(c) Elliot Kendall
Used With Permission
NOTE: This CD never happened, but the notes were finished.
Too much of a good thing for Vol. 2 of this series? Never in the case of the multi-talented Gary Usher! Whether utilizing the performances of Annette, Frankie, The Hondells, The Surfaris, Dick Dale, The Astronauts, Donna Loren, Keith Green, Curt Boettcher, Chuck Girard, Richie Burns, Joe Kelly or countless others (including his own unassuming & charming vocals), Usher embroidered his unique style into the musical fabric of all his recorded works. Believers of the Usher magic know that his arrangements and melodies are consistently top-notch and exciting, whether the subject matter is the beach, drag strip or of a more spiritual nature. Creativity, craft and inspiration were the tools of Gary Usher.
This collection kicks off with the amazing "Hot Rod High" by the Knights, featuring a thrilling lead vocal by Chuck Girard, an essential member of Usher's studio crew. "We did several different versions of "Hot Rod High" for different album projects, but to me the Knights version is the best", Chuck relates. "In fact, the entire Knights album is sonically one of the better albums that we made. Like many of our sessions, "Hot Rod High" was cut at Capitol studios, which had and still has one of the best live echo chambers around". With advanced studio techniques and sweet production touches (like the use of Frank Capp on glockenspiel) it's easy to see why this one stands out as a gem. It was recorded on July 23, 1964. Usher, Girard & company were in the groove."
"'Competition Coupe' by the Timers was one of the first records I sang on with Gary Usher", Chuck adds. "That's Gary on lead, and background vocals are myself and probably Richie Burns and someone else from the crew...Jimmy Bowen was actually in the studio and co-produced the session with Gary". This tune was the bouncy flip-side to the Timers' "No-Go Showboat", Reprise single #231 (available on M & M CD-409 Still I Dream Of You - Rare Works Of Brian Wilson). "Competition Coupe" was later covered by the Competitors (produced by Usher) on their Dot Records LP and by the Road Runners (also produced by Usher and included here in this collection). The T-Bones additionally recorded a version produced by Joe Saraceno for their Boss Drag LP.
"Three Surfer Boys" offers sweet and innocent interplay between the vocals of Usher and the Honeys. Gary and Ginger Blake of the Honeys were dating early on in their careers, which makes this session interesting. The charming performance by the singers is infectious, and a great rhythm section hook and snappy drum fill really set up the chorus with flair. This number is a true delight, depicting a surfer's conflict between big waves and romantic interests. This hot doggger's choice: take 'em both with a grin.
"The Way I Used To Be" by Keith Green was another selection featuring Chuck Girard on backing vocals. "Gary actually sang falsetto with me on this one, and Keith Green was 13 years old at the time of this recording" recalls Chuck. "Keith played piano on his records also, he was quite a child prodigy". Bill Schnee, a former member of the L.A. Teens and today a top producer and engineer, played organ on the session. This song gently tugs on the listener's heartstrings with it's catchy refrain of "try, try, try to remember the way I used to be". Also dig the great high-hat riff that sets up each verse. Gary co-wrote this one with Keith, and a persuasive Usher arrangement insures that the melody stays with the listener long after the record is over.
The Four Speeds were the first "official" automotive oriented musical group that Gary offered on vinyl. The driving saxophone and relentless beat of "Four On The Floor" effectively simulates the feeling of shifting, accelerating and burning rubber. This is the start of something great; Gary obviously enjoyed celebrating the happiness of owning, driving and hot-rodding a car, and it shows. The evocative and accurate hot rod lyrics are courtesy of KFWB Disc Jockey (and Usher session regular) Roger Christian. Note his performance of "Little Street Machine" as Hot Rod Rog in this collection.
The Neptunes' "I've Got Plans" features a Richie Burns lead vocal frequently accented by a tympani drum and a chorus of handclaps. This song evokes a Dion feeling (similar to "The Wanderer") with its melody and various production touches. Chuck Girard: "I sang backing vocals on this one with Gary, and I doubled the lead with Richie on the bridge. I sang the high part of the backing vocals for the chorus". A rousing and swinging vocal performance from Richie Burns.
The Go-Go's (the RCA studio group of the early 60's, not the female hitmakers of the 80's) had a terrific single on RCA # 8435, "Saturday's Hero" b/w "The Wild One" which far outclassed their one LP Swim With The Go-Go's produced by RCA engineer Al Schmidt. "The Wild One" by the Go-Go's was included on M & M's Best Of Gary Usher Vol. 1 collection. "Saturday's Hero" is the spirited selection included here on Vol. 2, featuring another great lead vocal from the always exceptional Chuck Girard. On this cut, you can almost hear the crowd cheering for the home team with its evocative lyrics depicting the high school football hero. Another nice touch is the enchanting arrangement with the bells accenting the competitive subject matter. "Everybody knows we're gonna win today" states the chorus. The subject matter may have been covered by the Beach Boys' "Be True To Your School" (an obvious influence here), but "Saturday's Hero" is a most welcome addition to the catalog of songs with themes of school pride. A "rival" version of this tune appears on the Super Stocks' School Is A Drag LP. "Saturday's Hero" is a great candidate for any school's alma mater. Although the single was credited as an Al Schmidt production, it was in fact Usher who produced, arranged and sang on the session.
"Gremmie Out Of Control" is one of the many amazing songs on the Silly Surfers/Weird-Ohs LP on the Hawk label, which is one of my all-time favorite albums in the history of recorded music. According to more than one source, Gary Usher made the album in just a few days, writing the material in the car en route to the studio! The LP featured Chuck Girard, Gary Usher & Dick Burns on vocals, and this project truly defined the phrase "concept album" for the surf and hot rod era. In addition to Usher, the other musicians listed on the session were Richie Burns, Richie Podolor, Jerry Kolbrak (a/k/a Jerry Cole) and Randy Thomas. The session took place in Hollywood at United-Western Recorders, 6000 Sunset Blvd., June 13, 1964. "Gremmie" is absolutely hilarious and catchy simultaneously, with a crazy chorus that includes the Gremmie (Richie Burns) shouting a blood-curdling "Cowabunga" amidst various splashing wipe-out sound effects. Classic material.
The Hondells' "Two Wheel Show Stopper" is just that; a musical show stopper featuring a vintage Chuck Girard vocal performance. Lyrical topic: the features of a motorcycle, naturally! Chuck goes into great detail describing how cool this bike is, mentioning the oversized fuel tank, chrome plated goodies, hand formed fenders (metal flake blue) among other specifications. However, Chuck does admit to lacking one thing on this cycle machine:
"All it needs to be complete
Is a groovy little chick
On my buddy seat"
Details, details. Chuck Girard: "The entire Go Little Honda LP was cut in just a couple of weeks, for Nick Venet at Mercury. We didn't know what the album title was yet, or even what the group's name was going to be when we were recording! It was true that we were going to be called "The Rising Sons" at one time, but that later changed. I didn't even know that "Little Honda" was going to be released as a single until I heard it on the radio! All of the Hondells' sessions that I was involved with were cut at Capitol". There are several excellent musical moments in this selection, but my favorite occurs on the intro and at the end of each verse: an eerie, moody minor to major chord change that really sets it apart from the pack. "Two Wheel Show Stopper" has enough musical hooks to open a bait & tackle shop, and lyrics that make Chuck Girard sound like a motorcycle salesman. This tune even has what may be the first "cycle-rap"; Richie Burns gives a convincing narration over the fade-out that really preaches the gospel about his prized two wheel trophy. Another winner.
"Little Stockers" by the Revells was on a Reprise album entitled The Go Sound Of The Slots, subtitled The Sound, Music And Language Of Slot Car Racing - America*s Newest Hobby! This material is outrageous stuff...the ultimate blend of cool music & absurdity all on one LP! "Little Stockers" is based on the melody and arrangement of the Hondells''"Two Wheel Show Stopper" (included here & previously mentioned in the last paragraph) from their first LP Go Little Honda, and both songs feature the engaging lead vocals of Chuck Girard. Also dig the kooky wailing organ solo on this one. "Little Stockers": a touching ballad of slot car racing for hobbyists everywhere.
The Sunsets' "Playmate Of The Year" was issued by the Challenge label, single # 9198. The B-side was "Lonely Surfer Boy" (Usher-Christian-Borchetta). "Playmate Of The Year" has a gritty doo-wop arrangement, evoking a kind of west coast Dion & The Belmonts aura with its honking saxophones and chanting close harmony, not to mention the reference to "Runaround Sue" in the first verse! (The Survivors' "Pamela Jean" was also clearly inspired by Dion & Belmonts). Within the first few bars of this number you can clearly hear Usher himself contributing to the backing vocals with his distinctive timbre. There is also a tip of the hat to Bobby Rydell's "Wild One" on the bridge when future Hondells leader Dick Burns sings "you, you and only you" (Rydell's break was "me, me and only me"). "Playmate Of The Year" is an interesting cross between the musical styles of California and The Bronx in the early 60's.
The Castells' "Love Finds A Way" (Usher-Abeyta) is another shining moment for the never-ending talents of Chuck Girard. Although the 45 lists Perry Botkin Jr. as arranger/conductor, no production credit is listed. "Raul Abeyta, who wrote this song with Gary, was always into to style of Gene Pitney", Chuck relates. "Raul wrote great tunes, and Pitney was a big influence on him. This was at a time when Gary was getting out of the surf music genre, and trying to move on. Raul was later involved in our 'Six The Hard Way' material". "Love Finds A Way" has a majestic, grand, wide-sweeping cinematic feeling to it. The intro with its high, chilling falsetto has a pseudo- operatic arrangement, almost a predecessor to the later works of Freddie Mercury and Queen. There is also a slight tip of the hat to the Four Seasons, with various parts of the rhythm section acknowledging Bob Crewe production techniques. Despite any influences or similarities, "Love Finds A Way" easily stands on its own as unique and compelling.
The Surfaris' "Catch A Ride With Me" has a great melody and a theme about love and amusement park rides...why not? Besides having a carefree, bouncy lead vocal from Ron Wilson, this song also has a slight Dave Clark Five feeling to it, which is interesting because the Surfaris actually recorded a version of "Anyway You Want It", the DC5 classic. This similarity probably occurred through a musical osmosis...ah, the miracles of rock & roll and science! Regardless, there is definitely a British Invasion influence at work here. The tambourine rattles along and propels the Chorus into overdrive: "Catch a little ride with me, on the rockets above, in the tunnel of love". Hmmmm...this definitely sounds like romantic intentions to me. The verse alternates between a sunny approach and the driving, U.K. drone that sounds more serious in attitude. Also notable is the Funhouse "Happy Organ" solo that evokes pictures of cotton candy and snow cones. Usher session regular Chuck Girard is one of the backing vocalists on this selection. Why didn't anyone tell me about this tune when I was beginning my Usher studies? If you are hearing this one for the first time, you will surely enjoy this undiscovered treasure.
"Most of our sessions with Gary were cut in studio A at Capitol, with 60's Telefunken and RCA tube microphones, the kind that are now in great demand by studios", Chuck recalls. "We used tube mixing consoles, and most of the material was recorded on 8 and 16 track machines; the 3 and 4 track machines were used in the very early 60's. The 8 track machines were only around for about a year, before they were replaced by the 16 track units. It's interesting that everyone tries to capture that warm tube sound in the studio today".
Considering Gary's enormous catalog of excellent material, this series of Usher recordings could be extended by overwhelming popular demand. Here's yet another deserved collection of super-charged recordings from the man that helped to define Surf & Hot Rod music and beyond. If there are any fans of Gary Usher who don*t have Best Of Gary Usher Vol. 1 yet (or any of the other great releases in this series) don't hesitate. This is one vacation you can*t afford to miss.
One thing that remains certain after hearing the incredible variety of material in this collection: Usher practically lived in the recording studio! They probably had a hammock installed in the control booth for him, he was there so often. Success may have fluctuated during his career (this is the nature of the music business), but the important thing was that Gary was allowed to continue honing and perfecting his craft. We are grateful that he followed his inspiration and turned it into musical magic. Thank you, Gary Lee Usher.
-Elliot Kendall
Special Thanks And Project Assistance: Chu Takahashi, Katsuya Wada, Koki Kobayashi, Belinda Casas, Chuck Girard, Richie Burns, Bill Schnee, David Ridges, Stephen J. McParland, Lee Dempsey, Rüdiger Nehls, Lennart Nilsson, Dani Bossard, Göran Tannfelt, Rick Colville, Michael Grant, Ken Sharp, David Leaf, Domenic Priore, Darian Sahanaja, Robert Kim, Rob Santos, Bob Perry (A.V.I. Music), Kyle Vincent, Sean Macreavy, Kathryn Beatt.