Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Tuesday This And That

As to the McCartney special six part series, I was surprised when at the end of Episode 6, there was no closure of any kind.  It was as if you could watch these in any random order, episodes 6 to 1 if you wanted to, and it would not matter.  

I noticed the "interviewer" Rubin (I have no idea who that guy is) often sat down, probably because Paul wanted to.  That guy seemed to TRY to draw Paul into what HE believed was going on, which he was right SOMETIMES and at other times, Paul seemed to nod his head and be thinking, "Yeah, whatever you think."  

Unlike what you say, Kent, I found many new things, especially in the ideas for songs and the mixing of instruments into the songs.  I sure am glad he took out that bit they played in “Maybe I'm Amazed."  THAT was horrible and that song is SOOOOO good.  As you say, the "tuba" sounding bass idea was indeed something I never dreamed of and great to know, especially when he talks about not knowing how to read music. 

Some of the items I would have liked him to touch on would have been that when he said he played the great solo on "Taxman," did he also do the solo on "I’ve Just Seen A Face," which is just as complicated.  I wonder, because when he does that in his shows now, he does not include that great opening. 

When they talked about “Yesterday,” that would have been a good time for him to ask "Why didn't such a big US hit come out on 45 in the UK?"  Answer:  It was one of the songs left off the US Help, but had already been out in the UK on LP for a month before US Capitol decided to take the unissued track for a 45 here.  Usually, the four tracks Capitol would not use for US LPs ended up as LP cuts, but in this case they issued on 45 TWO of them (“Act Naturally,” too).  It would have been a good time for Paul to diss Capitol.  Haha. 

I was kinda hoping he might ask about his screaming songs like “I’m Down” and “Clarabella” and “She’s A Woman” … OR John's "You Can't Do That" or "Twist And Shout" screaming ones.  Odd that he did not talk about either sides of “I Feel Fine” or anything on the great Ringo drumming on "Ticket To Ride."  I believe Chuck Berry later settled with the Beatles on a price for credits on “Come Together.”  I don't think he talked about a single song on my fave LP, "Beatles VI," except a sort bit on "Kansas City."

I certainly enjoyed how they tore the songs down by tracks.  It is funny when one time, Paul and the announcer comment something like "listen to all that is on just ONE track!"  I can’t remember the song, but it was obviously only a 4 track or less, I guess, since the point was that when he moved the slider up on the track, it had three or four things in it, unlike the later songs.  Just a great set of shows that coulda been 12 episodes.

Clark Besch

Another one of the interesting facts revealed during “McCartney 3-2-1” was that George’s guitar solo on “A Hard Day’s Night” had been recorded at half speed and then speeded up to achieve the right sound for the record.  (Although he couldn’t play it fast enough and perfect enough in the studio to make the record, he would ultimately have to LEARN to play it at that speed in order to perform it live from that point forward.)  These again were little techniques that The Beatles incorporated (under the guidance of Producer George Martin) to make “the perfect record.”  (Of course David Seville had already been doing this for YEARS when voicing The Chipmunks!  Lol) 

I know that when I watch it again I’ll discover even more little tidbits that escaped while I was writing my original review.  (This is the kind of special you can watch again and again and learn something new nearly every time you view it!)  kk

After Bob Sirott featured the seven songs by seven Chicagoland artists from the July chart of 1967 on his program again Monday Morning, we got this from Jimy Sohns ...

Those were the good times all right ...

But the best time is are now!

😎🎤🎶🎶

Jimy Sohns

The Shadows Of Knight

Robby Steinhardt, founding member, violinist and co-lead singer of the rock band Kansas, died on Saturday, July 17th.  He had been admitted to Tampa General Hospital on May 13th, suffering from acute pancreatitis and never fully recovered. On the very day that he was scheduled to be moved to a rehabilitation center, a fever set in. Fortunately, Steinhardt was able to greet his wife and daughter, but he passed away just minutes later.

Steinhardt was a founding member of the rock group Kansas, an album rock-oriented band that also found quite a bit of success on the pop singles chart as well.  The band formed in 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, and less than four years later had already recorded one of Classic Rock’s greatest tunes, “Carry On, Wayward Son” (#7, 1977 … and #45 on our list of THE TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME.)  Other hits followed:  “Point Of Know Return” (cowritten by Steinhardt, #17, 1978), “Dust In The Wind” (their biggest hit at #3, 1976), “Portrait (He Knew)” #53, 1978, “People Of The South Wind” (#23, 1979), “Reason To Be” (#45, 1979), “Hold On” (#38, 1980), “Play The Game Tonight” (#17, 1982) and “All I Wanted” (#19, 1987.)

Other founding members include singer / keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarists Kerry Livgren and Rich Williams, bassist Dave Hope and drummer Phil Ehart.  Steinhardt left the band in 1982, but returned in 1997 and stuck around for nearly another decade, ultimately retiring in 2006.  It is said that he was working on a new solo album at the time of his death.

Other Kansas songs to make our TOP 3333 List include “Dust In The Wind” (#162), “Point Of Know Return” (#493), “Portrait (He Knew)” #1607, “Hold On” (#2598) and “Play The Game Tonight” (#2995).  (kk) 

Legendary Rock Violinist Robby Steinhardt Passes Away July 17, 2021 in Tampa, Florida   

The Steinhardt Family announces the passing of legendary musician Robby Steinhardt. 

Robert Eugene Steinhardt was well recognized as a founding member and original violinist and vocalist for the rock band Kansas.  His violin and vocals on, “Dust in The Wind”, “Point Of No Return” and “Carry On My Wayward Son”, have etched Robby a solid place in rock history.

Robby had been recording his new album with producer Michael Franklin, who put together an all-star cast of famous musicians in support of Robby’s comeback.  Steinhardt was very proud of this project, slated for release in late 2021. He had begun rehearsals for a national tour when he became ill.

Robby is survived by his wife Cindy, and daughter Becky. Steinhardt was 71 years old.  He will be deeply missed by all he knew and his music will last forever. A memorial will be announced in the future. 

Michael Franklin
Solar Music

Best Classic Bands remembers Emitt Rhodes, who passed away one year ago …

https://bestclassicbands.com/emitt-rhodes-obituary-one-man-band-artist-7-19-20/

Chattahoochee Records released over 100 singles - I have quite a few of them, several fetch 1,000s of dollars to collectors.
Those that do are the best sounding releases on the label, the few "hits" notwithstanding: The Hyperions, "Why You Wanna Treat Me The Way You Do," The End Result, "Never Ask Again," Ty Wagner, "I'm A No-Count," Thee Midniters, "You're Gonna Make Me Cry," "Jump, Jive and Harmonize" … just a few top spins that get regular action on my hi-fi.

And I urge all FH members who want to research or look up label / group / artist discographies to bookmark 45cat.com.  I'm a member and contributor here.  The information is far more accurate than the defunct global dog production link Kent likes to cite, and far more accurate than referencing Discogs.com.

Here is the link to their Chattahoochee label listings.  All the releases are not logged, in but it is still very accurate, and has scans of the labels, youtube links, etc. : https://www.45cat.com/label/chattahoochee

Speaking of "And Your Bird Can Sing," I have a few 'garage' group recorded efforts on 45s, of course none match the Fab 4 perfection ... one that has a raw vibe was the first 45 released by Spanky & Our Gang when they signed to Mercury Records in 1966. A difficult song to play (to me, YEARS to get the lead guitar part correct!)  and pull off in a recording studio, no doubt, but Spanky and crew do a credible job. Well, I like it!

Lastly, the song appeared as the opening theme to the second season of the Beatles cartoon series.  I watched it RELIGIOUSLY as a tyke.

Still pull the DVDs off the shelf often.

I'll never grow up, ha!

Mike Markesich

Mike also sent us this clip, aptly titled “Ringo:  Yeah” …

Me-TV-FM kicks off their first ever Class Reunion Weekend this Friday Night at 7 pm, highlighting the songs and historical and cultural mileposts of the year 1971.  (We can definitely relate to that!) 

You can Listen Live here:  https://www.audacy.com/metvfmmke/listen#recently-played