Episode 013: Thirteen Limericks For Limerence

Episode 013: Thirteen Limericks For LimerenceThe Nazz - Hello It’s Me (US 1968)Philadelphia’s pride and joy, The Nazz were fronted by the very prolific Todd Rundgren who led them through three stellar albums before embarking on a solo successful career, during which he would cover this song into a top 10 hit. Written about a lost high school love, the original is a hauntingly slower and somber affair than it’s more famous re-recorded sibling. The 13th Floor Elevators - Splash 1 (Now I'm Home) (US 1966) Infamous for the much documented tortured life of their enigmatic leader Roky Erickson, these Austin freaks are essential to the story of American garage and psychedelia. Though known for their fuzz guitars and bizarre electric jug, Roky proves that he can write a ballad that’s as affecting as anything in their bulletproof catalog. Steve Miller Band - Dear Mary (US 1968) One of San Francisco’s finest and a key band in forming the sound synonymous with the area, Steve and the boys slowed it way down for this beautiful tune from their sophomore LP. The tempo and descending lines are inline with the Whiter Shade of Pale influence of the time, but the delicate nature of the vocal give it a timelessness that makes still sounds fresh today. The Velvet Underground - Candy Says (Mono Closet Mix - US 1969) No other band took a decidedly drastic left turn than these kings of New York noise. with their third album. After continuing their sonic experiments and art guitar feedback for two consecutive albums, the Velvets decided they had done all the weird things they could do save for write normal songs. Thus, their self titled album is filled with slow and gentle ballads which was an unexpected move at the time. This sparse and fragile masterpiece sounds like it may fall apart at any time which is part of its beauty. This is the original “closet mix” that Lou Reed did before it was later replaced with a more balanced mix. The Feminine Complex - Are You Lonesome Like Me? (US 1969) These ladies from Nashville made one PERFECT album that has shockingly clear and defined production which at times makes it seem as though some of the songs could have been released within the last two decades. This sweet tale of new love captures the uncertainty of those first initial steps.    Fairport Convention - Decameron (UK 1968) Though not garage per se, these UK folk-rock heroes showed a strong west coast acid rock influence on their debut. They showed their gentler side on this sad stunner, which is one of the few originals on their essential debut album. Love - A Message to Pretty (US 1966) These Los Angeles Sunset Strip regulars had a an early hand in developing the American garage sound with their pioneering singles and was led by Arthur Lee who also shared songwriting duties with second guitarist Bryan Maclean. Maclean’s songs were the softer of the two, and here it seems like his influence has spilled over to Lee who tries his hand a love ballad for his mysterious “pretty”. The Byrds - Here Without You (US 1965) What’s to be said about this band other than Los Angeles owes them their own holiday?  This Gene Clark original from their debut strangely seems like the inspiration for their later psych classic Eight Miles High. This heartbreaking tune is one of the first he ever wrote for the band, stemming from their previous incarnation The Jet Set, and captures the melancholy feeling of loneliness from an unrequited love. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - I Won’t Hurt You (US 1967) A truly magnificent minimal love song by a strange Los Angeles underground oddity with a checkered past. Nonetheless, this song is light years ahead of it’s time and one of the band’s catalog defining highlights amongst many.