If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears was The Mama’s and the Papa’s debut in 1966. Including hits like “Monday, Monday”, “Do You Wanna Dance?”, “California Dreamin’”, and “Go Where You Wanna Go”, it is packed with history. I was going through my Dad’s old CDs and I’ve been hooked on this one all week. There’s something about each song that simply fits right with the one before and after it. This debut hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 in 1966.

I guess enough with the history lesson (thanks to Wikipedia). Since my last post, I’ve been into finding great videos of songs; and with the success of the last discussion I want to make it a weekly thing. Every Monday I’ll feature a live gig video here of something I find interesting.

Well, since I’ve been listening to this nonstop. Here’s a live video of The Mama’s and the Papa’s in 1967 playing “Somebody Groovy”. Because, you know we all want to find that groovy someone. I’m digging those outfits, Michelle Phillips’ vocals, and the drumming. Check it below. (For you hippie haters..Yea, I’ll post some electronic remixes tomorrow).

Album version HERE

The Monterey International Pop Music Festival took place from June 16 to June 18, 1967. Over 60,000 people attended, and it is often regarded as the precursor to Woodstock. LSD was very abundant at the event under the name of “Monterey Purple”.

“Somebody Groovy” live @ Monterey International Pop Music Festival (1967)

Part of my job this summer is driving around to all these properties around Chicago and the suburbs, so I spend alot of time in the car. And, without any blank CDs to make a mix or something, my radio is always on. But I am far from complaining. 94.7 rocks. “True oldies”, all day all night. Good song after good song, with rare commercial breaks. I can’t get enough of this station. I spend most of the time in my car frantically writing down lyrics so I can look up songs later and try to download them.

Here’s some songs and great videos I’ve found thanks to Dick Biondi:

Len Barry’s “1-2-3″ has been stuck in my head for the past week. I’m not upset. I want to find out who that girl is in the cage, where she is now, what she was on, and where to learn how to dance like that.

Spiral Staircase - More Today Than Yesterday
Nothing needs to be said.

The Ronettes - Be My Baby
Everyone was classy.

Vogues - 5 O’clock World
The Vogues are singing to all of us workin’ 9-5.

Looking Glass - Brandi You’re a Fine Girl
Shout out to Kelsey Landis.

Happy belated birthday Sir Paul McCartney. Born June 18, 1942, Paul is now 66 years old and still rockin’. McCartney and Ringo Star are the only half of the ultimate group still alive. George Harrison passed away back in 2001. Both Ringo and Paul still tour and release their own music. McCartney’s latest album, Memory Almost Full, was released last year. It was nominated for 3 Grammys and has gone platinum. If you’ve never really looked into his solo stuff, definitely check it out. It’s actually really good.

My favorite Beatles song at the moment: “Im Down”. The song was a B-side on the single “Help!” in 1965. Many critics have called it “the groups grittiest song in the whole catalogue” - some saying it is a rewrite of Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally”. You be the judge. There’s some great video footage here from tours in the 60’s.

Beatles are it. Do you hear that organ?

Australia’s psychedelic revolution is underway. In Perth, three guys have come together to form what music needs, rock ‘n roll. Tame Impala’s mission is to play in large, grassy areas and record music in their homes for you to download. Their myspace caption reads, “music to download on sunny days.” Remember Me is just that. Go to their SITE right now and download this song. You. Will. Not. Regret. It. This song has been my favorite morning music for the past couple weeks. I need to send credit over to Ian LeSueur for sending this song my way. See what Mad Decent had to say. Ian is headed to Melbourne this fall to become famous. You should probably add him on Myspace now.

The group is signed to Australian’s Modular records. Founded by Steve Pavlovic, the label has grown quickly since 2004’s release of the Avalanche’s and Cut Copy’s debut albums. Regardless, this group is worth checking out. Follow this sound and really watch for it to spread everywhere. Do you have any tie-dye?

MYSPACE.com/TAMEIMPALA
MODULAR RECORDS

Tobias Winberg is the only name you’ll hear coming from the Danish experimental/psychedelic rock group Death Valley Sleepers - that’s because he’s the only guy in the band. Winberg’s solo project has been producing music for over two years. Drawing influences from The Velvet Underground, The Ravonettes, and The Jesus and Mary Chain, Death Valley Sleepers takes your ears and mind for a spin every time you hit play. Can you resist not getting lost in this music? The glorious repetition is there, the chords, the reverb (if you’re a fan).

I’ve been a fan of his stuff all year, but I’ve been seeing a lot of blogging about him lately. Surprisingly, he is yet to be signed to any label. Simply mixing, producing, and recording on his lonesome. Head on over to his MYSPACE to listen and download all his songs. What do you think? Im a fan of Heartbreaking Sound of Joy, She’s in Control, Left Me High, and Black Pearl. Black Pearl isn’t on his Myspace but look on Hypemachine in the link below. You might have to do some digging, but it’s worth it. ‘She’s in Control’ is a song that just reminds me why I like music.

Search Death Valley Sleepers on Hypem.com

I made a mixtape a few days ago for driving on summer days and walking around Chicago. These songs represent in one form or another something about the summer feeling to me. Most are “oldies” but there’s really nothing like being in the car with your friends, windows down, shades on, and some really really great music playing. You know, the sun shining, the trees green, the sky blue, the lake that really deep deep blue. C’mon, you know what I’m talking about. I’d like to thank Matthew Richardson for bringing me to my senses about Hall & Oats - ‘Private Eyes’ will be the big summer song.

That Archies song, no one should go a summer without hearing. Of course there’s some New Order. Lots of 60s and 70s rock. If I could’ve included more, definite mentions would include: Electric Light Orchestra “Don’t Bring Me Down”, The Rolling Stones, Eddie Money “Baby Hold On”, and everything from the Dave Clark Five.

Oh, yeah I should probably give you the link. Tell me what you guys think. So what’re you waiting for? Grab some friends, a stereo, some shades, and go for a drive, take some pictures, get to the beach. Enjoy the summer! Did you forget?

SUMMER 2008 MUXTAPE
SUMMER 2008 MUXTAPE
SUMMER 2008 MUXTAPE

It’s just a radio rip, but the full version should find its way onto the web in full glory soon. What do you think? I am pretty impressed. Sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been settling myself in Chicago for an internship this summer. Here come the posts.

MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
Original: MGMT - Electric Feel