Saturday, May 7, 2011

The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

re:  A GREAT BRIT WEEK IN FORGOTTEN HITS!:

One if by land, two if by sea ... 
Well no, actually ... it was two by air ... it IS 2011, after all ... but what a great week here in Forgotten Hits ... as a couple of famous Brits landed in Chicago!  
Last week I got the opportunity to meet and visit with songwriter Tony Hatch and musician / author Julian Dawson.  Both happened to be in Chicago during the same week and offered the opportunity to get together and talk about our love of music.

Imagine getting an email like this one:

Hi kk,
I am in Chicago returning to the UK on Monday evening, May 02.
I'm here for the Variety Childrens' Charity World Conference and staying at the Palmer House Hilton.
I just thought it would be great to meet the face behind Forgotten Hits if you are there and have some time to spare.
Best wishes,
TONY HATCH
Are you kidding me?!?!?  Tony Hatch?!?!?  And he wants to meet ME?!?!?!?  (What's wrong with this picture?!?!?  lol)
I laugh because there was a time where I would have been afraid to write the very same email to him for fear of being intrusive (or, worse yet, turned down), so it was QUITE flattering indeed to be offered the opportunity to meet such a musical mastermind ... and at HIS invitation nonetheless!Tony Hatch, of course, wrote the majority of Petula Clark's biggest hits -- a non-stop musical assault of pop classics:  Downtown, I Know A Place, You'd Better Come Home, Round Every Corner, My Love, A Sign Of The Times, I Couldn't Live Without Your Love, Who Am I, Color My World, Don't Sleep In The Subway, The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener, Don't Give Up ... an INCREDIBLE array of music ... and all of it came from the pen (and the piano!) of one Tony Hatch!  Hatch also wrote "Sugar And Spice", a huge hit for both The Searchers and The Cryan' Shames (depending on which side of the pond you grew up), "Forget Him", a Top Five Smash for Bobby Rydell, "You're The One" by The Vogues and "Call Me" by Chris Montez.

Not a bad resume, eh?!?!?  As a MAJOR, MAJOR Tony Hatch fan, it was ESPECIALLY flattering to find out that he's a fan of Forgotten Hits.  (We talked for quite a while in the lobby of the elegant Palmer House Hotel in "downtown" Chicago where he even bought me a couple of Bloody Mary's ... which made leaving the parking garage ESPECIALLY exciting afterwards!!!  lol)  And, I have to say, a nicer guy you're never going to meet.  Again, the power of music ... once we started "talking shop", it was as if we'd known each other for years with nary an awkward or silent moment!  Music truly IS the universal language.

Tony was in town raising money and planning events for Variety Club Childrens Charity, an organization for which he has been a proud member (and former President) for decades now!  What's especially nice is that all money raised in Chicago during this particular visit STAYS in Chicago for the Chicago Chapter.

I asked him to give us a little background on Variety Club so that other Forgotten Hits Readers could check it out and do their part, too.  (kk)

Hi Kent,
Thanks so much for making the trek to The Palmer House and I'm sorry I didn't have the time to buy you lunch to soak up the Bloody Marys.
It was good talking to you and I hope we can do it again some time.
The main Variety International website is www.varietychildrenscharity.org  and from that you can access individual Tents (Chapters) such as Illinois, www.varietyclub26.org.
I appreciate any mention you can give to Variety The Childrens Charity.
My own past roles within the organization have been Chief Barker (President) Variety Club of Australia (1987 - 1989) Chief Barker (President) Variety Club of Great Britain (2000) and I was International President 1997 - 1999. My main involvement with Variety International nowadays (as a Past President) is more in an advisory capacity but I also produce fundraising events for the Variety Club of Great Britain.
Keep in touch and keep up the great work you do with Forgotten Hits.
Best wishes,
TONY
KEEPING THE MUSIC ALIVE:  You'll find several of Tony's songs being prominently featured in advertising campaigns around the world.  "Downtown" was recently used as part of a HUGE ad blitz for the Visa Card ... "Color My World" has been used to sell paint ... and a television commercial featuring Frannie's favorite, "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love", has been used to sell Caesar Dog Food in Great Britain for over two years!
***
A few nights later, I met up with Julian Dawson.  Julian is the guy who has just written and published the definitive biography on Nicky Hopkins, the consummate musical sideman, LONG overdue for recognition for his contributions to SO many great artists and recordings over the years.  Julian's new book is called "And On Piano ... Nicky Hopkins" and it's a VERY in depth look at Nicky's illustrious career. (Hopkins worked most famously with The Rolling Stones, The Beatles -- both together ... that's him playing that rockin' piano on "Revolution" ... and as solo artists, The Kinks, The Who, Steve Miller, Rod Stewart, The Jefferson Airplane, Nilsson, Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison and SO many more.  Sadly, we lost him in 1994 after a lifetime spent battling one illness after another.  Through it all, he truly gave his heart and soul to rock and roll.
Julian was in town doing book signings and performances.  You see, not only is he a recently-published author, but he has ALSO released 21 CD's of his own music over the past 36 years as well ... and proved to be quite an entertaining performer when I saw him perform in the intimate setting of Fitzgerald's, a fun local pub here in the Chicago suburbs.  (In fact, Julian will be performing ... and signing copies of his book ... this Sunday ... the 8th ... at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago ... if you get the chance to stop by, please do ... a VERY pleasant fellow who truly loves and appreciates this music.  Once again, the conversation just flowed and flowed ... and I was treated to a very special one-on-one pre-show concert of Julian performing a barrage of well-known hits at the mere mention of a song title!) You can check out his website here:
Julian allowed us a great track to share with our readers ... and it's one that has a VERY special meaning (as well has an interesting Nicky Hopkins connection).  Again, I'll let him tell the story in his own words:
In 1994, I was a singer / songwriter, signed to a worldwide record deal with BMG, and was due to make my eighth album.  One idea, as yet unwritten, concerned my father, who had died suddenly though not unexpectedly, days before I was due to leave for the USA.  Dad had been an avid classical music buff but, despite having seven sons growing up in the sixties, had successfully avoided listening to pop music.  This unfortunately included all of my own efforts as a musician.  Thinking that he could maybe catch up now on what he'd missed in his lifetime, I was planning to write something for him to be featured on the album.
After an intense day's work, we were relaxing and listening to some late-night music.  We shared an affection for the very early Steve Miller Band records and on this particular night were listening to "Your Saving Grace", an album that prominently features Nicky Hopkins on the piano.  Neither of us had heard any news of his whereabouts in years.  I wondered out loud, "Whatever happened to Nicky Hopkins? Wouldn't it be amazing to have someone like him tracking with us on this record?"  This was possibly the first time Nicky's name had ever crossed my lips.
Two days later, I broke off to play a showcase gig at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas.  My half hour show went well and was followed by Texas writer / singer Jerry Williams, accompanied on second keyboards by ... NICKY HOPKINS!!!
After the show, I was able to wrangle my way in to an "invitation only" party in a neigbouring room where, by pure luck, I was introduced to Nicky and his red-headed Scottish wife, Moira.  I explained the coincidence of my recent New York conversation and, being a firm believer in grabbing the moment, asked Nicky if he would consider joining us in the studio.  He politely pointed out that he didn't know me, or my music, and asked if I had anything he could listen to before committing himself, so I gave him a recent compilation CD that BMG had put out in Europe.
Fate kicked in again when it transpired that Nicky had moved that very week from Los Angeles to Nashville to escape the recent earthquakes.  I had a flight booked next morning to Nashville to try and come up with some last minute gems before going in to record.  This gave me a perfect opportunity to follow up my chance meeting with Nicky.
Over a cup of tea, he said he'd enjoyed my songs, particularly the lyrics, as he himself only wrote music and furthermore that he would be delighted to join us in the studio.  His fee was beyond the limits of our budget and, extremely reluctantly, I had to decline (a decision I've regretted bitterly ever since.)
Before I left, however, I mentioned that I was in town to try and write some more songs for the album and asked if he had any music that needed lyrics.  He handed me a cassette with a beautiful piano piece he had recently written and promised that we could get together again.
I said my goodbyes, got into my rental car and put the cassette into the player.  By the time I arrived at my publisher's office twelve minutes later, I had almost the complete lyrics to a song about my Dad.  All I had to do was write them down, an experience I've only had once or twice in thirty years of making songs.
"You're Listening Now" was channeled rather than written.  I knew right away that it was one of the better pieces of work I'd ever come up with.  I went back next day and played the completed song for Nicky and Moira.  They loved it, so we agreed that I would go and make my album, but come back to Nashville so that we could record our new composition together. We soon had a version we both liked and I felt I'd made a great new friend, and Nicky and I agreed to work together again as soon as I came back to Nashville.
When I flew home to London, I found my wife, pregnant at the time, in tears on the sofa, having just had the news that her father, too, had suddenly died.  On a September morning, after the second funeral that year, in our tiny one-room apartment, with unseasonably deep snow on the ground outside, the phone rang. It was my brother in England.  "Have you seen the paper?  Nicky Hopkins has died."
I was completely stunned.  I tried to console myself that day by listening over and over to "Baby's House", my favorite track from that "Your Saving Grace" Steve Miller Band album that we had listened to that earlier night before I met Nicky, and calling Nicky's widow and other friends who felt as devastated as I did.
Our session together turned out to be his very last recording.  The album came out as "Travel On", with a dedication to both fathers and to Nicky in the sleeve notes.  I undertook a lengthy tour with my band to support it and found that wherever I played "You're Listening Now", people were immediately asking for the song at the merchandise stand, and there were sometimes rows of people in tears after I'd performed it.  I've now sung "You're Listening Now" hundreds of times, including once at the much-missed Bottom Line in New York, with Nicky's niece in the audience ... one of two occasions where I couldn't get through it.  I've had a man who works in a hospice for the dying tell me that he's played the song for dozens of terminal patients and that it helped them.  It seems that not only did we subconsciously write Nicky's own epitaph together, but we also put something in the world that people can use.
-- Julian Dawson
And today Julian shares his very special, heartfelt collaboration with our readers.  Again, complete ordering information can be found on his website ... and, if you get a chance to swing by The Old Town School Of Folk Music on Sunday, please do ... and tell him you heard his song in Forgotten Hits!  (kk) 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Helping Out Our Readers (2)

Looks like Forgotten Hits has done it again ...

Thanks to our INCREDIBLE readers, I believe that we've already identified THREE of the six mystery songs submitted by our Prague reader Kroupa Frantiek.  (Scroll back to Monday's postings to listen to these tracks.)

I asked him if he would recognize or be able to confirm these findings once he saw the names of the songs and / or artists ... so at least we'd know if we were on the right track or not ... but apparently it's every bit as big a mystery to him, too!
Hi Kent,
Thank you very much you find time to post those six songs on websites ... perfect action ... now I must wait to see if any answer comes back to me.
I never knew anything about these six songs.  For me they are absolutely unknown. I only recorded them from old magnetic tape to PC data record, but in original quality.  Now I'm looking for their history, who those wrote, who sang / singer, group /, where can I find them, on which LP, CD, SP etc.  When I identify them, I can record them in digitally quality, perhaps in stereo, etc.  This is my aim in this searching.  The old magnetic tape contained 62 songs, but I already 56 identified and recorded them in HQ.
Dear Kent, I had  some problem with translate your questions in your last email, perhaps can you ask me still once, when I answer not well.
Thanks!
Yours sincerely,
Kroupa FrantiĊĦek
Well, here's a look at what we've come up with so far ...
 
re:  NAME THAT TUNE:
After we posted six songs that a Forgotten Hits Reader in Prague was trying to identify, we wondered just how many of these we could help to narrow down.  Here's what we've got so far ...
Hi Kent,
I would like to get back on your mailing list. 
I just had a friend forward me a copy of Forgotten Hits -- what a terrific publication!
Just wanted to tell you that song #4 from that gentleman's list from Prague is called "Drivin' Blues" by Frigid Pink from 1970 -- it was the B-side of their hit "House Of The Rising Sun." 
Hope life is treating you well.
Best Regards,
Tim Kiley
Welcome back, Tim!  Yep, we're STILL doin' it!!!  And thanks for helping us identify some of these mystery tunes!  (kk)
 
With the use of some technology, my I-Phone’s Shazam Application, I was able to identify three of the six songs.  #2 is Be Aware by Jimmy Cliff, #3 is To the Lord by The Grease Band and #4 is Drivin’ Blues by Frijid Pink. Hope that helps.
Scott Schultz,
McHenry, IL.
I kinda figured the title of the second one was "Be Aware" but am surprised to hear that it's Jimmy Cliff ... my guess is that this is a cover version ... just sounds too clean and British to me ... but I think the others are probably right on the money ... especially since a couple folks identified the Frijid Pink song.  (kk)
NOTE:  I just checked samples on Amazon.com ... it appears that this IS the Jimmy Cliff version after all.  So I'd say you're three for three, Scott!  Thanks again!  (kk)
 
I so enjoyed reading the letters from the guy from Prague. I did not recognize any of the songs but how interesting it was to see how someone from another place feels as strongly about music as we do here.
Stacee
I'm sometimes amazed at how far-reaching Forgotten Hits is ... it's amazing for me to think that after such humble beginnings, we've now got readers in so many foreign countries ... and even more so to see our pages translated into several different languages so that people all over the world can enjoy what we do here.  But music is a universal language and THAT point is driven home every single day in these pages ... we love it ... and the part that music played in all of our lives, no matter WHERE we grew up and what we grew up listening to.  It's really pretty humbling sometimes.
This week we had two of our British FH Readers visiting Chicago and both asked to get together.  The fact that both of these guys fall into the celebrity category and wanted to meet ME is even MORE overwhelming ... but thankfully I was able to share drinks with composer Tony Hatch on Sunday (he's the guy who wrote and produced virtually every single one of Petula Clark's hit records as well as other gems like "Sugar And Spice" for The Searchers and The Cryan' Shames and "Forget Him" by Bobby Rydell) ... and Julian Dawson, a musician in his own right with several releases under his belt along with the brand new book "And On Piano ... Nicky Hopkins", a biography about one of the greatest session men that ever lived.  THESE are the little perks that make doing Forgotten Hits so much fun.  (kk)
 
re:  HELPING OUT OUR READERS:
>>>Does anyone know how to record voice tracks on to the computer?  (Jack)
Sure. Get a microphone and plug it into your Line In or Mic In jack (generally a 5mm Phono plug) and use either Windows Recorder or something like Audacity software to capture the sound ...
http://gofree.com/download/Audio/Sounds/audacity.php?gclid=CMiB3sSdyagCFUiK4AodFjJipAHere's more...
http://www.wikihow.com/Record-Your-Voice-on-a-ComputerBest,
John

>>>Just wonderin' if anyone out there has an mp3 of the song by former major leaguer Tony Conigliaro called Little Red Scooter????  I tried lookin' for it but no luck ... Thanks!  (Joe)
Hi,
There is a web site called Allmusic.com.  They list the Song "Hit Record", as being sang by:    Brook Benton, Ronnie Hawkins, Mickey Murray, Tommy Steele, New Birth, Kowtow Popoff, Duke Hetgers' Steamboat Stompers and Johnny O'Keefe.  Whether they are all the same song, I have no idea.  I hope that puts that "Hit Record" discussion to rest.
There are some songs on UTube by Tony Conigliaro.  I at one time had a copy of "Playing the Field".  He made a Rock Album also.  One of the songs on U Tube is "Little Red Scooter".
Arnold Kirkbride

Monday, May 2, 2011

HELPING OUT OUR READERS


Forgotten Hits at its most helpful (???)

THIS is what our "Helping Out Our Readers" segment is supposed to be all about ... 
re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS:
My greetings from Prague, dear music fans,

At first excuse my English, but it is 40 years before I learned it. 
In summer, 1971, I took on my old tape recorder some songs which were played at discotheques in Czech.  They were 62 songs, but I took them from any other tape recorder without names of songs and names of singers or names of songwriters. 
Since this time and it is just two years I've been trying to find these names, but they are still six songs staying without names in original quality.
I'd like to ask you, can you help me to find the right name of these songs?
Please write me if you can help me.
Thanks for your help.
Waiting your answer,
Kroupa Frantisek 
(The first one of the six I send you at once.)


How cool that you found us!  Unfortunately, I can't help you with this first one ... but I am running it on our web page as part of our on-going "Helping Out Our Readers" segment ... let's see if any of our other European readers can help you find the titles and artists you're looking for.  Thanks again for writing! (kk)
Hallo Mr. Kent Kotal,
At first, thanks for your very quick answer to me, but by me it is not easy with my translate to English.  Now Id like to send you the rest of the six songs, but a single way , which I try is this mail. I must make it five times, because the mail box is too little.  Excuse me this way, but any others are more difficult for me.  Now follow the rest 5 songs.
Yours sincerely,
Kroupa FrantiĊĦek
OK, I've heard all six of these now ... and am still coming up blank.  Maybe some of our astute readers can solve some of these mysteries ... and with a large readership in Europe, perhaps some of those folks will recognize these from back in the day.  Stay tuned!  (kk)
Hallo Mr. Kotal,
Thanks for all what you have done for me so far. It will be perfect to put these songs on your list.  I am very very interested in result this our action with these old songs. You asked me, how I found you? It was not so difficult, I wrote to Google at first side b the hits from 1970 - 1971 and then forgotten songs and I got results. Waiting your answer, excuse my 40years old English language.
I am very glad to have a chance threw your websites to find the right name of singer or song for those six songs.  I must still thanks for your help and now we shall see, which results will come.
Bye for now,
yours sincerely,
Kroupa FrantiĊĦek 

This may be the TRUEST form of "Helping Out Our Readers" that we've ever done ... so let's keep the faith and see what comes back.  (kk)













RICK DERRINGER (All American Boy) 
Still Alive and Well but needs your help! 
A retrospective film about Rick's life and career is in the works. "But we need your assistance," they note on the Rick Derringer website (www.rickderringer.com). 
"To complete this historical project we need video footage, still photography and sound recordings. If you have any of these of Rick Derringer, we want to hear from you. You will be acknowledged with a credit in the final production if your content is used." 
Contact: revolver@popculturetoday.com.
Let's take a magical journey through the life of a Rock 'n' Roll Icon. Rick Derringer was just 17 in 1965 when he had his first number one hit Hang on Sloopy. It knocked the Beatles song Yesterday out of the top spot. Through his relationship with heavyweights such as Jimi Hendrix, KISS, Alice Cooper, and Edgar Winter he continued to develop his writing and performing style. Also Rick is an ward winning producer.
Rick has also worked with well known artists Steely Dan, Kiss, Joe Walsh of Eagles fame, Barbra Streisand and Cyndi Lauper, Weird Al Yankovic and a score of others over the years.
Did you know that the world renown World Wrestling Entertainment theme song that Hulk Hogan walks down the isle in arenas all over the world. Entitled "I Am a Real American" was written by Rick Derringer? At Ringo Starr's request, Summer 2010 found Rick performing as lead guitar for Ringo's All Starr Band.
What about a sample of Rick's own songs such as "Hang on Sloopy""Rock n Roll Hoochie Koo""Still Alive and Well"and "Free Ride" ... all are staples of American radio and are still played every day. Rick recently appeared in a Fidelity investments TV commercial showcasing "Rock n Roll Hoohie Koo", another testament to the timeless song. The video game guitar hero included "Rock n Roll Hoochie Koo" introducing Rick Derringer and his music to a brand new audience.
We will take a free ride through his rise to fame the good bad and the ugly with behind the scenes stories including interviews with many well known celebrities and supported with still images and video footage. Then Rick's life takes a turn when he becomes friends with, and is saved by Jesus Christ. We will cover what led up to that transformation and rebirth.
Rick incorporates his new found power into his music as well by rewriting the lyrics to "Still Alive and Well", and "Rock n Roll Hoochie Koo" giving them new life and reaching a whole new audience for Christ. Rick is very popular around the world as is evident with his sold out concerts in Germany and Japan.
Yes, the Grammy Award winning Rick Derringer is still alive and well and is now a living testimony that you can achieve much and not only survive but thrive through faith in God. This special will rock you, entertain you, and endear you to the man, the myth, and the music of the All-American boy, Rick Derringer. Do not miss this captivating and multi-faceted production.
-- submitted by Ken Voss


>>>It was great to come upon your site and listen to "To Make A Hit Record."  I had never heard Brook Benton's version - was it the original?   What I do remember, believe it or not, was Jerry Lewis performing it, playing up the big-time producer angle with a big cigar and all, on some TV variety show back in the early-mid '60s.  I wonder what show?  Boy, time flies but songs are timeless.  Anyway, thanks for doing your part to keep these old songs alive and for letting me hear one I hadn't heard in almost 50 years!  (Tom Reid)

>>>The only "Hit Record" version I'm familiar with is the Brook Benton track we featured a while back ... but I'm betting that SOMEBODY out there will also know this Jerry Lewis track as well.  (Hmmm .... do we have any FRENCH readers on the list?!?!?)  kk
>>>Going through my "Hit Records" titles and release dates, I am not sure Brook's was the original or not. Show his record debuted and charted in May of 1962.  However my record info guide shows it was released in 1961 in Great Britain where I don't know if it charted or not.  I have another "Hit Record" by another artist named Prentiss Polk on Columbia that was released here in US in 1961.  Earlier version?  Also have song by the Hollywood Flames from 1961 named "I Can't Get A Hit Record".  Seems to be an answer song to "Hit Record". Also song was released in 1968 on S.S.S. Int by an artist named Mickey Murray.  (Rich / sixtiesoldiesguy)
Here's ANOTHER interesting spin on this ... which sounds like they may have incorporated a little bit of Brook Benton's girls and guitar (or was it the other way around???) and then came up with a whole new ending!!!  (kk)

Hi Kent,
In the summer of 1963 there was a novelty song that must have had "Hit Record" in the title.
It has nothing to do with the Brook Benton song (though I suppose it might have been inspired by it). I might have heard it only once, certainly not more than 2-3 times, and it was on one of the L.A. top 40 stations, possibly KFWB. It had lines like, "We'll have a whole lot of singers going 'yea, yea, yea' (and then the girl singers sing that), a whole lot of guitars going ... (and the guitars play)," etc. The singer talks over the fade and says something like, "Next time out we'll make a chocolate record; if you don't like it you can eat it."  Over all these years since, I've never found anyone who knows anything about that record. I don't know who it was or was actual title was.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
Anybody out there got any ideas on THIS one???  (Dr. Demento, perhaps???)  kk
Kent -
I'm afraid nothing comes to mind right away. I wasn't in L.A. until 1963, and hardly ever watched TV in the early 1960s (very busy going to a college where hardly anyone watched much).
I'll certainly let you know if I hit on anything.
-Dr. Demento



Kent -
Maybe FH can help ...
It was about 1963 - The Blisters scored with a Philly regional hit, "Shortin' Bread".
It was very popular by many Philly DJs and was played as if it were an international hit.
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/shortnin.mp3However, I know nothing about the (R&B?) group. Afterwards, it returned to obscurity status. 
I know they appeared on Liberty Records and I believe it's still easy to find copies of the promo singles, telling me that it failed to become a popular hit elsewhere.  
Surprisingly, even DJ Jerry Blavat knows no more about this artist than what can be found on the internet.
Maybe one of FH's readers know something of this group. A photo would be even nice! Thanks!!!Best,
John
LOTS of Philly readers on the list so let's see what comes back.  Here in Chicago, Paul Chaplain had a #1 Hit with "Shortnin' Bread" in 1960 ... in fact, it was the very FIRST #1 Record to appear on WLS' Silver Dollar Survey!  (kk)




Hi Kent,
Brad, the Coke jingle guy, here. 
Hopefully, one or more of your readers remember this particular jingle and can ID the group / singer and offer a few details about when and where it aired, etc..  If anyone has a better copy, I really would like to hear it ... I now have over 450 "Things Go Better With Coke" jingles and am always looking for more to share - twbf@yahoo.com
Kent, could you please post my plea and the jingle on your site?
Thanks so much,
Brad
Sure doesn't sound like Jon Anderson to me ... if anything, it seems to have more of a Critters / Cyrkle feel to it ... but, based on this ad campaign,  probably too late to be one of these guys.
With all the Coke Collectors on our list, I'm sure SOMEBODY can help to identify this.  (However, if the rumor has ALWAYS shown it to be Jon Anderson and / or Yes, that may influence a few opinions here!)
Let's run it up The Forgotten Hits Flagpole and see what comes back!)
kk


Hey Kent !
I was reading in the blog about today's music. My oldest brother made a living as a guitarist, playing out. He's in his 60's now and he makes a living, teaching guitar. He mentioned to me how today's music seems to be very angry. He and I were wondering, "Where did the love go ?" Any comments ?
Mark
Music sure was happier in the '50's, '60's and '70's, wasn't it?  Everything seemed way more optimistic back then ... we all really believed we could change the world.  (Even John Lennon sang "You may say I'm a dreamer ... well, I'm not the only one.")  Today's times seem so much angrier and more cynical ... maybe today's youth have seen enough to draw the conclusion that it's not going to get any better.  Whereas yesterday's music promised hope, today's music implies that there IS no hope ... and, unfortunately, instead of inspiring the kids with promise, we seem instead to be breeding a far more angry society.  Too bad ... music USED to be the escape from the real world.
As far as "where did the love go", I guess you could ask The Supremes that question ... but then again maybe Gayle McCormick said it best  (kk) ...


Kent, 
I've always felt that one of the New Colony Six's best ballads was one that got relatively no airplay when it was released in I believe 1970. The Colony was wrapping up their relationship with Mercury Records and this was their final contractual song with the company so Mercury did nothing to promote the song Close Your Eyes Little Girl. Ronnie Rice is as good as he can be singing lead for this love ballad. I'll always wonder how big this song could have gone with the proper promotion.  Could you please post this song if you can Kent?  Thank you.
Steve
Nope, this one never charted at all ... not even here locally.  It seems to me that we featured this one not all that long ago ... but I couldn't find it on the website, so here it is again!  (kk)


Kent,
I have never heard that 45 version of “Thinking of You” that you featured anywhere but here on Forgotten Hits.  The album version was the hit in its day here in Baltimore - DC, as it was in New York, Detroit, Cleveland and Los Angeles.  I heard it in all those locations when it was new and recurrent (pre-oldie), and it’s the only version I’ve ever heard anywhere ever since.  I’m sure some markets must have played the 45, but that had to be an exception.  It’s a nice curio / rarity, but the LP track is so superior in its wistful, happy arrangement.  Man, thanks for playing something I’ve never heard!  That’s always a thrill.
I didn't dredge up my actual copies of Loggins & Messina's albums, but after I emailed you, I listened to the audio samples on Amazon of 'Thinking of You".  The version on the "Loggins & Messina" LP is not the hit version -- different Messina vocals at the very least.  The version on the "Best of Friends" compilation sounds like the hit (at least given a :30 sec. snippet).  Could that 45 you featured be a third version?
I'll keep investigating, but I suspect that you have an expert in your readership that already knows the answer.
Regards,
Scott
I knew there were TWO versions ... but wasn't aware of a THIRD.  (I, too, prefer the album version to the single ... just a much "cleaner" recording.)  Anybody out there able to shed any light on this?  (Hey, artists redo their stuff all the time ... but in that Loggins and Messina aren't together anymore ... and haven't been in quite some time ... perhaps this is an alternate take more so than a remake?  C'mon, Jersey John ... this should be right up your alley!!!)  kk

Hi Kent,
Not really sure I can help; not sure how well I know the song (ah, yeah, had to listen to a snippet! LOL Good song!); I do know they remade some of the early work; found CD in budget bin (probably live), on Rhino!!! Will investigate!!!
Thanks!
Best,
John
And then this ...
One last note about that Loggins & Messina song. Since I painstakingly try to find alternate versions of '70's material, I can almost say, they, because of recording technology, don't exist. If it's not a remake of Thinking Of You, it may be a demo (never saw one though) - they do
exist with some '70s groups!
John

Hi there,
Just wonderin' if anyone out there has an mp3 of the song by former major leaguer Tony Conigliaro called Little Red Scooter????  I tried lookin' for it but no luck ...
Thanks!
I Love the DC5  (Joe)
Puttin' it out there, Joe ... let's see what comes back!  (kk)

re:  TECHNICAL HELP:
Forgotten Hits at its LEAST helpful (???)
(And, for the record ... no, we don't sub-contract out to India for this information!!!)
Would like to turn this ... http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/
Into something like this ... http://uncommonrecordings.com/
Maybe a FH subscriber would like to take on this project.
Would like it kept simple so I can maintain it, like the layout on the first site.
Feel free to have anyone contact me.
Thanks, Special K!
Best,
Jersey John
Does anyone know how to record voice tracks on to the computer?
Jack
rockandrollneverforgets@yahoo.com