SUMMER - FALL 1961

PLAY THE SHOW

Here’s the latest post from our weekly radio program, “American Hit Radio”. This week’s edition features Heidy and I discussing a few classy hits from the Summer and Fall of 1961, an interesting era in pop music, notable mostly for the diversity of sounds that were able to penetrate the pop charts back then. Compared to the sorry standards of today’s pop radio, it is truly amazing to imagine an era where these songs might have been played back to back on AM radio (this is before FM existed, folks). To encapsulate my point, here’s a list of the songs featured in this program;

1) Crying – Roy Orbison
2) Little Sister – Elvis Presley
3) Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
4) Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey
5) Who Put the Bomp – Barry Mann (as a ‘Great Miss’)
6) Take Five – The Dave Brubek Quartet
7) Runaround Sue – Dion
8) Please Mr. Postman – The Marvellettes

As usual, I try to tell a few good stories, and I certainly do my best to provoke the audience with my own unadulterated opinions. What do YOU think??
Tom Ryan

Interview with IVY!!!

PLAY THE SHOW
Ivy Interview with Mike Tietjen

Ivy is a three-piece band consisting of the husband/wife team of Andy Chase and Dominique Durand, along with Adam Schlesinger, who also happens to be a singer/songwriter for the Fountains of Wayne. Although they sometimes appear eclipsed by Schlesinger’s other outfit, Ivy has a well-regarded reputation among critics, including me. Thoughtful arrangements, intelligent production, and the exquisite voice of Ms. Durand combine for a very classy collection of songs that should not be overlooked.
Recently, a friend and sometime contributor to the ‘American Hit Radio’ program named Mike Tietjen had the opportunity to interview Andy and Dominique for his own radio program. Unfortunately, Mike’s program aired at 4:00 A.M., which means that the interview went largely unheard. Therefore, for those who may be interested, here is Mike’s interview in its entirety, along with a few selected tracks by the band.
If you wish to hear my own interview with Adam Schlesinger, which took place immediately after the release of “Welcome Interstate Managers,” please go to americanhitnetwork.com and click on “The Best of AHN’s Interviews”. Tom Ryan

What a great description...

I was just on Amazon.com reading a description of a band I'd never heard of and I bought the CD without even listening to the clips. The description was THAT enticing. I quote:

Like compatriots Franz Ferdinand, the Futureheads play a dazzling power pop that’s impossible to sit still to. This British quartet’s rambunctious long-playing debut showcases choice art school tastes ca. 2004: Their sound’s strongly influenced by the herky-jerky pop of early XTC, the album was produced by the Gang of Four’s Andy Gill, one of the songs is called "Man Ray" (dada and surrealism are perennial hits with undergrads), while one of the best tunes is a well-placed cover of Kate Bush’s "Hounds of Love."

Seriously, who could resist buying the CD after reading that? Can you? Link.

Oh, by the way, I'm listening to the clips now and it is as good as I'd hoped. I can't wait to get it home and pop it into the CD.

Amazon.com is pretty damned amazing. I always find cool stuff there. Before I go on I should mention that I actually work for Amazon, so... whatever. It is really cool. I was listening to The Blue Van (you should be too...) and I was thinking how much they sound like Dungen, another Scandinavian band (You should listen to them too!) In fact, they sound so much alike I would bet they were actually recorded in the same studio by the same engineer. Anyway, when looking on Amazon.com at Dungen, it said "People who bought this also bought.." and that's how I found the Futureheads.

Maybe I will make that my next podcast -- A bunch of bands that have that magical mix of XTC/Ramones/The Clash energy. Rock ain't dead yet. It was just comatose for a while. What else would go on that podcast? Franz Ferdinand? Dogs Die in Hot Cars? Kaiser Chiefs? Other?

SPRING-SUMMER 1957

SPRING-SUMMER1957
Click here to play the show!


This week, I’m posting a radio show that discusses music from the Spring and Summer of 1957. This is a fairly typical example of what American Hit Radio usually does. We pick an era – anytime from January 1955 to the present - and focus on what I consider to be the best pop hits from that time period (with an occasional “Great Miss” thrown in for perspective).
Naturally, some eras are better than others, but 1957 just happens to be a pretty relevant time in pop music history. I’m sure that most contemporary listeners think of these songs as ancient, and that’s unfortunate. In my opinion, truly great songs are timeless, and my intention here is to make these listeners recognize that these songs have a lasting value, as something more than “golden oldies”. To see what I mean, I hope you’ll listen to the show.
Here’s a list of the tunes that are included in this edition of “American Hit Radio”;
1) School Day – Chuck Berry
2) Lucille – Little Richard
3) Bye Bye Love – The Everly Brothers
4) Searchin’ – The Coasters
5) Young Blood – The Coasters
6) Shangri-La – The Four Coins (as a ‘Great Miss’)
7) Words of Love – The Diamonds (as a ‘Great Miss)
8) Wonderful! Wonderful! – Johnny Mathis
9) It’s Not For Me to Say – Johnny Mathis

10) A Gospel track from Elvis

In addition, this show also features (as usual) new release picks from Heidy Morales, as well as some concert listings for the Metro NY area.
Please feel free to post your own impressions regarding any of these songs, particularly in regard to my own rather ‘pointed’ comments.
Note that all song choices are extracted from the revised text of “American Hit Radio”, originally published by Prima Publications http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761502300/qid=1119374953/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-4330554-7757719?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Theme Song for a Convertible

Podcast: Theme Song for a Convertible
Format: MP3
Size: 32.4 MB
To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."

I enjoyed listening to Tom and Heidy's show on Summer tunes and something that Heidy kept saying on the show struck a chord with me. She kept saying "put the top down." You are listening to tunes of summer, the weather is warm and you should put the top down!

Just last week I was listening to Beck's new album Guero for the first time. I was driving down the freeway at 5 in the afternoon, top down, in my 1970 Pontiac LeMans Convertible, enjoying the sunshine, and the smell of the summer air. Then the second track of Guero came on, Qué Onda Guero, and it was instant love. I turned to my carpool buddy Greg (not my brother) and said "from this point forward, this song is the official theme song for my car."

Today, I realize that Heidy had chosen my next blog entry. Of course I have to post a reply to Tom's Summer Songs entry, but I have to give it a twist. So, here it is, my version of Songs of Summer, Theme Song for a Convertible.

So, what's the difference between a Summer song and a Theme Song for a Convertible? Theme Songs for a Convertible is a small subgenre of Summer Songs, featuring songs with a relaxed feel, slower beat and an ear to ear smile. Every Summer at least one or two of these songs comes along. They are those offbeat, fun, catchy guilty pleasures like OMC's How Bizarre, or this Summer's Catch My Disease by Ben Lee.

Here is my list, Theme Songs for a Convertible (put the top down!)

1. Qué Onda Guero - Beck
2. How Bizzarre - OMC
3. Misundazztood - Pink
4. Catch My Disease - Ben Lee
5. Every Morning - Sugar Ray
6. Mr. E's Beautiful Blues (Untitled) - Eels
7. Steal My Sunshine - Len
8. Peace and Love - Fountains of Wayne
9. A Change - Sheryl Crow

I realize this is a short list. I actually couldn't think of any others. Do you have any suggestions? Here are the requirements: the song must be under 60 BPM (it needs a slow groove.) It must be happy. Most Theme Songs for a Convertible feature acoustic guitars and a poppy bassline. Extra points if the song is slightly odd like most of the tracks here.

Podcast: Theme Song for a Convertible
Format: MP3
Size: 32.4 MB
To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."

The Best Summer Music Is....

SUMMERSONGSHOW

To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."

As I threatened, here it is……
SUMMER SONGS

THE SEASON IS UPON US!!!

It’s been a long, cold Winter, followed by a non-existent Spring here in New York, which means that the recent swell of warm weather is long overdue, and completely welcome. The sudden onset of Summer weather has me thinking of vacations, margaritas, swimming in the ocean, playing music outdoors, barbecues, you get the idea.

If you’re from New Orleans (note to Heidy, my fiancé and co-host for ‘American Hit Radio’), the onset of summer may be more of a threat than a promise. Then again, any transplanted New Oreanian who spent a few Winters in New York will probably embrace Summer more enthusiastically than an 8th grader longing for school to end. For these reasons, Heidy and I have decided to compile a list of perfect Summer songs.

That being said, I’m sure that most people will take exception to our choices. Sorry, but in our opinion, there’s no room for the Cure when discussing Summer songs – I doubt Robert Smith could even go outside with his black wardrobe and all that makeup on. I’m not gonna stoop to including Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” either, since it just isn’t our taste. And, although there are two (!) Jimmy Buffett books on the market with my name on them (....let's not go there...) I'm inclined to disqualify him from my list of perfect summer songs, for two reasons. First, his entire catalog falls into this category rather easily - too easily for my taste. Second, the thought of hearing Jimmy Buffet by choice just makes me want to spill out my Tequila and grapefruit, go inside and draw the blinds, then turn on the a/c. And yeah, sure, the Beach Boys have a catalog that is virtually every bit as summer-friendly as Buffett's, but I'm NOT inclined to disregard them. In fact, it’s damn near impossible to exclude the Beach Boys from any collection of Summer songs – they’re the Beach Boys, for chrissakes! So, if you prefer "Margaritaville" over "California Girls," then you ought to make your own list, because you won't be happy with ours.

That being said, here we go. This list will be expanded as our brains adjust to the warm weather.

Summer’s Cauldron/ - XTC*
Grass – XTC*
Summer in the City – Lovin’ Spoonful
Grazin’ in the Grass – Hugh Masekela*
Grazin’ in the Grass – Friends of Distinction*
Sweet and Dandy – Toots & the Maytals
Isn’t This a Lovely Day – Ella and Louis
Rock Lobster – B52’s
Surf’s Up – Brian Wilson*
California Girls – Beach Boys (duh…)
Under the Boardwalk – Drifters
Summertime – Miles Davis*
Solea – Miles Davis
AM Radio – Everclear
Sun Is Shining – Bob Marley
Sunny Afternoon – the Kinks*
Let’s Go Trippin’ – Dick Dale
Pipeline – The Chantays*
Pipeline – MY BAND!!!*
Cruisin’ – Smokey Robinson*
Groovin’ – The Young Rascals
Mother Nature’s Son – The Beatles
Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
School’s Out – Alice Cooper
Green River – CCR
Down Corner – CCR
Saturday Sun – Nick Drake
Girl From Ipanema – Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto*
Waiting On a Friend - Rolling Stones
Street Fighting Man – Rolling Stones
Pink Cadillac – Bruce Springsteen
Summer Wind – Frank Sinatra*
Beyond The Sea – Bobby Darin*
Hot Fun In The Summertime – Sly and The Family Stone*
Pulling Muscles From a Shell – Squeeze
Pleasant Valley Sunday – Monkees*
Coney Island – Van Morrison
Smooth – Santana feat. Rob Thomas

*indicates that the song is included on American Hit Radio’s 1st Summer Show broadcast


I don’t know why I associate these with Summer, but I’m going to include them as aberrations that I associate with warm weather for reasons other than their subject matter.

Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
Alone Again Or - Love
Sweetheart – Bee Gees
Lets Dance – David Bowie
Kind of Hush – Herman’s Hermits
Oye Como Va - Santana

THIS……is to be continued…..
How about you?

CD4Greg

Podcast: CD4Greg
Format: MP3
Size: 69.4 MB
To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."

As a brief introduction for those of you who aren't immediate family members and don't know what I'm talking about, we are four brothers. From oldest to youngest, we have Tom in New York, and representing the West coast, we have Greg, Geoff and Gorden in the SF bay area. We have this little thing Tom invented called the Shaddup and Listen Club. We put together mixed CDs and share them with each other, and then proceed to write e-mails back and forth criticizing each other's obvious poor taste in music.

Tom, who has been writing about music for some time (see www.americanhitnetwork.com) thought it would be great if we could move the club online, to a blog. This way, when it comes time for a family reunion we will have a record of all the insults published publicly for all to see. Isn't that nice?

So, here it is. My first S&L online. I call this one CD4Greg. I do this because it is a fun way to mediate the gaping hole between Greg and Tom's tastes, while simultaneously insulting both of them for being so dense. Y'see, Tom doesn't understand Greg's taste. Every time Tom puts out a S&L CD, Greg is non-plussed (so am I, but I am not here to insult myself.) And, similarly, the one S&L that Greg put together Tom found unlistenable, and proceeded to say so in an unforgettable e-mail salvo.

My goal for this S&L is to create a CD that Greg will like. Some songs on here I already know he loves; others I'm just guessing. This way I can introduce Greg to some new music (because he's stuck in the 70's) and explain to Tom why I think Greg will like each of these songs. If I'm lucky, by the end of this S&L, Greg will be buying new CDs and Tom will finally understand Greg. If I get it wrong... what the heck. I've enjoyed poking fun at the two of them.

First let me say this. Greg is deaf in one ear. He spent most of his youth trying to make everybody else deaf. A visit to his dorm room was a life threatening experience. He had a pair of speakers hanging from his dorm room walls, each the size of a volkswagen. If you went into that room, you could expect heart arrhythmia and bleeding ear drums all courtesy of Pat Travers, UFO, Montrose or some other god awful rock band. Oh, and then there were the cars. He usually spent more on the stereo than on the car itself. To this day I carry with me a permanent wince from those car rides.

I mention Greg's deafness because I think it has had an influence on his taste in music. He genuinely prefers music that is meant to be played loud. With few exceptions, if Greg is going to like it, it absolutely must have a driving fat bass line and loud drums. Tom, the drummer in our family, is strangely the opposite. Tom doesn't seem to care about fidelity or how "rockin'" it is. What's that about anyway? I digress. My point can be explained by the first track on this S&L.

Track 1 - El Distorto De Melodica, Everclear
Now that I think about, I could have probably stopped here. This is a perfect example of the type of song Greg will LOVE and Tom won't. Loud Bass, Loud guitars and banging drums, and nothing but grunts for words. Perfect. By the way, if you don't play this song extremely loud, you won't get it either. Turn it up. To 11.

Track 2 - Aids and Armegeddon, David Baerwald
I'm betting Greg will dig this song. It has a super fat bassline. It sounds to me like David Baerwald hired Stevie Wonder's backing band, ala Higher Ground and Superstition. And, if you are reading ahead, you'll see I put Stevie on here at Track 10. Greg loves Stevie Wonder. If you don't know anything about David Baerwald join the club. Here's what I know. David and David. Tuesday Night Music Club. Solo. Sorry, but I'm not paid to do any research. If you want to know who he is get off your fat ass and freaking Google him.

Track 3 - Hash Pipe, Weezer
Again, if you aren't turning this up to 11 you are missing the whole point. This is some of the hardest grooviest rock I've ever heard and man, those guitars crunch! Ugghhh! I'm sure Greg will get into the crunchy guitars, but Weezer is a little nerdy for him, so I'm not sure how this track will work out. What d'ya say Greg? I got my Hash Pipe, Ugghhh!

Track 4 - Stay Don't Go, Spoon
Who needs a drummer? mmhh, ahh. mmhh mmhh ahh. mmhh, ahh. mmhh mmh ahh. My wife absolutely hates this song. Every time she hears it she imagines somebody grunting while doing pushups. I just hear a really sparse cool aesthetic. These guys got it going on. But will Greg like it? Absolutely. Anything that sounds this cool will be right up his alley.

Track 5 - Live, Lenny Kravitz
OK, so don't listen to the lyrics. Like virtually all Lenny Kravitz songs the lyrics are worse than bad. They suck in a way that can't be described with mere words. I get that. But you have to love the way the bass, kick drum and horns all line up on this song. The bass on this whole album kicks ass and this track is a great example. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened, but Lenny must have recorded the entire album in a trailer or something. There is a lot of distortion on all tracks. But, for the bassline alone, and that cool 70's vibe, this song will rate high with Greg. Tom on the other hand will say this SUCKS! Ahhh... there's the difference.

Track 6 - Tangerine Speedo, Caviar
I put this song on here because I like it. Tom will probably hate it and Greg will put up with it because the guitars have a nice crunch. Neither will like it because funny songs generally don't have any depth or staying power. Sorry guys, this one's here for me.

Track 7 - E-Pro, Beck
This track is off Beck's new album Guero. I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole thing yet, but from what I've heard, it is pretty good; not as good as midnight vultures -- nothing will ever beat midnight vultures, but it's pretty good. I pretty much put this song on here because felt obligated to put something new on this S&L. So here it is. There is nothing else even remotely fresh on this list. Enjoy it because it is all you're gonna get.

Track 8 - Rockin' the Suburbs, Ben Folds
See notes for Track 6. And, while you are at it, be sure to listen to the lyrics. I can't stop laughing. BF is a F'ing genius.

Track 9 - Deeper Well, Emmylou Harris
OK, Greg and Tom, you don't know it yet, but this is where your tastes intersect, at Emmylou Harris. Tom will dig this track because it Emmylou Harris, a critical darling, distinguished singer, impressive career... and plus this is just a great mood track. Greg will dig it because it has a serious deep vibe, like Brian Eno. You can catch echoes of U2's Joshua Tree on this track. Greg and Tom, welcome to your common ground.

Track 10 - Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder
What? Do I need to say anything? You can see a pattern here, no? Bass, vibe, cool. That's Greg's deal.

Track 11 - Denise, Fountains of Wayne
See notes for track 8.

Track 12 - Shot Shot, Gomez
I was surprised to learn the Tom liked this band. I almost put it on my last S&L and was surprised that Tom put it on his. It doesn't have any of the things that I expect Tom to like. On the other hand, it has every thing I expect Greg to like. Just listen to that baritone sax. Damn that's hot. And I can't stop studying the syncopation between all the instruments. It is endlessly fascinating. Here is your homework assignment: Try to hum the wandering guitar line in the verse. Where the hell is that guitar player going? It sounds like they pulled a random track off another song and plunked it down here. Perfect!

Track 13 - Molly's Chambers, Kings of Leon
I only just picked up this CD last week. I was out in New York about a month ago and Tom let me sit in with the band (I play guitar) and this song was on the set list. I fell in love with it. I just get lost in that groove. Outstanding. Greg, I'm sure you will dig the groove, but what about the fidelity? This track is definitely lo-fi. Can you deal?

Track 14 - Bleed American, Jimmy Eat World
I usually avoid big hit records. I like to be contrary -- the flip side of the coin. This explains some of the gaping holes in my record collection. If it is popular I won't buy it. But sometimes I buy it before it gets popular. That's the case here. I swear it. Anyway, I picked this track because it has that angry crunching driving sound which I'm pretty sure Greg will dig. I really love the guitar tone on this whole album. But, now that it is a hit record, I would never buy it. ;-)

Track 15 - Feel Good Time, Pink
I don't know why, but my wife picked up the soundtrack to Charlie's Angels 2. I don't think she ever even saw the movie. Anyway, don't waste your money. The whole album is just a bunch of songs from the early 80's, except for this one track, which I love. And, I hate to admit it (promise not to tell anybody?) but I really like Pink. This track is a perfect example of why. She really rocks and gets into the groove. She has an excellent sense for where rock meets soul. She's in the pocket. My prediction: Tom will say it's trash, Greg will dig it.

Track 16 - Heart of the Hustler, Thunderball
Why will Greg like this? Two reasons. 1) It has a supremely cool vibe. Imagine a movie set in 70's Detroit, the lead character walking down a decrepit street after dark looking to score a deal. Watch out for the Hustler! Reason 2) You have to love that bassline. I love it when a bassline make you wait -- when it leaves silences where your mind can fill in the blanks. Turn it up!

Track 17 - Tell Me Mama, Tony Toni Tone
Anybody who likes Stevie Wonder and likes music to have a vibe has to like this track. This band is the tightest band I have ever heard. Ever. They are freakin' unbelievable. I am not usually a fan of modern soul. In fact I think all of it sucks without exception. But TTT is different. They are the real deal. Do you notice how much the singer sounds like a young Stevie Wonder?

Track 18 - Ball and Biscuit, The White Stripes
This is the part of the S&L where I reward Greg for listening to the whole thing. I happen to know that Greg loves the next two songs. Tom, if you wonder why Greg likes this song, just listen to the bass response on that kick drum and that Gibson SG/Marshall combo. Fat. Not PHAT. Fat.

Track 19 - That Train Don't Stop Here No More, Los Lobos
OK, this is cheating. I happen to know that both Tom and Greg like this song. But WTF do Los Lobos and Emmylou Harris have in common? I don't know.

So what did we learn? Maybe I'll have to draw a map.

How did I do? Tom, does Greg's eccentric taste in music make any more sense to you now? Greg, did I peg you, or am I clueless?

Let the insults begin!

Podcast: CD4Greg
Format: MP3
Size: 69.4 MB
To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."

Let's Get This Thing Kick-Started!!!

All right, then. Geoff and I are finally ready to square off on any number of topics, most of them music-related in one way or another. After this rather tepid beginning, I suspect that we'll be duelling back and forth on any number of music-related topics.
To see where I'm coming from, you might want to check out www.americanhitnetwork.com, where hundreds of music reviews are already posted. (You can also view other people's opinions about my writing by checking the reviews for the book "American Hit Radio" at Amazon.com).
Since Summer is virtually upon us, I'm going to start things off with a list of favorite Summer songs- to be posted in the next 24 hours.
Ready, Set............

Welcome to the Shaddup and Listen Club

Let's break it down...

Shaddup: Be quiet. I've got something to say... about music.
Listen: Yes, that's right, you can listen to music here too.

Stay tuned. Music is on the way.