Pebbles: Volume 6: Chicago 1, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5023] - Released 1994

Various Artists - Pebbles, Vol. 6
Subtitled: Chicago 1, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics
1994 Archive International Productions (AIP)
CD cat. #: AIP CD 5023

[ The first of a pair of Pebbles volumes devoted to the Windy City doesn't feature such noteworthy Chicago bands as the Shadows of Knight.
Indeed, the Buckinghams -- who scored a hit with "Kind of a Drag" (not the song that's included) -- are the only famous band on this compilation.

However, the album does feature some interesting minor-league bands, some of which were from Chicago and some of which just recorded there (e.g., the Indiana-based Group, Inc.).
Selections include the Omens' "Searching" (later recorded by the Pandoras and the Gravedigger V)and Nobody's Children's "Girl, I Need You" (remade by the Third Booth as "I Need Love"), as well as remakes of songs by the Lemon Drops ("I Live in the Springtime"), the Kingsmen ("Long Green"), the Hollies ("I've Been Wrong"), Gene Vincent ("Say Ma, Ma"), and Elvis Presley (a demented version of "Jailhouse Rock").
This is not an essential collection but it should appeal to garage rock completists with a particular interest in this geographical region.
Note that the song list printed on the CD cover doesn't match the actual order of songs on the CD itself: the Huns' "Winning Ticket" is the third song; "Come With Me" by the Boyz and "Run Around" by the Cavedwellers are not on the CD; and the final track is a radio station promo.
 --Todd Kristel, AllMusic ]

Ever since its inception Pebbles has been notorious for printing misleading tracklistings and Chicago 1 is no exception. I've no idea whether The Boyz' "Come With Me" or The Cave Dwellers' "Run Around" were worthy of being considered for inclusion because, even though listed, they are both conspicuous by their absence.

Add to this the fact The Huns' "Winning Ticket" is listed as Track 22 when it actually appears as Track 3, thus throwing out the majority of the running order, and the overall result is just bewildering. If this was a deliberate attempt to add to the underground mystique of the whole project it's misguided, if a genuine mistake it's just sloppy.

While questions can be raised about AIP's packaging, their continued dedication in unearthing the minnows of sixties garage and psychedelic rock is highly commendable. There are artists included here who probably spent more time in the womb than they did in a band.

Without a doubt the best known band on Chicago 1 are The Buckinghams who unbelievably – at least on the strength of the previously unreleased track "I've Been Wrong" included here – actually got to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Here they sound like Beatles or Hollies wannabes. Better are the fuzzed up "Searching" by The Omens, "I Live In The Springtime" by Buzzsaw, "I'll Make You Pay" by The Shady Daze, "You Don't Love Me" by The Little Boy Blues and "Need A Little Lovin'" by The Foggy Notions.

As you would expect from Pebbles there are also a fair share of real curiosities. "Please Me Sullivan" is a novelty song by The Warner Bros bemoaning the lack of opportunities for homegrown bands in the face of the British Invasion. Rather than being funny, the track comes across as nothing more than sour grapes. Dean Carter screams rather than sings his way through "Rebel Woman" but it's the incredible version of "Jailhouse Rock" which catches the ear – and that's not necessarily a good thing. It's louder and faster and definitely more screwed up than the original and the guitar solo sounds like it's being thrashed out on a chainsaw.

Chicago 1 isn't the best album in the Pebbles series but it is a worthy addition proving, no matter how deep the compilers go, there are gems still waiting to be rediscovered. Of course, the deeper they dig, the harder it becomes to verify the personnel involved and, apart from the odd single, most of these bands will be forever lost in time.
Like researching a family tree, there remains the possibility of uncovering the roots of someone who went on to bigger and better things – for instance, here the blurb mentions Cheap Trick's Rick Nielson who may or may not appear on "Winning Ticket" by The Huns. But, even though facts may be difficult to substantiate, the goal of Pebbles is to act as a showcase and Chicago 1 is exactly that.

TRACK LISTING

01. The Omens : Searching - 02:29

02. The Furniture : I Love It Baby - 02:19

03. The Huns : Winning Ticket - 02:25

04. Buzzsaw : I Live In The Springtime - 02:55

05. The Todds : I Want Her Back - 02:35

06. The Group, Inc : Like A Woman - 02:00

07. The Pattens : Say Ma, Ma - 01:52

08. Haymarket Riot : Trip On Out - 02:25

09. The Delights : Long Green - 02:24

10. The Untamed : Someday Baby - 02:22

11. Dalek-Engam, The Blackstones : Never Feel The Pain - 02:32

12. Dean Carter : Rebel Woman - 02:39

13. The Shady Daze : I'll Make You Pay - 01:57

14. The Little Boy Blues : You Don't Love Me - 02:42

15. Nobody's Children : Girl, I Need You - 02:00

16. The Buckinghams : I've Been Wrong - 01:58

17. Last Knight : Shadow Of Fear - 02:27

18. The End : Memorandum - 02:34

19. Dean Carter : Jailhouse Rock - 02:12

20. The Foggy Notions : Need A Little Lovin' - 02:31

21. The Haymarket Riot : Something Else - 02:11

22. The Warner Brothers : Please Mr. Sullivan - 02:35

23. Unknown Artist : WCFL Promo [Advertising Jingle] - 00:37

Playing time...52:42

Notes:
The cover track listing is inaccurate. It lists 24 tracks plus the hidden bonus jingle. It does not credit The Huns (track 3), but incorrectly lists The Boyz 'Come With Me' and The Cave Dwellers 'Run Around' which do not feature on the CD. [The above track list is correct]

The Pebbles CD series, released by AIP Records in the years 1992-2007:

Volume 1: Various Misfits, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5016] - Released 1992
Volume 2: Various Hooligans, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5019] - Released 1992
Volume 3: Various Burnouts - The Acid Gallery, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5020] - Released 1992
Volume 4: Various Hodads - Surf N Tunes!, Original Rare '60s Surf/Rod Classics [AIP CD 5021] - Released 1992
Volume 5: Various Morons, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5022] - Released 1992
Volume 6: Chicago 1, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5023] - Released 1994
Volume 7: Chicago 2, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5024] - Released 1994
Volume 8: Southern California 1, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5025] - Released 1996
Volume 9: Southern California 2, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5026] - Released 1996
Volume 10: Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5027] - Released 1996
Volume 11: Northern California, Original '60s Punk & Psych Classics [AIP CD 5028] - Released 2007 [NOT a typo! Vol. 11 was actually released 8 years AFTER vol. 12!]. Due to legal issues this CD was withdrawn soon after release.
Volume 12: The World, Original '60s Punk & Beat Classics [AIP CD 5029] - Released 1999 [NOT a typo! Vol. 12 was actually released 8 years BEFORE vol. 11!]

Coming soon all the CDs of the series PEBBLES on Flac and MP3.

You can find Vol. 1-2-3 4-5  HERE

MP3  @ 320  Size: 164 MB
Flac   Size: 330 MB