KORN BIZKITS
I have a copy of Rolling Stone's Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll, 2nd Ed. (Published 1995) that I have been dragging around since I was about eleven years old. I received it circa 1998 - when compact discs were still awaiting the inevitable demise of the already struggling cassette format. Napster would launch in June of the following year, with Limewire following close behind. 1999 saw record profits for the industry, but online piracy stemming from those platforms would soon dismantle it. At the time, I was busy with my own old-school piracy practices. With limited funds to purchase music, I relied heavily on the record button of my boombox's cassette player. I would sit in my bedroom and collect songs from the radio, trigger finger ready for the latest hits from the alternative radio station. This wasn't college alternative; this was very much Clear Channel 'alternative.' You work with what you've got. At the time, accessibility had delivered Korn, Coal Chamber, and the rest of the Nu Metal set, along with late 90s hits like Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys and Everlong by the Foo Fighters.
MEATLOAF
My fascination with music was not limited to new (or nu) music. My father introduced me to Oldies and Classic Rock. My mother devotedly listened to the 7 cassingle by Prince and the New Power Generation and Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell albums and cranked the volume for any Fleetwood Mac song that came on the radio. My grandparents on my mother's side preferred Classical, Showtunes, and Standards, while my father's parents preferred Country and Hymns. As my sister began listening to Punk Rock, I traded in my Sugar Ray Floored album for Ramones Mania and an obsessive fascination with Dead Kennedys' Frankenchrist. My developmental mind was trying its best to absorb everything that came my way. Of course, as diverse as all of these inputs were, a vast amount was missing. I loved Metallica but knew next to nothing about Metal. Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, Disco, Latin Music, and EDM were virtually non-represented in my upbringing- and these are just some of the main gates to worlds of subgenres, most of which I still need to familiarize myself with.
ARKESTRA It is impossible to know how many songs have existed. One way to illustrate the vastness of the musical universe is to look at the number of songs on just one streaming service. Spotify currently has a history of around 82 million songs. If you estimated each piece to be about 4 minutes, it would take somewhere in the ballpark of 623 years of 24/7 to listen to all of it. If you add to that the estimated 1.4 songs being uploaded every second, unless people start living to purported Biblical ages, you are shit out of luck. There was a brief time in my teenage years when I believed I was more or less an expert on all things music. The numbers speak to what a fool's errand the expert's position is and what an absolute dipstick I was for believing that for even a single second.
THE BEAT (ENGLISH): SEE THE ENGLISH BEAT; FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS /// THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH: SEE THE HOUSEMARTINS
One look into this massive reference book I've been dragging around for over twenty years is proof that I still, despite my constant effort, know virtually nothing about the history of Rock music and only the tiniest amount about the aggregate of genres that comprises all things music. Looking through this book in my youth, I focused only on the artists I had heard before. Without streaming services, that was a short list. I must have been at the height of my own Beatlemania when I decided to rip their entry out in what I can only assume was some kind of pocket reference guide. I was always curious about what all those other mysterious names sounded like, but access was an issue. That is no longer the case. So, I set out to complete a task I had dreamed about many years ago. It turned out to be more daunting than I could have imagined. So much so that this is only part 1 of 2. Nearly thirty years have passed since Rolling Stone published this edition. Most of what was considered contemporarily important then would probably be excluded from a present-day edition (the latest version was issued in 2001). This likelihood points to how easy it is to be lost to time.
CULTURE CLUB
The last thing I'd like to consider is the oft-heard refrain of "That's not rock!" It's a close relative of the Steve Dahl "Disco sucks" mouth dribble that led to 1979's Disco Demolition Night. Genres are really only useful for record store owners and as general guideposts when discussing musical interests. Musical styles are always informing one another. Some Girls by The Rolling Stones was released in 1978 and contained the disco-laced, purist-dismissed Miss You. How could the "world's greatest rock band" do such a thing? They also experimented with punk and country on that album, but I've never heard them criticized for that.
Rock and Roll itself is a perversion of Jump Blues, Gospel, Jazz, R&B, and Country music. The temptation is to follow a logic stating that if certain stylizations are not excluded, the term Rock becomes meaningless. My response to that argument would be, "Yes, it is meaningless; does it matter?" It's Rock and Roll, not Rock and Rules. It was essential for early rock and roll groups to have a saxophone player. So, if we are to follow the rules, then Led Zeppelin is not a rock band. When classification becomes the focus, it's easy to see how restrictive, predictable, and ultimately dull everything becomes. Imagine if only slight variations on Rock Around the Clock were allowed for the remainder of time. Eminem was among last year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. This is the sort of announcement that brings a grimace to the faces of older rock fans everywhere. John Pereles writes in the forward, "Unexpectedly, many baby boomers who grew up with Rock suddenly found there was a new youth movement that drove them up the wall. They responded to Public Enemy or Nirvana the same way that their parents had responded to Led Zeppelin or Little Richard." As someone who has aged out of youth culture, I understand the inclination to dismiss music by younger artists as "not as good." Still, in my experience, this is more often a resistance to understanding contemporary culture and holding the music of your youth sacred. Including Beach Party star Annette Funicello, a former Mouseketeer, caused a short circuit in my wiring. Later, I discovered how vital the Beach Party film genre was to introducing Rock and Roll, freedom, and sexuality to mainstream teen culture. Ignorance is a dismissive force.
The playlist is comprised entirely of artists whose names I didn't recognize or, in some cases, artists whose names I have seen many times but realized I didn't know anything about. In some cases, I came across songs I knew well but had attributed to other artists or not bothered to learn who sang them in the first place. I tried my best to include only songs that I actually enjoyed. Occasionally this was challenging or impossible - without going through each group's discography, I added the first song I came across that didn't inspire disgust. Upon repeated listening, I have come to love the majority of these songs, even many that initially held a degree of uncertainty. The tracklist includes a short bio of each artist. I wanted to educate myself on each of these artists, and this is my way of sharing that knowledge. My enthusiasm for this task wavers throughout the list, and you can tell when I felt it would never end. The information comes from the encyclopedia and further online research, mainly cited articles within Wikipedia. Near the end of the list, I was just copying and pasting directly from Wikipedia pages. There was a point in doing this research that I dreamt that Bruce Springsteen was my yoga instructor and he had released an album called On the Rocks, the cover of which had him in Scale Pose on some boulders...so its possible that I made a few mistakes somewhere in the course of 363 songs.
Notes:
-This is my introduction to these artists, but they may be among your favorites. If you have a suggestion for a song or album by one of the artists mentioned that you really love, please let me know! I would love to hear from you.
- As always, I've started a playlist of what I've been listening to this month. I started labeling them in a month/year format to make it easier to trace what I was enjoying throughout each year. I just started this one, but here is the link to that: July 2023.
All of My Heart - ABC: Singer Martin Fry's "mannered vocals recall 'Thin White Duke' era David Bowie and his songs of romance revisit the worldly fatalism of Roxy Music." An author of a music fanzine, he interviewed a band called Vice Versa. They asked him to join the band - ABC was born.
Processional - Will Ackerman: Founder of the world's foremost new age label (Windham Hill Records). Influenced by Leo Kottke and John Fahey. Developed his own open-tuned modal style.
Am I The Same Girl - Barbara Acklin began her career as a background singer for St. Lawrence Records in 1964 and wrote Jackie Wilson's Whispers (Gettin' Louder'). She also co-wrote the 1971 hit Have You Seen Her by the Chi-Lites.
Shake A Hand - Faye Adams: A blues shouter in the tradition of Big Maybelle. This song went number one on the R&B Charts in 1953.
Georgia Morning Dew - Johnny Adams: Based in New Orleans, but much closer to pop than late 50's New Orleans R&B.
I'm Gonna Play The Honky Tonks - Marie Adams, Bill Harvey's Band: Toured with Johnny Otis. She was a gospel singer before she signed with Peacock Records.
Something Wicked This Way Comes - Barry Adamson: Former member of Magazine.
Prince Remi Aladesuru - King Sunny Ade: A superstar in Nigeria who sings in Yoruba. A godfather of the juju sound that includes talking drum players and Hawaiin guitar. Other juju stars include Ebenezer Obey, Dele Abiodun, Papa Wemba, Mahlathini, Mahotella Queens, and Rossy and Tarika Sammy.
Clap Your Hands - Laurel Aitken: Popular throughout the West Indies, his 1953 single Litlle Sheila became the first Jamaican record issued in the U.K., opening the gates to second-wave Ska.
Rain in the Summertime - The Alarm: They opened U2's 2983 tour and have a similar communal arena rock sound.
Nite and Day - Al B. Sure!: Late 80s R&B sex symbol who secured a record deal through demo tapes recorded with the help of Eddie F. from Heavy D. and the Boyz.
Anna (Go To Him)- Arthur Alexander: Country-Soul vocalist who had a 1962 hit with You Better Move On. The Beatles later recorded this song. Other artists who have covered his songs include the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Otis Redding.
Walking With Mr. Lee - Lee Allen: Tenor saxophonist whose arrangements and session performances shaped the hits of Fats Domino and Little Richard.
Six-Thirty Sunday Morning/New York, I Don't Know About You - Peter Allen: Began playing clubs at 11. Toured with Chris Bell under the name Chris and Peter Allen. One of four co-writers (including Burt Bacharach) on the Oscar-winning theme song to Arthur.
Bad News is Coming - Luther Allison: Born on a plantation, he toured throughout the South as a singer in the gospel group the Southern Travellers before moving to Chicago in 1951, where he took up guitar after befriending a neighborhood kid whose father was Muddy Waters. The falsetto vocal on this track is unreal.
Young Man's Blues- Mose Allison: Popular in jazz circles long before the Who covered this song and brought him to a rock audience. The Clash would later cover his composition Look Here.
Interviews- The Alpha Band: formed in 1976 around the ashes of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. Members include T Bone Burnett and Ringo Starr.
The End is Not in Sight (The Cowboy Tune) - Amazing Rhythm Aces: Formed around primary songwriter Russell Smith, who learned to sing country blues while working as a disc jockey in Lafayette.
E Preciso Perdoar - Ambitious Lovers: Arto Lindsay and Peter Scherer, who had both been in DNA, a group associated with the New York No Wave scene.
Baby, Please Don't Go - The Amboy Dukes: Psychedelic rock band formed in 1964 in Chicago, the only consistent member being Ted Nugent. I wish the Nuge were still this cool.
Nice, Nice, Very Nice - Ambrosia: Pop with classical flourishes. The four members play a combined 72 instruments, and their lyrics often contain literary allusions (this one being from Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle).
(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice - Amen Corner: One of the last English Mod bands. They were led by Andy Fairweather-Low.
Bend Me, Shape Me - American Breed: This band had five top hits in 1967 & 1968, including I Don't Think You Know Me and Step Out of Your Mind.
Johnny Mathis' Feet - American Music Club: Led by singer Mark Eitzel, they were a critical band in the U.S. underground of the 80s. The lyrics often cite his alienation from religion (as a teen, he was a born-again Christian).
Is It Really Love at All- Eric Andersen: Part of the 1963 Cambridge folk scene.
Wild and Blue- John Anderson: One of the first "New Traditionalist" stars. He had 22 top forty C&W hits between 1982 and 1987. He moved to Nashville in 1972, where he worked on the Opry construction crew during the day and played clubs at night. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits helped his 1991 comeback.
I Adore Him - The Angels: One of the most successful early sixties girl groups, their biggest hit being My Boyfriend's Back. Hopefully, that is not the boyfriend from this song.
No Secrets- Angels: All of this band's albums are platinum in their native Australia. They are cited as influences on Guns and Roses.
Goodbye is Forever- Arcadia: New Wave band formed by members of Duran Duran during a break in the band's schedule in 1985.
Advantage Never Done - Arrow: Despite having written extensively on Calypso, I haven't encountered Arrow. To be fair, he is a purveyor of Soca, a subgenre of Calypso. He is known for having written the hit Hot, Hot, Hot. He won the coveted Calypso King title in 1971.
Nice Guys - Art Ensemble of Chicago: Innovative Jazz group from the 1970s.
Time -Ashford and Simpson: During the late 60s, this duo wrote many of Motown's greatest hits, including Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand).
Before You Stopped Loving Me - Asleep At the Wheel: An influential band keeping Western Swing alive. They have had over 55 lineup changes between 1970 and 1983 alone.
So Into You - Atlanta Rhythm Section: A group of session musicians who smoothed out southern Rock's hard edges. Soft Southern Rock!
Flesh Failures (Let The Sunshine In) - Brian Auger and the Trinity with Julie Driscoll: British keyboardist who laid the groundwork for jazz-rock in the 60s.
Thunder 'N Lightnin' - Hoyt Axton: Maybe best known for writing The Pusher, he is also an actor whose credits include E.T. and Gremlins.
Searching - Roy Ayers: a vibraphonist who crossed over from Jazz to Funk in the 70s. He was one of the first musicians to electrify his instrument and undoubtedly the first to add wah-wah and fuzz pedals to the vibes.
Bruise Violet- Babes in Toyland: All-female band from the grunge scene. Precursors to Hole and Bikini Kill. This is just as good as Big Black or Nirvana.
Isn't it Time - The Babys: A teen-oriented assembled group that found success on F.M. radio in the late 70s with their Power Pop format.
Love Me Right - LaVern Baker: A principal R&B vocalist from the 1950s. Her aunt was the blues singer Memphis Minnie.
Let The Heartaches Begin - Long John Baldry: His name comes from his height (6'7"). A blues vocalist who had crossover success with pop ballads. He was in bands with both Elton John and Rod Stewart before they found their own success.
Cruel Summer - Bananarama: I have, of course, heard of this group, but I wouldn't have been able to name one of their songs. That seems strange since they are one of British history's most successful girl groups.
Are You A Boy or Are You a Girl - The Barbarians: Protopunk garage band from the 60s. This song is everything critical they heard about their shaggy appearance.
Paper Wings - Barclay James Harvest: English Art Rock band whose early music is often compared to Pink Floyd.
Soul Finger - The Bar-Kays: To go back to last week's post on interpolation, this is totally the Ghostbuster's theme. Huey Lewis also sued Ray Parker Jr. over similarities—part of the Stax-Volt roster of the mid-60s. Four members died in the icy plane crash that also killed Otis Redding. Bassist James Alexander, who missed the flight, and trumpeter Ben Cauley, the only passenger to survive the flight, continued the band.
Ranking Full Stop - The Beat: British ska band formed in 1978. If you're wondering where the structure for Choking Victim's Crack Rock Steady comes from (which you probably aren't), it's definitely this song.
Sister Seagull - Be-Bop Deluxe: British rock group led by guitarist Bill Nelson. A combination of Glam Rock, Pop, and Heavy Metal.
My Funny Valentine - Bees Make Honey: Pioneering U.K. pub rock band. This cover is the only song of theirs that is on Spotify.
Tighten Up, Pt. 1. - Archie Bell and the Drells: Houston band that was produced by Philadelphia producer Bunny Sigler. They had a top ten hit with I Can't Stop Dancing in 1968, which Gamble and Huff produced.
I Forgot to Be Your Lover- William Bell: one of the principal architects of the Memphis Sound.
Poison - Bell Biv Devoe: members of the R&B group New Edition; this album includes production credits by Public Enemy producers Hank and Keith Shocklee.
All I Want is Forever- Regina Belle: This is the voice you hear opposite Peabo Bryson on A Whole New World (Alladin's Theme)!
Goodnight, My Love - Jesse Belvin: Beginning his career at 16 in Big Jay McNeely's band, he went on to compose Earth Angel, the million-selling single for The Penguins. He died in 1960 just as he was becoming successful.
Feed The Tree - Belly: Alternative rock band formed in Rhode Island in 1991 by former Throwing Muses/Breeders member Tanya Donelly.
Give Me The Night - George Benson: Jazz guitarist and singer who broke into the pop mainstream. His jazz-pop formula was influential to Kenny G and Earl Klugh.
Baby (You've Got What it Takes) - Brook Benton & Dinah Washington: He had four gold records and 16 top twenty hits. He has a smooth baritone style that he learned from Nat King Cole.
Rush - Big Audio Dynamite: How do I not know about this?! Formed in 1984 by The Clash's Mick Jones. One of the first bands to mix club and rock music.
Memphis Stroll - Bill Black Combo: A neighbor of guitarist Scotty Moore, he visited one day when Elvis Presley, then a truck driver, was visiting. Sam Philips hired him to rehearse with Presley. Their first recording was That's All Right, Elvis' first hit.
Swimmin' in Quicksand - Black Oak Arkansas: Southern Heavy Metal Boogie group The band was a juvenile gang before becoming a musical act.
The Choice is Yours- Black Sheep: Contemporaries of A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers.
Sinsemilla - Black Uhuru: Rastafarian politics and haunting vocal harmonies. Formed in 1974 in Kingston.
Buscando Guayaba - Rubén Blades, Willie Colón: An innovater of salsa music. He pursued the Panamanian presidency in 1994; he lost.
Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City - Bobby "Blue" Bland: A former member of the Beale Streeters, which included B.B. King, with who he would later collaborate.
Marie, Marie - The Blasters: Led the early 80s rockabilly revival.
Lawns - Carla Bley: Pianist, composer, and arranger who has been at the forefront of avant-garde jazz since the 1960s.
Natural High - Bloodstone: High school classmates in Kansas City. A blend of soulful vocal harmonies and funk.
If You See My Baby - Mike Bloomfield: A session player on Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone and Highway 61 Revisited.
Looking For A Friend- David Blue: Part of the Greenwich Village folk scene. More of a songwriter than a performer, he only performed publicly once he had finished his first record.
Queen of My Nights - The Blues Magoos: Popular at the height of psychedelia. A frequent opening band at the Fillmores.
I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes- The Blues Project: Along with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, they helped start the late 60w Blues revival.
Mr. Lee - The Bobbettes: The first female group to have a #1 R&B hit. Began singing together at Harlem Amateur nights.
Good Things - Bodeans: Influenced by the Ramones and the Rolling Stones, but with a sound more adjacent to Buddy Holly.
This Time I'll Be Sweeter- Angela Bofill: A four-octave vocal range she studied at the Hartford Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music.
Post Toastee - Tommy Bolin: A James Gang and Deep Purple member, he died of a drug overdose in 1976.
Springtime in the City - Graham Bond: A pioneer of British R&B. He began his career as a Jazz musician playing with the Don Rendell Quintet.
The Bulrushes- The Bongos: A Hoboken band formed in 1980. Took part in the Start Swimming release that also featured the dBs.
Trouble Again- Karla Bonoff: A songwriter who has written many hits for Linda Ronstadt.
Junco Partner- James Booker: Keyboardist for Joe Tex, Fats Domino, Bobby Bland, Lloyd Price, and Junior Parker. The Clash would later cover this song on Sandinista!.
Flamingo- Earl Bostic: His sax playing for both his solo work and Lionel Hampton's Big Band is the cornerstone of Rock and Soul playing.
Alice Long (You're Still My Favorite Girlfriend)- Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart: Songwriters known for Last Train to Clarksville, Valleri, and (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone.
Thank You, Baby - Eddie Boyd, Fleetwood Mac: Half-brother of Memphis Slim and first cousin of Muddy Waters; he ran away from home in 1928, taught himself to play the guitar, and started playing clubs.
Word is Bond - Brand Nubian: Outspoken advocates of the Five Percent Nation. This Islamic offshoot considers whites "devils" and maintains that only 5% of the black population will serve as spiritual leaders—laid-back rhythms.
A Night on Earth- Brave Combo: A group formed to destroy what people think is "cool" in music.
What I Am- Edie Brickell & New Bohemians: A Fusion of Rock, jazz, folk, and Reggae. Fronted by Edie Brickell.
Surrender to the Rhythm - Brinsley Schwarz: A country-flavored back-to-roots rock band that couldn't find much success outside the U.K. pub circuit.
Sharon- David Bromberg: A session musician who has appeared on over 90 albums. A virtuoso on guitar, mandoline, and fiddle.
I Cried Last Night- Charles Brown: A master of the ballad blues tradition whose first job was teaching chemistry.
Let Me Down Easy -Dennis Brown: An exponent of the romantic style of Reggae known as Lovers Rock.
Good Rockin' Tonight - Roy Brown: A blues shouter and composer of Jump-Blues. This song was later a hit for Elvis.
I Don't Know- Ruth Brown: Known as Miss Rhythm, one of the biggest R&B stars of the fifties, rivaled only by Dinah Washington. Signed with Atlantic in 1948, recording over 80 songs for the label.
Wayfaring Pilgrim- Roy Buchanan: A musician's musician in the 70s, his fans included Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Robbie Robertson.
Gettin' Back (To You and Me)- Billy Burnette: Son of Dorsey, nephew of Johnny, and cousin of Rocky. In 1987 he replaced Lindsey Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac. He left the group in 1993.
Sweet Love On My Mind- Dorsey Burnette: Wrote successful songs with his brother Johnny for Rick Nelson. In 1973, after 20 years of recording, he was named the most promising newcomer by the Academy of Country Music. He died six years later.
Dreamin' -Johnny Burnette: Had a minor hit with Train Kept a Rollin', distinguished by guitarist Paul Burlinson's fuzz guitar riff. He died in a boating accident in 1964.
Tired of Toein' The Line - Rocky Burnette: So Many Burnettes! This was his first and last hit, but it allowed him to temporarily move out of the shadow of his more famous relatives.
Snakes Crawl- Bush Tetras: Part of the New York No Wave scene—a mix of Funk and Noise.
For Your Precious Love - Jerry Butler: He and his childhood friend Curtis Mayfield defined Chicago Soul with the Impressions.
Shotgun Wedding - Roy C: Former member of the Genies who had a hit in 1959 with Who's That Knockin'.
I Want You- The Cadets: This LA group was two in one- as the Jacks, they sang soul ballads, and as the Cadets, they sang rock and roll and jump blues.
Speedo- The Cadillacs: Their flamboyant stage show influenced the Motown style with its flashy attire and choreography.
Palisades Park - Freddy Cannon: Born outside of Boston to a musical family, he was influenced early on by Big Joe Turner, Buddy Johnson, and Chuck Berry. "Give me four or five guys who can play hard and in the pocket, and to me, you've got a Rock and Roll show."
There's a Moon Out Tonight - The Capris: This is not to be confused with the Philadelphia group of the same name. This white Doo-Wop group from Queens scored their only hit with this song.
That's The Love - Joe "King" Carrasco: Known as the King of Tex-Mex Rock and Roll. Reggae music also strongly influenced him, particularly the British-based group The Equators. This song features Michael Jackson on background vocals. The Jackson 5 were recording in the studio next door when this was recorded.
People Who Died - The Jim Carroll Band: Carroll is best known for his autobiographical work, The Basketball Diaries, but he was also a poet and punk musician. In 1978, with encouragement from Patti Smith, he created the band Amsterdam which became the Jim Carroll Band. With the help of Keith Richards, they secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records. This song is featured in E.T. when the kids play Dungeons and Dragons.
Slip Away - Clarence Carter: I realized writing this that I know who Carter is, but only from the novelty song Strokin'. This song is much classier than that composition. He began in the duo Clarence and Calvin but soon moved on as a solo artist. His biggest hit, Patches, won a Grammy for best R&B song.
Entella Hotel - Peter Case: A member of the punk band the Nerves (their song Hanging on the Telephone was recorded by Blondie), he would later form the Plimsouls, a prominent live band in Los Angeles. This is from his second record, released in 1989.
It's Just Begun - The Jimmy Castor Bunch: Described by the BBC as one of the most sampled musicians in music history. You can hear this track sampled on Ice-T's Power.
Give Me Love - Cerrone: French drummer and producer of Disco records. His song Love in C Minor went to number 3 and sold three million copies. This song is from his album from the following year (1977).
Ready For The Times to Get Better - Marshall Chapman: Inspired to make music after attending an Elvis Presley concert in 1956, her music has been covered by Joe Cocker, Conway Twitty, and Emmylou Harris.
The Only One I Know - The Charlatans: Members of the Madchester scene, along with Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses.
Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles: The originator of the South Louisiana musical genre of Swamp Pop. He plays in The Band's The Last Waltz alongside Dr. John, although his performance did not make the final film edit.
Get It On- Chase: The success of this song brought them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, though Carly Simon beat them out. Their career ended early in 1974 when several members died in a chartered plane crash.
I'm Coming Home (To See My Mother) - Clifton Chenier: Creole musician who pioneered Zydeco music. He redesigned the washboard into the Vest Frottoir, which hung around the neck of the percussionist.
I'd Rather Go Blind - Chicken Shack: This reminded me of Fleetwood Mac, which now makes sense since the vocalist is Christine Perfect (later McVie). The band also included Chris Wood, who would later join Traffic.
Friel's Kitchen - The Chieftains: A traditional Irish band formed in 1962. Their music, primarily based around the Uillean pipes, is credited with bringing traditional Irish music to a larger audience. They worked on the 1975 Stanley Kubrick film Barry Lyndon.
Pink Frost- The Chills: New Zealand-based rock band formed in 1980.
I Found A New Baby - Charlie Christian: One of the first electric guitarists; his style influenced be-bop and cool jazz.
Under The Milky Way - The Church: Australian rock band formed in 1980.
Sweet Baby - Stanley Clarke (with George Duke): Founder of Return to Forever, one of the first Jazz Fusion bands. Also a member of Animal Logic with Stewart Copeland of the Police. He is a five-time Grammy winner.
Ibhola Lethu (Our Football Team)- Johnny Clegg (with Savuka): South African musician, singer-songwriter, dancer, anthropologist, and anti-apartheid activist. Savuka was so popular that Michael Jackson had to cancel a concert in Lyon due to a competing show by the group. Savuka was formed with black dancer and musician Dudu Zulu. After a 1993 attempt by Zulu to mediate a taxi war, he was shot and killed, causing the band's dissolution.
I'm One of Them Today - James Cleveland (With The Gospel Girls): American Gospel singer, musician, and composer. Known as the King of Gospel, Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating Traditional Black Gospel, Soul, Pop, and Jazz in arrangements for mass choirs. He was the first Gospel singer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mole on The Dole - Climax Blues Band: English Blues band formed in 1967. Their disco-tinged song Couldn't Get It Right went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977. It's a solid jam, but I put this song here because it's slightly more unconventional.
Stratus - Billy Cobham: a Panamanian-American Jazz drummer who came to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s with trumpeter Miles Davis and then with the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Going To The Country - Bruce Cockburn: A member of Olivius, a group that opened for The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream in 1968. The following year he was headlining as a solo artist at the Mariposa Folk Festival.
Lost Weekend - Llyod Cole and the Commotions: a British Rock/Pop band formed in Glasgow, Scotland 1982. Between 1984 and 1989, the band scored four Top 20 albums and five Top 40 singles in the U.K. After looking into this song; I realized that I just wrote about Llyod in the context of the song Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken by Camera Obscura in my last post about answer songs. Sometimes it takes a few times before something sticks with me.
Cold, Cold Feeling - Albert Collins: The Ice Man and the Master of The Telecaster. He often utilized open tunings and a capo to masterful effect. In 1968 members of Canned Heat, upon hearing he was playing live in Houston, went to see his show. Afterward, they helped secure a record deal with Imperial Records. The use of an extended guitar cord allowed Collins to go outside clubs to the sidewalk; one anecdote stated that he left a club with the audience in tow to visit the store next door to buy a candy bar without once stopping his act.
Close to Heaven - Color Me Badd: Vocal group formed in the style of New Kids on The Block and New Edition. They began in Oklahoma City, where they were all members of the High School choir. Along with Boyz II Men, Hi-Five, Shai, Silk, and All-4-One, Color Me Badd were considered the leaders of a resurgence of post-doo-wop harmony group singing in the early 1990s. Color Me Badd invented the term "hip-hop doo-wop" to describe its sound, which combines four-part pop-soul harmonies with a hip-hop influence.
Seeds and Stems (Again) - Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967. They based their barroom country on the sound of Ernest Tubb. Commander Cody had a Master's in Painting and Sculpture. His video piece Two Triple Cheese Side Order of Fries is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Your Haunted Head - Concrete Blonde: Hollywood-based rock band formed in 1982 known for dark themes and Johnette Napolitano's distinctive vocal style. They were contemporaries of X, Wall of Voodoo, and the Go Go's.
Ffun - Con Funk Shun: Named after an instrumental song by the Nite-Liters, they composed funk in the style of Sly and The Family Stone and James Brown. Lead singer Felton Pilate would later become the in-house producer for M.C. Hammer's Bust It Records.
Ain't That Peculiar - Rita Coolidge: After working around Memphis, she was discovered by Delaney and Bonnie, who worked with her in L.A. She would go on to sing background vocals for Leon Russell (who gave her the name The Delta Lady), Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, and Harry Chapin, among many others. Eric Clapton took one of her compositions and tacked it onto the end of Layla without giving her any credit - hell of a guy. She later married Kris Kristofferson, with whom she had several hits.
So Glad You're Mine - James Cotton: Began his career playing blues harp in Howlin' Wolf's band in the 1950s. He was Little Walter's longtime harmonica player and can be heard on most of his original recordings.
Mercy, Mercy - Don Covay: His career began in 1957 as both a chauffeur and opening act for Little Richard. In 1961, he wrote Pony Time, a number-one record for Chubby Checker. The Rolling Stones covered this song on Out of Our Heads. You can probably hear how much Covay's vocal style influenced Jagger. He also wrote hits for Solomon Burke (I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You) and Gladys Knight and the Pips (Letter Full of Tears).
Marlene - Kevin Coyne: From 1965 to 1968, he worked as a psychiatric nurse for the mentally ill. This experience would later show itself in his lyrics. After hearing a demo, John Peel signed him to his Dandelion Records in 1969. He designed the record covers for most of his releases, and following a move to Germany in the 1980s, he produced full-scale paintings.
Mr. Diengly Sad - The Critters: Formed in Plainfield, New Jersey, 1964. By 1967 Singer Don Ciccone was drafted for service in the Vietnam War.
That's All Right - Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup: Elvis recorded this and other songs by Crudup. By the early 1950s, he was already fed up with making others rich from his music and stopped recording. He is sometimes referred to as the Father of Rock and Roll.
Dead End - The Crusaders: Originally called The Jazz Crusaders, by 1971, they had shortened their name and started playing a fusion of Jazz, Blues, Funk, and R&B. The height of their success came in 1979 with their single Street Life.
Metamorphosis - Curved Air: This is about as Prog as it gets. They formed in 1970 in England and were an early opening band for Black Sabbath.
Mr. Bass Man - Johnny Cymbal: This 1963 hit cemented Cymbal as a teen star. Ronnie Bright of The Cadillacs and The Valentines is the bass singer in this song. John Entwistle of The Who would later cover this song on his solo album Rigor Mortis Sets In.
Red Rubber Ball - The Cyrkle: Formed while studying at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Beatles manager Brian Epstein discovered them, and John Lennon is responsible for the spelling. In 1966, they opened 14 dates for the Beatles. This song was co-written by Paul Simon and proved to be their biggest hit. Lead singers Don Dannemann and Tom Dawes both went on to be jingle writers - they are responsible for the Plop Plop Fizz Fizz Alka Seltzer song.
Alley Oop - Dante and the Evergreens: This all-white band was one of the first to play venues reserved for black music, such as the Apollo Theatre and Philadelphia's Uptown Theatre. This Dallas Frazier-penned song was their biggest hit.
Roundhouse Stomp - Cyril Davies (with Alexis Korner's Breakdown Group): Beginning in 1955, he was a prominent musician in the English Skiffle scene that would inform Rock and Roll through the influence of the British Invasion.
Death Don't Have No Mercy- Rev. Gary Davis: Davis first performed professionally in the Piedmont Blues scene of Durham, North Carolina, in the 1930s, then converted to Christianity and became a minister. After moving to New York in the 1940s, Davis experienced a career rebirth as part of the American Folk Music revival that peaked during the 1960s. His finger-picking style influenced prominent players in that scene, such as Dave Von Ronk.
Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me - Mac Davis: Before finding success under his own name in the 1970s, Davis was a songwriter who got his start writing for Nancy Sinatra's company Boots Enterprises. His most-known songs were those recorded by Elvis, including A Little Less Conversation, Memories, and In The Ghetto.
Turn Back the Hands of Time - Tyrone Davis: Worked early on as a chauffeur for blues singer Freddie King. He soon released his music as Tyrone the Wonder Boy, which failed to get traction. This song hit #1 on the R&B charts in 1970.
Little Darlin' - The Diamonds: This song was written by Maurice Williams (best remembered for his hit Stay with the Zodiacs). They are also recognized for their song The Stroll, written by Clyde Otis from an idea by Dick Clark.
Coconut - Manu Dibango: Saxophonist/vibraphonist that fused Jazz, Funk, and Cameroonian music. His biggest hit was Soul Makossa which Michael Jackson borrowed from for his song Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'.
The Mountain's High - Dick and Dee Dee: Singing duo that meant in High School. This hit was released in 1961 and led to opening slots for the Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones.
Graffiti - Digable Planets: Hip-Hop group notable for their innovations in Jazz, Rap, and Alternative Hip Hop. Their 1993 hit Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That) earned them a gold record. Their follow-up Blowout Comb was more politically charged and featured guest appearances by Jeru the Damaja (this track) and Guru from Gangstarr. They disbanded shortly after its release.
Ground Hog - The Dillards: This is one of the first bluegrass groups to electrify their instruments. They were a significant influence on Country Rock, particularly the Byrds. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin also acknowledged their influence.
I'm A Fool - Dino, Desi, and Billy: Dino was the son of singer Dean Martin, and Desi is the son of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Their friend Billy Hinsch completed the trio. They had a headstart due to family connections; their first audition was for Frank Sinatra. They were never a favorite of critics as they had access to the finest studio musicians, songwriters, and producers. They were, however, a favorite of the Beach Boys, so much so that Brian Wilson co-wrote two of their songs.
Television, the Drug of the Nation - The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy: Released two albums, their second being a collaboration with William S. Burroughs. Vocalist Michael Franti and drummer/programmer Rono Tse had both been members of The Beatnigs, who had released one album on Alternative Tentacles.
You Don't Have Nothing- The Dixie Hummingbirds: Formed in 1928 and continuing until today, their gospel stylings have endured through many eras. Their shouting style was adopted by James Brown and Jackie Wilson and helped to form the foundation of Soul music.
Honky Tonk Pt. 1 - Bill Doggett: American pianist and organist. Born in Philadelphia, he became the arranger for The Ink Spots. By 1951 he had formed his own trio and had a hit with Honky Tonk in 1956.
You Don't Know What You've Got - Ral Donner: With a voice similar to that of Elvis, he had difficulty distinguishing himself from the star, even providing voiceover in the film This is Elvis. His group, the Rockin' Five, played briefly with Sammy Davis Jr.
Bristol Stomp - The Dovells: Their song Do The Continental is featured in John Water's Hairspray. Steven Van Zandt briefly joined the band in the 1970s. This song was their second dance craze song.
Johnny (New Light) - The Dream Academy: British band formed in 1983 that sought to distinguish themselves from the popular Power Pop of the time.
Something's Going On - Ducks Deluxe: British Pub Rock band they recorded to Peel Sessions in the mid-70s.
By The Water - Snooks Eaglin: American guitarist who played in diverse styles with a voice reminiscent of Ray Charles. He lost his sight at the age of five.
Pacific State - 808 State: Electronic music group named after the Roland 808 drum machine, they influenced the acid house scene and later IDM and Techno.
Tanz Debil - Einstürzende Neubauten: Experimental German music collective known for using homemade scrap metal instruments.
Flash, Bam, Pow - The Electric Flag: Led by Mike Bloomfield, who played guitar on Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone, keyboardist Barry Goldberg (Percy Sledge, Curtis Mayfield), and drummer Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, lead vocals on the California Raisins claymation commercials). This track is from their first project, the soundtrack to Roger Corman's The Trip. It was later included in the film Easy Rider. The band made their debut performance at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Makin' Like a Rug - Eleventh Dream Day: After their first full-length Prairie School Freakout in 1988, they signed with Atlantic Records. Their two follow-ups Beet and Lived to Tell, received critical praise but low sales. After one more release on Atlantic, El Moodio, they were dropped by their label. The band continued as a part-time endeavor and still releases music presently.
If You Were a Bluebird - Joe Ely: Honky-Tonk, Texas Country player whose 1977 solo debut album brought him through London on tour, where he met the Clash and subsequently toured with them. Ely sings back up on Should I Stay or Should I Go and is referenced in the Sandinista! track If Music Could Talk with the line: "Well, there ain't no better blend than Joe Ely and his Texas Men."
Blue - An Emotional Fish: Irish rock band formed in 1988.
Da Joint - EPMD: Formed in 1987, their style distinguished itself from the Disco breaks of early Hip-Hop by using mainly Rock and Funk Breaks.
Rockin' the Joint - Esquerita: Similar in appearance and style to Little Richard. Though his first recordings after Little Richard had begun his recording career, Richard has admitted that he not only influenced his eccentric style but also taught him how to play the piano. He also mentioned his influence on Esquerita in getting him to enter show business.
Milk Cow Blues - Sleepy John Estes: Singing in a crying voice, he sounded so much like an older man on his early recordings that many Blues revivalists stopped looking for him, assuming he had died, though he would not die until 1977. Blues historians Bob Koester and Samuel Charters eventually did find him living in poverty in 1962. He played at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival with mandolinist James "Yank" Rochell. He may have had a blood pressure disorder or narcolepsy, but he attributed his tired state to life as a farmer and a musician.
Point of No Return - Exposé: Miami-based group that primarily worked in the Freestyle genre, a style that emerged in Philadelphia and New York City in the 1980s. Their music often featured keyboard riffs, sing-along choruses, and electro-funk drum machine grooves.
Turn Me Loose - Fabian: Teen Idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He emerged as a key performer on American Bandstand. He was the product owner of Philadelphia-based Chancellor Records Bob Marcucci, who chose him based on his looks. Following his father's heart attack, he agreed to be a performer, as the situation had suddenly left his family without much money. At eighteen, unsatisfied that the music he was told to sing was repetitive and not very good, he bought himself out of his contract.
Scratch My Back- The Fabulous Thunderbirds: Blues band formed in 1974 with Stevie Ray Vaughn's brother, Jimmie Vaughn. It mixed Texas Blues with Swamp Harmonica. Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester influenced them.
What Do You Want - Adam Faith: One of Britain's first "Rock and Roll" teen idols. He sang with a hiccuping vocal style similar to that of Buddy Holly. He was one of the most charted acts in the 1960s on the U.K. Singles Chart.
Yeh, Yeh - Georgie Fame: English R&B and Jazz singer. Fame is the only British music act to have achieved three U.K. No. 1 hits with his only top 10 chart entries, which include this song, The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde, and Get Away.
My Friend the Sun - Family: Members of the U.K. underground Progressive/Psychedelic scene alongside Pink Floyd, The Move, The Nice, and Soft Machine. Formed in 1963 and lasting only seven years until its reformation in 2013, it changed membership frequently, resulting in drastic changes in the group's sound throughout its albums.
Dandelion River Run - Mimi and Richard Fariña: Mimi is the younger sister of Joan Baez. She married novelist and composer Richard Fariña at the age of 18. Thomas Pynchon was the Best Man at their wedding. Richard died in a motorcycle accident in 1966.
Out of Time - Chris Farlowe: This Keith Richards/Mick Jagger composition was Farlowe's biggest hit and more popular than Rolling Stone's version. Mick Jagger produced Farlowe's version.
That Certain Female - Charlie Feathers: Originally a session musician at Sun Records. He is regarded as a significant figure in the 1950s Rockabilly scene. He claimed to have arranged many of Elvis' early hits, though that has been disputed.
Wasted Days and Wasted Nights - Freddy Fender: Tejano singer who included Country, Rock, and Swamp Pop into his sound. He dropped out of high school at sixteen and joined the Marines, where he was discharged for alcoholism. In 1960, the year after this track was recorded, he was arrested and sent to prison. He served three years before he was given a pardon by then Governor and musician Jimmie Davis. In 1974 he released Before the Next Teardrop Falls, a number-one Country hit.
Torquay - The Fireballs: Best known for their 1963 song Sugar Shack, this choice is from 1959 and probably influenced by The Champ's Tequila, released the previous year. They had trouble charting once the British Invasion arrived but had a hit again in 1967 with Tom Paxton's Bottle of Wine.
Teen Age Idol - Wild Man Fischer: A street performer who spent much of his life homeless or in psychiatric care for bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia, he offered "new kinds of songs" on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. In 1968, Frank Zappa produced the album An Evening with Wild Man Fischer, but their relationship ended abruptly when Fischer threw a bottle that nearly hit his daughter Moon. In 1974 he helped to launch Rhino Records by recording the song Go To Rhino Records. His later life was captured in the 2005 documentary Derailroaded: Inside the Mind of Wild Man Fischer.
In The Still of the Night - The Five Satins: Formed in 1954, this track from 1956 is their biggest hit. Lead singer Fred Parris had enlisted in the army and could not enjoy the song's total success or ride its momentum, but they regrouped when he returned.
Comin' Home Baby - The Fleshtones (with Lenny Kaye): Garage band formed in 1976. They made their stage debut the same year at CBGB. They were among the first bands to play at Irving Plaza, Danceteria, and the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. They shared rehearsal space with The Cramps. Unfortunately, their early albums are not on Spotify, but you can find their debut album, Blast Off!, on Youtube.
Hocus Pocus - Focus: This is one of the most insane songs I have ever heard. I can't believe I didn't come across it while assembling my Other Communications playlist. Yes, when placed next to this band, isn't even Prog—born out of a Dutch production of the musical Hair, which makes a lot of sense.
Um Um Um Um Um Um - Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders: One of the lesser remembered groups of the British Invasion. Their big hit was The Game of Love, which I've heard a thousand times, but never remembered to investigate who the singer was. The band released a concept album called With Woman months before the release of Sgt. Pepper's, Tommy, and S.F. Sorrow were released. The concept lacked a narrative, though. It is about individual women that the band has dated. Audiences found the idea uncompelling.
Romeo's Tune - Steve Forbert: This song was dedicated to Supremes singer Florence Ballard who had recently died. Producer John Simon recorded the album Jackrabbit Slim on which this track was the biggest hit.
Tender Love - Force M.D.s: This vocal group is the forerunner of the New Jack Swing genre. They are considered part of the Quiet Storm genre, named after the Smokey Robinson song. The genre is a smooth, romantic, Jazz-influenced R&B. This song is sampled on Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's Days of our Livez.
The Trip - Kim Fowley: A record producer, songwriter, and musician deeply entrenched in the shadows of American popular music culture. His story is entangled with Cat Stevens, Alan Freed, Berry Gordy, Frank Zappa, Phil Spector, The Runaways, Gene Vincent, and the Byrds, just to name a few.
Why Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me for - Emile Ford and the Checkmates: Popular in the U.K. in the 1950s and 60s. He was one of the known musicians to have synaesthesia. As a sound engineer, he developed a backing track system for live shows and a frequency detection feedback disabling system.
Sea Cruise - Frankie Ford: Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns had already recorded this track. Ford overdubbed his vocals and added the ship sounds—the track sold over a million copies. His subsequent material failed to gain much popularity.
Close My Eyes Forever- Lita Ford (Featuring Ozzy Osbourne): She was the lead guitarist for the Runaways before embarking on a solo Glam Metal venture. This song results from her and Ozzy getting wildly intoxicated and accidentally writing a song while in the studio. I think you can hear the alcohol sloshing around in the music.
Love Moves In (Mysterious Ways)- Julia Fordham: Originally a backup singer for Mari Wilson and Kim Wilde. This 1991 track was her highest-charting song.
Mockingbird - Inez and Charlie Foxx: Sibling duo from Greensboro, North Carolina. Charlie sang backup and played guitar while Inez sang lead vocals. Perhaps due to this song's classification as a novelty, the record company tried to rebrand the duo as just Inez Foxx despite her brother's continuation in the project.
I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad - Michael Franks: This is another essential artist in the Quiet Storm genre.
I'm Telling You Know - Freddie and the Dreamers: Beat band thrown under the Mersey Beat classification when in fact, they were from Manchester. Lester Bangs wrote this of the group in the 1980 History of Rock and Roll: "Freddie and the Dreamers [had] no masterpiece but a plentitude of talentless idiocy and enough persistence to get four albums and one film soundtrack released ... the Dreamers looked as thuggish as Freddie looked dippy ... Freddie and the Dreamers represented a triumph of rock as cretinous swill, and as such should be not only respected but given their place in history."
Love or Let Me Be Lonely- The Friends of Distinction: Formed in Los Angeles in 1968, this group bridges the Hi-Fis and The Fifth Dimension.
Pipeline - Bill Frisell: A Jazz guitarist prevalent in the Downtown Scene in New York City. He has a history of collaboration with John Zorn and the late Paul Motian.
Geography II - Front 242: Belgian Electronic group from the 1980s that pioneered Electronic Body Music - an amalgam of synth-pop, Industrial, and Dance styles. The term itself comes from Ralf Hütter of Kraftwerk.
San Francisco Bay Blues- Jesse Fuller: If you are into Kazoo solos, stick around for the entire song. Fuller operated as a one-man band busker. He invented the Fotdella, a foot-operated string bass instrument to accompany himself.
Reconsider Baby- Lowell Fulson: Part of the West Coast Blues tradition, he was surpassed only by T-Bone Walker in popularity. His earliest band included a young Ray Charles and Stanley Turrentine.
Mia Cara, Mi Amore -Annette Funicello: One of the most popular of the original Mouseketeers, she became a singing star - a tradition has endured with Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake.
Wondrous Place - Billy Fury: English musician and actor whose 24 hit songs in the 1960s equaled that of the Beatles. Like Elvis, he had a sexually charged stage act that he was forced to censor.
Bruises - Gene Loves Jezebel: British band formed in the 1980s by brothers Michael and Jay Aston. In 1984 they toured with John Cale and recorded a Peel Session. By 1986 they had adopted a more commercial sound and scored hits with Desire (Come and Get It) and Motion of Love. This song was released a year before their Peel session. I've found that this is often a quick way to locate the sweet spot in a band's career.
Alucard - Gentle Giant: The band stated that they aimed to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular." This is another VERY progressive band with influences from Folk, Soul, Jazz, Classical, and whatever else may be lying around.
Keep on Dancing - The Gentrys: Formed in 1963 to play at local dances in Memphis, Tennessee. This was their biggest hit, an even bigger hit in 1971 for The Bay City Rollers. Co-Vocalist Jimmy Hart found considerable success in pro wrestling as a manager known as The Mouth of the South. He also composed the entry theme music for individual wrestlers and was a member of The Hulk Hogan-fronted Wrestling Boot Band.
My Mind's Got a Mind of Its Own - Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Texas native who spent much of the 1970s studying metaphysics with Indian Guru Prem Rawat. He portrays the bowler Smokey in The Big Lebowski.
Bamboleo - Gipsy Kings: Catalan Rumba, Flamenco, Salsa, and Pop musicians formed in 1978. Their parents were Gitano (Romani), who fled Spain in the 1930s during the Spanish Civil War. By adding pop to traditional Spanish musical styles, they brought this music to a larger audience. Their music is often referred to as Rumba Flamenca.
Streets of Your Town- The Go-Betweens: were an Australian indie rock band formed in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1977.
Clean Plate - Golden Palominos: Group formed by drummer/composer/producer Anton Fier formerly of The Feelies. The initial lineup consisted of Arto Lindsay, John Zorn, Bill Laswell, Fred Frith, and Fier. Initially influenced by the No Wave NY scene, the band's style changed drastically from album to album with frequent lineup changes.
Honey - Bobby Goldsboro: He formed the band Spider and the Webs in high school. By 1963 he was experiencing solo success. Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, and John Denver covered his song The Cowboy and the Lady. From 1973 to 1976, he had his own eponymously named T.V. show.
I Won't Stop (Demo) - The Good Rats: Long Island group whose height of fame came in the mid-70s when they released the album Tasty. Its success saw them opening for many of the era's biggest bands. Formed in 1964, in the early 70s, they played New York clubs alongside Zebra and Twisted Sister.
Fire - Robert Gordon: Influenced by Elvis, Gene Vincent, and Eddie Cochran, he moved his family to NYC in the 1970s and soon found himself performing at CBGB with his group Tuff Darts. He collaborated with Link Wray on his first two albums and featured the Jordanaires (Elvis' backing singers). In 1982 he starred, alongside Willem Dafoe, in Kathryn Bigelow's debut film The Loveless. This Bruce Springsteen cover features the boss on keyboards.
Boogie Witcha Baby - Larry Graham, Graham Central Station: Drake's uncle, baritone singer and bassist for Sly and The Family Stone, founder of Graham Central Station, and successful solo artist with the release of 1980s One In a Million You. He is credited with the technique of bass slapping (which he calls thumpin' and pluckin').
Police on My Back - Eddy Grant (With the Equals): Founded the Equals, one of the U.K.'s first racially mixed groups. Also a pioneer of Ringbang, a style encompassing all Caribbean rhythms, it was to be a musical lingua franca. He is best remembered for the song Electric Avenue and the anti-apartheid song Gimme Hope Jo'anna.
Saraswati - Boris Grebenshikov (with Krishna Das): Founder of the band Aquarium, he is the most prominent of the first generation of Russian Rock musicians. Rock music was generally not allowed by the Soviet censors, so Aquarium would often play in apartments and distribute their cassettes which were then bootlegged by the youth culture. In 1980, they were allowed to play at the Tbilisi Rock Festival, an attempt by the government to control the burgeoning music scene, but their performance caused a near riot.
Love at the Five and Dime - Nanci Griffith: A regular on Austin City Limits. Her passion for music can be traced back to seeing Townes Van Zandt perform when she was a teenager.
Bermuda Triangle Exit - Stefan Grossman (with John Renbourn): Fingerstyle guitarist and co-founder of Kicking Mule Records. He took guitar lessons for several years from Rev. Gary Davis.
Top of the Hill - Gutterball: An indie rock supergroup consisting of Stephen McCarthy (The Long Ryders), Brian Harvey (East 17), Johnny Hott (House of Freaks), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate), and Armistead Welford (Love Tractor).
Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)- Haircut 100: British Rock band formed in 1980. This song became a #4 hit on the U.K. singles chart in 1981—a hilarious band name, IMO.
Souvenirs, Souvenirs - Johnny Hallyday - is credited as having brought Rock and Roll to France. He released 79 albums over the course of his career. The Jimi Hendrix Experience's first concert was his opening act in October 1966.
You'll Never Walk Alone - Roy Hamilton: Singer who combined semi-classical technique with Black Gospel. He inspired Sam Cooke to switch from Gospel to Secular music.
Evil is Going On - John Hammond: I knew this name as belonging to the famed record producer but did not know that his son, of the same name, was a musician. Descendent of the Vanderbilt family, he is perhaps an unlikely candidate to sing the blues. His 1963 debut album is one of the first Blues albums by a white performer.
I'm Wrong About Everything - John Wesley Harding: He released Here Comes the Groom in 1990, with members of the Attractions backing him. This song was on the soundtrack to High Fidelity which I probably listened to a good thousand times in High School but never bothered to look into his story. Under his given name Wesely Stace, he has written several novels.
Francesca - Roy Harper: English singer and fingerstyle guitarist, he has released 22 studio albums and has influenced Fleet Foxes, Jonathan Wilson, and Joanna Newsom, as well as contemporaries like Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin. He also is the lead singer on Pink Floyd's Have a Cigar.
I'm a King Bee - Slim Harpo: One of the best-known Swamp Blues players. He was never able to make money as a full-time musician, so he owned his own trucking business. The Moody Blues takes its name from one of his compositions. He had his biggest hit in 1966 with the rock and roll crossover song Baby Scratch My Back.
Life is But a Dream - The Harptones: One of the first Doo-Wop groups to have an arranger within the group. This song was featured on the Goodfellas soundtrack.
Q - Don "Sugarcane" Harris: A pioneer in the amplification of the violin and one of the rare musicians to use it in the context of Blues and Rock and Roll. He began his career with the Doo-Wop group The Squires and played with Little Richard's band in the 1960s. He formed the duo Don and Dewey in 1956, worked with Zappa and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and formed Pure Food and Drug Act in the 1970s.
Grandma Plays the Numbers - Wynonnie Harris: Famous Blues shouter known for his Ribald (bordering on "indecency") lyrics. He is considered one of the founders of Rock and Roll, and his song Good Rocking Tonight is one of the essential proto-rock and roll songs. I previously encountered Harris on Andrew Hickey's excellent A History of Rock and Roll in 500 Songs podcast.
I Can Dream About You - Dan Hartman: A member of the Edgar Winter Group, he wrote Free Ride. He was also the co-writer of James Brown's Living in America. This was his biggest hit and one that takes on a more significant meaning knowing that Hartman was a closeted gay man who left his AIDS diagnosis go untreated and ultimately died of a brain tumor related to the illness.
Blues Nile - John Hassell: American trumpeter and composer known for his concept of Fourth World Music, a unified primitivist/futurist sound that uses electronic elements with ethnic musical ideas. This was introduced on Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics, his 1980 collaboration with Brian Eno.
Universal Heart-Beat - Juliana Hatfield: Formerly of Blake Babies, Some Girls, and The Lemonheads, she formed her own trio in the mid-90s and released several critically acclaimed albums. She was on the Lilith Fair lineup and has appeared as the Lunch Lady on The Adventures of Pete and Pete.
Oh, Happy Day - The Edwin Hawkins Singers: Edwin Hawkins was a pianist, composer, and arranger known as one of the originators of the contemporary urban gospel sound. Dorothy Combs Morrison sings lead on the arrangement of this composition, which was later by The Four Seasons.
Peaceful Journey - Heavy D and the Boyz: Heavy D was born in Jamaica and moved to Mount Vernon, New York as a child. The Boyz included his business partner and producer Eddie F. and Dancers/Hype Men "Trouble" T. Roy and G Whiz. Heavy D was the only rapper in the group. T. Roy passed away at 22 when he fell two stories after horseplay that went wrong. Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth dedicated their next album, They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.), to him. This song, from the album of the same name, is also about him. In 1989, Heavy performed on Janet Jackson's Alright, an early example of a rapper on a pop song.
Sunny - Bobby Hebb: Born in Nashville to blind musicians. He played spoons with Roy Acuff and sings backup on Bo Diddley's Diddley Daddy. He wrote this song after his brother was killed in a knife fight the day after the Kennedy assassination. He was looking for a sunnier day, an alternative to Johnny Ray's Just Walking in the Rain.
Unsung -Helmet: Alternative metal band formed in 1989. They were signed to Interscope following the success of Nirvana's Nevermind. Their sound influenced many of the Nu Metal bands.
Bustin' Out - Nona Hendryx (with Material): A distant cousin of Jimi Hendrix, she changed her last name to distinguish herself. She is one-third of the group Labelle. She sang background and toured with the Talking Heads.
Ain't Got a Home- Clarence "Frogman" Henry: Born in New Orleans, he has a trademark "croak" that can be heard on this hit. He opened 18 concerts for the Beatles in 1964. Most of his income came from performing on Bourbon Street. The song can be heard in the bathtub scene of The Lost Boys, and Rod Stewart uses elements of it. Some Guys Have All the Luck.
Nirvana For Mice - Henry Cow: English experimental music group founded in Cambridge in 1968 by Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Some of their music was scored beyond the conventional ranges of their instruments, necessitating that they "reinvent their instruments" and learn how to play them in entirely new ways. Frith explained in a 1973 interview, "What we've done is to literally teach ourselves to ... compos[e] music which we could not initially, play. Because of that attitude, we can go on forever. It's a self-generative concept which gives us a sense of purpose most groups simply don't have."
I Scare Myself - Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks: With songs like How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?, his lyrics often show humor. He purposely avoided categorization by playing a strange blend of Cowboy Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass, and Pop.
Ooh Pooh Pah (Pt. 1): Jessie Hill: Initially performing as a drummer with Professor Longhair and then Huey "Piano" Smith, he formed his own version of The House Rockers in 1958. His grandson is Trombone Shorty.
And I am Telling You, I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holliday: Began her career on Broadway in Dreamgirls. She won a Tony in 1982 and a Grammy for this song in 1983.
Four Walls - Eddie Holman: Known for his hit Hey There Lonely Girl. He developed his skills in the Philadelphia Soul scene. He is now an ordained minister and works with the Philadelphia school system to encourage the performing arts.
Sweet Apple Cider - The Holy Modal Rounders: Formed in the Lower East Side in 1964, they blended folk with psychedelia. Playwright Sam Shephard was a member when this song was recorded. In 1965 they joined The Fugs for a brief time. Their composition Bird Song can be heard on the Easy Rider soundtrack.
Have I the Right - The Honeycombs: The band featured Honey Lantree on the drums, one of the few high-profile female drummers of the time. Independent record producer Joe Meek recorded this song in his living room.
Want Ads - The Honey Cone: The premier female vocal group for Hot Wax Records after Holland–Dozier–Holland left Motown Records. Formed by lead singer Edna Wright (the sister of Darlene Love), Shelly Clark, and Carolyn Willis. Wright sang lead on "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" by Hale and the Hushabyes, a pseudonym for a group that included Brian Wilson, Sonny & Cher, and Jackie DeShannon.
Bittersweet - Hoodoo Gurus: Australian Rock band formed in 1981. After touring the U.S. in 1984, they gained popularity on college radio.
Those Were the Days - Mary Hopkin: Welsh singer was one of the first acts to be signed to Apple Records. Paul McCartney produced this track. She was married to producer Tony Visconti and provided the lyrics for Rachel's Song by Vangelis, which appears on the Blade Runner soundtrack.
It Hurts Me Too - Nicky Hopkins (With Ry Cooder and The Rolling Stones): English Pianist and Organist who appears on countless records from the 1960s through the 1990s. He is widely considered the greatest studio pianist in the history of Rock music. He plays on all of the Rolling Stones albums from 1967 to 1981, with the exception of Some Girls. He played on all of the records by the Kinks from 1965 to 1968.
Every 1's a Winner - Hot Chocolate: British Soul band founded in 1968 by Tony Wilson and Errol Brown. Their most memorable song is probably You Sexy Thing. The band became the only group, and one of just three acts, that had a hit in every year of the 1970s in the UK charts (the other two being Elvis Presley and Diana Ross).
Don't Go - Hothouse Flowers: Irish band formed in 1985 that combines traditional music with Soul, Gospel, and Rock. They released their debut in 1986 on U2's Mother Records Label.
Happy Hour - The Housemartins: English Indie group whose lyrics often mixed socialist politics and Christianity. Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) was a member of this band.
Shine On - The House of Love: An influence on Shoegaze bands Slowdive and Ride. English Alternative band formed in 1986 and is known for its psychedelic guitar work.
Nothing Can Stop Me - Cissy Houston: The mother of Whitney Houston, the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price. She sang backup for such artists as Roy Hamilton, Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin before embarking on her solo career.
Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston: an American singer. Beginning her recording career in the late 1960s, Houston scored a number-one hit record in 1977 with this recording which won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
I Got Caught Dancing Again - Hues Corporation: Singing trio formed in 1969 in Santa Monica, CA, their biggest hit was Rock the Boat.
The Darktown Strutter's Ball - Alberta Hunter: an American jazz and blues singer and songwriter from the early 1920s to the late 1950s.After twenty years of working as a nurse, Hunter resumed her singing career in 1977.
Since I Met You, Baby - Ivory Joe Hunter: Known as the happiest man alive and the Baron of the Boogie, his diverse stylizations have seen him honored at the Monterey Jazz Festival and The Grand Ole Opry.
Early Morning Rain - Ian and Sylvia: Married folk duo who performed between 1959 and 1975 when they divorced. One of the performers at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. Peter, Paul, and Mary (and future Bob Dylan) manager Albert Grossman secured them a deal with Vanguard Records. The albums they recorded in Nashville are considered some of the first Country Rock records, the first coming out a month before The Byrds Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) - The Icicle Works: Alternative, New Wave band founded in Liverpool in 1980 and named after the 1960 short story "The Day the Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl.
This is How it Feels - Inspiral Carpets: Another group in Tony Wilson's Madchester scene. They were known for using organs and distorted guitars with influences from Psychedelic Rock.
White Bird - It's A Beautiful Day: One of the lesser-known bands from the 1967 San Francisco Summer of Love scene.
My Man, A Sweet Man - Millie Jackson: Occasionally called the Mother of Hip Hop due to the long spoken sections in some of her songs. Her song It Hurts So Good is featured in the film Cleopatra Jones.
Funnel of Love - Wanda Jackson: The Queen of Rockabilly. She toured with Elvis in 1955 and was signed to Capitol the following year, where she was permitted to record Country and Rockabilly. She collaborated with Jack White on the 2011 album The Party Ain't Over.
The Rapper - The Jaggerz: My father used to sing the chorus to this song all the time when I was a kid. I knew it wasn't one of his originals, but it seemed so connected to him that I didn't think of it as someone else's song until now. They were a Pittsburgh, PA, band whose name was taken from the regional name for sharp natural objects in the woods.
Quiet Life - Japan: English New Wave band formed in 1974. They developed their sound and androgynous look to incorporate electronic music and foreign influences. They reformed in the 1990s under the name Rain Tree Crow.
Lost Highway - Jason and The Scorchers: Cowpunk band formed in 1981.
Matador - Garland Jeffreys: American songwriter active since the early 1960s. He plays guitar on John Cale's 1969 debut album Vintage Violence. After The Circle Jerks covered his song, Wild in the Streets became a skater anthem.
Who Found Who - Jellybean (with Elisa Fiorillo): A producer and DJ who worked on records and remixes by Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson, among many others. He produced Holiday by Madonna, which became her first international success.
Right Here, Right Now - Jesus Jones: Leaders of the alternative dance scene of the early 1990s.
You Got It All - The Jets: A Tongan family band from Minneapolis that started performing in 1977. Britney Spears covered this song on her 2000 album Oops...I Did it Again.
Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin' My Heart) - Jam & Lewis (with Mariah Carey): R&B/Pop songwriting duo that had great success working with Janet Jackson; they have 41 top ten hits in the United States. They began in the band Flyte Tyme, which evolved into Morris Day and the Time. The duo were early proponents of the 808 featured heavily on Janet Jackson's 1986 album Control.
My True Story - The Jive Five: A Doo-Wop group that transformed their output into a Soul sound in the 1970s. They are also the voices on the early Nickelodeon bumper jingles.
Need Your Love So Bad - Little Willie John: American R&B singer who performed in the 1950s and early 1960s. He faded into obscurity in the later 60s and died while serving a sentence for manslaughter. John appealed his sentence and returned to the recording studio while out briefly on parole. Due to contractual disputes and the decline of his appeal, it was not released until 2008 (as Nineteen Sixty Six).
Red River Rock - Johnny and the Hurricanes: an American instrumental rock band from Toledo, Ohio, United States. They specialized in adapting popular traditional melodies into the rock idiom, using organ and saxophone as their featured instruments. Between 1958 and 1963, the group had several hits in the U.S. and the U.K. The band developed a following in Europe.
Run Run Run - Jo Jo Gunne: Named after the Chuck Berry song, they formed after the demise of the band Spirit in 1971 by Mark Andes (an early member of Canned Heat) and Jay Ferguson, who would later compose the theme song for the American version of The Office.
Things Can Only Get Better - Howard Jones: a British musician, singer, and songwriter. He had ten Top 40 hit singles in the U.K. between 1983 and 1986; six of those ten singles reached the Top 10.
Too Late, But Not Forgotten - Joy of Cooking: Female-fronted American music ensemble formed in 1967 in Berkeley, California. Identified with the hippie culture, the band's music melded Rock & Roll with Folk, Blues, and Jazz.
Life in the Foodchain - Tonio K.: American singer/songwriter who has worked with the Crickets and released eight albums. He worked with Bacharach and hip-hop impresario Dr. Dre on Bacharach's At This Time, which won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Recording in 2005.
Keep Your Mind Open - Kaleidoscope: American psychedelic folk group that recorded four albums and several singles for Epic Records between 1966 and 1970. There is also an English psychedelic band active between 1967 and 1970.
Come With Me - Eric Kaz: American singer-songwriter born in Brooklyn, New York. Besides his solo work, Kaz was a member of Blues Magoos for their fourth and fifth albums.
Mother-In-Law: Ernie K-Doe: This Allen Toussaint song was Doe's biggest hit, number one on the Billboard Pop Chart.
Stop That Train - Keith and Tex: This Jamaican Rocksteady group is actually not in the Encyclopedia. I came across them while looking into the Philadelphia musician Keith. I really liked this song, though. I can't bring myself to add one more song to this playlist at this point. The other Keith's biggest hit was 98.6, if you want to check it out.
To Her Door - Paul Kelly: Australian rock music singer-songwriter and guitarist. His style has ranged from Bluegrass to studio-oriented Dub Reggae, but his core output straddles Folk, Rock, and Country.
Their Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone - The Kentucky Colonels: a Bluegrass band popular during the American folk music revival of the early 1960s.The band featured the influential Bluegrass guitarist Clarence White, who was primarily responsible for making the acoustic guitar a lead instrument within Bluegrass and later joined the Los Angeles Rock band the Byrds.
La Raza - Kid Frost: Los Angeles American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He charted in the 1990s with his first four albums. Frost was an integral part of the Latin Alliance, releasing one album, 1991's Latin Alliance.
Big Chief - Earl King (with Professor Longhair): an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, most active in Blues music. A composer of Blues standards such as Come On (covered by Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan). He was an important figure in New Orleans R&B.
Smooth Talk - Evelyn "Champagne" King: Most remembered for this 1977 Disco hit, she continued to have hits through the mid-80s.
I Feel Like Dynamite - King Floyd: New Orleans Soul singer, best known for his top 10 hit from 1970, Groove Me. His debut album, co-written by Dr. John, failed to chart.
Lies- The Knickerbockers: were an American Garage Rock band formed in New Jersey in 1964. This 1965 hit is known for its resemblance to the Beatles.
Gotta Move - Alexis Korner: British Blues musician and radio broadcaster, sometimes referred to as "a founding father of British Blues. A major influence on the sound of the British music scene in the 1960s, he was instrumental in the formation of several notable British bands, including The Rolling Stones and Free.
Bad to Me - Billy J. Kramer (with The Dakotas): With The Dakotas, Kramer was managed by Brian Epstein during the 1960s and scored hits with several Lennon–McCartney compositions never recorded by the Beatles, among them this number-one hit from 1963. Kramer and the Dakotas had a further UK chart-topper in 1964 with Little Children and achieved U.S. success as part of the British Invasion.
Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um - Major Lance: This is the second time this song has popped up on this list. The first was the cover by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. He became an iconic figure in Britain in the 1970s among followers of Northern Soul. Although he stopped making records in 1982, Major Lance continued to perform at concerts and on tours until he died in 1994.
Bullet Hole Memory - Bill Laswell: an American bass guitarist, record producer, and record label owner. He has been involved in thousands of recordings with many collaborators from all over the world. His music draws from Funk, World Music, Jazz, Dub, and Ambient styles. According to music critic Chris Brazier, "Laswell's pet concept is 'collision music,' which involves bringing together musicians from wildly divergent but complementary spheres and seeing what comes out."
9,999,999 Tears - Dicky Lee: an American Pop Country singer and songwriter best known for the 1960s teenage tragedy songs Patches and Laurie (Strange Things Happen).
Lessons in Love - Level 42: English Jazz Funk band formed on the Isle of Wight in 1979. They had several U.K. and worldwide hits during the 1980s and 1990s.
Casanova - LeVert: American R&B vocal group from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1983, LeVert was composed of Sean and Gerald Levert (sons of Eddie Levert, founder, and lead singer of R&B/Soul vocal group O'Jays) and Marc Gordon.
Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis: American Rock and Roll and R&B singer, best known for this 1961 hit single and One Track Mind from the same year.
When My Baby Left Me - Fury Lewis: American Country Blues guitarist and songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee. He was one of the early Blues musicians active in the 1920s to be brought out of retirement and given new opportunities to record during the folk-blues revival of the 1960s.
Rock A Doodle Do-o- Linda Lewis: English singer, songwriter, and musician known for this hit as well as singing backup for artists including David Bowie, Al Kooper, Cat Stevens, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Rick Wakeman, Rod Stewart, Peter Bardens, Hummingbird, Joan Armatrading, and Jamiroquai.
Sun Goddess - Ramsey Lewis: American Jazz pianist, composer, and radio personality. Lewis recorded over 80 albums and received five gold records and three Grammy Awards.
One Night - Smiley Lewis: an American New Orleans R&B singer and guitarist whose slow-rocking formula was sped up by Fats Domino to much greater success. Though not a hit for him, his song I Hear You Knockin' was a hit for both Gale Storm and Dave Edmunds.
Cocaine Done Killed My Baby - Mance Lipscomb: American Blues singer, guitarist, and songster. He was born Beau De Glen Lipscomb near Navasota, Texas. As a youth, he took the name Mance (short for emancipation) from a friend of his oldest brother, Charlie.
Grits Ain't Groceries (All Around the World) - Little Milton: American Blues singer and guitarist. A native of the Mississippi Delta, Milton began his recording career in 1953 at Sun Records before relocating to St. Louis and co-founding Bobbin Records in 1958.
Sour Milk Sea - Jackie Lomax: English guitarist and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his association with George Harrison, who produced Lomax's recordings for the Beatles' Apple record label in the late 1960s.
Hangin' On A String - Loose Ends: British R&B band that had several hit records throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. The trio was formed in London in 1980, initially comprising vocalist and guitarist Carl McIntosh, vocalist Jane Eugene, and keyboard player Steve Nichol.
It's a Shame (My Sister) -Monie Love (with True Image): British rapper, actress, and radio personality known for her singles during the late 1980s through the 1990s. Love is a radio personality for urban adult contemporary station KISS 104.1 WALR-FM in Atlanta, Georgia. Love is a two-time Grammy Award nominee, making her the first British female Hip-Hop artist to hold that distinction.
Lucky Number - Lene Lovich: English-American singer, songwriter, and musician. She first gained attention in 1979 with the release of this single, which peaked at number 3 on the U.K. Singles Chart and made her a leading figure in the New Wave music scene. Sounds like Patti Smith went in a different direction.
For Love - Lush: English Rock band formed in London in 1987. They were among the first bands described with the "shoegazing" label.
You'll Lose A Good Thing - Barabara Lynn: American rhythm and blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Unusual for the time, Lynn was a female African American singer who both wrote most of her songs and played a lead instrument.
A New England - Kristy MacColl: British singer and songwriter, daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl. This Billy Bragg cover was a hit for her. In 2000, while vacationing in Mexico, she was killed instantly when a speedboat hit her in a restricted diving zone. Her son, who she had pushed out of the way of the boat moments before, sustained minor head and rib injuries.
Oreo Cookie Blues - Lonnie Mack: American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was influential in the development of Blues Rock music and Rock guitar soloing.
You Know, You Know - Mahavishnu Orchestra: Jazz Fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin. The band received its initial acclaim for its complex, intense music consisting of a blend of Indian Classical Music, Jazz, and Psychedelic Rock, and its dynamic live performances between 1971 and 1973.
Sauvecito - Malo: This song from their eponymous album was definitely in my father's record collection, and though I stared at the cover art often, I never heard it until now. American musical group known for its blend of Latino, Rock, jazz, and blues. The San Francisco-based ensemble was led by Richard Bean, Arcelio Garcia, and Jorge Santana, the brother of Latin-rock guitarist Carlos Santana.
Fencewalk - Mandrill: American Funk band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 1968 by brothers Carlos, Lou, and Ric Wilson. AllMusic called them "One of funk's most progressive outfits.
Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans: The Manhattans have recorded 45 hits on the Billboard R&B Chart, including twelve top-10 R&B hits in the United States, starting in 1965.
Square Biz - Teena Marie: Her success in R&B and Soul music and loyalty to these genres would earn her the title Ivory Queen of Soul. She played rhythm guitar, keyboards, and congas. Teena Marie was a four-time Grammy Award nominee, winning one posthumously in 2023, as a credited songwriter (Mary Christine Brockert) on Beyoncé's hit song Cuff It.
The River - John Martyn: Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a 40-year career, he released 23 studio albums and received frequent critical acclaim. The Times described him as "an electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between Folk, Jazz, Rock, and Blues.
Valerie Loves Me - Material Issue: American Power Pop trio from Chicago, Illinois. The band's trademark is pop songs with themes of love and heartbreak.
Seven Bridges Road - Iain Matthews: English musician and singer-songwriter. He was an original member of the British folk rock band Fairport Convention from 1967 to 1969 before leaving to form his band, Matthews Southern Comfort.
Complainte Pour Ste Catherine - Kate and Anna McGarrigle: a duo of Canadian singer-songwriters (and sisters) from Quebec who performed until Kate McGarrigle's death on January 18, 2010. Various artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Judy Collins, have covered their songs.
Cold Rock a Party - MC Lyte: American rapper, DJ, actress, and entrepreneur. She was considered one of the pioneers of female rap. Lyte gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.
Canola Fields -James McMurty: American Rock and Folk Rock/Americana singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, and occasional actor. His father was writer Larry McMurtry.
Starting All Over Again - Mel and Tim: American Soul duo active from 1969 to 1974. They are best known for the hit songs Backfield in Motion, Good Guys Only Win in the Movies, and this 1972 on Stax Records.
Lonesome - Memphis Slim: American Blues pianist, singer, and composer. He led a series of bands that, reflecting the popular appeal of Jump Blues, included saxophones, bass, drums, and piano. A song he first cut in 1947, Every Day I Have the Blues, has become a blues standard, recorded by many other artists. He made over 500 recordings.
Love is Strange - Mickey and Sylvia: Mickey Baker and Sylvia Vanderpool began recording together in 1954. They first recorded as Mickey & Sylvia in 1955 on Rainbow Records before signing to Groove Records, where they became the first big seller for the label. Sylvia is probably more recognized as Sylvia Robinson, the founder and CEO of Sugarhill Records, a critical enterprise in the popularization of Hip-Hop.
Right Time - Mighty Diamonds: Jamaican harmony trio recording Roots Reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group was formed in 1969.
Down The Road Apiece - Amos Milburn: American rhythm-and-blues singer and pianist, famous in the 1940s and 1950s. He was among the first performers to switch from sophisticated jazz arrangements to the louder Jump Blues style. He began to emphasize rhythm and technical qualities of voice and instrumentation second.
What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin' - Stephanie Mills: American singer and songwriter. She rose to stardom as "Dorothy" in the original seven-time Tony Award-winning Broadway run of the musical The Wiz from 1974 to 1979. The song Home from the show later became a Number 1 U.S. R&B hit and her signature song.
Cry Baby - Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters: Steve Huey at AllMusic says his "pleading, gospel-derived intensity made him one of the earliest true soul singers [and] his legacy remains criminally underappreciated." Janis Joplin later recorded this song.
Spanish Stroll - Mink DeVille: Rock band founded in 1974, known for its association with early Punk Rock bands at New York's CBGB nightclub and for being a showcase for the music of Willy DeVille. The band recorded six albums from 1977 to 1985, disbanding the following year.
. Destination Unknown - Missing Persons: American Rock band founded in 1980 in Los Angeles by guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, vocalist Dale Bozzio, and drummer Terry Bozzio. They later added bassist Patrick O'Hearn and keyboardist Chuck Wild. Dale's quirky voice and heavy makeup made the band a favorite on MTV in the early 1980s.
Groovin' - Willie Mitchell: American trumpeter, bandleader, Soul, R&B, Rock and Roll, Pop, and Funk record producer and arranger who ran Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. He was best known for his Hi Records label of the 1970s, which released albums by many popular Memphis soul artists, including Mitchell himself, Al Green, O. V. Wright, Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, and Quiet Elegance.
. Love on a Two-Way Street - The Moments: American R&B group who later changed their name to Ray, Goodman, and Brown. They initially signed with another Sylvia Robinson label - Stang Records.
. Airport - The Motors: British Pub Rock band formed in London in 1977 by former Ducks Deluxe members. This 1978 song was their biggest hit.
. Is This Love? - Alison Moyet: English singer noted for her powerful bluesy contralto voice. She came to prominence as half of the duo Yazoo (known as Yaz in North America) but has since mainly worked as a solo artist.
. Brazil - Geoff & Maria Muldaur: Geoff is an American singer, guitarist, and composer who was a founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and a member of Paul Butterfield's Better Days. Maria is a folk and blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s. She recorded the 1973 hit song Midnight at the Oasis and has recorded albums in the Folk, Blues, early Jazz, Gospel, Country, and R&B traditions. This song became the theme for Terry Gilliam's Film of the same name.
. Bittersweet - Elliott Murphy: American rock singer-songwriter, novelist, record producer, and journalist living in Paris. He has collaborated with the Violent Femmes, Jerry Harrison, and Bruce Springsteen.
Canyon - Saloli
This electronic instrumental record follows a day in the life of a bear in the Smoky Mountains. Saloli uses a Sequential Circuits MultiTrak synthesizer and delay pedal to bring the story to life. Sometimes music can elicit too many human emotions. It's nice to take a break from that and get in touch with some imagined animal emotions.
Comments