According to the Sundazed website, "In Sundazed’s exhaustive dig through the prized USA and Destination Records catalogs, no other act—and that includes hit makers like The Buckinghams and Cryin’ Shames—came close to the coverage afforded Oscar Hamod & The Majestics. If the group had left more than five tracks in the USA vaults, no doubt we would have included more...Well, that was before Oscar opened up his vast personal archives, undisturbed for over 40 years, allowing for this first-ever collection of his complete '60s output." That collection, titled No Chance Baby!, will be released at the end of July. In order to commemorate this long-overdue compilation (released on CD and LP, along with a separate 7" vinyl 45-rpm single), we enlisted the help of Sam and Oscar Hamod, who graciously compiled their thoughts on each featured track.
For more on Oscar & The Majestics, visit their website.
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Sam & Oscar Hamod Recall The Songs Of Oscar & The Majestics
House of the Rising Sun 1969 (1966)
Let's start with one of our favorite hard rocking recordings which was recorded in 1966 at Chess Studios. Our hard-rocking arrangement showcases and demonstrates why we are called one of the original early hard rockers of the '60s garage era. We were looking to the future (futuristic) so we used "1969."
Soul Finger (1966)
Many rock critics singled out our 'Soul Finger' on the 2131 South Michigan Avenue: '60s Garage & Psychedelia From USA & Destination Records album describing it as great blue-eyed blues-soul. Oscar wrote the lyrics and we created our own driving rock arrangement.
No Chance Baby (1965)
This is one of our favorite recordings and is the title of our album. In a relationship one partner may be done and finished. The other person realizes that in life there is "no chance" to get this loved one back. Also in life many times there is "no chance baby" to get many things back. It was recorded in late 1965 and released in 1966.
Got To Have Your Lovin' (1966)
This is the rock action of a man telling his woman why he loves her and just has "got to have your lovin'." The song is driven by a heavy rock bass and fuzz guitar action. These four songs were recorded at the famous Chess Studios in Chicago, Illinois.
My Girl Is Waiting (1964)
My Girl Is Waiting a melodic song describing someone who is missing his loved one through no fault of his own. It could be a mistake or injustice that he is in prison or a soldier across the sea far from home.
Baby Under My Skin (1965)
This is another different rock style of trash talking and singing. When a man falls for a woman he will do anything to keep her love because she has gotten "under" his skin.
I Can't Explain (1966)
I Can't Explain is our hard rocking version of a great '60s song. When we cover a song we do our own hard driving rock OTM (Oscar & The Majestics)-style--in this case led by Oscar's fuzz guitar work and vocal.
Why-O or Jungle Beat (1964)
Acappella singing and we created all the "jungle" sound effects on this 1964 recording. It was a favorite of our fans. Many dance styles were performed to this jungle beat including a long conga hands on line.
Jackie Jackie (1964)
This is early Oscar & The Majestics, based on a true story. As a young teenager an older fella tried to threaten my girlfriend. I confronted him...he threw a punch...and I kicked his butt ("stomp you Jackie"). He never bothered her again.
Come On Willie (1964)
Come On Willie is a song about a young fella who is dumped by his chick. He is so upset he runs away and he is urged to "Willie come home." On this catchy '64 recording we use multiple background answering singers.
Top Eliminator (1964)
Top Eliminator is a hard-driving instrumental drag racing recording featuring guitar, bass, sax, and drum solos. It was recorded in 1964 at Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois.
Dawn (1964)
Oscar liked the chord changes so he used his rock-style guitar creativity for this 1964 guitar driven instrumental recording.
Fanny Brown (1964)
This early Oscar & The Majestics tune is about a fella's girl ,"Fanny Brown," who is cheating and running all over town. Now he is done with her and he is '60s-style putting her down or showing her up.
I Feel Good (1965)
This was written by Sam and arranged by Oscar in 1965. It features the unforgettable sounds of Oscar's '58 Gibson Explorer guitar. The song tells of a teenager's feelings about his first sweetheart.
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All our songs were recorded at the famous Chess Studios, Universal RCA Studios, or Sound Studios in Chicago. Every one of the recordings is special to us because we had to write, arrange, play, record, and pay for it all in the '60s garage rock era.
We prefer to write and record our own original songs and arrangements. Oscar wrote all of our original songs (except 'I Feel Good,' written by Sam), sang lead vocal, and played lead guitar. We are the original members of the band. All of the recordings on our No Chance Baby! album are authentic 1960's garage rock era recordings. This time period is recognized worldwide as the renaissance of rock music.
We would like to thank and recognize the Sundazed team for doing an outstanding job on the Oscar and The Majestics entire No Chance Baby! Sundazed album package. Also, we would like to thank our worldwide fan base for their support and tell them, "this is just the beginning, baby!"
Now unleashed and showcased for the first time is the wide-ranging, diversified rock style of Oscar and The Majestics. From the hard rocker psyche of 'House of the Rising Sun 1969' to the melodic singing of 'My Girl Is Waiting' to the original Oscar & The Majestics rock style of 'No Chance Baby,' we will let our music speak for itself.
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