BLOW YOUR MIND - Davey Welles and the four winds
Cardinal records, Canada, ERS-5001
Yeah..it's really called BLOW YOUR MIND!
This LP, which I recently found in London Ontario,
COVER-LESS.
When I picked it up, i thought it was a folk record, or
some horrible tijuana horn only album., but the "blow your mind" title kept
it a little open plus the James Brown covers and Season of the Witch
being included.
The opener song, my whole world ended, is a real heavy soul
approach and would make a Nothern Soul head just shake!
In Approval!
The Vocal stylings on there are Marvin Gaye meets Sam cooke!
But then...Davey will change his vocal approach with ease.
I think this is from 1969, judging by the songs on here
I'm very curious about this release. They are mostly covers on here,
except for a heavy funk cut called "king size" that throws down and keeps a heavy vibe with
uplifting, no-one's-gonna -stop-me-lyrics and smouldering fuzz guitar interludes.
Anyone heard of this guy? This album is very well done with some
fantastic rough edges and very original approach to their 'covers'
This LP will appeal BIG time to those that dig versions/covers
and unknown artists. The sound is very open and heady,
and played by what I think is an all black ensemble.
LISTEN TO 3 TRACKS HERE :
They
tackle "season of the witch" into a deep acid mode..mix LSD and slow cosmic funk wha wha slop and you have the best version of this song!!!
The vocalist is interesting and appealing, and is in his element.
This is a mystery definitly worth unravelling! This is a very cool
exploitation LP, not so cheesy like those crown records (except the firebirds lp) this is a tight band and not 'contrived'...these guys can
hold down a HEAVY groove for days (the letter, which they cover
is the greatest cover of the song I have heard..and they slow it down to molasses
and just space your head out..if you can imagine that with "the letter"! a feat they pull off..almost going into jamaican Dub territory) The
versions of the James Brown and Stevie Wonder songs are KILLER...
Off the hook..ect.. YOu know? This one has to be heard!!!!
The soul is dripping on this release, and this group adds another
dimension to all tracks listed!!! Hard to put this one in any particular category if one was to choose to.
Including a great tribute to Otis Redding, Davey sings 'Try A Little Tenderness" with heart.
If anyone has any info//please do add!!! :) I have NO clue if this ever was released officially,
or if it even had a Cover! A visual indicator of who this group is would be fab.
Just converted from the record and available on my KDX/Hotline server.
SIDE 1
1-my whole world ended
2-les bicyclettes des belsize
3-season of the witch
4-wichita lineman
5-western union man
6-traces
7-poppa's got a brand new bag
8-uptight
9-i feel good
10-i got the feelin'
SIDE 2
11-gimmie a little sign
12-i who have nothing
13-sittin' on the dock of the bay
14-does your mother know about me
15-king size
16-try a little tenderness
17-galveston
18-the letter
**update July 12-2007> Turns out this was re released as an official release on Paragon records paragon ALS-260
Just happened upon an ebay auction that was selling it. And note the Spelling of his name is altered to just Dave Wells, opposed to Davey (davey seems to be his real common name, as he appeared on the east coast show from the mid sixties called "franks bandstand" as Davey), and no "Blow your mind" anywhere in the title!! . The final total of this LP went for a cool $67.66 US. I guess it's rare!
***here's the Paragon cover..
_________________
Living
Still
Dreaming
