The search for vinyl in Memphis: Shangri-La Records

It would be hard for me to visit a city like Memphis, so rich in musical history, and not go on the hunt for a few soul 45s and a couple of southern garage records. It would be like being in Pontedera, Italy and not stopping by the Piaggio factory.

Things have changed slightly since I first started seeking out record stores while on vacation in various American cities. Now that I have a considerable amount of the "classics" in my collection, I gradually eased over to the more collectable and rare stuff. You never saw me pay over 30$ for a 7" before. Now, if the track is, as my mate Eric Colin would say a "Monster", I’m ready to part with my hard earned cash. One important criteria remains, it has to be a tune you'll dance to. Moving feet and sweat are part of the equation.

So I did my usual homework and surfed the web to find the best record shops Memphis had to offer. I also asked the kind Memphians, every chance I got, if they had any recommendations. One name kept popping up: Shangri-La Records. Situated midtown, we took the historic wooden tramway from downtown to the last stop. From there, it's a brisk 20-minute walk to the store at 1916 Madison Avenue.

As soon as you walk through the door of this converted house, you are faced with a few shelves of desirable soul and rock 45s. There's a sizeable amount of rare tracks up for grabs. How do I know they are rare? It says so on the box!

In the adjacent room, you'll find all your favorite northern soul artists and labels well categorized in different sections. If you are heavy into Stax, you will be well served. Chances are you'll find what you are looking for. Make sure you have a look at their smaller but well garnished 60s garage section on the nearby wall. A turntable is also at your disposal.

I didn't leave with a boatload of records but I'm very satisfied with the quality of the merchandise. Andrew was also very kind and helpful. Always make sure you ask him to see the pricey items he has behind the counter. Starting at around 30$ a 45, you'll find a few dozen mint copies of the really cool stuff. Ask nicely and he'll play a few for you.

I had a quick look at the LP section and was very pleased to find a nice copy of The Young Holt Trio's album Wack Wack. The title song being one of my favorite soul instrumental tracks, along with Green Onions of course, I didn't hesitate to add it to my half a dozen singles. It was only once I got home that I realized that I had actually bought a never opened, sealed copy of the album. The plastic being ripped in the top corner led me to believe that the album wasn't sealed and I hadn't even bothered looking at the condition of the record before purchasing it.

My only complaint is about having price tags being partly put on the label of the 45s. When I carefully peeled off the 30$ price tag off a mint copy of a Sunny & the Sunliners 7", the label was slightly damaged. The only consolation is that it's on the B-side.

These are some of the treasures I left with.

Hip Huggin Mini - Sunny & the Sunliners - RPR Records

Love Power - The Sandpebbles - Calla Records

The Volumes - You got It Baby - Inferno Records

Look What You've Done To My Heart - Shirley & The Shirelles - Bell Records

With My Love And What You've Got - Jean Wells - Calla Records

I’ve seen the Promised Land: Stax Records

Like many Mods, when asked to choose between Motown and Stax, I have always leaned on the Memphis sound. Even if they have a lot less hits then their Detroit counterpart, I prefer their raw, gritty, funky sound when compared to the more polished, pop oriented, clean arrangements of Gordy’s gang.

When you look at artists like Sam & Dave, The Bar-Kays, Booker T. and the MG's, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Ike & Tina, The Mar-Keys, Otis Redding, Al Green, Eddie Floyd, it all screams Mod. In fact, when these artists flew to England on their ’67 tour, they were greeted like superstars. A lot of them remember that tour as the pinnacle of their career. Steve Cropper, guitarist for Booker T. and the MG's remembers: “They treated us like we were the Beatles or something.” Stax has undeniably always had a huge Mod following.

So I don’t think it would surprise anybody if I said that one of the main reasons why I chose Memphis as a vacation spot was to go visit the “ground zero” of one of the most influential soul recording companies, Stax Records.

It all started when Bill Stewart started recording out of a garage and then moving the business in a small record shop out of an old movie theatre on McLemore Avenue. The place long gone, it's now a comprehensive museum. An impressive collection of stage costumes, musical instruments and concert posters are displayed along with concert clips and interviews. An extensive history of soul music, from its roots in gospel and blues to Isaac Hayes’  peacock-blue and gold trimmed Superfly Cadillac El Dorado, complete the picture.

Tina Turner's stage dress

Otis Redding's favorite suede jacket

Sadly, the original studio has since been demolished but a replica of the famed Studio A has replaced it.  A new building annexed to the museum houses the non-profit Stax Music Academy and Soulsville Charter School. As an elementary school teacher, I can only support such an initiative.

Stax's original Scully two-track recorder. Otis Redding cut Mr. Pitiful and Respect on this machine.

I get chills just thinking of the hits that were mixed on this soundboard.

The place may not emanate the same mystical and magical atmosphere that I felt when I visited the untouched studios of Motown and Sun but I was still in awe in front of the historical significance of some of the pieces.

Booker T. Jones' M-3 Hammond organ, used to record Green Onions.

What I take away from visiting the legendary studio is how everybody involved felt like they were part of a big family, where there was no color line, black and white working together. That may sound overly simplistic but maybe that's the perfect ingredient for making such timeless music.

When we left Stax, I asked the taxi driver if he could do a quick detour on Edith Street so we could go see Booker T. Jones' former house, a few blocks away from the studio. The older taxi driver, that could of easily passed for a blues player himself, was a bit surprised by my request. He admitted it was the first time he was ever asked that. Luckily, I had the address. That's how big of a fan I am.

Booker T. Jones former house near Stax.

The place that started it all: Sun Studio

Most people equate Sun Records with Elvis Presley. Since this a Modernist blog, we will leave the stories about the King to the Rockers. I can recognize Presley's contribution to the world of popular music but like most Mods, I am more interested in the real pioneers of a musical genre.

Sam Phillips, the mastermind behind this tiny studio located at the intersection of Union and Marshall in Memphis,  was a real trailblazer. The place first started as the Memphis Recording Service. Sam's slogan was: "We record anything, anywhere, anytime". He was interested in making recorded accounts of music that had never been laid down on vinyl, mainly the blues.

1951 would end up being a year that would change music history and this one song would start a revolution. And it all happened in this room. This is where Rock and Roll was born!

According to most musical historians, Rocket 88 is considered to be the first Rock and Roll song. Credited to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, it's actually Mod favorite Ike Turner who is responsible for all the arrangements. It's also the first ever-recorded example of the use of a fuzz guitar! Legend has it that on the way to the studio the guitar amplifier cone was damaged and in an attempt to repair the defective part, newspaper was stuffed in the amplifier. This caused a distortion and Phillips liked the sound and decided to keep it.

Other artists favored amongst Mods also made their debut at Sun Studio. B.B. King and Rufus Thomas are certainly the most notable. Rufus Thomas has been, for a lot of us, associated with Stax Records but he was actually the first artist responsible for giving Sun Records it's first hit single in 1953. Without giving any more info on the song, I invite you to listen to it and see if you recognize anything.

Just like when I visited Motown last summer, standing in such an historic place has left me speechless a few times.

A Mod on the road: Memphis, Tennessee

First impressions are key when you visit a city for the first time. Aside from the fact that we missed our connecting flight and had to spend a very short night in Chicago, I was looking forward to spending a week in the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock and roll.

One of the best ways to get a sense of the soul of a city is through its local food. We were quickly recommended to try the Trolley Stop Market at 704 Madison Avenue. We had flown out of Chicago early that morning and we hadn't had a bite to eat. Our stomachs were growling.

As soon as we walked through the door, one of my favorite soul tunes was coming out of the speakers. If this was any indication of how my week was going to be, this was a good sign.

Part market, part art gallery, this restaurant is one unique place. With paintings of blues musicians, done by artists from the area covering the walls, I felt right at home. Just like their motto states: "Farmer owned. Farmer operated", you can bet that only fresh ingredients are used here.

 As we sit at the bar, I thought that there could not be a better way to start the journey than to taste the local beer. Right after I had ordered a pint of Ghost River Oatmeal Stout, I realized that everybody around me was eating brunch. I explained my predicament to the server behind the bar and he nonchalantly said: "Have you ever had coffee in you beer?" That could be a non-conventional way to start a brunch and I was eager to try something new.

After the initial adjustment of drinking luke warm beer, I was happy with my choice. The meal was just as tasty. Nothing too out of the ordinary but oh so good! An egg, cheese and sausage sandwich with a side of hash brown really hit the spot.

My girlfriend had the Whitton Farms shitake, sarrell, spinach, and ricotta omelet. We were unfamiliar with what sarrell was, but the green leaf with its subtle hint a lemon flavor blended well with all the other ingredients.

Memphis, you have won us over already! Now, off to visit the birthplace of rock and roll, Sun Studios.

The perfect Mod night out

I recently came upon a topic that peaked my interest while scrolling through the discussion forum at http://www.themodgeneration.com "The perfect Mod night out" was the topic in question. It was interesting to read what Mods from across the globe thought about what is the ideal setting for a memorable night.

I expected to read more stories like "Having a pint with Paul Weller" and "Going backstage and hanging out with Pete after an intimate Who concert". The stories were relatively uncomplicated and centered mainly around good friends, good music and a few cold beers. It goes to show how sometimes the simpler things in life are often better.

This was my response:

The perfect Mod night is when I'm behind the turntables! If the music is bad, I know whom to complain too.

Vinyl is the way to go and 45rpm is the speed it should be played at. I am guilty of playing the occasional reissue. Mea Culpa. I don't see myself paying £25,000 for a copy of Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) by Frank Wilson. I sometimes play an LP if the track isn't available as a single.

And I loooooove the feeling of arriving at the club on my Vespa and seeing a bunch of scooters parked in front.

That being said, I didn't know that February 19th 2011 would end up being what I had described a couple of weeks before. All the ingredients were there: cool venue, a great line-up of DJs, a good selection of beer on tap and most importantly, the best friends a guy could wish for. That was the set-up for what would be the best birthday party I ever had. I was going to hit 40 in a big way. The event was a Parka Avenue / Mod Club Montreal collaboration and the place was packed.

It was an incredible feeling to turn your head in any given direction and have a friendly "Faces" smiling back. I felt like I was not a day over 38.

Fifty or so friends had answered the call and I was surrounded by all the people that I love. I'm a lucky guy.

Jonathan, looking as suave as ever

My mate Eric and his lovely wife Jen had even traveled from the States to partake in the festivities. He gave me one the coolest gifts: a pair of monogrammed cufflinks made from typewriting keys.

Speaking of amazing gifts, Lee Modern, the person responsible for letting me spin some wax that night, brought me back a great mix of Caribbean spices from his recent travels to St. Maarten. I had to wait two days to try a blackened tilapia recipe but the wait was worth it.

Eric, Jen, Lee Modern and his fiancé Shareen

My friend Claude was also generous and gave me a limited edition Madness / Ben Sherman polo. Madness and Ben Sherman, two things that I love. Can't see a reason why they shouldn't join forces!

The feeling that I got when I got behind the turntables and saw the dance floor full of my mates dancing their hearts away to the beat of my tracks will be indelibly etched in my mind. My friend Stephane V. described it best when he said: "I don't think I've ever seen Patrick this happy before".

A visit from Gen, more beautiful than Brigitte Bardot

My DJ friends Benjamod, Eric B. and Lee Modern all got us steaming up the place with their great selection of soul favorites, R&B floor fillers and garage classics.

Lee Modern, ready to take over the duties

It was great to have some of my uninitiated friends come up to me and tell me that they had no idea this type of night existed and that the music was amazing. Some vowed to be back. In a show of support, my neighbor Veronique arrived in a very space age white wig and a skirt that would have made Twiggy proud. But nothing beats your compatriots coming up to you and saying that they haven't had this much fun in a while.

Frank, my friend of 23 years, also celebrating his birthday

I was on a natural high for the following 2 days. And that is all thanks to you my friends! I'll leave you with one of the tracks I played that had feet moving and hips shaking. Enjoy!

Britac and Adam of London: New Additions To My Mod Wardrobe

I was looking for something new to wear for my upcoming 40th birthday bash. I can already hear my girlfriend say: "Seriously Pat! You really need an excuse to buy some clothes? You have something new every other week!" Well... I have to admit, I buy my fair share.

But how often do you turn 40, right? The space dedicated to clothes in the loft is slowly getting scarce. I'm responsible for occupying most of that prime real estate. But this is a special occasion that merits some new threads. This is what I tell myself not to feel guilty.

First, I decided to go with my dark navy bespoke 4-button suit. It's either that or my birthday suit. And nobody wants to see me in that! The thing with suits is that unless you have unlimited funds and a walk-in closet, you have to reinvent your look from time to time. A new shirt, tie and pocket scarf can quickly spice things up.

I was contemplating buying a Britac shirt for a while and one of their sharp looking button-down shirts had recently caught my eye. Relatively new to the scene, Britac has adopted sixties inspired chic with nouveau Mod flair. I love when a company knows their roots but at the same time are not afraid to be bold. With bright colors reminiscent of the swinging London of Carnaby Street and vibrant checkered patterns, their shirts make a statement. That is exactly what I needed.

Britac being only distributed in Europe, I had to rely on the web to make my purchase. Sometimes, that's a gamble. In this case, I ended up with exactly what I was hoping for, a good quality shirt that fitted me nicely.  I opted for the light blue button-down, long sleeve shirt with a dark blue contrasting collar and cuffs. The attention to detail we are all used to are present: button on the back of the collar, center back pleat with loop and the subtle embroidered company name on the breast pocket.

I will coordinate the shirt with a new square end, navy knit tie from Adam of London. Knitted ties have always been part of the Mod wardrobe and I don't see them disappearing in the near future. Add to that a nice pair of chelsea boots and you're in business.

I had the chance to visit Adam of London on a vacation to the UK a few summers back and was pleasantly surprised by their stunning suits, vast array of shirts and professional service. Tucked away in the Portobello Market, it's worth  seeking out. Unfortunately, I had attained my clothes quota for the trip (bloody TK Maxx!) and left empty handed. But I always promised myself that I would eventually make a purchased via the web. I was not disappointed and I can guarantee that I will be a repeat customer.

Have a look for yourself:

http://www.britac.net/ 

http://adamoflondon.com/home/

Top 15 Northern Soul tracks about dogs

I was going through my 45 collection and noticed how many soul records I owned that had a dog reference in the title. Other animals also seem to have a prevalent place in the Northern Soul repertoire but the pooch is by far the most popular. The monkey, the duck and the chicken also have a place of choice. It's logical that they all do since dances were named after them.

Maybe it's because it's the man's best friend but the term "dog" was also part of the sixties vernacular. Come to think of it, it still is. It was only replace by the overused "dawg" or the unflattering "bitch". Back then, it sometimes had derogatory connotations or it could just be cool street slang. Whatever the reason, here's my top 15 favorite soul tracks that mention our 4 legged friends.

1) My Wife, My Dog, My Cat - The Maskman & The Agents - Dynamo

2) Baby, Do The Philly Dog - The Olympics - Sparton

Do The Philly Dog came out on Mirwood in 1966 and reached #63 on the charts.

3) Every Dog Got His Day - Eddie Bo - Ric

I have a mint example of this 45 and is probably the most expensive single I own. Worth it? I think so!

4) Dog - Jimmy McCraklin - Minit

5) Dog Eat Dog - Archie Bell & The Drells - Atlantic

6) The Dog - Rufus Thomas - Stax

This single is the lesser known of all the "dog" songs Rufus Thomas came out with. The most popular was Walkin' The Dog that came out in 1963 and reached #10 in the charts. I think maybe he should have changed his name to Roofus.

7) Can Your Monkey Do The Dog - Rufus Thomas

A double whammy with both the monkey and the dog being featured.

8) Monkey Dog - O.V. Wright - Black Beat

Another great monkey / dog hybrid.

9) Ain't Going To Walk Your Dog No More - Otis Williams - OKeh

10) Jerkin' The Dog - Mighty Hannibal - Decca

The video is simply stunning.

11) Poor Dog (Who Can't Wag His Own Tail) - Little Richards - OKeh

12) No Puppy Love - Jackie Paine - Jet Stream

13) Hound Dog - Jeanette Williams - Black Beat

14) Watch The Dog That Brings The Bone - Inez Fox - Volt

Released in 1972, it has a heavy dose of funk.

15) Beware Of The Dog - Georgie Fame - Epic

The only instrumental track that made the list. Good old blue eyed soul.

Did I miss a classic that should of made the list? You tell me...

Milestones @ the Mod Club

On the 15th of February, I'll be 40. I started to think about where I would want to celebrate the fact that I would be changing decades. I didn't hesitate too long. It had to be at my second home, the Mod Club.

 

Mod Club veteran Lee Modern graciously accepted to co-host the event so we can make it a night to remember. A few milestones will be underlined. First, we will raise our glass to the fact that I survived the last 40 years. Two, Parka Avenue will celebrate its 1-year anniversary and finally, we'll toast the 4th year of Montreal's only Mod temple, the Mod Club. Lee Modern and myself will be hitting the decks, spinning your favorite sixties grooves, best soulful tracks and a few British Beat classics. 

Since the last  time I dropped the needle at the club, I have discovered a few floor fillers that I'm eager to share. For instance, take this unexpected cover of the garage classic Wild Thing made popular by The Troggs and remade, with a good infusion of sweet soul,  by one of my favorite sixties acts The Capitols. 

 

                                           

Few know that The Troggs version, released in 1966, is in itself a cover of a Chip Taylor song originally recorded by Jordan Christopher & The Wild Ones, released 6 months earlier. This is one of the rare instances were I think a cover version easily outshines the original, although the harmonica is quite a nice touch. Apparently The Wild Ones record is very rare. Have a listen at the original 1965 version.

In between sets, you will find me doing the Boogaloo on the dance floor or being teased by a few friends about what an old geaser I am. Some of the regular readers of this blog obviously live too far to travel to Montreal to party the night away but you are all still invited.

For those of you who will be there in spirit only, I have something for you. I'll be burning 5 compilation CDs of some the best tracks that will be played that night. All you need to do is send me a quick email at parkaavenue@hotmail.com before Febuary 19th and I'll pick five winners out of my pork pie hat and I'll send you a CD. No skill testing questions for this one!

If you ever decide that you want to join us, then put on your dancing shoes and your sharpest threads and let's make this night a... Milestone!