Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Month: March 2014

"Rockin' in Baghdad"
Zeroto180

“Rockin’ in Baghdad”: Another Missed Opportunity for “Irony”

Speaking of old songs that take on a whole new meaning when considered against a modern geopolitical context (see previous post about Cat Stevens), Capitol US released a 45 in 1957 that featured “Rockin’ in Bag[h]dad,” a song that I very well could have imagined playing in the background during

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"I'm Gonna Get Me a Gun"
Zeroto180

Cat Stevens Once Desired a Gun

During the first phase of the Iraq War when tensions were really high, we all remember the news media having a field day when Mr. “Peace Train” himself, the former Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam, born Steven Demetre Georgiou), was discovered to be on the US government’s no-fly list and considered

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"Hitchcock Railway"
Zeroto180

“Hitchcock Railway”: Train Line of Liberation

“Hitchcock Railway” – the A-side of a 1968 RCA single by José Feliciano released here and abroad – made the Top 100 here in the US (#77) and Top 40 in Australia (#20): Musical Personnel José Feliciano – vocals & guitar Ray Brown – string bass Jim Gordon – drums

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"Legend of the Big Steeple"
Zeroto180

“Legend of the Big Steeple”: Spectacular Spire

Nice tremolo effect on the piano in this bittersweet tale (written by Charles Underwood) about how the good people eventually got their steeple: “Legend Of The Big Steeple“ Porter Wagoner (1960) This 1960 recording, issued on an RCA 45 both in the States and in Australia, was finally gathered up

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"Go Cat Go"
Zeroto180

“Go Cat Go”: Norma Jean Co-opts the Rockabilly Battle Cry

I like how the beleaguered singer of this song ironically subverts the mythic rockabilly refrain “Go Cat Go” into a cry of liberation from her no-good, double-crossing partner: “Go Cat Go“ Norma Jean (1964) Norma Jean’s demand for independence (penned by Harlan Howard) peaked at #8 on Billboard‘s Country chart

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"Me Me Me Me Me"
Zeroto180

“Me, Me, Me, Me, Me”: Honky Tonk Opera

Opera meets Opry in this musically self-centered song that kicks off Liz Anderson’s 1968 RCA album, Like a Merry-Go-Round: “Me Me Me Me Me“ Liz Anderson (1968) “Me, Me, Me, Me, Me” also served as the B-side of Anderson’s “Cry, Cry Again” RCA 45 that was produced by Felton Jarvis.

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"Daily Nightly"
Zeroto180

“Daily Nightly”: Mickey Dolenz, Moog Pioneer

The rap on The Monkees I remember growing up was that “they didn’t play their own instruments.”  While it is often true that seasoned session players provided much of the musical backing behind the Monkees’ vocal tracks, it is inaccurate and unfair to say that the Monkees didn’t bring their

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"Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead"
Zeroto180

“Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead”: Sammy & Buddy, United in Battle

Sammy Davis, Jr. and Buddy Rich emerge triumphant a mere one minute and forty-five seconds into this classic confrontation between good and evil: “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead“ Sammy Davis, Jr. & Buddy Rich (1966) Ernie Freeman, Arranger George Rhodes, Conductor Jimmy Bowen, Producer. Thanks to SammyDavisJr.info for pointing

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"Day Song"
Zeroto180

“Day Song”: 4th Song Played by 1st Band at Woodstock

Richie Havens may have kicked off musical proceedings with his opening solo set, but Sweetwater, truth be told, is the first actual musical group that played the Woodstock Music & Art Fair on August 15, 1969.  According to Woodstock Wiki, “Day Song” is the fourth song they played: “Day Song“

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Zeroto180

Charlie Byrd’s Guitar Weeps – Due to Late 60s Social Tumult

In an attempt to convince the skeptical (and serious) music purchaser that this album really is a wise investment in the quality of one’s listening experience, almighty Columbia tries to have its cake and eat it, too, with Charlie Byrd’s Aquarius album from 1969, as the unnamed writer of the

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