Grade-A mid-60s Northwest rock
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 02/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Though Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Kingsmen scored more national hits, and the Wailers and Sonics hold a certain record-collector cache, Don and the Goodtimes were every bit their equal in creating stomping, rave-up R 'n' B and all-out thrashing Northwest rock 'n' roll. The band not only captured the essence of their contemporaries (e.g., their howling cover of the Sonics' "The Witch" captures the original's ferocity, and their rendition of The Kingsmen's "Long Green" surely helped the Goodtimes top the Northwest Battle of the Bands), but they also contributed to the Northwest rock 'n' roll vernacular with stellar originals like "Little Sally Tease."
Formed in 1964 by ex-Kingsmen keyboardist Don Gallucci and ex-Raider guitarist Pete Oulette (who, in turn was replaced by future Raider Jim Valley), they were joined by Don McKinney, a vocalist and sax player who was equally at home thrashing through Northwest rock 'n' roll as he was belting out garage-tinged R 'n' B. McKinney's fat saxophone tone added to the rock 'n' soul sounds of Dave Childs funky bass playing, and the power-punch drumming of Bob Holden.
Like all of the era's popular dance bands, the Goodtimes' set list was fleshed out with covers, including regionally born (or re-born) tunes like "Louie Louie" "Jolly Green Giant" and "Tall Cool One," and hits like "High Heel Sneakers," "Stagger Lee" and "Money." All featured heavy emphasis on their signature riffs and killer back-beats. The band also played tight, garage-soul instrumentals, with organ, guitar and sax each taking their turns on tunes like The Kingsmen's "Bent Scepter," the Gallucci-penned soul-sax answer, "Straight Scepter," the organ and guitar workout of "Lip Service," and their discotheque (or Las Vegas grind) debut single, "Turn On."
The Goodtimes eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where they found a measure of national success. Their pictures graced teen 'zines, and they became regulars on Dick Clark's "Where the Action Is." Their 1967 album on Epic traded in their raw Northwest sound for a combination of sunshine pop-rock (e.g., the Jack Nitzsche penned, "I Could Be So Good To You"), folk-rock ("And It's So Good") and British Invasion covers (The Rolling Stones' "Blue Turns to Grey"). Their original fire could still be heard on tunes like "You Were Just a Child," combining punchy drumming with a folk-psychedelic melody and vocal, fuzz bass, and a manic electric harpsichord solo.
This collection was originally issued as a 16-track vinyl LP in 2000; this reissue add nine excellent tracks, including Northwest classics and additional tracks from the band's Epic LP. Add to that informative liner and track notes, period photos and an interview with Goodtimes' guitarist Jim Valley, and the result is a superbly curated collection of grade-A mid-60s rock -- an essential volume for anyone's Pacific Northwest rock library."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1