“My Little Red Book”
by Sky Sunlight Saxon
2005 song
Sky Saxon released at least three different version of Arthur Lee and Love’s classic "My Little Red Book" during his lifetime. Each is unique and distinct from the others, and all show his undying love for the spirit of the garage-psych 1960s.
On his 2005 CD Transparency Sky included what must be the most remarkable version of the song. Titled "Little Red Book", the instrumental part is dominated not by the famous pulsing guitar figure but by lovely psychedelic keyboards. It’s Sky’s vocals that stand out though – he’s far more wasted even than usual and sings free-form, unrelated melodies during the entire song. The theme is how he “lost my two address books”. If you’ve heard his druggy, unprocessed thought-wanderings on the Yodship albums, imagine that singer being told to now straighten up and cover a known rock song. The result is horrifying and hilarious, especially when the backing vocals come in to support a lead singer who has floated off to Venus. Kudos to Sky and his collaborator Sterling Roswell for including this bizarre recording on the album.
In 2008 Sky recorded an album of cover songs, the excellent LP and CD The King Of Garage Rock. Another, far more conventional stab at "My Little Red Book" appears on this album.
Finally, around 2008 a vinyl LP called Dragonslayer was released. Although personnel and recording dates are unknown, the take on "My Little Red Book" here is faster and far more sinister-sounding, but Sky does sing the proper words at the proper times.
