Category: Music

Badfinger – Dennis

Badfinger has always been one of my favorite bands. They had a brilliant songwriter Pete Ham and a very good one Tommy Evans. No Matter What is considered one of the earliest power pop songs.

Badfinger is the band that got me into power pop. After reading about them my interest widened into Big Star and then the Raspberries. If any of you readers have a time machine I could use…take me back to January 19, 1973, at the Chicago Aragon Ballroom…where The Raspberries opened up for Badfinger. That would be a power pop dream.

This song was featured on their 1974 album Wish You Were Here. It was written by Pete Ham and he is the lead vocalist. Dennis is on many “Badfinger Best” lists…in some number 1 over Baby Blue, Day After Day, and No Matter What. The melody in this song is very good.

The album was released in late 1974 and was pulled in early 1975 before it had time to do anything because of litigation between Badfinger’s manager (Stan Polley) and the Warner Brothers. It was released and pulled in a matter of weeks. Warner Brothers saw the money was missing (Polley took it all out of trust) and yanked the album off of the shelves. It was rising in the charts when it was pulled. They recorded another album right after this called Head First but because of litigation, it wasn’t released until 2000.

The band was basically broke. With all of their self-written hits, they should have been set financially for years.

Pete Ham didn’t have the money to pay his mortgage and with a baby on the way drunk and depressed at the fatal age (for rock stars) of 27 Ham hanged himself at the age of 27 in his garage studio in 1975. In 1983 after scrambling for gigs, Tom Evans broke and was not able to get to any of the royalties due him from co-writing Without You with Pete…hanged himself also.

Dennis

Deeper waters flowedRecently it showedTryin’ to cover your headTryin’ to frighten youTryin’ to fight with youReally gettin’ you scaredBut don’t you worry, you love of minePretty soon it will all be fineAnd we’ll just go on

Higher hills to climbClimbin’ all the timeTryin’ to find a way throughFallin’ down again, on the ground againWonderin’ what you can doBut don’t you worry, you love of oursThey look like weeds, but they’re really flowersAnd they’ll soon be gone

You won’t stand up, you won’t sit downYour head’s a mile above the groundAnd though we tend to scold you nowI couldn’t start to tell you howWe couldn’t start to tell you howThere’s just no way to say how much we love you

You, little Dennis, youYou’re full of new surpriseLove youYou, little Dennis with the rascal in your eyesYou’re a prize

It could be bad, it could be worseYou’re taking out your mother’s purseAnd though you cried when you got toldThe money there was for the oldTo keep their dogs from getting coldThe only thing that can’t be sold is love

You, little Dennis, youYou’re full of new surpriseLove youYou, little Dennis with the rascal in your eyes

Will you pick up your toys?Will you be a good boy?Will you please, please?

There’s a wayThere’s a wayIf you’ll playIf you’ll stayThere’s a way throughThere’s a way toTake away blueTake away blue

There’s a wayThere’s a wayIf you’ll playIf you’ll stayThere’s a way throughThere’s a way toTake away blueTake away blue

There’s a wayThere’s a wayIf you’ll playIf you’ll stayThere’s a way throughThere’s a way to

…

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Pagan Baby

John turned his Kustom K200/A Amp up to 11 with this song. It’s a little harder than their radio hits and they dip into blues rock with this cut. It was never released as a single but has become a fan favorite, especially among those who appreciate CCR’s rock album tracks.

It featured on their 6th studio album  Pendulum released in 1970. This album was the last to feature Tom Fogerty, the band’s rhythm guitarist and older brother of lead singer John Fogerty. He would leave the band band after this one. The album departed from the band’s previous work in several ways. Fogerty’s songs are strong throughout and are made more interesting by the addition of horns and keyboards

It was recorded at Wally Heider’s studio in San Francisco, it took a month to record which was a long time for a Creedence album. , was down to the fact that the initial take on each song was performed by all four members, this was then followed by overdubbing by John. The overdubs included a horn section, keyboards, and additional backing vocals, all of which were played and sung by John.

The album was met with mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the deeper sound they had in their songs. Some wanted the rawer energy they had on their previous 5 albums. It included the two hits Have You Ever Seen The Rain and Hey Tonight. Pagan Baby does have that earlier CCR energy.

Pendulum peaked at #5 on the Billboard Album Charts, #2 in Canada, and #8 in the UK in 1970. Their next album Mardi Gras was the only CCR album to be panned by critics and fans alike…including John Fogerty.

Pagan Baby

Pagan baby, won’t you walk with me?Pagan baby, come on home with me.Pagan baby, take me for a ride.Roll me, baby, roll your big, brown eyes.

Yeah! ooh! ooh!

Pagan baby, let me make your name.Drive it, baby, drive your big love game.Pagan baby, what you got, I need.

Don’t be savin’, spread your love on me.

Aah! mm-mm-mm!

Pagan baby, now won’t you rock with me?Pagan baby, lay your love on me.

Yeah, yeah!Aah! hey, hey!

Aah! hey! yeah!Hey! hey! haaaaaaay!

…

Ricky Nelson – Stood Up

Around 1984 or so I really started to get into Ricky Nelson. Song after song of quality. At first, I only knew Garden Party but it’s his 50s catalog where many of his best songs are found…and I love Garden Party.

By 1957, Ricky Nelson was already a well-known actor from his role on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”, a TV show that starred his real-life family. His transition into music was initially seen as a part of his television character, but he quickly proved his talents as a serious musician. The show helped him of course but also hurt his credibility as a rock and roll artist.

Stood Up was part of a string of hits he was enjoying in the late 50s. The song was written by Dub Dickerson and Erma Herrold. The great James Burton, who would later lead Elvis’s TCB Band,  played guitar on this song.

The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard 100 and #27 in the UK in 1957. Stood Up was his second #2 single and the next year he would have his first number one with Poor Little Fool. Poor Little Fool featured The Jordanaires, who were Elvis Presley’s backing singers.

Throughout the 1960s, Nelson continued to record rockabilly and evolve as an artist. He shifted to a more folk-rock sound and formed The Stone Canyon Band and in 1972 he had the hit Garden Party.

Stood Up

Well, I’ve been waitin’ ever since eightGuess my baby’s got another dateStood up, broken-hearted, again

I’ll bet she’s out havin’ a ballNot even thinkin’ of me at allStood up, broken-hearted, again

Well, I know just what I oughta doI oughta find somebody newBut, baby, I couldn’t forget about youStood up, broken-hearted, again, mm

Why must I always be the oneLeft behind never havin’ any fun?Stood up, broken-hearted, again

But I guess I’ll go on bein’ a foolSittin’ around just waitin’ for youStood up, broken-hearted, again

Well, I know just what I oughta doI oughta find somebody newBut, baby, I couldn’t forget about youStood up, broken-hearted, again

Stood up, broken-hearted, againStood up, broken-hearted, again

.

Car Songs… Part 4

This is part 4 of this series and I thought it was about time to do another installment. I found some more rare songs this time except for Mr. Berry. 

Kinks – Cadillac

I think all of these I do must have Cadillac in at least one song. This one was on their debut album and it was written and recorded by Bo Diddley in 1960. The Kinks debut album Kinks was released in 1964. 

 Gene Vincent – Pink Thunderbird

This song was written by Tex Davis and Paul Peek. It was released by Gene Vincent in 1957. Gene Vincent’s voice and slap back echo go together perfectly. Every rock artist after Gene Vincent has gone after that sound including Springsteen.

Cliff Gallup played some great guitar on this recording. He recorded 35 tracks with Vincent including Be-Bop-A-Lula. 

Chuck Berry – Maybellene

Chuck Berry was THE first guitar hero in Rock and Roll. He was also rock’s first poet. This song evolved out of “Ida Red,” a hillbilly song by Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys from the early ’50s. Berry heard that song on the Country radio station KMOX in St. Louis but didn’t know who recorded it.

Not only is the music great with the steady beat… but those lyrics. The motor cooled down the heat went down, And that’s when I heard that highway sound, the Cadillac a-sittin’ like a ton of lead, a hundred and ten half a mile ahead, the Cadillac lookin’ like it’s sittin’ still, and I caught Mabellene at the top of the hill

You can see what is happening in the song in your head with no problem… no MTV story video needed. He was one of the best descriptive lyricist rock and roll has ever had.

 

The Three Milkshakes – Jaguar

They were a rockabilly band from the 1980s led by singer Mark Kermode, who is now well-known as a British film critic. The group specialized in vintage rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly music, covering songs in a classic ’50s style. They were part of the vibrant rockabilly revival scene in the UK during that time.

Bob Dylan – From A Buick 6

This song is from Bob Dylan’s album Highway 61 Revisited released in 1965. This song was the B side to the single Positively 4th Street. It’s a cool bluesy song that has those Dylan lyrics going everywhere. It resembles Sleepy John Estes’ Milk Cow Blues.

…

Blue Harlem – Hallelujah! I Love Him So

CB recommended this band and it’s fresh sounding and I like their choice of covers. When I heard Imelda May sing…that was all I needed. I heard Hound Dog first and it sounds very 40s but yet modern. They now have a different singer but she is also great…Sophie Shaw. This is different for me and I like it…it’s nice to switch up occasionally. When I heard Hallelujah! I Love Him So it got me into them much more. I know this song very well…it was one of the first songs Quarrymen recorded and that led me to Ray Charles who wrote and recorded the song. 

Blue Harlem has been one of the top swing/jump-blues bands on the London scene for over 25 years. They have become regular favorites at venues such as the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s, The 100 Club, The Hippodrome, Hideaway, Jitterbugs, and more. They have been invited on three occasions to perform at Highgrove House charity balls for the Prince’s Trust. 

They are a British band formed in 1996 by tenor saxophonist and arranger Al Nicholls. Known for blending jazz and rhythm and blues, they take inspiration from the swing and jump blues styles of the 1940s and 1950s. 

.They have also enjoyed international recognition, performing at festivals across Europe and the Middle East. Blue Harlem played a huge role in launching the career of vocalist Imelda May, who gained fame and success after performing with them. Sophie Shaw now serves as their lead singer, bringing a new feel to the band’s sound.

Imelda May left the group in the early 2000s.  After leaving, May quickly rose to fame in her own right with the release of her debut solo album No Turning Back in 2003, followed by her breakthrough album Love Tattoo in 2008.

Hallelujah! I Love Him So was on the album Talk To Me released in 2005 with May lead singing. I added Hound Dog by Blue Harlem as well…it was on their Me And My Radio album released in 2011. 

I have three songs. The bottom two feature Imelda May singing Hound Dog and Hallelujah! I Love Him So. Below is Sophia Shaw singing Swing Brother, Swing. She is a very good singer as well but I like May a little more. 

 

Hallelujah! I Love Him So

Let me tell you ′bout a boy I know
He is my baby and he lives next door
Every morning before the sun comes up
He brings my coffee in my favorite cup
That’s why I know, yes I know
Hallelujah I just love him so

When I′m in trouble and I have no friends
I know he’ll go with me until the end
Ev’rybody asks me how I know
I smile and tell them he told me so
That′s why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah I just love him so

Now if I call him on the telephone
And tell him that I′m all alone
By the time I count from one to four,
I hear him on my door
In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
He kisses me and he holds me tight
He tells me “baby everything’s all alright”
That′s why I know, yes I know
Hallelujah I just love her so

Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath

Happy Early Halloween Everyone!

It doesn’t get much more Halloween than this song. Black Sabbath was a hard rock band that gets credited a lot for influencing heavy metal. That is perplexing to me…what is heavy metal and what is hard rock? When I think of heavy metal I think of some of the many heavy 80s bands with a huge processed sound on guitar. That probably isn’t what others think of though.

The song was inspired by a series of ominous and eerie experiences. According to bassist Geezer Butler, the concept for the song emerged from a frightening incident he had after reading an occult book given to him by Ozzy Osbourne. Butler claims that after leaving the book on a shelf, he saw a dark figure standing at the foot of his bed that disappeared suddenly. This experience led him to write the lyrics. The song is credited to Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.

The album cover. It has to be the spookiest album cover ever. On one hand it looks real and on another it looks like a horror movie poster but better. At the center of the album cover is a mysterious, cloaked woman dressed in black. Her identity has been the subject of speculation for decades. Some have claimed she symbolizes a witch or an occult figure, which fits the band’s early associations with the dark arts. It’s one of rocks most iconic album covers.

Louisa Livingstone was a model that was hired for the cover. No one knew who she was until Rolling Stone tracked her down in 2020. Turns out Mrs. Livingstone is not much a fan of Black Sabbath after she finally listened to the album. It just wasn’t her type of music. She now records electronic music under the name of Indreba. Keith Macmillan is the photograhper who shot the album cover.

The album peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200, #29 in Canada, and #8 in the UK in 1970.

Keith Macmillan: “She was a fantastic model. She was quite petite, very, very cooperative. I wanted someone petite because it just gave the landscape a bit more grandeur. It made everything else look big. She wasn’t wearing any clothes under that cloak because we were doing things that were slightly more risqué, but we decided none of that worked. Any kind of sexuality took away from the more foreboding mood. But she was a terrific model. She had amazing courage and understanding of what I was trying to do.”

Louisa Livingstone: I had to get up at about four o’clock in the morning, or something as ridiculously early as that. It was absolutely freezing. I remember Keith rushing around with dry ice, throwing that into the pond nearby, and that didn’t seem to be working very well, so he was using a smoke machine. It was just, ‘Stand there and do that.’ I’m sure he said it was for Black Sabbath, but I don’t know if that meant anything much to me at the time.”

If you want to know about Black Sabbath’s album Black Sabbath VOL 4 cover… go to The Press Music Reviews.

Black Sabbath

What is this that stands before me?
Figure in black which points at me
Turn around quick, and start to run
Find out I’m the chosen one
Oh no

Big black shape with eyes of fire
Telling people their desire
Satan’s sitting there, he’s smiling
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Oh no, no, please God help me

Is it the end, my friend?
Satan’s coming ’round the bend
People running ’cause they’re scared
The people better go and beware
No, no, please God help me

ZZ Top – Goin’ Down To Mexico

That Lil Ol’ Band from Texas. I loved it when Billy Gibbons had this tone on his guitar. This was pre-Eliminator and his tone was just perfect. They sound loose in this but the music is tight. It’s classic ZZ Top. A buddy of mine had most of their albums and played this one a lot and Fandango.

I saw them on the Eliminator tour and they were fantastic. They had Sammy Hagar opening up for them after he released Three Lock Box. ZZ Top had the best lighting show I’ve ever seen to this day.

This song has the entire band credited. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. This song was on their debut album ZZ Top’s First Album released in 1970. That is an easy way of remembering it.

This album isn’t as polished as some of their others, but it previews exactly what sound you would get until Eliminator. ZZ Top was formed in 1969, with Billy Gibbons (guitar and vocals), Dusty Hill (bass), and Frank Beard (drums). Before forming ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons played in various bands, most notably The Moving Sidewalks, which opened for Jimi Hendrix during his 1968 tour.

The album didn’t make a huge splash commercially, but it helped establish the band as a powerful live act. The album was produced by Bill Ham, who became a key figure in shaping ZZ Top’s sound. He would go on to produce their subsequent albums and manage the band for decades. Ham produced or co-produced all of their albums up through 1996’s Rhythmeen as well as being their manager. They parted ways in 2006. He passed away in 2016 at 79.

Going Down to Mexico

I was on my way down to MexicoThere was trouble on the riseIt was nothin’ more than I’d left behindWhich was much to my surpriseI turned around and lit a cigaretteWiped the dust off of my bootsWhen up ahead I saw the crowdI knew it was no use

It’s been the same way for oh so longIt looks like I’m singin’ the same old song

A fine and fancy man was heDoin’ good things for the poorGivin’ rides in his rocket 88 for freeThey could not hope for moreWhen it came my turn, he said to me“Have I seen your face before?”I said, “Oh no, you must be wrongI’m from a distant shore”

So if you don’t mind, I’ll just move alongBut it looks like I’m singin’ the same old song

A 1940 movie starWith a long-forgotten nameShe was a sexy mess in her beaded dressStill hangin’ on to fameWith forgotten lines, she missed her cueAnd left her glass of wine at homeShe was singin’ the same song that I wasCould we both be wrong?

So hand in hand we walked alongEach of us singin’ the same old song

King Curtis – Soul Twist

As I was searching for 50s and early 60s songs for my painting playlist…I ran across this cool instrumental. I love that guitar and Curtis’s sax is really cool.  It has a dirty sound when it starts up and I find it quite infectious. The one guitar is playing that cool small riff and then the rhythm comes in to lift it up. Another new/old song to add to my playlist. John from https://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/ suggested it and I wanted to add to it anyway. 

Curtis was a great saxophonist who worked with many artists. He was on the Coasters Yakety Yak and Aretha Franklin’s Respect. He also worked with Buddy Holly, Nat King Cole, and The Shirelles to mention a few.

He also worked with Duane Allman and they formed a friendship. They worked on a few songs together but the one I like the best is their version of The Weight. Curtis’s sax sounds so good and clear in this version along with Duane’s slide playing.

In 1965, Curtis and the Kingpins opened for The Beatles at Shea Stadium. On August 13, 1971, King Curtis was tragically killed at the age of 37. He was stabbed during an argument outside his apartment in New York City. His sudden death shocked the music world, and Aretha Franklin sang at his funeral, along with other artists like Stevie Wonder and Duane Allman.

The song was successful…it peaked at #1 on the Billboard R&B Charts and #17 on the Billboard 100 in 1962. I have a playlist at the bottom that I made of instrumentals during my break. 

Duane Eddy – Forty Miles Of Bad Road

I made a playlist of instrumentals and took recommended ones from the 1950s. I think the heyday of instrumentals was the fifties and sixties. Here is one that caught my ear… Forty Miles Of Bad Road

I have a soft spot for that twangy reverb guitar. Eddy played a major role in shaping the surf rock genre and influenced many following guitarists. The song peaked at #11 in the UK, #4 in Canada, and #9 on the Billboard 100 in 1959. This song was written by Duane Eddy and Al Casey. The song was on the compilation album $1,000,000 Worth of Twang. Damn, that is a great name for an album! Not to mention the title of the song as well.

The phrase was apparently inspired by a comment overheard by Duane Eddy and his producer Lee Hazlewood while in line at a movie theater. They heard two guys talking about one of their blind dates. He said she looked like 40 miles of bad road. Of course, they looked at each other and said that has to be the title of our new song.

This (and many of his songs) was recorded in a Phoenix studio which had an echo chamber that was originally a large water tank. A single speaker was placed at one end of the tank, the microphone at the other, and the guitar was piped in there. The title was referenced in a REM song called Crush With Eyeliner…instead of 40 miles…”She’s Three Miles of Bad Road.”

Flamin’ Groovies – Teenage Head

This band went through two distinct phases: an early rock/blues era followed by a shift to power pop. Their diverse catalog spans power pop gems, gritty blues-rock, and classic rock ‘n’ roll. In this song, we’re focusing on their rock/blues period from the early ’70s, hearing the raw Groovies.

I first heard this band with the song Shake Some Action. That song is probably their best-known, but the blues/rock period should be heard. This song was written by Cyril Jordan and Roy A. Loney.

Released the same year as the Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers, Mick Jagger reportedly noticed the similarities between the Groovies Teenage Head album … and thought the Flamin’ Groovies did the better take on the theme of classic blues and rock ‘n roll. The band was started in 1965 by  Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan. By the end of the sixties, they clashed over where to go. Loney was more Stones and Jordon leaned toward the Beatles. Loney left in 1971 and they got an 18-year-old lead singer named Chris Wilson.

They moved to London and started to work with Dave Edmunds. With Chris, they did more power pop and that is when Shake Some Action came about with Wilson and Jordon writing it. They would go on to be a great power pop band known as an early proto-punk band…they pretty much covered the gamut. This anti-drug song was written by Jordon and Loney before he left…Chris Wilson is singing it.

I’ve listened to this album and it does sound very Stonesy but not copying them at all. This album was released before the Stones Sticky Fingers.

There is a Canadian band with the same name as this album and song…Teenage Head. They took their name from this song title and album. They quickly gained a loyal following on the Ontario club circuit for their shows, highlighted by Gord Lewis’ guitar work and frontman Venom’s (Frankie Kerr) vocals and on-stage presence.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1979 and distributed by Epic Records Canada. A year later, the group signed to Attic Records and released the Frantic City album, which put them on the international radar. The hit singles, “Something On My Mind” and “Let’s Shake” helped propel the album to platinum sales (100,000) in Canada.

I added another cool song off of the album called Yesterday’s Numbers.

Teenage Head

I’m a monster
got a revved up teenage head.
Teenage monster
California born and bred.
Half a boy and half a man
I’m half at sea and half on land, oh my
Bye-bye.

Got a woman,
she’s my hopped up high school queen.
She’s my woman,
she’s a teenage love machine.
She knows how to turn me on
and get me high and get it on and on,
yeah she does.

When ya’ see me,
better turn your tail and run,
’cause I’m angry
and I’ll mess you up for fun.
I’m a child of atom bombs
and rotten air and Vietnams; I am you,
you are me.

…

Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues

In my love for the Who, I never posted this version of this great song. I found out about Eddie Cochran through the movie The Buddy Holly Story where he was played by Jerry Zaremba. I then remember him in La Bamba when Brian Setzer played him to a tee. 

After that, I heard The Who’s version of this song and our band played it that way. I then heard Cochran’s version and loved it just as well. The song that really made me connect to Cochran was Twenty Flight Rock when I heard the Stones do it. 

Eddie Cochran was a huge influence on the up-and-coming British guitar players of the sixties. Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, John Lennon, and Pete Townshend. He was huge in the UK. He was one of the big 50s guitar heroes. He broke through with this song Summertime Blues in 1958 peaked at #8 on the  Billboard 100, #10 in Canada, and #18 in the UK. He also did well with C’mon Everybody. He was never really big in America… he was a bigger star in Europe.

He didn’t use his guitar as a prop like some did…he played it and played it well. He also worked as a session musician. He helped bring rock guitar along in more ways than just his playing. He was one of the first to modify his pickups and he did away with the wound G string on the guitar. He replaced it with an unwound string which made it easier to bend. Many future musicians were paying attention, sitting on the front row of his British tour.

In 1960, Cochran and Gene Vincent were in a hired car and it  hit a lamp post and Eddie was thrown from the car and suffered a head injury and died in a hospital. He was only 21 years old. Gene Vincent received injuries to his already bad leg and walked with a limp after the crash. Eddie was the only one to die.

Eddie’s girlfriend Sharon Sheeley was a songwriter. She wrote Ricky Nelson’s first hit “Poor Little Fool” and a couple of songs (Love Again and Cherished Memories) for Cochran. She also got injured in the crash. 

Summertime Blues

I’m a-gonna raise a fuss
I’m a-gonna raise a holler
About a-workin’ all summer
Just to try to earn a dollar

Every time I call my baby
Try to get a date
My boss says, “No dice, son
You gotta work late”

Sometimes I wonder
What I’m a-gonna do
But there ain’t no cure
For the summertime blues

Oh, well, my mom and papa told me
“Son, you gotta make some money
And if you wanna use the car
To go a-ridin’ next Sunday”

Well, I didn’t go to work
Told the boss I was sick
“Well, you can’t use the car
‘Cause you didn’t work a lick”

Sometimes I wonder
What I’m a-gonna do
But there ain’t no cure
For the summertime blues

I’m gonna take two weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
I’m gonna take my problem
To the United Nations

Well, I called my congressman
And he said, quote
“I’d like to help you, son
But you’re too young to vote”

Sometimes I wonder
What I’m a-gonna do
But there ain’t no cure
For the summertime blues

Doors – Touch Me

In the early eighties, I joined Columbia House and I would sign up fictional people and get free albums. I would buy the required albums for these fictional people but you would get 6-7 free albums for signing up someone to buy one album. Plus that person would get free albums when they joined. I saw the loophole and took advantage of it but I always paid. I got most of my Doors, Moody Blues, and a few other albums through Columbia House. 

This Robbie Krieger-written song is immediately likable. This Doors song and album differed from many others because of its orchestral arrangement, which includes brass and strings. It was largely arranged by producer Paul Rothchild. It was also very radio-friendly and Morrison’s voice sounded great in this pop backdrop…he did keep his edge up on the track. Many critics and fans saw the track as a sell-out for The Doors. To me, it was just them expanding their sound to a different genre. Plus the solo in the middle is clearly jazz-influenced not heard in many top 40 hits at the time. 

The song was on the Soft Parade album released in 1969. The album peaked at #6 on the Billboard Album Charts and #4 in Canada. The song did really well. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 100, #1 in Canada, and #6 in New Zealand. 

Soft Parade was their 4th studio album. They would only release two more albums with Morrison, Morrison Motel, and L.A. Woman (my personal favorite). With Soft Parade the band decided to experiment with a more polished, orchestral sound. Producer Paul A. Rothchild and arranger Paul Harris introduced horns, strings, and elaborate arrangements and this song is a good example. The two singles off this album were Touch Me and Wishful Sinful which just missed the top forty at #44.

In the Smothers Brothers clip, you will see Robbie Krieger with a black eye. Ray Manzarek said this: Three rednecks got in a fight with Jim and Robbie down the street from the Doors’ office at a bar and there was pushing and shoving and Robbie Krieger got whacked in the eye. Jim ducked a punch, Robbie wasn’t able to duck the punch. That was 2 days before we went on The Smothers Brothers’ Show. They said to Robbie on the show, Let’s put some make-up on that black eye. You don’t want to be on national television with a black eye. And Robbie said, Yes, I do! No one has ever gone on TV with a black eye. I’m going to be the first! It’s a badge of honor.

Touch Me

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Now touch me, babe
Can’t you see that I am not afraid?
What was that promise that you made?
Why won’t you tell me what she said?
What was that promise that you made?

Now, I’m going to love you
‘Til the heavens stop the rain
I’m going to love you
‘Til the stars fall from the sky
For you and I

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Now touch me, babe
Can’t you see that I am not afraid?
What was that promise that you made?
Why won’t you tell me what she said?
What was that promise that you made?

Now, I’m going to love you
‘Til the heavens stop the rain
I’m going to love you
‘Til the stars fall from the sky
For you and I

I’m going to love you
‘Til the heavens stop the rain
I’m going to love you
‘Til the stars fall from the sky
For you and I

Stronger than dirt

 

 

 

 

Who – Shout and Shimmy

If this song doesn’t get you up nothing will! I’ve probably covered The Who more than any other band but I’ve missed this excellent cover they did back in 1965. In this post, we will look at the song and the original drummer of The Who. 

This is a cover of a lively James Brown original from 1962. The Who recorded in 1965, it was on their My Generation album. It was also part of their appearance on the music show Ready, Steady, Go! alongside the song Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere. Shout and Shimmy did not achieve widespread fame, it reflects the band’s devotion to R&B and soul, influences that heavily shaped their early sound. They also covered the Marvelettes song Heat Wave which was a part of the Mod culture. James Brown wrote and released Shout and Shimmy in 1962.

The Who’s rendition captures the raw energy of their early sound. Keith Moon in the live cut of this is a blur on drums. He was 19 years old and joined The Who the year before replacing The Who’s original drummer Doug Sandom.

Sandom was a good guy and a solid drummer but he was 34 in 1964 and considered far too old for The Who by the record company. Pete Townshend wrote a moving forward to Sandom’s book in 2014: Had we continued together back in 1964 with Doug on drums we may never have become as successful as we are today. Keith Moon was a born publicist as well as a highly eccentric performer. But I have no doubt that personally, I would have been happier as a young man. Partly because I think we would have continued to put music and friendship first in our band because that was Doug’s way. With Doug as my friend, I believe I could have been a better man.

Doug drummed for them as The Detours and The Who. He had this to say about The Detours changing to The Who: “We were setting up our gear when the Ox arrived and told us there was another band called The Detours and they’d already been on TV so we had to change our name. That night we all went back to a friend of Pete’s – a wonderful chap called Richard Barnes (an author and has worked with the Who for decades), or Barnsy, to try to find a new name.

Barnsy initially suggested The Group and Pete favoured The Hair. Someone else suggested No One until we imagined a compere on stage saying: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome No One.’ We’d have been a laughing stock. It was Barnsy who came up with The Who. Pete tried to compromise by suggesting The Hair And The Who until it was pointed out that it made us sound like a pub. Anyway, Roger came round to mine the next day and said it was to be The Who.”

On one of their recording dates, Townshend and Sandom were not in good moods and Sandom retold it: “He had a terrible go at me, snarling, ‘What’s wrong with you? If you can’t get it right then you’re out.’ I just got up from my stool and said, ‘That’s it, I quit.’ It was the biggest mistake of my life.

Sandom stayed in touch with the band until he passed in 2019 at the age of 89 years old. 

I always try to give a studio and live version…but in this case…live is the way to go. Around 1:29 is where Moon kicks in. 

Shout and Shimmy

Do you feel alright? Well do you feel alright children? Do you feel alright?You know you make me want to shout shimmy, oh yeah you gonna shout shimmy,Oh yeah you gonna shout shimmy, oh yeah you gonna shout shimmy,Oh yeah you know I walk up to the front, I try to do the flop,I walk up to the back, and I move on side to side,Then I stop, oh yeah and then I drop,Oh yeah and then I drop, oh yeah and then I do a little thing ?????,Do you feel alright? Do you feel so good? Do you feel so good?Do you feel alright? Do you feel alright? Tell me now, tell me now,Do you feel alright? Do you feel alright? Everybody do you feel so good?You know I feel alright, you know you make me want to shout shimmy,Oh yeah you gonna shout shimmy, oh yeah you gonna shout shimmy,Oh yeah you gonna shout a little bit soft, shout a little bit quieter,Shout a little bit soft, come on soft, shout a little bit soft,A little bit soft, cool down, cool down, come on, cool it down,I feel so good, I feel alright, drum on, drum on, drum on drummer,Everybody everybody everybody clap your hands, come on clap your hands,Clap your hands, a little bit harder, a little bit louder,A little bit harder, a little bit louder, a little bit louder,Come on and shout, everybody, come on and shout, come on and shout baby,Come on and shout baby, do you feel alright? Do I feel so good?Do you feel alright? Do I feel so good? Call a doctor, call a doctor,Do you feel alright? Do you feel alright? Do you feel alright?Do you feel alright? Do you feel alright?You know I feel so good I’m gonna shout and shimmy all night,I feel all, you know I feel alright.

 

 

 

…

Brothers At Arms – Angus and Malcolm Young

Today’s installment of this series goes back to Max at Power Pop (that’s me!). We are stopping here but haven’t closed the door on revisiting more famous brother acts. Randy’s original post on mostlymusiccovers.com is here. Randy and I want to thank all of you who have followed along! At the bottom, I have the complete series labeled. 

 

Angus and Malcolm Young were the co-founders of the legendary rock band AC/DC. They had a unique and dynamic relationship that was marked by both collaboration and rivalry. The band was formed in 1973 by Malcolm, with Angus joining a little later. They were called AC/DC. The band’s name is inspired by the abbreviation for “alternating current/direct current” (AC/DC), signifying power and energy. They were influenced most by Chuck Berry, and you can hear it in their music. Malcolm would play rhythm guitar with Angus taking up the lead guitar for decades to come. They also had a brother named George who would help his younger brothers immensely in music. His contributions cannot be overstated.

Malcolm was born on January 6, 1953, and Angus on March 31, 1955, in Glasgow Scotland. In 1963 the family moved to Sydney Australia. George Young was born in 1946 and started a band called The Easybeats in 1964 playing rhythm guitar and either writing or co-writing many of their songs. They had 7 top 10 hits in Australia, two number one hits, and altogether 15 top 40 hits there! They did have one international hit which was “Friday On My Mind” which peaked at #1 in Australia, #2 in New Zealand, #6 in the UK, #13 in Canada, and #16 on the Billboard 100. It’s still played on classic rock radio today.

He encouraged his younger brothers to form a band, recognizing their talent and potential. George, along with his Easybeats bandmate Harry Vanda, mentored Malcolm and Angus. His experience in the music industry provided insights into songwriting, recording, and navigating the business. George would end up co-producing (with Vanda) six AC/DC albums. He would also produce some songs for future albums. The band underwent several lineup changes before settling with Bon Scott as the lead vocalist. They release their debut album, “High Voltage” exclusively in Australia in 1974. Angus and Malcolm would collaborate closely with songwriting.

Malcolm was a perfectionist in the studio while Angus was more of a free spirit. That caused some clashes but none to the degree of other brothers in rock.

Angus’s schoolboy-uniformed antics on stage were a stark contrast to Malcolm’s more reserved presence. This was important to the band’s success. They went through tough times with Bon Scott dying and starting again with a new singer Brian Johnson, but they only got more popular. It was a sad ending for Malcolm though. In 2014 Malcolm could no longer remember lyrics to songs. He was diagnosed with alcohol-related dementia and passed away in 2017. These brothers used their rivalries as a positive thing and pushed each other to greatness.

Buddy Blue – Upsettin’ Me

I really like the mood of this one. It reminds me of Fever but it is different. A very finger-snapping song. It was written by Buddy Blue (Bernard Seigal). I could picture this being played in a blues club in the 50s or 60s…such a groove to it…and it swings…slowly. After listening to it a couple of times I was hooked on it. I feel like I found a gem that no one knows about.

Originally a member of bands like The Beat Farmers and The Jacks, Buddy Blue was a figure in the roots rock and Americana genres. When I was on my break I was listening to different music but this is one of the guys I was listening to.

It was released in 2000 on the album Diposmania. He also did a different version of the song in his 2003 album Sordid Lives. I like the original version a little more because it’s more minimalist and his solo in the middle is fantastic.

He was the frontman and guitarist for The Beat Farmers. Buddy Blue’s musical roots began to paint its first strokes on the canvas of American rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s fusion of rock, punk, and country elements was a sonic cocktail that left audiences thirsty for more. With Blue’s vocals leading the band, The Beat Farmer’s energy became their trademark.

This song has a nice blues/jazz feel that I love. The sound sounds modern but also goes back to the 1950s.

Upsettin’ Me

The way you move when you walk in your black satin high heel shoes
Your perfume and your deep green eyes turn me into a fool
Well look on your faces everywhere I go
The heat of your body is all that I want to know
I’m never going to give you up baby you’re upsetting me

Nobody else can love you the way that your daddy do
Can’t you feel better at all I’m raising my flag just for you
Well I don’t have no money or fancy things
But Buddy is going to give you everything that you need
I’m never going to give you up you’re upsetting me
How you’re upsetting me

With your skin so sweet and your lips such a ruby red
You bending my soul baby yet and deep inside of my head
Well I tell you one thing honey ain’t no Lie
Another man touch you and he’s going to die
I’m never going to give you up babe you’re upsetting me
Yeah you’re upsetting me
Yeah you’re upsetting me

…