Once upon a time, about 40 years ago, people thought sex was bad. At least they said they thought sex was bad.
Continue reading...Rock and Roll
034: Dionne Warwick, ‘Walk On By’ (Burt Bacharach)
The first song in my new novel.
Continue reading...321: “The Greatest Band that Never Was”–The Soundtrack
The music behind the words!
Continue reading...048: Sam Cooke ‘Bring It On Home to Me’/The Miracles ‘You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me’
Sam Cooke takes a back seat to no one, not even to Smokey Robinson. The sweetest fruits are sometimes those closest to the roots.
Continue reading...076: Roy Orbison, ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’
Roy was working in his kitchen with his songwriting partner when wife Claudette came in and said she was going shopping. All three knew she had a lover in town. Orbison asked if she needed any money, and the partner cracked, “Pretty woman never needs any money.” By the time she got back, they had the song.
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160: Smokey Robinson & Aretha Franklin, ‘Ooh Baby, Baby’ (Live)
Two remarkable voices from the same ‘hood, Smokey and Aretha, velvet and steel, a magical meeting in a magical song. It’s not chemistry, it’s alchemy. Watch it and say a little prayer of thanks for being present at the creation.
Continue reading...155: Buddy Holly, ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’
When the weather’s right, this song can still make me cry.
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