I've always loved this song, not least because of the coy "Oh yes" Roy Wood interjects just before the guitar solo begins, but also because the combination of Zeppelin riffage and oboes or saxes (or whatever the hell the woodwind instruments are on the track) is just so wonderfully bozoid.
I should also add that, back in the day, my old garage band chums The Weasels used to warm up by playing this as an instrumental, sans the lyrics. It sounded like some kind of mutant surf song, and it always used to crack us up.
We were easily amused, obviously.
24 comments:
Wow. Seriously, wow. Now that I've heard this, there are echoes of it in one of my favorite ELO tracks, "Birmingham Blues". And I can see why it wasn't so far-fetched for Lynne to produce Joe Walsh's 2012 pretty-damned-good-and-much-better-than-it-had-any-right-to-be "Analog Man".
Love this track. For years I thought Bevan wrote it, but it was Roy throwing him a bone.
Guitars tuned down deliciously. I'm not entirely sure exactly what the song's about, but it rocks nonetheless. Any enlightenment would be appreciated.
Vickie Rock - I can really do the brontosaurus, I can scream the heeby jeeby all night. I can turn the volume up - until you blow your speaker cone. Oh yes.
I still remember seeing Roy Wood doing "Brontosaurus" on Top of the Pops in 1970.
Re: Something Else - Does anyone have any idea who the vocalist is on "Something Else"? I'm pretty sure it's not Carl Wayne, Roy Wood or Bev Beven.
Capt. Al
It may have been Kefford -- apparently he was the hardcore rocker of the bunch.
...and Kefford definitely could sing.
About 10-12 years ago, British reissue company Castle/Sanctuary put out a "lost" Ace Kefford album from 1968, entitled "ACE THE FACE." There's some good stuff on it; the opening track, "Oh, Girl" (not a cover of the Chi-Lites), I still find addictive whenever I play the CD.
J. Lag
Such persistence is admirable Captain Al. Obsession's even better. It's a fine line twixt the two.
The unequivocal answer is written on a note which I've nestled between my breasts. It is right on the tip of my tongue. However, my lips are sealed.
I've got something you want. But useless begging won't do. Work for it baby. Earn it.
You know that I know. But that would be too easy. Wouldn't it? Nobody gets a piece of this puzzle without taking the journey.
You can start with "Unexpected Messages." Then "Roy Wood: The Move, Wizzard and Beyond". Scour them and you may still come up empty handed.
Only I know for sure, as I laugh wickedly:-)
Vickie Rock - reveling in depravity
I remember Steve mentioning the "Oh Yes" in a list of favorite tiny moments in rock n roll for Stereo Review. Funny that it's the only one I remember.
Based on this, I think Ace Kefford is a good guess for Something Else.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-70yTg-Qbk
Check out his cover of "For Your Love" on YouTube.
I think we're right about him being the singer on "Something Else."
If that ACE THE FACE cd is still available, I think I need a copy.
STEVE,
Re: the ACE THE FACE CD
Unfortunately for fans of good-quality, reasonably priced CD reissues, Castle/Sanctuary, which was based in the U.K., went out of business about seven years ago, so it is no longer being manufactured. Nonetheless, I'm sure you can find it on one of those internet-market sites (eg. amazon) for a decent price. If not, I'll check around and - no kidding- I'll make arrangements to get it to you.
J. Lag
J. Lag --
Just ordered a copy at Amazon -- arrives on Monday!
I am excited.
:-)
STEVE-
Glad you are getting a copy, and so quickly. By the way, it'll have extensive liner notes.
J. Lag
So Vickie, here's a thought:
Since the vocals were overdubbed maybe we'll keep finding versions of each of the five members of The Move taking turns doing the lead vocal. That would be a hoot.
Maybe there could be versions with Jeff Lynne and Rick Price also singing it.
The version you posted is really difficult too tell who the hell is singing with the overlapping vocals by more then one singer. I really opened a can of worms by asking the original question.
Allan R. (Capt. Al)
I finally dug out my Edsel Records cd and read more closely. The original recordings were made at the Marquee on February 27, 1968, and the overdubs mid-March. The only clue afforded checking the dates is that Bev Bevan did not attend the vocal overdubs. Ace Kefford was still in the band for the recordings, but he did not make the photo on the back.
The credits read:
Carl Wayne-vocals
Roy Wood- guitar, vocals
Ace Kefford- bass, vocals
Bev Bevan- drums
Trevor Burton- guitar
If it's not Roy or Carl, it's Ace.
The version shared by Vickie sounds like two takes of the same singer. In fact, I'm fairly sure it's two different mixes superimposed, as they aren't perfectly synched.
Ace is still our man.
Ace is the Face! Thank you Detective Squad!
Allan R. (Capt. Al)
"She's sure good lookin' man. She's somethin' else." A single vocalist sings this bit on the "second version" which I submitted [where Roy's guitar solos are arguably better and the audience is real]. Compare and contrast that line with the other version. Is it the same singer? Also compare the vocals after the guitar break in each version. Do you hear a traces of another "ghost" vocal in version one at the beginning of this passage? Do you believe it's the same singer in each version? Is BBJ correct about there only being one un-synched singer in the mix? Or did two guys sing this in unison for one of the takes?
It's important to check your work and the work of record companies. You may not be out of the woods yet. Or are you?
Vickie Rock - leaving you with a shadow of a doubt and a tin of wriggling bait:-)
The Beat Club stuff is great, many hours to great viewing.
I know know Roy & Carl sing Fire Brigade.
Thanks
Capt. Al
Well. Have the experts made a definitive determination?
Be advised that what little source material is available is often incorrect. Were those overdubs really performed in Mid-March? Was the EP released in September? Or earlier that summer? Why the wait? Was Ace in the band for their Beat Club performance which aired April 6, 1968? Is the Edsel personnel information correct?
You can get the answer to this burning question the same way that I did. By undoing my bra. Clasp is in the front guys. All will be revealed.
Vickie Rock - Free 'Em
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a535/VanessaStone/To%20the%20Nth%20Degree/Take-It-Like-A-Man_zps1a5eeecc.jpg
Gee, Vickie, I don't know. Watching the video, and comparing voices still points me in Ace's direction. His voice seems to go a little earthier.
The lack of synch I heard was not in the voices but in the drums. I'm curious how you came to that conclusion.
I'm curious how you arrived at Trevor being the singer on Something Else, not what was implied above.
And BTW you are Something Else.
BBJ: Good morning [well, it's morning for me even if it's past 2:30]. I just jumped from the balcony into the pool. Was up kinda late last night and it was daylight before I konked out. Needed a good cool splash after chopping all that morning wood. Sandy's making breakfast and I can smell that gourmet bacon all the way upstairs. Mmmm, I haven't eaten since yesterday's lunch. Positively ravenous.
BTW, I missed Stephanie this morning.:-(
With regard to Trevor being the vocalist on Something Else: I based my conclusion on print interviews with Trevor and Bev Bevan. Also on people I've spoken with over the years who had seen the act in their heydey.
You're right about Ace having an earthy quality - when he wants [as in his portions of the lead in Night of Fear and Grass Grow]. Ace's soulful voice is Winwood meets a lower registered Marriott by way of Skip Spence [fitting in more ways than one] when he sings in that style.
But he can also be poppish, as in his lead vox on Yellow Rainbow (yes, I know, Roy sings the middle section etc.) and Don't Throw Stones At Me.
At 2:30 on this clip is Don't Throw Stones at Me with Ace lead vox in a more pop style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoRIlVCcA4U
For the version of "Somethin Else" which Steve presented, the one that ended up on the EP, Trevor handles the lead vox. He also sang lead on Cochran's "Weekend" which appeared on the debut LP. Wikipedia will tell you it's Carl Wayne on lead on that one, but it's dead wrong. It's totally Trevor.
Here's "Weekend":
http://www.divshare.com/download/26126579-e24
With regard to the version that I presented, it's a whole new bed of snakes ready to rhumba. And I love me some morelia spilota slithering up and around my legs. So cool, soft, sensual and loving. It's as delicious as the caress of Satan. Been into 'em since the days of drug trade when my ex introduced them into the boudoir.
Vickie Rock - The aroused serpent dwells in my lusty spine. He slithers in my loins and infuses my blood with the intoxicating venom of guiltlessness and liberation. I am more than happy to worshipfully serve, feed and milk him. I long for him to raise his sweet head and strike me with his honeyed kisses. Ooh yess.
Interesting he's not credited for vocals, yet the liners say everyone but Bev attended the overdubs. That he made the back cover picture suggests you are correct. That someone fired (Ace) would sing lead on the title track doesn't quite wash.
That you annoy the shit out of some here doesn't bother me as your passion and knowledge is undeniable.
Keep rocking the boat.
The Move traded off on vocals a lot. The fact that Trevor and Ace could vary their voices makes identifying the singers somewhat difficult. I don't know of many rock bands who have three guys swapping lead vox during one song. Well, there's Three Dog Night, but Cory, Chuck and Danny are pretty easy to pick out.
US audiences had no opportunity to ever see the original five-piece Move, which also contributes our difficulties. When I go to England next month, I'm gonna try to hit up a few old geezers who can give me reliable eyewitness accounts of the early band's gigs. Guys that don't mind being recorded. I have a few peripheral dudes in mind already. Who knows what I'll learn.
Also, one of these days I'm gonna go to my storage facility and pull out my complete runs [1962-1982] of NME, Melody Maker and other UK trade papers. Those are terrific sources of weekly information which transport you through time. But I have to have the time and perseverance to make that journey and still have it be fun. When the mood strikes .... I'm there.
Free time and fun is the name of the game. That's been the driving goal in my life for my loves, my kids and anyone I feel like "turning on" along the path. Livin'.
Vickie Rock - Headin' to the Harbor House in Sunset Beach to hang with my daughter Volupta and her boyfriends.
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