Where Has the Music Gone?

The Lost Recordings of Clem Comstock

Mental Giant, 1999

Quite simply, this is the find of the century, or at least a lunchtime or so. Pop artist extraordinaire Roger Klug quite by accident happened upon the master tapes of the complete output of one Clem Comstock, Cincinnati's answer to Phil Spector, and has assembled a loving tribute that belongs in every pop fan's collection. Comstock's artist roster, which included the great Judy Spanner and the pimply-faced-sounding (yet endearing) Jerry Cacciatore, spanned the breadth of 1960s pop influences, put out a wide array of records that, sadly, never caught on with the record buying public in a big way in their heyday. Hindsight, however, reveals that the mighty Clem was ahead of his time and now it is surely time for a Clem renaissance. Dig the Schulte Sisters (featuring Bridgette Schulte) as they belt out the harmony-filled "Never Gonna Get Married." Bop along with the Jan-and-Dean-ish (not to mention Beach Boys-ish) Coney Islanders as they sing about everybody's favorite roadster, the "Sport Utility Vehicle." And dig the crazy, psychedelic vibe in the United Federation of Brotherhood and Sisterhood's "Counting to Infinity." Klug contributes a wonderful original song, "Where Has the Music Gone?" that ties up all that is the Clem phenomenon in one neat package. Klug should take a bow for once again bringing Comstock's work to the public's ears, or at least to their kitchen countertops. 18 tracks and comprehensive liner notes. A must have among must haves.