Things are better....

I should've posted this along with the previous record. It's the instrumental version of "Things Could Be Better".......but not simply the backing track used on the vocal version. Sounds to me like a slightly faster take and there's some very fine horn work not included on the other record.

Actually, "Things Are Better" is a monster in it's own right.

Just to be clear, this is a reissue of the 45. I believe it was offered as part of a limited edition box set [by Rhino?]. It's the copy I usually play because it sounds gorgeous and my original is like one step away from the trash can.

Clean original copies of this record are very scarce on the ground and thus usually go for more than I can justify spending. From what I can tell, even these re-issues don't turn up all that often.

Btw, I must apologize for the 'snow' in some of my recent scans. I don't know what it is, but believe me, it's not dust. Could it be that my six year old $99 printer is finally reaching the end of its usefulness?

Hope ya'll enjoy the tune.......

Every time I see you girl....

I was all set to post the other side of this 45 [one of the truly great examples of quasi-suicidal soul], but decided that I'd rather hear something more upbeat. Luckily, the b-side fit the bill very nicely.

This is off Raymond Winnfield's only known 45. It's also one of only two records on which Ernie and The Top Notes played [back in the day]. Ernie Vincent is of course still performing, still recording, with a re-formed version of the Top Notes which sounds almost exactly like the old band.

Here's a very interesting interview with Vincent where he talks a bit about how Winnfield came to do the record. As you'll also read in the piece, this tune [along with the others] were recorded without the band's regular drummer. A good thing from the sound of it, as to my mind Peter "Rooster" adds a totally indispensable taste of New Orleans style drumming to the whole project.

Hope ya'll enjoy the tune even though the copy is far from mint. It's a very tough 45 to find. I'm lucky to own a copy at all........