(see below for mp3 clips -- updated 07.mar.07 !!!)
Strictly
Canadian
Year: 1969 Label: Birchmount BM 523 (Canada) Type: Compilation on 33rpm 12" LP
This LP must be one of the very first garage compilation LPs released anywhere in the world (Nuggets came out in '72 !) and included several bands from across Canada who were somehow connected to the Birchmount Record Label, based in Scarborough, Ontario. The LP is only about 25 minutes long, but includes interesting tracks that range from beat-pop to garage rock to garage psych. It seems that none of these records were actually made in '69-- they sound more like '65-'67/early '68.
Each side of the record starts off with a Toronto band called The Plague (great garage-psych name, Camus anybody?). These are two of the strongest tracks and High Flyin' Bird, from Side B, is a truly impressive garage-psycher with hypnotically rhythmic organ and guitar. (The Plague also had another single besides this pairing).
Lyn McEachern, who inhabits track 2 of each side, seems to be going for a beat-pop sound. The first track, World of Dreams, is a sort of a early-mid sixties ballad which is surprisingly well done with "woah-oh"s and that sort of thing. Unfortunately his next contribution is a weak version of the dance classic Searchin'.
Tomorrow's Keepsake of Regina, Saskatchewan, represented by one track that is unavailable anywhere else (some of these tracks appeared on other singles) make this compilation a must-have with their bizarre garage original called Eat Your Hot Dog Boy which is just as weird as its title suggests. Perfect for the garage DJ! (the band also had a 45 with different tracks on RCA Victor)
Duncan and Fife of Winnipeg, Manitoba add 2 tracks to this comp of a more pop variety. The first, Winds of Yesterday, is definitely the better track and sort of recalls Roy Orbison with a mid-60's beat. Both songs have just a touch of the early Byrds harmonies in them.
The poppiest offerings of the LP come with Sandi Shore's tracks, the first of which is actually quite good, in a sort of Petula Clark way. (The second is pretty boring and sort of pop-country-esque).
Rounding out the compilation, the Checkerlads, also of Regina, Saskatchewan contribute a pretty standard beat-pop song, nothing extraordinary although apparently their other 3 45s (not here) were much punkier.
Side A:
1. The Plague - Love and Obey
2. Lyn McEachern - World of Dreams
3. Tomorrow's Keepsake - Eat Your Hot Dog Boy
4. Duncan & Fife - Winds of Yesterday
5. Sandi Shore - Like a Madness
Side B:
1. The Plague - High Flyin' Bird
2. Lyn McEachern - Searchin'
3. Sandi Shore - Until You're Home Again
4. Duncan & Fife - My Love Stood By Me
5. The Checkerlads - So Much In Love With You
Original text from the back
of the LP:
"The expression 'East Meets West' could not be applied more aptly than
to the contents of this album. Gaeity Records takes great pride in presenting
some of the 'Canadian Talent' representing their label, and artists from
the West Coast, the Mid-West, and the East are heard on this recording.
Each group, duo, or single artist on the LP has a distinct and unique style
of their own. In some instances a vocal phrase or an instrumental 'riff'
may be reminiscent of a known artist or group, but the sound is new and
will be a fresh experience to the album collector."
Other LPs advertised on the back of the LP: Suzanne, Pete Schofield and the Canadians, Earl Mitton & the Valley Rhythm Boys, the Sultan Street Nine, the High-Flying Beau-Marks, the Bold Humor of Davey Bold, Tuesday's Children, Merrick & Kathy Garrett, Cal Cavendish, The Rancheroes, The Rising Sun
Other markings: "from the Canadian Artists Collection" // Manufactured and Distributed in Canada by Quality Records Limited, 380 Birchmount Road, Scarborough 704, Ontario
last update... 07.mar.07