What Fifth Dimension song won a gold record in 1969?
This is hilarious! And check it out…if I’m not amiss here, Ozzy texts “Fuck U” to the barista at about 12 seconds in. Am I right?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUgktr_bjgo]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Y_ncOVlDw]
You give America a bad name, Jorge. Good riddance. Try not to fall on ‘the button’ on your way out. Thanks for never once representing anything I believe in while in office. Nice work, douche. (Sorry, venting after 8 years of biting my tongue)
Vent with me below. You’ve earned it…
Well, the most recent reunion rumor involves some sort of incarnation of the once-mighty Rainbow, but under the moniker, Over The Rainbow. Here’s the lineup…
Over The Rainbow is:
Vocals: Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow 1980-1984)
Keyboards: Tony Carey (Rainbow 1975-1978)
Drums: Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow 1980-1983)
Bass: Greg Smith (Rainbow 1994-1997)
Guitar: Jurgen (“J.R.”) Blackmore
That last one is Ritchie’s son, who could give some legitimacy to this project, if you ask me. I don’t think I’ve heard anyhting J.L. Turner has done since those Rainbow days, but I quite liked his presence in Rainbow at the time. Of course, I was also in middle school. But who can deny the power of “Street of Dreams”? Well, probably many of you…but I think it’s a great one, perhaps even ‘classic’. Take a listen…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyXZnQ9jj7U]
Right? So what do you think about this reunion, amidst the onslaught of reunions that have been taking place the last couple years? Weigh in below…
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A short while ago, in my series “The bass it don’t lie” I posted a piece on Jeff Christie, my old bandmate. Little did I know that some days later, the interest in Christie – the band, would resurface…….
Some songs are simply hits, others worm their way into the collective consciousness, and a few, a very few, become synonymous with an event, a memory, and to the listener, the two are inseparable. The pop classic Yellow River – an unlikely slice of British country rock – falls very firmly into the last category. It was adopted by American servicemen as their rallying tune, a celebration of the end of their tour of duty in Vietnam. “Yellow river” was in fact the name of one of the bases in the U.S. from which soldiers were initially deployed to fight in Vietnam.
The ex-servicemen have never forgotten the song, nor the memories it brings back. Here’s just a few anecdotes from America’s finest:
And now, after several years hiatus, following a resurgence of interest, Christie are back – touring Europe anew in 2009. Who knows? perhaps the impetus will carry the band over the pond for some long overdue dates in America.
Yellow River — a Vietnam War classic – ex-servicemen share their views (courtesy of Ray Chan)
Bob Sullivan, Maryland, USA, wrote:
YELLOW River came out as I was being released from active duty in the US Navy. It brings to mind exactly how I felt as I was set free,some 36 years later (plus or minus) … it remains my favorite song of all time. Thanks for the memories, Mr Christie.
Dave Wilkinson, USA, wrote:
MY name is Dave Wilkinson. I’m a Vietnam Vet and my unit, Whiskey Battery 1st Battalion 12th Marine Regiment, are in the process of putting a website together.
We hope to use Yellow River for the background music on our site. GREAT SONG !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ross Tuttle, Texas, USA, wrote:
I HAVE been a BIG fan of Jeff and the group since I first heard Yellow River in 1970. That song is still my all time favorite after all these years.
I carried Yellow River with me as I traveled in the Army and Navy for 30 years!
How can I get compilations of your songs? The music stores that I shop here in Dallas do not have anything.
This geriatric rocker is still hangin’ in…
Boondogle, Florida, USA, wrote:
YELLOW River was unlike any other anti-war song. While others had strong messages, they were couched in equally grim and gritty melodies, like the anthemic War by Edwin Starr, or Eric Burdon’s Skypilot.
But Yellow River was bright and bouncy and echoed the feeling of happiness we had when we knew our tour of duty was over. It remains a song that continues to bring back so many fond memories for me .. the joy of going home.
It should have been the first song featured on the Good Morning Vietnam soundtrack.
Ob Bop, Nebraska, USA, wrote:
ON Christie’s first album was a song for the times. Vietnam was still going strong and a lot of vets coming back from overseas related to Yellow River.
Yellow River had a great impact on me when it hit the air in 1970.
I was drawing closer to the age when the draft would affect me personally. I saw returning vets grooving on the song .. a rockin’ song with basic drums, guitar and vocals.
A basic lead guitar riff bounces in and out but never dominates. The main power is in the words … words that affect me and others to this day.
When that plane dropped me off in San Francisco after bringing me back from southeast Asia, the kin were there with the pick-up I had left in storage.
As I left to go visit Berkeley as a civilian, looking for a pretty hippy chick to welcome me back … I threw Yellow River into the cassette deck. Sigh …
If you want to perhaps envision what the guys of that time were thinking as they returned from overseas … give Yellow River a try and, as you listen to the lyrics … visualise returning to a fond time and place you have been away from.
Yellow River is one of my personal top 25 songs of all times, even after all these years.
Larry Matthews, California, USA, wrote:
I ALWAYS really liked Yellow River, especially the guitar work.
It’s a good illustration of the rotation situation in Vietnam. Individual soldiers served for a year (or in the case of marines, 13 months) and then were rotated back to the states — unlike other wars where you were stuck in combat for the duration of the conflict.
I can guarantee the song certainly is NOT about the Yellow River in China. That is one place Americans were definetely not welcome at that time.
But it could have been either of the Yellow River areas in either Georgia or Iowa.
All I know is that it is a great song and, like Galveston, it shows that most soldiers were more than ready to do their time and go home.
So we prepare to take Christie on the road again in 2009, and give a fresh airing to this pop classic. For now, check out this version we recorded live in Antwerp sports stadium , Belgium in 1990.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du2rYBS5XN4&hl=en&fs=1]
direct link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du2rYBS5XN4
What was Maxwell’s last name in “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”?
Dawn Patrol (1983)
If you’re in the New York tri-state area this Friday (November 21st), then you MUST go to the Mercury Lounge to see our good friends, Frances, play their energetic, super-tight live show for their debut full-length album release party. The album is called All The While and it is absolutely brilliant, full of catchy hooks, amazing harmonies, and melt-in-your-mouth melodies. If you can’t be at the show on Friday, you can get yourself a copy of the album from Amazon for under $10 or you can get the digital download at Amie Street for just half of $10! Dig the cover/flyer for the show…
So, hopefully I’ll see you at the show, but if not, make sure to catch this band on the rise in the near future. They’ll probably play in your town in 2009!
The after-party is at Stanton Public.
Listen to songs at the Frances website.
Download the song “All The While” for free at RCRD LBL.
Cheers!
Emotions In Motion (1982)
Have you all heard the first single, “Chinese Democracy”? It’s pretty good in my opinion, but also with me knowing full well that this is not gonna affect me the way the Appetite for Destruction did when it came out when I was a senior in high school. Jesus, do you know how many times I listened to that album drinking beer and smoking pot at Louie Robinson’s house on a Tuesday night? Well I won’t tell you so that I can still run for President one day! But these guys came along when I had just about had it with the metal scene turning into a bunch of pussies.
Rolling Stone has heard the album (I think Axl listened to it with the reviewer and then after the review had been writ, Axl destroyed him)…and they gave the album 4 stars out of 5. Good, says I! I hope that it will be great and don’t want to hate it. But I do know that I would love it 10 times more if the original band played on it. Shit, I’d just take Slash…although many think it was Izzy that gave them their true rock edge. He is very Richards-esque. Anyhoo (did I just say anyhoo?), go check out the review over here. It looks like it will be a very financially-lucrative holiday season for Mr. W. Axl Rose. Now release another album at this time next year, corn row boy!
First, this year we lost the amazing Buddy Miles of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies, now we must mourn the loss of another fantastic and truly original Hendrix drummer from the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mitch Mitchell. R.I.P. Mitch! Your killer snare fills will live on forever!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiMu_ZSbKn4]
In 1966, who recorded “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Ha”?
On the same day that the phrase “Yes We Can” became the United States’ official new governing philosophy, the premier progressive rock band of all time, Yes, kicked off their In The Present 40th Anniversary tour…with at least one big but. Due to some respiratory health problems that have plagued long-time Yes singer and spiritual leader, Jon Anderson, the band has replaced him for this tour with Canadian Yes tribute band singer, Benoit David. And the smaller but is that keyboardist, Rick Wakeman, who has always been a little flighty anyway, has been replaced by his son, Oliver. The band is rounded out by Yes mainstays Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass) and Alan White (drums). Replacing Anderson has been more than controversial to Yes die-hards (including this writer) and even to Anderson himself, but reports from early In The Present gigs are very positive and Benoit David really does nail Anderson’s vocals perfectly (perhaps too perfectly). Even so, many fans still won’t be rushing out to buy Yes concert tickets until Anderson is back in the band. And to bide time until that happens, those skeptics can turn to Yes – The New Director’s Cut from MVD Visual.
Recorded during Yes’ 35th Anniversary tour in 2003, Yes – The New Director’s Cut, features two full length concert performances from the classic line-up of Yes (Anderson, Wakeman, Howe, Squire, White) from the N.I.A. Birmingham and Glastonbury Festival. This DVD edition sets out to appease fans who were a little less than pleased with the editing, narration, and interview clips (during songs) of the original tour document, Yesspeak. And it succeeds greatly. There is a great venue vibe contrast from show to show, as the first DVD is indoors and the second is outdoors, at the Glastonbury. And although the set lists are very similar, fans will love the two equally amazing takes of the 15-minute plus masterpiece epic, “Awaken”, from 1977’s Going For The One album…the highlight for this Yes fan.
Evident from these performances, these guys are some of the best players in the business and are all still on top of their game. It seems like Yes really shines its brightest (and the fans the most satisfied) when playing the deeper cuts like “Don’t Kill The Whale”, “South Side of the Sky”, “To Be Over” and the aforementioned “Awaken”. They are most certainly the highlights of Yes – The New Director’s Cut. The only times the shows sag a bit are during the Yes super-hits which the band sometimes seem to sleepwalk through. Maybe we’ll get to see a ‘Yes – Deep Cuts’ tour where Yes abandons the usual must-play hits and provides the fans with more of the magical surprise songs when Anderson returns for their 41st year (you reading this, Yes?). But until then, dig into the excellent 4 hours-plus footage of Yes – The New Director’s Cut and send out your good vibes to Jon Anderson’s health.
Who manufactures the ‘Flying V’ guitar?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2UYRoti-tY]
What was the A-side of the U.S. single “Day Tripper”?
I’ve had this Allen Toussaint-produced album for a couple years, and it’s never sounded better than today…especially with Obama speeches mashed up in it! Dig…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gooD9rYUm3k]
Things are going our way, everyone…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXkBuWNx88]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02BV5Zah1Tw]
Now let’s see those sweet results roll in!!!
…and he’s got some things to say to counteract the douchebaggery of Mr. Lawless a couple posts below. Seems David is sans bloody saw blade codpiece…
*photo courtesy of Chris Buck
Pardon the bulk mailing. I Can’t Vote. I am an immigrant with a Green Card and, therefore, I am not eligible to vote in a federal election. FYI – I can get drafted (luckily, Daniel Berrigan burned my draft board’s records) and I pay taxes, yet I cannot vote for President. On Election Day, I see my neighbors heading to the nearby elementary school to cast their ballots. The voting booth joint is a great leveler; the whole neighborhood – rich, poor, old, young, decrepit and spunky – they all turn out in one day.
But most of you can vote. What can I say? The Republicans have made us less safe than before 9/11, bankrupted this economy, started an illegal war they can’t – and don’t intend to – finish, removed what sympathy (after 9/11) and respect the world had for the US, and have robbed US citizens of many of their basic rights. Global warming? What’s that? Science and education? Investment in our future? No, thanks – we’ll stick with a good ‘ole hockey mom. Ignorant, and fucking proud of it, as is always the case.
Although it looks like a shoo-in, it ain’t over ’til Florida. And there are plenty of racists in this country who will vote against their own best interests. So please, get to your local elementary school, post office, town hall, or whatever, and cast your vote and make this a country we can all be proud of. We can get out of this mess, and life can be better than it is.
David Byrne
NYC
