Year of Release: 1973
Tommy James and The Shondell's "Mony Mony" is, to this day, a bit of a floor-filler. Whilst I can't profess to truly adore the single myself and only play it once every so often at home, there's still something incredibly potent about the track at high volume at around one in the morning. It's a record you can tease the wallflowers with, those uncertain looking people propped up at the bar who have been frantically tapping their feet all evening as if they're about to make a move, only to uncertainly twitch away from the action. It's also one of those records for which bouts of hand-clapping are only to be expected. Handily, you can also follow it with just about any sixties pounder of the same tempo and keep people on the floor, even if it's an ultra-obscure flop like Chris Andrews' "Yo Yo" (I've done it).
Covers of the track have always been apparent, with attempts from Amazulu and Billy Idol working their way out of pressing plants in the eighties alone. This particular stomping seventies glam version of the record perhaps should have been a hit at the time - whoever had the idea that the track's pounding would lend itself well to the echoing thud and slap of glitter grooves was obviously utterly on the money. There's space and sparseness to this effort which does create a major contrast between the noisy, busy nature of the original, but for all that it's still a nagging little disc which seems determined to pull people towards the dancefloor.
As for who Boss were, I'm guessing that they were a studio group formed for the benefit of this record rather than a 'proper' gigging band. However, the B-side "Live Together" is a very different beast altogether (beneath the scratchy noises, which I apologise for) appearing to be an almost Joe Cocker-styled ballad designed to highlight the singer's talents. I'm guessing the members of this group will have done other things besides in their careers, and please leave a comment if you know more.
3 comments:
"Live Together" is lifted from an LP on BASF by Trainer (s.t.,72). For years I thought that this must have been another of these little known UK bands with a German-only release, but when I found it in a bargain bin, it turned out to be Phil Trainer, born in NYC, who came to London for a couple of years and recorded this album with the remains of the UK folk-rock group Trees as backing band there. (See writer's credits on the Deram b-side) No "Mony Mony" on the album, so I don't have a clue if or not this is the same band on both sides. Cheers and have a nice day. The Lolly Pope.
Thanks for the extra information! The vocalist sounds the same to my ears, so I suppose it's just a question of whether or not the same backing band was used on both tracks. Somebody out there might be able to help us on this one... or might not.
hi,
I just found this bkig recently! great posts here. I found this Boss post and check the comment, but i'm sure that Boss Live Together is only a cover by Trainer LP. I have Trainer CD and voice and arrangement are different...
Congratulations for the rarities!
Best
Eduardo Marins
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