- "So don't become some background noise, a backdrop for the girls and boys, who just don't know or just don't care. All we hear is Radio ga ga." How this hasn't been remixed/reworked into a Lady Gaga song is beyond my powers of comprehension. I wasn't quite sure when this song was recorded but the production is a give away that we were talking about the golden age of the 1980s. Turns out the song was released in 1984 -back when I was a part of the Pepsi Generation and several years from being a part of the Electric Youth movement. I can remember having a late night/early morning conversation about music with a guy working the desk at a hotel. It wasn't a hotel where I was staying or visiting anyone but I found myself there none the less. We were talking about the greatest "popular singers" of all time. I threw out a few of my favorites like Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. This dude (an older black guy) told me that Freddie Mercury was the best pop singer ever. The more I listen to Queen the more I can see where he was coming from.
2. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed- The Allman Brothers Band
- (instrumental) There's an episode of the Simpson's (All's Fair in Oven War) where Bart and Milhouse begin to live the "Playdude" lifestyle by doing a number of cool adult things including listening to jazz music. They both seem to enjoy it though Milhouse muses aloud, "I wonder when they'll start singing". "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" has me wondering the same thing. This studio version, found on "Idlewild South" and "A Decade of Hits 1969-1979" clocks in at almost 7 minutes. The famed 1971 live "At Filmore East" album finds the band stretching the number another 6 minutes. At times "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" is tight, focused, and downright funky. At other times it's rather masturbatory and meandering...but hey, I'm just the critic. If you are really a fan of an extended southern rock jams that can take your mind to another dimension I recommend the Allman's "Mountain Jam" from the classic "Eat a Peach" double LP. Not only does it clock in at over 33 minutes but if you have the album on vinyl you'll need to take side 2 off of your record player and put side 4 on to hear the whole thing. Love it.
- "Tryin' to live without your love was one long sleepless night, let me show you girl that I know wrong from right, every street you walk on I leave tear stains on the ground, following the girl I didn't even want around." As far as debut singles go this one isn't half bad, and by that I mean it's one of the greatest of all time. "I Want You Back" introduced America to the Jackson family including some 10 year old named Michael. This song pretty much leaps off your turntable- 2 minutes and 59 seconds of R&B/funk/soul pleasure. This is one of 3 versions of the song in my collection. I have an acoustic cover by Jer Coons which puts the song in a singer/songwriter context. I also have the Z-Trip version from the "Motown Remixed" album which puts it in a hip hop form. My favorite part of the Z-trip remix is the extended intro which gives us a greater appreciation for the wonderful electric guitar riff that forms the basis of the song. I can't tell what's better in the original song- the music track or the vocal. They are both impeccable.
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