Old School Music Lover

OSML is finally back with a new host home!

SonDan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:26:41 +0000

Hello fellow Old School Music Lovers!

I sincerely hope that you have not forgotten and/or deserted me because I surely have missed each and every one of you!

I had a very, very bad case of the flu, followed by a bad case of asthmatic bronchitis and now my respiratory issues are minimal and I am back to work at my 9 to 5 and FINALLY back to blogging.

To complicate the delay in my return – during my illness I find out that my blog was suspended from my host home due to excessive CPU usage. It was a sad and annoying issue to have to deal with during my recovery, but at least it let me know that I have enough of a readership to tax the hosts resources. The host referred me to a partner that provides dedicated servers and now here I am back in business.

I have a lot of updates and things on my plate for this blog, but I wanted to get the site back up for you to continue reading and listening and learning about these classic songs through the upcoming holidays. The holiday season can be stressful and music is the best cure to relieving stress that I know of so I really wanted to get back up and running for you!

I am thankful to be here again and hope this post finds each and everyone of you in good health and good spirits for the upcoming holiday season. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and tolerance through yet another transition for the OSML Blog.

Sincerely,

OSML has the flu

SonDan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:54:45 +0000

This is taking all strength I have right now to turn on my computer to let you know I am on Doctor’s ordered bed rest with the flu.

This will be the only new post this week but please don’t forget me. I hope to be back next Monday.

Happy Blogiversary to OSML!

“Blowin’ In The Wind” Performed by Stevie Wonder (1966) and Bob Dylan (1963)

SonDan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:27 +0000

Stevie Wonder & Clarence Paul -- Blowin’ In The Wind (1966) #1 R&B; #9 Pop

The teenager Stevie Wonder began producing and composing songs with his album releases in 1966. The first release “Up-Tight” included this cover of the great Bob Dylan classic “Blowin’ In The Wind.” The Up-Tight LP charted #2 R&B and #33 on the Billboard Top 200 lists in 1966.

The anectote goes that Clarence Paul had introduced the socially aware Wonder to this folk song and that he liked it so much that he performed it in his concerts. Stevie forgot the lyrics to the second verse during a performance and Paul coached him along. From that day forward Steveland always sang the song with Paul as a duet and it is Paul’s voice you hear on the single that was made after fans insisted it be put on wax after two years of performing it on stage.

To this day I can recall the Tuesday after school that I bought the 45 rpm and played it on the relatively new record player that grandmother had purchased for the living room. I loved Stevie’s spin on the song and actually listened to it and understood the meaning. You gotta admit that Dylan’s voice wasn’t a crowd-pleaser — so being a youngster I never really stopped to listen to what Dylan had written about until Stevie’s rockin’ re-make. Then I understood every word and I took Paul’s harmony parts when I sang it aloud ion the sofa in front of the stereo.

Covered by folk artists, rock artists, country artists, pop artists and soul artists alike, the song even inspired Sam Cooke to write another classic of the rock era on the same subject matter, “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Cooke loved “Blowin’” so very much and said he should have written that song! He covered it in concert and on wax.

Bob Dylan -- Blowin’ In The Wind (1963)

Bob Dylan wrote this classic masterpiece and first performed in 1962. It finally appeared on a Dylan album in 1963 titled “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, that establish this man as an iconic songwriter. The LP peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

This song has been written about ad-finitum so you can probably Google it until your heart is content -- so there is not much more I can say other than giving you a link to the lyrics and letting you listen and enjoy!

For as long as it lasts on YouTube here is a piece of history -- Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary and Stevie Wonder performing “Blowin’ In The Wind!”

And this YouTube gem is an awesome clip from the “Glen Campell Goodtime Show” that I mentioned in my previous post. Stevie Wonder guests in this episode and he and Glen duet on “Blowin’ In The Wind.”

Musically yours,

“Wichita Lineman” Performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969) & Glenn Campbell (1968)

SonDan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:26 +0000

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Wichita Lineman (1968)

Glen Campell, the “Rhinestone Cowboy,” was one of the greatest Country-Pop Stars of the Sixties and Seventies. He even had his own TV show – which I was a big fan of. Every Boomer reading this post remembers his million selling version of the Jimmy Webb penned classic along with the hit follow-up “Galveston” and the hit predecessor “Gentle on My Mind.” Oh and my favorite Campell tune was “By The Time I Get To Phoenix.”: then when Isaac Hayes covered the song it took on a whole other level of greatness for me.

Obviously Smokey Robinson and The Miracles knew a great song when they heard it. “Lineman” is one of some other covers that were on their 1969, #25 (Billboard Top 100) album “Time Out For Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.”A great song stands the test of time, as both songwriters Smokey Robinson and Jimmy Webb can attest too.

I think SRATM did a fine job on the cover. Now here is Glenn’s original.

Glenn Campbell – Wichita Lineman (1968), on Capitol Records, sold over two million copies, staying at number one pop for five weeks.

“Wichita Lineman” – Composed by Jimmy Webb.

I am a lineman for the county and I drive the main road
Searchin’ in the sun for another overload
I hear you singin’ in the wire, I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation but it don’t look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south won’t ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

”Time Out for Smokey Robinson And The Miracles” is still available as a 2-for import combined with the 1970 follow-up LP “Four In Blue” #3 R&B & #78 Billboard Top 200.

And I almost forgot to announce — November’s Motown Theme is obviously “Motown Covers Pop!” It wasn’t something they did often, but it did happen on once in a while. Sometimes they even hit it big, as you will find out later on this month!

Now I am curious to know which rendition of “Wichita Lineman” floats your boat? Please vote below.

Musically yours,

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” (2009)

SonDan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:03:06 +0000

It is almost midnight and past my bedtime and I am still up determined to write this post for my regular Thursday morning OSML blog. My planned post will have to wait because this is more important to me right now.

You see I have just gotten home from an opening day screening of “This Is It!” and my emotions are running too high to sleep. I wanted to express my thoughts while they are fresh in my mind.

First of all I must tell you I have been looking forward to this all week. I went to work today, had my workout, had my hour commute back to my hometown, got a turkey burger at Friday’s across from the Theater and waited about 45 minutes for the 9pm showing.

Now that I am home I want to tell you what I just saw.

I saw a well put together film by Kenny Ortega that was culled from Michael Jackson’s personal video footage of the rehearsals for the “This Is It” shows and it was awesome!

LaToya Jackson has been quoted as saying that Michael would not have wanted this footage shown but I disagree. The footage shows a superb musician, performer,choreographer and all around entertainer rehearsing what would have been most definitely his ultimate show!

The planned pyrotechnics, newly prepared video footage, new twists in the performances of classic hits, and the brand new planned costuming would have definitely been talked about for some time to come.

Contrary to reports of MJJ’s illnesses before his untimely passing – this film shows that MJJ’s dancing was the best, his voice was in top form, and his sensitivity and sense of humor were showcased throughout the film. He kept saying he had to hold back and save his voice for the show — but he consistently could NOT hold back and would end up giving his all both vocally and in his dancing – receiving applause from the crew! This man was put on earth to entertain. This was a show that was ready!

I am looking forward to purchasing this film so I can watch it over and over again.In fact I am going to pre-order the ”This Is It” DVD right now.

I shed some tears throughout the film while listening to the pure tenor and thinking of some of the things that this kind and gentle soul had to needlessly go through here on earth. I just wish all of the haters could sit down and watch this film — so that they can truly see what MJJ the man is all about. This film should be required viewing for all MJJ critics

Well done Mr. Ortega.

Rest in Peace MJJ.

Musically Yours,

My Amazon Associates store is up and running

SonDan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:26:02 +0000

I just wanted to bring it to your attention, in case you missed it earlier this week, that there is a new link in the navigation menu for the Old School Music Lover aStore. I am in the process of adding direct links to some of my favorite old school music collections, books and video that I have recommended in my lists provided here at OSML. It is still a work in progress but quite usable.

Now that I am running the blog on my own domain there are expenses for maintenance, unlike when the blog was on the free Worpress.Com. For this reason I would appreciate your support in helping to keep this blog online by making any of your Amazon purchases through my aStore or sidebar Amazon Links.

I am not too proud to say that every little bit helps me to keep my “Oldies Loving” coming to you!

Thanks for reading and I appreciate your support in the past, in the future and in the now.

Musically yours,

“Do I Owe” Perfomed By Jackie Jackson (1973)

SonDan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:01:55 +0000

Jackie Jackson – Do I Owe (1973)

Jackie Jackson was the “older boy” that I thought was the handsomest in the Jackson Five singing group but felt he was unatainable to the teenaged me because he was so much older than me (or so I thought at the time). LOL

Jackie was the group’s high tenor who sang mostly in a falsetto and he was the next Jackson brother, after Michael and Jermaine, to go solo on the Motown Label. Of course I ran out to buy his first LP the day it was released and I loved every song because he was a Jackson! Now maybe not so much (sorry Jackie Dear) … but this LP holds many musical memories of my youth so it will remain to be a keeper in my collection.

“Do I Owe, composed by Christine Yarian, is my favorite from his first LP, with Jackie’s cover of the Delfonics “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time” coming in a very close second.

Hope you enjoy it if you have never heard it before. If you have heard it before, I hope it brings back some sweet adolescent memories. BTW, you don’t have to listen very hard to the background singing to hear MJJ: his voice stands out in any crowd doesn’t it?!

This LP “Jackie” was his first and only release on Motown Records. Jackie (birth name Sigmud Esco) released LPs in 1989, 2004 & 2007, each on different labels other than Motown.

Musically Yours,

“That’s How Love Goes” Performed by Jermaine Jackson (1972)

SonDan — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:03:26 +0000

Jermaine Jackson – That’s How Love Goes (1972) #23 R&B, #46 Billboard Top 200

MJJ was not the only Jackson 5 brother to go the Motown solo route. Naturally middle brother Jermaine, who was also Berry Gordy’s son-in-law and was initially the lead singer of the J5, had his first solo album release in 1972 simply titled “Jermaine.”

At the time, Jermaine was my favorite brother and I sat and listened to this LP over and over again in my bedroom while looking at photos of Jermaine on my bedroom walls that I had cut out from the teen magazine “Right On!” (LOL).

Ah – those were indeed the good old days!

“THLG” was a hit single for Jermaine. But of course I loved and knew the entire LP by heart and am listening to it and singing along as I compose this post. Every single song is great!

Written by Johnny Bristol, Wade Bowen and D. Jones “THLG” is an upbeat tune that is one of the best tracks on the LP. There are a lot of slow ballads on the LP, which are nice, but I prefer Jermaine doing the uptempo tunes.

Makes one wonder what stopped Jermaine from making records. There is no reason that Jermanie could not have had a great career in music if he so desired and put the work in. Frankly I don’t understand why he chose not to persue his career and let MJJ have all the glory — but I have no way of knowing what was in his mind.

Musically yours,

“Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” Performed by Michael Jackson (1972)

SonDan — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:05:50 +0000

Michael Jackson – Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool (1972)

I had this entire month’s posts already mapped out months ago, but Michael Jackson and his music have weighed heavily on my mind literally every single day since his untimely passing. I lost my Mom this spring and then losing MJJ a few months later — well I feel somehow that major symbols of my childhood are now gone.
It may seem silly to you that I am affected this way by a pop star — but I am and that is just the way it is.

The Jackson family music was a huge part of my youth. Every time I would swoon about the Jacksons and Michael to my Dad he would tell me that MJJ was just my generation’s Frankie Lymon and proceed to rave about Lymon’s musical gifts. Gosh I loved those musical discussions with my Dad. Musically I learned so much from him and I miss him everyday of my life. (R.I.P. Daddy)

The originally scheduled post for today will come at a later date and I have decided to share with you today a song from MJJ’s second solo LP on the Motown label. The LP was entitled “Ben” and the song is “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” composed by Ace Adams and Lionel Hampton. Listening to it brings me to tears thinking what might have been.

I don’t want to get into any kind of MJJ debate: I know feelings run hot when it comes to Michael. I just want to share this beautiful song with you and let you enjoy the talent that was Michael Joseph Jackson.

Thank you MJJ. You are loved and missed by many.

Musically Yours,

“Double O Soul” Performed By Edwin Starr (1965)

SonDan — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:07:46 +0000

Edwin Starr – Agent Double O Soul (1965) #8 R&B, #21 Billboard Hot 100

Edwin Star first became known to us as “Agent Double O Soul” in 1965 even though he had been in the music world struggling for a while.

Composed by Starr and Bill Sharply, this hit played on the popular Agent 007 movie franchise that was all the rage in the Sixties and Seventies. Starr even dressed the part when performing the song on stage.

I never actually got into those movies nor have I ever seen one, but I had friends and acquaintances that were huge fans of the flicks themselves and of course of Agent Double O Seven himself – Sean Connery.

I did know this song and I loved it when it came out! Originally the song was released in 1965 on the Ric-Tic label and was a top ten hit. When Motown purchased the label Starr’s contract was part of the deal and his Ric Tic hits, including “Double O Soul,” appeared on his first Motown Album release “Soul Master” in 1968.

Starr, born Charles Hatcher in Tennessee, had two or three huge hits while at Motown including “War” and “Twenty-Five Miles” and his self-penned “Oh How Happy” duet with label-mate Blinky, but he never got the great success he deserved while at Motown IMHO. I wonder what great music is in “The Vault” that we haven’t heard yet for Mr. Starr?

Starr moved to the UK in the Eighties and continued singing. He remained there until his death in 2003.

Check out his Official Web Site here.

Musically Yours,