Ben Vaughn Combo The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn Import LP

Munster Records present a reissue of The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn, originally released in 1986. The Ben Vaughn Combo blazed the trail for American music that was way off-kilter compared to the competition. Their tri-state, Tex-Mex sound really shook things up. Their reputation as a live act grew exponentially with every show they played. They played a twist on the roots rock style, with a touch of something like The Fleshtones, outside of the standard '80s ranch stash. The sort of thing that has a tendency to get written out of history despite being timeless; it doesn't easily fit into any premeditated narrative.

When The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn appeared in 1986, the Combo literally had the world at its feet. Many of the hits you hear when you see him (and the quintet) today are on this platter. Long out of print and highly sought after, this was the first time that Ben's Rambler car was heard on a record. And not the last.

The Andy (then Adny) Shernoff-inspired "I Dig Your Wig" is like The Cramps with a Doug Sahm infusion. The accordion is the secret weapon here. Little used in rock 'n' roll and often scoffed at, it allows these songs a setting that your conventional instrumentation would just flatten.

Reading the sleeve info you'll find "DEDICATED TO THE GEATOR," a nod to the legendary Philly DJ that inspired Ben to come up with his sound. It sounds just as fresh now as it did back then. Perhaps you're too young to have been around when this record was first available? Maybe you wore your three copies out? Whatever your story is, these Many Moods... will lift your spirits in these perilous times. Don't end up sorry (like Brenda Lee).