In this month’s edition, I noticed you responded to Paul’s inquiry regarding Rush’s self-titled release on Moon Records. My question is with regards to what may be considered a huge collectible: an unscratched, flawless copy of Electric! by Rush. I purchased this LP from a record shop about 15 years ago. From what I can tell, it is Neil Peart’s introduction into the band, after the departure of John Rutsey. The interesting thing is that the LP is said to be released by “Electricladyland Studios,” and also the band performs a song called “Bad Boy” (Geddy says to the audience it is a cover of a Beatles song???) This is definitely not a recording that was made available commercially, so it is technically a “bootleg”. Just wondering if you have any idea on how many of these LPs were actually produced?

It’s not just technically a bootleg; it most definitely IS one. And what a score!

First of all, a typical run for a bootleg recording was usually 1,000-2,000 copies. I have a feeling that this might be a recording of a nine-song show that Rush performed at Electric Ladyland Studios in New York on December 5, 1974. It came about four months after Neil’s first show with the band in Pittsburgh (which happened on August 14) and featured future Rush classics like “Finding My Way,” “Fly by Night,” “Anthem” and “Working Man.” “Bad Boy,” the second-last song of the night, is apparently a forgotten Rush original (despite what goofy Geddy says.

Back then, it was common for bands to record what were known as “radio shows”—private performances in front of live audiences that were recorded for syndication on rock stations across the country. These shows—which were never intended for commercial release or sale—were distributed on reel-to-reel tape or cheaply-produced vinyl that was actually designed to wear out after just a few plays. Obviously, many copies of these recordings went AWOL and ended up being, er, repurposed as bootlegs. This particular recording is also known as By-Tor ’74 in one of its CD incarnations and was issued on labels with names like “Elements of Crime.”

Way back, Liz Janick’s era on CFNY (how old am I!!) there was a song with the words “…wasting away in summer’s cauldron…” That’s all I remember, other than the fact I liked that song. Any chance you know the artist?

I’m going to make a wild guess here: “Summer’s Cauldron/Grass” by XTC. They’re the first two songs on their 1986 album, Skylarking. The first words on the album are “Drowning here in Summer’s Cauldron.” I remember working with Liz at the old CFNY back then and I know this album was one of her favourites.

I heard a version of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by The Blind Boys of Alabama. I can’t find this anywhere. Could you tell me what album this song is on? My son and I are big fans of your show, thank you.

I remember being blown away by the Blind Boys of Alabama when they opened for Peter Gabriel. “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a traditional gospel/blues song that has also been recorded by Johnny Cash for his 2006 album, American V: A Hundred Highways. To date, however (at least as far as I can tell), the BBoA have yet to release it on CD, although they do perform it in concert.

I recently heard one of the funkiest, bluesiest albums I have ever heard, but couldn’t find out the name of the album or the band. The most distinguishing feature was what sounded like an interview with Howlin’ Wolf, talking about how he got his name, set to music Can you give me some details?

Tough one, given that details are sketchy. A couple of questions: Where did you hear it? When? Did it seem that the interview was used as a sample? A stab in the dark might be you heard something from a 1998 record called Wolf Tracks: A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf (Telarc). It features a number of friends and associates (including James Cotton and Taj Mahal) performing his best-known tracks. Can anyone fill in any more blanks?

Hey Alan! Love your program. Back in the late 80’s early 90’s I saw a band in Kitchener at a small bar. The band was called “The Phantoms.” I purchased a cassette at the show and loved it. It has since been eaten by an old machine. Do you have an idea if I can buy it on CD format? I have been looking with no success.

I remember the Phantoms, notably their songs “Target” and “The Things I’ve Been.” They were active for about a ten-year period (1985-1995) and played tons of gigs in and around Southern Ontario. I recall having a CD or two of theirs around the station, but it seems to have grown legs and walked away. Sounds like another candidate for a BGO wish list. Anyone have a copy for Dave? Meanwhile, enter the search terms “Phantoms,” “Toronto” and “notorious” into YouTube and watch what pops up.

“What CD will I find Stompin Tom’s, “Golden Wildwood Flower”?”

The song is actually called “Wildwood Flowers” and can be found on a compilation called Move Along with Stompin’ Tom (EMI Records 22937)

“How come I can’t find anything by Dax Johnson? He’s a pretty famous pianist with 5 albums to his name. His most recent is “The Random and the Purpose” and it’s awesome! I’d put it on my wish list if I could.”

Dax Johnson was a concert pianist turned singer-songwriter based out of Spokane, Washington, who sadly passed away in November 2005 at the age of 30 after spending some time living on the street. Those who saw or heard Dax performed were most impressed by his charisma, passion and talent (Dax would sometimes play two pianos at the same time-one with each hand—just to demonstrate how things could be done differently.) Since his death, word of his music has begun to spread and demand has gone up. Details on all his releases (which are also available on iTunes) can be found at www.daxjohnson.com

“I have recently been listening to the radio through my iTunes, mostly as I can see the artist and the song being played and I don’t have to wonder about who I just listened to. The other day I was listening to a band called Pressure 4-5, which to be honest didn’t sound too bad. At first I thought it was a Helmet song I hadn’t heard before as it sounded a lot like Page Hamilton. I haven’t been able to find out anything about them, or what their story is. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction? Appreciate the time.”

Pressure 4-5 was a five-piece band from Santa Barbara, California who held together between 1998 and 2002. They were best known for an alt-metal cult hit called “Beat the World” in 2001. Although the band broke up for good a little more than five years ago, there are three albums still available through Dreamworks records: Antechnology (1999), Demo (2000) and Burning the Process (2001).

“At a flea market, I recently purchased a copy of Rush’s first release (Self Titled) on Moon Records for $5. I know that the difference between this and the label release - the front on mine is red, and the later releases were pink. I also know this vinyl is somewhat rare. It has a few minor scratches on it. I was just wondering if this album has any value to it or any idea where I could find if it has any value. It seemed like a steal at $5…Thanks!”

The thing about record collecting is that any given release is only worth what the rest of the collector market is willing to pay for it. Those terms are set by rarity, condition (inside and out) and demand for a particular piece of vinyl.

In the case of your Rush record, it’s an interesting find. Only 3,500 copies were ever released on Moon back in March 1974. This was the legendary version that caught on in Cleveland at a radio station called WMMS, something that set the stage for Rush’s success in the US. That success in Cleveland prompted rush to pay for a remixed edition of the album, which was issued on Mercury that July. This is the version with which most Rush fans are familiar.
Moon was the label that begat Anthem Records. Moon was formed by the band and manager Ray Daniels in 1973 as a way of trying to get Rush’s first single released. By 1977, it had evolved into Anthem and was also the home of Max Webster.

Back to that first album: The logo on both the Moon and Mercury editions were supposed to be bright red, but a printing mistake resulted in the logo on the cover of the Mercury release being an odd shade of pink.

However, because it has some scratches, the collector market would probably rate it as “fair” as opposed to “good,” “very good” or “mint.” The value of a mint copy has been evaluated at about $200. At that level, five bucks for a fair copy sounds like a pretty decent bargain.

“Back in the early 80’s I remember a song, but not the band. The song was played on Western University’s alternative radio program and was called Circular Impressions. Any idea who recorded it?”

You bet. The band was called the Extras, who, like Rush, Max Webster and BB Gabor, recorded for Anthem Records. A few years ago, a CD compilation was released, featuring a great recording of “Circular Impression.” Put it on your wish list. There are plenty of copies out there.