Mixed Tape Tuesday Goes 70's: Part 1

Since I already feel like I'm late to class and haven't handed in my homework assignment, here's my second post of the day. This one is for Jen's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday. This week we are moving into Part 1 of the 1970's. Great decade for music. It came about after all the rules had been broken, after American blues clashed with the British Invasion and country and southern rock started to roll. I loved every minute of it.

This was the decade when I saw my first, second and probably my 250th live concert. I was old enough to do what I wanted and young enough to not have responsibilities getting in the way. Did I make some wrong decisions... hell yes, didn't we all. But did I have fun... indeed I did. And I have retained some of the memories to prove it. The rest were forgotten when those brain cells that were in such abundance back then, suddenly went pfft. C'est la vie.

My first choice is no big surprise, it is either #1 or #2 on virtually every Top 100 music list of the era. I could listen to it everyday of my life and still enjoy hearing it. The two parts of the song: the vocal and instrumental are each beautiful on their own. Put them together and it's seven minutes that are magical. The opening riff is one of the most recognizable in music.

What else can it be but "Layla"

The band which first comes to mind for me when I think 70's music is the Eagles. Initially I thought I would use "Take It Easy," written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Brown, as it's the first song I remember from them. But no Eagles song fills me with more emotion and takes me to a better place than this Tom Waits song.

"Ol '55."

I loved Loggins & Messina. I must have seen them a dozen times. When I heard Jimmy Messina from Buffalo Springfield was teaming up with this other guy, I was interested. Then I saw Kenny Loggins and wow. Not only was he hot, but he had that voice... yeah. Their first album, "Sittin' In" was brilliant, and their follow up was just as good. Their song that I've picked is the title cut. Loved the lyrics, loved the sound, love the long instrumental in the middle.

"What a shot you would be if you could look at me with those..."
"Angry Eyes"

Next up is the song I actually started this music blog with. It's all about the feeling. It's all about music. It's my definition of what music does to me. "Give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your Rock & Roll and drift away." Isn't that how music should make you feel? This blog began with a post about the death of Dobie Gray, it lives because of the music.

"And when my mind is free

You know a melody can move me

And when I'm feelin' blue

The guitar's comin' through to soothe me"

"Drift Away"

Then there was Traffic. Oy, such a decision. Do I go with "Dear Mr. Fantasy", "Low Spark" or "Feeling Alright"? In the end, I went with the first song I played on my first CD player. From John Barleycorn Must Die, one piano infused instrumental that just rocked.

"Glad"

So that's five, the number we're supposed to pick. But it's missing someone and as a resident of the "Great State of New Jersey," I feel the need to break the rules. I need to bring in The Boss. Again, the choice is tough. Just choosing which album to take a song from is tough. Greeting from Asbury Park's "Spirit in the Night," or anything from Born to Run would have worked. But I'm going with one song which I wouldn't hear at every concert, which just made it more special when I did. Coming from probably my favorite Bruce album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, it's all Max and Roy at the start, with the tempo building as the song explodes with longing and passion.

"She says, Baby if you wanna be wild,

you got a lot to learn, close your eyes,

Let them melt, let them fire,

let them burn"

The exquisite "Candy's Room"

As a sad side note. It's two years today that we lost The Big Man,Clarence Clemmons. Sure hope he's having a good time playing with the band upstairs.

Thanks Jen for having us over at your place again. Promise next week I'll bring the beer.

Sittin In For One Tasty Treat

Really great rock, fine vocals, plenty of guitar and mandolin work to go around...and easy on the eyes. That's pretty much the way I would describe the taste of the day.  To say I saw them play live a few times is a gross understatement. If they played in the NY tri-state area three times in a week, well chances are I was at all three shows.

As I recall, my initiation with Loggins and Messina began back 123 years ago, when I worked part time in a store that would later be known as K-Mart.  There was a guy (isn't there always) who, as a way to...well you know, I'll go with impress me, would start to sing...

"you don't need change in your pocket, 
you don't need soles on your shoes
to make a woman feel wanted."

True, but a burger and beer might be nice. But I digress.

The song was "To Make A Woman Feel Wanted," the middle piece of the Trilogy from "Sittin In".  This was the album originally slated to be a Kenny Loggins solo album and became the beginning of one hell of a great duo. There wasn't anything about that album I didn't like. Everyone knows the hits "Danny's Song" and "House at Pooh Corner," but for my money...there is just so much more.

Starting out rocking with "Nobody But You", it then gave every young couple with a baby boy a theme..."Danny's Song."  But then the album picked up steam. Who doesn't remember "I'm thinking back when I was a sailor." You can almost taste the salt air as they sang "Vahevala". At this point, they hit full stride with the Trilogy: Lovin Me, To Make A Woman Feel Wanted and Peace of Mind...flawless. Sorry for the not great video and abrupt end, but you'll get the flavor.

Still kicking it after that, "Back to Georgia" cemented this album as a full-blown classic. But wait, there's more. Right after you've rocked for a good long while, they throw in everyone's favorite rock lullaby "House at Pooh Corner".  Toss in another three fine songs to finish it up and you can understand why my vinyl copy never stood a chance. Of course, there's always the CD and the IPhone and the computer. Just saying.

"Time, time and again I've seen you staring out at me
Now then and again I wonder what it is that you see
With those angry eyes
Well I bet you wish you could cut me down
With those angry eyes"

Aside from the "Sittin In" album, the follow up Loggins & Messina featured the unparalleled  "Angry Eyes". A little guitar, strong bass beat...bring in the drum and kick ass. 7:35 of perfection.

One final taste just because it is so fine. From the wonderful "Full Sail" CD, the one with the beefcake shot on the back...very nice indeed, one of their best "Watching the River Run"

Lots of treats being served up tonight. Take the time to enjoy as many as you like.

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