EIGHT TIMES TWO: VELVET UNDERGROUND, ‘1969 LIVE’; LOU REED, ‘ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ANIMAL’ (1974) Two very different versions of a classic song, performed live by two very different Lou Reed bands. The song: Written circa 1969, Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” … Continue reading →
Here’s a Rolling Stones clip you don’t see every day. “Silver Train” appeared in the summer of 1973 as both the side two lead-off track for Goat’s Head Soup and the B-side to “Angie.” Soak in a mighty clip of … Continue reading →
Barry White’s single, “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” originally appeared on the artist’s Can’t Get Enough LP in the summer of 1974. “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” smoothly rolled its way to #2 on the US … Continue reading →
ELVIS PRESLEY, ‘THAT’S THE WAY IT IS’ (1970) In honor of Elvis’ recent award, let’s look back at his underrated song cycle about love lost and found. Last week, some four decades after his death, Elvis Presley received the Presidential … Continue reading →
David Bowie’s collection of cover tunes, Pin Ups, released in October of 1973. My first reaction upon hearing the album many years ago was one of disappointment. A few songs stood out, others sounded weak, but overall I would have … Continue reading →
JONI MITCHELL, ‘FOR THE ROSES’ (1972) The pivotal fifth album by Mitchell, who turned 75 last week, contains threads of her folkie past, her pop-star present, and her jazzbo future. To me this album is where Joni Mitchell really hits … Continue reading →
Here’s a Top 40 hit from The Righteous Brothers that you may not have heard before. I hadn’t. After a six-year break up, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley reunited in the ’70s, signed to Haven Records, and released a succession … Continue reading →
‘QUADROPHENIA’ (1973 THE WHO ALBUM, 1979 FILM SOUNDTRACK) An ambitious, storytelling rock epic inspires an influential film. But is a new soundtrack album really necessary? From the start Quadrophenia was conceived as a film, albeit for your ears only. By … Continue reading →
Raspberries’ “I’m A Rocker” appeared on the Ohio band’s third LP Side 3. This stomping ode to rock ‘n’ roll was written by Eric Carmen and scraped the US Hot 100 at #94. Raspberries, ‘I’m A Rocker’ (1973) Previously on … Continue reading →
Rufus’ “You Got The Love” released in late 1974 and appeared on the Rags To Rufus LP. This taut, sexy tune was written by Chaka Khan and Ray Parker Jr. and climbed to #11 on the US Hot 100. You … Continue reading →