Mickey Fields

Greetings all.

The end of the week is here, and so is the Funky16Corners Radio Show, which comes to you each and every Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio. If you can’t be there at airtime, you can always subscribe to the show as a podcast in iTunes, listen on your mobile device via the TuneIn app or grab yourself an MP3 here at the blog.

Today’s selection qualifies as one of the very first funky 45s I ever scored.

‘Cracker Jack’ by Mickey and His Mice was a minor regional (Baltimore/DC) hit in 1970 and as a result is plentiful and cheap on the east coast (and probably everywhere else as well).

Opening with some thick, sticky bass, guitar and back and forth spoken word ish, it soon opens up into a funky organ/sax led instrumental jam.

It’s fun, funky and danceable, and as is so often the case, would be sweated heavily if it were rare, but since it isn’t, it’s neglected.

The backing track was recycled (also on the Marti label) as ‘Doin’ the Crackerjack’ by Changes, a much rarer and more expensive 45.

That said, I had no idea that the Mickey Fields listed on the label was the same guy who recorded an album with Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes (that I already happened to have a copy of!).

By all accounts, Fields had the chops to make it on the national scene, yet chose to remain in Baltimore where he was an important part of the local scene as a leader, sideman and mentor.

The other record I mentioned was ‘The Astonishing Mickey Fields’, a 1969 session. It is mainly a jazz date, but the version of the Doors’ ‘Light My Fire’ is very groovy indeed, and I’m including it here.

I hope you dig the tracks, and I’ll be back on Monday with some more.

Keep the faith

Larry

 

 

 

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived! The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock. They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US). Click here to go to the ordering page.

Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).

 

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

3 Responses to “Mickey and His Mice – Cracker Jack (Plus a Bonus Track!)”

1. a says:

   April 23, 2015 at 11:16 am

   great and cheap. hi larry!

2. Big George says:

   April 23, 2015 at 3:00 pm

   I vaguely remember hearing this played on a Soul Station out of Wash, DC. Cool tune!

3. ricky says:

   April 24, 2015 at 8:07 am

   great stuff to start my friday Larry!! Thank you!