Juke Box Jury

Juke Box Jury

BY

GREG SHAW

Ring Out The New, Sling On The Best

Dec. 15

The year's about over, and I've been thumbing through my back file of CREEMS trying to recapture some of its feel. There's no doubt it was an important year for rock & roll, and for singles in particular. Basically, I think the most significant thing that happened to rock in "73 was the solidification of the new Seventies pop sensibility that began its emergence in 1972. In the course of this year we have developed a sense of style, sound, and values unique to the Seventies, as distinct from all that's come before as the Fifties and Sixties rock cultures were. And it looks like "74 is gonna be the big one.

Except for a couple of problems. The biggest being radio, which is currently controlled by a generation of programmers that discovered rock in "67, the same people who dismiss the best new music as "bubblegum" while playing "Ramblin" Man" and Billy Preston all day. Another serious factor is the energy/raw materials shortage, which is gonna mean (1) fewer new groups signed, (2) an emphasis on live rock, TV and radio as opposed to records, and (3) an all-around dampening of spirits that could prove fatal to this generation's pop fling.

On the other hand, singles will achieve new importance, annotated picture sleeves and maybe even EPs will fill part of the role introductory albums have up to now, and maybe dancing and even discotheques will come back. So there's hope. Meanwhile the sounds in the grooves keep getting better. Here, for those who care, are my favorite 45s of 1973:

"The Harder They Come," Jimmy Cliff;, "Born to Be With You," Dave Edmunds; "Good Grief Christina," Chicory Tip; "All the Way From Memphis," Mott the Hoople; "Yesterday Once More," Carpenters; "You Got Me Anyway," Sutherland Bros. & Quiver; "Tonight," Raspberries; "Trash," New York Dolls;. "Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat." the DeFranco Family; "Roll Over Beethoven," ELO; "Gudbuy T'Jane," Slade; "Rubber Bullets," 10CC; "There Ain't No Way," Lobo; "48 Crash," Suzi Quatro; "Search and Destroy," Stooges; "Blockbuster," Sweet; "See My Baby Jive," Wizzard; "Bang Bang Bullet," Streak; "I Love You More Each Day," Curt Boetcher; and "Rock and Roll Band" by Bjorn & Benny.

The last item on that Top Twenty is a brand new release that I've gone absolutely nuts over. It's on Playboy 50025, a nice little label that picks up a lot of foreign masters, and unfortunately has no hits. This side came from Sweden, and if I'm not mistaken Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson are former members of Sweden's leading Monkees-like pop group of the mid 60s, the Hep Stars. It's always good to see old faces return, especially with such a hot sound. This is one of those 70s pop creations I was talking about, with pounding guitars like the Sweet, teen harmony reminiscent of Lobo, and a clear sparkling production sound. A little like the Cowsills too. What a record!

Another exciting find is the new one by Earthquake, who like the Flamin" Groovies have been trying to keep rock & roll alive in San Francisco and not getting very far. jCold-shouldered by the record biz, they've 'started" their own label and issued a real monster of a record. "Madness" (Beserkley 5735) is loud like Bowie's "Jean Genie," but with more melodic vocals and some really killer technical effects. This .may be the best-recorded local production I've ever heard. You might be able to order it from Aquarius Records, 524 Castro St., San Francisco, 94114. Ask for a copy of Record Rag too. You can't go wrong.

This month's other important releases include Alice Cooper's "Teenage Lament "74" (WB 7762) which is not great, but it'll do; the DeFrancos" "Abra-Ca-Dabra" (20th Century 2070) with a great picture sleeve and an acceptable but inferior followup to the classic "Heartbeat"; and John Fogerty's "Cornin" Down the Road" (Fantasy 717), good rock & roll but a little stiff, think I liked "You Don't Owe Me" better.

Deke Leonard is a name you might recognize from a single called "Diamond Road" earlier this year. He's a hard rocker from England (Wales), produced by Dave Edmunds, and definitely a man to watch. His latest is "Hard Way to Live" (UA 359) and it's a real mover.

Christmas records almost came back this year. Not the novelties, they never go away, I mean rock records made for Christmas. Roy Wood's Wizzard did a fine ope patterned after Spector's, Slade made one as well, so did Elton John. But of the three, so far only Elton's "Step Into Christmas" (MCA 65018) has been issued here. It's an excellent record, and we applaud him for putting it out despite another chart record that hasn't run its course yet. Oh, yes — mustn't, forget Martin Mull's annual Xmas record. "Santafly" (Capricorn 0037) is subtle but very funny. You know something's wrong with R&B when a paunchy nightclub comedian can do this convincing a parody!

Nice version of "For Your Love" (Reprise 1188) by Fleetwood Mac. Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds because he thought this song was bubblegum. Wonder what he'd say about "Sooner of Later" by Ricky Segall and the Segalls (Bell 429)? Ricky is the latest member of the Partridge brood, and this self-penned tune is an auspicious start for his career. The Allman Bros., on the other hand, can't seem to distinguish between bubblegum and MOR. Their new one, "Jessica" (Capricorn 0036) is pure 1958 Vince Guaraldi dinner music. Cast your fate to those winds, boys! Just make sure you're downwind of me...

Now and then I ask you readers to send me examples of local records. A few interesting productions have come in lately. One person sent me a Watergate song he was sure would change the world. Another sent me a single by his group Pentagram, who turn out to be a promising heavy metal band in the early Blue Cheer mold. "Earth; Flight"/ "Hurricane" is on the Boffo Socko label, who you can write to at Box 166, Rockville, Md. Worth checking out. Then there's Slim Pickens, on the Wham Bam label. This group has history aplenty; one of "em was in the American Dream on Ampex, another sang lead with the Spiral Staircase, and yet another was in Jay & the Techniques. "Out on the Farm" was evidently a minor hit around Philadelphia; I'd describe it as mellowed country rock. If you want a taste, send a buck to Dennis Somach, 525 N. Broad St.; Allentown, PA 18104. These groups, like Earthquake and many others, are looking for ways to be heard despite uncaring record companies. We may be on the verge of the return of underground records!

Briefly noted; "Goodbye Sam" by Shad O'Shea (Plantation 101) is the ultimate Barry Sadler patriotism lesson; it tells the gripping story of a great nation destroyed by her enemies — says a few things about rock & roll too. New version of "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" by the Panda People (Bell 428) is real wacky, almost like the Chipmunks. Daniel Boone's latest is "Skydiver" (Mercury 73428); good sound, he's been listening to 10CC. Nancy has covered Lynsey De Paul's "Sugar Me"(RCA 0029) and done a lousy job of it. Wallace Johnson is the latest artist from Marshall Sehorn and Allen Toussaint's New Orleans production company. "I Miss You Girl" (RCA) 0177) is a very pleasing, solid easy soul sound. Let's hope to hear more from him.

Oldies. Flash Cadillac has put out "At the Hop" (from American Grafitti) on Epic 11043. I like their other song in the picture, the original, much better. Dickie Goodman has remade "The Purple People Eater" (Rainy Wednesday 204) on his own label, which .seems to be doing well. L.A. Walker, who does an exciting Elvis imitation at Art Laboe's in Hollywood, has issued "They Gave Us Rock & Roll" (Original Sound 108). Nothing to get excited about. Sonny Curtis has "Rock "n" Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)" (Mercury 73438). It's a gentle thing, reminds me of Lobo. And lastly, Jimmie Lee MaslOn (a skinny teenager who may be the most authentic rockabilly singer to emerge since Billy C. of Commander Cody) debuts with "Please Give Me Something"/ "The Haunt You Baby Rock" (Rollin" Rock 013). It's a powerful screamer, best new recording yet from this label. Send those bucks to Box 8174, N. Hollywood, CA 91608, and be sure to ask for their catalog.