October 3, 2020 - JS - Seasons Change (1966)

 

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!)

 

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Date:  10/3/20

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Seasons Change (1966)

Tonight from 6-9pm - join JS for a musical journey full of twists and turns and tuneful treasures. We'll bid farewell to some recent departures, we'll celebrate a loaded birthday calendar and we'll kick it all off with some great tunes from October 1966. Admission is free and everyone is welcome! 93.5 locally, streaming worldwide at wvbr dot com.

 
 

 

 

(scroll down to find a glossary of terms)

 

Playlist

 

 

·      keep an eye out for YouTube links

·      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)

 

Bus Stop - The Hollies (at #15 this week in 1966, down from #5 - their first single with new drummer Bernie Calvert, and tonight we celebrate the end of our local drought and the beginning of a new season.)

 

Mr. Dieingly Sad - Critters (peaking on this date in 1966 at #17 - their debut single had been a cover of a John Sebastian tune, but this was the one they'd hoped would be their first single. They wrote it and they nailed it!)

 

Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra (down this week to #34 after reaching #25 - a wistful, atmospheric and poignant look at the end of a romantic summer, by one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century.)

 

Autumn - The Thomas Group (dnc - released in the Summer of '66, this had a great pedigree: written by Sloan & Barri, featuring studio giants from the Wrecking Crew, and released by a band that was fronted by Danny Thomas' son Tony - who also happened to be Marlo Thomas' kid brother. Still...it flopped.)

 

Cherish - Association (in its second of three weeks at #1 this week in 1966 - tonight we hear the LP version, which runs about 12 seconds longer than the version on the radio. To keep it under 3 minutes long, the record company sped it up a hair and removed the final "and I do...cherish you..." at the end. They also lied about the song still running 3:13 and simply mislabeled it as "3:00.")

 

Always It's You - Everly Brothers (5/60; #56 - this appeared as the B-side of their first single for Warner Brothers. The A-side was Cathy's Clown, a song written by the brothers which spent several weeks at #1. This side was written by Boudeleaux and Felice Bryant.)

 

Look for a Star, Pt. 1 - Garry Mills (6/60; #26 - this originally appeared in the British film Circus of Horrors. The record label rushed the single release so quickly that they didn't even have a B-side, so they used the very same song and called it "Pt. 2." A competing version was released here in the States by a singer called "Gary Miles," and that one outperformed the original.)

 

Mountain of Love - Harold Dorman (2/60; #21 - this was originally released on a tiny record label to no response, but they went back in and added strings and it went onto become his only Hot 100 record. Listen to the original version directly below. By the way...that's young Charlie Rich on the piano!)

 

You Waited Too Long - Five Stairsteps (5/66; #94 Pop, #16 R&B - this was the Chicago family's debut single, produced by their mentor Curtis Mayfield. What a stunning debut, co-written by the band's 17-year old Clarence Burke, Jr.)

 

*  Poor Side of Town - Johnny Rivers (racing up the chart this week in 1966 and headed to a peak of #1, this goes out to our buddy George. It would be Johnny's only #1 record  -  and his only hit that he composed for himself!)

 

Heaven Must've Sent You - Elgins (at #113 this week, headed to #50 Pop and #9 R&B - from the Motown family, this would later become a big hit for Bonnie Pointer. This one was on Motown's little-used V.I.P. imprint.)

 

It's All in the Game - Tommy Edwards (9/58; #1 for six weeks - this one spent most of the month of October at #1, having spent a couple of weeks in September doing the same. Later charting versions would be released by Cliff Richard and The Four Tops, and Van Morrison would also release a haunting version. You can hear that one below.)

 

45 Corner:  The Urge For Going - Tom Rush (10/66; dnc - this Elektra Records single made some noise in the Boston market in October of 1966, but largely fell upon deaf ears. It has the distinction of being the first Joni Mitchell composition recorded by another musician. The LP/CD versions are of a different take and run at a slower tempo. Here's the original 45.)

 

New York Mining Disaster (1941) - Bee Gees (5/67; #14 - this has the distinction of being the brothers' very first charting single in the US. Little did we know that it was the beginning of a very long and illustrious career.)

 

Ready Or Not (Here I Come) - Delfonics (12/68; #35 - this was part of a two-sided single for the Bell brothers, this side produced by young Thom Bell [no relation]. This is from the recent Kent Records compilation called "Ready Or Not...The Thom Bell Sessions." Highly recommended.)

 

(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need - Temptations (10/67; #14 - this one was from the group's halcyon days, featuring the classic Temptations line-up: David Ruffin on lead vocals, songwriting by Whitfield-Holland, and instrumentation by the Funk Brothers at their peak. My friend JR points out that this is currently featured in a Peloton commercial.)

 

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

Sept. 27 – Steve Boone (Lovin' Spoonful) – age 77

            – Randy Bachman (Guess Who) – age 77

            

Sept. 28 – Ben E. King – born in 1938

           

Sept. 29 – Tommy Boyce – born in 1939

            – Mark Farner (Grand Funk) – age 72

           
 

Sept. 30 – Cissy Houston (Sweet Inspirations) – age 87

            – Johnny Mathis – age 85

            – Marilyn McCoo – age 75

 

October 1 – Donny Hathaway – born in 1945

            

October 2 – Don McLean – age 75

          

October 3 – Chubby Checker – age 79

            – Lindsey Buckingham – age 72

        

 

You Didn't Have to Be So Nice - Lovin' Spoonful (11/65; #10 - for about two short years these guys were one of the coolest American groups on the scene. Steve Boone played bass, and they were approached about doing a TV series that - after they turned it down - became "The Monkees." Tonight you hear the mono 45 version.)

 

Shakin' All Over - Guess Who (5/65; #22 - Randy Bachman played the guitar lick on this sizzling cover of the Johnny Kidd & The Pirates number. Chad Allen would soon leave, Burton Cummings would soon join, and The Guess Who would become a really successful Canadian export.)

 

Goodnight My Love - Ben E. King (1/66; #91 Pop - long after he left The Drifters for a solo career, Ben E. King churned out some great records on the Atco label. This cover of the Jesse Belvin tune is sublime, but it never got ANY R&B airplay.)

 

Unchained Melody - Sweet Inspirations (8/68; #73 Pop, #41 R&B - The Sweet Inspirations sang on lots of studio sessions for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett to Van Morrison [on Brown Eyed Girl] and Elvis [on tour]. Cissy Houston's "greatest hit" may have been her daughter Whitney, but this is one my favorites.)

 

Venus - Johnny Mathis (6/68; #111 - Johnny Mathis could sing the phone book and make it compelling. This record wasn't much of a production number and it barely registered on the charts, but the final notes are brilliant!)

 

Crying - Don McLean (1/81; #5 - here's our final "Oldie" interpretation of this week's Birthday Calendar. It actually spent three weeks at #1 in the UK and proved that the kid from New Rochelle was more than just a successful singer/songwriter.)

 

One Less Bell to Answer - 5th Dimension (10/70; #1 for two weeks - Burt Bacharach & Hal David wrote this one and Marilyn McCoo made it her very own. That's her in the top right.)

 

Where Is the Love - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (6/72; #5 Pop, #1 R&B - Roberta & Donny met at Howard University and had undeniable chemistry. He was battling depression, and she was heartbroken when word came that he'd jumped to his death from a NYC hotel room at age 34.)

 

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac (1/77; #10 - the lead single from their stunning LP Rumours was written and produced by guitarist/singer Lindsey Buckingham. The band was dealing with two significant internal break-ups, and this one is aimed at his wandering sweetheart Stevie Nicks.)

 

Bad Time - Grand Funk (4/75; #4 - this is another song written about love gone bad. Mark Farner was inspired to write this during divorce proceedings, and it yielded the band's final Top 5 hit.)

 

Valleri - Monkees (3/68; #3 - Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart were two of the hottest songwriters in America, and their main vehicle was The Monkees. This was originally a throw-away song in an episode, but public demand led to a recording session that yielded this hit.)

 

I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite - Boyce & Hart (12/67; #8 - jealous of the adulation showered upon The Monkees who were singing their songs and getting all the love, the duo took a stab at recording one for themselves  -  and it was a hit! Several records followed, but none were quite as good as this one. A few years later, Tommy and Bobby would join Micky and Davy and tour as....Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart!)

 

45 Corner:  Rosie - Chubby Checker (6/64; #116 - this sweet little number appeared on the B-side of a low-charting record written - coincidentally - by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart! Lazy Elsie Molly did okay, but this is my preferred side - and this version doesn't exist anywhere on CD. Or YouTube, for that matter.)

 

Bad to Me - Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas (5/64; #9 - this was a throwaway song from the pens of Lennon-McCartney, but it rode its way to the Top Ten on the waves of the British Invasion. However...it also spent three weeks at #1 in the UK, so maybe the British Invasion had nothing to do with it.)

 

Are You There With Another Girl - Dionne Warwick (12/65; #39 - a slightly haunting record from the pens of Bacharach & David, as interpreted by their favorite female interpreter. Those are the Sweet Inspirations in the background, by the way.)

 

My Maria - BW Stevenson (7/73; #9 - my buddy JR played this record just last week, and we joked that it's in "hot rotation" on Rockin' Remnants. Country stars Brooks & Dunn would record a direct copy of this arrangement and take it to #1 on the C&W charts in 1996. It would also win them a Grammy Award.)

 

 

8-9pm

 

Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (peaking on this date in 1966 at #47 - this was their first nationally-charting record on the A&M Records label. They'd be b-a-c-k....)

 

Let's Hang On - 4 Seasons (10/65; #3 - the Jersey Boys were on an incredible roll as this record came along. Tonight we hear a special edit created by my good friend Jon Hilton at Hiltronex Sound on Ithaca's West Hill. Check out that extended ending!)

 

Bend Me, Shape Me - American Breed (12/67; #5 - this was their third record to crack the Hot 100, and it cracked it wide open for the little Acta Records label. The mid-western band would record for a couple more years before they morphed into the Funk/Soul band called Rufus. Shortly thereafter, they'd unleash Chaka Khan on the world!)

 

How 'Bout Us - Champaign (2/81; #12 Pop, #4 R&B - this interracial band took their name from their home in Illinois and this would be their most enduring hit. Check out this video from the recording studio.)

 

Sukiyaki - A Taste of Honey (3/81; #3 Pop, #1 R&B for three weeks - this had been a #1 hit for Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto back in 1963. This version used a whole new set of lyrics sung in English, and wraps up a mini-1981 set.)

 

In Memorium: A Tribute to Three Recent Departures

 

Our Winter Love - Bill Pursell (2/63; #9 - Bill was a session piano player who'd appeared of recordings by artists including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Joan Baez. He passed on September 3rd at age 94 due to complications from COVID-19. This was his biggest solo hit.)

 

I Am Woman - Helen Reddy (12/72; #1 - this record first appeared on the chart in June of 1972. It took six months for it to slowly climb the charts to the top, and it eventually earned her the Grammy for Best Female Pop Performance. She left behind a long string of radio hits when she passed at age 78 in Los Angeles two days ago.)

 

What Is Hip? - Tower of Power (2/74; #91 - Francis "Rocco" Prestia was a founding member of the hottest horn band in America. He was known as "The Finger-Style Funk Master" and inspired a generation of bass players over a 50+ year career. This wasn't their biggest hit, but it's one of their most beloved records. He passed away Thursday evening at a hospice residence in Las Vegas. He was  69 years old.)

 

Stormy - Classics IV (10/68; #5 - singer Dennis Yost shines on this gem from the Imperial Records label. Contemporary musician John Legend borrowed the melody and structure of this song to create a new song, and duly shared songwriting credit with Buddy Buie and James B. Cobb. Here's the updated version:)

 

Get the Message - Brian Hyland (8/67; #91 - he started as a youthful novelty singer with a song about a polka-dotted bikini, but he changed with the times. This one got lost in the shuffle, but it's a terrific Pop song that deserved a better fate.)

 

Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers (5/76; #1 - this duo from Darby, FL would score 46 C&W hits before they were done. This was a rare crossover hit for them that topped the Pop charts.)

 

I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight - Barry & The Tamerlanes (10/63; #21 - Barry De Vorzon was best known as "the boss" at Valiant Records, but he took an occasional stab at being ON a record. He'd be back again in the mid-Seventies with a record that became strongly associated with Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci.)

 

Summer Side of Life - Gordon Lightfoot (9/71; #98 - the Canadian singer/songwriter was about to hit it big on Pop radio and this should've been a bigger hit, but it didn't quite catch on at the time.)

 

Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams) - Jesse Belvin (10/56; #7 R&B - one of the coolest factoids ever is that the piano player on this one is a 12-year old kid named Barry White. Yes, THAT Barry White.)

 

 

 

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 (10/10/20):  Gregory James with a spotlight on the newly-updated Rolling Stone Magazine Top 500 Albums!

 

 

 

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!