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Over the years I've kept a list of album covers that have attracted my attention (good and bad). I thought I would start a similar list of songs that have captured my attention. There's nothing magical about the list. It's not limited to any particular genre, or timeframe. Whatever captures my ear and sticks around my mental play list. I'll try to focus on the good ... but sometimes something is so bad it makes the list (check out the Rick Saucedo entry). You should be able to use the YouTube links to check out each entry.
Comments, suggestions and corrections always welcome - send them to RDTEN1@aol.com
Last updated: OCTOBER 25, 2024
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ARTIST: Bonnie Raitt SONG TITLE: Just Like That WRITER(S): Bonnie Raitt RUNNING TIME: 4:57 YEAR: 2022 YOUTUBE LINK: Bonnie Raitt - Just Like That (Official Lyric Video)
I'm a big Bonnie Raitt fan and own about a dozen of her albums, but 2022's "Just Like That" wasn't one of them. I actually happened to hear the title track one day while driving home from work. Musically the song wasn't one of her more commercial tunes (certainly not a 'Something To Talk About'). The melody was pretty; her vocals sweet, but if I'd been busy doing something else it probably wouldn't have made much of an impression on me. In this case, I was actually listening to the lyrics ... OMG !!! I had to pull over to the side of the road and make a concerted effort not to start crying. In case you've never heard the song I won't give away the plotline ... A totally amazing song from a totally amazing performer.
YouTube has a May, 2024 live performance that's even more gutrenching: Bonnie Raitt - "Just Like That" - at Mothership Weekend 2
Added: October 25, 2024
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ARTIST: Heather Black SONG TITLE: Last Words WRITER(S): Gaylan Latimer - Tommy Christian RUNNING TIME: 3:02 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF9vS72OJcs
The '60s saw "teen tragedy songs" carve out a surprisingly lucrative market. Think along the lines of Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers 'Last Kiss', Roy Peterson's 'Tell Laura I Love Her' and Mark Dinning's 'Teen Angel.' As bad as all of those songs were, they had nothing on the hyper-dramatic spoken word 'Last Words.' This one one was so bad as to be good. Hearing Gaylan's emotion choked narrative just makes me want to giggle. When the angelic chorus kicks it; well it's all over. "It wasn't our shame, it was our love ..." I've never heard anything as calculated, or cloying. Simply dreadful and has to be heard to be believed.
Added: September 06, 2024
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ARTIST: The East Pointers SONG TITLE: Wintergreen WRITER(S): The East Pointers RUNNING TIME: 3:31 YEAR: 2019 YOUTUBE LINK: The East Pointers - Wintergreen (youtube.com)
The theme song was written by The East Pointers, a Prince Edwards based folk band. I'd never heard of these guys before (guitarist Jake Charron, the late banjo player Koady Chaisson and fiddler Tim Chaisson). Their folk sounds certainly aren't something that I'd normally go for, but in this case it's the perfect slice of music for the series. Kicked along by Koady Chaisson's banjo, the song was catchy and poignant at the same time.
Added: August 26, 2024
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ARTIST: The Stampeders SONG TITLE: Sweet City Woman WRITER(S): Rich Dodson RUNNING TIME: 3:27 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: Stampeders - Sweet City Woman (1971) (youtube.com)
A couple of weeks back I bought a Stampeders album - "New Day." It was released a couple of years after they enjoyed their massive successes with 'Sweet City Woman.' The album was surprisingly rock oriented and quite good, but there wasn't a song nearly as strong as this one. Anyhow, I suddenly found myself stuck humming this tune, even though I hadn't heard, or thought about it in decades.
Anyhow, to my ears the banjo propelled 'Sweet City Woman' is sheer ear candy. Great summer melody, great Rich Dodson vocals and the banjo riff is wonderful. And as much as I love the original, the band recorded a French version ('Oui Tu est Mon Amis'). My French isn't great, but I think the French title translates as 'Yes, You are My Friend'.
Stampeders Oui Tu Es Mon Ami (Sweet City Woman in French) Stereo Mix (youtube.com)
Added: August 01, 2024
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ARTIST: Country SONG TITLE: Killer WRITER(S): Michael Fondiler - Tom Snow RUNNING TIME: 4:50 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: COUNTRY - KILLER - (Tom Snow) featuring Mark & Matt Andes - Slipstream Records (youtube.com)
"Can you see the killer with his axe ..." What happened to the easy going country-rockers that made up the majority of Country's seld-titled album? Produced by Ahmet Ertegun, the harpsichord powered 'Killer' was unlike anything else on the album. With support from Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne members Mark and Matt Andes (Matt had briefly played in the precursor Country band American Rainbow), the song sported a much fuller rock sound that sounded like something off the first CSN&Y album. The lyrics were certainly frightening, but it was easily the album's standout performance.
Added: July 21, 2024
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ARTIST: Eric Stewart SONG TITLE: Friends Like These WRITER(S): Eric Stewart RUNNING TIME: 4:50 YEAR: 2009 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7rMJOvxBJU
As a high school and college student I was always a big 10cc fan. I thought they were hyper-clever and also a great pop/rock band. Eric Stewart's contributions always struck a chord with me and his voice was just great. Since the end of 10cc most people have forgotten what a talented melody writer Stewart is. Love the slinky slide guitar that opens 'Friends Like These' and kicks it along ... Slow builder with an almost hypnotic feel and one of the album's spotlight numbers. Months later this one is still bouncing around my head.
Hopefully someone out there will be able to explain the plotline to me ...
Added: July 05, 2024
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ARTIST: King Harvest SONG TITLE: Dancin' In the Moonlight WRITER(S): Sherman Kelly RUNNING TIME: 2:57 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: Dancin' in the Moonlight - King Harvest | The Midnight Special (youtube.com)
I woke up this morning and found myself humming along to King Harvest's 'Dancing In the Moonlight'. For anyone under 60 that's going to evoke a "Who? What?" response. I remember the song from when I was a teenager and actually have a copy of the 1970 Boffalongo album which is where the song initially appeared. Naturally, I also have a copy of the King Crimson album that has the hit cover version. Showing my age here.
Anyhow I was trying to figure out what triggered the jukebox memory and it dawned on me. The song's been repeatedly used as a commercial theme. In the late '90s Haines used it to peddle underwear. In 2021 Walmart used it. In this case the pharmaceutical company Ad astra is using it to sell Eylea - a drug used to combat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). I think I saw the commercial earlier in the week when it was featured on the NBC Evening News. Wow, talk about making one feel old.
For such an easy-going, peaceful themed song, the track had a chilling start. I borrowed writer Sherman Kelly's description of writing the song from his small website: "On a trip to St. Croix in 1969, I was the first victim of a vicious St. Croix gang who eventually murdered 8 American tourists. At that time, I suffered multiple facial fractures and wounds and was left for dead. While I was recovering, I wrote "Dancin' in the Moonlight" in which I envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life."
Based on the pretty electric keyboard opening and the late Dave Robinson's unique, blue-eyed soul voice. I certainly remember the song. It may not be a life changer, but it still brings a smile to my face - even when I find myself humming it on a sunny Saturday morning.
For anyone who cares, Robinson passed on in December, 2012.
By the way, there are a bunch of updates that are worth hearing, including a Johnny Lectro remix and a cover by the British band Jubel
Added: July 01, 2024
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ARTIST: The Heptones SONG TITLE: Mama Say WRITER(S): Leroy Stubbs RUNNING TIME: 3:12 YEAR: 1976 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apy_ELXGTnk
For most Americans reggae starts and stops with Bob Marley and the Wailers. If you're going to explore the genre, that's certainly a decent place to start. Just be aware there is so much more out there. Case in point - The Heptones. You can find loads of stuff online about Leroy Stubbs and rthe rest of the band so I'll spare you. Anyhow, the original version of 'Mama Say' was released as a 1975 single on Harry Johnson's Jaywalk label. The 1976 Danny Holloway remix sounded like it kept the same vocal tracks, but added more guitar and some chirping female backing singers. Musically 'Mama Say' was simply a great example of life-is-tough-in-Jamaica styled reggae.
- 1975's 'Mama Say' b/w 'Say Dub' (Jaywalk catalog number HJ-2527) - 1976's 'Mama Say' b/w 'Love Won't Come Easy' (Island catalog number WIP 6281)
Added: June 19, 2024
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ARTIST: The Chairmen of the Board SONG TITLE: Give Me a Little More Time WRITER(S): Ronald Dunbar - Edythe Wayne RUNNING TIME: 2:39 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: The Chairman of the Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (youtube.com)
A couple of years ago my wife and I bought a property on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. We always thought we'd end up with a place somewhere in Delaware - Dewey Beach, Rehoboth, Bethany ... Instead we fell in love with the low-key, family vibe in Chincoteague. Admittedly it took our kids a little while to adapt. No boardwalk, no amusement park, nowhere near as many stores. They've slowly come around.
Anyhow, if you're anywhere near the Virginia coast you have to be aware of beach music and Shag songs. High on the list is anything by The Chairmen of the Board and one of their best is the 1970 single 'Give Me a Little More Time.' Yeah, it's super old school, but in a cool way. If they're old enough I bet your parents remember this one. Otherwise your grandparents will remember it. The wild, weirdly metallic lead vocal features General Johnson - one of soul's overlooked killer singers. By the way, the Edythe Wayne songwriting credit was actually Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland, Jr. Having split from Motown to form their own Hot Wax and Invictus imprints, Berry Gordy and Motown slapped them with a lawsuit preventing them from working for another label. They worked around it by using the "Edythe Wayne" pseudonym.
Added June 18, 2024
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ARTIST: Adele SONG TITLE: Rolling In the Deep WRITER(S): Adele Adkins - Paul Epworth RUNNING TIME: 3:48 YEAR: 2010 YOUTUBE
LINK: Adele
- Rolling in the Deep (Official Music Video) (youtube.com) Admittedly I've never been a big Adele fan. I'll readily admit she has one helluva voice and seems like the down-to-earth kind of person who would be a blast to hang out. My problem is the never-ending stream of big ballads she's become famous for. I can only take so many of them before I go into shutdown mode. And then there's 'Rolling In the Deep' which is so different and one tough rocker. Don't think you'd want to get on her bad side !!!
Filmed before an adoring star-filled crowd at London's Palladium, for “An Audience with Adele” concert, there's a November, 2021 live performance that is even better: Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Live - An Audience With Adele) (youtube.com) My gawd the woman has some chops !!!
Added: June 16, 2024
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ARTIST: Fairport Convention SONG TITLE: Who Know Where the Time Goes? WRITER(S): Sandy Denny RUNNING TIME: 5:06 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: Who Knows Where The Time Goes? (youtube.com)
I'm not a big folk music fan and deep lyrics tend to be wasted on me. Sandy Denny's stunning 'Who Knows Where the Times Goes?' is an exception to both rules. When I first heard this song as a teenager I was so taken with it that I rode my bike to my local record store only to discover they had no idea how to track down a copy of the Fairport Convention parent album. It took me years to stumble across a copy of "Unhalfbricking" - to this day it is one of the treasures in my music collection.
As you can tell, I've always loved the late Sandy Denny's voice. There's just something in her voice that appeals to me in times of reflection and sadness. Maybe it has something to do with the hard times and tragedies she endured during her brief life. While I've been spared most of those experiences, I'm smart enough to appreciate I've been spared. Anyhow those Denny characteristics are seldom displayed as well as on her ballad 'Who Know Where the Time Goes?' And that's the reason this song shows on my list.
Recently one of my former neighbors died unexpectedly. We weren't best buds, but were friendly in a neighborly way. I helped him install and outdoor fan; helped him drag a side-by-side fridge into his kitchen occasionally went to one of his parties. He was quite young (fifteen years younger than I am and coincidently the same age as my wife). If that wasn't heartbreaking enough, he left a young family behind.
My family lived next to this family for over 15 years. We'd seen the couple get married, have three children and surround themselves with family and more close friends than people we even know. The husband was one of those folks who met and made friends without breaking a sweat. It was his superpower. It was a characteristic I always admired since I don't have a trace of it in my DNA.
Anyhow, as I sat waiting for the funeral to start they flashed up a series of photos covering his life - childhood to recent times. The montage was accompanied by some faceless new-age music. While I sat there looking at the photos I started to think about what would I do when my time comes? No funeral. Maybe a wake for a handful of close friends. No burial. There's nothing as depressing as an old grave that is never visited. What about the music? Well, this Sandy Denny tune is a must-play. I can't think of a song that captures my feelings about life more accurately. Here I am in my mid-'60s with two grown children and a lifetime of memories - some regrets, but mostly good memories. As Sandy Denny makes clear it's just gone by so fast ...
June 15, 2024
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ARTIST: The Corrs SONG TITLE: So Young WRITER(S): Sharon Corr RUNNING TIME: 4:12 YEAR: 1998 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzLTf69vQos
Yes, the bouncy, ever so radio-friendly 'So Young' was the song that sold me on The Corrs. I'd heard them clutter the mid-'90s airwaves for at least a year, but this song pushed me over the edge from skeptic to fan. Top-40 be damned, what was there not to love about the three stylish Corr sisters (Andrea, Sharon and Caroline) and their guitar playing brother Jim? If you didn't like their music, or the fact they were hyper-attractive, there was always their Irish lilts. Anyhow, 'So Young' was the reason I decided to go check the group out and just happened to be one of the first concerts I took my now-wife to see (The Birchmere June 1998 - before the club moved down the street to their newer location). To this day it's one the best concerts I've seen in my fifty years of attending live shows.
Now that I'm a parent of two sons, the fact sister Sharon was inspired to write the song by the group's parents (Jean and Gerry Corr) makes the song even sweeter. Try to get through the chorus with falling victim to the song's charms.
Added: June 14, 2024
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ARTIST: Nik Kershaw SONG TITLE: Wouldn't It Be Good WRITER(S): Nik Kershaw RUNNING TIME: 4:50 YEAR: 1984 YOUTUBE LINK: Wouldn't it be good - Nik Kershaw (youtube.com)
Nik Kershaw's virtually unknown in the States, but starting with the mid-'70s UK jazz-rock band Fusion he has enjoyed a lengthy and occasionally successful career in the UK.
'Wouldn't It Be Nice' starts out sounding like a rather faceless slice of UK new wave angst. Think of a band like A Flock of Seagulls, or The Human League and you'll be in the right aural neighborhood. That all changes when the song hits the magical refrain. Not sure if this was his biggest chart success, but that killer hook lodges in your head and won't leave. The 45 should have turned him into a top-40 star in the States. Naturally it was completely ignored by American audiences. The dated promotional video is a hoot.
Added: June 13, 2024
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ARTIST: The Staples Singers SONG TITLE: This Is Our Night WRITER(S): Mike Piccirillio - Gary Goetzman RUNNING TIME: 4:30 YEAR: 1984 YOUTUBE LINK: This Is Our Night (youtube.com)
The previous S.O.S. track reminded me of another dance favorite ...
Hearing 'This Is Our Night' for the first time you could be forgiven for wondering if you'd slapped a Nile Rogers and Chic song on. I'll be the first to admit wondering "what the hell, why did The Staples go disco? This must be a sign of end-of-times ... " And as I was wondering how they could have fallen so far, so fast, it dawned on me I couldn't shake the damn chorus ... I found myself humming the refrain for weeks; especially when Pops Staples vocals kicked in. Darn, now it's back in my head and my fingers are tapping the rhythm.
The track was released as a single, but how in the world did radio miss out on this one? Thanks to YouTube, here's a link to a Soul Train clip of the group lip-synching the track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9D3mT0Yzt8
- 1984's 'This Is Our Night' b/w 'The Turning Point' (Private I catalog number ZS4 04711)
Added: June 11, 2024
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ARTIST: S.O.S. Band SONG TITLE: Take Your Time (Do It) WRITER(S): Harold Clayton - SIgidi RUNNING TIME: 7:47 YEAR: 1980 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs8dp2ofgyo
There were so many talented early-'80s funk bands ... And even though I wasn't someone who hung out at dance clubs, there were certain songs that you could actually hear on commercial radio. Radio just seemed so much fresher before market segmentation took over. One of the best of those tunes was The S.O.S. Band's 'Take Your Time.' Showcasing Mary Davis' sweet-as-honey voice, John Alexander Simpson's giddy bass line, Jason Bryant's skitterish moog, and a fly-paper sticky groove, this one is still loaded in my mental jukebox and from time to time when it randomly pops up, where it stays in rotation for weeks.
The video captures the band lip-synching the tune on a Soul Train appearance. Their choreography is pricesless.
Added: June 06, 2024
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ARTIST: Robin Trower SONG TITLE: Caledonia WRITER(S): Robin Trower - James Dewar RUNNING TIME: 3:40 YEAR: 1976 YOUTUBE LINK: Caledonia (youtube.com)
When I was in high school one of my closest friends (hi Mark), was a major Robin Trower fan. Mark even passed up his junior prom to go see Trower at some local club. He tried and tried to get me interested in Trower, but hearing what sounded like a Hendrix wannabe and convinced Peter Frampton and Roxy Music were where it was at, I wanted nothing to do with the man. Well, Mark I was wrong and you were right !!! Today Frampton is the answer to music trivia questions (I still admire him) and Bryan Ferry is lifeless poseur. Meanwhile, Trower continues to record and tour with more energy than most acts half his age.
The driving 'Caledonia' easily makes it into my Trower top-10 list. Powered by another wonderful James Dewar vocal and one of Trower's prettiest solos, this one sounded like a V8 motor going into overdrive and then Trower's solo set off the afterburners ... The only criticism was the song was simply too short. Awesome choice as a single:
- 1976's 'Caledonia' b/w 'Messin' with the Blues' (Chrysalis catalog number CHS 2122)
By the way Caledonia is the old Latin name for Scotland.
Added: June 03, 2024
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ARTIST: Crowded House SONG TITLE: Don't Dream It's Over WRITER(S): Neil Finn RUNNING TIME: 4:03 YEAR: 1986 YOUTUBE LINK: Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
I'm not sure why, but amongst family and friends I seem to be the only person that likes Crowded House. I'm a big fan owning almost all of their studio albums and every one of the albums has at least one or two classic songs that resonate with me, That makes it hard to pick one for the list. Perhaps this one's too obvious given it hit # 2 on the US charts, but I think it's got a fantastic melody and one of Neil Finn's best vocal performances.
There's a live November 1996 performance that's almost tear-jerking: Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over Live (HQ) (youtube.com)
Added: June 01, 2024
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ARTIST: Colours SONG TITLE: Bad Day at Black Rock WRITER(S): Jack Dalton - Gary Montgomery RUNNING TIME: 3:06 YEAR: 1986 YOUTUBE LINK: Colours -[1]- Bad Day At Black Rock, Baby (youtube.com)
This is the kind of mid-'60s orchestrated pop-psych that bands like The Association wished they could have written and recorded. It's simultaneously trippy as all and "ear candy" commercial (the title track chorus is a hoot). Lyrically its also pretty entertaining (dumbsh*t trying to rob liquor stores with a black-polished wooden gun). Simply a genre classic that's as good as anything you'll find on an H.P. Lovecraft LP. Shame more folks haven't heard it.
Added: May 30, 2024
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ARTIST: Anton Landcombe SONG TITLE: Bringing Murder To the Land WRITER(S): Anton Landcombe - Dot Allison RUNNING TIME: 3:31 YEAR: 2021 YOUTUBE LINK: ANTON NEWCOMBIE & DOT ALLISON - BRINGING MURDER TO THE LAND - Annika (Remastered Audio) [4K Video] (youtube.com)
I watch a lot of PBS, including foreign detective series. Among those is the series Annika starring Nicola Walker and Jamie Sives. I'd love to tell you something about the artist and the song. Scotish singer Dot Allison (of One Dove fame) is apparently responsible for the breathless lead vocals which provide the perfect soundtrack for the show's dark edges.
Added: May 28, 2024
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ARTIST: The Moon SONG TITLE: Go t To Be On My Way WRITER(S): Dan Moore RUNNING TIME: 2:01 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: The Moon - Got to Be on My Way (youtube.com)
The Moon's debut album "WIthout Earth" is a personal favorite in terms of mid-'60s pop-psych offerings. The whole album is enjoyable and the rocker 'Got To Be On My Way' is one of the standout performances. Opening up with a searing Clapton-esque guitar solo from Marks, 'Got To Be On My Way' found the band dropping the Beatlesque influences in favor of a straight forward rock attack. Al;ways loved the "big" drum sound they got on Brown's kit. The result was one of the album's highlights. Fantastic track !!! Had Eric Carmen and The Raspberries, or Emmitt Rhodes recorded this one they would have been massive stars.
Added: May 25, 2024
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ARTIST: Chris Rae SONG TITLE: Driving Home for Christmas WRITER(S): Chris Rea RUNNING TIME: 3:55 YEAR: 1986 YOUTUBE LINK: Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas • TopPop (youtube.com)
This has long been one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I have no idea why I woke up with this playing in my head. Mid-May isn't a particularly Christmasy time. It's not rock, but the melody is so breezy and charming I can't shake it out of my head. Add in Rea's instantly recognizable voice and it's not only a great Christmas song, but a great pop tune.
Added: May, 17, 2024
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ARTIST: Katy Perry SONG TITLE: Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) WRITER(S): Max Martin - Katy Perry - Bonnie McKee RUNNING TIME: 3:50 YEAR: 2011 YOUTUBE LINK: Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) (Official Music Video) - YouTube
I really don't care what you think - 'Last Friday Night' is a great slice of pop. The melody is pure ear candy and the tale of a party going horribly wrong will register with millions of people (teenagers and adults). The accompanying video is simply hysterical. C'mon, you laughed when you saw all the cameos including Debbie Gibson, Corey Feldman, Rebecca Black and Kenny G.
Added: May 14, 2024
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ARTIST: Curtis Mayfield SONG TITLE: Billy Jack WRITER(S): Curtis Mayfield RUNNING TIME: 6:01 YEAR: 1975 YOUTUBE LINK: Billy Jack (youtube.com)
The lyrics have always struck me as being a continuation of "Superfly" with a rather blatant lyric taking on the risk of being a young, urban black male in mid-'70s America. Here we are almost fifty years later and seemingly little has changed ... f anything being born in that demographic is even more dangerous in this day and age. Joseph Scott opened up with some awesome bass and Mayfield kicked in with his nifty skitterish guitar and instantly recognizable voice. And when you thought it couldn't get much better, around the three minute mark the horns kick in. One of his slickest and most catchy melodies. Not sure when, or where it was recorded (obviously later in his career - mid-'80s judging by the bass player's Miami Vice outfit), but YouTube has a nice live performance of the tune (though I miss the horns found on the studio version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T6sHBMvEEc Would love to hear Steely Dan take this one one.
Added: May 12, 2024
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ARTIST: Caston & Major SONG TITLE: Child of Love WRITER(S): Leonard Caston - Kathy Wakefield RUNNING TIME: 3:16 YEAR: 1974 YOUTUBE LINK: CHILD OF LOVE - Caston & Majors (youtube.com)
First let me say 'Child of Love' has to be one of the finest things to come out of the Motown empire. There's just something majestic about the deep orchestral sound (I love the kettle drums), as well as something truly uplifting in the lyrics which you can interpret as being deeply religious, or not. At the same time, listening to this tune I can see why Motown was clueless as to what to do with this duo. Probably about five years too early for popular tastes, ironically, the tune was tapped as an English single: - 1975's 'Child of Love' b/w 'No One Will Know' (Tamla/Motown catalog number TMG 938)
It's an odd, but worthwhile album for the Motown label. Read the BadCatRedcords review at: B (badcatrecords.com)
Added: May 04, 2024
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ARTIST: Thornshield SONG TITLE: Pleasure Time WRITER(S): Bobby Ray - James Smith RUNNING TIME: 2:21 YEAR: 1967 YOUTUBE LINK: Thorinshield -[5]- Pleasure Time (youtube.com)
If you've poked around the BadCatRecords website you'll notice I have an affection for obscure '60s bands. Among them is the Los Angeles-based Thornshield. 'Pleasure Time' is my pick for the standout performance on their 1967 debut album ("Thorinshield") . The track offers up a glittering slice of folk-rock with stoned lyrics and then there are those wonderful group harmonies. This is the track that Philips should have tapped as the leadoff single. You can read my write-up on the band and their 1967 album at: B (badcatrecords.com)
Added May 04, 2024
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ARTIST: Swing Out Sister SONG TITLE: Twilight World WRITER(S): Andy Connell - Corinne Drewery - Martin Jackson RUNNING TIME: 4:08 YEAR: 1987 YOUTUBE LINK: Swing Out Sister - Twilight World (Official Video) (youtube.com)
Yes, I'll admit I fell under the spell of mid-'80s pop-jazz acts like Everything But the Girl, Johnny Loves Jazz and Swing Out Sister. If there's a song in that genre which caught my attention and never left, then Swing Out SIster's 'Twilight World' is near the top of the list. It wasn't the mega-hit 'Breakout' was, but when the lovely and uber-talented Corinne Drewery hits the "don't be fooled by love songs and lonely hearts, don't dip into the twilight world" chorus ... where do I buy the single ? As for the inspiration and meaning ... beats me, but I love the hook and Paul Staveley O'Duffy's '80s production feel. Sh*t now I'm humming the damn thing again.
Added May 01, 2024
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ARTIST: Megan Henwood SONG TITLE: Painkiller WRITER(S): Megan Henwood RUNNING TIME: 3:30 YEAR: 2015 YOUTUBE LINK: 12. Megan Henwood - Painkiller (youtube.com)
Elissa got me a subscription to the Britbox streaming service which features a host of British, Irish, Australian, etc television series that frequently don’t make their way to PBS. One of them is a show called Beyond Paradise - actually a spin-off of the series Death in Paradise (which did make it to PBS). Starring Kris Marshall, the show usually has interesting music but one of the second season episodes featured a track titled "Painkiller". It was one of those songs that just stopped me cold. I actually had to rerun part of the episode to hear the song again and then it took me awhile to find the artist and song. Megan Henwood’s was totally unknown to me and this is the only track of hers I’ve heard. All I can say is 'Painkiller' is simply stunning. Inspired by a recent deceased uncle (he seemingly suffered a painful demise) … it's just one of those songs that deserved to be heard by a far wider audience. And yes, Uncle Louie should be so proud of his niece.
YouTube also has a stunning live version of the song: Painkiller Written And Performed By Megan Henwood (youtube.com)
For anyone curious, here's a link to Henwood's website: MEGAN HENWOOD
Added April 30, 2024
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ARTIST: The Moody Blues SONG TITLE: Your Wildest Dreams WRITER(S): Justin Hayward RUNNING TIME: 3:50 YEAR: 1986 YOUTUBE LINK: The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams (youtube.com)
Now that I am in my mid-'60s it shouldn't come as a surprise to see more and more of the rock stars I grew up with are passing on. The latest - Mike Pender of The Moody Blues. Pender was the band's original keyboard player dropping out of the band in 1978; missing their '80s and early '90s commercial successes.
Now the latter-era, post-Pinder Moodies are a hit-or-miss entity for me. I always found lots of their earlier catalog to be boring and pompous. I find lots of their latter stage catalog to be stale commercial product. There are a couple of exceptions. One of those exceptions is the sappy and hyper commercial 'Your Wildest Dreams.' It's got one of those melodies that simply won't leave my mental playlist. Plus I'm a big fan of Justin Hayward's instantly recognizable voice.
April 26, 2024
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ARTIST: Everything But the Girl SONG TITLE: Missing WRITER(S): Tracey Thorn - Ben Watt RUNNING TIME: 4:05 YEAR: 1996 YOUTUBE LINK: Everything But The Girl - Missing (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
Widely tagged as one of the best ever dance songs, there are at least nine different mixes of 'Missing.' The best known and biggest seller is Todd Terry's speeded-up dance remix. Everyone will have their own opinion, but having gone back and forth over with version is better, I'll tell you that the original version found on 1994's "Amplified Heart" is the one to stick with. Come to think of it, 'Missing' is the only song I remember on the album. As for the song, regardless of which version you chose, it's an amazing platform for Thorn's heartbroken voice and you just can't shake the chorus. When I go to funerals (seemingly happening more and more often as I age), I always think this would be a great song for a celebration of life. For anyone interested, here's a link to the remix version: Everything But The Girl - Missing (Todd Terry Remix) [Official Music Video] (youtube.com).
April 25, 2024
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ARTIST: Voice of the Beehive SONG TITLE: So Hard WRITER(S): Tracey Bryn - Peter-John Vettese RUNNING TIME: 4:34 YEAR: 1996 YOUTUBE LINK: Voice of the Beehive - So Hard (youtube.com)
Until yesterday I'd forgotten how much I liked Voice of the Beehive. I got out a couple of their albums (yes, vinyl) and enjoyed a couple of hours of aural nostalgia. So why not another track from these ladies?
It's easy to see why 'So Hard' was tapped as a single. The song exemplified everything that made Voice of the Beehive such a killer band - infectious melody; wonderful vocals (their voices blended in a way most groups could only pray fot), and a general sense of fun. As for the video, while it looked like they'd spent $10 on it, there was something mesmerizing (and simultaneously disturbing) seeing the sisters splashing around in an Los Angeles water aqueduct. I will admit they danced their little hearts out on this one. Gawd only knows what was in the aqueduct water. Hope they all showered afterwards.
The song was also tapped as a CD single:
- 1996's 'So Hard' b/w 'Playing House' (Discovery catalog number 74542)
April 23, 2024
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ARTIST: Voice of the Beehive SONG TITLE: Scary Kisses WRITER(S): Tracey Bryn - Peter-John Vettese RUNNING TIME: 4:12 YEAR: 1996 YOUTUBE LINK: Voice Of The Beehive - Scary Kisses (Music Video) (youtube.com)
Folks routinely slam '80s music, but have to admit I love a lot of the era. It tends to be stuff from bands that weren't massive commercial sellers, but it's there. One of those bands - Voice of the Beehive.
As good as anything in their earlier catalog, this song had everything you look for in a top-40 hit. The melody was mesmerizing. The vocals glistened. The title refrain hook was as sticky as flypaper. Pure ear candy. The song was one of two singles originally floated as a CD single prior to the album being released. You had to wonder why it met with public indifference.
- 1995's 'Scary Kisses' b/w 'You and Your Dumb Club' and 'Time On All Fours' (EastWest catalog number EW017CD) - 1996's 'Scary Kisses' b/w 'Blue In Paradise (Discovery catalog number 74528) # 77 US pop charts
Added April 22, 2024
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ARTIST: Lake SONG TITLE: Welcome To the West WRITER(S): James Hopkins-Harrison - Detlef Petersen RUNNING TIME: 5:06 YEAR: 1978 YOUTUBE LINK: Lake - Welcome to the West (youtube.com)
I discovered Lake when attending the University of Maryland in Munich, West Germany. I was listening to a local radio station and this song came on, capturing my attention within second. A friend of mine described 'Welcome To the West' as progressive music for folks who didn't like progressive music. I remember thinking that was a pretty dumb comment, but having heard this tune dozens of times, it seems more and more accurate. The song showcased the late James Hopkins-Harrison on lead vocals. He sounded like he was being slowly strangled. Surrounded by an epic arrangement that actually recalled a western soundtrack, perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but the song has always struck me as being a none-too-subtle criticism of Western commercial values. Lyrically it certainly hasn't aged too well in the wake of the collapse of East Germany and the Soviet Union, but I still love it.
Added April 20, 2024
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ARTIST: Charlie SONG TITLE: Thinking About You WRITER(S): Terry Thomas RUNNING TIME: 5:07 YEAR: 2015 YOUTUBE LINK: Thinking About You (youtube.com)
When I discovered Terry Thomas and Charlie had released a new album in 2015 ("Elysium Company" - Floating World catalog number FREES5057) I rushed out and bought a copy. I played the CD for weeks and one of my favorite performances was 'Think About You.' One of the few songs on the album without a shred of social commentary this one found Thomas turning his attention to personal relationships. Kicked along by Steve Alexander's end-of-time drums, the results managed to combine Thomas dry, penetrating voice with patented Charlie harmonies and an even darker and more ominous vibe than normal. Those near-the-break-point lyrics combined with those patented Charlie harmony vocals ... just too weird. Imagine a rattlesnake coiled up and about to take a chunk out of your ankle. It also made for the album's standout performance.
Should've been a massive single for Thomas and company, but nobody was paying attention to a band that could play their own instruments, didn't use auto-tuning and didn't throw at least a token rap in the mix ...
Added: April 19, 2024
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ARTIST: Allman Brothers Band SONG TITLE: Revival WRITER(S): Dickey Betts RUNNING TIME: 4:04 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: The Allman Brothers Band - Revival (youtube.com)
As an Allman Brothers Band fan, it's a sad day hearing Dickey Betts has passed away. Funny thing is I've had several opportunities to see The Allman Brothers (of course we are talking late inning incarnations), but by the time those opportunities came around, they were long past their prime and had devolved into this weird hybrid of Southern rock and jam band moves. Just wasn't something that captured my attention.
Start taking about The Allman Brothers and most of the time the discussion revolves around Duane and Greg. Mention Dickey Betts and you get a shrug. Anyone doubting Betts' importance to the band need only listen to 'Revival.' The first song Betts had placed on an Allman Brothers' album, the tune was original envisioned as an instrumental, Betts coming up with the lyrics as he refined the melody. One of the things that's always amazed me about the tune; whereas most love-and-peace lyrics haven't aged all that well (think The Youngbloods' 'Come Together', or Scott McKenzie's 'San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)'), 'Revival' has stood the test of time. Starting off with a jazzy vibe, the interplay between Betts on electric guitar and Duane Allman on acoustic is mesmerizing and instantly recognizable. And then about ninety seconds into the song it makes a magical transition with Greg's growling vocals turning it into one of their catchiest and most uplifting performances. The sweet, Gospel-touched harmony vocals are merely icing on the cake. One of the few songs out there that deserved to have had a longer running time. An edited version of the song was tapped as the album's lead-off single. Interestingly, when it was tapped as a single the song carried a slightly modified title - 'Revival (Love Is Everywhere)':
- 1970's 'Revival (Love Is Everywhere)' b/w 'Leave' (Capricorn catalog number 45-8011) #92 pop
Added April 18, 2024
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ARTIST: Little Feat SONG TITLE: Spanish Moon WRITER(S): Lowell George RUNNING TIME: 5:04 YEAR: 1978 YOUTUBE LINK: Little Feat - Spanish Moon (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
You can usually find someone to blame for your any shortcoming you have. In this case, my longstanding affection for Little Feat traces back to long time friend Bruce Johnson. Bruce introduced me to Lowell George and Little Feat when I was in college. If he hadn't, my college GPA would have been significantly higher. Gawd only knows how much time I spent listening to "Waiting for Columbus." Even a fraction of that time spent reading textbooks would have made a significant difference in testing results. Splilt milk at this point in my life and shame on me for letting such a bad influence into my life. Nothing to do about it now ... Next problem - which Feat song to pick? This one's a little easier to handle. If you've glanced through my list, you'll see that I normally shy away from the popular, big hits. Not this time. Okay, most people still donlt have a clue about Little Feat.
The original studio version of the song on "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" is certainly nice, but even better is the live version found on 1978's "Waiting for Columbus."
To my ears the late Lowell George seldom sounded as funky and his slide guitar solos were simply dazzling, but I've always thought the song's secret sauce came in the form of Kenny Gradney's wonderful bass lines. The concept apparently came to George while touring with Little Feat. After a date in New Orleans he had a dream where he was wandering through the city, stumbling into a mysterious club. Producer Van Dyke Park's description of the track as "vanilla grits" is perfect. Every time I hear the song I'm left to wonder how a Southern California guy managed to sound so greasy, though it seems pretty clear that George who was struggling with serious addiction problems knew what he was singing about:
"While a dark eyed girl sang and played the guitar There was hookers and hustlers, they filled up the room I heard about this place they call the Spanish Moon. There's whiskey and bad cocaine Poison get you just the same And if that... that don't... kill you soon The women will down at the Spanish Moon."
Yeah, the Tower of Power horns certainly didn't hurt the cause and it's one of those songs you simply can't sit still through.
Needless factoid: As reflected in the above link, I didn't even know there was a promotional video for this song. It was apparently released in conjunction with 2002's eight CD "Super Deluxe Edition" boxed set of the album. Yeah, eve I think that's a bit of overkill.
Added: April 17, 2024
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ARTIST: The Cowsills SONG TITLE: Katrina WRITER(S): Bob Cowsill RUNNING TIME: 5:04 YEAR: 2023 YOUTUBE LINK: Katrina (youtube.com)
Gosh, The Cowsills are one of my first musical memories and though I'm not a Cowsills scholar, 'Katrina' was clearly a remembrance of brother Barrys passing. Penned by Bob, the song was easily one of the oddest things the group's ever recorded. The song captured Barry's final hours living homeless on the streets of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit the city in 2005. The inspiration was apparently drawn from a series of phone calls Barry left for sister Susan who was also living in New Orleans, but had evacuated ahead of the storm. The album's standout performance, the tune was simultaneously frightening (every time I hear it I think "there for the grace of God go I"), thought-provoking and a heartbreaking. A stunning remembrance of their brother ...
Added: April 16, 2024
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ARTIST: Peter Tosh SONG TITLE: Johnny B. Goode WRITER(S): Chuck Berry RUNNING TIME: 4:03 YEAR: 1983 YOUTUBE LINK: Peter Tosh - Johnny B. Goode (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
I'm not a big Chuck Berry fan and even less impressed by the run-of-the-mill Chuck Berry covers that seem to appear on 80% of albums. One of the few exceptions is this Peter Tosh cover. Yeah, he updated the lyrics a bit and reggae-fying the song actually made it all the better in my book.
Added: April 15, 2024
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ARTIST: Johnny Clegg SONG TITLE: King of Time WRITER(S): Johnny Clegg RUNNING TIME: 3:29 YEAR: 2017 YOUTUBE LINK: Johnny Clegg - King Of Time (youtube.com)
I was introduced to Johnny Glegg and Juluka by a dear friend who has since passed on - Jim Oliver. Jim had a friend who had been posted to South Africa as part of the State Department (I always thought he was a spook) and that friend had given him a couple of Clegg cassette tapes. Knowing my interest in weird music, Jim then shared with me. Hearing Clegg was an ear opening experience and when Clegg came to play in Washington, D.C. Jim, his amazing wife Trudi, the State Department friend, his wife and I all went. Forward some twenty years later and my wife and I went to see Clegg tour in support of his 2017 "King of Time" album. I'd read the Clegg was suffering some health issues but he (along with his son Jesse Clegg) seemed to be in good form throughout the night. The show was a career-spanning mixture of hits, album cuts and some of the newer material. It was a blast to hear, but I just had this weird feeling that I might not get another opportunity ... Less than two years later Clegg was dead of pancreatic cancer.
And that may be why 'King of Time' is on the list. It's a song that creeps into my head more and more as I get older. Today's a perfect example. I was writing a pair of condolence cards to two women I know who had recently lost their husbands. As I was writing the letters the tune crept into my head and got me thinking about the passage of time, the desire to rectify past mistakes and above all those missed opportunities ...
By the way, the entire "King of Time" album (his final studio set) is good.
Added: April 14, 2024
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ARTIST: Talking Heads SONG TITLE: Once In a Lifetime WRITER(S): David Byrne - Brian Eno RUNNING TIME: 3:29 YEAR: 1981 YOUTUBE LINK: Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Official Video) (youtube.com)
C'mon - it's The Talking Heads !!! And if you've somehow never managed to see the promotional video, do yourself a favor and watch this classic slice of MTV's history. Good gawd David Byrne was so strange ... same as it ever was.
Like most folks I was a late arriver to The Talking Heads fan club, but there was something fascinating about the band's discover of afro-beat, coupled with Byrne's Baptist-preacher-on-cocaine-meltdown lead vocals. Favorite part of the song - Tina Weymouth's amazing bass line.
Added: April 13, 2024
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ARTIST: OneRepublic SONG TITLE: I Ain't Worried WRITER(S): Ryan Tedder - Brent Kutzle - Tyler Spry - John Eriksson - Peter Morén - Björn Yttling RUNNING TIME: 2:29 YEAR: 2022 YOUTUBE LINK: OneRepublic - I Ain’t Worried (From “Top Gun: Maverick”) [Official Music Video] (youtube.com)
I was probably one of the last people in the US to see 2022's "Maverick". It wasn't that I didn't want to see the film. I'm taller than Tom Cruise; I loved "Top Gun" and I spent 40 years of my life working for the Department of the Navy. I guess I was just being cheap and waited for it to show up for free on one of my streaming services. When it was finally available I actually watched the film twice. Once because I was really disappointed and thought perhaps I had just seen it on a bad day, or I somehow missed the film's charm. Nope. It wasn't much better the second time around. Yeah the technical scenes were fantastic. The flight scenes featuring F/A-18 Hornets, F-14 Tomcats, etc. were stunning. The sounds of freedom. Unfortunately the plot was ... well, I found it lacking. In fact one of the few things I could remember about the film a week later was the OneRepublic song that was featured in the "team building" beach segment. And that's what made this such a great song - it was the perfect song for capturing that certain "California" vibe. I can't really describe it, but it's something I recognize when I hear it. Imagine a great Brian Wilson tune like 'Sail On Sailor.' Besides, how many songs do you like that feature a whistling intro?
I found this information about the song's gestation on a Wikipedia entry. "[Ryan] Tedder revealed that the idea for the song started during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic after one of his friends at Paramount Pictures invited him to participate in the soundtrack of the new Top Gun. At that time, Tom Cruise had turned down about thirty songs for the soundtrack, and was looking for a band to create an original song for the new film, specifically for the beach scene. Tedder said that "I Ain't Worried" was "written with the characters in mind relaxing and having fun in the scene for the first time in those two hours of film", making the song manage to make the scene memorable in its own way and at the same time fit in with the action and emotion scenes throughout the film. The band recorded the song during the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards in November at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus in Budapest, where they stayed."
Guess I'll have to check out more of the OneRepublic catalog at some point.
Added April 08, 2024
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ARTIST: Rascal Flatts SONG TITLE: Life Is a Highway WRITER(S): Tom Cochrane RUNNING TIME: 4:33 YEAR: 2013 YOUTUBE LINK: Rascal Flatts - Life Is a Highway (From "Cars"/Official Video) (youtube.com)
My goodness, two country-tinged tracks in a row ... I'm in my 60s and probably shouldn;t admit this, but the Cars franchise are one of my favorite movies series. These movies stand among the best things Pixar has ever releases (and that's saying a lot). As a big Red Rider fan I'd heard this song on Tom Cochrane's "Mad, Mad World" solo album and really liked it. Cochrane wrote the tune after visiting Mozambique as part of a trip sponsored by the charity World Vision. If you listen to the lyrics you'll even hear him mention "Mozambique." In an interview with the Canadian Star newspaper he described the song as: “The song became a pep talk to myself ... saying you can’t really control all of this stuff, you just do the best you can."
The country band Rascal Flatts where approached by then Pixtar President John Lassseter who asked them to do a cover for the forthcoming Cars film. They were apparently somewhat skeptical of the project - a move featuring talking cars, but eventually agreed to give it a shot. I had no idea who, or what Rascal Flatts are. In fact, their cover of 'Life Is a Highway' is the Rascal Flatts song I've ever heard. But it's a winner. They really didn't mess with the song's original melody, but as much as I love the original and Cochrane's voice, I'll readily admit that the combination of lead singer Gary LeVox's smooth voice and the band's glistening harmonies were mesmerizing. Great melody with more hooks than a fishing tournament. For goodness sakes, I remember my then ten year old humming the song .
For anyone interested, here's a link to the Cochrane original video: Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway (Official Video) (youtube.com)
Added: Apirl 07, 2024
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ARTIST: Josh Thompson SONG TITLE: Cold Beer with Your Name On It WRITER(S): Brent Anderson - Clint Daniels RUNNING TIME: 4:33 YEAR: 2013 YOUTUBE LINK: Josh Thompson - Cold Beer With Your Name On It (Official) (youtube.com)
I have no idea how this song came to my attention. Modern county just isn't something I listen to. Josh Thompson ... who? I don't how this one captured my attention. Turns out this was from the man's second album, 2013's "Turn It Up" and, ironically, the only non-original on the album. Musically it wasn't the most original song I've ever heard, but the melody was catchy, Thompson's good ole boy persona was likeable and there was something really attractive about the "love song for guys who don't like love songs" vibe that pervaded the track. Certainly better than a song entitled "Aged Merlot with Yoiur Name On It." Chris Hicky's promotional video (see above) was the icing on the cake.
Added: April 06, 2025
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ARTIST: Earth, Wind & Fire SONG TITLE: The Way You Move WRITER(S): Antwan Patten - Patrick Brown - Carlton Mahone RUNNING TIME: 4:33 YEAR: 2005 YOUTUBE LINK: The Way You Move (feat. Kenny G) (youtube.com)
I know ... Earth, Wind & Fire with Kenny G? Yeah, I'm surprised this one made my list. Lyrically this is like a C - high school English paper "I like the way you move" time after time after time ... That said, there's something to the song's breezy, easy-going vibe that's simply irresistible. I had this on my CD changer (showing my age here) for months.
Added April 05, 2024
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ARTIST: Sandy Denny SONG TITLE: It'll Take a Long Time WRITER(S): Sandy Denny RUNNING TIME: 5:11 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28zG4ZVgsQM
Looking back at this entry, I can see the clear connection between Sandy Denny and Nick Drake. At a minimum the entries reflects two supremely talented and deeply troubled artists ... Hopefully that's not a reflection on my personality ...
With a country-tinged melody, the leadoff track on the "Sandy" LP, 'It'll Take a Long Time' encapsulated everything that was great about the late Sandy Denny; that instantly recognizable voice; her knack for crafting fabulous melodies, and that dark and disturbing aura she brought to so much of her solo and Fairport Convention catalogs. The addition of Pete Kleinow's pedal steel guitar and Richard Thompson's understated fuzz guitar was merely icing on the cake. Simply gorgeous and one of the highlights in her all too short recording career ... I remember stumbling on to a copy of the parent album "Sandy" and spending hours looking at David Bailey's cover photo. Here I am some five decades later and the song has a completely different impact on me. Yes, where did all those years go? Could I have done more with those years?
One of the songs I'd like my friends to play at my wake ...
As good as the album version is, there's a stunning live take from a November, 1973 appearance on John Peel's Sounds of the Seventies program: Sandy Denny: Who Knows Where the Time Goes? BBC John Peel Sessions (youtube.com)
Added: April 04, 2024
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ARTIST: Nick Drake SONG TITLE: Pink Moon WRITER(S): Nick Drake RUNNING TIME: 4:03 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXnfhnCoOyo
I find it heartwarming that the late Nick Drake finally achieved a modicum of recognition some 25 years after his death. At the same time it breaks my heart knowing that attention stemmed from a 1999 Volkswagon Cabriolet convertible commercial that included a snippet of the song 'Pink Moon.' Still, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for Arnold Worldwide, the VW commercial was tasteful and clearly reflected some awesome tastes in music. You can see the commercial at: Volkswagen Cabriolet 'Milky Way' Commercial (youtube.com) By the way, the ad agency's original song choice was The Church's 'Under the Milky Way.'
'Pink Moon' (a pink moon is actually red in color), is the kind of song that I'm stunned to find myself mesmerized by. John Wood's production is low-keyed, musically the track just showcasingDrake accompanying himself on acoustic guitar with a touch of piano,. The simple melody is totally beguiling. and Drake's fragile vocals just added to the overall wistful aura. Having listened to this song dozens of times over the years I still struggle to figure out what the song is about. My guess is they're a reflection of Drake’s ongoing fight with depression and mental illness, but who knows for sure.
April 03, 2024
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ARTIST: America SONG TITLE: A Horse with No Name WRITER(S): Dewey Bunnell RUNNING TIME: 4:10 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocLCLMZO6dc
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I remember some of my older friends telling me it was a drug song that had been banned by radio stations. "Horse" was apparently a street name for heroin. That struck me as odd given the song played on AFN Europe all the time and I remember hearing it on local German stations. Today it's a "yacht rock" classic and a standard on "oldies" stations.
Bunnell wrote the tune (originally entitled 'Desert Song') while the band was staying with British musician Arthur Brown (of 'Fire' fame). The song was apparently a reflection of his time living in California. His father was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Bunnell family spent a lot of time traveling throughout Arizona and New Mexico. Surrounded by seemingly endless British rain and dreariness Bunnell wanted to capture the desert atmosphere associated with his travels. And, today I agree that it sounds quite a bit like a good Neil Young solo song. (Interesting factoid - 'A Horse with No Name' replaced Young's 'Heart of Gold' at the number one slot on the Billboard pop charts.
Added: April 02, 2024
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ARTIST: Godley and Creme SONG TITLE: Cry WRITER(S): Kevin Godley - Lol Creme RUNNING TIME: 4:01 YEAR: 1985 YOUTUBE LINK: Godley and Creme - Cry (youtube.com)
Today most folks are likely to recognize 'Cry' from the fact it was used in an episode of Miami Vice. Sad since this is a great tune - the pair's only US hit - # 16 on the Billboard charts. Godley and Creme has started the song in preparation for an album being produced by Trevor Horn ("The History Mix, Volume One". Unable to complete the song, Trevor Horn started working with the pair; the end result being patched together from words and phrases the trio cobbled together. Godley's vocals perfectly captured the heartbreak of a cheating partner and the Gizmo guitar effects were just so cool. This is one of the few songs where the extended remix may be even better than the original 7" single. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D-ktrrNWUc
The Horn produced promotional video is fascinating (see the above link).
Added April 01, 2024 .
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ARTIST: Grace Jones SONG TITLE: Slave To the Rhythm WRITER(S): Stephen Lipson - Bruce Martin Woolley - Trevor Horn - Simon Darlow RUNNING TIME: 4:22 YEAR: 1985 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAerTAjLpF0
Say what you will about Grace Jones (her catalog certainly isn't for everyone), but there's something mesmerizing about the combination of Grace Jones' ice queen performance and Trevor Horns prime-'80s production on 'Slave To the Rhythm'...
The song was written with the intention of Frankie Goes to Hollywood releasing it as follow-up to their hit debut single 'Relax.' The band actually recorded a demo version of the song, but the decision was ultimately made to have Jones recorded it. Horn apparently worked on the song for weeks on end hoping it would become one of his biggest and most successful efforts. It's off of her 1985 album "Slave to the Rhythm" which contained multiple variations of the same song ... as much as I love the song, the different versions are a bit on the overkill side. In my opinion the single version (see the above link) is the best of the lot.
Added March 31, 2024
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ARTIST: Haim SONG TITLE: Gasoline WRITER(S): Alana Haim - Danielle Haim - Este Haim - Rostam Batmanglij RUNNING TIME: 3:13 YEAR: 2020 YOUTUBE LINK: HAIM - Gasoline (Audio) ft. Taylor Swift (youtube.com)
With buddy Taylor Swift backing them up, the studio version of 'Gasoline' (found on "Women In Music Part III") is easily the album's highlight - perhaps the best thing they've done to this point. Apparently inspired in part my sister Danielle's struggles with depression, it's one of the slinkiest songs I've ever heard. Great melody; wonderful harmonies Danielle's ringing guitar and Rostam Batmanglij's piano ... As good as the studio version is, if you didn't think these ladies could cut it live, then check out their performance on the Jimmy Kimmel's show ... Simply stunning. HAIM - Gasoline (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) (youtube.com)
Added March 30, 2024
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ARTIST: Stealers Wheel SONG TITLE: Star WRITER(S): Joe Egan RUNNING TIME: 3:00 YEAR: 1973 YOUTUBE LINK: Stealers Wheel - Star (youtube.com)
'Star' was probably the most blatantly commercial thing Stealers Wheel ever recorded. Built on a rollicking melody that showcased their dry Scottish voices, the irony is that in spite of the bouncy melody and wonderful barrelhouse piano, the lyrics were incredibly dry and cynical, providing a wonderfully on-target portrait of the music business. It's one of those songs that has stayed in my memory banks for over three decades. RIP Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty ...
YouTube has a clip of Egan and Rafferty performing the song for the German Beat Club television program: The German audience looks bored out of their minds and you couldn't help but wonder what Egan was thinking during the performance. Stealers Wheel - Star (1974) HD 0815007 (youtube.com)
Added: March 29, 2024
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ARTIST: Prefab Sprout SONG TITLE: We Let the Stars Go WRITER(S): Paddy McAloon RUNNING TIME: 3:39 YEAR: 2004 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbpVP1qc96Y
Years ago the Navy sent me to leadership training at the University of Virginia'sDarden School of Business. One of the things I went through was a battery of personality tests. For someone who had been a single dad and thought I was fairly empathetic, I was horrified to learn I tested as having the sensitivity of a brick. I remember calling my wife to talk about the training and almost crying. I remember her laughing and telling me she could have saved the Navy thousands of training dollars by telling them that for free. As you can imagine, I don't let feelings take over very often, but this beautiful and mournful ballad gets to me very time I hear it. Simply stunning.
Added: March 28, 2024
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ARTIST: AC/DC SONG TITLE: Thunderstruck WRITER(S): Angus Young - Malcolm Young RUNNING TIME: 3:11 YEAR: 1990 YOUTUBE LINK: AC/DC - Thunderstruck (Official Video) (youtube.com)
I've led a very blessed life. I've faced some challenging times, but nothing that even compares to the issues so many people confront just trying to survive on a day-to-day basis. As a close friend and philosopher reminds me whenever I start to complain - "Scott, those are rich people problems." Those words are like a dunk in ice water and have the effect of instantly re-setting my perspectives on whatever is bothering me. So WTF does that have to do with AC/DC? Well, during times of stress or uncertainty I walk around the neighborhood listening to podcasts, NPR, and when I'm really frustrated, AC/DC. There are hundreds of classic AC/DC tunes, but rather than going with one to the common top-10 picks, my fall back track is 'Thunderstruck' off their "The Razor's Edge." A take-no-prisoner rocker that showcases all of the band's strengths, I still can't figure out how Angus Young can played the opening and underlying riffs ...
Added March 27, 2024
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ARTIST: The Corrs SONG TITLE: Borrow Heaven WRITER(S): Andrea Corr - Caroline Corr - Jim Corr - Sharon Corr RUNNING TIME: 3:11 YEAR: 2004 YOUTUBE LINK: The Corrs- Borrowed Heaven (youtube.com)
My future wife and I were lucky enough to see The Corrs before they hit it big. They were playing the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia (before the club moved to their current location) and it was one of the most amazing concerts I've ever seen.
With a hypnotic African vibe, percussion heavy rhythm, Ladysmith Black Mambazo on backing vocals and some nifty contemporary production effects, the title track was different enough to catch your ear, yet remain highly attractive to folks who loved their classic Celtic-pop sound. Kind of a Peter Gabriel-meets-Johnny Clegg vibe going on and it was one of the album standouts with some thoughtful lyrics that should strike a chord with believers and non-believers alike. I still get chills when I hear the song.
YouTube has a wonderful performance of the track from a 2004 appearance in Geneva. For anyone who doubted Caroline could actually drum, check this one out : The Corrs - Borrowed Heaven - Montreux 2004 (youtube.com)
Added March 26, 2024
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ARTIST: Fox SONG TITLE: Imagine Me - Imagine You WRITER(S): Kenny Young RUNNING TIME: 3:18 YEAR: 1975 YOUTUBE LINK: fox imagine me imagine you (youtube.com)
With a truly international line-up reflecting members from Australia, Ireland, the UK and the States, Fox was ... well, Fox was essentially unknown. 'Imagine Me - Imagine You' captured the band at their most commercial and radio friendly ... This time out Noosha Fox's little girl voice came off as cute and coquettish giving the song a refrain that was hard to shake out of your head. It was quirky, yet commercial, reminding me a bit of a more commercial Kate Bush.
Added: March 25, 2024
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ARTIST: Ann Peebles SONG TITLE: I Can't Stand the Rain WRITER(S): Don Bryant - Ann Peebles - Bernard Miller RUNNING TIME: 2:29 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand the Rain (Official Audio) (youtube.com)
'I Can't Stand the Rain' may not be a staple of today's radio play lists (younger listeners are liable to recognize it as being sampled by Missy Elliott for 'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)', but that does absolutely nothing to detract from the fact it's an amazing song that is instantly beguiling and simply can't be ignored once you've heard it. Co-written by Bryant, Peebles and disc jockey Bernard Miller, the song has a fantastic atmospheric groove that's actually quite dark and unnerving (similar to James Carr's 'Dark End of the Street', or The Police's 'Every Breath You Tale'), Peebles turned in a performance that was simultaneously amazing and heartbreaking. A near perfect song, in fact, the only shortcoming was the fact the song was simply too short. Tapped as a single, it also became Peebles biggest commercial success. (I'll put in a short plug for one of my favorite singers - Mary Ann Redmond does a stunning cover of the tune on her "Live At Blues Alley" album.)
- 1973's 'I Can't Stand the Rain' b/w 'I've Been There Before' (HI catalog number 45-2248) # 38 pop; # 6 R&B
Not sure when, or where it was filmed, but YouTube has a live performance of the song: 16 9 bet365 DRTV Profit Boost 15s US (youtube.com)
Added: March 22, 2024
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ARTIST: Shape of the Rain SONG TITLE: I'll Be There WRITER(S): Keith Riley - Len Riley - Brian Wood - Tag Waggett RUNNING TIME: 3:41 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: Shape Of The Rain - I'll Be There (2013) (youtube.com)
Having read that Keith Riley passed away a couple of days ago (March, 2024), I pulled out my Shape of the Rain album and gave it a spin in tribute to the man. I own hundreds of rare '60s and '70s albums and 1971's "Riley, Riley, Wood and Waggett" easily make my top-10 list. I've actually sold three copies over the years and every time I've sold one, I've regretted it and gone off and bought a replacement.
Sporting what was probably the album's more commercial tune, 'I'll Be There' was an album highlight sporting a glowing melody with a guitar riff I'd kill to learn. The song also highlighted the quartet's wonderful harmony vocals. I've asked my guitar playing son to see if he can figure the progression out. Again, you had to wonder how radio missed these guys. Interestingly, the folk-rock flavor and vocals sound recall a very good Sutherland Brothers and Quiver performance. Hum. Now there's a band I should add to my list of favorite songs ...
Added March 21, 2024
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ARTIST: Patti Drew SONG TITLE: Stop and Listen WRITER(S): Ritchie Adams - James Joseph Woods RUNNING TIME: 2:38 YEAR: 1967 YOUTUBE LINK: Stop And Listen (youtube.com)
As much as I love her best know performance 'Tell Me' , 'Stop and Listen' was even better. This was the kind of performance Dionne Warwick could only dream about - infectious Motown-styled melody (love the sax solo), coupled with a more sophisticated vibe. How does a 19 year old sound like this? Should have been a massive hit when dropped as a single:
- 1967's 'Stop and Listen' b/w 'My Lover's Prayer' (Capitol catalog number 5969)
Added March 20, 2024
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ARTIST: Mickey Dolenz SONG TITLE: Different Drum WRITER(S): Michael Nesmith RUNNING TIME: 2:48 YEAR: 2021 YOUTUBE LINK: Different Drum (youtube.com)
The earliest composition on Dolenz's tribute to bandmate Michael Nesmith, Nesmith wrote 'Different Drum' in 1964. The track was recorded by The Greenbriar Boys for their 1966 album "Better Late Than Never!" Nesmith then offered the song to The Monkees management team, only to have it rejected. A frustrated Nesmith then offered the song to a young Linda Ronstadt and her band The Stone Poneys who promptly enjoyed a top-10 hit with it. As Monkee fanatics will know, under the alias Billy Ray Hodstetter, Nesmith eventually managed to perform a "spoof" version of the song on a December 1968 episode of The Monkees television show "Too Many Girls": The Monkees - "Different Drum" from "Too Many Girls" - YouTube Nesmith also revisited the tune on his 1972 album "And the Hits Just Keep On Comin." His remake was interesting for including an additional verse not heard on earlier renditions.
Dolenz's version stayed true to the original melody, but ditched some of Ronstadt's "hurt" factor for a bubbly, radio-friendly arrangement. It was one of those rare arrangement where his cuteness factor actually benefited the results. During the final 2020 - 2021 "Monkees" tour, Dolenz performed a couple of songs off the album. YouTube has a clip from September 2021 show at the San Jose Civic Center: Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz, "Different Drum" - San Jose - Sept. 15, 2021. (youtube.com)
Darn I miss Michael Nesmith ... yeah, my kids tell me I look like Nesmith at the end of his life = )
Added March 19, 2024
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ARTIST: The High Llamas SONG TITLE: The Passing Bell WRITER(S): Sean O'Hagan RUNNING TIME: 6:30 YEAR: 2002 YOUTUBE LINK: The Passing Bell (youtube.com)
If you've ever heard the Dedrick clan (better known as The Free Design), there's a strong chance 'The Passing Bell' will sound somewhat familiar to you. Like the best of The Free Design, this song managed to combine a beautiful, if MOR-ish melody with a lyric that seemed to be composed mostly of la-la-las, and a charming, low-keyed O'Hagan vocal. It's one of those songs that can quickly drop my blood pressure. Admittedly, having listened to the album dozens of times, I'll be darned if I have a clue what the song was about, but then that's the case for virtually every High Llamas song I've ever heard.
Added: April 01, 2024
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ARTIST: The New Monkees SONG TITLE: What I Want WRITER(S): Eddie Schwartz - David Tyson RUNNING TIME: 3:02 YEAR: 2013 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQcsNDqcyuw
Is anyone out there going to remember The New Monkees? It's a stretch for my memory and this entry one only made the list because I just sold a copy of their self-titled 1987 debut album (which also happens to be their only album).. Okay, on the surface 'What I Want' was a dreadful song. Dumb lyrics slather in Matt Wallace's anonymous '80s production; it was so bad the songwas actually enjoyable. Kind of like a good burger. You know it's horrible for your diet, but it's on your plate before sanity can intervene ... This was clearly a slice of corporate pop, meant to help the band score some sort of chart activity in conjunction with their television series. Naturally nobody was paying attention and if they were, it was to basically savage the entire project. For goodness sakes, after being the targets of critics everywhere, suddenly the original Monkees looked brilliant !!! With bass player Marty Ross (the goofy guy with the dark, long hair) and lead guitarist Larry Saltis (the blond guy) sharing lead vocals, the chorus was simply irresistible. Warner Brothers tapped it as the single. For the accompanying promotional video the company apparently spent about $5.00 on production values, though the dancing model was quite cute. I suspect the video wasn't one of Andrea Parker's career highlights. Use the above link to judge the video yourself. There's also a "live" video of the song, though to my ears it sounds very similar to the studio version and the guitars don't appear to be plugged in: NEW MONKEES. "What I want" Live audience 1987 (youtube.com) Wonder if the had to pay the audience to attend the recording session and appear to be interested?
For the two hardcore New Monkees fans out there, as part of a 1987 Warner Brothers promotional album entitled "Yulesville" the band re-recorded the song with a Christmas lyric - 'What I Want (For Christmas)'. In case you were wonder, nah, the seasonal update really didn't improve the song.
Added March 30, 2024
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ARTIST: Agnetha Faltskog SONG TITLE: When You Really Loved Someone WRITER(S): Jörgen Elofsson RUNNING TIME: 3:31 YEAR: 2013 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w95WdpE6QAI
Yes, I am a closet ABBA fan. Okay, okay I am a big ABBA fan. I'll admit I even own the big, 10 album "The Studio Albums" set. (Sometime I'll have to tell folks how in an under a week I managed to get kicked off an Australian ABBA FaceBook fan group.)
2013's "A" was the first new studio album Faltskog had recorded in nine years (2009's "My Colouring Book" being her last release). My pick for the album's stand out performance, 'When You Really Loved Someone' had everything going for it - one of those heartbreak lyrics the Agentha excelled at, goofy '70s synthesizer burps, an insidiously catchy chorus (months later the damn thing keeps creeping into my head), and one of the finest vocals she'd ever turned in. For some reason, this one's always reminded me a bit of a Jackie DeShannon tune. Hard to imagine Faltskog was in her mid-'60s. God willing we should all age as well. The tune was released as the leadoff CD single and the promotional video was certain to pull tears from plenty of viewers.
Added March 29, 2024
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ARTIST: Manassas SONG TITLE: So Begins the Task WRITER(S): Stephen Stills RUNNING TIME: 2:40 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: So Begins the Task (youtube.com)
The first Manassas album is on my top-10 list. and admittedly there are several tracks that are better known than this one (think 'Johnny's Garden'). Regardless, I'm now in my mid-'60s, but I clearly remember playing this song repeatedly when I was going through a divorce in my early thirties. To this day every time I hear Al Perkins's opening pedal steel notes 'So Begins the Task' strikes a chord of pain. Showcasing one of his most beguiling melodies, Stephen Stills turned in one of the ultimate breakup songs (the song was supposedly inspired by his split with Judy Collins. Collins covered the song herself a couple of years later. Backed by the band's mesmerizing harmony vocals, sounding simultaneously broken and forlorn and hopeful and resolute, this one was easily as good as anything CS&N or CSN&Y ever recorded. CSN&Y actually performed the song a couple of times (under the working title 'I Must Learn To Live'). Their version is bouncier and quite nice, but lacks the impact of the Manassas version. One of the few songs I'd give five stars to ...
Added March 28, 2023
rating: ** stars |
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ARTIST: Marvin Gaye SONG TITLE: Ain't That Particular WRITER(S): Warren Moore - Smokey Robinson - Robert Rogers - Marvin Tarplin RUNNING TIME: 2:58 YEAR: 1965 YOUTUBE LINK: Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar (Tamla Records Video 1965) (youtube.com)
There are so many classic Motown songs ... where do you start? Well this Marvin Gaye performance is a good place. A song has seldom captured the Motown magic, or the pain of love as well. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles wrote it. With help from The Andantes (Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hicks and Louvain Demps) on backing vocals, the famed Funk Brothers and Marvin Tarplin on guitar, Gaye turned it into a classic.
In an interview with Mojo magazine Robinson talked about the track's history: "We were on tour [part of the Motortown Revue of Europe] and he [Marvin Tarplin] came to me because he had that guitar riff, which I thought was awesome. And we wrote the song right there. It was specifically for him (Gaye). We wanted to get something to follow up 'I'll Be Doggone.'"
Added March 17, 2024
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ARTIST: Junco Partners SONG TITLE: Fly Me High WRITER(S): Robert Sargeant RUNNING TIME: 4:44 YEAR: 1990 YOUTUBE LINK: Junco Partners - Fly Me High (youtube.com)
Junco who? Yeah, these guys weren't particularly well known in the States; let alone the UK. Shame since their lone album is a killer. Wow, from Robert Sargeant's opening organ chords on, 'Fly Me High' was one major funky tune .... Imagine Eric Burden backed by War, singing a blues number with real swagger conviction and totally in tune, and you'll have a feel for what 'Fly Me High' sounded like. Backed by some of the tightest horns I've ever heard (eat your heart out Stax and Muscle Shoals) and a killer Charles Harcourt double tracked lead guitar, this was simply a fantastic tune. Another track where I wish it hadn't faded out so early.
Added March 16, 2024
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ARTIST: The Katydids SONG TITLE: Heavy Weather Traffic WRITER(S): Susan Hug - Adam Seymour RUNNING TIME: 3:26 YEAR: 1990 YOUTUBE LINK: Heavy Weather Traffic (youtube.com)
Wow, talk about a song that flashes me back to a particular time in my life ... I remember having separated from my first wife, trying to raise my young son as a single dad and hearing the shimmering jangle rocker 'Heavy Weather Traffic' on my local radio stations and thinking that these guys had been listening to more than their share of REM and Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs. That wasn't a problem for me since I loved both of those and thought Susie Hug had one of the sexiest voices on radio. It was just one of those radio-perfect slices of jangle-rock pop. It also stands out in my mind because I had a friend who somehow got hold of a CD format promo single of the tune. - 1990's 'Heavy Weather Traffic' (Reprise catalog number PRO-CD-4094)
Added March 15, 2024
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ARTIST: Deep Purple SONG TITLE: Throw My Bones WRITER(S): Don Airey, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Roger Glover and Steve Morse RUNNING TIME: 3:47 YEAR: 2023 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUW7PvvbbO4
I've seen plenty of criticisms of 'Throw My Bones', but I think its a great track. Commercial sell-out by a bunch of guys looking for a pre-retirement payout ... BS. Strong melody, great vocal from the ever classic Ian Gillian and Steve Morse blazing away on guitar. 'Throw My Bones' just sounded great on my local radio station - shoot, pretty much anything without an rap segment, or an auto-tuner performance sounds good to me these days. The accompanying promotional video was pretty cool too.
Gillian described the song's inspiration as: "The idea of trying to find out what's going to happen tomorrow, nobody knows that. I went through this whole Brexit thing, and people saying, 'We don't have enough information and what's going to happen?' I'm thinking to myself, 'I know everything I need to know. Who knows what's going to happen? But I'm prepared.' That's what the song is about. It's just about being content with life as it is. It doesn't mean to say that you just sit there and don't do anything or you don't have ambition. It just means to say that you don't know what the future holds. It may be something you'd really rather not have."
Added March 14, 2023
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ARTIST: Fleetwood Mac SONG TITLE: Hypnotized WRITER(S): Bob Welch RUNNING TIME: 4:45 YEAR: 1973 YOUTUBE LINK: FLEETWOOD MAC - Featuring_ BOB WELCH - 1973 - _Hypnotized_ - 2012 Video Edit_H264_AAC_360p.mp4 (youtube.com)
I grew up with the Buckingham-Nicks era Fleetwood Mac, but unlike many of my friends, I was curious about the band's earlier catalog. In that extensive catalog of work is this wonderful Bob Welch performances. Many of Welch's songs reflected his fascination with the occult, aliens, space, and all things spooky and strange. And truth be told, many of those songs simply weren't very good. The stellar exception to that statement - his mesmerizing 'Hypnotized'. Ironically the song was originally written as a blues number for lead singer Dave Walker, but after his departure from the band (reportedly kicked out of the band for having an affair with Mick Fleetwood's wife), Welch rewrote the track to suit his own voice and range. Welch also admitted the song was inspired by the likes of Carlos Casaneda. Still one of the best songs in the entire Fleetwood Mac catalog. Why it was relegated to the 'B' side of 'For Your Love' is an unanswered mystery.
Added March 13, 2024
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ARTIST: Pure Love & Pleasure SONG TITLE: Too Scared To Good WRITER(S): Rob Bohanna RUNNING TIME: 4:33 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: Pure Love & Pleasure - Too Scared To Go (youtube.com)
Based on everything I'd read about Pure Love & Perfection, the opener 'Too Scared To Go' was nothing like my expectations. Instead of wispy Mamas and the Papas flower-power pop, this track actually kicked butt. Yeah it was pop, but powered by John Allair's organ fills, the song's bluesy edge took full advantage of Pegge Ann May's raucous vocals and the driving melody. Love the lyrics. I suspect most of us feel the same way. This one should have been a massive AM hit.
Added March 12, 2024
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ARTIST: Fanny SONG TITLE: When We Need Her WRITER(S): Brie Howard Darling - Dave Darling RUNNING TIME: 3:37 YEAR: 2018 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvSVx4mUctE
I'm the proud owner of all the Fanny LPs, though not all of them are great. That said, 'When We Need Her' from their criminally overlook 2018 "comeback" album "Fanny Walked The Earth" is a wonderful slice of rock and one of the best female empowerment messages you'll ever hear Written and sung by drummer Brie Howard Darling, it's got an amazing melody; great message, "ear candy" refrain and a stunning cast of supporting musicians including former late-inning Fanny guitarist Patti Quatro, The Runaway's Cherie Currie, Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, and Debbi Peterson of The Bangles, Ten Wheel Drive's Genya Ravan. Wendy Haas-Mull, Alicia Velasquez Mustang, Sherry Barnett and Teresa James.
Added March 11, 2024
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ARTIST: The Monkees SONG TITLE: Me & Magdalena WRITER(S): Ben Gibbard RUNNING TIME: 3:33 YEAR: 2016 YOUTUBE LINK: The Monkees - Me & Magdalena (Official Audio) (youtube.com)
Hearing this tune always gives me pause to stop and think. The song's gorgeous and heartbreak melody provides the perfect setting to contemplate the deaths of three of the four Monkees principals - Davy Jones (RIP 2013), Peter Tork (RIP 2019) and Michael Nesmith (RIP 2020).
Penned by Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard, 'Me & Magdalena' was the standout performance on their amazing 2016 "Good Times" album. With Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz sharing lead vocals (the pair sounded so comfortable singing together), this was an "adult" version of the band - Thoughtful vocals gracing a beautiful melody ... anyone hearing this one cold-cocked would have been dumbfounded to learn it was The Monkees. There are actually two versions of the tune - the album's acoustic, mournful arrangement and a non-album version with a faster, jangle-rock arrangement that was every bit as enjoyable. Me & Magdalena (Version 2) (youtube.com)
I'm not sure when or where is recorded, but YouTube has a live performance of the tune at: Me & Magdalena - Super Rare Performance in HD, Nesmith & Dolenz, The Monkees - YouTube The track was also released as a downloadable song.
Added March 12, 2024
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ARTIST: Allman Brothers Band SONG TITLE: Don't Keep Me Wonderin' WRITER(S): Greg Allman RUNNING TIME: 3:40 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: Allman Brothers Band Don't Keep Me Wonderin' with Lyrics in Description - YouTube
The Allman Brothers' "Idlewood South" is one of my favorite albums. It's one of those rare albums that doesn't have a bad performance on it. That makes it a challenge to pick a song off the album. Do I go with the obvious selections ? The FM staples like 'Revival'. 'Midnight Rider', or 'Melissa'? This time around I'll go with something a little more obscure - though certainly not obscure to any true Allmans fan. Blues isn't one of my favorite genres, but I'll make an exception for Greg's blazing 'Don't Keep Me Wonderin'.' Gregg seldom sounded as passionate and yet the star of this one was the interplay between Duane's stunning slide guitar and Dickey Betts. Guest Thom Doucette provides harmonica for people who don't like harmonica. YouTube has a clip of the band performing the song during for a September, 1970 appearance at Bill Graham's Fillmore East: The sound quality is poor (particularly Greg who sounds like he was sitting a state over, but it's still a revelation worth seeing the band live. One of several songs the performed (see below), the concert was for a PBS television special: The Allman Brothers Band - Don't Keep Me Wonderin' - 9/23/1970 - Fillmore East (Official) (youtube.com)
Added March 11, 2024
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ARTIST: Darrell Banks SONG TITLE: Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You WRITER(S): Frank Wilson - Marc Gordon RUNNING TIME: 2:35 YEAR: 1967 YOUTUBE LINK: Darrell Banks - Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You (youtube.com)
Opening up with a great little Steve Cropper-styled guitar lick, 'Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You' was Banks' second and final single for Lebron Taylor's Buffalo, New York-based Revilot Records. Ike and Tina Turner recorded it first (really Tina alone), but to my ears Banks' bouncy version is the better of the two. Hard to believe that a song this catchy didn't top the pop charts !!! Best it could do was # 55 (pop); # 34 (R&B). It was also Banks' final chart entry. The flip side 'Baby What'cha You Got (For Me)' featured a tougher, R&B-ish sound, but was no less commercial. Interestingly while Banks never cut an LP for Revilot, he was subsequently picked up by Atlantic's ATCO subsidiary which included all four Revilot sides on his ATCO debut "Darrell Banks Is Here!".
Added: 10 March, 2024
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ARTIST: David Crosby SONG TITLE: River Rising WRITER(S): James Raymond - Michael McDonald RUNNING TIME: 3:35 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4wy6p6W3DI&list=RDu4wy6p6W3DI&start_radio=1
This is the first time I've highlighted the same artist two times in a row. My, isn't that special ... Blame it on the previous 'Laughing' post. That got me pulling out my Crosby albums and marveling at how good his last couple of album were. It's almost as if the old man realized he only had so much time left and needed to get this stuff done before it was too late. Golly those last albums are good !!!
I had just begin reading a book on "Yacht Rock" when I stumbled across 'River Rise' on YouTube. I was instantly taken by the Crosby and Michael McDonald collaboration and couldn't help but think it was a perfect example of the yacht rock concept - smooth, highly commercial melody with sweet harmonies, an uplifting lyric (damn old age - it was also apparently intended as an homage to California), and McDonald's instantly recognizable voice. I don't know if California needs an updated State anthem, but this tune could be in the running. Never would I have expected Crosby and McDonald to sound so good together. Three weeks on and the song is still bouncing in my head. How can an 80 year old sound as good? Darn, maybe I should post Crosby's 'What's Broken' next? Maybe in a couple of week ...
Added: 09 March, 2024
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ARTIST: David Crosby SONG TITLE: Laughing WRITER(S): David Crosby RUNNING TIME: 4:21 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: Laughing (youtube.com)
I was listening to David Crosby's last studio album and for some reason started thinking about this lost classic. His material can be pretty unconventional and un-commercial, which makes 'Laughing' kind of a surprise ... A non-LP track that showed up as the flip side of his 1971 'Music Is Love' 45, the breezy, slightly stoned ballad sported a killer melody, wonderful harmony vocals, and one of Crosby's patented deadpanned deliveries. The song was reportedly inspired by George Harrison's dedication to his religious beliefs and actually written back in 1968 with at least two solo versions recorded. Crosby apparently tried to get CSN&Y to record it for "Deja Vu" but the others passed. Brought out for the "If I Could Only Remember My Name" sessions (but not included on the original LP), this version featured support from Jerry Garcia (pedal steel and lead guitar), Phil Lesh (bass), Bill Kreutzmann (drums) and Joni Mitchell on harmony vocals. The result was one of his prettiest compositions, probably better than most of the songs on his debut LP and should have been a hit ....
Added: 08 March, 2024
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ARTIST: The Spinners SONG TITLE: Could It Be I'm Falling In Love WRITER(S): Mystro and Lyric (aka Mervin Steals and Melvin Steals) RUNNING TIME: 4:13 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: Detroit Spinners - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love . HD (youtube.com)
Okay, I'll admit to having a special relationship with this song - my first slow dance with a girl was to this song. Geez, some 50 + years later I can still remember her face, her hair and her perfume, though her name has escaped into the fog of time ... Regardless of the personal memories, the 'A' side may be Thom Bell's creative zenith. Simply a mesmerizing ballad with the late Bobby Smith and Phillipe Wynne never having sounded as good. The harpsichord solo is simply breathtaking. When I get my jukebox this will be on it !!!
Ironically the flip side was actually quite a nice ballad and would have probably been a decent 'A' side, though compared to the other track it didn't have a chance. Enjoy the YouTube link which captures the group lip-synching the track during an appearance on Soul Train.
Added: 07 March, 2024
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ARTIST: Miley Cyrus and John Travolta SONG TITLE: I Thought I'd Lost You WRITER(S): Miley Cyrus RUNNING TIME: 3:39 YEAR: 2008 YOUTUBE LINK: Bolt | Videoclip ' I thought I lost you' | Disney Oficial (youtube.com)
Every time I hear 'I Thought I'd Lost You' I feel slightly abused. There's something so clinically catchy about this heartwarming and bouncy tale of loss and reunion it's as if I can feel Disney surgically lifting my wallet. You can almost hear Disney executives asking Miley Cyrus to write a song that was catchy, up-beat, and radio friendly. Oh, if you can invite a friend with name recognition to do a duet, all the better. And even thought this is a slice of cold-hearted slice of "corporate rock", I have to admit Cyrus did an amazing job on the resulting product. It is catchy, upbeat, and radio friendly. And giving credit where due, John Travolta did not sound too bad on the duet. Darn the stupid thing is playing in my head again.
Added: 06 March, 2024
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ARTIST: Raw SONG TITLE: Baby My Heart WRITER(S): Sonny Curtis RUNNING TIME: 3:21 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: Baby My Heart (youtube.com)
Released on an obscure Buddy Holly "tribute" abum, this was actually recorded by the British band New York Public Library, but ran into legal issued as was released credited to the studio entity "Raw." I actually really like Buddy Holly's cover of Sonny Curtis' 'Baby My Heart' so my expectations for this cover were pretty low. Shows me what I know. The highlight on this toughed up remake came in the form of Graham "Topper"Clay's pounding drums and Taz Stokes' slinky lead guitar. Okay, I'll also admit that Peter Morrison's rugged vocals sounded pretty good this time out. One of the album highlights !!!
Added: 05 March, 2024
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ARTIST: Mark Knopfler SONG TITLE: Wild Theme (instrumental WRITER(S): Mark Knopfler - Alan Clark RUNNING TIME: 3:38 YEAR: 1983 YOUTUBE LINK: Wild Theme (youtube.com)
I saw this small, independent film back when it came out in 1983. There were no car chases, or bloody murders, yet the film captured my attention and I ran out to buy the Mark Knopfler soundtrack. The music was just such a big part ot the film's dazzling charm. The track folks are mostly likely to recognize, 'Wild Theme' also stands as one of the prettiest melodies Knopfler ever wrote (along with Clark). There isn't a great deal to this one - just some beautiful Knopfler acoustic guitar, with understated touches of piano and synthesizers from Clark. Mournful, yet beautiful. I read a comment on YouTube where a guy buried his father to this tune ... I'm hard-pressed to think of a sweeter show of love and respect. YouTube also has a live performance of Dire Straits performing the tune:
Dire Straits - Local Hero - Wild Theme LIVE (On the Night, 1993) HD - YouTube
Added: 04 March, 2024
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ARTIST: Sylvan Esso SONG TITLE: Ferris Wheel WRITER(S): Amelia Randall Meath - Nicholas Sanborn RUNNING TIME: 3:06 YEAR: 2020 YOUTUBE LINK: Sylvan Esso - Ferris Wheel (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
I'll admit that for a couple of weeks I obsessed over this song and the accompanying video. There was something so strange about Amelia Meath's voice - she sounded like a "little girl" automaton, but her voice was perfect for the beep, slip, and bloop powered 'Ferris Wheel.' And the song had more hooks than a fishing vessel ... Add in the amazing low-tech video; Meath's dance moves and this was one of my favorite songs of the year. My only complaint was that it ended so abruptly.
Added: 01 March, 2024
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ARTIST: Street People SONG TITLE: Jennifer Tomkins WRITER(S): Paul Vance - Rupert Holmes - Florio RUNNING TIME: 1:52 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: Jennifer Tomkins (youtube.com)
This certainly qualifies as a bubblegum single since in practical terms it has all of the ingredients you'd normally look for - insidiously catchy melody, forgettable lyrics and participation by Ruppert (or Rupert) Holmes. Moreover, like all great bubblegum The Street People were a studio creation put together under the auspices of Paul Vance. Originally entitled 'Bubblegum Has Come To Town', Ron Dante was originally scheduled to handle the lead vocal, but was late arriving for the recording session, by which time Holmes had already laid down what was to be the lead vocal. Before it could be released the single ran into other problems in the form of Musicor President Art Talmadge's concern that the song's overt bubblegum imagine would sink it. Vance and Holmes kept the melody, but quickly rewrote the lyric to give it more of a psych feel.
Added: 01 March, 2024
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ARTIST: Patti Austin SONG TITLE: Every Home Should Have One WRITER(S): Domenic Bugatti - Frank Musker RUNNING TIME: 3:24 YEAR: 1981 YOUTUBE LINK: Every Home Should Have One (youtube.com)
Austin has a wonderful voice that you've probably unknowingly heard hundreds of times - she's sung on more commercial jingles than you can imagine. The fact that she occasionally bore an uncanny resemblance to a young Michael Jackson was a little disturbing, but this track was so poppy and catchy that you'll managed to overlook it. This is one of those tracks that gives "yacht rock" a good reputation.
Added: 29 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Del Amitri SONG TITLE: Just Before You Leave WRITER(S): Justin Currie - Iain Harve RUNNING TIME: 5:15 YEAR: 2012 YOUTUBE LINK: Just Before You Leave (youtube.com)
I was working at home and had YouTube randomly playing songs in the background. Out of the background noise this song just came screaming at me - the voice; the groove; the sound ... I knew without looking who it was. Del Amitri was one of those mid-'80s bands that were constantly on my stereo and those countless hours of exposure mean Justin Currie's voice is instantly recognizable to my ears. The thing is I probably hadn't listened to a Del Amitri in a decade ... My loss.
Released in 2002 (so I'm 18 years late to the party), "Just Before You Leave" is simply gorgeous. Kicked along by a Currie's purring vocals, Big Kev's driving bass line and Andy Alston's stabbing organ licks this may be the best soul song ever recorded by a Scottish band. Imagine what Curtis Mayfield would have sounded like had he been born and raised and Glasgow and you'll get a feel for the sophisticated soul vibe these guys captured. I could listen to this song 20 times in a row and not get sick of it.
Added: 24 February, 2024
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ARTIST: English Gypsys SONG TITLE:Standing Alone, Feel So Bad WRITER(S): John Knapp RUNNING TIME: 5:55 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: Gypsy- Standing Alone, Feel so Bad (youtube.com)
I'm in love with their heavy blues-rock guitar sound and 'Standing Alone, Feel So Bad' is amongst the album's best performances since it adds in great vocals and a tasty melody. As good as the individual guitar work was, the real highlight came in the form of drummer David "Moth" Smith's performance. He keeps the four guitars under control, making sure nobody strays too far from the melody. Too get the full effect this is one you want to hear on a good pair of headphones.
Added: 23 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Middle Kids SONG TITLE: Dramamine WRITER(S): Hannah Joy Cameron and Timothy Fitzmauric RUNNING TIME: 2:56 YEAR: 2024 YOUTUBE LINK: Middle Kids - Dramamine (Official Video) (youtube.com)
And you guys were griping that I never have any contemporary selections on my blog. Well, if you wanted a copy of this one at this time, you would have to pre-order the parent album ("Faith Crises, Part 1"). I first heard it while waiting to pick-up my wife and her sister at Dulles airport after their flight from Costa Ricao was delayed a day and the fallback had them arriving at 12:30 am. I remember just sitting in the Toyota bopping around thinking "I have to find a copy of this album". A friend subsequently described 'Dramamine' as sounding like an Australian version of Taylor Swift. I laughed, but having listened to it dozens of times I now kind of get it. Wrapped in an insidiously catchy melody, Hannah Cameron's sweet, distant "kiss-off" vocals actually reminded me a bit of Swift. Regardless, powered by strumming guitars and angelic backing vocals 'Dramamine' boasts a glistening melody that explodes off the air and won't leave your ears alone. I just wish it didn't end so soon. Guaranteed that American radio won't get near it. Shame.
By the way, the cheapo promotional video kind of has a Swift like vibe. In case you wondering, the reason why Cameron was wearing a baggy dress and you seldom saw her above the shoulders, is that during the filming sessions she was pregnant with her second child. And yes the video bares a similiarity to Taylor Swift's 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' - right down to the house party scenes and the furry costumes.
Added: 22 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Keith Christmas SONG TITLE: Waiting for the Wind to Rise WRITER(S): Keith Christmas RUNNING TIME: 6:16 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: Waiting for the Wind to Rise (youtube.com)
Powered by Keith Tippett's wild piano and Mighty Baby's Mike Evans's pounding bass lines, I've always loved the weird jazz-meets-folk backing on 'Waiting for the Wind to Rise.' The energetic musical backing more than made up for Christmas' fragile and quivery lead vocals. As good as Christmas' original was, try to track down Scottish singer/songwriter Shelagh McDonald's cover (it's found on her 1970 debut collection "Shelagh McDonald Album" (B&C catalog number CAS 1019).
Added: 21 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Trust In Men Everywhere (T.I.M.E.) SONG TITLE: Trust In Men Everywhere WRITER(S): Larry Byrom RUNNING TIME: 5:05 YEAR: 1969 YOUTUBE LINK: T.I.M.E. "Smooth Ball" 1969 *Trust In Men Everywhere* (youtube.com)
A fuzz-guitar and effects laden ballad, 'Trust In Men Everywhere' managed to successfully meld their earlier psych-leanings with a heavy metal edge. Yeah, the lyrics left a bit to be desired, though the heavy guitar phasing effects on Bill Richarson and Larry Byrom's playing made much of it unintelligible. Regardless, it made for a track guitar players should appreciate. Great tune to listen to through god headphones of speakers.
Added: 20 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Mason Proffit SONG TITLE: Till the Sun's Gone WRITER(S): Mason Proffit - John Talbot - Terry Talbot RUNNING TIME: 3:22 YEAR: 1969 YOUTUBE LINK: Till the Sun's Gone -Mason Proffit (Wanted) (youtube.com)
My wife will tell you I have the sensitivity of a brick, but 'Till the Sun's Gone' may be one of the prettiest ballads I've ever heard. A song that perfectly captures my feelings for my wife (Elissa). She's everything I am not - smart, strong, dedicated, focused and cute is all get out. The best thing that's ever happened to me. One of the few ballads I would consider playing at my memorial service. Check out Art Nash 's powerhouse drumming on this one.
Added:19 February, 2024
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ARTIST: The Critters SONG TITLE: A Moment Of Being With You WRITER(S): Jim Ryan RUNNING TIME: 2:42 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: The Critters "A Moment of Being with You" 1967 (youtube.com)
Wow! The breezy ballad 'A Moment Of Being With You' started out as a standard slice of '60s sunshine-pop, but about thirty second in, when the song hit the group harmonies ... simply glorious. Imagine The Free Design (sharing the same record label), ditching their jazzy inclinations. It's one of the best things The Critters ever recorded. The track was tapped as the second single off the "Touch 'N Go with The Critters: album.
- 1968's 'A Moment of Being with You' b/w 'Good Morning Sunshine' (Project 3 catalog number PR 45-1326 A/B)
Added:17 February 2024
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ARTIST: The Connells SONG TITLE: 74-'75 WRITER(S): David Connell - Doug Macmillan - George Huntley - Mike Connell - Peele Wimberley Jr. - Steve Potak - Timothy Harper RUNNING TIME: 4:38 YEAR: 1993 YOUTUBE LINK: The Connells - '74-'75 (Official HD Music Video) (youtube.com)
'76-'77 ... My first two years of high school were at a large, Northern Virginia school. I was one of 3,200 students in the school and I was faceless in every facet of my time there. To stupid to be smart; too smart to be stupid. No athletic skills. No social skills. And just when I had finally gotten a girlfriend and started driving, at the start of my junior year my father took a job overseas. I clearly remember him coming home one summer evening and asking my brother and I what we thought about moving to Belgium. I barely knew where Belgium was. Truthfully, my opinion didn't matter very much as my Dad had already accepted a job working for NATO in Brussels, Belgium. One of the biggest changes was that I went from a gigantic school to a very small, Department of Defense administered institution, Kindergarten through 12th grade there were about 400 of us. As I recall, my graduating class had 47 members. In such a small school if you wanted to remain anonymous you would have had to make an effort to do it. There just weren't enough of us for anyone to remain anonymous. And because we were such a small class, for better, or worse we knew each other. Were we all best friends? No, but I can honestly say we all at least put up with one another. To this day, I remain in touch with many of my classmates. And that gets me to this song. Every time I hear this beautiful ballad and that acoustic guitar chord, it reminds me that time is starting to take it's toll on the class of '77. It makes me contemplate the fact I didn't make a greater effort to stay in touch with some of my classmates. It's just one of those songs that unlocks a door of sadness and regret in my psyche. I guess it will sound stupid, but I do think of Carla and Lee from time to time. I hope their lives were wonderful and that we'll meet again.
Added:16 February, 2024
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ARTIST: J.K. and Co. SONG TITLE: Fly WRITER(S): Jay Kaye RUNNING TIME: 4:41 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: J.K. & Co. - Fly (youtube.com)
Geez, 'Fly' may be one of the best lysergic-tinged songs of all time. Imagine 'Strawberry Fields Forever' soaked in an acid bath. With a floating, acid dripping melody, backward tapes, all sorts of production effects and Jay Kaye's heavily treated vocals, the song was a stunning accomplishment. How does a then-fifteen year old come to sound like this? Put it on you stereo and feel your blood pressure drop ten points. It's the kind of song bands like Radiohead always wanted to write and record. In the UK the track was released as part of a three tune EP. Easy to see why top-40 radio wouldn't touch it.
Added:15 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Propinquity SONG TITLE: And I a Fairy Tale Lady WRITER(S): Carla Sciaky RUNNING TIME: 3:20 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: Propinquity - And I A Fairy Tale Lady (youtube.com)
The first of two Carla Sciaky compositions on the "Propinquity" album, 'And I a Fairy Tale Lady' was a pretty acoustic ballad powered by Pat Hubbard's piano. I've always found Sciaky's "little girl" voice sharp and fragile on this song, but there's no denying how pretty the underlying melody is and when the band's harmony vocals kick in the song becomes way more impressive. Kind of a Fairport Convention vibe on this one. I almost hate to admit it, but yes I've caught myself humming this one.
Added: 13 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Jimmy Webb SONG TITLE: Galveston WRITER(S): JImmy Webb RUNNING TIME: 4:09 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: JIMMY WEBB - Galveston (1972) (youtube.com)
Having grown up on Glen Campbell's cover of 'Galveston', JImmy Webb's rendition caught me totally off guard. Ditching all the orchestration found on Campbell's version, Webb's arrangement remained true to the original melody, but slowed it down, stripping it down to his voice, a couple of pounding acoustic guitar and a bit of tasteful orchestration. Wow. I still love the Campbell version, but I can listen to this one without any hesitation.
As part of December, 1988 appearance on the Canadian concert series In Session, YouTube has a clip of Webb and the late Campbell talking about the song and then performing it as a duet. Fascinating to hear, this version slows the song down along the lines of Webb's version, but with keyboard replacing the angry acoustic guitar: Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb: In Session - Galveston (with lead-in discussion) (youtube.com
Added: 10 February, 2024
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ARTIST: XTC SONG TITLE: I Remember the Sun WRITER(S): Colin Moulding RUNNING TIME: 3:10 YEAR: 1985 YOUTUBE LINK: I Remember The Sun (2001 Remaster) (youtube.com)
XTC is a band that I've loved since I was a teenager living in Belgium and heard 'Taking Care of Nigel' on Radio Caroline. I'll admit the band can be a challenge, but I've always thought Colin Moulding was the band's "secret sauce." Certainly the most commercial writer in the band. Geez, who would have expected to hear Moulding showing off affection for Steely Dan ... = ) 'I Remember the Sun' was unlike anything else on 1985's "The Big Express" album - a beautiful, jazzy melody, amazing refrain, and lyrics that dropped your blood pressure by a good twenty points. Andy Partridge's skitter-ish lead guitar is just the icing on the aural cake.
Wikipedia has a quote where Moulding talked about the inspiration behind the song: "[it] was about the fields that ... I used to play over, next to the Penhill council estate. That piece of wasteland was immensely evocative in my imagination. My mum hated me getting wet, so I remember the sun because [I] was only allowed out when it was sunny. The sun was king." A glorious performance and one of my all-time XTC favorites.
Added: 09 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Kate Bush SONG TITLE: Oh England My Lionheart WRITER(S): Kate Bush RUNNING TIME: 3:10 YEAR: 1978 YOUTUBE LINK: Oh England My Lionheart (2018 Remaster) (youtube.com)
Even the most hardcore Anglophile would acknowledge Bush's reflections on England are little more than wistful nostalgia. At the same time, the delicate acoustic arrangement and her yearning vocals - well she could sell me an acre in Cambria. Bush has some of the most dedicated fans I've ever run into and there's an amazing website dedicated to her - The Kate Bush Encyclopedia. The Encyclopedia has a quote from Bush on the song: "It’s really very much a song about the Old England that we all think about whenever we’re away, you know, “ah, the wonderful England” and how beautiful it is amongst all the rubbish, you know. Like the old buildings we’ve got, the Old English attitudes that are always around. And this sort of very heavy emphasis on nostalgia that is very strong in England. People really do it alot, you know, like “I remember the war and…” You know it’s very much a part of our attitudes to life that we live in the past. And it’s really just a sort of poetical play on the, if you like, the romantic visuals of England, and the second World War… Amazing revolution that happened when it was over and peaceful everything seemed, like the green fields. And it’s really just a exploration of that.
YouTube is a treasure trove for all things Kate Bush. Here's a link to a 1979 performance of the song at Hammersmith Odeon: Kate Bush-Oh England My Lionheart (youtube.com)
Added: 08 February, 2024
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ARTIST: The Hollies SONG TITLE: Give Me Time WRITER(S): Terry Sylvester - Allan Clarke RUNNING TIME: 3:11 YEAR: 1974 YOUTUBE LINK: Give Me Time (2008 Remaster) (youtube.com)
In December 2019 I decided I would update all my BadCatRecords sales listings to include LP cover photos. When I originally put my record collection online, I did it quickly, only putting up photos for the really expensive items. Anyhow, at the time I started to upload the images, I thought it might take me six months to finish the project. Here I am a year later and I've done "A" through most of "H" and "N" through "S".
While adding "H" entries I discovered I owned a ton of albums by The Hollies. While adding the LPphotos I started listening to some Hollies tunes and rediscovered what a great band these guys were. Of of their 1975 Another Night" album, 'Give Me Time' simply captured that special Hollies sound. Allan Clarke's instantly recognizable voice, those to-die-for-harmonies, coupled a wonderful "Irish bar" melody made it a track that could have been a massive radio hit had anyone at the label, or on radio been paying attention. And that damn hook sets it's hooks in your head and won't let go ... "give me time, give me, give me time ..."
Added: 06 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Bread SONG TITLE: Dismal Day WRITER(S): David Gates RUNNING TIME: 2:19 YEAR: 1969 YOUTUBE LINK: Dismal Day (youtube.com)
Always loved the perky, folk-rock vibe that propelled 'Dismal Day.' The contrast with David Gates' dark lyrics still makes me smile. Gates seldom sounded as good; particularly when he hit those high notes; the three part harmonies were simply glistening and Royer's bass line was majestic. My only complaint - shame the song was so short. If I were in a cover band, this would be on the play list. This was also their debut single (how was it radio didn't jump on this one?):
- 1969's 'Dismal Day' b/w 'Any Way You Want Me' (Elektra catalog number EKS 45-666)
Added: 01 February, 2024
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ARTIST: Fairport Convention SONG TITLE: Meet On the Ledge WRITER(S): Richard Thompson RUNNING TIME: 2:49 YEAR: 1969 YOUTUBE LINK: Fairport Convention ~ Meet On The Ledge (youtube.com)
Born Catholic I was raised to believe in the goodness of God and the promise of an afterlife full of joy, peace and happiness. If that's the case, I would like to think Thompson's 'Meet On the Ledge' will be part of the soundtrack. The funny thing is Thompson's inspiration came from a large tree he played on as a child. The tree had a large, low hanging limb that Thompson and his buddy's called "The Ledge". Ian Matthews and the late Sandy Denny share the lead vocals. Fairport traditionally closes their concert set with the tune. The song was also tapped as the band's second 45:
- 1969's 'Meet On the Ledge' b/w 'Throwaway Street Puzzle' (Island catalog number WIP 6047)
Added: January 30, 2024
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ARTIST: Rick Saucedo SONG TITLE: Ka Mon We're Gonna Rock All Night Long WRITER(S): Rick Saucedo RUNNING TIME: 3:52 YEAR: 1978 YOUTUBE LINK: (1) Rick Saucedo - Ka Mon We're Gonna Rock All Night Long (1978) (Reality Records original vinyl) - YouTube
If you're a psychedelic fan, or collector, there's a good chance you've heard mention of Rick Saucedo's 1978 album "Heaven was Blue." The private pressing release is widely touted as a genre classic, original copies routinely selling for over $1,000. Taken from the album, this track might make you think twice. The fuzz guitar propelled ' Ka Mon We're Gonna Rock All Night Long' is so bad it warrants a couple of spins. Imagine Wayne Newton (yes, Mr. Las Vegas), deciding he wanted to record a heavy metal tune. The melody was non-existent. The sophomoric lyrics were apparently inspired by his back band. The vocals were tuneless. Every seen a zombie film like "Dawn of the Dead"? Imagine those zombies deciding to record a rock song. Same effect. LOL So bad it needs to be heard ...
Added: January 27, 2024
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ARTIST: Rory Gallagher SONG TITLE: I'm Not Awake Yet WRITER(S): Rory Gallagher RUNNING TIME: 5:06 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqRzW24RgOM
Folks tend to overlook Rory Gallagher's charms on acoustic guitar. In addition to being one of the prettiest songs he ever wrote, the beautiful ballad 'I'm Not Awake Yet ' was a great example of his acoustic talents. Once again drummer Wilgar Campbell and bassist Gerry McAvoy provided smooth support throughout. This one would go on my Gallagher top-10 list.
Added: January 25, 2024
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ARTIST: HMS Bounty SONG TITLE: Things (Goin' Round In My Mind) WRITER(S): Merrell Fankhauser) RUNNING TIME: 2:23 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ4CAFT44UI
Every time I hear the glistening 'Things (Goin' Round In My Mind)' it reminds me of something the Bobby Fuller Four might have recorded had namesake Bobby Fuller survived into the late-1960s. Musically it offered a mesmerizig slice of jangle-rock that managed to combined the best of The Byrds and English Mersey-beat bands. Simply wonderful and easy to understand why Shamley tapped it as a single, thought it's harder to understand why the 45 didn't gain any sales traction ...
- 1968's 'Things (Goin' Round In My Mind)' b/w 'Rich Man's Fable' (Shamley catalog number S 44006)
Added: January 21, 2024
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ARTIST: Mary Ann Redmond SONG TITLE: Boys of Summer WRITER(S): Don Henley - Mike Campbell RUNNING TIME: 5:01 YEAR: 2022 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.facebook.com/maryann.redmond.12/videos/10220384739482842/
I've been a Mary Ann Redmond fan since the late-'80s. I've probably seen her perform three dozen times. One of my first dates with my wife was a Mary Ann Redmon concert and over the last thirty years we shared countless hours listening to her music. Among my proudest possessions are one of her concert flyers that I "liberated" from a show at The State Theater and a photo of the two of us.. Mary Ann graciously allowed my wife to take a picture of the two of us at a performance The Mary Ann Redmond Band made in Great Falls, Virginia. My wife still makes fun of me for having looked like a love struck teenager in the photo. Okay, an overweight, 50 year old teenager ...
Anyhow, if you are a child of the '70s you've probably heard the Eagles original hundreds, if not thousands of times. I certainly have, to the point the song's been reduced to background noise. And then I stumbled across Mary Ann Redmond's drastically rearranged version of the tune. The basic melody is still there and still recognizable, but ... well just check it out for yourself. Great video production too boot and it features a 1970 Cadillac.
When post-pandemic life gets back to normal, Mary Ann Redmond is one of those acts you owe it to yourself to see.
Added: 19 January, 2024
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ARTIST: Chris Stapelton SONG TITLE: Starting Over WRITER(S): Chris Stapleton RUNNING TIME: 4:17 YEAR: 2022 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3svABDnmio
OMG !!! I guess you'd have to tag Chris Stapleton as a country artist, but here's one of those cases that make you believe labels just don't matter. For a guy who has been told I have the sensitivity of a brick, this song gets to me every time. Stunning in every way ... and it has a bass line to die for. Seriously, one of those songs I could put on repeat for a full weekend.
Added: 17 January, 2024
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ARTIST: The Mighty Clouds of Joy SONG TITLE: Time WRITER(S): Dave Crawford RUNNING TIME: 3:18 YEAR: 1974 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlZD3sjZUgg
I'd owned the "It's Time" LP for a decade and never gotten around to playing it. Sunday morning I was adding a photo of the LP to my BadCatRecords website and decided to give it a spin. Good thing the basement blinds were shut, or my neighbors would have seen a 60 year old white guy shaking his fat ass to this amazing tune. If you thought the Mighty Clouds of Joy were just another pompous Gospel group, check this track out. The best of Philadelphia International and secular moves ... If there is a heaven and this is part of the soundtrack, well that would be a good thing.
Added: 15 January, 2024
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ARTIST: The Malibooz SONG TITLE: Caught a Wave WRITER(S): John Zambetti RUNNING TIME: 3:43 YEAR: 1974 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTgXusqo5jM
I'll keep these comments real short - addictive, top-rank dreamy beach rock. Imagine the best Brian Wilson song that Brian Wilson never wrote.
Added: 13 January, 2024
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ARTIST: The Mad Lads SONG TITLE: Pass the Word (The Word Is Love) WRITER(S): John Gary Williams - William Brown - Dale Warren RUNNING TIME: 6:04 YEAR: 1973 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiTYbrgKM3U
Okay you can skip the first 2:46 of this one since it's nothing but mindless spoken word jive. That said, if you get through the extended intro to the real song, you'll be rewarded with one of the best slices of mid-'70s group soul you've ever heard. Kicked along by a pounding piano riff, John Gary William's Gospel-soaked voices, and the group's silky smooth harmony vocals, this one built and built to the point your turntable threatened to explode.
Added: 12 January, 2024
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ARTIST: Nils Lofgren SONG TITLE: Valentine WRITER(S): Nils Lofgrin RUNNING TIME: 4:28 YEAR: 1991 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfdNjdWYgwU
I'm not a gigantic power ballad fan, but I'll make an exception for this tune. One of the prettiest tunes Lofgren ever wrote and having Bruce Springsteen on vocals, makes it even sweeter. Plus,the lyrics are only mildly cringe worthy.
The tune was released as a single in the US (in the US it was issued by Rykodisc as a promotional CD single) and throughout the world in 7" and 12" formats. There's even a promotional video for it (standard, cheesy '80s vibe - seems like 50% of all MTV videos were filmed on the Bonneville Salt Flats), but in spite of the significant marketing efforts, the tune attracted little attention. Yes, Bruce Springsteen on backing vocals.
Added: 7 January, 2024
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ARTIST: The Isley Brothers SONG TITLE: Tell Me When You Need Me Again (Parts 1 and 2) WRITER(S): Rudolph Isley - O'Kelly Isley - Ernie Isley - Marvin Isley - Christopher Jasper RUNNING TIME: 4:28 YEAR: 1991 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSPwhpDqF3k&list=OLAK5uy_mvrBXNfhM_ raXOkO2tbzeTDgOlNLln67k&index=3
Flashbook time - Brussels American High School class of '77 ...
This was one of those albums that represent that special time in my life. Yeah, most of my class was listening to Fleetwood Mac, Journey, or Lynyrd Skynyrd (okay Mark Funk was listening to Robin Trower and all sorts of oddball sounds), but The Isley were the band that caught my ear. Makes perfect sense for a skinny, clueless, suburban white kid living in Brussels, Belgium. And 'Tell Me When You Need Me Again' was amongst the cream of the Isleys' crop. The entire "Go For Your Guns" album was magical (I can't even begin to count the number of times I played it), but 'Tell Me When You Need It Again' managed to blend the very best of soul and hard rock into a five minute package. Reflecting one of Ron Isley's most impressive vocals, Marvin Isley's fattttttt slap bass, Christopher Jasper's burping moog, Ernie Isley's Hendrix-inspired guitar, and a refrain as addictive as any Class 1 drug ... what wasn't there to love about this one? C'mon tell me when you need again ...
Added: 5 January, 2024
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ARTIST: Chris Hillman SONG TITLE: Clear Sailin' WRITER(S): Chris Hillman - Richard Marx - Rick Roberts RUNNING TIME: 4:31 YEAR: 1977 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVXw380ItPg
Chris Hillman's always struck me as having been The Byrd's forgotten secret ingredient. That didn't do him much good surrounded by the likes of Gene Clark, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, and Gram Parsons, but at least some of us noticed his talents.
His solo work is uniformly good, but to my ears mid-'70s country-rock quickly starts to suffer from a sounds-the-same slickness. That's certainly the case with much of 1977's "Clear Sailin'". Luckily the title track is one of the exceptions. Yeah, your life many not need another mid-tempo ballad, but this one has a beautiful melody and the lyrics are actually rather thought provoking. Nice guitar solo from John Brennan.
Added: 3 January, 2024
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ARTIST: Harpers Bizarre SONG TITLE: WItchi Tai To WRITER(S): Jim Pepper RUNNING TIME: 2:55 YEAR: 1977 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1L9RPEM634
While in college I heard this on some obscure radio station, but didn't hear who was performing it. Years later I heard a version of it on a Brewer and Shipley album that I bought at a yard sale. That let me track it back to the late Jim Pepper's original version, which in turn, allowed me to hear versions by Everything Is Everything and finally the "commercialized" Harpers Bizarre cover which was the one I'd originally heard.
The late Pepper was best known as a jazz musician. As a sax player he worked with an impressive array of jazz artists including Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry. A member of the Kaw and Cree tribes, in the late-'60s Pepper began mixing Native American music and jazz. Having supposedly learned the song from his grandfather, "Witchi Tai To" was a nice example of the jazz and Indian influences hybrid. The Harper's Bizarre version didn't include the extended Pepper sax solo, but featured a young Ry Cooder on lead guitar and is simply mesmerizing ... Yeah, it's little more than an extended Indian chant, but it's one of those efforts that's get under your skin and simply won't leave.
Added: 2 January, 2024
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ARTIST: High Mountain Hoedown SONG TITLE: Nellie WRITER(S): Jerry Williams RUNNING TIME: 2:20 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRarT6Jh0BQ
Having stumbled across an interesting Jerry Lynn Williams solo album, I poked around and discovered his High Mountain Hoedown catalog. Wish I knew more about the outfit. What little biographical information I can find comes from a December 2006 article Nick Joe Paloski wrote for The Texas Monthly.
[Williams] tenure with Little Richard lasted nine months, and shortly after, he returned to Fort Worth, where he made it through a semester at Arlington Heights High School before snagging regular gigs at the Bayou Club and the Silver Helmet Club in Dallas, which was owned by several Dallas Cowboys players. “I was doing Otis Redding stuff three nights a week,” he remembered, “and within two weeks I had so many people in there that the fire marshal started showing up.” Then, in the late sixties, Williams discovered orange sunshine, tie-dye shirts, and the hippie lifestyle, so he formed a three-piece psychedelic blues outfit called High Mountain and went to L.A. to score a record deal with the ATCO label. It became another learning experience. The resulting album, High Mountain Hoedown, went nowhere, and the musicians got to split a paltry $10,000."
You can read the full article at: http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/he-writes-the-songs/
Produced by Charles Greene (best known for his work with The Buffalo Springfield), 1970's "High Mountain Hoedown" was one of those albums that deserved a fate better than the total obscurity it has fallen into. While there's little biographical information on the the band, the line-up apparently featured Williams with support from drummer Rex Ludwick (who went on to support Willie Nelson) and bassist Jerry McDonald. Williams was credited with most of the seven original tunes. McDonald wrote the county-ish 'I'll finish My Song'. Musically the set was quite varied, which might be one of the reasons the album didn't do very well. The collection found the trio taking stabs at country ('I'll Finish My Song'), Poco-styled country rock ('Nellie'), and conventional hard rock ('Voodoo Woman'), Round it out with a pair of Chuck Berry tunes ('Nadine' and 'Brown Eyed Handsome Man'). Mind you, it wasn't a lost classic, but it's still a fun set to spin. Shame Williams didn't turn in a couple of additional rock-oriented performances.
As good as the first two tunes on 1970's "High Mountain Hoedown" were, 'Nellie' was even better. To my ears, this was the kind of country-rock tune that nobody seems to write anymore. The track had everything you'd expect from a major radio hit - killer melody; sweet vocals; tight drumming; and a refrain that simply wouldn't leave your head. This one would have sounded dandy on a Poco album.
Added: 01 January, 2024
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ARTIST: Steely Dan SONG TITLE: Home at Last WRITER(S): Donald Fagen - Walter Becker RUNNING TIME: 5:35 YEAR: 1977 YOUTUBE LINK: Home At Last (youtube.com)
The only band I've seen a dozen times, I'm surprised I haven't listed a Steely Dan track up to this point.
"Aja" came out when I was a freshmen in college. Rob, my first roommate, bought a copy of the album and played it day after day after day. I'll readily admit to initially finding the jazzy grooves less than overwhelming, but in time I fell under the Steely Dan spell and perhaps because I was living hundreds of miles away from my family, this bluesy ballad became one of my favorite performances.
Added: 30 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Hearts of Soul SONG TITLE: If I Could Give You teh World WRITER(S): Carl Cutler - John Myers - Lyndsey Griffin - Floyd Lawson RUNNING TIME: 3:10 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ustQx0yF-pk
Anyone who has poked around the BadCatRecords website will realize I'm a big Motown fan. That said, Hearts of Stone were one of those groups I knew existed, but I had never stumbled across any of their releases. Imagine my heart of joy when I scored a copy of their obscure 1970 album.
Hearts of Soul trace their roots back to the early 1950s when teenager John Myers and his brothers formed The Echoes. Still in high school, by 1955 The Echoes were veterans of the touring circuit, as well as having recorded some unreleased material and done backing vocals for a number of artists. Their manager Fred Logan arranged for an audition with Atlantic Records, but they ended up signed to Savoy Records, which promptly insisted on renaming the group The 5 Pennies (a curious choice given there were six members). With various line-up changes, Myers and The 5 Pennies also recorded material as The Chimes, and The 4 Jokers.
By the mid-'60s Myers was living in Tampa, Florida where he formed The Larks. The original line-up featured Myers, Clemon Davis (bass), Lindsey Griffin (tenor and baritone), Rudolph Hill (tenor), lead singer Floyd Lawson. By 1966 the group was known as The 4 Pennies, featuring lead tenor Carl Cutler.
By 1970 they were performing as Hearts of Stone, which led to a recording contract with Motown's V.I.P. subsidiary. Teamed with producer/arranger/writer Henry Cosby, all hyperbole aside,1970's "Stop the World - We Wanna Get On" stands as one of the most overlooked albums on the Motown imprint. Featuring a mixture of group originals (several co-written by Cosby) and an eclectic mix of covers, these guys were simply stunning. Lawson may have been the lead singer, but the other three members were equally talented and their group harmonies were equally impressive.
I'll readily admit it didn't have that instantly identifiable Motown sound, but the breezy, mid-tempo 'If I Could Give You the World' was still a wonderful performance. More shag, than Motown, it isn't hard to picture yourself dancing to this one on a summer evening at a beach. Besides, how many Motown acts can you think of who wrote their own material? How many wrote material as good as this one?
Added: 29 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Yes SONG TITLE: Love Will Find a Way WRITER(S): Alan White - Chris Squire - Jon Anderson - Tony Kaye - Trevor Rabin RUNNING TIME: 4:14 YEAR: 1987 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrowi4hHz8A LOL
Saturday afternoon I was driving home from a cross country race my younger son participated in when this oldie came on the radio. I don't think I'd heard this one since it originally came out back in 1983. And to be honest, I wasn't exactly the biggest Trevor Rabin-era Yes fan back then. The funny thing is today the song sounds great. Say what you will about Rabin's influence on the band, but the guy sure knew how to write a catchy tune. Flying down Route 66 with a new stereo (finally replaced the original 2002 Jeep Cherokee system with five of the six speakers being blown), the song sounded great.
With the song firmly lodged in my head I remembers the cheesy video and looked it up on YouTube. Still cheesy ...
Added: 28 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Mark Knopfler SONG TITLE: Boom Like That WRITER(S): Mark Knopfler RUNNING TIME: 5:40 YEAR: 2004 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sYK2RwH5E8
Mark Knopfler's languid, instantly recognizable sound has always been a personal favorite. A couple of years ago I went and saw the Michael Keaton starring flick "The Founder". The film as based on Roy Kroc's history with McDonalds. As most things in life, the portrayal wasn't particularly sweet to the late Kroc. Anyhow, the film was a blast. Taken from Knopfler's 2004 album "Shangri-La", "Boom Like That" was written for the film, but for anyone tight on time, managed to capture the entire plot line in under six minutes. The sound is instantly recognizable as a Knopfler effort; his dry voice and classic guitar moves just screaming hit single (naturally the track did nothing).
Added: 26 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Toto SONG TITLE: 21st Century Blues WRITER(S): Steve Lukather RUNNING TIME: 6:08 YEAR: 2015 YOUTUBE LINK: 21st Century Blues (youtube.com)
To be honest, I hadn't bothered listening to a Toto song since college ... And then one day I was sitting on my deck reading a book with Radio Caroline playing in the background when this tune popped up. Joseph Williams' voice and the group harmonies grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go and the song got even better when the Steve Lukather guitar solo kicked in. Unfortunately, I missed the artist and song title, so I had to dig around a little to find the act. Imagine my surprise to discover it was Toto !!! Not sure what the rest of the 2015 "Toto XIV" album is like, but this slice of AOR is simply killer. The dark and cynical lyrics only make it stronger. May just have to buy this one.
Postscript - I did buy it and when cranked up it sounds amazing on my Jeep Cherokee stereo.
Added: 26 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Donnie Hathaway SONG TITLE: This Christmas WRITER(S): Donnie Hathaway - Nadine McKinnor RUNNING TIME: 3:32 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: Donny Hathaway- This Christmas [Original] (youtube.com)
I was thinking about some of my favorite and overlooked Christmas songs and the late Donnie Hathaway's "This Christmas' popped into my head. Such a wonderful melody and the sentiments aren't overly gooey ... Great tune for any Christmas top-10 list.
Added: 25 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Bryan Ferry SONG TITLE: Don't Stop the Dance WRITER(S): Bryan Ferry RUNNING TIME: 3:56 YEAR: 1985 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjhTHQhJLxs
In college I got into a Roxy Music phase and ended up buying a bunch of Brian Ferry solo albums. Unlike his work with Roxy, for some reason, Ferry's sophisticated, man-of-the-world solo sides just let me cold. I tried hard to like those album, but just never could get the taste. The albums just sounded cold, distant, and calculated. They sat out there on my for-sale list for years and then a couple of weeks ago a Japanese collector bought them all at once. While I was packing the albums up I decided to give a couple of them one last spin. Imagine my shock when I discovered how appealing 'Don't Stop the Dance' was. Yeah, it featured Ferry at his sleekest, but the song had a slinky groove that was simply stellar and it featured one of the coolest sax solos out there.
Added 24 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Sting SONG TITLE: Brand New Day WRITER(S): Sting RUNNING TIME: 3:59 YEAR: 1999 YOUTUBE LINK: Here's a link to the original video, followed by a live take with Wonder guesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA46ZNjrzeY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu9R4egeg_I
In late August my wife and I say Sting at Wolftrap Farm Park. I grew up on The Police and Sting so it was nice to hear so many of the hits and semi-hits. At the same, time the highlight for me came in the form of 'Brand New Day'. Maybe because the song hasn't suffered from the same overexposure as most of the hits; the clever wordplay, or the fact it's always reminded me of a Motown/Stevie Wonder song (Wonder played harmonica on the original studio version), it just kind of jumped out from the rest of the show. In fact, I found myself humming it for days.
Added: 23 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Taylor Dayne SONG TITLE: I'll Wait WRITER(S): Shep Pettibine - Taylor Dayne - Tony Shimkin RUNNING TIME: 4:44 YEAR: 1993 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvIWRoXBfnc
Yeah, this one even surprises me ... I can remember when the sound of Taylor Dayne's voice would see me quickly changing radio channels. There was just something about her voice that I found shrill and irritating - her performances evoked a chalk-on-the-blackboard response to my ears. At least on the surface 'I'll Wait' isn't all that different from her standard dance moves (which were at least better than the over-the-top ballads). Mindless dance moves with the title repeated time after time after time ... And yet this one's always struck a chord with me. I've never counted the number of times the title is repeated, but the song's got a catchy beat and Dayne's normally nasal delivery didn't sound half bad here. Go for the dance remix since it speeds up the arrangement.
Added: 22 December, 2023
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ARTIST: David Crosby and Graham Nash SONG TITLE: Lay Me Down WRITER(S): James Raymond RUNNING TIME: 3:41 YEAR: 2004 YOUTUBE LINK: Lay Me Down- Crosby and Nash (youtube.com)
Interesting this is the second David Crosby tune I've added to this blog in the last year. In this case the song was actually written by Crosby's son - James Raymond. Musically it's kind of your typical Crosby & Nash performance. Slow, super pretty and surprisingly thought provoking, Crosby has the lead and, as I've said before, for a guy in his 70s, he's never sounded as good. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact he barely used his voice for a decade, or so. Postscript, it's heartbreaking Crosby died without repairing the rift with long time best friend Nash. Shame we spend so much of our lives holding on the grudges ... Gawd only knows how much time and energy I've wasted ... Hopefully I'm given the time and the grace to make up for those wasted years.
Added: 19 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Prefab Sprout SONG TITLE: God Watch Over You WRITER(S): Paddy McAloon RUNNING TIME: 4:34 YEAR: 2019 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxvnoAR_AcA
I'll be the first to admit that I've been very blessed in my life. I frequently wonder why I've been given a wonderful family; a job I like, and a sense of comfort. While I seldom understand the challenges, opportunities, or experiences I'm confronted with, I try to appreciate them all. Admittedly, some experiences are better than others, but they all seem to have some purpose - what those purposes may be is part of the mystery.
It may have something to do with the fact that when you turn 60, you suddenly realize that there are only so many innings in the game and then it's over. (By the way, that was a tribute to the late Joseph White - more about Mr White in a minute). Admittedly there have been more than my share of missed opportunities and regrets. And here's the story of one of those regrets.
It starts with me sitting on my deck reading a travel book, having a Blue Moon and listening to random songs on YouTube. Out of the blue Prefab Sprout's 'God Watch Over You" came on the radio. I like Paddy McAloon and Prefab Sprout, but I'd never heard this particular track. That said, the soothing melody and unique lyrics grabbed me by the throat. While his melodies are occasionally a bit on the sound-alike side, McAoon writes some of the most interesting lyrics I've ever heard (okay, 'King of Rock and Roll' may be an exception). In this case Iinstantly put the book down and hit replay. And while I was sitting there soaking in McAloon's thoughtful lyrics I was struck by a huge wave of unexpected regret. Here's the back story. My younger son is a Boy Scout and in the Summer of 2018 his Troop spent two weeks in Kandersteg, Switzerland. The trip was largely arranged and coordinated by Joseph White. Probably best known as a sportswriter for the Washington Post, White was a long-standing member of the Troop, having participated in dozens of the Troop's camping trips and other activities, He'd also coordinate four or five previous Kandersteg trips for the Troop, but this was the first one we'd participated in.
While I knew Mr. White from Troop meetings, I'll readily admit I didn't know him well. Over the years my son's been a member of this Troop, I've probably never had a conversation with Mr. White that last more than 20 minutes. That said, he was sharp as a tack; had insights into all kinds of subjects (how many folks do you know that could teach a Troop of young Scouts and their parents how to play Cricket); he was quick to laugh; had a strong sense of right and wrong, seemed to have more friends than anyone I've ever met, and was great with the Scouts. He was in fantastic physical shape (trying to keep up with him on training hikes for the Switzerland trip almost killed me). He was also quirky. Not quirky in a bad way; rather quirky in a cool, entertaining fashion.
While i won't lie and tell you I loved every minute of the Switzerland trip (two weeks in a crappy tent was challenging and for a picky eater the camp food was frequently lackluster to my tastes), there were plenty of amazing moments and seeing my younger son effortlessly cruise through all of the challenges and make friends with a host of foreign Scouts was worth all of my personal discomfort.
In the wake of the trip I meant to send Mr. White a note thanking him for arranging the trip. Summer faded into Winter and I meant to send him a Christmas card with my thanks. Winter came and went. Spring; Summer ... In June I had to drive to Front Royal, Virginia (close to where Mr. White had settled and was operating a store), and while coming home I reminded myself to send him a note. Again, no note. Every time I thought about sending him a note, I'd put it off.
Only 56, Joseph White died August 10th, 2019.
Members of Troop 1018 Kandersteg August 2018 (Jim White head own studying schedule)
Mr. White - I wish I'd told you earlier - thank you for arranging the Switzerland trip. I will hold the memories close to my heart until the day I pass.
Added: 18 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Peter Frampton SONG TITLE: Shadow of My Mind WRITER(S): Peter Frampton RUNNING TIME: 3:53 YEAR: 2014 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty779xP5Wxk
A couple of years back a friend convinced me to go see Peter Frampton at a small, local club (The Birchmere). I hadn't seen Frampton since I was a junior in high school (yes, I saw the "Frampton Comes Alive" tour). I hadn't bought a Frampton album, or listened to a Frampton song in decades. And in spite of my initial reluctance, it turned into one of the best shows I've seen in years.
Like all of us Frampton had aged (the golden locks were hone), but he'd done so with grace and a pleasing sense of humor. He talked to the audience and played a mix of the hits and newer material and it was just a fun evening. I was so pleased that on the way out I bought a copy of what was then his new album "Hummingbird In a Box: Songs for a Ballet". And that album sat on my shelves for five years. And out of the blue I heard this song and it the lyrics seemingly describing middle aged contentment just struck a chord with me (I celebrated another birthday on April 22nd). Add to that, one of his prettiest melodies and some dazzling slide work ... what's not too like?
Added: 15 December, 2023
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ARTIST: XTC SONG TITLE: (I'm) The Man Who Murdered Love WRITER(S): Andy Partridge RUNNING TIME: 3:49 YEAR: 2009 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CSc4SAFWD4
I'll readily admit to having totally overlooked XTC's 2000 "Wasp Star: Apple Venus Volume II" collection when it came out. And I probably would never have discovered it had it not been for an XTC cover band I saw at a local venue. The group played all of the XTC hits and near misses and out of the blue played this amazing slice of blue-eyed soul. A month later I still can't get it out of my head. Never would have thought that Andy Partridge and company could sound so soulful.
Added:12 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Neil Finn SONG TITLE: Second Nature WRITER(S): Neil Finn RUNNING TIME: 3:49 YEAR: 2017 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q7Jr0w5MLk
I've been a Neil Finn fan since I was in college (Split Enz and Crowded House) and over the ensuing years have renewed by connection with his catalog from time to time. Anyhow, I stumbled across this song on YouTube and simply couldn't shake it out of my head. Finn may simply be one of the most overlooked talents out there and 'Second Nature' is simply a stunning tune. It's basically just 3:49 of hooks. Add the fact it's recorded live and the result's simply breathtaking.
And the promotional video is mesmerizing. Watching these folks record the tune is simply a joyous experience. They seem to be having one of those special occasions that come along once in a blue moon. Kudos to the backing singers - they are simply amazing.
Added: 11 December, 2023
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ARTIST: David Crosby SONG TITLE: What's Broken WRITER(S): James Raymond RUNNING TIME: 3:48 YEAR: 2014 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6fkt6raCDQ
So here's what I wrote about this song on the BadCatRecords website when I first heard it:
Geez, how is it radio ignored this tune ? Written by Crosby's son James Raymond and featuring Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler on lead guitar, 'What's Broken' trashed the notion Crosby couldn't sing a commercial tune if his life depended on it. Stunningly pretty and with support from Marcus Eaton, the layered harmonies were immaculate.
Like me, if you thought Crosby's career was over when he pissed off long time partner Graham Nash (along with the rest of the CSN&Y family), this tune will quickly make it clear those sentiments were just plain wrong. In fact, based on this tune and his three recent albums, Crosby has unexpectedly become the most productive member of the CSN&Y commune. Sure, Neil Young has churned out far more albums over the last couple of years, but they can't match the quality and caliber of Crosby's recent releases. And if you thought Crosby needed those guys to capture that unique sound ... wrong. This performance would easily give CSN&Y a run for their creative monies ... Add in some sweet and thought provoking lyrics and this was one of those songs I just can't get out of my head.
Postscript - rest in peace January 2023
Added: 10 December, 2023
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ARTIST: The Independents SONG TITLE: Leaving Me WRITER(S): Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy - 3:20 rating: **** stars RUNNING TIME: 3:20 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwiy03oYV_U
Busy at work and home so it's been awhile since I added anything to the blog. This one was a track I came across on The Independent's "best of" collection - 1974's "Discs of Gold" (Wand catalog WDS 699).
I think Chuck Jackson handled lead vocals, but the song's mix of soul, pop, and Gospel moves didn't sound anything like the group's typical soul ballads. Instead, the breezy, uplifting melody recalled a hybrid of Curtis Mayfield and The Staple Singers. That's a wonderful thing in my book, The tune was also tapped as a single:
- 1972's 'Leaving Me' b/w 'I Love You, Yes I Do' (Wand catalog number WND 11252)
Added: 09 December, 2023
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ARTIST: The Monitors SONG TITLE: Save Yourself a Cup of Happiness WRITER(S): James Dean - William Weatherspoon RUNNING TIME: 2:19 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paMkMf8Y2c8
Another highlight off 1968's "Greetings! We're the Monitors" album, 'Save Yourself a Cup of Happiness' was the kind of track that would instantaneously fill a dance floor. One of the late Richard Street's most impressive performances with Warren Harris, Maurice and Sandra Fagin providing delectable backing vocals. I'm guessing the stunning bass line was from James Jamerson.
Added: 08 December, 2023
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ARTIST: Glencoe SONG TITLE: AIrport WRITER(S): Graham Maitland - Reed RUNNING TIME: 5:00 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EVqyXlZonc
Too progressive to appeal to hard rock fans; too hard rock to appeal to progressive fans ... Such was the fate for the short lived Glencoe. 'Airport' stands as a great example of how these guys simply fell in the early-'70s musical chasm between those different genres. Shame since the song had everything you look for in a good tune - catchy melody; sweet vocals, nice arrangement, and even a sly little nod to The Beatles' 'Hey Bulldog'. It was tapped as a UK single:
- 1972's 'Airport' b/w 'It's' (Epic catalog number S EPC 1187)
Added: 06 December, 2023
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ARTIST: The Artistics SONG TITLE: I'm Gonna Miss You WRITER(S): Marvin Smith - Jesse Bolian - Larry Johnson RUNNING TIME: 2:35 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO8hk5pgh6M
Their only top-10 hit, the title track was simply a soul classic. Mesmerizing on every level with a melody that was instantly memorable. With Smith on lead it's always reminded me of what The Temptations would have sounded like if they'd decided to record a Beach Music tune. Guaranteed to make you smile. In 1999 a bunch of Northern Soul fans arranged for a brief reunion between Johnson, Smith and Thomas. The trio were recorded singing this tune for a Northern Soul DVD project 'The Strange World of Northern Soul". The performance was quite good; particularly given they were no long young men, but then they may have been lip synching. You can check it out yourself: (I think the line up left to right reflects Curt Thomas, Marvin Smith, and the late Larry Johnson).
Added: 04 December, 2023
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ARTIST: The O'Jays SONG TITLE: Pot Can't Call the Kettle Black WRITER(S): Walter Williams - Eddie Levert - Terry Stubbs - Dwayne Mitchell RUNNING TIME: 4:28 YEAR: 1989 YOUTUBE LINK: A Pot Can't Call The Kettle Black - YouTube
1989's "Serious" had to be one of The O'Jays' dullest albums. Boring songs; hideous '80s production sound, and flat, unenthusiastic performances from what was one of America's best soul groups. BUT, buried in the wasteland was 'Pot Can't Call the Kettle Black". Maybe because it was written by members of the group, the result was a classic O'Jays performance. You could almost hear Eddie Levert, Sammy Strain, and Walter Williams smiling as they cruised through this one and even though there were plenty of those horrible '80s production effects, the song was so good (The refrain so giddy), you didn't notice the syndums, synthesizer washes, and stutter effects. Those harmonies are ... sweet, sweet, sweet.
Added: 03 December, 2023
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ARTIST: The Originals SONG TITLE: Come Rain or Shine WRITER(S): C.P. Spencer - Frank Gorman - M. Ragin RUNNING TIME: 2:51 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwA9AA5YRJ4
The breezy, shag ready, radio-friendly 'Come Rain or Shine' was easily the standout performance on 1972's "Definition" LP. As the album's lone original composition, given the caliber of the song, you had to wonder why The Originals weren't allow to record more of their own material.
Added: December 01, 2023
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ARTIST: Hollins Ferry SONG TITLE: Lonely City WRITER(S): RIck Fahey RUNNING TIME: 4:20 YEAR: 1977 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_1zGZY3wZo
Off their criminally overlooked 1977, self-titled album, 'Lonely City' showed Hollins Ferry could toughen up their sound without losing their penchant for great melodies. Hate Nick Longo's rhythm guitar riff on this one since you can't get it out of your head.
Added: November 30, 2023
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ARTIST: Edwin Starr SONG TITLE: Time Is Passin' By WRITER(S): James Dean - William Weatherspoon RUNNING TIME: 2:50 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M1hEg4yOjIgle
I think The Monitors may have recorded it earlier. Starr's version didn't stray too far from their version, but the combination of the instantly catchy melody; cute lyrics; killer bass line, and Starr's simmering voice made this one of the album highlights. Another track should have been a massive single for the man.
Added: November 29, 2023
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ARTIST: Curtis Mayfield SONG TITLE: Move on Up WRITER(S): Curtis Mayfield RUNNING TIME: 8:50 YEAR: 1971 YOUTUBE LINK: Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up (youtube.com)
The second Curtis Mayfield track on my list !!! Classic Mayfield !!! One of his most inspirational performances and simply impossible to sit still through. The way he swept into the falsetto refrain was mesmerizing. When I don't understand the things going on around me, or when things look rough, this always lifts me up.
Obviously recorded later in his career (apparently for another German television performance), the band intro went on and on and on with the synthesizers being a poor substitute for the original horn arrangement, but still an impressive live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo50otY1nLI
The track was tapped as an international single: 7" format - 1971's 'Move On Up' b/w 'Underground' (Curtom catalog CR 1974) 12" format - 1988's 'Move On Up' b/w 'Little Child Running Wild' and 'Move On Up' (live)' (Curtom catalog number 12 CUR 101)
Added: November 28, 2023
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ARTIST: Leroy Hutson SONG TITLE: Never Know What You Can Do (Give It a Try) WRITER(S): Leroy Hutson - Michael Hawkins RUNNING TIME: 3:57 YEAR: 1976 YOUTUBE LINK: LEROY HUTSON NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO - YouTube
Sporting a nifty melody and a set of upbeat, self-empowerment lyrics that Curtis Mayfield effortlessly tossed off, 'Never Know What You Can Do (Give It a Try)' would not have sounded out of place on an Impressions album. Leroy Hutson's dry, snarling voice seldom sounded as good as on this track. The taunt strings and horns arrangement sounded like it was part of the Shaft soundtrack. Nice pick as a single, thought it should have been a much bigger hit.
- 1976's 'Never Know What You Can Do (Give It a Try)' b/w 'In the Mood' (Curtom catalog number CMS 0137
Added: November 27, 2023
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ARTIST: Wax SONG TITLE: Maybe WRITER(S): Andrew Gold - Graham Gouldman RUNNING TIME: 4:12 YEAR: 1989 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E4z4AhCrro
I'll readily admit I haven't listened to a song by the band Wax (the late Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman) since the late-'80s (has anyone?). I didn't even realize they'd released a fourth studio album - 1989's "A Hundred Thousand in Fresh Notes". I guess part of my ignorance can be blamed on the fact the collection didn't see a US release.
Anyhow, my recollections of Wax were of two talented pop craftsmen how knew their way around a catchy melody and who knew how to blend their voices into a highly commercial package. At the same time, their sound was way '80s and hasn't aged particularly well. Against that backdrop the song 'Maybe' recently caught me ear. While the song has that '80s production feel, Gold's voice was instantly recognizable; wrapped around a melody that grabbed you by the throat and simply wouldn't let go. Their harmonies were too-die-for and the Bacharach-and-David styled horn flourishes were simply icing on the cake. This was the kind of tune 10cc always dreamed about writing.
Added: November 25, 2023
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ARTIST: The Detroit Emeralds SONG TITLE: You're Getting a Little Too Smart WRITER(S): Abrim Tilmon RUNNING TIME: 3:39 YEAR: 1974 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556zH4MuPL8
You just knew that opening drum solo was going to get sampled to death and it has - 2Pac ('Only Fear of Death'); Common ('I Want You'); L.L. Cool J ('Back Seat of My Jeep'), Limp Bizkit ('The Nookei'), etc., etc. , ... Same with the hypnotizing bass line. Imagine what a mash-up of a Detroit soul group and Sly and the Family Stone would sound like and you'll be in the aural ballpark for this one. Simply killer tune that you won't be able to it still through. The song was tapped as a single:
- 1973's 'You're Getting a Little Too Smart' b/w 'Heaven Couldn't Be Like That' (Westbound catalog number W 213) # 101 pop; # 28 R&B
Added: November 24, 2023
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ARTIST: Eric Mercury SONG TITLE: It's Time for Me To Love You WRITER(S): Steve Cropper - Eric Mercury - William Smith RUNNING TIME: 9:23 YEAR: 1972 YOUTUBE LINK: Eric Mercury - It's Time For Me To Love You (youtube.com)
Eric Mercury was a largely unknown Canadian singer/songwriter who found himself recording with the Stax affiliated Enterprise label. His label debut was an enjoyable set of soul tunes, that occasionally came a bit too close to Richie Havens territory. While there were quite a few good songs, the standout was It's Time for Me To Love You.' Seriously, this may be one of the funkiest jams to ever come out of Stax. The song retained a distinctive Stax flavor, but the combination of The Memphis Horns, William "Smitty" Smith's Hammond B-3 fills (and you thought only Booker T. Jones could pull off that sound), Richie Simpson's machine gun drums, the Latin percussion touches, and the song's extended arrangement made it quite unlike your normal Stax release. Try sitting still through this one. Clocking in at over nine minutes, it was simply too short. A rarity for me in that this tune deserves five stars.
Added: November 22, 2023
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ARTIST: Curtis Mayfield SONG TITLE: So In Love WRITER(S): Curtis Mayfield RUNNING TIME: 2:46 YEAR: 1975 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bll10yozxRI
The glorious, slinky, and insidiously catchy, 'So In Love' was one of those rare songs that was worth the cost of the parent album by itself. Vocally and on guitar, Mayfield at his best - it's the perfect first dance tune for a wedding. And the horn arrangement, which has always reminded me of something off of a reggae tune), was too-die-for great. Easy to see why it was a single and returned Mayfield to the charts.
- 1975's 'So In Love' b/w 'Hard Times' (Curtom catalog number CHS 0105)
Added: November 21, 2023
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ARTIST: The Hudson Brothers SONG TITLE: Hollywood Situation WRITER(S): Bill Hudson - Mark Hudson - Brett Hudson RUNNING TIME: 2:49 YEAR: 1974 YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z9Pt2z4iA8
Seriously, I can hear the sarcasm already ... The Hudson Brothers. What a dork.
The funny thing about this is I was 16-17 when The Hudson Brothers had their brush with stardom. At that age I was already too old to have captured Hudson fever. As a result, I knew relatively little about the group. 'Hollywood Situation' was the tune that captured Casablanca Records' attention and was originally planned as their lead off single. Label President Neal Bogart liked the song so much he agreed to finance an album - 1974's "Hollywood Siutation". For anyone who thought these guys were nothing more than a television joke, the title track will come as a major shock. Power pop ? Commercial rock ? Who cares about the musical label ? Opening up with one of the catchiest guitar riffs I've heard in a long time and the nifty refrain,the tune melded a first-rate rock melody with a set of funny lyrics that took dead aim at their reputations. The song was just that friggin' good !!!
Added: November 20, 2023
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ARTIST: Peter Gabriel SONG TITLE: Sky Blue WRITER(S): Peter Gabriel RUNNING TIME: 6:37 YEAR: 2002 YOUTUBE LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZXpHF5MCbc
At work I mentioned to a friend I'd seen Peter Gabriel and Sting this past summer. He asked if they'd played "Sky Blue'. The answer was no, but having heard the studio version I can remember being less than overwhelmed, so it wasn't a great disappointment for me. Yeah, I remember the song had a typically stark and stunning Gabriel melody, but so does most everything in his catalog. And them I stumbled across a 2003 live performance of the song. Taken from Gabriel's "Growing Up Live" concert DVD, the live performance wasn't all that different from the studio version, with the exception of what the The Blind Boys of Alabama brought to the song ... simply stunning. Around the six minute mark the Blind Boys cut loose and it's ... well spine tingling.
And if you find "Sky Blue" stunning, then check out "Cloudless". Basically the same song without Gabriel's voice, but with the addition of a distinctive African flavor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyFT432hhpo
Added: November 18, 2023
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ARTIST: Noah SONG TITLE: Bury the Remains WRITER(S): Peter Vandertogt RUNNING TIME: 3:11 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK Noah - Noah 1970 (Canada, Psychedelic/Pop Rock) Full Album (youtube.com)
Recorded by the Canadian band Noah and the leadoff track from their self-titled 1970 LP, to my ears 'Bury the Remains' was a near perfect garage rock-pop tune. Offering a wonderful mixture of jittery guitars, stabbing organ, and syrupy sweet vocals, imagine CSN&Y had they shared a garage rock background ... And was that an anti-drug lyric I detected ? If so, that was the case, talk about being quite daring for the time. Wish there were a YouTube clip for this one, but there doesn't seem to be.uite darine time.
Added: November 15, 2023
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ARTIST: Hearts of Stone SONG TITLE: What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) WRITER(S): Johnny Bristol - Harvey Fuqua - Vernon Bullock RUNNING TIME: 2:59 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go9LsmOLFY4
What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) (Johnny Bristol - Harvey Fuqua - Vernon Bullock) - 2:59
Bless their souls, but The Heats of Stone had the misfortune of being an exceptionally talented group signed to a label that was packed with equally talented outfit. Add to that, they wrote much of their own material and weren't your typical roll-over-and-do-what-management-asks. That probably spelled the end of their working relationship with Motown.
Their lone album for Motown's V.I.P. label is great. You can see my comments at: http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/HEARTSofSTONE.htm
As good as their lone album for Motown's V.I.P. subsidiary was, this tune was one of the highlights. Yeah, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, Johnny Bristol, and even Kenny G. may have had the bigger hits with their versions of this song, but to my ears Hearts of Stone recorded the definitive version. Beach music at its best - one of those things I have never been able to shake out of my head. They just sound like they're having so much fun on this one and their harmonies never sounded better.
Added: November 12, 2023
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ARTIST: Tammi Terrell SONG TITLE: What a Good Man Is He WRITER(S): William Robinson - A. Cleveland RUNNING TIME: 2:59 YEAR: 1968 YOUTUBE LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h630sn66iQ8
This tune was one of the highlight on Terrell's uneven 1968 "Irresistible" album. In fact, it gets my vote for the album's standout track, It was simply irresistible (ha). As if Terrell didn't have enough appeal, on this one she brought all of her sassy edge to the fore. Makes you wonder if she was thinking about then-boyfriend David Ruffin ... Motown apparently intended to release it as a single, but for some reason elected not to - perhaps it was just too sexy for the marketplace ? Shame they didn't since it was a simply killer performance. Always loved the organ on this one.
Added: November 10, 2023
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ARTIST: Robin Trower SONG TITLE: Caledonia WRITER(S): James Dewar - Robin Trower RUNNING TIME: 3:40 YEAR: 1976 YOUTUBE LINK Caledonia (youtube.com)
This one's here for one reason - Mark Funk taking the time from his high school career to introduce me to the genius of Robin Trower. Some five decades later and as the proud owner of a dozen Trower albums, I treasure each and every one of them. Thanks Mark. That makes picking a "favorite" Trower song really hard. Certainly the late James Dewar's stellar vocals are part of the song's appeal. The fact it's one of Trower's tightest performances, with an almost mystical aura (the title is a Celtic name for Scotland), are just icing on the cake. Here's what I wrote about the song some twenty years ago: The driving 'Caledonia' easily makes it into my Trower top-10 list. Powered by another wonderful Dewar vocal, this one sounded like a V8 motor going into overdrive, with Trower's solo setting off the afterburners ... The only criticism was the song was simply too short. Awesome choice as a single:
- 1976's 'Caledonia' b/w 'Messin' with the Blues' (Chrysalis catalog number CHS 2122)
Added: N0vember 08, 2023
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ARTIST: Al Green SONG TITLE: I'm a Ram WRITER(S): Roosevelt Sykes RUNNING TIME: 2:58 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK Al Green - I'm A Ram (Official Audio) (youtube.com)
Where do you even start trying to pick an Al Green tune for a "favorites" list? In this case you go with something that's a little outside of his best-known catalog. Yes, it was a hit, but today lots of people will not be familiar with it. And as much as I love Green's silky smooth ballads, he's even better on the funkier material. In that niche it doesn't get much better than the bruising 'I'm a Ram'. You had to wonder why Hi didn't release this one as a single. If I were in a cover band this would be one of the songs I insisted we include in our repertoire.
The
irony is that today many folks know the song as a result of it having been
featured in a Cherverolet
And if you want to hear his cover without the commercial shilling: I'm A Ram (youtube.com)
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ARTIST: The Byrds SONG TITLE: Chestnut Mare WRITER(S): Roger McGuinn - Jacques Levy RUNNING TIME: 5:10 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK Chestnut Mare (youtube.com)
I came to The Byrds late in their careers via 'Chestnut Mare.' Their folk-rock sound must have already sounded somewhat dated in 1970.
YouTube has am= interesting May, 1971 performance of the song for the German BeactClub television program: The Byrds - Chestnut Mare (1971) (youtube.com)
Added: October 30, 2023
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ARTIST: Shocking Blue SONG TITLE: Venus WRITER(S): Robby Van Leeuwen RUNNING TIME: 3:17 YEAR: 1969 YOUTUBE LINK Shocking Blue - Venus (Video) (youtube.com)
As an eleven year the stunning Mariska Veres was my first crush on a rock star. There was something fascinating about her heavily accented English vocals (she apparently learned the song phonetically), the snarl in her voice "yeah baby she's got it", mod outfits she wore, her long thick hair (it turned out to be a wig) and those coal dark eyes ... There's only one thing wrong with this song - it's too damn short.
Shocking Blue lead guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen wrote and produced 'Venus' basing the melody on a Tim Rose and the Big 3 tune - 'The Banjo Song' which in term borrowed heavily from Steppehn Foster's 'Oh! Susanna.' Throw in some Pete Townshend-styled guitar moves and this was top-10 ready pop-rock.
YouTube has a clip of the band performing the song for a February 1970 appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops program. I've watched it a couple of times and the performance was so close to the studio version there's no way it could be live. Besides, there was no keyboard player. Ultimately who cares? Shocking Blue - Venus (Live @ Top Of The Pops 1970) HD - YouTube
Added: October 29, 2023
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ARTIST: George Harrison SONG TITLE: All Things Must Pass Away WRITER(S): George Harrison RUNNING TIME: 3:46 YEAR: 1970 YOUTUBE LINK: George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (youtube.com)
In spite of what many of us think, none of us is perfect. And for legions of Beatles fans, that statement includes the late George Harrison. Regardless of what you think about Harrison's Fab Four and solo musical catalog, 'All Things Must Pass Away' comes about as close to perfection as possible. As someone with the sensitivity of a brick, this is one of those songs that still stops me in my tracks. Cloaked in a beautiful, bittersweet melody and showcasing some of Harrison's most insightful lyrics, if you ever feel yourself getting to big for your pants, this song will quickly sit you right. My only complaint is producer Phil Spector's bizarre decision to include bouncy horns. John Barham came up with the arrangement which featured Bobby Keys on sax and Jim Price on trumpet and trombone.
At
least part of the song's inspiration came from a poem the late LSD guru
Timothy Leary had written - 'All
Things Pass.' In turn, Leary had relied on the Tao Te Ching for
inspiration. It's always amazed me th
Added October 28, 2023
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ARTIST: Vistas SONG TITLE: Sucker WRITER(S): Prentice Robertson - Jacob Campbell RUNNING TIME: 3:36 YEAR: 2022 YOUTUBE LINK: Vistas - Sucker (youtube.com)
Vistas were one of my COVID-era discoveries ... While in quarantine and on an extended telework arrangement with my employer, I got in the habit of waking up early and walking four or five miles before a lot of other people were out on the trails. During one of those walks I was listing to an NPR podcast which played a snippet of something by Vistas. I'd never heard of the band, didn't catch the song title and wasn't even sure that I'd got the band name right. While the song snippet was a little bouncy for 5:30 in the morning (it turned out to be 'Sucker'), I liked what I'd heard and tracked down a copy of their newly minted LP "Everything Changes In the End". As for 'Sucker,' it sounded like these guys had spent the last year dissecting Western pop music and figuring out the mechanics of creating a top-10 hit. Virtually everything here screamed massive hit - buoyant melody; addictive chorus; enthusiastic lyrics; soccer chants and a tasty little guitar solo. How did radio miss this one? The band also filmed a cute, though heart crushing video for the song (see the above link). The track also served as the album's second digital single.
Added: October 26, 2023
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ARTIST: Living In a Box SONG TITLE: Living In a Box WRITER(S): Marcus Vere - Steve Piggot RUNNING TIME: 3:36 YEAR: 1987 YOUTUBE LINK: Living In A Box - Living In A Box (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
The mid-'80s were awash with good looking "new wave" synthesizer-propelled English bands. Among them the Sheffield-based Living In a Box. Pulled from their self-titled debut album, the title track was one of the first things keyboard players Steve Pigot and Marcus Vere collaborated on. The title was apparently inspired by a friend of the band who was complaining about the size of his apartment. Recorded two years after it was written, the patented jumpy '80s synthesizers are ear-candy, but it's Richard Darbyshire' detached vocals that make this one so great. It was a top-5 hit in the UK and the band's only US top-40 success.
Added: October, 24, 2023
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ARTIST: James Taylor SONG TITLE: September Grass WRITER(S): James Taylor RUNNING TIME: 4:49 YEAR: 2002 YOUTUBE LINK: September Grass James Taylor (youtube.com)
'September Grass' is simply one of the prettiest, most thought provoking songs I own - certainly one of the best things James Taylor ever wrote. The melody is simultaneously breezy and melancholy; the lyrics perfectly capturing the changing seasons, be they meteorological, or in terms of our own lives. Yeah, when you hit your 60s you start to think about time. Where has it gone?
Freelance filmmaker/videographer Paul Joy's promotional video is one of those clips that just stops me in my tracks ... Geez, I remember playing this one for weeks before I went to bed.
Added: October 20, 2023
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ARTIST: Charlie SONG TITLE: Johnny Hold Back WRITER(S): Terry Thomas RUNNING TIME: 4:18 YEAR: 1977 YOUTUBE LINK: charlie johnny hold back - YouTube
Two Charlie tunes in a row !!! As a 17 year old American living in Belgium there were times when I felt kind of isolated. One of the saving graces was listening to Radio Caroline. 'Johnny Hold Back' was one of the first songs I heard on that station and I can remember rushing to the local base exchange; discovering they didn't have a clue who this band were, and then dashing to a local Belgian music store to buy a copy. I graduated high school in 1977 (yes, I'm now an old man), and these guys were in constant rotation on my stereo. Off to college and the rest of my dorm seemed to be into Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Frampton, etc. and while I loved all of those bands, the parent album "No Second Chance" was one of four albums I took with me. This srocker struck me as being better than anything those other bands released in '77. Not sure my dorm-mates agreed with me ... though it still sounds fresh to me after all these years. Awesoem Terry Thomas guitar solo !!!
The tune was also tapped as a single:
1977's 'Johnny Hold Back' b/w 'Love Is Alright'' (Janus catalog number J-272)
Added: October 15, 2023
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ARTIST: Charlie SONG TITLE: Thinking About You WRITER(S): Terry Thomas RUNNING TIME: 5:07 YEAR: 2015 YOUTUBE LINK: Thinking About You - YouTube
I've been a massive Terry Thomas and Charlie fan since I discovered them in high school. 'Thinking About You' is from what was apparently their final studio album - 2015's "Elysium."
One of the few songs on the album without a shred of social commentary, 'Thinking About You' found Thomas turning his attention to personal relationships. Kicked along by Steve Alexander mammoth sounding drums, the results managed to combine those patented Charlie harmonies with a dark and ominous vibe that made for the album's standout performance. Thomas has seldom sounded as pissed off (and he sounds mad most of the time). Should've been a massive single for Thomas and company ...
Added: October 14, 2023
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ARTIST: Sade SONG TITLE: Soldier of Love WRITER(S): Sade Adu - Paul Deman - Stuart Matthewman RUNNING TIME: 4:58 YEAR: 2009 YOUTUBE LINK: Sade - Soldier of Love - Official - 2010 (youtube.com)
Ah Sade Adu
... another artist where it's almost impossible to decided on a
particular song to add to
Added: October 04, 2023
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ARTIST: The Black Eyed Peas SONG TITLE: Where Is the Love WRITER(S): will.i.am -Justin Timberlake- Taboo - apl.de.ap - Printz Board - Michael Fratantuno - George Pajon, Jr. RUNNING TIME: 4:58 YEAR: 2009 YOUTUBE LINK: The Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
My gawd how time passes ... I can remember dancing to this song in the basement with my young son in my arms. There was something special about this song - the lyrics, the beat, the melody ... The song still gets me where it counts. The group was apparently about ready to call it quits when their label asked them to consider a more commercial sound. That set them into competing factions with will.i.am very opposed to "selling out" while Taboo and the others were willing to try a more commercial approach. The song was apparently inspired in part by the September 11th attacks. will.i.am came up with the rhythm loop and guitar; Taboo came up with the bulk of the lyrics and brought in an uncredited Justin Timberlake helped with the lyrics and helped on the ear-candy chorus. His participation was kept quiet for fear it would lead to over-exposure given he was about to release a solo album.
The promotional video is great.
It's a little raw, but YouTube has a live appearance from July, 2005 where they participated at the Live 8 charity concert: Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love? (Live 8 2005) (youtube.com)
Added: October 01, 2023
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My
wife got me a subscription to Acorn television and I quickly
fell for the
charms of a New Zealand drama-edy entitled "Under the
Vines." Starring Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards as a pair
of step-cousins who inherit a small, barely functional vineyard there's no
violence; no car chases; no special effects ... And along with the
gorgeous countryside, that may be a big part of the series' charms
for me. 
Kelly
wrote the song in 1969 and the following year recorded it with his
band Boffalongo . It served as the band third and final single, but
did nothing commercially, After Boffalango broke up Kelly's
brother/drummer Wells Kelly and singer/multi-instrumentalist Dave
"Doc" Robinson continued their musical partnership in the
Paris-based band King Harvest. They brought the song to the the
band's attention and they promptly recorded a cover of the
tune. Released after King Harvest had broken up, the track was
released as a single in 1972, hitting the US top-20 Billboard
charts. It was enough to instigate a brief King Harvest reunion and
a couple of follow-on LPs. 
he
first 45 I ever bought ... I remember walking down to the local Post
Exchange and finding a copy for ... 75 cents? Certainly less
than a dollar. The parent album was available for $4.50. The
lyrics seemed so mystical to a thirteen year who thought he'd conquered
the world when he bought his first pair of bell bottom blue jeans.
And then the older brother of a friend told me they were the sons of
American civilians living in the United Kingdom. OMG, they were
nomads like I was. Yeah, today the lyrics are English class
gibberish ("There were plants, and birds,
and rocks, and things ..."), but the melody is so burned
into my memory and brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. 
commercial
for Ram pick-up trucks. It gets even weirder in that the commercial
features Chris Stapleton on vocals. Don't believe me? 
at
this was a Beatles
castoff. Harrison presented the song to The Beatles as a
potential candidate for their "Get Back"
project. John Lennon suggesting minor changes to the lyrics and the
group spent several days working on the song. ON his birthday
Harrison went into the Apple Studios and recorded a demo of the track, but
the band ultimately decided not to record the composition. A
frustrated Harrison gave it to Billy Preston who with a slightly modified
title 'All Things (Must' Pass)', included it on his Apple Records debut -
1970's "Encouraging Words." A
copy of Harrison's early demo appeared on "George Harrison
Early Takes , Volume 1" and can be found on YouTube: 
the
list. What's not to like about this lady? Elegant,
sophisticated, supremely talented and clearly her own person; recording
music when she felt like it and not when her record label demanded
it. In this case I decided to go with something that's perhaps a
little bit lesser known that her typical hits (it peaked at # 52 on the US
pop charts) - the martial 'Solider of Love.' Her first release in a
decade, the song showcased Sade's instantly recognizable voice, but the
sound on this one was so different. Powered by Martin Ditchman's
military kick drum and snares, Paul Denman's threatening bass and Stuart
Matthewman's distorted lead guitar, this was one of the most
take-no-prisoners love songs I've ever heard. This one grabs me by
the throat and won't let go, leaving me with the impression you didn't
what to get on Sade Adu's band side.