Songs that you probably missed the first time around. One hit wonders and songs that never made the radio or charts, but are nevertheless great tunes.
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Two of 1978’s best albums are our focus for this episode. The Cars debut album, The Cars, and Gerry Rafferty’s City to City each made their mark on the radio and our turntables. The Cars brought a semi-new wave feel coupled with rock/pop sensibilities to their radio friendly singles. Ric Ocasek was the face but all of the members made huge contributions. Gerry Rafferty was a very successful Scottish singer songwriter and ex-Stealers Wheel member. City to City was his second solo album and really where he reached his most prolific songwriting. Both albums are classics and we thoroughly enjoyed
Two of 1977’s best albums are the focus of this episode, Billy Joel’s The Stranger and Styx’s Grand Illusion. Billy Joel’s career wasn’t in the best shape in 1977 and his record label was just about to pull the plug and boy did he deliver. Some of his most notable songs, Moving Out, Just The Way You Are, and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, were just cuts from the first side. Styx was just about to become an even bigger band than they already were with their 77 release, Grand Illusion. Fooling Yourself, Come Sail Away, Miss America and more. Take a listen and reminisce along with us for thes
In our next episode we discuss Steve Miller’s Book of Dreams and Steely Dan’s Aja, two of the year’s best albums. Steve Miller’s career has lasted for decades and his guitar mastery is evident in his live shows. Some of the tracks from this album are on his greatest hits album. And what can we say about Steely Dan’s Aja. An “island” album for Mark and one of Carey’s favorite albums as well. If you like great production, give this album a listen. You will know many of these songs and to listen is a singular treat. Bring your headphones!
In the first of a multi-episode stretch this episode is all about the albums released in the very prolific year of 1976. The first of four albums we chose are: Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive Boston – Boston (debut album) It was very difficult to narrow down to just 4 albums for a year that saw some of the most successful albums released. We start with one of Mark’s favorite all-time albums, Peter Frampton’s release Frampton Comes Alive. The best selling album for 1976 it still sells thousands of albums each year. Next comes Carey’s entry, Boston’s debut album Boston. Chock full of radio
The British Invasion didn’t stop with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Bush hit the scene in 1994 with Sixteen Stone, their debut album which spawned Comedown and Glycerine which had good airplay. Little Things was also on the album but enjoyed less exposure but is nonetheless worthy of a listen. Led by Gavin Rossdale, the band enjoyed their heyday until around 2000 and then split up. They reunited later that same decade and are still going strong. Listen as Carey and Mark talk through the song and how songs are released these days.
Not every artist has a Silk Degrees in their discography but Boz Scaggs most successful album was one of the top albums of 1976. With 4 amazing singles including this one, Georgia, the album stayed on the charts for more than 2 years. His studio musicians were the cream of the crop and their talent shows up in each and every song.
Rumors was obviously the biggest Fleetwood Mac album, but there were other good albums and songs in their catalog. Their 1973 release Mystery To Me had one of those songs, Hypnotized. The title was an apt description of the tune as a hypnotizing feeling is what the song emotes. Bob Welch also released this on his solo album after leaving the Mac and it was well received there as well. Let’s travel back to the early 70’s for this uncovered tune.
Austin Texas has turned out some amazing talent over the years. This episode’s uncovered tune is from one of those bands. Storyville was formed in 1993 and their second album gives us this catchy tune, Good Day For The Blues. And as a special treat we have a guest joinging us for this one. We welcome John “Johnny Wishbones” Burrell to the show as we talk about one of the 90’s most underrated bands. Spoiler Alert: he can sing too!
Looking for an encouraging word, a positive thought? Sister Hazel’s Change Your Mind fits that bill. From Gainesville Florida this five man band has released 11 albums of which Fortress was their 3rd. The song was written as a plea to ‘change your mind’ if you were going through a hardship and focus on the positive. This one was a fun one to record, remembering other one-hit wonders has us both laughing. Here’s the other Sister Hazel song we spotlighted – Champagne High Sister Hazel – Champagne High
If you think Play That Funky Music was Wild Cherry’s biggest hit, you would be right. But they also had other songs that are worth your time to search out. We’ve done that for you with their much slower song Hold On. Written by lead singer and guitarist Robert Parissi Hold On was an ode to blue eyed soul, and man did they do it justice. Take a listen and let us know what you think.
