Throwback Tracks--November 17, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
A heavy swing through the 1960s, and a bit into the 1970s today...I'd make up a reason for you, but honestly, it was just where my head was at while I was writing this, so that's what ended up in here...
...much to future-Shaun's anxiety of now having to try and make a cohesive playlist with Beck, Rush, and Shocking Blue...
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new (*cough*) and different retro music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website (if possible...which is totally hit and miss with oldies), so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Send Me a Postcard - Shocking Blue
This 1968 single by Danish psych-rock band Shocking Blue (whom you may recognize, as they had a number 1 hit in the United States with "Venus" in 1970 (which was covered by Bananarama in 1986, and then jammed into our heads by razor commercials for years...), but "Send Me a Postcard" is probably my favorite of their songs. In it, not only do you get that fuzzy psych rock guitars, swirling organ, some bongos, but it has a bit of a darker tone...which feels like it may have something to do with lead singer Mariska Veres channeling her inner Grace Slick...
Regardless, "Send Me a Postcard" is just a great slice of the psychedelic 1960s, and an excellent excuse to watch some people with very, very dead eyes dance.
Time Won't Let Me - The Outsiders
Cleveland, Ohio's The Outsiders were a band that really only existed from 1965-1968, although they really were a continuation of The Starfires (or Tom King and the Starfires)...which is not to be confused with The Starfires (from Los Angeles)....Essentially what happened is the band made "Time Won't Let Me", a really excellent 1960s pop-rock song, that features an excellent combination of the traditional (of the time) band, and combined it with a fun horn section.
It's like...60s ska...(insert a weird laugh here).
Anyway, they made "Time Won't Let Me" and their label (Capitol Records) insisted that they change their name, for...reasons? Regardless, The Outsiders released 4 albums, and had 4 Top 40 hits, but it is largely through "Time Won't Let Me" that they are known today, and with good cause: it's a really good track, that does not feel as dated as a lot of mid-60s pop rock.
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
This past week I got a DM on Twitter that said "Do you seriously realize you have never put Led Zeppelin in Throwback Tracks?"
I got the hint.
One of the most important, influential, and indeed biggest rock bands of all-time, Led Zeppelin, and their heavy guitar rock (with elements of psychedelia, a blues-rock) is one of those few sounds from the 60s and 70s that has remained timeless, and as damn good as (I imagine) it was when it first came out.
There are a lot of songs I could go with, but "Whole Lotta Love", the first track on Led Zeppelin II has always been one of my favorites, and actually became the bands' first hit single in the U.S. in 1969. It's all about Jimmy Page's guitar riff for me; it's just that little bit of roughness that gives the song an edge that sticks with me long beyond what a lot of Zeppelin songs do. Clearly, I am also not alone, as both Q Magazine and Rolling Stone have "Whole Lotta Love" in the Top 15 of their Top 100 guitar tracks of all time...it's just so good.
I Fought the Law -the Bobby Fuller Four
The Bobby Fuller Four are probably best known for "I Fought the Law" released in 1965, which is actually a cover: the original "I Fought the Law" was done by The Crickets, written by their lead singer Sonny Curtis, and released in 1960 to some small, regional success. The original version is a little bit slower, and...I think it's honestly the layers, the guitar and harmony balance, and, honestly, Bobby Fuller that really makes their version the most iconic version.
Yes, I know The Clash also released it, and there are cover versions galore (as "I Fought the Law" is one of the greatest rock songs of all time, so many, many, bands tend to cover it now), but it is the Bobby Fuller Four version that makes the song what it is, as far as I'm concerned.
Plus, my God do I love that little slow-down in the middle...
Passing Through - Leonard Cohen
I do not really have any words to add to the outpouring of love (and grief) at the passing of Leonard Cohen, one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century...so instead I thought the best thing I could do would pick a track that I have not been hearing as much during all of the tributes, so I decided to go with Cohen's recording of "Passing Through" from Live Songs (1973).
"Passing Through" is a folk song from 1948 originally written by Dick Blakeslee, and has been recorded by a few artists other than Cohen (The Highwaymen, Earl Scuggs, and Cisco Houston to name a few), and each one puts their own spin on it...with some even adding a verse or removing a verse, as each verse is a separate story, but the most traditional one is the one which Cohen sings, talking about Jesus Christ, Adam, George Washington, and FDR.
Live Songs is Cohen's first live album, and is taken from his European tours (as he only toured in Europe at the time, as it was where he was popular...and he didn't want to tour in the first place) and features a country-influenced backup band (called The Army), including Jennifer Warnes as his backup vocalist....
...I just wanted to end with something Cohen shared with UK Music Magazine Mojo in November of 2001 about having female singers backing him up in concert (because it just seems so him):
I need them. I think my voice sounds better when I am somewhat obscured with the sounds of people who can actually sing. I have never had much competence. Personally when I listen to my songs, I'm always more comfortable when my voice is surrounded by harmonies, which to me would naturally suggest the female voice. I need to hear harmonies so that I can just find the pitch.
R.I.P.
Here is the October 2016 Throwback Playlist, which is the completest list we have had in a long time. Enjoy!
In case you missed our previous Throwback Track playlists, here they are:
September 2016 Throwback Playlist
Remember, as I use Apple Music, that is where the playlists live, but if you want me to look into other services, just hit me up on Twitter and we'll chat about it.
See you again next Thursday with some new....oldies...*cough*
-S (@Shauncord)