“Between the Lines” compiles, for the first time ever, all the original songs written by Groovies Cyril Jordan and Chris Wilson in the classic second version of the band. The Groovies gave themselves a major reboot in 1971 when a then 18-year-old Chris Wilson replaced Roy Loney as the band’s frontman and Cyril Jordan’s writing partner. This was the formation of the group that made that journey to England at the behest of UA, helping set the scene for punk and which, with a couple of line-up changes along the way, ended up signing to Sire Records and making three brilliant albums – Shake Some Action, Now, and Jumpin’ In The Night – before eventually running out of steam following Wilson’s departure in 1981. It’s the incarnation that headlined over the Ramones in London on July 4 1976 in London, but which then had to settle for being a massive influence on the nascent form of both power pop and all manner of ’60s influenced groups after the dictates of a post-punk world decide after the dictates of a post-punk world decided that their glorious rock’n’roll was not going to be the next big thing.”
From time to time I must put some Groovies stuff even know many of you already have loads of their outputs, but hey! they are my favs alright! Check this real cool newly remastered collection, best sounding Groovies stuff yet!
This is one of my favorite compilation lp’s I bought in the early 90’s. It’s a collection of singles issued by famous BOMP records in 70’s & 80’s featuring classic Power Pop & Punk acts as Plimsouls, 20-20, Flamin’ Groovies, Shoes, Surf Trio, Barracudas, Stiv Bators, Jeff Dahl, DMZ, Sky Saxon & SS-20, Zeros and Iggy & The Stooges. The concept is: first side power pop, the other side – garage punk, just simple as that and pressed on blue translucent vinyl. Already have posted it on my old blog and here it comes again. Some KILLER STUFF indeed. Dig!!!
“Groovies’ Greatest Grooves is a 1989 compilation album by U.S. rock band the Flamin’ Groovies, originally released by Sire Records. The tracks were selected by Rolling Stone Senior Writer Michael Goldberg and freelance rock critic Michael Snyder, who also co-wrote the liner notes. Goldberg and Snyder wanted to emphasize the Groovies’ original material, and so 18 of the album’s 24 songs are Groovies originals. It also collected tracks from throughout the group’s career, and showcased their versatility and changing styles throughout the years. Having said that, it draws heavily from their three Sire Records albums, with 20 of the 24 songs from those records. (The exceptions are “Teenage Head”, from the 1971 album of the same name, the two 1972 UA singles “Slow Death” and “Tallahassee Lassie”, compiled on A Bucket of Brains, and the 1981 Gold Star Studios recording of “River Deep, Mountain High”.)” wiki
Listen up folks! If ya ain’t got any of Groovies’ three Sire rec. albums by now you just ain’t livin’. This fine comp gathers songs mostly from their “power pop” period with Chris Wilson. 24 trax + 9 bonus cuts added for a good measure is a real cool deal, allright! Dig!!!
”While it took a long and torturous five years for the Flamin’ Groovies to find their way back to an American record deal with Shake Some Action, a year and a half later the band had a follow-up ready, and while 1978’s Flamin’ Groovies Now isn’t quite as cohesive as the album that preceded it, in many respects the band sounds at once tighter and more relaxed, with some time on the road firming up the rhythm section while giving the songs a bit more room to swing (which wasn’t one of the strong suits of the British Invasion bands that provided their aural template). The band lost guitarist James Ferrell during the post-Shake Some Action tour, but former Charlatans picker Mike Wilhelm proved to be a more than simpatico replacement on these sessions, and while leader Cyril Jordan didn’t come up with another new song as transcendent as “Shake Some Action,” “All I Wanted” comes pretty close. But it’s significant that most of the songs on Flamin’ Groovies Now are covers, and while all of them are played with love, enthusiasm, and the right period flair (especially the Beatles’ “There’s a Place,” Paul Revere & the Raiders’ “Ups and Downs,” and “Move It,” an early U.K. hit for Cliff Richard), they give the album a feeling of being padded, and just because covering the Rolling Stones rarity “Blue Turns to Grey” was a good idea didn’t mean the Flamin’ Groovies had any business tackling “Paint It Black.” All in all, Flamin’ Groovies Now is a terrific-sounding record that captures a fine band when it was in great form.” [Mark Deming]
”After their power pop masterpiece Shake Some Action (1976), the Groovies did actually release two equally great albums, Now (1978) and Jumpin’ in the Night (1979) both in the same winning style as Action: Brit invasion, early rock’n’roll and Byrds jangle, done with enough attitude to compete with current punk scene.”
”This 1978 Sire album, produced by Dave Edmunds, put the Groovies back on the map as the band won fervent praise on both sides of the Atlantic. They apply their fiery British Invasion-inspired sound to the Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black ; the Byrds’ Feel a Whole Lot Better ; the Beatles’ There’s a Place , and a bunch of original tunes.”
UK version with different tracks listing
As you probably know, there are different versions of this Lp but don’t worry, everything’s here. 15 trax with some personal favs: Between the Lines, Take Me Back, Good Laugh Mun, Yeah My Baby, All I Wanted. Now… Dig!!!
Ugh! Gorgeousness and Gorgeousity! An overkill of Groovie’s stuff. As you know Flamin’ Groovies were one of those high octane rock’n’roll groups of 60’s and 70’s same caliber as MC5, The Stooges or New York Dolls, so they deserve special Surfadelic treatment. Here we have some their 70’s singles, rare recordings and live stuff issued during several decades in various variations.
‘‘Slow Death’‘ – Trying to collect the Flamin’ Groovies can make you crazy. There are so many releases outside of their handful of official releases that it is hard to know which of the bootlegs, live shows, and demos you should get. Well, you definitely need this one. It focuses on the years after original wildman singer Roy Loney left the group and before the legendary Shake Some Action LP was released (October 1971 to July 1973, to be precise). The first six songs are self-recorded demos from 1971 and have been released a few times before, most notably as Grease on the Dog Meat label, but this is the first issue authorized by the band.”
”In Person!!!” – Live KSAN-FM broadcast from the closing of the Fillmore in San Francisco 1971. Great live garage sound! I Can’t Explain / Sweet Little Rock n’ Roller / Have You Seen My Baby / Road House / Doctor Boogie / Slow Death / Shakin’ All Over / Teenage Head / Louie Louie / Walkin’ The Dog / I’m A Man / Headin’ For The Texas Border.
”Sixteen Tunes: The Goldstar Tapes + More” – Same stuff as ”Grease: The Complete Skydog Singles Collection” Or “the great lost Groovies album,” filling some holes in the group’s discography. 16 Tunes combines the contents of the EPs Grease, Supergrease, and The Gold Star Sessions on one disc. The sound is raw, due to the fact that much of the material was outtakes and demos, and because Skydog never had ideal sources. Still, these are the Groovies in their prime years, and their energy and enthusiasm compensate for a multitude of technical flaws.
”I’ll Have A… Bucket Of Brains” – The original 1972 Rockfield recordings Produced by Dave Edmunds. A personnel re-formation took place prior to the Flamin’ Groovies relocation to England, where the Rockfield sessions were held in August of 1972. The lineup now featured Chris Wilson (vocals , guitar) and James Ferrell (guitar), who replaced Roy Loney and Tim Lynch . Dave Edmunds immediately took to the Groovies, especially Jordan and Wilson’s power pop masterpiece “Shake Some Action.” In fact, Edmunds’ enthusiasm would almost immediately instigate Jordan’s equally inspired “You Tore Me Down,” which was written and recorded on the spot. Just as impressive are the cover versions of Frankie Lee Sims’ “Married Woman,” “Get a Shot of Rhythm & Blues,” and “Little Queenie.”
”Home To Roost” – Very rare Groovies LP collection of singles ’72-’75, studio recordings taken from various sources, plus several rehearsals recorded in San Francisco in 1971. 1. I Can’t Explain 2. Little Queenie 3. Married Woman 4. Get A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues 5. Talahassee Lassie 6. You Tore Me Down 7. Him Or Me 8. Jumpin’ Jack Flash 9. Blues From Phillys 10. Let Me Rock 11. Dog Meat 12. Sweet Little Rock ‘N’ Roller 13. Slow Death
Live At The Roxy L.A. 1976. & Live In San Francisco 1979. – Solid quality Bootlegs.
SURFADELIC 