Rising Sons – Candy Man

Just found this band. What a band, Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal in the same band. It doesn’t get much better than that. Some songs sound like they were born on the back porch, passed around from player to player, gathering different fingerprints and stories along the way. This is one of those songs. This is a traditional song arranged by the Rising Sons. 

The band formed around 1964 in Los Angeles, built on the partnership between two then unknown but soon to be legendary musicians, Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder. Taj had moved west from Massachusetts after studying agriculture and getting into the folk revival. Cooder was a teenage slide guitar prodigy growing up in Santa Monica who already had a reputation as the kid who could play anything with strings. They met in the LA clubs, places like the Ash Grove and Troubadour.

They quickly became a standout act on the LA scene. They were signed to Columbia Records in 1965, which tells you how much buzz they had, but the label didn’t really understand what to do with a group that wasn’t rock, wasn’t folk, and wasn’t blues, but somehow all three. Their album was shelved for decades. This is the same problem the Goose Creek Symphony had; the label didn’t know what box to put them in. 

The real joy of their Candy Man is how it captures a moment in time right before American roots music exploded. This was before the Byrds went country, and The Band were still the Hawks backing up Bob Dylan. This short-lived 1965 band was a great one, featuring a young Taj Mahal, an even younger Ry Cooder, and future Byrds drummer Kevin Kelley (later on), who replaced Ed Cassidy, Jesse Lee Kincaid on vocals and guitar, and Gary Marker on bass. The Rising Sons didn’t last long, but recordings like this show just how special that little window was.

They recorded an album, and it was produced by Terry Melcher. The album wasn’t released, but this single was. The album was finally released in 1992. It’s blues meeting folk with a bit of country rock in there. I was reminded in the comments that this version was based on the Reverend Gary Davis version. Thank you, halffastcyclingclub and purplegoatee2684b071ed. 

I wanted to include these slang words and definitions that were given.

Salty Dog – In blues songs, a “salty dog” is a slang term for a man, often an experienced sailor, who seeks a casual, non-committal sexual relationship. The phrase can also refer to a libidinous man more generally, or someone who is “salty” in the sense of being experienced, spicy, or unpredictable. 

Candy Man – In blues songs, a “Candy Man” is a term for a gigolo, ladies’ man, or dealer of drugs, often with a sexually suggestive connotation. While the literal interpretation is a seller of candy, the more common meaning in traditional blues songs refers to a charismatic and enticing man who sells a different kind of “sweet” product, like sexual favors or drugs. 

Gary Marker: “We were the problem; we had difficulties distilling our multiple musical agendas down to a product that would sell. We had no actual leader, no clear musical vision…. I think [Melcher] went out of his way to make us happy – within the scope of his knowledge. He tried just about everything he could, including the live, acoustic session that produced ‘2:10 Train.'”

Candy Man

Candy man, Candy man
Been and gone been and gone
Candy man, Candy man
Been and gone been and gone
Candy man, Candy man
Been and gone been and gone

Well, I wish I was down in New Orleans
Sitting on the candy stand
Candy gal through the candy stand
Oh yea, got stuck on the candy man
Candy gal through the candy stand
Oh yea, got stuck on the candy man
Candy gal through the candy stand
Oh yea, got stuck on the candy man

I love my candy gal
God knows I do
Little red light, little red light
Little green light, little green light
Little red light, little red light
Little green light, blue green light
Little red light, little red light
Little green light, little green light
The light’s stuck on red but when it goes to green don’t you mess with Mr. Inbetween

Went on down to the candy stand
Found my gal with the candy man
I went on down to the candy stand
Found my gal with the candy man
Took her hand from the candy man
I said I’d be her candy man now

I love my candy gal
God knows I do

Candy man Candy man
Salty dog, Salty dog
Candy man Candy man
Salty dog, Salty dog
Candy man Candy man
Salty dog, Salty dog

Well, I wish I was down in New Orleans
Sitting on the candy stand

…

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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.

63 thoughts on “Rising Sons – Candy Man”

  1. Pingback: Rising Sons – Candy Man – MobsterTiger

  3. Pretty amazing stuff that’s for sure. Some great details I wasn’t aware of here Max. I did mention this group in my Ry Cooder post a couple years back. Ry’s next gig was with Bill Munroe and Doc Watson. Seems he was destined to become a musical legend himself right from the start.

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      1. I barely remember what I wrote last month, certainly wouldn’t expect you to! That’s a strange thing, this shelving of albums and especially singles. Knowing a bit of the vagaries of the music business I can see how it could happen.

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      2. Thats me! It is…you spend that money for a recording and then hold on to the recording. Melcher was the producer of the Byrds…so they brought in talent to work with them. They evidently thought a lot of them.

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    1. I had to transcribe the lyrics because yes…it is more on Rev. Gary Davis version but there are differences and no lyrics anywhere that would match this version. This song is like a mantra now to me after hearing it probably 20 times…
      I’ve read about both gentlemen but somehow missed this pairing in the mid sixties.

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    2. Thank you. This is the Reverend Gary Davis tune. That’s important because there are other tunes with the same name.

      The Rising Sons were legendary for those in the know back at that time in Los Angeles. It is hard to figure in 2025 but I notice I reacted to putting them at the Ash Grove and the Troubadour (I may be wrong but only the Ash Grove). Not mentioning the Reverend Gary Davis because he was such a major influence as well as the originator of this song.

      The fact that Columbia didn’t know what to do with them shouldn’t be a surprise. They didn’t know what to do with themselves. So much talent, so much stubborn strength.

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  8. Back in the late 80s I was just discovering Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal, and trying to collect as many of their recordings as I could. I was dumbfounded when I found out they had been in a group together. What a wealth of talent. I’ll listen to anything that either of them produces. Good stuff.

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      1. Well, I picked up a used copy of the Rising Sons CD quite a few years ago, after they had finally released it. I find it interesting that Ry and Taj have followed similar paths with their forays into world music and such. And of course their collaboration a few years back.

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      2. They do get around. I found another band Cooder was in that I remember slightly that I’m posting next week probably. I’ve always been a fan of both…but this two in one is great.

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      5. Are you going into the history of this other band which Ry was a part of? Hee hee hee,

        I mean, most of it is pretty well known but…

        I’m looking forward to what you have to say. I remember my high expectations and then, when I heard it, well, my expectations were not met.

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      6. No it’s not the best album…I do like some songs off of it though. They also worked on Hiatt’s album right before it. It’s a tight album…but even they said….they had too much time on it.

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  11. well it’s snappy and to the point! And now I know what a ‘salty dog’ is! Didn’t Procol Harum have an album called that? It’s a fun phrase. I think there should be a National Use The Phrase Salty Dog In a Conversation day… maybe right around Talk Like a Pirate day.

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    1. Yes, Procol Harum did have an album named that I think….and it is used in blues songs…hell…I didn’t know either…that is why I put the definitions…I’m glad someone noticed them.
      Yes it should! I second that as well!

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    3. Well, Dave, Max has an international crew of regulars and while I thoroughly enjoy your posts, I don’t know where on the globe you are. In the United States we have this puritanical heritage that would either not know why there should be a National day discussing putting salt on dogs or would be offended by the line

      Please let me be your salty dog. I don’t want to be your man at all.

      Please understand. I am a big blues fan. Two of my favorite blues musicians are the Reverend Gary Davis, who very much had religion (and his performance will bring anybody to spirituality, as in the simple ear worm of “True Religion” or the reason he called the song “If I Had My Way” as opposed to “Sampson and Delilah”, or Mississippi John Hurt, who had such a wonderful way about him that nobody was offended by his delightful repertoire of filthy songs such as “Richland Woman Blues” or “Candyman” with the lyrics “All heard what sister Johnson said/She always takes a candy stick to bed”). And I will say upfront, the most religious recording I ever heard was Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Is the Night,” which was covered by a young Ryland P. Cooder.

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      2. I just don’t know how I missed it after writing up both of those artists. And someone added that Ed Cassidy from this band formed Spirit…so a talented bunch all the way. Funny they were not a supergroup then…but they are looked back on that way.

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      3. Jesse Lee Kinkaid wrote some songs. The one I know and love is from very early Harry Nilsson, She Sang Hymns Out Of Town

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      5. Unfortunately, it is all I know of Mr. Kinkaid.

        People talk about the Los Angeles music scene as if it somehow went from the Byrds to Laurel Canyon and the Mamas and the Papas. This was not the case. Notice how when we talk about early Turtles, we mention they were from a suburb of LA, Westchester. The Rising Sons were a different music scene. The Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest centered yet another. People got lost real easy, and the music scene is more about fashion and tops of the pops than the people and the quality of what they did. Who, other than Dave Alvin, remembers that The Carpenters and The Blasters both came from Downey. (Although, to be fair, the Alvin Brothers stronglly acknowledge the importance of what was going on at the Ash Grove, as well as the Sunset Strip and up Laurel Canyon.)

        All very confusing, although exciting.

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      6. I love that song. Of course, I think of it more in line with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Anthony Newley, who I considered a better songwriter than either an actor or a singer, did three projects with Leslie Bricusse and I like the songs in all three.

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    2. This was co-written by Fred Neil. In an article that is not at all related, it says ““Candy Man,” co-written by Neil, was covered by Roy Orbison, Al Kooper, Waylon Jennings, the Hollies, and more.” Just an FYI from somebody fascinated by such trivia.

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  14. love Mahal…caught him live here at the Edmonton Folk Fest….my first introduction was a double live album from some event at Big Sur….I can’t remember the tunes Mahal contributed, but also has Kris Kristofferson doing the Pilgrim, which is pretty much my fave Kristofferson tune..I’ve had that chorus stuck in my head since 10th grade, so over 50 years….

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    2. Taj has done interesting stuff over the years. I still go back to the tracks he cut with The Pointer Sisters, especially Little Red Hen, over and over.

      The Pointer Sisters did some great stuff before meeting Richard Petty. Not to put down the hits they had, but their first three albums were a lot of fun

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  15. Totally love it, Max, as I’m sure you anticipated. Its fascinating to hear a young Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal before they launched their own successful solo careers.

    Rising Sons’ neat takes of “Statesboro Blues” sound more like rock & roll than blues. There’s also a great version of “Duck Diving Blues” on “TajMo,” the excellent 2017 collaboration album of Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo.

    Looks like Jesse Lee Kincaid wrote most of not all of Rising Sons’ originals.

    I think Gary Marker’s statement perfectly sums up why the group was shot-loved, especially at the time, as great as they were. It’s hard to define their music. Is it blues? Is it country? Is it country rock? Is it rock & roll? Is it folk? It’s really a bit of all of the aforementioned.

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    1. Didn’t mean to bug you on it but I’m just like a kid wanting to show by buddy what I found lol.
      I was wondering if you knew this. I thought of you and Lisa who likes both of these artists.

      Yea at first I thought it would be pure blues but it’s mixed… just a cool configuration! I wish they would have done more.

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      1. Actually, I worry that I’m being too belligerent, too vocal. It is your blog and I appreciate what you are doing and how you do it. And the group of people writing for it. I’ve joined a handful of blogs and am getting a steady supply of great writing regularly. (The Cactus post today had a two sentence description of a woman’s feeling of leaving home during WWII that will be in my thoughts for a long time.)

        Gary Marker used to be on line, although I don’t remember the specifics. He’d write about anything and everything, and a little about the Rising Sons.

        Max, I thank you

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      2. You are fine! I appreicate you reading and enjoying it. Everyone here is nice with each other and yes people will disagree on music but that is the fun of it. People are coming to it from different angles…
        Oh…you mean Notes from the Cactus Patch? Thats Phil…he is awesome. If that is the one you are talking about. He was in a popular band in Texas in the 60s…opened up for Iron Butterfly and others…cool dude.

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