Dusty 45's: Bobby Curtola - You're Not a Goody Goody; The Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul

I finally got around to trying out a few dusty old 45’s tonight. I started with a single by Canada’s own Bobby Curtola called You’re Not a Goody Goody. 

 

 

 

Since his big hit single Fortune Teller (which sold 2.5 million copies) hit the charts in 1962, Bobby Curtola, one of the early leaders in Canadian Rock and Roll, was a true teen idol that had some amazing accomplishments:

- Being honoured with the Order of Canada.

- Having a successful Las Vegas performing career which spanned over two decades.

- Performing on the Love Boat in the Caribbean and Mediterranean for twelve years starting in 1990.

- Having a lifelong dedication to many charities.

You’re Not a Goody Goody was not one of Bobby’s biggest hits, but it sure is a catchy tune. Even though it was released in 1964, it still has the teen idol sound that became so well known in the 50’s.

 

 

The B Side, Far Away Heart, is a typical teen idol mushy song. It didn’t do much for me but I think he was just recording what the fans of the era wanted to hear.

After reading up on Bobby it’s great to see that he is still somewhat active in music and is playing at least a handful of shows each of the past few years.  

 

 

 

Next on the turntable was Heart Full of Soul, a single by the Yardbirds released in 1965.

1965 saw a shift in the Yardbirds’ lineup when Jeff Beck replaced Eric Clapton on lead guitar. A distinctive feature in this song is Beck’s Fuzz Box guitar, one of the earlier uses of this type of distortion.

The B Side, Steeled Blues, sounds like the name suggests. A standard blues riff backing a tingy slide guitar with some deep blues harmonica. It showcases a great instrumental and is a nice choice for a B-side.

Heart Full of Soul was written by Graham Gouldman prior to his career as bass player and vocalist for 10CC (a band which wouldn’t be formed for another 7 years) began. Gouldman also wrote their first major hit For Your Love earlier that same year (prior to Beck joining with Clapton on guitar).

This is such an early rock song with this fuzzy distorted guitar… yet its lyrics are like a ballad. It’s a song of begging for a second chance. Check out these lyrics:

Sick at heart and lonely, deep in dark despair
When you want her only, tell me where is she where?
And if she says to you, that she don't love me
Just give her my message, tell her of my plea
And I know, if I could have her back again, I would never make her sad
I got a heart full of soul I got a heart full of soul
She's been gone such a long time, longer than I can bear
But if she says she wants me, tell her I'll be there

And I know, if I could have her back again, I would never make her sad
I got a heart full of soul I got a heart full of soul
Sick at heart and lonely, deep in dark despair
When you want her only, tell me where is she where?
And if she says to you, that she don't love me
Just give her my message, tell her of my plea
And I know, if I could have her back again, I would never make her sad
I got a heart full of soul I got a heart full of soul
I got a heart full of soul!

This is a great early rock song which had handful of bands cover it over the years including Rush, Dokken and Chris Isaak.

 

 

Some new fall music!

Lately I have been concentrating on upgrading some of my favorite albums in my vinyl collection, seeking out rarer pressings or fancy imports. In the meantime I have been buying some new CD's to enjoy in my car and on my iPod. It has been a great fall season for new music and I figured I would share a few of my personal favorites.

 

The Avett Brothers – Magpie and the Dandelion

 

I know these guys have been a hot band for a while now, but this is my first experience with The Avett Brothers. I'm a little weary of these nu-folk bands that are trigger happy with the banjo. I’m just immediately thinking Mumford and Sons. Not saying that there is anything wrong with Mumford and Sons, I like their albums….. but I get really bored with them quick… After one listen to Babel, I had enough. So in the back of my mind I was expecting the same with Magpie and the Dandelion but this was not the case at all! This album surpassed my expectations in so many ways. 

 
First off, the production: Rick Rubin produced this album and really demonstrates his dominance in his field. Wow! This is about as perfect as an album can sound in my opinion. He keeps the vocals up front and center, doesn't overpower anything with the guitars and banjos. I particularly enjoyed this album with my headphones on, hearing all of the quiet little instrument breaks hiding strategically in the background. 

 
This is one of those albums that just hit me at the right time with songs that I could relate to, a very comforting album for me. All these songs sound very personal and full of emotion. I enjoyed this album so much that I’m a little nervous to even try their previous material, scared that it will ruin my initial impression. 

 

Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt

Growing up in the 90's, I am always eager to hear some new music from PJ. Some think that they will never top vs, Vitology or Ten, but I feel that they have only been improving with time. Backspacer was my top pick up until hearing Lightning Bolt. Full of power and aggression in songs like Mind Your Manners.... and still managing to tame it down nicely with songs like Sirens. 

 
But enough about the music check out the CD packaging! It has a nice hard cover CD case with great liner notes. The spine stands out nicely on my CD shelf as well. Seems that CD’s have really been upping the quality of packaging to compete with digital sales and I'm enjoying it.

 

 

A few honorable mentions:

 
 

Matthew Good – Arrows of Desire

I've always respected Matthew Good music but would never have called myself a fan. After hearing Arrows of Desire, I’m definitely now a fan. Matt really through together ten great songs with not a single weak one on the album. And the singing, man he nailed the vocals on this album, his voice is full of power and it just sounds loud. Sounds like one of those people who couldn’t sing softly if he tried, but he does try, and succeeds! This album really sounded different to me than any of his prior releases. Not being a huge admirer of his earlier material, I'm curious to hear what fans of his past albums think of this release.


Pup – Pup

A young punk rock band from Toronto, Pup is a more aggressive than I am used to lately but I still thought it was a very solid album. It reminded me a bit of Japandroids with their screaming, chanting type lyrics backed with loads of distortion and fast loose drumming. They sure got my attention and I think that this debut release will pave their way to a successful career.