Some of the most important music of the 20th Century was recorded on small independent labels. Here are a couple books/cd sets that literally set the record straight.
Better known for his singing,, acting and producing Billy Vera authors the 100+ page book that examines the history of the enormously important label Specialty Records. With a forward by the 102 year old Art Rupe who founded the label, this book gives a nice overview and history of the label that not only gave us R&B artists who eventually created what became “Rock and Roll” but it was also the home for some of the best gospel music America ever produced, giving us artists who started in the church like Sam Cook, Sister Wynona Carr and Alex Bradford, to name just a pew full.
Most fans of roots music will have the most fun learning about artists like Joe Liggins (“The Honeydripper”), Lloyd Price (“Lawdy Miss Clawdy”) and Larry Williams, the latter being a major influence on Little Richard. The ups and downs of the label make for a good read. The only caveat about this book is the lack of depth on each artist. This is not a definitive piece but a tempting morsel that will hopefully pique an interest into the uninitiated. For that we can still be thankful.
During the 1960s Eddie Davis founded Rampart records, becoming a major part of what became known as the “Westcoast Eastcoast” sound of pop and rock. The label included such tantalizing groups as The Premiers (and their classic hit “Farmer John”), The Blendells (likewise “La La La La”) and the iconic and legendary Cannibal and the Headhunters, who started a chant that we’ve all done at one time, with the famous “Na Na-Na Na Na” that accidentally worked it’s way into “Land of 1000 Dances.” This 4 cd set celebrates their 58th Anniversary (not exactly a round number!) by including every single that the label put out from 1961-77.
The width and breath of the label is quite impressive, as you get some surfing Farfisa sounds from Phil and Harv, garage rock that portends punk by Cannibal, and some fun and frantic instrumentals by The Atlantics on pieces like “Sloop Dance” and the hilarious “Sonny and Cher”. A good amount of hip boogalooing is done by Frankie “Cannibal” Garcia (who toured with the Beatles back in the day) on “Baby Baby Pleae” and The Four Tempos give a Motown feel to “Got To Have You”. A STAX feel is laid out like Booker T and the MGs during “The Cat Walk” by The East B ay Soul Brass” and hints of Santana give some Latin rock on “Cho Cho San” by the Hummingbirds before the label goes disco on material by Skylite and Raven. All of the songs have an earthy and “live” feel, with the sweat palpable on each syllable. The book and track listing is a bonus feature on this fun and important anthology.
www.midhaven.com