August 1, 2020 - JS - Piano-Driven Tunes

Rockin' Remnants




Rockin' Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage, like us on Facebook, and tune in to 93.5 or stream the show every Saturday night from 6-9pm! (Or download the WVBR+ app now available for iOS and Android!)

 

Thanks to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!

 

Date:  8/1/20

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Piano-Driven Tunes

Tonight we shine a spotlight on that most ubiquitous instrument: the piano! Records from New Orleans, Detroit, The Big Apple, LA, Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Apple Studios in London...it's all fair game. No Chopsticks and no Heart and Soul, but lots of great tunes that are driven by somebody tickling the ivories!

 

(scroll down to find the answer below the playlist – and to find a glossary of terms)

 

Playlist

 

 ·      songs with * were requests

·      all chart information comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or Billboard Hot 100 (for chart dates during/after Aug 1958) unless otherwise noted

·      a glossary of terms is below the playlist

 

 

6-7pm 

 

 

OPENING THEME:  Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll – Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

 

Since I Met You Baby - Ivory Joe Hunter (12/56; #12 Pop, #1 R&B - his parents named him "Ivory Joe" long before he ever touched a piano, but it was a prescient maneuver. He was also known professionally as "The Baron of the Boogie," but these smooth ballads were his lasting legacy.)

Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (10/56; #2 Pop, #1 R&B for eleven weeks - he'd already had over 20 charting hits on the R&B charts before the rest of America discovered him. Rolling Stone ranks this one at #82 in the RS500.)

The Look of Love - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (5/68; #4 - there were multiple versions of this song from the James Bond film, but this was the most successful - partly because they got to perform it at the Academy Awards show that year. Sergio Mendes is tickling the ivories here.)

You've Really Got a Hold On Me - The Miracles (12/63; #8 Pop, #1 R&B - Earl Van Dyke was the piano player/bandleader for Motown's "Funk Brothers," and he's steadily thumping away on this gem. The Beatles would soon adapt it for their live shows.)

Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac (7/76; #11 - piano player Christine McVie wrote and sang this one and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham added layer upon layer of overdubbed guitar licks: one of four hit singles from their incredible LP simply called "Fleetwood Mac.")

I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Tony Bennett (8/62; #19 - this record earned two Grammy Awards that year: Record of the Year and Pop Male Vocal, but it was Ralph Sharon's plaintive piano licks that sealed the deal.)

(They Long To Be) Close to You - The Carpenters (7/70; #1 for four weeks - they'd had a couple of minor records, but this one propelled the brother/sister act to superstardom. Richard Carpenter played the piano part, Herb Alpert played the trumpet part and Hal Blaine played the drum part, but Karen Carpenter was a kick-ass drummer as you'll see below. Richard and Karen also provided all of the multi-layered vocal harmonies.)

98.6 - Keith (1/67; #7 - The Tokens lent their production skills and background vocals to this sweet little number on the Mercury label. This was the highest-charting record from the Philadelphia kid.)

Lonely Too Long - Young Rascals (1/67; #16 - in addition to a bunch of supercharged covers, this NYC bar band started to record their own material and this was one of a string of killer singles. Felix Caveliere plays the keys and sings on this one. 2:08 of pure Pop perfection.)

* Pretty Ballerina - Left Banke (1/67; #15 - this is the third in this string of NYC recordings from early 1967, and features the piano playing of composer Michael Brown. Going out at the suggestion of listener Lou listening in from Clearwater.)

Devil With a Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly - Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (1/67; #4 - and now to Detroit, where the blistering Detroit Wheels were tearing up the charts on the New Voice Records label. I still don't know who the piano player was, but he's on fire!)

Crazy - Patsy Cline (10/61; #9 Pop, #2 C&W - Willie Nelson wrote it, Patsy Cline sang it, and Nashville session genius Floyd Cramer played his famous "slip-note" style piano on it. He also played on records by Elvis, Roy Orbison, Skeeter Davis and just about everybody else in town.)

 

Think - Aretha Franklin (5/68; #7 Pop, #1 R&B for three weeks - she wrote it, she arranged it and she played the piano while she sang it. It's no wonder that she's dubbed "The Queen of Soul." Can I get an "Amen???")

Wedding Bell Blues - 5th Dimension (11/69; #1 for three weeks - Marilyn McCoo sang lead and later married band-mate Billy Davis, which is partly why they added this Laura Nyro song to their repertoire. That's Larry Knechtel playing the piano, along with the rest of the Wrecking Crew delivering the goods yet again.)

Up On the Roof - Laura Nyro (10/70; #92 - she was the hottest songwriter of the late 1960s. Ironically, her only charting single was one that she didn't write. That's her on the piano. Sigh.)

Easy - The Commodores (7/77; #4 Pop, #1 R&B - Lionel Richie was soon to branch out on his own, but these guys landed on the Motown label and were Tuskegee Alabama's finest export. Man, what a record!)

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

July 26 – Darlene Love – age 79

            – Dobie Gray – born in 1940

            – Sir Mick Jagger – age 77

 

July 28 – Jonathan Edwards – age 74

         

July 31 – Gary Lewis – age 76

            – Bob Welch (Fleetwood Mac) – born in 1945

            

 

Out on the Floor – Dobie Gray (1965; dnc - from his album For 'In' Crowders That Go-Go, this one has been referred to as THE song that defines the genre called "Northern Soul." How 'bout that???)

Everybody Loves a Clown - Gary Lewis & The Playboys (9/65; #4 - co-written and produced by Snuff Garrett and piano player Leon Russell, who would soon come to be known as "The Master of Space & Time" when he agreed to be the  bandleader for Joe Cocker's 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' tour.)

He's a Rebel - Crystals (11/62; #1 for two weeks - two versions were released on August 20th, 1962: one by Vikki Carr, recorded in NYC and this one, recorded in LA by wunderkind producer Phil Spector. This one has Darlene Love and The Blossoms doing the actual vocals, plus Hal Blaine on Drums, Steve Douglas on the sax solo and Al DeLory playing that infectious piano lick. Guess which one won the chart race....)

Let's Spend the Night Together - Rolling Stones (1/67; #55 - this was a "double A-side" release, and the flipside Ruby Tuesday made it to #1. In early 1967, the subject matter was deemed too risque for some program directors. And Ed Sullivan insisted that they change the lyrics to "Let's spend some *time* together" if they performed it on his show. Jack Nitzsche plays piano on the recording.)

Shanty - Jonathan Edwards (11/71; NR - this track from his Atlantic Records debut album was never released as a single, but got lots of airplay on FM radio. That's session player Jef Labes on piano. Look him up!)

Sentimental Lady - Fleetwood Mac (8/72; dnc - this was released as a single in both the UK and the States and never charted, but it was a standout track from their Bare Trees LP and featured Christine McVie's piano and vocals alongside Bob Welch's guitar and lead vocal. He'd later release it as a solo act  -  with Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Lindsey Buckingham adding support  -  and score a big hit with it.)

Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley (12/61; #2 Pop, #1 UK for four weeks - Floyd Cramer led the band from his piano stool and this remains one of Elvis' most celebrated recordings. Those are the Jordanaires in the background - as well as on Patsy Cline's records.)

When I Fall In Love - Lettermen (11/61; #7 - this was their second big single on the Capitol label, and a great showcase for their smooth vocal stylings. This was a rare case where all three singers had the same vocal range, so their voices melded like magic.)

Fallin' In Love - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds (8/75; #1 - this was one of the biggest, lushest sounding singles of the Summer, and it starts with a stunning cascade of piano notes.)

Day By Day - Godspell (5/72; #13 - from the original cast of the Off-Broadway musical, this features the shimmering voice of Robin Lamont. Piano, bass, drums and an acoustic guitar with lots of hand claps!)

Come And Get It - Badfinger (2/70; #7 - The Iveys were signed to Apple Records and Paul McCartney instructed them to pick a better name and to copy his demo recording note-for-note. He guaranteed them a hit, and he was right, Pete Ham plays the piano here, and they were off to the races!)

I'm Nobody's Baby Now - Reparata & The Del-Rons (4/66; dnc - despite the major record label (RCA) and the haunting production, this one tanked. Songwriter Jeff Barry plays the piano part that drives the record, and Reparata considers this her finest recording achievement.)

One Fine Day - Chiffons (6/63; #5 - songwriter Carole King was famous for creating "demo records" using the finest players and background singers. She also played the piano on all of them. In this case, they erased her lead vocal, dubbed in the Chiffons, and she had another Top Five hit on her hands.)

I'm Into Something Good - Earl-Jean (6/64; #38 - this is another Carole King creation. Earl-Jean McCrea was a member of Carole's favorite demo-singing Girl Group, The Cookies. You can hear Carole playing the piano and singing in the background on this one. In a few months, it would be back as a Herman's Hermits record, too.)

I Say a Little Prayer - Dionne Warwick (11/67; #4 Pop, #8 R&B - composer Burt Bacharach also played the piano on most of his creations, especially when Dionne Warwick was the singer. Aretha Franklin would later record this one and take it to #3 as an R&B hit  -  as a B-side!)

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin (9/67; #8 - Jerry Wexler bumped into Carole King and Gerry Goffin one evening outside a restaurant and said "I need a new song for Aretha Franklin. A 'natural woman' song." They came up with this. That's Spooner Oldham on piano, down in Muscle Shoals.)

Let's Go Get Stoned - Ray Charles (6/66; #31 Pop, #1 R&B - "Brother Ray" was one of the greatest piano-playing showmen of the era. This one was written by Ashford & Simpson and featured young Billy Preston on organ. That's Ray tickling the ivories.)

 

 

8-9pm

 

 

Love Theme from "Romeo & Juliet" - Henry Mancini & Orchestra (6/69; #1 for three weeks - the Franco Zeffirelli film was a huge hit. So was the lilting theme music. In this case, the pianist is Henry Mancini himself.)

Ain't Wastin' Time No More - Allman Brothers Band (4/72; #77 - this was the opening track of their Eat A Peach album, and was written shortly after Gregg Allman lost his brother Duane in a motorcycle accident. Gregg plays the piano and sings his heart out.)

Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone (2/69; #1 for four weeks - the timing was right for a healing song about racial harmony. Rose Stone plays the piano and sings the children's-rhyme refrain.)

* It's Too Late - Carole King (6/71; #1 for five weeks - this was another double-A-Side single, backed with I Feel The Earth Move. Carole King stepped out of the shadows to release one of the biggest-selling albums of the decade.)

Without You - Nilsson (2/72; #1 for four weeks - this one was actually co-written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans from Badfinger. Session player Gary Wright  - who would later have a hit with Dream Weaver - plays the piano part. Everybody in America bought the single.)

Love On a Two-Way Street - The Moments (3/70; #3 Pop, #1 R&B for five weeks - this one was written by Lezlie Valentine and went nowhere. Songwriters Sylvia Robinson and Bert Keyes somehow managed to swipe it from her and replace her vocals with those of The Moments. Years later, Jay-Z would "sample" the piano lick for the biggest song of 2000's! Check it out:)

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Hollies (1/70; #7 - Graham Nash had left the group and their hits had dried up, but this comeback record did the trick. Apparently, they hired unknown session player Reg Dwight to play the piano. Within a year he'd be better known to the world as Elton John. Yep.)

Misty Blue - Dorothy Moore (2/76; #3 - this classy ballad was graced by the tasty piano licks of session man Carson Whitsett. Look him up, because you've heard him on other records over the years.)

Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens (4/72; #6 - among the ironies of the music biz is that Cat Stevens - songwriter extraordinaire - had only two records reach as high as #6, and neither of them was written by him. In fact, the unsung hero of this record is pianist Rick Wakeman, who was already a superstar with the supergroup Yes.)

Photograph - Ringo Starr (11/73; #1 - Ringo wrote it, and he had support from George Harrison on harmony vocals and 12-string guitar, Bobby Keys on sax solo, strings and choir arranged by Jack Nitzsche, and piano by Nicky Hopkins.)

Brown-Eyed Woman - Bill Medley (9/68; #43 Pop, #37 R&B - The Righteous Brothers' baritone singer had recently split with tenor Bobby Hatfield and signed with M-G-M Records. This song about interracial romance featured his on-again/off-again girlfriend Darlene Love and her Blossoms on background vocals. Life imitating art???)

 

Susan - Buckinghams (1/68; #11 - this was their final Top Ten hit, and soon their producer James William Guercio would abandon them to produce a bigger horn band: Chicago. Band member Marty Grebb plays the piano here. Full disclosure: this is one of my favorite songs ever.)

Sail On Sailor - Beach Boys (1/73; #79 - the band was in something of a shambles: internal division, drug problems, lack of focus...so new members were brought in for this one album. Singer Blondie Chaplin takes lead vocal duties here, but Brian Wilson co-wrote it and allegedly plays the piano on it. Not a big Pop hit, but an FM Radio staple!)

Laughter In The Rain - Neil Sedaka (2/75; #1 - another Brill Building songwriter who played piano on all of his records had a smashing career comeback with this feel-good treat. Perfect for a mid-summer evening like this.)

After the Goldrush - Neil Young (9/70; NR - this was the title track from Neil Young's latest album. There were three charting singles plucked from the LP and this isn't one of them, but it's brilliant and spare and a nice way to wrap things up. That's Neil Young on piano and Bill Peterson on flugelhorn. That's it!)

 

 

 

CLOSING THEME:  Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

 

 

 

Glossary of Terms:

dnc = did not chart

nr = not released as a single at the time

AC = Billboard’s chart for “Adult Contemporary” records

BB = Billboard Magazine, which publishes the Hot 100 chart (previously known as the Top 100), along with several other charts

Bubbling Under = songs that were ranked but fell below the top 100

C&W = Billboard’s chart for “Country & Western” records

R&B = Billboard’s chart for “Rhythm & Blues” records

RRHOF = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

RS500 = Rolling Stone Magazine’s ranked list of the top 500 singles of all-time

 

 

 

 

Host Next Week (8/8/20):  John Rudan live in the studio at long last!

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in! You can listen to Rockin' Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9pm on WVBR (93.5 FM in Ithaca, NY) or at wvbr.com/listen.

 

Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!