Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic
The Drifters’ original 1961 version of “Sweet for My Sweets” has a distinct Latin feel — which brings to mind a piece of writing by Dave Marsh that I found to be illuminating some years ago, still do. In his 1984 article for The Boston Phoenix – “Rock and Roll’s
I confess I am not an Augustus Pablo scholar, but I would bet big money that Pablo’s dub take on Bob Marley‘s “Talkin’ Blues” is among the most inspired recordings in his canon. I only wish I could determine the source of the original Marley vocal and backing track –
Reissue label Razor & Tie did a public service in 1999 when they rescued a wonderful instrumental that had remained unissued for over 30 years – just sitting on a master tape of a 1965 Nashville recording session by country singer, Ferlin Husky. Very little is known about the musicians
During the 1970s when progressive rock, pop and soul were at their peak, a number of wizard keyboardists enjoyed superstar status: Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Stevie Wonder, Jan Hammer, Billy Preston, Jon Lord, Bernie Worrell. And Sir Christopher Scott. The liner notes for Sir Scott’s 1970 Decca LP, More Switched
Found a hot Texas swing instrumental called “Western Limited Boogie” on a Starday cassette about which little to no information exists. The front cover indicates this is part of a series called Best of the Instrumentals, and the volume that I own is called “Texas Style Instruments.” The featured artist
This track sounds like a collaboration between Burt Bacharach and Brian Wilson – only it isn’t. Although it wants to be: “South American Getaway“ Burt Bacharach Just like The 5th Dimension‘s “Dimension 5ive,” this is technically a vocal tune yet one without lyrics. It also has that sunny Southern California
We all know that 1954 was the year of Elvis Presley’s famous and influential Sun recordings, but 1954 was also highly noteworthy for the combined impact of these three particular tunes – all instrumentals: 1. “Stratosphere Boogie” by Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant – Phenomenal, blazing twin guitar work — rock
From Toots Thielemans‘ appearance on David Sanborn’s Night Music TV show, I learned that Toots is a jazz harmonica virtuoso who (1) played the harmonica on the original ‘Sesame Street‘ theme song, as well as (2) whistled the famous melody for the Old Spice deodorant TV ads of the 1970s. I
I have an album of repackaged material from the Buddah label — a compilation entitled Heavy Mix — that is one of the odder releases from everyone’s favorite reissue label, Pickwick. I love that the cover art has a cement theme: Even more intriguing than the kitschy cover concept is
One of my favorite Link Wray tunes is one that humorously fuses our two American national anthems — “Dixie” and “Yankee Doodle“: “Dixie Doodle” Link Wray (1958) Interesting to learn that, on the strength of his hugely influential top 40 hit, “Rumble” — a menacing instrumental that was actually banned
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