The Jay Jays -
Bald Headed Woman 1967
When Holland’s most popular instrumental band The Jumping Jewels lost their name in a court case against their old manager Herman Batelaan, bandmembers decided to start with a new name in which the two “J” ‘s had to return. Instantly a new single was released, two covers from the first LP of The Kinks: Baldheaded woman coupled to Mystifying. As leadguitarist Hans van Eijck didn’t like beatmusic – he’d rather stick to the old instrumentals – he left The Jay-Jays two months later after the band did a very important TV-show promoting their first single. He was replaced by Leo Bennink, who used to play with The Black Albinos and Rene & his Alligators. The record was an instant success though, spurting into the Top Ten and getting the band a lot of work. The Jay-Jays sticked to the Kinks-repertoire but the second single fails to be a success. The band performs in the popular German TV-program ‘Beatclub’ and also rush-releases an LP, simply called Jay-Jays. On the album three Kinks covers are featured as well as the Tony Sheridan cover All around the world and the Ventures-cover Cruncher, besides some self-written titles. After hat nothing much is happening, although three other singles are released during 1966. Early 1967 Leo Bennink leaves the band to join The Motions after a short spell with Group Mack and Tjibbe Veelo opens his own boutique in The Hague. They are replaced by Jan Vennik (Piano & sax,ex-Marks) and Willem Duin (voc), the latter being half of succesfull duo Mouth & MacNeal in the seventies. A couple of other singles follow, all soul-influenced, all unsuccesfull and the end is near. Joop Oonk leaves the band as well, and is replaced by Hans Jansen (ex-Marks). Also, musicians like Bert Ruiter (pre-Focus) , John Schuursma (ex-Rob Hoeke) and Rudy Contini play in the band for a little while, but in 1969 it is all over.
During the last
two decennia, record collectors worldwide are very interested in the group’s
sole album, valued somehere between 200-250 dollars. At the end of the nineties
the LP gets a CD-release but it is badly ruined by new mix and besides that,
the record company changed the original mono into stereo. That means genuine
record collectors are still hunting the LP.
Tracklisting:
1 Bald Headed Woman 2:34
2 So Mystifying 2:51
3 I Got Love If You Want It 2:59
4 I Keep Tryin' 2:01
5 Come Back If You Dare 2:26
6 Don't Sell The Sun 2:28
7 Waauw! 2:28
8 A Distant Place 1:54
9 Are You A Woman 2:31
10 'Cause You're Mine, Babe 3:13
11 Cruncher 3:17
12 To-day I'm Gay 2:35
13 All Around The World 2:30
14 Shake It Some More 3:01
15 The Name Of You 2:25
16 Respect 2:49
17 Cool Jerk 2:37
18 Baby You Know You Ain't Right 2:51
19 (I Know) In My Mind 2:22
20 Respect (backing tape) 2:49
21 'Cause You're Mine, Babe (backing
tape) 3:30
22 Are You A Woman (backing tape) 2:38
Danke !
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