The Coolies were an American alternative rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, active between 1986 and 1989. They derived the name from a dictionary definition of coolie which defines the word as, "one who does heavy work for little pay."
The Coolies' first album, dig..? was released in 1986 by DB Records, and consisted of nine tongue-in-cheek covers of Simon & Garfunkel classics plus a version of Paul Anka's 1974 #1 hit, "(You're) Having My Baby." While Anka's version of "Having My Baby" received criticism for perceived sexist undertones, Coolies lead singer Clay Harper takes it to a whole new level during a brief spoken interlude at the end of the song in which he reveals that she is not the only woman in town having his baby. Thus, he must leave town. (by wikipedia)
One of the better families of entertaining Atlanta indie rock swims in and out of the corpse of the Coolies, a group of high-concept jokers (and cover-song boys) led in the '80s by singer Clay Harper and guitarist Rob Gal.
The Atlanta jokesters made an underground splash with dig..?, a collection of goofy Simon & Garfunkel covers (plus a version of Paul Anka's "Having My Baby"). Great concept for a frat-party set; the psychedelic-funk "Scarborough Fair" and surf-instrumental "Mrs. Robinson" would have made chuckleworthy B-sides. (by trouser press)
The Coolies' first album, dig..? was released in 1986 by DB Records, and consisted of nine tongue-in-cheek covers of Simon & Garfunkel classics plus a version of Paul Anka's 1974 #1 hit, "(You're) Having My Baby." While Anka's version of "Having My Baby" received criticism for perceived sexist undertones, Coolies lead singer Clay Harper takes it to a whole new level during a brief spoken interlude at the end of the song in which he reveals that she is not the only woman in town having his baby. Thus, he must leave town. (by wikipedia)
One of the better families of entertaining Atlanta indie rock swims in and out of the corpse of the Coolies, a group of high-concept jokers (and cover-song boys) led in the '80s by singer Clay Harper and guitarist Rob Gal.
The Atlanta jokesters made an underground splash with dig..?, a collection of goofy Simon & Garfunkel covers (plus a version of Paul Anka's "Having My Baby"). Great concept for a frat-party set; the psychedelic-funk "Scarborough Fair" and surf-instrumental "Mrs. Robinson" would have made chuckleworthy B-sides. (by trouser press)
You think Paul Simon got dragged through the coals by the anti-apartheid protesters? Wait until you hear what the Coolies do to him on their album "Dig."
Simon's inspirational, hymn-like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is hammered into submission by a heavy, Bad Company-like blues-rock riff.
The peppy, sunshiny "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" is transformed into a sleepy, insinuating, psychedelic dirge.
The contemplative "I Am a Rock" becomes a Joe Tex-style soul groover ("I am a rock (WHAM!), I am an island (WHAM! WHAM!), hit it Billy . . . "). (by Los Angeles Times)
The Coolies: one of the funniest album ever recorded !
Simon's inspirational, hymn-like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is hammered into submission by a heavy, Bad Company-like blues-rock riff.
The peppy, sunshiny "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" is transformed into a sleepy, insinuating, psychedelic dirge.
The contemplative "I Am a Rock" becomes a Joe Tex-style soul groover ("I am a rock (WHAM!), I am an island (WHAM! WHAM!), hit it Billy . . . "). (by Los Angeles Times)
The Coolies: one of the funniest album ever recorded !
Personnel:
Jeb Baldwin (bass)
Billy Burton (drums)
Rob Gal (guitar)
Clay Harper (vocals)
Teddy Murray (guitar)
Tracklist:
01. Scarborough Fair (Traditional) 2.24
02. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon) 4.08
03. The 59th St. Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) (Simon) 2.23
04. I Am A Rock (Simon) 3.58
05. El Condor Pasa (Traditional/Simon) 4:02
06. Having My Baby (Anka) 4.41
07. Cecilia (Simon) 2.27
08. Homeward Bound (Simon) 3.11
09. Mrs. Robinson (Simon) 1.53
10. The Only Living Boy in NY (Simon) 4.35
