Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic
Two years following sunshine pop’s progressive peak, The 5th Dimension would once again explore wordless vocal jazz — “Sky And Sea” from 1972’s Individually and Collectively, their fourth album for Bell: “Sky And Sea“ The 5th Dimension (1972) LP Musician & Production Credits Billy Davis, Jr. – Vocals Florence La
In the late 1990s I took a chance on a CD at Marshall’s (from the cheap-o bins they use to keep near the registers) by Astrud Gilberto — the 1960s singer who helped popularize bossa nova. The title of the disc, Gold, was not only misleading but annoying, since these
Caterina Valente and Edmundo Ros take on the hit hippy musical, Hair — and win! “Be In (Hare Krishna)” is the side two kick-off track from 1969’s Silk ‘n’ Latin LP: -front cover- -rear cover- Be In – Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros [Pssst: Click on the triangle above to
Dionne Warwicke‘s first album for Warner Brothers in 1972, sadly, was her last with masterful songwriting duo, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, their partnership in the process of dissolution. How perplexing that Warner Brothers would lure Dionne with a five-million dollar contract (big money in 1971) but then only release
Not too long ago I picked up 20 Heavy Hits, a bubblegum-leaning collection of radio hits from 1968 that appears to be the predecessor to Crystal Corporation’s, 20 Solid Gold Hits. Even though it was only a buck, I almost didn’t get it since I already had most of the
In 1972 Starday-King released a country compilation LP (on their Nashville imprint) entitled, Almost Persuaded, that was strictly a ladies-only affair: Rose Maddox, Dolly Parton, Jan Howard, Dottie West, Lois Williams, Betty Amos – and Ruby Wright. Wright’s playful little rocker, “Adios Aloha” — written by June Carter and Don
What a revelation to learn that The Coasters, along with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, collaborated with Fania recording legend, Larry Harlow, on five tracks that were recorded in Autumn, 1971 – the highlight being a fresh boogaloo take on “Cool Jerk“: “Cool Jerk” The Coasters (1971) The recording
From David Bianculli‘s history of the Smothers Brothers’ groundbreaking television variety show, I discovered that Mason Williams was much more than the guy who wrote the million-selling instrumental, “Classical Gas.” Williams not only recorded albums for Warner Brothers (and Mercury & Vee Jay) but also wrote incisive and edgy sketches for
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
One year after Stu Phillips recorded a spectacularly soporific reading of “Tired of Waiting for You,” The Sandpipers released a similarly sluggish take on the garage rock classic, “Louie Louie” — it, too, makes me laugh: “Louie Louie“ The Sandpipers (1966) 45Cat’s BeatleJohn likewise warns listeners that this recording is
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