All Hail Doc Pomus!

Roomful of Blues celebrates the music of Doc Pomus at Lincoln Center!

Roomful of Blues celebrates the music of Doc Pomus at Lincoln Center!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has been asked to DJ at Lincoln Center’s fabulous Midsummer Nights’ Swing series of concerts and dance events for about ten years now—maybe more. Each time it is a gas. Except when it gets rained out. Last year’s event was rained out; it poured like it was the end of the world, thunder echoed through and lightning reflected off the glass and iron skyscrapers of Midtown—an awesome display of nature but the night was cancelled. Billed as “Save the Last Dance for Me: Roomful of Blues plays the Music of Doc Pomus,” it was rescheduled for June 27 of this year.

It rained on this night, also, but not nearly like last year. An abbreviated version of the show took place, but with the dance floor closed off, and everyone who showed up was allowed into the tented V.I.P. area, where the friends, fans and family of Doc Pomus were determined to celebrate the accomplishments of the great man on this evening, which would have been Mr. Pomus’ ninetieth birthday!

Due to the rain, the dance instruction portion of the show was not performed; The Boog only played one set of records, for about an hour; and Roomful of Blues played one long ninety minute set. But the songwriter was definitely given a fine tribute and those who attended were very pleased with it.

Doc Pomus is one of the finest songwriters of the last half of the Twentieth Century. To list all the songs he wrote may take up the whole internets, but check the song titles in The Boog’s set list and note that the band performed a whole hour of Pomus’ songs without playing any of the songs in the list (well, maybe one.). Also, the Boogaloo Bag reader is strongly urged to see AKA Doc Pomus, a documentary about him. (Also, click on the link every time his name is mentioned for more information on him.)

Roomful of Blues is quite simply the premier practitioner of jump blues in the country—perhaps the world—and has been such almost since it’s inception in 1967. The group, with it’s honkin’ horns and hot rhythm section, can swing with the best of them, lay down a funky soul beat and play a bop that just won’t stop. Although its personnel changes from time to time, it maintains an extraordinary high level of playing. It can only be described as an American institution dedicated to playing a style of music that must not die. In the past it has often acted as a most excellent backing band for such legends of jump blues as Big Joe Turner, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson and Earl King. Today it is a proud carrier of the torch.

Jenni Muldaur swings with Roomful of Blues at Lincoln Center.

Jenni Muldaur swings with Roomful of Blues at Lincoln Center.

The group was a most excellent choice to be part of this celebration of Pomus’ music, as The Roomfuls have cut several of his songs, and the songwriter was instrumental in the group getting its initial recording contract back in the Seventies. This is a clear example of the best possible act being involved with a most worthy tribute. Plus, Jenni Muldaur, a woman whose fame has never caught up with the power of her voice, was on hand, along with a trio of women backup singers, to sing Dion & the Belmonts’ hit “Why Must I Be a Teenager in Love” and “I’m Gonna Cry Til My Tears Run Dry,” first cut by the great Irma Thomas. These people were obviously prepared and delivered the goods. No doubt Doc Pomus was looking down from heaven with a great big smile on his face!

Here’s a list of the songs—all written or co-written (mostly with Mort Shuman) by Doc Pomus—played by DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Midsummer Nights’ Swing:

None of these records are for sale

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Lincoln Center!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Lincoln Center!

Boogaloo gives Satisfaction!!

DJ Zerox and The Boog swing at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to the Rolling Stones!

DJ Zerox and The Boog swing at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to the Rolling Stones!

As every Boogaloo Bag reader should know by now, Copycat Cover Song Night is always a good time. Hosted by our pal DJ Xerox, who picks an artist and invites bands and DJs to come to Otto’s Shrunken Head and honor that artist one way or another. Each band will add several songs by that artist in its respective set. Sometimes a band will form in order to perform only songs by that artist. The guest DJ usually plays songs that pertain to the artist in one way or another—or at least cover songs of some sort.

On Wednesday June 10, the honored artist was The Rolling Stones. The bands were:

LadyJanes

The Lady Janes—formed just to play a set of Stones songs.

 SaintRocco

Saint Rocco

 ElectricPeople

Electric People

 

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was guest DJ and he only played Rolling Stones songs as performed by everyone but The Rolling Stones! He took requests from the floor—name a Rolling Stones song (preferably one from the sixties)—and he was able to play a version of it; sometimes instrumental, sometimes in a funny language. Although The Boog usually plays only 7” 45 RPM records, he played a few cuts from LPs as some tracks only exist in that format. Also, a full dozen of the 60 records he played were from the Norton Records Rolling Stones cover song series. Norton Records continues to be one of modern music’s secret weapons. It regularly releases great reissue titles (the recent Soul Clap series of hits hand-picked by our pal Jonathan Toubin is essential), as well as new music by such fabulous current stars as Daddy Longlegs and Miriam. The Rolling Stones series is a genius concept where a different act presents its rendition of a Rolling Stones song on each side of a 7” single. The 12 songs played by The Boog at Copycat Night is just a taste of the 32 releases—66 songs in all, counting the four songs on the Their Hispanic Majesties Request two-disc set of songs sung in Spanish! This extensive Norton action was intended to salute Norton head honcho Billy Miller, who has been experiencing some health issues recently. Get well soon, my friend!

The fun did not stop there! One of the greatest songs in all Rock’n’Roll is “Satisfaction”—officially titled “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The opening riff is one of the most identifiable pieces of music of the last fifty years. It may be no exaggeration to say that it has been recorded more than a hundred times. After the bands played, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played 26 versions of the song in what can only be described as a Super Rock Mega Mix! When it was all over, everyone in Otto’s could easily state that they had received some sort of “Satisfaction!”

Here’s a list of all the songs presented by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the fourth annual Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to The Rolling Stones:

None of these records are for sale.

An evening of Mighty Fine music!!

The Mighty Fine swings at Hi-Fi!

The Mighty Fine swings at Club Hi-Fi!

The Mighty Fine is one of the finest new teen combos going. Based in Brooklyn, the group plays from time to time and always presents an exciting show. The Boogaloo Bag writers have witnessed this act on several instances, and each one it seems the group is getting better and better. The Mighty Fine is led by the mighty fine singer Steve Myers, who also sings back-up in the current touring version of The Afghan Whigs. When The Mighty Fine were asked to play the rock club Hi-Fi in Manhattan on Saturday May 30, it was Mr. Myers who insisted that Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus DJ the after show party at the club… and so it happened!

Mighty Fine singer Steve Myers emotes at Hi-Fi!

Mighty Fine singer Steve Myers emotes at Club Hi-Fi!

The group is not called The Mighty Fine for nothing. The sound is good—garage-tinged modern rock occasionally spiced up with a funk rhythm—and Mr. Myers is a singer who is totally immersed in R&B from the eighties. This is not a bad thing; such acts as The Gap Band, Maze and of course Prince made terrific records back then. While waiting for the group’s next gig, the Boogaloo Bag writers suggest to the reader to find a copy of Mighty Fine’s LP Get Up to Get Down (Drug Front Records) and dig it.

Speaking of the eighties, this event was also notable for the appearance of some mighty fine familiar faces that go back to The Boog’s California days. Greg De La Peña and his lovely wife Melissa were at the gig, sat as close as possible to The Boog as he spun his platters, and thoroughly dug the scene. The Boog remembers them fondly from the era when he worked at the Rhino Record Store in Westwood; a lot of water under the bridge, but what refreshing water it is! The reunion was even nicer when, after the DJ gig, these three and Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner made their way to Stromboli’s on St. Mark’s Place and First Avenue to partake in the mighty fine pizza there!

Greg, Melissa and Phast swing at Club Hi-Fi!

Greg, Melissa and Phast swing at Club Hi-Fi!

Here is a list of every record—exactly one hundred—played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus after The Mighty Fine played its show. A quick look at it and once could easily see that he not only took the event seriously, but clearly he had fun with it, playing many old favorites and a bunch of new acquisitions. Plus, one attendee dug the Lee Fields version of The Sonics’ “Shot Down” so much he asked that it played again. And so it was! Dig it:

  • Rex Garvin (and the Mighty Cravers)–Sock It to ‘Em J.B. – Part I (Like)
  • Willie Mitchell–That Driving Beat (Hi)
  • The Temptations–All I Need (Gordy)
  • Jamo Thomas & His Party Brothers Orchestra–I Spy (For the FBI) (Thomas)
  • Wilson Pickett–Fire and Water (Atlantic)
  • Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band–Electricity (Buddah; UK)
  • The Shadows of Knight–Light Bulb Blues (Dunwich)
  • The Tempters–Secret Password (Philips; Japan)
  • Les Mersey’s–Si Tu M’Aimes (Telédisc; Canada)
  • Los Mustangs–Dejen De Pensar En Mi (Gonna Have a Good Time) (DCA; El Salvador)
  • Mickey Lee Lane–Hey San-Lo-Ney (Swan)
  • Elvis Presley with the Jordanaires–Spinout (RCA Victor)
  • Roy Orbison and the Candy Men–Oh’ Pretty Woman (Monument)
  • The Who–Happy Jack (Reaction; UK)
  • Toots & the Maytals–Pressure Drop (Beverley’s; UK)
  • The Slickers–Papa Was a Rolling Stone (Ice; Jamaica)
  • Charly and the Bourbon Family–Boogachi (Poplandia; Spain)
  • Ronny Kae and His Drums–Harry – Play Those Drums (Honey)
  • Otis Redding–Day Tripper (Atco; France)
  • Ginette Reno–QuelQu’un a Aimer (Somebody to Love) (Apex; Canada)
  • The Rolling Stones–Get Off My Cloud (London)
  • Michel Polnareff–Time Will Tell (4 Corners of the World)
  • The Spiders–Hey Boy (Philips; UK)
  • Eddie Floyd–Big Bird (Stax)
  • Lou Courtney–Rubber Neckin’ (Chick Checkin’) (Verve)
  • The People’s Choice–The Wootie-T-Woo (Phil-L.A. of Soul)
  • Ohio Players–Skin Tight (Mercury)
  • James Brown–Hot Pants Pt 1 (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants) (People)
  • Shark Wilson & the Basement Heaters–Make It Reggae (Soul Jazz; UK)
  • The Champs–Sombrero (Challenge)
  • The Zanies–The Blob (Era)
  • Milt Sealey–Jelly Bean (Philips)
  • Howlin’ Wolf–Ooh Baby (Chess)
  • Johnny Winter–Road Runner (Todd)
  • The Rosalyns–Destroy That Boy [from EP Hide and Seek] (Ugly Things)
  • The Crawdaddys–There She Goes (Voxx)
  • Darlene Payne & the O.D. Girls–Copy Cat (O.P.J.)
  • Los Yogis–Night Rider (Jinete Nocturno) (Angelo)
  • Jesse James and the James Boys–Do It Like You Feel It (Match)
  • All the People featuring Robert Moore–Cramp Your Style (Blue Candle)
  • Jr. Dibbs and Society–Power [from the single A Tribute to King Curtis] (Decca; France)
  • Los Comandos–Moby Dick (Odeon; Peru)
  • Los Shain’s–Niebla Púrpura [Purple Haze] (Odeon; Peru)
  • Shocking Blue–Love Buzz (Music on Vinyl; Netherlands)
  • The Hook–Homes (Uni)
  • Laurel Aitken–Reggae 69 (Nu Beat; UK)
  • James Brown–Talkin’ Loud and Saying Nothin’ Pt. I (King)
  • Hank Ballard–I’m a Junkie for My Baby’s Love (Chess)
  • Lee Fields and Sugarman & Co.–Shot Down (Daptone)
  • The Wailers–Ska Jerk (Coxsone; Jamaica)
  • Desmond Dekker–007 (Beverley’s; Jamaica)
  • Eddie Lovette–Too Experienced (Federal; Jamaica)
  • The Charms–Carry Go Bring Come (Island; UK)
  • King Curtis–Green Onions (Atco)
  • Los Johnny Jets–Cul Jerk (Cool Jerk) (Discos Columbia)
  • Otis Redding–Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (Atco)
  • Vernon Garrett–Shine It On (Kent)
  • B.B. King–Think It Over (Bluesway)
  • Sir White and His Sounds–Doin’ the Scratch (Redbug)
  • Sonny King–Dig Yourself (Marida)
  • Dick and Libby Halleman and Their Society Orchestra vs Tom and Ray–Pizza Sure Is Good (Summit)
  • Dave Phillips & the Hot Rod Gang–Tainted Love (Rockhouse; Netherlands)
  • Brian Poole and the Tremeloes–I Want Candy (Decca; UK)
  • Whichwhat–Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’ (Beacon; France)
  • The Monkees–She Hangs Out (RCA Victor; Mexico)
  • The Seeds–Night Time Girl (Norton)
  • The Left Bank–I Haven’t Got the Nerve (Smash)
  • The Paymarks–Dollar Bill (Jerden)
  • Bob Dylan–Mixed Up Confusion (CBS; France)
  • The Pyramids–Pressure (Cedwicke)
  • Sterling Harrison–Let’s Wobble (VVVV)
  • James Ray–Do the Monkey (Congress)
  • James (Sugarboy) Crawford–She’s the One (Imperial)
  • Dee Clark–Heartbreak (Constellation)
  • The Soul Trippers–Girl of Mine (Providence)
  • The Lovers–Licor de Contrabando (Bootleg) (Picaro; El Salvador)
  • 17th Avenue Exits–I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Any More (Modern)
  • Tommy James and the Shondells–Mirage (Roulette)
  • Les Sextans–Ils Aiment La Vie (Vedettes)
  • Peace and Love–’New’ 96 Tears (Juke)
  • Hou-Lops–Oui J’ai Compris (Apex; Canada)
  • Clefs of Lavender Hill–It Won’t Be Long (Date)
  • Dave Clark Five–All of the Time (Epic)
  • Los Bravos–Trapped (Columbia; Spain)
  • Los Iberos–Liar Liar (Columbia; Spain)
  • Les Atomes–Pauvre Fou (Little Boy Sad) (Capitol: Canada)
  • Little Joe and the Mustangs–I Dig You Baby (Challenge)
  • The Sonics–The Hustler (Etiquette)
  • Kit and the Outlaws–Don’t Tread on Me (Black Knight)
  • The Bonniwell Music Machine–Me-Myself and I (Warner Bros.)
  • The Spencer Davis Group–Don’t Want You Know More (United Artists; Canada)
  • The Denims–Ya Ya (Columbia)
  • Big Brother and the Holding Company–Intruder (Mainstream)
  • Terry Knight and the Pack–Numbers (Lucky Eleven)
  • Michele Richard–Le Boites A Go-Go (Trans Canada; Canada)
  • Dave Clark Five–Over and Over (Columbia; Germany)
  • Lipstick Killers–Hindu Gods (Of Love) (Voxx)
  • The Astronauts–Kuk (RCA Victor)
  • Rufus Thomas–Walking the Dog (Stax)
  • Bill Doggett–Hot Fudge (Columbia)

None of these records are for sale.

Twist All Night!

Nogood Nick, Sheila B and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Nogood Nick, Sheila B and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

TWIST ALL NIGHT! is a new Boogaloo Night concept, developed in the WANG DANG DOODLE laboratories, especially for the nights at the Commodore. These nights, held every other fourth Friday of the month, often play host to some of the most fabulous music in existence. TWIST ALL NIGHT!, which made its debut on May 22, was no exception. With guest DJs Sheila B and Nogood Nick, you KNOW some great records were played.

TWIST ALL NIGHT! will feature some of the finest DJs who play boss 45s. They will be allowed complete freedom to play anything they want—as long as it is REET! Sheila B and Nogood Nick are two DJs who excel at this sort of program.

 

Sheila B works her thing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Sheila B works her thing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Sheila B, who is internationally known as the Queen of the Girl Group 45, spun plenty of those, sure, but also some keen freakbeat, French ye-ye, hot R&B and some other tuff stuff. She just kept it coming, until she had to leave a bit early, since she wasn’t feeling well.

 

Nogood Nick works with a clean needle at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Nogood Nick works with a clean needle at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Luckily, Nogood Nick was in the house. He’s one of those DJs who, for some reason, rarely seems to be on anybody’s list of Top DJs. However, he’s got great records and knows how to play them, and therefore, should be on the top of everybody’s list! It is quite possible that he is the most underrated DJ on the scene. Before TWIST ALL NIGHT!, he and Miss Sheila barely knew each other. In fact, Mr. Nick succeeded in grabbing Miss Sheila’s attention by playing a whole set of nothing but fantastic girl group records. She dug Nogood Nick’s work so much that she invited him to be guest DJ at the next Sh-Boom, the groovy new dance night she hosts at Baby’s All Right (dig it on June 26).

 

For his part, TWIST ALL NIGHT! host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played a lot of records he has never played out before—some of them because they were newly acquired, others because they awaited the perfect moment for them to be played, and still others because they have been buried inside the Boogaloo Vault so deep that they were unreachable! Also, note, two B.B. King records were played to further honor the passing of the great bluesman.

 

The following is a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, some with links to clips on the youtubes. Below that is a gallery of records that were played – click on the image and it will Big-O-Fi right on your computer screen!

None of these records are for sale.

45_2ofClubs45_Gia45_JacTaieb45_Joy_HitKids45_KathyLynn45_LittleGigi45_RitaP

 

 

 

twist-all-night_poster

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Next Boogaloo Night at the Commodore will be July 24. Don’t you dare miss it!!

SUBWAY SOUL CLUB in Times Square!

Mr. Fine Wine cues a record as Smokey Robinson and the MIracles do "Mickey's Monkey" behind him!

Mr. Fine Wine cues a record as Smokey Robinson and the MIracles do “Mickey’s Monkey” behind him!

Exactly one week less than a whole year after its last event, Subway Soul Club returned to action on May 9 at a new location and with two incredible guest DJs, but with the same exciting groove,  Lady Dawn at the helm, and with the extra-added production help from our good friends at Cavestomp!

Lady Dawn is all sparkly and swingin' at Subway Soul Club!

Lady Dawn is all sparkly and swingin’ at Subway Soul Club!

The location was Lucille’s Super Club, a groovy joint that is adjacent to, or actually inside, B.B. King’s Blues Club on 42nd Street in Times Square. The venue has an ample dance floor that was full of dancers nearly all night long. The place serves excellent southern style soul food and, with a photo of the great B.B. King overlooking the bar, you know the place was perfect for a Subway Soul Club dance party.

Guest DJs were Mr. Fine Wine and Mikey Post. Mr. Fine Wine is highly regarded by the Boogaloo Bag writers. His presence on the sixties soul music scene is strongly felt in this town, with his radio show Downtown Soulville every Friday on WFMU and his Wednesday night shindigs at Botanica—both of which have been taking place for more than fifteen years. These days you can find him on the third Friday of the month at the Commodore on his Thee Knights of the Round Tables gig and also the third Saturday of the month at Friends and Lovers, a cool joint in Crown Heights. He also DJs around the country and around the world. Cat is busy and wherever he is playing records, you know the place is going to swing!

Dance action at Subway Soul Club!

Dance action at Subway Soul Club!

Mikey Post is another busy cat: He is known as “The Custodian of Soul” at Daptone Records, where he works, and he is also the drummer for two great teen combos, The Reigning Sound and The Jay Vons (and he may still drum with Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens). He is also one of  “Thee Knights of the Round Tables” at the Commodore (along with Mr. Fine Wine and DJ Young Chris). Lady Dawn recently witnessed one of Mr. Post‘s DJ sets somewhere and insisted that he be one of the guest DJs at this Subway Soul Club. Cat has great records, and man, he can play them!

Subway Soul Club’s resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus also brought a couple good records to the party. However, he was saddened when he realized that the Subway Soul Club event would take place on the same night that Dig Deeper was to take place in Brooklyn. Dig Deeper, as the Boogaloo Bag reader knows, is the live music night that features a great obscure soul (or sometimes ska) entertainer—usually peforming for the first time in decades—and the superb record playing of its two hosts, Mr. Robinson and DJ Honky. On May 9, the Dig Deeper featured performer was ska/rock steady singer Derrick Morgan, so there wasn’t a major conflict. However, the Dig Deepers announced that it will be their last event for a while and the Boogaloo Bag writers were sorry that they could not be there to show support for their most excellent series of shows. In a perfect world, the Dig Deeper folks would be given the Presidential Medal of Freedom for the fine work they have done—and hopefully will do again.

Meanwhile, back at Lucille’s, Subway Soul Club swung like an old Count Basie 78! Folks were dressed up and ready for a night in the big city, dancing and drinking and carrying on. Except for some confusion dealing with the cover charge, the night was a major success. Lady Dawn danced around in a shiny, black Go-Go dress and greeted about two dozen British citizens who were in town on business or vacation. She and Phast Phreddie were also very happy to see so many familiar faces—people who have attended Subway Soul Club since its earliest days. Knowing that folks feel so strongly about Subway Soul Club, that they even come to the event when they take place once a year… well it puts a great big smile on the face! Negotiations with Lucille’s are taking place so another event may take place sooner, rather than later.

Also, many of the attendees asked that all three DJs submit a set list (or reasonable facsimile thereof) and the two guest DJs graciously complied. The Boogaloo Blog is very proud to host these set lists.

Here is a list of the records played by Mikey Post. The first section is his opening set. The others are records that he played, perhaps not in order:

Mikey Post swings at Subway Soul Club!

Mikey Post swings at Subway Soul Club!

1st Set:

–more–

Mr. Fine Wine tells us that his list may also not be in order. Note that he actually played a song by B.B. King!

Mr. Fine Wine swings at Subway Soul Club.

Mr. Fine Wine swings at Subway Soul Club.

Last, and very likely least, here’s the list of records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Subway Soul Club:

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Subway Soul Club!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Subway Soul Club!

It is very doubtful that any of these records are for sale! Click on the photos and they will electronically big-o-fi! Roll your curser over song titles and click on links to actually hear some of the records!

BB_Lucille

Less than a week after the Subway Soul Club event took place, B.B. King passed away, so it is with a heavy heart that the Boogaloo Bag writers work on this post. We strongly suggest you check out this outstanding article about the great bluesman that appeared in the UK newspaper The Guardian a couple years ago:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/06/bb-king-music-blues-guitar?CMP=share_btn_tw

Thanks to our pal Sid Griffin for the tip on the Guardian article.

Out Of Sight!!!

Grace of Spades is Out of Sight!

Grace of Spades is Out of Sight!

Thursday night is Out Of Sight—the groovy new soul dance party hosted by our pal DJ Xerox. Each Thursday he rounds up a pair of excellent soul music DJs—and there are dozens of them in New York City!—and asks them to play some of their bossest records for the faithful at the Beauty Bar in Manhattan. On May 7, the two DJs were Grace Of Spades and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

Due to a scheduling conflict, the night was set up so Miss Grace could swing early and cut out for another engagement. She’s got a cool radio show called Watch This Sound on BBox Radio that streams over the Internets. She’s also got a bunch of cool records and she played some at Out Of Sight. As The Boog walked in, about an hour into her set, she was swinging with some righteous R&B records, jumped it up with a couple of early seventies funk jams and ended her portion of the evening with Koko Taylor’s great version of “Wang Dang Doodle” (a touching salute to the DJ who followed her). That Grace Of Spades certainly knows how to play a record, that’s for sure!!

Our pal Yana Lil-Jerk was in attendance with her friend Bella, who was celebrating her birthday. The two of them kept the dance floor lively all night long. For his part, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus had fun with the night, especially in the middle, when he played a set of funky “thing” records.

 

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Out Of Sight! This was the last public appearance of The Boog's goatee!!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Out Of Sight! This was the last public appearance of The Boog’s goatee!! Photo by DJ Xerox

Here’s a list of every record played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Out of Sight:

None of these records are for sale.

Sh-Boom! Sh-Boogaloo!

Josh Styles, Sheila B and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Sh-Boom!

Josh Styles, Sheila B and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Sh-Boom!

Sheila B is a girl on the Go-Go! She puts together groovy compilations of cool music. She DJs at the swingin’est nightclubs. She travels around the world buying records and playing them. She has one of the best blogs on the entire Interweb. She has recently become a fill-in DJ at radio station WFMU. She also is hostess for Sh-Boom, a very hip DJ night that is held monthly at one of Lower Williamsburg’s newest venues, Baby’s All Right. Boogaloo Bag readers will be familiar with her because she frequently guest DJ’d at the Dynagroove—especially the all-girl artist nights called Sophisticated Boom Boom. So, everybody knows Sheila B can deliver the goods at her own show…and does she ever!

Sheila B picks another great record to play at Sh-Boom!

Sheila B picks another great record to play at Sh-Boom!

Sh-Boom features all sorts of groovy sixties music, ranging from pounding Go-Go rhythms to swirling Freak Beat organ stompers; girl group grooves to soulful R&B tracks; from hot soundtrack themes to Euro-pop coolness; from Japanese female funk to fuzzed-out garage rock madness. It is all happening at the Sh-Boom!

 

On Friday April 24, her guest DJs were Josh Styles and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

 

Josh Styles was at the controls at Sh-Boom!

Josh Styles was at the controls at Sh-Boom!

In this town, Mr. Styles is the undisputed king of the Freak Beat record. He’s got a ton of great ones and he is especially adept at knowing when to play them. And how! Plus, he swaps gears gracefully by injecting an R&B basher or an organ-driven monster. When Mr. Styles is at the controls, you will want to be on the dancefloor!

 

Miss Sheila also played some great records—many of which had a distinct international origin; jet-set jams that really swing. The place was jumping all night long.

 

All of our friends came out to swing at Sh-Boom!

All of our friends came out to swing at Sh-Boom!

In order to keep up with these two fabulous youngsters, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus trotted out some of his most favorite records in the world—dig: DC5, CWB, Las Moskas, Ambertones, “Slurp” and “Satisfaction!” Dig it all—every record he played is listed here, some with links to the youtubes so you can, like, really dig them:

None of these records are for sale.

James Hunter Rules!

The James Hunter Six

The James Hunter Six

James Hunter is a blue-eyed R&B singer and guitarist who has been active on the London scene since the mid-Eighties. At that time, he was in a band cleverly called Howlin’ Wilf and the Vee Jays. During the Nineties he formed his own band and played in pubs and club. Soon after the turn of the century, word of Mr. Hunter’s fine, fine music finally spread and he has become a significant cult favorite among those who know.

James Hunter’s music is cool. He has obviously been influenced by such R&B legends as Little Willie John, The “5” Royales, Freddie King, Lee Dorsey and Sam Cooke. But when he writes his own songs and when he sings those of others, being British, he adds his own original stamp and is not just a nostalgia act. Hunter recently released a new LP called Minute By Minute produced by Gabriel Roth (Daptone Records, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings) and, as this is being written, Hunter and his band is in the United States touring and promoting it. If he comes to your town, go see him.

On April 22, The James Hunter Six, took his excellent show to the beautiful new Living Room in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was enlisted to spin records for an after-show party held in the front bar. The party was a gas, with members of the band, and a full Daptone posse, including Mikey Post, Neal Sugarman, Gabriel Roth, Nydia Davila and Sharon Jones in attendance.

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

None of these records are for sale.

Out of Sight!!

All kinds of folks swing at OUT OF SIGHT!

All kinds of folks swing at OUT OF SIGHT!

Out Of Sight, the groovy new soul music dance night created by our pal DJ Xerox and held every Thursday at the Beauty Bar in Manhattan, has quietly become a top attraction in the New York City soul music scene. On April 16, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was paired with Matt Fiveash, which resulted in Out Of Sight having one of its biggest nights yet!

Matt_F

Mr. Fiveash, as all astute students of reet music know, has a music program that airs over the WFMU Give the Drummer Some audio stream. It can be monitored live, as it happens, every Thursday starting at 2pm, Jersey City Standard Time. On his show, he features the sort of music that readers of the Boogaloo Bag will certainly enjoy and it is highly recommended. If you are a first time listener, the Boogaloo Bag suggests that you go to the archives and check out his legendary Thanksgiving broadcast featuring all food records. Dig it here!

These days, a soul music enthusiast in New York City can dig boss sounds three nights in a row of every week—Wednesdays at Botanica with Mr. Fine Wine, Thursdays at the Beauty Bar with Out Of Sight, and Fridays at Home Sweet Home with Jonathan Toubin. One could almost come to the conclusion that Manhattan may soon overtake Brooklyn as the most happening borough in the city—especially if you take into consideration the fact that Subway Soul Club will return to Manhattan on May 9th when it takes place at B.B. King’s Lucille’s night club on 42nd Street!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, including a couple by the great Percy Sledge, who had recently passed away:

  • The Mar-Keys–Bo-Time (Stax)
  • Merl Saunders & Heavy Turbulence–The Iron Horse (Galaxy)
  • The Parkays–Green Monkeys (ABC-Paramount)
  • King Solomon (with the Lad Teens Band)–Louisiana Groove (Cadillac)
  • Willis Jackson–Goose Pimples (Cadet)
  • Image–Funky Thing (Grande)
  • Graham Bonney with Johnny Scott and His Orchestra–Super Girl (Capitol)
  • Hank Ballard and His Midnighters–She’s Got a Whole Lot of Soul (King)
  • King George–Ah Huh (RCA Victor)
  • Lou Courtney–If the Shoe Fits (Popside)
  • Don Bryant–Doing the Mustang (Hi)
  • Jesse Henderson–The Gator (Gold Dust)
  • Jimmy McQuade and the Unique Echos–Booga-Ka-Do (Boogaloo – The Karate Dog) (Swan)
  • T-K-O’s–The Fat Man (Ten Star)
  • King Coleman–Down in the Basement (Togo)
  • Skip Easterling–Ooh Poo Pah Do (Instant)
  • The Monitors–Number One in Your Heart (V.I.P.)
  • JJ Barnes–Our Love (Is in the Pocket) (Groovesville)
  • The Magnificent Men–You Changed My Life (Capitol)
  • Trade Martin–Sixteen Tons (RCA Victor)
  • Wayne Cochran–Get Ready (Chess)
  • The Staple Singers–Love Is Plentiful (Stax)
  • Bogen Richard–I Am My Own Man (Birth)
  • Clarence Reid–Master Piece (Alston)
  • Billy Davis–Stanky (Get Funky) (Cobblestone)
  • The Good Timers–Chain of Fools (Atlantic)
  • Sam Cooke–Shake (RCA Victor)
  • Chuck Berry–Club Nitty Gritty (Mercury)
  • The Showstoppers–Ain’t Nothing but a House Party (Showtime)
  • Johnny Hallyday–Du Respect (Philips; France)
  • Percy Sledge–Baby Help Me (Atlantic)
  • The Ambertone’s–You Don’t Know Like I Know (White Whale)
  • Big Maybelle–How It Lies (Rojac)
  • Rex Garvin and the Mighty Cravers–Sugar Baby (Tower)
  • Edwin Starr–Back Street (Ric-Tic)
  • The Vibrations–Pick Me (OKeh)
  • Bobby Jones and the Para-Monts–Beware a Stranger (U.S.A.)
  • Mongo Santamaria–El Pussy Cat (Columbia)
  • Willie Mitchell–Barefootin’ (Hi)
  • Wayne Logiudice–Ow! Boogaloo (Philips)
  • The Soul Believers–Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go (Smak)
  • Mr. Pitiful–Girl Can’t Help It (Josie)
  • Little Bob and the Lollipops–Twisting Home (Decca)
  • Chan Romero–Humpy Bumpy (Philips)
  • Hues Corporation–Goodfootin’ (Liberty)
  • Vernon Garrett–You Blew My Mind (Kapp)
  • Wilmer & the Dukes–Get Out of My Life Woman (Aphrodisac)
  • Johnnie Mae Matthews and the Wonderettes–Cut Me Loose (Atco)
  • John Ellison–You’ve Got to Have Rhythm (Phil-L.A. of Soul)
  • Laddins–Dizzy Jone’s Birdland (Butane)
  • Donald Bryant–I Like It Like That (Hi)
  • Percy Sledge–Heart of a Child (Atlantic)

None of these records are for sale.

Midnight Boogaloo!!!

Drew Redmond and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Midnight Offerings.

Drew Redmond and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Midnight Offerings.

 

Our pals Josh Styles and Drew Redmond are both super fine DJs of reet music. They have an occasional night together when they play nothing but American garage rock 45 RPM records. The night is called Midnight Offerings and it takes place on the second Saturday of the month at a joint in Bushwick, Brooklyn called the Bootleg Bar.

Since commencing his DJ activities around five or six years ago, Mr. Redmond has quickly become one of the busiest DJs in town. Twice a month he’s at the Bootleg Bar. His Salvation Sunday at the Montana Trail House features gospel, blues and new breed R&B. On the last Friday of the month he swings with Finger Lickin’ Fridays with our pal Charles Gaskins at the Grand Victory. He always seems to have a gig somewhere around the greater Brooklyn area.

Mr. Styles, one of the best DJs on the scene, is also the drummer for that cool blues and rhythm combo Daddy Long Legs. On the evening of Saturday April 11, Mr. Styles was so employed in Washington, D.C., and thus unavailable for Midnight Offerings DJ duties. It was Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus who Mr. Redmond called to swing in his stead!

The Boog rounded up a bunch of old rekkids and made it to the world on time. He adhered pretty much to the “American garage rock” theme, even though Mr. Redmond opened the parameters to include all of North America. The Boog packed a few jams from Mexico and Canada, but none of them were played* (see notes below for possible known obsessive trainspotter exceptions).

 

Drew Redmond in a pensive mood at Midnight Offerings.

Drew Redmond in a pensive mood at Midnight Offerings.

For his part, Mr. Redmond played some fabulous 45s, each with a boss fuzztone-drenched beat and snarling vocals. This Redmond cat has a few killer records! Some of them are featured in a gallery of labels below.

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

None of these records are for sale.

 

  • = To a certain extent, Steppenwolf is a Canadian group—most of its key members are from Toronto, but it was in Los Angeles where it recorded and became famous.
  • The Everyly Brothers are, of course an American singing sensation, however, this particular track was recorded in London with the brothers backed by The Hollies!

Here is a gallery of the records played by Drew Redmond at Midnight Offerings:

BirdDogginGilesStrangeHarmonicaLittleWillie

NobodysChildrenPalmerScotsmenStampedeSwingingMachine