Friday, March 27, 2020

Show #45 - Mar. 28, 2020


Stay At Home Edition

The Sound of FuryI Can't See YouSummit1968LaSalle-Peru
Chuck PerrinWhat Am I Doing Here?-no label -1973Pekin
Bonnie LouSeven Lonely DaysKing1953Towanda / Carlock
Birdlegs & PaulineSpringCuca1963Rockford
Dean CarterFeverMilky Way1965Danville
Angelo's AngelsSpring CleaningErmine1964Tonica
Jim Estes & The Blue EchoesRainmakerGolden Voice1970Pekin
Dallas McGeeYou Ain't Going Nowhere- no label -197?Bloomington-Normal
Chuck WheelerFeelin' Kinda LonesomeMarlo1961East St. Louis
Wild Child Gipson w/ Freddie Tieken & The RockersSitting Here CryingHit1958Peoria / Quincy
Wayne Carter & Organ TwistersLet's Run Away From The WorldMootrey's1973Decatur

Saturday, March 14, 2020

A Psychedelic Six-Pack of Sound (1968)

A Psychedelic Six-Pack of Sound compilation album was originally released in 1968 on the Summit label.  The LP consists of six bands from central Illinois with each group being represented by two songs.  The album was produced by Ronnie Dale and recorded at Fidelity Sound, 120 North Bloomington Street, Streator, Illinois.  See original liner notes below for more details about the groups.

A bootleg reissue of the LP was produced in 1997 by Lüstbütt (knotfurguthen).   
____

The Sounds Of Us

The Sounds of Us have been together a little over one year.  Their popularity is attributed to their unique sound of a driving beat matched with Rhythm, Lead and bass Guitar with three part vocal harmony.   They also, on occasion, add a trumpet or sax as further proof of their versatility.  They all originate from the Ottawa-Marseilles, Illinois area.  Members of this popular group are:
  • Joe Halterman, Drums & Vocal
  • Brian Gunderson, Guitar & Vocal
  • Jim Travis, Bass Guitar & Vocal
  • Greg Lowery, Bass Guitar, Trumpet, Sax & Vocal
Tracks:   "True" (Greg Gary)  & "What Would You Say" (Gunderson)

The Coming Generation

One of the finest Rock 'n' Roll groups in the area.  The Coming Generation all hail from the Dwight, Illinois area.  They have been together for about one year, and have been very actively performing in many of the area schools, youth centers, and in several Battles of the Bands.  The Coming Generation is composed of the following members:
  • Steve Eddington, Lead Guitar
  • Roger Eddington, Electris Bass Guitar
  • Ed Connor, Rhythm Guitar
  • Girard Steichen, Drums
  • Bob Frobish, Organ
Other members:
  • David Larimer, Bass 
  • Peter Spandet, Drums
Tracks:  "Without You" (S. Eddington)  & "Down To The City" (Connor)

Sept. 22, 1967 - Streator, Illinois

The Rising Tides

The Rising Tides originate from the LaSalle-Peru area and have been entertaining the public for the past three years.  They have played throughout the state of Illinois, and have appeared on television on four occasions.   They were honored in placing ninth out of 90 bands appearing at the Illinois State Fair in 1967.  Personnel of the band are as follows:
  • Paul Kinsella, 18, Lead Singer, LaSalle
  • Dan Carlile, 17, Lead Guitarist, Tonica
  • Phil Clark, 19, Rhythm Guitar and Composer, Peru
  • John Prey, 21, Bass Guitarist, Oglesby
  • Johnny Johnson, 19, Drummer, Oglesby
Tracks:  "Little Girls" (Clark)  & "The Girl's Made Good" (Clark)

The Mavericks

Specializing in Country & Western music, this popular group also plays various types of music.  They have been performing together for one year, and have played at such places as the Ramada Inn, Middy's Tap, High School Dances and were guest performers on the Barn Dance.  Here are a few interesting facts about the personnel of this group:
  • Bob Jessen, 17, the drummer, is a Junior at Marquette High in Ottawa, Ill.  His hobby is sports.
  • Ed Kauzlarich, 16, is the organist.  He is a Sophomore at Ottawa High.  His hobbies are Speech and Electronics.
  • John Nelson, 14, is the Bass Guitarist.   He is a Freshman at Marquette High.   His hobby is sports.
  • Lyle Nelson, 15, Leader of the group, plays Guitar, and is the Lead Singer.   He is a Sophomore at Marquette, and his hobbies are sports and music.
  • Vicki Nelson, 20, is a Sophomore at Western Ill.  She sings with the group whenever possible and gives music as her hobby.  She plans to become a teacher.
Tracks:  "If You Had Just Been Good" (L. Nelson)  & "Trains" (L. Nelson)

The Sound of Fury

The Sound of Fury are known as one of the finest bands to come out of the LaSalle-Peru area.  They have been performing at School Dances, Teen Centers, Clubs, Battles of the Bands and many other functions.  Personnel of this fine group are:
  • Joe Zeman, Lead Guitar
  • Jerry Kaszynski, Rhythm Guitar
  • Bill Wangler, Bass Guitar
  • John Zokal, Drums
  • Jack Sadowski, Organ
  • Mark Wangler, Vocalist
Tracks:  "I Don't Need You" (Zeman)  & "I Can't See You" (B. Wangler)
 

The Eighth Day

The Eighth Day originate from Toluca, Illinois.   They have been playing together for about 1 1/2 years.  They are truly a versatile band, since they play Rhythm and Blues, Standards, Polkas as well as Rock 'n' Roll.  They have been playing in many of the area High Schools, Colleges, Teen Centers and have played out of the state on several occasions.  The members of this very popular group are:
  • Jack Reginald, 21, Lead Guitar
  • Gary Spires, 18, Vocalist
  • Bob Baldwin, 18, Bass Guitar
  • Greg Orrison, 16, Organ
  • Steve Shafer, 16, Drums
Tracks:  "Ten Below" (Spires, Reginald, Baldwin)  & "What You're Doin' To Me" (Reginald, Spires, Shafer, Orrison)

Special thanks to Dave Lijewski for turning me on to this record.

Hear tracks from A Psychedelic Six-Pack of Sound on Episode #46 of the Downstate Sounds radio show!

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

WESN Show #44 - Mar 12, 2020



Jazz. Rock. Prog. Folk. Fusion. Lounge. 1975 - 1981

ARTISTTRACKALBUMLABELYEARTOWN / CITY
SatchitanandaAlong Our WayA Thought AwayAferton1978Springfield
Don ThompsonColumbusJupiterSunday Productions1975Macomb
Mike ZikovichMakin' WavesMakin' WavesGolden Eagle1978Granite City
Autumn DustSpend Another Day--Same Old Label1975Bureau
MosaicMahadS/TLMI1978Champaign-Urbana
The Diplomats (505th Air Force Jazz Band)Left Bank Express--Silver Dollar1978Rantoul
Karlos P. SteinblastYou Gotta Keep On TryingI Need A WomanFrederick1981Carbondale
Gene HoodSlippin'Out Of The CloudsOld Shack1980Mt. Vernon
Arm & HammerSunday Afternoon At Willi Oil--- no label -1975Du Quoin
Robert BogaertGrocery BusinessIndependent StudyWhy?1979Bloomington-Normal

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

WESN Show #43 - Mar. 5, 2020


Central Illinois Compilation Tracks 1979-1982

ARTISTTRACKALBUMLABELYEARTOWN / CITY
The MartyrsOfftraxStabs In The DarkPogo1982Champaign-Urbana
The VertebratsLeft In The DarkBattle Of The GaragesVoxx1981Champaign-Urbana
Slink Rand GroupAll Night LongPointy Feet BeatGDS1979Champaign-Urbana
B-LoversSparkStabs In The DarkPogo1982Champaign-Urbana
Chapter IVDon't Stop That LoveCentral Illinois RocksStarstream1981Springfield
UptownReal Sweet106 Basement TapesWWCT1981Peoria
The EdgeKarenStabs In The DarkPogo1982Champaign-Urbana
Kris LewisMaybe Not TodayHeartland USAPrairie SUN1981Peoria
Boe Perry & The Magnum ForceI'm Not TellingCentral Illinois' Best RockStarstream1982Springfield
Street WiseNever Made My Move Too SoonPointy Feet BeatGDS1979Peoria
J.P. EnterprizesGet BackCentral Illinois' Best RockStarstream1982Springfield
Kool Ray & The PolaroidzWithout HerCentral Illinois' Best RockStarstream1982Peoria
PranaI Don't Care AnymorePointy Feet BeatGDS1979Carbondale
The JerksTelstarHeartland USAPrairie SUN1981LaSalle-Peru