This Week's 5 Pack

Something for every sort of personality disorder this week.

First off is from New Orleans' legendary Booker label, the same label that issued the amazing Rev. Charlie Jackson 45's (see  the Nov. '08 posting Guitar Evangelists for more on him).  There's a story behind this one, of course.  My late pal Kelly Keller had taken me out for a soul food breakfast in a little restaurant in Mid-City in New Orleans, somewhere off of Broad St.  Anyways, the owner/chef/hostess Sister Albertha, hearing that I was a d.j. up in New York City proudly presented me with a copy of her very own 45.  One side is a fairly restrained reading of Amazing Grace, mis-spelled on the label "Amaze and Grace", the other was one of Sister Albertha's original compositions-- Mean Old Jews Who Crucify My Lord.  I didn't bother to tell her the radio station was run by a  mean old Jew, but I did attempt to explain to her that her lord was a Jew and he was crucified by Romans.  She would hear nothing of it, tapping her bible knowingly.  I then attempted to explain that her bible was written by Jews, but there's no point in arguing religion with religious people. That usually leads to a war. Great record, though, if the anti-Semitic angle doesn't bother you too much.

    The next one by Trez Trezo was issued  on his own Trezo label, and what market had in mind is beyond my comprehension.  His versions of Rock Around The Clock b/w Hang On Sloopy must be heard to be believed.  It's just old Trez, banging away on his drum kit and singing, no other instruments.  The a-side recieved the ultimate in retarded record honors by ending up on a Big Itch compilation LP (Mrs. Manocotti).

Some discs are beyond words, and I've just run out of things to say about this double sided slab of vinyl non-genius.

     Next in line is one of my favorite sixties records, out of Memphis, Jim Dickinson &  the Catmandu Quartet (Southtown).  The a-side, Monkey Man is an organ driven frat screamer, the b-side,  Shake 'Em On Down a greasy blues shuffle.  The year was 1966.  Dickinson has had a long and illustrious career starting with the Jesters on Sun (Cadillac Man, see the Jan. posting on William Eggleston to hear that one) and he'd go on to play piano with the Stones and Ry Cooder, produce Big Star, make the excellent Dixie Fried LP on Atlantic,  lead Mud Boy & the Nuetrons, record with the Cramps, the Johnny Burnette Trio, Alex Chilton, Furry Lewis, et al. He's still at it today (he played a great gig at the Lakeside a few years back). That scrawl on the label is his autograph. Anyway, I thinks this is his finest moment. It was produced by another Sun alumni-- Bill "Raunchy" Justis. 

   I know nothing about Duke Mitchell, except that The Lion (Crystalette) is sheer genius.  The b-side is awful (Strike, a re-write of Duane Eddy's Rebel Rouser as a bowling novelty). The Lion however is a stupid-rock classic.  Anybody out there have any info on this one?

  Back in Memphis,  today's last little platter is a slice of prime Memphis soul stew courtesy of the Martini's, who if you read the label are actually most of the Mar-Keys of Last Night (Satellite) fame.  Hung Over (Bar) is in the same groove as the best Mar-Keys and Booker T. & the M.G.'s sides, but with the additional bonus of the sound of a guy barfing thrown in. I assume they were aimin' at the local market, since everytime I've ever been to Memphis everyone I met was always drunk. Cool lookin' label too.