Meester Music is back....finally. I don't know what happened there, but it's great to be back!Let's start off with one of my favourite Canadian bands, and maybe their greatest LP. I'm talking about the great McKenna-Mendolson Mainline and their LP, "Stink".
The album appeared on shelves during the second half of 1969. The band had been in London England, supposedly to hook up with bluesman John Lee Hooker. They never met up with him, but DID make a good enough impression in London that they ended up in a recording studio in June 1969 and knocked this LP off IN ONE DAY!!
Mike McKenna is the lead guitarist, a bit of a local legend around the Toronto area. He had been a member of Luke & The Apostles and also briefly with the legendary Ugly Ducklings. Even before that, he was a member of Whitey & The Roulettes, a precursor to the Mandala.
Joe Mendelson was a guitarist and singer who spotted an ad saying that Mike was looking to put together a blues band. They got together, hit it off, and started playing coffee houses in Yorkville. They attracted the attention of Denny Gerrard, great bass player with the Paupers who served session musician duties with fellow Pauper drummer Skip Prokop on "I Dig Rock 'N Roll Music" by Peter, Paul & Mary. (this is a killer cut...I HAD NO IDEA that a couple of groovy Canadians were playing on this record!!)
Gerrard would eventually be replaced by Mike Harrison (from Grant Smith & The Power), and drummer and North Bay, Ont native Tony Nolasco would join up.
If this LP doesn't get you tapping your toes, or flailing your fingers up and down your air guitar, then you are a dead man. Great blues guitar from Mike, especially on my fave cut, "She's Alright". The entire album is smokin', and you will be missing out on something special if you don't grab this one.
Mainline played many of the top venues around Toronto, and even got to be the very last ever band to perform at the legendary El Mocambo (didn't the Stones play there one night??). I will post that show a bit later.
For now, please enjoy some rocking Canadian blues. MAINLINE!!
McKenna-Mendelson Mainline - "Stink" (1969)
01 One Way Ticket
02 She's Alright
03 Beltmaker
04 Mainline
05 Think I'm Losing My Marbles
06 Drive You
07 T.B. Blues
08 Better Watch OUt
09 Bad Woman
10 Don't Give Me No Goose For Christmas, Grandma
Stink - part 1
Stink - part 2
6 comments:
Yes i agree for me is this also his Best.Thanks
hey man, maybe you have Bobby Cole album A Point Of View, i search this long time...
Is there a chance in the world that you have an MP3 of a lost song from a Canadian band from about 1970? The band was called "Daybreak" and the song was entitled "This Was Meant To Be". I've been looking for it forever ... well ... since 1970 anyway.
Bim Ingersoll
Belleville, ON
www.rockroach.com
Catching up on email.
Nothing in my collection from "Daybreak". Have never even heard of them. I'll be on the lookout.
I have a copy of "A Point Of View". It's by BUDDY (not Bobby) Cole. I'll have to look for it, but I can share this one if you are still looking for it, Vyriausias....
Here's all the info I have on "This Was Meant To Be":
DAYBREAK
A-Side: 'This Was Meant To Be'
B-Side: 'Greatest Story'
Label: (London 17391)
Year: 1970
Thanks, 'Meester'
Thankyou so much for uploading this! :D
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