Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Month: February 2014

"Holy Mount Zion"
Zeroto180

“Holy Mount Zion” + Dub = “I a See”

Thanks to RiddimGuide, I was able to ascertain that “I a See” is a dub version of the Nyabinghi chant, “Holy Mount Zion” by Count Ossie with the Zion All-Stars. Compare the original 7″ Studio One vinyl mix of “Holy Mount Zion” with this version by Dub Specialist entitled, “I

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"Anchors Aweigh"
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“Anchors Aweigh”: Seafaring Strings of Steel

Countless country music fans have heard steel guitarist Lloyd Green without realizing it.  Green has played with over 500 artists and performed on 115 number one hits, as well as over 100 top ten hits.  Between the years 1965 and 1980, Lloyd averaged an astounding 400 recording sessions in Nashville

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"Part of the Union"
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“Part of the Union”: Rockers of the World, Unite

Zero to 180’s tribute to labor continues with (The) Strawbs‘ unabashed and unequivocal anthem to The Working Man — everybody sing along now: “Part of the Union“ Strawbs (1973) “Part of the Union” came close to hitting the number 1 spot on the UK Singles Chart in February 1973.  The song

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"Hard Times"
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“Hard Times”: Working Man’s Blue(gras)s

The Osborne Brothers point the way forward on 1967’s Modern Sounds of Bluegrass Music. “Hard Times” — a working man’s blues dressed in modern bluegrass threads — speaks directly to the classic struggle between labor and management: “Hard Times,” the A-side of a 45 (b/w “World of Unwanted“) released in

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"For Old Times Sake"
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“For Old Times Sake”: Radio-Ready, Just Needs a Home

Brotherhood of Man, who had a worldwide hit with the title track from their classic 1970 God Pop album, United We Stand, also hit it big with their next 45, “Where Are You Going to My Love.”  One other track from this album – “For Old Times Sake” – had

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"Sitting Here on a Tongue"
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“Sitting Here on a Tongue”: What’s a Grodeck Whipperjenny?

Six of the eight songs on the debut album by The Grodeck Whipperjenny were recorded in Cincinnati’s King Studios on February 5, 1970.  “Sitting Here on a Tongue” is the album’s kick-off track: “Sitting Here on a Tongue” The Grodeck Whipperjenny (1970) Jimmy Madison – Drums Michael Moore – Bass

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"Some of Them Bones Are Mine"
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“Some of Them Bones Are Mine”: Kinda Spooky

According to the authoritative Rockin’ Country Style website, Johnny and Jonie are Johnny & Jonie Mosby — he, born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and she, born Janice Irene Shields in Van Nuys, California.   Married in 1958, released two 45s that same year. “Some of Them Bones are Mine” — whose

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"Ride of the Ruthless"
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“Ride of the Ruthless”: Guitar Army from Texas

Big Guitars from Texas is/was an Austin supergroup that features Frankie Camaro (Dino Lee, Dragstrip, Moto-X), Don Leady (Leroi Brothers, Tailgators), Evan Johns (H-Bombs), Denny Freeman, Mike Buck (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Leroi Brothers) and Keith Ferguson (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tailgators).  “Guitar Army” – from their 1985 album, Trash, Twang & Thunder –

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"Wildwood Flower on the Autoharp"
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“Wildwood Flower on the Autoharp”: Fine Arts vs. Popular Arts

In 1967, Sheb Wooley released a great single, where the A-side – “Love In” – hilariously mocked the “free love” sentiment then in vogue, while the B-side proudly proclaimed the simple music of the “folk” to be the kind that touches his soul the deepest: Wildwood Flower on the Autoharp

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60s/70s rock +/- pop
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Too Far or Not Enough – The Consensus on Lennon?

The overwhelming majority of Beatle novelty and tribute songs were released in the first flush of Beatlemania when the Fab Four were at their peak level of cuddliness.  However, with the release “John You Went Too Far This Time” — in direct response to John & Yoko‘s controversial Two Virgins

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