SIMON STOKES AND THE NIGHTHAWKS SE 4677 (-70) US

 

                                                                                   

When going through the bins I always follow the huge want list kept in my brain and pick accordingly. But sometimes I come across vinyls I've never seen before that looks interesting and give them a listen in the shop. This is one of those and one that went directly to my gut. Apparently Simon Stokes (1938-2020) worked as a song writer from the late fifties up to 1965, when he started a carreer as singer and issued a couple of singles with separate settings under different names for various labels. He worked as a staff writer for Electra 1968-69 before splitting with the label and signing a new contract with MGM for which he recorded this one-off album with The Nighthawks. Up to 2011 he would release six more albums and a couple of more singles either as solo artist or under differing group names, but that's another story. This is good rock'n'roll - very raw with screamy vocals, killer guitars and adaptive rhythm section. Primitive without being too simple, in a way reminding me of early Captain Beefheart. All cuts but two - "Jambalaya" and "Down In Mexico" - penned by the band. A mix of rude and piped down that goes very well with me. Also the stereo mix and audio here is very good to my ears. Favorite tracks - "Big City Blues", "Sugar Ann" and "Rhode Island Red".  Also originally issued in Germany (MGM 2315 016). UK 2007 CD on Rev-Ola (CR REV 219). Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)