Welcome to the "Garage/Soul '66" podcast.
This first entry is something of an experiment -- we're asking everyone visiting this page to listen to our pilot episode and provide some feedback.
Garage/Soul '66
The this podcast will feature forgotten tracks from the mid-1960's through the early 1970's, compiled by Arcania International and Psych of the South.
Garage bands were comprised primarily of 16-18 year-olds, drawing on the rawer sound of the British Invasion for their inspiration. Riff-driven artists like the Rolling Stones, the Animals provided the template for these groups. The genre got its name from the most common practice space and sometimes venues for these bands -- their parents' garages.
The goal of many bands was simply to earn enough money playing dances to record a 45 rpm record. Graduation, college and the draft broke up most of these groups, but their high-energy low-fi recording live on, thanks to the efforts of labels like Psych of the South and Arcania International.
The soul groups Arcania's collected in their "Ol' Virginia Soul" series highlights the lively -- if primarily regional -- African-American music scene in the urban centers of Virginia.
So What's the Concept?
Our goal is to present three tracks from these labels in a manner that recaptures the excitement and sound of '60s AM radio. We have a lot of material to work with -- between the two labels we have access to approximately 480 songs. That's enough for at least 160 podcast episodes.
And both Arcania International and Psych of the South are working on new compilations, so there's a good chance even more material will be available.
So How Can I Help?
Just listen to our sample podcast, and let us know what you think.
Your comments can be about any aspect of the podcast. Did you like the format? Was there too much echo on the voice? Would you have preferred more information about the bands? Different title?
Whatever you like -- or don't -- about the podcast, please let us know. It all helps!
Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy the podcast, and I look forward to reading your comments.
And when we launch the podcast for real, this will be its home.
- Ralph Graves (the Radio Star)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
