Rocks In The Attic #110: Wilson Pickett - ‘Wilson Pickett In Philadephia’ (1970)

I found this in the sale racks at Real Groovy in Auckland. I figured it must be a relatively decent release as the record was brand new - indicating that it was a reissue - so I quickly surmised that the general bad taste of New Zealand record buyers had left it languishing in the ‘New Items’ racks for so long that the staff decided to put it in the sale racks. I held onto it until I got it out of the shop - and what a find!

This album represents Pickett’s first recording outside of the Deep South, and away from the familiarity of Memphis and Muscle Shoals. It has a slightly grittier and funkier sound than his earlier work, but it’s nicely held together by the studio band and producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

Hit: Help The Needy

Hidden Gem: Get Me Back On Time, Engine Number 9 (Part 1)

Rocks In The Attic #91: Gloria Estefan - ‘Greatest Hits’ (1992)

I remember having a tape of Gloria Estefan songs that somebody gave me when I was in my first year of secondary school. It never seemed to make sense, and I guess that’s because ‘Oldham’ and ‘Latin Beat’ don’t really go together in the same sentence. This album should make a bit more sense now I’m no longer land-locked and living in a coastal environment, but I think it would only make sense if I drove a Ferrari and worked as a detective in Auckland Vice. That sounds like a TV series I hope they never make.

The upbeat stuff on this album is pretty good - especially the early Miami Sound Machine material - but the ballads could have been written and performed by anyone.

Hit: Rhythm Is Gonna Get You

Hidden Gem: Dr. Beat

Rocks In The Attic #63: The Doobie Brothers - ‘Toulouse Street’ (1972)

I love this album. I think there are better Doobie Brothers songs scattered on other albums, but for a full album that gels well from start to finish, this is the one. The sleeve also has titties, in the photo on the inner gatefold, and that’s always a bonus.

Not too long ago, I saw The Doobie Brothers play in Auckland - the Tom Johnston Doobie Brothers this is; thankfully Michael McDonald was nowhere in sight (or sound). I was so excited that they were touring - I remember being at work when the pre-sale email popped into my inbox. I didn’t even know they still existed, let alone were touring the world, so I snapped up tickets as quick as I could, and we found ourselves in the third row in the Civic Theatre.

Unfortunately, local TV evangelist Brian Tamaki was sat in the row in front of us, so you can’t have everything; but it was quite amusing when they played Jesus Is Just Alright from this album, and everybody started to point at him behind his back. Snigger.

Hit: Listen To The Music

Hidden Gem: Mamaloi