Throwback Tracks -- May 4, 2017
David R. Smith
In an effort to try and avoid another mixup this week, I'm trying to get back on track by having this written well before it's supposed to drop. So I'm trying this Monday instead of, you know, Wednesday night or, in some cases, Thursday morning… We're trying to have an error free May here, folks! It's a new month, it's a new Dave!
Well… it's an old Dave… but you get what I'm saying...
...
*cough*
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.
Hair - The Cowsills
Have you guys seen the musical Hair? It's terrible. Actually, I haven't seen the film version, but I saw a live production of it a number of years ago and IT was terrible. That could also just be the production itself.
The point is, I basically waited the entire production just to hear this song. Because I really like this song. And then it came and went. Then I had to wait the rest of the time for the production to end. Because really, what else is there besides this song?
Okay. Age of Aquarius and Good Morning Starshine. But really, I only like the latter song because of the Simpsons.
Me too, Jimbo. Meeeee too.
Mr. Soul - Buffalo Springfield
Everybody knows (or at least SHOULD know) How good Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are. But did you know where else all those singers played? David Crosby was a singer for the Byrds. Graham Nash was a member of the Hollies. I honestly can't keep track of who was with whom during the 60s. It just seemed like everybody was everywhere. Clapton did stuff with Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, the Yardbirds… it was a free for all! It feels like when one band called it quits, a few guys would just move elsewhere. They just kept playing music because they loved it. And the stuff they produced was incredible. What a time to be alive...
What I do know is that Young and Stills were members of Buffalo Springfield. Obviously they weren't the only members but they're the ones that led me into this conversation so they're the ones we care about today.
The band lasted for 3 years, essentially. 1966-1968. In that time, they recorded 3 albums: "Buffalo Springfield", the cleverly titled, "Buffalo Springfield Again" (the album from which we get this song) and finally, "Last Time Around." From what wikipedia has told me, they weren't even playing as a group when they recorded their last album. By that time they had essentially broken up. They just recorded the album to meet contractual obligations.
I reiterate: what a time to be alive!
Also, I found this fun: "The group's name was taken from the side of a steamroller made by the Springfield, Ohio-based Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company"(1)
I'm On Fire - Bruce Springsteen
You guys. We've been doing TBT for well over a year now and this is the first time The Boss has been on the list. What the heck?? We've had Cher on here twice but not one appearance by the best thing to ever come out of New Jersey?? Yikes.
You know those stories where songs were made up because artists are just awesome like that? Like how American Woman was made up live or how Sweet Child Of Mine was written because Slash was doing scale exercises on his guitar? This song is no different.
““I’m on Fire” was recorded in February 1982 during the first wave of Born in the U.S.A. sessions. This took place in impromptu fashion when Springsteen started making up a slow tune on guitar for some lyrics he had, some of which had been written for “Spanish Eyes”, which would later surface on The Promise, and drummer Max Weinberg and keyboardist Roy Bittan, hearing it for the first time, created an accompaniment on the spot. The result was a moody number that merges a soft rockabilly beat, lyrics built around sexual tension, and synthesizers into an effective whole; it was one of the first uses of that instrument in Springsteen’s music.”
I mean… goddamn, right? Some musicians just strike gold.
Also, I got to hear Mumford and Sons play this song in Calgary a bunch of years ago. It was so cool. They were on about a 6' square stage, standing around a single mic. Listen to the crowd with the ooo-oo-ooo part. It's haunting. It's also kind of awesome hearing Mumford shush everybody so you get the feel of the intimacy.
Man this song is great!
If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags) - Maria McKee
I've had the beginning of this song stuck in my head for 2 days. That whistle just stays with you. I was walking down the street yesterday to an audition, trying to remember the lines I was supposed to say, and I was distracted because of that whistle.
This song is from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack and to be honest, I have no idea when it plays. It might be one of the bar scenes, with Marcellus Wallace. But I have no firm idea.
All I know is that Maria McKee's voice is awesome. And at the end of this song, as her voice gets stronger and the song increases in intensity, it just sends shivers down one's spine.
This song also just has the feel of a divey-bar. I can picture this being played live at some roadhouse with the regular barflies sitting, drowning their sorrows. Somebody new comes in, the light from the sun washes across the faces of the regulars; they all look up to see who it is, and then return to staring at their drinks. All the while, this song just plays in the background. Standard Tuesday. You know?
Suicide Blonde - INXS
I was in grade 8 when Michael Hutchence died. It was a tragic day for my friend Jake and me. While I wasn't the world's largest INXS fan, I liked them enough and respected them a bunch so his death made me really sad.
There was something about INXS that was (is?) so good. They had kind of a mix of nerdiness and charisma. And because of that, I really enjoy listening to them.
This is a really good, yet somewhat underplayed song. I think my favourite part is the weird harmonica that comes through much of the song. But there's a nice mix of instruments in this one that kind of gives an indication of just how good this band and their songs could be.
What I find really funny is that even though they starred in the inaugural Rock Star series, where they were looking for a replacement for Michael, the man who won the job, JD Fortune is not listed at all on their current website. It's almost like even they realized just how lame he was. Dirty Vegas wasn't all that great either. It's almost like all of their power was through Hutchence himself. Who'd have thought??
RIP Michael. We miss you!
That's it for this week friends. Hopefully you enjoyed listening to these songs as much as I have. If you still want to listen to music, the April TBT Playlist is available to you, as well as all these other ones from the was before.
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17
October 2016 Throwback Playlist,
September 2016 Throwback Playlist
-D (@davidronn)