(Garage Rock, Psychedelic Rock) Flamin' Groovies - Sneakers - 1968 & Rockfield Sessions - 1972 (2in1) (AIM Australia 1991), FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Sneakers (1968):
Roy Loney - lead vocal, guitar
Cyril Jordan - lead guitar, vocals
Tim Lynch - lead guitar, vocals
George Alexander - bass, vocals
Danny Mihm - percussion
Rockfield Sessions (1972):
Cyril Jordan - lead & acoustic guitar, vocals, rhythm effects, mellotron on "Married Woman"
George Alexander - bass, vocals
Chris Wilson - vocals
James Ferrell - guitar
Danny Mihm - drums
Dave Edmunds - steel guitar on "Married Woman", piano on "Little Queenie", background vocals on "Get A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues"

Starting out in San Francisco as early as 1965 (actually predating the Grateful Dead!), the Flamin Groovies were always out of step with the rock world. Ten years before bands routinely released their own independent records, the Groovies issued a 10-inch mini-album, Sneakers; in the '70s, when that same do-it-yourself spirit was inspiring countless innovative bands to try and challenge the old boundaries, the Groovies retreated to make albums of beat group nostalgia, wearing period clothes and refusing to acknowledge that times had indeed changed.

Always more cult-popular and influential than commercially successful, the Groovies, led by irascible but talented guitarist/singer Cyril Jordan and (until 1971) singer/guitarist Roy A. Loney, always embodied the rebellious, youthful spirit that fueled punk, but held tenuously to their musical roots — '50s American rock'n'roll and '60s British pop. In effect, they provided inspiration for countless bands (how many covers of "Slow Death" can you name?) and are legendary for good reason.

allmusic.com says: This single-disc collection contains the Flamin' Groovies' 1968 Sneakers EP and seven tracks from the band's 1972 Rockfield Sessions collaboration with Dave Edmunds (steel guitar/piano/vocals). The combo of Cyril Jordan (guitar/vocals), Roy Loney (guitar/vocals), Tim Lynch (guitar), George Alexander (bass), and Danny Mihm (drums) was initially prominent in the Bay Area during the mid- to late '60s as Lost & Found, before adopting the Groovies moniker in late 1966. After garnering a small regional following at live gigs, they documented their unique blend of psychedelia and folk on Sneakers, which consisted primarily of Loney's substantial originals. The Groovies reflected the burgeoning scene happening in and around San Francisco, with a vibe similar to the Charlatans or the early Jefferson Airplane. Two of the Groovies' heavier selections – the incendiary "Golden Clouds" and edgy and acidic "The Slide" – commence 2004's Sneakers and Rockfield Sessions. However, lighter fare, including the Lovin' Spoonful homage "Babes in the Sky," the Dadaist "My Yada," and the undemanding ballad "Love Time," reveal an otherwise impressive diversity – especially considering it was their debut effort. By the 1970s, the Flamin' Groovies had released several well-received long-players for Kama Sutra, reflecting more of a '50s R&B ethos than had been suggested on Sneakers. A personnel re-formation took place prior to their relocation to England, where the Rockfield sessions were held in August of 1972. The lineup now featured Chris Wilson (vocals) and James Ferrell (guitar), who replaced Loney and Lynch. Dave Edmunds immediately took to the Groovies, especially Jordan and Wilson's power pop masterpiece "Shake Some Action." In fact, Edmunds' enthusiasm would almost immediately instigate Jordan's equally inspired "You Tore Me Down," which was written and recorded on the spot, during their very first confab. These sides are indelibly linked to future alternative and jangle pop acts such as the dB's and Let's Active nearly a decade later. Just as impressive are the cover versions of Frankie Lee Sims' "Married Woman," "Get a Shot of Rhythm & Blues," and "Little Queenie." Potential purchasers should note that the audio quality on Sneakers and Rockfield Sessions is far from perfect, as the EP was transcribed from vinyl and the Rockfield material is a bit muddy.

The Sneakers EP (1968) -- the first release from the San Francisco-based Flamin' Groovies -- reflects the combo's earliest incarnation, featuring Cyril Jordan (guitar/vocals), Roy Loney (guitar/vocals), Tim Lynch (guitar), George Alexander (bass), and Danny Mihm (drums). After changing their name from "Lost and Found" in late 1966, the Groovies gained a significant following at their local concert performances in and around the fertile Bay Area scene. One of the primary distinguishing factors on the seven selections cut for their debut is the strong showing of original material combining the burgeoning psychedelia with a notable attitude vacillating between folk and punk. A perfect example is "I'm Drowning," which opens with the juxtaposition of jug band met head on with a searing electric guitar. The upbeat good-time arrangement could easily be mistaken for the likes of the Lovin' Spoonful, who were clearly the motivation for "Babes in the Sky." So much so that the introduction is practically a note-for-note derivation of John Sebastian's ode to Music City U.S.A., "Nashville Cats." The selection is delivered in a vintage style reminiscent of Sopwith Camel's "Hello, Hello" or the swinging and jazzy New Vaudeville Band's novelty hit "Winchester Cathedral." The other sides of the Groovies' sonic spectrum are examined on the mid-tempo ballad "Lovetime" and the conversely heavy and garage-influenced "Golden Clouds" as well as the decidedly funkier "Slide," which includes some propulsive fretwork from Alexander. The platter concludes with the cryptically titled "Prelude in a Flat to Afternoon of a Pud," clocking in at a mere 84 seconds. While not entirely dismissible thanks to some truly inspired jamming, the instrumental rave-up seems to be more of an exercise in excess than anything else. Initial pressings of the EP have become eagerly sought after by collectors, as there were less than 2,000 copies in circulation. Sundazed Music issued a CD version of the Sneakers EP, coupled with ten songs from a set at the Matrix in San Francisco circa 1968 on the highly recommended Supersneakers (1996).

http://www.allmusic.com/album/sneakers-ep-mw0000884235
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamin%27_Groovies