guessimdumb - Tumblr blog

[guessimdumb]

João Gilberto - Cordeiro De Nana (1981)

This amazing song was "adapted from a slave hymn, a prayer to a deified ancestor goddess who comes in the form of Nana, a wise, elderly woman." The original is by Os Tincoãs, who recorded their version in 1977. For years I had no idea what this song was about, thinking it was almost a lullaby. The lyrics are powerful, and João Gilberto is fabulous as always.

Quero contar o sofrimento que eu passei sem razão (I want to tell the suffering I went through without reason)

[guessimdumb]

The Walker Brothers - I Can See It Now (1966)

Wonderful track from the Walker Brothers second LP Portrait. The horns are just perfect.

A sleepless night Still didn't make things right

[guessimdumb]

Orlando Marin - Out of My Mind (1967)

Swinging Latin boogaloo

[guessimdumb]

The Hangmen - Bad Goodbye (1966)

Here are the Hangmen from Washington D.C. with some downbeat, hang your head, garage rock. Vocalist Dave Ottley sounds like he's really been through the wringer.

And now the only words that'll do Are "we're through"

[guessimdumb]

Lee Hazlewood & The Hazlewood Kids - (Let's Take a Walk) Down Valhallavägen (1972)

This is kind of a strange one - recorded when Lee was living in Sweden (see Viking label below). I'm not exactly sure who the Hazlewood Kids were as Lee only had two children at the time, and they were in their teens.

[guessimdumb]

The Bevis Frond - Maybe We Got It Wrong (2024)

The Bevis Frond is guitarist and songwriter Nick Salmon, who has put out somewhere near to 30 LPs since the early 80s. While some people are drawn to his wild psych guitar playing, I've always been more partial to his jangly melodic tunes, like this one from his most recent LP Focus on Nature. Not miles away from Teenage Fanclub (who have covered a Bevis Frond song)

[guessimdumb]

Frankie and the Classicals - What Shall I Do (1967)

My favorite soul songs are often a bit strange in some way.  This has an unusual backing track,  which is not exactly “classical” but prominently features a dramatic violin part. Furthermore, the backing track was used on several other releases. Finally,  there also seems to be some discussion whether Frankie is a woman singer or simply a male singer with vocals sped up to sound like a woman.

[guessimdumb]

Ricardo Ray Orchestra - Ricardo Ray Arrives (1964)

[guessimdumb]

Freddie McKay - When I Am Grey (1971)

Sadly reggae singer Freddie McKay never got old and grey, dying of a heart attack at age 39. Still, he left behind some great tracks, including this one, recorded with Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. It's got such a cool sound.

[guessimdumb]

Dusty Springfield - I've Been Wrong Before (1965)

Cilla Black had a minor hit with this Randy Newman penned tune, but it seems like Dusty had a better feel for the song. Perhaps it's a unfair comparison as Dusty was vocally heads above nearly everyone else.

[guessimdumb]

France Gall - Don't Make War Captain, Make Love (1968)

France speaking out against the Vietnam War. Stereolab may have heard this tune.

Mais maintenant Captain Tu joues avec des bombes Tu fais des badaboum À l'autre bout du monde

[guessimdumb]

The Verlaines - Just Mum (1988)

One of my favorite LPs ever - one that rewards repeated listens. Ambitious and brilliant.

At level best we'll just survive

[guessimdumb]

Love, Peace & Happiness - Lonely Room (1972)

Funky Detroit soul. I'm guessing the group name was aspirational cause they certainly seem to be lacking all three.



Love, Peace & Happiness - Lonely Room (RCA Victor)

arr. Riley Hampton & prod. Harvey Fuqua.

Flutes.

[guessimdumb]

The Plugz - Achin' (1981)

Along with the Zeros, the Plugz were one of the first Latino punk bands.

I love the way you stand Sharp nails Holding your cigarette A jukebox maniac

[guessimdumb]

I haven't bought an action figure for years, but maybe...

link

[guessimdumb]

Bob Brady and the Con Chords - Everybody’s Going to the Love-In

I’ll automatically listen to any song that contains the words “love-in”.  Of course, the Chocolate Watch Band have the mightiest song containing the words, but it’s impossible not to like this song by Smokey Robinson sound-alike Bob Brady and his blue-eyed Baltimore combo.

[guessimdumb]

Elza Soares (1973)