Improvisation is the hallmark of Jazz, and few artists embraced this more than guitarist Sandy Bull and drummer Billy Higgins. In 1963, they combined forces to record Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo, an early example of folding musical elements from around the world into western recordings. It was also recorded two years before the Kinks would use the sitar on their 1965 single “See My Friends” and help craft “raga rock.”
“Blend II” is from Bull’s 1965 follow up Inventions, and is another fantastic conversation between two musicians and their instruments. It’s an intimate experience and a musical journey that travels from continent to continent, giving praise to various musical cultures.
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As the golden age of hip hop moved from the 80’s into the 90’s, the once urban African American dominated musical genre not only stretched across the country but the cultural isle. Enter the Delinquent Habits; following the success of DJ Muggs and Cypress Hill, the hip hop group from Norwalk, California released “Tres Delinquents,” a platinum selling single that spent twenty weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and drew praise for its handling of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass’ “The Lonely Bull.” It also helped move the Latin American bilingual hip hop voice that Mellow Man Ace and Kid Frost helped to establish towards the mainstream.
“Tres Delinquentes” was released in 1996 and showcases the vibrant musical and cultural diversity we have in the United States. It was produced by a Cuban born American, with rapping from a self-described “blaxican,” featuring music originally written by Jewish Chicagoans and performed by the Wrecking Crew, a legendary group of studio musicians from various cultural backgrounds and hubs from all over the country. It’s rare when a band covers a song in a way that not only pays homage to the original, but offers an altered perspective, shifting it to a different place. Such is the case with Van Halen’s version of “Dancing In The Street, ” written by Marvin Gaye and William Stevenson and originally recorded by Martha and the Vandellas. It has become a signature Motown song, covered by not only VH, but The Kinks, The Mamas and Papas, The Grateful Dead and even Mick Jagger and David Bowie.
Like most people my age, I heard Martha and the Vandellas’ version first, but Van Halen’s has become my favorite. It’s spacy and funky, with underrated vocal performances, and it’s just a lot of fun. I also love this version because it was from a band known for its hero rock guitarist who left his guitar on it’s stand to showcase his Minimoog synthesizer skills and keyboarding talents. We lost that musician last Tuesday. By all accounts Eddie Van Halen was a sweetheart of a person, who struggled with substance abuse and overcame those demons. He will also be remembered for his fabulous guitar work, his song writing, and as the musical leader of a mid-70’s west coast party band with a flamboyant singer that made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Cars are one of those quintessential bands tied to Boston and the 80’s, except that their chief songwriting duo met in Cleveland, and many of their most memorable hits were released in the 70’s. They’re also one of those bands that never stuck out as significant, even though they sold millions of albums, with timeless singles that everyone fondly remembers.
Orr and Ocasek met in Cleveland Ohio in 1965 and started performing together shortly after around central Ohio and Michigan. They relocated to Boston in the early 70’s and formed Milkwood, a folk rock band signed to Paramount Records that failed to gain popularity. Soon after the two formed the Cars and with the help of local radio play from their demos, they were able to secure a deal with Elektra Records. “Bye Bye Love” was written by Ocasek and sung by Orr. It’s found on their eponymous debut, released on June 6th of 1978. It’s an underrated song and would have been a single if it wasn’t overshadowed by “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” and “Good Times Roll.” We lost Benjamin Orr on October 3rd of 2000 and Rick Ocasek on September 15th of 2019. They aren’t thought of like Lennon–McCartney, or Jagger–Richards, but for a time in musical history, they wrote some of the catchiest pop songs ever. |
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