The Ides of March: World Woven

The Ides of March: World Woven.  The Ides are a local band who had a monster hit in 1968 - Vehicle.  And I read recently where my guy Jimmy Peterik's band - The Ides of March - have set some sort of all-time world record for the longest standing (existing with original members intact for consecutive years) rock and roll band in the history of - well, rock and roll.  Besides my guy Jim - the rest are Bob Bergland (Bass), Bob Bergland (Vocals), Mike Borch (Drums), Mike Borch (Vocals (Background)), Brian Christian (Engineer), Bob Destocki (Producer), Larry Millas (Bass), Larry Millas (Flute), Larry Millas (Guitar), Larry Millas (Vocals), Frank Rand (Producer), Chuck Soumar (Harmonica), Chuck Soumar (Percussion), Chuck Soumar (Vocals).  This album was a 50th bday gift to me from Fitzie.  Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune reporter asked - "Are the Ides of March — who played their first show on Oct. 14, 1964, who just released their first album of new material in 37 years ("Still 19"), who are getting a street in Berwyn IL named after them on Sunday and performing in Schaumburg on Saturday — the most enduring active band in pop music history?  That all of the the acts from the rock era, roughly from Bill Haley onward, a pop group from Berwyn, with a solitary No. 2 hit from 1970 (the anthem "Vehicle"), is the oldest notable band still performing with original members?"  WXRT program director Norm Winer wondered about electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk — a surprisingly wise suggestion: Kraftwerk formed in 1970, but only one original member remains. Critic Anthony DeCurtis suggested proto-metal band Blue Cheer, which hasn't had its original lineup since 1968.

Tiffany: I Saw Him (not her) Standing There

Tiffany: I Saw Him Standing There.   Full name is Tiffany Renee Darwish (born October 2, 1971), known popularly as Tiffany, is an American singer who charted several teen pop hits during the late 1980s.   Me, I prefer Debbie Gibson for my pop gal singers of this era.  This is one of her covers - the the great Beatles tune, with the twist of the word her to him.  The record cover says right on the front, "Contains two new songs not available on the LP, Cassette or CD.  So this record must have been released right around that short period of time during the move from vinyl to CD.  Also Tiffany inadvertantly helped Tommy James (perhaps mostly financially) get his groove back when she covered his classic "I Think We're Alone Now" in 1987 - which, as I read in TJ's new book, written by Ritchie Cordell. It was a hit in 1967 for Tommy James & the Shondells.  It got to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Tiffany's version reached #1 on the charts of various countries including the US.

Muddy Waters - Fathers and Sons

Muddy Waters - Fathers and Sons.  I am very fortunate to be able to say I got to see Muddy Waters.  I was a freshman in college.  That would have been in the fall of 1979, and I think he passed away just 2 or 3 years later. For "Fathers and Sons," all the blues greats have been assembled to form one of the best backing or session bands ever.  How about Otis Spann (Piano), Michael Bloomfield (Guitar), Paul Butterfield (Harmonica), Donald "Duck" Dunn, noted "bassist for the MGs and the bottom end on countless Stax/Volt soul sessions," according to rock critic Shaun Dale.  Also Sam Lay (Drums), Buddy Miles (on Drums only for "Got My Mojo Working.   Plus Phil Upchurch on Bass, Jeff Carp on Chromatic Harmonica, and Paul Asbell on Rhythm Guitar.

The roster is listed on the back cover - below. Note - if you buy the CD - I think you ger a few bonus tracks - but as vinyl purists - we don't care much about those songs.  As you can see - it's on Chess Records - right from South Michigan Ave., Chicago USA.  I own a copy of the concert DVD, from the chosen video clip.

Mötley Crüe: Theatre of Pain - Home Sweet Home

Of all of the eighties hair bands - Mötley Crüe may be the gold standard.  And among their records, this one is highly significant - to me, at least.  It contains the song, no - actually it's more like an anthem to me, called Home Sweet Home, which may have been the first power ballad released by a hair/metal band.  And I also recall reading somewhere that back in the day - it was the all-time most-requested video on MTV.   I also can almost remember still now by heart the exact alphanumeric play location on the pre-CD, 45's-only Jukebox up at Cec's on the Square in East Troy, WI.  Might have be J-17.  Right below Mel McDaniel's Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On and left a few titles of Bob Seger's Like a Rock.  I was at a pal's 50th birthday party over the weekend and those summers water skiiing during our twenties up at East Troy came up.  Actually, those old jukeboxes that played A and B side 45's were the ultimate Wayback Machines.

Uriah Heep: The Best of - Periodic Chart of

There is no other record cover like this.  The Best of Urian Heep.  Best of and greatest hits records don't have much stature to me and most other collectors and I typically try not to post them.  But this one is very unique.  The back cover is on the left, photo abaove.  That grid-like chart is titled "Uriah Heep Personnel 1965-1976."  When I first glanced at it - it looked like the periodic table of the elements.  The columns across the top are titled with band members.  From Lee Kerslakeon far left, to John Wetton on the far right.  The rows (labeled along the left side are the years 1965, down to 1976.  Frankly, I don't know this band too well - other than they do do one of my favorite songs, "Stealin'"  In the band member/time-line grid, the 6th column from the right is labeled Nigel Olsson!  What?, I had no idea he was ever in this group.  The other very cool feature on the back cover are six mini album cover photos of: their debut, Salisbury, live, Demonds and Wizards, Look at Yourself, and The Magician's Birthday.  Again, I normally don't post greatest hits or best of records, but clearly - this one is different and deserves posting in my book.  Title clip is Wizard - awesome video!