I’m a little short on time again this week, so I’m opting for another lost 45 post. For today’s Fabulous Find I bring to your ears; It’s A Cry’n Shame by The Gentlemen from December 1966, or fifty-two years ago. It was cut on Vandan Records and the song features a driving fuzz-riff, almost punk, lament pounder! It’s a great song, so please give it a listen.
The Gentlemen were a band from Dallas, Texas. They performed and recorded from 1964 through 1968.
The Gentlemen formed in 1964 and were from actually from Oak Cliff, a section of Dallas. The band went through several lineup changes, but the band’s musical direction was largely guided by guitarist Seab Meador, who spent several years in the band. The band’s sound owed more to the blues-based approach of the Rolling Stones and the Animals than the pop ballads of the Beatles and Dave Clark Five.
Other members of the band were; Mike Kelly, also on guitar and vocals, Bruce Bland on bass, Tommy Turner on keyboards and Tim Justice on drums.
In 1965 the band went to Sumet Recording studio and recorded two songs, “Beg, Borrow of Steal” and “Here I Cannot Stay.” which were released in late 1965. The band also cut a demo acetate of the song “It’s a Cry’n Shame,” which would later, the next year, be re-recorded for official release.
And as it is said, and the rest was history, as this song has long been considered one of the greatest garage band singles/songs in history!
But you be the judge, give it a listen and let me know what you think. Is it better than other songs I’ve shared as Fabulous Finds?
That’s it for this post, but return next week for a new RETRO REVIEW, if I can keep up.
be seeing you …
