Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Taj Mahal.

taj
Taj Mahal >She Caught the Katy

I need to regain my credibility.

In 1969, my new best friend's dad was an executive at Columbia Records. In an unbelievable turn of events for music freaks, every weekend he would give us two tickets to the Fillmore East in New York. The Fillmore was nearing it's peak; at least two A level acts every show, top ticket prices were $5.50 (still too much for a high school senior), and not every seat was sold in the 3000 seat auditorium. And the Joshua Light Show. My friend knew a lot more about the acts than I did (he was a great musician himself, and his father's access gave him a lot of information), but I'd go every week even if I hadn't heard of anyone on the bill; the Fillmore's credibility was such that I just knew I'd learn something. (It was a bonding experience with my friend that has served us well for 35 years.)

The last weekend in April was a case in point. I thought 'Taj Mahal' was a building, James Cotton had to be cool (he was older, black, and in a blues band), and I thought I couldn't stand Joni Mitchell. (It's for another post, but when Joni came out in a long, red velour, dress and sang her first song accapella, I had to throw out all my bad attitudes towards 'chick' singer-songwriters.)

My friend had just met Taj at his father's office and said his record was cool. The band opened the night and Taj and Jesse Ed Davis, his guitarist, blew me away. They still do. This track is my favorite from that period, and I'm sure if I Googled it, I would know the blues history of what the hell "she caught the katy" means.

Taj Mahal >She Caught the Katy

(By the way, it's funny what comes up when you search Amazon for Taj Mahal.)

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Bowling for Soup

BfS
Bowling for Soup >1985

No way could I have any interest in this band. Free CDs from Jive Records, an offer to produce a reality show about them. Nothing.

Now this track is my nine year old son's favorite. It's fun.

Bowling for Soup >1985

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

William DeVaughn and Massive Attack

be thankful

William DeVaughn >Be Thankful For What You Got

Massive Attack >Be Thankful For What You've Got

When you asked me about Massive Attack's Blue Lines the other day, it turned out to be the only MA in my collection, but I'd never opened it. I bought it when it was released because of their cover of William DeVaugn's Be Thankful for What You Got. I suppose it was enough to buy it to be reminded of the original, which has to be in the top 50 of one-hit-wonders.

(It's funny, and it says something about the difference between DeVaughn's America and MA's Britain -I'll let you figure out what- that the original is titled Be Thankful For What You Got, and the British cover is titled Be Thankful For What You've Got.)

William DeVaughn >
Be Thankful For What You Got

Massive Attack >
Be Thankful For What You've Got

Friday, March 04, 2005

The First KLM Top 10

I've waited my whole life to have a record on the charts with the Beatles, and now three records I've produced have gotten there. (5, 9, & 10)

Who knew my friend Dennis would pick KLM's big winner? And my only other surprise in this first KLM Top 10 is Audrey Hepburn seems to more soulful than Mable John.

1
Wendy Rene >Bar-B-Q


2
Audrey Hepburn >Moon River


3
Johnny Cash >Get Rhythm


4
Mable John >Don't Hit Me No More


5
Mississippi Fred McDowell >John Henry


6
Aaron Neville >For Your Precious Love


7
Dan Penn >I'm Your Puppet


8
Beatles >Birthday


9
Joe Lee Wilson >It's You or No One


10 copy
Hank Jones >Bloomdido