Steve Stanley’s article in Shindig! #38 about Jesse Lee Kincaid – original member of The Rising Sons with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder – made me curious to hear the two singles he recorded for Capitol. Kincaid’s first – “She Sang Hymns Out of Tune” – from December 1966 would later be covered by Nilsson, Hearts And Flowers, and The Dillards).
Kincaid’s second (and final) Capitol 45 – predicted to reach the Hot 100 in the May 13, 1967 edition of Billboard – is an instant grabber and one that has a bit of that ‘1967 magic’ — and yet the song appears never to have charted. What gives?
“Baby You Come Rollin’ Cross My Mind“
Jesse Lee Kincaid (1967)
The Peppermint Trolley Company — famous for singing the original Brady Bunch theme — would have a #59 hit with “Baby You Come Rollin’ Cross My Mind” in January of 1968 [celebrated here]. The Trolley Company’s Danny Faragher provides the behind-the-scenes intrigue on his website:
“Dan Dalton was producing Ex-Rising Son guitarist Jesse Lee Kincaid for Capitol. Jesse’s song “Baby You Come Rollin’ ‘Cross My Mind” was starting to break out, but due to contractual complications, the label pulled the plug. Dalton believed in the tune and thought it was perfect for the band. (Dan Dalton) – “When Capitol took Jesse’s record off the market, I said to the Trolley, ‘This is a hit song. Let’s do it.’ And the guys just didn’t want to do it at first. So I said, ‘I’ll give you each 50 bucks. I just want to use you guys as musicians.’ They agreed, and we cut the track, and [while we were recording it] we all realized it was just sounding wonderful.’ The band then recorded the vocals, coming up with the harmony parts on the spot. (Dalton) – ‘It was pure magic.’”
Kincaid would produce one more (Leon Russell-produced) single for Fontana Records – “Find Yourself Another Man” – before deciding to take an extended leave of absence from the music business (aside from a film soundtrack-related 45 in 1983).
But wait, as Steve Stanley reports, Kincaid has, indeed, completed a new album – entitled Brief Moments Full Pleasure – that was released this past September 2014. Those of you who live in the Bay Area have the opportunity, in fact, to hear Kincaid perform on December 10th at the No Name Bar in Sausalito.
L.A.’s Rising Sons with Taj & Ry & Jesse Lee
–vs.–
Burlington, Ontario’s 5 Rising Sons
