Live At Palisades Amusement Park

Anyone who lived in New York or New Jersey in the early 1960's can add a star to the above rating, because this CD is a vital reminder of the band scene that existed in New York and New Jersey in the early 1960's. It is easy to forget that the area was a seething cauldron of musical influences, black and white, including the kind of good-time music represented here. And as for Palisades Amusement Park, where they were recorded-and which was immortalized in the song "Palisades Park"-it was a top performing venue for club bands on their way up, trying to earn a living and get some exposure on the radio, which is provided here by WMCA deejay B. Mitchell Reed. The Unbeatables played r&b with a rocking beat and a smooth, high-energy approach. Gene Cornish was the star of the group, turning in three original songs ("You're Gonna Cry Someday," "I Wanna Be A Beatle," "Oh! Misery") and some highly animated guitar as well. "Oh! Misery" sounds a bit like George Harrison's "Don't Bother Me," and much of what is here is highly derivative-on the other hand, it's all enjoyable and a lot of it is exciting as well. "What'd I Say" and "Rockin' Robin" are typical of the covers, which are enjoyable is nothing special. On the minus side, none of the other band members are fully identified (their first names are given in one stage announcement), there are no notes to speak of, and one does wonder about the editing and the actual "live" origins of come of the tracks (the audience comes in just a little too fast on several, and the sound is a little too good for 1964 stage recordings). But that shouldn't prevent anyone from checking out this delightful 30 minute musical footnote in the pre-history of the Rascals. ~ Bruce Eder