SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOHNNY’S UNCALLED FOUR – “THE LOST ALBUM”

JOHNNY’S UNCALLED FOUR
THE LOST ALBUM
WICK RECORDS/DAPTONE

Johnny’s Uncalled Four made their debut in 1964 with the single “Shortnin’ Bread”. Formed by high school students from the Columbiana and Salem areas in Ohio, the band consisted of John Golden (singer and guitarist), John Herron (rhythm guitar), Don Davis (bass), and Dennis Beery (drums). They released a second single in 1965, “Please Say”. These were released on very small labels and had no impact on the charts. They recorded some other material, but it was left unreleased until 2020 when Wick records re-released “Please Say”. This led to Golden digging up other tracks the band recorded, and Wick was interested.

Almost 60 years after the tracks were recorded, Johnny’s Uncalled Four’s album has finally been released. The Lost Album, contains the single “Please Say” but not their debut, “Shortnin’ Bread”, which is a true loss as it is quite good. But there is plenty here for new and old fans of this band. Some of the music is definitely influenced by The Beatles and the British Invasion, but there is also a tip of the hat to The Ventures (listen to their cover of “House Of The Rising Sun”). In fact, a lot of the songs are instrumental.

Some of the material is reminiscent of The Beatles, including “Hold On Baby” and “Glad All Over”. Elsewhere, they cover Buddy Holly’s “Maybe Baby” and do a wonderful version of “Summertime”.

These are songs that were recorded at a time when really anything was possible. Johnny’s Uncalled Four were really just kids who had been bitten by the guitar and rock ‘n’ roll bug. Post 1950s and early British Invasion, there is also an innocence and a sense of fun throughout.

Either way, The Lost Album is great. Johnny’s Uncalled Four were really good and quite talented. This album will definitely be just the thing for fans of this genre of music. The remastering is fantastic in that it maintains the original sound. This may not change the course of rock ‘n’ roll history, but it is sure nice to have in one’s collection.

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