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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 25, 2016 22:08:00 GMT -5
Mentioned in this week's lost 70s classic that I saw Boz Scaggs in concert last weekend. Absolutely awesome. What I didn't mention was that the opening act was almost as good (admittedly biased toward Boz). But America with Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley leading the way (RIP Dan Peek) did a great set that left very few hits and essential album tracks unsung. They did thankfully omit the single from their third album "Hat Trick". We were spared the original telling of the tale of muskrats Susie and Sam. Debuting at #86 the previous week, "Muskrat Love" would only advance to #83 in its second week on its way to a #67 peak. Flipping the 45 over for this week's "B" side classic, a really deep track from their previous album "Homecoming". A great jam, brooding tone and Lennon-esque in nature. Cornwall Blank - America
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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 31, 2016 5:11:15 GMT -5
Well done! I'd assumed that "Superman" was an R.E.M. original. By 1974 I was buying Elton john's LPs, but I would still purchase the MCA 45s only because the 'B' sides were always non-LP tracks. I liked it when artists would do that. We'll go back to 1973 for an Elton John "B" side...actually 2 of them. Elton's single "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" was released in advance of the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album. Took only five weeks to reach #16, but became an anomaly when it failed to reach the Top 10 peaking at #12. It was the only single between "Rocket Man" late in 1972 and "Island Girl" late in 1975 that failed to reach the Top 10, a string of thirteen 45 releases. The "B" sides would have fit in perfectly with the theme from Elton's previous album "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player" and in fact were included as bonus tracks when the deluxe version was released in the mid-90s. Jack Rabbit - Elton JohnWhenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again) - Elton John
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 6, 2016 22:01:08 GMT -5
Michael Murphey's album "Blue Sky - Night Thunder" has always been a favorite of mine. Of course the highlight is the #3 smash "Wildfire", but I love the follow-up single "Carolina In The Pines". It was sitting just outside the Top 40 on September 6, 1975 on its way to a #21 peak. They pulled another great track off the album for this week's "B" side classic. Without My Lady There - Michael Murphey
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 15, 2016 21:36:45 GMT -5
One of the more famous "B" sides, its "A" side "Honky Tonk Women" was in the last of 4 weeks atop the Hot 100 on September 13, 1969. On Rolling Stone's 2010 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, "Honky Tonk Women" came in at #116. The "B" side classic ranked #101. Featuring keyboards and French horn by Al Kooper, it would become a lost 70s classic when the single reentered the Hot 100 in April, 1973 and it was listed as the "A" side. It would chart for 8 weeks and peak at #42. You Can't Always Get What You Want - Rolling Stones
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 22, 2016 21:37:11 GMT -5
In three short weeks the Doobie Brothers were at #17 with "Real Love". It would eventually peak at #5. This week's "B" side classic from September 20, 1980 was written and sung by a Steely Dan alumnus. No, not Michael McDonald, but woodwind and keyboard player Cornelius Bumpus. This jazzy song has a Steely Dan/Santana feel to it. Thank You Love - Doobie Brothers
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 29, 2016 21:11:01 GMT -5
With the recent debut of Bruce Springsteen's autobiography "Born To Run" along with the companion CD "Chapter And Verse", it's important to note that his first Hot 100 single was climbing the charts on September 27, 1975. As a single, the "Born To Run" 45 charted for only 11 weeks peaking at a lowly #23. As a song, it became an icon appearing on most rock and roll all time great song lists. Flip the 45 over and the "B" side classic is one of his great character sketch songs, accented by the trumpet playing of Randy Brecker. In concert, it is often paired with "Jungleland". Meeting Across The River - Bruce Springsteen
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 6, 2016 20:51:52 GMT -5
Jan and Dean's follow up to "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" was on the rise on October 3, 1964. "Ride The Wild Surf" moved from 63 to 45 and was poised to make a #33 debut the following week. The song had a short chart life, peaking at #16 and staying in the Top 40 for 5 weeks. It fell out of the Hot 100 from #25 after charting 8 weeks. The "B' side made its debut at #93. During its three week stint in the Hot 100, it would peak at #77. Guessing this would be something else the little old lady from Pasadena would do for fun. The Anaheim, Azusa & Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review and Timing Association - Jan & Dean
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 12, 2016 22:12:08 GMT -5
The Hot 100 of October 14, 1967 had songs representing all colors of the musical rainbow. Pop classics: #1 The Letter - Box Tops, #2 Never My Love - Association, #3 To Sir With Love - Lulu Soul Standards: #6 (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson, #9 Gimme Little Sign - Brenton Wood, #10 Soul Man - Sam & Dave Bobbie Gentry's "Ode To Billie Joe" was still in the Top 10, and an instrumental cover version was in the Top 40 by King Curtis's Kingpins. The Rascals "How Can I Be Sure" was in the Top 10, and an instrumental cover of their #1 hit "Groovin'" by Booker T and the MGs was just outside the Top 20. Future #1 smash "Incense And Peppermints" made its Top 40 debut. There was also a parody song at #4: "Little Old Man" by Bill Cosby One other fact: The top 3 songs of 1967 - #1 "To Sir With Love", #2 "The Letter", #3 "Ode To Billie Joe". All three were in the Top 10.
The Buckinghams appeared to be on the verge of joining the Top 10 party as they climbed 18-12 with "(Hey Baby) They're Playing Our Song" in its 6th week on the Hot 100. Unfortunately, that would be their peak as they spent a second week there before falling off. The hit single was from their new album "Portraits". The "B" side classic was a track from their previous album, the great "Time And Charges". And Our Love - Buckinghams
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 18, 2016 22:06:40 GMT -5
"Too fast to live, too young to die, bye bye." The lyric also tells the tale of this Eagles' 45 chart life. "James Dean" fell from its #77 peak to #86 in its fifth week in the Hot 100. The following week "James Dean" was 86ed from the Hot 100. This week's "B" side classic is a great grinding rocker featuring Glenn Frey's vocals and virtuoso slide guitar work by then new member Don Felder. Good Day In Hell - Eagles
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Post by mga707 on Oct 18, 2016 22:24:18 GMT -5
"Too fast to live, too young to die, bye bye." The lyric also tells the tale of this Eagles' 45 chart life. "James Dean" fell from its #77 peak to #86 in its fifth week in the Hot 100. The following week "James Dean" was 86ed from the Hot 100. This week's "B" side classic is a great grinding rocker featuring Glenn Frey's vocals and virtuoso slide guitar work by then new member Don Felder. Good Day In Hell - EaglesGood choice! Yes, at this time in 1974 it would have been safe to assume that The Eagles were finished as a singles band. After having three Top 40 singles from their first album, their second one ("Desperado") failed to generate any, and their third LP, 1974's "On the Border" had only managed to generate one that peaked in the 30s, "Already Gone". But the next single released turned everything around, and it is especially surprising as it was the third single from the album: The number one hit "Best Of My Love". After that the band was a singles powerhouse until their 1981 breakup. Four more number ones, four more Top 10s, and even the lowest-charting single reached #11: "Life In the Fast Lane".
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 27, 2016 22:01:09 GMT -5
The "A" side had made its Hot 100 debut at #45. The following week it would debut in the Top 40 at #3, on the way to a 4 week run at the top. It was supposedly all Paul on the Beatles classic "Yesterday". The "B" side classic was all Ringo on lead vocals. John Fogarty would later write in "Looking Out My Back Door": Dinosaur Victrola. Listenin' to Buck Owens.Ringo did and his remake of Buck's #1 C&W hit charted for 7 weeks, peaking at #48. Act Naturally - Beatles
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Post by 1finemrg on Nov 3, 2016 20:19:17 GMT -5
The first single from my favorite Stevie Wonder album "Innervisions" was in the last phase of its chart run on November 3, 1973. Having peaked at #4, "Higher Ground" fell out of the Top 10 to #16. The song would stop at #23 and #33 before exiting the Hot 100. A great groove with a poignant message are the highlights of this week's "B" side classic. It's also the opening track from Stevie's album. Too High - Stevie Wonder
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Post by 1finemrg on Nov 11, 2016 23:36:23 GMT -5
As Casey mentioned in this week broadcast countdown from November 13, 1971, Cat Stevens was appearing for the third time in the Top 40 during this year. "Peace Train" was his first Top 10 single, and it was in the middle of the three week stay at its #7 peak position. It was the second single off "Teaser And The Firecat" The leadoff track from Cat's previous album "Tea For The Tillerman" was chosen as the flip. This week's "B" side classic is a great social conscious commentary that was a recurring theme in the early 70s (What's Going On, Family Of Man, Ball Of Confusion). Where Do The Children Play? - Cat Stevens
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Post by 1finemrg on Nov 16, 2016 22:31:56 GMT -5
For this week's "B" side classic, we're going to rewind back to November 11, 1972. Leon Russell's highest charting single was spending its final week in the Hot 100 falling from 20 to 45. "Tight Rope" had peaked at #11. This week's "B" side is one of the several pop standards Leon wrote. In 1976 the "B" side would peak one notch higher as an "A" side, reaching #10 when covered by George Benson. This Masquerade - Leon Russell
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Post by 1finemrg on Nov 22, 2016 6:25:00 GMT -5
For this week's "B" side classic, we're going to rewind back to November 11, 1972. Leon Russell's highest charting single was spending its final week in the Hot 100 falling from 20 to 45. "Tight Rope" had peaked at #11. This week's "B" side is one of the several pop standards Leon wrote. In 1976 the "B" side would peak one notch higher as an "A" side, reaching #10 when covered by George Benson. This Masquerade - Leon RussellKaren and Richard Carpenter were fans of Leon Russell. They had reached #3 with "Superstar", a song that Leon wrote with Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie). The follow-up album showcased Leon's "A Song For You". Not only was it the album's title, their version bookended the album. It was recorded as the opening track, and closed out the album as the reprise. The next album "Now & Then" saw the duo go back and cover great songs of the 60s. It included the nostalgic "Yesterday Once More" and "Sing" which was written by "Sesame Street" staff songwriter Joe Raposo. The album also included an oldies medley, covering sixties classics like "Johnny Angel" and "Dead Man's Curve". They continued the oldies trend, releasing a Motown cover which would become their third and final #1 single. "Please Mr. Postman" debuted at #77 on the Hot 100 on November 23, 1974. Nine weeks later, what was Motown's first #1 single originally sung by the Marvelettes would reach the peak for a week a second time courtesy of the Carpenters. If this week's "B" side classic has a feeling of de ja vu, there's a good reason. From "Now & Then", it was the flip of "Please Mr. Postman". This Masquerade - Carpenters
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