In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast
The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even intolerable. We place special emphasis on the “moments” in these songs where, perhaps, a new interpretation will emerge from. A close look at song structure is also present in our discussions. If that sounds academic, maybe it is a little bit, but we like to keep the analysis in the spirit of the songs we speak of – which means we drink some spirits (for Erik, it’s bourbon, for Weldon, it’s Stambecco) – and that means by the third song, things can get a little wild. Basically, we talk about rock!
In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast
She's About A Mover
It's early February, and time for love & conversation ... so this week's song is the 1965 classic "She's About A Mover" by the Sir Douglas Quintet (2:57). A simple groove, great manly singing from SIr Doug himself, and a cavernous, carnivalesque organ sound will keep this in the canon for years to come. The song migrated to Germany later in the year and The Boots gave it a good home (42:29). The organ is comparatively chintzy & warbly, but this is a remarkable raucous racket with strangled, snotty vocals and sloppy, sporadic shakers! The pride of Ste. Hycanithe, Quebec are up next, Les Hou-Lops (58:27). They don't worry about what Doug Sahm said and create a sharp French language version with an acoustic axe subbing for the organ riff. Sounds better than it sounds!! The filthy fourth is a WILD version by The Alarm Clocks (1:18:16). This is the most garage version here, so lissen up! Lastly but not leastly is a totally unique version by Dottie Cambridge (1:40:06). The most kinetic version - soulful vocals, guitar stings, horns, a funky drum breakdown, all under 2 minutes!! And we did it all under two hours!!!