The Caretakers - Act Naturally

 

Here is an odd 45, released on Jay Dee / Pop Hat Records in 1966. The Caretakers were from Sweden and recorded this version of Buck Owens’ Act Naturally in 1965, probably because they heard The Beatles version from their album Help. But unlike Beatles, The Caretakers put THE ROCK in the COUNTRY TWANG and preceded The Byrds’ Sweetheart Of The Rodeo and ”country rock” with at least two years. The marvelous guitar break is LOUD as f*** and played by Lasse Starck. At the time this 45 was released The Caretakers had a new line up with Englishman Mike Wallace and had found great success in Sweden. The bands former partner, vocalist Jack Dailey, was not happy about the changes and released this and another 45 in the wake of the bands newfound success. However, it did not sell well and is fairly rare these days.

Leroy James and His Combo - Woah Mule

Got my hands on this rhythm & blues obscurity a while ago, Leroy James & His Combo blasting the fabulous Woah Mule on the A-side and a bluesy mid to slow tempo tune on the B-side. I don’t know a thing about Leroy James, but he’s nothing short of a genius coming up with a tune like Woah Mule! Released on Goldband in 1957.

Lightnin' Slim - Have Your Way

Not only is this one of my very favourite artists, but also one of my all time favourite labels. Excello hardly ever released a bad song. This 45, Bad Luck And Trouble on the plug side, and the fourth for Lightnin' Slim on Excello, was released in 1956.

Lightnin' Slim was born Otis V. Hicks in 1913 in St. Louis, Missouri. He started performing in the 40's, and eventually met J.D. Miller and recorded for his Feature label, before moving with him to Excello. Lightnin' Slim cut many singles for Excello and stayed with the label for twelve years. He was often backed by Lazy Lester (harmonica) and Slim Harpo (guitar).

In the mid sixties he quit playing and moved to Pontiac, Michigan. He eventually got persuaded to start playing again and got a new deal with Excello in 1971. He kept touring a few years until he died in Detroit, Michigan of stomach cancer in 1974.

Chuck Higgins And Band - Eye Ballin'

Chuck Higgins, born Charles William Higgins, was a great saxplayer born in Gary, Indiana. His solo recording career started in 1952 for Combo records. The debut was Pachuko Hop/Motor Head Baby, which became very popular. Johnny "Guitar" Watson was among the personel in his early recordings with Combo, and he was the vocalist on the debut as well.

This particular 45 on the Dootone label, was released in 1955 and is the B-side to the brilliant Looking For My Baby. It was his third of totally five records for Dootone.

In between Combo and Dootone Chuck also recorded for Specialty and Aladdin records. After a couple of records for Combo and Caddy in the early 60's, Higgins gave up his musical career and started working as a teacher. He did a comback in the late 70's and kept recording and performing all through the 80's. He died in 1999.