Archive for the 'Gruesome' Category
Gruesome Twosome: The Mann-Weil Edition
October 26th, 2006Dusty Springfield: “Make the Man Love Me”
ABC-Dunhill recording session, 1974 | BUY
Doris Day: “Oo-Wee Baby”
Columbia Records UK single, 1964 | BUY
Gerry Goffin/Carole King may have been the most innovative and Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich were most attuned to teenaged trendiness, but it’s Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil who have proven to be the most durable of […]
Gruesome Twosome: Girl Power Edition
October 11th, 2006The Pixies Three: “Welcome to the Party”
LP: Party With The Pixies Three, 1964 | BUY
The Breakaways: “That’s How It Goes”
Pye Records U.K. single, 1964 | BUY
Let’s break out the fun with a couple of Girl Group gems. No shrinking violets, the Pixies Three bring loads of spontinaety and charm to this opener for their lone […]
Gruesome Twosome: Feelin’ Mellow Edition
September 26th, 2006Lani Hall: “Love Song”
LP: Sun Down Lady, 1972
Nanette Natal: “Knowing You”
LP: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, 1969
Today I’m digging the kind of music that comes across like a cup of warm coffee on a Sunday morning — mellow, yet invigorating. Lani Hall’s “Love Song” was recorded shortly after the singer left Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66, and […]
Gruesome Twosome: Country Cuties Edition
September 13th, 2006Lynn Anderson: “I’ve Been Everywhere”
LP: Uptown Country Girl, 1970 | BUY
Skeeter Davis: “There’s a Fool Born Every Minute”
RCA Victor records single, 1968 | BUY
Hey there y’all : today’s selections come through the courtesy of two of my favorite country singers. For a time it appeared that Lynn Anderson had it all — beauty pageant looks, […]
Gruesome Twosome: Secondhand Boogie Edition
August 30th, 2006Marlena Shaw: “Touch Me in the Morning”
LP: Take a Bite, 1980 | BUY
Ralph Carter: “When You’re Young and In Love”
LP: Young and In Love, 1975
Last month we caught Broadway Damage, a strained gay romantic comedy which only succeeded on the “gay” part. In its defense, the film did have a nice soundtrack — of which […]
Gruesome Twosome: Brazilian Hot Wax Edition
August 15th, 2006Quarteto Forma: “Rua Cheia”
Odeon Brazil single, c.1970 | BUY
Dóris Monteiro: “É Isso Aí”
LP: Dóris, 1971 | BUY
Late summer puts me in a mood for funky old Brazilian music, like the two songs here. Quarteto Forma was a breezy boy-girl vocal group which at their best recalled a Brazilian Fifth Dimension. Drink in their lovely harmonies […]
Gruesome Twosome: Baroque’n Records Edition
August 2nd, 2006The Cake: “Medieval Love”
LP: The Cake, 1967
The Left Banke: “Barterers and Their Wives”
LP: Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina, 1967
For reasons unknown, the mid ’60s rock music scene underwent a collective fascination with the old (or should I say “olde”). The precious sounds of harpsichords, violins and mandolins made certain artists sound like wandering troupes of Renaissance […]
Gruesome Twosome: Looks 10, Musical Ability 3 Edition
July 19th, 2006Alyssa Milano: “One Last Dance”
CD: Do You See Me?, 1992
Audrey Landers: “Playa Blanca”
LP: Wo Der Südwind Weht, 1984 | BUY
Tell Lindsay and Paris the news: back in the ’80s and early ’90s, sexy celebs ventured overseas to sing so Americans wouldn’t have the, uh, pleasure of hearing them. Dallas siren Audrey Landers enjoyed a successful […]
Gruesome Twosome: Let Me Make Love Edition
July 4th, 2006The Esso Trinidad Steel Band: “If You Let Me Make Love To You, Then Why Can’t I Touch You”
LP: The Esso Trinidad Steel Band, 1971 | BUY
Ronnie Dyson: “(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can’t I Touch You?”
LP: If You Let Me Make Love To You, Then Why Can’t I Touch […]
Gruesome Twosome: Back Door Brill Edition
June 21st, 2006Eydie Gorme: “Don’t Try to Fight It Baby”
Columbia Records single, 1963
Andy Williams: “Wrong For Each Other”
Columbia Records single, 1964 | BUY
Wanna know about the brilliance of the Brill Building Era? Even the relatively obscure songs from that special time and place serve as gems of melody and rhythm. These two singles were written for performers […]
Gruesome Twosome: Avocado Funk Edition
June 7th, 2006Tony Hatch: “Return to the Stars”
Pye Records UK single, 1976 | BUY
Alan Hawkshaw: “Mile High Swinger”
LP: Themes: Synthesizer and Percussion, 1974
I’m getting my groove together and takin’ it on the road with these two mildly funky instrumentals from the U.K. “Return to the Stars” finds Tony Hatch mixing synths and strings with a breezy soulfulness […]
Gruesome Twosome: Sunshine Girls Edition
May 24th, 2006Vicky Leandros: “Sunshine Boy”
LP: A Taste of … Vicky, 1967
Miss DD Phillips: “The World of Thursday Morning”
LP: Miss DD Phillips, c.1969
Warming temperatures have prompted me to share a couple of nice ‘n perky ’60s female vocals — songs that will have you gaily skipping through the park, multicolored balloons in hand. Greek singer Vicky Leandros […]
Gruesome Twosome: Crazy About The La La La Edition
May 9th, 2006Massiel: “La, La, La”
Spanish Eurovision Song Contest entry, 1968
Joëlle Ursull: “White and Black Blues”
French Eurovision Song Contest entry, 1990
Today I look at an entity at once comforting and strangely alien: the Eurovision Song Contest. I’m an American who finds this annual competition fascinating: the pageantry, the kitsch, the inter-country squabbling. Amidst all the hubbub, it’s […]
Gruesome Twosome: Foster Children Edition
April 25th, 2006David Foster: “Love Theme from ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’”
LPs: St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack, 1985, and David Foster, 1986 | BUY
Paul Anka: “Hold Me ‘Til The Morning Comes”
LP: Walk A Fine Line, 1983 | BUY
Mega-successful ’80s producer David Foster might be the least likely person on earth to undergo an ironic hipster resurgence — admiring his work […]
Gruesome Twosome: Mama’s Faux Pearl Edition
April 11th, 2006Honey Cone: “Stick-Up”
LP: Soulful Tapestry, 1971 | BUY
The Newcomers: “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”
Stax Records single, 1971 | BUY
The Jackson 5 were probably the hottest act in showbiz in 1971, so it makes sense that their success would inspire many imitators. I’m presenting two of the more entertaining knockoffs today. The Honey Cone paid […]
