January 13, 2024 - JS - Alternate Universe Oldies

 

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:  1/13/24

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Alternate Universe Oldies

 

 

 

Tonight on Rockin' Remnants it’s "Alternate Universe Oldies": covers or originals that are less familiar than the hit versions. Three hours of good tunes, good company, weather updates and some free movie tickets. C'mon over! 93.5FM or streaming at wvbr dot com from 6-9pm Eastern time.

  

 

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia

 

I played two songs in the 6:00 written by the team of Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe. What were they?

 

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

 

 

Playlist

 

·      YouTube links follow certain entries

·      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)

 

Anna – Arthur Alexander (10/62; #68 Pop, #10 R&B – many listeners assumed that this was a Beatles song, because their version appeared on albums that sold millions of copies. Arthur Alexander was a favorite of British R&B fanatics like John Lennon and Brian Jones and their peers, and he didn’t mind that they recorded his songs. The royalty payments were astronomical!)

 

 

 

Time Is On My Side – Irma Thomas (7/64; dnc – this was the B-side of a low-charting single that made its way across the ocean. The Rolling Stones did a note-for-note cover and took it to #6 three months later.)

  

 

I’m Into Something Good – Earl-Jean (6/64; #38 – she was a member of The Cookies and Carole King had her record this bouncy confection. Four months later Herman’s Hermits took it to #13 in The States and #1 in the UK.)

 

Over and Over – Bobby Day (8/58; #41 – this was the B-side of “Rockin’ Robin,” and it did pretty well on its own. Seven years later The Dave Clark 5 would take it to the top of the charts!)

 

 

 

Go Now – Bessie Banks (1/64; #40 Cashbox – this was released on the tiny Tiger Records label here in The States and didn’t even dent the Billboard charts, but a copy landed in the hands of Britain’s Moody Blues, who had a giant hit with it a year later.)

 

 

Before and After (Losing You) – Fleetwoods (12/64; dnc – Van McCoy was the writer, and British Invasion group Chad & Jeremy would take it to the Top Twenty about six months later.)

 

Hey There Lonely Boy – Ruby & The Romantics (8/63; #27 – many people only came to know this song when Eddie Holman updated it as “Hey There Lonely Girl,” and took it to #2 in early 1970.)

 

 

Please Love Me Forever – Tommy Edwards (10/58; #61 – this was the B-side of Tommy’s only #1 record, but it would resurface as a #6 hit when Bobby Vinton would record his own version in late 1967.)

 

The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore) – Frankie Valli (10/65; #128 – this was penned by 4 Seasons writers Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, but lacked the oomph that propelled The Walker Brothers version to #13 a few months later – and it would also spend four weeks at #1 in the UK. I’m convinced that the massive drums on the Walkers’ version made all the difference!)

 

 

The River Is Wide – The Forum (7/67; #45 – this one was released on two small labels in 1966 to little success. It finally inched its way up to #45, but The Grass Roots would have the most success with it, just missing #30 in 1969.)

 

 

*  (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone – Paul Revere & The Raiders (1966; NR – this Boyce & Hart number was perfect for four-chord bar bands, and fit nicely on The Raiders’ Midnight Ride LP. It would reach a million more ears, though, when The Monkees released it as the B-side of “I’m a Believer” a year and a half later.)

 

45 Corner:  Gimme Some Lovin’ – Jordan Brothers (1/67; #129 – Steve Winwood was all of sixteen when he wrote and recorded this one with The Spencer Davis Group. Somehow, Pennsylvania’s Jordan Brothers released it here in the States before anyone else did. However…no cigar!)

 

 

*  I’m a Believer – Neil Diamond (1979; NR – a different version of this song apparently appeared on a 1968 Bang Records LP by the Brill Building writer. The Monkees took it to #1 for seven weeks, and Smashmouth would later have a hit with it in the Nineties. Tonight we hear the only version I could find, and it’s pretty goofy. Sorry about that, Michael!)

 

 

*  Piece of My Heart – Erma Franklin (10/67; #62 Pop, #10 R&B – this song is most strongly associated with Janis Joplin, who did a show-stopping version at the Monterey Pop Festival. Few remembered that it was Aretha Franklin’s sister who’d recorded the source material. Listener George remembered, though! Meanwhile, take a look at Janis in 1968.)

 

 

Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) – Bay City Rollers (3/75; dnc, #1 UK for six weeks – many of us never heard this version until we saw the film “Love Actually,” but it had already been a huge hit in the UK. Here in The States, it was the 4 Seasons version that had been the hit version back in early 1965, reaching #12.)

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

January 7 – Paul Revere (Raiders) – born 1938

            – Eldee Young (Young-Holt Ltd.) – born 1936

            – Kenny Loggins – age 76

 

January 8 – Elvis Presley – born 1935

            – Little Anthony (Imperials) – age 83

 

January 9 – Joan Baez – age 83

            – Scott Walker (Walker Bros.) – born 1943

            – Jimmy Page – age 79

             – Crystal Gayle – age 73

 

January 10 – Jim Croce – born 1943

            – Rod Stewart – age 79

 

January 11 – Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) – born 1942

 

January 12 – Chris Bell (Big Star) – born 1951

                  – Larry Hoppen – born 1951

 

 

 

Early Mornin’ Rain – Elvis Presley (1971; NR – Elvis returned to Nashville to record some of his favorite songs, and they were released on an album called Back In Nashville. Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has said that this is his favorite version of his oft-recorded tune.)

 

 

Danny’s Song – Loggins & Messina (6/72; dnc – this was tucked onto the B-side of “Nobody But You” and taken from the album Sittin’ In. Anne Murray would later have a #7 hit with it, but it’s one of Kenny’s signature songs.)

 

 

Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word – Joan Baez (4/69; #86 – Joan Baez had a complicated relationship with Bob Dylan, and finally turned it into the song called “Diamonds and Rust.” In the interim, she recorded many of his songs. This one features the Danelectro sitar-like guitar licks of studio player Reggie Young.)

 

 

Am I Same Girl – Barbara Acklin (2/69; #79 Pop, #33 R&B – bassist Eldee Young and drummer Red Holt had left the Ramsey Lewis Trio to form Young-Holt Unlimited. Their biggest hit was “Soulful Strut,” released on the Brunswick Records label. Remarkably, Brunswick chanteuse Barbara Acklin had her hit before her vocal was stripped and replaced by the piano on the big hit version.)

 

 

Make It Easy On Yourself – Walker Brothers (10/65; #16 Pop, #1 UK – Jerry Butler had taken this song to #20 in the States back in the summer of 1962. This is basically a note-for-note replica of his arrangement, but it was perfectly suited to Scott Walker’s bombastic delivery.)

 

Out of Sight, Out of Mind – Little Anthony & The Imperials (8/69; #52 Pop, #38 R&B – this had been an R&B hit for The Five Keys back in 1956, and was perfectly suited to Little Anthony’s melodramatic tendencies. It was their first and highest-charting single for their new record label.)

 

Here Comes the Night – Lulu (11/64; #50 UK – this record featured studio guitarist Jimmy Page, as did Van Morrison’s more successful version from a few months later with the group Them. Page, of course, would go on to join The Yardbirds, who would eventually morph into Led Zeppelin.)

 

(I Know) I’m Losing You – Rod Stewart & The Faces (12/71; #24 – this blistering remake of The Temptations song was one of three charting singles plucked from the Every Picture Tells a Story LP. Tonight we hear the mono 45 mix.)

 

Say Goodbye to Hollywood – Ronnie Spector & The E Street Band (4/77; dnc – this was produced by E Streeter Steven Van Zandt, and was the only record ever attributed to anyone other than BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and the E Street Band. Billy Joel had written and recorded it as a tribute to Ronnie, but Epic pulled it at the last minute.)

 

Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Crystal Gayle (8/77; #2 Pop for three weeks, #1 C&W for four weeks – this crossover smash earned two Grammy Awards, and featured Nashville session player Hargus “Pig” Robbins on those tasty piano licks.)

 

Photographs & Memories – Jim Croce (7/72; dnc – this was the B-side to his “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” single, but it’s also the name of his greatest hits album. Jim Croce died in a plane crash at the age of 30, just as his career was taking off.)

 

Dancing In the Moonlight – Boffalongo (7/70; dnc – this Ithaca-area group was fronted by singer/composer Sherman Kelly and bass player Larry Hoppen. Larry would go on to become a founding member of Orleans, and this song would later become a big hit for King Harvest. Tonight we hear the original!)

 

You and Your Sister – Chris Bell (1978; dnc – this was the B-side of a non-charting single that reunited the two main members of Big Star. Alex Chilton sings the harmony vocal. Chris Bell would sadly die in an auto accident several months later at the tender age of 27.)

 

 

 

 

 

8-9pm

 

*  Rings – Lobo (10/74; #43 – Cymarron had the original hit version, reaching #17 in 1971. Their version had “James Taylor on the stereo,” while Lobo’s had “The Allman Brothers on the stereo.” This goes out from Scottie to Peggy in Mecklenburg with love.)

 

 

*  When You Walk Into the Room – Karla Bonoff (12/79; #101 – Jackie DeShannon had written and released this one in early 1964, getting stuck at #99. It was The Searchers who rode the British Invasion wave to #35 a few months after Ms. DeShannon’s release.)

 

Can’t Find the Time – Rose Colored Glass (4/71; #54 – here’s a twist: Boston band Orpheus is best known for this song, although their version only reached #80 on the national charts. The Rose Colored Glass version is pretty much a lost artifact.)

 

 

Working on a Groovy Thing – Patti Drew (8/68; #62 Pop, #34 R&B – this would become a pretty big hit for The 5^th Dimension, sandwiched between their two #1 hits at #20 in the summer of ’69. Patti Drew’s version is another lost artifact.)

 

 

Chain Gang – Jackie Wilson & Count Basie (5/68; #84 Pop, #37 R&B – this unlikely pairing led to a two-day recording session that resulted in an album of cool covers by two giant talents. Sam Cooke’s original version had made it to #2 back in 1960. This version swings.)

 

Unchained Melody – Sweet Inspirations (8/68; #73 – there have been over 1500 versions of this song recorded through the years, including four different ones that reached #1 in the UK. Oldies Radio has pretty much made The Righteous Brothers version the only one to receive airplay, but Cissy Houston gives Bobby Hatfield a run for his money here.)

 

 

Hey Girl – Donny Osmond (11/71; #9 – Freddie Scott took this Carole King number to #10 in 1963, and Billy Joel would go on to release a killer version in the Nineties, but there’s something about this Donny Osmond version that really appeals to me!)

 

 

Abraham, Martin & John – Moms Mabley (7/69; #35 Pop, #18 R&B – Dion had the big hit version. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles also charted with it, as did Tom Clay – and Marvin Gaye recorded a stunning version that charted in the UK. This one, though, is remarkably affecting – especially given that she was best known as a Chitlin’ Circuit comic when she recorded it at age 75, making her the oldest artist with a Top 40 hit at the time. This video from The Merv Griffin Show is well worth a viewing.)

 

 

 

Give a Damn – Staple Singers (3/70; dnc – in 1968 NYC Mayor John Lindsay formed the NY Urban Coalition to address the needs of the city’s poor and underserved residents, and a short TV spot with this slogan/jingle was aired. Spanky and Our Gang turned it into a hit, and The Staple Singers took a crack at it a year later, but to little notice.)

 

 

*  Every Time You Go Away – Hall & Oates (1980; NR – this was a track from their LP Voices, and was suggested by listener Whit from New Jersey. In 1985 Paul Young would take it all the way to #1. Tonight we hear the H&O album version.)

 

Que Sera Sera – Mary Hopkin (7/70; #77 – this had been a big hit for Doris Day back in 1956, even reaching #1 in the UK where young Paul McCartney was captivated by it. Years later he created his own arrangement, played bass and three guitar parts and had Ringo play the drums. Here it is, with Welsh folksinger Mary Hopkin behind the mic.)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Trivia Answer

 

 

Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio teamed to write both Bye Bye Baby and The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore) for Frankie Valli and/or the 4 Seasons.

 

Congratulations to Dave from Ellis Hollow, for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of passes to Cinemapolis!

 

 

 

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 (1/20/24):  Gregory James with JS & KV shining a spotlight on Ampersands

 

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in - and for voting us Ithaca's Best Local Radio Show in this year's Ithaca Times Readers' Poll! 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, too, to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!