The Castells - Just Walk Away - Decca (1965)

Song: Just Walk Away

Writers: Gary Usher & Raul Abeyta

Producer: Gary Usher

Recorded: 1965

Purchase The Castells and Beyond 1964 - 1966 here.

Credit should go to Rich from SunshineTunes67, who first shared this song in 2009, along with a bonus demo version. I highly recommend a auditory stroll through his epic sunshine pop YouTube posts. 

I had the soaring, cinematic Just Walk Away on continuous repeat for about 2 weeks after I first heard it. Just Walk Away, with a monumental Chuck Girard vocal, double bass, and Wrecking Crew backing (unconfirmed), is my favorite Gary Usher composition and production. Not only was the song not a hit, but it probably sold about 5 copies in 1965, judging by the scant availability of this 45 on the used vinyl market. This would definitely be in my top 10 " this should have been a hit" list.

No copyright infringement intended. I will remove this immediately at the request of the owners. This channel and blog are not monetized. The purpose is to promote the music. If you like what you hear and it is available on cd, vinyl or as a digital download, please purchase and support the artists & labels.

The Castells - Just Walk Away - Decca (1965)

The Castells - Just Walk Away - Decca (1965)

The Free Design - Felt So Good from One by One - Project 3 (1971) & Light In the Attic (2005)

Song: Felt So Good

Writer: Chris Dedrick

Producer: Enoch Light

Engineers: Don Hahn & Dixon Van Winkle

Recorded: 1971

One by One is available here.

The Free Design are brilliant, and this is my favorite FD song, written by Chris Dedrick from the band. The music is clearly recorded by brilliant session players, weaving in and out of the arrangement with smooth, seamless, innovative runs and grooves. Chris and Sandy Dedrick credit Bob Mann for his fantastic melodic guitar lead on Felt So Good. The music is trippy with a touch of supercharged propellant. Felt So Good is a unique blast of genius from what was, sadly, the final album from the group.

No copyright infringement intended. I will remove this immediately at the request of the owners. This channel and blog are not monetized. The purpose is to promote the music. If you like what you hear and it is available on cd, vinyl or as a digital download, please purchase and support the artists & labels.

The Free Design - Felt So Good from One by One - Project 3 (1971) & Light In the Attic (2005)

The Free Design -  One by One - Project 3 & Light In the Attic (1972)

The Four Tops - Wonderful Baby from Reach Out & b-side - Motown (1968)

Song: Wonderful Baby

Writer: Smokey Robinson

Producer: Smokey Robinson

Recorded: 1968

Purchase The Four Tops - Reach here.

I tend to prefer late 60s / 70s Motown, because the music began to break out of the cookie-cutter production line sound. I had never heard Wonderful Baby until I purchased Phil Spectre - Wall of Soundalikes Volume 2. The entire Reach Out album by the Four Tops is fantastic. It is fun to hear a track that is unjustly obscure from a familiar group.

No copyright infringement intended. I will remove this immediately at the request of the owners. This channel and blog are not monetized. The purpose is to promote the music. If you like what you hear and it is available on cd, vinyl or as a digital download, please purchase and support the artists & labels.

The Four Tops - Wonderful Baby from Reach Out & b-side - Motown (1968)

The Four Tops - Reach Out - Motown (1968)

Part Two: Swinging Blue Jeans - You're Welcome To My Heart - EMI (unreleased until 1992)

Song: You're Welcome To My Heart

Writers: Bateman-Moseley-Wicker

Producer: unknown

Engineer: unknown

Recorded: unknown - unreleased until 1992

Purchase Swinging Blue Jeans - Good Golly, Miss Molly (EMI Years 1963-1969) here.

This was the first version of You're Welcome To My Heart that I heard. British Invasion bands were notorious for nicking rare soul songs from the USA and topping the chart placings of the originals. This version seems to have everything going for it, with great singing, majestic Abbey Road production and a killer mix. Unfortunately, this version of You're Welcome To My Heart was not released during the band's lifetime, dooming the song to unfair obscurity. The Swinging Blue Jeans version was first released in 1992. Hear the original version by the Chantels here.

No copyright infringement intended. I will remove this immediately at the request of the owners. This channel and blog are not monetized. The purpose is to promote the music. If you like what you hear and it is available on cd, vinyl or as a digital download, please purchase and support the artists & labels.

Swinging Blue Jeans - You're Welcome To My Heart - EMI (unreleased until 1992)

Swinging Blue Jeans - Good Golly, Miss Molly! The EMI Years 1963-1969