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Post by razorbacker on Jan 6, 2024 18:44:30 GMT
Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. Their name comes from Bob Dylan's song "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest"
The band's membership has changed many times over the years, but they are still active & will be touring the UK beginning soon. The current lineup consists of bassist Ian Hill, drummer Scott Travis, singer Rob Halford, and guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner. After guitarist K. K. Downing's retirement from the band in 2011, bassist Ian Hill is the only remaining founding member.
They have been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards & won in 2010 for Best Metal Performance for the song Dissident Aggressor.
During their career they have released 18 studio albums, 6 live albums, 7 compilation albums, 29 singles, 10 video albums, and 21 music videos.
This song comes from British Steel. It is their 6th studio album & was released in 1980. The album got to #34 in the US. The song linked to here was the 1st single & was followed by Breaking The Law, & United. All of them did big business in the UK but none charted here in the states.
At this point in their career the lineup was: Rob Halford – vocals, K. K. Downing – guitars, Glenn Tipton – guitars, Ian Hill – bass, & Dave Holland – drums. It was their 1st album with Dave Holland on drums.
Living After Midnight by Judas Priest
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 7, 2024 15:08:10 GMT
pc Quest was a pop music group in the early 1990s from Oklahoma.
Group members included Chad Petree who in the future went on to some success with the band Tiny Toy Guns, Stephen Petree who was the credited songwriter for much of TTG’s music, Drew Nichols, & Kim Whipkey.
The group was short lived due to the lack of chart successes. They never landed a single in the top 40 & they released just 2 albums in their 2 years together. This song comes from their self titled 1st album from 1991. It was released as a single & just missed out on the top 40 by landing at #41. It was their biggest hit.
Most of the songs were written by one or both of the songwriting team Tim James and Steven McClintock (best known for their work with 1980s pop singer Tiffany).
After The Summers Gone by pc Quest
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 7, 2024 17:38:58 GMT
I reckon some of these folks are more obscure than others, but there is very little info available on this lady.
Cynthia, is a Puerto Rican-American freestyle and dance-pop singer. Her full name is Cynthia Torres.
She is best known for her hits "Dreamboy/Dreamgirl" (with Johnny O), "Break Up to Make Up" and "If I Had the Chance", which peaked at numbers 53, 70 and 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
This song was released as a single in 1992 & charted at #75 on the Dance Charts, she actually had quite a few singles to land on that chart. It was included on her 3rd album called Cynthia, The Remixes. But I don’t find any info on what it was remixed from. The song sounds a lot like Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine to me.
Love Me Tonight by Cynthia
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 8, 2024 11:56:37 GMT
Starland Vocal Band was an American pop band from Washington D.C.
The group began as Fat City, a husband/wife duo of Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert. Bill Danoff wrote the song linked to here, but back in 1971, he & Taffy were co – writers along with John Denver, on "Take Me Home, Country Roads”. When they became Starland Vocal Band they added Jon Carroll (keyboards, guitar, vocals) and Margot Chapman (vocals).
They broke up in 1981 when all four members went on to pursue solo careers.
The group won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1977, they beat Boston for that one.
During their career they released 5 studio albums & multiple singles. This song was included on their self - titled debut album from 1977. It was their biggest album going to #20 & the song was also their biggest hit. It landed at #1 & became their only top 40 hit.
The song was nominated for 3 Grammys that year. It was nominated for Record Of The Year but lost to This Masquerade by George Benson. It was also nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals & lost that one to If You Leave Me Now from Chicago. The song won the award for Best Arrangement for Voices (duo, group or chorus), that was a win over Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
In 2010, Billboard named "Afternoon Delight" the 20th sexiest song of all time. Due to its success, the song was featured in such films as PCU, Anchorman, and Good Will Hunting, and TV show Glee.
Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 8, 2024 18:08:50 GMT
Melissa Manchester is a singer, songwriter and actress from the Bronx. She will turn 73 in February.
She learned the piano and harpsichord at the Manhattan School of Music, began singing commercial jingles at age 15, and became a staff writer at age 17 for Chappell Music while attending Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts.
She won a Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy Award for her song "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" in 1982. That year she beat songs by Juice Newton, Olivia Newton John, Laura Branigan & Linda Ronstadt.
As an actress she has been in many movies & TV shows & just last year she played Mrs. Brice in the national tour of the Broadway musical Funny Girl.
As a songwriter she has had songs included in soundtracks for movies such as Ice Castles, Out Of Africa, The Money Pit & The Great Mouse Detective, among many others.
This song was included on her 3rd studio album. It was called Melissa & came out in 1975. The album got to #12 & the song's peak position was #6.
Midnight Blue by Melissa Manchester
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 9, 2024 12:10:54 GMT
Glen Gray was a jazz saxophonist and leader of the Casa Loma Orchestra from Roanoke, Illinois. He died of lymphoma, in 1963 aged 63.
He served as leader of the Casa Loma Orchestra & their mid-1930s appearances on the long-run radio comedy-variety program, the Camel Caravan, (introduced with their theme, "Smoke Rings") boosted their popularity.
He recorded and released the original version of the jazz and big band standard "Sunrise Serenade" featuring Frankie Carle on piano in 1938.
Shorty Sherock was a swing jazz trumpeter from Minneapolis. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 64.
In the 1930s he was a soloist with both the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra and the Gene Krupa orchestra. He led a big band in the 1940s. He was a featured soloist in Los Angeles in 1944 at the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert. The concert included Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, J. J. Johnson, Jack McVea, and Les Paul.
The original version of this song was recorded in 1947, but this tribute version comes from 1960.
The trumpet solos are by Shorty Sherock, Other solos include Gus Bivona on clarinet and Skeets Herfurt on alto saxophone.
Afternoon In August by Glen Gray & Shorty Sherock
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 9, 2024 18:16:48 GMT
Pat Metheny is a jazz guitarist and composer from Lees Summit, Missouri. He will turn 70 next August.
He cites the Beatles, Miles Davis, and Wes Montgomery as having the biggest impact on his music.
He has won 20 Grammy Awards, and is the only person to have won a Grammy in 10 different categories.
He was inducted into the Down Beat Hall of Fame in 2013 & was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music in 1996.
He was named guitarist of the Year, in a Down Beat Readers' Poll, 1983, 1986–1991, 2007–2016, & the Best Jazz Guitarist, Guitar Player magazine, 1982, 1983, 1986.
This song comes from his debut album, Bright Size Life, released in 1976. The songs for the album were written when he was living in Boston and teaching at the Berklee School of Music.
The album was pretty well overlooked on first issue. It sold just 900 copies, but 10–15 years later it received wider recognition.
In 2005, the song linked to here was included on the Progressions: 100 Years of Jazz Guitar compilation on Columbia Records. It was also included on the Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology compilation. In August 2020, the album was included in the Jazzwise list of "100 Jazz Albums That Shook the World".
In 2020, the album was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry.
The musicians playing include Pat Metheny: 6-string guitar, electric 12-string guitar, Jaco Pastorius: fretless bass & Bob Moses: drums.
Midwestern Nights Dream by Pat Metheny
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 10, 2024 12:41:45 GMT
Cab Calloway became a popular vocalist of the swing era. His niche of mixing jazz and vaudeville won him acclaim during a career that spanned over 65 years. He was born on Christmas day in 1907 & passed away in 1994 at the age of 86, so not only did he have a long career, but a long life as well.
His career also included Broadway musicals, he was a cast member of Porgy & Bess in 1953 & Hello Dolly in 1967 among others. He also made many appearances in the movies beginning with The Big Broadcast in 1932 & ending with The Blues Brothers in 1980.
The song linked to here was released as a “B” side in 1946 to a single called A Blue Serge Suit With A Belt In The Back. He is backed by The Cab Calloway Orchestra & the song was written by Duke Ellington. I don’t see any evidence that either side charted. He had his final top 10 hit in 1946 & his last top 40 in 1948, so his singing career was on the decline while his other interests seemed to be picking up.
Afternoon Moon by Cab Calloway
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 10, 2024 18:57:38 GMT
Leo Kottke is an acoustic guitarist/singer/songwriter, born in Athens, Georgia. He now resides in the Minneapolis area with his family.He turned 78 last September.
He is known for a fingerpicking style that draws on blues, jazz, and folk music.
He has overcome a series of personal obstacles, including partial loss of hearing. As a child a mishap with a firecracker permanently damaged the hearing in his left ear, a condition that would be exacerbated by exposure to loud noise during firing practice while he served in the United States Navy Reserve, when the hearing in his other ear was also damaged. He also suffered a nearly career-ending bout with tendon damage in his right hand, to emerge as a widely recognized master of his instrument.
During his career he has released 23 studio albums, 4 Live albums & 4 soundtrack albums. This song comes from his 7th studio album, it was called Ice Water & came out in 1974. The album charted at #69 & It contains his only charting single, the Tom T. Hall composition "Pamela Brown".
He is one of the more incredible guitar players I ever had the chance to see.
Morning Is The Long Way Home by Leo Kottke
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 11, 2024 12:16:53 GMT
In the world of rock & roll, the Kinks are one of the earliest members of the bad behavior bands.
Their constant touring caused tensions within the band, which led to the on-stage fight between drummer Mick Avory and Dave Davies at The Capitol Theatre, Cardiff, Wales in May 1965. After finishing the first song, "You Really Got Me", Davies insulted Avory and kicked over his drum set. Avory responded by hitting Davies with his hi-hat stand, knocking him out, before fleeing from the scene, fearing that he had killed his bandmate. Davies was taken to Cardiff Royal Infirmary, where he received 16 stitches to his head. To placate police, Avory later claimed that it was part of a new act in which the band members would hurl their instruments at each other. Following their summer 1965 American tour, the American Federation of Musicians refused permits for the group to appear in concerts in the US for the next four years, due in part to their continued behavior issues.
Despite all the early fightin & fussin the band continued to perform until 1996, making it through 33 years & multiple members.
This song comes from Something Else by the Kinks. It was their 5th studio album & was released in September 1967. The album was produced by American producer Shel Talmy who had worked with the band since the early days, but it was his final efforts for them. Ray Davies would produce for the group from here on.
The album stalled out at 153 on the US top 200. It included the singles Waterloo Sunset, which has become one of the group's most acclaimed songs, but it didn’t chart here. The 2nd & final single was Death Of A Clown, which did pretty well everywhere except here in the states, where it too failed to chart.
Afternoon Tea by The Kinks
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 11, 2024 18:38:25 GMT
Leo Reisman was a violinist and bandleader in the 1920s and 1930s. He was born and raised in Boston. He died in 1961 at the age of 64.
He studied violin as a young man, but after being rejected by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he formed his own band in 1919 He became famous for having over 80 hits on the popular charts during his career. Jerome Kern called Reisman's orchestra "The String Quartet of Dance Bands".
One of his his more popular hits was the song linked to here. The song was written by Cole Porter in 1932 for the Broadway musical Gay Divorce. It is perhaps Porter's most popular contribution to the Great American Songbook and has been recorded by dozens of musicians. NPR says "within three months of the show's opening, more than 30 artists had recorded the song." The most recent recording of the song came as a duet by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga in 2021.
The movie version of the play came out in 1934 & stared Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers & Alice Brady. Fred sang the song during the opening credits for the movie. It was the 2nd pairing of Fred & Ginger.
This version of the song was released in 1932 & includes vocals by Fred. The B side was called I’ve Got You On My Mind & Fred sings that one as well.
Night & Day by Leo Reisman
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 12, 2024 12:16:31 GMT
Crash Test Dummies are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. They formed in 1988 & continue to make music today.
The band members have fluctuated over the years, but its best known line-up consisted of Brad Roberts (lead vocals, guitar, & writer), Ellen Reid (co-vocals, keyboards), Brad's brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion). All of them with the exception of Benjamin Darvill are still with the group.
The band was nominated for 3 Grammy Awards, all in 1995, including Best New Artist, but they didn’t win any. They lost that New Artist award to Sheryl Crow.
During their career they have released 8 studio albums, 23 singles, 1 live album, a greatest hits compilation. This song was a part of God Shuffled His Feet. It was their 2nd second album & was released in 1993. The album hit the top 10 in countries all around the world including a #9 position here in the states. It has been certified Double Platinum here & has sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
The album included the singles Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm #4 on the Hot 100 & nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, which it lost to "I Swear" by All-4-One. They followed up with Swimming In Your Ocean which did well in Canada, but charted no where else. The 4th release was the albums title track, it charted in many places, but not here.
The song linked to here as their 3rd single. It hit the top 10 in many countries, but faltered at 66 here in the states. Lead vocalist & song writer Brad Roberts called it "a song about being afraid of getting old, which is a reflection of my very neurotic character".
Afternoons & Coffeespoons by Crash Test Dummies
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 12, 2024 18:40:51 GMT
Willie Nelson probably needs no introduction since he has been around even longer than Keith Richards. Willie will be 91 in April.
After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the Air Force but was later discharged due to back problems. After his return, he attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. He worked as a disc jockey at radio stations in Texas, and in several radio stations in the Pacific Northwest, all the while working as a singer and songwriter throughout the late 1950s. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy".
He has won 12 Grammy awards out of 57 nominations, in addition to the Grammy Legend Award in 1990 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.
During his long career he has released 100 studio albums beginning in 1962 & the most recent one coming just this past September.
He wrote this song back in 1960 & it has been recorded many times over the years by a multitude of artists. But due to financial issues at the time he sold the song to guitar instructor Paul Buskirk for $150. Willie’s 1st recording of the song was rejected by Pappy Daily, owner of Nelson's label, D Records. Daily believed that the song was not country. Encouraged by the amount of money he received for the song, Nelson decided to master it at another studio. To avoid legal actions, it was recorded as "Nite Life" under the artist name of "Paul Buskirk and the Little Men featuring Hugh Nelson." That version did not chart. In 1963 Bellaire Records reissued the single under the original title of "Night Life," recrediting it to "Willie Nelson." That version was not released as a single. Willie didn’t actually chart with the song until it was released as a collaboration in 1980 with Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass. That version landed at #20 on the Country Chart.
Night Life by Willie Nelson
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 13, 2024 11:58:25 GMT
John Mellencamp is a singer-songwriter from Seymour, Indiana. He turned 72 last October.
He is one of the founding members of Farm Aid, an organization that began in 1985 with a concert in Champaign, Illinois, to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Farm Aid concerts have remained an annual event over the past 37 years, and as of 2023 the organization has raised over $60 million.
He holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven. He has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one (Best Male Rock Performer for "Hurts So Good" in 1983).
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's in 2008.
During his career he has released 24 studio albums, 2 live albums, 4 compilation albums, and 71 singles. His latest album, Orpheus Descending, was released last June.
This song comes from Nothin' Matters and What If It Did. It was his 4th studio album & it was released in 1980. The album was produced by Steve Cropper. This was the 2nd single from the album it got to #17 making it his 1st top 20 hit. The album got to 37 & has been certified Platinum.
He told Billboard magazine in 2001: “I wanted to write something that was soulful and had an R&B feel to it, and being a young guy I thought we should get Mr. Stax Soul himself (Cropper) to produce the record. That song even has a drum part we lifted straight off an old Motown record.”
Ain’t Even Done With The Night by John Mellencamp
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 13, 2024 18:22:03 GMT
Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. The band evolved to include guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris.
Like many other bands their lineup saw a lot of turn over. At the time of the record linked to here, the group consisted of Siouxsie Sioux – vocals, guitar, Steven Severin – bass guitar, Budgie – drums, percussion, & John McGeoch – guitar.
During their career they released 11 studio albums and 30 singles. They disbanded in 1996, with Siouxsie and Budgie continuing to record music as the Creatures, a second band they had formed in the early 1980s. In 2004, Siouxsie began a solo career.
This song was included on Juju. It was their 4th studio album and was released on 19 June 1981. The album got to #7 in the UK, but did not chart here in the states.
In 1995, Melody Maker writer Cathi Unsworth described Juju as "one of the most influential British albums ever".
Night Shift by Siouxsie & The Banshees
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 14, 2024 14:56:39 GMT
The Allman Brothers Band were formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson (drums).
Eat A Peach was released in 1972 after Duane had been killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971. The the band dedicated the album to his memory. It is a dual studio/live album that cemented the band's popularity.
Guitarist Dickey Betts picked up slide guitar in the aftermath of the tragedy, and took time to make sure his performance on the song would be up to par. Gregg later recalled that he remembered Betts practicing the slide part for the song on the airplane down to Miami where the recording was taking place.
The song peaked at 77 on the Hot 100. The album got all the way to #4 & has been certified Platinum. "Melissa" was the album's most successful single, peaking at number 65, One Way Out was also released as a single charting at 86.
Duane was alive to provide guitar on all the songs except "Ain't Wastin' Time No More", "Les Brers in A Minor" and "Melissa".
Ain’t Waistin Time No More by The Allman Brothers Band
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 14, 2024 20:17:29 GMT
Kid Creole and the Coconuts is a group created by August Darnell with Andy Hernandez and Adriana Kaegi. They began in New York City in 1980.
The band is still active & still touring. But, the lineup has changed many times over the years.
Their music includes a variety of styles and influences, in particular a mix of disco and Latin American, Caribbean, and Calloway styles conceptually inspired by the big band era. The Coconuts are a trio of female backing vocalists/dancers.
During their career they have released 14 studio albums, 1 live album, 7 compilations, 1 extended play and 27 singles. The Coconuts have released 2 studio albums & 3 singles of their own.
This song comes from Tropical Gangsters. It was their 3rd studio & was released on May 10, 1982. Originally conceived as a solo album by band leader August Darnell and titled Wise Guy, his label ZE Records pressured him to change it to a Kid Creole and the Coconuts record and to make it more commercial sounding in order to relieve the label's financial problems. The album landed at 145 which was their highest charting album of them all.
Darnell maintained that the album had been compromised but was philosophical about what its success had brought him: “I couldn't listen to that album for a long time because I thought it was a cop-out. It was a compromise but then you get massive success, money, lots of travelling and great lifestyle and you say: 'if this is what it takes...”
At the time of this album the lineup consisted of August Darnell, Coati Mundi, Peter Schott, Carol Coleman, Adriana Kaegi, Jimmy Rippetoe and special guest star Cory Daye.
No Fish Today by Kid Creole & The Coconuts
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 15, 2024 11:51:16 GMT
Bobby Brown is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and dancer from Boston. He will be 55 next month.
He started his career as a member of the group New Edition. He was with them from the beginning in 1978 until his exit in December 1985.
In 1992, he married Whitney Houston, with whom he later had a daughter named Bobbi Kristina Brown. The couple's drug issues and domestic disputes made them tabloid fodder. And his drug issues have led to multiple arrests over the years with many days spent behind bars. The list of his transgressions goes on & on.
During his career he has released 5 studio albums, 6 compilation/remix albums and 24 singles with his latest album happening in 2012.
This song comes from Don't Be Cruel. It was his 2nd studio album & was released on June 20, 1988. The album hit #1 & has been certified as 7 X Platinum. It included five top 10 Hot 100 hits, with "My Prerogative hitting #1. Three of the singles also reached number one on the Hot R&B Songs chart. The single, "Every Little Step”, even won him a Grammy in 1990 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
All Day All Night by Bobby Brown
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 15, 2024 18:32:32 GMT
Stan Getz was a jazz saxophonist from Philadelphia. He died of liver cancer on June 6, 1991 he was 64.
He performed in bebop and cool jazz groups. That is Stan you hear playing sax on the hit 1964 single "The Girl from Ipanema".
During his lifetime he won 5 Grammy Awards. He won for Best Jazz Performance, Soloist or Small Group (Instrumental) "Desafinado", 1962, Record of the Year, "The Girl from Ipanema", 1964, Album of the Year, Getz/Gilberto, Stan Getz and João Gilberto 1964, for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Small Group or Soloist With Small Group, Getz/Gilberto, Stan Getz 1964, & for Best Jazz Solo Performance, "I Remember You", 1991.
Evidently, he was another one with substance abuse issues. Zoot Sims, who had known Stan since their time with Woody Herman, once described him as "a nice bunch of guys", an allusion to his unpredictable personality. Bob Brookmeyer, another performing colleague, responded to speculation Getz had a heart operation with a query: "Did they put one in?"
This song was a part of a 1965 movie called Mickey One. The movie was directed by Arthur Penn & starred Warren Beatty. Stan wrote the music for the soundtrack.
Once Upon A Time by Stan Getz
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 16, 2024 11:47:21 GMT
New Order is an English rock band formed in 1980 in Salford England by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris. The members regrouped after the disbandment of their previous band Joy Division due to the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
They have joined, separated & re joined multiple times. They were active between 1980-93, again 1998 – 2007 & are back together now since 2011. Despite all that the lineup for the group has been relatively stable. Bass player Peter Hook is the only original member that is not still with them.
During their career they have released 10 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, 6 live albums, 5 extended plays, 45 singles, 12 video releases, 40 music videos and a number of soundtrack appearances. Their first 8 singles were all non album tracks. In most cases they were not even released as a 45, but exclusively available in the radio-unfriendly 12-inch format.
This song comes from Brotherhood. It was their 4th studio album & was released on 29 September 1986. The album hit #1 in the UK but got only to 117 here in the states.
The album was divided into "disco and rock sides". Stephen Morris stated that the album "was kind of done in a schizophrenic mood that we were trying to do one side synthesizers and one side guitars", which he retrospectively stated "didn't quite work".
There were 2 singles released here in the states, to almost no success at all. Bizarre Love Triangle was the 2nd of them & it got only to #98.
All Day Long by New Order
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 16, 2024 18:40:33 GMT
New Edition is an R&B/pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston formed in 1978 by Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson 5.
The lineup originally consisted of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, and the lead singer Ralph Tresvant. Bobby Brown departed in 1985. They were joined in 1987 by Johnny Gill.
They are another group that has separated & regrouped many times. They are back together as of 2002 & New Years Eve, 2022 they performed on Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve with Ryan Seacrest. All six members were in attendance and performed various songs from both their group and solo careers.
They were inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2023.
This song was included on Home Again. It was their 6th studio album & was released on September 10, 1996, it is the only album to date to feature all six members of the group—Bobby Brown, who had left the group in 1985, rejoined the lineup. The album got to #1 on the Top 200 & the R&B Charts. It has been certified as Double Platinum.
The singles released from the album were Hit Me Off #3, I’m Still In Love With You #7, You Don’t Have To Worry did not chart, Something About You #1, & the song linked to here closed it out but it didn’t chart either.
Ricky Bell and Ralph Tresvant were the lead vocalists. All six members were featured as background vocalists.
One More Day by New Edition
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 17, 2024 12:34:18 GMT
America was formed in London in 1970 by Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley. Dan Peek left the band in 1977 & passed away in 2011. Gerry & Dewey are still out there making music & touring.
The band won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and were nominated for Best Pop Vocal Group at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards in 1973 (they lost that one to Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway for Where Is The Love).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006.
During their long career they have released 23 studio albums, 11 live albums and 22 compilation albums. They have also issued 47 singles, including two Billboard Hot 100 and three Adult Contemporary number ones.
This song was included on Silent Letter. It was their 8th studio album & was released in June 1979.
The album holds multiple places in the history of the band. It was their 1st studio album following the departure of Dan Peek, their 1st album on Capitol Records, & the last album – and last of seven consecutive – which longtime Beatles producer George Martin produced with America. The album landed at #110 & included 3 singles, Only Game In Town, All My Life & All Around, none of them charted.
The two shared song writing for the album. Dewey Bunnell wrote this one.
All Night by America
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 17, 2024 18:18:25 GMT
The Danleers were a doo-wop group formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1958. The group was active from 1958-64 & again between 1972 & 1993.
Danny Webb was the group’s manager and principal songwriter, & named the group after himself.
They recorded their debut single, "One Summer Night", in the spring of 1958. The song began gaining traction regionally and, unable to handle distribution, the label leased the single to Mercury Records. Mercury helped push the record to become one of that year’s biggest summer songs, selling over one million copies. The single reached #4 on the Billboard Black Singles chart, and #7 on the Best Selling Pop Singles in Stores chart in 1958.
The group consisted of Jimmy Weston – lead vocals, Johnny Lee – first tenor, Willie Ephraim – second tenor, Nat McCune – baritone, & Roosevelt Mays – bass.
Even though they continued to release singles up through 1964, this was their only charting single, making them true 1 Hit Wonders.
One Summer Night by The Danleers
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 18, 2024 12:51:28 GMT
Lionel Richie Jr. is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality from Tuskegee, Alabama. He will be 75 in June.
He began his career in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of the Commodores; writing and recording the hit singles "Easy", "Sail On", "Three Times a Lady" and "Still", with the group before his departure.
He has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time.
He has won 4 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "We Are the World", and Album of the Year for Can't Slow Down. "Endless Love" was nominated for an Academy Award; while "Say You, Say Me" won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song.
In 2016, he received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
As a solo artist he has released 10 studio albums, 3 live albums, and 7 compilation albums & over 40 singles, 5 of which hit #1 on the Hot 100.
This song comes from Can't Slow Down. It was his 2nd solo studio album & was released on October 14, 1983. The album landed at #1 & was certified as a Diamond selling record moving over 10 million units in the US alone & 20 million worldwide. The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1985, he beat out Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen & Purple Rain from Prince.
There were multiple hit singles from the album. "Hello" and "All Night Long (All Night)", both went to #1, "Stuck on You" #3, "Running With the Night" #7, and "Penny Lover" #8. "
All Night Long by Lionel Richie
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 18, 2024 17:54:35 GMT
Shuggie Otis is a singer-songwriter, recording artist, and multi-instrumentalist from L.A. He is the son of rhythm and blues musician, bandleader, and impresario Johnny Otis. Shuggie just turned 70 in November. His real name is Johnny Alexander Veliotes Jr.
In 1969, Al Kooper asked him to be the featured guest on the second installment of the Super Session album series that had previously included Stephen Stills and Mike Bloomfield. Kooper and the then-fifteen-year-old Otis recorded the whole album over one weekend in New York.
B. B. King was quoted in a 1970 issue of Guitar Player magazine saying Otis was his "favorite new guitarist". Some of the artists he performed and recorded with during that time include Frank Zappa (having played electric bass on the legendary instrumental, "Peaches en Regalia" from the 1969 album Hot Rats), Etta James, Eddie Vinson, Richard Berry, Louis Jordan, and Bobby 'Blue' Bland, among many others.
This song was included on Inspiration Information. It was his 3rd album. He also produced it and played most of its instrumental parts. It was released in 1974 & reached number 181 on Billboard's Top 200 Pop Albums list, the title track also reached number 56 on the U.S. R&B singles chart.
The album got really positive reviews but it commercially under performed Epic's expectations and Otis was dropped from the label following its release.
Rainy Day by Shuggie Otis
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 19, 2024 12:16:25 GMT
War is a funk/rock/soul/Latin band formed in 1969 in Long Beach, California.
The band is still active. Over the course of time they have had many line-up changes with Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan as the only original member in the current line-up.
They were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and 2014, but failed to gain entry.
They have released 18 studio albums, 3 live albums, 7 compilation albums, and 60 singles. This was the title song for their 4th album released November 1971. The album got to #16 & was certified Gold.
This song was released as the 1st single from the album & it got to #35, making it their 1st top 40 hit. They followed it up with Slipping Into Darkness which got to 16 & became their breakout single & 1st top 20, it was also certified gold. The album also included a Live version of the song Me & Baby Brother which finally charted as a single at #18, 3 years later in 1974 when they released a studio version.
The lineup of the group during this era included Howard Scott – guitar, percussion, vocals, B.B. Dickerson – bass, percussion, vocals, Lonnie Jordan – organ, piano, percussion, vocals, Harold Brown – drums, percussion, vocals, Papa Dee Allen – conga, bongos, percussion, vocals, Charles Miller – flute, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, percussion, vocals, & Lee Oskar – harmonica, percussion, vocals.
All Day Music by War
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 19, 2024 18:00:44 GMT
Thelonious Monk was a jazz pianist and composer from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He died of a stroke on February 17, 1982 at the age of 64.
He wrote numerous songs that became jazz standards including "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser", "Ruby, My Dear", "In Walked Bud", and "Well, You Needn't". He is the second-most-recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington.
Thelonious is one of five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time (the others being Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Wynton Marsalis)
He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award In 1993. In 2006, he was awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for "a body of distinguished and innovative musical composition that has had a significant and enduring impact on the evolution of jazz". And he was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
It is thought that he wrote this song around 1940-41. It became a jazz standard and a version recorded by his quintet was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993.
The first recording was made by Cootie Williams on August 22, 1944, but it has reportedly been recorded & is heard on over 1,000 different albums over the years. Thelonious himself recorded it multiple times, the 1st time happening on November 21, 1947 which is the version heard here.
Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 20, 2024 12:01:37 GMT
Hank Williams Jr. is a singer-songwriter and musician from Shreveport, Louisiana. Hank will be 75 in May.
As a multi-instrumentalist, he plays guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, steel guitar, banjo, dobro, piano, keyboards, saxophone, harmonica, fiddle, and drums.
On August 8, 1975, he was nearly killed while mountain climbing in southwestern Montana. While climbing Ajax Peak on the continental divide west of Jackson, the snow beneath him collapsed and he fell almost 500 feet onto rock, causing multiple severe skull and facial fractures. He spent two years recovering, re-learning how to talk and sing, and undergoing 17 surgeries to repair his skull and reconstruct his face.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020.
This song comes from Major Moves. It was his 37th studio album & was released in May 1984. The album reached No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart and has been certified Platinum.
The song is probably best known to football fans as the song he remade as “Are You Ready For Some Football?” for Monday Night Football.The song earned him two Grammy nominations, one for Best Country Song (he lost to Steve Goodman for City Of New Orleans as performed by Willie Nelson) and one for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male (he lost to Merle Haggard for That’s The Way Love Goes). The sngle got to #10 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight by Hank Williams Jr.
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 20, 2024 18:00:39 GMT
Over the years the Eagles have been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards & 6 wins. In 1973 they were nominated for Best New Artist but lost out to America.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. On December 7, 1999, the Recording Industry of America honored the group with the Best Selling Album of the Century for Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975). They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
This song was included on Desperado. It was the 2nd studio album from the band & it was released on April 17, 1973. The album stalled out at #41 on the Top 200 but has since been certified Double Platinum. It remains Eagles' lowest charting album and it produced no hit songs, as both singles released from the album, "Tequila Sunrise" and "Outlaw Man", failed to reach top 50 on the Hot 100. Desperado wasn't released as a single.
At the time of this recording the band was still a 4 man unit consisting of Glenn Frey – acoustic and electric guitars, vocals; keyboards, harmonica, Don Henley – drums, vocals; acoustic guitar, Bernie Leadon – electric and acoustic guitars, vocals; banjo, mandolin, dobro, & Randy Meisner – bass guitar, vocals.
All 4 are given writing credits, Don & Randy take co lead vocals.
Saturday Night by Eagles
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Post by razorbacker on Jan 21, 2024 14:22:49 GMT
Howlin' Wolf was a blues singer and guitarist from White Station, Mississippi. His real name was Chester Arthur Burnett. He died from a combination of a brain tumor, heart failure, and kidney disease on January 10, 1976, at the age of 65.
He was at the forefront of transforming acoustic Delta blues into electric Chicago blues & is regarded as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time.
His recordings of Smokestack Lightning 1956, Spoonful 1960, & The Red Rooster 1961 were all listed by The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in its list of "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".
He has been inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame 1980, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 1991, Mississippi Musicians Hall Of Fame 2003, & Memphis Music Hall Of Fame 2012.
This song was released as a single in 1953 with a B side called I Love My Baby. Neither side charted.
All Night Boogie by Howlin Wolf
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