New Documentary ‘Produced by George Martin’ Profiles Legendary Pop Producer

Worth adding to the Netflix queue if you’re a fan of 60’s pop I should think…

Songs You May Have Missed #281

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John Dawson Read: “A Friend of Mind is Going Blind” (1975)

This song and I have a history. I wasn’t originally going to post it here because generally if a song is a hit single it doesn’t qualify as a “song you may have missed”. And I always thought this song was a hit–mainly because I heard it on the radio in ’75 and walked up to my local record store (probably Rags ‘n Records) and bought it. I still remember the green Chrysalis label and everything. I assumed everything I heard on the radio and purchased was a top 40 hit.

But no one else seems to remember this one which, it turns out, only peaked at #72.

The CD is either long out of print or was never in print. I had to write to Mr. Read himself through his website. He graciously sent along a personalized note with a CD-R copy of his 1975 album, mentioning my city (Pittsburgh) with affection.

An English gentleman is Mr. John Dawson Read. And still presumably singing to small audiences somewhere in England. This quiet little song was his four minutes of near-fame in America. I think it’s worthy of four minutes of your attention.

The Most Awkward Moment in the History of Reality TV?

tyler

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/pictures/the-10-most-outrageous-american-idol-judging-moments-20130107/steven-tyler-hits-on-contestant-shannon-magrane-0456915

Steven Tyler Hits on a 15-year-old American Idol Contestant. In front of her dad.

Not creepy at all.

Elton John/Miss Piggy Duet 1977

Some things just seem kinda weird 35 years later–like Miss Piggy saying, “Eat your heart out, Kiki.”

Songs You May Have Missed #280

reasoning

The Reasoning: “Playing the Game” (2007)

From the UK prog band’s 2007 debut. While this poppy song doesn’t flex a lot of prog muscles, it nicely shows off The Reasoning’s three-vocalist attack (two male, one female) which gives them an added dimension, and the ability to create harmonies that might recall Anderson, Howe and Squire of Yes.

Songs You May Have Missed #279

ditty boops

The Ditty Bops: “Get Up ‘n’ Go” (2006)

 

The Ditty Bops kick it old tyme, but with a thoroughly modern quirkiness.

The duo of Amanda Barrett and Abby DeWald borrow musically from half a dozen genres of music, most archaic to one degree or another, including jazz, folk, vaudeville, ragtime and western swing. But their adventurous, whimsical lyrics are atypical of any era.

The session musicians backing the girls are some of the hottest to be found (Pete Thomas on drums, for example) and the frenzied pace of the songs brings their dazzling talents to the fore. Fun stuff.

See also: Songs You May Have Missed #697 | Every Moment Has A Song (edcyphers.com)

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