Clyde McPhatter ‘Songs of the Big City’
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “The Shelter Of Your Arms” by Clyde McPhatter Singles and albums that came out of the Brill Building during the early 1960s have a distinct sound of their own. It’s not just down to the great songs that were written by the best songwriters New York City had to offer, or the now-legendary musicians who played on the sessions, but it also came down to the production sound, which was the key ingredient that made each record sound good coming out of a mono speaker on a car radio, transistor radio or record player. Without that production sound, there was no record. One of the great albums to come...
Dave Brubeck Quartet ‘Toki’s Theme’
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Toki’s Theme” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet Ever since the news broke about Dave Brubeck’s passing earlier this week, I’ve been mourning the only way record geeks like myself know how to, grab all of the music you own by the artist and start listening. I’m a serious record collector who has been at it now for over 40 years. In that time, I think I’ve amassed a pretty well-rounded and eclectic collection of music suitable for any mood. I became aware of Brubeck’s music many years ago, but didn’t buy my first records by him (which were Take Five and At Carnegie Hall) until the early 1980s when I...
The Dave Clark Five “Glad All Over”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#777 in the Series) is the Dave Clark Five, Glad All Over. Well Mr. Peabody, it appears you gave an extra cup of coffee to the Way-Back Machine this morning!! There was actually a short period, 1964, where The Dave Clark Five were battling The Beatles for most popular British Invasion band. There were a ton of hits on this album. There were really strong songs that had some edge to them as well. I also loved the “dirty sax” sound that The Dave Clark Five used in their mix. Highlights you ask? Well of course the title track, “Glad All Over,” plus there were other classics like “Bits and Pieces” and “Do...
Woody Allen “Stand-Up Comic (1964-1968)”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#561 in the Series and #59 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Woody Allen, Stand Up Comic (1964-1968) We’re really going to go into a different direction today as we’re going to feature our first comedic album. Yeah, and I’m sneaking it in as a “live” one as well, mainly because it indeed is a recording of three live stand-up routines. This is very early Woody Allen, very, very early. “Stand-Up Comic” is a compilation of three performances from 1964 thru 1968. The first part was recorded at Mr. Kelley’s in Chicago in ’64. Part two was from the Shadows in DC the same year while the last part was 4...
Sam Cooke “Ain’t That Good News”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#268 is in the Series) is Sam Cooke, Ain’t That Good News Sam Cooke was one of Soul/R+ B/Rock and Roll’s greatest voices. That’s one of the benefits of writing these pieces. I get to remind myself of all these wonderful works. This in near the top of that the list. How well was Sam Cooke respected in the Rock and Roll field? As highly as one can be. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in the inaugural class of 1986. High praise indeed. I invite each of you to listen to the playlist below. Remind yourself that this ISN’T a greatest hits package either! Even if it...
