Friday, September 28, 2012

The Friday Flash

Readers have been showing lots of love for Andy Williams ... and I confess that I've been listening to a lot of his music these past 48 hours, too.  He was part of our lives for so long ... and every holiday our family ... your family ... EVERYBODY's family ... would get together with Andy's family to celebrate the Christmas season.

Here are just a few of the comments we've already received:

re: ANDY WILLIAMS:
>>>Williams kept entertaining right up till the end by way of his Moon River Theater in Brandon, Missouri. (kk)
Kent,
Minor point, but I'm pretty sure it's Branson, Missouri, and not Brandon, Missouri, as you have. There is a Brandon, Manitoba however.
Doug in Aurora
Maybe THAT'S why we could never find the theater!!! Just kidding. Of COURSE, I knew it's Branson ... must have been a mental slip ... probably because I work with two guys named Brandon and Brendan ... and must type each of their names half a dozen times a day.  Or simply my rush trying to get something posted as I was running out the door ... but still no excuse for not proof-reading it better ... so my bad.  (And let's face it ... the ever-reliable spell check isn't going to catch "Brandon" because that's a real word, too!)   Actually, we've never made it to Branson ... but have talked about going numerous times. I've heard that people either love it ... or totally hate it. My guess is that we could find plenty of great artists to see while we're there ... kicking off with Paul Revere and the Raiders ... and then going to shows headlined by Ray Stevens and Jim Stafford ... all of whom now call Branson home.  Plus there are so many, many more to see while we're there.  But NOT seeing Andy Williams will forever be a hole in our schedule. (kk)

>>>One of our regrets is that we never got to see him live. Several times we talked about catching his annual Christmas Show but just never made the trip to do so. (kk)
I am very sad at the loss of Andy Williams. I have had the pleasure of seeing him at his Moon River Theater. His Christmas show was amazing. My daughters have taken me to lunch at his Moon River Cafe for Mother's Day for the past couple of years. Several of his Mother's recipes are on his menu including the best chicken soup ever. He used to make an appearance at his restaurant after his show. He would just walk around and talk with the dinner guests. I love to look at all of the photos on the walls of Andy with many very famous people. He was a lovely man.
Stacee

This one popped up on my radar today (probably because of the "forgotten sides" phrase ... what a clever idea!)
And here's another one from FH Reader Tom Cuddy ...


Hey Kent,
I really liked what you wrote about Andy Williams. You're right. He did bridge the gap of two generations and maybe more. What I always looked forward to, on his TV series and specials, was the reunion with his brothers. The Williams Brothers had that flawless harmony that so many other family bands possess. I wish they had done some more recording together, besides the one Christmas album, which is hard to find. I'm with you. I really missed the boat, not experiencing his show in Branson. My all-time favorite record by Andy is "Dear Heart", written and arranged by Henry Mancini. The great string arrangement (I love to hear a bowed string bass), along with Andy's vocal interpretation is very special. Even the last word of the song, "nevermore", always makes my eyes tear up.
-- John LaPuzza
I've been listening to a lot of Andy Williams these past 48 hours ... his voice is just so appealing and easy to listen to. "Dear Heart" was another great track ... and a #15 Hit for Williams in 1965. (kk)


Please let Ron Smith know that Moon River by Andy Williams was released in 1962 as a 45 / Single, not just later as a Columbia Hall Of Fame issue.
Ken
According to everything I've ever read, that's not true ... and you'll find several more examples below. If it was, it wasn't commercially released, meaning the public never had a chance to buy it (or it surely would have been a HUGE hit. Meanwhile, I'm sure its inclusion helped sell a WHOLE lotta Andy Williams albums!) Check out the Columbia Records logic behind not releasing "Moon River" as a single below ... you just may be surprised, my Huckleberry Friend.

Since it keeps coming up, here, once and for all, is the lowdown on "Moon River". Although it was considered his signature tune, Andy's version of "Moon River" never made the pop charts. It was the title track of his 1962 LP "Moon River And Other Great Themes", yet it was NOT released or marketed as a single. The song became his signature tune after he performed it at The Academy Awards ... but it wasn't officially released as a single until 1969 and then as a "Columbia Hall Of Fame" single. Too bad ... because it probably would have been a SMASH ... and has appeared on nearly every Greatest Hits album Williams ever released.

In the Taragon CD liner notes to "Andy Williams: The Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection", Joseph Lanza draws attention to "Moon River" (from the film "Breakfast At Tiffany's" a couple of times:   

"By the early sixties, there was an expanding album market (aided by the rise of FM radio stations) by which vocalists could showcase their repertoire of Tin Pan Alley love ballads, Broadway melodies, current pop, and, of course, film favorites. Williams surpassed the sales of his popular 1962 album 'Moon River And Other Great Themes' with 'Days Of Wine And Roses', which stayed #1 at Billboard's album chart for 16 weeks in 1963, establishing him as an AOR leader. He eventually garnered more than 30 hit albums, eighteen of which were gold while three were certified platinum."  

"Williams is most distinguished for his interpretations of Henry Mancini's dreamy-to-haunting movie ballads, particularly the title songs to 'Days Of Wine And Roses', 'Charade', 'Dear Heart', and his renowned rendition of 'Moon River'."  

And finally: "This collection includes Williams' entire roster of Columbia Hot 100 singles accumulated between 1961 and 1976, many of which appear on CD for the very first time. Then there is 'Moon River'. Williams' recording of the 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' Theme was never a chart success, but he made such an impression performing it at the Academy Awards show that he earned a signature song. Johnny Mercer's lyrics present a seemingly simple but inwardly complicated statement about past and future Americana, fusing the nostalgic image Huckleberry Finn 'off to see the world' on his raft with the lunar asipirations that NASA would finally satisfy when the sixties reached the 'rainbow's end'. Some thirty years later, pioneer astronaut John Glenn, seeking a musical memento, took an Andy Williams CD with him on his return trip into space."

This CD his HIGHLY recommended ... it's as complete a collection as you're ever going to find of Andy's Columbia years ... and ALL the hits are here. More information can be found here:   
Click here: Amazon.com: Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection: Andy Williams: Music
(Apparently it's out of print ... new copies are now going for $150!!! WOW! Anybody want to buy mine for $100?!!?) kk

From Wikipedia:
Williams forged an indirect collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Williams was asked to sing Mancini and Johnny Mercer's song "Moon River" from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's at the 1962 Oscar Awards. The song won the Oscar and quickly became Williams' theme song; however, because it was never released as a single, "Moon River" was never actually a chart hit for Williams.[8] The next year Williams sang "Days of Wine and Roses" which was written by Mancini and Mercer (this song also won). Two years later, he sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 awards.    

From Billboard Magazine:
Movie songs became a specialty, from "Love Story" and "Days of Wine and Roses" to "Moon River." The longing Johnny Mercer - Henry Mancini ballad was his most famous song, even though he never released it as a single because his record company feared such lines as "my huckleberry friend" were too confusing and old-fashioned for teens. The song was first performed by Audrey Hepburn in the beloved 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but Mancini thought "Moon River" ideal for Williams, who recorded it in "pretty much one take" and also sang it at the 1962 Academy Awards. Although "Moon River" was covered by countless artists and became a hit single for Jerry Butler, Williams made the song his personal brand. In fact, he insisted on it.
"When I hear anybody else sing it, it's all I can to do stop myself from shouting at the television screen, 'No! That's my song!'" Williams wrote in his 2009 memoir, titled, fittingly, "Moon River and Me."


Andy's voice was the smoothest of smooth. I did not care for his singing along with his guests on their hit records on his TV shows, but he was a great talent. I was surprised to read that his "Moon River" was not a 45 hit. I just assumed it was one of his biggest.
He was a WLS talent ages ago, but I have a feeling that WLS' Larry Lujack REALLY liked playing "It's That Most Wonderful Time of the Year" 45 at Christmas time on WLS. I know it gets airplay a lot these days (what Christmas song doesn't?), but back in the days of wine and roses, it was not necessarily an AM Christmas staple on Top 40 radio. Uncle Lar played it A LOT! With all the songs Andy has done over the years, I have to say this is my fave. Always enjoyed seeing him sing on TV. A great talent.
HEY, he was married to Claudine Longet and that was pretty cool, too!
Clark Besch 
When I was writing my piece on Andy WIlliams I forgot to mention that he typically sang along with his guests ... sometimes it bothered me, sometimes it didn't. (I guess it just depended on how much I liked the guest artist!)
We've run this clip before ... Andy Williams singing with The Beach Boys in a special version of "Little Honda" as "Little Cycle" ... check it out! (My guess is they couldn't say "Honda" on the air without it being a commercial endorsement. But I LOVE the background vocals where the other Beach Boys are singing "Andy Andy"!!! lol) kk




And, speaking of The Beach Boys, THEY'VE been all over the news again this past week, too ... 
Read on ...

re: THE BEACH BOYS:
Kent --
Suffice it to say that I couldn't agree more strongly with your comments about the Beach Boys. But Mike Love has worn his priorities on his sleeve since Brian's delicate condition forced him to get off the road back in the late Sixties. Mike obviously is dedicated to his own celebrity and to the financial benefits of being a Beach Boy above all else. As Brian increasingly pursued his muse and dealt with what was obviously a deteriorating emotional condition, what did Mike want? Catchy surfing and car lyrics with riffs and progressions like the old stuff. Big tours with lots of screaming fans. Do it again ... and again ... and yet again. Artistic excellence has never been his priority, and I'm sure he feels victimized by Brian's creative wanderlust and refusal to dedicate his life to being a hit machine.
What I am curious about is how Brian viewed all this. Would he have wanted to stay on the road and resume at 70 what he rejected more than half his life ago.
As always, interesting and provocative stuff!
Best,
Arnie
At this point, I've got to call 'em like I see 'em ... and I just find this to be a very short-sighted and selfish move on Mike's part.  Why not stick together and ride out that "hit machine" and give the fans who didn't get the chance to see it the first time around to catch the show on the return run. But more importantly, put together another album of future Beach Boys classics to prove that you really CAN do it again. "That's Why God Made The Radio" was a pretty impressive "comeback" album ... and, as we all know, The Beach Boys have had a few of these during their long career. It just makes everything Mike has said along the way that has been complimentary to Brian, and reuniting with the band again, seem insincere. I guess I should just be glad that he was willing to suffer through the reunion for the sake of the fans. (kk)
 
Mike Love is such a delusional d-bag. He will never understand that Brian was being a very generous cousin when he allowed him to sing in the Beach Boys. Who wants to see the show now?  No Brian ... no Al ... just Love performing his car song medley, strutting like a rooster, and playing that one note on his sax ... no thanks.
Frannie
 
Got some time to kill and wanna have some fun today?  Type "Mike Love Is ..." into Google and watch what pops up! 
 
Fans have even started a petition, pleading with Mike Love to reconsider and keep the magic going ...
 
Kent ...
Boys will be Boys.
I guess Mike Love doesn't want to share the spotlight.
Frank B.
 
And Brian Wilson and Al Jardine are no longer keeping mum about Love's booting them out of HIS Beach Boys Band. What a shame. (I just KNEW this was too good to last!)
 
This from FH Reader Frank B, who tells us ...
Kent ...
I guess you were right about the Beach Boys. That guy wrote and said you were wrong. Show him this.
Frank B.
 
Mike Love, it’s now clear, has decided to retake a central role in the Beach Boys, having led an offshoot group that only includes second-generation member Bruce Johnston for the last 14 years. Wilson, in new comments to CNN, says Love told him in no uncertain terms that Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks — the only other surviving original members of the Beach Boys — were not welcome. Seems Love thinks too many shows with them will dilute the reunion concept’s impact.
 
You can read the whole article here:
 
 
More on this disappointing hot topic ... this article says that Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks were all "fired" via email by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston!
Isn't that pathetic?!?!?
 
I've posted the article on my website:
Would welcome your comments as well as those of any other interested Forgotten Hits readers.
Much appreciated!
Phil
It's an interesting concept to try and narrow down the best introduction to the band by way of one quintessential album. I'm not sure I could do it. Even their very best all-around album doesn't really show somebody the depth of what The Beach Boys were all about ... as such, my personal feeling is this ...
First get them hooked on the hits ... because once they hear them, they'll never get them out of their heads. Then, after they've been fully exposed and won over, tell them "Okay ... now you're ready for more".
For me personally, despite all the pomp and circumstance surrounding "Pet Sounds", MY favorite all-around Beach Boys album remains "Sunflower" ... it's gotta be one of the most under-rated albums of all time. And I like quite a few of the other ones that nobody thinks about, including the 1985 "Beach Boys" album that critics tore apart because it was too precisely produced. (I listened to it in the car the other day and it's damn near perfect!)
I think this will all make for an interesting discussion and I hope a few of our readers will venture over to Phil's site and voice their opinions as well. Please keep us posted with the results ... and share some of the more interesting and insightful comments and opinions along the way, too! (kk)
 
Meanwhile, The Beach Boys have a new single out ... a remixed version of "Isn't It Time" (another track, coincidentally, cowritten by Jim Peterik!)

Here's the new single mix of "Isn't it Time" in case you haven't heard it. More vocals. Have not heard any buzz yet, tho.
There's a new stereo "Darlin'" mix here, too:
Clark Besch 
 
re: SPEAKING OF 50th YEAR ANNIVERSARIES:
Man, there sure seem to be a lot of them lately! Check out this ultra-cool email we just got from guitar whiz Vic Flick ...
Hi Kent,
Not sure if this is relevant to Forgotten Hits, but the 50th Anniversary of the James Bond film, Dr. No, has stirred up a lot of activity. I have an interview on NPR scheduled for next week, an interview recorded for broadcast in Australia next month, an article by Marc Myers on The James Bond Theme and me to be published in the Wall Street Journal very soon and on October 5th, I've been asked to appear at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' celebration of Bond Music and the 50th Anniversary organized and presented by Jon Burlingame. Also appearing will be a composer I much admire, Bill Conti, lyricist Don Black and singer Carol Sager. Should be a good night. The guitar with which I recorded the James Bond Theme is to be auctioned by Profiles in History in December and I'll use that guitar on the 5th October. The guitar was on display for many years at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and then at The National Guitar Museum. There seems to be a lot of interest in the auction. I never thought the Bond Theme would follow me through fifty years but neither did I think all those records I worked on, which were were part of the British Invasion, would still be around and being played.
As always, thanks for all you do,
Cheers,
Vic Flick
This is absolutely newsworthy of Forgotten Hits ... thanks so much for sharing ... and congratulations!
With a brand new Bond movie coming out, the hype is at an all-time high. (Personally, I'm one of those who appreciate the early days of the Bond films ... but there is no question that they have created a hit franchise out of Ian Flemming's body of work.) Who knows ... if this keeps up, maybe they'll ask you back in another fifty years to play it again!!! (kk)
Kent,
I'm counting on it!!!!!
Vic
 
And here's the scoop on the brand new James Bond 50 Year Collection, now available on DVD and BluRay ...
 
re: ON THE RADIO:
>>>Kudos to Danny Lake at WLS-FM who played "Every Time I Think Of You" by The Babys on his Saturday Night All Request Show ... man, that one sounded SO good coming out of the radio again. (I can't remember the last time I heard it!) I tried to call you, Danny, to give you proper props on the air ... but nobody answered the phone! (How do you do an all request show and NOT answer the phone?!?!?) kk
>>>You recently asked how is one able to do a request show on Saturday night without the D.J. on duty not answering the phone. I learned this lesson a few years ago. I was in a station here in the city where a certain D.J. does a request show on Saturday evenings from 7 PM until 12 midnight. I was surprised ... he wasn't even in the control room. His whole show was on voice track (assuming you know about that) with voice tracked requests given out over the air so many times per hour. Probably the one difference between his show and the one you called up was that he had his phone lines blocked or all of them were on hold. Indicating to anyone who tried to call in that the lines were currently busy.  (Larry)
>>>Oh yeah, we know all about voice-tracking, a very common practice these days in radio. I miss some of the old nationally syndicated request shows (like Dick Bartley used to do) where listeners from all over the country would call in with their requests, meaning you'd get to hear a wide variety of musical selections not typically part of the daily, never-changing playlists.  The weekly request shows hosted by Danny Lake, and, until recently Dick Biondi and Jeff James were the best ... because every hour without fail you'd hear two or three songs that NOBODY plays anymore ... and, every once in a while, they'd even stump me, playing a song that I'd never heard before ... but SOMEBODY out there remembered 'cause it was part of what they listened to when they were growing up.  (kk)
 
Hi Kent -
Glad you liked The Baby's " Everytime I Think Of You" we played on "The Saturday Night Party" on 94-7 WLS! (John Waite singing lead on that as a member of The Baby's BTW!)
Sorry I missed your call Kent -- my producer and I - Laura B - get busy slicing 'n' dicing up the requests and bits "phoners" for airing to keep it "movin' 'n' groovin" and no possible F-bombs or S - bombs etc ... sneaking thru! lol.
Thanks for diggin' the show, y'all! It's a blast! Can't believe the show will be turning five years old in a few months.
Keep up the great work Kent -- Forgotten Hits is must reading every weekend for me! Love it!
Danny Lake
"The Saturday Night Party"
7-12 midnight
Sundays -- 7-12 midnight
94-7 WLS
 
And, speaking of WLS-FM, this comes from Robert Feder’s blog, posted yesterday:
It’s over and out for Dave Fogel after more than two years as morning personality at oldies WLS-FM (94.7). He learned his fate when he got off the air at 10:30 am Thursday. Part-timer Tom O’Toole is expected to fill in Friday alongside co-host Marti Jones, who’s staying on. “We’re going in a different direction in morning drive,” said Jan Jeffries, senior vice president of programming for Cumulus Media and program director of WLS-FM. No word yet on what’s next. Fogel, who joined WLS in March, 2010 from KCKC-FM in Kansas City, previously worked in Chicago at hot adult-contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9) and classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9). In the latest Arbitron survey, his morning show tied for 13th place among listeners between 25 and 54 with a 2.7 percent share.
I can't say that I'm broken-hearted over this announcement. I've made no secret of the fact that I never liked Dave Fogel in the morning ... Chicago is a major market ... and WLS is a LEGENDARY radio station ... and while I hate to see ANY jocks out of work, we simply deserve better ... and have always had it ... but for SOME reason the Morning Drive Slot has been exceptionally weak these last several years ... and I don't understand why. There is SO much good talent out there (and much of it out of work.) While I don't wish unemployment on ANYONE (been there, done that), I hope this paves the way for Fred Winston's full time return to the station, something we've been campaigning for here in Forgotten Hits for the past several years.
But, that being said, if the station REALLY wants to go in "a different direction", then how about THIS concept ... put the personality back into radio. I've grown disgusted by having to sit through these talented on-air personalities with SO much to offer in the way of entertainment being restricted to getting 30, 60 and 90 second breaks after a block of songs, only to see them forced to use that time to repeatedly give out the call letters three times and say not much more. With decades of experience, guys like Scott Shannon, Fred Winston, Dick Biondi, Greg Brown, Tom O'Toole and Danny Lake can do SO much more for the station than give out station i.d.'s. Let them do what they were born to do ... entertain us! We already KNOW what station we're listening to ... we don't need to be reminded three times every fifteen minutes!  If you want us to KEEP on listening, let these guys be themselves and entertain us!!! I've said it before ... we already KNOW the music ... it's been drummed into our heads for the past 40 years ... let these guys shine and be the reason we come HERE to hear it, rather than every other spot on the dial that's playing basically the exact same thing!!! WLS practically INVENTED "Personality Radio" ... I say bring it back because you've got the talent here to pull it off. THAT is what is going to make your station stand head and shoulders above the rest ... NOT hearing "94.7, WLS, playing The Steve Miller Band for the 64th time today on WLS, 94.7". (kk)
 
Posted by at

Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Deadline Dash ...



re: STARTING ON A SAD NOTE:
We lost entertainer Andy Williams to cancer on Tuesday.  I say "entertainer" rather than simply "singer" because for years he entertained us through his television series and Christmas television specials that annually united his family with ours. Amongst all of the middle-of-the-road / adult contemporary / soft-rock artists of that era, Andy possessed one of the smoothest sounding voices of what should have been our parents' generation ... but easily crossed over to ours thanks to the power of television, an incredible "likability" factor and, quite simply, a damn good voice that could sing just about anything and everything. His show stayed "hip" by bringing us the hottest talent of the day like The Beach Boys and Herman's Hermits, who were presented weekly right along side classic entertainers like Bob Hope and Jack Benny, creating "must see" viewing for the whole, entire family. (He even made me a life-time Ray Stevens fan when he asked Ray to host his summer replacement series!)
Andy is the one who first gave us The Osmonds, who he discovered singing as a barbershop quartet at Disneyland ... and, over the years, we watched and were charmed by both Donny and Marie as they joined their older brothers as part of the act. Family was a big part of Andy's make-up and we fell in love with his wife Claudine Longet, too, a beautiful French actress / singer (who later was charged with "criminal negligence" for shooting her boyfriend Spider Sabich, an Olympian skier, in Aspen, Colorado.) Although divorced at the time, Andy stood by his ex-wife through this difficult and turbulent period. (They met in 1960 when Andy pulled over to offer some roadside assistance for Claudine's stalled car. This was just prior to Andy becoming a break-out television star.)
Andy Williams sang a very powerful version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at his close friend Bobby Kennedy's funeral in 1968 ... and hosted The Grammy Awards for seven consecutive years in the 1970's. In fact, Williams kept entertaining right up till the end by way of his Moon River Theater in Brandon, Missouri, and (as we've covered so many times before in Forgotten Hits) one of our regrets is that we never got to see him live. Several times we talked about catching his annual Christmas Show but just never made the trip to do so.
I've read a lot of musical artist biographies over the years and one of the best is Andy Williams' "Moon River and Me". Incredibly although it is considered his signature song, "Moon River" never charted by Andy Williams ... but he was no stranger to the pop charts. Between 1956 and 1972, Williams placed an incredible 27 songs in The National Top 40. These include Top Ten Hits like "Canadian Sunset", "Butterfly" (which hit #1), "I Like Your Kind Of Love", "Are You Sincere", "The Hawaiian Wedding Song", "Lonely Street", "The Village of St. Bernadette", "Stranger On THe Shore", "Can't Get Used To Losing You" (another #1 record), and "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story". It's a sad day. He will be missed. (kk)


Andy Williams, the sweet-voiced singer who starred in his own television variety show on NBC from 1962 to 1967 (plus yearly Christmas specials) and amassed 27 top 40 hits (with many more on the adult contemporary charts) succumbed to bladder cancer Tuesday (September 25) at his home in Branson, Missouri. He was 84. Born Howard Andrew Williams in 1928 in Wall Lake, Iowa, he formed a singing group with three of his brothers and made a name for themselves on radio stations in Des Moines, Chicago and Cincinnati. They first appeared on record backing Bing Crosby on 1944’s “Swinging On A Star” and appeared in four motion pictures. In 1953, Andy became a solo act and was a regular on Steve’s Allen’s “Tonight Show.” His vocal version of “Canadian Sunset” was a #7 hit in 1956 and was one of 47 chart appearances, most notably “Butterfly” (#1 - 1957), “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” (#2 - 1963), “Are You Sincere” (#3 - 1958), “Lonely Street” (#5 - 1959), “The Village Of St. Bernadette” (#7 - 1960), “I Like Your Kind Of Love” (#8 - 1957) and “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” (#9 - 1971). Ironically, the song he is most associated with and he named his Branson theatre after — “Moon River” — was never released by Andy as a single. He sang it on the 1962 Academy Awards the night it won an Oscar. Andy was married to actress / singer Claudine Longet from 1961 to 1975 and stood by his ex-wife as she went on trial for shooting her boyfriend the next year. Andy sang the national anthem at Superbowl VII in 1973. He hosted the Grammy Awards for seven years in the ‘70s. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.
-- Ron Smith

Here are two of my favorite Andy Williams tracks ... 

First, my personal favorite of his, "The Hawaiian Wedding Song", a #6 Hit in 1959 ...


Followed by another long over-looked gem (this is, after all, FORGOTTEN HITS!!!) ...
Andy's 1964 #13 Hit "A Fool Never Learns", released right at the onset of Beatlemania!
 



re: UP-COMING AND RECENT SHOWS AND EVENTS:
Jim Peterik's Lifeforce is playing the Genesee Theater this Friday, September 28th at 7:30 pm.
Joining me is Lisa McClowry, Casey Abrams of American Idol, my son Sijay, Mindi Abair (just off Aerosmith tour) and more. Ticket info: Click here: Genesee Theatre :: Jim Peterik's Lifeforce
Thanx Kent!
Jimbo
 
Several readers have already written in willing to share memorabilia for Jim's new autobiography. Here's a cool shot of The Ides Of March, circa early '70's ... that also plays into the Peterik / Chase connection:
Attached is a photo my wife has had since the early 70's of the Ides. Her father (known to the band members as Dirty Dan) was a pilot who flew both the Ides & Chase. Unfortunately, he was the pilot of the plane that crashed with Chase aboard.
Lunytoon

Barry Gibb, the only surviving member of the Bee Gees, has announced that he will begin his Mythology World Tour this coming February in Australia.
The Mythology tour will source the entire era of the Bee Gees to pay tribute to the music Barry created with his late brothers Maurice and Robin.
Gibb said he chose Australia to start the tour because “As the place where we started so many years ago, we have always viewed Australia as our home so it is only fitting that we will be kicking off our Mythology tour there.” The Bee Gees started in the Brisbane suburb of Redcliffe.
Barry’s band will include his son Stephen, Maurice’s daughter Samantha and Beth Cohen.
The Mythology tour salutes the four-CD set that was released in November 2010 with one disc dedicated to each of the Bee Gees and their brother Andy Gibb. Warner Music will release the Mythology box set in Australia on October 5. Tickets for the tour will go on sale that same day.
Dates are:
2/08 - Sydney - Entertainment Centre
02/12 - Melbourne - Rod Laver Arena
2/16 - Brisbane - Entertainment Centre

 
Paul McCartney - Live Kisses
Relive The Magic Of One Of Paul’s Most Intimate Concerts Ever As He Performs Standards From His Critically Acclaimed Album Kisses On The Bottom
Your Chance To Own on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital Video November 13th 2012
Package includes spectacular concert footage with a cast of top-flight musicians, exclusive promo videos directed by Paul himself, behind the scenes interviews and a 40 page hardback book featuring an extensive collection of photographs from the event and rehearsals.


 New York, NY (September 24, 2012) — November 13th will see the release of Live Kisses – a stunning 13-song film, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, that captures the magic of an extraordinary evening in February of this year. In the intimate surroundings of Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, where Paul recorded much of his Kisses On The Bottom album, he was reunited with the all-star musicians who joined him on the record to bring the songs to life for a once in a lifetime performance. [Pre-book Order Date October 19, MSRP $29.98 DVD, $34.98 Blu-ray, $12.99 Digital Video]
This was a concert unlike any Paul had given before. Without his famous Höfner bass in hand or in fact any musical instruments, Paul took his place behind the same microphone that has captured some of the most iconic voices in history to focus on his vocal delivery as he led the assembled A-list group of musicians through a collection of the standards he grew up listening to in his childhood, as well as his own original composition “My Valentine.”
Streamed live to the world online, Live Kisses marked the launch of Paul’s Kisses On The Bottom album. The film tells the story of how, with the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma, Diana Krall and her band, Paul created a critically acclaimed album, which featured guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder. The record represents a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions that a young Paul first heard his father perform on piano at home. Upon its release Kisses… topped the US Billboard Jazz album chart at number 1, as well as charting top 5 all around the world.
On the night the all-star line up were reunited to include musical director Diana Krall (piano), John Clayton (bass), Karriem Riggins (drums), John Pizzarelli (guitar), Anthony Wilson (guitar), Mike Mainieri (vibraphone) and conductor Alan Broadbent. Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmitt resumed their roles in the studio and special guest musicians on the evening included Abe Laboriel Jr. (from Paul’s touring band) on backing vocals and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. Walsh performed the “My Valentine” guitar solo originally recorded by Eric Clapton on the studio album.
The concert was performed just hours after Paul brought Vine Street in LA to a standstill as he was presented with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the Capitol Records Building. The night of the concert (February 9th) was also the 48th anniversary of The Beatles' U.S. TV debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Bonus Live Kisses material includes six versions of the “My Valentine” music video, directed by Paul and starring Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman as well as a “Making My Valentine” film. There are also two short films with behind the scenes footage filmed at the Mary McCartney album photoshoot for Kisses On The Bottom. The final extra is an interview with Paul and producer Tommy LiPuma talking about the story of the album, its conception and creation.
Live Kisses is an intimate and charming concert film which offers an insight into the music and songwriters that inspired Paul to go on to become the most successful songwriter and performer in modern history. Beautifully presented, Live Kisses comes with a 40-page hardback book containing photographs from the day itself, including the rehearsals.
· In the same week as recording Live Kisses, Paul was also honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year at a gala featuring a stellar line up including Coldplay, Neil Young, Katy Perry and Foo Fighters, who all paid tribute to Paul by performing versions of their favorite McCartney compositions.
· To top off an incredibly special week Paul performed twice at the Grammys as well as winning an award himself. He brought the show to a close with a superstar jam, having invited Joe Walsh, Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen to join him on stage.
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.
TRACK LISTING
1) I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
2) Home (When Shadows Fall)
3) It’s Only A Paper Moon
4) The Glory Of Love
5) More I Cannot Wish You
6) We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
7) Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
8) My Valentine
9) Always
10) My Very Good Friend The Milkman
11) Bye Bye Blackbird
12) Get Yourself Another Fool
13) My One And Only Love
Recorded and filmed at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, February 2012
Executive Producer: Paul McCartney
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund
BONUS FEATURES
1) My Valentine Video
i) My Valentine Music Video
ii) My Valentine Music Video – Natalie Portman One Take
iii) My Valentine Music Video – Johnny Depp One Take
iv) My Valentine Music Video – Split Screen
v) My Valentine Music Video – Natalie Portman Edit
vi) My Valentine Music Video – Johnny Depp Edit
vii) Making My Valentine
Videos directed by Paul McCartney
Featuring Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp
2) Kisses On The Bottom Album Photo Shoot – Version One
3) Kisses On The Bottom Album Photo Shoot – Version Two
4) Kisses On The Bottom Album Interview
Paul McCartney and Tommy LiPuma interviewed by Robert Hilburn
@paulmccartney
Well, there certainly seems to be a big push on for this release. We caught the "live" show the night he first performed it ... and it's already been making the rounds on PBS ... but this "deluxe edition" with the bonus video footage should be a nice addition. (kk)




Here are a couple more books our readers might be interested in, courtesy of FH Reader Ken Voss: 
 
PROCOL HARUM
The Ghosts of a Whiter Shade of Pale
(Omnibus)
by Henry Scott-Irvine
ISBN 10: 1780382332
ISBN 13: 978-1780382333
Foreword by Martin Scorsese
Introduction by Sir Alan Parker
Henry Scott-Irvine first saw Procol Harum in 1973 and has known the band since 1979 and been tracing the band's history since that time. He co-ordinated 'Procol Harum Live In Concert with The LSO' at London's Barbican Theatre in 1996, and co-hosted the band's 30th Anniversary concert at The Redhill Theatre in 1997. He has been writing, researching, and developing TV programming for over 25 years. The author was producer/director of "The Procol Harum DVD Anthology" released by Boum Productions in 2005. This is his first book.


HENDRIX ON HENDRIX
(Chicago Review Press)
Edited by Steve Roby
ISBN: 161374322X
ISBN13: 9781613743225
Hendrix on Hendrix includes the most important interviews from the peak of Jimi Hendrix’s career, 1966 to 1970, carefully selected by one of the world’s leading Jimi Hendrix historians. In this book Hendrix recalls for reporters his heartbreaking childhood and his grueling nights on the Chitlin’ Circuit. He jokes with the judge and the jury on the witness stand, telling them that the incense in his bag was for hiding bad kitchen odors. He explains to an American TV audience that his concept of “Electric Church Music” is intended to wash their souls and give them a new direction. And in his final interview, just days before his death, he discloses that he wants to be remembered as not just another guitar player. In addition to interviews from major mainstream publications, Hendrix on Hendrix includes new transcriptions from European papers, the African-American press, and counterculture newspapers; radio and television interviews; and previously unpublished court transcripts—including one of the drug bust that nearly sent him to prison.Though many respected books have been written about Hendrix, none have completely focused on his own words. This book is as close to a Hendrix autobiography as we will ever see.
Steven Roby is a respected Jimi Hendrix historian/archivist and author of Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix (2002), Becoming Jimi Hendrix (2010), and Hendrix on Hendrix (2012). Steven was editor and publisher of Straight Ahead: The International Jimi Hendrix Fanzine (1989-1996), and editor of the Hendrix family's authorized fanzine Experience Hendrix.

But the big news THIS week has been the announcement of an official reunion of The Rascals ... here's a bit more of the lowdown on this one!

re: THE RASCALS:

Kent ...
News Flash: Last night (9/22/12 ) at the San Gennaro Feast in New York City, Cousin Brucie announced that the four original Rascals are getting back together. Shows already planned for later in the year.
Frank B.
We've heard this one quite a few times over the past few years (and they actually DID reunite for a special cancer benefit show a short while back) ... but if this IS true this time around, I hope they take their show on the road, as we would LOVE to see them here in Chicago. Felix Cavaliere participates with Forgotten Hits from time to time but has stayed mum on this subject in the past. Maybe now if there's something "official" to announce, he'll give us the good word. (kk)


UPDATE: It's TRUE!!! I heard from Felix Cavaliere the very next day, wanting to fill me in on some of the details (many of which are still in the process of being worked out right now.) The GOOD News is that all four original Rascals ... Felix Cavaliere, Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish ... are getting back together for a series of shows for the first time in decades!
Three shows are already booked ... December 13, 14 and 15, at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York ... and more shows are planned, as is a reunion album. Other reports state that Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band) is acting as their manager and has enlisted Kickstarter to try and raise funds for a full multi-media show. Billing it as the "Once Upon A Dream" Show, plans include live performances "augmented with narration, pre-filmed acted scenes and old footage of the band." Van Zandt and lighting veteran Marc Brickman will produce and direct the performances.
"The show will be an uplifting inspiration for you fans that have been waiting all these years, praying for a Rascals comeback, and those of you who are younger will get a real taste of the Sixties you missed the first time around. Me and Marc have invested our time, money and blood these last few years for this idea and now we need you to bring it home. Not one dollar that is contributed will go into anyone's pocket or be commissioned in any way. Every dollar will go into the production, making it as good as it can be, as great as the Rascals deserve ... so that's it. The Rascals are coming back ... the production will be as big as you make it."
For more information, visit the "Once Upon A Dream" Kickstarter Page.:

I can't wait!!! We've seen Felix solo before ... but a full-blown Rascals reunion is something we've dreamed about for YEARS!!! After their initial reunion concert in 2010, Van Zandt told The New York Daily News "The Rascals were one of the great bands. This is where black and white music came together. Blue-Eyed Soul. So it's important that people today get to hear them, to know how great they were and still are. They sound terrific."


And, speaking of great Blue-Eyed Soul ...




re: MAYER HAWTHORNE:
I'm way on board with the Mayer Hawthorne song which reminded me of songs like In A Moment by the Intrigues. In my opinion, the best song of 2012.
MARK
We're catching on late here but loving what we're hearing. In addition to the David Letterman clip I ran the other day (filmed almost exactly a year ago), Hawthorne has also appeared on Daryl Hall's "From Daryl's House" series, too, doing a fine job of singing some Hall and Oates classics. (You'll find some excellent clips here ... since we mentioned him in the same breath last time, too, check out Cee Lo Green's reading of "I Can't Go For That" while you're here):
Click here: I Can't Go For That ----- Cee Lo Green Live From Daryl's House - YouTube

Hi Kent,
Ya know I always meant to mention that tune (The Walk) to you and the readers but would always forget. My Son, who just turned 20, showed it to me when it came out. He's 20 but has grown up with a big chunk of his Dad's favorites and loves 60's soul. Glad you finally got to hear it. His albums aren't bad either. Not as good as the music he's emulating maybe, but still good stuff. You might also check out Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Some of her tunes are also pretty good. Another Soul throwback.
Bill
I think that's what first caught me with the mega Cee Lo single "Fuck You" last year ... yeah, it's got the expected shock value when you first hear it ... but strip that away and you've got some VINTAGE soul underneath. If it bugs you, listen to the "Forget You" version ... either way, it's a winner! Another track that really captures this groove is "The Way You Move" by Big Boi / Outkast from a few years ago. These guys obviously grew up listening to the soulful sounds of the '70's ... and have let that influence shine through in their own music. (kk)
 
Really enjoyed "The Walk" by Mayer Hawthorne! It's hard to believe it wasn't recorded in 1964 by Major Lance!!!
Bobster
Definitely my new favorite track ... and figured it was "old school" enough that the readers would enjoy it. Seems to all be some pretty positive response so far. (kk)


Kent,
The two things I thought of immediately today after reading your comments both involved the videos you posted. First, I was reminded of Jimmy McCracklin's 1958 song THE WALK on Checker (different song than the one posted on your website), but still when I saw the title THE WALK, it reminded me of that 1958
song.
Second, in the video where the kids are doing SING SING SING, I immediately thought of Bernie Lowe's version out of 1958 on Cameo Records.
Larry
Ah yes ... but what did you think of this NEW version of "The Walk" done by Mayer Hawthorne??? (kk)
I did enjoy the song. And I kind of agree with your reader that it did sound a little like it might come
out of 1964 and recorded by someone like Major Lance.
Larry

OMG ... I totally fell in love with "The Walk"!
I hadn't heard of the song or the artist before ... I love the lyrics and youtube has a really awesome video besides the David Letterman appearance. I bought the song on Amazon ... thanks for the tip.
Stacee
Isn't it GREAT?!?!? The "official" video plays like a Mr. and Mrs. Smith music video ... truthfully, I had a different image in my mind when I first heard this tune ... but I'm just glad to help spread the word. I think we've got a hit on our hands!!! (kk)
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