Guess what genre they are...

Go on, guess....

 Yep, polka! Just kidding. It's psychedelic pop rock. ;) Their first single was "It's a Happening Thing". This album, their first of three, is from 1967 and featured James Burton and Glen Campbell as studio musicians. Not too shabby! More info on the group here.

Check out "It's a Happening Thing" here:

Dig that fuzz!

Prototype for success...

...that didn't really come. But man, they sure deserved it! Great album!

 

Mine doesn't have a sleeve with it, but fortunately, the album wasn't damaged with all those holes in the back. :p

They were a six piece band from Alberta and this was their only album, released in 1983. It's quality synth rock and pop. Apparently, guitarist Dan Lowe headed the project. He invented the major innovation of Q-Sound. Vocals are performed by Doug Riley, who sounds excellent.

Jerry Adolphe - drums, percussion

Dan Lowe - guitar

Ted Alexander - keyboards, vocals

Doug Riley - lead vocals

Brian Island - bass, vocals

Brad Steckel - guitar, bass, vocals

Check out their fun song about the video game/arcade craze called "Video Kids":

Also, check out this blog post from Raised on Canadian Radio, which was a help.

No, the other Robert Johnson...

I'm pretty sure this guy didn't sell his soul to the devil. May have helped his career, though. Haha. ;)

 

According to his wiki page, this is the only album he released (in 1978, though an album of demos was later released in 1980) "Close Personal Friend" was finally released on CD for the 30th anniversary.

Not only did he make some catchy pop rock tunes, he was also a fashionable guy, in a temporal vortex, bobby soxer sort of way...

Here's the track "Wish Upon a Star", which showcases the album's high energy and his guitar skill:

 Fun stuff!

Timely reminders!

First, a slight repost from the lower left corner of the back cover of Nightwing's "Black Summer":

How would one illustrate a torrent with crossbones? ;) Anyway, I think that would make a great avatar!

Speaking of borderline* obsolescence, here's part of the back cover of The Best of Django Reinhardt, Vol. 2:

 I can attest to their statement that it still sounds fine and dandy!

*I'm sure there are still two or three people out there that copy borrowed vinyl onto cassette tapes. ;)

How do you...

...type, NO, I mean play guitar!...with boxing gloves on?

 

Here's the cover:

Kinda reminds me of Van Halen's cover for "1984" in that it's something else a baby shouldn't do. :p

Dave Mason is an English musician and singer who played with the band Traffic on and off and also had ties to Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Fleetwood Mac.

According to wikipedia, "Old Crest on a New Wave (1980) is the ninth studio album by the English musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Mason. The album includes a duet with Michael Jackson, "Save Me", which peaked at #71 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs."

Track listing:

1. "Paralyzed"

2. "You're a Friend of Mine"

3. "I'm Missing You"

4. "Talk to Me"

5. "Save Me (duet with Michael Jackson)"

6. "Life is a Ladder"

7. "Tryin' to Get Back to You"

8. "Get it Right"

9. "Old Crest on a New Wave"

Listen to the excellent "Save Me" here:

The master of fashion, Nick Lowe!

Here's a fun one! :)

 

Lots of cool outfits and guitars. I especially like that Rickenbacker bass on the lower right.

Here's the best outfit of all, though, found on the back cover:

 

I always loved The Riddler's suit as opposed to the spandex thingy. This isn't an exact replica or anything, but still very cool! Would've been even nicer with the hat.

This album was originally entitled "Jesus of Cool" in the UK, but was [understandably] renamed for the North American market. The track listing was also different. More info here.

Anyway, it doesn't appear on this particular album, but here's a great Nick Lowe hit, "Cruel To Be Kind".

More info on Nick himself here. (his middle name is Drain?!)