J.S. Bach: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6 by Pablo Casals (Naxos/2000) - Vivid 1920s and 30s recordings of Bach’s cello suites by the artist who brought them into the modern performance repertoire. Intense performances and rather nice sound quality.

Strummin’ Mental, Parts One and Two by various artists (Crypt/199?) - Two separate CDs of joyfully obscure late 1950s to mid-1960s rock instrumentals. This batch does cover the fabled twang ‘n’ surf era with 32 sides a piece, waxed by unknown American kids gone mad with the power of electric guitars. Points off for zero information on the bands or tunes.

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About 60’s Mind Expansive Punkadelic Garage Rock Instrumentals But Were Afraid To Ask by various artists (Arf! Arf!/1993) - Another fully loaded Arf! Arf! comp. This one is filled with rock instrumentals. But rather than covering the usual twang ‘n’ surf era, this covers the mid to late-60s fuzz ‘n’ wah era. The smelly full flowering of psych, the earthy roots of metal and prog to come. Obscure, amazing and fun.

30 Seconds Before The Calico Wall by various artists (Arf! Arf!/1995) - A sequel of sorts to Beyond The Calico Wall, equally packed to capacity with wildly obscure ’60s psych sides, but staying just this side of that wall of insanity. I’ll have a Sound Sandwich on toasted rye to go, please.

Beyond The Calico Wall by various artists (Voxx/1993) - A jam-packed compilation of 1960s US psych that digs way deeper and weirder than the average bear. Terrific stuff — the instant cure for cutesy fake retro psych.

Psychedelic Microdots Of The Sixties by various artists (Sundazed/1989-92) - This was a series of three separate (and now out of print) discs from Sundazed, titled: Orange, Sugar & Chocolate; Texas Twisted and My Rainbow Life. Good, solid compilations of 1960s US psychedelic garage rock, going a little farther than the usual suspects, but a bit sparse with only 18 tracks a piece.

The Sun Years by Howlin’ Wolf (Blues Factory/2000) - Well, Wolf was never actually on the Sun label, but this disc collects some of his early Memphis recordings at Sam Phillips’ studio. Tends to be a little jazzier than his later Chicago tracks for Chess. I dig Willie Johnson’s crunchy yet snazzy guitar work.

Barrett by Syd Barrett (Harvest-EMI/1970) - Syd’s second and final solo album is more controlled and consistent than The Madcap Laughs, perhaps not to its benefit. Good stuff, but I still like him best on his own with an acoustic guitar.

She’d Rather Be With Me b/w The Walking Song by The Turtles (White Whale/1967) - A fine proto-bubblegum hit from the former Crossfires, backed with a sort of complicated art-folky piece.

Deep Purple b/w I’ve Been Carrying A Torch For You So Long That I Burned A Great Big Hole In My Heart by Nino Tempo and April Stevens (Atco/1963) - Frisky twang-infused lounge amusements. Fun.