Best James Bond Songs

This month marks the 60th anniversary of the first James Bond film, Dr. No. Which is a good time to look at my favorite James Bond songs. 

1.  Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger 
2.  Paul McCartney & Wings - Live and Let Die  
3.  Duran Duran - View To A Kill 
4.  Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better 
5.  Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only  
6.  Nancy Sinatra - You Only Live Twice  
7.  Shirley Bassey - Diamonds Are Forever  
8.  Tom Jones - Thunderball  
9.  Billie Eilish - No Time To Die
10.  Adele - Skyfall 

Honorable Mentions:                                                                                                                                   Gladys Knight - License to Kill 

Garbage - World Is Not Enough

Matt Monro - From Russia With Love

Songwriters Behind Philly Soul's Biggest Hits

 One of the subjects I could have talked more about with Nick Bambach during his Rock in Retrospect podcast (with me as guest) on the Spinners were the songwriters behind their hits. Writers who shaped the Philly Sound through their words and music.  Most casual Spinners fans might think that Thom Bell not only Produced all their hits but co-wrote them as well.  But that is not entirely the case. Along with Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Thom Bell moved Philly Soul from a regional sound to a worldwide phenomenon in the 70's.  Bell's co-writing credits on the Spinners' hits include "I'll Be Around", "Ghetto Child", "I'm Coming Home", "Living A Little, Laughing A Little", "Rubberband Man" and "Are You Ready For Love".  On the first five songs mentioned, Bell shares a writing credit with lyricist Linda Creed. In addition, there's the Quiet Storm classic the two wrote called "I Don't Want To Lose You", which was covered in 1977 by Phyllis Hyman.  Hyman also had a #14 R&B hit with Bell & Creed's "Old Friend" in 1986. 

  Before she was writing hits for the Spinners, Linda Creed had already sealed her status as one of the best lyricists in Pop music by co-writing, with Bell, most of the Stylistics biggest hits.  "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)". "Betcha By Golly Wow", "I'm Stone In Love With You", "You Make Me Feel Brand New", "Rockin' Roll Baby", "Break Up To Make Up". "You Are Everything", "People Make The World Go Round". All those songs with the Stylistics, plus the ones she co-wrote for the Spinners make Creed a major figure in the evolution of Philly Soul. In the 1977 she co-wrote "Greatest Love of All" which was first a hit for George Benson, then in 1985 a massive #1 for Whitney Houston.  Some other favorites: "Old Friend" by Phyllis Hyman, "Hold Me" by Teddy Pendergrass/Whitney Houston and "Life Is A Song Worth Singing" by Johnny Mathis/Teddy Pendergrass. 

  Sadly, Linda Creed died of cancer in 1986 at the age of 37.  She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 (Bell in 2006).

  Three other names played a part in the Spinners success. Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes and Joseph B. Jefferson. Together the three wrote "Mighty Love", "Games People Play", "Love or Leave" and "Sadie".  Plus classic album tracks like "Since I Been Gone".  Jefferson wrote "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)", and with Simmons "Love Don't Love Nobody".  And a bunch of deep cuts that Spinners fanatics love like "I'm Tired of Giving".  Hawes died in 2021 and Jefferson in 2020. 

Great R&B Vocal Group/Duo Albums of the 70's/80's

I was a guest on Nick Bambach's Rock in Retrospect podcast about the Spinners.  One of the things we talked about were the Spinners' albums.  A point I tried to make was that most people think of the Spinners and other vocal groups from the 70's as only singles artists.  And it's true, these groups released classic singles.  But they also released classic albums.  The discussion brought up Rolling Stone magazine's 2020 update of their Top 500 Albums of All Time.  No Kenny Gamble/Leon Huff/Thom Bell albums made the list.  Not even Greatest Hits album Produced by those three.  The only Philly Soul album represented is Boyz II Men's II from 1994.  In two previous Top 500's, the O'Jays 1972 Back Stabbers made the list.  But not this time.  And it wasn't like voters couldn't list Greatest Hits albums.  The Temptations and Supremes are represented by compilations.  

For this list I expanded on my Podcast conversation with Nick, and included duos and group albums from both the 70's and 80's.

So, here's a list of classic R&B albums by Vocal Groups/Duo albums from the 70's/80's that prove there was more to these acts than just Greatest Hits albums.

Ashford & Simpson - Send It (77)

Ashford & Simpson - Is It Still Good To Ya (78)

Blue Magic - s/t (74)

Brothers Johnson - Blam (78)

Chi-Lites - (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People (71)

DeBarge - All This Love (82)

DeBarge - In A Special Way (83)

Delfonics - s/t (70)

Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - Diana & Marvin (73)

Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (71)

Emotions - Rejoice (77)

Gladys Knight & The Pips - Imagination (73)

Gladys Knight & The Pips - Claudine (74)

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Black & Blue (73)

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - To Be True (75)

Jackson 5 - ABC (70)

Labelle - Nightbirds (74)

Manhattans - s/t (76)

New Edition - Heart Break (88)

O'Jays - Back Stabbers (72)

O'Jays - Ship Ahoy (73)

Peaches & Herb - 2Hot (78)

Pointer Sisters - s/t (73)

Pointer Sisters - Break Out (83)

Ray, Goodman & Brown - s/t (79)

Rene & Angela - Street Called Desire (85)

Shalamar - Three For Love (80)

Sister Sledge - We Are Family (79)

Spinners - s/t (73)

Spinners - Mighty Love (74)

Spinners - Pick of the Litter (75)

Staple Singers - Bealtitude: Respect Yourself (72)

Stylistics - s/t (71)

Stylistics - Round 2 (72)

Tavares - In The City (75)

Temptations - All Directions (72)

Whispers - s/t (79)

Womack & Womack - Love Wars  (83)

My Guest Appearance On Podcast About The Spinners

 I had a great time talking with Nick Bambach about the Spinners on his Rock in Retrospect podcast. The podcast focuses on acts that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but are still waiting to be inducted. Hopefully I made a case for the Spinners, one of the premiere R&B Vocal Groups of all time. 

  How many podcasts have there been about Philly Soul or the artists that were the face of that genre?  My guess is not that many.  And as for podcasts about the Spinners?  I couldn't find any as of this date.  So, enjoy a look at the mighty Spinners and Philly Soul.

Here's the link to the episode:  

An Album/Song A Week: Elvis Presley - Sun Sessions

 Although Elvis Presley's Sun recordings appeared on various RCA collections while he was alive, it wasn't until 1975 that most of them appeared on one album.  And it was first released in England as the Sun Collection. It's hard to believe that RCA waited that long to release these recordings on one album.  In the U.S., the album was released in 1976, now called the Sun Sessions.  This version contained 16 tracks, including two versions of "I Love You Because".  For some reason it's missing 3 other Sun recordings.  Those would be added in the 80's, with these 16 tracks for a more complete collection of Elvis' Sun years.  

  To understand the genius of Elvis Presley, and the origins of "Rock and Roll"  then the Sun Sessions has to be your first destination.  Everything that made Elvis is here.  Mixing Country, Blues, R&B and Pop ballads together to help create Rockabilly and then Rock music as we know it today.  There's an exuberance to most of these performances that Elvis wasn't always able to duplicate at RCA.  Here, in 1954/55, a 19/20 year old Elvis is feeling his way through everything.  The songs, the studio, it's all new to him and the listener feels it.  Very few albums since have ever captured the thrill of discovering music in the moment as the Sun Sessions.  

Whenever I participate in one of the favorite albums ever polls, I always pick this one.  It's kind of a compilation, but also a whole album.  Sam Phillips released 10 of these songs on 45rpm A/B sides.  And since albums were a rarity for any genres other than Pop/Classical/Jazz artists in the mid-50's, I consider this a proper album.

Playlist for 9/22

Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed

Nanci Griffith - Last of the True Believers

Nanci Griffith - Other Rooms, Other Voices

Nanci Griffith - Little Love Affairs 

Nanci Griffith - Lone Star State of Mind

McKinley Dixon - For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her

Walker Hayes - Country Stuff

Emily Duff - Razor Blade Smile

Robert Finley - Sharecropper's Son

Killers - Pressure Machine

Kanye West - Donda

My Favorite Albums of 1981

Below are an A-Z listing of my favorite albums released in 1981.  Lots of genres, and most likely, even in 2021, lots of albums that I still haven't heard.  All are studio or live, no greatest hits albums.  

AC/DC - For Those About to Rock

Alabama - Feels So Right

Al Jarreau - Breakin' Away

Aretha Franklin - Love All The Hurt Away

Beat - Wha'ppen?

Billy Squier - Don't Say No

Black Flag - Damaged

Blasters - s/t

Blue Oyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin

Bobby Womack - Poet

Cars - Shake It Up

Chaka Khan - What Cha' Gonna Do For Me

Change - Miracles

Commodores - In The Pocket

Dan Fogelberg - Innocent Age

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Private Eyes

David Byrne/Brian Eno - My Life In The Bush of Ghosts

dB's - Stands for Decibels

Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry

Deniece Williams - My Melody

Duran Duran - s/t

Earth, Wind & Fire - Raise

Eddie Rabbitt - Step by Step

ELO - Time

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Trust

Emmylou Harris - Cimarron 

Foreigner - 4

Gang of Four - Solid Gold

Gap Band - III

Genesis - Abacab

George Jones - Still The Same Ole Me

George Strait - Strait Country

Go-Go's - Beauty and the Beat

Grace Jones - Nightclubbing

Heaven 17 - Penthouse and Pavement

Human League - Dare

J. Geils Band - Freeze-Frame

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock 'n Roll 

John Anderson - 2

John Anderson - I Just Came Home To Count The Memories

Johnny Paycheck - Mr. Hag Told My Story

Journey - Escape

Juice Newton - Juice

Kenny Rogers - Share Your Love With Me

Kool & The Gang - Something Special

Kraftwerk - Computer World

Loverboy - Get Lucky

Luther Vandross - Never Too Much

Marvin Gaye - In Our Lifetime

Merle Haggard - Big City

Merle Haggard - Rainbow Stew

Moody Blues - Long Distance Voyager

Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of A Madman

Pat Benatar - Precious Time

Phil Collins - Face Value

Police - Ghost In The Machine

Pretenders II

Ray Parker Jr. - A Woman Needs Love

Prince - Controversy

Psychedelic Furs - Talk Talk Talk

Quincy Jones - Dude

Replacements - Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash

Rick James - Street Songs

Rick Springfield - Working Class Dog

Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates

Ricky Skaggs - Waitin' For The Sun To Shine

Roger - Many Facets Of Roger

Rolling Stones - Tattoo You

Ronnie Milsap - There's No Gettin' Over Me

Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache

Rush -Moving Pictures

Slave - Show Time

Smokey Robinson - Being With You

Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Squeeze - East Side Story

Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna

Styx - Paradise Theater

Teena Marie - It Must Be Magic

.38 Special - Wild-Eyed Southern Boys

Time - s/t

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Hard Promises

U2 - October

Van Halen - Fair Warning

Who - Face Dances

Willie Nelson - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

X - Wild Gift

ZZ Top - El Loco

An Album/Song A Week: "Strange Magic" - Electric Light Orchestra

 The Spring of 1976.  I'm a few months shy of turning 12 and playing league sports was still a part of my life.  Baseball wasn't my best sport.  I was best at soccer and basketball.  Football would be third, but I was just an average baseball player.  "Strange Magic" is a song that when I hear it today, takes me back to the Spring of '76.  It first charted in March '76 and was the follow up to "Evil Woman".  I can remember our coach would play his radio every once in a while at practice.  Always the same Top 40 station.  And hearing it today always take me back to that baseball field.

  I'm not sure how high "Strange Magic" is on most ELO fans' list of their favorite Jeff Lynne songs.  But it's always #1 for me.  It eventually peaked at #14, and thanks to SiriusXM, I still hear it every once in a while.  It's one of Lynne's most hypnotic songs.  Dreamy is a word I always use describe it.  Perfect for a sunny Spring day.

Tom's Top 50 Songs of All-Time-The Cut List (Rolling Stone Magazine Top 500 Songs)

Rolling Stone magazine asked voters to list their Top 50 songs for their updated Top 500 Songs Ever list (last published in 2004).  While I wasn't a voter, I did decide to take up the challenge anyway.  I managed to come up with a solid 50 picks.  36 of these made the Top 500.

But trying to narrow a lifetime of music listening to 50 songs was a pretty impossible task. It meant leaving a lot of songs on the cutting room floor.  Here's my Top 50 list.  And here's a list of songs I considered for my Top 50, that just missed the cut.      

10CC - I'm Not In Love

Abba -  Dancing Queen

ABC - Look Of Love

Al Green - Let's Stay Together         

Anne Murray - Snowbird

Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way

Band - The Weight

Bangles - If She Knew What She Wants

Bee Gees - Fanny 

Beatles - Something

Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry

Bob Seger - Night Moves

Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me

Boston - More Than A Feeling

Bread - Everything I Own

Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy

Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way It Is

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run

Buffalo Springfield - For What It’s Worth

Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn 

Cameo - Word Up

Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun

Charlie Rich - Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs

Chic - Good Times

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary

Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time

Derek & the Dominos - Layla

Dolly Parton - Jolene

Dominoes - Sixty Minute Man

Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes

Drifters - Up On The Roof

Dusty Springfield - Son of A Preacher Man

Electric Light Orchestra - Strange Magic

Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds

Five Stairsteps - O-o-h Child

Frank Sinatra - You Make Me Feel So Young

Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove

Gary Stewart - She’s Actin’ Single

James Brown - Sex Machine

Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower

John Prine - Angel From Montgomery

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven

Lefty Frizzell - Saginaw, Michigan 

Lemon Pipers - Green Tambourine

Little Richard - Tutti Frutti

Lucinda Williams - Side of the Road

Luther Vandross - Never Too Much

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

Madonna - Borderline

Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin'

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On

Maxwell - This Woman's Work

McFadden & Whitehead - Ain't No Stopping Us Now

Michael Jackson - Rock With You

Miranda Lambert - Kerosene

Mott the Hoople - All The Young Dudes

Neil Young - Heart of Gold

O'Jays - Love Train

Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay

Platters - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Procol Harum - Whiter Shade of Pale

R.E.M. - So. Central Rain

Randy Travis - Forever and Ever, Amen

Rascals - Groovin'

Ray Charles - Hit The Road Jack

Ray Price - For The Good Times

Rick Nelson - Garden Party

Ronettes - Be My Baby

Roxy Music - Avalon

Sammi Smith - Help Me Make It Through The Night

Seal - Crazy

Shirelles - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Sister Sledge - We Are Family

Smiths - How Soon Is Now

Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'

Stevie Wonder - Living For The City

Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight

Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again

Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It

Toots & The Maytals - Pressure Drop

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car 

Van Morrison - And It Stoned Me

Waylon Jennings - Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way

White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin'

Who - Behind Blue Eyes

Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard - Pancho and Lefty

Tom's Top 50 Songs of All-Time (Rolling Stone Magazine Top 500 Songs)

Rolling Stone magazine's latest list was an update on their 500 Greatest Songs Ever (last published in 2004).  As I did with their 2020 all-time albums update, I've decided to list my own favorite songs.  While I wasn't a voter, those who did all received a ballot with instructions to rank their favorite songs from 1-50.  Unlike that ballot, I've left mine unranked.  32 of my picks made the Top 500.

Just as I found out when doing my albums list, narrowing a lifetime of listening to just 50 songs proved to be an impossible task.  See a link below this list for more songs that just missed my Top 50.  I've kept this list to one song per artist 

Adele - Rolling In The Deep

Aretha Franklin - Respect

Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby

Beatles - She Loves You

Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

Carole King - It's Too Late

Clash - London Calling

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Sara Smile

Dionne Warwick - Walk On By

Donna Summer - I Feel Love

Earth, Wind & Fire - That's The Way Of The World

Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock

Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes For You

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way

Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is

Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There

George Jones - He Stopped Loving Her Today

Gladys Knight & The Pips - Midnight Train To Georgia

Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message

Hank Williams - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost

Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back

James Taylor - Fire and Rain

Janet Jackson - When I Think Of You

Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

Joni Mitchell - Help Me

Judy Collins - Both Sides Now

Loretta Lynn - Fist City

Manhattans - Kiss and Say Goodbye

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Merle Haggard - Mama Tried

Monkees - Daydream Believer

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Patsy Cline - Crazy

Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls

Prince - When Doves Cry

Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash

Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home To Me

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tears Of A Clown

Spinners - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love

Stylistics - You Make Me Feel Brand New

Supremes - Stop! In The Name of Love

Temptations - My Girl

Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour

 Here's some more songs that just missed my Top 50. 

Playlist for 9/14

Country Funk Vol. 3 - Various (Light In The Attic)

Stop The War: Vietnam Through The Eyes of Black America - Various (Ace)

Dee Gees - Hail Satin

Beach Boys - Feel Flows

Cheap Trick - In Another World

Rodney Crowell - Triage

George Jones - Sings the Songs of Dallas Frazier

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram - 662

Los Lobos - Native Sons

Bleachers - Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night

Music Critics & The Rock Hall (Updated 2021 Edition)

I originally published this in 2019.  You would think that the Rock Hall would do what the Baseball and Football Hall's do, and have a writer's wing to honor journalists.  There have been quite a few critics/journalists who have helped shape the way Rock music has been presented and perceived.

I actually thought of this back in 2006:
Music Critic Hall of Fame?

It's an interesting idea, and unless you count Jann Wenner, the only other writer in the Rock Hall is Jon Landau.  And in one of his exit interviews from the Hall, Wenner also believes there should be an award for music journalists.

Listed in no particular order:

Ralph J. Gleason - Co-founded Rolling Stone, and one of the first writers to cover Rock and Roll.

Dave Marsh -  Wrote for Creem, Rolling Stone and other magazines.  Has written many music books. One of the most controversial Rock critics.  Former member of the Rock Hall Nominating Committee.

Robert Christgau - The self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics", his monthly Consumer Guide changed the way records were reviewed by future critics and music magazines. Wrote for Village Voice, Rolling Stone and others.

Ellen Willis - From 1968-1975 was Pop music critic for the New Yorker.  One of the first women Rock critics and one of its more influential ones through her many writings on music, politics and culture.

Greil Marcus - Although he wrote for Creem and Rolling Stone, it is probably through books like 1975's Mystery Train that Marcus made his biggest impact.  His music books were almost scholarly takes that few at the time were writing on Rock music.

Peter Guralnick - His many books on music covering genres like Country, Soul and Rock not only garnered acclaim, but set a standard for numerous other authors to follow.

Robert Hilburn - As chief Pop Music critic of the LA Times, Hilburn gave a distinctive West Coast flavor to music criticism. Former member of the NomCom.

Nat Hentoff - One of the most famous Jazz critics. He also wrote about Blues and Country music in a career that lost over a half century

Joel Selvin - Longtime San Francisco Chronicle critic (from 1972-2009). Like Hilburn, gave a West Coast opinion when the East Coast seemed to dominate the discussion.

Robert Palmer - Author of the acclaimed Deep Blues and Rock & Roll: An Unruly History.  He also appeared in the NY Times, Rolling Stone.  Produced Blues albums and made his own, too.

Jon Pareles - Chief music critic for the NY Times.  Also wrote for Rolling Stone, Village Voice, Crawdaddy.

Lester Bangs - Probably the most famous music critic. His writings in Creem and Rolling Stone had a huge impact on future critics.

Gloria Stavers - One of the first women to write about Rock music during her tenure as Editor-In-Chief of 16 magazine.

Lillian Roxon - Her Rock Encyclopedia was the first of its kind.  And she was one of the first women to write about Rock music in the 60's.

Nelson George - Wrote columns in Billboard and The Village Voice, and his books covering R&B and Hip Hop are widely acclaimed.  Has branched out into film work as a Producer and Director on African-American issues. Former NomCom member.

Richard Meltzer - His 1970 book The Aesthetics of Rock was one of the first Rock books that became an influential bible to many future critics.

Jane Scott - For 40 years was music critic for the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.  One of the first women to cover Rock and Roll during its early years.

Lisa Robinson - Started her career in 1969 and from there wrote for Creem, New York Post, New Musical Express, Vanity Fair.  Was one of the creators of Rock Scene from 73-82.

Kurt Loder -  A somewhat overlooked name from music critic's golden years, mostly because he is more well-known for his stint on MTV.  In the 70's/80's wrote for Circus before heading to Rolling Stone from 79-87.  Joined MTV in 1988.  Former NomCom member.

Paul Williams - Created Crawdaddy, which was the first Rock magazine.

Nick Tosches - From the Lester Bangs school of Rock journalism, he wrote for Creem, Rolling Stone and others.  Also published great books on Country music and the Unsung Heroes of Rock.  His bio of Jerry Lee Lewis is an essential read.

Ben Fong-Torres - One of Rolling Stone magazines first writers.  Also appears in the San Francisco Chronicle.

John Rockwell -  Influential when he was the NY Times' chief Pop Music Critic.

David Fricke - Longtime critic for Rolling Stone, where he has written about a wide range of genres.  Current NomCom member.

Nick Kent - One of England's most influential critics.  Wrote for the New Musical Express and then lots of freelance work.

Jon Savage - Renown for being one of the first to write about Punk music in the 70's.  Wrote what is considered the definitive book on Punk, England's Dreaming.

Legs McNeil - Co-founder of Punk magazine, and author of music books on that genre as well as other music magazines.

Barney Hoskyns - British music critic who has written for tons of English magazines/newspapers as well as American ones.  Runs the website Rock's Backpages.

Ira Robbins - Co-founder of Trouser Press magazine, which was one of the first magazines to cover New Wave & Alternative Rock in the late 70's/early 80's.  Later on the Trouser Press books on those genres became essential for any music lover.

Cameron Crowe - Before the movies, he was a writer at Rolling Stone.  His movie, Almost Famous,  is mostly about his teenage years writing for Rolling Stone.

Ed Ward - Wrote for all the early classic Rock magazines.  And wrote to books called History of Rock and Roll Volume 1 and 2. 

Joel Whitburn - He's not a music critic, just the #1 record collector of chart records in the world.  But it's his Billboard chart books that every music critic and chart fan has to have on their shelf.  Before the Internet these books were a must have for radio stations, DJ's, Industry people and chart nuts like me.  

Music Years of My Life: September 11, 2001

First posted in September 2016

We all seek comfort in music when tragedy strikes.  One of the things I remember most about September 11, 2001, was going to Borders to buy the new Bob Dylan album, "Love and Theft" in the late afternoon.  9/11 was a Tuesday, which back then was New Release day, so I did what was normal for me on a Tuesday, and go to Borders (or Circuit City) and check out the latest CD's.  It was odd that inside this big store people were going about their daily business of browsing books, magazines, CD's, etc., while over the store's speaker system was a newscast of 9/11 events.

The comfort of entertainment in times like that can't be denied.  For some it's as much needed as family, faith.  On September 21 the first benefit concert was broadcast, America: A Tribute to Heroes.  An unplugged/acoustic show, which featured many notable performances.  On October 20, a bigger event was staged, Concert For New York City, which had many powerful moments.

There were also patriotic songs post 9/11, mostly from the Country field. Two I liked were Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" and Aaron Tippin's "Where The Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly".

Many people have noted Clear Channel's infamous memorandum of songs which the company suggested radio stations not play. The list came out a week after 9/11.  In the end, it's memo didn't say stations couldn't play, say "In The Air Tonight" or "Free Fallin'", but suggested use their own judgment.  Still, as misguided as the their list was, it gives you an idea of how fragile the national psyche was in those early days. 

Music has always played a part in my life.  In times of stress and personal pain, music can soothe you.  We always go back to the songs we love.

An Album/Song A Week: "And The Beat Goes On" - Whispers

The fall of 1979 was my first year in High School.  We didn't have year round schools back then in our County.  Summer vacation started the first Friday in June and school resumed the day after Labor Day.  My high school had more African-Americans than any previous school I attended.  It turned out to be an eye-opener both socially and culturally.  I heard music that I knew existed, because of my Billboard subscription, but didn't hear very much.  There were no local R&B radio stations on my AM/FM dial.  To hear the R&B hits, I had to search for stations 2 or 3 hours away.  But I always knew what was topping the R&B charts.  In the Spring of 1980, my school held a pep rally in the gym.  There were speeches, cheerleader dances and then one moment that was a revelation.  During a student dance segment, the song that started to play was the Whispers' "And the Beat Goes On".  From the start everyone knew the song.  The kids got up and danced in stands.  This was one of the first times I realized how important music plays in our lives.  A couple years back in Junior High, we had a talent show.  A girl sang Natalie Cole's "I've Got Love On My Mind",  and the crowd almost reacted the same way.

The Whispers, led by twin brothers Walter and Wallace Scott, had a long, R&B chart-filled career.  Their big decades were the 70's/80's.  They had numerous R&B hits, but were not big crossover stars.  Finally, in 1980 they broke through on the Pop charts with the #19, "And The Beat Goes On".  It was also their biggest R&B hit.  They would manage 3 more Pop hits, the best being 1987's "Rock Steady", which peaked at #7 (#1 R&B).  They should have had more crossover hits, but Pop radio was reluctant to play R&B chart-toppers in the late 70's/early 80's.  "And the Beat Goes On" is a shiny, bright sounding R&B gem that typified Solar (Sound of Las Angeles) Records output in the 70's/80's. Their biggest act on the label were Shalamar.  It's an underrated label that also had Lakeside and Midnight Star.  But the Whispers had the labels first big hit. 

I can't hear this song today without thinking of my first year in High School.  I've been around big crowds since 1980 where everyone is singing and enjoying whatever song is playing (this happened at many sporting events).  But nothing like that initial rush that occured in the spring of 1980.  

My Favorite Albums of 1971

Music Anniversaries.   Don't you just love them?  Well if you are a list lover, like me, you do.  Below are an A-Z listing of my favorite albums released in 1971.  Lots of genres, and most likely, even in 2021, lots of albums that I still haven't heard.  All are studio or live, no greatest hits albums.

Al Green - Gets Next To You

Alice Cooper - Killer

Allman Brothers Band - At Fillmore East

America - s/t

Aretha Franklin - Live at Fillmore West

Badfinger - Straight Up

B.B. King - Live In Cook County Jail

Beach Boys - Surf's Up

Bee Gees - Trafalgar

Bill Withers - Just As I Am

Black Sabbath - Masters of Reality

Bobby Womack - Communication

Bonnie Raitt - s/t

Booker T. & The M.G.'s - Melting Pot

Carly Simon - Anticipation

Carole King - Tapestry

Carole King - Music

Carpenters - s/t

Cat Stevens - Teaser and the Firecat

Charley Pride - I'm Just Me

Charley Pride - Sings Heart Songs

Chi-Lites - Give More Power To The People

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Lost in the Ozone

Curtis Mayfield - Curtis/Live

Curtis Mayfield - Roots

David Bowie - Hunky Dory

David Crosby - If I Could Only Remember My Name

Dolly Parton - Coat Of Many Colors

Dolly Parton - Joshua

Don McLean - American Pie

Donny Hathaway - s/t

Doors - L.A. Woman

Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get

Elton John - Madman Across The Water

Elvis Presley - Elvis Country

Faces - A Nod Is As Good As A Wink

Funkadelic - Maggot Brain

Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces of A Man

Graham Nash - Songs for Beginners

Grateful Dead - s/t

Grin - 1+1

Isaac Hayes - Black Moses

Isaac Hayes - Shaft

Isley Brothers - Givin' It Back

Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow

James Taylor - Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon

Janis Joplin - Pearl

Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff

Jerry Reed - When You're Hot, You're Hot

Jimi Hendrix - Cry of Love

Johnny Cash - Man In Black

Joy of Cooking - s/t

John Hartford - Aereo-Plain

John Lennon - Imagine

John Prine - s/t

Joni Mitchell - Blue

Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies

Kris Kristofferson - Silver Tongued Devil and I

Led Zeppelin - IV 

Leonard Cohen - Songs of Love and Hate

Loretta Lynn - Coal Miner's Daughter

Mahavishnu Orchestra - Inner Mounting Flame

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

MC5 - High Time

Merle Haggard - Hag

Merle Haggard - Someday We'll Look Back

Mickey Newbury - Frisco Mabel Joy

Miles Davis - Jack Johnson

Miles Davis - Live/Evil

Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

Move - Message From The Country

New Riders of the Purple Sage - s/t

Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson

Paul McCartney - Ram

Pink Floyd - Meddle

Ricky Nelson - Rudy the Fifth

Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells A Story

Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers

Sammi Smith - Lonesome

Santana - III

Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire de Melody Nelson

Sly & The Family Stone - There's A Riot Goin' On

Staple Singers - Staple Swingers

Stevie Wonder - Where I'm Coming From

Stylistics - s/t

T. Rex - Electric Warrior

Tom T. Hall - In Search Of A Song

Traffic - Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

Van Morrison - Tupelo Honey

Waylon Jennings - Taker/Tulsa

Willie Nelson - Yesterday's Wine

Who - Who's Next

Yes - Fragile

Yes - Yes Album

Playlist for 9/3

Cedric Burnside - I Be Trying

John Mayer - Sob Rock

Wallflowers - Exit Wounds

David Crosby - For Free

Don Everly - s/t

Everly Brothers - Stories We Could Tell

Tom T. Hall - New Train Same Rider

Tom T. Hall - Places I've Done Time

Tom T. Hall - Old T's In Town

Tom T. Hall - Soldier of Fortune

Tom T. Hall & Earl Scruggs - Storyteller & the Banjo Man

Tom T. Hall - Magnificent Music Machine

Woodstock '99 (2021 Documentary)

Running Scared Soundtrack - Various

Low Cut Connie - Tough Cookies: Best of the Quarantine Broadcasts

Biz Markie - Biz Never Sleeps

Prince - Welcome 2 America

An Album/Song A Week: Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark

Have you seen those internet question that ask "who had a 5 album run of great albums?"  The usual names pop up like the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder.  One name that doesn't is Joni Mitchell.  From 1970-76, Mitchell released 4 classic album in a row, then a live one (which I don't count), then 2 more near-classic LP's.  Although Joni Mitchell is now regarded as a genius on a level with Bob Dylan, it seems like for years her greatness was not as acknowledged as it is today.  But what a glorious run she had.  1971's Blue was her first masterpiece.  But I've always gravitated towards 1974's Court and Spark.  Most likely for sentimental reasons.  "Help Me" is the first Joni Mitchell song that stuck with my very young musical brain.  I'm sure I'd heard "Big Yellow Taxi" because it was on American Top 40. And 1973's "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio", was also on AT40.  But "Help Me" was a bigger hit, and since in 1974 at age 10, I was just becoming a weekly AT40 nut, that song has always stuck with me.  Released in the Spring of '74 it was also her biggest hit, peaking at #7.  Hearing it today reminds me of the Summer of '74, living in Germany, and going to the public pool, with the latest hits playing in the background.

But the rest of the album is just as great.  "Free Man In Paris" was the follow-up, reaching #22.  There's album cuts that have stayed with me like the title track, "Down to You", "Just Like This Train", "Raised on Robbery" and her cover of Annie Ross' "Twisted".  Court and Spark also solidifies Mitchell's love of Jazz that began on her previous album, For the Roses. She came close to topping it with 1976's Hejira, but Court and Spark was better. 

You really can't go wrong with the 1970-76 era of Joni Mitchell.  After Hejira she started to experiment even more.  And while she never matched the Pop success of "Help Me",  she remained an artist that was always worth visiting.