"Act Naturally"

OK, more Fabness: This '63 Russell/Morrison composition was inspired by the excuse Johnny Russell gave his then girlfriend as to why he was going to L.A. Buck Owens and The Buckaroos' 1st #1 hit. The Beatles' cover was sung by Ringo and was the B-side for "Yesterday". It peaked at #47. Buck Owens and Ringo released a duet record and video in '89, peaking at #27 on the Country charts.



Yesterday's answer: Joni Mitchell's "Free Man In Paris". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyOUk1q12O0 I saw her doing it live at The Spectrum in Philly in '76 - blew me away!

"Free Man In Paris"

OK, more 70's: This Canadian singer/songwriter penned this '74 release after a trip to Europe with music agent/promoter David Geffen. He was unhappy despite his wealth and power - it speaks of the pressures the music industry exerts upon artists. Peaked at #22. Jose Feliciano happened to be in the studio and laid a 2nd guitar track over Larry Carlton's. David Crosby and Graham Nash sing backup vocals. Artist? Song?



Yesterday's answer: "A Hazy Shade Of Winter". From Dan Rogers: "I could be the most devoted fan on my block for Paul Simon. And I sort of like the Bangles, with qualifiers. Song was 'A Hazy Shade of Winter'. Classic Paul Simon phrasing: But look around, leaves are brown now And the sky is a hazy shade of winter.". No qualifiers - Susanna Hoffs rocks! This song was one of those "tests of manhood" growing up - you HAD to be able to play the lead guitar riffs and sing the words if you wanted to call yourself a geeeetar player. No doubt about it - Paul Simon is one of the musical geniuses of our time. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DwSd4QJBEMvk&h=648ed

"A Hazy Shade Of Winter"

OK, more 60's: This '66 Paul Simon composition appeared in "Bookends" in '68. It speaks of looking for something or someone ideal as time runs out and seasons pass by. Peaked at #13 on Billboard. The Bangles' hard-rock cover for the film "Less than Zero" hit #2 on the charts. Most of the bridge was removed in their version. Les Fradkin did a wonderful Rickenbacker-12 rendition on his '06 "Jangleholic" album.



Yesterday's answer: "It Won't Be Long". One of my favorite early Beatles tunes. Always grateful to George for teaching us how to use 6th and 9th chords! Lily Pappas from Iowa City recently released a beautiful acoustic version backed by my good friend Harry Hoffman on acoustic guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcbL6OBT6Zc

"It Won't Be Long"

OK, more Fabness: This '63 Lennon composition was the 1st track of their 2nd album and the 1st original tune written for it. John's lead vocals were double-tracked and it features call-and-response between him and Macca/George, with 56 "yeahs" (!). First song ever performed live by Neil Young - at his high school's cafeteria. Covered by Evan Rachel Wood in "Across the Universe" (2007).

Yesterday's answer: "Turn, Turn, Turn! (To Everything there Is A Season)". This song was my first exposure to The Byrds by a very dear childhood friend (you know who you are!) and it was the beginning of a lifelong passion with the group and its music. Everything except "I swear it's not too late" comes from the Old Testament. Featured in "Forrest Gump". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LSTc-5Fn_Y

" Turn Turn Turn"

OK, a little jingle-jangle: This King Solomon(!?)/Pete Seeger '59 composition was 1st recorded by The Limelighters in '62 - their backup banjo player, Jim McGuinn originally arranged it for Judy Collins. To this day Seeger gives 45% of the royalties to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions as he feels he only wrote 6 words of the song (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 3rd single for The Byrds - #1 in late '65.

Yesterday's answer: "I Think I Love You". http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DwJYSu2OVCGM&h=9e4c7

"I Think I Love You"

OK, a little bubblegum: This '70 Tony Romeo composition was released the same day as the TV debut of "The Partridge Family", being played twice during the 1st season. It topped the charts two months later. Only David Cassidy and his real-life stepmother Shirley Jones participated in the recording - the rest were studio musicians. The "group" had 6 more Top 40 hits between '70 and '74.




Yesterday's answer: "Black Betty" by Ram Jam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMLnDuzgkjo

"Black Betty" by Ram Jam.

OK, more one-hit wonders: This short-lived NYC band's only hit came in '77 (#18 Billboard) with their adaptation of an 18th Century African-American marching cadence work song. Lead Belly's version was sung a capella - the song is often credited to him. Odetta covered it in '64. Still unclear as to whether the title refers to a girl, a flint-lock musket or a whip. Boycotted by the NAACP. Band? Song?

Yesterday's answer: "And That Reminds Me". Kay Starr's version was titled "My Heart Reminds Me". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdbepiZDvX8http://www.viddler.com/explore/MusicMike/videos/31/