I can't even remember my given name...

We're in Austin for a week or so. Just a little break, no real plans except seeing a few friends/relatives, maybe upgrading my suddenly pathetic wardrobe, and hitting the record convention.

My evil twin C. is lurking somewhere in the shadows whispering about a "holy grail" record he can supply, for a price. Too bad, I really can't afford it, and even if I could I'm not so sure he wouldn't show up and demand I name the baby "Baal" in exchange.

Speaking of which, "Daddy", aka My Boy, wants to name the baby Cindy Lou after his favorite Gene Terry song. I'm like, over-my-dead-body. Baby girl's gonna have a proper name on the birth certificate or the space for her daddy's name is gonna be filled with a very big question mark.

Mama sez so.

................................................................................................

This is Skip Easterling's slightly psychedelic follow-up to his good sized hit, "Hoochie Coochie Man". Lucky for ya'll, both sides are so good I can't choose between 'em. Huey Smith is at the control board...and keyboards. I believe the year is 1971.

Too Weak To Break The Chains

I'm Your Man

Take inventory before you decide...

I've picked up a lot of nice records for cheap recently, but I think this one qualifies as Score Of The Month.

It's the more common of the two records Skip Easterling made with Eddie Bo, "The Grass Looks Greener"/"Keep The Fire Burning" [Alon labels are impossible to scan even when they're not worn]. I've held off buying the 45 until now because I think copies are usually overpriced given that it's not that hard to find one.

Yep, I can be very cheap, but I never expected to find a copy in a thrift store for $2.50. It was so filthy that I couldn't tell if it was scratched or not. I had to wipe it off and then hold it in the sun to read the label. But hey, for $2.50, I figured I could take a chance. Turns out it's a pretty nice copy, one that's seen more abuse in storage than in play. I bet if I run it through a VPI machine, half the pops will disappear.

Seems like everyone who owns this 45 has posted it at one time or another, but mostly, it's been the more upbeat side, "Keep The Fire Burning", that's offered. I happen to like "The Grass Looks Greener" better. Such a beautiful song. Written by Eddie Bo.

Hope ya like...

My heart keeps wanting you....

This is one of four sides on the Alon label produced by Eddie Bo...all of which were recorded with Skip Easterling.

Martin Lawrie, over at Soul Generation, says this record is, "impossibly hard to find"....and I'll take his word for it, but ya know things do change and previously unknown copies do sometimes start to appear once the word gets out. So, perhaps a teensie weensie reality check is in order.

That said, this recording isn't heard that often, and should be played more often than it is. It's not only one of Bo's most beautiful compositions, it's also one of his better productions....and Easterling's performance is nothing short of sublime.

It essentially follows the same formula that makes the other Bo/Easterling ballad on Alon, The Grass Is Always Greener, such a jaw-dropper.

Enjoy

[Ugh, I just realized that the label is very difficult to read, the song is...Just One More Time, by Skip Easterling]

Correction: There are more than two Eddie Bo produced 45's on the Alon Label. I forgot about a 45 by David Reynolds, Cry Cry Cry/Tears In My Eyes. Martin Lawrie doesn't list it in his usually very complete discography. It's a rare item.

Don't you mess with me...

I've been on vacation. Took a slow boat to China. No computers. No cellphones.

Had a marvelous time, but still...it's good to be home.

Home has a soundtrack doncha know..

Home is where the deep groove is. The one ya can't help but play over and over.

From 1970, here's Skip Easterling's jaw-dropping version of Hoochie Koochie Man...produced by Huey Smith.

Feel free to play it several times in row, if you like.