Here’s an obscure Century Custom pressing by Chuck Edwards and the Apaches with a mix of garage and earlier rock styles that I like. “She Let Me Go” has gravelly vocals (credited to Tony and Eddie) over a great band that features good drum fills, a deep bass line and nice guitar work, plus a saxophone to tie it to the old styles.
The flip, “Lonely Apache” (written by Tony III) is a good, low-key instrumental. I don’t know any names other than what’s on the labels.
Released on Ludo Records 19796, I’m not sure of the date. The labels read “Recorded for Ludo Records by Century Custom Recording, Montgomery 6, Alabama 36106”.
Chuck Edwards wrote and produced “Dance Little Girl, Dance”- I believe he’s singing on it too – released as the Reactions on Ludo 001 b/w “Daddy’s Home” which I haven’t heard. I presume the Reactions single predates “She Let Me Go” by a year or so.
There was a very popular Chuck Edwards, a jazz guitarist from Canonsburg, PA south of Pittsburgh. In the 1960’s he made some great instrumentals, mainly “Bullfight,” which had a sort-of Spanish flavor. “Bandido!” opening line, then a lot of background happiness, and some catchy chromatic jazz chords.
Probably not the same person.
Thanks for reviewing our record! My granddaughter’s music teacher found this review while he was doing some research on the record before he and my granddaughter learned to play it. It brings back a lot of great memories. I am Chuck Edwards and I thought I’d give you a little history about our band and the song. Our band started playing together in October 1963. Me (sax), George McCain (drums), and Walter Scott (bass) were all college students at the University of Alabama. We met Eddie Alvis (guitar & lead vocals) and Tony Rasmus (lead guitar & vocals) while they were in Montgomery with their military parents who were stationed at Maxwell AFB. Eddie was still in high school and had a wonderful voice. Tony was a wild looking kid with a beatle haircut who could really play a mean guitar. You could tell from the first time we played together that our group could really jam. We were not great song writers like the Beatles, but we could play any rock & roll, R & B, or country song you wanted to hear. Great music was produced in the early 60’s by people like Chuck Berry, Otis Redding, James Brown, The Beach Boys, Roger Miller, The Rolling Stones, Four Seasons, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Wilson Pickett, and The Beatles. It was a great time to be a teenager playing music. “She sat your bags off the train” was actually an expression my father, Charlie Edwards, used in referring to a girlfriend dumping her boyfriend and moving on. Tony and Eddie picked up on it and in about 15 minutes we had put it to music and created a song. The record label name, Ludo, was the name of my father’s houseboat. We played a lot together in 1963, ’64, & ’65 and like all bands, families move off and new faces come on board. Tony was the first to leave, Walter had to go to Vietnam, and Eddie went off the college. Last report I had, Eddie lives in California and is a chiropractor, Walter retired as a US Naval officer, Tony works on cruise ships as a professional musician, George was the mayor of Tallassee, AL, and I just started my 50th year running my father’s business – Edwards Plumbing & Heating in Montgomery, AL. The best thing that came from my band experience was playing a 1965 Junior/Senior prom in Clanton, AL where I met my future wife. Her then boyfriend hired my band – Biggest mistake he ever made!! We were married in October of 1968. Thanks again for your review! This has been really fun for me and my family.
Hi Chuck,
I came across another record on Ludo, “Dance Little Girl, Dance” by the Reactions, with you writing and producing – are you singing on it too? Same band backing you?
Also, do you have any photos of the band from that time?
Thanks for the history, Chuck. I was pretty young in the 60’s, but my dad started a location recording business back then and Century Custom Recording got him started. The only reason I mention it is that the 45 of “She Let Me Go” somehow wound up in our basement in Northern Virginia and I can’t conceive of any other reason. “She Let Me Go” was my absolute favorite & played that 45 over & over, so much that at 61, I can still remember it all. Whoopee-cha!
At some point, the 45 disappeared, but I was still too young to have paid attention to the label. I’ve been occasionally searching for a long time as to WHO the band might’ve been and more importantly – whether any other copies of the record might be around? I want to hear it again.
Tonight is the first time I’ve ever gotten even close to the proper search terms to get some answer. I didn’t really think that was ever going to happen. I’ll keep looking for the 45 (maybe it’s around somewhere), but if you happen to see this message, I hope we can manage to connect. I’d think you’d be the best person who might have a copy – I’ll cross my fingers!
Oh how I remember that band and gigs you played at Maxwell Air Force Base, NCO club. Reading what you wrote reminded me of the night the Ludo was sunk on Lake Jordan. If I recall correctly the people on the boat were you and me and Martha Lee Williford and the news caster Wes Sarginson. I also recall that you were not keen on telling your dad about the boat. I always loved watching the band and hearing your mellow sax. You were always fun and a truly talented musician. I hope the world continues to supply you with oodles of delicious adventures. Stay well and happy, Chuck
I have fond memories of this band from my teen years, especially the instrumental Lonely Apache.
Interestingly, I used Edwards Plumbing (for at least 20 years) to service my office building, the Foshee-George Building, before I sold it.
just great stuff reading all the replies,i just found a copy of dance little girl dance promo on ludo records 45 here in montgomery al. anyone have interest in this rare 45,its also in great shape.