Author’s Note: This post is dedicated to my friend Rickey Freeman. BIG vinyl collector. In the immortal words of Duke Ellington, “I love you madly.”
Happy 2014, everyone. This new year I’m all about Spotify. You know, the mobile app that lets you custom pick and play music on your tablet or phone. I love this thing, and lately, whenever I get a free moment, I’m hard at it adding to my playlist. (Just last night I threw on Robbie Robertson’s “Somewhere Down The Crazy River.” It’s awesome, btw.)
In case you’re not yet in the groove (or don’t have savvy, music-loving kids like Julie Epstein and Nick Ross to turn you on to this phenom) Spotify is a music streaming company launched in 2008 by a Swedish startup. The music can be browsed by artist, album, record label, genre and playlist- as well by direct searches.
And it’s free.
All you have to do is download the app on your pad or phone and start spinning the soundtrack of your life.
Every so often you have to listen to a commercial for Spotify itself or United Airlines but it’s not that annoying. And if you’re feeling particularly flush, you can always upgrade to a paid version that eliminates the commercial interruptions altogether.
(This monetized premium version also allows you to download and listen when you’re off-line and they tout the better sound quality as well.)
But the free Spotify does me just fine. After all, it’s just a more high tech version of the music transfer device that I have been hooked on since I was a kid.
In a life filled with big ups and big downs, music has been my constant companion and my rock. (And roll.) But in my very youngest days, I only had access to my parents LP’s.
That was ok by me. My dad’s albums forged an early love of Big Bands- Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey (with and without a very young Frank Sinatra) Ray Noble, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan (I was nuts for his “I can’t Get Started With You.” Played it endlessly. Ended up with a basset hound named Bunny Berigan in his honor.)
My folks also had cast albums. I was so into Ethel Merman’s “Gypsy,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “West Side Story” that I still know every word to those showtunes.
I even remember loving their Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite”- and that was on 78.
But the day my music life revved up can be backdated to the moment when I first heard the Everly Brothers and “Bye Bye Love” over someone’s transistor radio. I was mesmerized.
And then “Shop Around” and a guy named Smokey Robinson came into my world and nothing was ever the same for little me again.
It was 1960 and I was hooked. And I had to start collecting.
The first forty-five record I ever bought was “Chain Gang” by Sam Cooke on the RCA Victor label.
I showed pretty good taste for a pre-teen. “Chain Gang” went on to the number two spot on the pop and R&B charts. And it was Sam’s second-biggest hit ever since “You Send Me” in 1957.
I was simply nuts about the sound. All those “ooh ahs” and the clunking of the chains sent me into post-Sputnik orbit. I had to own that record. And so I bicycled over to Edens Plaza in Wilmette, went in to the record store and plunked down my fifty cents.
And thus a record collection – and collector- was born.
Bike trip by bike trip I constantly added to my forty-five collection. I was too young and too broke to aspire to albums, but I could always manage to save up the requisite fifty cents for this kind of vinyl.
Sam Cooke was followed by- in no particular chronological order here- the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” on Capitol. And then there was the Four Tops and “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “I Can’t Help Myself” on Motown.
And Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and The Young Rascals’ “Groovin” on Atlantic.
And the Rolling Stones. I bought “Satisfaction/The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man,” “Play with Fire/The Last Time” and “Get Off My Cloud/I’m Free” all on the London label.
And I bought “Kansas City/Boys” on the Capitol label by the Beatles.
Along with Simon and Garfunkel’s “At The Zoo/ The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” on Columbia, Surfin Bird” by The Trashmen on Garrett Records and “Apache” by Jorgen Ingmann (and his guitar) on the Atco label.
They were all housed in green paper protective sleeves my record box.
I had “Boogaloo Down Broadway” by the Fantastic Johnny C (not my qualifying adjective. That was his name.) It was on the Phil-LA of Soul record label.
Then there was my Volt label forty-five of Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.” With “Sweet Lorene” on the B side and produced by Steve Cropper.
“Shout- Part I” by Joey Dee and the Starliters on the Roulette label- with what else? “Shout- Part II on the flip side- was cheek to jowl with “The Girl from Ipanema” on Verve.
They roomed with “Peanuts” by Rick and The Teens on Smash, “Words of Love/Dancing In The Streets” by the Mamas and The Papas on Dunhill, “Lenny Welch’s “Since I Fell For You” on Cadence, “The Pink Panther” theme on RCA Victor, “The Oogum Boogum Song” by Brenton Wood on Doubleshot and Ray Davies’ “Tired of Waiting For You” on Reprise.
I can’t leave out “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan recorded on Epic, as well as Sly & The Family Stone’s “Everybody Is A Star” on Epic.
Dionne Warwick (Whitney Houston’s cousin for my younger readers) recorded “”Walk On By” and “I Say A Little Prayer” on the Scepter label. She shared space in my collection with Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River” on Fantasy records and “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse on the Bell label.
I could go on and on. (Wait, I’ve just got to give a shout out to Jay And The Techniques’ “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” also on Smash.)
But the forty-five that changed my life again was “Like A Rolling Stone.”
Bob Dylan. On the Columbia record label. And here’s the thing.
Running time: SIX minutes.
Trivia Contest Sidebar: Anybody out there know what was the B side?
It was 1965. A song came on WLS radio and the DJ was all pumped up. This one didn’t fit his three minute format. This was big, man. This was poetry. This was art. This song had something to say.
And it just killed me.
From the opening words “Once upon a time you dressed so fine, threw the bums a dime, in your prime, didn’t you?” Bob Dylan had me at full attention.
“You used to be so amused at Napoleon in rags and the language that he used. Go to him now, he calls you, you can’t refuse. When you’ve got nothing, you got nothing to lose.”
“How does it feel to be on your own? With no direction home. Like a complete unknown. Like a rolling stone.”
What can I say? Rolling Stone Magazine named it the greatest song of all time.
If you’re like me and you’re lucky, you still have it on the original vinyl. Give it a spin.
But just in case you’re also like me and you don’t have a record player any more…
Spotify it.
I just did.
Rock on, brothers and sisters. Rock on.
And get well soon, Rickey. Sorry you’re under the weather.
Somehow or other my reply was rejected. I’ll try and remember what I said. I can certainly relate to all those experiences with regards to the records, but can you imagine going to the largest record store in Evanston and see a huge banner hung out side that said,”We do not have Chatanooga Choo Choo?” I sure hope that your folks introduced you to the great American song book. I know all my sons love those songs to this day. I can fully appreciate your memories, as I hope your children will also. By the way, have you ever listened to Benny Goodmans Carnegie Hall concert of 1938 ? Truly an absolute classic. Allan
Thanks for hanging in today, buddy. I’ve gotten other complaints about people trying to put up comments. I’m stumped and I’m going to blame it on the hosting site.
I love that Choo Choo story. That’s so WWII! A little before my time, as you know. My son digs music. He turns me on to good stuff and I’d like to think vice versa. And no, I haven’t heard that concert but I will. Thanks for the tip.
Happy New Year dear Ellen….Paula Anka, the Jarmels I could go on and on…but as a south-sider my memories of the Regal theatre in 1966 made me who I am today!! Little Anthony, the Temptations and every other fabulous soul groups were there for the viewing and believe me I was there to view. To all the south siders that may read this blog I say “we did it great”. I still have my 45’s which include Little Stevie Wonder. At this moment I am visualizing that first RCA 45 player in my parents home. Before that I remember the 78 player we had where you pushed the record into a slot and out played Frankie Lane’s MULE TRAIN….I still love my music…music is a mood maker…like my new man and dog Molly, it makes a sad moment happy…a bad moment better…and a good mood even better. Love to all…2014 is going to be the best year ever!!!
I love this! Remember that spindle thing we had to shove into the 45 to play it on a 78 player? And I love that you still have your records. Glad you’re so happy. Maybe I should move to Arizona and find myself a great guy out there! Love you back.
Actually, I was listening to “Daddy’s Home” by Shepp and the Limelights while I was coming to work today interspersed with songs from Dion and the Belmonts and the Fleetwoods. Reminds me of the junior high school make-out parties (our equivalent to kids “hooking up” today). It is hard to imagine that years from now my grandson will be reflecting on those old great songs from 2020.
Growing up in Detroit – no one would even think of missing the yearly Motown Revue at the Fox theater. Whenever the Temptation’s song “My Girl” came on the radio people would just stop what they were doing. It was like our national anthem.
“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May…” Now that’s teenage poetry. I can still see the Stroll we all did to that. You didn’t have to be from Detroit to love the Temptin’ Temptations. David Ruffin was a god!
You almost got it right. He wasn’t a god – he was “god”
I stand corrected. You’re right.
Let’s face it…….Music died after 1963.
And also, let’s face the fact that the golden age of entertainment died then, also.
P.S. To Jackie Rosenbloom: The South Side was the GREATEST back then. To the North Siders that had no idea what was going on or could find their way south of Roosevelt Road…..Sorry!!!
Ok so what’s your idea of the song you most like to make out to – pre 1963? Frank Sinatra pretty much has my vote. That man knew what a broken heart sounded like. C’mon, Bernie. Give this poor Winnetka girl a hint.
Oh, Ellen. You make it too easy. JOHNNY MATHIS, of course.
Sinatra was my favorite SWINGER, by far. “I’ve Got The World On A String”, “You Make Me Feel So Young”, “Come Dance With Me”, “Come Fly With Me”, “Saturday Night Is The Lonliest Night”….And, everything he recorded with Count Basie….On and on…….
P.S. Know the words to all of Mathis and Sinatra. Just ask Ken….
P.P.S. Next time ask something more difficult!! I’m a legend in my own mind!
WE used to make out to “Johnny Mathis’s Greatest Hits” and it was post 1963. In fact I too know all the words to the entire album. (“When Sunny Gets Blue” was MY song.) I’m all about “I Thought About You.” Jimmy Van Husen music, words by Johnny Mercer, arranged by Nelson Riddle and Frank- soooo cool. You’re a legend in my mind too, Bernie.
This note is dictated by me for Rickey who is still “under the weather”.
Thanks for the shout out Ellen. Great playlist which I have all on vinyl. There is warmth and lively quality unmatched on anything but vinyl. Though I have become a confirmed Sonos fan for my 50,000 plus songs on CD, there is nothing I enjoy more than listening to my collection on my turntable – countless albums which I still collect!
Love your references to the labels – your attention to detail is impressive!
I felt a little like the guy in “Diner” when I was naming the labels, but c’mon. Those label names are really a blast from the past! And of course I had to dedicate this post to you. No one has more audio. I salute you, man. Now get well soon. Ps “Only The Good Die Young” is playing right now on my playlist. (Ain’t going to happen to me. That’s for sure,)
Update: so sad to announce that Phil Everly died on January third. Bye bye Love.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/03/phil-everly-dead_n_4539317.html
I believe that the sound track of the 1960s was the absolute best. Sam Cooke’s beautiful voice, the Beach Boys and their harmonies, the urgent beat of Motown, the Beatles, the Stones, Phil Spector’s wall of sound. And then there was Bob Dylan, a true poet, who wrote what we felt, thought, saw, be it political commentary or a love song.
And yes, Spotify rocks the house.
The sixties was the greatest musically. And not because we were all tuned in to the radio all the time. Thanks for your vote of approval.
What? Oh, sorry. I was looking up faves on Spotify, the free version of the app which you persuaded me to download. Pretty great. I may even go all in and get the paid version. Thanks for the tip!
I haven’t sprung for the paid version- yet. If you do, tell me of you think it’s worth it.
I will if I can figure it out. Can’t see it in the App Store. Meanwhile, I have a 7-day premium thing, supposedly. Maybe when that expires they’ll tell me what the real deal costs.
Ok, you can run the beta testing on it. Thanks, JY.
First song that came to mind: “Those Oldies But Goodies” by Little Caesar and the Romans . . . “Forever, they will haunt me, but what can I do?”
BTW, the answer to who were the halftime performers at the historic UCLA-Houston basketball game (Alcindor vs. Hayes) in the Astrodome in Jan. 1968? Allentown, PA’s own Jay & The Techniques. We had a good laugh while watching in neighboring Bethlehem.
A very nice piece of trivia here, Fred. Thank you.
Answer to your trivia question, B side “Gates of Eden” and if you haven’t listened to Benny Goodman’s Carnegie Hall concert of 1938 yet my Dad is going to be mad. All you have to do is listen to just one song, “Sing Sing Sing”. It was one of the great nights in American music history, right up there with Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue.
You’re correct. And so sorry that your mother 86ed the 45 collection. My grandmother did the exact same thing to my father’s baseball cards.