If you have read my other Neil Young blogs, you might surmise that the 1970s was my favorite decade for his music. The 1980s was a very uneven one for Young, his musical styles were all over the place and the quality of his efforts was mixed as well. By the end of the 1970s, … More Neil Young in the 1980s
When a recording artist wants “hits” only, they or their record company release a hits, or best of, collection. The intent is the most popular airplay, sales or charting songs. The anthology is a whole different animal. This collection has some required hit songs, but the intent is to go beyond a greatest hits or … More Anthologies or Greatest Hits?
Success in the music industry is fickle, a creature of timing, promotion, talent, and luck. Here are five albums I own that sadly were neglected and passed into history. Larry Lee, Marooned. The sweet, polished vocalist of “Jackie Blue” of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Offered a solo album where he wrote or co-wrote the songs, … More A Dozen Debut Albums that Failed Expectations, but are Deserve a Listen
These 50 year anniversaries are a bit depressing, how can so much time has passed? I was a teenager then, but not quite age legal to drive. The early 1970s was one of the most eclectic periods in music. The phrase, anything goes, could apply to what you heard in 1972. I am known as … More 1972: The Year in Music (50 Years Ago)
No, this isn’t about erectile dysfunction. The other day I posted a blog about songs over 10 minutes in length. A colleague humorously suggested compiling a list of songs that are shorter than two minutes. Okay, let’s do it! I’m placing a caveat that these have to be post- 1960, as in the old days, … More Two Minutes or Less
Remember when Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was played at parties? What a junior high trip that was. Turn down the lights, turn up the music and get your groove on. Long songs are truly an art form. Let me qualify that. I don’t mean long, repetitive, meandering and self-indulgent noise, half of which is a drum … More Best Songs Longer Than 10 Minutes
This was one of the most eclectic years in music. It was easy to hear any kind of music on the radio or placed on the charts. Radio was becoming equally divided between AM and FM stations, and crossover songs between genres was common. This was the heart of classic rock, a mixture of pop, … More Best Albums of 1975
It usually takes skill and/or training to be successful at your craft. Talent also helps, but in popular music, there is another factor, the material and the presentation that matter to fans. There are tons of singers, just watch one of of those TV talent shows, most of which you wouldn’t pay money to hear. … More Singers or Vocalists?
Let’s assume Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Duane Allman are in the discussion for best guitarists, however you would rank them. Let’s look at some other innovative and versatile guitarists. These players are responsible for defining the sound of their bands, or their own trademark … More Innovative Guitarists
Here are 25 albums that failed to get the love they deserve. These albums have taken a backseat in the artist’s catalog, perhaps without benefit of a charting single or surrounding a band lineup change. It may have gone out of print or the rights became tied up. Quality music fails to connect for a … More Underrated Albums
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