Monday, November 4, 2013

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: Remember These?

See All The Other Entries In Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday Here!!!
The door is open wide and the wind is blowing through the house.  Papers are flying off the table and
landing half open and scattered throughout the living room.  The cats are running wild across the furniture as they seed to find the ghosts in the ceiling that they keep seeing, while my wife and I only can imagine.  

At least that's what is occurring in my mind.


Why?

Jen did it to us again!  Instead of giving us a theme or direction, she's stated that this week's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday is a Dealer's Choice!  In other words, do whatever theme you desire.  OMG, the possibilities!  Which direction should I go?  What should I choose?  What would another person enjoy listening to?

And, what am I willing to use here instead of in another of my Wednesday postings on Raised On Radio?

I believe that every person that has ever been a disc jockey in radio has favorites that didn't quite make the normal playlist rotation.  These might have been songs that were too long, didn't fit the station image just right, or simply didn't appeal to the masses at the time.  Oh, some would have probably hit in later years, but the narrow minded program and music directors made decisions that hid some of these songs for years.

Now, my problem is twofold.  First, I must consider songs that today's audience might like.  Something that isn't so dated that people will turn it off after a few seconds and say, "Oh yeah, I heard a million like that on some oldies station!"  Second, I've got to be able to find these on Youtube in order to share them with you.

So, let us give this a shot.  Since I write from the seat of my pants and haven't investigated the availability of these yet, this may become a long evening.  Hopefully, it will be a good one for you.

First, a group that not many have heard of.  The first released their self titled album in 1968.  It did okay, especially locally in the Detroit area from where they were discovered.  In 1969, they release an album that did much better.  The album was called "Milestones" and the group was SRC.  On milestones, they found several songs that fit the FM format of the day, but instead, chose on releasing two songs that would never make the Top 40 Charts.  The first song was one of an child angel, sitting on a cloud in Heaven, looking down at humans on Earth.  Having had no childhood of his own, the angel proclaimed that he would forsake all of Heaven if he could just have a life of his own.  God was listening and granted his wish, but with the stipulation the angel would have no memory of Heaven.  The song was simply entitled, "The Angel Song."  

The bad thing is, there is no good video of this song.  A 2012 reunion of SRC on tour video exists, but the vocals are fuzzy and the music almost sounding as if someone with a cell phone recorded the event.  However don't fret.  This next song of theirs is worth a listen, too!  It's called, "Hall of the Mountain King / Bolero" and yes, it is the same as the classical music offering you might have heard in music appreciation class.  Did I say the same?  Well, it's the song, but done with electric guitars and instruments of the time.  Folks, this is the best rocking version of the song I've ever heard.  Don't stop until you've listened to the whole thing.  I know you'll be impressed!



Everybody's heard of the Doobie Brothers.  At least, anybody that's listened to real music, instead of the manufactured Pop of today.  Yes, the Doobie Brothers got their name as they were a biker bar band before becoming popular, and when they started playing, the doobies got lit up.  Patrick Simmons told me that in an interview decades ago.  If it's not true, don't blame me.

The Doobies had pop hit after pop hit.  My all time favorite song of theirs is "South City Midnight Lady" which shows a greater depth to their music than pounding out the standard beats.  However, even that song received good air play time.  So, in keeping with my theme, I give you another song that really demonstrated their abilities as complete musicians, "I Cheat The Hangman."



In 1973, Leon Russell toured the United States and created a double live album.  I was lucky enough to see the show at the Exhibition Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Leon was a classic musician, and had gained great notoriety touring with Joe Cocker on the Mad Dogs And Englishmen tour.  Earlier that year, he had released a song called "Tightrope" that lit up the charts and finally got him the attention he deserved.  Even in recent years, he collaborated with Elton John in creating an album.  Elton has stated he was in total awe of the man during the entire effort.  I say I learned how to speak Southern by listening and copying Leon's Texas accent, and believe it or not, that's the truth!  Still, the inner soul of the man comes out best in a slow song describing his earlier experience with Mr. Cocker.  Here's the title track,  "Ballad of Mad Dogs And Englishmen."



The double album of "Jesus Christ Superstar" came out while I was in high school.  It was one of the first rock operas done to a religious theme.  I can't tell you how condemned it was by small town churches throughout middle America.  I remember freaking people out in Latin Class as he and I would look at each other and sing, "What's the buzz, tell me what's happening" over and over.  Of course, the teacher would look at us and make one of her notoriously sarcastic threats, "I'm going to become a mad, raving, raging tiger and slash out with my claws and slice both of you two up if you don't stop that!"  Yeah, she was a cool hippie, too!

Yvonne Elliman, probably best known for her disco hit, "If I Can't Have You", performed a song as Mary Magdalene in this production that wasn't necessarily looked at for its religious association, but more for lovers during times that weren't exactly perfect.  Here's a song that was played fairly heavy back then, but seems to have been completely forgotten by radio today, "I Don't Know How To Love Him."


Let's travel back to 1973 again.  Tampa, Florida's baseball field (don't even think about asking me the name of it), was a concert that was more kick ass than ever anticipated.  J.Geils and his band were the headliners, Spooky Tooth was the middle, and some unknown band called White Witch was the opener.  White Witch?  Who the hell is White Witch?  Let me just say that White Witch was a kick ass band that never got the airplay it deserved.  Why?  Probably because of this song.  

This is a song that is still played at concerts today, either in the recorded music before the show, or as you're leaving the show.  I heard it leaving a Megadeth concert several years ago, and it immediately brought back memories that made me smile so huge my wife thought I was on something.  (I was, but that's another story.)  White Witch released two psychedelic albums that demonstrated much of their talent.  Sad things was, it was all over the place.  They could do anything.  So, I guess one could blame their failure as a band on a lack of focus.  Still "It's So Nice To Be Stoned" didn't help them getting airplay, as radio was somewhat afraid of playing that one, or having that one requested for airplay.  Just easier to eliminate any of the band's offerings I guess.  Enough talk.  Here's the classic, "It's So Nice To Be Stoned!"  Listen to the words in this one!  They will create a smile, guaranteed!


Radio has a way of destroying music.  It's called lets talk the artists into shortening the song.  Loggins & Messina released "Angry Eyes" in 1972 on their self titled album.  It was seven minutes and forty-two seconds long.  Most stations refused to play it.  So, Loggins & Messina shortened it.  To me, it ruined the song.  To them, it got people to listen to it, buy the albums, and hear the complete version.  To hear them play the full song in concert was bliss.  The quality of the musicians, the intensity of the music, and the lull of the rhythm pulled you into a world of Loggins & Messina that ended when their partnership did, and Kenny Loggins went his way into pop stardom.  Well, they got back together and are still kickin' sand in the face of walker with wheels music directors.  From 2012, this is Loggins & Messina with the full concert version of "Angry Eyes!"  Enjoy!


And that's it!  Gotta save some for future posts.  Hope you enjoyed these.  Please visit the rest of the great writers in this hop and check out their "Dealer's Choice" posts.  Yep, could be damn interesting to say the least.  So, leave here and go do it, but first, please leave a comment!  I'm going to listen to White Witch again and remember the good old days, or at least, what I remember of them.  Something blurred them somewhat.  Oh well, back to White Witch!!!!

Ciao!!!

Okay, okay, just in case you wanted to listen to "The Angel Song" by SRC, 
here's the video.  Again, I remind you, it's not the best, but the song if fantastic!!



36 comments:

  1. Wow, Rich, your music knowledge is very impressive.

    Great to be reminded of the Doobie Brothers and Yvonne Elliman (I haven't heard her stuff for ages).

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    1. Bryan - Thanks for stopping by today! You're only too kind. I fell in love with the Doobies when they opened in the Indianapolis Colossium, in June of '73, for Rod Stewart and Faces. I'm a fan of the Tom Johnston Doobies, and don't even call them the Doobies during the Mike McDonald /Steely Dan era. Yvonne, well, most people only know her for her two hits. I invite all to check out her Greatest Hits album to really get a fair sampling of her magnificent voice! Glad you enjoyed! Many Thanks!

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  2. Haven't heard Elliman for a bit too. I don't know how to love him speaks for us all!

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    1. Michelle, so good of you to visit, my friend. Let me help you out in the understanding category here. Back in the 70's, even though Women's Lib was going strong, small town teenagers still lived the life of heroes and teen beauty queens. Cliques ran crazy when one of the "elite" chose to date someone "below" the clique status. Usually, the pressure of the clique created problems for the "underling" in the relationship. Be it male or female, "I Don't Know How To Love Him (or sometimes, "Her") was the thought when these break ups took place. No, there was no "Godliness" involved, only teenagers in love suffering because the cliques didn't approve of mingling in other groups. You gotta remember, we were teenagers in those early years of the '70's. Logic meant nothing if the chorus of the song fit the emotion. Hope that helps a little! Many Thanks!

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  3. Completely love the Leon Russell song and hadn't heard the Yvonne Elliman version of that song before. Fantastic list!

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    1. Dream - Appreciate you visiting! Glad you enjoyed Leon. I've strayed for several years away from listening to him, and it felt good to bring him back in my life. The soundtrack to "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" is a complete winner, and, you'll get to hear the sweet young tones of a budding singer in Maureen McGovern, too. As far as Leon goes, the best greatest hits collection I've found is "Retrospective." I have all his albums and cd's, so I don't know why I bought it, but I know it will always be a keeper. Glad you liked this one!

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  4. I think you should start a music appreciation class. I will sign all the teens of today up for it and you will make a fortune! Although I expected as a former DJ you would give J Geils a little more respect :) Not only was he from Boston I remember thinking it was so cool that at one time he was a DJ on our favorite radio station.

    So, when do classes start?

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    1. Kerri - So very good to see you! Music has truly been with me in every phase of my life, and has advised me many times. I can't tell you the number of times I did just as it said during, "It's so nice to be stoned!" lol I have nothing against the J.Geils Band. Their big hit that year was "Give It To Me", which is another story of radio getting the band to cut a short version for radio play. They have a lot of classic tracks, with one of my favorites being "No Anchovies, Please!" :) And, of course, Peter Wolf was the ultimate Rock 'n Roll front man. Classes? Guess I need to create a course guide first. That'll probably take a decade, so please, don't hold your breath. lol Many Thanks!

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  5. Love the Leon Russell

    This is music that was in my house, somewhat, in the late 1970s.

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    1. Lance - Thank you sir for dropping in. Means a lot, believe me. Leon is / was a true legend that is just now starting to get the respect he's deserved for years. His songs were always powerful in so many ways, yet, seldom brought to the forefront of radio listening. You parents had good taste, my friend! Many Thanks!

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  6. I'm not sure Jen realizes the anarchy she inspired by opening all doors of heaven and hell for this week's mix tape, but this should be exhibit A. Beautifully played, friend. What will be said of the 70s 50 years from now?

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    1. CD - What musical intials you have, sir! Good to have you visiting today! Jen may not know what she does at times when she allows the floodgates to open without valve control. Still, maybe she does! lol I do thank you for your kind words. As far as the future, I think you'll hear someone saying, "This was the music that was made before corporations decided to ruin it!" Many Thanks!

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  7. My husband and I had the longest discussion about the Doobies pre-Michael McDonald and post. Being the Steely Dan aficionado that I am, I knew the story of it. But it still begs the question... I mean what a change in sound. I think that might be a Raised on the Radio post in the wings. My husband listens to all the "old" Doobie stuff like this, so for me it wasn't strange, but I am a Michael fan...hmmm
    And man... I Don't Know How to Love Him is a personal favorite.
    AND OMG!! DO I totally agree with Angry Eyes! In my house it's the original version or NOTHING!
    You might have to use it's so nice to be stoned again for Kerri's list. If you don't I might steal it. Great, my son just asked me "Why is it so nice to be stoned? Wait? What's illegal possession?" Thanks Rich.

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    1. Jen - The Queen of the Hop stops by! All hail the Queen of the Hop! lol The Doobie Brothers were a biker bar band that knew how to rock and roll. Tom Johnston got sick and Mike McDonald stepped in (thanks to record producers) and made the band commercially successful. Tom Johnston, being the Rock 'n Roller he was, said, "The hell with this crap" and left the band to do his solo album, which sounded more Doobies than the Steely Dan / Mike McDonald Doobies ever would. In other words, Mike McDonald used the Doobies to get himself known and then said the hell with the band. Tom Johnston, knowing that the band needs to get back to its roots to gather back the really loyal fan base they had, comes back and gives it the old college try. But, too late! McDonald had ruined the band's reputation. Until a couple of years ago, the Doobies had only little known success with one song called "The Doctor." During all of this time, McDonald is acting like he's a soul god and doing R&B albums. Can you guess whose side of the argument I might be on? lol I'm not saying that I didn't like some of the songs of those "bad" years with MM, I'm only saying it really wasn't the Doobie Brothers. It was more like, "Here's Mike McDonald being accompanied in his arrangement by the Doobie Brothers back-up players!" Him and Skunk Baxter were great artists, and I loved Steely Dan, but the Doobies suffered tremendously because of that phase of the band's career. L&M's Angry Eyes almost got a sister song listed immediately after. That would have been Poco's "Crazy Eyes." Yep, another casualty of a tremendous song being shortened for radio. I thought I'd made my point though. lol Sorry about the White Witch relevance to the household. Still, as CS&N would say, "Teach Your Children Well!" :) Many Thanks!

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  8. Interesting mix. I love the explanations to the songs as well.

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    1. SAM - Glad you enjoyed this. I had a lot of fun trying to stay awake and write it. lol Actually, I had a hard time keeping it halfway reasonable lengthwise. There's really so much today's theme allowed us to include. Many Thanks!

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  9. damn! takes me back! (hey! listen to this, I put thumb tack on all the hammers in the piano* it's so nice to be stoned)

    The Loggins and Messina… it is so cool that artists do a songs as well 30 or 40 years later.
    Leon Russell! voted best investment in a dormitory room album 6 years running!! I would tell you how many times his 'A Song for You' helped me in my efforts to get to know a number of college coeds better, another time perhaps.

    *true event… I'm pretty sure I was there (not a concert or anything, the college pub/coffee shop…they loved it!)

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    1. Clark - I really appreciate you stopping in, my friend! Glad to supply you with a road to travel into the past on. Thumb tacks? OMG, you were the wild one, weren't you? lol (Just out of curiosity, since I've little to no knowledge of playing the piano, did that make them hit sharper?) I pretty much stayed stoned much of the time way back then. I just wish I could remember all of the witty things I thought I said and did! Loggins & Messina were truly a concert act. They extended most of their songs to the point of masterpiece level, and you truly didn't want the show to end. They're one of the few bands I saw three times or more. I always found "Back To The Island" one of the great songs for college love situations. It's amazing how many times the tongue traveled back during that song. But, that's another story and this is a family blog. lol Many Thanks!

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    2. yeah, gave the notes that harpsichord-barrelhouse treble thing… thought of it with the It's nice to… song had a little of that sound…enough to crank up the 'way back machine'

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    3. Gotcha! Had a feeling that might be it. Gotta give you credit for that one. Way back then, we used to have a Noble Roman's Pizza joint that used that theme for their place. Used to be a real party place late on Friday nights. Kind of a Straw Hat Skimmer type of place with the piano pounding out old songs from the 20's and 30's. God, the memories! lol Many Thanks!

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    4. OMG - Clark. HAHAHAH. That piano comment. HAHAHAH

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    5. Clark - I think you've amused Cyndi again! I'm going to step aside and let you two enjoy! :)

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  10. Holy crap I want to know more about the Angel Song and not remembering about Heaven. Sounds like an amazing song. I couldn't find it either...
    Holy shit that Bolero is THE BEST EVER...sortof says a big f** you to the music teachers everywhere who never "got it." For real I love how it got so "new" intense....
    Laughing at the White Witch one and your wife's comment's. I recognize the tune as well but had no idea where it was from!!
    I saw the Doobie Brothers in concert. At RED ROCKS. I know. Be jealous now. At the time I didn't appreciate them but man, what a bragging right now.


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    1. Kristi - What's happening, sis? Thanks for stopping by! SRC was a decent band with a couple of really good songs. Some of their stuff was below par for the radio of the time, so they didn't get much air time. Usually late night when most listeners were pretty well toasted, if you know what I mean. I've got both White Witch albums. They could really rock it. Kind of sad this song was the one that really put them on the map. They could have gone far. I would like to see a concert at Red Rocks once. I understand it's a perfect venue. I saw them just as The Captain and Me album was being released. That was also when I got to interview Patrick Simmons. To this day, I really consider him one of the band's highlights as his guitar work is phenomenal! Many Thanks!

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  11. I have a love/hate relationship with ItHotMK...always loved listening to it, always hated playing it (the orchestral arrangements I've played have always been in a wicked, evil key for clarinet...TOO MANY SHARPS!). And who doesn't love Bolero? Hearing them together, in this particular incarnation...? Wow.

    I saw the Doobies a couple years ago, in the pouring rain, high on Vidodin after having had 3 wisdom teeth pulled earlier that week. They played all the pop radio fodder, but nothing as sweet as ICtH, which I've never heard!

    BoMDaE is another I've never heard...it's beautiful!

    LOVE JCS!! Back in high school, at the insistence of a great friend who would often accompany me on piano when I sang or played, we auditioned for a solo in the spring concert on IDKHTLH. I don't know for sure, but I've always thought that the reason we didn't get it had nothing to do with our abilities (because we were pretty damn good, though I'm definitely no Yvonne Elliman!), but rather because of the line, "And I've had so many men before in very many ways...he's just one more." I rocked that line, but I was only 16. Our chorus teacher nearly had a stroke.

    I didn't think I'd ever heard ISNTBS, but I was wrong. I heard it played once, in 1997, after seeing Missing Persons in concert at a local bar. I was 19, was hanging out late to discuss the logistics of a hookup with the bass player for one of the opening bands, and this song was playing. Holy memories, Batman! ;-)

    Angry Eyes has always been one of my favorites from Loggins & Messina, and The Angel Song is haunting...I can only imagine what it sounds like minus the crappy recording situation.

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    1. Kelly - Like you said, "Wow!" I have no idea where to start here. Great comments all the way through! In high school, we used to change IDKHTLH verse to "I've loved so many girls/boys before .... " It didn't get us in trouble and allowed us to put a current meaning to it in the breaking up stage of teenage life! lol Bass player, huh? I won't ask how the beat of the later evening went. I'm too much of a gentleman. (cough cough) I think you can purchase the Angel Song for .99 off of Amazon.com. It might be worth a buck, if nothing more than the novelty of hearing it the way it should be heard. Many Thanks!

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  12. Very Nice List!!! Loved your #1 Selection and I just kicked back, relaxed, and enjoyed Angry Eyes. Thanks, Slu

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    1. Slu - Good to see you here, sir! "...Mountain King / Bolero" by SRC was a fav of mine way back when. I've tried to keep it alive for those who never heard it. It was a toss up between Angry Eyes and Vahevala. However, since I've mentioned the later in another blog a while back, I decided it was Angry Eye's turn. Glad you enjoyed! Many Thanks!

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  13. This was a blast to listen my way through and read your descriptions. I had never heard the Doobie Brothers sounding like that and didn’t even know they had a sound like that. I love it when I hear a track by a band that is so different from their commercially successful sound (early Fleetwood Mac comes to mind the most). I loved the Leon Russell track. Once I was at a party that had great music playing all night, some I knew and some I didn’t, and it turned out to be set to a Leon Russell channel on Pandora--so cool! The White Witch song was fun to hear--never heard of it. I’m looking forward to listening to more of your Twisted Mixtapes in the future.

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    1. Marcy - Thanks so for visiting! The Doobies were / are so talented it was / is unbelievable. I say that because they're back together (as many here have seen) and kicking it strong. "Toulouse Street" and "The Captain And Me" were the two albums that provided many of their early hits, but I think "Stampede" and "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" were the two that really showcased their musical abilities. I love your reference to Fleetwood Mac. Many don't know that Bob Welch and Peter Green were two of the greats that left the band during the years of "Bare Trees" and "Mystery To Me" albums. Enter Christine McVie on "Bare Tree" and Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks on "Fleetwood Mac" and a blues rock band turns into a successful pop band! I still go back and forth as to whose version of "Black Magic Woman" is best, the early Fleetwood Mac or Santana's. Leon has so much good music with the Shelter People that so many haven't yet heard. I can only push them his direction and hope they discover his greatness as I did over 40 years ago. White Witch ... well, I think I've already said it! lol Looking forward to you being here in the future. Many Thanks!

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  14. Right... first of all, I feel a little... uneducated in this department because I know NONE of those songs, lol! Secondly, I'm sorry I haven't been visiting your blog for so long. It's been a bit of a juggling act with this half day job. I really don't know how you do all you do with a full day job! Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog. :) I'm glad that I'll have time to do more of the things I wanted to again, and I'm starting already - nevermind January. So I'll be over here a lot more. Hope you're having a great Thursday!

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    1. Melanie - Really good to see you back! I've missed you, my friend! These groups were all before your time by at least twenty years or so. No need to feel bad at all about it. I'm sure there's many, many South African artists I know absolutely nothing about. lol I don't imagine you'll be without a position for long. I know you're much too talented for any intelligent employer to pass up. Don't let life get you down as I can promise you the ride is similar to a rollercoaster, and sometimes just as exciting. I really do feel your fated for great things. Just keep your eyes open so that you can recognize them when they make themselves seen! :) Many Thanks!

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  15. I really enjoyed the theme you took this week. The more we know about a topic, the more specific and rare our favorites become.

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    1. Jean - Thanks for stopping by this week! I'm glad you enjoyed this trip, kind of down memory lane, if you will. It was fun doing it. Many Thanks!

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  16. I always spend quite a bit of time on your posts because you put up so much stuff I don't know. SRC was good! I knew the beat for the first one, but like what happened with it as the song went along. As for the Jesus Christ Superstar choice - a beautiful song. And I didn't know the stoned song - but yes, a happy go lucky sorta romp there.

    Great mix this week with lots of good variety - thanks again. I think the 70s is just a bit of a missed decade in my music knowledge. And I think there a bunch of people who do this hop who are working hard to fix that :)

    Best - Louise

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    1. Louise - Glad you could stop in again this week! I tend to go over the limit a little, but do my best to make it interesting. SRC was definitely a band before their time. Groups like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer had tremendously loyal fans that couldn't stand another of this style in the mix. I find myself going to the 60's and 70's more so than the other decades, as they are indeed my favorites. The 80's were okay, the 90's so-so, and after that, well, I never did like over produced music that sounded the same as the rest. Really glad you enjoy! Many Thanks!

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