California Born And BredNorton NRTN 243 1995
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1. I Can't Explain (Townshend). 1st track recorded at the “Teenage Head” sessions (without Tim Lynch)
A very straight and raw version of the old "The Who" classic. It is said that the song was recorded the day before Tim Lynch came to the studio and that he therefore did not participate (he had missed the plane).
2. Shakin' All Over (Heath) 1970 Matrix rehearsal
This is the same version as on "Flamin 'Groovies '70".
3. Hangin' Around (Hickey) 1970 Loney & Jordan recording in a hotel room in Los Angeles.
Nice harmony by Loney and Jordan with the accompaniment of only acoustic guitars. Roy later recorded the song on "Fast & Loose".
4. Carol (Berry) 1970 Matrix rehearsal
This is the same version as on "Flamin 'Groovies '70".
5. Buddy Can You Spare A Dime (Gorney, Harberg) Matrix 1968/2 (stereo)
This is a fantastic recording of an old blues classic. It is according to the sleeve notes recorded in 1968. When it is in stereo (with the singing of one channel) it is probably recorded later than the "Flamin 'Groovies '68", maybe 05-07 August when the band performed at The Matrix. One can hope that the whole concert is released when the recording is really good!
6. Evil Hearted Ada (Loney) 1971 demo
A demo with Roy on acoustic guitar and vocal, and Cyril on guitar. It is a matter of fact very similar to the final version but without drums and bass.
7. Have You Seen My Baby (Newman) 1971 June 30 Fillmore West (KSAN)
From “Slow Death Live”.
8. Too Late For Your Lies (Loney-Jordan) 1970 Loney & Jordan recording in a hotel room in Los Angeles.
Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan are sitting in a hotel room in Los Angeles and plays this very atmospheric song which for some inexplicable reason, never was recorded in studio. It was perhaps too slow for Flamingo, but it certainly would have fitted in (and been spot on) Teenage Head. It is not entirely unlike "Yesterday's Numbers" in style.
9. Louie Louie (Berry) 1970 Matrix rehearsal
This is the same version as on "Flamin 'Groovies '70".
10. Tiger Man (Louis-Burns) 1970 Loney & Jordan recording in a hotel room in Los Angeles
It is hotting up in the hotel room. Roy on acoustic guitar and vocals and Cyril on slide guitar performing an Elvis classic that never appeared in a studio version.
11. Somethin' Else (Cochran-Sheeley) 1971 Teenage Head session studio warm up
Same version as “Still Shakin’”
12. Golden Clouds (Loney) Matrix 1968/2 (stereo)
From the same recording session as "Buddy Can You Spare Me a Dime" is this version of Golden Clouds with wild harmonies that are better than the studio recording!
13. Supersnazz Radio Ad (KSAN) 1969
A fun promotional radio ad by the Flamin 'Groovies!
14. Doctor Boogie (Loney-Jordan) 1971 June 30 Fillmore West (KSAN)
From “Slow Death Live”.
15. Sweet Roll Me On Down (Loney-Jordan) 1970 Loney & Jordan recording in a hotel room in Los Angeles
Nice harmonies again from the hotel room of a song that later appeared op Flamingo in a slightly different version.
16. Rumble (Wray) 1968 Soundtrack for a play called Sideshow
Extreme stereo on this recording of Link Wray’s classic. Bass and guitar on one channel and the rest in the other! Crazy!
17. Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu (Smith-Vincent) Matrix 1970
This is the same version as on "Flamin 'Groovies '70".
18. Headin' For The Texas Border (Loney-Jordan) 1970 Loney & Jordan recording in a hotel room in Los Angeles.
It calms down in the hotel room and Roy & Cyril performs a Flamingo-track in a much slower pace than the studio version. The melody does not really have the structure yet.
19. Happy For Your Face (Loney) 1968 Soundtrack for a play called Sideshow
The same wacky stereo as the Rumble. But the drums have been moved from the right to the left channel to make room for a piano! A not-too-memorable instrumental, but with vocals it could be really good. Maybe the track wasn’t finished?
20. Comin' After Me (Loney-Jordan) 1970 Matrix rehearsal
This is the same version as on "Flamin 'Groovies '70".
21. Yesterday's Numbers (Loney-Jordan) 1971 demo
Roy & Cyril on acoustic guitars and vocals make an un-plugged version of an upcoming classic.
22. Heartbreak Hotel (Axton-Durden-Presley) Matrix 1968
This song is in mono so it should be from the same concert as "Flamin 'Groovies '68", but where it's not. A bluesy version of an Elvis classic.
23. Keep A Knockin' (Penniman) Avalon Ballroom 1969
The sound quality on this is not the best but there is nothing wrong with the energy. It’s quite identical to the Flamingo version.
This disc is a must for all Groovies and Loney fans. Much of the material was previously unreleased and available only on this disc. Sound quality is mostly very good and the sleeve notes are very readable. What pulls down the grade a bit is that some of the material was already released. 8/10