A bit late … but here are Honorable Mentions 121-130
More cool stuff for your listening pleasure. These are some of my faves!
(If you’re wondering about the parameters and what we’re doing, you can find them HERE)
130: Piltdown Men – “Brontosaurus Stomp” (1960)
Have I mentioned that I love old rock ‘n’ roll instrumentals? And tympani, too … you don’t hear them much on rock records. This one was produced by Ed Cobb (who I became aware of through his involvement with the Standells — he co-wrote “Dirty Water” and “Sometimes the Good Guys Don’t Wear White”). He also co-wrote the song “Tainted Love,” which was a minor ’60s hit for Gloria Jones and a major ’80s smash for Soft Cell. Niagara Falls’ own Tommy Tedesco was on bass. Sometimes goofiness rules
129: James “Sugarboy” Crawford – “Jock-A-Mo” (1954)
You may this one better by the name “Iko Iko.” The Dixie Cups had a big pop hit with it under that name in 1965, but I have a preference for originals, and this is it. It’s taken from the chants of the Mardi Gras “Indians” and has become a standard. You can find lots of versions of it, with Dr. John doing a notable version and the Belle Starrs having a 1989 hit with their version that was in the film “Rain Man.”
128: Duane Eddy & the Rebels – “Rebel Rouser” (1958)
This is another classic rock ‘n’ roll instrumental. Does it get any cooler than this?
127: James Carr – “The Dark End of the Street” (1967)
This is a classic cheater’s ballad, and what makes it is James Carr’s bottomless deep voice. This song could be the definition of what soul music is … especially the strain known as “deep soul.”
126: The Cowslingers – “West Virginia Dog Track Boogie” (1999)
If you were at the Steam Donkeys’ Americanarama shows from roughly 1998 to 2003, you probably know this song. The Cowslingers would come in from Cleveland and ransack the stage. … This song is another bit of silliness, a trailer trash ode to dog racing as a John Lee Hooker/Z.Z. Top boogie, as Americana as a corndog (with cheese fries). … I wound up doing the Cowslingers’ website for a few years, too.
125: Wanda Jackson – “Let’s Have a Party” (1958)
Ah, Wanda. Your voice was a little froggy. You dated Elvis before he signed with RCA. You sing lyrics like “I never kissed a bear, I never kissed a goon, But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room” as if they make sense. … This is actually a case where Elvis cut the first version of a song and somebody else had the bigger hit with it later. This version was recorded in 1958 and became a minor hit in 1960. … Jackson released what will probably be her final album earlier this year, a duets album produced by Joan Jett that was recorded in 2019, around the time Jackson had a stroke.
124: Tom Robinson Band – “2-4-6-8 Motorway” (1977)
Tom Robinson will probably always be remembered best for the song “Glad to Be Gay,” a real groundbreaker and a hit as part of a TRB EP in England. “2-4-6-8 Motorway” was their signature hit, though. At the time it was considered “punk,” but in some ways set the stage for what was evolving into new wave.
123: The Who – My Generation (1966)
This song could be in the top 10 some days. It’s a classic that doesn’t really need much explanation.
122: Townes Van Zandt – “Pancho & Lefty” (1972)
This is a story with a history. Van Zandt first released it in 1972, but I like this live version from 1993 (but recorded in 1978) best. It’s probably best known for the Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard rendition that was a No. 1 country hit in 1983. What does it all mean? Townes himself said, “I’ve always wondered what it’s about.” He died in 1997.
121: The Byrds – “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” (1965)
This is a Byrds song that I came to later, partly through the Dinosaur Jr. version on a Byrds tribute album. I like a lot of Byrds songs, but this one appeals most to my rock ‘n’ roll heart.
So there you have it, our next 10 honorable mentions on the way toward the Top 100. Enjoy!