Sixties – The Elephant's Trunk

We’re Having A Heatwave

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Glyn Wilton’s Mixed Music Bag week #31 and
our final week showcasing the letters M & N. I chose M.

I’ve chosen to close out July with a 1963 high octane hit by an incredible Motown girl group.

In 1957 friends Annette Beard, Rosaline Ashford and Gloria Williams formed the group known as the Del-Phis; eventually Martha Reeves joined the group. In 1961 the group’s name was changed to The Vels. Right around this time Gloria Williams left the group and Martha Reeves moved up in ranks as lead vocalist. In 1967 the name was changed for a third time to Martha and the Vandellas. During a nine-year run from 1963-1972, the group charted over 26 hits recorded in the styles of doo-wop, R&B, pop, blues, rock and roll and soul. In 1995, Martha and the Vandellas was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“Heat Wave” was written in 1963 by the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and was a hit for Martha and the Vandellas. Released as a single on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, the song garnered a Grammy Award nomination …. the first Motown group to ever do so. The single reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart …. where it stayed for four weeks …. and peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard named the song #12 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs.

Instrumentation for “Heatwave” was done by The Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit-based session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown recordings from 1959 until 1972 when the company moved to Los Angeles.

“Heat Wave” was one of the first songs to exemplify the style of music later termed as the “Motown Sound”. Here are Martha and the Vandellas with their 1963 hit, “Heat Wave”.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=D9f-ZY86yqU%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent

Lyrics

Whenever I’m with him
Something inside starts to burning
And I’m filled with desire
Could it be the devil in me
Or is this the way love’s supposed to be?

It’s like a heat wave
It’s burning in my heart
I can’t keep from burning
It’s tearing me apart

Whenever he calls my name so softly and plain
Right then, right there, I feel that burning flame
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me?
Is this the way love’s supposed to be?

It’s like a heat wave
It’s burning in my heart
I can’t keep from burning
It’s tearing me apart

Sometimes I stare in space
Tears all over my face
I can’t explain it, don’t understand it
I ain’t never felt like this before

Now this funny feeling has me amazed
Don’t know what to do, my head’s in a haze
It’s like a heat wave

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Ha oh yeah

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Oh yeah

I feel it burning right here in my heart
Don’t you know it’s like a heat wave?

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Oh

Don’t you know it’s like a heat wave
Burning right here in my heart?

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Dozier Holland Dozier
Heatwave lyrics © Stone Agate Music

Mixed Music Bag 2024 – week 31 – Man ….it’s hot!

Big thanks to Glyn for hosting Mixed Music Bag every week.

Thanks for joining me today and spinning some tunes.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Fade To Green

June 12, 2024June 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #24 where we are
asked to write about a song by a group or solo singer
beginning with the letters K or L. Here’s my piece.

While many of you will likely be familiar with the song, I think most of you will be hard-pressed to name the group who performed it.

The Lemon Pipers was a 1960s bubblegum/psychedelic pop band from Oxford, Ohio known chiefly for their song “Green Tambourine“, which reached #1 in the US in 1968.

The band was made up of singer Ivan Browne, guitarist William Bartlett, keyboardist R.G. Nave, drummer William Albaugh and bassist Steve Walmsley. Most of the group’s songs were written by Shelley Pinz and Paul Leka.

Though they produced primarily bubblegum pop, the Lemon Pipers actually wanted to play more psychedelic, drug influenced music. Their recording label did not agree and threatened to fire them unless they played more mainstream, commercially viable pop. Several of the tracks on their Green Tambourine album show strong influences of folk rock, among other things, showing that the band wasn’t completely the pop outfit it appeared to be.

The Lemon Pipers eventually did gain artistic control over their work, but by that time they had all but faded into obscurity.

This very psychedelic song tells the story of a busker who plays for change. Throw some coins in his green tambourine and he’ll play you a tune. Lyricist Shelley Pinz wrote the words after seeing a street musician in front of the Brill Building in Manhattan who used a tambourine to collect money as he performed.

The music to this song was written by Paul Leka whose other claim to fame is “Na Na Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye”. In addition to the titular tambourine, the arrangement features an electric sitar, orchestral strings and a vibraslap …. an unusual percussion instrument similar to a jawbone that produces a rattling sound when struck. Another hook is the heavy, psychedelic tape echo applied to the word “play” in each chorus and at the end, fading into a drumroll (“Listen while I play play play play play play play my green tambourine“).

Released toward the end of 1967, “Green Tambourine” spent 13 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #1 on February 3, 1968, and sold over a million copies. The record remained on the chart for three months. It was also the first US #1 hit for the Buddah label. It was the only substantial hit for the Lemon Pipers.

This is “Green Tambourine” by the Lemon Pipers

Mixed Music Bag 2024 – week 24 – No Joke

Big thanks to Glyn for hosting Mixed Music Bag every week.

Thanks for joining me today and spinning some tunes.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

The Iron Age

May 22, 2024May 22, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #21 where we are asked to write
about a song by a group or solo singer beginning with the letter I or J.

There was a lot was happening in music in May of 1968 with people making headline news. Gary Puckett and the Union Gap came out with “Young Girl”. Janis Joplin went solo. The Throggs released “Love Is All Around” in the US. Jane Asher reported on a live TV interview that she was breaking up with her boyfriend, Paul McCartney. Hugh Masekela was at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Grazing In The Grass” and Cream started a four-week run at #1 on the album chart with Wheels On Fire.

A little further down the listings, the second album from a heavy-and-hard-rocking band out of San Diego, California entered the album chart for the first time – with a bullet at #117! Ok, not the highest of chart debuts, I admit, but some would say this now-legendary set of tunes became the first heavy metal album to hit the charts and opened the floodgates for many a longhaired, guitar-wielding group to blast us with some serious riffs and overlong guitar solos.

The band was Iron Butterfly and the album was called “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, baby.

The track was recorded on May 27, 1968 at Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead, Long Island, New York. The story goes that the recording which is heard on the album was meant to be a soundcheck for the engineer. However, the engineer had rolled the tape and when the rehearsal was completed, it was agreed that the performance was of sufficient quality that another take was not needed.

According to legend, the group members were so stoned when they recorded the track that they could neither pronounce the title “In the Garden of Eden” nor end the track, so it ended up filling the whole side of the album, coming in at a full 17 minutes of psychedelic rock.

However, another side of the recording story says that the drummer was listening to the track through headphones and could not clearly distinguish what the vocalist was singing. He wrote down the name according to what he heard and in the end they went with “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”.

I don’t know about you but I think the first explanation is much more interesting .… and plausible! Well, either way, it didn’t matter. The album that contained the 17-minute title track went on to sell over four million copies in the US alone, with another one million shipped abroad. Not bad for a stoned jam in the afternoon.

The 2-minute, 52 second 45-rpm version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was Iron Butterfly’s only song to hit the top 40, reaching #30. The original “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” album has the distinction of being the first album to go Platinum in the US, when the Platinum Award was instituted in 1976. In 2009 the song was named the 24^th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.

Here is Iron Butterfly with ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”.

Mixed Music Bag 2024 – week 21 – Icehouse

Big thanks to Glyn for hosting Mixed Music Bag every week.

Thanks for joining me today and spinning more tunes.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Motown Melodies, Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 5.20

May 20, 2024May 19, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Another popular Motown sound from the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland is Marvin Gaye’s “You’re A Wonderful One”, recorded and released in 1964 on the Tamla label.

In the song, the narrator praises his “wonderful one” for loving him and for “always (being) around”. Gaye is helped along on this song by The Supremes on background. The great group of session musicians known as The Funk Brothers provided the backing on this number; they incorporated elements of Chuck Berry’s “Memphis” into the intro of this song. “Wonderful One” charted at #15 on the pop charts and #3 on the R&B singles chart.

From February 1964, this is Marvin Gaye with “You’re A Wonderful One”.

And this is what was on the B side – “When I’m Alone I Cry” (a very different sound for Marvin Gaye).

https://youtu.be/UFLdO3OgSjM?si=Hn4qTWmc_1RtPMYw

Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Motown Melodies, Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 5.13

May 13, 2024May 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

When you listen to the many great tunes of The Temptations, I’m sure the one thing you don’t know or even imagine as possible is that their first seven singles were commercial failures. In contrast their hit soul/R&B single “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, released in 1964 from their album Meet The Temptations, was a huge success. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to #1 on the Cash Box R&B chart. “The Way You Do The Things You Do” was written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers of The Miracles; now that you know that I think you’ll hear that familiar Miracles’ influence.

Otis Williams of The Temptations recalled in 2009: “The first time we heard the song, we loved it. The melody swung, and the lyrics had lots of charm. It was typical Smokey talkin’ about how to get a girl and he made it all work. It got a good response whenever we did it live, so our hopes were up. We knew from past experience that even the best tracks don’t always click.”

I guess after seven flops, Otis knew what he was talking about.

From 1964 here are The Temptations with their first hit, “The Way You Do The Things You Do”.

And this is what was on the B side – “Just Let Me Know” written by Berry Gordy, Jr.

https://youtu.be/L1bxJcKlxuA?si=afWtMw2VVWiSCkEA

Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 5.6

May 6, 2024May 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

In 1960, Berry Gordy signed a talented group of vocalists called The Contours as one of Motown’s first acts. “Do You Love Me?”, recorded in 1962, was The Contours third single, far and away their best-known record. This song blazed its way up the charts and became a smash hit before being goosed all the way up the charts again more than 25 years later thanks to a little movie called Dirty Dancing.

As with many American R&B songs of the 1960s, “Do You Love Me” was recorded by several British Invasion groups. A 1963 version by Brian Poole and the Tremeloes reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. It also became a hit for the Dave Clark Five, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. “Do You Love Me” appeared twice on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching #3 in 1962 and #11 in 1988.

This song is not just a big hit; it’s an enduring classic that’s still going strong!

From 1962, here are The Contours asking an age-old question: “Do You Love Me?”

And this is what was on the B Side – “Move, Mr. Man”

Thanks for joining me today for Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Smooth Saturday Sounds: Stranger On The Shore

May 4, 2024May 4, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Stranger On The Shore”
Written by: Acker Bilk, Robert Mellin
Recorded: 1961
Producer: Denis Preston
Engineer: Adrian Kerridge
Arranger: Leon Young

Released: October 1961

Available on:
Stranger On The Shore
Is This The Blues

Personnel:
Acker Bilk – clarinet
Featuring The Leon Young String Chorale

Acker Bilk said he thought up the song’s melody in a taxi and named the gentle tune ‟Jenny” in honor of his daughter. Having scored several hits since his first, 1960’s ‟Summer Set”, Bilk was famous enough to be asked to create the theme for a BBC TV children’s series about a French au pair in Brighton. Bilk offered them ‟Jenny” but was asked to change its title to the name of the program, Stranger on the Shore. Its wistful, airy tones, with Bilk’s ‟liquorice stick” accompanied by silken strings, was heard on TV on Sunday afternoons, accompanying the culture-shocked lead character longingly staring out across the English Channel towards her home in France. The song is certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).

This is “Stranger On The Shore” by Acker Bilk

May your Saturday be smooth sailing. Thanks for stopping by.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 4.29

April 29, 2024April 28, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

The Motown Sound has something extra-special about it. Berry Gordy, Jr. knew people would be listening on their car stereos and transistor radios and he was going to do what it took to make songs sound good and memorable. Even if you couldn’t put your finger on it, when a Motown song came on, baby, you knew it. Still do.

“Heat Wave” was written by the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and was first made popular by the group “Martha and the Vandellas”. Released as a single on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, this song garnered a Grammy Award nomination, the first Motown group to ever do so.

Founded in 1957 by friends Annette Beard, Rosaline Ashford and Gloria Williams, the group eventually included Martha Reeves who moved up in ranks as lead vocalist after Williams’ departure in ’61. During their nine-year run from 1963-1972, “Martha and the Vandellas” charted over 26 hits recorded in the styles of doo-wop, R&B, pop, blues, rock and roll and soul. In 1995 the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“Heat Wave” was one of the first songs to exemplify the style of music later termed as the “Motown Sound”.

Here are Martha and the Vandellas performing their 1963 hit, “Heat Wave”.

And this is what was on the B Side: A Love Like Yours (Don’t Come Knocking Everyday)

Thanks for joining me today for a dose of Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Smooth Saturday Sounds: By The Time I Get To Phoenix

April 27, 2024April 26, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“By The Time I Get To Phoenix”
Written by: Jimmy Webb
Recorded: August 29, 1967
Producer(s): Al De Lory, Nick Venet
Arranger/Conductor: Al De Lory

Released: October 23, 1967

Available on:
By The Time I Get To Phoenix

Personnel:
Glen Campbell – vocals, acoustic guitar
James Burton – acoustic guitar, electric guitars
Joe Osborne – bass
Jim Gordon – drums

The inspiration for “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” originated in Jimmy Webb’s breakup with his partner, Susan Horton. Their relationship, which peaked in mid-1965, was also the primary influence for “MacArthur Park”, another Webb composition. Webb called the song a “succinct tale” with an O. Henry type twist at the end which consists merely of the guy saying, ‘She didn’t really think that I would go,’ but he did.” Although the protagonist in the song plans to leave his lover, Webb did not leave Horton; their breakup was a mutual agreement.

Glen Campbell’s version topped RPM magazine’s Canada Country Tracks, reached number two on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and won two awards at the 10^th Annual Grammys. BMI named it the third most performed song from 1940 to 1990. The song was ranked #20 on BMI’s Top 100 Songs Of The Century. It was #450 on Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 500 Songs of All Time. And perhaps the greatest accolade …. Frank Sinatra called it “the greatest torch song ever written”.

This is the exquisite “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” by Glen Campbell.

May your Saturday be smooth sailing. Thanks for stopping by.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Seventies, Sixties

Twofer Tuesday 4.23

April 23, 2024April 22, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

In 1964 The Kinks came out with a song with a killer riff, so it only made sense that 14 years later guitar genius Eddie Van Halen would take the tune and make it a showcase for his brand of guitar pyrotechnics. Singer David Lee Roth, meanwhile, perfectly laid bare each and every emotion that may have been buried beneath a previous generation’s decency.

The song, of course, is “You Really Got Me”, written by Kinks’ frontman Ray Davies. Lead guitarist Dave Davies performs the song’s famous guitar solo, although it was long rumored that Jimmy Page had performed the solo …. hearsay that Page himself denied.

“You Really Got Me” was originally released in the UK on August 4, 1964 as The Kink’s third single and reached #1 on the Record Retailer chart the following month, remaining there for two weeks. Van Halen’s cover of the song was released as their first single and peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

This is the fabulous 1964 original version of “You Really Got Me” as recorded by The Kinks.

And this is what it sounded like when Van Halen recorded it 14 years later.

That’s today’s Twofer Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 4.22

April 22, 2024April 22, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Motown’s first great girl group, The Marvelettes, consisted of four school friends who were only 14 and 15 years old; some of their early hits were written by the girls themselves. When I was 14, I was busy practicing writing my signature as Mrs. George Harrison! What were you doing at 14?

“Please Mr. Postman”, recorded in 1961, was one of the first #1 singles by an all-female vocal group and is easily Motown’s best single to date – a song with a killer tune and a lyrical hook which listeners around the world instantly latched on to.

Despite their successful start, the group was eclipsed in popularity by the Supremes, with whom they shared an intense rivalry. The Marvelettes made a comeback in 1966 with several hits but struggled and stopped performing together in 1969. The group disbanded for good in 1970.

Kudos to The Marvelettes for paving the way for future girl groups!

Here now is the fantastic sound of “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes” with a young Marvin Gaye playing the drums.

And this is what was on the B Side: “So Long Baby”

Thanks for joining me today for a dose of Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 4.15

April 15, 2024April 14, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Smokey Robinson was the lead singer of a band called The Miracles …. five teenaged friends from Detroit, Michigan. He produced, wrote and sang several of Motown’s most memorable hits including the label’s first smash song, “Shop Around” in 1960. A year later, “Please Mr. Postman”, by The Marvelettes, was the label’s first No. 1 song. It would not be the last.

Let’s begin today’s musical journey with The Miracles’ first smash hit – a song about a mother giving advice to her grown son on how to find a woman worthy of being a girlfriend or wife.

From 1960, written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, here’s “Shop Around” by The Miracles.

And this is what was on the B side – “Who’s Lovin’ You”. That’s right …. this was not originally done by the Jackson 5!

Thanks for joining me today for Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Music Blog, Sixties

Smooth Saturday Sounds: Norwegian Wood

April 13, 2024April 13, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”
Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: October 1965
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: December 3, 1965 (UK), December 6, 1965 (US)

Available on:
Rubber Soul
Anthology 2

Personnel:
John Lennon – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney – harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison – sitar, 12-string acoustic guitar
Ringo Starr – bass drum, tambourine

The first time George Harrison saw a sitar was on the set of Help; a group of Indian musicians had been recruited to add an authentic ambiance to the restaurant scenes. Back in London after the filming, George found a store called Indian Goods; inside was an inexpensive sitar which he bought and began playing around with. While recording “Norwegian Wood”, George felt it needed something in addition to the guitars. He picked up his sitar and “just sort of found the notes”. When the recording was played back, everyone agreed the sitar brought the whole piece together.

From 1965’s Rubber Soul, here are the Beatles with “Norwegian Wood”

Thanks for stopping by. May your Saturday be smooth sailing.

See you on the flip side. 😎

Lyrics

I once had a girl
Or should I say she once had me
She showed me her room
Isn’t it good Norwegian wood?

She asked me to stay
And she told me to sit anywhere
So I looked around
And I noticed there wasn’t a chair

I sat on the rug biding my time
Drinking her wine
We talked until two and then she said
“It’s time for bed”

She told me she worked
In the morning and started to laugh
I told her I didn’t
And crawled off to sleep in the bath

And when I awoke I was alone
This bird had flown
So I lit a fire
Isn’t it good Norwegian wood?

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Paul McCartney/John Lennon
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) lyrics © Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, MPL Communications Inc.

Motown Melodies, Music Blog, Sixties

Monday Motown Magic 4.8

April 8, 2024April 13, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Not every story is a success. The early history of Motown Records is filled with promising newcomers who didn’t find immortality along the lines of the Supremes or the Temptations. A guy with the unlikely name of Henry Lumpkin is one example, a young singer and composer who bore more than a passing resemblance to Chubby Checker physically and Ben E. King vocally. Henry had one good song under his belt …. “What Is A Man (Without A Woman)”, cowritten by himself and Carolyn Strong, produced by Brian Holland and Robert Bateman. Poor Henry never charted and by the end of 1962 he was off the Motown roster. Mostly forgotten by all but the most hardcore soul enthusiasts, Henry Lumpkin was one of many early Motown discoveries who deserved better than he got, or at least better luck than he found, with his records.

From January 1962, here’s a funky, gritty dance number by Henry Lumpkin. This is “What Is A Man (Without A Woman)” …. an excellent question!

And this is what was on the B side – “Don’t Leave Me” (cowritten by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy)

Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.

See you on the flip side. 😎

I'm With The Banned, In The Groove, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: I’M WITH THE BANNED (November 21, 2023)

November 21, 2023November 20, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Since 1934 when the FCC was created, countless recordings have been banned or censored for a variety of reasons, including “provocative or sexually suggestive lyrics, inciting violence or promoting hate and political or religious beliefs and/or associations”.

The ban on most, if not all of these songs has been lifted; however, in some countries, certain types of music are still banned. They are considered illegal and carry severe penalties if the law is broken. Incredible, isn’t it?

Come join me as I reveal some of these controversial songs, why they were banned and the artists who made them (in)famous.

Eve of Destruction – Barry McGuire

“Eve of Destruction” is a protest song written in 1965 by P.F. Sloan. Several artists have recorded it, but the most popular recording was by Barry McGuire. Here’s an interesting segue and a perfect example of 6º of separation: McGuire recorded “California Dreamin‘” for one of his albums on which the Mamas & the Papas sang backup. McGuire is mentioned several times along with John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds in the Mamas & the Papas hit song “Creeque Alley“, my favorite song by the M&P. I left the link in case you want to check it out. It’s a very cool song with lots of interesting lyrics that chronicle the events leading up to the 1965 creation of the Mamas and the Papas.

“Eve of Destruction” references social issues of its period, including the Vietnam War, the draft, the threat of nuclear war, the civil rights movement, the American space program and turmoil in the Middle East.

The American media helped popularize “Eve of Destruction” by using it as an example of everything that was wrong with the youth of that time. Due to its controversial lyrics, some American radio stations claimed it was an aid to the enemy in Vietnam and banned the song. It was also banned by some British radio stations.

As we’ve seen since I started this segment, banning did not have a grossly negative impact on the popularity of these controversial songs. In the first week of its release, the single of “Eve of Destruction” was at No. 103 on the Billboard charts. It reached its peak of #37 on the Billboard album chart during the week ending September 25. That same day the single went to #1 on the chart, and repeated the feat on the Cashbox chart, where it had debuted at No. 30. McGuire would never again break into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Let’s listen to that very popular and controversial song from 1965. This is Barry McGuire and “Eve of Destruction”:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qfZVu0alU0I%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent

Here’s an interesting and quirky interview which asks the burning question: “Whatever happened to Barry McGuire?”

https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Salient36101973-t1-body-d17.html

Did you read all the social issues mentioned in the second paragraph of this post? My goodness …. most of those topics are still in the news today! The more things change, the more they stay the same. With a new year just around the corner, let’s hope and pray that we will see safer, happier, healthier and kinder times for our world.

🙈 🙉 🙊

Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

CSN&Y’s song “Ohio” is about the events of May 4, 1970, when the US National Guard shot and killed four unarmed students at Kent State University in Ohio, leaving 9 other students injured. The shootings occurred after several days of confrontations between authorities and protestors against the Vietnam War. Protestors were especially upset that President Richard Nixon, who had called them ”bums”, had announced the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia.

The shootings were the cover story of the May 15 Issue of Life magazine; when Neil Young read the story and saw the photos, he was compelled to write a song about the events.

Bandmate David Crosby recalled: “He was silent for a long time, then picked up his guitar and 20 minutes later had this song”. All the band members got together to record the song in Los Angeles on May 21. “Ohio” was released on June 4, exactly one month after the shootings.

“Ohio” became a protest anthem as Americans got fed up with the war in Vietnam. What you hear at the end of the song is David Crosby’s impassioned vocals yelling “why?” and “how many more?” His emotion was genuine. “Ohio” was a high point for the band. They were reacting to the reality and dealing with it on the highest level they could by being relevant and immediate. The song named names and pointed a finger. In the song, Neil Young likens the National Guard troops to ‘tin soldiers‘ controlled by President Nixon.

The CSN&Y album “Déjà Vu” had been out for just three months when “Ohio” was released as a single. In 1971, it was included on their live album “4 Way Street” which went to #1 in the US and sold over 4 million copies. ”Teach Your Children Well” was climbing the charts when the band sacrificed it by releasing the far more urgent “Ohio”.

On August 4, 1974 when Richard Nixon announced he would be resigning as President, CSN&Y were on tour in New Jersey; they announced the new from the stage before playing “Ohio”.

“Ohio” was banned by some AM radio stations, including many in the state of Ohio for challenging the Nixon Administration. The song received a great deal of airplay, however, on underground FM stations in bigger cities and in college towns. I remember hearing the song all the time so, once again, so much for banning music. Today the song is played often on classic rock stations. In 2009 “Ohio” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Let’s listen now to CSN&Y performing “Ohio”.

To all my friends who will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I wish you a beautiful day with your loved ones. Be well, my friends. Be safe and keep your families close.

Next Tuesday will be our final edition of I’m With The Banned; in December we will say good bye to all this sturm und drang and welcome in a month of glorious holiday music!

Be well and take care, my friends.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (November 19, 2023)

November 19, 2023November 18, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Alright, Alright, Alright! Let’s get ready to rumble! It’s time once again to play Name That Tune!

This one is so easy, boys and girls; I predict you’re going to get it right off the bat. It’s just one of those tunes that everybody knows.

Are you feeling the pressure? Well, don’t go getting your knickers all in a twist! You’ll be on the dance floor in no time!

Ok, here we go with our five clues:

Our featured singer was born Ernest Evans in 1941 in the town of Spring Gully, South Carolina. He is known around the world by another alliterative name.
Today’s performer is a dancer (as well as a singer) famous for popularizing many dance styles such as the pony, the limbo and the fly.
Our song was originally released in 1958 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters; it achieved minimal success. In 1960, our singer did a cover version that became a smash hit for him and started a massive new dance craze. The name of the song is also the name of the dance.
In the early 60s, this dance craze caught on in high society. Sightings of celebrities doing the dance at New York’s famous Peppermint Lounge made the song and new dance craze a hit with adults.
There are numerous dance variations including one named after the Peppermint Lounge; the success of the song and dance resulted in adult acceptance of Rock & Roll music.

So kids, how’d you do? I bet you got it! Let’s find out the results of today’s clues. You know the routine.

Yes! It’s Chubby Checker doing that new song and dance sensation, “The Twist”. Everybody on your feet!

Wow! That was great! I must have lost at least 5 pounds and I’m sure I threw my back out but it was worth it! How many of you remember twisting the night away?

Of course I’m sure you figured out the song and dance variation named after that famous New York hot spot is “The Peppermint Twist.” And it goes like this:

Some other songs and dances that were inspired by The Twist are The Madison, The Swim, The Mashed Potato, The Frug, The Watusi, The Shake and The Hitch-Hike. How many of those dances do you remember?

In case you were wondering about Chubby Checker, he’s 82 years old and still twisting the night away.

I hope I haven’t tired you out too much today, gang! Catch you during the week right here in The Rhythm Section.

See you on the flipside.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (October 22, 2023)

October 22, 2023October 22, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s Sunday so you know what that means; another round of Name That Tune! Are you up for it?

As usual, I’ll give you five clues and you try to figure out just what the hell it is I’m talking about! OK? Great!

Let’s get this game started!

Our featured song has a woman’s name as its title; before a final decision was made, two other names were in the running – Daisy Hawkins and Ola Na Tungee (to reflect the Indian musical influence today’s group was into at the time).
Today’s group hails from the UK and is still considered a great little band even though they haven’t performed since 1969.
This song, released in 1966, is a track on the group’s 7^th studio album – the one with the famous B&W artwork done by a well-known German artist/musician/record producer who occasionally played bass with the group.
The members of our featured group provided all the vocals for this song but did not play any of the instruments; a classical string ensemble – in this case an octet of studio musicians comprised of four violins, two violas and two cellos – performed the score which was composed by the group’s producer.
The lyrics of today’s song provided a narrative on loneliness and disinterest which contributed to the transformation of the group from a mainly rock ‘n roll and pop-oriented act into a more experimental, studio-based band.

That’s it, kids. How do you think you fared today? Let’s find out. You know what to do.

Yeah, yeah, yeah! If you answered “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles, you are correct!

Are you ready to hear that beautiful song? From their “Revolver” album, it’s the Beatles singing “Eleanor Rigby”. Here goes:

When I was younger, I usually avoided the slower Beatles songs in favor of the more rockin’ ones. Now that I’m infinitely wiser and incredibly older, I’ve come to deeply appreciate these intricately woven ballads. There’s a profound message in songs like this one, She’s Leaving Home, Yesterday, In My Life, For No One, etc.

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, ‘Eleanor Rigby’ is on The Beatles’ album ‘Revolver’. The YouTube image above is an example of the incredible B&W artwork by Klaus Voormann and is just one of a series. Several years ago I had the pleasure of communicating with Mr. Voorman via a brief email exchange; that’s a topic for another time but for the record, he is a delightful and charming man.

Now here is my question of the day:

How do you feel about The Beatles’ ballads? Do you prefer them over their rockin’ tunes or do the rock numbers do it for you? Do you have a favorite Beatles’ ballad?

Please leave a comment or post your favorite Beatles song. C’mon, everybody has a favorite Beatles tune, unless you’re from the Philippines. “Why?”, you may ask. Because the Beatles were banned from the entire country after declining an invitation to have breakfast with the first lady, which caused a mob to attack their hotel. The Beatles unintentionally snubbed Imelda Marcos who had expected them to attend a breakfast reception at the Presidential Palace. The band never returned to the Philippines after the incident, likely due to the traumatic experience of being chased by an angry mob!

Well, that does it for another edition of Name That Tune; join us tomorrow as Pete presents another Breaktime Whodunnit post.

Take care and be well, everyone!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Metal Madness, Seventies, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: METAL MADNESS (October 17, 2023)

October 17, 2023October 15, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

🤘🏽 ☠️ 🤘🏽

During the late 1960s and early 1970s a new musical genre developed into a phenomenon that is still going strong some 50 years later and shows no sign of slowing down. In case you didn’t get the hint from my new header image, I’m talking about heavy metal!

Today I’m featuring the final group from the “unholy trinity”, a band that has been my go-to metal group since it’s inception. There has always been something very special about this favorite group of mine – whether it’s the incredible vocals, the blistering guitar or even just the name itself, I was and still am a big fan. You’ll soon see why I feel as I do.

Bill and I got to see these guys on October 22, 1971 in the Felt Forum which was the theatre inside Madison Square Garden. We saw a lot of groups at the Forum but the night of October 22 was memorable. Earlier in the day while I was out with my parents, our house was burglarized. I recounted the incident on my website; the story is called “Poor Althea’s Boy” – https://theelephantstrunk.org/2023/08/17/poor-altheas-boy/

On the ride into Manhattan for the concert, I found my mind drifting back to just a few hours earlier when we discovered the house had been burglarized. There’s a dreadful sense of losing control, deeply unsettling feeling of being violated attached to a crime in your home, your safe place. Uninvited people were in our house, going through our personal property. To say it’s disconcerting is putting it mildly. Thank goodness no one was home at the time except the first floor tenant and he heard nothing nor was he harmed in anyway. He had his headphones on and was completely oblivious to what was going on upstairs.

I asked my parents if they wanted me to stay home with them that night; they said no, the police had everything covered. I was relieved; I needed a diversion, something magical to take my mind off the break-in.

Deep Purple was just the ticket.

Deep Purple got its start in London in 1968. Originally formed as a psychedelic and progressive rock band, the group shifted to a heavier sound in 1970 with their album “Deep Purple In Rock”. In the early to mid-seventies, Deep Purple had been referred to as “Britain’s hardest and heaviest metal group” and was listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as “the globe’s loudest band” for a 1972 concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre. To date the band has sold more than 100 million albums.

Just like any other band who has endured the test of time and is still touring today, Deep Purple has had multiple reincarnations. For me, these members formed the greatest lineup: Ritchie Blackmore consistently at the helm as lead guitarist; Jon Lord (keyboard, strings), Roger Glover (bass, 1969-1973) followed by Glenn Hughes (bass, 1973-1976), Ian Gillan (lead vocals, 1969-1973) followed by David Coverdale (lead vocals, 1973-1976) and Ian Paice (drums); original members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Ian Paice are still with the band in concert today.

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite songs. Listen to any, listen to all; each one is great!

This is Deep Purple!

Now for the mother of all Deep Purple songs.

On December 4, 1971, Deep Purple was in Montreux, Switzerland to record the album “Machine Head”. On the eve of the recording session, a concert with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention was held in the casino’s theatre. This was the theatre’s final concert before the complex closed down for its annual winter renovations, which would allow Deep Purple to record there. At the beginning of the Mothers’ synthesizer solo on “King Kong”, the place caught fire when “someone stupid” in the audience fired a flare gun towards the rattan-covered ceiling. Although there were no major injuries, the resulting fire destroyed the entire casino complex, along with all the Mothers’ equipment. Here is the retelling of that night’s events – a saga set to music.

This is “Smoke on the Water”.

https://youtu.be/zUwEIt9ez7M?si=qzBpeXrhnq-IB9XI

That’s the way it is with heavy metal and groups like Deep Purple; you can’t stop at just one!

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Metal Madness featuring the last member of the “unholy trinity”.

But wait! Something doesn’t add up!

Today’s edition covered the third Tuesday in October; what about weeks four and five? Well, have no fear; I am prepared! I will be stepping outside the realm of the “unholy trinity” next Tuesday; please join me to see who I’ve chosen for Week #4. I think you’ll agree it’s a good fit. 🤘🏽

Thanks for reading my posts and for being a great audience and good sports. I look forward to catching up with you again next week.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Metal Madness, Seventies, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: METAL MADNESS (October 3, 2023)

October 3, 2023February 26, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

🤘🏼 ☠️ 🤘🏼

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, a new musical genre was developed. It kicked in the door of the music world and turned into a phenomenon that is still going strong some 55 years later. And there are no obvious signs of it slowing down any time soon. In case you didn’t get the hint from my subtle new header image, I’m talking about heavy metal! 🤘🏼

We all know what it is: a genre of rock music that developed largely in the United Kingdom and United States with roots in blues rock, acid rock and psychedelic rock. Metal bands created a thick, monumental sound characterized by distorted guitars, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats and loudness.

WHAT?? Oh, I think I know what you’re trying to say, Mr. Wikipedia –

In other words, heavy metal crashes through the safety of your walls, grabs you by the throat, flips you around like a rag doll, tosses you upside down onto the Helter Skelter for a few spins at Mach 3.3, drags you off by your hair, straddles you and screams in your face “HEAR ME!”, then slams you down Centerstage Row A without any sissy earplugs where you stand dripping in blood, sweat and tears, wonky legs barely supporting you, arms extended, fingers shaped like 🤘🏼 as your heart races frantically inside your chest like John Bonham on speed, your head starting to erupt into a trillion bits and, like Ozzy, you howl at the moon “All aboard! This is bloody freakin’ awesome!!”

Get the picture? Good. Now let’s get this show on the road!

In 1968 three of the genre’s most famous pioneers were founded. Often referred to as the “unholy trinity”, their hope was to attract wide audiences with their musical message; they were often misunderstood and ridiculed by critics. That didn’t stop them.

That same year, March of 1968, Bill and I met on a blind date. The following week for our second date, we went to the concert mecca of the Lower East Side of Manhattan – the Fillmore East. It was our first time there and the start of a long run of concerts. Ten months later we saw a relatively unknown group at the Fillmore who would go on to become one of the greatest bands of all time. That band is the group I’m featuring today in Metal Madness.

Between 1968 and 1977 – the period known as B.K. (Before Kids) – Bill and I saw the “unholy trinity” as well as many other groups, multiple times. Back then, even the good seats were cheap and we were always in one of the first three rows. I laughingly remember the night Robert Plant tossed back his magnificent mane of blonde curls and rained droplets of sweat on us. It was fabulous!

Allow me now to delve a little deeper into our first group in Metal Madness: Led Zeppelin.

Formed in London in 1968, Led Zeppelin developed their style by drawing from a variety of influences, including blues and folk music. The band was comprised of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy guitar-driven sound, they are cited as one of the forerunners of hard rock and heavy metal music. Zeppelin has been credited as significantly impacting the nature of the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

Led Zeppelin is one of the best-selling musical groups of all time, with total sales estimated at over 300 million records sold worldwide. The group achieved eight consecutive UK #1 albums and six #1 Albums on the US Billboard 200, with five albums certified diamond in the United States. Rolling Stone magazine once described Zeppelin as “the heaviest band of all time”, “the biggest band of the 70s”, and “unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history”. Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995; the museum’s biography of the band states that they were “as influential during the 1970s as the Beatles were during the 1960s”. That’s quite a statement.

For me listening to these great songs is like eating potato chips; I can’t eat just one! I have several video selections for you today. Listen to any, listen to all; the choice is yours and each one is great!

Ok, no more talking; it’s time for some music. And if you look hard enough, you just might spot me in the audience!

This is Led Zeppelin!

https://youtu.be/fIQMktyP90s?si=N-GIIS_5G-NwcLIF

I’d like to close with what I consider to be an indelible moment in time – Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart performing at the Kennedy Center in a concert honoring Led Zeppelin. This is no hype; you’ll know what I mean when you see the reaction from the honorees watching from the best seats in the house. The song is one you all know; it has been called “the single-most important and celebrated song Led Zeppelin ever recorded”.

This is “Stairway To Heaven”.

That’s the way it is with heavy metal and groups like Led Zeppelin; you can’t stop at just one!

I hope you enjoyed your first ride on the Metal Madness Express. Thanks for being here! I’d love to know your thoughts so kindly leave a comment.

Please join me right here next week for an introduction to the second group in the “unholy trinity”. Can you guess who it is? You don’t want to miss it; I’m just warming up! 🔥 🤘🏼

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (October 1, 2023)

October 1, 2023September 24, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Welcome back to Name That Tune!

Today we are featuring a famous American group and what I believe is their best known song. I had forgotten this group was together only three years, from 1965 to 1968 and when I read that, it was shocking to me. They’re one of those groups you just assume were together much longer than they were.

Nuff said! It’s time for some fun! Let’s play Name That Tune. Good luck!

Today’s song was written by the two founding members of our featured group during a particularly cold winter in New York. The lyrics tell us about the couple’s desire to leave the harsh winter weather and return to their warm, sunny hometown.
Our featured group, a very popular West Coast folk/rock quartet, was founded in 1965 and was comprised of two men and two women. They were together only three years and after the break up, each member pursued solo careers.
Today’s song was originally written for and recorded by the American singer Barry McGuire (“Eve of Destruction”); however, the version by our featured group is by far the best known and immediately recognized.
The two founding members of our group were a married couple when the group formed. After their divorce, the husband was accused of some very disturbing and sordid drug-related activity which you can read about on Wiki.
Today’s song became a signpost of the ‘California sound‘, heralding the arrival of the budding counterculture era.

Did my clues help you figure out the answers to today’s mystery? Well, we’ll find out in few seconds. Just scroll on down for the big reveal.

If you answered “California Dreaming” by The Mamas and The Papas, you rock!

Let’s listen to that very cool song right now:

Michelle Phillips wrote the lyrics, “Well, I got down on my knees, and I pretend to pray,” but Cass Elliot had sung “began to pray” on the original recording and had continued doing so on tour until corrected by Phillips.

They really had a terrific sound, didn’t they? Of all their many hits, do you have a favorite Mamas and Papas song? Let’s hear from you; drop a line in the comments section or add your favorite video. We love videos!

My time is up for today. Be sure to check in with The Rhythm Section all week for some really great music. Thanks for hanging with me today playing Name That Tune!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Motown Melodies, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 26, 2023)

September 26, 2023September 25, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Motown was about music for all people – white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” – Berry Gordy, Motown Founder

🚗 🚙 🚗

Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!

It’s the last Tuesday of September – time to conclude our musical journey in the Motor City. I’ve chosen to start today’s segment with a 1963 high octane hit by another incredible girl group that you’re all sure to know.

Is it my imagination or is it getting hot in here?

“Heat Wave” was one of the first songs to exemplify the style of music later termed as the “Motown Sound”. Here are Martha and the Vandellas performing their 1963 hit, “Heat Wave”.

What a great song by a terrific group – the epitome of that legendary “Motown Sound” that still sounds fresh and new today.

I have a few more dimes left for the jukebox; let’s punch up a couple more hits by “the girls”.

Wow! What a great bunch of songs! I’ve been loving listening to the Motown girl groups; how about you? Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about these great Motown hits.

Another month is in the books, kids. Thanks for movin’ and groovin’ with me to the greatest sounds to come out of the Motor City! 🚗

Be sure to join me here next Tuesday as we dive into a brand new category for October. What will it be? All I can say is you don’t wanna miss it. We’re flying to England where we’ll be kicking it up and raising some hell!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Motown Melodies, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 19, 2023)

September 19, 2023September 17, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Motown was about music for all people – white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” – Berry Gordy, Motown Founder

🚗 🚙 🚗

Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!

Let’s continue our musical journey with Motown’s third R&B #1 hit.

In 1960, Berry Gordy signed a talented group of vocalists called The Contours as one of Motown’s first acts. “Do You Love Me?”, recorded in 1962, was The Contours third single, far and away their best-known record. This song blazed its way up the charts and became a smash hit before being goosed all the way up the charts again more than 25 years later thanks to a little movie called “Dirty Dancing”.

This record is not just a big hit; it’s an enduring classic that’s still going strong!

Let’s give a listen to The Contours asking an age-old question: “Do You Love Me?”

https://youtu.be/loHOhxsglKI

For straight up Rock & Roll, it doesn’t get much better than that! I was just a kid when that song came out. My sister was a high school sophomore; she and her friends would jump up and dance every time The Contours came on the radio. They wouldn’t let me join in their teenage fun but that didn’t stop me. I made my own good times … dancing in my bedroom in front of the mirror with the door closed so no one could see me!

Do you remember dancing to that great Motown hit?

Well, sixty years later, under the direction and leadership of the group’s founder, Joe Billingslea, The Contours continue to shake ’em down. During its distinguished career, the group has entertained tens of millions of fans and sold millions of records along the way. The Contours are ranked as one of the top 500 R&B artists of all time according to “Top R&B Singles 1952-1995″ compiled from Billboard Magazine’s charts.

Let’s see what other recordings I can come up with for The Contours.

And now here’s a rare clip; if you haven’t been dancing yet, this is one that’ll get you moving!

I hope you’ve been enjoying these great early Motown tunes; they sure have brought back a lot of memories for me. Your comments are always welcome so let me know what you’re thinking.

Thanks for stopping by today; please join me next Tuesday as we conclude this segment of In The Groove with more great sounds out of the Motor City. 🚗

Keep on movin’ and groovin’, kids.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Motown Melodies, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 12, 2023)

September 12, 2023September 11, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Motown was about music for all people – white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” – Berry Gordy, Motown Founder

🚗 🚙 🚗

Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!

Let’s continue our musical journey with Motown’s first great girl group – high school friends Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman and Wanda Young – also known as the Marvelettes. Gladys, the group’s lead singer, was only 15 years old; what were you doing when you were 15?

Founded in 1960, the group signed to Motown’s Tamla label in 1961. Some of their early hits were written by the group’s members and a couple of Motown’s rising singer/songwriters, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye (who played drums on a majority of their early recordings).

Despite their successful start, the group was eclipsed in popularity by the Supremes, with whom they shared an intense rivalry. The Marvelettes made a comeback in 1966 with several hits but struggled and ceased performing together in 1969. The group disbanded for good in 1970.

“Please Mr. Postman”, recorded in 1961, was one of the first #1 singles by an all-female vocal group and the first by a Motown recording act. It is easily Motown’s best single to date – a song with a killer tune, a sound like nothing else out there and a lyrical hook which listeners around the world instantly latched on to.

Here now the fantastic sound of “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes”:

Not bad for a group of teenage high school girls! I repeat, what were you doing when you were 15 years old?

Let’s check out the Marvelettes’ discography and listen to a couple more of their hits. This next one has always been a personal favorite. 😉

I hope you enjoyed today’s Motown sounds of the Marvelettes; it’s difficult to resist the urge to get up and dance!

Thanks for being here with me, movin’ and groovin’ to some great Motown Melodies; please join me next Tuesday for more terrific sounds out of the Motor City. 🚙

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Nineties, Sixties

Name That Tune (September 10, 2023)

September 10, 2023September 8, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Boys and girls, do I have a treat for you today! That’s right! After ~~strong-arming~~ graciously inviting our friend Tom to write his own Name That Tune post, he ~~eventually relented~~ heartily agreed to join the ranks as a guest host!

Here are Tom’s five splendid clues for you to contemplate. Let’s see if you can determine the song in question and the artist(s) who performed it.

Ground Control to Major Tom: We have liftoff! 🚀

A duo originally trilled today’s song quite a bit back in the day, with a few others. All they had to do was dream, wake up little Susie, and then say bye-bye love… a… the sorrow and pain. Time passes, but it isn’t the duo I’m actually referring to.
Almost thirty years later, the trio in question covered the song, cover perhaps being the wrong choice of word here – ah – no brollies, thank you very much, boo hoo, they don’t conceal the emotion!
Where they say the sun always shines on TV, stormy weather is more appropriate for this song – aha! Another weather related clue.
Through the living daylights of Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and possibly the rest of the world, the trio performed many more times before splitting in 2010. They weren’t ‘not together’ for long, however, since they reformed in 2015.
The song in question is one of many written by a female king. Hark! It’s practically been revealed now, the song, crying out through all these clues raining down. If you’ve worked it out, I’m gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun.

First time at bat and the rookie hits a grand slam homer! Well done, Tom!

What do you say, friends? Were you able to figure out Tom’s featured song and artists of the day? Well, scroll on down and see if you were right!

Yes!! If you said “Crying In The Rain” as performed by a-ha, you were right! Shall we have a listen?

What an great video that was; ~~I’m really glad I found it~~ I really enjoyed it! How about you?

Now for a little more fun. Here is Tom’s outline for creating his clues. This is as entertaining as the post and video:

The clues: 1) The duo who originally sang the song was the Everly Brothers. The clue gives a few of their songs. 2) It was covered by a-ha in 1990; ‘no brollies‘ indirectly pointing to crying in the rain. 3) ‘The sun always shines on TV‘ is an a-ha song. A-ha is also spelt out in clues 1, 2 and 3 (the extra ‘a’ in clue 1 isn’t a typo! 4) ‘The Living Daylights’ refers to a-ha’s James Bond movie theme, and Scandinavia refers to where they are from (Norway). 5) The song was written by Carole King; ‘Hark! It’s’ is a play on Morten Harket’s name (main vocals), and the last sentence is a line from the song.

Now I think it’s only appropriate that we give credit where credit is due and play the video by the duo which Tom mentioned in Clue #1. Here is “Crying In The Rain” as performed by The Everly Brothers:

Now here is an extra bonus. We’re gonna bring this baby home by going back to where it all began – to the composer herself, Carole King, singing her song “Crying In The Rain”:

How’d you like our guest post today, gang? I think Tom did an awesome job and he’s welcome back here anytime for another round of Name That Tune!

Tom is such a good sport, I know he’s the first one having a good laugh at the fun I had with my comments. Tom, you’re A-OK in my book, a pleasure to work with and I’ll be happy to do so again any time! Fantastic job today!

That’s a wrap, kids!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (September 3, 2023)

September 3, 2023September 2, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Time, my friends, for another round of Name That Tune; are you feeling lucky today? Let’s see how quickly you can guess the name of this song and the artist(s) who made if famous. It’s one of my personal favorites and you’ll find out why when you get to clue #5.

So how about we get this game going? Are ya ready? Ok, let’s do this thing!

This song from 1969 has been called the most beautiful love song ever written – quite a fete considering the phrase “I love you” is never used in the song.
The composer of this song was a member of the most famous and prolific rock band in history. It’s also his first real attempt at writing a song on his own and finally being taken seriously by the other members, two of whom wrote almost all the group’s songs.
By the late 1970s, today’s featured song had been covered by over 150 artists. BTW, the most covered song of all time is another song by the group to which our featured singer once belonged.
Our performer dedicated this song to his wife at the time; she must have been quite something because this is the second song I’m aware of that has been dedicated to her. [If that clue sounds even a tiny bit familiar, maybe that’s because one of my posts in May from In The Groove was about the other song dedicated to this very desirable woman. Were you paying attention back then?]
Every year since its release in 1969 this song has been among the most requested first dance songs for new brides and grooms. In fact, it was the first dance for me and Mr. Bill … and, as you know, I think he’s really quite something himself!

Have you figured out what the most beautiful love song ever written is? I’ll keep you in suspense no longer; let’s go find out. You know what to do:

If you said The Beatles’ “Something” composed entirely by George Harrison and sung by him, you are correct! Are you ready to hear it?

Here’s a little refresher for you: George Harrison wrote “Something” in 1969 for his wife, Pattie Boyd. Fate stepped in and George’s best bud Eric Clapton fell in love with Pattie. Eric was so crazy about Pattie that just one year later in 1970 he wrote his own song dedicated to George’s wife. That song which I hinted at in clue #4 was “Layla” by Derek and the Dominoes, Eric’s group at the time. It must have been hell for poor Pattie having two handsome, sexy, talented guys so madly in love with her! She resisted for as long as she could but eventually Pattie left George and married Eric. George took it all in stride like the gentleman he was, saying “it happens” or words to that effect. He and Eric remained best friends until George died in 2001 and the rest is history …. or her story. 😉

Oh, I almost forgot. The most covered song of all time is another tune by The Beatles; it’s a little ditty you may have heard once or twice called “Yesterday”. There was also a movie with an intriguing premise called “Yesterday”, released in 2019 and chock full of Beatles tunes.

Thanks for spending some time playing Name That Tune. Hope you had fun today with me and The Lads!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (August 27, 2023)

August 27, 2023August 26, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Welcome back to Name That Tune! Are you feeling lucky today?

Get your brain cells ready to tackle the five questions I have prepared for you. Let’s see if you can come up with the name of the song and the artist(s) who made it famous.

Ok, let’s rock and roll!

This song from 1963 is just one hit by a group of boys from New Jersey that had us singing and dancing along to a great melody … and let’s not forget those fantastic drums!
The singers of this song keep repeating one phrase over and over again; you’d think the person in question would just get the message and go away already!
The lead singer of our featured group had a recurring role as gangster Rusty Millio during the fifth and sixth seasons of the hit HBO series, The Sopranos.
The story of the lives of these guys from New Jersey, especially their lead singer, was turned into a Broadway play in 2004 and eventually into a movie in 2014. None of the original members of the group starred in either the play or the movie.
This one word song is named after a girl … the one mentioned in question #2 who won’t go away. Come to think of it, many of this group’s songs were named after girls.

How’d you do with that one, kids? Well, let’s scroll down for the answers, shall we?

That’s right! It was the Jersey Boys themselves, The Four Seasons (also known later in their career as “Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons“), doing one of their biggest hits (and my personal favorite), “Dawn”. Let’s give a listen and enjoy those crazy drums!

Was I right about the drums or was I right? Kudos to Buddy Saltzman, the drummer on this recording; The Four Seasons did not have a regular drummer and always used various session drummers. Extra credit if you knew that tidbit.

I wonder if any of my WordPress music blogging friends (you know who you are) can name any other groups who used only session drummers. Hmm … let’s see who’s reading this.

Well, that was a great song, a real blast from the past for many of us and possibly a new one for some of you youngsters out there.

I hope you’ve been having fun playing along; join me next time right here for another round of Name That Tune.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE (August 22, 2023)

August 22, 2023August 21, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Well, it’s about time I broke out the artillery!

What can I say about Frank Sinatra? Enough to fill a book, and there are plenty of bios written about Frank. The song I have selected for you today is not Sinatra’s signature piece, “My Way”, nor is it one of his tributes to New York or Chicago.

Nope, I decided to go with one of Frank’s songs that has some real grit to it, a great little melancholy number with a sad story attached. And I chose this song specifically to show off Sinatra’s acting chops.

Most of you know that Sinatra starred in quite a few movies but did you know he won an Oscar for his performance in “From Here To Eternity”? Today’s song perfectly showcases Frank’s Oscar-winning acting ability. Have I given you enough clues to guess which song I’m talking about? It’s the legendary “One For My Baby”, written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer and first recorded by Frank in 1947.

In the video you’re about to see, Frank is singing live in front of hundreds of people and yet he manages to turn the song into an intimate conversation. Here now is the one and only Frank Sinatra performing “One For My Baby” live at Royal Festival Hall in London.

Just a man pouring out his heart to his confidant … a bartender named Joe. This is the consummate showman, putting 100% of himself into his songs, transforming each one into a musical vignette. In my book he was pretty great!

Now for the easy-peasy question of the day:

What is your favorite Frank Sinatra song?

Share a comment or a video, if you like. For me it’s “Nancy“, of course! The song, written in 1942 and recorded by Frank in 1944, was originally called “Bessie (With the Laughing Face)”; the name change was inspired by Frank’s daughter, Nancy Sinatra.

When I was a kid, I thought Frank was singing this one just for me. ☺️

That’s it for today In The Groove, my friends. It’s always a blast spending Tuesdays with you!

I’ll be here next time; hope you’ll be here, too.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

In The Groove, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE (August 15, 2023)

August 15, 2023August 14, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Joe Cocker is the perfect example of people judging a book by its cover. I think we all felt the same way about his disheveled appearance and quirky mannerisms (and who could ever forget John Belushi’s impersonations on SNL?) but once he opened his mouth and started singing, all doubts flew out the window. He was one of the most memorable performers; just watching him, you knew he was “in the zone” when he was singing. He was a terrific artist and one of the few who actually did Beatles covers exceptionally well. For that alone, I give Joe an A+!

Today I’m featuring a song he did at Woodstock, his iconic and memorable rendition of “With A Little Help From My Friends”.

Here is the late, great Joe Cocker. Enjoy!

I can say without a doubt this is my favorite Beatles cover; in fact, I’ll take that one step further and say I like Joe’s version better than The Beatles’ (and that’s not something I say very often!).

What’s your opinion? How’d you like this version? Are you a Joe Cocker fan?

That’s it for today In The Groove. Catch you next week with another great vid.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (July 30, 2023)

July 30, 2023July 28, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s Sunday so that means you have another shot at seeing if you can decipher my clues and Name That Tune.

Are you ready to play? Ok, let’s get this thing going! Here are your five clues:

According to the performer of today’s song, the title was derived from and inspired by a spiritual co-written by Sam Cooke.
The song for today was featured in the 1986 film of the same name about a group of boys trying to find a friend who had gone missing.
Our featured performer rose to prominence as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters.
This song has been covered numerous times, most notably by Otis Redding and John Lennon, but the recording today is the most popular version and the biggest hit.
Today’s artist started his solo career in 1960; his first solo hit was “Spanish Harlem” and the following year he had a second hit with today’s song.

So, how’d you do? Do you think you know the name of the song and who performed it?

Let’s see if you’re right. Scroll down for the big reveal.

That’s right! The answer is “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King. Did you guess it? What was your “Aha!” moment?

Are you ready to hear the song and watch a little clip from the movie? Ok, let’s go!

https://youtu.be/pHa4pvspCqc

What a great coming-of-age film! This movie, based on Stephen King’s novella “The Body”, was directed by Rob Reiner and starred Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell.

It’s great hearing these terrific songs, don’t you think? How many of you remember The Platters? I sure do and my favorite song by them is “Twilight Time”. Check it out next time you’re on YouTube.

Next week in this slot there will be a surprise post waiting for you. I have gladly forfeited my August 6 edition of Name That Tune for a special guest post …. our first here on The Rhythm Section. Please stay tuned for what I know will be a great addition to our site!

I hope you had fun with me today playing Name That Tune! Catch ya later, kids!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

Name That Tune, Sixties

NAME THAT TUNE (July 9, 2023)

July 9, 2023July 7, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Greetings friends and happy Sunday! It’s time for another round of Name That Tune.

Here are your clues; let’s see if you can name both the song and the artist. Come on in; the water’s fine!

Today’s song, released in 1969, is one of the artist’s best known tunes, written solely by him while he was an active member of an extremely popular quartet from the U.K.
Born in 1940 in a well-known seaport in England, this personality is still touring, performing his own original works as well as songs made famous by his former group.
While not true, this tune about a multi-limbed sea creature is sometimes thought of as a children’s song.
This song can be found on an album where the members of our famous quartet (including today’s performer) are walking in a pelican crossing, as it’s called in the U.K., or zebra crossing, as it’s known in The States.
Today’s featured artist is one of the most famous drummers in the world and is known by his very fitting nickname.

I think we can call this one a “freebie”; by now you surely know the answers. Scroll down for the big reveal.

Have you guessed yet? Which clue was the one that did it for you? Well, let’s see if you were right.

Yes! If you said “Octopus’s Garden” featuring Ringo Starr (and 3 other dudes), you were right!

Now here’s a very cool video for you to check out:

Wasn’t that gorgeous? This video was recorded in Waukegan, IL on June 24, 2005 and was shown on a big screen during Ringo’s concert tour.

Here’s a little info I thought was extremely interesting:

The octopus is the third most intelligent animal on earth ( after the dolphin and elephant). Octopuses like to scour the ocean floor collecting brightly colored stones and shells for their “garden” homes under the sea. Their memory in some areas surpasses that of a human. They are amazing creatures that change color and visual design at will. Octopuses can discard any of their 8 tentacles at any time and rapidly replace it with another limb. They have a short life span, only 1-2 years and have over 300 species. Adults weigh about 33 lbs (15kg) with an arm span of up to 14 ft (4.23 m).

There is no copyright for this video and is free to watch; no money is ever made from its viewing. It is for entertainment purposes only. All musical rights go to Ringo Starr and the music distributor.

“Octopus’s Garden” was originally recorded with The Beatles in 1969 and is featured on their Abbey Road album with its legendary pelican/zebra crossing.

Thanks for hanging out under the sea with me today; I hope you enjoyed the scenery and the song as much as I did.

Don’t forget to join Pete tomorrow as he eases us into another Monday with Breaktime Whodunnit.

See you on dry land on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

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