Posts

"Chimes of Freedom".

OK, girls and boys, more jingle-jangle: This 1964 Dylan opus was heavily influenced by Rimbaud's poetry and was called by Paul Williams "Dylan's Sermon On The Mount". It expresses his solidarity with the downtrodden and the oppressed as he and his companion watch a thunderstorm from shelter. It marks Dylan's transition from his "protest" period to a "born-again pacifist moral poet". The Byrds' ethereal version on their first studio album adds another layer of meaning as McGuinn's 12-string Rickenbacker sound evokes the song's title. Song? Answer: "Chimes of Freedom". A classic! To this day (since '65!), it is absolutely impossiible for me (or any other Byrds nut!) to sit down with a 12-string and not play "Chimes Of Freedom". Crosby's high harmonies are ANGELIC! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrtFg6gJ6Cc&list=RDyrtFg6gJ6Cc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDOHhx_dk1g&list=RD...
Post a Comment
Read more

Vanilla Fudge.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This "cross between psychedelia and early heavy-metal" band from NYC cut 5 albums between 1967 and 1969. They started out as Rick Martin and The Snowmen and later evolved into The Pigeons. Heavily influenced by The Young Rascals, they recorded excellent covers of Beatles and Cher songs. Their biggest hit was a Supremes cover featured during the final episode of "The Sopranos". Group? Biggest hit? Answer: Vanilla Fudge. "You Keep Me Hangin' On". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJO47d26kc&list=RD3dJO47d26kc&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more

"Playboy" by Gene and Debbe.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Singer/songwriter Gene Thomas met young vocalist Debbe Neville in Nashville. They were signed by Acuff-Rose Music to record under the TRX label. Their one hit was a 1968 Thomas composition that sold over a million copies, was awarded a Gold Record and peaked at #18. A dialogue between a woman warning her beau about his reputation as a heartbreaker and the man triying to prove his sincere love. Very pleasant pop/country harmonies. Song? Duo? Answer: "Playboy" by Gene and Debbe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlxq0pCiCc&list=RDeDlxq0pCiCc&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more

"Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This beat/pop band from North London formed in 1963. They had a female drummer, Honey Lantree, very rare in those days. Their only hit was a Howard/Blaikley collaboration - it reached #1 in the UK, Australia and Canada and #5 in the U.S. Group? Hit? Answer: "Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs. I remember watching them doing "Have I the Right" on "Shindig" - mighty cool! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZUWHfI6EuE&list=RD2ZUWHfI6EuE&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more

"Beach Baby" by The First Class.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Husband-and-wife singer/songwriter duo John Carter/Gillian Shakespeare wrote their major hit in 1974 in southwest London, far away from any shore. They recruited lead vocalist Tony Burrows ("Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)", "Gimme Dat Ding", "United We Stand") and Chas Miller to form a pop studio-based group. Riding the wave of 60s nostalgia and with Brian Wilson-esque rich harmonies, it peaked at #4 in the US and at #13 in the UK. Group? Song? For extra credit, name Carter's 1965 hit. Answer: "Beach Baby" by The First Class. Extra credit: "Tossing and Turning". A little bubblegummy but I always liked "Beach Baby". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeGPpwFpIAA&list=RDoeGPpwFpIAA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAkIbLSYOBI&list=RDbAkIbLSYOBI&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more

"Misirlou" by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones.

OK, boys and girls, a little "exotica" this morning: This popular Greek "orphan" song's title loosely translates into "Egyptian girl". Introduced by Michalis Patrinos in 1927, it was then "adopted" by Nick Roubanis in 1941, crediting himself with the song. A classic surf-guitar version was recorded by Dick Dale in 1962 and covered by the Beach Boys in '63. In '94 it became the "theme" for "Pulp Fiction". Tune? Answer: "Misirlou" by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones. Originally titled "Miserlou". It's even on Guitar Hero II! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8&list=RDZIU0RMV_II8&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aKTHBzgKg8&list=RD5aKTHBzgKg8&start_radio=1S
Post a Comment
Read more

Antinio Paoli.

OK, boys and girls, a toughie this morning: Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, this dramatic tenor was the first Puerto Rican to gain international fame in the musical arts. He was also the first singer to record an entire opera - "Pagliacci" in 1912. He was dubbed "The King of Tenors and The Tenor of Kings". He was "black-balled" from the Metropolitan Opera House by Enrico Caruso, a major shareholder and influential figure at The Met, because of professional jealousy and fear of competition. This, along with WWI, caused him to lose his fortune. He returned to Puerto Rico, where he taught singing and ran a music school with his sister. He also did some professional boxing on the side! Tenor? Answer: Antonio Paoli (1871-1946). He was also very influential in the creation of the prestigious Conservatory of Music in San Juan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFXJOg9Xxg&list=RDqnFXJOg9Xxg&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more