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What the Riff?!?

What the Riff?!?

著者： Rob Marbury Wayne Rowan Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute
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 Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.” We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service. You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.What the Riff ©2024 世界 社会科学 音楽
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  • 1970 - June: The Beatles "Let It Be"

    1970 - June: The Beatles "Let It Be"
    2025/06/30
    By the time The Beatles released their twelfth and final studio album, Let It Be, the ban had already broken up. Their official break-up was in April 1970, and this album was released in May.Much of the recording dates back over a year, and a project that Paul McCartney developed in an attempt to save the band. The Beatles went into the studio in January 1969 to begin an album, document the development on film, and showcase the band as they return both to a simpler rock 'n' roll style and to live performance. They started in Twickenham Film Studios, but quickly began fighting. George Harrison left the group, only returning after they agreed to returning to Apple Studios and to bringing keyboardist Billy Preston in to assist in the process.Originally entitled "Get Back," the album was delayed multiple times as the group considered aligning with potential televised performances, and eventually postponing the release in favor of the studio album "Abbey Road." As the demise of the group became more clear, Engineer Glyn Johns and producer Phil Spector were brought in to turn the pieces from the "Get Back" sessions into a complete album.These sessions were also the ones which included the final Beatles live performance, the "Rooftop Concert" recorded from the roof of Apple Studios on the afternoon of January 30, 1969. This concert proceeded for 42 minutes until the police arrived and instructed the group to turn the sound down.Contemporary reviews of the album were more negative than previous Beatles albums, but those critiques have been revised upwards over time.Bruce presents this album marking the end of an era for this week's podcast.Two of UsPaul McCartney wrote most of this song which is credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership. The original idea was inspired by McCartney's travel adventures with Linda Eastman (to whom he was married in March 1969), but it took on more meaning as a gesture of affection to John Lennon after the group broke up. I Me MineOne of the few non Lennon-McCartney songs on the album, this track was written by George Harrison. It was their last new track recorded before their official break-up in April 1970. The lyrics are a cry against the self-centeredness of mankind. The Beatles recorded it in January 1970, by which time Lennon has privately left the group, so the three remaining members recorded it. I've Got a FeelingThis song is actually a medley of two unfinished songs. Paul McCartney wrote "I've Got a Feeling," and John Lennon wrote "Everybody Had a Hard Year." and the two were put together. This was recorded during the Beatles' rooftop concert in January 1969 with Billy Preston on electric piano.Get BackThe concluding song from the album is unusual. because almost every moment of the song's development was recorded from the first riff to final mixing. The concluding quip from John Lennon regarding hope that "we passed the audition," was taken from the Rooftop Concert and worked in by Phil Spector. It was originally released as a single a year before in April 1969, and credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston." ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:"Burning Bridges" (Main theme from the action comedy film Kelly's Heroes)This World War II comedy stars Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas revolves around a gold heist as the war draws to a close. STAFF PICKS:Question by The Moody BluesLynch brings us a song in multiple movements. The frantic phase represents the question of why we must go to war, while the more subdued section represents love and peace. Guitarist Justin Hayward wrote this song as a mashup of two unfinished songs which came together after observing the anxiety young US fans were experiencing regarding the draft and the Vietnam War.Proper Stranger by The Guess WhoRob features a deeper cut from the Canadian band off their "American Woman" album. The lyrics depict the feelings of being alone in a big city where "Nobody knows my face or knows my name. Nobody knows where I'm going or how I came. Lost and found, no one claimed me. Alone with a million others."50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain by by Ten Years AfterWayne takes us on another deep cut. This one is a psychedelic journey with the group that gets its name from their being founded ten years after Elvis's start. We noticed the similarity between this song and the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," with which it shares a similar chord progression.Baby Hold On by The Grass RootsBruce closes the staff picks with a group that was big from 1965-1985. The Grass Roots originated in 1965 as a project between the duo P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. This song went to number 35 and was included on their compilation album, "More Golden Grass," released in the fall of 1970. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Genesis by Tangerine DreamWe close out this week's podcast with an early industrial track from the future jazz fusion giants. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust ...
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    40 分
  • 1972 - January: America "America"

    1972 - January: America "America"
    2025/06/23
    Surprisingly, America was formed in London. The trio of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek met in London where their fathers were stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip. The three attended London Central High School and began playing together on borrowed acoustic guitars. The name came from the Americana jukebox in the mess hall, and a desire to distinguish themselves from the British musicians around them who were trying to sound more American.America is also their self-titled debut album released in the States in January 1972. The album originally was released without “A Horse With No Name,” but when that single garnered significant commercial success it was added to a re-release of the album in early 1972. The re-released album would top the US album charts and produce two top-10 singles.The band would be a force in the folk-rock and soft rock genres for a generation. With close harmonies similar to Crosby, Stills & Nash, and complex acoustic guitar arrangements, their first seven albums would be in the top 50 on the album charts, though this first debut would be their lone chart topper to date. Their compilation album “History: America's Greatest Hits” was released at the end of 1975.America produced albums of original material up through 2015. In 1977 Dan Peek left the group to pursue music in the Contemporary Christian genre. Speculation regarding a reunion of the original members continued through the years until Peeks death in 2011.Rob brings us a great debut folk rock album in this week's podcast.RiversideThe lead off track is a good example of the original America sound. It has a laid back message: I don't want to take anything from you, and I don't want you to take anything from me. It is a “live and let live” message using a metaphor of life on two sides of the river.A Horse with No NameThis is the track that put the band on the map. Originally entitled “Desert Song” the track takes inspiration from a Salvador Dali painting and an M.C. Escher painting. Writer Dewey Bunnell created lyrics loosely based on his travels as a child with family through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. Three RosesBunnell paints a picture of both a quiet life and romantic uncertainty in this song inspired by his girlfriend, soon to be wife. “Three roses were bought with you in mind.” Dan Peek takes lead vocal duties on this one with subdued but complex chords and harmonies.I Need YouThe second single from the album was written by Gerry Beckley when he was 16 years old. Beckley also takes lead vocals on this ballad which went to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. You can sense the similarity to bands like the Beatles and Alan Parsons in this track. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Main theme from the television series “Emergency!”This first responder action series focused on Squad 51 in Los Angeles saw its debut in January 1972. STAFF PICKS:Family Affair by Sly & the Family StoneBruce begins the staff picks with the most successful hit from Sly & the Family Stone. This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and the R&B Singles chart for five. This track is a little different for the group, as the guitars are toned down, and the electric piano (with Billy Preston on keyboard) is brought up. The lyrics talk about the ways a family can go wrong.Roundabout by YesLynch brings us a song written by singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe. The song originated from a trip the group took in Scotland in which they encountered a number of roundabouts. The line, “in and around the lake” came from one of the lochs they passed. This opening track from Fragile was drastically edited to produce a single coming in at 3:27 rather than the over 8-minute original. It reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, the group's highest charting single until 1983's “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”Doctor My Eyes by Jackson BrowneWayne's staff pick is a single off Browne's debut and self-titled album. The lyrics discuss the feeling that the singer is becoming jaded about life by seeing all the wrong in the world, and now being unable to cry about it. David Crosby and Graham Nash provide backing vocals to this song which went to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Misty Mountain Hop by Led ZeppelinRob features a song which was the B-side to Zeppelin's “Black Dog.” The lyrics take their inspiration from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as the “Legalize Pot Rally” held in Hyde Park in July 1968. It appeared on the massive Led Zeppelin IV album. As Rob says, it is a “mixture of stoner idealism and Tolkien nerdery.” COMEDY TRACK:Pigeon Song by AmericaWe exit with a little double dipping, and with gratefulness that none of us is a pigeon named Fred. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. ...
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    33 分
  • 1966 - February: The Sonics "Boom"

    1966 - February: The Sonics "Boom"
    2025/06/16
    Before the grunge movement of the 90's, and before the punk movement of the 70's, there was the garage band phenomenon of the 60's. One of the forerunners of both punk and grunge from this garage band period is Tacoma Washington's The Sonics. Their classic lineup consisted of Rob Lind on harmonica, vocals, and sax, Gerry Roslie on organ, piano, and lead vocals, Larry Parypa on lead guitar and vocals, Andy Parypa on bass, and Bob Bennett on drums. The Sonics had a fast, hard-edged sound similar to The Kinks, and performed with a speed that would inspire punk rock.Boom is their second studio album from the band, released in February 1966. As with many songs from the mid-60's, all the songs are short. But with a non to the future punk movement, many songs are even shorter, clocking in at just over 2 minutes. The Sonics take their name from Boeing, the aviation company also based in Tacoma. The name of the album is likely a play on words for the "sonic boom," the thunderous sound produced by an aircraft exceeding the speed of sound. The music on this album is energetic and abrasive, and while some fuzzy guitar distortion is included the overall feel is raw with little extra production.The classic lineup would fall apart by 1968, with members leaving to join other bands, attend college, or in saxophonist Rob Linds' case - become a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War. Gerry Roslie would be the sole remaining original member with new members jumping in and out of the band until 1980. Wayne brings us this forerunner of punk and grunge for this week's podcast. CinderellaThe lead-off song from the album was an original piece written by Gerry Roslie. The lyrics relay a boy meeting a girl at a bar, having a great time drinking and dancing, and just when things start to get going well, the girl is gone by midnight. He's Waitin'This song starts the B-side of the album, and was also a Gerry Roslie original. This "boy loses girl" song is not a happy one! The lyrics reflect the boy's thoughts on being burned by a girl. Now he is telling her that Satan is waiting for her. "It's too late, you lied, now you will fry." Louie, LouieRichard Berry wrote and performed this song in 1957 with The Pharaohs, and covers of this song are common with garage bands. The Sonics' version is quite fast, and modifies the pronunciation from "Lou-ee Lou-ee" to "Lou-eye Lou-way" in the chorus. It is hard to separate this song from the thoughts of fraternity parties and the comedy movie "Animal House." Shot DownThe song that closes out the album laments about striking out when approaching a girl. "I play a guitar. I even drive a brand new car. Big man in town, I've been shot down." ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Theme from the motion picture "The Rare Breed"This western starred James Stewart and Maureen O'Hara and was one of the first films scored by the now-legendary composer John Williams. STAFF PICKS:Crying Time by Ray CharlesBruce leads off the staff picks with the lead single and starting track to Ray Charles' album of the same name. The song was originally performed by Buck Owens in 1964, and Charles kept the country feel while taking the cover to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. He won the Grammy Awards in 1967 for Best R&B Recording and Best R&B Solo Performance for this track.It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James BrownLynch brings us a song that takes its name as a play on the name of a 1963 comedy film, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." The minor key track has lyrics decrying the chauvinism of society where all the work of modern civilization are attributed to men, but it would all "mean nothing without a woman or a girl." Brown recorded the song in only two takes, and it would become a staple of his live shows for the rest of his career.Secret Agent Man by Johnny RiversRob features a surf rock song originally developed as the opening intro to the U.S. spy television series "Secret Agent," which aired from 1964 to 1966. The ditty became popular, and Rivers developed it into a full single. The song would go to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming both a signature song for Rivers and a rock standard for future bands and shows.Lies by The KnickerbockersWayne's closes out the staff picks with a song from an American band deliberately trying to mimic the sound of a British Invasion song. The trio harmonies definitely give it a Beatles quality. As you might expect from the band name, the Knickerbockers got their start in New Jersey as a garage band. The track came together in about a half hour. COMEDY TRACK:The One on the Right is On the Left by Johnny CashThis comedy song about a band with incompatible political leanings amongst its members takes us out for this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is ...
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    29 分

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