The Chuck Wagon Gang - God's Gentle People - 1962 - 09.12.12

Here is another record I picked up this past summer at a yard sale. I don't have a ton of gospel type music, but every once in a while I will pick one up that looks interesting. I've actually got several albums by The Chuck Wagon Gang. You can read up on their history at their official website.   You can also read the liner notes on the back of this record.  The photo I've provided should be clear enough to read.

This album God's Gentle People is from 1962.  It doesn't seem to be available on their website, so I don't know if it is in print these days.   You can find used vinyl copies for sale with a simple Google search.  I really like the harmonies and arrangements of the songs on this record. Voices are certainly the shining feature in these arrangements with simple instrumental accompaniment. Tracks 1, 4 and 5 are the standouts for me. I personally think that even if you don't have religious leanings you can enjoy the sincerity, joy and spirit of these songs.

Enjoy!

Jonny Whiteside's Messaround - 09.18.11

Sunday evening I went to Jonny Whiteside's Messaround at Viva Cantina. The opening band was the Jonny Whiteside Messaround Band, which was basically the house band, at least that is how a couple members of the band described themselves to me. The played a great mostly blues set, but there was some rock and roll thrown in there as well. They were a real pleasant surprise because I went to the show to see my son's band and The Gears and wasn't expecting Blues. It was a nice way to ease into the evening.

Next up was my son's band Lock/Jaw. They did really well. They also attracted a nice contingency of kids in the audience, which it sounded like was something different for this kind of show. Jonny Whiteside himself seemed to appreciate the young energy in the room.

Another cool thing was that Keith Morris of Black Flag and Circle Jerks fame was there at the beginning of the night and saw my son's band play. He told my son he liked their set, which was amazing to here. He's basically a living legend in my son's eyes. Okay I'd say in my eyes as well.

After that the eclectic nature of the evening took a left turn with the band Little Faith. They played Spirituals, many of which I'd heard before. They had two men singing on most of the songs. The band's leader was on keyboard. They also had a great fiddle player. For one of the instrumentals they performed she took lead on "How Great Thou Art." I really enjoyed their set.

Following "Little Faith" was my son's friend's band The Peeks. An interesting side note is that my son got the gig through a real random meeting. A few weeks back Burbank was switching out the electric meters. The day a representative came my son was at home. The man who did the work saw some writing on my son's pants or shirt of something and so he knew he was into some old punk bands. The guy ended up being Chip Kinman of The Dils. Anyway, my son being the social butterfly that he is strikes up a friendship with this guy and then meets his son Giuliano who sings for The Peeks and next thing he knows he's being hooked up to play at this Gears show. When he first found out and told me we both went through the roof. We both absolutely love The Gears. I have their record on vinyl and on CD.

So The Peeks rocked the house. One of their last songs was "White Lightening" and Chip was invited up on stage to help on vocals. You can see him in one of the photos with the glasses. The song ripped and it was great to see father and son having such a great time through music.

Then came The Gears. They may be getting on in years, but they still have got the stuck. Axxel G. Reese and Kid Spike were there from the original line up. The drummer was definitely a younger guy and I'm not sure if it was Brian Redz on bass or not. They had plenty of punk rock swagger and they seemed to really enjoy having the young kids at their show. Most of the time there was a small mosh pit. I say small because the show was in a Mexican restaurant so there wasn't a ton of room, but the kids made use of the space they had. During "Don't Be Afraid To Pogo" it was great to see the usual moshing transform into some old school Pogo-ing.

While The Gears played I noticed that in the back of the room Jonny Whiteside had his son with him and he was rocking out. For the last number he brought his son up to the dance floor my son actually put him on his shoulders and the kid had a great time. At one point Axxel put the microphone up to him so he could sing along. So there was fun to be had for young and old.

So overall I had a great time and on top of everything else the show was free. How can you beat that? Featured here are photos of all the acts. More photos are in my flickr set for the night. You can check them out here.

Boots Randolph - Sunday Sax

Looking for a little spiritual pickup for you Sunday. Boots, may just do the trick. Sit back, relax and get your church on.

Enjoy!

01 When The Saints Go Marching In.m4a
02 Just A Closer Walk With Thee.m4a
03 Will The Circle Be Unbroken.m4a
04 Peace In The Valley.m4a
05 Amen.m4a
06 The Lord's Prayer.m4a
07 I Believe.m4a
08 You'll Never Walk Alone.m4a
09 May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You.m4a
10 Ave Maria.m4a

Sunday Sax.zip

Mahalia Jackson - Christmas With Mahalia

I thought today I'd give you something a little spiritual for Christmas Eve. Mahalia is one of the greatest gospel singers as far as I'm concerned, but then again I don't exactly know a lot of gospel singers. I do know that I love Mahalia. She sings with such passion and emotion. If you have any sort of intention of celebrating a non-secular Christmas, then this would be a great soundtrack to your Christmas eve.

Enjoy!

01 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear.mp3
02 O Holy Night.mp3
03 The First Noel.mp3
04 No Room In The Inn.mp3
05 Silver Bells.mp3
06 Happy Birthday To You, Our Lord.mp3
07 What Child Is This.mp3
08 White Christmas.mp3
09 Do You Hear What I Hear.mp3
10 Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming.mp3

Mahalia Jackson.zip

David Houston - Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I Wonder How John Felt (When He Baptized Jesus) 7"

Here's one for your Sunday afternoon.

A few years back my wife was asked to play the organ at a funeral. The family asked her to play "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?". She asked me if I had the song and it turned out that I didn't. Well I think I went on the internet and found it and she was set. But now that I was sensitized to the title I came across this record within two weeks of that event. So even though the funeral had passed and I had already downloaded the song I bought this record. It turned out to be pretty good. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" is given a great treatment here. There is a fantastic organ laying the bed to the song. The opening few bars are great. Catch the soulful organ work after the first line. David Houston then gives the song a good country soul feel. The steel guitar is a nice country counterpoint to the gospel tone.

The B-Side makes me smile for two opposing reasons. The lyrics in my opinion are just about as cheesy as they get. Now I'm don't have a problem with a song simply for being religious. In fact there are quite a few gospel or religious songs that I like. But there are songs which when I hear make me think that they are just songs to capitalize off of some religious novelty or idea. They seem more like a commodity than a true expression of someone's faith. This is one of those songs. On the other hand I love the arrangement and the voices on the song. I find the chorus extremely catchy. I love the backup vocals. I love the harmony. Buried deep in it is one of those great Oakridge Boys type bass voices (think "Elvira"). Then as much as I find the lyrics to be silly and sort of insincere, David Houston sounds amazingly sincere, especially toward the end when he really cuts loose. There is this moment where he jumps to this falsetto voice. My ears perk up every time. At that moment the song becomes great. It's in the last 10 or 20 seconds of the song, but it is a great finish.

So turn off that televangelist and get your spiritual edification here.

Enjoy!

01 Will The Circle Be Unbroken.m4a

02 I Wonder How John Felt (When He Baptized Jesus).m4a