Could somebody explain to me how the 60s morphed into the 70s? If pot mellows you out and coke speeds you up, shouldn’t the music of the 70s have been louder and rougher than what came before? Did Gerald Ford numb everyone to death? Please help me understand how Mitch Ryder turned into Robert Palmer! Please!
Month: July 2015
Simon & Garfunkel/ Paul Simon
Given that I am the egghead white father of two non-white sons, you might think I’d be a big fan of egghead white Paul Simon and his exploration (co-option?) of pretty much every non-white musical style ever invented. You would be wrong. (On the other hand, I had an Uncle Al and a Cousin Betty who were indeed “pals” and who both died prematurely, so the song about Al and Betty always brings a lump to my throat, for reasons Mr. Simon never intended.)
Shirley Horn
In the 80s, the Verve record label was revived, and in turn decided to revive the careers of some notable female jazz vocalists who had fallen into obscurity. Tops among them were Joe’s favorite Betty Carter, Abbey “You gotta pay the band, even if you spend most of your time yelling at them” Lincoln, and Ms. “Here’s to Life” herself, Shirley Horn.
Seventies Soul/Folk Women
This is basically a made-up category, but as a child of the 70s, I wanted to recognize the brief period where there were a number of female artists whose music and lyrics pretty much identified them as folk singers, but who had a rich, soulful delivery that Joan Baez would probably sell all her diamonds for. (The one dude I can think of in this category was Donny Hathaway, who will get his own list in round two.) (Also, I promise not to make any jokes about Janis Ian, even though I think “At Seventeen” is the most unintentionally hilarious song ever. As a gay guy who went to an all-boys Catholic high school, I know those years can be tough. But good Lord—get a grip, woman.)
Seventies Heartland Rock
The 70s gave us the post-Stonewall gay rights movement, women’s lib, a well-meaning, if not entirely successful, attempt at true nationwide school desegregation (aka busing) … and REO Speedwagon.
Oh well, you can’t win ’em all.
Seventies Funk
Did you know Rick James was Canadian? Me, neither. There go all my “no funk” Canadian stereotypes. Plus: The 10 songs you can play at any party, anywhere, for any age group, and everyone will be up dancing with no exception.
Seventies Blue-Eyed Soul
Like most things that straddle both decades, the blue-eyed soul from the 70s is slicker and smoother than its 60s counterparts. Like most things that straddle both decades, I prefer the 60s version—proof that I am officially an old fogey.
Seventies Album Rock
It’s hard to argue that there’s much that is “influential, important, or interesting” about this music. But Journey was Daveon’s favorite band for awhile, so I had to get them in here somewhere. Plus, I actually kind of like Boston (while Max detests them, so go figure).
Sarah Vaughan
On the list of “jazz stars I have killed,” Sarah Vaughan is #1 (i.e., I had tickets to see her, and she died a few days before the show—a phenomenon that has happened to me, and more unfortuately, to various jazz stars, more than once). She is also #1 on my list of “favorite jazz singers who actually sing the melody” (i.e., not Betty Carter).
Santana
I suppose I should love Santana, given that he lives in the Bay Area, is vaguely Latin jazz-y, and is all about peace and love.
I don’t.
Playlist of the Day 