Funky16Corners

The Casanova II – Maybe They’re Right

By Larry, January 31, 2012 3:14 pm

Mr Freddie Hughes

~~Listen/Download -The Casanova II – Maybe They’re Right~~

Greetings all.

I come to you in mid week with a powerful slice of West Coast soul.

The Casanova Two were a mystery to me when I picked up this 45 some years back. I added it to my keeper stack at a record show on the strength of the fact that I already had a Merl Saunders 45 on the same label, and because I was constitutionally incapable of passing up a record by a group with a name like that.

I’ve always been of the opinion that most of the male duet groups that recorded in the 60s were doing so in the wake of Sam and Dave and The Casanova Two are no exception, trading lines in the style of the masters.

Early Bird was a bay area subsidiary of the Fantasy label that appears to have been under the guidance of pianist Lonnie Hewitt (who just happens to have written and produced this very single). The label released a dozen singles between 1966 and 1968.

The Casanova Two were Freddie (not Fred*) Hughes and Wylie Trass, two Bay Area singers who would go on to record under their own names, Hughes for Wand and Trass for ABC and Pashlo.

The duo recorded a pair of 45s for Early Bird, the other of which (I seem to be the king of picking up the less valuable of anyone’s 45s) “We Got To Keep On” is a Northern fave that has been known to change hands for well over 100 bucks.

‘Maybe They’re Right” – from 1967 – is a fantastic, upbeat side with some very interesting (dare I say, jazzy?) melodic things going on in the background (courtesy of Mr Hewitt, who had spent time as a sideman for Cal Tjader among others).

It’s just this side of funky, with some very nice horn bursts and organ bubbling up underneath.

Both Hughes and Trass appear to still be active, performing around the Bay Area.

I hope you dig the 45, and I’ll be back on Friday.

Peace

Larry

*This is not the same person as Fred Hughes (also from the West Coast) who recorded brilliant stuff like ‘Oo Wee Baby, I Love You’ for VeeJay

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.