Garland Jeffreys …a New York Original

CB (Cincinnati Babyhead) and I have got together again and worked on this post. When CB sent me the link to “Wild In The Streets” I was sold, hooked, and happy. The more I listened to Jeffreys music the more it affected me like Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison did when I first heard them. Jeffreys’ music found a spot in me where Morrison and Springsteen lives. It’s deep, sprawling, and meaningful. Not many artists affect me like this. Like Big Star, The Replacements, and others…this man should be known to more people.

This post is a sample platter…I kept it relatively short so you can enjoy the songs. I’ll be covering more Garland Jeffreys coming up in the next few weeks to give more information rather than cramming everything in one post.

Jeffreys is a Brooklyn, N.Y.-born singer/songwriter who has released 15 studio albums in his 53-year career. His mixed heritage Puerto Rican and African-American is mirrored in his music, which embraces rock, soul, R&B, and reggae.  He began his career performing solo in Manhattan clubs in 1966 after attending college at Syracuse University as an art major, where he became friends with Lou Reed. He then spent some time in Italy studying art before he came back to further his education at New York’s Institute of Fine Arts.

In 1969 he formed a band called Grinder’s Switch, they released just one album Garland Jeffreys & Grinder’s Switch. Members of that band played on the debut album of John Cale of the Velvet Underground. Jeffreys wrote a song for the album called Fairweather Friend and did backup vocals for it. In 1973 he released his first album entitled Garland Jeffreys.

Garland and Bruce

Springsteen opened for Jeffreys at the Cafe Au Go Go back in 1972. They’ve stayed in touch ever since. Jeffreys appears on Light of Day, a great Springsteen tribute album, performing “Streets of Philadelphia” with just as much emotion as its author. He was friends with peers like Lou Reed, Bob Marley, John Lennon, and Joe Strummer, explored in both original songs (“Reggae on Broadway”) and a pair of choice covers (“I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Help”).

One thing I found is he really connected with baseball. His album One Eyed Jack has him on the front cover when he was a young kid in a baseball uniform and his childhood idol Jackie Robinson was on the back. Some of his credits list baseball players from Bobby Bonds to Brian Doyle.

Let us start off with the first song that CB sent me that won me over within a few seconds. It’s as New York as Martin Scorsese, Springsteen, The Yankees, The Statue of Liberty, and subways. It was released in 1973 as a single and was included in the 1977 album Ghost Writer… it is called Wild In The Streets. It’s naked, raw, and genuine…just like Jeffreys.

35 Millimeter Dreams is a song off of the 1977 album Ghost Writer. This one is catchy and it’s too bad it didn’t catch on when released as a single.

Hail Hail Rock and Roll…CB did a take on Hail Hail Rock and Roll. Some of his take: A little tribute to Rock n Roll by one of the best guys out there.  This song gets into your blood.  Garland knows his stuff.  CB has been thinking about this rock and roll thing lately.  All the music and pioneers that have contributed to this thing he loves so much.  This song more than touches on a lot of those thoughts and feelings.

It was released in 1983 on the album Don’t Call Me Buckwheat.

Roller Coaster Town was released in 2011 on the album The King Of In Between. The album made numerous annual Best Of lists with NPR naming it a “best of the year so far”  and Rolling Stone calling it one of the Best Under The Radar Albums of 2011.

City Kids is off the American Boy and Girl album released in 1979. Here is what CB says about the album: “This is NY music from Jeffrey’s experience. He’s lived it. Another one of those “How come artists that never made it bigger?” He is a NY poet. Songs got into me, moved me. What can I say? Springsteen’s ‘Wild Innocent’ vibe. This is his world like Scorsese’s. Close to the streets. When he sings ‘City Kids’ I’m gone with him. Sends a few shivers. Love the feel. Cousin to ”Jungleland’ by Bruce. ‘Matador’ is just beautiful. Sung in his distinctive voice. Hit the romantic side of CB.”

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

24 thoughts on “Garland Jeffreys …a New York Original”

  1. Your streak continues. I love Garland and Ghostwriter is his masterpiece. Saw him quite often in the 70s and after a long seperation saw him twice in the past decade. I undertand that there is a movie in process about him which will be great!

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    1. Mike I was positive you would know who Garland was. Quite frankly I’m blown away by his music. That is cool that you got to see him…and I wonder…how the hell is this guy not more known?
      A movie would be fantastic!

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  2. Thanks for this. If you haven’t seen it, check out the film “Wild in the Streets”. It was a 1968 American International Pictures release (they were known for low-budget movies made for teens and drive-ins) parodying the youth movement…culminating in a move to give 14 year olds the vote (featuring the anthem “Fourteen or Fight” with Richard Pryor on drums). Is it just me, or do you hear similarities between Jeffries and Mick Jagger (particularly on “Wild in the Streets”)?

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    1. It’s funny you say that. I can hear so many influences…I can hear early Springsteen and now that you said it…yes I can hear a little of Jagger also. I heard Van Morrison also in some songs.
      I’ll have to check that movie out…that sounds really interesting. I never heard of that before…and I like those type of movies.
      Not many artists I just fall for…but this is one of them. I cut it down from 12 songs to 5 for this post and I haven’t done a deep dive into his catalog.

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  3. New name to me, and as you and others here suggest, he seems to be drawing from an eclectic range of influences. I really liked ‘Roller Coaster Town’, I’ll probably listen to that again. ’35 millimeter’ I thought was a good song but I wasn’t crazy about the record – his voice kind of annoyed me a bit by about a minute in to be honest. Listening to ‘Wild in the Streets’ now, it sounds between the two… pretty decent. Anyway, guy obviously has some talent and durability , I’m glad you two found him for us.

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  4. Good take Max (except for that CB guy). One of Garland’s later records is called ‘The King Of In between’. Obviously he named the record and after all those years in the business it is where he lies musically. Hard to slot him into one category. I just put it under music that is good and music that grabbed me and hasn’t let go. Always letting his inspiration take him. Good job on spreading the word on Garland.

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    1. Thanks CB…I’m happier with this one more than any other. Yea that CB guy…I have to watch what he says.
      I left more than enough to spread out coming up and get more information in there that I held back in this one. Seems like everyone in the music business knows him.

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    1. I just got introduced also….I’ve been going through his music…I love it. One of those guys that never got the attention but other artists know about and admire.

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    1. Thanks for listening Christian… he is in your neck of the woods…. Glad you like him and some more will be posted soon. He has some great stuff.

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  10. Pingback: Garland Jeffreys – 96 Tears – PowerPop… An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture

  11. It looks like I have some more viewing to do. You have provided a plethora of intriguing clips to explore. I have heard of Garland Jeffreys, but have a deeper appreciation for his work now 👨🏽‍🚀🙏🏾

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