Jonathan with Orchestra - "Cheryl" b/w "The Mummy"


Super interesting, obscure one here. Along with a slew of other labels, McKinnon Records was owned and operated in the Reading, Pennsylvania area by William Leonard McKinnon a.k.a. "The Slide King."

No info exists on Jonathan or his orchestra, but the primitive, outsider teenage vibes are strong with this one. The A-side "Cheryl" is a zonked love ballad featuring a few audible cracks in Jonathan's possibly still-developing adolescent voice. The track also features a rickety sax performance that expertly sets the tone for what Jonathan and the Orchestra are all about.

While the ballad side is charming in its ineptness, the more uptempo B-side "The Mummy" is what we're all here for.

This track has it all: horror movie/Halloween themed lyrics, dripping wet tremelo'd out guitar riffs, heavy Farfisa organ chord progression, and all sounding like it was recorded by a bunch of greasy pre-teens in a basement somewhere in 1950s suburban America.

If you have any information on the artist or release, please message me or leave a comment.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 6, 2022 at 9:59 AM

    I've been looking all over for this one, that b-side is great. I'm responsible for McKinnon's bio on Discogs and have spent alot of time properly linking his credits on various 45s. I'm curious how you know his first name was William? I've always found him referenced or referred to as Leonard, Lenny, and Len.

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