Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Category: Musical fights

"The Soul of JB"
Zeroto180

The Duel: Organ vs. Sax

In the early part of this century, reissue label, Hip-O, put out a comprehensive series of James Brown single releases that were issued from 1956-1981.  Historians & researchers will no doubt be studying these liner notes in decades to come as they try to organize and make sense of the

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"Stomp"
Zeroto180

“Stomp”: First Recording of a Clavinet?

Someone posted a short list of “clavinet-fueled songs” that, of course, included “Up on Cripple Creek” by The Band.  One commenter quibbled that the song should have been #1 on the list, “not only because it is better but because it was first” – but was it? The Clavinet is

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"Sligo"
Zeroto180

“Sligo”: Area Code 615 vs. 301

Now that I no longer live in the Ohio Valley but the Sligo Creek Valley watershed (which drains into the Anacostia, a tributary of the Potomac), I thought it would be interesting to search 45Cat’s singles database for any songs with the word “Sligo” in the title.  Surprise! That elite

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"Sweet Soul Music"
Zeroto180

“Yeah Man”: Musical Thievery

I am riveted with Peter Guralnick’s biographical account – Dream Boogie – of the visionary musical entrepreneur, Sam Cooke, who also happened to be gifted vocalist.   My attention was particularly piqued by Sam’s fraught – and ultimately unsuccessful – attempt to release the song “Yeah Man” as a single. Rare

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"Press Along Nyah"
Zeroto180

The Earliest Reggae Recording?

Three years ago, someone paid $99 for this great single by Larry (Marshall) & Alvin (Leslie) that was recorded in 1970 at Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s legendary Studio One: “Press Along Nyah“ Larry & Alvin (1970) Last year The Jamaica Observer checked in with Larry Marshall (now residing in Florida), who

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"The Singer Sang His Song"
Zeroto180

“The Singer Sang His Song”: Leave Them Wanting More

In 1969 Columbia Special Products teamed up with The United Nations in order to help save the world’s refugee population using the proceeds from sales of star-studded hits collection, World Star Festival.  Interestingly, this musical arts venture in humanitarianism predates by nearly two years George Harrison’s groundbreaking benefit concert for

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"Small Beginnings"
Zeroto180

“Small Beginnings”: Shorter vs. Longer Version?

Early Yes guitarist, Peter Banks, and vocalist, Colin Carter, formed prog-rock ensemble Flash in Summer 1971, signing with Sovereign, an EMI/Capitol subsidiary label, and recording their first album in November (with early Yes member, Tony Kaye on keyboards).  By 1972 the group had a Billboard Top 40 hit right out

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"Finger Mash"
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“Play De Music” vs. “Finger Mash”: Festival Sound Clash

In the liner notes to Baba Boom! — Trojan’s compilation of Jamaica Independence Festival songs from 1966-1975 — one piece of text really jumped out at me: 1974’s ‘Play De Music‘ by Tinga Stewart – a monster hit and the very last one of the archetypal Festival Songs, celebrating the

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"Weather Report"
Zeroto180

“Weather Report”: Play the Simon & Garfunkel Game

Here’s a fun game – a public service of Zero to 180 – that you can play with a group of friends: Get a time piece (or watch with a second hand) Click the triangle below to play “Weather Report” by The Tennors. Make note of how much time elapses

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"Baia"
Zeroto180

“Baia”: Carol Kaye as Bandleader

One weekend in late March 2009 I was listening to Bob Edwards‘ radio show while on my way to an event and had to pull over to finish listening to the rest of his interview with legendary session bassist, Carol Kaye – who is estimated to have played on more

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