The Sunday Six

Hope everybody is spending a great weekend. Welcome to another installment of The Sunday Six, my weekly imaginary time travel series visiting six music tracks from six different decades and in different flavors. Except for the first stop, this time we’re back to vocals.

Lou Donaldson/Dorothy

Today, our journey starts in 1957 with alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson. From his web bio: Jazz critics agree that “Sweet Poppa Lou” Donaldson is one of the greatest alto saxophonists of all time. He began his career as a bandleader with Blue Note Records in 1952 and, already at age 25, had found his sound, though it would continue to sweeten over the years — earning him his famed nickname –“Sweet Poppa Lou.” He made a series of classic records for Blue Note Records in the 50’s and takes pride in having showcased many musicians who made their first records as sidemen for him. After an impressive 64-year career as an active performer, Donaldson officially retired in 2017 and last November turned 97. Dorothy, a composition by Rudy Nichols, is the opener of Swing and Soul, an album the Lou Donaldson Quintet recorded in June 1957. In addition to Sweet Poppa Lou, it featured Herman Foster (piano), Peck Morrison (bass), Ray Barretto (congas) and Dave Bailey (drums).

Gitarsong/Lucky Lucky Man

From the past we shall jump 67 years to the present and a neat groovy song by an artist you likely don’t know yet. I came across Gitarsong aka. Tim Jordan and Lucky Lucky Man on Facebook the other day and dug it right away. Jordan’s website notes the guitarist, vocalist, composer, engineer and producer explores guitar-based music in a broad range of genres, including rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, fusion, blues and groove jazz. He played in two major-label groups, Forest Green (pop/prog rock) in the ’70s and The Ladder (AOR) in the ’80s, and shared concert billings with the likes of Hall & Oates, Steve Miller and Todd Rundgren. Since these major-label engagements Gitarsong has released many self-produced CDs of his original music on his own label. Lucky Lucky Man is from his latest EP Groove Party, which dropped in February this year. The title says it all!

The Music Machine/Talk Talk

Let’s continue jumping decades back and forth coz why not, and head to 1966 with a great recent recommendation by my dear friend Mike Caputo, a singer, songwriter and musician who has been performing in the NY/NJ/PA area for over 50 years. In December 1966, psychedelic garage rock group The Music Machine released their debut studio album (Turn On) The Music Machine. Initially, the Los Angeles band came together in 1965 as folk rock trio the Raggamuffins before expanding into a five-piece and changing their name to The Music Machine. But the group started facing serious challenges starting in late 1967 and after an unsuccessful revival attempt by frontman Sean Bonniwell disbanded for good in early 1969. Talk Talk, written by Bonniwell, was the band’s debut single and a song from their first album. It became their only U.S. top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Soul Asylum/Runaway Train

Our next stop takes us to October 1992. That’s when Soul Asylum released their sixth studio album Grave Dancers Union, which turned them into one of the biggest alternative rock acts. Founded as Loud Fast Rules in Minneapolis in 1981, the band initially had an edgier punk and hard rock sound and by the late ’80s had achieved cult status but no mainstream chart or commercial success. This changed in June 1993 when they released their single Runaway Train, which became a major hit in the U.S. and many other countries. Written by frontman Dave Pirner, it won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. Each time I’m listening to the song, I’m reminded of Chris Norman, the original lead vocalist of English band Smokie who were hugely popular in Europe in the ’70s, including Germany.

Sly and the Family Stone/If You Want Me to Stay

Let’s get a dose of hot funk on our next stop in June 1973 with Sly and the Family Stone. The group was created in November 1996 when Sly Stone and his brother Freddie Stone combined their bands they had formed earlier in the same year. The group who combined elements from different genres including funk, soul, R&B, rock and psychedelic music helped pioneer psychedelic soul. If You Want Me to Stay, written by Sly Stone, appeared on their sixth studio album Fresh. It also became the album’s biggest hit single, reaching no. 3 in the U.S. on Billboard’s Best Selling Soul Singles chart (today known as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs) and no. 13 on Billboard Hot 100. Feel free to groove along!

Peter Gabriel/In Your Eyes

Once again we’re reaching our sixth and final stop, a real goodie that takes us to May 1986 and Peter Gabriel’s fifth studio album So. In Your Eyes, written by the ex-Genesis frontman, features Senegalese artist Youssou N’Dour singing a part at the end of the song translated into his native Wolof. The song also appeared separately as a single in the U.S. where it received significant airtime on the radio and MTV. It ended up topping Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and peaking at no. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song reentered the latter chart in 1989 after it had prominently been featured in the teen romantic comedy drama Say Anything…, featuring John Cusack. I guess after watching the picture, you will never look at a boombox the same way.

Last but not least, here’s a Spotify playlist of the above tracks. As always, I hope there’s something there you like.

Sources: Wikipedia; Lou Donaldson website; Gitarsong website; YouTube; Spotify

The Sunday Six

Happy Sunday and welcome to a new time travel excursion that will take us to music in different flavors from six different decades. The magical music time machine is fueled up and ready to take off. Hop on board, and let’s have some fun together!

Lou Donaldson/Autumn Nocturne

Today, our trip begins in 1958 with some relaxing jazz by Lou Donaldson. The alto saxophonist who last November turned 97 years officially retired in 2017 after a 64-year career as an active performer. From his web bio: Jazz critics agree that “Sweet Poppa Lou” Donaldson is one of the greatest alto saxophonists of all time. He began his career as a bandleader with Blue Note Records in 1952 and, already at age 25, had found his sound, though it would continue to sweeten over the years — earning him his famed nickname –“Sweet Poppa Lou.” He made a series of classic records for Blue Note Records in the 50’s and takes pride in having showcased many musicians who made their first records as sidemen for him. This brings me to Autumn Nocturne, by Josef Myrow and Kim Gannon, off Donaldson’s July 1958 album Blues Walk. He was backed by Herman Foster (piano), Peck Morrison (bass), Ray Barretto (congas) and Dave Bailey (drums). This is just beautiful!

Rainbow/Stone Cold

Our next stop takes us to April 1982 and the sixth studio album by Rainbow. The British American group was formed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore in 1975 after his first departure from Deep Purple. With killer lead vocalist Ronnie James Dio, they started out as a hard rock band. But after their great 1978 Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll album, Blackmore wanted a more mainstream sound. Dio disagreed and left or was fired. By the time Straight Between the Eyes came out, Joe Lynn Turner was the band’s lead vocalist, while Blackmore’s ex-Deep Purple mate Roger Glover had joined on bass. Here’s Stone Cold, which may describe how some listeners felt about Rainbow’s more commercial sound, though evidently rock fans in the U.S. dug it. The catchy song became the band’s only single to top the Mainstream Rock chart.

Otis Redding/Try a Little Tenderness

Time for some sweet soul music Stax style. For that, we shall head to Memphis, Tenn. and November 1966. That’s when Otis Redding’s rendition of Try a Little Tenderness appeared and scored his 7th top 10 hit on the Hot R&B Singles chart. Written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry Woods and first recorded in December 1932 as a big band jazz ballad by the Ray Noble Orchestra featuring vocalist Val Rosing, Try a Little Tenderness was rearranged by Stax staff producer Isaac Hayes. Redding didn’t want the song, but label executives and friends finally wore him down. He even tried sabotaging the recording by singing with a pleading voice, thinking Stax wouldn’t release it. He was wrong. Not only did it become Redding’s signature song but also his biggest seller before his untimely death at age 26 in a plane crash in December 1967.

Nick Lowe/Cracking Up

Our next stop takes us to June 1979 and the second solo album by Nick Lowe, Labour of Lust. Apart from producing and releasing his own music, the English singer-songwriter and musician is equally known for his production work with Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, John Hiatt and other artists. Lowe also was a co-founder of English pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz and played on all of their six studio albums until they disbanded in March 1975. Labour of Lust, which includes Lowe’s biggest solo hit Cruel to be Kind, became one of his best-performing albums. Here’s the lead single Cracking Up.

Norah Jones/Thinking About You

Let’s return to the current century with some music by singer-songwriter and pianist Norah Jones. Jones, the daughter of Indian sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar, launched her recording career in February 2002 with the highly successful album Come Away with Me, which won five Grammy awards. Most of her subsequent albums were also well received, and to date Jones has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. Thinking About You, co-written by Jones and İlhan Erşahin, first appeared in December 2006 as the lead single of her third album Not Too Late, released in January 2007. Great soulful song!

Jackson Browne/Looking East

Once again we’re reaching our sixth and final stop. This takes us back to January 1996 and Looking East, the 11th studio album by Jackson Browne, one of my long-time favorite music artists. Let’s listen to the dynamite opener and title track. Co-written by Browne, Luis Conte and Mark Goldenberg, it features ace backing musicians, including Goldenberg (guitar), Waddy Wachtel (guitar), Scott Thurston (guitar), Benmont Tench (Hammond organ), Kevin McCormick (bass) and Mauricio Lewak (drums). Love that Stonesy vibe!

Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without a Spotify playlist of the above tracks. Hope there’s something you dig!

Sources: Wikipedia; Lou Donaldson website; YouTube; Spotify

The Sunday Six

Another Sunday is upon us and I hope everybody is feeling groovy. It’s time again to embark on another trip to visit music from different decades and in different flavors, six tunes at a time. Let’s do it!

Lou Donaldson/That Good Old Feeling

Our first stop today is June 1957, which saw the release of Wailing With Lou, a studio album by Lou Donaldson. The American jazz alto saxophonist who is now 96 years officially retired in 2017 after a 64-year career as an active performer. Here’s an excerpt from the bio on his website: Jazz critics agree that “Sweet Poppa Lou” Donaldson is one of the greatest alto saxophonists of all time. He began his career as a bandleader with Blue Note Records in 1952 and, already at age 25, had found his sound, though it would continue to sweeten over the years — earning him his famed nickname –“Sweet Poppa Lou.” He made a series of classic records for Blue Note Records in the 50’s and takes pride in having showcased many musicians who made their first records as sidemen for him: Clifford Brown, Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Ray Barretto, Horace Parlan, John Patton, Charles Earland, Al Harewood, Herman Foster, Peck Morrison, Dave Bailey, Leon Spencer, Idris Muhammad, and others. Coming back to the above-mentioned album, here’s the beautiful Donaldson composition That Good Old Feeling. The recording featured various of the above-listed jazz musicians, including Bryd (trumpet), Foster (piano) and Morrison (bass), along with Art Taylor (drums).

The Blasters/Crazy Baby

After having been eased in with smooth jazz, let’s visit 1980 and pick up the speed with great music by The Blasters. I first read about this American roots rock band on Cincinnati Babyhead’s blog. Formed in Downey, Calif. in 1979 by Phil Alvin (vocals, guitar) and his brother Dave Alvin (guitar), together with John Bazz (bass) and Bill Bateman (drums), the group had an initial 6-year run before they first broke up. Various incarnations of The Blasters have since been led by Phil Alvin who together with Bazz has been the only constant member. The current line-up also includes cofounder Bateman who rejoined in 2008. Crazy Baby, co-written by Ron Volz and Ron Wemsman, appeared on the band’s 1980 debut album American Music. It’s got a cool retro rockabilly vibe!

Bee Gees/To Love Somebody

Time to go back to the ’60s and a beautiful early song by the Bee Gees. Co-written by Barry Gibb and his brother Robin Gibb, To Love Somebody first appeared in June 1967 as the second upfront single of the group’s international debut studio album Bee Gee’s 1st, which came out in July of the same year. Prior to that, they had released two albums in their native Australia only. To Love Somebody reached no. 17 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 49 on the UK Official Singles Charts. Ten years later, the Bee Gees would rule the charts in both the U.S. and the UK, as well as many other countries with their no. 1 soundtrack album Saturday Night Fever, which spawned multiple no. 1. singles. Oftentimes, the Bee Gees are associated with the disco era, but early songs like To Love Somebody show there was much more to the group. You can read more about the Bee Gees in my four-part series from December 2020 here, here, here and here.

Cordovas/High Feeling

Now, let’s set our music time machine to the current century, more specifically to October 2020. That’s when Americana and country rock band Cordovas released their third full-length studio album Destiny Hotel. The four-piece group from East Nashville, Tenn. first entered my radar screen in the summer of 2018 when I caught them during a free concert in a park not far from my house. Their multi-part harmony singing proved to be an immediate attraction. So was their sound that reminds me of bands like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Band, Grateful Dead, Eagles and Little Feat. Led by bassist Joe Firstman, Cordovas have been around for more than 10 years. Here’s the album’s opener High Feeling. These harmony vocals and the warm sound are right up my alley!

Pink Floyd/Us And Them

This past Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon, one of my favorite Pink Floyd albums, an appropriate occasion to go back to March 1, 1973. Developed during live performances before work in the studio began, the eighth studio release by the British psychedelic and progressive rock band was a concept album revolving around dark human themes, such as conflict, greed, time, death and mental illness. One of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon is a sonic gem that not only represents one of the peaks in Floyd’s recording career but also a highlight in sound engineering provided by Alan Parsons. It catapulted Pink Floyd to international stardom and perhaps somewhat ironically made its members pretty wealthy. For more on this album, you can read an excellent recent post by fellow blogger Bruce from Vinyl Connections. Us And Them, composed by Richard Wright with lyrics by Roger Waters, became the album’s second single in February 1974 after Money from May 1973. A reissue, The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary, is set to appear on March 24. Among others, the box set includes remastered edits of the studio album and The Dark Side of the Moon Live at Wembley 1974.

Son Volt/Route

And once again it’s time to wrap up another musical journey. For the last stop, our time machine takes us to September 1995. Alternative country and Americana rock band Son Volt first entered my radar screen in July 2021 when their most recent studio album Electro Melodier appeared. Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jay Farrar formed the group in 1994 after the breakup of Uncle Tupelo, another alt. country outfit he had co-founded in 1987. To date, Son Volt have released 10 albums. Apart from Farrar, the current members include Chris Frame (guitar), Mark Spencer (keyboards, steel guitar),  Andrew DuPlantis  (bass) and Mark Patterson (drums). Route, penned by Farrar, is a nice crunchy rocker off their 1995 debut album Trace. It’s got a Neil Young and Crazy Horse vibe, which in my book usually is a great thing!

This post wouldn’t be complete without a Spotify playlist that includes all featured tunes. I gladly oblige and hope there’s something you dig!

Sources: Wikipedia; Lou Donaldson website; YouTube; Spotify

The Sunday Six

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. It’s time again for The Sunday Six and another set of tunes from different genres and different decades. This installment touches the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, 90s and 2021, and features jazz, psychedelic blues rock, alternative pop rock, rock and bluesy R&B.

Lou Donaldson/Blues Walk

Starting us off is beautiful saxophone jazz by American jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Donaldson, who is 94 years old and only retired in 2016, had a 64-year career as an active performer. That’s just mind-boggling! Here’s an excerpt from the bio on his website: Jazz critics agree that “Sweet Poppa Lou” Donaldson is one of the greatest alto saxophonists of all time. He began his career as a bandleader with Blue Note Records in 1952 and, already at age 25, had found his sound, though it would continue to sweeten over the years — earning him his famed nickname –“Sweet Poppa Lou.” He made a series of classic records for Blue Note Records in the 50’s and takes pride in having showcased many musicians who made their first records as sidemen for him: Clifford Brown, Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Ray Barretto, Horace Parlan, John Patton, Charles Earland, Al Harewood, Herman Foster, Peck Morrison, Dave Bailey, Leon Spencer, Idris Muhammad, and others.  After also making some excellent recordings for Cadet and Argo Records in the early 60s, Lou’s return to Blue Note in 1967 was marked by one of his most famous recordings, Alligator Bogaloo. I’ve decided to highlight one of his earlier recordings: Blues Walk, the title track of his 1958 album, which according to Wikipedia “has been considered Donaldson’s undisputed masterpiece.” I’m not a jazz expert but I know is this: I love the saxophone, and Donaldson surely sounds sweet. Also, check out Herman Foster on piano!

The Doors/Riders on the Storm

Now let’s turn to a classic psychedelic tune with a great jazz and blues vibe by The Doors, who I trust need no further introduction. Riders on the Storm is the magnificent closer of their sixth studio album L.A. Woman from April 1971 – yet another great record that has turned 50 this year! It was the final to be released during the lifetime of lead vocalist Jim Morrison who passed away three months later in Paris, France at the age of 27. While the official cause of death was listed as heart failure, several people who maintained they were eyewitnesses said Morrison died from an accidental heroin overdose. Of course, we know all too well the history of rock is littered with so many talented artists who became casualties to drugs! Riders on the Storm was credited to all members of The Doors, who in addition to Morrison included Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (lead guitar) and John Densmore (drums). It’s such a cool tune that still gives me goosebumps the moment that thunderstorm sound in comes on in the beginning.

Noods/Starting Over Again

For this next tune, let’s jump 50 years to the present and a recent discovery: Starting Over Again by Noods. Unfortunately, there is very little public information about the group. This short profile on Oh My Rockness describes them as a “fuzzy jangle pop band from from NY” and lists the following members: Trish Dieudonne (vocals, guitars), Nick Seip (vocals, guitars, synths, piano), Shane Danaher (drums, synths) and Mandy Romano (bass, vocals). According to this preview piece on Stereogum, the band released their debut EP Noods Please in 2017. The first full-length album is titled Blush. It has since appeared on April 16 this year. Here’s Starting Over Again, a pleasant song co-written by Dieudonne and Seip. I like the jingle-jangle guitar sound and the laidback vibe.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers/Something in the Air

When it comes to Tom Petty, one of my long-time favorite artists, there are so many great original tunes I could have picked. And yet I chose to highlight a cover. Why? Coz I absolutely love this tune and Petty’s rendition, which he recorded with The Heartbreakers for their November 1993 Greatest Hits compilation. That album is best known for the single Mary Jane’s Last Dance, which climbed to no. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Petty’s first top 20 hit of the ’90s in the U.S. mainstream chart. The band’s cover of Something in the Air also appeared as a single but missed the Billboard Hot 100. It did make Billboard’s Main Stream Rock chart, reaching no. 19. Written by singer-songwriter Speedy Keen, the tune was first recorded by short-lived British band Thunderclap Newman and became a no. 1 hit in the UK in mid-1969. Before joining Thunderclap Newman, Keen was the driver of none other than Pete Townshend and shared an apartment with him in London. Keen also wrote Armenia in the Sky, a tune The Who included on their third studio album The Who Sell Out from December 1967. Townshend was the catalyst behind the formation of Thunderclap Newman and also produced Something in the Air and the band’s only album Hollywood Dream released in September 1970.

Credence Clearwater Revival/Have You Ever Seen the Rain

This brings me to another band and song I’ve dug for many years: Creedence Clearwater Revival and Have You Ever Seen the Rain. In my book, it’s a great timeless tune that holds up well, even though I literally must have listened to it more than 100 times. In fact, it’s running in the background as I’m writing this! 🙂 Like most CCR songs, Have You Ever Seen the Rain was penned by the great John Fogerty. CCR were on a roll when this came out. The tune was included on their sixth studio album Pendulum released in December 1970, only five months after predecessor Cosmo’s Factory. It’s perhaps my favorite CCR song, together with Hey Tonight, Proud Mary and Born on the Bayou.

The Animals/I’m Crying

Am I already again at the point to wrap up this post, just when I’m having so much fun? I guess this means it’s time to shed some tears! 🙂 But, don’t worry, since I started The Sunday Six this January, it’s become my favorite recurring feature, so there will be more. The final tune for this installment shall belong to The Animals. When I first learned about them as a teenager, essentially, I only knew The House of the Rising Sun, their signature song and biggest hit that topped the charts in the U.S., UK and Canada in 1964. While it’s a great tune, there’s much more to the British rock band that was fronted by one of the best white blues vocalists, Eric Burdon, who turned 80 just a few days ago. Which brings me to I’m Crying, a gem that first appeared as a single in September 1964. Co-written by Burdon and the band’s first keyboarder Alan Price, the tune was also included on The Animals’ second studio album The Animals on Tour from February 1965 – a somewhat misleading title for a record that didn’t include any live tracks. I always liked the band’s raw bluesy guitar sound combined with Price’s organ and Burdon’s distinct, deep vocals.

Sources: Wikipedia; Lou Donaldson website; Oh My Rockness; Stereogum; YouTube