As you can probably tell from the cover, the Last Words were a fun band. They didn't try to be deep, or hard, or political, or mind-expanding they just played pop/rock music in a variety of styles. The album consists mainly of (well-chosen) covers and a few competent pop originals that could have been written by any number of other bands of the period. They do interpret the material in original ways. I particularly like their odd arrangements, which often lead to unexpected turns in the songs--like the fuzz guitar freakout in the middle of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" or the languid take, with dirge-like organ, on the Beatles' "No Reply." They do use plenty of fuzz, organ & tambourine.
Prior to this Atco album they recorded a garage rock single on the Boom label and a blue-eyed soul outing on Atco that managed to crack the top 100 (the A-side of which, Can't Stop Lovin' You, made it on this lp). After it, they released a couple of other singles off the record and then disappeared into rock obscurity. John Lombardo, the singer, held on a little longer with a couple singles produced by Tommy James (of Shondells fame). The All Music Guide says he was the same John Lombardo who was later in 10,000 Maniacs but, for some reason, I think they're probably wrong (come to think of it, they're often wrong but that's another issue).
"The Last Words" track listing
(side 1)
(1) One More Time (John Lombardo) - 2:31 (2) Be My Baby (Phil Spector - Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry) - 5:47 (3) Mor'een (Mark Lindsay - Terry Melcher) - 2:23 (4) No Reply (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 4:48 (5) A Basket of Flowers (Michael Stone - Charles Conion) - 2:34
(side 2)
(1) The Kids Are Alright (Peter Townshend) - 3:37 (2) Can't Stop Lovin' You (John Lombardo - Michael Byrnes) - 2:14 (3) You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Phil Spector - Barry Mann - Cynthia Weil) - 5:45 (4) It's Not Over (John Lombardo) - 2:30 (5) I Wish I Had Time (Michael Byrnes - Dooley) - 2:45
Music available here or here. I ripped this one myself from a mono copy of the record (I think it was released in stereo as well).
12 comments:
There is Trojan virus on depositfiles.Don`t go there if you don`t have virus protection.
I`m switching to another service.
Thanks for the music :)
For those who want to know--the first link is to depositfiles & the 2nd to divshare. I don't know about the Trojan but it pays to be safe.
max, i couldn't find anywhere else to say this, but thanks for linking my blog! i didn't know, and have seen alot of traffic lately from your blog. very nice! thankyou!
gracias mucha gente visita mi blog desde el tuyo Thank You
Hi Terry & Turkish,
Always glad to link to good music blogs!
Hey Max... I was able to decipher that cassette tape I told you about some time ago. I was totally wrong on the artist whose name is Joe Byrd, not Jill Blue. God, I must have been really wasted when I recorded it. Here is the link in question if you're interested. Maybe you may know the other two songs in the mix.
http://www.box.net/public/static/3lnfaf343c.mp3
Thanks for all your support.
thanks for this one, it's really enjoyable!
Thanks Max! I enjoy these slightly cheesy bubblegum/popsike albums!
Awesome! my pops used to see this band in the sixties, I think in South Florida, he bought the LP. it was one of my first rock and roll records...
I wasn't aware of the concept of covers, so when I heard the Who do the Kids are Alright,.. I thought.. "Hey! they are doing a Last Words song!" (I was about eight years old..)
Thanks for sharing this nice album!
Anyone know how to get in touch with John Lombardo? Or know where he has been over the years? I used to watch this band when I was a kid through the plate glass window separating the bowliong alley form the bar my dad owned. I loved this band!
John Lombardo lived in Carmel, California and worked at Casanova restaurant. He greeted everyone with smiles, hugs and good cheer. Sadly he passed about 10 years ago, maybe longer.
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