Paul Buff was a key figure in the early career of Frank Zappa, producing his earliest sides, like The Persuaders' "Grunion Run." He also worked with The Chantays, The Surfaris, Giant Crab, Sugarloaf and The Strawberry Alarm Clock throughout his producing career. In 1963, he hooked up with Art Laboe's Original Sound, hence this single, one of the few he recorded on his own. (He was also a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.) Strangely enough, the discography I found on Mr. Buff's producing/recording credits didn't list this record. I'm going to assume, therefore, it's from the same 1963-64 period he was at Original Sound. Okay, enough of the assumptions, on to the record itself. "She's Got A 60-Cycle Brain" is a strange novelty record that must've had some of Zappa's influence rubbing off on Mr. Buff. It's about a guy in love with a girl with magnesium teeth that he found in a box underneath a pepper tree. See what I mean about the Zappa influence? Oh yeah, she tried to break his heart with a hammer and she talks in space gibberish. Either it was Zappa or a lot of heavy doping. Maybe both. Anyway, you get the idea. It's good enough as novelty records go and certainly warrants a spot on your next Halloween mix tape. But "Cause I Love You" is a bit of a surprise: a very nicely done rocker that's good enough to be a Ricky Nelson 60s tune. Definitely worth a spin or two.
Today, Paul Buff is involved in lighting and digital art in Nashville, Tennessee. Just so's you knows.
1 comment:
Wow, exactly what I was looking for! Is a repost of the title track still possible? Thanks in advance!
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