End of Our Road - Marvin Gaye
- Album: M.P.G.
- Information: Written and recorded for Gladys Knight & the Pips about the demise of a couple, it peaked for them at 15 in 1968. Marvin's version merely peaked at #40 on the very first American Top 40. (Wikipedia)
- Personal Thoughts: Marvin Gaye...what a cool and classy way to start this blog. Around this period in 1970, Gaye was starting to branch away from his roots, leading ultimately to his major period of success in the 70s starting with "What's Goin' On?" This version of the song he did is a very soulful affair with a bit of a funk vibe. I really like the guitar work on the song and was sort of taken aback with the weird instrumental middle-section, but it's a really cool cover. While I sort of have some complaints about some of Marvin Gaye's music...well in the 1980s (let's say prepare to hear me barf when we get to "Sexual Healing"), this song really does seem to show a lot of his classy Motown roots while starting to show the direction he is starting to pursue in the future. BTW: I did notice from some of the usage of the background singers that it sort of still sounds a bit like a Gladys Knight and the Pips song...but it really doesn't matter considering how cool it is.
Silverbird - Mark Lindsey
- Album: Silverbird
- Information: A follow-up to his hit earlier in 1970, "Arizona", it was another solo hit for the lead singer of "Paul Revere and the Raiders", also known as a member of the Downbeats, a Pacific Northwestern band who recorded a version of "Louie, Louie" just before it became a major hit for The Kingsmen.
- Personal Thoughts: Why the heck do I hear a "sequel" feel to "Arizona"? Just the way that it is presented, with his whispering, the horns, the aspect of bringing a lady home...I mean, it's an OK song but...I didn't want to hear "Arizona" again. I guess sometimes when you have a popular song, it has to have a popular follow-up that has a similar feel to it.
Spill the Wine - Eric Burden & War
- Album: Eric Burden Declares "War"
- Information: A diverse group of musicians from all races and nationalities playing around in the ghettos of LA, the band "War" became of interest to Animals lead singer Eric Burden and record producer Jerry Goldsmith, who took them out on tour and recorded the album that put them on the map. This single is the most notable one off the album, with Burden taking the lead in a strange "trip" he goes on. (Wikipedia)
- Personal Thoughts: Who doesn't know this song? Heck, outside "Low Rider", it's probably War's most famous and notable song...even with Eric Burden part of the jam. I always thought this was a funky song, but the lyrics never really made too much sense...and Burden's presentation just sound freaky, like he's going on and on about a bunch of random stuff that doesn't make sense unless you just lay back and get stoned. I always feel weird hearing him going "I dreamed I was in a Hollywood movie...and I was the star of a movie..." and it just gets weirder and weirder. And I still don't get why that girl wants him to "spill the wine"...what will it accomplish? And how the heck is the main one a "lady" and everyone else is a "girl"? Oh, and preferably I like the long part...because at least he questions going crazy. Um...you're a long haired gnome whose naked so...yes...you're going crazy. But hey, I love the weird flute usage. Though...hopefully we get to the cooler War songs later on that they do on their own...they're such a great band.
Go Back - Crabby Appleton
- Album: Crabby Appleton
- Information: Named after the character from the "Tom Terrific" cartoon, the group is a revamped version of Stonehenge adapted with the addition of Michael Fennely. This is their first and biggest hit. (Wikipedia)
- Personal Thoughts: Wow...now this is a lost gem of a song. Very garage rock-esque, with great guitar work and a great toe-tapping beat to it. Somehow it's tough to really place where or what kind of genre or what kind of rock it falls in, but it just rocks so much that it sort of is really, really hard to think when it's playing. The lyrics are very meloncholic, as if he's telling her to essentially give up on him and go back to "the one she loves"...but then again rock is always a great break-up means, huh? If I ever really make a list of "forgotten songs" that should be restored to their notability, this probably could be one to put on their right away.
I Just Can't Help Believing - BJ Thomas
- Album: Everybody's Out of Town
- Information: Gaining notability thanks to hit songs such as "Hooked on a Feeling" and "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head", BJ Thomas was a certified star at this point in 1970. (particularly with the latter winning the Oscar...no matter how much he hated that song) While not as massive as "Raindrops", this song still had notaiblity and made the top 10.
- Personal Thoughts: BJ Thomas gives me a sense of mellowness, whether it is the music or the sound of his voice, a perfect personification of AM Radio. Though not intentional, there is a bit of a "Raindrops" feel with the horns and the violins, but the song sort of is one of hope with the lyrics and the softness of how it feels. It just feels somewhat real somehow in it's portrayl, but don't quote me on that...I guess it's just feelings somehow or another.
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