Sweet Little Boppin' Gal

1. Screaming In Tongues – We began work on this CD several years ago, with “Vashon” Dave Conant on lead guitar. After Dave passed away, work ceased for a long time. This is obviously a tribute to Little Richard, and Craig Flory’s sax makes it special. This, plus 3, 4 and 5 were recorded at Kearney Barton’s Audio Recording.
2. Sweet Little Boppin’ Gal - I wrote this song after falling in love with my wife Gaby at the second Denver Rockin’ Rhythmbilly Weekender, and sang it to her over the international telephone (she was back in Germany) a few weeks later. Then I made this home demo with Pee Wee Thomas on lead guitar and bass. Much more recently I added a snare drum track to it. Pee Wee, who played for 10 years with Jimmy McCracklin, now goes by the name Garfield Kincross.
3. Let’s Boogie – this is the oldest song on here – I wrote the words in 1971 after meeting Bill & Karla Weiss and their son Josh along the road near my cabin 8 miles from Index, WA. I thought the words were too commercial, and forgot about them. Then a couple years later I opened my notebook to these words and the music for them jumped out at me. A version appeared on the first record I made with Okie Doke (came out in 1981), and after cutting the second version for my cassette album "Wam Bam Boom" bass player Joe Anderson suggested the last verse should be about Elvis, since there were at that time a lot of reports about sightings at the Burger King and wherever.
4. Tappin’ My Feet – This is based upon a true story, although the guy who owned the car wasn’t my best friend, though his girlfriend was a good friend of mine. In my original demo the year mentioned was ’65, the year this happened. But when we made it Fats Domino style, I changed the line to ’55.
5. You’ve Got Something – The second of 3 songs written to try and convince Gaby to move here from Germany and be with me. The third was recorded with Filé Gumbo and appears on "Travelin’ Mood" and also my Vol. 1 of "Best Of Marc Bristol – Country."
6. I Got Twisted – Not all my songs are autobiographical, and this one expresses the point of view of a few guys I know. I was not only able to dig the Beatles, but they inspired me to take up guitar in ‘64. And I watched Dick Clark regularly, too. With Rip Masters on piano and Tele, and Ray Campi on upright bass, and Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz on drums I’m very happy with this now! Rip recorded these extra tracks for me - thanks Rip, Ray and Jon!
7. Head With No Brains – I wrote this song in the ‘80s, but decided not to record it when Bill Clinton’s problems with hypocritical Republicans began, because I didn’t want to be seen as bashing Bill. “Senator Bob” was Bob Packwood, a Republican from Oregon.
8. Mexican Food – this song was written in the late ‘70s when I was desperate to come up with down payment money on the first house I lived in here in Duvall. It was intended as a radio jingle, and when the restaurant mentioned only wanted to pay me in food (I didn’t live close enough for that to pay off), I tried another couple of restaurants, but both had recently commissioned jingles already. Please don’t ask to see my poetic license, or try to get me with habañero peppers!
9. Waitin’ And Hopin’ – Another slice of true life adventure, trying to eke out a living as a musician during the ‘80s.
10. Ice Cream Fire – personal expression in the form of Rock’n’Roll!
11. The Daily Grind – Written about 10 years ago, when I was frustrated with Blue Suede News, and the fact that it was keeping me from having the time to write songs.
12. Shuffle, Don’t Run – I was inspired to write a guitar instrumental by Tim Sherman, who was playing with Stevie & The Blue Flames at the time. I recently renamed it.