Search - Grodes, Dearly Beloved :: Let's Talk About Girls

The dual kingpins of Tucson's '60s scene

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 07/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1997 release collects original sides from Tucson's two major garage bands of the mid-60s, The Grodes (also briefly known as The Tongues of Truth) and The Dearly Beloved (also known as The Intruders and Quinstrells). Perhaps the greatest claim to fame of either band is that The Tongues' "Let's Talk About Girls" (included here in its original form) became a garage classic in the hands of the Chocolate Watchband.



The Dearlys, as they were called by locals, ended up with the bigger helping of fame, signing with Columbia before getting shelved. They resigned with White Whale, but before they could consummate the relationship, the band's lead singer, Larry Cox, was killed in a car accident. Both bands left behind a fine legacy of blues-inspired garage-band singles, the occasionally crackly vinyl versions of which served as the source for this CD.



In addition to the seminal "Let's Talk About Girls," The Grodes had plenty of tough garage material, but also played fine harmony rockers. This was clearly a band that cut its musical teeth performing live at frats and teen dances. The same is true for the Dearly Beloved, whose debut "Every Time It's You" sounds like it was recorded in the same single-mic studio as The Kingsmen's "Louie, Louie." They're a tad bit punkier than The Grodes, but could also sing four-part harmonies (sadly, the original 45 version of "I've Got a Girl" has been replaced here by an alternate version; see Bacchus' compilation ""Think of the Good Times" for the vastly superior single).



This is a disc full of great guitar (6- and 12-string, with and without fuzz), organ and blues riffs reverberating around the garage. It's not a complete history of either band, as B-sides and various singles are missing, but what's here (including a cheeky radio promo written to The Beatles' "A Hard Days Night") is great fun for fans of garage band heroes like The Standells, Leaves and Pandoras. Detailed liner notes (including a lengthy interview with Grodes lead singer Manny Freiser) and vintage promo photo reproductions fill out a full package."