Early Hi-Ball Years

Coctails | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Carrot Top Records
• ASIN: B000001WX3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,275 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Reissue of the first Coctails release on CD & the first release on Carrot Top. To celebrate the label's 10th Anniversary, we thought we'd reissue this CD, buy a 6 pack of Coors & watch the Bears game on Sunday. Combines the long out of print "Hip Hip Hooray "& "Here Now Today" LP's, the "Songs for Children' EP & a few goodies. 24 songs & 61+ minutes of unadulterated fun. At the time, CMJ said, "Unlike any group before or since, The Coctails play subcompact jazz-rock with a garage twist, each song a celebration of beatnik intensity & free-spirited improvisation, all housed within the more conventional chassis of a 2 minute song structure." Yup, and they were only getting started

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of a great band, June 19, 2000

By 

Melissa Bratcher (Council Bluffs IA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Early Hi-Ball Years (Audio CD)

One of the most inventive but sadly underheard bands of the early 90's, the Coctails skillfully wove a blend of influences into a cohesive, tight brilliant package. From the ska-like "Road Hog", to the 60's garage pop of "Talkin Bout My Baby", to the smooth jazz of "Wet Suit," to the shambolic greatness of "Old Gray Mare," genres are dipped into and played with great skill and humor. The live version of "Waiting for Godot" merely hints at their brilliance live. Don't miss this record!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clever cornucopia of influences., June 18, 2000

By 

Melissa Bratcher (Council Bluffs IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Hi-Ball Years (Audio CD)

The Coctails are one of the great unsung bands of the 90's, never really reaching the heights attained by lesser talented peers. Peers? What peers? The Coctails effortlessly pull bits of jazz, bluegrass, 60's pop and children's music into a cohesive, intelligent, yet fun mix. From the ska of "Road Hog", to the crisp jazzy blues of "Wet Suit", to the shambolic version of "Old Grey Mare", the Early Hi-Ball Years is an excellent representation of a truly brilliant, sadly overlooked band. The live version of "Waiting For Godot" merely hints at their genius. Don't hesitate. Buy. Now.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Laugh A Minute!, May 19, 2004

By 

L. John Ernst (Chatsworth, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Hi-Ball Years (Audio CD)

Imagine a wedding band writing their own songs --- That's "The Coctails". Anyone who has ever gigged will get lots of laughs out of this CD. Cliched lyrics, free jazz, ice cream changes, horrible sax playing, toy pianos, all supported by a solid drummer. It's great satire! It sounds like you're right there in the room with the guys trying their best. If you listen closely, you can even hear their dog barking at one point! Bass clarinet, banjo, they do it all. Highly recommended!