tag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:/blogs/post-1?p=5Post 12020-02-16T06:28:44-08:00Gooseneckfalsetag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/51797652020-02-16T06:28:44-08:002022-08-04T15:50:44-07:00What's The Best Live Album Of All Time?<p><span class="font_large">The guys in Gooseneck were having this debate recently: What's the greatest live album ever recorded?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There are so many great live records -- from the Allman Brothers At Fillmore East to The Who Live At Leeds -- but which <em>one</em> is best? What's your desert island live record?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Well, we couldn't agree on a winner, so we conducted a highly-scientific survey of music fans to determine the greatest live album of all time.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here are the results: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/d71ac7e8d383b0a052f81958d4d8b6e4428cb869/original/screen-shot-2018-04-12-at-8-51-40-pm.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Let's take a look at the top 3 picks:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>#1 -- The Allman Brothers, <a contents="Live at Fillmore East" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2SRhmAr" target="_blank"><em>Live at Fillmore East</em></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This is an amazing recording of the Allmans at the height of their powers, captured over two nights in March, 1971. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You might be surprised to learn that the Allmans were not headlining these shows at Fillmore East, Johnny Winter was. But their act was so dominant that by the third night promoter Bill Graham had the Allmans closing the show.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Because they weren't headliners, the Allmans were paid just $1,250 for each night of these shows. It's a good this we have <a contents="this priceless recording" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2SRhmAr" target="_blank">this priceless recording</a> from those nights!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2SRhmAr" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c8ae136c9ab1bba69c7fb16e8e877b325a17302c/original/screen-shot-2020-02-16-at-6-27-17-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>#2 -- Little Feat, <a contents="Waiting For Columbus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2vEc834" target="_blank"><em>Waiting For Columbus</em></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Many of us in Gooseneck voted for this as our favorite. Not only do we love Little Feat, but also the addition of Tower of Power horns on this album makes it the obvious choice.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Of course there are lots of amazing live albums. But for us, the combination of <a contents="Little Feat and Tower of Power horns on&nbsp;Waiting For Columbus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2vEc834" target="_blank">Little Feat and Tower of Power horns on Waiting For Columbus</a> takes the cake. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">One thing that made <a contents="Waiting For Columbus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2vEc834" target="_blank">Waiting For Columbus</a> so special was the addition of Tower of Power's horn section. Listen back to tracks like "Spanish Moon" and the horns will give you goose bumps. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Indeed, Emilio and Doc and the boys from TOP horns played on all kinds of records, but arguably this is their greatest contribution to another band's sound. Waiting For Columbus captured both bands at the height of their powers.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2vEc834" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/58e10de8e3060c913d236ef886b2eefc54302dad/original/screen-shot-2020-02-16-at-6-02-36-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>#3 -- The Band, <a contents="The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/37xj938" target="_blank"><em>The Last Waltz</em></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">No argument here -- this is another amazing classic. Not only is the music great, but also there's the added drama of the dissolution of The Band and the revealing Scorsese-directed movie that chronicles it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Hard to believe it's been more than 40 years since The Band brought together their friends on Thanksgiving 1976 and threw one of the greatest rock 'n roll parties of all time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Luckily for us, they got Martin Scorsese to document the event in what is probably <a contents="the greatest concert movie of all time,&nbsp;The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2UY3EP4" target="_blank">the greatest concert movie of all time, The Last Waltz</a>. In fact, this isn't just a concert movie, it's a great documentary that captures the life and times of The Band and their influence on music and culture in the 70s.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To coincide with its 40th anniversary, there are some <a contents="new and&nbsp;expanded versions of the concert album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/37xj938" target="_blank">new and expanded versions of the concert album</a> that are worth checking out.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Apart from the music itself, one of our favorite moments is when Neil Young comes on stage and Robbie Robertson points out the copious amount of cocaine clearly visible on Neil's nose. Whoops!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/37xj938" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1dec1a44c6cc529bf578a33a3081ddaf01161968/original/screen-shot-2020-02-16-at-6-11-04-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">What's your favorite live record? Do you agree or disagree with these picks? Leave a comment and let us know!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Related Resources</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like bands like Little Feat and The Band, you might also like <a contents="Gooseneck's latest record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest record, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a <a contents="free copy at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">free copy at this link</a> or by clicking on the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/60655462020-01-07T04:50:37-08:002020-12-03T21:40:26-08:00Steely Dan's Drinking Songs<p>Here's a new drinking game for you: Can you name the drinks that Steely Dan references in their songs? </p>
<p>What's the drink in "<a contents="Home At Last" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2QtLguO" target="_blank">Home At Last</a>?"</p>
<p>What's the beverage in "<a contents="Babylon Sisters" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2sLb1Oj" target="_blank">Babylon Sisters</a>?"</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/010d32767b7392c73d812edc0321c3a846d2b986/original/screen-shot-2020-01-07-at-4-32-13-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The boys in the Dan were very creative when it came to naming drinks in their songs. To wit, we never knew what retsina was before we heard about it in "Home At Last." And now we can picture Homer sipping a little retsina as he sails toward Troy.</p>
<p>They also travel the world through their drinks menu. Kirschwasser is a German cherry brandy. Retsina is a Greek liqueur that tastes like licorice. </p>
<p>In fact, the Dan references so much booze in their songs that you can make a drinking game out of it. We wish we had thought of this idea ourselves, but to give credit where it's due -- we first saw this idea in an <a contents="Ultimate Classic Rock post" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/steely-dan-drinking-songs/" target="_blank">Ultimate Classic Rock post</a>, check it out when you have a minute.</p>
<p><strong>Steely Dan Drinking Game</strong></p>
<p>OK, so here's the game: See if you can name which drink is referenced in each song below (answer key at bottom of this article):</p>
<ol> <li>
<a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2QWFYXN" target="_blank">Gaucho</a>: "Time Out Of Mind"</li> <li>
<a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2Tbqbar" target="_blank">Aja</a>: "Home At Last"</li> <li>
<a contents="Katy Lied" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/39LvAuz" target="_blank">Katy Lied</a>: "Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More"</li> <li>
<a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2QWFYXN" target="_blank">Gaucho</a>: "Babylon Sisters"</li> <li>
<a contents="The Royal Scam" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2N4WtQt" target="_blank">The Royal Scam</a>: "Haitian Divorce"</li> <li>
<a contents="FM Soundtrack" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2QSSZkX" target="_blank">FM Soundtrack</a>: "FM"</li> <li>
<a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2QWFYXN" target="_blank">Gaucho</a>: "Hey Nineteen"</li> <li>
<a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2Tbqbar" target="_blank">Aja</a>: "Black Cow"</li> <li>
<a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2Tbqbar" target="_blank">Aja</a>: "Deacon Blues"</li> <li>
<a contents="Katy Lied" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/39LvAuz" target="_blank">Katy Lied</a>: "Bad Sneakers"</li>
</ol>
<p>What did we miss? Are there other songs in the Steely Dan catalog that reference drinks? Leave a comment and let us know!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Related<span style="color:null;"> Resources</span></strong></p>
<p>If you're a fan of songs that reference booze, you might like <a contents="Gooseneck's latest record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest record, The Golden Goose</a>. See if you can find references to drinks on the album.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Answer key: 1. cherry wine, 2. retsina, 3. rum and coke, 4. kirschwasser, 5.zombie, 6. grapefruit wine, 7. Cuervo Gold, 8. black cow, 9. scotch whiskey, 10. pina colada</p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/54212742018-09-09T07:25:10-07:002021-04-14T18:04:11-07:00Steely Dan: More Than Just A Band<p><span class="font_large">Like all you Steely Dan fans out there, we're always looking for new material about the Dan, especially the behind-the-scenes stories about how they crafted their amazing albums.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We found this great Steely Dan video and wanted to share it with the Gooseneck gaggle. This comes from the guys over at YouTube channel Polyphonic, and they call it "a deconstruction of the Dan." </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="SjXB894CZnM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/SjXB894CZnM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SjXB894CZnM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A couple highlights:</span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">Good detail on a couple of key behind-the-scenes players in the Dan discography: producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols. </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Donald and Walter's obsession with finding the right session drummers -- even in their early years -- like Jim Gordon and Jeff Porcaro on <a contents="Katy Lied" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2MYOaHZ" target="_blank"><em>Katy Lied</em></a>.</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">The elevation of guitar on <a contents="Royal Scam" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2CC5JZp" target="_blank"><em>Royal Scam</em></a> with the addition of Larry Carlton.</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">A spotlight on the horn arrangements by Tom Scott on <a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2MgJace" target="_blank"><em>Aja</em></a>.</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">The fact that Donald and Walter didn't play any instruments on "Babylon Sisters" from <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2MbpuXb" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_large">Hats off to the guys at Polyphonic. <a contents="Here's a link to their original post" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXB894CZnM" target="_blank">Here's a link to their original post</a>.</span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/54084972018-08-30T19:37:01-07:002020-10-09T00:02:50-07:00Tower of Power: 50 Years and 25 Records<p><span class="font_large">Tower of Power recently added a tagline to their posters and their website that says "Established 1968." We love that! And indeed it has been a glorious 50-year run for the sanctified soul stalwarts from Oakland. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2BZlklm" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/a7240ead69c8f93738f0d34d5955743842352d5e/original/top-soul-side-of-town.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">TOP is one of those rare bands that has not only stayed together for 50 years -- but also continued to make new music that's still vital and fresh. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="TOP's latest album, Soul Side of Town" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2BZlklm" target="_blank">TOP's latest album, <em>Soul Side of Town</em></a>, is another gem in their long line of great albums -- and marks their 25th record in 50 years. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This is a must for TOP fans and anyone who loves the sound of soul. Tracks like "<a contents='Easy Bay! All Day!" hit that classic syncopated soul and the title track is also amazing' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2BZlklm" target="_blank">Easy Bay! All Day!" hit that classic syncopated soul and the title track is also amazing</a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you're one of the lucky fans who got to see them on this year's 50th anniversary tour, then you no doubt saw an amazing show. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Check out this live version of "Squib Cakes" -- tight!</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="o0JiLRY38Ek" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/o0JiLRY38Ek/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o0JiLRY38Ek?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And in case that's not enough funkiness for you, here's one more. And this one answers the eternal question....<em>What Is Hip</em>?!</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="UDByljOvtUo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/UDByljOvtUo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UDByljOvtUo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like horn bands like Tower of Power, then you might like <a contents="Gooseneck's latest album, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest album, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a free download at this link or by clicking the image:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/original/gooseneck.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/52873952018-06-10T08:43:28-07:002021-09-16T03:14:49-07:00Eric Clapton's "Life In 12 Bars"<p><span class="font_large">From Gooseneck HQ, we like to bring you recommendations for our favorite new stories and great movies about music. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you're an Eric Clapton fan, then you've got to check out this documentary about his amazing story and career, <a contents="Life in 12 Bars" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2McnXRY" target="_blank"><em>Life in 12 Bars</em></a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Eric Clapton has experienced many ups and downs in his life -- from some difficulties in his childhood to the tragic loss of his son. <a contents="This documentary captures it all" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2McnXRY" target="_blank">This documentary captures it all</a> in poignant detail.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Our favorite quote from the movie? "Music saved me" is what Clapton says about the role his music has played in his life.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It's out now out as a <a contents="DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2McnXRY" target="_blank">DVD</a> and <a contents="accompanying album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2xYLYsV" target="_blank">accompanying album</a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's the trailer:</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="nrAvDFmE9i4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/nrAvDFmE9i4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrAvDFmE9i4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like Eric Clapton's bluesy songwriting, then you might also like Gooseneck's latest album, <a contents="Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Here's a link to a free download or click on the link below:</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/original/gooseneck.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/51728932018-04-09T17:18:45-07:002020-12-02T19:07:15-08:00When Tom Petty and Bob Dylan Joined Forces<p><span class="font_large">Those of us who were around back in 1986 had the opportunity to see an amazing combination: Bob Dylan with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">At the time, Dylan was at a low point in his career. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers helped inject some new life and spark into Dylan's live show, and the resulting tour was an amazing experience for those of us who were lucky enough to see it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2GO58ld" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/a9488b1af483bd4fe83f3b7a64db8948f2c36478/medium/dylan-and-petty.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span><span class="font_large">I vividly remember the show in Washington, D.C. at RFK stadium, where we saw some great music in the summer of 1986. I'll never forget Dylan and his backup singers all wearing head-to-toe leather in sweltering heat of July in D.C. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There's a bootleg <a contents="album from that tour, called Across The Borderline" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://amzn.to/2GO58ld" target="_blank">album from that tour, called <em>Across The Borderline</em></a>. Well worth picking up for diehard Dylan and Petty fans. (Though fair warning -- the audio quality is imperfect since this is a bootleg recording). </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Check out this video from the tour:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="WiRmaYuxlsw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/WiRmaYuxlsw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WiRmaYuxlsw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Just a quick reminder that if you haven't heard the <a contents="latest Gooseneck record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">latest Gooseneck record, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>, you can get a <a contents="free copy at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">free copy at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/51226252018-03-11T12:57:15-07:002020-07-28T00:50:21-07:00Tower Of Power's 50th Anniversary<p><span class="font_large">Call this story, "When Emilio met Doc."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It was the summer of 1968 when Emilio Castillio met Stephen "Doc" Kupka at an audition at Emilio's house. After hearing Doc's amazing baritone sax work, Emilio's father turned to his son and said, "Hire this guy!" </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The two soon started playing gigs around Oakland and the Bay Area. Little did they know that they would go on to helm <a contents="the world's greatest horn band for 50 years" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2HrssF7" target="_blank">the world's greatest horn band for 50 years</a>!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2HrssF7" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/5055d833b5656ce205a5385a2057d4a0f025823f/medium/top-40th.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>At this auspicious moment, we went back and watched and listened to <a contents="TOP's last big anniversary show, their 40th" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2HrssF7" target="_blank">TOP's last big anniversary show, their 40th</a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you haven't seen <a contents="Tower Of Power's 40th Anniversary DVD/CD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2HrssF7" target="_blank">Tower Of Power's 40th Anniversary DVD/CD</a>, you should check it out. Amazing songs, unbridled funk and horns galore!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Check out this video of the show:</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="trHaA_oMZTA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/trHaA_oMZTA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/trHaA_oMZTA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you love the horns in Tower of Power's music, you might also like the funky horns and baritone sax in <a contents="Gooseneck's latest record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest record, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a free download by <a contents="clicking this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">clicking this link</a> or the image below.</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/ea85113c30d947b623b38158e9699bd7b3e17e25/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/50568542018-02-01T17:55:00-08:002020-07-19T07:43:36-07:00Steely Dan on VH1 "Storytellers"<p><span class="font_large">How did we miss this?!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Never knew Steely Dan did a VH1 "Storytellers" episode back in 2000.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MguExw6BCck" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/b31a39b8991eb4c56b832a1b90b578434530cfd5/medium/steely-dan-surprise.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Recently found this gem on YouTube. Donald and Walter and their band of ace musicians talking about and then playing a bunch of classics.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MguExw6BCck" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MguExw6BCck/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MguExw6BCck?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Fun stories from Donald and Walter about the origins of the Steely Dan name (they couldn't use "Becker and Fagen" because it sounded like the name of a delicatessen), the story behind "Kid Charlemagne" (about a drug kingpin in 1970s San Francisco) and more.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Well worth it for Steely Dan fans!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you love Steely Dan, you might like the sophisticated harmonies and sly lyrics in <a contents="Gooseneck's latest record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest record, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/50320812018-01-19T05:35:54-08:002018-01-31T16:12:27-08:00Tower Of Power Covered James Taylor? Really?!<p><span class="font_large">We thought we knew pretty much everything there was to know about Tower Of Power.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But then Gooseneck fan Tony Yardley directed us to this hidden gem of TOP covering the James Taylor classic, "<a contents="Steamroller Blues" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiLJoCgU8Uc" target="_blank">Steamroller Blues</a>."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Man, what a track! Click on the image below to start the video. The horns come in at about the one-minute mark, so give it a minute to warm up. You won't be disappointed.</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="oiLJoCgU8Uc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/oiLJoCgU8Uc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oiLJoCgU8Uc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This track comes from the <a contents="James Taylor tribute album, Sketches of James" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2Dlc9rI" target="_blank">James Taylor tribute album, <em>Sketches of James</em></a>. In addition to the TOP cover, it's got some other great versions of JT songs, including Robben Ford's blistering "<a contents="You Make It Easy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2Dlc9rI" target="_blank">You Make It Easy</a>."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks again to Tony Yardley for the tip.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you love TOP horns, you might also like Gooseneck's latest record, <a contents="Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><em>Flyin' High</em></a>. You can get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/50018432018-01-01T10:27:32-08:002021-12-23T01:37:22-08:00Bonnie Raitt: Angel From Montgomery<p><span class="font_large">She may not be from Montgomery, but Bonnie Raitt is definitely an angel, heaven-sent to share her beautiful music with the world.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We love to hear Bonnie singing her signature tune, "<a contents="Angel From Montgomery" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2CpRYvM" target="_blank">Angel From Montgomery</a>." </span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2CpRYvM" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/35c28fec39158377d187e3934a213a43e34cc5cb/medium/bonnie-raitt-streetlights.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It's amazing to us that this song that's sung from a woman's point of view was written by a man, <a contents="the great&nbsp;John Prine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2C7rFqy" target="_blank">the great John Prine</a>. Such an amazing songwriter and storyteller.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This classic song has been covered many, many times but it will always be associated with <a contents="one artist, Bonnie Raitt" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2CpRYvM" target="_blank">one artist, Bonnie Raitt</a>. You can find it on her great record from 1974, <a contents="Streetlights" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2CpRYvM" target="_blank"><em>Streetlights</em></a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We love this version of Bonnie singing the tune with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Wow! Check it out:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="etl71q8-b34" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/etl71q8-b34/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/etl71q8-b34?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Other Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like the storytelling on this song, you might also like the stories on Gooseneck's latest record, <a contents="Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><em>Flyin' High</em></a>. You can get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/49922132017-12-31T11:14:15-08:002020-10-08T03:47:44-07:00AC/DC: The Making Of Back In Black<p><span class="font_large">Malcolm Young's untimely death in 2017 caused us to go back and listen to a bunch of classic AC/DC, especially their most <a contents="iconic album, Back in Black" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2Cv2ZJM" target="_blank">iconic album, <em>Back in Black</em></a>, which has gone on to sell over 50 million copies.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That record was recorded in the wake of another untimely death -- that of Bon Scott, AC/DC's original front man. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2Cv2ZJM" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/92d416971c7c711f03b4683199394e625b0cc92c/medium/ac-dc-back-in-black.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Bon's sound was truly one-of-a-kind. When an AC/DC track came on the radio, his voice was unmistakable. Unfortunately, Bon's less-than-angelic lifestyle led to his early demise.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It was in February of 1980 when the Young brothers -- Malcolm and Angus -- got the news of Bon's death. They were crushed, hanging around London, not knowing what to do next.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Eventually their manager Peter Mensch starting pitching ideas to them of other singers who might be able to fill in -- if never really replace -- the inimitable Bon Scott.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">One of those contenders was Brian Johnson, a blue-collar kid from Newcastle. Brian was a singer in the band Geordie, a regular on England's bar-band circuit, which had attracted the notice of none other than Bon Scott, who had told the rest of the band about him before his death.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">So the boys had Brian come down to try out a few things with the band and it was instant chemistry. A day later, AC/DC made it official and asked Brian to be their new singer. The next thing he knew, Brian was heading to the Bahamas to record a new album with legendary producer Mutt Lange.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Malcolm and Angus would come up with the riffs and the song titles, then leave the rest of the lyrics for Brian to fill in. Turns out he had a knack for writing catchy and irreverent lyrics to all those great songs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="Here's a great story from Team Rock" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://teamrock.com/feature/2017-07-25/the-story-behind-the-album-ac-dc-s-back-in-black" target="_blank">Here's a great story from Team Rock</a> with all the details and lots of stories from the band.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It's amazing how quickly records were made back then. Bon Scott died in February 1980, and the band went on to find a new singer, write, record and release <a contents="Back In Black" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2BYwLpO" target="_blank"><em>Back In Black</em></a> in July that same year.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Mutt Lange produced the album, known for his perfectionism in the studio and for making iconic records. Also for capturing amazing guitar tones. They used a studio called Compass Point in Nassau, Bahamas, and the studio was known for its great guitar sounds. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you're a guitar player, then <a contents="Back In Black" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2BYwLpO" target="_blank"><em>Back In Black</em></a> is likely a touchstone for you. Check out <a contents="this interview with the engineer, Tony Platt" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/The_Making_of_Back_in_Black_A_Conversation_with_Tony_Platt" target="_blank">this interview with the engineer, Tony Platt</a>. He describes how they captured all the great guitar sounds for the record. In the end is was mostly Angus and Malcolm and their inimitable style of playing together that made the guitars sound great. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you haven't listened to <a contents="AC/DC's Back In Black" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2Cv2ZJM" target="_blank">AC/DC's <em>Back In Black</em></a> recently, it's a great time to go back and rediscover this incredible record.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Other Resources</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like the guitar sounds on <em>Back in Black</em>, you might like the guitar playing on the <a contents="latest Gooseneck album, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">latest Gooseneck album, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/49100222017-10-29T08:36:21-07:002024-01-29T18:10:04-08:00Bonnie Raitt's Hidden Gem<p><span class="font_large">What's Bonnie Raitt's best album?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">She's made many great ones, and of course <em>Nick of Time</em> was her big breakthrough.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But 15 years before <em>Nick of Time</em>, there was <em><a contents="Takin' My Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2yaX2CB" target="_blank">Takin' My Time</a></em>,<em> </em>her classic album from 1973.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We believe <a contents="this is the best of her early albums" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2zWX8eF" target="_blank">this is the best of her early albums</a> and well worth picking up if you don't already own it. </span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2yaX2CB" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/f43dd06d8973174163195dc2288ae00253660837/medium/bonnie-raitt-takin-my-time.jpg?1509229473" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The album's initial producer was Little Feat's Lowell George. But apparently Bonnie and Lowell were dating at the time and they starting clashing on the production of this record. Bonnie said she liked being the boss, which didn't sit well with Lowell! So they made a change and brought in John Hall to finish the production.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you think this record sounds like Little Feat, that's because the Feat boys are all over these songs. The backing band was led by Bill Payne on piano on most of these tracks. Paul Barrere and Sam Clayton also make multiple appearances. And of course Lowell George's slide guitar graces the album as well.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Bonnie showed her great skill at picking songs for her albums. This one starts with the Motown gem, "<a contents="Girl You've Been In Love Too Long" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2zWX8eF" target="_blank">Girl You've Been In Love Too Long</a>." </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There's a great song from Jackson Browne, with whom Bonnie has made music and fought for various causes through the years. She covers Jackson's "I Thought I Was A Child" on this record. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Check out this video of Bonnie and David Lindley recording Jackson Browne's "Everywhere I go" for a tribute album:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="NoA_f7H-g1Y" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/NoA_f7H-g1Y/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NoA_f7H-g1Y?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In addition to Jackson Browne, there are other amazing songwriters on <a contents="Takin' My Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2iddWpD" target="_blank"><em>Takin' My Time</em></a>. Legendary writer Mose Allison contributes the song "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy." And the album closes with Randy Newman's wry classic "Guilty."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's a younger Bonnie in a great video segment from VH1's "Woman Behind The Blues" from 1989: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="1b1BmIxgaug" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/1b1BmIxgaug/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1b1BmIxgaug?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We've owned this album in every format through the years -- from vinyl to cassette to CD. If you don't have a copy, or if you lost your old vinyl copy the last time you cleaned out your garage, here's a reminder to <a contents="pick up a copy of&nbsp;Bonnie Raitt's "hidden gem"&nbsp;Takin' My Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2zWX8eF" target="_blank">pick up a copy of Bonnie Raitt's "hidden gem" <em>Takin' My Time</em></a>.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Links</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like the songs and musicianship on Bonnie Raitt's records, you might also like <a contents="Gooseneck's new album, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank">Gooseneck's new album, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/47881822017-10-15T08:40:56-07:002022-05-09T00:05:50-07:00The Secret Of Eric Clapton's Early Success<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="Eric Clapton's first solo record" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2txFMFq" target="_blank">Eric Clapton's first solo record</a> is a classic, with hits like "<a contents="After Midnight" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2txFMFq" target="_blank">After Midnight</a>" and "<a contents="Let It Rain" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2txFMFq" target="_blank">Let It Rain</a>." </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This marked a turning point in his career not just because it was his first solo record, but also because he connected with an amazing group of American musicians led by Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It's hard to overstate how important Delaney and Bonnie were at this point in Clapton's development as a singer and songwriter. In fact, Delaney Bramlett is famously cited as the guy who got Eric Clapton to sing. The working title of this first record was joking called, <em>Eric Sings</em>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2txFMFq" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/b3f797feb137ee32d2d9f17479b6f0131ffc48b4/medium/eric-clapton.jpg?1500675858" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Clapton clearly loved being part of this broader group of musicians, rather than a superstar leader of Cream and Blind Faith. He likened it to being in groups like The Band, made up of stunning musicians, equal partners in making the records sound great.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The other musicians in Delaney and Bonnie's band were giants in their own right. Especially the rhythm section of Jim Gordon on drums and Carl Radle on bass. These guys were considered one of the best rhythm sections in the world at that time.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And the horn section of Bobby Keys, who later went on to a long association with the Rolling Stones, and Jim Price added icing to the cake.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's another great result of their collaboration, <a contents="Delaney &amp; Bonnie &amp; Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gR59fG" target="_blank">Delaney & Bonnie & Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton</a></span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gR59fG" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c487cecbd4a6cfbd9b35e44679205db41b6f2401/medium/delaney-and-bonnie-with-clapton.jpg?1500675530" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Check out this video clip of Eric and Delaney and Bonnie on the song "Elijah." Here Eric is just the sideman acoustic guitar player and Delaney is singing:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ir2eAEhtXvE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ir2eAEhtXvE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ir2eAEhtXvE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And for those who want to go REALLY deep, there's the <a contents="box set from Rhino Records" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gRlQYg" target="_blank">box set from Rhino Records</a> released back in 2010. But be forewarned, it's out of print and the price point is pretty steep:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gRlQYg" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/daaaea9da985d624284d73ed2830f6bd644af91d/medium/delaney-bonnie-on-tour-box-set.jpg?1500677038" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="Here's a link to a definitive article" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.eric-clapton.co.uk/collection/albums/ericclapton.shtml" target="_blank">Here's a link to a definitive article</a> about Clapton's first record and his association with Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Links</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like the early Eric Clapton records, you might also like the sound and musicianship on <a contents="Gooseneck's latest record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest record, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD</a><a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank"> at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></em></span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/48740352017-10-03T04:20:56-07:002021-04-14T18:04:58-07:00The Tom Petty Documentary You Need To Watch<p><span class="font_large">The news of Tom Petty's death struck us like a punch to the gut.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">He was without a doubt one of the great rock 'n roll originals, a man who lived by his own rules and with his own code, and a man who would not back down.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">From humble roots playing keg parties in Central Florida to headlining the biggest stages in the world, Tom Petty and his friends in the Heartbreakers never lost that feeling of being regular guys, of connecting with the audience and having their feet firmly planted on the ground. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To honor Tom and his passing, we're going back to watch the great and definitive documentary, <a contents="Runnin' Down A Dream" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kiSL9S" target="_blank"><em>Runnin' Down A Dream</em></a>.</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kiSL9S" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/9178e4bd33f32f8ee66296b555d654b14e1e8bec/medium/tom-petty-runnin-down-a-dream.jpg?1506979225" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Unlike most music documentaries which are directed by music video directors, this film was directed by the award-winning filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Highlights include his early years kicking around Gainesville while putting the band together, plus there's a long section about the band's breakthrough album, <em><a contents="Damn The Torpedoes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2xTlkzf" target="_blank">Damn The Torpedoes</a>. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Tom was such a great storyteller, and this movie is full of incredible stories about everything from Tom's knock-down-drag-out fight with record company MCA, to his time playing with idols George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison in the <a contents="Traveling Wilburys" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2xTzbWw" target="_blank">Traveling Wilburys</a>. <em> </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's the trailer:</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="JEZyL074HOs" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JEZyL074HOs/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JEZyL074HOs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It's also a whopping 4 hours long! Which means it's everything you ever wanted to know about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, plus a whole lot more.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Like you, we're heartbroken and can't believe Tom is gone. RIP Tom Petty, you are irreplaceable and will be forever missed. </span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/48624652017-09-24T08:50:34-07:002021-10-23T07:20:02-07:00Steely Dan's Best Reggae Songs<p><span class="font_large">When you think of Steely Dan, reggae is not the first thing that comes to mind. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But over the years, Steely Dan recorded some amazing reggae songs. And then Walter Becker went on to make his second album, <em>Circus Monkey</em>, almost entirely based on reggae.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here are some of Steely Dan's best reggae tracks:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><!-- more --></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents='"Haitian Divorce"&nbsp;from The Royal Scam' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fJVIvj" target="_blank">"Haitian Divorce" from <em>The Royal Scam</em></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fJVIvj" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/37a42bfaccb29050a6de129656696c1f31765192/medium/haitian-divorce.jpg?1506264134" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The story behind this song is hilarious. In the 1970s, Haiti was known as a place to get quick divorces, and unilateral divorces -- meaning husband and wife didn't have to agree to it, either one could decide. Also it was common to go down to Haiti and get a divorce, then get remarried to a new partner all in the same weekend. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Donald and Walter heard about this from one of their recording engineers who had just returned from Haiti, divorce in hand. So the boys turned that story into this noir tale.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Steely Dan's lyrics have always been visual and cinematic, and this tune is especially vivid. One of our favorite lines is <em>now we dolly back / now we fade to black</em> -- written as screenplay direction.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Dean Parks is the great studio guitarist who played the song's sinuous lines, and then Walter added the signature talk box effect to the track.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The late, great Walter Becker actually sang this tune live from time to time. Here's a great version of Walter singing it:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="6O9mw-QB-uw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/6O9mw-QB-uw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6O9mw-QB-uw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents='"Babylon Sisters"&nbsp;from Gaucho' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2yzh72i" target="_blank">"Babylon Sisters" from <em>Gaucho</em></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2yzh72i" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c1e1686c0e536ac3bf3c34fcd6ae730a14814fd3/medium/babylon-sisters.jpg?1506264178" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">For a couple of New Yorkers, Donald and Walter wrote one of the quintessential Los Angeles songs in "Babylon Sisters." This tune evokes L.A. more vividly than almost any other we can think of, maybe with the exception of the Eagles' "Hotel California."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">From the laid-back, reggae-inspired groove to the opening line <em>drive west on Sunset / to the sea, </em>you know you're in La-La Land. You can picture Donald and Walter in a convertible, leaving Hollywood on their way to a debauched weekend in Malibu. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Donald and Walter were masters of noir lyrics, and this is one of their most dissolute stories. The references to prostitutes (the "babylon sisters" of the title) and cocaine ("cotton candy") are central to the narrative.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It's worth noting that neither Donald nor Walter played on this track, a sign that they had taken their use of top studio players to an extreme. The tune is anchored by Bernard Purdie's namesake "Purdie shuffle" and Walter's "favorite bassist" Chuck Rainey. The background vocals are amazing and delivered by a bunch of talented ladies, including Patti Austin who went on to solo fame.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents='"I.G.Y." from The Nightfly' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2y14mAv" target="_blank">"I.G.Y." from <em>The Nightfly</em></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2y14mAv" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/4dc5016e6637290d75275f21c191014f0eff5e4b/medium/igy.jpg?1506264778" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><font size="3">Ok, so this was Donald Fagen and not Steely Dan, but the same idea applies. And it's debatable whether you would call this reggae, but the distinctive chucka-chucka reggae-style guitar is enough to make it qualify for this story. </font></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><font size="3"><a contents="The&nbsp;Nightfly" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2y14mAv" target="_blank"><em>The Nightfly</em></a> is Donald Fagen's most autobiographical album, based on growing up in the suburbs around New York and New Jersey in the 1950s. I.G.Y. stands for "International Geophysical Year" in 1957-58, an event promoting collaboration among the world's scientists. </font></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><font size="3">In this song, Donald's tongue is firmly in cheek, as he sings about that era's naive innocence and belief that technology could make a better future for all of us.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><font size="3">It was Donald's only Top 40 hit and was nominated for a song of the year Grammy in 1983 but lost to Willie Nelson's version of "Always On My Mind" (yikes!).</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="Circus Money by Walter Becker" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2xydDi7" target="_blank"><em>Circus Money</em> by Walter Becker</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2xydDi7" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/b1c88aaa303ac3cac86ddd7e98b29a134b415d34/medium/circus-money.jpg?1506264919" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><font size="3">At this point in his career, Walter got so immersed in reggae that his entire second album is based on it. Apparently, he was listening to lots of dub reggae and similar music at the time he recorded this album.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><font size="3">There is no Donald Fagen presence on this album, either as a player, producer or writer. Instead the producer this time is Larry Klein, the great bassist and producer and ex-husband of Joni Mitchell. </font></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Related Links</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like Steely Dan and reggae, you should hear Gooseneck's new reggae tune <em>Playin' In My Girlfriend's Band</em>. Pick up a <a contents="free download at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a>, or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/48442272017-09-10T19:45:17-07:002021-04-21T10:07:58-07:00Walter Becker And Rickie Lee Jones Made An Amazing Album Together<p><span class="font_large">In light of Walter Becker's passing, we wanted to highlight some of his great work outside Steely Dan. Especially <a contents="the amazing album he produced with Rickie Lee Jones in 1989, Flying Cowboys" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eZ4CrH" target="_blank">the amazing album he produced with Rickie Lee Jones in 1989, <em>Flying Cowboys</em></a>.</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eZ4CrH" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/11962d887ba40adb3e1fa165891655999043039c/medium/flying-cowboys.jpg?1504535687" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you haven't heard it, <a contents="Flying Cowboys" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eZ4CrH" target="_blank"><em>Flying Cowboys</em></a> is well worth checking out. The production on this record is tasty and sophisticated, true hallmarks of Walter's style. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">With Walter at the helm, the list of musicians on the record is a who's who of great studio players -- in fact, it reads a lot like the liner notes on a Steely Dan record. Greg Phillinganes on keys, Dean Parks on guitar, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and the list goes on.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The song "<a contents="Satellites" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eZ4CrH" target="_blank">Satellites</a>" was the closest thing to a hit on the album, peaking at #23 on the charts. But we especially love the two <a contents='reggae tunes on Flying Cowboys -- "Ghetto of My Mind" and "Love Is Gonna Bring Us Back Alive' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eZ4CrH" target="_blank">reggae tunes on <em>Flying Cowboys -- "</em>Ghetto of My Mind" and "Love Is Gonna Bring Us Back Alive</a>."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In his work outside Steely Dan, Walter was a real reggae lover. In fact, Walter's second solo record, <a contents="Circus Monkey" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gUTigT" target="_blank"><em>Circus Monkey</em></a>, is full of great reggae grooves.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In addition to RLJ's <em>Flying Cowboys</em>, Walter produced several other cool records that are worth checking out:</span></p>
<ul> <li><a contents="China Crisis, Flaunt the Imperfection" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2wicS8O" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">China Crisis, <em>Flaunt the Imperfection</em></span></a></li> <li><a contents="Rosie Vela, Zazu" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2xouu7R" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Rosie Vela, <em>Zazu</em></span></a></li> <li><span class="font_large"><a contents="Madeleine Peyroux, Half the Perfect World" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2xXpIeR" target="_blank">Madeleine Peyroux, <em>Half the Perfect World</em></a>, and <a contents="Bare Bones" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gV5NW2" target="_blank"><em>Bare Bones</em></a></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Links</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like <em>Flying Cowboys</em>, you might also like <a contents="Gooseneck's Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">Gooseneck's <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. The similar name is purely coincidental! You can get a <a contents="free download by clicking this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">free download by clicking this link</a>.</span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/48362352017-09-04T07:43:15-07:002020-12-04T02:27:22-08:00Walter Becker RIP: The Funny Man Of Steely Dan<p><span class="font_large">September 3rd, 2017 was a sad day for Steely Dan fans and music fans everywhere because that's the day Walter Becker died.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Amid all the tributes to Walter that are popping up online, the best is <a contents="Donald Fagen's moving statement" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/donald-fagen-walter-becker-dead-steely-dan-1202546352/" target="_blank">Donald Fagen's moving statement</a> about his bandmate and friend. Donald characterized Walter this way: "He was smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The only silver lining for Steely Dan fans might be Fagen's assertion that "I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/cf6b69aec5f749946eb3b7bdadb9dd2b2c06fc97/medium/walter-becker.jpg?1504535368" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">One of the things Donald highlighted was how funny Walter Becker could be. Of course, their lyrics together were always wry, ironic and offbeat. You could imagine the two of them trading lines back and forth, laughing as they did so. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's Donald describing Walter's sense of humor:</span></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and could be hysterically funny...He had the knack of creative mimicry, reading people's hidden psychology and transforming what he saw into bubbly, incisive art. He used to write letters (never meant to be sent) in my wife Libby's singular voice that made the three of us collapse with laughter.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yes, Walter Becker could be very funny. Take Steely Dan's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction speech. Well, it wasn't really much of a speech, but the ever-cool Becker and Fagen made it sly and funny. Watch as Walter turns it back to the crowd and takes questions from the audience:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="uK7QO9Hx3xM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/uK7QO9Hx3xM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uK7QO9Hx3xM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Of course Steely Dan's body of work was amazing, but Walter also created great work as a producer outside Steely Dan. One of our favorites was his <a contents="production with Rickie Lee Jones on her classic album, Flying Cowboys" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eD1npQ" target="_blank">production with Rickie Lee Jones on her classic album, <em>Flying Cowboys</em></a>. </span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eD1npQ" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/11962d887ba40adb3e1fa165891655999043039c/medium/flying-cowboys.jpg?1504535687" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you don't have <a contents="Flying Cowboys" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eD1npQ" target="_blank"><em>Flying Cowboys</em></a>, you should grab a copy and listen closely to its sophisticated production, a telltale sign of Walter's work. <a contents="Rickie Lee wrote a beautiful tribute to Walter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-rickie-lee-jones-poignant-tribute-to-walter-becker-w501078" target="_blank">Rickie Lee wrote a beautiful tribute to Walter</a> the day he died. You can find it at <a contents="this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-rickie-lee-jones-poignant-tribute-to-walter-becker-w501078" target="_blank">this link</a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Another of our favorite songs he wrote outside Steely Dan was with co-producer Larry Klein for the <a contents="jazz singer Madeleine Peyyroux. It's a tune called "You Can't Do&nbsp;Me"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2wAHzrC" target="_blank">jazz singer Madeleine Peyyroux. It's a tune called "You Can't Do Me"</a> and some of the best lines are: </span></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">Down like a deep sea diver / Out like a Coltrane tenor-man / Lost like a Chinese war baby / Gone, gone, gone!</span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">Blued like a Mississippi sharecropper / Screwed like a high school cheerleader / Tattooed like a Popeye sailor man / Gone, gone, gone!</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Walter's voice is so clear in those lyrics -- they could just as easily have come from a Steely Dan song. Funny stuff, right? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="9s6EbXB3wVI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/9s6EbXB3wVI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9s6EbXB3wVI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Walter Becker's work inside and outside Steely Dan left an indelible mark on the world of music. Yes, 9/3/17 was a sad day. Thanks Walter for all the amazing music. RIP.</span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/47888062017-08-03T18:01:23-07:002023-08-18T07:03:34-07:00The Real Story Of Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne"<p><span class="font_large">We always knew "<a contents="Kid Charlemagne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2vne6TV" target="_blank">Kid Charlemagne</a>" told the tale of a dissolute, past-his-prime drug dealer in the San Francisco Bay area.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But we never knew there was a true story and real character behind <a contents="Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2vne6TV" target="_blank">Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne</a>."</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2vne6TV" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/f41e2c460fef16cf6d060b3d2b2e37853b6d03e7/medium/seely-dan-kid-charlemagne.jpg?1501807947" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That is, until Gooseneck fan Kate Hickson sent us a link explaining that the song is based on Owsley Stanley, the real-life "King of Acid" who supplied much of the LSD during the psychedelic heyday in late-'60s San Francisco.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Stanley was a self-taught chemist who "mixed the diamond with the pearl" and got mixed up with Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters in the Haight-Ashbury scene. The "technicolor motor home" from the song's lyrics refer to Kesey's famous bus</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Is there any question that Donald and Walter sampled some of Stanley's goods during that period? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The Acid King went on to be a sound man for the Grateful Dead and even co-designed the Dead's skull logo. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Wow, what an interesting life. The real Kid Charlemagne was a true renaissance man.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's a link to <a contents="Caleb Pershan's great article" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://sfist.com/2015/07/20/san_francisco_show_and_tell_steely.php" target="_blank">Caleb Pershan's great article</a> on Owsley Stanley and the song Kid Charlemagne:</span></p>
<p><a contents="'Kid Charlemagne': A Close Reading Of Steely Dan's Ode To Haight Street's LSD King" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://sfist.com/2015/07/20/san_francisco_show_and_tell_steely.php" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">'Kid Charlemagne': A Close Reading Of Steely Dan's Ode To Haight Street's LSD King</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Links</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like Steely Dan, along with horn bands like Tower of Power, then you might like Gooseneck's new album <em>Flyin' High</em>. <a contents="Grab a free copy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank">Grab a free copy</a> right here:</span></p>
<p><a contents="Gooseneck Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Gooseneck <em>Flyin' High</em></span></a></p>
<p> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/41647252017-05-28T16:59:32-07:002020-12-06T22:04:36-08:005 Great Rock Doc's With Steely Dan, Paul Simon, U2, Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty<p><span class="font_large">If you haven't seen these Classic Albums documentaries from Eagle Rock, you've got to check them out. They take a look behind the scenes on the making of classic albums -- epic albums -- from great artists ranging from Steely Dan to Stevie Wonder.<br><br>Here are 5 of our favorites:<br><br>1. <a contents="Steely Dan Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1VJgkUG" target="_blank">Steely Dan, Aja</a></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2r2uh6e" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/b60c1caf9877ebafce9c1618d96bcf3ccabfe725/medium/steely-dan-aja.jpg?1467560480" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>There are so many great Steely Dan records -- from Royal Scam to Gaucho -- but <a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2r2uh6e" target="_blank">Aja</a> is widely considered their masterpiece. In this doc, Donald and Walter take us behind the scenes on how they made this epic record -- from the rotating cast of bands -- not just musicians but entire bands -- to how each song was constructed in the studio. The best parts are when they sit at the recording console and pull up the different tracks on these tunes.<br><br>One of the funny moments is explaining the making of the guitar solo -- and how many great guitarists tried and failed to get the right approach to the solo. Here's that clip:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="waIBA6_0GQc" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/waIBA6_0GQc/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/waIBA6_0GQc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>2. <a contents="Paul Simon, Graceland" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1TNEz0t" target="_blank">Paul Simon, Graceland</a></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2rvoirT" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/9daf194d90dfc1bae6791524d43c9a2aa7858ab8/medium/paul-simon-graceland.jpg?1496015362" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>Mr. Simon goes to Africa. When this record came out it opened everyone's ears to African music that created a wave of what became known as "world music." But this grew out a genuine love of the sounds he was hearing in South Africa. So he went there to explore it further, took producer and engineer Roy Halee, and they ended up recording <a contents="this masterpiece" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2rvoirT" target="_blank">this masterpiece</a>.<br><br>Nobody said it better than South African guitarist Ray Phiri who said, "To me music is the closest thing to religion and is a thing that can help people solve their problems -- and Graceland does that."<br><br><br>3. <a contents="U2, Joshua Tree" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/21IV2Gy" target="_blank">U2, Joshua Tree</a></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2s4NZfM" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1714c1f4271d0375a314c6af0ccc749197020529/medium/u2-joshua-tree.jpg?1496015170" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>The boys form Dublin shed light on their unique process of songwriting and recording in this documentary. They don't do it the old-fashioned way, just a guy and a guitar. Their approach is more impressionistic, working layer-by-layer, building songs from jam sessions, recording hours of tapes then sifting through them to find the gems. <br><br>There to throw gas on the creative bonfire were producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. You get some great insights into Lanois' search for magic as he and Bono go track-by-track through "<a contents="I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2s4NZfM" target="_blank">I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For</a>." <br><br><br>4. <a contents="Fleetwood Mac, Rumours" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1OimhA0" target="_blank">Fleetwood Mac, Rumours</a></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2rcxyxX" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c942142161d637683219efd09a044987673751a0/medium/fleetwood-mac.jpg?1496067323" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>Well, what can you say about this record? The drama behind the scenes comes through loud and clear on the tracks. Lots of theater, lots of drama. Couples breaking up, having affairs, lots of drugs in the studio.<br><br>Lots of great stories about writing and recording these songs. As the engineer said, "it was long periods of boredom punctured by moments of abject terror."<br><br>5. <a contents="Tom Petty, Damn the Torpedoes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1SXBPxq" target="_blank">Tom Petty, Damn the Torpedoes</a></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2qxnnSR" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/22a0289176862153dbaf478d806549ebb7cd9ee0/medium/tom-petty-damn-the-torpedoes.jpg?1496015569" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>We love, love, love this breakthrough third record from TP and the HBs. This documentary is a great companion to the record with tons of stories about how Tom wrote the songs and the HBs made the record. This was also a breakthrough for producer Jimmy Iovine, who of course then went on to become a huge figure in the music business and then a co-founder of Beats with Dr. Dre.<br><br>So many great songs -- <a contents="Don't Do Me Like That, Even the Losers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2qxnnSR" target="_blank">Don't Do Me Like That, Even the Losers</a> -- the list goes on and on. One of our favorite stories in this doc is from producer Jimmy Iovine who describes the first time he sat down with Tom -- just him and Tom with an acoustic guitar -- and Tom played him Refugee and Don't Do Me Like That. And Jimmy just said we have all the songs we need, something he'd never said to another artist before or since. <br><br>This doc is a part of the longer 4-hour feature directed by the great Peter Bogdanovich (Last Picture Show)<br><br>Great stories about fighting the record company MCA and Tom Petty's grit. He wouldn't bend, he wouldn't break, and ultimately MCA buckled. <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="nBqs1jOaoIw" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/nBqs1jOaoIw/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nBqs1jOaoIw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite documentary in this series? Leave a comment and let us know!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And if you like this post, you might also like:</span></p>
<ul> <li><a contents="Top 5 Music Documentaries You Need To See" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/top-5-music-documentaries" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Top 5 Music Documentaries You Need To See</span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><br> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/46094512017-02-27T20:21:23-08:002020-10-08T22:06:05-07:00Frank Zappa Conducting A U.S. Navy Band<span class="font_large">We love this video clip of Frank Zappa in an impromptu jam with a U.S. Navy marching band.<br><br>The Navy band surprised FZ when he was arriving at the San Francisco airport some time back in 1980.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2liz2Cq" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/93aa761778df73e4a1894e1015aecdfe0e6e3e43/medium/zappa-joes-garage.jpg?1488255783" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>You can tell Frank is genuinely tickled -- he can't stop smiling as the boys in blue play his music. Then he eagerly jumps in and conducts the band through "<a contents="Joe's Garage" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2liz2Cq" target="_blank">Joe's Garage</a>."<br><br>Such a fun video for Frank Zappa fans, and now part of a documentary on his life. Click on the image to watch the video:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="5LUAC_zmO_s" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/5LUAC_zmO_s/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5LUAC_zmO_s?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Leave a Comment</strong><br><br>What's your favorite FZ tune? Favorite video? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post you might also like:<br><a contents="Zappa, Zappa And More Zappa" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/zappa-zappa-and-more-zappa" target="_blank">Zappa, Zappa And More Zappa</a><br><a contents="Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/frank-zappa-was-not-your-average-guitar-hero" target="_blank">Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero</a></span><br><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/45823502017-02-16T05:46:31-08:002021-01-27T01:26:17-08:00Steely Dan: 5 Things That Might Surprise You<span class="font_large">We thought we knew everything there was to know about Steely Dan.<br><br>But over the past few months we've written a series of posts about things that surprised us. Plus we ran some polls to uncover your favorite Steely Dan albums and favorite guitar solos.<br><br>So without further ado, here are 5 things that might surprise you about Steely Dan:<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lneZqg" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/25ca169d59a14d4aae064d10c55f7526dafa8f21/medium/steely-dan-surprise.jpg?1487252329" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>#1 -- <a contents='Steely Dan Accidentally Lost An Amazing Song Called "The Second Arrangement"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Steely Dan Accidentally Lost An Amazing Song Called "The Second Arrangement"</a><br><br>When they were making <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lna60c" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a>, SD recorded a song called "The Second Arrangement." Like a lot of Dan material of that era, it was a sly, funky track with a tale of love gone wrong.<br><br>Problem is, no one ever heard the finished track. That's because a second engineer accidentally erased it, and they were never able to recapture the right vibe for the song again. <br><br><a contents="Check out a bootleg version of the song in this article" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Check out a bootleg version of the song </a><a contents="in this article" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">in this article</a>.<br><br>#2 -- <a contents="Steely Dan Made A Bunch Of Cool Outtakes For Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-gaucho-outtakes" target="_blank">Steely Dan Made A Bunch Of Cool Outtakes For <em>Gaucho</em></a><br><br><em>Gaucho</em> was famously difficult to make. There were mishaps during its recording, like Walter Becker getting hit by a car. In the end it took more than a year to complete, and it probably led to the extended break Steely Dan took after its release.<br><br>Donald and Walter tried and eventually rejected a number of tunes for <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lna60c" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a>. These outtakes sound pretty good to our ears!<br><br><a contents="Hear 3 bootleg songs and the stories behind them at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-gaucho-outtakes" target="_blank">Hear 3 bootleg songs and the stories behind them </a><a contents="at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-gaucho-outtakes" target="_blank">at this link</a>.<br><br>#3 -- <a contents="The Deacon In Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues" Is...." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/who-s-the-deacon-in-steely-dan-s-deacon-blues" target="_blank">The Deacon In Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues" Is....</a><br><br>If Alabama gets a cool-sounding name like Crimson Tide, then why can't a loser have a cool name, too?<br><br>That's the premise behind the classic track, "<a contents="Deacon Blues" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lneZqg" target="_blank">Deacon Blues</a>." Donald and Walter must have been watching an L.A. Rams football game while writing this tune, because the Deacon in the song is based on...<br><br>L.A. Rams lineman Deacon Jones. <a contents="To get the whole story, click on this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/who-s-the-deacon-in-steely-dan-s-deacon-blues" target="_blank">To get the whole story, </a><a contents="click on this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/who-s-the-deacon-in-steely-dan-s-deacon-blues" target="_blank">click on this link</a>.<br><br>#4 -- <a contents="Steely Dan's Best Guitar Solo Is...." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-greatest-guitar-solos" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Best Guitar Solo Is....</a><br><br>This is based on a poll we ran of thousands of Gooseneck fans. There are so many great Steely Dan solos, from Elliott Randall's indelible intro to "<a contents="Reelin' in the Years" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lneZqg" target="_blank">Reelin' in the Years</a>" to Jay Graydon's effortless turn on "<a contents="Peg" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lneZqg" target="_blank">Peg</a>." <br><br>We got lots of feedback on this one, lots of write-in candidates and plenty of heated discussions on the relative merits of guitar slingers Denny Dias, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Elliott Randall, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton and of course, Walter Becker himself. <br><br>This one came down to a run-off between Larry Carlton's "<a contents="Kid Charlemagne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lneZqg" target="_blank">Kid Charlemagne</a>," Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's "My Old School" and Elliott Randall's "Reelin' In The Years."<br><br>In the end, it was Larry Carlton's mind-bending mastery on "Kid Charlemagne" that took the prize. <a contents="Click on this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-greatest-guitar-solos" target="_blank">Click on this link</a> to find out who came in 2nd and 3rd and <a contents="see the complete poll results" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-greatest-guitar-solos" target="_blank">see the complete poll results</a>.<br><br>#5 -- <a contents="Steely Dan's Best Album Is..." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/what-is-steely-dan-s-best-album" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Best Album Is...</a><br><br>No, we weren't surprised that <a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kBN4ii" target="_blank"><em>Aja</em></a> topped the list in this reader's poll of Steely Dan's best albums.<br><br>But we were surprised by which ones came in 2nd, 3rd and on down the list. Was it <em>Gaucho</em>, the final entry in their original 7 albums of the '70s? Or an earlier, more rocking album like <a contents="Royal Scam" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kW5vRW" target="_blank"><em>Royal Scam</em></a>?<br><br><a contents="Find out at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/what-is-steely-dan-s-best-album" target="_blank">Find out at this link</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Do you know any other surprising things about Steely Dan? What's your favorite Dan album or song? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, <strong>share</strong> it by clicking the share button on the bottom right side of this page.</span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/45674282017-02-05T12:47:30-08:002022-05-03T01:55:39-07:00Top 5 Music Documentaries You Need To See<span class="font_large">What are the best music documentaries?<br><br>We set out to answer that question by polling thousands of <a contents="Gooseneck" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank">Gooseneck</a> fans to pick their favorites from a list of 20 classic films. Without further ado, here are the top 5 music documentaries from that poll:<br><br><a contents="#5: The Wrecking Crew" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kwggZw" target="_blank"><strong>#5: The Wrecking Crew</strong></a><br><br>Two of the top 5 are movies about studio bands, the Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles and The Swampers in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.<br><br>The Wrecking Crew was a collection of amazing studio musicians that coalesced in the early '60s Los Angeles studio scene. They started out as Phil Spector's studio band, and became an essential element in his "wall of sound" production style. <br><br>Drummer Hal Blaine was the backbone of this studio collective, and he coined the name "<a contents='Wrecking Crew" in his 1990 memoir' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kb59En" target="_blank">Wrecking Crew" in his 1990 memoir</a>.<br><br>Other members of the Crew included:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">Guitarist Tommy Tedesco (his son, Denny Tedesco, directed this movie as a love letter to his late father). </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Carol Kaye on bass, the rare woman to be among the rarefied A-list of studio musicians. </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Keyboardist Leon Russell and guitarist Glen Campbell, both of whom went on to have storied solo careers. </span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large">They played on literally hundreds of hits -- from Ronnie Spector's "Be My Baby" to Nancy Sinatra's "Boots Are Made For Walking" to the Beach Boys "California Dreamin'" and "Good Vibrations."<br><br>Click on the image for a <a contents="link to the DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcR8G9" target="_blank">link to the DVD</a>:<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcR8G9" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/82e3575fcb1add5d03444aeef1e7a18ad114432c/medium/wrecking-crew.jpg?1486325018" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><a contents="#4: Muscle Shoals" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcyQVB" target="_blank">#4: Muscle Shoals</a><br><br>Something was in the water in Muscle Shoals, Alabama! That's where Rick Hall launched FAME studios and worked with a group of session musicians who became known as <a contents="the Swampers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcyQVB" target="_blank">the Swampers</a> to cut a string of hits with artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Paul Simon and Bob Seger.<br><br>The Swampers got their nickname from producer Denny Cordell, who was working with them while recording Leon Russell. He coined the sobriquet for their "funky, soulful, Southern swamp sound." And you can hear a shout-out to the band in Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" when singer Ronnie Van Zant sings, <em>Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers / they've been known to pick a song or two</em>.<br><br>The Swampers went on to leave Hall's FAME studio and set up their own operation at <a contents="Muscle Shoals Sound Studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcyQVB" target="_blank">Muscle Shoals Sound Studios</a>. Tons of artists made the pilgrimage to this off-the-beaten-path locale to tap into the soul-drenched playing of these guys. In fact, more than a few artists were surprised to learn these guys were white!<br><br>Legendary Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler brought many artists to the studio to benefit from their distinctive magic. Here's just a partial list of all the great hits cut with the Swampers:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">It all started with Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman." </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Go back and listen to the Staples Singers "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself." Once you know the sound of the Swampers, you can immediately tell it's them on these classic tracks.</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Aretha was there cutting and famously was having trouble getting the groove on "I Never Loved A Man." The band decided to take a break, but keyboardist Spooner Oldham stayed behind, noodling on the Wurlitzer electric piano. That's when he came up with the distinctive, rolling piano figure that opens the song.</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">And don't forget rockers like Bob Seger, who cut many hits here including "Old Time Rock N Roll." Also on the list: Paul Simon, even the Rolling Stones. </span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large">Click on the image for a <a contents="link to the DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcyQVB" target="_blank">link to the DVD</a>:</span><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcyQVB" target="_blank"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/5e72c2fc73324d4fb8db1f6aead585c74e666cb8/medium/muscle-shoals.jpg?1486325111" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></a><br><span class="font_large"><a contents="#3: History Of The Eagles" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kHycTf" target="_blank">#3: History Of The Eagles</a><br><br>Wow, what an epic story of the rise of this great band, then their acrimonious split and eventual reconciliation during the tongue-in-cheek "Hell Freezes Over" tour!<br><br>You might think this would be just a typical career retrospective, but it's actually a great <em>movie</em>. That's because Glen Frey insisted they work with top documentary filmmakers, rather than music video directors. So they hired <a contents="Academy-award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kHycTf" target="_blank">Academy-award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney</a> and director Allison Ellwood to helm the project and the resulting film has a quality above most doc's.<br><br>Some of the best parts of the movie are the stories behind the songs. Glenn Frey in particular had a great knack for song titles and storytelling, as we noted in this "<a contents="Tribute to Glenn Frey the Songwriter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tribute-to-glenn-frey-the-songwriter" target="_blank">Tribute to Glenn Frey the Songwriter</a>."<br><br>One example is about the song "Lyin' Eyes." The Eagles spent many nights in the bar at Dan Tana's in Hollywood surrounded by beautiful women, many of whom were there with older, rich men. One night Glenn saw a particularly stunning lady with an older mana nd said to Don, "Look, she can't even hide her lying eyes." They quickly realized stay had a song-in-the-making and started grabbing napkins to scribble the rest of the verses.<br><br>Or the time when Glenn recounts the story about speeding down the Pacific Coast Highway with his, ahem, drug dealer. They were going way too fast for Glenn's comfort, especially since he didn't want to get pulled over by the cops. Glenn told the guy to slow down, and the dealer replied, "Life in the fast lane, baby!"<br><br>Click on the image for a <a contents="link to the DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kHycTf" target="_blank">link to the DVD</a>:<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kHycTf" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/afbd117bc743b42c8c1ecff8de327459ad483437/medium/history-of-eagles.jpg?1486325198" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span><br><span class="font_large"><a contents="#2: Woodstock" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kwepDW" target="_blank">#2: Woodstock</a><br><br>OK, this is the granddaddy of both concert movies and big festival events, so it makes sense that this film is near the top of the list. It also happens to be a great piece of filmmaking, and it has an Academy Award for Best Documentary to prove it.<br><br>What makes the movie great is its unflinching portrait of <a contents="Woodstock in all its chaotic glory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kwepDW" target="_blank">Woodstock in all its chaotic glory</a>. There's the utopian ideals of the event mixed with the gritty realities of disorganized promoters, not to mention bad weather and too many people out in the muddy fields of Yasgur's Farm.<br><br>Some of the highlights are of course Jimi Hendrix's guitar-burning set, the amazing debut of Crosby, Stills and Nash, a triumphant set by Sly and the Family Stone and mind-blowing blues form Janis Joplin. <br><br>One person who was missing was Joni Mitchell. But the silver lining is that while she watched the proceedings from far away and regretted not being there, it inspired her to pen her classic song "Woodstock" to capture the event forever.<br><br>Click the image below for a <a contents="link to the DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kwepDW" target="_blank">link to the DVD</a>:<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kwepDW" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c3d202fbd1127261af3b4971872f53f7e289c847/medium/woodstock.jpg?1486325673" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><a contents="#1: The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcMNmw" target="_blank">#1: The Last Waltz</a><br><br>We're happy to see <a contents="The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcMNmw" target="_blank"><em>The Last Waltz</em></a> ranked #1 in this poll, because it's our favorite too (and we wrote about it in this post).<br><br>It's hard to believe it's been 40 years since The Band brought together a bunch of their musician friends on Thanksgiving night 1976 to throw one of the greatest rock n roll parties of all time! <br><br>There are so many highlights from that show. From their first guest Ronnie Hawkins to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Dr. John and Eric Clapton, the incredible artists just kept coming throughout the night.<br><br>Apart from the music itself, one of our favorite moments is when Neil Young is on stage and Robbie Robertson points out the copious amount of cocaine clearly visible on Neil's nose. Whoops!<br><br>Not everyone in The Band was happy about getting off the road and making this their last concert. But Robbie Robertson said they needed to get off the road to save themselves from the lifestyle that was causing some band members to fall to temptation -- the late nights, the constant partying, the drugs and grueling travel. <br><br>By the way, <a contents="Robbie Robertson has a great new book called Testimony" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2jRXcTH" target="_blank">Robbie Robertson has a great new book called Testimony</a>, chronicling the early years of the Band when they started with Ronnie Hawkins, then went on to play with Dylan as he made his famous transition from acoustic folkie to electric rocker (and got booed by audiences from England to America and Australia).<br><br>Click the image below for a <a contents="link to the DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcMNmw" target="_blank">link to the DVD</a>:<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2lcMNmw" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/5487c2d6901934c98c2fdade91e5e8498531b0b3/medium/band-last-waltz.jpg?1480868335" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><strong>Comment and Share</strong><br><br>What's your favorite music doc? Does this Top 5 list match your own favorites? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, share it with friends by clicking on the share button on the bottom right side of this page!</span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/45586532017-01-22T08:00:38-08:002021-04-14T18:04:38-07:00Zappa, Zappa And More Zappa<span class="font_large">Frank Zappa fans have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to FZ material. And for all you Zappa aficionados out there, there are two new DVDs you need to see: <a contents="Eat That Question - Frank Zappa In His Own Words" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2jcICJr" target="_blank">Eat That Question - Frank Zappa In His Own Words</a>, and <a contents="Roxy: The Movie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kgL5nA" target="_blank">Roxy: The Movie</a>.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/5707823ad22c5c5ce15a12c6560246d483f591b9/medium/zappa-movies.jpg?1485100745" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br><br><a contents="Eat That Question - Frank Zappa In His Own Words" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2jcICJr" target="_blank"><strong>Eat That Question - Frank Zappa In His Own Words</strong></a><br><br>The first movie is a collection of Zappa interviews through the years. This movie recently had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.<br><br>FZ was a great interview subject. He was direct, candid and often turned questions on their head, toying with interviewers. <br><br>Here's the trailer:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="7hs6H-dt5BY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/7hs6H-dt5BY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7hs6H-dt5BY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><a contents="Roxy: The Movie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kgL5nA" target="_blank"><strong>Roxy: The Movie</strong></a><br><br>This concert film captured three epic nights at the Roxy Theater in Hollywood back in December 1973. Apparently there were technical issues with the filming, but modern technology and editing made it possible to finish the movie.<br><br>Zappa always had amazing musicians in his bands and this group was no exception. With George Duke on keys, Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphreys on drums and the otherworldly virtuoso Ruth Underwood on vibes, it was an incredible lineup! Not to mention Zappa himself on guitar. <br><br>Here's the trailer:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="wQG3JLxfLdc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/wQG3JLxfLdc/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wQG3JLxfLdc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">If we had to pick just one of these movies, it would probably be <a contents="Roxy: The Movie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2kgL5nA" target="_blank">Roxy: The Movie</a> since it includes so much great music. For Zappa fans, these are two solid additions to the FZ video library.</span><br><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Not it's your turn. Which of these movies do you prefer? What's your favorite Zappa movie? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/frank-zappa-was-not-your-average-guitar-hero" target="_blank">Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/45156772016-12-18T15:11:47-08:002019-08-25T18:35:51-07:00Steely Dan's Best Album Is...<span class="font_large"><a contents="Steely Dan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2hOGu7T" target="_blank">Steely Dan</a> made nine studio albums -- seven in a burst of creativity in the '70s, then two more after a 20-year break. But for Steely Dan fans, the question of which ONE is best is admittedly impossible to answer. It's like asking whether you favor the Beatles or the Stones, Giants or Jets, or...you get the picture.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/f37421c8e1e58c67de26af8e2ad191175e149695/medium/becker-and-fagen.jpg?1482101597" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Still, we posed that question in our latest poll. None of you will be surprised to learn that <a contents="Aja topped the list" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gQ0Rj2" target="_blank"><em>Aja</em> topped the list</a>. But what's more interesting is which albums came in second and third. So drumroll, please....<br><br>In second place is what some would call <a contents="the most rocking, guitar-drenched Dan album, The Royal Scam" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gPVXCI" target="_blank">the most rocking, guitar-drenched Dan album, <em>The Royal Scam</em></a>. We absolutely love this record, from the opening bars of twisted funk and drug-dealer-gone-to-seed in "Kid Charlemagne" to the burning guitar intro of "Don't Take Me Alive" and the noirish tale of corruption in "The Royal Scam." <br><br>Not far behind is the stately <a contents="Katy Lied" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2hXceuN" target="_blank"><em>Katy Lied</em></a>. From the dueling electric pianos of "Black Friday" to the plaintive "Doctor Wu" this is perhaps the Dan's most varied record.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/49205c2ebb2b1cbee4dd6d0d72a404e241467496/original/steely-dab-best-album-poll.jpg?1482102684" class="size_l justify_center border_" />We're a little surprised that <em><a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2hOIXiI" target="_blank">Gaucho</a> </em>didn't score higher. This is the record that broke up the band, when they drove themselves to burnout through studio obsession. It was during this period that Walter Becker's substance abuse got out of hand, culminating in a broken leg when he was hit by a taxi in New York.<br><br>In defense of <em>Gaucho</em>, Donald Fagen defends against the misperception that the Dan created smooth jazz. He offers a different explanation -- that not everyone gets their sense of humor, which can be too subtle or obscure for some folks. Here's his take on "<a contents="Hey Nineteen" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2hOIXiI" target="_blank">Hey Nineteen</a>:" </span><br> <div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="font_large"><em>We're actually accused of starting smooth jazz, which I don't think is exactly true. A lot of the effects we got were intended to be comic, like 'Hey Nineteen.' We were in our 30s, still saddled with these enormous sex drives and faced with the problem that you can no longer talk to a 19-year-old girl because the culture gas changed. That's set against an extremely polite little groove. And then the chorus is set to jazz chords, and it's scored for falsetto voices, which adds to the effect. To me, it's very funny. But for some other people, it's nauseating.</em></span><br> </div>
<div><span class="font_large">And what about the newer Dan material? Unfortunately, the more recent the record, the worse it did in our poll. <a contents="Two Against Nature" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2i4iCwb" target="_blank"><em>Two Against Nature</em></a> scored only 1 vote, while <a contents="Everything Must Go" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gPWhkU" target="_blank"><em>Everything Must Go</em></a> got a GOOSE egg. That's a Rodney-Dangerfield-esque lack of respect. <br><br>For some good related resources, here's a long profile of Donald Fagen with some great detail about his influences, his songwriting process, the band's history and other curiosities: <a contents="Icon: Donald Fagen" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/donald-fagen-steely-dan-aja" target="_blank">Icon: Donald Fagen</a>.<br><br>And here's an article that ranks the Dan's albums, and their ranking is very close to our poll results. Plus, in true ironic Dan fashion, they do it backwards: <a contents="Steely Dan Albums From Worst To Best" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stereogum.com/1732741/steely-dan-albums-from-worst-to-best/franchises/counting-down/" target="_blank">Steely Dan Albums From Worst To Best</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn? Do you agree with these poll results? <a contents="What's your favorite Steely Dan album and song" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2hJM5iG" target="_blank">What's your favorite Steely Dan album and song</a>? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this article, you might also like:<br><a contents="Steely Dan's Greatest Guitar Solos" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-greatest-guitar-solos" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Greatest Guitar Solos</a><br><a contents="Steely Dan's Donald Fagen As A Rapper?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-and-kanye-west" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Donald Fagen As A Rapper?</a></span></div>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/44835562016-12-04T08:38:56-08:002017-11-23T10:03:27-08:00Is The Last Waltz The Greatest Music Documentary?<p><span class="font_large">Hard to believe it's been 40 years since <a contents="The Band" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gD2QLh" target="_blank">The Band</a> brought together their friends on Thanksgiving 1976 and threw one of the greatest rock 'n roll parties of all time.<br><br>Luckily for us, they got Martin Scorsese to document the event in what is probably the greatest concert movie of all time, <a contents="The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fZIPuk" target="_blank"><em>The Last Waltz</em></a>. In fact, this isn't just a concert movie, it's a great documentary that captures the life and times of The Band and their influence on music and culture in the 70s.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fZIPuk" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/5487c2d6901934c98c2fdade91e5e8498531b0b3/medium/band-last-waltz.jpg?1480868335" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>To coincide with its 40th anniversary, there are some new and <a contents="expanded versions of the concert album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gD2QLh" target="_blank">expanded versions of the concert album</a> that are worth checking out.<br><br><strong>Highlights</strong><br><br>It's hard to even pick highlights from the show because there were so many. From their first guest Ronnie Hawkins to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Dr. John and Eric Clapton, the incredible artists just kept coming throughout the night.<br><br>Apart from the music itself, one of our favorite moments is when Neil Young is on stage and Robbie Robertson points out the copious amount of cocaine clearly visible on Neil's nose. Whoops!<br><br><strong>Discord In The Band</strong><br><br>Not everyone in The Band was happy about closing up shop and getting off the road. Robbie Robertson said they needed to get off the road to save themselves from the lifestyle that was causing some band members to fall to temptation -- the late nights, the constant partying, the drugs and grueling travel. <br><br>You can clearly see Levon Helm seething with anger at some points during the movie, when they're hanging out in their Malibu studio aptly named Shangri-La. <br><br>In addition to <a contents="The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fZIPuk" target="_blank"><em>The Last Waltz</em></a>, there's a great making-of documentary about The Band called <a contents="Classic Albums: The Band" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fZEPdg" target="_blank">Classic Albums: The Band</a>. If you're a fan of their music, it's a must-see chronicle of their breakthrough record, aptly titled <a contents="The Band" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fZEPdg" target="_blank"><em>The Band</em></a>.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fZEPdg" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/bf589af30c3ec6598ab16b54c0164e7d3fa0c519/medium/band-classic-albums.jpg?1480869030" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>And stay tuned for a new book from Robbie Robertson that chronicles the life and times of this amazing group, out soon to coincide with the 40th anniversary of <a contents="The Last Waltz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gp1hOk" target="_blank"><em>The Last Waltz</em></a>.</span><br> </p>
<p><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Related Links</strong><br><br>If you like the Band and especially the horn arrangements on <em>The Last Waltz</em> then you might also like <a contents="Gooseneck's new album, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank">Gooseneck's new album, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD by clicking this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD by </a><a contents="clicking this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank">clicking this link</a> or the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span><br><br> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/44695262016-11-20T16:32:24-08:002023-12-04T23:16:19-08:00It's Official: Tower Of Power Is The Greatest Horn Band<span class="font_large">That's according to our latest poll of over 250 music fans, when we asked them to pick their favorite from a list of 10 great horn bands.<br><br><a contents="Tower of Power" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gze98V" target="_blank">Tower of Power</a> was the runaway winner, with more than 50% of the votes. <a contents="Chicago" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fergq0" target="_blank">Chicago</a> was a distant second place. <a contents="Earth, Wind &amp; Fire" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc01yx" target="_blank">Earth, Wind & Fire</a> narrowly beat out Blood, Sweat & Tears for third.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/2490889b008632ec2bf9dcd975ab430e6db3d0d2/original/greatest-horn-band-poll.png?1479304544" class="size_l justify_center border_" />In addition to polling listeners for the best horn band, we also want to shine a spotlight on some of the unsung heroes of these bands: the horn arrangers.<br><br><a contents="Greg Adams of Tower of Power" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gze98V" target="_blank"><strong>Greg Adams of Tower of Power</strong></a><br><br>Many guys shared arranging duties over the years in TOP -- including band founders Emilio Castillo and Doc Kupka. And if anything represents the sound of TOP horns it's Doc Kupka's low-down, greasy baritone sax. <br><br>But it was <a contents="Greg Adams, the East Bay trumpeter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gze98V" target="_blank">Greg Adams, the East Bay trumpeter</a>, who wrote many of those bari sax lines and many of TOP's signature horn charts.<br><br>After Greg parted ways with TOP, he started his own funky horn band, <a contents="East Bay Soul" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gze98V" target="_blank">East Bay Soul</a>. Check out their latest album, <a contents="That's Life" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gze98V" target="_blank"><em>That's Life</em></a>. <br><br>And here's a great clip of Greg and the TOP boys playing "What Is Hip" back in the day:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="lTr8cMDlM2E" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/lTr8cMDlM2E/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lTr8cMDlM2E?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><a contents="James Pankow of Chicago" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fergq0" target="_blank"><strong>James Pankow of Chicago</strong></a> <br><br>While Tower Of Power's horn arranger was a trumpeter, Chicago's is a 'bone man! Trombonist James Pankow -- a founding and still current member of Chicago -- wrote most of their greatest horn arrangements. <br><br>From "<a contents="Saturday in the Park" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fergq0" target="_blank">Saturday in the Park</a>" to "<a contents="Feelin' Stronger Every Day" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fergq0" target="_blank">Feelin' Stronger Every Day</a>" -- you can hear Pankow's catchy and fluid horn arrangements throughout Chicago's discography. Here's a fun live clip featuring Pankow on trombone:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="i3cZPxReiMQ" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/i3cZPxReiMQ/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i3cZPxReiMQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><strong><a contents="Phenix Horns of Earth, Wind &amp; Fire" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc01yx" target="_blank">Phenix Horns of Earth, Wind & Fire</a> (and Phil Collins)</strong><br><br><a contents="EWF's distinctive sound" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc01yx" target="_blank">EWF's distinctive sound</a> owes a lot to the four original members of the EWF Horns, now called the Phenix Horns -- Don Myrick on sax, Louis Satterfield on trombone, and Rahmlee Davis and Michael Harris on trumpet. These guys defined a new funk sound with their fast staccato runs and impossibly high brass.<br><br>And if the funky horns in <a contents='Phil Collins and Genesis songs like "No Reply At All" and "Paperlate' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc4uBd" target="_blank">Phil Collins and Genesis songs like "I Missed Again" and "Paperlate</a>" sound familiar, that's because they were arranged and played by the Phenix Horns. Collins originally recruited the horn section for his <a contents="classic album, Face Value" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2g56oT4" target="_blank">classic album, <em>Face Value</em></a>.<br><br>According to producer Hugh Padgham, it was a little rocky at first because EWF founder Maurice White didn't want his horn section all over "some British bloke's" music! But their relationship blossomed over time and the Phenix Horns went on to do many things with Collins and Genesis. Here's a great video clip from one of their tours:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="3JBQW3ZlVwk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/3JBQW3ZlVwk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3JBQW3ZlVwk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>There's also great interplay between Collins and the Phenix players in <a contents="the DVD Classic Albums -- Phil Collins: Face Value" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fevlhe" target="_blank">the DVD Classic Albums -- Phil Collins: Face Value</a>.<br><br>Finally, we also got a lot of write-in candidates for best horn band, in addition to the 10 that we included in the poll. Frequent mentions included:</span>
<ul> <li><a contents="Chase" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc30qK" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Chase</span></a></li> <li><a contents="Junior Walker &amp; The All Stars" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc30qK" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Junior Walker & The All Stars</span></a></li> <li><a contents="Herb Alpert &amp; The Tijuana Brass" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gc30qK" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass</span></a></li>
</ul><span class="font_large"><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. Do you agree with the top 3 picks in this poll? What's your favorite horn band? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Little Feat And Tower Of Power Made The Ultimate Live Record" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/little-feat-and-tower-of-power-made-the-ultimate-live-record" target="_blank">Little Feat And Tower Of Power Made The Ultimate Live Record</a><br><a contents='Elton John And Tower Of Power Rock This "Bitch"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/elton-john-and-tower-of-power-rocking-the-bitch" target="_blank">Elton John And Tower Of Power Rock This "Bitch"</a></span><br><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/44581332016-11-10T19:04:54-08:002024-01-29T18:10:04-08:00Steely Dan's Greatest Guitar Solos<span class="font_large">It's official: Larry Carlton's blazing work on "Kid Charlemagne" is Steely Dan's best guitar solo. <br><br>That's according to our poll of 100 Steely Dan fans who picked their favorite solo from the list of 10 epic songs below.<br><br>The top 3 solos in the survey were Larry Carlton's effortless "<a contents="Kid Charlemagne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2g1XauW" target="_blank">Kid Charlemagne</a>," Jeff Baxter's ripping "<a contents="My Old School" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWupA" target="_blank">My Old School</a>" and Elliott Randall's masterful "<a contents="Reelin' In The Years" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fGtzqc" target="_blank">Reelin' In The Years</a>."<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/3fa1c0be9dc49c1ea1435690668b1f3a77daa398/original/steely-dan-top-guitar-solos.png?1478745523" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Here's an in-depth look at those three solos.<br><br><a contents='Larry Carlton, "Kid Charlemagne"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2g1XauW" target="_blank"><strong>Larry Carlton, "Kid Charlemagne"</strong></a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWJRt" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1fcc02b90b23a6cdf6659d2fb88b415e32ee1ec6/medium/larry-carlton.jpg?1478745910" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><a contents="Larry Carlton" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWJRt" target="_blank">Larry Carlton</a> was a guitar prodigy who started playing professionally as a teenager. At one point he was doing up to 500 recording sessions per year in L.A. for the likes of Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel and Michael Jackson. It was during this period that Larry earned the sobriquet "Mr. 335" because he became so associated with Gibson's classic semi-hollowbody guitar.<br><br>Here's Donald Fagen talking about Larry: </span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large"><em>Larry Carlton played on quite a few of our records. He's a real virtuoso. In my opinion he can get around his instrument better than stay studio guitarist. His did the solo on "Kid Charlemagne" in two takes.</em></span></li>
</ul><br><span class="font_large">Walter Becker described Larry's role as a kind of musical director who could translate their ideas for the other musicians on Steely Dan recording sessions. </span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large"><em>If <a contents="Royal Scam is the definitive Steely Dan guitar record" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fWVX95" target="_blank">Royal Scam is the definitive Steely Dan guitar record</a>, then Larry Carlton is the reason why. He contributed quite a bit to the tunes. There would be a lot of volatile people with volatile musical styles in the room and, in a lot of cases, it seemed to me that Larry, more than anyone else, was holding things together rhythmically and in other ways.</em></span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large">Check out some of his solo work on <a contents="The Very Best of Larry Carlton" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWJRt" target="_blank"><em>The Very Best of Larry Carlton</em></a>. </span>
<p><br><span class="font_large"><a contents='Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, "My Old School"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWupA" target="_blank"><strong>Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, "My Old School"</strong></a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWupA" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/b627d09209d766e308d5f0d626b9fdc5256e1290/medium/jeff-baxter.jpg?1478746375" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>We've seen Steely Dan multiple times over the years and at every show the biggest crowd-pleaser is "<a contents="My Old School" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWupA" target="_blank">My Old School</a>." The groove is infectious, the story is hilarious and the guitar is outrageous! <br><br>The guitar solo on this track is one of Jeff Baxter's crowning achievements during his stint in Steely Dan. He was a founding member of the group, along with their other amazing guitarist, Denny Dias. <br><br>Jeff got his start working in Manny's Music in New York City, where he ran into a young Jimi Hendrix and ended up playing bass in one of Jimi's early bands. What a way to start your career!<br><br>It was after he left NY for LA that he met Donald and Walter and joined the Dan. After Steely Dan stopped touring, Baxter bowed out of the group and went on to join <a contents="the Doobie Brothers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eGWupA" target="_blank">the Doobie Brothers</a>. Pretty good place to land after leaving Steely Dan!<br><br>In fact Baxter brought singer Michael McDonald into the Doobies to fill in for an ailing Tom Johnston. He knew McDonald from their time together in Steely Dan.<br><br>In a strange-but-true career twist, Baxter's interest in musical technology led him to develop an interest in military technology. He turned that passion into a series of consulting gigs for such government agencies as the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency. </span><br><br><strong><a contents="Elliott Randall, "Reelin' In The Years"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fGtzqc" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Elliott Randall, "Reelin' In The Years"</span></a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fGtzqc" target="_blank"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/e33f415b468a3c4cf3550087156f6aaf83c1d59a/medium/elliott-randall.jpg?1478746032" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></a></strong></p><span class="font_large">Jimmy Page once called Elliott Randall's work on "<a contents="Reelin' in the Years" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2fGtzqc" target="_blank">Reelin' in the Years</a>" his favorite guitar solo ever. That's quite an endorsement and indeed his playing on the track is very tasty!<br><br>Elliott Randall knew Donald and Walter in their early years in New York when they were playing with <a contents="Jay and the Americans" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eJLgk3" target="_blank">Jay and the Americans</a>. He started playing on their records but turned down the opportunity to join Steely Dan as a permanent member. He thought the group dynamics would lead to a dissolution of the band, and he was right!<br><br>It turns out Elliott had a history of turning down permanent gigs in bands like Steely Dan, preferring instead to focus on studio work. Apparently Jeff Porcaro and David Paich offered him a founding spot in Toto, but he turned that down too!<br><br>Check out his album, <a contents="Elliott Randall's New York" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2flA4vL" target="_blank"><em>Elliott Randall's New York</em></a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Steely Dan guitar solo? Favorite guitarist on their albums? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"</a><br><a contents="More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-gaucho-outtakes" target="_blank">More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/44442622016-10-30T13:28:13-07:002021-01-28T14:17:14-08:00The Grateful Dead Never Missed Jerry's Missing Finger<span class="font_large">Isn't it crazy that some of the best guitarists in history were missing fingers?<br><br><a contents="Jerry Garcia" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2e23Qnp" target="_blank">Jerry Garcia</a> was one of them, but the list also includes the master of gypsy jazz guitar, <a contents="Django Reinhardt" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eoQkLE" target="_blank">Django Reinhardt</a>. Django lost two fingers on his left hand in a fire, but went on to teach himself how to play with his remaining fingers.<br><br>Another was Mac Rebennack -- better known as <a contents="Dr. John" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eS0tB2" target="_blank">Dr. John</a> -- who was a guitarist before he was a pianist. His finger-losing mishap came when protecting a friend in a fight and getting shot in his left ring finger. That's what led him to change focus to the piano and chart his career on that instrument.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2e23Qnp" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1846d846947fb2aa2a1cc5c54884947932a603d0/medium/grateful-dead.jpg?1477850905" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>Of course all Deadheads know Jerry was missing his right middle finger, but not everyone knows how it happened. We had heard (erroneously as it turned out) that Jerry had cut off his own finger as a way to avoid the draft. But that story was just an urban legend.<br><br>The real story is that Jerry lost it in a childhood accident when he was just 5 years old. Unfortunately, his older brother Tiff accidentally axed part of Jerry's finger while they were helping their father chop firewood. <br><br>Jerry had a great sense of humor about his missing digit. Check out this video of Jerry with comedian Al Franken from Saturday Night Live:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="KldqYNV2Hwg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/KldqYNV2Hwg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KldqYNV2Hwg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><strong>Amazing Jerry Garcia DVD</strong><br><br>One of the best documentaries about Jerry and the Grateful Dead is <a contents="Move Me Brightly" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eRMrzu" target="_blank"><em>Move Me Brightly</em></a> -- a tribute to Jerry on what would have been his 70th birthday. <br><br>This DVD includes some great stories about Jerry, amazing archival footage and loving remembrances from the guys in the band. If you're a Deadhead, this is a must-see!<br><br>Here's where you can find the DVD <a contents="Move Me Brightly: Celebrating Jerry Garcia's 70th Birthday" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eRMrzu" target="_blank"><em>Move Me Brightly: Celebrating Jerry Garcia's 70th Birthday</em></a>.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2eRMrzu" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/138d1e37bb727d4680587788a0cde9cdde99fd64/medium/jerry-garcia-move-me-brightly.jpg?1477852225" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's the best <a contents="Grateful Dead" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2e23Qnp" target="_blank">Grateful Dead</a> concert you ever attended? What's your favorite Dead tune? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Little Feat and Tower of Power Made the Ultimate Live Record" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/little-feat-and-tower-of-power-made-the-ultimate-live-record" target="_blank">Little Feat and Tower of Power Made the Ultimate Live Record</a><br><a contents='Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tom-petty-outtakes-from-full-moon-fever" target="_blank">Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43894582016-10-16T15:19:08-07:002022-08-04T15:51:06-07:00Tower Of Power Made Huey Lewis And The News "Hip"<p><span class="font_large">From "What Is Hip" to "Hip to be Square."<br><br><a contents="Tower of Power" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2dZ5Ans" target="_blank">Tower of Power</a> introduced their horn magic to the world with their hit "What Is Hip" back in 1973. Then about 10 years later, they added powerful horns to another "hip" track, <a contents="Huey Lewis and the News's "Hip to be Square" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2dZ7WCJ" target="_blank">Huey Lewis and the News's "Hip to be Square</a>."<br><br>Call us biased, but we love rock bands with a big horn section!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c28320a47ee04c342c6445a3403fd4256cf558e0/medium/huey-lewis-fore.jpg?1476795205" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br><a contents="Huey Lewis and the News" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2dZ7WCJ" target="_blank">Huey Lewis and the News</a> is one of those bands that combines fun rock songs with great musicianship and killer horns. While Huey's band included sax man Johnny Colla, they also frequently called on fellow Bay area stalwarts Tower of Power to horn-ify their tracks.<br><br>One of their best horn-based songs is "I Want A New Drug" from the album <em>Sports</em>. This is Johnny Colla's horn line and it really makes this song sing. TOP horns didn't play on the original recording but they often appeared live with Huey, as in this video:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="S1ku4QUhoXk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/S1ku4QUhoXk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S1ku4QUhoXk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>Huey Lewis said this song came to him in a bolt of inspiration while he was driving his car. So much so that he had to pull over and write down the lyrics before he forgot them.<br><br>This song also ended up in court when Huey and the boys sued Ray Parker Jr for copyright infringement over the "Ghostbusters" theme. We're curious to know the terms of that agreement but it's sealed by a confidentiality agreement. To our ears the two songs sound pretty similar!</span><br><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Related Links</strong><br><br>If you love horn bands, you might like <a contents="Gooseneck's new album, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">Gooseneck's new album, Flyin' High</a>. Pick up a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a>. </span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43889832016-09-24T15:28:51-07:002021-04-14T18:05:23-07:00Elton John And Tower Of Power Rock This "Bitch"<span class="font_large">We were driving through Los Angeles the other day when <a contents="Elton John's "The Bitch Is Back" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2ctcMBz" target="_blank">Elton John's "The Bitch Is Back</a>" came on the radio. What an amazing track!<br><br>Once we heard the horns on this record, we knew it had to be Tower Of Power. And indeed it was, as Elton's producer Gus Dudgeon used the TOP boys to spice up this track and others on Elton's <a contents="Caribou" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2ctcMBz" target="_blank"><em>Caribou</em></a> album.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2ctcMBz" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/a10d6218386ea618867f0f22b5b4640f73844857/medium/elton-john.jpg?1474754989" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>We wrote another <a contents="post about all the records TOP horns played on" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tower-of-power-played-on-dozens-of-records-by-other-artists" target="_blank">post about all the records TOP horns played on</a>, and this is one of their great ones.<br><br>The horns sound amazing, but the real driving force in this song comes from Elton's long-time guitarist Davey Johnstone with the riff that kicks off the song and is its recurring musical figure.<br><br>And Bernie Taupin, Elton's songwriting partner and lyricist, should get much of the credit for this song. In fact, his wife at the time, Maxine Feibelman, provided its initial inspiration.<br><br>But she was not the "bitch" of the title...Elton was!<br><br>Apparently she would refer to Elton as a bitch when he was in a bad mood. "Oh God, the bitch is back!" she famously said one day, and Taupin took that inspiration and ran with it.<br><br>Elton has a great sense of humor and has been known to poke fun at himself with this song. At a concert back in 1974 when this song was running up the charts, Elton said, "This is a song not referring to anyone in the audience, but mainly to me."<br><br><a contents="Caribou" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2ctcMBz" target="_blank"><em>Caribou</em></a> was recorded in a blistering 9 days, which seems incredible compared to the time it takes to make most records today. This album sometimes gets overlooked because it came out between the two classics, <a contents="Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2d01yqb" target="_blank"><em>Goodbye Yellow Brick Road</em></a> and <a contents="Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2dq56SG" target="_blank"><em>Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy</em></a>.<br><br>Although it might not be Elton's greatest record, it's easy to appreciate <a contents="the amazing combination of Elton and the Tower of Power horns" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2ctcMBz" target="_blank">the amazing combination of Elton and the Tower of Power horns</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Elton John song? Favorite album? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this track, you might also like:<br><a contents="Tower Of Power Played On Dozens Of Records By Other Artists" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tower-of-power-played-on-dozens-of-records-by-other-artists" target="_blank">Tower Of Power Played On Dozens Of Records By Other Artists</a><br><a contents="Little Feat And Tower Of Power Made The Ultimate Live Record" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/little-feat-and-tower-of-power-made-the-ultimate-live-record" target="_blank">Little Feat And Tower Of Power Made The Ultimate Live Record</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43847582016-09-22T05:10:28-07:002020-08-08T18:40:11-07:00Little Feat And Tower Of Power Made The Ultimate Live Record<p><span class="font_large">Is there any doubt that <a contents="Little Feat's Waiting For Columbus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cTXzvm" target="_blank">Little Feat's <em>Waiting For Columbus</em></a> is the greatest live record ever released?<br><br>Of course there are lots of amazing live albums, like The Band's <em>Last Waltz</em>. But for us, the combination of Little Feat and Tower of Power horns on <a contents="Waiting For Columbus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cTXzvm" target="_blank"><em>Waiting For Columbus</em></a> takes the cake.<br><br>Many of us still remember the first time we heard this record and thinking, <em>what is that?! </em>The undeniable grooves, tongue-in-cheek songs, interplay among amazing musicians.<br><br>Little Feat threw all kinds of American music into the melting pot -- funk, blues, jazz, country -- and made a heady stew all their own.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cTXzvm" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/addb924a4f734303d9a99e5ede403b01d234d200/medium/little-feat-waiting-for-columbus.jpg?1468031338" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><strong>The Secret Weapon: Tower Of Power Horns</strong><br><br>One thing that made <em>Waiting For Columbus</em> so special was the addition of Tower of Power's horn section. Listen back to tracks like "<a contents="Spanish Moon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cTXzvm" target="_blank">Spanish Moon</a>" and the horns will give you goose bumps.<br><br>Indeed, Emilio and Doc and <a contents="the boys from TOP horns played on all kinds of records" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tower-of-power-played-on-dozens-of-records-by-other-artists" target="_blank">the boys from TOP horns played on all kinds of records</a>, but arguably this is their greatest contribution to another band's sound. <em>Waiting For Columbus</em> captured both bands at the height of their powers.<br><br><strong>Bonus Tracks</strong><br><br>We ran across this amazing clip on YouTube of Lowell George giving a slide guitar lesson.<br><br>What makes it funny is that he's giving the lesson to two German journalists. So it's half in German and half in English.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="sDF4x1ICbkY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/sDF4x1ICbkY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sDF4x1ICbkY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>Do you agree that this is the ultimate live record? If not, what's your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Related Links</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like Little Feat and Tower of Power, you might also like <a contents="Gooseneck's new record Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">Gooseneck's new record <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. Grab a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p><br> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43787032016-09-18T15:59:07-07:002020-01-07T04:21:03-08:00Peter Gabriel's "So" Still Sounds So Amazing<span class="font_large">It's been 30 years since <a contents="Peter Gabriel released So" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cABxl7" target="_blank">Peter Gabriel released <em>So</em></a>, and it still sounds amazing and contemporary today.<br><br>From the epic opening of "<a contents="Red Rain" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cABxl7" target="_blank">Red Rain</a>" to the tongue-in-cheek "<a contents="Sledgehammer" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cABxl7" target="_blank">Sledgehammer</a>" (remember the video?) the record still feels like something that could be released today. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1351549519d5c9b1f2c567045ed820e8e48ce0fa/medium/peter-gabriel-so.jpg?1474239304" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br>We ran across this great behind-the-scenes video about how they made the record. Peter Gabriel is the kind of artist who works in layers, building each song up through many experiments and iterations.<br><br>It was cool to hear how many versions these songs went through before becoming the record we know and love. Check out these early versions of "Sledgehammer" and other songs:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Yudjbg8p9hI" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Yudjbg8p9hI/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yudjbg8p9hI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>Also there's an <a contents="amazing DVD on the making of So" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cnDoqL" target="_blank">amazing DVD on the making of <em>So</em></a>. <br><br>One of our favorite stories on the DVD comes from producer Daniel Lanois. Apparently, Peter Gabriel takes a long time to finish his lyrics, working on them until he feels they're perfect. But Lanois and the other musicians were frustrated by how long it was taking. <br><br>So one day while Peter was writing, they locked him in the shed and had lunch without him. Suffice to say, he finished the rest of the lyrics more quickly after that.<br><br>It's well worth watching. You can find a copy of <a contents="this great DVD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cnDoqL" target="_blank">this great DVD at this link</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Peter Gabrial song? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Steely Dan's Aja Is Pure Genius" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-aja-is-pure-genius" target="_blank">Steely Dan's "Aja" Is Pure Genius</a><br><a contents="Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" Was Supposed To Be For Jeff Beck" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/stevie-wonder-s-superstition-was-written-for-jeff-beck" target="_blank">Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" Was Supposed To Be For Jeff Beck</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39674772016-09-11T17:32:07-07:002017-01-15T13:24:53-08:00Steely Dan's Donald Fagen As A Rapper?<span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Did you know how many times Steely Dan has been sampled by other artists? Even if you're not a rap fan, you might appreciate how the Dan are being sampled in some tracks, like Ice Cube's use of "Green Earrings" in his track "Don't Trust 'Em."</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">One of our favorites is the "Black Cow" sample used in "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz</span><font size="5">. </font><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">We were recently watching <a contents="the Aja documentary (a must-see for Dan fans)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cozxtP" target="_blank">the Aja documentary (a must-see for Dan fans)</a> and saw a short clip of Donald rapping along to his own song.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/58748049a033720d6dfa887339a9903c18d4ee1c/medium/donald-and-walter.jpg?1473640476" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Watch the short video clip below to see Donald i</span><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">n action. And try not to crack up when you see Donald's rapping skills! He even makes the usually-stoic Walter Becker start laughing:</span><br><br><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RN1rna-yxtY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/RN1rna-yxtY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RN1rna-yxtY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>Another big one was <a contents="Kanye West's track "Champion"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2cBUm3W" target="_blank">Kanye West's track "Champion"</a> which samples the Dan's "Kid Charlemagne."<br><br>The story about that track is that Donald and Walter initially declined Kanye West's request to use the sample. But then Kanye sent them a handwritten letter pleading his case and telling them he wanted to use it for a very personal song that was about his father.<br><br>That changed their minds and they agreed to let him use it. Here's a great interview with Donald that details the Kanye story, and talks about Fagen's latest <em>Sunken Condos</em> record: <a contents="Interview With Steely Dan's Donald Fagen" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/interview-donald-fagen-talks-sunken-condos-reclaiming-ghetto-kanye-west" target="_blank">Interview With Steely Dan's Donald Fagen</a>.<br><br>And here's a complete list of all the Steely Dan tunes that have been sampled: <a contents="Who Sampled Steely Dan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.whosampled.com/Steely-Dan/?sp=1" target="_blank">Who Sampled Steely Dan</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong> <br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite use of a Steely Dan sample?<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"</a><br><a contents="More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-gaucho-outtakes" target="_blank">More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43565592016-09-04T10:33:01-07:002020-07-11T17:36:03-07:00Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"<p><span class="font_large">We love Tom Petty's <a contents="Full Moon Fever" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2c08BNS" target="_blank"><em>Full Moon Fever</em></a>, his classic solo record released in 1989.<br><br>This was the first time TP stepped out on his own, working with producer Jeff Lynne and his trusty right-hand man, Mike Campbell. Not only was it a huge success -- spawning epic singles like "<a contents="Free Fallin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2c08BNS" target="_blank">Free Fallin</a>'" and "<a contents="I Won't Back Down" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2c08BNS" target="_blank">I Won't Back Down</a>" -- but it also still sounds contemporary and relevant today.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2c08BNS" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/8adff973075f65646501553063dad09c5338b35f/medium/screen-shot-2016-09-04-at-10-30-30-am.png?1473010269" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span><br><span class="font_large">Recorded mostly in Mike Campbell's garage, it was a great mix of Petty's simple yet deep songwriting and Jeff Lynne's Beatlesque production sensibilities. (And t</span><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">he fact that it was recorded in a garage is pretty amazing to those of us who have our own studios!)</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Even though we know <a contents="Full Moon Fever" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2c08BNS" target="_blank"><em>Full Moon Fever</em></a> inside-out, we were surprised to learn about a couple B-sides that we had never heard before.</span><br><br><span class="font_large">Here's one called "<a contents="Down The Line" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bOF1QU" target="_blank">Down The Line</a>" that was a B-side on "Free Fallin'" and is <a contents="available on vinyl" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bOF1QU" target="_blank">available on vinyl</a>. It sounds like an homage to King Floyd's "Groove Me."<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="wmszwodDZ6Q" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/wmszwodDZ6Q/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wmszwodDZ6Q?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>And then there was "Don't Treat Me Like A Stranger" -- the B-side from "I Won't Back Down:"<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="NDkBWKhlXt0" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/NDkBWKhlXt0/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NDkBWKhlXt0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Related Links</strong><br><br>If you like the songwriting on <em>Full Moon Fever</em>, you might also like the songs on Gooseneck's latest album, <a contents="Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank"><em>Flyin' High</em></a>. You can get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD&nbsp;at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span><br> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43537052016-09-02T07:00:02-07:002020-06-23T05:51:12-07:00More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes<p><span class="font_large">We thought we knew pretty much everything there was to know about Steely Dan.<br><br>We knew about the long-lost <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bTFFXH" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a> track "The Second Arrangement" and wrote about it <a contents="in this post" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">in this post</a>: <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/0249e6a686fd54b93665f1178b3c71768bd52b35/medium/steely-dan-gaucho.jpg?1470948289" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>But we had no idea there were a <em>whole bunch</em> of unreleased songs recorded during those sessions.<br><br><a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bTFFXH" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a> was famously difficult to make. There were mishaps during its recording, like Walter Becker getting hit by a car. Plus, they wrangled with their record company over the price of the album.<br><br>In the end it took more than a year to complete, and the difficulties during its recording probably led to the extended break Steely Dan took after its release.<br><br>Donald and Walter tried and eventually rejected a number of tunes for <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bTFFXH" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a>. They must not have been satisfied with them, but they sound pretty good to our ears!<br><br>One of the cool ones is "Kulee Baba" (whatever that means!). Check it out:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="_EI3bPC4O8U" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/_EI3bPC4O8U/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_EI3bPC4O8U?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>Here's another cool one called "Kind Spirit." <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GDOfSl4V2PA" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/GDOfSl4V2PA/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GDOfSl4V2PA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>And one called "The Bear"<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ACxesurdBVk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ACxesurdBVk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ACxesurdBVk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><span class="font_large">For more details on these outtakes and other Steely Dan history, see <a contents="this excellent article on BB Chronicles" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bbchron.blogspot.com/2011/02/steely-dan-lost-gaucho-and-outtakes.html" target="_blank">this excellent article on BB Chronicles</a>.</span><br><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Related Links</strong><br><br>If you like Gaucho-era Steely Dan, you might also like the <a contents="new Gooseneck album, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">new Gooseneck album, Flyin' High</a>. Get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD at this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/album/576317/flyin-high?autostart=true" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD at this link</a> or by clicking the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com/new-album" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p> </p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43319042016-08-24T07:47:27-07:002023-12-27T12:38:19-08:00Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" Was Supposed To Be For Jeff Beck<span class="font_large">"<a contents="Superstition" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bNwPvi" target="_blank">Superstition</a>" is the quintessential Stevie Wonder tune. The funky clavinet, the deep groove, the cool chord changes, the amazing vocal.<br><br>So we were stunned to learn this song was never meant for Stevie -- it was written for Jeff Beck.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/a3c07df4c83f180d867a59a73785de50eae99f09/medium/stevie-wonder-talking-book.jpg?1472050214" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br>In fact, Jeff Beck and Stevie were hanging out together in 1972, and Stevie was supposed to write him a few songs. Ironically, it was Jeff Beck's drumming -- not his guitar playing -- that inspired Stevie to pen "Superstition."<br><br>Here's Jeff Beck quoted in an Ultimate Classic Rock article:</span>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>“One day I was sitting at the drum kit, which I love to play when nobody’s around, doing this beat. Stevie came kinda boogieing into the studio: ‘Don’t stop.’ ‘Ah, c’mon, Stevie,’ I can’t play the drums.’ Then the lick came out: ‘Superstition.’ That was my song, in return for playing on Talking Book. I thought, ‘He’s given me the riff of the century.'”</em><br><br>So how did it end up on <a contents="Stevie's record Talking Book" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bNwPvi" target="_blank">Stevie's record <em>Talking Book</em></a> rather than on <a contents="Beck, Bogert and Appice" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bzWkQ9" target="_blank"><em>Beck, Bogert and Appice</em></a>? First, Jeff Beck's record was delayed for a variety of reasons. Second, when Stevie's bosses at Motown heard this song, they knew it would be a smash and made Stevie put it on his record.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">The rest as they say is history.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Here's Stevie playing the "riff of the century" on an isolated clavinet track:</span><br> </p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="U5wsWeKbyYA" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/U5wsWeKbyYA/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U5wsWeKbyYA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>And check out Jeff Beck's version of "Superstition" on his record <a contents="Beck, Bogert and Appice" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2bzWkQ9" target="_blank"><em>Beck, Bogert and Appice</em></a>:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="uS3XJQA6voE" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/uS3XJQA6voE/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uS3XJQA6voE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Stevie song? Favorite Jeff Beck tune? Leave us a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Toto Was The Studio Band For Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs And Michael Jackson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/toto-was-the-studio-band-for-tons-of-other-artists" target="_blank">Toto Was The Studio Band For Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs And Michael Jackson</a><br><a contents="Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/frank-zappa-was-not-your-average-guitar-hero" target="_blank">Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43140342016-08-16T18:50:36-07:002024-01-16T22:28:51-08:00Toto Was The Studio Band For Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and Michael Jackson<span class="font_large">If you love the golden age of '70s music as we do here at Gooseneck HQ, then you undoubtedly -- and perhaps unknowingly -- love Toto.<br><br>That's because the core members of Toto -- David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather and David Hungate -- were all highly accomplished and in-demand Los Angeles studio musicians during that period when many great records were being recorded in L.A.<br><br>These guys played on literally hundreds of records before and even after they formed Toto. In fact, they formed Toto after running into each other so many times at sessions and deciding they should start their own band. Plus, several of the guys all grew up together and went to the same high school in Van Nuys.<br><br>Of all the records they played on outside of Toto, we love their work with Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and Michael Jackson. <br><br><a contents="Boz Scaggs, Silk Degrees" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZe7j6" target="_blank">Boz Scaggs, <em>Silk Degrees</em></a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZe7j6" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/08e6c5d9b02d13af6223909dd2eb93053ae44131/medium/boz-scaggs-silk-degrees.jpg?1471202276" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>Boz's breakthrough and best-selling album, <em>Silk Degrees</em>, was also a breakthrough for David Paich. Boz asked Paich to collaborate on the record and he ended up co-writing with Boz five of the ten songs on this album, including the perennial hits "<a contents="Lowdown" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZe7j6" target="_blank">Lowdown</a>" and "<a contents="Lido Shuffle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZe7j6" target="_blank">Lido Shuffle</a>."<br><br>Listen to "Lido" today and you can tell that it's basically a Toto record with Boz singing on top of it. In fact, the whole rhythm section on <em>Silk Degrees</em> -- Paich on keyboards, Jeff Porcaro on drums and David Hungate on bass -- is Toto.<br><br>It's also cool to note Jeff Porcaro's father, Joe -- himself a veteran studio musician -- played percussion on this album. And in another example of "like father/like son" David Paich's father, Marty, was also an accomplished studio pianist and arranger.<br><br><a contents="Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aTiCA7" target="_blank">Steely Dan, <em>Pretzel Logic</em></a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aTiCA7" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/05ac8f30693dead85647389f5cfd9e37208b90a9/medium/steely-dan-pretzel-logic.jpg?1471202304" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are known as studio perfectionists who called on a rotating cast of ace session musicians to bring their songs to life. David Paich and Jeff Porcaro were both on speed-dial for Donald and Walter during that period in the mid-'70s when the Dan were recording <em>Pretzel Logic</em> and <em>Katy Lied</em> in L.A.<br><br>We're not sure which of the exact tracks the Toto guys played on, as the Dan were sometimes cryptic in their liner notes. But listen to songs like "<a contents="Any Major Dude" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aTiCA7" target="_blank">Any Major Dude</a>" and you can start to hear similarities to the playing on Toto records.<br><br><a contents="Michael Jackson, Thriller" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZQUjq" target="_blank">Michael Jackson, <em>Thriller</em></a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/17a4e8a17af41dee01059799dee516d6cfa3c8fd/medium/michael-jackson-thriller.jpg?1471202333" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br>Eddie Van Halen gets the credit for the guitar solo on "<a contents="Beat It," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZQUjq" target="_blank">Beat It,</a>" but it's Steve Lukather's rhythm guitar and Jeff Porcaro's drums that define this track. Another Toto contribution to Thriller is on the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney duet "<a contents="The Girl Is Mine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZQUjq" target="_blank">The Girl Is Mine</a>."<br><br>There's also a Toto songwriting credit on <em>Thriller</em>. Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro caught Quincy Jones's ear with a demo recording of his song "<a contents="Human Nature" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aZQUjq" target="_blank">Human Nature</a>" when it was still being written. Quincy loved it, got John Bettis to help complete the lyrics, and then recorded it with Michael.<br><br>So what do Michael Jackson, Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs have in common? Toto! Even if you don't love Toto, you probably love some of the other records the members of the band played on during the '70s and '80s. <br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite record that Toto played on for another artist? What's your favorite Toto record? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>If you like this post, you might also like:<br><br><a contents="Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/who-s-the-deacon-in-steely-dan-s-deacon-blues" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"</a><br><a contents="Steely Dan's Aja Is Pure Genius" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-aja-is-pure-genius" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Aja Is Pure Genius</a><br><a contents="Who's The Deacon In Steely Dan's Deacon Blues?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/who-s-the-deacon-in-steely-dan-s-deacon-blues" target="_blank">Who's The Deacon In Steely Dan's Deacon Blues?</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/43206972016-08-12T08:49:33-07:002023-05-24T16:43:41-07:00Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"<p><span class="font_large">When they were making <em><a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aQufpI" target="_blank">Gaucho</a></em>, Steely Dan recorded a song called "The Second Arrangement." Like a lot of Dan material of that era, it was a sly, ironic tale of a love triangle gone wrong, set to incredibly polished and sophisticated music. Great players, cool arrangement, you know, just what you'd expect from the Dan in 1979-80.<br><br>If you heard "Second Arrangement," you could tell it would fit right into Gaucho alongside tunes like "<a contents="Babylon Sisters" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aQufpI" target="_blank">Babylon Sisters</a>" and "<a contents="Hey Nineteen" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aQufpI" target="_blank">Hey Nineteen</a>."<br><br>The problem is, no one ever heard the finished version of this song.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aQufpI" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/0249e6a686fd54b93665f1178b3c71768bd52b35/medium/steely-dan-gaucho.jpg?1470948289" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>Remember, Steely Dan recorded <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2gJ2jq7" target="_blank"><em>Gaucho</em></a> on tape. This was before artists made records on computers, which provide backup files if something goes wrong.<br><br>So what happened to "Second Arrangement?" An assistant engineer was preparing the tapes so Fagen and Becker could listen to it, along with producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols. But instead of playing the song, the assistant accidentally recorded over about 75% of it. When Nichols broke the news to Fagen, Donald was so upset he just got up and left the studio without saying a word.<br><br>They tried to re-record the song several times, with a variety of players. But Steely Dan's well-documented perfectionism kept them from finding a version they were happy with, so they scrapped the tune and moved on.<br><br>Want to hear a demo of "Second Arrangement?" Click on the image below to give it a listen. <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="4FlQRmYaXiE" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/4FlQRmYaXiE/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FlQRmYaXiE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br><span class="font_large">Were you familiar with this story? What do you think of this song? Should the boys record it on their next Steely Dan record? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!</span></p>
<p><br><br><strong><span class="font_large">Related Links</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you like Steely Dan's sophisticated chord changes and wry lyrics you might also like the songs on <a contents="Gooseneck's latest record, Flyin' High" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank">Gooseneck's latest record, <em>Flyin' High</em></a>. You can get a <a contents="FREE DOWNLOAD by clicking this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank">FREE DOWNLOAD by clicking this link</a> or the image below:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gooseneckmusic.com" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/1e28073d65a2e8826a6cd95c2afd171f08d8fba2/medium/gooseneck.jpg?1501809382" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/42947592016-07-25T20:50:33-07:002021-11-25T10:05:38-08:00Was Michael Jackson at Age 11 The Greatest Singer Ever?<span class="font_large">Greatest Singer Ever may be an exaggeration...<br><br>...But all we can say is that we're blown away by this isolated vocal of <a contents='Michael Jackson singing "ABC' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2a9KR8A" target="_blank">Michael Jackson singing "ABC</a>"<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2a11DHh" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/ea59c6144cd24bc113a1724b0f6069469ed5eef6/original/michael-jackson-11.jpg?1469506064" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br>This was a follow-up to the classic "<a contents="I Want You Back" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2a9KR8A" target="_blank">I Want You Back</a>" and is based on very similar music. It was written by "The Corporation" -- Berry Gordy and a group of other Motown writers.<br><br>After its release in 1970, it went on to knock the <a contents='Beatles "Let It Be' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2adnkHs" target="_blank">Beatles "Let It Be</a>" out of first position to claim the #1 spot on US charts.<br><br>This is a must watch! (Or more accurately, a must listen!)<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-e4-6jHmaqI" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/-e4-6jHmaqI/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e4-6jHmaqI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song?</span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/42709952016-07-09T12:28:44-07:002021-04-21T10:04:42-07:00Tower Of Power Played On Dozens Of Records By Other Artists<span class="font_large">We're huge fans of <a contents="Tower of Power" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29Y2rxR" target="_blank">Tower of Power</a> here at Gooseneck HQ. They've been a big influence on our music, especially the horn arrangements.<br><br>Tower Of Power has put out some truly great records under their name. But did you know how many records by other artists the <a contents="TOP horn section" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29Y2rxR" target="_blank">TOP horn section</a> played on? Literally hundreds -- adding their brassy sass to tracks by Little Feat in the '70s, Huey Lewis in the '80s, Elton John in the '90s and Aerosmith in the 2000s.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29Y2rxR" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/c0ffba54556337c5e88db2e2d91da9db57866154/original/top-horns.jpg?1468030918" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br>Our favorite TOP appearance has to be on <a contents="Little Feat's Waiting For Columbus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29rboO0" target="_blank">Little Feat's <em>Waiting For Columbus</em></a> record from 1978. From start to finish it's a brilliant record, captured live, and it showcases both the Feat and TOP in all their horny glory.<br><br>Take one listen to "Spanish Moon" and you will be guaranteed goose bumps. The sound of those horns over that swampy groove will transport you to the place "where hookers and hustlers filled up the room."<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29rboO0" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/addb924a4f734303d9a99e5ede403b01d234d200/original/little-feat-waiting-for-columbus.jpg?1468031338" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br>And if you're a <a contents="Huey Lewis and the News" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29z3S7u" target="_blank">Huey Lewis and the News</a> fan, then you already know TOP was a key ingredient in their sound and success. They had that string of hits in the '80s that featured horns on tracks like "Heart of Rock 'N' Roll" and "I Want a New Drug."<br><br>If you want to see all the records they played on, check out <a contents="this link to the TOP Horns discography" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://towerofpower.com/discography/hornsection/index.html" target="_blank">this link to the TOP Horns discography</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite TOP appearance on another artist's record? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><br><a contents="8 Amazing Songs From Lowell George, Allen Toussaint And...Robert Palmer?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/8-amazing-songs-from-lowell-george-allen-toussaint-and-robert-palmer" target="_blank">8 Amazing Songs From Lowell George, Allen Toussaint And...Robert Palmer?</a><br><a contents="Toto Was The Studio Band For Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs And Michael Jackson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/toto-was-the-studio-band-for-tons-of-other-artists" target="_blank">Toto Was The Studio Band For Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs And Michael Jackson</a></span><br><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/42615452016-07-03T08:47:05-07:002022-05-04T23:14:09-07:00Steely Dan's Aja Is Pure Genius<p><span class="font_large">There are so many great <a contents="Steely Dan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29iT0uq" target="_blank">Steely Dan</a> records -- from <a contents="Royal Scam" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29qTo9z" target="_blank">Royal Scam</a> to <a contents="Gaucho" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29iUzbR" target="_blank">Gaucho</a> -- but Aja is widely considered their masterpiece.<br><br>It's only 7 songs, but each one is a career-making gem. From the introductory shuffle of "Black Cow" to the sly funk of "Peg" and the cool jazz of the title track, this record covers a lot of stylistic ground while remaining quintessentially Dan. <br><br>If you haven't seen the <a contents="Steely Dan Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29iT0uq" target="_blank">Steely Dan Aja</a> documentary about the making of Aja, it's time to grab a copy and check it out. <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29iT0uq" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/b60c1caf9877ebafce9c1618d96bcf3ccabfe725/original/steely-dan-aja.jpg?1467560480" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br>In this doc, Donald and Walter take us behind the scenes on how they recorded this epic album -- from the rotating cast of bands -- not just musicians but entire bands -- to how each song was constructed in the studio.<br><br>The best parts are when they sit at the recording console and pull up the different tracks on these tunes, showcasing the work of guitarist Larry Carlton, drummers Bernard Purdie and Rick Marotta and singer Michael McDonald.<br><br>The Dan poke a little fun at Michael McDonald as they listen to his backing vocals on "Peg." McDonald called this track "fiendishly difficult" because he was singing such close harmony on the chorus. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Also funny is when they talk about the guitar solo -- and how many great guitarists tried and failed to get the right approach to the solo.<br><br>But best of all is the banter between Donald and Walter. You can tell these guys love spending time with each other and enjoy nothing more than trying to crack each other up. They trade lines back and forth like a tennis match in a friendly competition to see who will laugh first. <br><br>Bottom line, it's well worth grabbing a copy of this <a contents="Steely Dan Aja DVD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29iT0uq" target="_blank">Steely Dan Aja DVD</a> if you want to see the Dan's creative process in action.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Steely Dan record? Favorite Dan song? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><br><a contents="Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"</a><br><a contents="More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-gaucho-outtakes" target="_blank">More Unreleased Steely Dan Outtakes</a></span></p>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/42485572016-07-01T10:03:40-07:002017-04-20T20:31:45-07:00Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"<span class="font_large">We're big Aerosmith fans here at Gooseneck HQ, and we were recently re-watching <a contents="one of our favorite music documentaries" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29bT41s" target="_blank">one of our favorite music documentaries</a> about the boys from Boston, Aerosmith's <a contents="Making of Pump" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/28Y5Y0m" target="_blank">Making of Pump</a>. This epic DVD documents the band making their comeback record, <a contents="Pump" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29eB443" target="_blank"><em>Pump</em></a>.<br><br>It opens on Steven Tyler and Joe Perry in a songwriting session in a little rehearsal studio. Steven's working on "<a contents="Love In An Elevator" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29cwuSj" target="_blank">Love In An Elevator</a>" on a keyboard. Meanwhile, you can hear Joe in the adjoining bathroom taking a leak and talking to Steven while relieving himself.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="etsCXcKCPNU" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/etsCXcKCPNU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/etsCXcKCPNU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>And it just gets better from there.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/298dCqr" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/23ceff44535d91f6edbba8a84c56ccc98c31f803/medium/aerosmith-pump.jpg?1467392281" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>You see the band at its rawest moments, arguing about which songs will make the record, slaving over drum tracks while Steven Tyler pushes drummer Joey Kramer to the limit. It looks and feels like Spinal Tap, only for real.<br><br>One of the best highlights is the making of "<a contents="Janie's Got A Gun" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/29eACCS" target="_blank">Janie's Got A Gun</a>." Such a great song! You see Steven Tyler's amazing creativity up close, as he scats lyrics and melodies over the rough tracks and you see their writing and recording process unfold.<br><br>If you like watching the creative process, this is one of the best documentaries out there. You can find it here: <a contents="Aerosmith The Making of Pump" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/28Y5Y0m" target="_blank">Aerosmith The Making of Pump</a>. <br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What do you think of this music doc? What's your favorite Aerosmith record? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents='This Is Where Aerosmith Got The Title For "Walk This Way"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/this-is-where-aerosmith-got-the-title-for-walk-this-way" target="_blank">This Is Where Aerosmith Got The Title For "Walk This Way"</a><br><a contents="Steely Dan's "Aja" Is Pure Genius" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-aja-is-pure-genius" target="_blank">Steely Dan's "Aja" Is Pure Genius</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/42011402016-05-28T10:39:14-07:002021-01-27T04:21:33-08:00Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero<span style="font-size: 17px;">Most people know Frank Zappa for his sardonic songs and genre-busting compositions. But what many don't fully appreciate is his guitar mastery.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 17px;">FZ wasn't your typical guitar hero. Rather than burning through the typical pentatonic scales, Zappa's solos featured the best kind of improvisation: they told stories and were often surprising.<br><br>Call him the <em>anti</em>-guitar hero.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 17px;"><a contents="Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1XXs9Xb" target="_blank">Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar</a> is the Zappa record that best showcases his fleet-fingered fretboard finesse. It's an all-instrumental 3-disc set that captures all the wild variety of his playing.</span><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1XXs9Xb" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/f5127d72fc74639a77cef1c430b84ed8b6551a0c/original/zappa.jpg?1464444553" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></a><br><span style="font-size: 17px;">What you might not know is that the solos on <a contents="Shut Up 'n Play" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1XXs9Xb" target="_blank">Shut Up 'n Play</a> were often taken from live recordings on <em>other</em> songs, and then set to new music. Cool, right? </span><br><br><span style="font-size: 17px;">If you haven't heard this record, <a contents="click on this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1XXs9Xb" target="_blank">click on this link</a> to check it out!</span><br><br><strong><span style="font-size: 17px;">Leave A Comment</span></strong><br><br><span style="font-size: 17px;">Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Frank Zappa record? What do you like the most about FZ?<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><br><a contents="Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/aerosmith-s-real-life-spinal-tap" target="_blank">Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"</a><br><br><a contents="Why ZZ Top's "Tush" Is Not What You Think" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/why-zz-top-s-tush-is-not-what-you-think" target="_blank">Why ZZ Top's "Tush" Is Not What You Think</a><br><br><a contents='Jimmy Page On Writing And Recording "Stairway To Heaven"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/jimmy-page-on-writing-and-recording-stairway-to-heaven" target="_blank">Jimmy Page On Writing And Recording "Stairway To Heaven"</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/41488452016-04-22T06:33:15-07:002017-05-07T16:04:20-07:005 Prince Songs That Were Hits for Women Artists<span class="font_large">It's devastating news that Prince is gone. Another genius taken too soon.<br><br>Amid all the tributes to Prince's brilliance, and the lists of his amazing songs, there's a common theme: Prince was so prolific that his songs couldn't be contained in his own recordings. They spilled over to many other artists who had hits with them.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/19c495229d761e03f395c2c7cb70096cae118d23/original/prince.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>But there's also another pattern: many of his best songs by other artists were actually by female artists. In hindsight it makes sense: Prince loved women.<br><br>Of course he had some great songs recorded by men, like <a contents="Morris Day and the Time's "Jungle Love" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1poPAua" target="_blank">Morris Day and the Time's "Jungle Love</a>." But his real gift was writing songs for women. <br><br>Here are 5 Prince songs made into hits by women artists:<br><br>1. <a contents="Chaka Khan, I Feel For You" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1TmQZfq" target="_blank">Chaka Khan, I Feel For You</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="hX9E44mClKs" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/hX9E44mClKs/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hX9E44mClKs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><br>2. <a contents="Sinead O'Connor, Nothing Compares 2 U" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1rq9sPt" target="_blank">Sinead O'Connor, Nothing Compares 2 U</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-ZCiHsIfrOg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/-ZCiHsIfrOg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ZCiHsIfrOg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><br>3. <a contents="Sheila E., The Glamorous Life" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1YKF5xx" target="_blank">Sheila E., The Glamorous Life</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="XeJLZi0uyJw" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/XeJLZi0uyJw/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XeJLZi0uyJw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>4. <a contents="The Bangles, Manic Monday" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1poPbrM" target="_blank">The Bangles, Manic Monday</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="SsmVgoXDq2w" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/SsmVgoXDq2w/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SsmVgoXDq2w?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>5. <a contents="Stevie Nicks, Stand Back" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1poPkvf" target="_blank">Stevie Nicks, Stand Back</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="9-ACm_1OerM" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/9-ACm_1OerM/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9-ACm_1OerM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>There will never be another Prince. RIP.</span><br><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Leave A Comment</strong></span><br><br><span class="font_large">Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Prince song? Favorite Prince album? What about your favorite Prince song by another artist?<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="What Makes Bonnie Raitt So Great?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/what-makes-bonnie-raitt-so-great" target="_blank">What Makes Bonnie Raitt So Great?</a><br><a contents="Stevie Wonder's "Superstition Was Supposed To Be For Jeff Beck" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/stevie-wonder-s-superstition-was-written-for-jeff-beck" target="_blank">Stevie Wonder's "Superstition Was Supposed To Be For Jeff Beck</a></span><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/40896752016-03-28T16:53:00-07:002017-11-18T07:07:18-08:00Tribute to George Martin, the Fifth Beatle<span class="font_large">It's hard to overstate the importance of George Martin's contribution to the Beatles.<br><br>In addition to producing all their records, he arranged all their strings, horns and other orchestrations. He played an instrument on nearly 20% of their records. And he pioneered new recording techniques to realize the many inventive sounds the Beatles imagined.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/ac36e66000b8924bf0646f1d98ffe7e2329e1e46/original/george-martin-conducting-beatles-554-46.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>A good example is "<a contents="Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01929I77M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01929I77M&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=B2OWRWSMKJOTIMRE%22>Sgt.%20Pepper's%20Lonely%20Hearts%20Club%20Band</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B01929I77M" target="_blank">Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite!</a>" from the classic <a contents="Sgt. Pepper's" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01929I77M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01929I77M&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=B2OWRWSMKJOTIMRE%22>Sgt.%20Pepper's%20Lonely%20Hearts%20Club%20Band</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B01929I77M" target="_blank">Sgt. Pepper's</a> album. John Lennon had asked for a sound like a circus, so you could "smell the sawdust on the floor." George Martin's solution was to record tapes of old calliope records, then cut them into pieces and reassemble at random. The result was a swirling collage of organ sounds, just like the circus Lennon requested. <br><br>Another George Martin technique was recording instruments at half-speed, then speeding up the tape machine to capture a unique sound. For example the harpsichord sound on the <a contents="Rubber Soul's "In My Life"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025KVLT2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0025KVLT2&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=E6HJ43C4FAKOPBS7%22>Rubber%20Soul</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0025KVLT2" target="_blank">Rubber Soul song "In My Life"</a> is actually Mr. Martin on piano recorded at half-speed then played back at the normal rate.<br><br>And then there's the classic "<a contents="Eleanor Rigby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025KVLTC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0025KVLTC&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=6EWBVGBL3IMXXUE2%22>Revolver</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0025KVLTC" target="_blank">Eleanor Rigby</a>" from the <a contents="Revolver" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025KVLTC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0025KVLTC&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=6EWBVGBL3IMXXUE2%22>Revolver</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0025KVLTC" target="_blank">Revolver</a> album. This is probably the signature George Martin track, since it features his string arrangement as the primary musical accompaniment. Turns out he was influenced by the Bernard Herrmann score in the Hitchcock movie "Psycho" and instructed the violinists to play in a similar sharp, staccato style on this track. Who knew the Beatles and Hitchcock had something in common? <br><br>Since his death, there have been many tributes to George Martin and the outsized role he played in the Beatles. Our favorite is this compilation by the New York Times that gives a song-by-song breakdown of Mr. Martin's contribution:<br><br><a contents="A Song-by-Song Look at What Made George Martin the Fifth Beatle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/15/arts/music/george-martin-fifth-beatle.html" target="_blank">A Song-by-Song Look at What Made George Martin the Fifth Beatle</a><br><br>If you like this post, you might also like <a contents="Cool Stories Behind New Beatles Videos" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/cool-stories-behind-new-beatles-videos" target="_blank">Cool Stories Behind New Beatles Videos</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What are your favorite <a contents="Beatles records" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RVv9SQ" target="_blank">Beatles records</a>? Favorite <a contents="Beatles movies" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/232v1pY" target="_blank">Beatles movies</a>? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><br><a contents="Cool Stories Behind New Beatles Videos" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/cool-stories-behind-new-beatles-videos" target="_blank">Cool Stories Behind New Beatles Videos</a><br><br><a contents="The Best Vocal On This Rolling Stones Song Is Not From Mick Jagger" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/the-best-vocal-on-this-rolling-stones-song-is-not-from-mick-jagger" target="_blank">The Best Vocal On This Rolling Stones Song Is Not From Mick Jagger</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/40637452016-03-19T17:45:54-07:002023-10-02T06:29:12-07:00What Makes Bonnie Raitt So Great?<span class="font_large">We love Bonnie Raitt here at Gooseneck HQ!<br><br>From her early albums like <a contents="Takin' My Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005YW4O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005YW4O&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=GJ7AJLHT7TZ53RGW%22>Takin%20My%20Time</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005YW4O" target="_blank">Takin' My Time</a> to her breakthrough <a contents="Nick of Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002UU5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000002UU5&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=EDIJXDMINEUDNFON%22>Nick%20Of%20Time</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002UU5" target="_blank">Nick of Time</a> she's put out a string of great records over the years. Her latest is called <a contents="Dig In Deep" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017NCBHY0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B017NCBHY0&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=B45TVQ35P7GRQXLM%22>Dig%20In%20Deep</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B017NCBHY0" target="_blank">Dig In Deep</a>, and it sounds great.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/7f2cb300402ad0c771c0f4941f5b189d58dc217a/original/bonnie-raitt-dig-in-deep.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>We love the way Bonnie combines R&B, blues, soul, funk, reggae -- basically all the good stuff -- into a funky sound that's all her own. Add to that her killer singing, at turns sexy, sassy and soulful. And don't forget her signature slide guitar, a sound as instantly recognizable as her voice. <br><br>She came up in that period in the '70s when many amazing singer-songwriters and bands were emerging out of Southern California, including <a contents="Jackson Browne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RGUQ4a" target="_blank">Jackson Browne</a>, Randy Newman, <a contents="The Eagles" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/25ESMTU" target="_blank">The Eagles</a> and Little Feat. <br><br>Bonnie worked a lot with <a contents="Lowell George and Little Feat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1PPIIMg" target="_blank">Lowell George and Little Feat</a>. Here's an old video from the Midnight Special show with Bonnie singing backgrounds on the classic "Dixie Chicken."<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="vwfBsHbVtM4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/vwfBsHbVtM4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vwfBsHbVtM4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><br><strong>What's the Best Bonnie Raitt Record?</strong><br><br>Bonnie has many great records from her career, including chart-toppers <a contents="Nick of Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002UU5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000002UU5&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=KMJCJWVH64ZZATWD%22>Nick%20Of%20Time</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002UU5" target="_blank">Nick of Time</a> and <a contents="Luck of the Draw" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002UXM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000002UXM&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=M7RPEPQD7ZCIHN22%22>Luck%20Of%20The%20Draw</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002UXM" target="_blank">Luck of the Draw</a>.<br><br>But we love her early stuff too. <a contents="Takin' My Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005YW4O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005YW4O&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=WWJGZ2YIRAU7Y2O3%22>Takin%20My%20Time</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005YW4O" target="_blank">Takin' My Time</a> from 1973 is one of our favorite Bonnie records. Lowell George actually started out as its producer, and he plays on much of it, along with other members of Little Feat. If you haven't heard it, you've gotta <a contents="check it out" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005YW4O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005YW4O&linkCode=as2&tag=gooseneck-20&linkId=WWJGZ2YIRAU7Y2O3%22>Takin%20My%20Time</a><img%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gooseneck-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005YW4O" target="_blank">check it out</a>.<br><br>We also love the fact that Bonnie records her albums with her road band, which includes Ricky Fataar (drums), George Marinelli (guitar), Hutch Hutchinson (bass) and Jon Cleary (keys). Here's a recent video of Bonnie in the recording studio with her band and David Lindley cutting a Jackson Browne song:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="NoA_f7H-g1Y" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/NoA_f7H-g1Y/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NoA_f7H-g1Y?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br><strong style="font-size: 1.4em;">Leave a Comment</strong><br><br><span class="font_large">Now it's your turn: What's your favorite <a contents="Bonnie Raitt record" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1N4kuy1" target="_blank">Bonnie Raitt record</a>? What are some of your favorite Bonnie songs? Leave us a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="8 Amazing Songs From Lowell George, Allen Toussaint And ...Robert Palmer?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/8-amazing-songs-from-lowell-george-allen-toussaint-and-robert-palmer" target="_blank">8 Amazing Songs From Lowell George, Allen Toussaint And ...Robert Palmer?</a><br><a contents="Tribute To Glenn Frey The Songwriter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tribute-to-glenn-frey-the-songwriter" target="_blank">Tribute To Glenn Frey The Songwriter</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/40566962016-02-28T08:56:38-08:002023-11-05T12:32:03-08:00When David Bowie Went to Philly to Make "Young Americans"<span class="font_large">How many bands and artists have traveled to out-of-the-way studios in sometimes remote locations in search of a particular sound?<br><br>The most famous example is Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Many great bands and songwriters -- from Aretha Franklin to the Rolling Stones -- made the pilgrimage to 'Bama to get that funky southern sound. (If you haven't seen the <a contents="Muscle Shoals" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/25DeBTV" target="_blank">Muscle Shoals</a> documentary or heard the <a contents="album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1W1v3Je" target="_blank">album</a>, you've got to check 'em out).<br><br><a contents="David Bowie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1TtWhYo" target="_blank">David Bowie</a> made a similar pilgrimage, just a little further north. In August 1974, he headed to Philadelphia and Sigma Sound Studios to capture the Philly sound created by the <a contents="Gamble and Huff" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RUCITK" target="_blank">Gamble and Huff</a> songwriting team and the MFSB studio band.<br><br>What does <a contents="MSFB" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MFSB" target="_blank">MSFB</a> stand for? Depending on who you're asking (and whether you want the clean or dirty version), it's either "Mother, Father, Sister, Brother" or "Motherf**king Sons of Bitches." Two band members -- <a contents="Luther Vandross" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/21ZQgTI" target="_blank">Luther Vandross</a> and <a contents="David Sanborn" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1Vksnpr" target="_blank">David Sanborn</a> -- went on to find acclaim as solo artists.<br><br>Here's a killer live video of Bowie and that band performing "<a contents="Young Americans" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RUD1he" target="_blank">Young Americans</a>" on the Dick Cavett show in December '74: <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ydLcs4VrjZQ" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ydLcs4VrjZQ/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ydLcs4VrjZQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>There's also a <a contents="great article on Bowie Golden Years" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bowiegoldenyears.com/youngamericans.html" target="_blank">great article on Bowie Golden Years</a> in which producer Tony Visconti recounts fun stories of making the record. It features lots of pictures from those recording sessions, including this one of Bowie at the mic with Luther Vandross (second from right) and other backing vocalists:<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bowiegoldenyears.com/youngamericans.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/7edd1da5bc50117659dd7e013089c14cd068b908/original/bowie-young-americans.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What are your favorite David Bowie songs? <a contents="Favorite Bowie album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1TtWhYo" target="_blank">Favorite Bowie album</a>? Leave us a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Hear David Bowie's Isolated Vocals On "Under Pressure"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/hear-david-bowie-s-isolated-vocals-on-under-pressure" target="_blank">Hear David Bowie's Isolated Vocals On "Under Pressure"</a><br><a contents="The Best Vocal On This Rolling Stones Song Is Not From Mick Jagger" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/the-best-vocal-on-this-rolling-stones-song-is-not-from-mick-jagger" target="_blank">The Best Vocal On This Rolling Stones Song Is Not From Mick Jagger</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/40334712016-02-21T07:43:27-08:002021-03-31T05:56:01-07:00The Best Vocal On This Rolling Stones Song Is Not From Mick Jagger<span class="font_large">"<a contents="Gimme Shelter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1W1DRil" target="_blank">Gimme Shelter</a>" is one of those tracks that just makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The whole mood of the piece is haunting, from the syncopated guitar and percussion to the disturbing lyrics and blazing vocals. <br><br>Mick Jagger delivers an incredible performance, but it's not our favorite vocal on the song. That honor goes to <a contents="Merry Clayton" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1N3LVYG" target="_blank">Merry Clayton</a>, the premier background vocalist of that era in the '70s. </span><br><br><span style="font-size: 17px;">In 1969, the</span><span style="font-size: 1.4em;"> Stones were in Los Angeles putting the finishing touches on the album <a contents="Let It Bleed" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1W1DRil" target="_blank"><em>Let It Bleed</em></a>. They wanted to add female background vocals to "Gimme Shelter" so producer Jack Nitzsche called the New-Orleans-born singer Merry Clayton.<br><br>Merry tells the story this way: She said she got a call in the middle of the night to come sing with these British guys called the Rolling Stones. She showed up at the studio still in her curlers and decided to show these Englishmen everything she was capable of. Then she proceeded to let it rip.</span><br><br><span class="font_large">To zoom in on Merry's amazing solo in the track, click on this video. What's great is Mick's reaction when he shouts a couple of times during her intense performance:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="jqXyjbgs5rU" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/jqXyjbgs5rU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jqXyjbgs5rU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>If you haven't seen "<a contents="20 Feet From Stardom" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RF07cC" target="_blank">20 Feet From Stardom</a>" -- the 2013 Academy-Award-winning documentary about background singers -- go find a copy and watch it tonight! It's an amazing view into what it was like for these African-American women lending their talents -- and in many cases making the <a contents="songs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1qo6j1Q" target="_blank">songs</a> hits -- for white artists from the Stones to Joe Cocker to Elton John, Springsteen and Sting.<br><br>No matter how many times we hear it, Merry's vocals on "<a contents="Gimme Shelter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1UAcrk5" target="_blank">Gimme Shelter</a>" give us goosebumps. Watch Merry tell her story about that night in 1969:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ChONufP0FEs" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ChONufP0FEs/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ChONufP0FEs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Stones track? What's your <a contents="favorite Stones album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RGViQ1" target="_blank">favorite Stones album</a>? Leave us a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Was Michael Jackson At Age 11 The Greatest Singer Ever?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/was-michael-jackson-at-age-11-the-greatest-singer-ever" target="_blank">Was Michael Jackson At Age 11 The Greatest Singer Ever?</a><br><a contents="Hear David Bowie's Isolated Vocals On "Under Pressure"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/hear-david-bowie-s-isolated-vocals-on-under-pressure" target="_blank">Hear David Bowie's Isolated Vocals On "Under Pressure"</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/40048302016-02-04T18:33:46-08:002020-08-08T18:39:57-07:00Tribute to Glenn Frey the Songwriter<span class="font_large">We're huge <a contents="Eagles" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1ZW2ixZ" target="_blank">Eagles</a> fans here at Gooseneck HQ, and especially fans of Glenn Frey. He played many roles in the Eagles -- singer, guitar player, ringleader. But probably the greatest role he played was songwriter. <br><br>He wasn't the greatest singer in the band (that was Henley), or the most accomplished musician (Leadon, Felder, Walsh). But he was arguably the best songwriter. Or at least the best co-writer, since he routinely crafted tunes with <a contents="Don Henley" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1UN5fBD" target="_blank">Don Henley</a>, <a contents="J.D. Souther" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1ZW2InO" target="_blank">J.D. Souther</a>, <a contents="Jackson Browne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/238Cocb" target="_blank">Jackson Browne</a> and <a contents="Jack Tempchin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/221KWPC" target="_blank">Jack Tempchin</a>.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/22d1f1f1561259538e28b34a88aacf11587e62d2/original/glenn-frey.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Glenn's songs were catchy, melodic, musically interesting. But also great stories. He drew part of his sound from country music, but he also drew from country storytelling. He had an eye for the small details that bring a story to life. Can't you picture him standing on that corner in Winslow, Arizona when that girl drives by and looks him over?<br><br>He had a knack for song titles. Watch the sections of <a contents="History of the Eagles documentary" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1UN5woa" target="_blank">History of the Eagles documentary</a> where Glenn tells stories about coming up with song titles -- often by accident -- then realizing they'd make great songs.<br><br>Take <a contents="Lyin' Eyes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1M8MR35" target="_blank"><em>Lyin' Eyes</em></a> for example. The Eagles spent many nights in the bar at Dan Tana's in Hollywood surrounded by beautiful women, many of whom were there with older, rich but unattractive men. One night Glenn saw a particularly stunning lady with an older man and said to Don, "Look, she can't even hide her lyin' eyes." They quickly realized they had a song-in-the-making and started grabbing napkins to scribble the rest of the verses.<br><br>Or the time when Glenn recounted a story about speeding down the PCH with his, ahem, drug dealer. They were going way too fast for Glenn's comfort, especially since he didn't want to get pulled over by the cops. Glenn told the guy to slow down, and the dealer replied, "<a contents="Life in the fast lane" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1M8MTYJ" target="_blank">Life in the fast lane</a>, baby!"<br><br>Watch this old but great interview with Glenn and (of all people) Bob Costas, in which Glenn deconstructs some of their songs. He regales Costas with fun anecdotes, like how much he and Henley admired Steely Dan for "the bravery" of their lyrics.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="iHPwHeTLLV0" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/iHPwHeTLLV0/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iHPwHeTLLV0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>As you can tell from this interview, <a contents="Glenn Frey" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/231ZVPm" target="_blank">Glenn Frey</a> knew songwriting was as much about the craft as the muse. He learned that lesson early in his career when sharing a house with J.D. Souther and Jackson Browne in L.A.'s Echo Park neighborhood. While he and Souther were hanging out not doing much of anything, they heard Jackson Browne downstairs endlessly refining and perfecting his songs on piano, crafting and re-crafting every lyric line, each verse, every chorus. That's when he learned songwriting was not about waiting for moments of divine inspiration, but rather plain old elbow grease. And based on his <a contents="amazing songbook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1ZW2ixZ" target="_blank">amazing songbook</a>, he put in plenty of hard work. RIP Glenn.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn: What's your favorite Eagles song? Favorite Eagles album? What's your favorite Glenn Frey track?<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents='Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tom-petty-outtakes-from-full-moon-fever" target="_blank">Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"</a><br><a contents="Who's The Deacon In Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/who-s-the-deacon-in-steely-dan-s-deacon-blues" target="_blank">Who's The Deacon In Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues"</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39839792016-01-11T11:34:45-08:002017-01-15T13:24:53-08:00Hear David Bowie's Isolated Vocals on "Under Pressure"<span class="font_large">How many great songs were written and recorded in a single day in a burst of creativity? David Bowie and Queen's "Under Pressure" is one of those songs, according to this excellent <a contents="Open Culture article." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.openculture.com/2014/06/the-making-of-under-pressure.html" target="_blank">Open Culture article.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/f3fa417f051b805add359c57685d988612987f5f/original/bowie-mercury.jpg?1452540954" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br><br>Back in 1981, David Bowie was visiting Queen in the studio to sing background vocals on a song called "Cool Cat." But then they got inspired playing around with some ideas that would turn into "Under Pressure" (including the iconic bass line that would later be famously sampled by you-know-who). So inspired they finished the song that same night. <br><br>What a great pairing these two singers were. They were both theatrical and wildly creative artists, musically inventive and lyrically ambitious.<br><br>The track features their inspired vocal scatting, with the two of them trading lines back and forth. Sounds like these were their original creative ideas, maybe even just rough placeholders before they had lyrics. But then it sounded so good, they left it as-is.<br><br>Click on the video to hear a vocals-only version of the song. And keep in mind this was before Autotune, before pitch correction and other studio enhancements. Just the real deal.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="uMQb9LCNGxs" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/uMQb9LCNGxs/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uMQb9LCNGxs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>Sad to think both of these great artists are now gone. RIP David Bowie.<br><br>Related resources:<br><br><a contents="The Making of Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.openculture.com/2015/01/50-years-of-changing-david-bowie-hair-styles-in-one-animated-gif.html" target="_blank">The Making of Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure"</a><br><br><a contents='"Under Pressure" on Wikipedia' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_Pressure" target="_blank">"Under Pressure" on Wikipedia</a><br><br><a contents='"Under Pressure" on Songfacts' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1383" target="_blank">"Under Pressure" on Songfacts</a></span><br><br><span class="font_large"><a contents="50 Years of Changing David Bowie Hairstyles in One Animated GIF" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.openculture.com/2015/01/50-years-of-changing-david-bowie-hair-styles-in-one-animated-gif.html" target="_blank">50 Years of Changing David Bowie Hairstyles in One Animated GIF</a><br><br><a contents="David Bowie RIP Sings Changes in Last Live Performance 2006" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.openculture.com/2016/01/david-bowie-rip-sings-changes-in-his-last-live-performance-2006.html" target="_blank">David Bowie RIP Sings Changes in Last Live Performance 2006</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39551072016-01-10T16:22:32-08:002020-01-07T04:57:37-08:00Cool Stories Behind New Beatles Videos<div><span class="font_large">What were the first music videos? "Promos" made by the Beatles nearly fifty years ago.<br><br>No one's probably more surprised than the remaining Beatles that these early videos -- material they thought was basically disposable -- would not only still be around but also presented in this great new package, <a contents="Beatles 1+" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RxBhyO" target="_blank">Beatles 1+</a>.</span></div>
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<br><span class="font_large">The Fab Four started making these "mini movies" to promote their records. But they also became an alternative to touring, since it became so difficult for the Beatles to travel and tour since they were mobbed wherever they went. The movies gave fans access to the Beatles in the absence of tours.<br><br>It's great to hear <a contents="director Michael Lindsay-Hogg" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/232uc0k" target="_blank">director Michael Lindsay-Hogg</a> talk about his work with the band during their early, more innocent period. But then he went on to direct the epic <a contents="Let It Be" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RVuPDS" target="_blank"><em>Let It Be</em></a>, in which the fab four were far less innocent. Indeed, they unwittingly exposed their tumultuous breakup in that movie.<br><br>Click the image below or this link for <a contents="Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg on the Definitive New Beatles Video Set" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/11/director-michael-lindsay-hogg-beatles-videos" target="_blank">Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg on the Definitive New Beatles Video Set<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/aee8f4817cca73ff76ea38f3cbaf19e9adf846bf/original/beatles.jpg?1449585799" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br>If you like this post, you might also like <a contents="Tribute to George Martin, the Fifth Beatle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tribute-to-george-martin-the-fifth-beatle" target="_blank">Tribute to George Martin, the Fifth Beatle</a>.<br><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What are your favorite Beatles songs? Favorite <a contents="Beatles albums" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1RVuWiy" target="_blank">Beatles albums</a>? Favorite <a contents="Beatles movies" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/238NSMG" target="_blank">Beatles movies</a>? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Tribute To George Martin, The Fifth Beatle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tribute-to-george-martin-the-fifth-beatle" target="_blank">Tribute To George Martin, The Fifth Beatle</a><br><a contents='Jimmy Page On Writing And Recording "Stairway To Heaven"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/jimmy-page-on-writing-and-recording-stairway-to-heaven" target="_blank">Jimmy Page On Writing And Recording "Stairway To Heaven"</a></span><br> </div>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39672832016-01-02T13:27:22-08:002017-06-26T18:27:33-07:00Jimmy Page on Writing and Recording "Stairway to Heaven"<span class="font_large">Ok, so the last time we thought about "<a contents="Stairway to Heaven" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1X8SMFU" target="_blank">Stairway to Heaven</a>" was when it was portrayed -- as a joke -- on <a contents="Wayne's World" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1M8MoOg" target="_blank"><em>Wayne's World</em></a>. It's the scene where Wayne picks up a guitar and starts to play the song's opening notes, but the clerk stops him and points to a sign in the store that says NO STAIRWAY.<br><br>But then we saw this video of Jimmy Page and it changed our view of the song. Jimmy is listening through the song -- on vinyl! -- and explaining how they wrote and recorded it at Headley Grange, a "cottage" (more like a castle) in the English countryside.<br><br>Jimmy said their goal was to create a long piece of music that started quietly with an exposed acoustic guitar. It would keep unfolding with more layers and moods, building momentum until the soaring climax. <br><br>Here's the <a contents="BBC News video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDo4CA13LbY" target="_blank">BBC News video</a> of Jimmy's commentary about how they wrote it:</span>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="DDo4CA13LbY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/DDo4CA13LbY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DDo4CA13LbY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>"It was a very inspired time for all of us," according to Jimmy. He said part of the reason they were so productive is that they were living together at Headley Grange, without the distractions of London. They were basically doing nothing else but eating, sleeping and making music.</span></p><br><span class="font_large">Some of the highlights of how they developed the song:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">The recorders during the song's intro were John Paul Jones's idea, and made it sound "medieval." </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Robert Plant came up with the lyrics quickly. Jimmy says he vividly remembers Robert sitting against the wall with a notepad, dashing off the lyrics after just a couple times listening through. </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">The concept of the solo was to create a definite transition -- a "fanfare" -- so the solo could "soar through to the end."</span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large">The story behind Headley Grange is also interesting. Turns out a bunch of great records were made there. From <a contents="Led Zeppelin III" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1M8MqFY" target="_blank">Led Zeppelin III</a> and IV to the epic Genesis album, <a contents="The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/221JzAo" target="_blank"><em>The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway</em></a>. There's some great insight into the recording process in this article: <a contents="Led Zeppelin at Headley Grange" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.philsbook.com/rolling-mobile-3.htm" target="_blank">Led Zeppelin at Headley Grange</a>.<br><br>In fact, the song "<a contents="Black Dog" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1X8SMFU" target="_blank">Black Dog</a>" was inspired by a black labrador that was hanging around the property during the recording sessions.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/e72394dca6f151f1f889eaa096fe5e35d00c57f1/medium/led-zeppelin-at-headley-grange.gif?1450903050" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. If you like this post, leave us a comment. What's your favorite Zeppelin track? Favorite album?<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"</a><br><a contents="Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/aerosmith-s-real-life-spinal-tap" target="_blank">Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39660112015-12-19T14:48:33-08:002022-10-04T02:52:25-07:00Why ZZ Top's "Tush" Is Not What You Think<span class="font_large">We always assumed the great ZZ Top song "<a contents="Tush" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1Njpi85" target="_blank">Tush</a>" was an appreciation of the ladies, an homage to the derriere, written in reverence for the rear. But it turns out "tush" is a Southern expression that means plush, or deluxe. In the article below, Billy Gibbons talks about the origins of the song, which was written before a rodeo show in Florence, Alabama in the mid-'70s. <br><br>By the way, how many great songs have been written at sound check? "Tush" is another example of a classic song that ZZ cooked up in a few minutes after Billy G. started playing that riff. Learn all about it, plus other ZZ Top tunes, by clicking the image below or <a contents="this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/billy-gibbons-my-life-in-15-songs-20151110/tush-1975-20151109" target="_blank">this link</a>.<br><br>And if you like this post, check out the rest of the <a contents="GOOSENECK BLOG" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog" target="_blank">GOOSENECK BLOG</a> here.</span><br> <div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/d0d31321a51e7aee616830c6392bc915d29fd22d/medium/zz-top.jpg?1450564871" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="" /><p class="caption"></p></div>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39494202015-12-04T07:35:26-08:002022-05-04T23:11:00-07:00Who's The Deacon In Steely Dan's Deacon Blues?<span class="font_large">If Alabama gets a cool-sounding name like Crimson Tide, why can't a loser get a cool name too? That's the premise behind Donald and Walter's classic "<a contents="Deacon Blues" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1rBSyNS" target="_blank">Deacon Blues</a>."<br><br>They wrote this one in Malibu when they were at the height of their powers making <a contents="Aja" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1rBSyNS" target="_blank"><em>Aja</em></a>. But this track has an unmistakable New York jazz sound and makes us wonder whether Donald and Walter were homesick for the Big Apple at the time.<br><br>Turns out the name Deacon was taken from Deacon Jones, the NFL lineman during that era in the '70s. Donald and Walter weren't football fans, they just liked the sound of the name and the way "deacon blues" contrasted with "crimson tide."<br><br>One of our favorite stories from this article comes from Pete Christlieb, who played the iconic sax solo in the song. He was the tenor player in the Johnny Carson-era Tonight Show band. One evening after taping that show, he went down to the studio and cut this solo for the Dan.<br><br>He said it took all of 30 minutes. The next thing he knew he was hearing himself "in every airport bathroom in the world." Read more about it by <a contents="clicking the image" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-steely-dan-created-deacon-blues-1441727645" target="_blank">clicking the image</a> below.</span><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-steely-dan-created-deacon-blues-1441727645" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/49f3b750afb47a123b6e6212c5f847a04ddf425f/medium/steely-dan.jpg?1449243165" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Steely Dan album? Favorite Dan song? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Steely Dan's Aja Is Pure Genius" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-aja-is-pure-genius" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Aja Is Pure Genius</a><br><a contents="Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/steely-dan-s-great-lost-song-second-arrangement" target="_blank">Steely Dan's Long-Lost Song "Second Arrangement"</a></span><br><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39356522015-12-01T17:58:24-08:002021-12-22T05:24:53-08:00This Is Where Aerosmith Got The Title For "Walk This Way"<span class="font_large">Believe it or not, the title for Aerosmith's song "<a contents="Walk This Way" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/21aO24W" target="_blank">Walk This Way</a>" was inspired by a famous line in Mel Brooks's classic comedy <em>Young Frankenstein</em>.<br><br>It's the scene where Marty Feldman, who plays Igor in the movie, says to Gene Wilder's character "walk this way" and then shuffles off with a pronounced limp, with Wilder hilariously limping behind him.<br><br>Apparently the boys in <a contents="Aerosmith" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/21aO24W" target="_blank">Aerosmith</a> were taking a break from recording in early 1975 and went to see this movie, while Steven Tyler stayed behind in the studio to work on lyrics. When they returned from watching the film, Steven was stumped and having a tough time finishing the tune.<br><br>To break the logjam, producer Jack Douglas suggested they call it "Walk This Way" from the famous scene in the movie. Now, were the boys in the band enjoying any other substances when they cooked up this idea? Who knows...In any case, click on <a contents="this article" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-aerosmith-created-walk-this-way-1410275586" target="_blank">this article</a> or the image below to see the full story on how they wrote and recorded this classic.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-aerosmith-created-walk-this-way-1410275586" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/a5a8fbf0108f29b283710aa7fb67bd60e4a2f0db/medium/aerosmith.jpg?1449021075" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Aerosmith track? Favorite album? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/aerosmith-s-real-life-spinal-tap" target="_blank">Aerosmith's Real Life "Spinal Tap"</a><br><a contents='Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tom-petty-outtakes-from-full-moon-fever" target="_blank">Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"</a></span><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39338242015-11-24T16:37:00-08:002023-07-08T11:38:12-07:008 Amazing Songs From Lowell George, Allen Toussaint and...Robert Palmer?<span class="font_large">Allen Toussaint's recent passing got us thinking about some of the funkiest New Orleans music ever to be laid down by a ....white Englishman. His name was Robert Palmer, and in 1974 he released the classic album "<a contents="Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1SlAVf9" target="_blank">Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley</a>."<br><br>This was before "Addicted to Love," before "Simply Irresistible" and before the cheesy '80s MTV videos with guitar-wielding models. Early in his career Palmer went down to New Orleans to cut tracks at Toussaint's studio (Sea-Saint) with a world-beating rhythm section made up of The Meters and Lowell George.<br><br>The album kicks off with a version of Little Feat's "Sailing Shoes" featuring Lowell on slide. The third track is a deeply funky, Meters-inflected version of Toussaint's song "<a contents="Sneakin' Sally" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1SlAVf9" target="_blank">Sneakin' Sally</a>."<br><br>Bottom line: If you love funky New Orleans music, you need to get a copy of <a contents="Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1SlAVf9" target="_blank">Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley</a> today! Here's where you can find a copy on <a contents="Amazon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1SlAVf9" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://ultimateclassicrock.com/robert-palmer-sneakin-sally/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/8213922dfa51c26d8da824c8db3fbe2307b9be3d/medium/robert-palmer-sneakin-sally-through-the-alley.jpg?1448411678" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite track on this record? Favorite Robert Palmer song overall? Leave a comment and let us know!<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="What Makes Bonnie Raitt So Great?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/what-makes-bonnie-raitt-so-great" target="_blank">What Makes Bonnie Raitt So Great?</a><br><a contents='Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/tom-petty-outtakes-from-full-moon-fever" target="_blank">Tom Petty Outtakes From "Full Moon Fever"</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/39301152015-11-22T16:56:49-08:002020-10-09T23:50:48-07:00Is Anybody Cooler Than Billy Gibbons?<br><span style="font-size: 17px;">Good news for ZZ Top fans. Billy Gibbons has a new solo record out, called <a contents="Perfectamundo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aP4uCQ" target="_blank">Perfectamundo</a>, and we love what we've heard so far! <br><br>As you'd expect, there's the unmistakable bluesy grit in Billy's guitar playing. But what makes this record unique is that he's added some <a contents="Latin flavors" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aP4uCQ" target="_blank">Latin flavors</a> to the stew. Houston funk and Latin boogie, a combination make in funky heaven. <br><br>Click on the photo below to check it out:</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/2aP4uCQ" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/2b574d47389f36c123f6f35520863fbc2289a68f/original/1035x1495-billyg.jpg?1448239852" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><strong>Leave A Comment</strong><br><br>Now it's your turn. What's your favorite song on this record? What's your favorite ZZ Top record?<br><br>And if you like this post, you might also like:<br><a contents="Why ZZ Top's "Tush" Is Not What You Think" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/why-zz-top-s-tush-is-not-what-you-think" target="_blank">Why ZZ Top's "Tush" Is Not What You Think</a><br><a contents="Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gooseneckmusic.com/blog/blog/frank-zappa-was-not-your-average-guitar-hero" target="_blank">Frank Zappa Was Not Your Average Guitar Hero</a></span>Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/38163272015-08-21T15:17:34-07:002017-01-15T13:24:52-08:00Making a "Hot" Summer Song, Part 2<br><span class="font_large"><em>Don't bore us, get to the chorus</em>.<br><br>Those are words to live by when it comes to summer music. A good summer song has to have a catchy hook. It's gotta make you want to sing along in the car, in the shower, or on the beach.<br><br>Now, let's be clear: We're not saying we <em>succeeded</em> in writing a good summer song, just that we tried to do it. You can be the judge of whether we pulled it off in our new song, "Hot Mess."</span><br><br><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/9a8222b6b362fee60a4a40dffa76729a4678c516/original/gooseneck-hot-mess.jpg?1438908745" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span><br><span style="color:#0000CD;"><strong><span class="font_large">Catchy As F*ck</span></strong></span><br><br><span class="font_large">One of the greatest compliments we received after releasing our first EP came from a fan on Facebook who wrote, <em>This is catchy as f*ck!</em><br><br>Not the kind of comment we can forward to our mothers, but we'll take it!<br><br>On "Hot Mess" we tried to write a hook with some heat, like looking down an asphalt street in New Orleans on a hundred-degree day. It's a call-and-response between the lead and background vocals, like an exchange between a judge and jury, or a preacher and choir.<br><br>Check out this video of T.J. (and The T.J.s!) laying down the chorus on this tune:<br><br> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Hl6CzUPFmpE" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Hl6CzUPFmpE/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hl6CzUPFmpE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br><span style="color:#0000CD;"><strong><span class="font_large">Share The Love</span></strong></span><br><br><span class="font_large">If you're digging Gooseneck and like this post, spread the word by hitting the share button!</span><br> <hr><hr><hr><br> Goosenecktag:gooseneckmusic.com,2005:Post/38060832015-08-07T18:29:12-07:002017-01-15T13:24:52-08:00Making A "Hot" Summer Song, Part 1<p class="p1"><br><span class="font_large"><span class="s1"><em>Hot town, summer in the city</em>. Ain't that the truth this year, with heat waves and record temperatures scorching the country, from Seattle to Savannah.<br><br>When it's summer, you want to hear that slinky, sticky, sizzling music. Whether it's songs <i>about</i> summer, or just music that makes you want to roll down the windows, crank up the volume and play dashboard drummer.<br><br>In our new song "Hot Mess" we tried to capture a summer sound that goes with barbecue and beer, a day on the beach, or a night on Bourbon Street.</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/83588/3f55ff4d220fe75c017b2348affcda9e25384544/original/bourbon-street-image.jpg?1438996696" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p class="p2"><br><span style="color:#0000CD;"><strong><span class="font_large"><span class="s1">How Loose Is Your Goose?</span></span></strong></span><br><br><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">The heart of a summer song is a great groove. And the heartbeat of Gooseneck is funky drummer Cam Tyler.<br><br>We think Cam laid down some of his best playing yet on "Hot Mess." Part of what makes it funky is his syncopated snare track. Instead of the typical downbeats on 2 and 4, he gooses the first snare ahead of the beat, giving it extra wiggle. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Underneath the snare is a kick drum pattern based on the “Bo Diddley” beat, or second line clave rhythm. "Hot Mess" is set in New Orleans, so we wanted to incorporate that second line sound and groove.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Check out this short video clip of Cam and Will laying down the rhythm tracks on “Hot Mess”:</span></p>
<p class="p2"><br><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="08Kxj0KgqpQ" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/08Kxj0KgqpQ/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/08Kxj0KgqpQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>Next up in part 2 of this series: We take a look at singer T.J. Wilkins </span><span class="font_large">cutting the vocals for "Hot Mess." Stay tuned for more.</span><br><br><span style="color:#0000CD;"><strong><span class="font_large">Share The Love</span></strong></span><br><br><span class="font_large">If you're digging Gooseneck and like this post, spread the word by hitting the share button!</span></p>Gooseneck