THE ALAN FRANKLIN EXPLOSION - Bye Bye Baby b/w Piece Of Your Love (Horne Records - 1970)

This smokin' slab of homespun rock & roll is a prime example of the sort of under the radar 45s that drive record collectors absolutely bonkers. Actually, The ALAN FRANKLIN EXPLOSION wasn't even a fully-fledged band. Franklin had cobbled together Tampa teens, Chris Russel (lead guitar), Buzzy Meekins (bass) and Dave Dix (drums) to back him on vocals and rhythm guitar in the studio. In late 1969 or thereabouts, the makeshift group gathered in Bee Jay Studios in Orlando, Florida to record a handful of Franklin's self-penned songs. The seven tracks were released as "The Alan Franklin Explosion - The Blues Climax" album on Horne Records in 1970.

The album in general is upbeat rockin' blues. Franklin's influences can as easily be likened to a stripped-down John Hammond as they can be akin to Buddy Holly. "Bye Bye Baby" and "Piece Of Your Love" were selected from the album as a stand-alone single. "Bye Bye Baby" is a loose and wild, blues-a-billy stomper that dares you to remain seated. On the flipside the band kick into high gear and let rip with a manic Bo Diddley beat as they race to the end of "Piece Of Your Love". A chaotic garage punk blowout!

BORN OUTTA TIME

Info Sourced From Garage Hangover