Photo by Jamie Moroni

“A goddess on a mountain top was burning like a silver flame…”

Formed in The Hague in 1967 as a blues outfit, Nederbeat rockers Shocking Blue hit the charts when they enlisted racoon eyed singer Mariska Veres and turned psychedelic in ‘69, waxing a series of groovin’ slabs and singles which sold in the millions.

A Fender Precision plectrum purveying pocket player Klaasje Van Der Wal anchored such memorable hits as “Never Marry a Railroad Man,” “Send Me a Postcard,” “Mighty Joe,” “Love Buzz” and the iconic “Venus” among others.  As their popularity faded in the early 70s, the members went their separate ways save for a few scattered reunion shows in the early ‘80s and recordings which never saw commercial release. Alas, with the passing of Van Der Wal in 2018, no primary member of Shocking Blue traverses this mortal coil…

Dig Klassje and Shocking Blue…

“Venus” https://youtu.be/aPEhQugz-Ew

“Never Marry a Railroad Man” https://youtu.be/amFm3Ihosig

“Love Buzz” https://youtu.be/QaPL8UsTR1Q

“Send Me a Postcard” https://youtu.be/upO7h5FsIYI

Mighty Joe” https://youtu.be/zHub01jVQ3M

Led by singer-songwriter Michael Fennelly, Crabby Appleton waxed two fine Elektra slabs circa 1970-71 and enjoyed a bona-fide hit with “Go Back. ” Bassist Hank Harvey was a pocket player with a rhythm & blues disposition who worked the supportive role like so many of us do.

Dig Hank with Crabby Appleton….

“Go Now” https://youtu.be/NM9qgiTZO6Y

“Cant Live My Life Without You” from American Bandstand https://youtu.be/KCzAoEh24R8

“To All My Friends” https://youtu.be/zhlNZ0lJ2cU

“Smokin’ In the Morning” https://youtu.be/tuHnvX4DJXc

“Peace by Peace” https://youtu.be/q-mjBhzSoxY

Punks? Garage rockers? Revivalists? Power Pop Godfathers? All of the above and then some.  

Throughout the many fiery incarnations of the Flamin’ Groovies; bassist George Alexander (who learned to play the instrument at the behest of founding members and friends Roy Loney and Tim Lynch) served as the band’s steady anchor since their formation in San Francisco in 1965.

A groovey (pun intended) player who works the pocket, George’s approach to the instrument is steeped in the timeless tradition of outlining the changes with a flair for a thundering riff when the situation warrants as exemplified by simpatico bassists Bill Wyman, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Peter Quaife.

Dig George & the Flamin’ Groovies…

“Shake Some Action” https://youtu.be/PIcmk8WA10A

“Teenage Head” https://youtu.be/14MkbmML4YY

“You Tore Me Down” https://youtu.be/y1GGxQcEna4

“Headin’ for the Texas Border” https://youtu.be/Z0b4Ga5WQkw

“Little Queenie / Slow Death” https://youtu.be/5lmRBEgWNuM

Joe Farrell’s ’70 solo bow is a masterful meld of post-bop and jazz fusion. Released three times with three different album designs and titles – Farrell, on tenor and soprano, enlists simpatico collaborators John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, and bassist Dave Holland on this entrancing song-cycle.  With McLaughlin and Farrell moving in tandem, to my ears, this ensemble waxed the finest rendition of John’s iconic “Follow Your Heart.” Holland enhances every cut with his usual harmonic / rhythmic genius.

A young Marcus Miller learned his bassline to “The Bottle” note for note!

The words of the great American poet, activist and musical pioneer Gil-Scott Heron resonate as profoundly today as they did four decades ago. And so does the work of Danny Bowens, who anchored Gil’s watershed collaborations with Brian Jackson, working the pocket with his Fender Jazz and a decidedly funky disposition.

During his time at Lincoln University in the late 60s, Bowens picked up the bass from his college roommate and soon after he was a working musician on the world stage with Gil and Brian’s Midnight Band. Among his admirers included Stanley Clarke, George Benson, Richard Pryor (who booked them on Saturday Night Live), and Stevie Wonder.

When The Midnight Band split, Danny studied with Marshall Hawkins and Keter Betts (Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald) and Charles Fambrough (McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Grover Washington, Jr.). Among the artists he has worked with include Kenny Barron, Esther Phillips, and Jack McDuff. Danny is also a composer, and solo recording artist – mostly working in Gospel music.

Dig a few of Danny’s signature passages:

“The Bottle” https://youtu.be/EdhoX1Xu6ZI

“Ain’t No Such Thing as Superman” https://youtu.be/2PTyTqdxwqQ

“New York City” https://youtu.be/hbHtU4-Vlqg

“It’s Your World” https://youtu.be/mZ9VxLqkHso

One day you’re up and the next day you’re down… you can’t face the world with your head to the ground…

Formed in the Bronx in 1964, and legends of the Greenwich Village rock scene in the 1960s via their residency at the Night Owl and several television appearances, his bass motif to The Blues Magoos’ signature hit which he co-composed “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” is among the most recognizable and co-opted in the history of rock and roll. 

Ronnie Gilbert was a straightforward pocket player whose passages were based (pun intended) on booming pentatonic riffs, which was the perfect approach for the Magoos’ magnificent mélange of psychedelia, folk, soul and…blues!   Gilbert’s primary weapon of choice was the Fender Precision with the treble rolled off.

Dig Ronnie and the Magoos on tracks he co-wrote….

“(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” https://youtu.be/TOWOdKs6KUo

“Pipe Dream” https://youtu.be/EwmyWwyUUZE

“Life Is Just a Cher O’Bowlies” https://youtu.be/AHdbA42hCb8

“I Wanna Be There” https://youtu.be/WvHYfAVcM-g

“There She Goes” https://youtu.be/e7Ij7h2GQxY

“You’re Getting Old” https://youtu.be/6Z-cKpGuuug

They are considered garage rock legends, however I don’t think there’s a motor vehicle storage space which could contain this mighty quartet…

Contemporaries and kindred spirits of the MC5, Grand Funk Railroad, and The Stooges – Brighton Michigan’s Frijid Pink were a fiery foursome which fused boogie, blues, psychedelia, and hard rock.

Founding bassist Tom Harris plied his craft with a decidedly distorted din akin to his peer bassists – which was most representative of the era and genre in which they so mightily defined.

Dig Tom with Frijid Pink….

“House of the Rising Son” https://youtu.be/jqC3LrskVyE

“Sing A Song for Freedom” https://youtu.be/iuIhOoFrOqQ

“God Gave Me You” https://youtu.be/sKm1BpnPOLc