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The Chimps
NeotomicAliviacDate: Tuesday, 13 May 2008, 21:22 | Message # 1
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Hey guys hope I'm not asking for too many requests. This one though I can bet you'll never find anything on them. It was a band called The Chimps. It was actually the band Edison Electric from PA. Here is what the Edison Electric liner notes said about it:

Soon the group headed down to Cameo Records in hopes of making a demo. Mark Jordan: "The Guy who ran the label was Bernie Lowe, and when he heard us he got the idea to have us record these cover albums of Monkees songs for a subsidiary label called Wyncotte. We were told to play "i'm a believer" and Lasr Train to Clarksville" as soundalikes. Then they'd give us the titles to the rest of the Monkees songs, but a little bit changed. So if the Monkees song was called "Poppa Jean's Blues" we'd make up a song called "Poppa's Blue Jeans." That was the bait and switch. These kids from Bryn Mawr would think they were getting a Monkees album for 99 cents - this is when albums were $2.99 - and get two good cuts and the rest would be our acidhead hilarity."

It said they made two albums. I understand you may not find anything. Thanks a ton.

Cody


I looked around, a lousy candle's all I found
 
RainyDaySpongeDate: Wednesday, 14 May 2008, 19:37 | Message # 2
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Neotomic, though I'm not quite ready yet to get into the forum, I will try to save you some money (I hope you didn't bet against LiT, that we'll never find anything).

Anyway the Edison Electric liner notes are essentially everything one must (?) know about this group. What follows is basically the same story with a few details added.

Wyncote was a Cameo-Parkway Records subsidiary - a budget label. Budget labels were releasing the cheaper quality records they could, and that means that the recordings were made from unknown artists in one or two takes, the vinyl used was of the lowest quality, the pressings were noisy and, on top of all these, they used slightly altered covers and titles of the hits of the times, so the unsuspected buyers would get fooled that they were getting the band/artists they like. In each record they would be a couple of covers (or better a couple of song titles that the customer would recognize), and some other titles resembling the originals.
If you're interested on this, take a look here - a fine effort.

The Chimps were indeed Edison Electric, before recording anything under this moniker. They recorded these songs, using the "budget recipe" described above: a few remakes with the original covers (played as soundalikes ie the singer would use his Davy or Micky vocals), some with altered titles and on a few they were left free to do what they like. Two records were issued - Monkey Business and Monkeys A Go Go, both on 1967, although nowhere on the covers was a sign of "Chimps".

Monkey Business was released first and, as you can see on the "More Of The Monkeys" cover, the two Monkeys' covers (I'm A Believer and Last Train To Clarksville) are written at the top, to be viewed easily. Saturday's Child is transformed to "Sunday's Kid", Papa Jean's Blues is "Papa's Blue Jeans", Mary Mary became "Sally Sally", Hold On Girl is now "Sit Tight Girl" etc. Unlike many of the budget records musicians, these Chimps were actually playing, and although their two covers couldn't stand a chance, their own songs could pass the test.


W/SW-9199 - Monkey Business - Chimps (1967) I'm A Beliver/Last Train To Clarksville/Sunday's Kid/Papa's Blue Jeans/Sally Sally//Watch Out/Sit Tight Girl/Just A Little To Early/No Survivors/I Realize

Monkeys A Go Go has "A Little Bit Me A Little You" and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" as the two Monkeys covers and then we have the fake titles: Theme From The Monkeys is now "The Chimps' Theme", Let's Dance On is now "Just Keep Dancing", Your Auntie Grizelda becomes "Your Uncle Grizzly" etc.


W/SW-9203 - Monkeys a-Go-Go - Chimps (1967) A Little Bit Me A Little You/The Girl I Knew Somewhere/The Chimps' Theme/Fifth Class Mail/Yes You May/Just Keep Dancing/Your Uncle Grizzly/The Week We Fell In Love/
Believe My Cry/When She Knocks At The Door

Unfortunately (?) these two records were never reissued, although I don't think they could add anything to any 60s collection. The only reason that someone would want to have them is just from curiosity.

There is a track from Monkeys A Go Go that can be found more easily though: Fifth Class Mail is in "A Hard Dose of Lyte Psych", one of the excellent Arf! Arf! compilations with obscure 60s music. This track is by far the most psychedelic song that can be found in these two albums, a further proof that Eric Lindgren and the top collectors he has with him, are way ahead.

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NeotomicAliviacDate: Wednesday, 14 May 2008, 21:33 | Message # 3
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wow thanks so much. I never knew there was this much info. it sort of sound like you heard this album. If you did I would love if you could email me a link. If not it's okay. Thanks again

I looked around, a lousy candle's all I found
 
deeDate: Monday, 11 April 2011, 14:19 | Message # 4
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I own this record.Monkee Business.
I always thought this was a Monkees record.
I also wondered why I couldn't find a Monkees album to match up with these track listings.
I only have the LP and not the Jacket.
This is a great album.I always liked it.I've owned it since I had my first record player.Maybe I'm biased.
The guitars are acidy sounding,yes.Nice Monkee's "I'm A Believer" keyboard sound.I like the vocals.I wish it was re-issued.
I tell ya there are unheard classics on here like Sunday's Kid,Papa's Blue Jeans,Sit Tight Girl,Just A Little Too Early,and No Survivors.There's a definate groove to this record.
For what it is.I know I like this,it makes me wonder if I like the Monkee's as much.Yeah,I still do.I thought this might have been a really early release where the studio musicians were playing instead of the Monkee's.Glad to know the story behind it.
 
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