Happy Birthday To Us!!

Happy Tuesday to everyone. Today is the first anniversary of It's Great Shakes. One year ago today, I made the first post to this blog. Since then, there have been nearly 300 more posts, discussing hundreds of different records. Thank you to all who've taken time to read the blog and especially those who've contributed by leaving their comments and suggestions. Of course, the biggest thanks go to Brian Marshall for helping me with the blog over the past year. Thru Brian's posts, I've learned about scores of records that were otherwise unknown to me. I've even mamnaged to track down a few of them, myself. Thanks Brian!

One of the reasons that I wanted to start a blog was to learn more about some of the records in my own collection. Another reason was simply to have some fun posting records that I enjoy and trying to describe them. I've learned a lot and, although posting sometimes resembles actual work, had fun, so mission accomplished. Here's hoping the next year holds more of the same.

Today, I thought that I'd write about a record I know very little about, "Come On" by The Exiles. You could say that I lucked into this disc. A couple of months ago, I won a few items from a lady on eBay. She misplaced one of the records that I won and refunded my money on it. She also sent some bonus stuff for my trouble. This record was one of the bonuses. As it turns out, it's also the best thing that she sent me.

About the only thing I've learned about "Come On" is that it's from 1965. I don't know a single thing about the Exiles, other than Paul Smith, Jr. is credited with writing both songs on this record, making him a possible band member. "Come On" is a cool, revved up, frat rocker. It opens with a few screams, a la "Farmer John" by the Premiers. A pumping organ starts, followed by the drums. The lead vocals kick in, "Come on, come on with me now", as the rest of the guys pitch in with some "oohs" and "ahhs". All the while, the hoots and hollers continue in the background. The guitar mostly stays out of the picture until the break, when it makes up for lost time, going about 90 miles an hour. The organ rocks and the drummer is a real basher on both the snares and cymbals. It's a whole lot of terrific noise, making it just right for our birthday!