The Brothers Johnson...photo-only post

The Brothers Johnson...OK, so I really like this group.  This is the inside cover of one of their albums.

Dr. Hook - A Little Bit More, OK we DO want more...

Dr. Hook - our 4th entry on this band.  On Capital Records, it's hard to find out about this one.  Not much out "there."   This is their 5th album.  The title, A Little Bit More, is actually the title of a single they had off this record.  "A Little Bit More" is a song by Bobby Gosh, released on his 1973 album Sitting in the Quiet.  The first hit version was recorded by the band Dr. Hook and was released as a single in 1976.  It made #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #2 on the UK Singles Chart.  It was their joint second-best UK chart placing - matching "Sylvia's Mother" and surpassed only by "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman". After When You're In Love... it's band second best-selling U.K. single, sold almost 800 000 copies.  A version of "A Little Bit More" by British boy band 911 reached the UK #1 position - becoming 911's only number one hit. It was their eleventh single, taken from their third studio album, There It Is.  The son has also been recorded by Lynn Anderson (1977), Ronnie McDowell (1992), Lars Roos (1992) and Shane Richie(1998).   On the back cover, it says "Producer and Musical Director RON HAFFKINE."  There 2nd album has the all-time best name for any band's second album.  Look it up.

The Great JD Souther - with Black Rose

John David Souther - aka JD Souther.  I read about JD Souther in Don Felder's Eagles tell-all book called Heaven and Hell.  I think Souther remains highly respected in the music business.  Lots of legends play on this record: Waddy Watchell, Jim Keltner, Andrew Gold, Art Garfunkel, Glenn Frey, Russell Kunkel, Linda Rondstadt, Peter Asher, Joe Walsh, David Crosby, Stanley Clarke, Lowell George (very cool!), Don Henley, and many others.  But my gosh - what a stellar lineup.  Before this record came out, Souther and Glenn Frey formed a folk duo called Longbranch Pennywhistle. Their lone album, (1970) was on Jimmy Bowen's Amos Records, and it featured significant contributions from guitarists (saw him) James Burton and Ry Cooder, fiddler Doug Kershaw, ubiquitous drummer Jim Gordon, pianist and Wrecking Crew members Larry Knechtel and bassist Joe Osborn.  Later this summer we will dive heavily into the Wrecking Crew once I finish that book.   After recording an eponymous solo album in 1972, persuaded by David Geffen, Souther teamed up with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay to form the Souther Hillman Furay Band.  (I have that album).  JD is probably best known for his songwriting, and for being an Almost Eagle.  He co-wrote some of the biggest hits for the Eagles, including "Best of My Love," "Victim of Love,"  "Heartache Tonight", and "New Kid in Town."  Click this post's title for that one.

Who Loves You Pretty Baby...? Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, that's who

The only way out of New Jersey back then was to join the Army, or the Outfit, or try making it as a star.  Four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history.  JB is the behind the music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.  Woven into the moving story of ups and downs are performances of greats songs that took them right into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "Sherry," “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Dawn," "My Eyes Adored You," and more.  This was the 2^nd time seeing it for me.  It was especially great because we got to meet the performer who plays Frankie after the show.  His father works at the same firm where my wife Nancy works.  The music hits me in the gut every time.  The story - While his brother Nick “left” the group, Tommy DeVito continued his musical pursuits, reforming and realigning the group.  By 1960, The Four Lovers consisted of DeVito and Frankie Valli along with songwriting genius Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi.  This lineup adopted the name "The Four Seasons" and began a string of hits with the 1962 #1 single "Sherry."  Bassist Massi was responsible for most of the group's vocal arrangements.  Bob Gaudio was instrumental in getting this show created.  He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81ZmuGdbN2Q&feature=related

Jersey Boys show this evening in Chicago...Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

This will be my second time seeing this great show.  The first time, Nancy and I went with musicologist Radio Dave and his lovely wife.  He knows tons about the Frankie Valii and the Four Seasons.  Dave was a bit skeptical, wondering if the show would give the real back story - and it surely does.  The Four Seasons are in the RNRHOF.  For background - here is what's on wiki:  In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons, with Frankie Valli as the lead singer, and Bob Gaudio (formerly of The Royal Teens, who wrote Short Shorts) on keyboards and tenor vocals.  They other two were Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals.  The legal name of the organization is the Four Seasons Partnership, formed by Gaudio and Valli after a failed audition in 1960. While singers, producers, and musicians have come and gone, Gaudio and Valli remain the group's constant (with each owning fifty percent of the act and its assets, including virtually all of its recording catalog).  Gaudio no longer plays live, leaving Valli the only member of the group from its inception that is currently touring.  Let's not forget Bob Crewe, singer, manager, and record producer.  He is featured in the show and is known for producing, and co-writing with Bob Gaudio, a string of Top 10 singles for The Four Seasons.  Click on the post title for a great clip...

Donald Fagan - The Nightfly

What a great assemblage of session muscians gathered for the making of this reord.  As a Steely Dan aficionado, you'd expect the likes of Larry Carlton, Jeff Porcaro, Dean Parks, and Michael Brecker.  But - whoa - on Green Flower Street - none other than Rick Derringer plays guitar.  Would not have guessed that.  What an album.  Donald covers an old Leiber and Stoller tune called Ruby Baby, here.  And one of Eric Clapton stalwarts, Greg Phillinganes, gets a nice workout on electronic piano and synthnesizer throughout.  Walk Between Raindrops is cool, but I like New Frontier most.

Simon Townshend - Sweet Sound, the other Townshend...

Simon Townshend.  Two years ago when Roger Daltrey was on a solo tour doing mostly who songs, he had Simon with him for the guitar work.
Try these:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rivqxo4hB3s
This one is also great:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNR5rsRWSxo
I hear those were some great shows.  He has released several solo albums, the first being Sweet Sound (1983), followed by Moving Target (1985). In September 1997, Rising Records released a remixed, re-sequenced Among Us (Rising RR10105). The American re-release was put out by Rising Records, a label owned by folk singer/songwriter Jonathan Edwards. Simon toured with son Ben on percussion.  Simon is married to Janie Townshend, with whom he has three children. His song "Girl in New York" was written for her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqY9JOVT4e4

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, featuring Young Girl

"Young Girl" was a song performed by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap released in 1968. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it reached #1 on the UK Singles chart and Cash Box.  Apparently - the song is sung from the point of view a man distressed to find out his lover is under an acceptable age.  That is what I read on Wikipedia.  In the UK, the recording enjoyed a second chart run in 1974, when it peaked at #6.  Gary Lewis and the Playboys released a version of the song on their 1968 album, Gary Lewis Now!