The Wisdoms (Paris Tower)

Hello Everyone. First I hope that all of you have a Happy New Year. Thank you for all your comments that was made to help to better remember the groups featured. For the final entry this year on the blog I have decided to highlite a extremely obscure 45 by a Florida band called The Wisdoms. In 1967 the group released their one and only record on the Paris Tower label.

                                                                                    The Wisdoms - I'm all right

                                                                              The Wisdoms - Outer Limits 67

Midnite Sun Band

Hello to everyone. I have a record by a group called the Midnite Sun Band that I was hoping those who follow this blog might be able to provide some information. I believe I found this gem on a trip to Tampa Bay, Florida earlier this year. Looking at the label it's a private pressing with the bands name at the top and has 1975 as year it was released below. The group's song "You've Got To Have Music" has a real nice early ZZ Top sound. If you can provide more details about the band that would be great.

                                                              Midnite Sun Band - You've Got To Have Music

Double Spin from 1967

Hi to all. I decided to highlight two lesser known bands from 1967. The Canadian Legends who were actually from Louisiana released a couple of 45's. The record featured today was groups first release in April 1967. "Just One Girl " has a catchy sound similar to The Outsiders "Time Won't Let Me". The Huntingtons from Hoquiam, Washington release there one and only 45 in May 1967. Both songs on the 45 are good. "You Better Mend Your Ways" has a garage sound . The group changes it up on flip side with the ballad "I Told The World".  A brief history of the group can be found on the Pacific Northwest Bands website. All comments about these two bands are welcomed.

                                                                    Canadian Legends - Just One Girl

Marty Martinson,  Mike Sturm,  Lee Smith, Bob Dalyrymple,  Gary Mclaughlin,  Dick Brown

                                                                     The Huntingtons - I Told The World

The Beautiful Apollo (Barra-Donna)

The Apollo’s Apaches from Chicago, Illinois  released their debut 45 in February 1966. Both sides of the 45 have appeared on compilation albums and the group's "Cry me a Lie"has become a garage classic. The song would later be picked up and released on the  Barra-Donna record label in April 1967.

The Apollo’s Apaches change their name to The Beautiful Apollo and release two more records on
 Barra-Donna. The 45 featured  on the blog is the second release as the The Beautiful Apollo. It has the bubblegum sounding song "Spring Timey". I think it came out in 1969 but more info is needed to know for sure. The song writers for the song are original band members Ray and Richie Mallow. One more thing , the ending of "Spring Timey"is a little different.

                                                                    The Beautiful Apollo - Spring Timey

The Crimson Shades (Cinemasound)

The Crimson Shades were from Toledo, Ohio. In late 1964 the band released their only record on the Cinema sound label. "Don't Chase Me Away" and "I Wrote My Love A Letter" are original songs by the group. Both have a swirling organ sound. Nice record.

                                                            The Crimson Shades - Don't Chase Me Away

                                                       The Crimson Shades - I Wrote My Love A Letter

The Ghost Riders (Newland)

The Ghost Riders were from Indianapolis, Indiana. The record was release in 1971. The group does a faster rock cover of Mel Tillis's  1966 song "Mental Revenge". The flip "Ghost Rider Theme" is the band's version of the Ramrods "Ghost Riders In The Sky"

                                                                  The Ghost Riders - Mental Revenge

                                                                  The Ghost Riders - Ghost Riders Theme

The Checkmates ( Audio Recording)

Hello and happy new year. I wish you all the very best. I would like to start off 2016 with a instrumental record by a group called The Checkmates. The band recorded a couple of cool songs. "Work Song" has a Mod/Garage beat and the flip "Blue Star" has a really nice surf sound. Looking at the dead wax numbers it seems that the 45 was released in 1964. I think the group might have been from Canada , but more info is needed to know for sure. I don't think either song has appeared on a compilation album but I'm sure someday that will happen.

                                                                       The Checkmates - Work Song

                                                                       The Checkmates - Blue Star