Genre: garage
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Are You a Boy, or a Girl
Company: Laurie
Catalog: LLP-2203
Year: 1966
Country/State: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: stereo pressing
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4234
Price: $50.00
Cost: $59.55
One of Provincetown, Massachusetts' contributions to rock history, rhythm
guitarist Bruce Benson, bassist Jerry Causi, guitarist Jeff Morris and
one-handed singer/drummer Victor "Moulty" Moulten formed The
Barbarians in 1964. Signed by the local Joy label, the quartet debuted with
1964's "Hey Little Girl" b/w "You've Got To Understand".
An attractive slice of garage rock (possibly the best thing they ever did),
the single did little in terms of sales, but attracted the attention of the
larger Laurie label, which promptly signed the group. Supported by Laurie's
promotional capabilities, the band's career zenith may have come when they
were selected to appear on the T.A.M.I. show. Surrounded by the cream of
British rock (The Stones, etc.), they turned in a dazzling performance of
their debut single.
Teamed with producer/writer Doug Morris, the band enjoyed a surprising hit
with their first single for Laurie. Written by Morris and propelled by
Moulten's craggy delivery, "Are You a Boy or a Girl" offered up an
inspired slice of garage rock. As was standard marketing procedure, Laurie
rushed the band back in the studio to record a supporting album. Released as
the cleverly titled "Are You a Boy, or a
Girl" came off as hasty an largely ill conceived.
Perhaps due to the fact the majority of the set consists of popular covers,
to our ears the album was a mild disappointment. Understanding that mid-'60s
marketing demanded a band include covers in their repetoire, there wasn't
anything terribly wrong with their work (save a really lame "House of
the Rising Sun - miscreditted to Rod Argent and a rote remake of The Byrds'
cover of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man"). Elsewhere, largely written
by producer Morris, tracks such as "What the New Breed Say" and
"Take It, or Leave It" were stronger, benefiting from Moulty's raw
vocals and the band's considerable energy. Curiously, in spite of all of the
resulting publicity, including numerous appearances on ABC's
"Shindig" television program, the parent set failed to chart.
"Are You a Boy, or a Girl" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Are You a Boy or a Girl (Doug Morris - R. Morris) - 2:12
2.) Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan) - 2:06
3.) House of the Rising Sun (Rod Argent) - 2:53
4.) Marie Elena (instrumental) (Russell - Barceleta) - 2:35
5.) Bo Diddley (Eugene McDaniels) - 2:10
(side 2)
1.) Memphis,
Tennessee (Chuck Berry) - 2:25
2.) What the New Breed Say (Doug Morris) - 2:09
3.) Take It, or Leave It (Doug Morris) - 2:45
4.) I'll Keep On Seeing You (Maresca - Doug Morris) - 2:24
5.) Linguicia (instrumental) - 1:29
6.) Suzy Q (Dale Hawkins - E. Broadwater - Smiley J. Lewis) - 1:50
12.) I've Got a Woman (Ray Charles) - 3:10
Moulten and company enjoyed a minor hit with the autobiographical follow up
single "Moulty" b/w "I'll Keep On Seeing You". The band
also reportedly recorded a follow up LP for Mercury (though nothing from
such sessions has ever been seen or heard). Following the band's collapse
Benson, Causi and Morris moved to San Francisco where the resumed their
musical careers as Black Pearl (see separate entry).
The album's been reissued several times. With the addition of the single
"Moulty", 1979 saw Rhino reissued the collection under catalog
RNLP-1008. 1981 saw the German Line.Teldec reissue the collection (catalog
6.24351). The early-'90s saw both Bomp/Voxx and One Way release the
collection in CD format (One Way catalog #17965).