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1966 studio album by Shadows of Knight

Gloria is the first album by the Shadows of Knight, released in 1966 on Dunwich Records 666. The title track, a cover of the song by Them, became the group`s biggest hit, reaching number 10 on the Billboard charts.

Background

The band released the Gloria album in the summer of 1966, after releasing "Gloria" as a single backed by "Darkside" in December 1965. The single reached #10 on the Billboard charts in May 1966.[2] Later in the year, "Oh Yeah" was released from the same album as a single backed by "Light Bulb Blues", and charted as high as #39. The album liner notes credit the album as "Produced for Dunwich Records" instead of crediting a specific producer.[3]

Reception

Although the band`s association with "Gloria" has caused some to categorize them as one-hit wonders, Cub Koda of AllMusic pushed back against this notion. He reviewed their debut favorably, saying "it positively rocks with a raw energy of a band straight out of the teen clubs, playing with a total abandon and an energy level that seems to explode out of the speakers. Equal parts Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Who, and snotty little Chicago-suburb bad boys, the Shadows of Knight could easily put the torch to Chess blues classics, which make up the majority of the songs included here. Their wild takes on `I Just Want to Make Love to You,` `Oh Yeah,` and `Got My Mojo Working` rank right up there with any British Invasion band`s version from the same time period."[1]

Track listing

1. "Gloria" (Van Morrison) – 2:34
2. "Light Bulb Blues" (Jerry McGeorge, James Alan Sohns, Joseph J. Kelly) – 2:32
3. "I Got My Mojo Working" (McKinley Morganfield) – 3:28
4. "Darkside" (Warren Rogers, James Alan Sohns) – 2:00
5. "Boom Boom" (John Lee Hooker) – 2:28
6. "Let It Rock" (Chuck Berry) – 1:52
7. "Oh Yeah" (Ellas McDaniel) – 2:45
8. "It Always Happens That Way" (Warren Rogers, James Alan Sohns) – 1:52
9. "You Can`t Judge a Book by Looking at the Cover" (Willie Dixon) – 2:37
10. "(I`m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man" (Willie Dixon) – 3:52
11. "I Just Want to Make Love to You" (Willie Dixon) – 3:49

Bonus tracks on LP and CD reissue, 1998

12. "Oh Yeah" (alternate version); (McDaniel) – 2:45
13. "I Got My Mojo Working" (alternate version); (Morganfield) – 3:14
14. "Someone Like Me" (single release not on original album); (David MacDowell, Rich Novak) – 2:18

Personnel

Shadows of Knight

• James Alan Sohns – vocals
• Warren Rogers – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Jerry McGeorge – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Joseph J. Kelly – bass guitar
• Tom Schiffour – drums

Technical

• Bob Kidder – engineer
• Jerry DeClercq – mastering
• Ron Fratell – art direction
• Don Bronstein - cover photograph

Chart performance

Album

Singles