The Cate Brothers featuring Infinite Jones – Union Man (Infinite Jones Fascinating remix 2018)
The Cate Brothers, white boys from Arkansas, recorded one of the funkiest songs of 1975. We must admit, at the time we thought maybe it was the Isley Brothers (who are sampled in the remix portion), a high compliment indeed. The song is called Union Man and we are pretty sure it is not Pro Union but, we could be wrong. We are definitely sure it has one of the coolest keyboard solo’s of all time, so this remix left that completely intact while using it as a basis for the Dance Break, so to speak. The original remix was done circa 1999 but, this is the 2018 updated, “remastered” version. We hope you like it.
Who Sells Out? Everyone, eventually. Some more willingly than others. We tend to think of our Sixties Icons as Staunchly Anti-Commercial but, as you will see below, almost anyone can be bought.
Prepare to have some myths shattered.
First up: Cream!
The Thirst Slaker! Jesus, Jack Bruce really puts his heart into this…
We actually kinda love this Rolling Stones Rice Krispies Jingle:
But, this Turtles Pepsi Jingle kinda sucks. They seem to be enjoying themselves though (no doubt thinking about the checks they’ll be cashing).
The Who, of course, embraced ad jingles even before their 1967 album Who Sell Out which featured fake (and, some actual) jingles between the songs. Pete Townshend has always stated he reserves the right to make money off his songs anyway he sees fit. Heck, we could do a whole post just on re-licensed Who songs but, let’s just stick with their rockin’ Coca-Cola Jingle.
A LOT of Artist did Jingles for Coke, often times combining their current hit with a Coke jingle. Here is the Moody Blues…
And, Marvin Gaye…
And, Otis Redding for gosh sakes…
We have many, many more Coke Commercials in the Infinite Jones Archives including ones by Ray Charles, Aretha Frankin, Roy Orbison, Lee Dorsey! But, that’s enough for now.
Let’s move on to this actually pretty cool commercial for the Pontiac GTO by Paul Revere and the Raiders:
However, this Ban Deodorant Jingle by Iron Frikkin’ Butterfly is just insane:
And, here is a Super Psychedelic Levi’s Commercial by Counter Culture Icons, Jefferson Airplane!
And of course we have to include Bob Dylan. A long time hold out, Dylan finally went “commercial” in 2007:
And, who can forget Bob’s controversial Chrysler Super Bowl ad:
Crazy stuff, huh? Well, we warned you. And, remember Things Go Better with Infinite Jones!
The Paley Brothers one and only, eponymous album is highly touted in Power Pop circles but, we actually find it kinda wimpy. Even their minor hit Come Out and Play, while catchy, is a bit too childish and mild for us. The exception is today’s Song of the Day, the rocker Down the Line. But, boy what an exception! Unlike the rest of the album, this thing cranks up the guitars and careens along with wild abandon while retaining the Paley’s trademark, Everly-like harmonies – a combination we find irresistible. The song is actually a Buddy Holly cover and we have included Buddy’s original version as well. Enjoy them both!
This lovely ode to inclusivity and Feminine Power may not be for everybody (although, all are invited to “come inside”) But, it is hilarious if you can handle it!
Another deep dig into the Infinite Jones Archives dredges up this super bouncy little New Wave ditty. It is from the oddly titled Aim for the Feet album from 1980. All we can tell you about the Hitmen is that these are NOT the Australian Hitmen, who we have also never heard of. We do not pretend this is a great song but, it is insanely catchy and has a good beat etc, so we dig it a bunch. And, points for obscurity, we suppose. We honestly have never even listened to any other song on this album but, somehow we think that is OK. Anyway, this is a vinyl rip, of course so, enjoy the (imaginary) “wamth” as you bounce around the room.
Rod Torfulson’s ARMADA featuring Herman Menderchuk!
Our All-Time Favorite Fake Band is from our favorite sketch comedy troupe the Kids in the Hall. The Armada skits were a long time running gag for the Kids. Here’s a sampling of the hilarity.
This one features Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes in a cameo as an Angel.
Dan Stuart (“Danny”) of Green on Red and Steve Wynn (“Dusty”) from the Dream Syndicate along with several members of other L.A. Paisley Underground bands make up the super-group-of-sorts Danny & Dusty. They recorded the charming, shambling Lost Weekend in 1985 as a bit of a lark and it sounds like it – in a good way. Song for the Dreamers is a rollicking, good-time, loser’s anthem that we have always enjoyed, even if we think some their choices of “Dreamers” (Al Capone and Fred Gwynne?) is a little, um, idiosyncratic. Still you will find yourself singing along with “Fidel Castro and Jackie O” and the rest of these misfits and dreamers and, that’s OK. Enjoy.
