The Mad Lads in Action   Volt Records   (1966)   One of the few vocal groups on the Stax roster during the ’60s, the Mad Lads’ doo wop-influenced harmonies were more akin to what you might find in Philadelphia soul acts than those of their native Memphis.   Action includes all of the Mad Lads first recordings, except for their debut “Sidewalk Surf.” (Remakes comprise 25-percent of the album.)   The waltz tempo, “I Want Someone” went to number ten (R&B) and number 74 (Pop), and is their biggest selling single.     “Don’t Have to Shop Around,”   was the group’s second best-selling record, charting at number 11 (R&B) and number 93 (Pop).

The C.O.D.’s hit the big-time with “Michael the Lover,” but listening to the Mad Lads re-recording, you’d think it was written just for them.   Listen up: Michael the Lover (lp version)

(35 votes, average: 4.23 out of 5)

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“Sexual I.Q. Test”   (1972) Score YOURSELF.   Recommended for GROUP PARTICIPATION as well as individual (editor’s note: !).   “100 intimate questions to PROBE your sex life.” “Asks you about: Your Sexual Attitudes – Your Sexual Technique – Lovemaking, Intercourse, THE ORGASM and You – ORAL Sex, Erotica and Fantasy”   “Learn … whether you are sexually superior, sexually average or sexually below average.   Learn about your loved ones and friends as well” (editor’s note: !)   Sample question:   “It arouses me sexually to see my sex partner naked”   True or False   (editor’s note: !)

(38 votes, average: 2.95 out of 5)

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This looks like Buffy from “Family Affair” grew up and formed a vocal group with three of her fans in Germany.

In fact, Buffy (Anissa Jones) overdosed in 1976, at the age of 18.     Another one lost to the ravages of early stardom and drugs.

(35 votes, average: 3.26 out of 5)

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“Louis and the Good Book”   Louis Armstrong with the Sy Oliver Choir and the All-Stars   (1958) Decca Records

This is a collection of gospel songs, spirituals, homilies, and comic vignettes.   This is Armstrong at his most essential. It’s the real honest him. Armstrong takes a few trumpet solos, but his voice is what is showcased, and God is honored here.

Personnel includes: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Sy Oliver Choir (vocals); Trummy Young (trombone); Hank D’Amico, Edmond Hall, Dave McRae (clarinet); Billy Kyle (piano); Nickie Tragg, Harry Mills (organ); George Barnes (guitar); Joe Benjamin, Mort Herbert (bass); Johnny Blowers, Barrett Deems (drums).   Backed by a gospel vocal group led by   jazz arranger Sy Oliver.

Recorded in August 1950 in New York, New York.   Produced by Mort Gabler. Liner notes by Martin Williams.,

Includes:   “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel,” “Going to Shout All Over God’s Heaven,” and “Didn’t it Rain,” as well as “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from GUYS AND DOLLS.     Also “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “Shadrack,”   “Go Down, Moses,”   “Rock My Soul,”   “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel,” “On My Way,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “Jonah and the Whale,” and “This Train”

(36 votes, average: 3.83 out of 5)

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“Getting Friendly With Music”   Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra   RCA Victor Records

(37 votes, average: 3.89 out of 5)

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Don Mario Suarez   Discolando Records Venezuela

(34 votes, average: 3.53 out of 5)

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Kommt Und Singt Mit PITTI PLATCH   Eterna Records

(45 votes, average: 3.13 out of 5)

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“Os Brotos Comandam” Clemar de Oliveira e su Orquestra   MusiColor Records (Brazil)

(42 votes, average: 3.79 out of 5)

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Barbara Lewis “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing”   Atlantic Records   (1968)   Listen up: workin-on-a-groovy-thing

Patti Drew “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” Capitol Records (1968)   Listen up: workin-on-a-groovy-thing

One of my favorite soul songs, “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” was actually written by Neil Sedaka.   It was first recorded by Chicago songstress Patti Drew for Capitol Records in 1968.   Barbara Lewis’ version (top) followed Patti’s that same year.     (The next year it became a bigger hit for “The 5th Dimension” which, as they did with others’ songs many times,   charted with a “poppier” version.)

Which one do you think is groovier?

(36 votes, average: 3.81 out of 5)

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