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The Oldies Music Board » Can You I.D. This Rock God? » March 27, 2024 1:26 am

Little Rich
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I, personally, think it's worth noting that Jimi was not JUST in the U.S. Army, he was in assigned to a "lean mean fighting machine," the 101st Airborne Paratroopers and, despite his lax attitude, actually qualified for the Screaming Eagles badge after satisfactorily completing paratrooper training.  He was anti-war (Vietnam) but supported the Troops.  And he adored Bob Dylan and, besides All The Watch Tower, he recorded many Dylan tunes but don't know how many of those recordings were ever released.  HBO (+20 years ago?) produced a two-hour special about Jimi Hendrix with many interviews of friends and family that knew him well - very very well done.  Yes, I saw it; in fact, at one time I had it on a VHS tape but we moved several times it and was tossed somewhere.  Whether you're into his music style or not, he was a brilliant musician and money wasn't his principal objective.  And the stage was his platform.

The Oldies Music Board » Guitar Legend James Burton Named to Country Music Hall of Fame » March 25, 2024 7:57 pm

Little Rich
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I know Burton best as the co-composer, with Nelson, of Marshmallow Skies, released by Rick Nelson on his one and only(?) psychedelic pop album, "Another Side Of Rick," in November 1967, which crashed and  burned.  At the time, he really didn't know if he wanted to be a hippie or a cowboy.  In the end, he embraced C&W - better choice.

The Oldies Music Board » New Radio Format Explores Stories Behind The Greatest Hits It Plays » March 18, 2024 3:36 pm

Little Rich
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I play sets of three songs and will spend no more thirty seconds of air-time briefly describing "insight" on behind-the-scenes trivia about the song, artist, and/or songwriter.  You're right, it's not for everyone but I have a steadily growing cadre of listeners who appear to appreciate the format, calling in and expressing their thanks for the info.  It takes a lot of time (20 to 30 hours of preparation for each two-hour show) researching those pieces of trivia but, like you, I find it utterly fascinating and I know it endears lots of listeners to my weekly show.  To get on the air and simply play the songs - it seems like it is almost like "elevator music," nearly as bad as an automated  "standard playlist" played with Top 20s multiple times, day in and day out. 

The Oldies Music Board » 2024 Grammys » February 13, 2024 5:07 pm

Little Rich
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Here's how it happened.  I read that she is VERY private/shy.  Read this because it relates an elaborate scheme to make this happen and the relationship, albeit loose, Tracy and Luke groomed to make this happen.  Both reciprocated respect for one another.  Great, great performance!  I noticed, on YouTube comments, that several other commenters arrived at the same conclusion as I did - I would be willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a studio recording of "Fast Car" by those two.  But that probably still couldn't begin to approach the mutual respect and outstanding performance of that live moment on-stage by those two at the Grammys.  I have seen many Grammys but I would say that performance is one of the best of the best I've ever witnessed except for one - Barbra Streisand's performance of "You've Never Walk Alone" at the 2001 Grammys with the streaming of the names of the +2,700 souls lost at the 911 Tragedy.  Now THAT performance, too, was phenomenal!!

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tracy-chapman-fast-car-grammys-how-it-happened-secret-1234962581/
 

The Oldies Music Board » 2024 Grammys » February 7, 2024 2:03 am

Little Rich
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I know, I know many of you/us probably have as low an affinity or appreciation for the Grammys as the RRHOF, maybe in part because of the "politics" in the awards - BUT, IMHO, there were three distinct events during the Grammy awards that got my attention:
  - Joni Mitchell  performance of "Both Sides Now"
  - Billy Joel's performance of his newest of the new after 17 years of dry well, "Turn The Lights Back On" (he may  have re-located his musical talent to release another album)
  - Tracy Chapman duet with Luke Combs performing "Fast Car"
All three breathtaking - great voices, mutual respect by every one.

If someone put my "audio feet" to the fire, of the three, I would pick Chapman and Combs as the most inspiring.  Great voices and apparent admiration manifested by Luke Combs who got everyone's attention 2023 with his release of a Country chart-topping cover of Chapman's 1988 first-charter "Fast Car," which is what they performed.  That woman was well ahead of her time - two outstanding performers who manifest humility but power in their voices and their acoustic guitars.  It was truly an evocative moment or two!!
 

The Oldies Music Board » When Groups Essentially Re-Record Their Only Hit » February 4, 2024 7:11 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 10

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Thanks for sharing that thread about sideways Lorne.  I guess I've seen references to that discussion here on this site.  It goes back to "How many notes are similar, pattern of the notes, what key is it in, ad nauseum" before there is truly a case of copyright, or simply copying.  I suppose someone could make a case and develop a "magical algorithm/conjecture" that could be a threshold to substantiate a copyright case.  Too bad...

The Oldies Music Board » When Groups Essentially Re-Record Their Only Hit » February 3, 2024 6:59 pm

Little Rich
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Lorne wrote:

I've sometimes heard such followups as the original song being done "sideways". I've tried in the past to find an explanation of exactly what is meant by this term, but without success. However, I mentioned this to my sister a couple of years ago, and she suggested it might refer to what could be obtained by playing the original tune on a piano but shifting sideways on the keys ... I don't play piano, but that did make sense to me.

Anyway, I once heard Len Barry describe "Like A Baby" as being "1-2-3" done sideways (and that it wasn't his idea to do this). A couple of other similar-sounding followups that come to mind are The Esquires' "Get On Up" followed by "And Get Away", and The Hues Corporation's "Rock The Boat" followed by "Rockin' Soul". In all three cases, there certainly wasn't any effort made to disguise what they were doing. And in the case of The Esquires, they even titled their album Get On Up And Get Away.

Lorne - way back when, I often heard "sideways" referencing when something was going somewhere and got "sidetracked."  Sidetracked was when something was meant to go forward but instead went in a different direction, not going anywhere.

I just Googled it and the response I got corroborated my above-listed comment:
"When something is supposed to be going forward and then is interrupted and flanked by unexpected issues that prevent it from doing so , it's gone sideways"
 

The Oldies Music Board » Original Lightfoot Band Continues Legacy » January 25, 2024 9:47 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 5

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I'd be interested to hear Mauck.  I would love to Lightfoot's original tenor, or at least close to his original tenor which he lost at least 20 years ago.  That's when Lightfoot was at his peak.

The Oldies Music Board » The Other Wrecking Crew: The Section and The Immediate Family » December 30, 2023 3:20 am

Little Rich
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Very interesting documentary.  I never heard of any of these people until reading the article - Wow!  Lot's of not-so-well-known talent.  Started in the 70s as "The Section Band," morphing into "The Immediate Family" in 2018.  Several of the instrumentalists were credited as co-authors to some super music as well.

https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/immediate-family-movie-band-james-taylor-carole-king-1235562450/

The Oldies Music Board » Season's Greetings » December 26, 2023 3:32 am

Little Rich
Replies: 7

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And thanks, Lorne, for taking the initiative to host the continuance of Ron's efforts.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Years Eve to all fellow music-lovers out there.  It's really great seeing the personal/corporate knowledge and history that all of you share with the members of this site.  It's great stuff!!

The Oldies Music Board » Original Lightfoot Band Continues Legacy » December 23, 2023 7:49 pm

Little Rich
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Lorne - thanks for sharing that with me.  Great song by Red, Les & Bill.  I've never heard it before now.  Speaking of obscure:  I read something several ago (1972) about Lightfoot touring England and being interviewed and performing on BBC.  One song REALLY caught my attention, "Farewell To Nova Scotia."  From everything I researched, he has NEVER played it again and certainly hasn't recorded it.  Come to find out it was written and recorded by Canadian folksingers Ian & Sylvia under the title, "Nova Scotia Farewell."  He was once asked why he never recorded it and he said something about the original by Ian & Sylvia was wonderful and he didn't think he could give it justice to record it.  Humility by a great singer/songwriter!  I've researched it and the only recording I have of Lightfoot's cover is the YouTube of him live on BBC.  I simply digitized the BBC recording.  Super song!  I'd put it up there with his Canadian Railroad Trilogy.  Personally, I think Lightfoot's performance, even on live English TV, is the BEST by far!! of any cover of that song.

The Oldies Music Board » Original Lightfoot Band Continues Legacy » December 20, 2023 5:39 pm

Little Rich
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Thanks Lorne.  Gordon was one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time.  Hope things work out for the band. He lost his classic tenor about 15-20 years ago.  I wish Red Shea, Lightfoot's key lead guitarist from 1965-75, was able to join the band but that would be hard to do since he preceded Lightoot's demise by about 15 years.

The Oldies Music Board » Dolly Parton's crossover rock album tops charts » November 29, 2023 7:23 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 1

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The charting doesn't surprise me.  But the fact that she manifests such humility despite her talents - nowadays, that is extremely rare.  Great Lady with great talent!!  And she just keeps improving and expanding her talents.

The Oldies Music Board » 'I think it’s some of my best work': Dolly Parton on 'Rockstar' » November 25, 2023 6:19 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 2

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Dolly's football half-time show in Dallas was phenomenal.  She's more than "just Dolly" - that woman is AMAZING!  And "Rockstar" is an understatement.

The Oldies Music Board » New Americana Indie Cover of Scarbrough Fair » November 10, 2023 8:05 pm

Little Rich
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One of my favorite, but little-recognized rock-converted-to-Amercana Indie genre singer/songwriters, Grant Maloy Smith, released a brand new cover of Scarborough Fair August 23, 2023.  I rarely consider covers to be an enhancement of the original recordings, HOWEVER, Grant outdid himself.He teamed up with percussionist Kevin Lucas for an extraordinary cover with several evocative symbolic caricatures in the video.  He re-worded the original ballad - not Paul Simon's cover, rather the "original of the original" old English ballad which Paul Simon covered.  Smith not only re-worded but added an interesting chorus, of which there was no chorus in the original ballad.  Smith combines soft acoustic guitar-picking intertwined with some great rock electric guitar-picking the whole time accompanied by Marimba master Kevin Lucas.  WOW!  It sounds weird, but until you watch it, you wouldn't believe it.
Try it, you'll like it!
https://www.google.com/search?channel=ftr&client=firefox-b-1-d&q=scarborough+Fair+grant+maloy+smith+youtube#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:86f467eb,vidEmrX_LhgXY,st:0


 

The Oldies Music Board » New Dion Collaboration with Carlene Carter, “An American Hero" » November 8, 2023 4:10 pm

Little Rich
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Just two years ago - June 2020 - he released an album entitled Blues With Friends which included a bunch of brand new blues songs composed by Dion - all fourteen.  He collaborated nicely with several memorable experienced, talented, established artists in recording them including blues lifers Joe Louis Walker and Sonny Landreth, as well as rockers including Bruce Springsteen, Brian Setzer, Van Morrison, Stevie Van Zant and cap it off, a magnificent retrospective duo with Paul Simon on a great song, "Song For Sam Cooke (Here In America)."
Yes, Dion's still got it!
 

The Oldies Music Board » The Last Beatles Song » November 2, 2023 4:37 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 4

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I can appreciate the "original", "real" recordings by any artist.  These days, AI scare people.  I, personally, understand the pernicious tenacity of people in general because of the "lies" or apparent artificiality of any sounds, in particular because of totally artificial creations of recordings of statements by the "highest of high" authorities, i.e. The Pope stating the world is coming to The End next year.   Here's where understanding the source of the recording is very important.  There is an explanation as to exactly how the "artificial recordings" were made.  There's not really anything artificial about the recordings.  They simply used some high-end electronic filters to take Lennon's voice and George Harrison's guitar accompaniment, plucking them out of the original demos, deleting the "noise" and making the sounds more pure - that is precisely what they do with most any recordings and have been doing for decades.  People that may not like the AI recordings likely much prefer to listen to vinyl albums than electronic recordings.  And that's ok - otherwise the recording industry wouldn't be selling the millions of vinyls in the past several years and that revival of vinyls just wouldn't be.
There is an extremely well-documented, factual explanation I found on YouTube by a gentleman who is stating fact, not conjecture about how the AI managed this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE33NPyzGY4

When I watched this YouTube explanation, I was somewhat surprised at the disclosure about "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love."
There was never, ever, some artificial recreation of John Lennon's voice.  It's simply filtering the original demo, as if it were a "pure recording" of John's voice, filtering out noise.  Way back, in a "different life" that I had (about 50 years ago), these same filters I'm discussing here, were being sold at a premium for those of us that wanted to delete the noise, humming created by the electronics recording systems and the playback

The Oldies Music Board » The Buffy Sainte-Marie controversy » October 30, 2023 2:01 am

Little Rich
Replies: 3

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WOW!!!   This CBC Investigation and the report are very controversial.  Amazing what people might do for "fame."  Although it appears there is not a finalization of guilt or innocence yet, simply the allegations are very very defaming. 

The Oldies Music Board » Billboard Writers Choose All Time Top 500 Songs In Hot 100 History » October 21, 2023 3:27 am

Little Rich
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So, after reviewing the Top 100, assuming that I would recognize most of the songs, I DIDN'T.  I started at #1, going to #100.  I only recognized 4 of the first 25 songs, maybe 7 of the artists, and stopped there.  Either I'm REAL OLD or  Billboard and the R&RHOF are very opinionated - very little objectivity.  You alluded to that in your introductory posting (opinion and ephemeral category).  What's even more interesting is I have been making an honest attempt at trying to stay on top of the weekly singles #1 song in the Billboard Top Pop singles right up until recently; maybe I've been focusing too much on the Adult Contemporary genre including Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Adele & Bruno Mars as well as recent recordings by oldies artists that still have talent, including The Stones latest (Hackney Diamonds album), Dylan's one and only #1 single in the US, Murder Most Foul, released in about April 2020.  That said, I still have an interest in hard rock stars and others on the periphery.

The Oldies Music Board » Steven Tyler, Lead Singer for Aerosmith, Fractured Larynx » September 30, 2023 3:57 pm

Little Rich
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Steve Tyler, lead singer for Aerosmith, fractured his larynx.  They were in the middle of a Peace Out Farewell Tour and the remainder of that tour is on hold until sometime next year pending Tyler's surgery/recovery.  The "Adios" is on hold.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/29/entertainment/steven-tyler-larynx-aerosmith-tour-postponed/index.html

The Oldies Music Board » Your Favorite SINGLE Line of Lyrics » September 19, 2023 2:27 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 20

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aflem wrote:

Not everyone here will know this song. It was by a Canadian group and I'm not sure it was a hit or ever got played in the U.S. The group was The Glass Bottle, a one hit wonder with a great song called "Ain't Got Time Anymore." 

And the line I love is:

"I can't get used to being left on my own.
 It takes up all my time just trying to be alone."

Released on 7/17/1971, "I Ain't Got Time Anymore" charted #36 on the Billboard Hot 100.  A favorite of mine from 1971.  Thanks for mentioning it aflem.
 

The Oldies Music Board » Larry Chance, doo-wop band leader of the Earls, dies at age 82 » September 11, 2023 3:11 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 5

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You're a good man for taking the helm of Ron Smith's ship, so to speak.  And again, I can't be critical - I just enjoy the great info that is shared then I can, in turn, relate some of that during my weekly radio show.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how and why you do what you do.

The Oldies Music Board » Larry Chance, doo-wop band leader of the Earls, dies at age 82 » September 11, 2023 2:59 am

Little Rich
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I should be the last to criticize anyone since I'm still a "novice" at researching and am always grateful to you and others when you do post great information like this.  When I first read the obit, I couldn't quite put my finger on it but I knew something didn't look right.  Then I noted the contradictory spelling in the article and the overlay on the YouTube insert.  "Then" and "When" can easily be interchangeable and could have been either.  Speaking of which - a related song title with vaguely similar words, that could maybe be confusing:  Billy Joe Royal's "I Knew You When" which came to mind when I was researching.  Anyway, "thanks" Lorne.
 

The Oldies Music Board » Larry Chance, doo-wop band leader of the Earls, dies at age 82 » September 10, 2023 2:48 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 5

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I took a double take on your message Lorne.  I thought the name of the song is "Remember THEN", not "Remember WHEN."  I have this on a CD and, sometimes, the CDs can have incorrect data, but I went further and checked several other references including AllMusic.com, Wikipedia and "The Bible": Joel Whitburn's 14h Edition "Top Pop Singles."  All are consistent: "Remember Then."  The article misspells the title ("Remember When")  while the YouTube caption accompanying the article, correctly, references "Remember Then."   Super song, great group with only one Hot 100 -  "Remember Then."

The Oldies Music Board » New Americana Version of Simon & Gafunkel's Scarborough Fair » August 7, 2023 2:38 pm

Little Rich
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I discovered a little-known Americana artist, Grant Maloy Smith. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Maloy_Smith
He started in rock, early 80s eventually transitioning to Americana.  His style reflects somewhat of Johnny Cash, Wood Guthrie and Bob Dylan.  I first heard him on Song of the Mountains and Woodsongs, both on PBS TV, Saturday nights but no longer being broadcast.  One song that caught my ear was "Isht A Lhampco (Have Strength)."  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w97Ab9AblI
Though the title is Native American (Choctaw I believe), none of the lyrics include any Native American language.  The song theme reflects on the Trail of Tears, a bad time in American history, maybe closely akin to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WW II.  Smith worked with the Choctaw Tribal Council in his writing of the song.  Instruments: acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle and flute; the flute definitely captures a tinge of Native American culture.  Very eerie sound but very beautiful, evocative.
About a year or so ago, Smith teamed up with Kevin Lucas with a slight change to Smith's style to include a marimba and an aluphone.  They just released (August 4) an interesting song entitled Scarborough Fair.  They captured some of the lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel's original with most of the amended lyrics reflective of more current times.  Very different!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEmrX_LhgXY



 

The Oldies Music Board » Steve Lawrence » August 4, 2023 2:42 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 4

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Yeah, if Steve Lawrence's passing isn't listed on Wikipedia, he's not even seen a doctor. They usually post deaths within hours.  (;>))))))

The Oldies Music Board » "Look Homeward Angel" » July 28, 2023 4:51 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 9

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As I always say at the close-out to my show every week:
"Too many great songs and not enough time..."
 

The Oldies Music Board » "Look Homeward Angel" » July 28, 2023 2:11 pm

Little Rich
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You "pressed my button" mroldies:  The Monarchs cover of Look Homeward Angel in 1964 is in Little Rich's Top 25 songs of all time.  Johnny Ray may have charted 36 and The Monarchs only 47, The Monarchs, by far, had more soul in the music, with great harmony - super cover by them.  The week that they peaked on the chart, the Top 5 songs were Beatles and 15 of the Hot 100 were Beatles, so, I don't feel bad about The Monarchs only peaking at 47.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAOUrxfzG9s
 

The Oldies Music Board » Stories » July 27, 2023 12:40 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 4

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I have to say  my feelings wouldn't be hurt to read stories about music beyond the '50s and '60s.  Music didn't die in those decades, just changed a little.

The Oldies Music Board » Tony Bennett, Master Pop Vocalist, Dies at 96 » July 21, 2023 4:40 pm

Little Rich
Replies: 2

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Among Tony Bennet's many awards for his artistry, included is, not so much an award as a "record," as in the Guiness Book of Records: oldest person to release an album of new material, at the age of 95 years and 60 days.
What amazes me is that, at his age, he still has strong vibrato and outstanding tonal quality.  IMHO, Lady Gaga played a key role in keeping Tony going well-beyond his infirmities.
 

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