In The Trashcan Records
GARBAGE-X11
"Here are another 16 songs I couldn't put on the first
Rockin' Collection. Are these all rockers? No,
some are so weird that they were too insane to be selected for The Weird
Collection. "
From vol 92 "Wicked Circus"
You might know the original recording by Jan & Arnie (pre-Jan & Dean) about a local stripper legend called Jennie Lee. So I was pleasanty surprised to find out that well known Billy Ward had the guts to cover this song in 1958.
9. The Orlons: Heartbreak hotel
From vol 95 "Kool Kovers"
A cross between rock 'n' roll and soul this Orlons version rocks like hell
despite its slow pace. 1963 was a good year for this Philly based quartet
whose second album "South street" was a bestseller. This Elvis classic
however wasn't featured on that album. From 1962 to 1968 they had several
minor hit singles.
2. Caterina Valente: Trente-neuf de fievre
From vol 71 "Koula-Koula"
In France she was a superstar, but also all over Europe she was a well
respected lady. Her French version of "Fever" still remains one of the
finest efforts ever to try and capture the spirit of Little Willie John's
original tune from 1956. I believe her version was recorded in 1958
after hearing the Peggy Lee chart topper.
From vol 92 "Wicked Circus"
Part 1 already appeared on at least two compilation albums. Part 2 "Whoaa... this is The Thing again!" is even more demented. A scorching sax, growling vocals and utter madness make this song a Halloween favourite.
From vol 84 "Trip To Weirdsville"
An uptempo 1955 jiver from the band that gave us the brilliant Bert Convy (see his "Nee-no-nah-nee" on vol 12). His "Gorilla" still is one of the best horror cuts ever. After several releases on Capitol they switched to Mercury.
11. Harry Verbi Singers: Jeepers creepers
From vol 71 "Koula-Koula"
I must have known this song when I was still a little boy, because it
reminds me of happy ghouls dancing around my bed on Halloween night.But
that's simply impossible because in those days nobody knew anything about
Halloween in Belgium. This Belgian release gives me the creeps...
4. Billy Brown: Papa oo mow mow
From vol 74 "Search For Coconuts"
Was he an escaped caveman? Had he been singing for 48 hours and then decided
to record this Rivingtons song? This is heavier and trashier than The
Trashmen themselves did with "Surfin' bird". The label reads: Billy Brown,
Derek Dean & The Freshmen. This Supreme release is from 1977; the original
label however was Hawk.
From vol 82 "Babalu Sex"
A typicial 1959 space age rock 'n' roll instrumental with a fast picking guitar, wailing sax and and alien baby doing the countdown and a rocket launch at the end. This was his second (and most expensive) of possibly 5 releases, the first being "Daisy Belle" on Gone.
From vol 77 "Pepper Sauce Taboo"
And here is a cover of the cover.. Surfin' Bird by The Trashmen was actually "The bird's the word" and "Papa oom mow mow" of the Rivingtons mixed in one crazy cocktail. This version equals the absurdity and genius of Steve Wahrer's "own version" and maybe it's this one that has led to The Cramps' version from their first 45.
13. Bob Jaxon: Gotta have something in the
bank Frank
From vol 84 "Trip To Weirdsville"
Oh boy, is this fast or is this fast? One of the craziest tunes on these 99
volumes! Bob Jaxon & the Hi-Tones recorded only three 45s that I know
of: for Cadence, 20th Fox and this one for RCA. I don't know if the Jaxon
Sisters are the girls you can hear singing along.
6. Mr. Acker Bilk: Tarzan's march
From vol 87 "Instros Calientes"
A pack of lions roaring is the start of this instrumental. The best version
was recorded by Los Superjets, but this is also a fantastic cut. Bilk's
recording career was mainly the mid-60s. Here, Bilk's clarinet is
accompanied by His Paramount Jazz Band
From vol 96 "Supertype creatures"
Mix the vocal harmony of The Everly Brothers with wild guitar sounds, a catchy melody and coolness and you get a great rockin' tune; also the flipside is fabulous: "Georgie beatnick" which still has failed to turn up on the many "beat beat beatsville" compilations. A 1959 United Artists release.
From vol 76 "Window Dreaming"
Exactly two minutes of organ grinding kitchenette kitsch from 1960 or so. The flipside is aptly titled "The swinging organ". The song's about a woman cooking dinner and the husband is giving remarks. At the end they decide to go to a restaurant.
15. Sonny Day: Beyond the shadow of a doubt
From vol 89 "Coming Attractions"
A long forgotten popcorn beauty from 1958. My favourite Sonny Day song
however is "The creature from outer space"; also his "Lou Ann" is
recommended, but these two have been reissued several times and this hasn't.
Play this song right after "Blue moon baby" if you want the same mood.
8. Shepherd Sisters: Rock 'n' roll cha
cha cha
From vol 93 "Jabedabedou"
As the title implies, this song combines the (pre-) rock 'n' roll attitude
of, say, the Andrews Sisters with the mid-50s interest in Latin sounds.
These were real sisters: Mary Lou, Martha, Gayle and Judy Shepherd and
during one decade they released 45s on a dozen labels, including this
Belgian label.
From vol 75 "No English?"
The A-side is Dutch nonsense; it's this B-side that is the killer track. This Nederbeat 45 was issued with two different sleeves. What happens when you wake up and each and everything you do seems to cause even more problems. "Goeiemorgen" (= Good morning) describes the monday morning feeling much better than the lame "I don't like mondays" of Bob Geldof.
