Forty Years Ago Today

Yesterday and Today – Tom Rush

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on July 15, 2014

Posted in: Forty Years Ago Today, I Got You Covered, Life Lessons From Music, Rock History, Yesterday and Today. Tagged: Tom Rush. Leave a comment

I posted about Tom Rush’s Circle Game album back in August of 2012. As I noted back then, Tom is a great interpreter of songs written by other great singer/songwriters. Today we feature Tom performing Child’s Song (written by Canadian Singer/Writer Murray McLauchlan) in 1970 and in 2013. I think you will agree that Tom has lost none of his magic as a performer during the last forty some years…….

Child’s Song – Tom Rush 1970

This performance is from Festival Express, a 2003 documentary film about a 1970 train tour across Canada with a variety of musical acts performing along the way. Be watching for a post soon featuring the complete Festival Train movie!

Child’s Song – Tom Rush 2013

Here are the lyric from this beautiful song about leaving home….something that we all have to do!

Goodbye momma goodbye to you too pa
Little sister you’ll have to wait a while to come along
Goodbye to this house and all it’s memories

We just got too old to say we’re wrong
Got to make one last trip to my bedroom
Guess I’ll have to leave some stuff behind

It’s funny how the same old crooked pictures
Just don’t seem the same to me tonight
There ain’t no use in sheding lonely tears mamma

There ain’t no use in shouting at me pa
I can’t live no longer with your fears mamma
I love you but that hasn’t helped at all

Each of us must do the things that matter
All of us must see what we can see
It was long ago you must remember

You were once as young and scared as me
I don’t know how hard it is yet mamma
When you relaize you’re growning old

I know how hard is not to be younger
I know you’ve tried to keep me from the cold
Thanks for all you done it may sound hollow

Thank you for the good times that we’ve known
But I must find my own road now to follow
You will all be welcome in my home

Got my suitacse I must go now
I don’t mind about the things you said
I’m sorry Mom I don’t know where I’m going

Remember little sister look ahead
Tomorrow I’ll be in some other sunrise
Maybe I’ll have someone at my side

Mamma give your love back to your husband
Father you’ve have taught we well goodbye
Goodbye Mamma goodbye to you too pa
Goodbye momma goodbye to you too pa

Little sister you’ll have to wait a while to come along
Goodbye to this house and all it’s memories
We just got too old to say we’re wrong

Got to make one last trip to my bedroom
Guess I’ll have to leave some stuff behind
It’s funny how the same old crooked pictures

Just don’t seem the same to me tonight
There ain’t no use in sheding lonely tears mamma
There ain’t no use in shouting at me pa

I can’t live no longer with your fears mamma
I love you but that hasn’t helped at all
Each of us must do the things that matter

All of us must see what we can see
It was long ago you must remember
You were once as young and scared as me

I don’t know how hard it is yet mamma
When you relaize you’re growning old
I know how hard is not to be younger

I know you’ve tried to keep me from the cold
Thanks for all you done it may sound hollow
Thank you for the good times that we’ve known

But I must find my own road now to follow
You will all be welcome in my home
Got my suitacse I must go now

I don’t mind about the things you said
I’m sorry Mom I don’t know where I’m going
Remember little sister look ahead

Tomorrow I’ll be in some other sunrise
Maybe I’ll have someone at my side
Mamma give your love back to your husband
Father you’ve have taught we well goodbye
Goodbye Mamma goodbye to you too pa

Monday Matinee #22 – Bad Company (Behind The Music)

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on July 7, 2014

Posted in: Forty Years Ago Today, Great Rock Stories, Monday Music Matinee, Rock History. Tagged: Bad Company. Leave a comment

Here’s a great Bad Company Behind the Music feature from VH1 to continue our Bad Company focus from the last couple of days. Lots of interesting history with regards to Bad Company and Free. Enjoy……

I couldn’t agree more with John Mellencamp’s comments about Paul’s voice…..absolutely perfect!

Sunday Sessions #26 – Bad Company 1974

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on July 6, 2014

Posted in: Forty Years Ago Today, Great Rock Stories, Rock History, Sunday Sessions. Tagged: Bad Company. Leave a comment

Here are some great Bad Company live tracks from circa 1974. There is some really good stuff here but given it’s age the video quality is not what we used to today. Regardless….I think you will enjoy this.

Can’t Get Enough

Bad Company from Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert (a US music show from the 70s)

Rock Steady (better video source for Rock Steady from the above concert)

Forty Years Ago Today – Apr/May/Jun Album Releases

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on July 5, 2014

Posted in: Forty Years Ago Today, Great Rock Stories, Rock History. Tagged: 10cc, America, Bad Company, Blue Oyster Cult, David Bowie, James Taylor, Lynyrd Skynyrd, New York Dolls. 1 Comment

In the spring of 1974 I was finishing up my third year of college and working two jobs. It was a pretty stressful time but the great music releases made everything better. Releases during April, May, and June included new music from some of my favorite artists and a debut release from a new group (see picture above) that would quickly become one of my favorites. Let’s jump right in listen to some great music……

April 1974 Album Releases

Secret Treaties – Blue Oyster Cult

In 1974, Blue Oyster Cult was one of my “go to” groups for “heavy” music. Secret Treaties was their third album and featured a very cool drawing of an German ME262 fighter. Here’s a great cut from that album called Astronomy,,,,,,

Live ‘n’ Kickin – West, Bruce, and Laing

In 1974 West, Bruce and Laing were carrying on a long tradition of three man, power chord based, rock groups. I was a fan of Leslie West and Corky Laing from their time with Mountain and of course was a huge fan of Jack Bruce from his time with Cream so it was only natural that I was a fan of West, Bruce, and Laing. Live ‘n” Kickin was their third and final album as a group and it rocked! Listen to Play With Fire and it will tell you everything you need to know about the group!

Diamond Dogs – David Bowie

After he retired the Ziggy Stadust character, we were all interested to see what Bowie came up with next. When I heard the first single from the record, a glam rock stunner called Rebel Rebel, I knew we were in for a real treat. Have a listen for yourself…..

Second Helping – Lynyrd Skynrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, the appropriately named Second Helping, managed to avoid the sophomore jinx that strikes a lot of groups. It was a double platinum hit and features some of their most memorable songs including my favorite, Sweet Home Alabama. Let’s listen……

May 1974 Album Releases

Too Much Too Soon – New York Dolls

I mentioned the glam rock nature of Bowie’s Rebel Rebel single above so it’s only fitting that the New York Dolls, the ultimate glam band, released their second album the month after Diamond Dogs. It was hard to pick a song to feature from Too Much Too Soon but you can’t go wrong with Babylon. Give it a listen and see what you think!

Sheet Music – 10cc

As an illustration of the diversity of rock music in May of 1974, we transition from the glam rock of the New York Dolls to the art rock of 10cc. Sheet music was 10cc’s second release and featured the Wall Street Shuffle, a really catchy radio hit for them. Go back in time with me and do the Wall Street Shuffle as you listen……

June 1974 Album Releases

Bad Company – Bad Company

Bad Company, pictured at the top of this post, was one of the many supergroups that formed in the 1970s from the wreckage of other groups from the late 60s/early 70s. In this case, Bad Company was formed by:

vocalist extraordinaire Paul Rogers from Free
drummer Simon Kirke from Free
guitarist Mick Ralphe from Mott the Hoople
bassist Boz Burrell from King Crimson

While some supergroups proved to be disappointing, this was definitely not the case with Bad Company. They rocked hard throughout the 70s and produced an impressive string of great albums. The song I have for you today is named Bad Company, it comes from the album Bad Company, and was written and performed by the group called Bad Company……very strange…….

Holiday – America

The guys in America were Air Force brats like myself so I had an immediate kinship with them. Their third album, Hat Trick, had been a little of a disappointment from a commercial perspective so the group had a lot riding on Holiday when it was released in 1974. To turn things around the group had recruited George Martin, of Beatles fame, to produce Holiday and he came through for them. Holiday was a huge commercial success starting with Tin Man, the first single released from the album. You have to like this song…..

Walking Man – James Taylor

James Taylor’s Walking Man album was his fifth and was not a commercial success! It even failed to becoming a gold record which is truly shocking but…..to many fans like myself….. it’s still a favorite. Listen to the title track and I think you will understand…….

Yesterday and Today (James Taylor)

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on June 4, 2014

Posted in: Forty Years Ago Today, Yesterday and Today. Tagged: James Taylor. Leave a comment

In 1970 James Taylor was just starting his solo career. He recorded a live BBC special acoustic performance that’s one of my favorite James Taylor performances. During that performance he played a great version of my favorite James Taylor song, Riding On A Railroad. Let’s listen to that performance……..

Over forty years later, James is still one of our best singer/songwriters and still regularly tours. In forty years he hasn’t lost a thing….except for most of his hair 🙂 To prove it, here’s a great performance of Riding On A Railroad from a 2012 show at the White House.

Yesterday and Today (Gordon Lightfoot)

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on May 13, 2014

Posted in: Canada Music Celebration, Forty Years Ago Today, Rock History, Yesterday and Today. Tagged: Gordon Lightfoot. Leave a comment

As readers of this blog know, Gordon Lightfoot is a honored member of my holy trinity of Canadian Music (Neil and Joni are the other members) so it was an easy choice to feature him in my second Yesterday and Today post.

My favorite Gordon song is probably Canadian Railroad Trilogy, an epic song that he wrote in just three days. It tells the story of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway and was performed for the very first time on New Year’s Day in 1967 as part of Canada’s centennial celebration. To me this song is Canada!

Each of the three parts of the song has it’s own tempo. The first and third parts have a faster tempo and focus on the progress of the railroad across the continent. The middle part of the song slows to focus on the railroad workers (navies) that did the back breaking manual labor required to lay the tracks. I’ve always heard something else in the tempo changes. If you’ve ever ridden on a steam train, it’s doesn’t take too much imagination to hear the steam train in the tempo.

To kick things off tonight, here’s a great live performance of the song from 1972………

Over forty years after the 1972 performance, Gordon is still singing this great song. He’s older, the voice has changed over time, but the performance is no less amazing. Join with me in celebrating Gordon’s continuing ability to amaze and entertain us at the age of 75.

Yesterday and Today (Greg Lake)

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on May 6, 2014

Posted in: Cool Concert Chatter, Forty Years Ago Today, Going Solo, Under Appreciated Singer/Songwriter, Yesterday and Today. Tagged: ELP, Greg Lake. Leave a comment

Today we introduce a new recurring post called Yesterday and Today where we celebrate rock heroes from the 60s and 70s that managed to survive fame and fortune and are still entertaining us today. To kick off these posts I’m featuring a singer that I like to refer to as “The Voice”…..Mr Greg Lake (pictured above at an Emerson, Lake and Palmer concert from the 70s). Let’s listen Greg performing C’est La Vie at a concert in Montreal in 1977…..

Greg is still with us today and still performing. Like the rest of us he doesn’t look the same as he did forty years ago but… if you listen closely… the voice is still there.

C’set La Vie indeed…..

In 1974 I was 21, a full time college student, working three jobs, and somehow having the time of my life. Music was a major factor in my life and, fortunately for me, there was an amazing amount of wonderful new music every month. Let’s take a quick look at some of the key album releases during the first three months of 1974. By the way, if you are interested, the picture above is Big Star (more about them below).

So get ready, set aside some quality time, and head back to the first quarter of 1974 with me. Enjoy…….

January 1974 Album Releases

The Way We Were-Barbara Streisand

I’m a rocker at heart and it probably surprises many of you that I bought this album when it was released but ……great music is great music! The only comments I have about the album are: What a voice and what an album. It would have been easy to play the title track but here’s one that I like even better……I think you will like it……

What are you doing for this rest of your like? I ask myself that question a lot more now that I’m older…..

Court and Spark-Joni Mitchell

Joni, part of my holy trinity of Canadian music (Neil, Joni, and Gordon), was continuing to evolve her musical style. Court and Spark started to add in some jazz elements but lost none of it’s introspection which is what drew me to her in the first place. I’ve learned a lot of lessons in my years and in 1974 Joni choose to write about one of them in a song…..It’s Down To You……

Everything comes and goes
Pleasure moves on too early
And trouble leaves too slow
Just when you’re thinking
You’ve finally got it made
Bad news comes knocking
At your garden gate
Knocking for you
Constant stranger
You’re a brute you’re an angel
You can crawl you can fly too
It’s down to you
It all comes down to you

Energized-Foghat

Foghat was an amazing boogie band from the 70’s and has gotten the respect that they deserve in my humble opinion. Here is one of Foghat’s masterpieces that doesn’t get the respect it deserves……Home In My Hand. If you were lucky enough to see them play it live back in the 70’s, as I was, I guarantee that you were entertained…….

Grevious Angel-Gram Parsons

I’ve written about the sad story of Gram Parsons as part of my Southern California Sound series. Grevious Angel was released after Gram’s untimely death in the fall of 1973. Brass Buttons is a classic (Poco did an amazing cover version that you might want to checkout) and you need to hear it straight from the mouth of the writer…..sing it Gram……

Sundown-Gordon Lightfoot

January 1974 was a great month for Canadian music releases with Gordon joining Joni in releasing a new album. The title track was one of Gordon’s biggest sellers but you dig a little deeper in the album to find the real treasure……Seven Island Suite…….

Look around at the morning, guess you’re doing the best you can
Surely you know that when you go nobody gives you a hand
Think of the air you’re breathing in, think of the time you waste
Think of the right and wrong and consider the frown on your face

February 1974 Album Releases

Kiss-Kiss

Forty years after the release of their debut album, Kiss is finally going to get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame….it’s about time! This album wasn’t a hit, the band wouldn’t really take off until their release of their double live album, but I’ve got to give it to the boys….they had ambition. Listen to its Kissin’ Time and you will see exactly what I mean……

Badfinger-Badfinger

If you are a reader of this blog you already know that I have a soft spot in my heart for Badfinger and their incredibly sad story. This was the group’s first album after leaving Apple records and unfortunately the end was a lot nearer than anyone foresaw. The song I have for you today from this album was written by Pete Ham, I Miss You………

Damn it Pete….I Miss You! RIP buddy!

Radio City-Big Star

Looking back it seems ironic that Big Star released their second album the same month as the Badfinger release discussed above. September Gurls was maybe the best pop song of the 70’s and to this day very few people have even heard of Big Star…..it’s a fucking tragedy ……

Of course the entire Big Star history is pretty much one big tragedy. I’m reading a biography of Alex Chilton, the band’s lead singer, right now and I’m planning a post dedicated to Big Star’s sad story. Stay tuned for that…..

What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits-Doobie Brothers

The Doobies were going through some significant personnel changes in 1974, and more were on the way, but they managed to put out another great album in 1974. The song that I have for you today makes me want to be floating down a little southern river in a canoe…..laid back without a care in the world….

If you listen closely, you can appreciate some amazing steel guitar added by Skunk Baxter. He would be an official member of the group by 1975 as the band’s sound started to change. More about that next……

A New Life-Marshall Tucker Band

This was Marshall Tucker’s second release and it confirmed that they were not just a one trick pony. The title track from this album highlights everything that makes Marshall Tucker Band one of the best bands from the 70 (great vocals, amazing musicianship, and great songwriting)…..listen and be amazed……

March 1974 Album Releases

Kansas-Kansas

I’m a sucker for bands named after the states that they’re from and Kansas is one of the best examples of such a band. This was the debut album for Kansas and if you listen to the lead off song and it immediately let’s you know that you should expect great things from this band……

Bridge Of Sighs-Robin Trower

Jimi Hendrix was gone but we still had Robin to blow our minds. You can’t go wrong with the title track from this album….absolutely Epic……..

On The Border-Eagles

1974 found the Eagles, one of my favorite Southern California Sound bands, starting to move towards a more rock oriented sound. You wouldn’t know it from the song I have for you today, Ol’ 55, one of the few songs on the album not written by the group. The amazing Tom Waits wrote the song and the Eagles performance of it is something to be treasured. It brings back some amazing memories of driving back home from various girlfriends houses as the sun was coming up in my rear view mirror……

Get Your Wings-Aerosmith

On their sophomore album Aerosmith fully hit their stride. It was an amazing album and the start of a string of releases that would make Aerosmith one of my all time favorites. Let’s listen to Track 5 from the album, SOS (Too Bad)……in case you are wondering SOS stands for Same Old Shit…….

Somethin’s Happening-Peter Frampton

In 1974 something was at least on the verge of happening for Peter. The release of Frampton Comes Alive in 1976 would make him a superstar but you could see it coming by listening to this 1974 release. Let’s listen to the title song from the album, Somethin’s Happening……

(For a great story about the Abandoned Luncheonette cover checkout this blog post)

Some people will tell you that the 70s were a vast wasteland for music. To those people I say….”You don’t know what the hell you are talking about!” Take a look at the unbelievable collection of albums that were released in the last three months of 1973 and I dare you to find another three months in any year that produced the same level of music quality and diversity. I’m proud to say that I have these albums in my collection.

So get ready….I have well over an hour of music below celebrating the best albums released at the end of 1973. Enjoy…….

October 1973 Album Releases

Selling England By The Pound – Genesis

This is probably my favorite Genesis album of all time. It was back during the days when the band was fronted by Peter Gabriel (i.e. it was the “real” Genesis). I know what I like and here it is……

Time Fades Away – Neil Young

This is the rarest Neil album of all time to the best of my knowledge. I am lucky enough to have the vinyl album…I say that because Neil has never released this one as a CD. Here’s one of my favorite songs from Neil which is one of his most autobiographical numbers. It’s also a great New Years Resolution if you are still looking for one……Don’t Be Denied……

Quadrophenia – The Who

I’m quite sure that I’ve talked about this before…..Quadrophenia is my favorite album by the Who and this is my favorite song from that album…….

For Everyman – Jackson Browne

I think Jackson Browne may be the most talented singer/songwriter of my generation. I’m currently working on a major blog post that provides a critical analysis of a set of Jackson’s songs including the title song from this album. Since I will be talking about Everyman in that post, I have chose to feature These Days my second favorite song from this album……

Laid Back – Greg Allman

Wrapping up the October albums is Greg Allman’s first solo album which is a classic by anyone’s standards. I love Greg’s voice and he is a terrific songwriter as well. Here is Multicolored Lady from Greg’s album.

November 1973 Album Releases

Abandoned Luncheonette – Hall and Oates

Before Hall and Oates produced their string of “Pop” hits they produced that absolute masterpiece. It is without a doubt my favorite for their albums and the title song from the album is stunning. Give it a listen and you will see what i mean…..

Piano Man – Billy Joel

What can you say about Billy Joel that hasn’t already been said? This is the album and the title song that started it all for him………

Mind Games – John Lennon

This was John’s fourth solo album. He started working on the title song during the Get Back sessions by his first band that you might remember as The Beatles :-). Let’s listen……

Keep on playing those mind games together
Raising the spirit of peace and love
I want you to make love, not war I know you’ve heard it before

Fergusile Park – Stealers Wheel

Stealers Wheel was a great but very much under appreciated group. Fergusile Park was the group’s second album and by the time the album was released it was down to the duo of Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty each of whom was a great songwriter so I’ve chose to highlight a song from each of them from this album. First up is Star that was written by Joe Egan…..

Next up is Who Cares that was written by Gerry Rafferty. When I listened to this song back in 1973 I knew that Gerry was going to have a very long career. Unfortunately we lost Gerry way to soon back in 2011!

Stealers Wheel didn’t last long after this album. Gerry’s went on to have a great solo career while Joe’s career kind of faded away. Sometimes talent just isn’t enough…..the music business is tough.

Montrose – Montrose

Montrose was a powerhouse that featured Ronnie Montrose on guitar and Sammy Hagar on vocals. They rocked on their debut album which you can see for yourself by listening to the first song, Rock the Nation (written by Ronnie)……

December 1973 Album Releases

Band On The Run – Paul McCartney and Wings

Not to be outdone by John’s release of Mind Games, Paul released this Wings masterpiece the very next month. The title song, with its three independent parts beautifully woven together, is an absolute classic……

Tales From Topographical Oceans – Yes

One double album featuring four sides of music each of which is made up of a single song. Yes it has to be Tales from Topographical Oceans. My favorite of the four songs….The Remembering…..see what you think……..

Ozark Mountain Daredevils – The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were a very much under appreciated band. Their first, self titled, album featured one hit (If You Wanna Get To Heaven) but a lot of other great music as well. Today let’s listen to Colorado Song. I think you will like it……

Ridin The Storm Out – REO Speedwagon

The REO Speedwagon of the early 70’s rocked. While they would go on to have significant “pop” success in the 80s, I have always preferred their early stuff from the 70s. The title song from this album is my favorite…….

Wild Tales – Graham Nash

Graham’s second solo album was a great piece of work. Let’s listen to the final song from the album, Another Sleep Song……

Forty Years Ago Today – September Album Releases (Bonus Edition)

Posted by thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard on October 4, 2013

Posted in: Forty Years Ago Today, Rock History, Rock Interviews. Tagged: Art Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Rondstadt, Poco, Pure Prairie League, Uriah Heep. Leave a comment

September of 1973 had some amazing album releases including Bruce Springsteen’s sophomore release; releases from Poco and Uriah Heep when they were at the top of their game; a release from Linda Ronstadt who was on the verge of becoming a superstar; and the first solo album from Art Garfunkel after he and Paul Simon went their separate ways. I bought each of the albums back in 1973 and I love them as much today as I did when I purchased them.

In today’s post I feature a favorite song from each of the above albums plus a bonus song/interview/concert that is related to the album in some way. So……step into my musical time machine while we travel back to September 1973 and enjoy some great music…….

Bruce Springsteen – The Wild, The Innocent, & The E-Street Shuffle

My featured song from Bruce’s second release is New York City Serenade which I think is Bruce’s most beautiful song ever. It was an amazing accomplishment for such a young songwriter/musician/composer.

The bonus I have picked out for The Wild, The Innocent, and The E-Street Shuffle is a Bruce concert from 2012 where Bruce and the band play the entire album. This is a real treasure….I hope you enjoy it.

Poco – Crazy Eyes

Crazy Eyes was Poco’s most ambitious album of their career. The title song is an absolutely amazing song (written about Gram Parsons) and I have selected to feature it today.

The bonus I have picked out for the Crazy Eyes album s an interview with Richie Furay about the title song.

Uriah Heep – Sweet Freedom

Sweet Freedom is the one and only Uriah Heep album that I purchased but it was a good one. My favorite song was called Stealin and I have chosen to feature it today.

The bonus post for Sweet Freedom is the entire album. If you haven’t heard the album, you really need to take advantage of this and listen today. It’s good stuff!

Linda Ronstadt – Don’t Cry Now

Don’t Cry Now was Linda’s release that preceded her break through album, Heart Like A Wheel. It featured songs from some of the hottest young songwriters and musicians from the Southern California sound school of music. Today I have chosen to feature what I think is Linda’s greatest vocal performance ever, Love Has No Pride.

The bonus post for Don’t Cry Now is a version Love Has No Pride that was recorded by American Flyer, a band that featured Eric Kaz who wrote the song. Although I think Linda’s version is the best ever recording of the song, the American Flyer version is great in it’s own way. It features Craig Fuller on lead vocals…. you might remember his voice from Pure Prairie League.

Art Garfunkel – Angel Clare

Angel Clare was Art Garfunkel’s first solo album. Art could sing the New York city phone book and I would buy it but fortunately for us his first album featured some really great songwriters, including Jimmy Webb. Jimmy wrote All I Know, my favorite song from the album, and I have chosen to feature that song for you today.

For his third album release, Watermark, Art chose to release an entire album of Jimmy Webb songs. The first song on that album was called Crying In My Sleep. I personally think it is the best thing that Art has ever recorded and I have chosen to feature that song as a bonus post. Sadly, Crying In My Sleep was released as the first single from album and was not a hit. The album was immediately pulled and rereleased with an additional song called (What A) Wonderful World (not composed by Jimmy Webb) which produced a hit single.