The E-Types "Introducing The E-Types" (Sundazed Records, 1996)
Inspired by the Beatles, the E-Types were a popular rock band in California's Central Coast region (playing from Santa Cruz by the ocean into the farmland interior as far afield as Fresno...) When Hosford joined the group in 1965, they were already well-established, and his contributions are documented here in a few songs he wrote for the band. He stayed with the E-Types until they disbanded in '68 or so, and played with various local musicians and a few bands. In the early '70s, after a long stint in the Santa Cruz hard rock band Snail, Hosford got some major label traction and signed with Leon Russell's Shelter Records label, producing the two gems listed below...
The E-Types "Live At The Rainbow Ballroom: 1966" (Sundazed Records, 1998)
Hey check this out... There's also a live recording of the E-Types playing a show in Fresno, 'way back in 1966. Larry Hosford wasn't in the band for this gig, but they did play one of his songs, "I Can't Do It," along with covers of groovy current hits by the Beatles, Dylan and the Yardbirds. Far out. (It's worth noting that while Hosford spent some time in the rock band Snail after the E-Types broke up, he apparently never recorded with them, and does not appear on either of their dreadful late 'Seventies albums. Dodged a bullet on that one.)
Larry Hosford "AKA Lorenzo" (ABC/Shelter Records, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Dino Airali, Glenn Berger, Bobby Bradley, et.al.)
A classic! Larry Hosford is one of the great alterna-country MIAs, and the songs from his two classic albums just scream out for a single-CD reissue. This album, in particular, is packed with great tunes, including "Taking Applications," "Kings and Queens" and "Wimmin's Got Me Swimmin" ("...in a pool of tears/my baby's got me started, but she won't shift my gears...the lights on Lover's Highway all say stop/if I had another beer, I'd pop its top"). Also worth noting is the pedal steel from Salinas-area pedal steel player Ernie Hagar, who worked with Hosford on his first two albums. If you ask me, Hosford's best songs were easily on a par with Harlan Howard's work from the late '50s and 1960s, demonstrating a wily understanding of the craft of the novelty song, mixing clever couplets with slice-of-life asides. Combined with Hosford's distinctly un-slick hick vocals, it's a winning package. Highly recommended.
Larry Hosford "Cross Words" (ABC/Shelter Records, 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Dino Airali & Larry Hosford)
Another great, great indie country record. The gimmick with this album is a series of short acoustic bookends, crossword puzzle clues to words a relationship on the skids ("fight," "goodbye," "the end", etc...) In addition, there are several great Hosford originals, though the writing is a little bit denser than on the first album, and only a couple that are just plain outright catchy toe-tappers. A shame his Okie-billy ode, "Salinas" never made it onto LP... but maybe some savvy digital-era label will make up for it someday. Plenty of great musicians on board as well, including a mix of Northern California locals and studio pros. Highly recommended!
Larry Hosford "Homerun Willie" (Warner Brothers Records, 1977) (7")
(Produced by Dino Airali & Hugh Davies)
A missing bit of Hosford's history that until rather recently I had no idea existed. I guess after his Shelter days, Hosford briefly signed to Warner Brothers, but obviously for whatever reasons it didn't work out. This is a one-song single, with both mono and stereo mixes of the same tune... When we finally get that big Larry Hosford compilation out, let's not forget to include this one!
Larry Hosford "Homerun Willie/Salinas" (Warner Brothers Records, 1977) (7")
(Produced by Dino Airali & Hugh Davies)
Wow. I also had no idea this existed. But I really want it. Anyone know if this is the same mix of "Salinas" as the version below or a different version?
Larry Hosford "Hitchhiking In Guyana/Salinas" (DJS Records, 1979) (7")
(Produced by Larry Hosford & David Songbird)
One of Hosford's greatest songs, "Salinas" is a must-hear gem from the hippiebilly pantheon. A tribute to Hosford's hometown, a sleepy farming community near Santa Cruz, this was in heavy, heavy, heavy, HEAVY rotation on KFAT radio station, back in the day. It's a really great novelty number about how the Okies and "Mexicans" co-existed when not out working the fields; it flirts with political incorrectness, but it's such an honest, intimate take on Californian multiculturalism, I think it lands pretty squarely on the side of inclusion rather than division. Plus, great song. Every town should have a song this good written about it. The flipside, by contrast, is about the Jonestown massacre, which was also of local (Bay Area) interest, though the subject matter is just too damn creepy for me. "Salinas" is probably Hosford's greatest song and definitely needs to be preserved, while "Guyana" just gives me the willies. Years ago when we were briefly pen-pals, Larry Hosford sent me a copy of this single... Good luck trying to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers after I kick the bucket.
Larry Hosford "Right On Time" (Heart-Throb Productions, 1987/1995)
(Produced by Hugh Davies, Larry Hosford & Duane Sousa)
This one may have been a cassette-only release... anyone know for sure? Anyway, this includes a version of Hosford's single, "Homerun Willie," and I think it's the original 1977 recording, since his favorite 'Seventies guitarist Frank Reckerd is credited, along with as steel player Ernie Hagar, while all the other tracks were recorded with a different band in 1987. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe this was reissued on CD in 1995. (And while we're at it, anyone got a copy I could listen to?)
Larry Hosford "Windjammin' " (Windjammer Records, 2000) (CD)
(Produced by Larry Hosford)
Hey, it looks like Hosford wasn't exactly as "M.I.A." as once believed... (Somebody told me once that he'd moved to Vegas and was driving a cab there or something like that...) Anyway, turns out he moved back to Santa Cruz and landed a regular gig as the house band at a local bar called the Windjammer. I'm not as into this album as the classic discs above -- the production is too poppy and detracts from his otherwise still-groovy songwriting. But old fans might wanna check this out... Any Hosford is good Hosford, if you ask me!
Larry Hosford "High On Livin' " (Hoe Maid Records, 2007) (CD)
(Produced by Pete Carney & Larry Hosford)
Santa Cruz, California's legendary alt-country pioneer Larry Hosford is still keepin' it real, recording kooky songs with his signature sense of humor. This disc, which was originally recorded in 1987, is classic Hosford country: playful, willfully goofy, steeped in old-school country but clearly anchored in the present-day, this is real-live DIY twang, just as all his other records have been. Also a slew of high-powered guest musicians, including guitarist Bob Brozman and West Coast luminaries such as Norton Buffalo and steel player Ernie Hagar. This may mainly appeal to long-time fans, but if you count yourself among that number, you'll definitely want to pick this disc up, not just for "new" gems like "Ben Henry" and "February Weather," but also because Hosford has added newly-remastered bonus tracks from his notorious, long out-of-print 45, which has the hilariously un-PC "Salinas" (a huge KFAT classic, back in the day...), backed with the still-uncomfortable "Hitchhiking In Guyana," about the Jonestown massacre. It's worth it for "Salinas" alone, but it's also a nice signpost to check out the earlier work of one of alt-country's elders.
Larry Hosford "Momentarily Yours" (4th Street Records, 2012)
(Produced by Larry Hosford & Adam Zerbe)
Another great, idiosyncratic set from this oddball old-timer. Here, Hosford is backed (as usual) by talented but little-known players -- I recognized Rick Shea's name, but that's about it -- and the locals-only vibe just adds to the authenticity and charm of his work. Nice guitars and pretty pedal steel are framed by unassuming, understated accompaniment, and the lyrics are classic Hosford, a mix of comedy and easygoing reflections on the imperfections of humanity. Hosford is one of those guys who's always had an "old man" voice throughout his career, and now has really grown into it -- not sure how old he is, but he must be pushing about 70 -- and he wears it well, sounding pretty much exactly like he did thirty-plus years ago. Hosford is, admittedly, an acquired taste, but longtime fans will love this record -- you youngsters might like it too, and if so, you'll want to track down those old LPs, too. Welcome back, Larry!
Known as "the Bard of Monterey Bay," hippiebilly twangster Larry Hosford (1943-2016) was a major fixture on the Central California coast/Santa Cruz music scene since his high school days in Salinas, when he wrote several songs for a '60s garage band called the E-Types. In the '70s Hosford recorded two of the finest independent country albums of the decade, and reemerged from time to time to keep the indie flame alive. Personally, I love Larry's voice, and it's always a pleasure to hear his creaky crooning, as well as his unique lyrical sensibility. Here's a quick look at his work... it's all pretty groovy!
