zaterdag 28 maart 2020

* Products of the Morticians *

What is a Tishan? No answer in the dictionary I'm afraid. Yet somewhere in Minnesota, circa 1967, there was a garage punk band named The More-Tishans. Driving around in a hearse.. (pic = proof !)

The More-Tishans-'(I've Got) Nowhere To Run' (sep'67 Peak 4453)

They weren't the only ones to flirt with death. There were quite a few '60s garage bands calling themselves The Morticians. 'TeenBeat Mayhem!', the indispensable reference book of the genre by Mark Markesich, lists no less than five. First there was a band in Albuquerque NM, these Morticians had their singles released on the Mortician-label in '65/66. After that Morticians popped up in New Jersey (1966) and Tennessee ('67 single: 'Grave Digger' b/w 'Dead Silence' !), Louisiana and Michigan (also 1967). 

Deeply buried in history we find the cleverly named Morty Shann & the Morticians. Two of their rockabilly recordings (1960?) were unearthed by Norton: 'Movin In' b/w 'Red Headed Woman'.


More related stuff: a band called Products of the Morticians, 1967-garage-psych from Louisiana!
When I first read about their single 'Soul Clinic' it came with this recommendation: 
"HOLY GRAIL - INSANELY RARE .. VERY OBSCURE!!"

Last time I checked on Discogs one copy of this 45 was offered for over 500 Euros.
Be smart, it's easily available on this Dutch LP of "garage beat with a soul attitude".


vrijdag 10 januari 2020

* James Luther Dickinson - 'The Early Years' *



James Luther Dickinson (1941-2009)
'The Early Years' (2019 Memphis International MIR 1115) 

45 rpm, black vinyl 7", four tracks.

Jim Dickinson And The New Beale Street Sheiks (1964)

A2 Cadillac Man - The Jesters (1966)

B1 Monkey Man - Jim Dickinson And The Catmando Quartet (1966)

B2 Shake 'Em On Down - Jim Dickinson And The Catmando Quartet (1966)



A1 originally issued as Southtown 45-22000,
b/w Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out

B1 & B2 prev. issued as Southtown 45-22006; 
Southtown 45s produced by Bill Justis;  A1+B1+B2 written by Jim Dickinson.

A2 first released in 1966 as a Sun 45, with J.D. on vocals and piano 
"Sun's last great rock and roll record"


- bigger pics of actual sleeve uploaded by Bear Family Records, Germany (thanks/danke!)
https://www.bear-family.de/dickinson-james-luther-the-early-years-7inch-ep-45rpm-ps.html

- outside Europe, try here:
https://stores.portmerch.com/northmississippiallstars/music/dickinson-early-years-ep.html