Though affiliated with the fertile Texas garage and psych scene of the 1960s by virtue of their underground classic "No Friend of Mine," the Sparkles date back to 1957 and continued their performing career until 1972, a longer run than virtually any of their Lone Star State contemporaries. Formed in Levelland, the Sparkles were originally comprised of guitarists Stan Smith and Carl Huckaby, bassist Bob Donnell, pianist Johnny Waller, sibling saxophonists Guy and Jesse Balew, and drummer Gary Blakey. They made their first recordings in 1958 for legendary producer Norman Petty, ...