Artist: James Knight & The Butlers 

Album: Black Knight 

Track Included in this Post: “Flyin’ High”

Year: 1971

Label: Cat 

I Bought This Record From: The one and only Harley Lyles

- Due to the madness of Record Store Day (thank you to those that supported CFBG’s), this post is two days overdue.  I actually didn’t know much about this record beyond always being intrigued by the cover.  After dropping the needle on side one I was in love with the opener “Funky Cat.”  I knew I was in for a treat.  What I didn’t expect was the ultimate treat in track three, “Flyin’ High.”  The opening minute features a tale about how you can find her anywhere; from the streets of Miami to Jacksonville, GA.  Then James and his Butlers unleash a full spaced out funk jam with horns and reverb abounding.  It is one of the best tributes you’ll hear.  I like this post raising the controversy of the back photo and giving you a full lesson on this short lived Miami Funk outfit.  Love the bottom photo of James’ fro from the Florida Funk compilation.  

Artist: Astrud Gilberto 

Album: Now

Track Included in this Post: “Zigy Zigy Za”

Year of Release: 1972

Label: Perception 

I Bought This Record From: Pawn Shop, Graham 

- I always enjoy picking up records of the gorgeous Miss Gilberto.  This one I had never seen before.  I was especially all for it when I saw it was on the Perception Label, which is a label that rarely disappoints.  You can clearly hear an attempt of tapping into 60’s hipness with this track.  I think it’s a really zinger (sticking with the Z theme) and great for the spring time.

Artist: The Bridge

Album: Hallelujah

Track Included in this Post: “Hallelujah

Year of Release: Early 1970’s 

Label: Crescent City Studio

I Bought This Record From: Pawn Shop, Randleman 

- This is just a taste of a bigger story I’m going to do about this band.  This is a record by a band called The Bridge from Greensboro, NC.  I knew that this was Christian, but I had no idea it was Christian Psych (or as some call it Xian Psych). This track is full of psyched out harmonies, guitar, and drum arrangments.  This is seriously spiritual ya’ll!  I will be doing a full story on this band, hopefully with interviews from any members still in Greensboro for ICrates.  I recently found another one of their records nearby.  They apparently had a total of four and I hope to get my hands on all of them.  More to come on this release, but here’s a taste for now. 

Artist: Loudon Wainwright III

Album: “Attempted Mustache” 

Track Included in this Post: “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry” 

Year of Release: 1973

Label: Sony

I Bought This Record From: Cooks Flea Market

- It seems that every spring I discover a new singer/songwriter that I didn’t really know about before.  Over the past few springs this has included Neil Young, Jerry Jeff Walker, and John Cale.  Within the past month I’ve purchased two Loudon Wainwright albums and I have thoroughly enjoyed both.  This album caught my attention from the title, but I was super excited when I heard “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry.”  I first heard this vivid tale on Johnny Cash’s first “comeback” album, “American Recordings.”  I loved his version and I love Loudon’s even more.  

Artist: Blues Magoos

Album: “Basic Blues Magoos”

Track Included in the Post: “Scarecrow’s Love Affair” 

Year of Release: 1968

Label: Mercury

I Bought this Record from: Dale Carter, Buchannan 

- Just a short posting to end the March Madness that goes down tonight between Kentucky & Kansas.  The Blues Magoos were one of the better late 60’s bands to fuse together psychedelic rock & pop.  The Blues Magoos were much more psychedelic then pop.  This track, “Scarecrow’s Love Affair,” features some abnormal vocals for the Blues Magoos, so don’t think this is what they sound like.  Another great track from this album is the track “Accidental Meditation,” which is literally a 2:00 track of nothing.  Accidental Meditation my foot. 

Artist: Bobby Hutcherson

Album: “Cirrus”

Track Included in this Post: “Zuri Dance”

Year of Release: 1974

Label: Blue Note

I Bought this Record from: Collector’s Choice 

- The madness of March is in full swing and what better way to celebrate then to listen to the mad man of the vibraphone, Bobby Hutcherson.  This album cover features Bobby wearing the same yellow tabogan that he wears on the cover of his 1971 album, “Head On.”  I would say that “Cirrus” is better than “Head On,” but both come from a golden period for this stick man virtuoso.  A few minutes into this just listen to Hutcherson vibing out.  

Artist: Arthur Gee-Whiz Band

Album: “City Cowboy”

Track Included with this Post: “Thank You Very Much”

Year of Release: 1972

Label: Tumbleweed 

I Bought This Record From: Cook’s Flea Market

- In celebration of the amazing weather we are having, it is now officially spring, I decided to include this goodie of early 70’s country rock.  If you like The Byrds, Cowboy, and Cargoe (which I posted about two months ago on) then you’ll enjoy this album.  ”City Cowboy” turned out to be the only album the Arthur Gee-Whiz Band ever released

Artist: Caravan 

Album: “In the Land of Grey and Pink” 

Year of Release: 1971

Label: London

I Bought This Record From: The one and only Harley Lyles 

Track Included with this Post: “Make it 76” of “Nine Feet Underground” 

- I didn’t plan this out right to get tracks that reflect my love for March Madness. I’ll try and get something in next week.  For now enjoy this little prog journey.  Caravan comes from the center of its influence, fairy tales.  I’m talking about Canterbury, Kent in the UK.  Th artwork itself is all about fantasy.  This song takes a while to take off, but when the organ submerges your ears envision a land of giants and wizards on top off a summit.  ”Make it 76” is a just a small portion of the 22 minute long “Nine Fee Underground.”

I have another posting on iCrates Magazine!  This time its an article about the one and only Wesley Willis for the Vocal Issue.  This write up was very personal to me because it involved the experience I had with Wesley.  I was fortunate enough to see him perform live four different times at four different locations.  Thanks to Harmony Pillon for the awesome illustration, but I we would like to apologize for getting the catch phrase of Wesley backwards. 

The First Annual Beard & Moustache Club Statewide Compeition

Saturday, March 10th

@ The Blind Tiger

8pm 

$25 to compete, $10 to spectate

w/ DJ Bonzani & The Tremors

- This is a big deal!  This is the first of what will hopefully become an annual competition showcasing the best beards in the state.  I’ll be DJing the event with Greensboro’s rock-a-billy band The Tremors ending the night off.  Visit the website for the full listing of the weekend events.