Don't Try to Hide It by the J. Geils Band

        By 1973 the J Geils Band was really hitting their stride. In 1972 they released an album called "Live" Full House. It chronicled the early portion of the bands career in much the same way as Live Bullet did a few years later for Bob Segar. The album spawned the hit Lookin' For A Love and perhaps one of the greatest instrumental rock/blues songs ever recorded Whammer Jammer. The introduction to Whammer Jammer featured singer Peter Wolf at his fast talking funkiest, funniest best. Later his 'rap' would become famous with the ingenious introduction to Musta Got Lost on the rollicking Blow Your Face Out album.  The band had performed well in the studio but it was their live shows that, up until now, had propelled their rise to fame.  Soon the bands studio performance would catch up with their charismatic stage show eventually culminating with the multi-platinum Freeze Frame Album
       After Live Full House and 16 years before the song Centerfold became a world sensation,  the band went back into the studio and created "Bloodshot".  An album that is one of the greatest and yet most overlooked studio performances in R&R history. It featured the hit songs House Party, Southside Shuffle, and Give It To Me. Somehow the band managed to capture the power of their live performance on vinyl. Unlike their earlier efforts the songs on Bloodshot sounded spontaneous and loose.  If you compare the studio version of Whammer Jammer with the live version on Full House you'll hear the difference I'm talking about.  The studio version is amazing and fresh but the spontaneity and power is somehow polished over.  The live album version grabs you by the throat and screams in your face.    

   The Bloodshot album bridged the gap between virtuoso studio performance & their satisfying, sweaty stage show. Squeezed in amongst the rowdy rock songs, funky dance grooves, & mid tempo doo-wops powering this classic album is an oompa track called Don't Try To Hide It. It is one of the funniest R&R songs ever recorded, and perhaps the best oompa song ever committed to vinyl in the classic rock era.  It comically features great lyrics, a New Orleans style jazz jangle, and a Tuba in an unusual duet with Harmonica.  Near the end of the song you'll be amazed at the riotous breakdown that illustrates the bands sense of humor and stage charisma. The song did receive some radio airplay but it was never truly a hit.  I've dusted off this incredible recording and want to spin it for you and I am 100% sure you will enjoy it.