Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Category: Latin-American sounds

"Louie Louie"
Zeroto180

“Louie Louie”: Languid, Listless

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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"Guarare"
Zeroto180

“Guarare”: ¡Viva La Ronco!

PBS’s excellent 4-hour documentary – Latin Music USA – did a wonderful job of pointing out just how little I knew about Latin American music and its history.  Thanks to Will Hermes and his sweeping new history of the NYC music scene during a crucial 5-year period, 1973-1977, I have

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"South American Getaway"
Zeroto180

“South American Getaway”: Sunshine Pop’s Case of the Blahs

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

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"Fastest Guitar Alive"
Zeroto180

Roy Orbison (is) The Fastest Guitar Alive

For a modest sum, I picked up this Roy Orbison soundtrack for the 1967 motion picture – Fastest Guitar Alive – and was surprised by the quality of songs from start to finish. Cover art by Frank Frazetta All ten songs on the album are Roy Orbison originals – seven

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