Todd-O-Phonic Todd and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the RAMA LAMA FA FA FA!!!

The RAMA LAMA FA FA FA took place at the Commodore on Friday January 24. What is a RAMA LAMA FA FA FA, you ask? RAMA LAMA FA FA FA is Todd-O-Phonic Todd and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus playing wild, greasy rock ‘n’ roll records as folks drink and jump and drink and jump and drink and jump all night long.

In other words, it is like a WANG DANG DOODLE, but with Todd-O-Phonic Todd instead of Dave the Spazz!!

Todd-O-Phonic Todd did not disappoint! In fact, he may have played some of the bossest recordings ever committed to wax—and I do mean “committed!!” He showed up a bit late but when he got down to business, what he played was all the way great! Todd-O-Phonic Todd knows a bit about boss records. He is a long time collector of truly insane rock’n’roll records, plus, he used to own and book the legendary Hoboken nightclub Maxwell’s and he’s a fill-in DJ at WFMU.

Todd-O-Phonic Todd is also one of The Boog‘s oldest friends on the East Coast, having met him during a trip to New York City in 1977–when The Boog also met Miriam Linna (Norton Records), The Hound, Lydia Lunch and saw The Cramps and The Feelies. At the RAMA LAMA FA FA FA, Todd-O-Phonic Todd spun some extraordinary platters such as these (click on the thumbnails to see them big-O-nized:

Host DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played a couple records, too, including all of these:

• The Tip Tops–Rama Lama (Kapp)
• The Mar-Teks–Mar-Tek-Ing (Crystal)
• Jackie and the Giants–Ford G.T. (Hit)
• The Johnny Otis Show–Ring-A-Ling (Capitol)
• Rufus Thomas–Chicken Scratch (Stax)
• John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers–Crocodile Walk (Decca; UK)
• Bill Johnson–You Got Soul (Jocida)
• Carl Holmes and the Commanders–I Want My Ya Ya (Parkway)
• Kitty Love–You Gotta Change (Dade)
• The Tyrones–Blast Off (Decca)
• Little Eva–Let’s Start the Party Again (Dimension)
• Marty Manning & the Cheetahs–Tarzan (Tarzan’s March) (CBS; UK)
• Flavor–Yeah I’m Hip (Columbia)
• The Flamingos–The Boogaloo Party (Philips)
• Ted Taylor–Daddy’s Baby (OKeh)
• Larry Williams with Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson and the Stormville Shakers–Slow Down (Decca; UK)
• Terry & the Bunnys–Jingle Bells (King; Japan)
• The Lafayettes–Nobody But You (RCA Victor)
• Marie La Donna–Georgie Porgie (Gateway)
• Billy Ward and His Dominoes–Jennie Lee (Liberty)
• Gene Simmons–Be Her #1 (Hi)
• Count Popeye–Nosey Rosey (Kent)
• Bill Doggett and His Combo–Oops (Columbia)
• The Staple Singers–I’ll Fly Away (Bishop)
• Irma Thomas–Break-A-Way (Imperial)
• Les Baronets–Hello Je T’Aime (Canusa; Canada)
• Ian Whitcomb–Good Hard Rock (Tower)
• The Everly Brothers–You’re My Girl (Warner Bros.)
• Bill & Will–Goin’ to the River (Checker)
• Dino Desi and Billy–It’s Just the Way you Are (Reprise)
• Floyd Cramer–Let’s Go (RCA Victor)
• Jimmy Dee and the Offbeats with the Montclairs–Don’t Cry No More (Dot)
• The Monterays–Push-Em Up (Ultima)
• Kenny Hamber–Show Me Your Monkey (De Jac)
• Ruby Johnson–Jerk Shout (Neb’s)
• The Shells–Whiplash (Conlo)
• The Capitols–Patty Cake (Karen)
• Bobby Gregg–Walk On (Epic)
• The Dartells–Dance Everybody Dance (Dot)
• The Iketts–Camel Walk (Modern)
• Tito Puente and His Orchestra–A La Salud (God Bless You) (RCA Victor)
• Charles Hodges–Charles’ Sing-A-Ling (Alto)
• Frank Armstrong and the Stingers–Feel Like I Want to Holler (Modern)
• Count Sidney & His Dukes–Do Your Stuff (Goldband)
• Simtec Simmons & Wylie Dixon–Socking Soul Power (Toddlin’ Town)
• Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra–Watermelon Man (Mercury)
• Winston Groovey–Funky Chicken (Jackpot; UK)
• Leroy Jones–C’Mon and Swim (Hit)
• Harold Nicholas–Loco-Motion (Barclay; France)
• Little Richard–Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Vee Jay)
• Elvis Presley–Tutti Frutti (RCA Victor)
• Bocephus–Splish Splash (Verve)
• Zoë–C’est Cet Air de Guitare (Monte-Carlo; Fance)
• Don Gardner with the Alteers–Let’s Get a Thing Goin’ (G-Clef)
• Jay Stutes and the Swamp Pickers–Sugar Bee (Goldband)
• The Puddle Jumpers–Snake Charmer (Federal)

None of these records are for sale.

One Mint Julep and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the DYNAGROOVE!

The DYNAGROOVE began its third big year with a solid send off on January 10^th at Teddy’s Bar & Grill (the place to go if you want to eat!). Special guest DJ was the wonderful One Mint Julep, who played a grand assortment of smooth soul, peerless pop and even a couple of cool country records. Her taste in music is exquisite and whenever she DJs it is on full display. Host DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was up to his usual nonsense, playing a vast array of jams that included mod jazz, marvelous mambo, provocative pop, silky soul, vibraphonic groove early in the evening and building up to gyrating Go-Go beats.

The first three hours (including most of One Mint Julep‘s set) of The DYNAGROOVE were broadcast over the Web-O-Net via the superb new Teddy’s Radio Hour Broadcasting System. Parts of some of The DYNAGROOVES have been archived and can be checked out by clicking on this =>> ########## One should check in at the Teddy’s Radio Hour Broadcasting System frequently in order to check out the groovy programs that emanate from it.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the January DYNAGROOVE:

Lester Young on the Tenor Sax–Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (Aladdin)
The Three Souls featuring Sonny Cox–Chittlins Con Carne (Argo)
Wes Montgomery–A Day in the Life (Part 1) (A&M)
The X-Rays–Chinchilla (Kapp)
Mongo Santamaria–Tulibamba – Charanga (Fantasy)
Moby Grape–8:05 (Columbia)
Maxine Brown–If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody (Wand)
Pete Rugolo and His Orch.–Good Evening Friends Boogie (Columibia)
The Invictas–Missing (20th Century-Fox)
The Rolling Stones–Child of the Moon (London)
[ listed in Thai ]–Thai Number 1 (; Thailand)
Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra–Tangorine (Verve)
Freddie McCoy–A Whiter Shade of Pale (Prestige)
Sonny Rollins & Co.–If Ever I Would Leave You (RCA Victor)
Boogaloo Assassins–Evil Ways (Sicario)
Ann Peebles–I Can’t Stand the Rain (Hi)
Lord Superior with Fats Greene Orch.–Calypso Twist (Cab; )
The Everly Brothers–Lord of the Manner (Warner Bros.)
Yma Sumac–Jungla [from EP MAMBO! Part 2] (Capitol)
Al Castellanos & Orch.–Como Como (Mardi-Gras)
The Three Sounds–The Frown (Blue Note)
Eddie Harris–Carry on Brother (Atlantic)
Julie Driscoll Brian Auger & the Trinity–This Wheel’s on Fire (Atco)
Lee & the Clarendonians–Night Owl (High School; Jamaica)
Lou Rawls–Make the World Go Away (Capitol)
The Eddie Cano Quartet & the Saxophone Artistry of Nino Tempo–On Broadway (Atco)
Dutton Percussion Trio–Tequila (Dutton Percussion Trio)
The string bass of Charles Mingus with accompaniment–Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (Part I) (Atlantic)
Erick Saint Laurent–Eleonor Rigby (Barclay; France)
The Zombies–She’s Coming Home (Decca; UK)
Jimi Hendrix Experience–One Rainy Wish (Reprise)
Willie Bobo–Fried Neckbones and Home Fries (Verve)
Helmut Zacharias–Hurdy Gurdy Man (Capitol)
Charles Bradley–Strictly Reserved for You (Dunham/Daptone)
Ben Collier B.B.S.S.–Walk Proud (Atlantic)
Ramsey Lewis Trio–The ‘In’ Crowd (Argo)
Big Star–September Gurls (Ardent)
Marvin Smith–Love Ain’t Nothin’ but Pain (Brunswick)
The Rolling Stones–Stoned (Decca; UK)
Sir Issac and the Do-Dads–The Big Dipper (Volt)
The Puddle Jumpers–Mud Puddle (Federal)
Bocephus–Mental Revenge (Verve)
The Mothers of Invention–W P L J (Bizarre)
Derrick Harriott–Since I Lost My Baby (Bird Song; UK)
Pretty Purdie–Modern Jive (Date)
Don Costa and His Orch.–Hully Gully (Columbia)
The Mugs–Music to Think By (Jonny-A)
Dalida–Baisse un Peu la Radio (Barclay; France)
Harrison Kennedy–Come Together (invictus)
Dave Davies–Suzanah’s Still Alive (Pye; UK)
The Utica Club Natural Carbonation Band–The Utica Club Natural Carbonation Beer Drinking Song (RCA Custom)
Crip Guerney–Understanding Each Other (Hi)
Louis Jordan–Bullitt (Pzazz)
Les Mersey’s–T’en Fais Pas Jacques [ Hit the Road Jack ] (Premièr; Canada)
Jay & the Techniques–Help Yourself to All My Lovin’ (Smash)
The Knockouts–Fever (M-G-M)
The Troubadour Kings featuring Jimmy Lewis–Night Train (Troubadour)
Rudy Mockabee–Piece of My Heart (Atco)
Ricardo Ray–On the Scene (Fonseca)
The Motowns–Sagamafina (RCA Italiana; Itlay)
Lou Donaldson–Say It Loud (Blue Note)
Walter Wanderley–Kee-Ka-Roo (Verve)
The Birdwatchers–Girl I Got News for You (Mala)
The Casper Trio–Swamp Woman (Casper)
Mamie Galore–Special Agent 34-24-38 (St. Lawrence)
Jimmie Haskell–James Bond Theme (Capitol)
Group X–There Are 8 Million Cossack Melodies – And This Is One of Them (Fontana; UK)
The Supremes–Things Go Better With Coke (Coca-Cola GMBH; Germany)
Alvin Robinson–Baby Don’t You Do It (Atco)
Billy Martin and the Soul Jets–Peaches & Cream (London; Canada)
Swinging Soul Machine–Spooky’s Day Off (Polydor; Netherlands)
The Ohio Players–Find Someone to Love (Capitol)
The Jives–I Want You (Tear Drop)
Neil Wolfe–Twist and Shout (Columbia)
Wayne Boykin–Make Me Yours (Atlantic)
Los Pekenikes–El Tiempo Vuela [ Time Is Tight ] (Hispa Vox; Spain)
Henry Jerome–Uptight (Everything’s Alright) (United Artists)
The Soul Aggregation–I’ve Had Enough Heartaches (Capitol)
Kela Gates–Te Alcanzare [ Reach Out ] (Virrey; Peru)
The New Happiness–Mellow Yellow (Columbia)
Sylvie-Anne–Un Tour Dehors [ Day Tripper ] (Dorval; Canada)
Clara Ward–Help! (Verve)
Nancy Wilson–You’ve Got Your Troubles (Capitol)
Barbara and Brenda–If I’m Hurt You’ll Feel the Pain (Dynamo)
The Romancers–Take My Heart (Linda)
Joe Scott & His Orchestra–Born to Be Wild (Mainstream)
Shocking Blue–Long and Lonesome Road (Colossus)
Manfred Mann–Ha! Ha! Said the Clown (Fontana; UK)
The Original Emotions–You’re a Better Man Than I (Johson)
Rocky Roberts y Las Pirañas–Soy Tremendo (Gama; Mexico)
Wynton Kelly–If That’s the Way You Want It (Verve)
Kenny Burrell–Kenny’s Theme (Prestige)

None of these records are for sale.

Note that there will be no DYNAGROOVE in February. DJ Loverboy Bernard will fill in for The Boog on Valentine’s Day! Don’t miss that!! Or tune into Teddy’s Radio Hour Broadcasting System to dig that scene. DYNAGROOVE will return in March. We will see you then.

Lady Dawn surveys the empty Coco 66 while preparing the club for a New Year’s Eve party.

For about nine years, Subway Soul Club was the Cadillac of soul clubs in New York City. Although a very successful event was held last March, it has been mostly on hiatus for the last couple of years. On the very last evening of 2013, Subway Soul Club returned with a fabulous New Year’s Eve Spectacular held at Coco 66 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Lady Dawn, Ol Stark, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Girlsoul swing at the Subway Soul Club New Year’s Eve Spectacular!

Lady Dawn, Subway Soul Club’s British den mother and guiding light, insisted on holding the affair when she saw the beautiful club back in October. After heated negotiations with the club, she and resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus agreed to terms with Coco 66’s respected talent agent Jon Weiss (of Cavestomp fame) and preparations were made to make this an evening to remember!  All of the available tickets were sold out two days before the big night. Long-time SSC supporter David Horowitz (The Above) delivered a fantastic video that was projected on a screen behind the DJs.

While Lady Dawn was busy drawing the beautiful poster, Phast Phreddie was on the horn, rounding up DJs. Greg Tormo crossed two rivers to be on hand with a box full of incredible records. Ol’ Stark, whose Mod Action parties are the toast of Paris, gave the night an international, jet-set flair. As a long-time Subway Soul Club attendee and one of its biggest fans, Girlsoul knew exactly which records to play for the dance floor faithful. At midnight, Lady Dawn wished everyone well before Phast Phreddie whipped the crowd into a frenzy with some soul classics and terrific Go-Go beats.

Greg Tormo

Girlsoul

Ol Stark

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

All night long, the club was jumping to the exciting sounds of sixties soul music. There is no way you can name a better way to ring in the new year! NO WAY!!! The event went so well that one may rest assured that Subway Soul Club may hold more of them during 2014. Here’s looking forward to that!

Coco 66’s dance floor was jam-packed with New Year’s Eve revelers at the Subway Soul Club event!

Here is a list of the records played by Subway Soul Club resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus:

• Len Johnson and the Hi-Lighters–Duck With Wolfman (Vended)
• Del Capris–Hey Little Girl (Ronjerdon)
• Rose Williams / George Clinton and the Funkedelics–Whatever Makes My Baby Feel Good (Funkedelic)
• Donnie Elbert–Your Red Wagon (You Can Push It or Pull It) (Gateway)
• The Decisions–I Can’t Forget About You (A&M / Sussex; UK)
• The Lovettes–Little Miss Soul (Carnival)
• Earl Van Dyke & the Soul Brothers–I Can’t Help Myself (Soul)
• Felice Taylor–I’m Under the Influence of Love (Mustang)
• The Empires with Frank Greer–Push Push Part 1 (Coral)
• Earl Gaines–Good Good Lovin’ (DeLuxe)
• The Soul Congress–The Playboy Shuffle (Bang)
• Marvin Gaye–At Last (I Found a Love) (Tamla)
• The Toys–Can’t Get Enough of You Baby (DynoVoice)
• Patti Drew–Fever (Stateside; UK)
• Patti Drew–It’s All Over Now (Quill)
• The Marvelettes–Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead (Tamla)
• Annie Markan–Un, Deux, Trois [ One, Two, Three ] (Mercury; Canada)
• The Capitols–Cool Pearl (Karen)
• Howard Peters–Tighten Up the Slack (Coral)
• Dave Grundy Combo–Green Onions (Hit)
• Booker T & the M.G.’s–The Horse (Stax; UK)
• Billy Davis–Stanky (Get Funky) (Cobblestone)
• Jean & the Darlings–How Can You Mistreat the One You Love (Volt)
• Major Lance–Do the Tighten Up (Dakar)
• The 5th Dimension–Sunshine of Your Love (Liberty; Germany)
• Aretha Franklin–Save Me (Atlantic; UK)
• The Happy Cats–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Umack)
• Ty Hunter–Something Like a Storm (Chess)
• Marie Claire–Nitty Gritty (Citation; Canada)
• Aretha Franklin–Think (Atlantic)
• Marvelle & the Blue Match–Soul Fever (Magic Touch)
• Sam and the Soul Walkers–Soul Walk (Trans-America)
• R. Dean Taylor–There’s a Ghost in the House (Tamla/Motown; UK)
• The Pristines–Do-Re-Mi (Date)
• Dusty Springfield–Go Ahead On (Philips; UK)
• Darrell Banks–Open the Door to Your Heart (Revilot)
• The Amazers–Without a Warning (Thomas)
• Billy Joe Royal–Heart’s Desire (Columbia)
• The Hesitations–Soul Superman (Kapp)
• Roosevelt Matthew with Billy Ball & the Upsetters–Tighten Up (King)
• Toots & the Maytals–Pressure Drop (Beverley’s; UK)
• Honey and the Bees–Auld Lang Syne (Chess)
• Della Reese–It Was a Very Good Year (ABC)
• The French Fries–Danse a la Musique (Epic)
• The Duke of Burlington–I Want You Back (Maxi; France)
• James Brown and His Orchestra–Out of Sight (Smash)
• Billy Butler–Right Track (OKeh)
• The Mohawks–Mony Mony (Sir J.J.; UK)
• Curtis Mayfield–Move on Up (Curtom)
• Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames–Last Night (Imperial)
• Lee Moses–Day Tripper (Musicor)
• Buddy Rich Orchestra; vocal: Cathy Rich–The Beat Goes On (Pacific Jazz)
• [no artist listed]–Satisfaction (Milliat Freres; France)
• The Marvelettes–I’ll Keep Holding On (Tamla)
• Gloria Jones–Tainted Love (Champion)
• The Soul City–Everybody Dance Now (Gootime)
• Derek Martin–Daddy Rollin’ Stone (Crackerjack)
• John Paul–I’m a Bad Son-of-a-Gun (Philips)
• Benny Gordon and the Soul Brothers–A Kiss to Build a Dream On (RCA Victor)
• Sam Dees–Soul Sister (Lo Lo)
• Allen Wayne–Chills & Fever (Try)
• Keith Mansfield & His Orchestra–Boogaloo (Epic)
• The Magics–Let’s Boogaloo (R.F.A.)
• Jimmy Castor and His Quartet–In a Boogaloo Bag – Part I (Decca)
• Lou Courtney–Me and You Doin’ the Boogaloo (Riverside)
• James Brown and the Famous Flames–Night Train (King)
• Chubby Checker–Karate Monkey (Parkway)
• Marvin Gaye–This Love Starved Heart Of Mine (Is Killing Me) (Tamla)
• The Isley Brothers–Good Things (Tamla/Motown; UK)
• Jackie Wilson–A Lovely Way to Die (Brunswick / Outta Sight; UK)
• Jimmy Bee–Wanting You (Kent)

None of these records are for sale.

Agent 00 Soul and Zachariah Love discuss the finer points of playing a Motown reissue 45 at the Johnny Otis Boogaloo Bash!

Johnny Otis was a true pioneer of Rhythm & Blues.  Not only was he a drummer and singer, but he led a great orchestra, ran a cool record label, was a talent scout for other record labels, wrote some great songs, was a radio DJ and a host for a TV show. He played the vibraphone and learned to play piano after he mangled a couple fingers in a power-saw accident! Did we leave out something? Oh, yeah, three of the greatest R&B acts of all time, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters and Jackie Wilson, were among his discoveries! His birthday is December 28 and in a perfect world it would be a national holiday. So Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus decided to take it upon himself to throw a party for the late great Mr. Otis while he (The Boog) was visiting Los Angeles, the city where Johnny Otis was based most of his life. This took place at the Liquid Kitty in West Los Angeles—right next door to what once was Club 88 (where The Boog’s band Phast Phreddie & Thee Precisions played its first two shows, opening for the legendary Blasters).

Mr. Soul Satisfaction and Miss Europa were guest DJs at the Johnny Otis Boogaloo Bash!

December 28, 2013 also happened to be the 60^th birthday of Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus! He was able to round up some of his favorite local DJs—(Agent 00 Soul, Mr. Soul Satisfaction, ZachariahLove, Miss Europa, Danny Holloway*)—and a ton of his favorite people—people he has known and loved all his life—showed up for the festivities.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and his high school buddies Mariann, Rob and Anita swing at the Johnny Otis Boogaloo Bash!

People seemed to come out of the proverbial woodwork for this affair: During the mid-70s, Phast Phreddie founded and edited a punk rock fanzine called Back Door Man and some of its writers and readers were in the house. Several members of his eighties bands Thee Precisions, The Love Supremes and Phast ‘n’ Bulbous showed up to swing. Also in attendance were many old friends, including heroes, schoolmates, associates, softball teammates, drinking buddies, lovers and colleagues. Every one of them wore a beautiful smile as he or she wished The Boog well as he climbed kicking and screaming into old age!!

In between hugs and handshakes, The Boog was able to commandeer the turntables for two 30-minute sets, and here’s what he played:

• Johnny Otis–The Hash (King)
• The Johnny Otis Show; vocal by Johnny Otis and Marci Lee–Castin’ My Spell (Capitol)
• Johnny Otis and Orchestra–Hey! Hey! Hey! (Dig)
• Johnny Otis; The Johnny Otis Show–Willie Did the Cha Cha (Capitol)
• D’Swooner’s–Mickey’s Monkey (Philips; Japan)
• Michele Richard–Je Serai La [ Reach Out ] (Trans Canada; Canada)
• The Miracles–Come on Do the Jerk (Tamla)
• The Mighty Hannibal–Jerkin’ the Dog (Decca)
• The Magics–Let’s Boogaloo (R.F.A.)
• Sam and the Soul Walkers–Soul Walk (Trans-American)
• Weston Prim–Get That Feelin’ (Brent)
• Alvin Cash & the Crawlers featuring The Registers Band–Do It One More Time (The Twine) (Mar-V-Lus)
• Bernie Hayes–Cool Strut Part II (Volt)
• Jesse Johnson–Funky Soul Stroll (Oak)
• Ricky and Bob–Shu Fly Shu! (Fonseca)
• Dorothy Berry–Shindig City (Planetary)
• The Ambassadors–Storm Warning (Arctic)
• Los Johnny Jets–Bule Bu [ I Got You ](CBS; Mexico)
• The Puddle Jumpers–Snake Charmer (Federal)
• Elliott Shavers–Rock My Soul (Zan-Dan)
• Bo Diddley–We’re Gonna Get Married (Checker)
• Cecil Garrett & the Fascinations–Bearcat (Part I) (Calla)
• Jimmy Castor and His Quartet–In a Boogaloo Bag – Part 1 (Decca)
• King Coleman–The Boo Boo Song (Part 1) (King)

None of these records are for sale.

* Unfortunately, Danny Holloway was experiencing painful back problems and could not make the scene. However, his commitment was appreciated and hopefully we’ll catch his act again soon.