Secret Agents

Song: Secret Agents
Artist:
The Olympics
Written: Unknown
Year : 1966
Album/Single: Mirwood Single # 5504 & 5513

Cobra's Version
Song: My Baby Love The Secret Agent
Released: January 6th, 2004
Album: Seven Easy Pieces


This is my favorite Cobra original, not to mention one of my favorite Cobra tracks as well. The Olympics were a R&B vocal group that formed in Los Angeles in the early to mid 50's. They charted from 1958 through 1963 with songs such as "Western Movies" in 1958, (Baby) Hully Gully in 1959 and The Bounce in 1963. After that, they bounced around record labels without much success, though one of their songs - "Good Lovin'" from 1965 - would hit #1, just not their version, but the cover by The Rascals. Today's selection was the released in 1966 and should have been a hit. Not becuase it is a great song but becuase it's subject - Secret Agents - were all the rage in 1966 - James Bond, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Pink Panther, and the three referenced in the song, Honey West, I Spy & Get Smart.


They don't make records like this anymore. Really. They could not make a record as "dirty" as this today. Don't bother scouring the lyrics for double entendres; that's not what I meant. "Dirty" as in the sound. The recording has a raw sound to it. I'm not even sure it could be duplicated with today's equipment. And I am damn sure it would never be chosen for "American Idol", and that's a good thing. Take a listen and you'll hear what I mean; in particular at the instrumental breaks.


Lyrics:
I walk in the house
She's got on high heel boots
A black trench coat
and ??????? suit
Under her coat
there is a man
She's the meanest little girl
that I ever had now

How my baby loves the Secret Agents
How my baby loves the Secret Agents
Honey West and old I Spy
working together for the FBI

Uhmmhumm
Ooh baby

Said I come home tired
I want the news insight
Huntley and Brinkley and Walter Cronkite
She's telling me I better get
"Get Smart"
A me and her are gonna have to part

How my baby loves the Secret Agents
How my baby loves the Secret Agents
Honey West and old I Spy
working together for the FBI

Uhmmhumm
Woa baby

Honey West and old I Spy
working together for the FBI

Brainwashed my baby to the third degree
and now she don't want nothing to do with me

How my baby loves the Secret Agents
(I said) How my baby loves the Secret Agents
Honey West and old I Spy
working together for the FBI

How my baby loves the Secret Agents
How my baby loves the Secret Agents
How my baby loves the Secret Agents

The Cobra's version is speed up, coming in at 2:00, shaving 29 seconds off the Olympics version. Besides changing the name as they often do, some of the lyrics have been changed as well. I am pretty sure Rachel sings "and a alligator zoot" after the "black trench coat" lyrics. I can't make out the Olympics lyric ("aloysius suit" ??) but am sure it's not "and a alligator zoot". Rachel also avoids the awkward "get 'Get Smart'" by dropping the first "get". One other note: as I said, it is one of my favorite cobra tracks, so much that I have their co-opted the "Uhmmhumm, Ooh baby" as my cell phone ring tone. I have always thought this is what Rachel would sound like when she . . . uhm, never mind. Listen to it for yourself and draw your own conclusion.

Download it now:
The Olympics - Secret Agents - 1966 - Mirwood # 5504 & 5513
Available on - All Time Greatest Hits !

Buy
"Seven Easy Pieces" by the Detroit Cobras

Weak Spot

Song: Weak Spot

Artist: Ruby Johnson
Written: Steve Cropper/Issac Hayes / David Porter
Year : 1966
Album/Single: Volt # 133

Cobra's Version
Song: Weak Spot
Released: January 18th, 2005
Album: Baby




(Hello? Is this thing on? I know it's been a while . . . I've been busy . . .)

Today's song is a real barn burner. The Cobra version is nice, but really has nothing on the original.

Ruby Johnson was born in 1936 in North Carolina. If you listen to this song and other's by her (and I highly recommend you follow the link at the bottom of the page and buy her album "I'll Run Your Hurt Away") you would think she grew up in a southern gospel environment . . . and you'd be wrong. She was raised in the temple Beth-el faith! She eventually moved to Washington D.C. and recorded for the V-Tone and NEB's labels before being signed to Stax by Al Bell. As best as I can tell she recorded 19 tracks for Stax (I know - there's 20 tracks on the album . . . there are 2 versions of "Come to Me My Darling" which, interestingly enough are different from the version on the Stax box set). For what ever reason, however, Stax only released 3 singles, of which today's selection was the B Side of the first - Volt # 133 - with the fabulous "I'll Run Your Hurt Away" on the A side.


Lyrics:
There he is

Standing in the crowd

Whenever I see him

I wanna scream "I love you" out loud

The man is my Weak Spot (Yes he is)

Sure 'nuff he's my Weak Spot (Yes he is)

I said he man is my Weak Spot (Yes he isssss)

Woa Ohh Ohh I'm gonna love him

Ooh Ooh I'm gonna love him right now

Things that were silly

To see what you want

Your heart says a grab it

But your pride, your pride says don't

Can't help it he's my Weak Spot (Yes he is)

I'm so glad he's my Weak Spot (Yes he is)

I said the man is my Weak Spot

I can't a help it

I can't a help it

The girl can't help it

The man, the man, the man

The man is my Weak Spot

I see him

And things jump up in mind

My love stays warm for him

All, all of the time

I can't a help it he's my Weak Spot (Yes he is)

Ah sure 'nuff he's my weak spot (Yes he is)

So take your hands off my weak Spot (Yes he is)

Ah, don't mess with my weak spot (Yes he is)

Cuz I love, I love my Weak Spot (Yes he is)

Ah, take you hands off my Weak Spot

Did you download and listen to it yet? Awesome, no? Had to be the best thing she ever laid to wax, no? No. It's not. Buy the album and check out "When My Love Come's Down". It was my first exposure to her via the Stax box set and it blew me away . . . was worth the $100 I paid for the box set. Apparently I am not alone in my assessment of "When My Love Comes Down" - check out this review.

I can't blame Cobra's for not being able to match her performance on this song. Not many could. They make a a few minor lyrical changes and they don't even attempt the "Yes he is" refrains.

Download it now:

Ruby Johnson - Weak Spot - 1966 - Volt # 133
Available on - I'll Run Your Hurt Away

Buy "Baby" by the Detroit Cobras

White Women Have No Business Singing

Song: White Women Have No Business Singing
Artist: The Five Irmas
Year : 2007


To all my faithful readers (both of you), I apologize for such a long period between posts. It has been a crazy summer. Not only is my job seasonal (lumber/building materials), my boss passed away in the middle of July. Even more important, he was also my father-in-law, my wife's father. Needless to say, there have been more pressing things to attend to.

That being said, I am not posting a cover today. A special treat - an on-air interview from NPR of Rachel and Mary.

This was around July 12 in Columbus, Ohio. The wife & I left Detroit on the 13th to catch the show in Pittsburgh. Every time we've seen them, the haven't hit the stage until at least midnight. So we thought we were good to go when we arrived at Mr. Smalls Theater at 11:00. Wrong! They were already into their encores. I don't think the crowd was very interested in the scene, however. The wife & I were able to walk right up to the stage below Rachel. We came in during "Cry On" and they then went into "The Hurt's All Gone", after which the boob next to us requested some Irma Thomas! Rachel had to explain to him that the last two songs were Irma Thomas!!

Although we were disappointed in missing most of the show, we did get a chance to talk to Rachel after the show. She was kind enough to share some interesting tidbits with us.

We were scheduled to see them again the next night in Cleveland but we got that call that my wife's father was fading. Fortunately we were able to get back in time to be with him at his time of passing.

Sorry, don't mean to be so depressing. Take a listen and you'll be rejuvenated by Rachel & Mary's spirit. You'll also understand the title of this post.

I'll be back with more posts soon. I promise.
Thanks for all the encouraging e-mails

Download it now:
White Women Have No Business Singing - The Five Irmas - NPR - 2007 - Part 1
White Women Have No Business Singing - The Five Irmas - NPR - 2007 - Part 2

Support NPR.org

I Can't Please You

Song: I Can't Please You
Artist: Jimmy Robins
Written: Jimmy Robins
Year : 1966
Album/Single: Jerhart # 207 A

Cobra's Version
Song: Just Can't Please You
Released: January 18, 2005
Album: Baby


Today's selection is from the other great Mid-western city - Chicago! (Sorry, Cleveland). The artist, Jimmy Robins, has been performing since the 50's, first as a gospel artist. It would also appear that he has come full circle, for he now bills himself as Jimmy "Preacher" Robins - check out his website. It seems he's not only still performing, but he can assist you with a limo, real estate or maybe introduce you to Denzel Washington. He also has a MySpace site where you can stream 4 of his songs, including "I Can't Please You".

Today's select was release in 1966 and was the only national hit for Bob Lee's Jerhart label, making it all the way to #131 ! Or maybe it was #55, as his website claims. It was also released in England on the President label.

Lyrics:
Hey! Oh Little Girl
What's wrong with you?
I've done everything
I knew to do

I've tried
So hard!
You misused me
But I tried
Sorry!
I just cant please you
Oh Little Girl
I've given you all that you need
And I've been a good man
A good man indeed

I've tried
So hard
You misused me
But I tried
Sorry!
I just cant please you

I brought you happiness when you were sad
Even made you smile when you were mad
Leaving me, baby, may make you glad
But you'll soon realize what a good man you had

Little Girl
Ohh, Ohh what's wrong with you
I've done everything
I knew to do

I've tried
So hard
You misused me
But I tried
Sorry!
I just cant please you

Oh Baby
Oh Girl
Gave you everything you wanted:
A fine automobile,
Plenty of money

What's wrong with you ?
Nothing I do satisfies:
Mink coats,
I brought you a diamond ring,
A fine home to live in . . .

I am particularly fond of the way he punctuates the "Sorry!"

Now while it may have been recorded in Chicago, it has a very Memphis / Bluesy sound to it. The Cobra's version substitutes the original's punching horn rhythm with - you guessed it! - Detroit garage guitar crunch. The lyrics remain true to the original, changing the gender of course. Rachel does not rap out during the fade, like Jimmy Robins did ("A fine automobile, plenty of money . . ."). They did "cobrasize" the title as well, turning "I Can't Please You" into "Just Can't Please You". Making it that much more difficult to research the origin . . .

(On a personal note, the missus and I will be attending the Detroit Cobra's shows at Mr Small's in Pittsburgh on July 13th, and at the Beach Ballroom in Cleveland on the 14th. If you see us (picture's above) at the show be sure to say hello.)


Download it now:
Jimmy Robbins - I Can't Please You - Jerhart # 207A - 1966
Available on "Northern Soul of Chicago, Vol. 2"

Buy "Baby" by the Detroit Cobras

The Slummer the Slum

Song: The Slummer the Slum
Artist: Five Royales
Written: Obadiah "Scoop" Carter/Lowman Pauling
Year : 1958
Album/Single: King # 5153

Cobra's Version

Song: Slummer (The Slum)
Released: February 24th, 1998
Album: Mink Rat or Rabbit


Once I got hooked on the Cobra's via "Shout Bama Lama", I started to do some research on them. One of the first descriptions I read said they mostly covered obscure old R&B songs, with the occasional punk song thrown in. The first time I heard "Slummer (The Slum)" I knew I had found their rare punk rock cover.

Oops!

I once again I proved I don't know shit. Not only is it not a punk cover, it is one of the older songs the Cobras had covered.

The "5" Royales formed in 1942 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as a gospel group called Royal Suns. They changed their name to "5" Royals in 1952 when they decided to make secular recordings. Being one of four "5" Royales songs the Cobras have covered, we'll dig deeper into their history in future posts. For now I just want you to remember one name - Lowman Pauling.

Lyrics:
(Slummer the Slum)
Don't try to figure out
where I come from
Now don't try to figure out
where I come from
I could be a smart guy from Wall Street
I could be the Purple People Eater's son

But I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh, Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Oh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Oooh (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Oooh,baby (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Oh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Mmmmm Hmmm (Slummer the Slum, Slum)

[guitar solo 1]

Now there's only one difference
between me and you
There's only one difference
between me and you
You've got money in your pocket
And I've got a hole in my shoe

All from doing the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Oh, Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Mmmmm Hmmm (Slummer the Slum)
All from doing the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
All from doing the (Slummer the Slum)
Mmmmm Hmmm (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
All from doing the (Slummer the Slum, Slum)

[guitar solo 2]

I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Hey hey hey Now (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Ooh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum, Slum)

Lowman Pauling co wrote the song. But that was only a small part of his genius. Did you hear that blistering guitar solo? He was so proud of it he did it twice! Heady stuff for 1958. It has been said that Eric Clapton would have paid to carry Lowman's coat. Once you hear more of the '5' Royales work, however, you come to appreciate the fact that Lowman was a major influence on Steve Cropper (which subsequently meant he influenced the entire Stax sound, and subsequently Memphis soul as a genre).

Apparently "The Slummer The Slum" was intended to be a dance craze, a la "The Twist". Between this and "Stupidity" they certainly had some strange inspirations for dances back then. Makes the "Macarena" seem intelligent . . . OK, maybe not!

The Cobra's version clocks in at a very efficient 1:50, shaving 0:27 off the '5' Royale's 2:17.
Very fast, very frantic.
Cobrazized.


Download it now:
Five Royales - The Slummer The Slum - 1958 - The Five Royales Sing For You
Available on - Monkey Hips and Rice: The "5" Royales Anthology

Buy "Mink Rat or Rabbit" by the Detroit Cobras

As Long As I Have You

Song: As Long As I Have You
Artist: Garnett Mimms
Written: Bob Elgin / Norman Meade
Year : 1964
Album/Single: Warm and Soulful

Cobra's Version

Song : As Long As I Have You
Released : April 24th, 2007
Album : Tied & True


Hello ?
Is this thing on ?

Sorry for the posting lag. After my last post, the wife and I left for an Easter trip to Florida. Now you need to understand, when we travel to Florida we don't travel like normal folks - down the freeway as fast as you can drive. No, our trip was scheduled for 2-1/2 days - no freeways allowed - just state highways and county roads. First day went fine and the second day was going great until we ran into a little problem in Dandridge, Tennessee. Thankfully the only casualty of the accident was my laptop. Now that the laptop's been replaced (thanks State Farm!) and I've caught up at the office hopefully I can get back to regular postings.

I thought I would start back up again with the hottest track off of "Tied & True", the Cobra's new disc.

Garnett Mimms biggest hit, with his backing group The Enchanters, was in 1963 with "Cry, Baby" - Janis Joplin covered it 1971 and had a minor posthumous hit with it. Today's selection was released in 1964 and shared a writer with "Cry, Baby" - Norman Meade (real name : Jerry Ragovoy). Ragovoy penned other rock/soul classics as well - "Piece of My Heart", "Time is On My Side" to name two. By the way, Garnett Mimms' producer was none other than our old friend Bert Berns. "As Long As I Have You" amazingly was not released as a single, be relegated to being album filler. I am not the first to point this out but it deserves repeating - he should have sued for career mismanegement - this song is too good to have never seen the light of day. I am particular fond of the "Give me mountains to crumble . . ." stanza.

Lyrics:
Born in darkness
but I fought my way up to the sun
Had a lot of battles
some I lost and some I've won

But let me tell you, girl
you ain't seen nothing yet
There's nothing in this world
that I can't get
As long as I have you (long as I have you)
Long as I have (long as I have you) you
As long as I have you

Give me mountains to crumble
and I'll turn them to sand
Let me put this world
in the palm of your hand

Find some teardrops
but I sang my way out of the blues
Had to learn to stand up
even when they scared me out of my shoes

But let me tell you, girl
you ain't seen nothing yet
There's nothing in this world
that I can't get
As long as I have you (long as I have you)
Long as I have you (long as I have you)
As long as I have you

Give me mountains to crumble
and I'll turn them to sand
Let me put this world
in the palm of your hand

Say you love me
and I know that half the battle is won
Don't cha worry about nothing
in your mind the best is yet to come

But let me tell you, girl
you ain't seen nothing yet
There's nothing in this world
that I can't get
As long as I have you (long as I have you)
Long as I have you (long as I have you)
Every thing's gonna be alright (long as I have you)
And I won't have to cry no more (long as I have you)
All my troubles will be over (long as I have you)
Yeah

If you are unfamiliar with the genre of "Northern Soul", this is a textbook example of it. Driving beat, punching horn arrangement, impassioned vocals, tight instrumentation. Of course the Cobras strip the song down the garage basics - ripping guitars and and driving rhythm section. And Rachel's perfectly matched vocals.

The opening lyric - "Born in Darkness" - is significant here. The Cobra's have been playing this song in concert since at least June of 2006. It would show up on their playlist as "Darkness" or "Born of Darkness". I have also posted a video of them doing the song on YouTube from their November 22, 2006 show at the Magic Stick in Detroit.

It seems that the Cobras are not the first to see the value of this song - Led Zeppelin used to cover the song in their early days.

Download it now:
As Long As I Have You - Garnett Mimms - 1964
Available on - Talcum Soul: 26 Stonking Northern Soul Greats

The Cobra's version is available as a free download from Bloodshot records
As Long As I Have You - Detroit Cobras - 2007
You need to buy "Tied & True" by the Detroit Cobras

Love Speaks Louder Than Words

Song: Love Speaks Louder Than Words
Artist: Fabulous Thunderbirds
Written: K. Wilson / D.Tate
Year : 2005
Album/Single: Painted On

Breaking the rules this week, kiddies.

This is not a song the Detroit Cobra's have covered.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds were formed back in 1974 by vocalist/harpist Kim Wilson and guitarist Jimmy Vaughan - brother of guitar god Stevie Ray Vaughan. They hit it big in 1986 with "Tuff Enough". Unfortunately, that was the extent of their chart success. Jimmy would eventually leave the band to play with brother Stevie Ray, which was cut short in 1990 with Stevie's tragic death (rant - "Why did Cobain get a Rolling Stone cover upon his death and Stevie didn't? - The Women of Twin Peaks ? Please!" - rant over).

So why, on a blog self described as ""An in depth study of the songs the Detroit Cobras have chosen to cover" are we discussing a song by the Fabulous Thunderbirds?

Because of the guest vocalist on the track - none other than the lovely and talented Detroit Cobra, Rachel Nagy.

Lyrics:
Love speaks louder than words
it's a feeling you get deep down in your heart
It's not what you say or in the way
you prove it over and over
Because love, love speaks louder than words

Well we might not say it
but we both know how we feel
I can hear your heart talk to mine
The way you play is sweet music to my soul
Even if I was deaf, dumb and blind

Because love speaks louder than words
it's a feeling you get down in your heart
It's not what you say or in the way
you prove it over and over
Because love, love speaks louder than words

Ooohhh, we've been together so long, baby
I don't ever want it to end
Ooohhhh, I'm so happy darling
You my lover and my best friend

I can't repay ya, there ain't enough diamonds and gold I'll alway be their when you call Every night and every day The truth be told your my all and all
Because love, love speaks louder than words
Because love, love speaks louder than words
Because love, love speaks louder than words

I have no idea how this match up came to be. I have found no mention of it other than album reviews. I just stumbled upon it myself when I was checking Rachel's AllMusic.com biography to determine how old she is (which I have yet to determine . . . anybody out there know her age ?) I do agree with the review I read that refers to "Love Speaks Louder Than Words" as "Wilson Pickett-worthy". To be honest, I was quit surprised this was not a cover - it was co-written buy the vocalist sharing the mic with Rachel - Kim Wilson. Irregardless, it's a dandy little chestnut I thought might have escaped the casual Cobra fan so I offer it here for you.

Enjoy - we'll get back on track next week with a special Easter edition of "Cobras Covers".

Download it now:
The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Rachel Nagy - Love Speaks Louder Than Words - 2005
Available on - "Painted On"