Side A
1. The Beatles: Ain’t She Sweet – 1961
2. Heads In the Sky: Heads in Rio – 1981 *
3. Millie Small: Sweet William – 1964
4. The Searchers: Sweets For My Sweet – 1963
5. Alice Cooper: Sing Low, Sweet Cherio – 1969
6. The Monkees: Sweet Young Thing – 1966
7. Graeme Kirkland & The Wolves: Big Smile – 1989 *
8. Hot Club of Cowtown: Sweet Sue, Just You – 2012
9. Marty Robbins: Sweet Leilani – 1957
10. Dillard & Clark: Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms – 1969
11. Willie Thrasher: Sweet Grass Song – 1981 *
12. Humber River Valley Boys: My Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin’ – 1980 *
13. Miss Terry Parker: Cowboy Sweetheart – 1961 *
14. Wendell Ferguson & The Schotts: Sweet Georgia Brown – *
15. Slowpoke: Sweet Sweet Kiss – 1992 *
16. Rick Scott: Sweet Violence – 1985 *
17. Cindy Church: Sweet Agony – 2013 *
18. Kent Brockwell: Catskinner’s Sweetheart – 1972 *
19. Sweet Daddy Siki: Railway Train – 1973 *
20. Pork Belly Futures: Sweet Daddy – 2008 *
21. Polish Canadians: My Canadian Sweetheart – 1969 *
The Bee Side
1. John Prine: Sweet Revenge – 1973
2. Bahamas: Your Sweet Touch – 2012 *
3. Scott Merritt: Sweet Accident – 1989 *
4. The Jaybirds: Home Sweet Home – 2004 *
5. Chris Barber Special: Sweet Savannah Sue – 1955
6. Sylvia Tyson: Sweet Survivor – 1978 *
7. Dutch Mason Trio: Sweet Little Angel – 1971 *
8. The Cowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane – 1988 *
9. If: Sweet January – 1971
10. Christopher Kearney: Sweetwater – 1974 *
11. Chet Atkins & Lenny Breau: Sweet Georgia Brown – 1983
12. Tony Sheridan & The Beatles: Sweet Georgia Brown – 1961
13. The Flaming Groovies: Absolutely Sweet Marie – 1979
14. Cream: Sweet Wine – 1966
15. Jr. Walker & The All Stars: How Sweet It Is – 1966
16. Heads In The Sky: Atomic Energy Sweet – 1981 *
17. Bunny Hobbs: Goodnight Sweetheart – 1959 *
CanCon* = 58%
And Now for The Particulars
Side A
1. The Beatles: Ain't She Sweet
(Jack Yellin / Milton Ager)
Ain't She Sweet: Atco Records - 33-169
Liverpool UK
John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar
George Harrison: lead guitar
Paul McCartney: bass
Probably Ringo: drums
Produced by Bert Kaempfert, 1961
Recorded at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg, Germany - June 22, 1961
The Beatles needed a drummer, fast, to get gigs in Germany as a rock band,
so they took Pete Best along. When they were asked to accommodate Tony Sheridan
in a recording session as his backup band, producer Bert Kaempfert quickly
realize that Best couldn’t keep time – he was all over the place. Ringo was
playing in Germany at the time with Rory Storm and was asked to sit in, the
first time he ever played with The Beatles and they loved it. It was a dream
for them to play with such an accomplished drummer.
Pete Best claims that he was fired by The Beatles for other reasons,
but check this out: he was rejected (as a drummer) by the Decca producer
who rejected them and by George Martin at EMI and that was why Ringo was
eventually hired as their real drummer.
2. Heads In The Sky: Heads In Rio
(Russ Walker)
Heads In the Sky: Illuminated Records IR 001
Oak Ridges ON
Russ Walker: keys, guitar, percussion
Steve Webster: bass
Gerry Fielding: drums
Chris McKim: mellotron
Produced by Russ Walker, 1981
Recorded by Russ Walker and Brock Fricker, Rene Brossard and Gerry Fielding
Recorded at Brock Sound, Toronto
Mixed at Amber Studios by George Simkiw and Paul Bonish and Zaza Sound, Toronto
The brainchild of Oak Ridges, Ontario musician Russ Walker. The band released
one album and an EP on their own Illuminated Records. The full-length LP
was also released in Japan, Holland and Germany.
Drummer Gerry Fielding had previously been in FAT MOUTH, the house band at
the original 'Electric Circus' in Toronto, and opened for acts like Alice
Cooper, Rod Stewart, and Lighthouse.
3. Millie Small: Sweet William
(Kay / Springer)
45 single bw My Boy Lollipop: Underground Records URC 1150
Gibraltar, Jamaica
Millie Small: vocal
Ernest Ranglin: music director
Produced by Chris Blackwell, 1964
Millicent Dolly May Small 6 October 1946 Gibraltar, Clarendon, Jamaica / d. May 5, 2020, London (72)
What song lurks on the B side to My Boy Lollipop by 16 year old
Jamaican ska singer, Millie Small. I realized that I never actually played
that song before – it’s entirely new to me so here it is about the man she
wished to marry: Sweet William.
Won the Verve Johns Opportunity Hour talent contest at the age of twelve.
Began recording in Jamaica 1962 which brought her to the attention of Chris
Blackwell who became her manager and legal guardian, who in late 1963 took
her to London, where she was given intensive training in dancing and
diction. There she made her fourth recording, an Ernest Ranglin rearrangement
of "My Boy Lollipop" It was the first major hit for Island Records (although
it was actually released on the Fontana label because Chris Blackwell, Island's
owner, did not want to overextend his then-meager resources).
4. The Searchers: Sweets For My Sweet
(Pomus / Schuman)
The Searchers Vol 2: Pye Records 0598
Liverpool
Tony Jackson: lead vocals, bass
John McNally: rhythm guitar, vocals
Mike Pender: lead guitar, lead vocals
Chris Curtis: drums, lead vocals
Produced by Tony Hatch, 1963
After the success of Sugar & Spice, The Searchers’ first
big hit in America, they tried Sweets For My Sweet as a single but it didn’t
chart. The Searchers were being produced by Petula Clark’s husband, Tony
Hatch for the Pye Records label. Instead, Needles and Pins did the job and
a succession of hits came pouring in from Liverpool over the next couple
of years.
5. Alice Cooper: Sing Low, Sweet Cheerio
(Alice Cooper)
Pretties For You: Straight Records – STS 1051
Detroit MI
Alice Cooper, vocals, harmonica
Neal Smith: drums
Dennis Dunaway: bass
Glen Buxton: lead guitar
Mike Bruce: rhythm guitar, keys
Produced by Ian Underwood and Herb Cohen, 1969
Recorded by Dick Kunc 1968
This album was recorded at Frank Zappa’s home studio for his own Straight
Records label in a couple of days. The band actually thought that they were
running through the songs to get ready to record, but Frank kicked them out
of the studio and said that what they did was a take. They left a little
stunned. The front cover of the album was a painting by Edward Beardsley
of a young woman pulling up her skirt, offering herself to an old man who
is holding a beer mug and was sold with a sticker over her underpants. The
actual painting hung in Zappa’s living room for years but mysteriously went
missing.
6. The Monkees: Sweet Young Thing
(Michael Nesmith / Carol King / Gerry Goffin)
The Monkees: Colgems / RCA – COM-101
Los Angeles CA
Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and John London
Guitars: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Michael Deasy
Bass: Bob West
Dano bass: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Mike Deasey
Drums: Hal Blaine, Frank DeVito, Jim Gordon
Violin: Jimmy Bryant
Percussion: Gary Coleman
Piano: Larry Knechtel
Produced by Michael Nesmith, 1966
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; July 18, 1966 (8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.)
This is from the first Monkees album which was mostly produced by songwriters
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Mike Nesmith was allowed to produce two of the
songs on the record, Sweet Young Thing and Papa Jean’s Blues. The Canadian
release claims on the back cover that you can “Watch for THE MONKEES in color
every Sunday night on the CTV network, 7:00 p.m. (EDT).”
I purchased my copy from Holcan Records in Cooksville, ON (now Mississauga) on Saturday, October 22, 1966.
7. Graeme Kirkland & The Wolves: Big Smile
(Graeme Kirkland)
Sleep Alone: Graem Kirkland Music WRC1-6143
Toronto
Graeme Kirkland: drums
George Koller: bass
Geoff Young: guitar
Perry White: sax
Produced by Graeme Kirkland and John MacLeod, 1989
Recorded at Jazz Partners Studio, Toronto
Kirkland was in his early 20s when he recorded his 3 vinyl albums. Often
seen (and heard for blocks) pounding rhythms on overturned buckets, busking
in downtown Toronto, he used to hang around our CIUT studios, sometimes sleeping
on our couch. He was voted "Best Drummer" by NOW magazine's readers consecutively
for 6 years (1996–2001) in their annual Reader's Poll. The runner-up in each
of these 6 years was Neil Peart of Rush.
8. Hot Club of Cowtown: Sweet Sue Just You
(Victor Young / Will Harris)
Rendezvous In Rhythm: Gold Strike Records – GS004
USA
Bass, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jake Erwin
Fiddle, Vocals – Elana James
Guitar, Vocals – Whit Smith
Produced by Lloyd Maines, 2012
Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By Pat Manske
9. Marty Robbins: Sweet Leilani
(H Owens)
Song Of The Islands: Columbia – CL 1087
Glendale, Arizona
Produced 1957
Martin David Robinson b. Sept 26, 1925 Glendale, AZ / d. December 8, 1982 (57) Nashville
During WW2, he was stationed in Hawaii and learned many songs.
He claims that his career really started there. ‘Songs of the Islands’ was
Robbins 3rd album and he captures the mood.
10. Dillard & Clark: Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
(Charlie Monroe)
Through The Morning Through The Night: A&M Records SP 4203
Los Angeles CA
Doug Dillard: vocal, banjo, guitar, fiddle
Gene Clark: vocal, guitar, harp
Donna Washburn: guitar, tambourine, vocal
Byron Berline: fiddle
Jon Corneal: drums
David Jackson: bass, piano, cello, bg vocal
Sneaky Pete: steel
Chris Hillman: mandolin
Bernie Leadon: guitar, bass
Produced by Larry Marks, 1969
Recorded by Dick Bogert and Ray Gerhardt
Harold Eugene "Gene" Clark (b. Tipton Missouri, November 17, 1944 d. Sherman Oaks CA May 24, 1991)
Founded The Byrds with Roger McGuinn
Douglas Dillard (born March 6, 1937, Salem, Missouri - May 16, 2012)
Started playing with The Dillards 1963. Shared members with the
Flying Burrito Brothers: Chris Hillman, Sneaky Pete Kleinow & Bernie
Leadon
11. Willie Thrasher: Sweet Grass Song
(W Thrasher)
Sweet Grass Music: No Label ST-7004
Aklavik, Northwest Territories
Willie Thrasher: guitar, vocal
Willy Mitchell: drum
Produced by Sweet Grass Music, 1981
Recorded by CBC Northern Services in Val d’Or, Quebec
Willie Thrasher b. Aklavik, Northwest Territories 1948
A fan of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Thrasher learned to play drums
and formed a band called the Cordells with his brother and a couple of friends.
They toured northern Canada in the late 1960s and early 1970s, playing schools
and community halls. Based out of Inuvik, they were considered the town's
first rock and roll band, and played mostly contemporary songs and covers.
After a show in the mid-1970s, Thrasher was approached by an elderly man
and challenged as to why he didn't play music that reflected his Inuit heritage.
From that point onward, Thrasher moved into more personal songwriting, learning
guitar and began studying Inuit music.
The cool thing about The Sweet Grass song was that it was written the night
before it was recorded! Thrasher has been a role model for countless young
indigenous singer/songwriters.
12. The Humber River Valley Boys: My Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin’
(Bill Monroe)
They Said It Shouldnt Be Done!: Boot Records BBG 610
Toronto ON
Randy Hill: mandolin, dobro, vocals
Larry Smith: guitar, vocals
Eric Jackson: bass, vocals
Brian Pickell: banjo, vocals
Don Thurston: fiddle, vocals
Produced by Denis LePage, 1980
Recorded at Evolution 2000, Bramalea ON
13. Miss Terry Parker: Cowboy Sweetheart
(Patsy Montana)
Canada's Yodelling Sweetheart: Banff - RBS 1093
North Bay, ON
Producer Not Llisted 1961
Terry Parker “Canada’s Yodeling Sweetheart” aka Theresa Pacaud b. July 21, 1933 Val Gagne, Ontario / Resides in Montreal
After working the Northern Bar Circuit, Terry made her way to the
Toronto club scene where she was ‘discovered’ by Cliff McKay, who invited
her onto his CBC-TV program Holiday Ranch. Beginning January 25, 1955, Terry
was hired to become one of the regular guests on the show. Because of that
she became a much in-demand artist, guesting on The Crang Plaza Jamboree
(Downsview), The Circle B Jamboree, The Main Street Jamboree (Hamilton),
The CKNX Saturday Night Barn Dance (Wingham), The Circle 8 Ranch Hour, The
Hometown Jamboree, and The OK Jamboree out of Cornwall. A guest appearance
on the Don Messer Jubilee TV show also brought Terry in front of a national
audience. Now long retired, she just celebrated her 86th birthday in Montreal
where she lives married Rene Lalonde, a highly decorated Canadian Judo Champion.
14. Wendell Ferguson & The Schotts: Sweet Georgia Brown –
15. Slowpoke: Sweet Sweet Kiss
(Unknown)
Demo Tape: unreleased
Toronto
Elaine Kilpatrick: vocal
Eddie Baltmore: guitar, bg vocal
Mitch Wallace: guitar, bg vocal
Brian Potts: bass
John Maydem: drums
Steve Fruitman: washboard
Produced by Slowpoke, 1992
Recorded at Harris Institute of the Arts, Toronto
16. Rick Scott: Sweet Violence
(Rick Scott / Joe Mock)
Sweet Violence: Jester Records JES A001
Vancouver
Rick Scott: dulcimer, vocals
Harris Van Berkel: guitars, synths, xylophone, strings conductor
Connie Lebeau: bass, accordion
Andy Graffiti: drums, percussion
Donna Gribin: viola
Dianne Berthelsdorf: cello
Eileen Stevens: violin
Paula Wise: violin
Wayne Kozak, Tome Keenlyside: saxes
Produced by Harris Van Berkel and Valley Hennell King, 1985
Mastered at Lacquer channel, Toronto
Played with Pied Pear and Pied Pumkin for most of the 70s and 80s with Joe Mock and Shari Ulrich.
17. Cindy Church: Sweet Agony
(C Church / S Tyson)
Live in Studio, CIUT
Toronto
Cindy Church: guitar, vocal
Produced by Steve Fruitman, 2013
Recorded for Sugarcamp Music
18. Kent Brockwell: Catskinner’s Sweetheart
(Kent Brockwell)
That Old Country Feeling: Cynda Records CNS 1013
Peterborough ON
Kent Brockwell: slide guitar, vocals
Unknown others
Produced by Fred McKEnna, 1972
Recorded by Jim Morgan at Captain audio Studios, Toronto
19. Sweet Daddy Siki: Railway Train
(A Siki)
Sweet Daddy Siki: Periwinkle records PER 7302
Toronto
Sweet Daddy Siki: guitar, vocals
Others unlisted
Produced by Art Snider, 1973
Recorded by Glenn Clarke at Sound Canada, Toronto
20. Pork Belly Futures: Sweet Daddy
(David Gray / Paul Quarrington)
Pork Belly Futures: Cordova Bay CBR 0572
Toronto
Paul Quarrington: vocal, resophonic guitar
Stuart Laughton: harmonica, bg vocal
Martin Worthy: drums
Chris Elliott: bass
Richard Bell: clavinet, Hammond B3
Rebecca Campbell: bg vocal, percussion
David Gray: slide guitar, Whirlitzer
Megan Worthy: bg vocals
Produced by Sylvia Verkley, 2008
Recorded by David Gray at Big World, Toronto
Mastered by Joao Carvalho
21. The Polish Canadians: My Canadian Sweetheart or Oj Marysla
(Jagiello / Guka)
Polkas & Waltzes - For Your Entertainment: Polka Tone Records 5001
Toronto
Ed Guca: accordion, clarinet, sax
No Info on musicians
Produced in 1969
Ed Guca b. Toronto August 7, 1944
Ed Guca formed his first band, The Polka Aces, in high school. He
also took up clarinet and sax. After graduating from University, he took
his band to Chicago where the famous Li’l Wally suggested a new name
for the band: Ed Guca and the Polish Canadians. They traveled throughout
Ontario, into the USA and Europe. He hosted a radio show called "The All
Night Friday Night Polka Party" as a DJ on CHIN-FM here in Toronto. Ed Guca
is still performing and is currently in charge of the entertainment committee
for the Roncesvalles Village Polish Festival in Toronto, promoting polka
music to over 100,000 people each year.
The Bee Side
1. John Prine: Sweet Revenge
(J Prine)
Sweet Revenge: A&M Records - SD 7274
Maywood, Illinois
Reggie Young: elec guitar
Grady Martin: dobro
Jerry Shook: harmonica
David Briggs: organ
Mike Leach: bass
Kenny Malone: drums
Produced by Arif Mardin, 1973
Recorded by Steve Ham at Quadrafonic Sound Studios, Nashville
John Prine b. October 10, 1946 Maywood, Illinois / d. April 7, 2020 (aged 73) Nashville, TN
From Prine’s third album in three years, still amazing everybody.
2. Bahamas: Your Sweet Touch
(Afie Jurvanen)
Barchords: Brushfire Records B0016334-01
Toronto ON
Afie Jurvanen: guitar, vocal
Jason Tait: drums
Darcy Yates: Fender bass
Produced by Robbie Lacritz, 2012
Recorded by Robbie Lacritz
Mastered by Phillip Shaw Bova, Ottawa
Afie Jurvanen (born April 28, 1981, Toronto)
Barchords was the second album by the man who goes by the name Bahamas,
released on February 7, 2012. The album received nomination at the 2013 Juno
Awards for the Adult Alternative Album of the Year. He eventually went on
to win that award with the release of his fifth studio album, Sad Hunk at
the 2021 Juno Awards last Spring. Sweet revenge!
3. Scott Merritt: Sweet Accident
(Scott Merritt)
Violet and Black: Duke St. Records DSR 31057
Brantford ON
Scott Merritt: Guitars, banjos, sitar, vocals
Bob DiSalle: drums
David Woodhead: bass
Doug Wilde: keys
Matt Zimbel: percussion
Willie P Bennett: harmonica
Robert Arthur Williams: percussion
Arthur Barrow: keys, bass, percussion
Greg Roberts: keys
Doug Baynham: bg vocals
Rob Gusevs: hammond, Heys
Brian Leonard: percussion
Mike Sloski: percussion
Produced by Arthur Barrow, 1989
Recorded at Manta Sound Toronto by Ron Searles with Brad Haebnel
and Trax Recording, Hollywood & Santa Monica CA by Eric Westfail
Mastered at Precision Lacquer by Stephen Marcussen
Scott put out four vinyl albums that were highly acclaimed but sold
sporadically. He loves the use of sonics learned from hanging around Grant
Avenue Studios in Hamilton and learning the production arts from Brian Eno
and Daniel Lanois. He set up own studio in Brantford where he’s done work
with Garnet Rogers, Fearing & White, Kevin Breit, Tannis Slimmon, Ian
Tamblyn and Fred Eaglesmith, to name just a few.
4. The Jaybirds: Home Sweet Home
(Trisha Gagnon / John Reischman)
The Road West: Corvus 012
Vancouver BC
John Reischman: mandolin
Trisha Gagnon: bass
Jim Nunally: guitar
Nick Hornbuckle: banjo
Greg Spatz: fiddle
Produced by Jim Nunally and John Reischman, 2004
Recorded by Matt Gephart and Daniel Prothroe at Sage Arts, Arlington WA
Mastered by Ken Lee
5. Chris Barber’s Jazz Band: Sweet Savannah Sue
(Fats Waller)
Chris Barber Special: Nika Jazz Today Series: NJE 1007
London UK
Chris Barber: trombone
Pat Halcox: trumpet
Monty Sunshine: clarinet
Lonnie Donegan: banjo
Ron Bowden: drums
Mickey Ashman: bass
Produced by Denis Preston, 1955
Recorded by Eric Tomlinson
Donald Christopher Barber b. 17 April 1930 Welwyn Garden City UK / d. 2 March 2021 (90)
Barber was an English jazz musician who scored a UK top twenty trad
jazz hit with "Petite Fleur" in 1959 and helped begin the careers of many
musicians. One of them was banjo player Lonnie Donegan, whose appearances
with Barber triggered the skiffle craze of the mid-1950s with his first transatlantic
hit, "Rock Island Line", that he recorded while still performing with Chris
Barber's band. Alexis Korner came out of his band, and Barber sponsored African-American
blues musicians to visit Britain, which makes him a significant figure in
launching the British rhythm and blues and "beat boom" scenes that would
eventually erupt as the British Invasion. He also briefly played with Ken
Colyer’s band.
6. Sylvia Tyson: Sweet Survivor
(Sylvia Tyson)
Satin On Stone: Salt Records SR 101
Toronto
Sylvia Tyson: vocals
Doug Riley: keys
Kim Brandt: bass
Bob McClaren: drums
David Wilcox: lead guitar
Danny (Daniel) Lanois: rhythm guitar
Carla Jenson, Judy Donnelly, Sharon Learning: bg vocals
Produced by Don Potter, 1978
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton
Mixed by Bob Lanois and Don Potter
Mastered at JAMF, Toronto
Sylvia Fricker Tyson b. 19 September 1940 (81) Chatham, ON
Originally teamed up with then husband, Ian Tyson as the folk
duo, ‘Ian & Sylvia’, they were quickly assimilated as folk music royalty,
managed by Bob Dylan’s manager, Albert Grossman, they were lumped with Peter,
Paul and Mary, Buffy St. Marie and Joan Baez. After splitting with Ian during
their phase as Great Speckled Bird, she had a successful solo career, recording
several hit records.
In the early 90’s she performed in Quartette with Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick.
Sylvia Tyson was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1994. She was nominated
seven times for a Juno Award, the first being in 1987 as Country Female Vocalist
of the Year.
7. Dutch Mason Trio: Sweet Little Angel
(Riley BB King / J Taub)
At The Candlelight: Paragon Records ALS 263
Lunenburg NS
Dutch Mason: piano, guitar, vocals
Ronnie Miller: bass
Ken Clattenburg: drums
Bucky Adams: tenor sax
Joe Sealy: organ
Produced by Bill Fisher, 1970
Recorded by Jack Hutchinson
Mixed by Bill Bessey
Cover: Jarvis Darville
Norman Byron Mason b. Lunenburg, NNS 19 Feb 1938 / d. Truro NS 23 Dec 2006 (66)
Interestingly, they (record company) billed this band as a trio
although there were 5 players! Typical for Paragon Records. Sounds like it
was mixed on the fly. Nevertheless, it was by Canada's only ever Prime Minister
of the Blues. Dutch started performing as a musician in the mid-1950s, usually
playing rock and roll or rockabilly standards as well as traditional music
from the Canadian Maritimes. His focus changed after he was introduced
to the blues through the recordings of B. B. King, who soon became a major
influence.
8. The Cowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane
(Lou Reed)
The Trinity Sessions: RCA Victor 8568
Toronto ON
Margo Timmins: vocal
Michael Timmins: guitar
Peter Timmins: drums
John Timmins: guitar
Alan Anton: bass
Kim Deschamps: steel, dobro, slide
Jaro Czerwinec: accordion
Produced by Peter E Moore, 1988
Recorded by Peter Moose at Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, November 27, 1987
9. If: Sweet January
(Dave Quincy / T Preston)
IF3: Capitol Records - SMAS 820
UK
John Mealing: keys
Terry Smith: guitar
Jim Richardson: bass
Dennis Elliot: drums
Dick morrissey: sax, flute
JW Hodkinson: vocals
Dave Quincey: sax, flute
Produced by Jon Child and IF, 1971
Recorded by Frank Owen at Island Studios, London
If was a progressive rock band formed in Britain in 1969. They were
signed by Chris Blackwell to Island Records in the UK and to Capitol Records
in the US and considered heavyweight contenders, blending jazz fusion with
progressive rock. Over the years to come they employed some pretty good musicians
– 21 of them – but I’m only aware of one or two!
10. Christopher Kearney: Sweetwater
(Bob Yeomans)
Sweetwater: EMI Capitol ST 6424
Toronto
Christopher Kearney: vocals, guitars
Bob Yeomans: guitars
Gene Falbo: bass
Jon Goldsmith: bg vocals, keys
Al Brisco: pedal Steel
Dido: congas
Ben Mink: violin
Produced by Gene Martynec and Lee De Carlo, 1974
Christopher Kearney b. Toronto 1947
Kearney became serious about music in the mid-60's after relocating
to the US West coast where he met Gordon Lightfoot who put up the money for
his first demo recordings. In the early 80s Kearney joined CHINA with fellow
Canadians Bill King and Danny McBride for one album on CBS Records. Currently
living in San Diego
Songwriter Bob Yeomans was originally from Sault Ste. Marie ON, came to Toronto
in the ‘60s and joined The Amen. Later he was part of Jackson Hawke who put
out a couple of albums in the 1970s.
11. Chet Atkins & Lenny Breau: Sweet Georgia Brown –
(Ben Bernie / Maceo Pinkard / Kenneth Casey)
Standard Brands: One Way Records AYL1-4191
Bangor, Maine / Nashville TN
Lenny Breau: guitar (left speaker)
Chet Atkins: guitar (right speaker)
Produced by Chet Atkins, 1983
12. Tony Sheridan & The Beatles: Sweet Georgia Brown
(Ben Bernie / Maceo Pinkard / Kenneth Casey)
Ain't She Sweet: Atco Records - 33-169
Liverpool UK
Tony Sheridan: vocal
John Lennon - rhythm guitar
George Harrison - lead guitar
Paul McCartney – bass
Roy Young – piano
Ringo Starr – drums
Produced by Bert Kaempfert, 1961
Recorded at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg, Germany - 24 May 1962
The Beatles had recorded a number of songs with Tony Sheridan in Hamburg
on 22-24 June 1961. Nearly a year later they taped two more songs with the
singer. The session came about due to a contract The Beatles had signed with
Bert Kaempfert, who had produced the 1961 recordings. When Brian Epstein
began managing the group and started looking for a record deal, he discovered
that they were still technically under contract with Kaempfert.
Epstein and Kaempfert agreed that The Beatles would be released from their
obligation if they recorded one more session with Sheridan when they next
returned to Hamburg. It took place on this day at the city's Studio Rahlstedt,
situated at Gebäude M1, Rahlau 128, Hamburg-Tonndorf.
The songs were Swanee River and Sweet Georgia Brown, the latter arranged
by Paul McCartney. Performing with The Beatles was pianist Roy Young, who
had been informally accompanying with the group at the Star-Club. Tony Sheridan,
however, didn't make it to the session. He overdubbed his vocals onto Sweet
Georgia Brown on 7 June 1962, and it was released on a German EP, Ya Ya,
later that year. Sheridan re-recorded the vocals on 3 January 1964, prior
to The Beatles' arrival in America. He included mention of The Beatles’ hair
in this version.
"in Liverpool she even dares to criticise the Beatles' hair with their whole fan-club standing there oh Sweet Georgia Brown."
13. The Flaming Groovies: Absolutely Sweet Marie
(Bob Dylan)
Jumpin' In The Night: Sire Reecords SRK 6067
San Francisco CA
Cyril Jordan: guitar, vocal
Chris Wilson: guitar, vocal
Mike Wilhelm: guitar
George Alexander: bass
David Wright: drums
Produced by Cyril Jordan and Roger Bechirian, 1979
Recorded by Roger Bechirian at Eden Studios, Advision Studios, London UK
Roy Loney b. 1946 / d. Dec 13, 2019 San Francisco (73)
The band started in San Francisco in 1965, led by Roy Loney and
Cyril Jordan. Loney left the band in 1971 to pursue other interests. He was
born on a Friday the 13th and he died on a Friday the 13th. He was being
operated on when he died.
14. Cream: Sweet Wine
(Ginger Baker / Janet Godfrey)
Fresh Cream: Polydor CP 594 001
London UK
Ginger Baker, drums
Jack Bruce, bass
Eric Clapton, guitar
Produced by Robert Stigwood, 1966
Recorded at Rayrik Studios and Ryemuse Studios, London by John Timperley
Released December 9, 1966
15. Jr. Walker & The Allstars: How Sweet It Is
(L Dozier / B Holland / E Holland Jr)
Road Runner: Tamla / Motown SL 703
Blytheville AK
James Graves drums
Vic Thomas keyboards
Junior Walker saxophone, vocals
Willie Woods guitar
James Jamerson - bass
Produced by Johnny Bristol, Henry Cosby, Lamont Dozier, Harvey
Fuqua, Berry Gordy, Jr., Brian Holland, Lawrence Horn, Mickey Stevenson,
1966
Mastered by Ellen Fitton
Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. b. June 14, 1931 / d. November 23, 1995, Battle Creek Mich (64)
16. Heads In The Sky: Atomic Energy Sweet
Heavy Water (Russ Walker)
Meltdown (Russ Walker)
Requiem: (Russ Walker)
Heads In the Sky: Illuminated Records IR 001
Oak Ridges ON
Russ Walker: keys, guitar, percussion
Steve Webster: bass
Gerry Fielding: drums
Chris McKim: mellotron
Produced by Russ Walker, 1981
Recorded by Russ Walker and Brock Fricker, Rene Brossard and Gerry Fielding
Recorded at Brock Sound, Toronto
Mixed at Amber Studios by George Simkiw and Paul Bonish and Zaza Sound, Toronto
The brainchild of Oak Ridges, Ontario musician Russ Walker. The band
released one album and an EP on their own Illuminated Records. The full-length
LP was also released in Japan, Holland and Germany.
17. Bunny Hobbs: Goodnight Sweetheart
(J Campbell / Reg Connoly)
Canada's Sweetheart - Bunny Hobbs: Rodeo International - RLP 96
Halifax, NS
Baz Russell & His Orchestra
Produced by George Taylor, 1959
Lorraine Hobbs b. Halifax April 22, 1925 / d. Friday, March 11, 2005 Lower Sackville NS
