Thursday, December 8, 2016

ABCs of My Vinyl Collection (Letter D, Part 9)

Now for something from the psychedelic side of C86. The Dentists caught my eye 30 years ago for a silly reason. I liked the name of the album from which today's song was taken. I had no idea at the time 'Some People Are On The Pitch They Think It's All Over It Is Now' was a reference to Kenneth Wolstenholme's famous call at the 1966 World Cup. Hmm, I can't seem to recall who won that one. Take it easy. I'm kidding. You take notice when you're a kid and see titles like "She Dazzled Me With Basil," "Writhing on the Shagpile" and, of course, "Where's My Chicken, You Bastard?" from the brilliantly named 'You and Your Bloody Oranges' EP. You need to see the cover to appreciate it. Here you go.

I didn't follow the Dentists at all after 1987 or so, but the name Bob Collins from the band has continually popped up on other projects through the years, and the Dentists even garnered quite a respectable following here in America around the early '90s. I bring all of this up because Collins released an album under his own name last year I did hear, and it turned out to be a brilliant piece of indie pop. Give it a listen here. Now on to "I Had an Excellent Dream," a standout from the Dentists' debut album. To these ears, it owes much to "For Your Love" from the Yardbirds, particularly the background vocals, but that's not a bad sound to emulate.

"I Had an Excellent Dream"

10 comments:

C said...

Good call Brian!
'I Had An Excellent Dream' is a favourite Dentists track of mine too (it's somewhere in my blog archives as well) and they came to play at my local town's small venue back in the '80s; I'd been playing them in the shop and I was so excited to be able to see them, I remember it being a really good night.

(You're so right about their titles... worth the entrance fee alone!)

I sort of forgot about them in the interim years, and never envisaged that they would get a following in the States, so was pleasantly surprised a few years ago when corresponding with someone in New York to find that he too had been a fan. Now lovely to see you post them too!
I'll check out the Bob Collins release - thanks.

The Swede said...

I echo C's sentiments - a splendid selection Brian. Bob Collins passed me by too, so I'll be sure to check that one out on your recommendation.

Wallytbm said...

Don't forget to check out The Treasures of Mexico who released an excellent album on Shelflife Records - the work of another ex-Dentist

Brian said...

Hi, C. Funny thing about the Dentists in America. They signed with an American label for a bit in the early '90s and played here. College radio really took to them.

Swede, I think you just might like that one. See Wallytbm's comment too.

Wallytbm, Welcome. I have checked out Treasures of Mexico, and I'll just tell you that like many Shelflife releases you may be seeing them pop up on my list of the year's best releases next week. Thanks so much for chiming in.

George said...

Cracking song Brian, and it has aged a lot lot better than some of the music from the C86 genre.

Charity Chic said...

You do know of course that the "winning" goal never crossed the line!

Brian said...

Well, George, you know this is my weak spot. I love it all. Happy to hear you liked this one.

CC, You're asking for some trouble there, I suspect.

drew said...

CC is of course correct

Brian said...

You folks from up north are troublemakers.

Anonymous said...

You're a treasure trove of knowledge Brian. Thank You.