Blues Fix The Cramps

£15.00

Genre:
Psych / Garage
Label:
Big Beat
Format:
10"
Catalogue Id:
BLUE 1

The Cramps’ “Blues Fix” first came out in 1992 as a side project to “Look Mom No Head!” – sort of the single from the album, plus three. It came out then on newfangled CD, so here’s your chance to get a vinyl fix of the “Blues Fix”, all big 10 inches of it.

So what you got here big boy? Well, first up is ‘Hard Workin’ Man’, originally released on MCA Records in 1978 as part of Jack Nitzsche’s soundtrack to Blue Collar, which had Harvey Keitel playing alongside Richard Pryor. The record featured Ry Cooder on slide guitar and Captain Beefheart growled a mean vocal. Jack was a good friend of Ivy and Lux, with a shared passion for records. This has to be the latest original they covered on record.

It was the Cramps who introduced me to the delights of Lightning Slim’s ‘It’s Mighty Crazy’, originally issued on Excello 2131 in November 1957, if you must know. Of course you must, as like the rest of us record freaks you just keep on rubbing at that same old stuff: catalogue numbers, matrix numbers, dates, the colour of the label, the thickness of the wax, even what’s inside the groove. A svelte take here from our band.

Walter Brown got his Jelly Roll rocks off on Zip 4686 in 1958 and is definitely not to be confused with the blues shouter of the same name who fronted the Jay McShann Orchestra. Our Walter made this singular outing in his search for fame and poverty and put a lot of energy into both sides of his 45. This tune is the more insistent, and the Cramps do that restless-breathless-energetic thing so well on their take.

The EP closes with ‘Shombalor’, originally issued by Sheriff & the Ravels on Vee-Jay 306 in December 1958, just in time for Christmas. Sheesh, who buys their loved one this to play under the mistletoe? (You’ve guessed.) The record was produced by Aki Aleong, who might have also owned up to writing “Of all the animals in the world, I’d rather be a bear”. But then again, as Sheriff sings it with such panache and conviction, maybe they are his finely tuned lyrics. Whatever, Lux eats the song like only Lux could eat a song. 

By Roger Armstrong 


Share

Track listing

Show

Delivery & Returns

Show

We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Customer reviews

Show

Related products

Customers who bought this item also bought