Just an advance warning…this may be the greatest, most perfectly realized rock and roll song of them all. Yes…this is a grand statement…but trust me….it’s at least on the front page of the list. Perhaps one of the reasons why this group of young men didn’t take over the world in 1969 (besides the obvious glut of incredible pop music in those days) was they recorded and performed under the nom de guerre Bubble Puppy. Perhaps not the wisest choice of a moniker if you are a tough sounding psych band from Texas but I suppose they had their reasons (read: acid). “Hot Smoke & Sasafrass” just pummels you from the get go….perfect sounding guitar and tight, heavy-handed drumming all fire up and proceed to barrel you over at a ripping clip. When the vocals come in this bad ass, almost punk tune turns epic….sort-of a Texas take on the Who.

The band photo pretty much sealed the deal for me:

Sold.

Bubble Puppy’s one and only record (as Bubble Puppy) A Gathering of Promises was released in 1969 on International Artists (13th Floor Elevators and the Red Krayola) out of Houston Texas. Beyond the single “Hot Smoke…” which earned the boys a top 20 U.S hit in ‘69, the record never caught on and the band soon parted ways with the label. Our heroes relocated to LA and tried to reinvent themselves as Demien. They obviously went nowhere.  Oh…you’ve heard this tale?…sorry.

A Gathering of Promises is being re-released by UK label Charly Records this month I believe. Turn on.

ARTIST: Bubble Puppy
TRACK: “Hot Smoke & Sasafrass”
ALBUM: 7” Single; A Gathering of Promises (LP)
YEAR: 1969
LABEL(S): International Artists; Charly Records

EPIC!  TUESDAYS!

Doing my best to fill in for Mr. Fever here.  Figured the best way to do that would be to steal use a track he turned me on to a couple years back.  Here’s my one chance Fever, I won’t let you down!

ARTIST: Bobbie Gentry
SONG: Fancy
LABEL: Capitol
PRODUCER: Rick Hall

I know, I know… I’m shredding whatever credibility I’ve built up over these last weeks… but… it’s…

EPIC! TUESDAYS!

So, ya know, suckit. I do what I want! Besides, I’m in good company.

I’m not sure how we could possibly get much more epic than this. Over 9mins of burnin’ rock funk dedicated to the praise of cheeba. God bless them geezers.

A few observations before sending you off: First, check the bassline starting around 3:07. If it goes BOOM, one is all you need kids. Second, notice how the kick drum has a sort of skip to it? That’s Don’s big move. Ol’ skipfoot Brewer. All the good acceptable Grand Funk tracks have that little flourish.

Artist: Grand Funk Railroad
Album: Grand Funk
Year: 1969
Label: Capitol

I’m pretty sure you can buy this anywhere they sell music beer. Especially truck stops in the Midwest.

I know what yr thinking… but yr wrong!.. Uh, kinda. Just click that little triangle down there and see for yourself.

This little number here is mostly sorta “meh” jazz funk… except this track which I love. Allow me to get all mr music nerd on you for a moment here: the key to the drum sound is that slap-back echo/delay there. sort of the zepplin trick. uh, that and a sick drummer.

Anyway, not too much any info out there on these guys. I guess they are / were Canadian? Apparently people are stupid crazy Japanese wealthy enough to drop serious coin on the original vinyl. Me, I just read lots of great blogs. Here are the deets as best as I’ve gathered:

Artist: The Don Carrington Trio
Album: Makin’ It Happen
Year: 1969

Larger album art embedded in the file. Drop a comment if not.