After a variety of media reports of ill health that swirled this week, it can be confirmed that Aretha Franklin, known as "The Queen of Soul," passed away at her Detroit home this morning at the age of 76. There are far better writers than can do a far better job of telling her life … Continue reading Rest in peace, Aretha Franklin: “Respect” (1967)
1960s
Ten Albums: The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965)
Our Ten Albums list continues, and we have our first controversy: #4* - The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965) So, why the asterisk? Well... I've limited myself to one album per artist, which is going to necessarily leave out some thing terrific. I've also spent time on this blog writing about Revolver, an album that I … Continue reading Ten Albums: The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965)
Ten Albums: Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
(Above: Paul Simon sports the puffy shirt years before Jerry Seinfeld.) Our series of Ten Albums continues today. #6 - Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966) Right around the time I turned 14 was when I made the second major raid on my parents' abandoned music collection. I've written much about taking … Continue reading Ten Albums: Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
RIP Matt “Guitar” Murphy: Chuck Berry, “Bye Bye Johnny” (1960)
(Above: His guitar playing was much better than his cooking.) Word circulated this weekend that Matt "Guitar" Murphy passed away at the age of 88. My first exposure to Murphy's work, like many people, was through his role as a part of the Blues Brothers band in the film of the same name. I don't … Continue reading RIP Matt “Guitar” Murphy: Chuck Berry, “Bye Bye Johnny” (1960)
An appreciation of Dick Biondi: “The Pizza Song”
(Above: "The Pizza Song" had a picture sleeve, which my copy is missing.) I never imagined radio without Dick Biondi on it somewhere. Don't get me wrong: I'm nothing if not something of a realist. No one lives forever, nor works forever, nor should they. And, hell - years ago I didn't imagine a world … Continue reading An appreciation of Dick Biondi: “The Pizza Song”
Going to the jack-o-lantern: Lyrics misheard by children, young and old
(Above: The lack of a pumpkin on the sleeve should have been my first clue.) I've always been one to judge a song by its lyrics. I should clarify that: if the song has lyrics, I want them to be great. (I'm a sucker for a terrific instrumental, but even then I probably start making … Continue reading Going to the jack-o-lantern: Lyrics misheard by children, young and old
So you wanna be a rock and roll star: Dora Hall, “Did He Call Today, Mama” (1965)
(Above: Gift with purchase.) A few years ago music fans were subjected to Rebecca Black's "Friday," a song that, while not fantastic, also wasn't as purely terrible as people claimed that it was. (I mean, the poor girl got threats over it. What's wrong with people?) What we learned from the process of "Friday" becoming … Continue reading So you wanna be a rock and roll star: Dora Hall, “Did He Call Today, Mama” (1965)
Bookends at fifty: Simon and Garfunkel, “America” (1968)
(Above: What was Frances McDormand's line from Almost Famous?) Fifty years ago today - April 3, 1968 - Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel released the LP Bookends. This was one of the first LPs that I recovered from my parents' stash upon finding that they had more than just 45s in a box. (I touched … Continue reading Bookends at fifty: Simon and Garfunkel, “America” (1968)
Greatest misses: Duke Baxter, “Everybody Knows Matilda” (1969)
(Above: The song's not quite as trippy as the picture sleeve.) In August of 1969 a record made a brief appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, stalling at #52. It was a fun little number about an almost-but-not-quite-one-night-stand (if we can invent that terminology) with a seemingly popular girl named Matilda. Just who sang the … Continue reading Greatest misses: Duke Baxter, “Everybody Knows Matilda” (1969)
The gift that kept on giving: My first 45s, 45 years later (Part 2)
(Above: Clearly Mom wanted the records in the basement. That's usually where they end up.) In the last post I explained that I received my first record player 45 years ago, and started rifling through my parents' records. This past weekend I went through a few thousand 45s, found the original records I inherited, and … Continue reading The gift that kept on giving: My first 45s, 45 years later (Part 2)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 