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Re: Sugar the road?

Ah thank you, Reg. Interesting clip there and I guess it kind of answers the question, "Having a good time". But then another question pops up - was Alvin the only one in GB to ever use the phrase "Sugar the road"? Google only says "Ten Years After" when I try it..

And thank you, DLM - love that clip!

Re: Sugar the road?

Hello Borje,
With respect, Reg hasn't answered any question at all here. But he sure as heck has raised one. It's so large and obvious it doesn't even need to be put into words. Once again - can anyone answer it?

Re: Sugar the road?

Seems like the world need an Alvish-English dictionary. At least I do.

Think I understand what the unspoken question is about. Think we probably shouldn't open that can. Think we all need a joyful bus ride instead.

Re: Sugar the road?

the exact same words in both songs
Having A Good Time
Sugar On The Road

Peace,
DLM

Re: Sugar the road?

It's a bit more than that. They are the same song - with two different titles.

Re: Sugar the road?

Or.. They are two different songs with different titles but for some reason someone choosed to use the same lyrics

Re: Sugar the road?

Er ... have you heard them both? From your comment it would seem not. Clearly, either BC or TYA recorded it first, under one title. Then a member or members of the other band heard it, then tried to get their band to do as near as they could a copy of it - lyrics, melody, chords, riffs etc. - but thought it prudent to give it a different title. But which band was which? Reg is investigating. But it would it be so much easier if someone else already knows.

Re: Sugar the road?

Fact is that "Cricklewood Green" was released on April 17th, and therefore must have been recorded in the very beginning of the year. So I think Alvin was first!

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Re: Sugar the road?

Did a little research and found that Bulbous Creation "hailed from the Kansas/Missouri area", and the LP "was recorded in two sessions (1970 and 1971) in the Cavern Sound Studio, Missouri", but not released until 1994. Not even the record company (Rockadelic) seems to know who the musicians were.

No doubt in my mind that Alvin wrote it and that BC is one of zillions so called garage bands (with guitars a bit out of tune, as many were before electronic tuners came along) that "borrowed" the song from TYA's CG album, but never got so far as releasing it back then.

Re: Sugar the road?

Yes, Reg has read this too. However, there is different information out there. For example, recording dates of '1969', '1969/1970', '1970', '1970/1971' and '1971' can all be found. So that aspect is as clear as mud.

As for the Bulbous Creation album release date information, this varies too. As you say, one source says it remained unreleased until 1994. However, other sources say this date only relates to its release on CD, and that the album was released on vinyl at conflicting dates in the previously mentioned 1969-1971 timeline. If so, let's hope it wasn't 1969 - as one source says - because then we've got problems ...

Re: Sugar the road?

Even if it was done in 1969, Bulbous Creation's album probably wasn't aired on radio or anywhere else, so how would Alvin have heard it? Especially since not even the record company knew who the members were..

On the other hand, TYA toured the USA extensively and were world famous already in 1968, so everything they released were available to everyone via TV, Radio, big live gigs and records.

Plus of course, words and music have distinct Alvinish style, which is why I asked what "Sugar the road" really meant. Like I said, the world needs an Alvish-English dictionary..

Re: Sugar the road?

"Bulbous Creation", shudder. What a yucky name! It NEEDS some sweetening with a bit of sugar, say I! Both Kansas and Missouri are right next door to Iowa, but I neva hoida dis group. (Oops, my NYC side is showing again! Evil grin...) Huh, I'll bet even the houses next DOOR never heard of this group! I mean, even if the neighbors heard malignant strains of "music"(?) wafting from their probable garage headquarters, they probably mistook them for, er, I dunno what, but I'll bet they avoided the members like the plague and never even heard the group's name uttered nor intoned. Perhaps. Anyway, I am somehow mysteriously put in mind of the old Kiki Dee song "Sugar on the Floor" (I guess it got tracked in FROM the road), not to mention (OK, I'll mention) the old '20s or early '30s Bessie Smith hit "I Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl". Heh heh heh. Poor blue lady. Hope she finally got some "Sugar in the mornin', sugar in the evenin', sugar at suppertime...", tum te tum... !! ;-)

Quote: Borje
Even if it was done in 1969, Bulbous Creation's album probably wasn't aired on radio or anywhere else, so how would Alvin have heard it? Especially since not even the record company knew who the members were..

On the other hand, TYA toured the USA extensively and were world famous already in 1968, so everything they released were available to everyone via TV, Radio, big live gigs and records.

Plus of course, words and music have distinct Alvinish style, which is why I asked what "Sugar the road" really meant. Like I said, the world needs an Alvish-English dictionary..

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Re: Sugar the road?

Hm, if we extend the expression with another wellknown Alvinism, it becomes "Sugar the road to freedom". And so we have one of Alvin's great compositions from 1969-70 linked to one from 2012..

Re: Sugar the road?

Nice one, Reg! Very interesting. Wouldn't the boys from BC have hollered loudly back then had it been theirs to begin with? Considering that Stormy Monday is also on their lp - I would venture to say that the BC boys covered the TYA song.

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Re: Sugar the road?

Hey, great thought, B! I love it! :-)

Quote: Borje
Hm, if we extend the expression with another wellknown Alvinism, it becomes "Sugar the road to freedom". And so we have one of Alvin's great compositions from 1969-70 linked to one from 2012..

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