'm jumping the gun here, in fact I held back until now, because there are at least two online shops having this one already listed (with a street date of December 5, 2019). The Dynamites! From Basel! From the 60s! I won't be saying, I never expected this to happen. I didn't! Not even thinking about it, the sheer possibility was exactly nil and I'm not into daydreaming.  I managed to get an almost complete run of their singles and that has to do. Not even wasting a half thought on a new release (as in old) and then, a while back, I was told that something was in the pipeline.

About two weeks ago, another message, stating that the release was due this week. Read on:

 https://www.clear-spot.nl/item/486570/dynamites_too_late_the_complete_recordings_2lpbook_box.html

 https://www.soundflat.de/shop/shop.cfm?lang=en&artnr=26514

Well, friends and neighbours, this is a major, major benchmark in the history of Swiss Beat and Garage out of the 60s and of course something to write home about for everyone who's into that kind of music from, especially, the Basel area. Where does this leave you, you ask! You might reside in London, Chicago, Helsinki, Tokyo or Cairo, it doesn't matter, music is a universal language and even though the Dynamites have written local history only, they will conquer every record collector's shelf (and heart) with this release here.

Jesus Christ on a skateboard, the Dynamites!

Cheers

Roland

P.S.: And talking to shop owners in the area, their excitement is as high as mine's.