I have commented on Rivers in the past on his 1966 album “Changes”. I noted there that I was a late convert to him.
This album here immediately preceded “Changes” and is the last album in the sound that made him famous.
From allmusic: “The magnitude of Rivers’ accomplishment shouldn’t be underestimated — since early 1964, the American charts had been dominated almost exclusively by British rock acts, with American artists picking up the scraps that were leftover, and then along came this new white kid from Baton Rouge, playing ’50s-style rock & roll and R&B like he means it (and he did). The sales of the debut album were stunning for their time, rising to number 12 in a 45-week chart run on the strength of the single. In response, another live performance was released as Here We a Go-Go Again in late August of 1964. In the interim, his debut single was followed by Rivers’ version of "Maybelline," which got to number 12.”
The liner notes on this album play down the change in the California music scene and affirm the clean cut, dance oriented, white, funky demographic.
The liner notes also say that “Johnny Rivers started the go-go generation”.
A big claim perhaps, but largely accurate. The Elvis Presley films from the early 1960s were all largely rock n roll go-go type music (at least on their upbeat numbers) but Rivers took that to another level and developed a sound and attitude which was high energy rock ‘n beat.
Given the importance of his live sound it is not surprisingly, a lot of his albums were recorded live (a novel concept at the time) and this album is in fact his fourth live album (from eight albums he had released to then)
Rivers made his career on his live sound and this is his fourth live album (or his 8th album proper). The sound is live though there is some post production – the rhythmic hand claps keeping the beat going. But that production adds to the live feel and it was quite trend setting. The Beach Boys did a studio version which was made to sound live ( Beach Boys’ Party -1965) whilst Lee Dresser, Trini Lopez and others did their own variations.
This is simple music but music that best embodies some of the spirit of rock n roll. It is easy to dismiss the music as you sit cross legged on the floor with your love beads but the reality is this music will get your head shaking, if not your body moving. It fits into that spot that Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels in Detroit, Bobby Fuller in Texas, Tommy James in Pittsburgh and Del Shannon in Michigan occupied: good, straight ahead rock n roll from a working band. The only variation by Rivers is he brought it to the ultra hip Sunset Strip supper crowd.
Surprisingly, Rivers, who could write songs, writes nothing here and concentrates on a lot of Motown soul. He wisely does not try to out-soul the soul singers and instead turns the songs on their head turning them into white pop rock tunes.
Personnel
• Chuck Day – Bass guitar, Guitar
• Mickey Jones – Drums
• Larry Knechtel – Organ
• Joe Osborn – Bass guitar, Guitar
• Johnny Rivers – Vocals, Electric guitar
Produced by Lou Adler and engineered by Bones Howe who are both legends and this sort of thing.
Tracks (best in italics)
- The Snake – Oscar Brown, Jr. – A “groovy” song about a snake of a man who preys on women, made famous by Al Wilson, later, in 1968.
- I Can’t Help Myself – Holland/Dozier/Holland-m The Four Tops song from 1965 (#1). Another “groovy” song ( I expect most songs on this album to be “groovy”). The hand claps must be overdubs. The song still works despite it’s familiarity.
- You Must Believe- Curtis Mayfield – The Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions hit (#15) from 1964.
- Uptight (Everything’s Alright)- Stevie Wonder/Sylvia Moy/Henry Cosby – the 1966 hit (#3) for Stevie Wonder
- Respect- Otis Redding – Originally released by Stax recording artist Otis Redding in 1965 (#35 pop, #4 R&B). The song became a 1967 hit (#1) and signature song for Aretha Franklin. The song seagueways into the next song …
- In The Midnight Hour- Wilson Pickett/Steve Cropper – The Wilson Pickett 1965 hit (#1 R&B, #21 pop).
- Secret Agent Man – Steve Barri/P. F. Sloan – The song, first recorded by Johnny Rivers, was used in the opening titles of the American broadcast of the British spy series Danger Man, which aired in the U.S. as "Secret Agent" from 1964 to 1966. A cracking song …as if Bond went rock.
- Every Day I Have To Cry- Arthur Alexander – recorded first by Steve Alaimo in 1962 (#46) but also recorded by others including The McCoys (1965), and Ike and Tine Turner (1966)
- You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’- Mann/Spector/Weil – The1964 #1 from the Righteous Brothers (subsequently recorded by everyone)
- Foolkiller– Mose Allison – from jazzman Mose’s 1964 album. This perhaps works because the original isn’t that well known.
- Run For Your Life– Lennon/McCartney – the mainly Lennon song from the Beatles “Rubber Soul” (1965). Gary Lewis also covered it in 1966. A great song ( even with it’s line life from Elvis’ “Baby Lets Play House”)
- You Dig- Chuck Day/Mickey Jones – an original from his band. A slow, groovy go go blues (if there is such a thing). More of a glorified jam rather than a song.
And …
Too many soul covers but groovy…. I’m keeping it.
Now if I could only find a go-go club.
Chart Action
US
Singles
1966 Secret Agent Man, The Billboard Hot 100 # 3
Album
1966 #52
England
Singles
Album
Sounds
The Snake
live clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7QRiKIc9vM
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=461ix_wbwGY
Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSDS90D494U
Respect
In The Midnight Hour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AEUL4AlOQs
Secret Agent Man (From The CBS-TV Show "Secret Agent")
live clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mPVMFj1lHI
live 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo3Wqf86N4w
Every Day I Have To Cry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2oy2O51hnE
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjg-uDmJoMs
Run For Your Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6xxKCEFun0
and attached below
Johnny Rivers – Run for Your Life
You Dig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHyDfuSXEGk
Others
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwVOlLF9VGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqfEQwrR5Wc
Review
http://www.allmusic.com/album/and-i-know-you-wanna-dance-mw0000839562
Bio
http://www.johnnyrivers.com/jr/images/one_sheet_bio.pdf
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-rivers-p118948/biography
Website
http://www.johnnyrivers.com/jr/index.php
Trivia
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