Haystak Music

Fred Milano, tenor with Dion and the Belmonts, dead at 72

2012-01-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Fred Milano, a city street-corner singer who became part of rock 'n' roll history as second tenor with Dion and the Belmonts, died Sunday. He was 72.Read more: Fred Milano, tenor with Dion and the Belmonts, dead at 72 - NY Daily News

Music Machine's Sean Bonniwell of 'Talk Talk' Fame, Dies at 71

2012-01-01T20:46:00.001-08:00

Woody Guthrie Gets a Belated Honor in Oklahoma

2012-01-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma has always had a troubled relationship with her native son Woody Guthrie. The communist sympathies of America’s balladeer infuriated local detractors. In 1999 a wealthy donor’s objections forced the Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City to cancel a planned exhibition on Guthrie organized by the Smithsonian Institution. It wasn’t until 2006, nearly four decades after his death, that the Oklahoma Hall of Fame got around to adding him to its ranks. Woody Guthrie Gets a Belated Honor in Oklahoma - NYTimes.com

Keith Richards, Mick Jagger pay for bluesman’s Homewood burial

2011-12-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are paying for private burial Tuesday of blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin at Washington Memorial Gardens in south suburban Homewood, the late musician’s partner said.

The lead guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf and sonar trailblazer died Sunday at the age of 80 in a New Jersey hospital.

In an online posting, the late musician’s partner, Tori Ann Mamary, said the Glimmer Twins “insisted on picking up the full expenses for Hubert’s funeral. God bless the Rolling Stones.”

Richards played on Sumlin’s 2004 solo release “About Them Shoes.” In a statement, Richard expressed his sorrow for Sumlin’s death and said he “put up a long hard fight. To me, he was an uncle and a teacher, and all the guitar players must feel the same as myself.”

Jagger added, “Hubert was an incisive yet delicate blues player. He had a really distinctive and original tone and was a wonderful foil for Howlin’ Wolf’s growling vocal style. On a song like ‘Goin’ Down Slow’ he could produce heart-rending emotion, and on a piece like “Wang Dang Doodle” an almost playful femininity. He was an inspiration to us all.”

At Washington Memorial Gardens, Sumlin will be laid to rest next to his longtime wife Bea, whom he often referenced on stage.

After the burial, a celebration of Sumlin’s life will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd.. in Berwyn.

Former Sumlin sideman and Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin and harmonica player Bob Corritore will lead a jam of musicians who shared the stage with Sumlin over the years. Donations will be collected at the door to cover some expenses for the funeral party, and the rest will be donated to the Blues Foundation HART Fund, which provides assistance towards musicians’ hospital costs.

Sumlin’s last Chicago area appearance was on July 3, 2010 with the Nighthawks at FitzGerald’s.

His funeral will take place Monday in Totowa, N.J.

Keith Richards, Mick Jagger pay for bluesman’s Homewood burial - Chicago Sun-Times

Korn on Obama: ‘You Built This House of Shame’

2011-12-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Davis: “At the time I’d been really getting into the Illuminati and the whole conspiracy theory, New World Order. It’s entertaining to me. If it’s true, it’s true. If it’s not, it’s not. I don’t care, but it’s been like a little pet project of mine. It was a song that I wrote pretty much about, like, I feel like Obama’s an Illuminati puppet and how it’s basically dragging this country down into the worst it’s ever been, and, um, I mean, I think one of ‘em is like ‘you’ve built this house of shame.’ The White House used to be like, everybody looked up at the White House and America and everything, and now I think it’s like a house of shame. It’s like, just hang your head down, just like, I miss the old days when people were proud to be American. For me, you know, studying the Illuminati and what they’re trying to do, if there is an Illuminati, it’s pretty much breaking the people down, breaking the people down, breaking the people down until we just give up and create the North American Union, just like they did in Europe with the European Union. And the Russians and the Asians will have the Asian Union. It’s all coming down to a One World Government. I can see and I read about it and the stuff’s actually starting to happen, and it kind of freaks me out. So I wrote the song about that.” Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » Korn on Obama: ‘You Built This House of Shame’

Cockroach Stomp by Blanchard & Morgan

2011-12-06T19:49:00.001-08:00

Black Sabbath to reunite for new album, tour | The Raw Story

2011-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Black Sabbath to reunite for new album, tour | The Raw Story

Pipkins: The First Rap Song 1970

2011-10-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

The Pipkins were a short-lived novelty duo, best known for their hit single "Gimme Dat Ding" (Albert Hammond / Mike Hazlewood), which reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Charts and #9 on the U.S. charts in 1970. They were Roger Greenaway, best known as a member of several songwriting teams as evidenced by the track listing, and Tony Burrows, a singer who had fronted several groups (often simultaneously) such as Edison Lighthouse, The Flower Pot Men, White Plains, The First Class and Brotherhood of Man.The Pipkins also released two follow-ups as singles, "Yakety Yak" and "Are You Cooking, Goose?", but without success. "My Baby Loves Lovin'" had been a hit for White Plains, whilst "Sunny Honey Girl" was a Top 20 hit for Cliff Richard in 1971. According to the CD booklet for "The Sweet And The Pipkins", "Gimme Dat Ding" is considered "the first rap record".In the U.S., The Pipkins put out their own album in 1970. Called "Gimme Dat Ding!", it was on Capitol ST-483 and peaked at #132 on the Billboard album chart. It is a "concept album" in that the first song on it introduces the Pipkins and the last song on it has them falling through the "little hole" on the album.The album consisted of ten songs:1. Here Comes The Kins2. Sunny Honey Girl3. Busy Line4. Yakety Yak5. Gimme Dat Ding6. The People That You Wanna Phone You7. My Baby Loves Loving8. Are You Cooking Goose9. You Can't Go Wrong10. All You'll Ever Get From MeIn addition, the Pipkins recorded 2 non-LP songs, "To Love You" and "Sugar And Spice", both of which are B-side singles. In all, the Pipkins recorded a total of 12 songs.

"We have an open society. No one will come and take me away for saying what I am saying. But they don't have to, if they can control how many people hear it. And that's how they do it" --Jackson Browne

2011-09-25T22:26:00.001-07:00

"I know that some of the great painters and some of the great artists didn't even start to 'peak', as you say, till they were in their fifties and sixties. And God knows, history is full of artistic people that weren't even recognized till they were dead and gone."

2011-09-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

--Joe Perry (Aerosmith)

"When that second airplane hit the building, we all changed. We need to get back to some serious thinking." --Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

2011-09-23T20:54:00.001-07:00

Songwriter Jerry Leiber Dies at 78

2011-08-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Jerry Leiber, one of the most important songwriters in the history of rock & roll – whose 60-year partnership with Mike Stoller produced "Stand By Me," "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," "Young Blood," "On Broadway," "Yakety-Yak" and countless other classics – has died of cardiopulmonary failure. He was 78.

Songwriter Jerry Leiber Dies at 78 | Rolling Stone Music

U2: Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

2011-06-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Like much of The Joshua Tree, the song was inspired by the group's interest in American music. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" exhibits influences from gospel music and its lyrics describe spiritual yearning. Lead vocalist Bono's vocals are in high register and guitarist The Edge plays a chiming arpeggio. The song originated from a demo the group used to develop a unique drum pattern played by drummer Larry Mullen, Jr.

Larry Norman on John Lennon

2011-06-01T22:53:00.001-07:00

Pomplamoose: Angry Birds Theme

2011-05-14T22:38:00.001-07:00

Newly Constructed Vinyl/Record Room

2011-04-26T10:37:00.001-07:00

Blues Legend Pinetop Perkins died last month at age 97

2011-04-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Country Singer Mel McDaniel died March 31

2011-04-10T18:10:00.001-07:00

Ferlin Husky died last month at age 85

2011-04-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Monkees Founder and Music Industry Legend Don Kirshner Dies

2011-02-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

Monkees Founder and Music Industry Legend Don Kirshner Dies | PopEater.com

Known as "The Man With the Golden Ear," Kirshner was born in 1934 in New York City. He entered the music business in the late '50s as a manager for singer Connie Francis, but soon transitioned into providing what he saw as the industry's most pressing need: connecting performers with songwriters.

Thin Lizzy Rock guitarist Gary Moore dies

2011-02-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

BBC News - Rock guitarist Gary Moore dies

The renowned rock guitarist Gary Moore has died in Spain, the BBC has learned.

Mr Moore, 58, was, originally from Belfast, and was a former member of the legendary Irish group Thin Lizzy.

Adam Parsons, who manages Thin Lizzy, told the BBC that Mr Moore had died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Moore was originally drafted into Thin Lizzy by its singer Phil Lynott. He later gained acclaim for his solo work and was a former member of the Irish group Skid Row.

The Northern Ireland guitarist was only 16 when he moved from Belfast to Dublin in 1969, to join Skid Row, which featured Lynott as lead vocalist.

He was later brought into Thin Lizzy by Lynott to replace the departing Eric Bell, another guitarist from Northern Ireland.

Monkees: Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow

2011-02-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

Lesser Known Songs by Nancy Sinatra

2011-02-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

Jimi Hendrix: The Early Years

2011-01-31T21:19:00.000-08:00

John Barry: Nov 3, 1933-Jan 30, 2011

2011-01-31T20:42:00.000-08:00

John Barry, who has died aged 77 following a heart attack, will always be associated with the golden age of James Bond, but though much of his most famous music was written to accompany the outlandish adventures of 007, his work covered a huge variety of moods and styles. Barry wrote epic, sweeping film scores for Zulu (1964), Born Free (1966) and Out of Africa (1985), introduced blues and jazz themes into The Chase (1966) and The Cotton Club (1984), and conceived the shivery, sinister music for The Ipcress File (1965). He even became something of a pop star in his own right.

He was born Jonathan Barry Prender- gast in York, where his father ran a chain of cinemas. His mother was a talented musician, but had abandoned the attempt to establish herself as a concert pianist. "My father had seven or eight cinemas, so I was brought up in the cinema," he recalled. "I remember my dad carrying me through the foyer of the Rialto in York and pushing the swing doors open at a matinee. I was looking at this big black-and-white mouse on the screen, and he'd taken me to see a Mickey Mouse cartoon."

Barry cherished an early ambition to join the family business and become a projectionist, but the combination of film and music made a deep impression on him. He began taking piano lessons with Francis Jackson, master of the music at York Minster, and studied with the jazz arranger Bill Russo, who had worked with Stan Kenton's orchestra. His father was a jazz fan, and would present concerts by such stars as Kenton and Count Basie.

After national service with the army, Barry formed his own jazz combo, the John Barry Seven, and scored a string of pop hits during the late 50s and early 60s, including Hit and Miss (the theme from TV's Juke Box Jury), Walk Don't Run and Black Stockings.

Barry thrived on the feverish wave of creativity that made London the world's most fascinating city at the time. He socialised with Michael Caine and Terence Stamp, collaborated with the pop stars Adam Faith and Nina & Frederik, and guaranteed himself the attention of gossip columnists by marrying the actress Jane Birkin. In 1960 he was asked to write music for the Peter Sellers/Richard Todd vehicle Never Let Go and then for the Faith comedy Beat Girl.

In 1962, he was signed up to work on the first Bond film, Dr No, although only as back-up to the composer Monty Norman, for a fee of £250. The official story is that Barry merely arranged Norman's famous James Bond Theme, and when Barry claimed in a Sunday Times interview many years later that he had written it himself, Norman successfully sued for libel and was awarded £30,000 in damages.

Subsequently there was no such ambiguity, as Barry's scores for From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965) became popular the world over. Such was the potency of the Bond mystique that Barry's soundtrack album for Goldfinger knocked the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night off the top of the American charts in 1964, and earned the composer his first gold disc. He scored 10 consecutive Bond films and decided he had had enough after The Living Daylights (1987) because "all the good books had been done". 

In 1969, he scored John Schlesinger's Midnight Cowboy, one of the first movies to use a selection of pop songs on the soundtrack. It was a technique that would be copied by countless imitators. "That movie is still shown at the cinema school at UCLA as the epitome of how songs should be used in the movies," Barry said in 1997. "We only bought in a couple of songs, Everybody's Talkin', sung by Harry Nilsson, and a John Lennon song, and for the rest we got young songwriters to score the scenes with songs. The songs work because they were written for the movie."

However, Barry always gave credit to the great classically influenced Hollywood film composers, such as Bernard Herrmann or Max Steiner, and echoes of their work would frequently bubble up in his own. Barry's music was used on the soundtracks of many other films – The Knack (1965), The Quiller Memorandum (1966), The Lion in Winter (1968), Murphy's War (1971), The Day of the Locust (1975), Raise the Titanic (1980), Body Heat (1981), Jagged Edge (1985), Chaplin (1992), Dances With Wolves (1990) and Indecent Proposal (1993) – and he was a natural choice to write the theme for the Roger Moore/Tony Curtis TV series, The Persuaders!

He won five Oscars, including two for Born Free and one each for The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances With Wolves. He also won Bafta's Anthony Asquith award for The Lion in Winter, and a Grammy for Dances With Wolves. In 1998 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Barry had never needed a career boost, but during the 1990s he found himself being feted by a younger generation of artists, including David Arnold, who had stepped into the role of James Bond's personal composer for Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). Arnold masterminded the Shaken and Stirred album in homage to Barry's Bond music, and commented that "for me the success of the Bond series was 50% Sean Connery and 50% John Barry". Barry was delighted by Arnold's enthusiasm. "I think Shaken and Stirred is terrific. David Arnold has kept all the essence of the originals, and he's cast it beautifully with all the different performers. It has a real freshness and rhythmic impetus, which sounds very now."

A throat cancer scare in 1989 slowed Barry's work rate, but his ambition remained undimmed. In 1998 he released The Beyondness of Things, a "tone poem" unconnected to any film and which he presented as a concert piece. "It's amazing to work without film or without a director or producer," commented Barry, who was appointed OBE in 1999. "I love doing films, but it's been refreshing to work with such total freedom."

It was rumoured that Beyondness … had been derived from his rejected score for The Horse Whisperer, and a certain sameness of mood could be discerned creeping into his compositions. Perhaps recognising the need for fresh stimulus, he signed up to collaborate with the lyricist Don Black and director Michael Attenborough on a stage musical version of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock, which had a short run in London in 2004. "I don't mind people going on about my past as long as I've still got a future," said Barry, "and I've got plenty of things coming up."

In 2006, Barry was executive producer on the album Here's to the Heroes by the Australian group the Ten Tenors. It featured several songs he had written with Black. The duo also wrote a new song, Our Time Is Now, for Shirley Bassey's 2009 album The Performance, their first for her since Diamonds Are Forever.

Barry, who had lived in Oyster Bay, New York state, since 1980, is survived by his fourth wife Laurie, their son Jonpatrick, and three daughters, Susie, Sian and Kate.

Bangles: Walk Like an Egyptian

2011-01-28T20:20:00.001-08:00

Charlie Louvin: 1927-2011

2011-01-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

Charlie Louvin: 1927-2011 :: Music :: News :: Paste

Charlie Louvin died at approximately 1:30 a.m. this morning from complications stemming from his bout with pancreatic cancer.

Additionally, Nashville entertainment reporter James Carter confirmed in an e-mail that Louvin died in his home. “His wife confirmed it to WSM radio about 5am," Carter wrote. "He has been suffering various medical problems over the last year… Funeral services pending.”

January 15, 1971: George Harrison's single "My Sweet Lord" is released in the UK.

2011-01-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

Following the song's release, musical similarities between "My Sweet Lord" and The Chiffons' hit "He's So Fine" led to a lengthy legal battle over the rights to the composition. Billboard magazine, in an article dated 6 March 1971, stated that Harrison's royalty payments from the recording had been halted worldwide. Harrison stated that he was inspired to write "My Sweet Lord" after hearing the Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Oh Happy Day".

In the U.S. federal court decision in the case, known as Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music, Harrison was found to have "subconsciously" copied the earlier song. He was ordered to surrender the majority of royalties from "My Sweet Lord" and partial royalties from All Things Must Pass. Former manager Allen Klein, who earlier had supported Harrison's case, became the owner of Bright Tunes, after they parted ways. Harrison claimed in a BBC interview with Annie Nightingale that the Judge in the case said that he liked Harrison's version of "My Sweet Lord" less.

The Chiffons would later record "My Sweet Lord" to capitalise on the publicity generated by the lawsuit. Country singer Jody Miller recorded a country chart top-five cover of "He's So Fine", which plays on the two songs' similarities by featuring the same guitar breaks played on the Harrison recording.

Shortly thereafter, Harrison (who would eventually buy the rights to "He's So Fine") wrote and recorded a song about the court case named "This Song", which includes "This tune has nothing 'Bright' about it." "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Rescue Me" are also mentioned in the record.

John Lennon's first car to be auctioned in Paris

2011-01-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

John Lennon's first car to be auctioned in Paris

Lennon didn't pass his driving exam until 1965, the year after “I Want to Hold Your Hand” had made him a household name in the United States. So when he became eligible to own a car, auto companies were jockeying to get him into one of theirs. The Ferrari, a brand new 330 GGT 2+2 Coupe, caught his eye. Lennon bought it for $2,000, and the rest is history.

Elvis Presley would have been 76 Today.

2011-01-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

Gerry Rafferty dies at 63

2011-01-05T14:54:00.000-08:00

Gerry Rafferty, the man behind hits like "Stuck In The Middle With You" and "Baker Street," has died at age 63.

The Scottish musician passed away from liver failure on Tuesday after a long battle with alcoholism.

Rafferty fell ill in November and was hooked up to a life-support machine after he was admitted to the hospital.

-Zorek Richards

John Lennon & Chuck Berry: Johnny B Goode

2011-01-02T00:45:00.000-08:00

Chuck Berry: Johnny B Goode - Live

2011-01-02T00:44:00.001-08:00

Teena Marie Dies at 54

2010-12-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

R&B icon Teena Marie, known for funky 1980s hits like “Lovergirl”, died in her sleep of unknown causes. She was only 54.

John Lennon: 1940-1980

2010-12-08T08:51:00.001-08:00

LP Slide Show

2010-11-24T11:49:00.001-08:00

Let the Sun Shine In (& not by Pebbles & Bam Bam?)

2010-11-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

"La Bamba" w/the Valens Family

2010-09-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

David Bowie: The Man Who Sold the Word

2010-08-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

Cows With Guns

2010-08-07T19:26:00.001-07:00

Tennessee Ernie Ford: Sixteen Tons (Go Go Version)

2010-06-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Abbey Road

2010-05-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Dave Brubeck: Take Five

2010-05-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

"Take Five" is a jazz piece written by Paul Desmond and performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album Time Out. Recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studios in New York City on June 25, July 1, and August 18, 1959, this piece became one of the group's best-known records, famous for its distinctive, catchy saxophone melody and use of the unusual quintuple (5/4) time, from which its name is derived. While "Take Five" was not the first jazz composition to use this meter, it was one of the first in the United States to achieve mainstream significance, reaching number five on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Singles chart.

"Take Five" was re-recorded and performed live multiple times by The Dave Brubeck Quartet throughout the group's career. In addition, there have been various covers of the piece, including one by Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund in 1962 and a dub version by King Tubby, released posthumously in 2002. Some versions also feature lyrics, including a 1961 recording with lyrics written by Dave Brubeck and his wife Iola, sung by Carmen McRae. "Take Five" has also been included in countless movies and television soundtracks, and still receives significant radio play.

Upon his death in 1977, Desmond left the rights to royalties for performances and compositions, including "Take Five", to the American Red Cross, which has since received combined royalties of approximately $100,000 per year.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Sweethome Alabama

2010-05-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

"Sweet Home Alabama" was written as an answer to two songs, "Southern Man" and "Alabama" by Neil Young, which dealt with themes of racism and slavery in the American South. "We thought Neil was shooting all the ducks in order to kill one or two," said Ronnie Van Zant at the time. The following extract shows the Neil Young mention in the song:

Well I heard mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Van Zant's musical response, however, was also controversial, with references to Alabama Governor George Wallace (a noted supporter of segregation) and the Watergate scandal:

In Birmingham, they love the governor (boo boo boo)
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell me the truth

In 1975, Van Zant said: "The lyrics about the governor of Alabama were misunderstood. The general public didn't notice the words 'Boo! Boo! Boo!' after that particular line, and the media picked up only on the reference to the people loving the governor." "The line 'We all did what we could do' is sort of ambiguous," Kooper notes "'We tried to get Wallace out of there' is how I always thought of it." Journalist Al Swenson argues that the song is more complex than it is sometimes given credit for, suggesting that it only looks like an endorsement of Wallace. "Wallace and I have very little in common," Van Zant himself said, "I don't like what he says about colored people."

The final line of the song indicates that it may be against racial discrimination: "My Montgomery's got the answer."[citation needed] This is a reference to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which led to a Supreme Court decision declaring Alabama's racial segregation laws for buses unconstitutional.

In 1976, Van Zant and the band supported Jimmy Carter for his presidential candidacy, including fundraising and an appearance at the Gator Bowl benefit concert.

At the end of the song, Alabama is also referred to as where "the governor's true."

Arizona by Mark Lindsay

2010-04-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

Lindsay began to record solo records and to produce records for his fellow bandmate, Freddy Weller, who went on to have his own solo success in the country music genre.

Lindsay had some success with such songs as "Arizona" (1969, Billboard #10) which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc; and "Silverbird" (Billboard #25) in 1970.

She must belong to San Francisco
She must have lost her way
Postin� a poster of Poncho and Cisco
One California day
She said she believes in Robin Hood and brotherhood
And colours of green and grey
And all you can do is laugh at her
Doesn't anybody know how to pray?

Arizona, take off your rainbow shades
Arizona, have another look at the world
My myyy
Arizona, cut off your Indian braids
Arizona, hey won'tcha go my way

Mmmm strip off your pride you�re acting like a teeny-bopper run away child
And scrape off the paint from the face of a little town saint
Arizona, take off your hobo shoes
Arizona, hey won'tcha go my way

(Instrumental)

Follow me up to San Francisco
I will be guide your way
I'll be the Count of Monte Cristo
You'll be the Countess May
And you can believe in Robin Hood and brotherhood and rolling the ball in the hay
And I will be reading you an Aesop's fable
Anything to make you stay-ay-ay

Arizona, take off your rainbow shades
Arizona, have another look at the world, my my
Arizona, cut off your Indian braids
Arizona, hey won'tcha go my way

Hey, Arizona, take off your hobo shoes
Arizona, have another look at the world, my my
Arizona, get off your 8-ball blues
Arizona, hey won'tcha go my way

Come on, hey, Arizona, take off your rainbow shades

Molly Marlette: Cause for Concern

2010-04-24T16:23:00.001-07:00

Insane Clown Posse: Miracles

2010-04-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

Warning: Language

Classic Vinyl: The Beatles: Hey Jude

2010-03-19T23:55:00.001-07:00

"Hey Jude" is a song written by Paul McCartney, credited to Lennon/McCartney, and released as a single by The Beatles in 1968. Originally titled "Hey Jules", McCartney wrote the ballad to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce.

"Hey Jude" was the first single from The Beatles' record label Apple Records. Over seven minutes in length, "Hey Jude" was at the time the longest single ever to top the British charts. It also spent nine weeks as number one in the United States—the longest run at the top of the American charts for a Beatles single. The single has sold approximately eight million copies and is frequently included on professional lists of the all-time best songs, such as number eight on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs.

"Hey Jude" begins with a verse-bridge structure based around McCartney's vocal performance and piano accompaniment; further details are added as the song progresses to distinguish sections. After the fourth verse, the song shifts to a fade-out coda that lasts for more than four minutes.

Three Dog Night: Cyan

2010-03-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

Cyan is the tenth album by American rock band Three Dog Night, released in 1973

1. "Happy Song" (Mike Allsup) – 3:37
2. "Play Children Play" (Kent Sprague, Gary Stovall) – 4:10
3. "Storybook Feeling" (Allsup) – 4:20
4. "Ridin' Thumb" (James Seals) – 4:09
5. "Shambala" (Daniel Moore) – 3:23
6. "Singer Man" (C. Bernard, Derrick Harriott) – 3:28
7. "Let Me Serenade You" (John Finley) – 3:15
8. "Lay Me Down Easy" (Moore) – 3:54
9. "Into My Life" (Allsup) – 4:33

Steven Stills Just after Woodstock on Dick Cavett Show

2010-03-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Zappa on CNN's Crossfire in 1986 Defends Freedom of Speech

2010-03-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

On September 19, 1985, Zappa testified before the US Senate Commerce, Technology, and Transportation committee, attacking the Parents Music Resource Center or PMRC, a music organization, co-founded by then-Senator Al Gore's wife Tipper Gore. The PMRC consisted of many wives of politicians, including the wives of five members of the committee, and was founded to address the issue of song lyrics with sexual or satanic content. Zappa saw their activities as on a path towards censorship, and called their proposal for voluntary labelling of records with explicit content "extortion" of the music industry. In his prepared statement, he said:

The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of people who are not children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years dealing with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the proposal's design. It is my understanding that, in law, First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least restrictive alternative. In this context, the PMRC's demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation ... The establishment of a rating system, voluntary or otherwise, opens the door to an endless parade of moral quality control programs based on things certain Christians do not like. What if the next bunch of Washington wives demands a large yellow "J" on all material written or performed by Jews, in order to save helpless children from exposure to concealed Zionist doctrine?

Zappa set excerpts from the PMRC hearings to Synclavier music in his composition "Porn Wars" on the 1985 album Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention. Zappa is heard interacting with Senators Fritz Hollings, Slade Gorton, Al Gore (who admitted to being a Zappa fan), and in an exchange with Florida Senator Paula Hawkins over what toys Zappa's children played with. Zappa appeared on CNN's Crossfire and debated the issue with Washington Times commentator John Lofton in 1986. Zappa's passion for American politics was becoming a bigger part of his life. He had always encouraged his fans to register to vote on album covers, and throughout 1988 he had registration booths at his concerts. He even considered running for President of the United States.

MAD Parody: She Got a Nose Job

2010-03-06T02:59:00.000-08:00

Marie Osmond's Son Leaps to Death

2010-02-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

Entertainment Tonight Reports:

Osmond family members have notified ET that Marie Osmond's son Michael Blosil leapt to his death Friday night in Los Angeles. Contacted by phone this morning, Donny Osmond tells us: "Please pray for my sister and her family."

Here are the details: Michael, who was in his late teens and is one of Marie's eight children, died after jumping from his downtown Los Angeles apartment at about 9 p.m. on Friday night. He left a note explaining he intended to commit suicide due to his life-long battle with severe depression that left him, he said, feeling as if he had no friends and could never fit in.

We're told that his mother Marie, who helped him fight the condition throughout his life, is devastated by the loss. Donny and Marie's Las Vegas show has been cancelled tonight.

Marie Osmond's son Michael died Friday in Los Angeles after leaping to his death from his apartment. He left a note as described above saying he intended to commit suicide after a life-long battle with depression. Depression is a powerful force. Heartfelt sympathies to Marie and the family...

If You Can't Lick Em..Lick Em: Ted Nugent for Governor of Michigan?

2010-02-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

"If You Can't Lick Em..Lick Em" is a 1988 albums release by Ted Nugent.

From Detroit Free Press:

The Motor City Madman has his sights set on Lansing, but as an observer, not a candidate.

The rock icon and avowed conservative is the subject of a Facebook page promoting him for office. The "Ted Nugent for Michigan Governor" page has more than 38,700 fans -- and counting.

Nugent said he's not behind the grassroots page and he isn't running -- though he believes he could win if he did.

"Concerned Michigan residents are so at a loss they can't find anybody in the state to vote for -- that's how bad it is," Nugent told Political Insider from his Texas ranch. "When it gets right down to it, I would make a great governor because I would bring in my machete and hack away at the waste and the cronyism."

Known for his ardent defense of hunting and conservation and support for gun ownership, Nugent's fans say he'd shake things up:

• "He's accomplished more than any politician I can think of to date," writes "Dan" on Facebook.

• "Save the GREAT LAKES at any cost !! Oh yea(h), Ted Nugent ROCKS !!!" reads a post from a Richard Bloom, backing Nugent's support for efforts to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.

The former Amboy Dukes and Damn Yankees guitarist, who spends part of the year on the 1,100 acres he owns in Jackson and Lake counties, said his home state's economy is in the pits due to the high-spending ways of left-wing liberals.

"It breaks the hearts of Michiganians, we are heartbroken," Nugent told Insider. "That's why (people) have now plummeted to the outrageous choice of the Motor City Madman" for governor.

"There are some logic and truth commandoes like (U.S. Rep.) Mike Rogers , (Attorney General) Mike Cox and (Oakland County) Sheriff (Mike) Bouchard ," the Nuge said of Republicans he says would be good for the job. "Instead of me running I want to see which warrior will run for governor and I will get behind that person."

The Beatles: Good Day Sunshine

2010-02-23T02:54:00.000-08:00

"Good Day Sunshine" by The Beatles on the 1966 album Revolver. It was written by Paul McCartney, with help from John Lennon, and credited to Lennon/McCartney. Leonard Bernstein praised the song for its construction in a 1967 CBS News documentary. Richie Unterberger of allmusic said the song "radiates optimism and good vibes" and Ian MacDonald said it is "superbly sung by McCartney and exquisitely produced by George Martin and his team" and "displays The Beatles at their effortless best.

Madison Rose

2010-02-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

Madison's bio from her web site:

Being with Madison Rose is like spending an afternoon in a field of wildflowers bathed in the warmth of the summer sun. She is sweet, authentic, and her love of music is downright contagious. It is a certainty with Madison Rose that smart, honest, beautiful young girls can be true Rock-n-Roll idols. Jesse O’Brien and Tammy Baretta of Colorado Sound said it all when they worked with Madison on her current CD "Lost in Time". “Madison has high energy and pure attitude. This young artist roots off of classic rock tradition and shows her true rocker style behind the mic!”

“Lost in Time” showcases Madison’s crystal tones throughout. The concept of her first demo CD was her vision from the very beginning. Carefully choosing three very different songs to showcase her vocal abilities, Madison worked long hours in the studio on the arrangement of the songs to fit her own artistic vision of a more current rock/pop sound. “It’s not work for me,” she says. “I love music, I love the process, and most of all I love to entertain. I put my heart and soul into every venue, doing whatever it takes to get it right and bring the audience into the songs with me, helping them forget the sometimes harsh realities of the world. That’s what makes me whole.”

She is currently showcasing her CD on her website, as well as making plans to begin a new CD with songs she will write herself. Madison is a small town girl with really big dreams and she will stop at nothing to make those dreams come true. Those dreams are to capture the hearts of people everywhere through her music. Madison's ambitions are to tour the world with her music, to act in award winning feature films, to appear on television and stage, and more importantly to "make people happy".

Madison may be young, but she’s already a true professional. She’s been performing in front of audiences since the age of 5, landing lead roles in plays and musicals. Competing for two years in a statewide teen talent competition in Colorado, she was a finalist both years in the talent, actress, and modeling portions of the competition. Upon hearing Madison perform “Popular” from the Broadway musical “Wicked”, one competitors Mom said, “That gave me chills….I saw “Wicked” on Broadway, and she was every bit as good as the lead singer was!” She also won Miss Congeniality and a Volunteer Service award both years. Madison's performance on stage envelops the entire audience with her infectious and joyous personality.

This is a beautiful girl with real talent. The “IT” factor, if you will. When she walks into a room, heads turn and you can't help but smile. She has a unique, fresh style that stands out in a crowded room. Guitarist/musician Paul deMarco of the UK sums it up perfectly: "Hot sound, sweet vocals!" She will certainly become a great role model for the next generation of music lovers and young entertainers.

Jazz musician Sir John Dankworth dies at 82

2010-02-07T09:10:00.001-08:00

LONDON – Sir John Dankworth, the British jazz composer, saxophonist and band leader, has died. He was 82.

Jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine — who married Dankworth in 1958 after meeting during an audition for a spot with his band — announced her husband's death before the finale of an anniversary concert at The Stables, the theater they founded together.

Monica Ferguson, the theater's chief executive officer, said Sunday that Laine believed Dankworth would have wanted the evening to go ahead.

Ferguson said Laine told the artists before the concert, "'I'll go on and I'll have a lump in my throat and I might crack.' But she didn't crack."

Dankworth died Saturday in a London hospital after several months illness.

Born in Woodford, Essex in 1927, Dankworth began his musical career by playing a clarinet bought by his mother.

"I loved music, but I didn't want to be taught music, or learn anything, until my parents gave me up for lost, really, and that was when I was about 15," he told the BBC. "Then I eventually just heard some jazz."

After starting out as a fan of Benny Goodman, Dankworth switched to the saxophone after hearing Charlie Parker play. In the early 1950s, Dankworth was auditioning singers to front his ensemble when he met Laine. They married and had a son, Alec, and daughter Jacqui — both jazz musicians who played the anniversary concert on Saturday evening.

Laine was made a dame in 1997, and Dankworth was knighted in 2006 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to music.

Along with performing and composing — his film score credits include"Darling," "Modesty Blaise" and the theme of television's "The Avengers" — Dankworth worked as musical director for jazz greats, including Oscar Peterson, Nat "King" Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, according to The Stables Web site.

Together, Dankworth and Laine founded The Wavendon Allmusic Plan, a musical education charity, and established a theater in 1969 in the old stable block on their property in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London.

Each year, about 350 concerts are held at The Stables, along with school concerts, youth music camps and family events.

A second charity, the Wavendon Foundation, was established in 1999 to help young artists and organizations needing financial aid.

Ferguson said Dankworth was "absolutely driven by a real ... passion for music, passion for excellence, and passion for sharing the joys of music with everyone, particularly young people."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed..

SOURCE: Yahoo News

Random Notes on the Grammy Awards:

2010-02-01T12:03:00.001-08:00

Grammy Awards will be held in LA. If they really want to draw an audience they should have Kanye West and Taylor Swift do a duet..

Grammy Awards will be held in LA. I gave up on them when they passed over "Disco Duck" as the song of the year......

If Lady Gaga has a baby some day, I wonder what his/her first word will be???

Beyonce wins the GRAMMY for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Halo!". Taylor Swift interrupted her and said "Imma let you finish, but Kanye West had a great vocal performance..."

It's looking like "Disco Duck" is gonna get shafted at the Grammy Awards again this time. Guess there's always next year........

I suppose the cool thing about Lady Gaga's dress is that it could probably pick up even sattelite radio...

Its best to watch the Grammys with the sound off & just imagine what they are singing. I just enjoyed Eminem singing "Rhinestone Cowboy." ...

If I was going to blame Bush for anything, it probably would be for Eminem, He did happen on his watch, after all...:-)

I suspect that Obama is sitting in the white house grumbling about Taylor Swift's win and saying "I am the PEACE PRIZE winner! I should have got album of the year!"...

Lady Gaga did not win album of the year at the Grammys, but she maintained her poker face.

According to Rasmussen 67 percent want terrorists tried in military tribunals, not civilian courts. The other 33% wanted to know if the Grammys were over yet.

Charley Horse: Punk - Rockabilly - Country

2010-01-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

From their MySpace Page: As Los Angeles' new purveyors of grease, Charley Horse features the ozone grinding vocal stylings of Throwrag lead singer Sean Zezo Wheeler. A Las Vegas Strip performer in his youth, Zezo is also known for his clan's chain of Elvis car washes. He currently resides on the West Coast after a string of controversal funeral performances. Z is joined by preacher's son Chopper Franklin, a native son of the mid-west's notorious Murder belt and L.A. vets Pitstop Tragedy and Dino Fury. Produced by Mickey Petralia [Beck, Beastie Boys, Zach De La Rocha (Rage Against the Machine)] includes Jerry Reeds classic Eastbound and Down.

Dixie Chicks with one Less Chick

2010-01-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

Dixie Chicks, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison are working on a project together without lead singer Natalie Maines, according to CMT. The album reportedly will released on Columbia Records, which is the Chicks' label. CMT also reports that Lloyd Maines, Natalie's father, is saying that the trio as a whole "is definitely still an entity."

Natalie Maines is the one who made disparaging remarks about then-President G.W. Bush; the country world reacts negatively. The group became an unwitting symbol/talkpoint in politically divided times.

Maines gives a forced apology (which she later retracted) but then the Chicks write an album about not really being sorry.

Moreover, the band--whether willingly or by circumstance--ended up distancing itself from the country music world, going so far as to publicly note they'd rather not be lumped in with the Reba McEntire and Toby Keith fans. Particularly Toby Keith...

Teddy Pendergrass dies at age 59

2010-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

Associated Press reports that R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass, who was one of the most electric and successful figures in music until a car crash 28 years ago left him in a wheelchair, has died of colon cancer. He was 59. Pendergrass died Wednesday in suburban Philadelphia, where he had been hospitalized for months.

The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery." Before the crash, Pendergrass established a new era of R&B with an explosive, raw voice that symbolized masculinity, passion and the joys and sorrow of romance in songs such as "Close the Door," "It Don't Hurt Now," "Love T.K.O." and other hits that have since become classics.

Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass, Sr. (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Also known by the nicknames Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear, Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before embarking on a successful solo career at the end of the decade.

Thumbs Carlisle

2010-01-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

On the back of this album are notes by the late Roger Miller and he says that Thumbs "may be one of the best guitar players in the world." The strongest tracks are "Wounded Knee," "Mystery Train," "Getting Your Ship Together." Awesome guitarist, I couldn't rank him best in the world, but having just listened to this album, it was worth listening to both sides.

Laura Biolcati Rinaldi

2010-01-02T22:54:00.000-08:00

www.myspace.com/laurabiolcatirinaldi

Partridge Family: Tribute to Keith

2010-01-01T16:04:00.001-08:00

The Sweet

2009-12-30T17:25:00.000-08:00

This is an obsure release from Sweet. This was before "Little Willy," so I believe about 1972 or early 73. Rare.
Sweet (originally The Sweet) is a British rock band that rose to prominence as one of the main glam rock acts in the 1970s, with the original line-up consisting of Brian Connolly, Steve Priest, Frank Torpey, and Mick Tucker. Torpey was later replaced by Mick Stewart and then by Andy Scott in August 1970.

During the early years of 1971 and 1972, Sweet's musical style followed a marked progression from the Archies-like bubblegum style of the first hit, "Funny Funny", to a Who influenced heavy rock style supplemented by a striking use of high-pitched backing vocals. The band achieved notable success in the UK charts, with thirteen Top 20 hits during the 1970s alone, five reaching number 2, most notably "The Ballroom Blitz", and one, "Block Buster!", reaching number 1.

Sweet membership has undergone a number of changes, and during different periods Scott, Connolly and Priest also each formed their own "Sweet", resulting in the separate bands Steve Priest's Sweet, Andy Scott's Sweet and BC Sweet.

Connolly died in 1997, and Tucker in 2002.

Two of the bands are still in existence: the U.S. version of The Sweet, founded by original bass player Steve Priest, and the U.K. version of The Sweet, featuring Andy Scott.

Suzi Quatro

2009-12-28T19:34:00.000-08:00

Suzi Quatro was born into a Catholic musical family. Her father, Art, a part time jazz musician, was of Italian descent, while her mother, Helen Sanislay, was Hungarian. She is the aunt of actress Sherilyn Fenn, whose mother is Quatro's sister Arlene. Many sources have claimed that Quatro's birth name was Quatrocchio, but according to her autobiography, her paternal grandfather (whose last name was Quatrocchio) actually shortened the family name to "Quatro" before Suzi was born. Quatro began her musical career at the age of fourteen. She played the bass guitar in the all-female band Pleasure Seekers and Cradle with her sisters Patti, Nancy, and Arlene. Her first bass guitar was a 1957 Fender Precision, given to her by her father. Patti Quatro later joined the band Fanny, one of the earliest all-female rock bands to gain national attention. She has a brother, Michael Quatro, who is also a musician.

Quatro moved to the United Kingdom in 1971 after being discovered in Detroit by the record producer Mickie Most, who produced The Animals, Jeff Beck, Lulu, and Donovan. By this time he had started his own label RAK Records, which made stars of Hot Chocolate and Mud.

RSO Label (RS-1014) from 1979

Peter Paul & Mary: Peter Paul & Mary (1962)

2009-12-23T20:11:00.000-08:00

This was back in the early 60s when folk music was beginning to make its rise more into the mainstream. This is also Peter Paul & Mary's first album. I listened to this last night and enjoyed the awesome harmonies and acoustic guitar sound.

The lead-off singles "If I Had a Hammer" and "Lemon Tree" reached numbers 10 and 35 respectively on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. At the Grammy Awards of 1963, their recording of "If I Had a Hammer" won the Best Folk Recording and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Grammies.

Track listing:

Side One

1. "Early In The Morning" (Noel Stookey)
2. "500 Miles" (Hedy West)
3. "Sorrow" (Peter Yarrow, Noel Stookey)
4. "This Train" (Peter Yarrow, Noel Stookey)
5. "Bamboo" (Dave Van Ronk)
6. "It's Raining"

Side Two

1. "If I Had My Way" (Rev. Gary Davis)
2. "Cruel War" (Peter Yarrow, Noel Stookey)
3. "Lemon Tree" (Will Holt)
4. "If I Had a Hammer" (Pete Seeger, Lee Hays)
5. "Autumn To May" (Peter Yarrow, Noel Stookey)
6. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" (Pete Seeger)

The Beatles: Abbey Road

2009-12-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

The Monkees in Concert

2009-12-21T19:40:00.000-08:00

Old Crow Medicine Show: Wagon Wheel

2009-12-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

2009-12-14T11:26:00.001-08:00

Dave Carroll: United Breaks Guitars

2009-12-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

Carpenters: Close To You

2009-12-12T20:28:00.001-08:00

"We've Only Just Begun" started out as a commercial for Crocker Citizen's Bank in 1970, composed by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols. The commercial would show a couple getting married. Richard Carpenter decided it was a great tune for their next album, "Close to You." In August of 1970, it became the Carpenters' second RIAA Certified Gold Single. Richard regards this as the duo's signature song.

"They Long to Be) Close to You" was the first composition by Burt Bacharach and Hal David the Carpenters covered. The song was released time and time again during the sixties, but didn't do well at all, until the Carpenters did a cover on it. It ultimately became Richard and Karen Carpenter's first RIAA Certified Gold Single, as well as their first Billboard Hot 100 single that reached the Top 10. It stayed at #1 for 4 weeks, and became the Carpenters' iconic song.

Tracklisting:

1. "We've Only Just Begun" (Roger Nichols, Paul Williams) – 3:04
2. "Love Is Surrender" (Carmichael) – 1:59
3. "Maybe It's You" (John Bettis, Richard Carpenter) – 3:04
4. "Reason to Believe" (Tim Hardin) – 3:03
5. "Help!" (Lennon/McCartney) – 3:03
6. "(They Long to Be) Close to You" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 4:33
7. "Baby It's You" (Burt Bacharach, Mack David, Williams) – 2:56
8. "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (Bacharach, David) – 2:52
9. "Crescent Noon" (Bettis, Carpenter) – 4:09
10. "Mr. Guder" (Bettis, Carpenter) – 3:15
11. "I Kept On Loving You" (Nichols, Williams) – 2:14
12. "Another Song" (Bettis, Carpenter) – 4:23

Lauren Mazur

2009-12-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

From her Myspace page: I'm Lauren Mazur, and I'm 20 years old. I live in Nashville, TN and currently attend college while working on music. I've been singing professionally since I was 14 years old. Over the past 6 years, I've performed over 100 live shows all over Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
In 2007, I was fortunate to be chosen by NFAA (National Foundation of Advancement of the Arts) as one of 7 top popular vocalists in the country. I was flown out to Miami where I was surrounded by gifted musicians, singers, and dancers. It really changed my life, and inspired me to pursue a career in the arts. I continue to work with NFAA now as a chaperone for the new incoming artists chosen.

Realize

Lauren Mazur "NEW SONGS" | MySpace Music Videos

Ventures: Hawaii 5-0

2009-12-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

This album has probably the Ventures most famous tune, even though many people might hear it and not realize it is even the Ventures playing it. I actually remember watching "Hawaii 5-0" when it first came on and kind of idolized Steve McGarrett and repeated often the catchphrase "Book Em Danno." This album has one side of medleys from the Classics IV and the Fifth Dimension. I like pretty much all the Ventures music, and this is no exception.

Hawaii Five-O is an instrumental album by The Ventures. It was released in 1969 on Liberty Records and reached #11 on the Billboard Top LP chart. The album was certified gold by RIAA on July 21, 1971[1]. The album was propelled by the hit title track, which reached #4 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. The song "Hawaii Five-O" featured in the film "50 First Dates" (2004).

Track listing:

1. "Hawaii Five-O" (Morton Stevens)
2. "Lovin' Things" (Jet Loring, Artie Schroeck)
3. "Galveston" (Jimmy Webb, Al De Lory)
4. "The Letter" (Wayne Carson Thompson, Dan Penn)
5. "Don't Give in to Him" (Gary Usher)
6. "Theme from A Summer Place" (Max Steiner, Percy Faith)
7. "Spooky/Traces/Stormy" (Harry Middlebrooks, Mike Shapiro, B. Buie, J. Cobb)
8. "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" (Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Galt MacDermot, Bones Howe)
9. "Games People Play" (Joe South)
10. "I Can Hear Music" (Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector)
11. "Dizzy" (Tommy Roe, Fred Weller, Steve Barri)

Kraftwerk: Trans Euro Express

2009-12-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

Bob Dylan: Hard Rain

2009-12-03T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hard Rain is a live album by American musician Bob Dylan, captured during the second leg of the Rolling Thunder Revue.

The album was partly recorded on May 23, 1976, during a concert at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado; the penultimate show of the tour, the concert was also filmed and later broadcast by NBC as a one-hour television special in September. (Hard Rain's release coincided with this broadcast). Four tracks from the album ("I Threw It All Away," "Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again," "Oh, Sister," and "Lay, Lady, Lay") were recorded on May 16, 1976. Neither the album nor the television special was well-received. Oddly, the album is named after one of his most famous songs, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" — but that song happens to be missing from the album (although the song itself is the opening song on the actual special). The fact that it poured rain for most of the concert may be the reason for the title.

"Although the band has been playing together longer, the charm has gone out of their exchanges," writes NPR's Tim Riley. "Hard Rain...seemed to come at a time when the Rolling Thunder Revue, so joyful and electrifying in its first performances, had just plain run out of steam," wrote Janet Maslin, then a music critic for Rolling Stone Magazine. In his mixed review for Hard Rain, Robert Christgau criticized the Rolling Thunder Revue as "folkies whose idea of rock and roll is rock and roll clichés."

Buck Owens

2009-12-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. (August 12, 1929–March 25, 2006), better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos. Owens and the Buckaroos pioneered what came to be called the Bakersfield sound—a reference to Bakersfield, California, the city Owens called home and from which he drew inspiration for what he preferred to call American Music.

While Owens originally used fiddle and retained pedal steel guitar into the 1970s, his sound on records and onstage was always more stripped-down and elemental, incorporating elements of rock'n'roll. Owens met his longtime guitarist Don Rich while in the Seattle area. Rich can be heard harmonizing on all of Owens' hits until his death in a motorcycle accident in 1974. The loss of his best friend devastated Owens for years and abruptly halted his career until he performed with Dwight Yoakam in 1988.

Owens co-hosted Hee Haw with Roy Clark. Hee Haw, originally envisioned as country music's answer to Laugh-In, outlived that show and ran for 24 seasons. Owens was co-host from 1969 until he left the cast in 1986, convinced that the show's exposure had obscured his immense musical legacy. But following the death of Rich, a deep depression set in and lasted throughout the remaining years of his stint on Hee Haw. Owens is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Jerry Lee Lewis

2009-12-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

Lewis's turbulent personal life was hidden from the public until a May 1958 British tour where Ray Berry, a news agency reporter at London Airport (the only journalist present), learned about Lewis's third wife, Myra Gale Brown. She was Lewis's first cousin once removed and only 13 years old. (Brown, Lewis, and his management all insisted she was 15.) Lewis was nearly 23 years old. The publicity caused an uproar and the tour was cancelled after only three concerts.

The scandal followed Lewis home to America, and as a result, he was blacklisted from radio and almost vanished from the music scene. Lewis felt betrayed by numerous people who had been his supporters. Dick Clark dropped him from his shows. Lewis even felt that Sam Phillips had sold him out when the Sun Record patriarch released "The Return of Jerry Lee," a bogus "interview" cut together by Jack Clement from excerpts of Lewis's songs, which made light of his marital and publicity problems. Only Alan Freed stayed true to Jerry Lee Lewis, playing his records until Freed was removed from the air because of payola allegations.

Even though Jerry Lee Lewis was still under contract with Sun Records, he stopped recording. He had gone from $10,000 a night concerts to $250 a night spots in beer joints and small clubs. He had few friends at the time whom he felt he could trust. It was only through Kay Martin, the president of Lewis's fan club, T. L. Meade, (aka Franz Douskey) a sometime Memphis musician and friend of Sam Phillips, and Gary Sklar, that Lewis went back to record at Sun Records.

By this time, Phillips had built a new state-of-the-art studio at 639 Madison Avenue in Memphis, thus abandoning the old Union Avenue studio where Phillips had recorded B. B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Lewis, Johnny Cash and others. It was at the new Madison Avenue studio that Lewis recorded his only major hit during this period, which was a rendition of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" in 1961. In Europe other updated versions of "Sweet Little Sixteen" (September 1962 UK) and "Good Golly Miss Molly" (March 1963) entered the Hit Parade. On popular EPs, "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes", "I've Been Twistin'", "Money" and "Hello Josephine" also became turntable hits, especially in nascent discothèques. Another recording of Lewis playing an instrumental boogie arrangement of the Glenn Miller Orchestra favorite "In the Mood," was issued by Sun under the pseudonym of "The Hawk," but disc jockeys quickly figured out the distinctive piano style, and this gambit failed.

Lewis's Sun recording contract ended in 1963 and he joined Smash Records, where he made a number of rock recordings that did not further his career.

His popularity recovered somewhat in Europe, especially in the UK and Germany, during the mid-1960s. A concert album, Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1964), recorded with The Nashville Teens, is widely considered one of the greatest live rock and roll albums ever. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine writes: "Live at the Star Club is extraordinary, the purest, hardest rock & roll ever committed to record.

Maria Muldaur: Open Your Eyes

2009-11-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

As usual, Muldaur alternates between bluesy, languorous numbers and uptempo tunes, which edge here into stridency. Doing what worked earlier in her career, Muldaur stirs guest stars -- Stevie Wonder and Junior Walker -- in with crack studio vets. Her conversion to Christianity seemingly in remission, she sings not about her Lord but about men and how to get along with them. In one song, she realizes that while she's been at women's liberation meetings, the "Clean Up Woman" has made off with Muldaur's man. If she had stuck to slow numbers, this could have been a low-key charmer, but the fast songs tend to disrupt the flow. Sometimes Muldaur is a victim of her versatility. ~ Mark Allan, All Music Guide

Elton John: Victim of Love

2009-11-30T17:35:00.000-08:00

Victim of Love is the thirteenth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1979. Recorded at Musicland, Munich and Rusk Sound Studios, Hollywood, it was not critically or commercially well-received, and is his second lowest charting album to date. This is also the shortest album of elton's career at a shade under 36 minutes. Despite all this, it was reissued in a digitally remaster format in 2003. The only single b-side released, "Strangers" appeared as a bonus track on the previous album, A Single Man, as it was recorded during those sessions.

It is a disco album released at the peak of disco's popularity. None of John's original band members are featured. John provided vocals for the album. It is the only album on which he did not play either pianos or keyboards.

Track listing
Side one

1. "Johnny B. Goode" (Chuck Berry) – 8:06
2. "Warm Love in a Cold World" (Pete Bellotte/Stefan Wisnet/Gunther Moll) – 4:30 (3:22 on older pressings)
3. "Born Bad" (Bellotte/Geoff Bastow) – 5:16 (6:20 on older pressings)

Side two

1. "Thunder in the Night" (Bellotte/Michael Hofmann) – 4:40
2. "Spotlight" (Bellotte/Wisnet/Moll) – 4:24
3. "Street Boogie" (Bellotte/Wisnet/Moll) – 3:56
4. "Victim of Love" (Bellotte/Sylvester Levay/Jerry Rix) – 4:52

Fleetwood Mac: Tusk

2009-11-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

Tusk is a double album released in 1979 by Fleetwood Mac. Considered experimental, primarily due to Lindsey Buckingham's sparser songwriting arrangements and home recording techniques to acknowledge the influence of punk rock and New Wave on his work, Tusk did not achieve the level of success of its mega-hit predecessor, Rumours. Bassist John McVie has commented that the album sounds like 'the work of three solo artists' (Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie), whilst Mick Fleetwood now proclaims that it is his favourite and the best Fleetwood Mac studio album created by the group. It achieved sales in excess of four million copies in the US, was a UK #1, and gave the group two US top-ten hit singles, with the Buckingham penned title track (US #8), and the Stevie Nicks composition "Sara" (US #7).

1. "Over & Over" (Christine McVie) – 4:36
2. "The Ledge" (Lindsey Buckingham) – 2:02
3. "Think About Me" (C. McVie) – 2:44
4. "Save Me a Place" (Buckingham) – 2:40
5. "Sara" (Stevie Nicks) – 6:27 (edited to 4:37 on original CD versions)
6. "What Makes You Think You're the One" (Buckingham) – 3:32
7. "Storms" (Nicks) – 5:29
8. "That's All for Everyone" (Buckingham) – 3:04
9. "Not That Funny" (Buckingham) – 3:13
10. "Sisters of the Moon" (Nicks) – 4:40
11. "Angel" (Nicks) – 4:53
12. "That's Enough for Me" (Buckingham) – 1:48
13. "Brown Eyes" (C. McVie) – 4:30
14. "Never Make Me Cry" (C. McVie) – 2:14
15. "I Know I'm Not Wrong" (Buckingham) – 3:02
16. "Honey Hi" (C. McVie) – 2:43
17. "Beautiful Child" (Nicks) – 5:23
18. "Walk a Thin Line" (Buckingham) – 3:48
19. "Tusk" (Buckingham) – 3:36
20. "Never Forget" (C. McVie) – 3:44

Paul McCartney & Wings

2009-11-28T22:26:00.001-08:00

"McCartney is an album that wants desperately to convince. Its explicit uniform message is that Paul McCartney, and his wife Linda and family have found peace and happiness in a quiet home away from the city and away from the hassle of themusic business. The 14 cuts on the "McCartney" LP are masterful examples of happiness, relaxation and contentment.

"Band on the Run"

Personally, I think this is probably the best solo album that McCartney did and probably even the best of any of the ex-Beatles solo efforts.

After the success of Red Rose Speedway and "Live And Let Die"—the new James Bond theme song—Wings began contemplating its next album. Paul and Linda McCartney, bored with recording in the UK, wanted to go to an exotic locale. After asking EMI to send him a listing of all their international recording studios, Paul happened upon Lagos in Nigeria and was instantly taken with the idea of recording in Africa. Alongside the McCartneys, guitarist and pianist Denny Laine, lead guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell also were set to go. However, a few weeks before departing in late August, McCullough quit Wings in Scotland; Seiwell followed suit the night before the departure. This left just the core of the band—Paul, Linda and Denny Laine—to venture to Lagos, along with former Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, who was needed to record the basic tracks due to the primitive state of the Lagos studios, which Wings had failed to realise prior to planning the trip.

In October, after the band's return to London, final overdubs and orchestral tracks were added and the album was finished. "Helen Wheels" was released as a non-album single at the end of the month, becoming a worldwide Top 10 by the end of the year. As Band On The Run was being prepared for release, Capitol Records, which distributed the Apple Records label in the United States, slotted "Helen Wheels" into the album—although it was never McCartney's intention to do so. Although "Helen Wheels" is not included on British versions of the Band on the Run CD (except as a bonus cut on the 1993 "The Paul McCartney Collection" edition of the CD), it has always been included on American editions of the CD (starting with the initial Columbia Records release in 1984). Early versions of the Capitol release of the American CD fail to mention "Helen Wheels" on the label or CD insert, making the song a "hidden track".

Norman Greenbaum

2009-11-28T14:16:00.001-08:00

Some years back a dim star sputtered in the sky of Pop Music. Dr West's Medicine Show and Junk Band, hailing from Chicago, put out a single entitled "The Eggplant That Ate Chicago," which made it fairly high on the charts and brought the band fleeting fame. In spite of a pretty good album, the Junk Band took the short step from Chicago to nowehere and Chicago, alas, remained uneaten.

The guiding genious of the junk band moved to Petaluma, California and put out an album called "Spirit in the Sky."

Spirit In The Sky-Norman Greenbaum
Uploaded by peakers. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Skeets McDonald

2009-11-28T08:14:00.001-08:00

Columbia. CL 2170. Includes: Call Me Mr Brown, Chin Up Chest Out, Fast Company, This Old Broken Heart, Everglades

Best known for his self-penned chart-topper "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," Skeets McDonald was a honky-tonk singer and songwriter whose work helped serve to bridge the gap between country and rock & roll. The youngest of seven children, Enos William McDonald was born on October 1, 1915 in Greenway, Arkansas, and earned his nickname after an incident involving a swarm of mosquitoes. He became interested in music at a young age, and according to McDonald family legend, even traded his hound dog for a guitar and six dollars. When his older brother moved to Michigan several years later, McDonald followed, and joined his first band, the Lonesome Cowboys, in Detroit in 1935. He continued to perform on local radio stations until he was drafted to serve in World War II in 1943. When he returned home he got a job on a tv show in Detroit. In 1950 he made his first records, recording with Johnnie White and his Rough Riders. A year later he headed west to Los Angeles, and began performing on the Hometown Jamboree, the influential tv show hosted by Cliffie Stone. This new job was instrumental in landing him a contract with Capitol Records, for whom he scored his biggest success in 1952 with Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes. He spent the decade with the label and cut some typically excellent West Coast hillbilly, as well as some forays into the rockabilly sound. He employed young guitar-whiz Eddie Cochran to back him in the studio for You Oughta See Grandma Rock and Heart Breaking Mama. Although they made little impact on the charts at the time, they are now considered rockabilly classics. After he joined Columbia in 1959 he concentrated on straight country and managed a couple of moderate hits like Call Me Mr Brown in 1963. He moved his body as well as his sound from California to Nashville and began appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, before succumbing to a heart attack in 1968. His chart career ran (stuttered) from 1952 to 1967 but only produced 5 entries quiet a unique situation which must have proved frustrating for the artist and label alike.

Joe Pass

2009-11-28T08:04:00.000-08:00

Joe Pass was born Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. By the time he was 13, Pass was soloing along with a local group that rendered homage to Django Reinhardts quintet. At 14, he went on the road with a big band led by Tony Pastor, who gave him a featured spot.

Hank Williams: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

2009-11-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

The way Hank describes scenes are so visual,

"The silence of a falling star lights up the purple sky,"

even the sounds described are done in a way that few writers could make work.

"That midnight train is whinin low and I'm so lonesome I could crfy."

And the music is haunting.

Kim Carnes: Crazy in the Night

2009-11-27T18:12:00.001-08:00

The Beatles: Help!

2009-11-27T18:00:00.001-08:00

The Dailies: New, but Familiar

2009-11-26T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Dailies is Chad and Erica. Like so many who earn their living doing what they love, Chad and Erica have worn many hats, including (but certainly not limited to) session singer, writer, arranger, lyricist, teacher, conductor, engineer, and producer. It’s this wealth and breadth of experience and skill that Chad and Erica now bring together as artists, as The Dailies. Their songs are musical and intuitive, yet inventive. Their lyrics are smart and thought provoking, but approachable. Their melodies, arrangements, and productions are innovative, yet rooted in a fundamental understanding of tried and tested song structure. Their voices are seasoned and trained, but the rawness and reality of their shared life together comes through with a clarity not often heard in this day and age. The Dailies is something new, yet instantly familiar, like a chance meeting with a long lost friend.

"That's All The Things...."

The Dailies | MySpace Music Videos

The Dailies on My Space

Forgotten Vinyl #39: Elton John: Greatest Hits

2009-11-20T23:15:00.000-08:00

Elton John's Greatest Hits is the ninth album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released on MCA Records, catalogue MCA 2128, in November 1974. Spanning the years 1970 to 1974, it compiles ten of John's singles, with one track variation for releases in North America and for Europe and Australia. It topped the album chart in both the United States and Great Britain, staying at #1 for ten consecutive weeks in the former nation and the eleven weeks in the latter. It is his best-selling album to date, being the first to have received an RIAA Diamond certification for US sales of more than 17 million copies and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.

Track listing:
Side one

1. "Your Song"
2. "Daniel"
3. "Honky Cat"
4. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
5. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"

Side two

1. "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time)"
2. "Candle in the Wind" (UK) "Bennie and the Jets" (US)
3. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me"
4. "Border Song"
5. "Crocodile Rock"

Blue Mother Tupelo: Heaven and Earth

2009-11-17T17:55:00.000-08:00

Blue Mother Tupelo - Heaven On Earth
Review by Chuck Dauphin
Music News Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee

One of the most intriguing genres of music out there is that of Americana. What exactly is it? I don’t know if there is any true clear-cut answer to that question. For me personally, I think that it means something that goes outside of the mainstream----whether it be traditional Country, Blues, or Bluegrass. Well, this husband and wife duo would fit in either of these sub-genres---if not on every track. I can honestly say it’s been a while since I have been as entertained with an album.

Micol and husband Ricky Davis have an outstanding knack for weaving a story throughout the album---regardless of whatever sound they approach it from. Do you like Motown sounds? Well, if so, look no further than “Always Lookin,” which sounds like it come straight from Detroit circa 1967. Staying with 60s sounds, Micol strikes a presence somewhere between Emmylou Harris and Bobbie Gentry on “Heaven And Earth,” and succeeds in her effort.

The two also blend their voices together in a way that sounds effortless. Tracks like “Wandering Soul” and “Biloxi” ooze with vocal chemistry, and “Tupelo” is very reminiscent of a 70s duet between George and Tammy or Porter and Dolly. Perhaps the most interesting cut on the album is “Gustard Bellue,” a cute tribute to the couple’s dog, complete with guest appearances from their nieces and nephews. Trust me, this one is worth checking out!

For more about Blue Mother Tupelo or to buy this CD, visit http://www.bluemothertupelo.com/

Forgotten Vinyl #38: Lynn Anderson: Rose Garden

2009-11-14T22:25:00.000-08:00

Rose Garden was an album released in 1971 by country singer Lynn Anderson. The album was the same name as the single she released in late 1970. The song went on to top the Country charts, where it stayed at the #1 position for five weeks, and reached #3 on the Pop charts in 1971. Anderson received a Grammy Award for the song for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The album went platinum in the United States and gold internationally. The album remained the biggest selling by a female country artist thru 1997, when Shania Twain broke Anderson's long-standing achievement with her Come on Over album.

Track listing:

1. "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden" (Joe South) - (2:53)
2. "For the Good Times" (Kris Kristofferson)
3. "Another Lonely Night" (Larry Butler)
4. "I Don't Wanna Play House" (Billy Sherrill, Glenn Sutton)
5. "Snowbird" (Gene MacLellan)
6. "Your Sweet Love Lifted Me" (George Richey, Glenn Sutton)
7. "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (Kris Kristofferson)
8. "I Still Belong to You" (Bill Rice, Jerry Foster)
9. "I Wish I Was a Little Boy Again" (Glenn Sutton, Darrell Edwards)
10. "It's Only Make Believe" (Conway Twitty, Jack Nance)
11. "Nothing Between Us" (Lynn Anderson)

Cobra Starship: Hot Mess

2009-11-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hot Mess

Cobra Starship | MySpace Video

Forgotten Vinyl #37: Motorcycle Mama by Sailcat

2009-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

When Sailcat's "Motorcycle Mama" rose to #12 in the national singles chart in the summer of 1972, few would have suspected that the song had almost literally got thrown out in the garbage before it had a chance to get released. Too, few were aware that its songwriter, John Wyker, was hardly a newcomer to the business, but had been a behind-the-scenes player of note in the Southern rock scene for more than a decade. Accordingly, the Motorcycle Mama album was a diverse cocktail of the Muscle Shoals, Alabama roots music in which Wyker was steeped, merging blues, country, R&B, rock, and gospel music into a concept album of sorts.

Motorcycle Mama sold pretty well, reaching #38 on the album charts. Yet although Sailcat did issue a subsequent non-LP single, "Baby Ruth," they never made another album, though band member, Court Pickett did a solo LP for Elektra shortly afterward. "We were a one-hit wonder by choice," explains Wyker. "I was so burned out on the road. They would fly us from one side of the country to the next. I said, 'Man, this was a freak accident, I'm not going to try to duplicate the success. I'm gonna leave while I'm on top.' Then came back to Muscle Shoals, bought a 24-foot houseboat, and lived on it."

Susanne Kessel: German Pianist

2009-11-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

SUSANNE KESSEL, a resident of Bonn, is well known for unusual concert and CD programmes with a high personal engagement. Susanne Kessel is never committing herself to one style so that her playing can be considered as highly experimental and innovative. She has given solo-recitals on radio and television, produced own radio-features for the WDR Köln, worked as a musician or as music coach for several movies, she has given concert-hall piano performances and has made concert tours in Europe and the USA.

VOICES OF THE PRESS: "German pianist Susanne Kessel is one of European new music’s greatest friends and this new release is another demonstration of her ability to perform with charm, grace and virtuosity. Kessel sparkles throughout these rich soundscapes." (La Folia, American online magazine, 2006) - "Kessel is known as an avant-garde specialist, but she plays like a romantic." (American Record Guide, 2006) - „Young, serious, poetic . . . the avid avant-garde specialist Susanne Kessel, prize winner of the International Schubert competition, fascinates us with undaunted excursions into the unknown territory of piano music. When Susanne Kessel departs on a journey, she gives everything in order to enthuse her audience for these works.“ (Die Zeit, 2001).

Forgotten Vinyl #36: Second Helping by Lynyrd Skynyrd

2009-11-07T12:06:00.000-08:00

Second Helping is a 1974 album by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was the band's second album, and featured their biggest hit single, "Sweet Home Alabama", an answer song to Neil Young's "Southern Man" and "Alabama". The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1974. Second Helping also featured "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," "Don't Ask Me No Questions," "Workin' for MCA," and "Call Me the Breeze," the latter of which includes an acclaimed piano solo. This was the first Lynyrd Skynyrd album to feature the band's trademark triple guitar attack.

The album reached #12 on the Billboard Album charts, eventually becoming multi-platinum.

Track listing:
Side one

1. "Sweet Home Alabama" (Ed King, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant) – 4:43
2. "I Need You" (Ed King, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant) – 6:55
3. "Don't Ask Me No Questions" (Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant) – 3:26
4. "Workin' For MCA" (Ed King, Ronnie Van Zant) – 4:49

Side two

1. "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" (Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant) – 4:51
2. "Swamp Music" (Ed King, Ronnie Van Zant) – 3:31
3. "The Needle And The Spoon" (Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant) – 3:53
4. "Call Me The Breeze" (J. J. Cale) – 5:09

Anya Marina:

2009-11-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

"I get weird songs in my head and putting pen to paper is kind of like a diuretic," Anya Marina says about why she writes songs. "If I didn’t get them out, they would probably make my mind feel very bloated. And no girl likes to be bloated."

'All The Same To Me', Anya Marina

Anya Marina | MySpace Video

Helen Lawson: UK Folk

2009-11-05T12:11:00.001-08:00

Helen's Official Website

Helen is a alternative/pop/folk singer, guitarist & writer from the UK. I will say that initially I kind of thought from the first track I started to hear that she was going to just another pop/folk singer and one of thousands that just sound the same after awhile. However, I think on the strength of "Something in the Wine," my mind was changed. She does write her own songs and his lyrically deep, something I appreciate.

Forgotten Vinyl #35: Itchycoo Park by the Small Faces

2009-11-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

Their late-1967 single "Itchycoo Park" (single released Nov. 11, 1967) is Small Faces' best-remembered songs and was also the first of the band's only two charting singles in the United States, reaching No. 16 (Jan. 27, 1968 for 3 weeks). "Itchycoo Park" was the first British record to use flanging, the technique of playing two identical master tapes simultaneously but altering the speed of one of them very slightly by touching the "flange" of one tape reel, which yielded a distinctive comb-filtering effect; it was an effect developed by Olympic Studios engineer George Chkiantz in 1966.

The song was first thought of by Ronnie Lane, who had been reading a leaflet on the virtues of Oxford which mentioned its dreaming spires.

A number of sources claim the song's name is derived from the nickname of Little Ilford Park, on Church Road in the London suburb of Manor Park, where Small Faces' singer and song-writer Steve Marriott grew up. The "itchycoo" nickname is, in turn, attributed to the stinging nettles which grew there. Other sources cite nearby Wanstead Flats (Manor Park end) as the inspiration for the song.

Marriott and Small Faces manager Tony Calder came up with the well-known story when Marriott was told the BBC had banned the song for its overt drug references, Calder confirms:

"We scammed the story together, we told the BBC that Itchycoo Park was a piece of waste ground in the East End that the band had played on as kids - we put the story out at ten and by lunchtime we were told the ban was off." - Tony Calder (Manager)

Ronnie Lane on the true location of Itchycoo Park:

"It's a place we used to go to in Ilford years ago. Some bloke we know suggested it to us because it's full of nettles and you keep scratching". - Ronnie Lane