Paul Rocha: “Baby Adolph” (2012)
It’s so wrong and so rude. But it’s true if you think about it.
Songs You May Have Missed #283
08 Jan 2013 Leave a comment
in On a Lighter Note, Songs You May Have Missed Tags: baby adolph, paul rocha
Songs You May Have Missed #282
08 Jan 2013 4 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: losing true, the roches
The Roches: “Losing True” (1982)
For the uninitiated, The Roches are not a cheekily-named rock band but rather a trio of folk-singing sisters with the last name Roche who arose from the Greenwich Village scene in the late ’70’s.
Their third album, Keep On Doing, was produced (as was their second) by Robert Fripp, and features cameos from Fripp and fellow King Crimson band mates Tony Levin and Bill Bruford. “Losing True” highlights both the exquisite harmonies of the siblings and Fripp’s Guitar solo.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/11/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-598/
Songs You May Have Missed #281
07 Jan 2013 2 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: a friend of mine is going blind, john dawson read
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.
Songs You May Have Missed #280
07 Jan 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: playing the game, the 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
07 Jan 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: get up 'n' go, the ditty bops
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)
Songs You May Have Missed #278
05 Jan 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: begin, the wailin' jennys
The Wailin’ Jennys: “Begin” (2006)
The Wailin’ Jennys are a harmonizing female folk trio from Canada whose format invites comparison to The Dixie Chicks, but the comparison falters. First, it must be said the Jennys don’t possess the vocal strength of the Chicks. As for their sound, it’s less country hoedown and more coffeehouse folk. And they’re far more likely to cover a centuries-old English traditional ballad than a Fleetwood Mac tune.
All three women are songwriters, and their strength is in writing honest, reflective songs, rendered with pretty harmonies.
Every Moment Has A Song 