Track listing/notes by the Old Road Hog himself:
Butterballs, "Butterballs, Part 1"
No idea who this guy was. He borrows a lot of lines from the great NYC DJ Frankie Crocker (or maybe it's the other way around). Wish I could hear "Butterballs, Part 2."
Roland Kirk, "One Ton"
This is all great, especially the flute solo and the nose flute solo, but pay a little attention to the bass: given every opportunity to get funky and change it up, he never does. Seriously, try to play along with it, it's an exercise in self-restraint.
Swamp Dogg, "Total Destruction To Your Mind"
The first song on his first album, and still his greatest. And he has a lot of great stuff. "But "Sittin' on a cornflake, ridin' on a rollerskate" is one of the greatest lyrics ever laid down.
Blossom Dearie, "If I Were A Bell"
An amazingly perfect Frank Loesser song and lyric from Guys and Dolls. Doesn't really fit in this mix but I wanted to hear it right then. The guitar (Mundell Lowe) and bass (Ray Brown) on this is great.
Andre 3000, "I Do"
I'm still trying to figure some of this. Three Stacks is the master of his own style, which is the opposite of flow, well maybe it's like rocky rapids. Plus all the Lenny Williams samples...
Prince Buster, "It's Burke's Law"
I think this is a cover of a TV theme. Anyway, it's country-western ska and it's GENIUS.
The J.B.'s, "Breakin' Bread"
James Brown's band waxing nostalgic about mom's cooking and having a large family. Warning: this is CATCHY. You will find yourself singing it. Great words, wonderful guitars.
Wilson Pickett, "Ninety-Nine And A Half Won't Do"
Slow and steady wins the race. I don't even have to say anything, this is so obviously great.
Bobby Womack, "I Don't Wanna Be Hurt By Ya Love Again"
I love Bobby Womack with big fat string- and horn-filled arrangements, it makes the guitar playing (by Bobby himself? don't know) and his astonishing voice sound so nice and nasty.
Todd Rundgren, "Baby, Let's Swing"
The chameleon in the form of a male Carole King. This wasn't a TV theme but that's an oversight. Sorry, another indulgence of mine.
Lenny Williams, "Cause I Love You"
Sampled earlier in the Andre 3K track. Former Tower Of Power lead singer goes solo, and why not, he has the best-sounding voice of anyone who ever lived.
Great lyric, amazing songwriting, and whoever the musicians are, they're at the top of their game.
The Isley Brothers, "Cold Bologna"
Back to earth with this Bill Withers cover. Ronald Isley is another great voice, and the Isleys always make everything funky and great, even with some acoustic guitars. Love when the drums come in.
Dee Dee Warwick, "You're No Good"
This is Dionne's sister. She only had a few hits ("Foolish Fool" is the greatest one). I never liked this song because I'd only heard the dull Linda Ronstadt version. This one rules, especially the filthy guitar solo. But listen to what the drummer is doing. Can you do that?
Clint Eph. Sebastian and the Junkers, "Jane"
From a great comp called "Money No Be Sand", all songs from African bands under the influence of the Beatles and the sound of the sixties. The guitar solo in this is just crazy.
Stevie Wonder, "If You Really Love Me"
Is this top 40? It should be Top 1. FOREVER. The right-channel horns on the chorus are really beautiful. (Oh yeah, get out your headphones for this one.) I love the garbagey drums (played by Stevie) and handclaps compared to the gorgeous horns and that motherfucker of a bassline. The girl singer and co-writer (with Stevie) is Mrs. Wonder, Syreeta Wright (1946-2004). The song went to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Charles Wright and the 103rd Street Rhythm Band, "Let's Make Love, Not War"
The same guy who does "Express Yourself." I lo
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