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Old New York

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Street life

The Coasters on Broadway on King Records   (1973)   A Leiber-Stoller Production     Re-recordings of classic Coasters’ cuts like “On Broadway,” “D.W. Washburn,” plus others like “Mohair Sam,” “Mustang Sally”and “Cool Jerk”.   But the funky stand-out is perhaps “Down Home Girl” which has been sampled many times.   This is what Funky 16 Corners says:

First waxed in 1964 by the mighty Alvin Robinson for the Red Bird label (one of my all time fave records), ‘Down Home Girl’ was written by Jerry Lieber and Art Butler. In it’s original form (produced by Lieber and Mike Stoller and arranged by Joe Jones) it is one of the grittiest pieces of New Orleans-associated soul ever to hit wax.   The following year, the Rolling Stones, knowing a good thing when it crawled into their ears, recorded a version of their own.   The version I bring you today see’s Lieber and Stoller taking the song out for a stroll once again, with one of their favorite groups, the legendary Coasters.   By 1966, when the group went into the studio with L&S (Stoller producing) they were a few years past their last big hit (‘Little Egypt’ hit the Top 40 in 1961).

The Coasters version of ‘Down Home Girl’ – taken at a slightly more deliberate pace than Robinson – opens with a horn/drums/vibes riff that is verily begging to be looped by some enterprising producer, and features some classic group harmony. Much of the humor associated with the Coasters is there, though it gets delivered not via the performance itself, but rather through Lieber’s hyperbolic lyrics. Where Robinson’s reading of the song is dripping with unbridled lust (thanks in large part to his awesome, soulful growl) the Coasters vocal arrangement, with tenor and bass trading lines allows them to highlight the absurdity of some of the lines.   It really is a lost classic, and one of the finer versions of a truly great song.


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (53 votes, average: 3.53 out of 5)
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El Cuchy Frito Man

“Oye El Cuchy Frito Man”   Ray Terrace Featuring Vocalists Manny Roman and Willie Torres.   Jubilee Records.   Swinging Boogaloo from 1965!   Arranged by Ray’s Brother Pete Terrace.   Tracks include:   ABANIQUITO / CUCHY FRITO MAN / SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE / LOCO Y CONTENTO / HI HI HI / EN EL BARRIO / SONANDO / GUAGUANCO PARA LOS POLLOS / GOZANDO MI SON.   Cover Photo by Frank Lerner.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (52 votes, average: 3.85 out of 5)
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Open city

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“New York, New York” Composed and conducted by Harry Geller. RCA Victor. A nice triptik, gatefold photo of the city’s skyline at night.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (30 votes, average: 3.80 out of 5)
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City lights

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“The Sound of New York” A Music-Sound Portrait. (1959) Written by Kenyon Hopkins. Produced by Creed Taylor. ABC-Paramount’s Aristocrat Series. Kenyon Hopkins is already represented on Lp Cover Lover with his soundtracks “The Hustler” and “Baby Doll.”

Frank Rehak, Wayne Andre, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Saracco (tb); Bill Hixon (b-tb); Phil Woods (as); Ray Beckenstein (as, bs, b-cl, f); Harold Feldman (as, oboe); Phil Bodner (eng hrn, f); Barry Galbraith, Mundel Lowe (g); Wendell Marshall (b); Osie Johnson, Phil Kraus, Joe Venuto (perc); The Geri Beitzel Singers (vcl); Rudolph Desco (voice); Keene Crockett (sound effects); Kenyon Hopkins (arr).

a. The Sound Of New York (Arrival) (Kenyon Hopkins) – 2:29

b. Manhattan(Rodgers/Hart) – 2:44

c. Taxi Ride (Kenyon Hopkins) – 2:09

d. Take The “A” Train (Subway) (Billy Strayhorn) – 2:50

e. Waterfront (Kenyon Hopkins) – 2:59

f. Penthouse Serenade (Cocktail Party) (Jason/Burton) – 2:34

g. East Side, West Side(Fifth Avenue Parade) – 2:08

h. Construction (Kenyon Hopkins) – 2:06

i. Chinatown, My Chinatown (Chinese New Year) (Jerome/Schwartz) – 2:22

j. Coney Island Visit (Kenyon Hopkins) – 3:16

k. Lullaby Of Broadway(Dubin/Warren) – 2:5

l. The Sound Of New York (Departure) (Kenyon Hopkins) – 1:36

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (39 votes, average: 4.38 out of 5)
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