Genre: garage
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Pat & Lolly Vegas At the Haunted House
Company: Mercury
Catalog: MG 21059
Year: 1966
Country/State: Fresno, California
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: mono pressing; small DJ stamp on back cover
Available: 1
GEMM Catalog ID: 4789
Price: $50.00
These guys have been long time personnel favorites. Although little recognized, they're true musical groundbreakers, largely responsible for tearing down some of the racial barriers that saw Hispanic acts segregated from the rock audience (the brothers were actually of mixed Yaqui/Shoshone and Mexican descent).
Hailing from Fresno, California, brothers Lolly and Pat Vasquez started their professional musical careers backing 50s crooner Jimmy Clanton ("Just a Dream" and "Venus In Blue Jeans"). Only 13 and 14 respectively when they started their professional careers, the brothers spent several years touring with Clanton, finally deciding to strike out on their own in 1961. Relocating to Los Angeles they proved talented and versatile performers, capable of reading and writing music, who by the mid-60s' were seasoned musical veterans, having recorded on their own, written several hits for other acts, carved a reputation as in-demand studio musicians and become an impressive live act.
In addition to a 1961 Lolly solo 45 for the small Audio International label, the brothers recorded in a number of outfits, including several 45s as the surf band The Avantis, at least one single credited to The Routers, a single credited to The Sharks, and a 1963 hot rod instrumental album under the guise of The Deuce Coupes ("Hot Rodder's Choice" Del-Fi catalog number DFST-1243). The brothers also recorded an obscure 1963 single ("Boom Boom Boom (Radda-Dadda-Da)" b/w "Two Figures (On The Wedding Cake)" (Reprise catalog number 20,199). Their resume was rounded out by membership in The Shindigs (along with Delaney Bramlett and Leon Russell), who served as the house band for the similarly titled ABC youth music television program.
The Vasquez also attracted considerable attention as writers, placing material with a slew of L.A.-based acts, including Dobie Gray, The Mark-ets (the brothers even briefly toured as The Mark-ets), and The Premiers. They also picked up a mentor/manager in the form of producer Bumps Blackwell. Best known for his work with acts such as Little Richard and Sam Cooke, Blackwell recommended a name change, leading to 'Pat and Lolly Vegas'. He also helped the brothers become regulars on the Hollywood club scene, including helping them become the house band at L.A.'s The Haunted House.
In 1966 Mercury decided to sign the duo and finance an LP. Produced by Leon Russell and Snuff Garrett, 1966's "Pat & Lolly Vegas At the Haunted House", was reportedly a live set capturing the band's club set list. Musically the album offered up a mix of originals and popular soul covers. As is so often the case, the up tempo covers were fine (Lolly turned in a nice guitar solo on James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"), but the true charmers were the six originals. Co-written by the brothers, tracks such as "Walk On (Right Out of My Life)", "Under You" (which sure sounds like something from the forthcoming Redbone catalog), and "Keep Me Up Tight", were all first rate blue-eyed soul/pop that would have sounded great on top-40 radio. Shame on Mercury for not having promoted the LP. One thing we've always wondered about was the "live" designation. The LP has a slightly echoic sound, but to our ears it doesn't sound like a live set - no audience noises and the performances are almost too good to be live takes ... anyone know for sure? The album did nothing commercially; Mercury quickly dropping them from its recording roster. Luckily the brothers reappeared as members of Redbone.
"Pat & Lolly Vegas At the Haunted House" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) In the Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett - Steve Cropper) - 2:46
2.) Walk On (Right Out of My Life) (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 2:37
3.) Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (James Brown) - 2:25
4.) Under You (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 1:56
5.) Let's Get It On (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 2:34
6.) Baby, I Need Your Loving (Brian Holland - Lamont Dozer - Eddie Holland) - 2:49
(side 1)
1.) Here I Go (Falling In Lovw Again) (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 1:45
2.) (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (Mick Jagger - Keith Richards) - 3:18
3.) Keep Me Up Tight (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 2:02
4.) Good Lovin' (Clark - Resnick) - 2:22
5.) Any Old Time (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 2:41
6.) High Blood Pressure (H. Smith - J. Vincent) - 2:30