Sunday, April 3, 2011

#19 Archie Bell and the Drells "Tighten Up" 1968



What was in the water at the Bell's home in Houston, Texas? One brother, named Ricky, was a running back at USC and played professionallly for the Bucs and Chargers.
Another brother, Jerry, sang the Dazz band's #1 R&B hit "Let It Whip".
And Archie, the oldest, recorded this classic #1 pop and R&B hit, "Tighten Up".




I could write more about the band but Archie said it best:

Hi everybody
I'm Archie Bell of the Drells
From Houston, Texas
We don't only sing but we dance
Just as good as we walk


Todd Rundgren's Band, The Nazz, responded with a hilarious and catchy track that was supposed to appear on their third record, a double album called Fungo Bat. Alas, the band broke up and fans would have to wait until 1971 to hear "Loosen Up" on Nazz III.


I could write more about The Nazz but Todd said it best:

Hi everybody, we're the Nazz from Philadelphia
Home of the tuna fish hoagie
In Philadelphia, we do a little thing called loosen up
It goes like this






"Tighten Up" is just one of the amazing tracks on Rhino's six cd Beg, Scream & Shout compilation, The Big Ol' Box of 60's Soul. It's the kind of thing you should ask for on your birthday.

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