Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
I was a huge fan of jazz-rock (what some called horn rock) back in the day. As a drummer, I liked the feel of playing big band-like hits with a rock groove. As an arranger, I appreciated all the harmonic options available from a small horn section. No surprise that I listened to a lot of Chicago and Lighthouse back…
Today’s classic song of the day is another big one in the jazz-rock or horn rock genre. It’s “Go Down Gamblin’” from Blood, Sweat & Tears, the lead single from their BS&T;4 album. BS&T;4 (note the semicolon in the title) was a bit of a departure from Blood, Sweat & Tears’ previous albums, in that it featured more original tunes…
Today’s classic horn rock (or, if you prefer, jazz-rock) song of the day is “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” by Blood, Sweat & Tears. This was their mainstream breakthrough single; released in March of 1969, it shot all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Blood, Sweat & Tears was formed two years earlier by singer/keyboardist Al…
Yesterday’s classic song of the day was the 5th Dimension’s “Wedding Bell Blues,” written by the extremely talented Laura Nyro. Today’s classic song of the day is another Laura Nyro song, “And When I Die” by Blood, Sweat & Tears. Released at the end of September in 1969, this one was a huge hit for BS&T, rocketing all the way…
Today’s classic song of the day, keeping with our ongoing rain theme, is James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain.” Included as the first track on side two of Mr. Taylor’s Sweet Baby James album, the single, released in August of 1970, rose to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. “Fire and…
Today’s classic ’70s song of the day is “Ride Captain Ride” by the group Blues Image. It was released in the spring of 1970 and shot up the charts to hit #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 9 of that year. “Ride Captain Ride” was written by the band’s singer, Mike Pinera, and keyboardist, Frank “Skip” Konte. It…
For our final day of horn rock week, I’m pulling out another Blood, Sweat & Tears tune, because I really like BS&T. This one is the combo of “Snow Queen” and “Maiden Voyage,” the closing tracks from their 1972 album New Blood. You didn’t hear it on the radio but it really encapsulates all that I like about this period…
It’s day number two of horn rock week and today’s classic horn rock song of the day is “Spinning Wheel” by Blood, Sweat & Tears. This classic track perfectly blended jazz and rock aesthetics and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart) in July of 1969. It was nominated for three Grammy…