The Original Northwest Sound of Don & the Goodtimes

1. Witch

2. Make It

3. Long Green

4. Bent Scepter

5. There's Something on Your Mind

6. High Heeled Sneakers

7. Straight Scepter

8. Big Big Knight

9. Little Sally Tease

10. I'm Real

11. Hey There Mary Mae

12. Lip Service

13. Tall Cool One

14. Blue Turns to Grey

15. You Were Just a Child

16. You Did It Before

Tracks:

Witch
Make It
Long Green
Bent Scepter
There's Something on Your Mind
High Heel Sneakers
Straight Scepter
Big Big Knight (On a Big White Horse)
Little Sally Tease
I'm Real
Hey There Mary Mae
Louie, Louie
Turn On
Money
Jolly Green Giant
Little Latin Lupe Lu
Stagger Lee
Running Not Walking
Lip Service
Tall Cool One
Blue Turns to Grey
You Were Just a Child
You Did It Before
And It's So Good
I Could Be So Good to You

Album Description

Full Title - Original Nortwest Sound Of Don And The Goodtimes. Don And The Goodtimes ruled the Northwest roost with their raunchy R&B! This 25 track compilation showcases their most savage howlers, including 'You Were Just A Child,' 'Little Sally Tease' and soon-to-be Raiders' guitarist Jim 'Harpo' Valley's punk declaration, 'I'm Real'. Sundazed 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Grade-A mid-60s Northwest rock.......2003-02-13

Though Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Kingsmen scored more national hits, and the Wailers and Sonics hold a certain record-collector cache, Don and the Goodtimes were every bit their equal in creating stomping, rave-up R ýný B and all-out thrashing Northwest rock ýný roll. The band not only captured the essence of their contemporaries (e.g., their howling cover of the Sonicsý "The Witch" captures the originalýs ferocity, and their rendition of The Kingsmenýs "Long Green" surely helped the Goodtimes top the Northwest Battle of the Bands), but they also contributed to the Northwest rock ýný roll vernacular with stellar originals like "Little Sally Tease."

Formed in 1964 by ex-Kingsmen keyboardist Don Gallucci and ex-Raider guitarist Pete Oulette (who, in turn was replaced by future Raider Jim Valley), they were joined by Don McKinney, a vocalist and sax player who was equally at home thrashing through Northwest rock ýný roll as he was belting out garage-tinged R ýný B. McKinneyýs fat saxophone tone added to the rock ýný soul sounds of Dave Childs funky bass playing, and the power-punch drumming of Bob Holden.

Like all of the eraýs popular dance bands, the Goodtimesý set list was fleshed out with covers, including regionally born (or re-born) tunes like "Louie Louie" "Jolly Green Giant" and "Tall Cool One," and hits like "High Heel Sneakers," "Stagger Lee" and "Money." All featured heavy emphasis on their signature riffs and killer back-beats. The band also played tight, garage-soul instrumentals, with organ, guitar and sax each taking their turns on tunes like The Kingsmenýs "Bent Scepter," the Gallucci-penned soul-sax answer, "Straight Scepter," the organ and guitar workout of "Lip Service," and their discotheque (or Las Vegas grind) debut single, "Turn On."

The Goodtimes eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where they found a measure of national success. Their pictures graced teen ýzines, and they became regulars on Dick Clarkýs "Where the Action Is." Their 1967 album on Epic traded in their raw Northwest sound for a combination of sunshine pop-rock (e.g., the Jack Nitzsche penned, "I Could Be So Good To You"), folk-rock ("And Itýs So Good") and British Invasion covers (The Rolling Stonesý "Blue Turns to Grey"). Their original fire could still be heard on tunes like "You Were Just a Child," combining punchy drumming with a folk-psychedelic melody and vocal, fuzz bass, and a manic electric harpsichord solo.

This collection was originally issued as a 16-track vinyl LP in 2000; this reissue add nine excellent tracks, including Northwest classics and additional tracks from the bandýs Epic LP. Add to that informative liner and track notes, period photos and an interview with Goodtimesý guitarist Jim Valley, and the result is a superbly curated collection of grade-A mid-60s rock -- an essential volume for anyoneýs Pacific Northwest rock library.

Rock Music:

Rock Music