Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Tag: Chess Records

"Snowfall"
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“Snowfall”: Soulful + Strings

The Soulful Strings evoke the magic of falling snow — thanks to Dorothy Ashby‘s harp — on their classic instrumental track, “Snowfall“: “Snowfall” by The Soulful Strings (1968) Discogs helps us appreciate how The Soulful Strings were able to create an identifiable sound despite only playing other people’s material: “The

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"Tacos and Grits"
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“Tacos & Grits”: Jazz Trombone

Zero to 180 kicks off its musical salute to grits with “Tacos And Grits,” an obvious winner of an instrumental by jazz trombonist, Al Grey: “Tacos and Grits” Al Grey (1963) This first featured song in Zero to 180’s music & grits series — launched on the heels of Saturday’s

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"Bilbo Is Dead"
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“Bilbo Is Dead”: Not the Hobbit

Joe’s Record Paradise – thankfully – is only moving up Georgia Avenue a few blocks. Formerly Champion Billiards – at dusk On my last visit to Joe’s I picked up The Record Men:  The Chess Brothers and the Birth of Rock & Roll – the lone music history title in

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"Ooh Baby"/"Wrecking My Love Life"
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“Ooh Baby”/”Wrecking My Love Life”: Bo Diddley, Song Surgeon

In a re-match of three blues heavyweights – Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Bo Diddley (taking Little Walter’s place) – The Super Super Blues Band from 1968 on Chess is classic stuff.  One of the blues deejays on DC’s WPFW (possibly Bill Wax) once played the album’s second track, which

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"Everybody Knows I Love You"
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Kenny Smith: From Soul Street to God Pop and Beyond

Thanks to Darren Blase and Shake It Records for assembling One More Day, an 18-track collection of recordings by singer, songwriter and producer, Kenny Smith, that span a total of eleven labels: Fraternity Chess President RCA Flo-Roe Goldspot Clearhill Counterpart General American Kogan Lena * Intriguing to discover that the one-time

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