JUKE BOX JURY

A real boss summer

March 20

The old mercury hit 84 today and the placid streets of bucolic Marin County were brazenly disturbed by the sounds of yours truly, cruising along in my calaboose, windows down and the manic strains of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” blaring from my 40-ohm speakers. The radio was cooperating to its fullest, flinging out one fine summer song after another, from “Brown Sugar” to early Yardbirds, with a lot of Van Morrison, Beach Boys, and Mungo Jerry inbetween. As I pulled up in front of the local drugstore I spied a gaggle of washed-out hippies mooning around an emaciated young lad who was strumming a guitar and half-heartedly mumbling to the tune of what sounded like “You’ve Got a Friend.” At that very moment, what should burst from my speakers but the opening chords of “Wild Thing.” I turned it up all the way and sat there grinning while they picked up the shreds of their shattered sensitivity and slouched off to mellower pastures. “Zowee!” I thought, “This is gonna be a boss summer!”

Summer isn’t all hijinx of course, but those we have this year are sure to be accompanied by some of the finest sounds the radio has given us in many a season. One of the biggest treats has been “Jump Into the Fire” (RCA 74-0673) by Nilsson. Yes, Nilsson. I never bought Schmilsson and I didn’t get a free one from RCA either, so I never knew this gem was buried there. His voice is kinda weak for this sort of material, and the single version shows it, but around here stations are playing the long album cut, where he really drives home what I said last month about the use of echo, and spotlights some excellent playing by Jim Gordon, Herbie Flowers, John Uribe and Klaus Voorman. Uribe in particular seems to be exploring the territory Eric Clapton opened up on the first Yardbirds album, and it’s about bloody time somebody did. Equally satisfying in the heavyweight league is “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin (Atlantic 2865) which is such a naturally great single that you should’ve seen me fume when they released “Black Dog” first.

The Guess Who do their bit with “Heartbroken Bopper” (RCA 74-0659), their best in a long time, though not as good as the title. And let’s all pull real hard for Alice Cooper’s “Be My Lover” (WB 7568), which is not only an ace song, but those opening chords are about as close as the Velvet Underground will ever get to AM radio. Psychopathic! And how about “Hot Rod Lincoln” (Paramount 146) by our own Commander Cody? Getting heavy airplay in San Francisco at least, could be the kind of national hit he needs to start his album moving. A really great cruising record that I just can’t get enough of. Looks like big success ahead for Ringo too, with “Back Off Boogaloo” (Apple 1849), a much more spirited and less gimmicky record than “It Don’t Come Easy”. Some very tasty guitar work in there, and with a picture of Frankenstein on the sleeve you can hardly lose.

There’s quite a few new records I’d like to see on the charts. Foremost among them is “I Get the Sweetest Feeling” by Earth Quake (A&M 1338). One of these days everybody’s gonna know what a great band this is, and hopefully it’ll be right after their new album gets heard. The first was rather badly recorded, but if this single’s any indication, things have changed. It’s getting some local play, but then they’re a local group. Try requesting it. Another nice entry is “Look Wot You Dun” by Slade Cotillion 44150). Yes, I know I wrote them off when they eschewed rock & roll awhile back, but their idea of R&R must be different from mine coz this is a fine record. The singer bears an uncanny resemblance to John Lennon, vocally that is, and it has that tight English pop sound. Also try not to miss Dr. John’s new one, “Iko Iko” (Atco 6882), an adaptation of the Dixie Cups’ 1965 hit. And hang onto yer hats folks, because I happen to think this is actually better than the original. Yes, this may be a first. Credit Harold Battiste, one of the finest black producers around, for bringing back shades of old New Orleans.

I really dig Michael Jackson’s remake of “Rockin’ Robin (Motown 1197); he ought to do a whole album of this stuff, to gear us up for his Frankie Lymon movie. And this seems tq be a case where the rival Osmonds got there first, via Donnie’s string of charming oldies, which I also like — or at least can tolerate. Wouldn’t it be great to have all these little sandbox rockers singing songs from before they were born? It’s a shame the Watts Little Angel Band (see Feb. JBJ) never got anywhere with U.S. Bonds and Cannibal & the Headhunters, they’re still the best. But we have an intriguing contender in Little Jimmy Osmond, the bratty little junior member waiting in the wings for Donny’s voice to change. “Long Haired Lover From Liverpool” (MGM 14376) is a Beatle novelty song Christopher Kingsley recorded back in ’64 or so, and it’s quite a flash to see it revived. I wonder if kids these days have even heard of Liverpool? Anyway, this would be a gas of a hit, and I doff my hat to some unnamed A&R genius.

Paul McCartney makes a rather simple, direct statement in “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” (Apple 1847) and for his trouble he gets his record banned throughout the United Kingdom — from record stores as well as the public air. I can’t imagine what the fuss is about; Paul is hardly a threat to anyone. But then we should keep in mind that what’s reason in Ireland is treason in England, because of the absentee. I actually like this better than John’s effort, maybe because Paul’s a real “Me”. And if that counts for anything, McGuinness-Flint should have a double head start, but I haven’t heard their Irish record yet.

Badfinger’s “Baby Blue” (Apple 1844) is the last good song from Straight Up except maybe “I’d Die Babe” and “Sometimes”, which sounds so much like something off Revolver they’re probably afraid to release it. But anything will do, as long as Badfinger is on the air. And will Middle of the Road repeat their astonishing English pop-bubblegum success here? Hope so, they’re pretty good. “Soley Soley” (RCA 74-0612) is the first release, with an album to follow soon.

Don McLean’s breathlessly-awaited followup is “Vincent” (UA 50887). When I heard the title I figured it’d be a tribute to Gene Vincent, but no such luck. He is singing about the hero of modern youth, Van Gogh, and he didn’t even write the song himself. This music was dead to begin with. If it has to be something slow, I’d rather have his “Winterwood”. This month’s best sensitive singer is Jackson Browne, who provides a pleasant interlude in “Doctor My Eyes” (Asylum 11004), and running a close second is Elton John with “Tiny Dancer”(Uni 55318), a much better single than “Levon” and still enjoyable a hundred spins on. B.J. Thomas seems to fit in here too, with “Rock and Roll Lullaby” (Scepter 12344) which throws in everything from Brian Wilson to the Ronettes and comes out a very nice, calm production ballad. Also in this vein is one of the best singles of the year, “Everything I Own” by Bread (Elektra 45765) which proves how easily a little care in the studio and competent professionalism can make the efforts of the superstars look like crap. Maybe it’s a corny record, but so was the Ronettes’ “Walking in the Rain” (Philles 123) and I love them both.

Some losers: “Chantilly Lace” by Daddy Dewdrop (Sunflower 119), an offensively selfconscious slow, funky version. Bad timing too, with Jerry Lee’s killer rendition on the charts. “I Just Can’t Help Myself’ (Musicor 1453) is Gene Pitney’s latest, in case you were wondering what he’s up to. Not much. “There’s An Island” (Janus 178) is, I believe, Little Anthony & the Imperials’ first record since leaving United Artists awhile back, and it’s a disappointment. A medium-paced ballad like Stevie Wonder’s “There’s a Place in the Sun”, it lacks the arresting mood established in all of Anthony’s earlier hits, and his vocal power seems to have dimished quite a bit. Too bad, but look for a UA “Legendary Masters” album by him in June, with all the good stuff.

Some winners: for a new group, Raspberries does (do?) all right with “Rock & Roll Mama” (Capitol 3280), which isn’t quite the ‘50s revival you might think. Modern, but rocking, and I like it. You didn’t buy their last one (“Hey Willy”, Epic 10754) like I told you, so now the Hollies are back with a softer ballad called “The Baby” (Epic 10842), which is nicely produced and very enjoyable. And speaking of English singing groups, the Searchers are back too with a low-key toe tapper reminiscent of early Crosby Stills & Nash. “And a Button”/“Love is Everywhere” (RCA 74-0652) is their second for the label, and I wish them a happy comeback. An unknown but promising singer named John Roman Jackson has a good one in “Welfare Check”/“Back On Top” (Oak 107). Both sides are countrified blues shuffles with timely but not-overdoiie lyrics. J. Geils is in fine form with “Dead Presidents” (Atlantic 2843), a Willie Dixon number. Don’t worry that it might be morbid, it’s only an ode to that green folding stuff. And finally, from T. Rex, a new single recorded in Denmark. “Telegram Sam”/“Cadillac” (Reprise 1078) is more of the same old stuff, though lacking the punch of their last couple of singles. My favorite side is “Cadillac”, with ljfaes like “I wanta walk you home” and enough echo to choke Dave Edmunds. Both are basically album tracks, though. C’mon Marc, you can do better.