Brand new version of "Strange Sounds"

The song from which I stole the name of this blog. Great stuff !

David, Ken, Ryan

Here's what David McIntire, now of the Ensemble Of Irreproducible Outcomes, says on Facebook about this version:
"We played at Bop Shop Records the last week of February [2015]. Two former members of the Colorblind James Experience sat in with us for three songs. This one is the title track of one of my favorite CbJE albums.
Just before the show, Phil reviewed the chord changes (Brian and Ryan had never played this tune even once). I said, "Phil will play the song and sing. Ryan and I will be the horn section, Ken will be the bass player, and Brian will be the 'strange sounds.'"
Brian took that duty extremely seriously. At one point, we nearly collapse amidst the laughter, but Phil heroically keeps the unit together. A joyous reunion for us."


Ken Frank, fretless bass
Phillip Marshall, electric guitar
David D. McIntire, clarinet
Ryan Oldham, trumpet
Brian Padavic, double bass


Ensemble of Irreproducible Outcomes - Strange Sounds from the Basement

The First Album

 

The first album was, of course, called

 The Colorblind James Experience. 

I'm going to call it 'Self-titled' from now on 

(can't spell 'eponymous').

Someone with too much time on their hands has put together a 'Self-titled Live' album, which can be downloaded here.

America America lyrics

I was born in America
America, America
I was born in America
Good ole USA

I grew up with baseball cards
Baseball games, friends backyards
I don't dig your Avante Garde
Good ole USA

I have travelled coast to coast
Coast to coast
Coast to coast
AM DJ was my host
Good ole USA

All the way I heard them sing
Burger king, Burger king
All the way I heard them sing
Good ole USA

America, land of the free
Of the free, of the free
Tell me how else could it be
Good ole USA

I have travelled coast to coast
Coast to coast
Coast to coast
AM DJ was my host
Good ole USA

Abe Lincoln is my president
President, President
I Think I know now what he meant
Good ole USA

You were born in America
America, America
When you die they'll bury ya
In the Good ole USA, Good ole USA, Good ole US

Soundcloud

Blind Girl Lyrics

You never see, how much you mean to me,
Cos you're a Blind Girl (Blind Girl),
I love you so, I'll never let you go,
You're such a fine girl (fine girl),
Whoa-oh-ho, you say I got it very bad,
I tell you honey it's OK,
Really there ain't all that much to look at anyway,
You're such a fine girl,
You're such a Blind Girl,

Everywhere you go you got them glasses and a cane,
Cos you're a Blind Girl (Blind Girl),
Think that everyone is gonna get out of your way,
Cos you're a Blind Girl (Blind Girl),
Whoa-a-ho, I told you that I love you,
Way too many times to tell,
At times I think you got some problems with your ears as well,
You're such a fine girl,
You're such a Blind Girl,

You're a Blind Girl,
You're a Blind Girl,

You never see, how much you mean to me,
Cos you're a Blind Girl (Blind Girl),
I love you so, I'll never let you go,
You're such a fine Girl (fine girl),
you say I got it very bad,
I tell you honey it's OK,
Really there ain't all that much to look at anyway,
You're such a fine girl,
You're such a Blind Girl,
You're such a Blind Girl

Soundcloud

The First Single

The band's first single (as Colorblind James and the Whitecaps) was

Blind Girl b/w America, America.

The band comprised Colorblind James, Kevin McDevitt, Rush Tattered, Terry O'Neil (misspelt) and G. Elwyn Meixner.  See the Absolutely More blog.









When fan Dave Davies posted these pictures on the Facebook Page in 2012, Phil Marshall wrote:

"I think this was recorded in '79 and released in '80. Chuck was so horrified by the result he wanted to dump all 1000 copies in Lake Ontario. Rather than follow thru with that, he decided to move to San Francisco".

"Were either of these cuts ever released anywhere else?"

"Not a chance :-)".

From The Oswegonian 1980-05-08

Unfortunately I don't own a copy, so I've never heard the actual A side, but there is a live version of the song on Podcast 5 and on my soundcloud.


The B side is still available to download on this blog and also on my soundcloud.


On one side of the cover is written:

"Water St to Bourbon St.
Oswego to New Orleans
Too much music in one time zone !!
I love that horn
Terry"

On the other side:

"To Dave, Too Hip !!!, W/love, CBJ, Be Loud (?) !!!"
and
"To Dave, My dearest friend, love always, your pal, G. Elwyn"

So, where to start?

Well, where better than former band member David McIntire's podcasts? Nine MP3s containing a cross-section of the band's music, plus some interesting commentaries. Originally downloaded from this blog they are now available via the band's Facebook page (more specifically this document), or directly from here:

Parts 1, 2 & 3

Parts 4, 5 & 6

Parts 7, 8 & 9

The Colorblind James Experience

A blog to celebrate the music of The Colorblind James Experience

Here's their wikipedia page.

And yes, I know the Strange Sounds album was the only one NOT technically by The Colorblind James Experience, being credited to Colorblind James and the Death Valley Boys instead. The DVB's was their 'unplugged' alter-ego.