Nuggets II: But You’ll Never Do It, Babe by The Boots

Jurg “Jockel” Schulte-Eckel delivers a searing guitar solo on this German cover of an obscure Watford band.

But You'll Never Do It, Babe—The Boots

• Track 101, disc 2
• Year: 1965
• From: West Berlin, Germany.

7/10

More about Nuggets II

Credits

4/23. BUT YOU’LL NEVER DO IT BABE – The Boots
(Brian Smith/Terry Fox)

PERSONNEL/WERNER KRABBE: vocals * JURG “JOCKEL” SCHULTE-ECKEL: lead guitar * ULI GRUN: organ, harmonica, rhythm guitar * BOB BRESSER: bass * HEINZ HOFF: drums
Producer(s) unknown
Recorded in Berlin, Germany
Telefunken single #U-55881 (1965) [Germany]

The Boots

There’s little information available about The Boots. They’re the most obscure Nuggets band I’ve covered so far – the only info I could find was a lengthy All Music Guide paragraph. The Boots have two songs on Nuggets – ‘Gaby’ is much stronger for my money.

The band’s main attraction is lead guitarist Jurg “Jockel” Schulte-Eckel. Predating Hendrix, he played his guitar with screwdrivers and the occasional beer bottle. 

But You’ll Never Do It, Babe

The Boots were essentially a covers band – their debut album also featured versions of ‘Gloria’ and ‘She’s About A Mover’. ‘But You’ll Never Do It, Babe’ was written by obscure Watford band Cops ‘n Robbers.

I was set to give it a low rating – it’s a mediocre blues song. But Jockel’s guitar solo is straight fire, singlehandedly justifying this song’s placement on Nuggets.

The Boots’ first single in 1965, “But You’ll Never Do It Babe,” exemplified their powerful, uncompromising R&B sound. A wild performance with tough, heavily accented vocals, it skids off into near chaotic rave-ups dominated by Jockel’s savage guitar leads. Originally written and recorded by the English Cops’n’Robbers, “But You’ll Never Do It Babe” was later covered by The Pretty Things. But for sheer excitement, The Boots’ version–which also appeared on their first album, Here Are The Boots–surpasses them all.

Mike Stax, Nuggets II liner notes

Subsequent career

The Boots’ career was short-lived. Lead singer Werner Krabbe left after the 1966 release of ‘Gaby’. The band struggled on for another record, Beat With The Boots and the Sanford Alexander Beat, where they covered ‘Green Onions’ and ‘It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World’.

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• 1960s Album Reviews