Plastic soul…on a plastic record. Shifting gears was nothing new for David Bowie who seemingly shedded skin during the 1970s like others took out the trash. So when Bowie booked time in Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios during a two-week break during the Diamond Dogs tour, it should not have come as a surprise to anyone […]
Song Of The Day – “Lose Yourself To Dance” by Daft Punk
So Daft Punk has released a straight-up ‘70s Disco album and everybody is going nuts. Daft Punk fans are going nuts because there are real instruments and, gasp, real voices on this record. Critics are going nuts because the group has made a ‘70s disco album, and a ‘70s disco album stands out because it’s […]
Song Of The Day– “Dancing Machine” by The Jackson 5
They were growing up…and the world liked their Jacksons young. By 1973, The Jackson 5 were becoming somewhat of a spent force around Motown. It had been a few years since the group scored a bona-fide top ten hit, and there was plenty of dissatisfaction to go around. Brother Michael was no longer the pint-sized […]
Today in Rock History – January 15
1965, The Who released their first single “I Can’t Explain,” with Jimmy Page on guitar and The Ivy League on backing vocals. It went on to reach number eight on the singles chart. 1966, The Who play at The Two Puddings Club in Stratford and the In Crowd Club in Hackney, London, England. 1967, The […]
Song Of The Day- “Soul Drummers” by Ray Barretto
Like Tito Puente before him, Ray Barretto is one of the all-time greatest “Soul Drummers” of them all. He gave us the “El Watusi” in 1961, “Senor 007” in 1969 and this gem in 1967. The music emanated from el barrio, the South Bronx and Spanish Harlem in New York City, via the then-fledgling Latin […]
Song Of The Day – “Around The Way Girl” by LL Cool J
“Don’t Call It A Comeback, I been here for years…,” so begins the title cut from the 4th album called Mama Said Knock You Out by James Todd Smith…aka Ladies Love Cool J…aka LL Cool J. And back in the day in my hood, the strains of LL could be heard emanating from booming systems […]
Song Of The Day – “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred
I worked at Reader’s Digest in their recorded music division for five years compiling music collections for people who were much older than I was at the time. In effect, I was selling nostalgia to folks whose memories I did not share. The job proved research intensive and ultimately rewarding, and by creating these music […]
Song Of The Day – “Follow Your Bliss” by The B-52’s
“Follow Your Bliss” is perhaps the most unique recording in the entire B-52’s catalog; it is also the perfect closer to their greatest album. By the time of The B-52’s comeback album Cosmic Thing the group was ten years into their career. After becoming media darlings for the new wave, they soon found themselves in […]
Today in Rock History – December 9
1966, Supergroup Cream released their debut studio album Fresh Cream in the UK. The power trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker also released their second single “I Feel Free” on the same day. 1967, The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut. Before the show, a policeman found singer […]
Song Of The Day – “Pusher Love Girl” by Justin Timberlake
Growing up in public is nothing new. Sammy Davis, Jr. did it. So did Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Heck, even Justin Bieber’s doing it now. Some have handled it better than others, and while it’s probably not the easiest thing to do, there are some that make it seem effortless. Justin Timberlake is one […]
