Extraordinary Garage Ballads

[Miracle Mirror]

I've been listening to some garage ballads that I consider to be extraordinary. Sometimes the ballads get overlooked to a certain extent by the more aggressive garage sounds. Here's what I love about these ballads.

The Trolls--How Do You Expect Me To Trust You---The singer has the perfect anguished vocal going on and the background vocals are fantastic in the same anguished way. Also, love the short laid back jazzy guitar solo--just right for this song.

The Hitch-Hikers--Someday Baby---The guitar is really haunting throughout the whole song. The guitar solo in the middle is a cool bluesy musical right turn of a surprise. And that powerful bottomless bass--wow! Love the tambourine shake that ends the song too.

The Drongos--If You Want To Know---Cool guitar work and bottom line: This is one of the greatest organ solos that I've ever heard in a garage song ever.

State Of Mind--Goin' Away---One of my all time favorites--the guitar is magical throughout--great vocal by the lead singer--exceptional bass playing and a biting guitar solo--perfection!

I know that people like different songs for different reasons but I was wondering what are some of everybody's favorite garage ballads that you would just have to have on that deserted island?

 

[MopTopMike]

My votes on your list were as follows:
How Do You Expect Me - Trolls 10 (I was the only one to vote this high...utterly brilliant! i like it better than "Walkin Shoes")
Someday Baby - Hitch Hikers 5
If You Want To Know - Drongos 5
Goin' Away - State Of Mind 5

Here are some of my top-worthy ballads:

I Can't Take You Back - Run-A-Rounds 10
With Someone to Love - Paradox 8
Your Money Couldn't Buy Me - Lagnafs "Chilling!" 9

 

[BBTD]

The Gnomes "The Sky Is Falling" is one of my faves, but there are many more.

 

[BBTD]

Oh yes, all faves that are mentioned here. I don't have the Trolls 45, so if anyone has a nice spare to offer please drop me a line. Don't have Paradox either, but I know there are not many around of that one.

 

[bunter]

The Bards - Thanks A Lot Baby
The Elite - I'll Come To You
I rate both higher than their uptempo A-sides.

 

[MopTopMike]

Another huge fave:

"She Means the World To Me" - The Malemen
ultra dreamy - I voted it a 10, in my all time ballad top 5.

 

[Michael W]

The Bards - Thanks A Lot Baby
The Elite - I'll Come To You
I rate both higher than their uptempo A-sides.

I was interested to read in TBM that "Thanks A Lot Baby" was first released as by Johnny Diamond on Soft in Nov '65. The same version is the one used on The Bards July '66 45.

 

[MopTopMike]

I was interested to read in TBM that "Thanks A Lot Baby" was first released as by Johnny Diamond on Soft in Nov '65. The same version is the one used on The Bards July '66 45.

Johnny mumbles the lead vocal rant on "Alibis"

 

[HarvestmanMan]

The Gaunga Dyns - Clouds Don't Shine
13th Floor Elevators - Splash 1

 

[eleelandc]

Lavender Hour's I'm Sorry springs to mind.... Would Knight's Bridge Quintet Sorrow In C Minor count as a ballad or is that just "moody"?

 

[Miracle Mirror]

Thanks everyone for some of your favorite ballads.

Mike, you and I certainly agree on The Trolls record--brilliant is the right word. A little surprised you didn't rate the State Of Mind's 45 somewhat higher but we all hear different things. Just ordered your book and judging by the reviews it's going to be a real blast going through it. Do you know if the Lagnafs and the Malemen 45's have been on any compilations?

 

[legbarecords]

The Knaves- the girl I threw away
Choir-when you were with me