It's been awhile since we ran a comments page ... so let's get right to it and do some catching up!
re: TOTO:
Hi Kent,
Good review as usual.
I suspect they keep the new stuff in their set to keep themselves from going crazy. I also think they are bigger in Europe and Japan than they are here these days so just use the same set. Have no idea though.
I was a big fan through their first five albums and then it *did* sort of sound like a rehash of what had come before so I lost interest. I haven't heard all the stuff since the 5th album, but bits and pieces. They are just monster players though and I'd still love to see them.
Lukather is an absolutely amazing guitar player. He know's when to show off his technique, but also has a wonderful sense of melody in his playing.
They sure played a lot on other folks albums as well.
Bill
Plenty of chances to catch them this summer (depending where you live, of course!)
Click here: Toto Tour
A very fair, accurate and honest review. Thank you.
Frank
Hi,
Thank you for reviewing the Toto concert in your current issue of Forgotten Hits. I really enjoyed it and felt it was, as always, your honest appraisal of what you heard.
I think I generally agree that Toto is a "Love 'em or Hate 'em" band - and I'm firmly in the "Love 'em" camp. I have seen them three times and I'd gladly see them once again if the opportunity arises. I had the fortune of seeing them on their Toto IV tour with Timothy B. Schmit singing backup vocals, sitting directly against the stage as they ripped through one great song after another, barely stopping to catch their breath. As always, it was a superb show where several members shared the vocals and the spotlight. It was a musical journey filled with great moments and won't be forgotten.
To be fair, as you stated, it's tough to tie these guys to any one style of music, and that adds to their overall sense of wonder. I have several live cps and dvds and enjoy them all. May they continue to entertain their fans for many more years to come.
Jim Hill
Ellicott City, Maryland
Hey Kent,
Interesting review of the Toto concert at the Arcada. I have always thought that the band was a revolving door of musicians over the years, so I was curious and found a list of all the members, since Toto was formed in 1977. One of the "players" listed was Rascal Flatts on vocals and guitars. What? Really?? Yes, the group Rascal Flatts actually sat in with the band at the Musicians Hall of Fame Awards one year. Lead singer, Gary LeVox (who changed his real last name to "The Voice"), hit all the high notes, and the two groups looked like they had fun on stage. This is a chopped up, amateur video I found, but it gets the feel of the night across.
- John LaPuzza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgx1McOxyFk
re: SWEET 16's:
A few more for your money list:
"You Never Give Me Your Money" - The Beatles
"Money For Nothing" - Dire Straits
"Free Money" - Patti Smith
"Money Changes Everything" - Cyndi Lauper
and ...
"Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand" - Primitive Radio Gods
If all goes well I'll be speaking with the Honorable John Hall of Orleans in a few days.
Be Well,
Carl Wiser
www.songfacts.com
We actually featured quite a few of these (The Beatles, Dire Straits and Cyndi Lauper) as part of our SWEET 16 salute. I LOVE that Primitive Radio Gods track ,... haven't heard it i ages! ... but would have NEVER thought of it as a money song (kk)
Hola Kent,
There is no greater treat than an American Road Trip, replete with Oldies blaring from the speakers and a sense of freedom unmatched anywhere else in the world. So I have to comment on your 'Road Trip Songs Tribute' collection. How could you not have included "Route 66" the seminal road song of our youth, and still a great route to enjoy times past. Michael Parks' "Long Lonesome Highway" is also a credible candidate ... certainly there are others that were overlooked. I can only surmise that this Summah's "Heat Dome" has effected your thought process.
The 'Wild Wild West' show was a great TV offering and it just goes to show haw vast the entertainment that was available to us that you totally missed it.
Well I'm off ... Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino ... getting my kicks, loving life and listenin' to the Oldies.
Happy Motoring,
CharlieOFD
As mentioned several times before, you can only squeeze so many in when you limit yourself to just sixteen tracks within a given theme. (I actually considered holding off on my "road trip" baker's dozen because I easily could have turned that into a SWEET 16 segment, too. Still kicking myself for leaving of "Rockin' Down The Highway" by The Doobie Brothers!!!) Your suggestions are excellent candidates, by the way ... just couldn't go over my limit.
And the truth is, we've only got so many SWEET 16 opportunities left ... I'm thinking 8 or 9 at best before we hit 2017 ... and "Sweet 17" just doesn't work. (Besides, we've already got an amazing Forgotten Hits extravaganza planned for next year ... and I can't wait to unveil it!) kk
I look forward to The Sunday Comments every week ... so was disappointed to see that this weekend you weren't able to post because you were on a "road trip". Well, I guess everybody deserves a break now and then!
Dennis
This was a very busy weekend between the Toto concert on Saturday and then driving the youngest back to school (an eight hour round trip on Sunday) ... add in a 65 hour work week and there was little time for anything else. But we're more than making up for it with this weekend's JUMBO EDITION of The Sunday Comments today. (kk)
re: OOPS!:
>>>And on this date in 2010, Bobby Thomson (whose "shot heard 'round the world" won the 1951 World Series for The New York Giants), died. (kk)
Just the National Pennant in those ancient days when it was more meaningful than the semi-final it is today.
Hil
Yep, I really blew it on this one ... another case of typing quickly, thinking ahead of what I wanted to say ... without reading the complete facts of the calendar at hand. To cap it off, it was a three game playoff series between the Giants and the cross-town rival Brooklyn Dodgers and game in the 9th inning of Game 3 with The Giants trailing 4-2. I've seen the clip a thousand times ... and still passed along the wrong information on the site today. Damn! (kk)
(Just TRY to watch this without smiling!!!) kk
re: ON THE RADIO:
Hi Kent -
I just got back to Chicagoland after having been gone most of the year. I flipped on The Drive and noticed a jarring change almost immediately.
For lack of a better word, The Drive is now Radioey. They are giving patronizing shouts out to people in various suburbs and even handing over certain benchmarks to listeners. Like Suzy from Crystal Lake, who submitted today's 10 at 10 with songs about her favorite colors, etc.
Also they are obsessed with history and backstory. That's your thing, Kent. I don't need to be constantly reminded how old the music is and how old I am lol.
Is it just me or is anybody else bothered by this? The music is still good but the presentation, which used to seem so magically effortless, now seems forced and gratuitous.
Also I notice a few familiar DJs are gone. It seems like they are paving paradise and putting up a parking lot.
Jim Shea
You're right ... The Drive doesn't seem to be quite the station "all about the music" that it used to be ... but it's still a great selection of Classic Rock songs. (And nothing beats their A to Z specials) See if you can pick up 87.7FM (Me-TV-FM) while you're around the area and let me know what you think. 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and even a few newer tracks thrown in here and there ... but a playlist of over 3000 songs including LOTS of Forgotten Hits you never hear anymore. (It leans a little soft rock ... and the obscure album cuts they play are neither timeless nor memorable ... but the variety is just killer.) kk
Yeah the Drive has really changed. They're doing listen for the sounder call in and win contests and all kinds of clutter that they would have been too cool to do a year ago. They're gonna play Sugar Sugar any day now, wait for it.
I'll have to check out that station. Keep up the great work!!!
Jim
Hi Kent -
Living in the NY area, I remember well the WMCA "Good Guy" Dandy Dan Daniels. It was a nice tribute to him, the video on your website, and his talent. He was a very good announcer and, as you can see, so good at multi tasking. He was a warm and friendly personality and easy on the ears. He was in love with his wife. He would close the show saying something like "Can't wait to see you, especially you, 'size 9'." (His loving wife.) I guess it's not pc but who cares. The love was there. Those were the good old days of radio. I listened to him and all of the good guys constantly. But I must confess, that I would switch stations when I didn't like the song and go to WABC their competitor. I express my condolences to his family for their loss.
Sandy
To My Friends and Fans,
Those of you on FaceBook may already know this, but just to make sure, I'm emailing you advance notice:
You may be aware that PURE POP RADIO, the preeminent online rock station, has been playing cuts from my new album MAGELLAN WAS WRONG. Even better, Alan Haber, the station's founder and program director, has done an in-depth interview with me all about the songs on the disc.
I was in a super-loquacious mood that day and rapped the dude's ear off till he was able to scrape me off the phone. But he's whittled the interview down to about an hour.
He also spoke with musician / producer extraordinaire Jamie Hoover, about his contribution to the album. Jamie produced, arranged, sang back-up and played on many of the cuts.
But it won't be all talk all the time. Alan will also be playing some of the songs.
The show will air at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23rd, at 8 p.m.
Here's the link to listen live:
http://www.streamlicensing.com/play/player.php?sid=1771&stream_id=3015
Of course I realize some of you turkeys are as flaky as I am and won't retain this ... so I will send out a reminder closer to the time. But for those of you who like to plan ahead, and who might be interested, consider this a "first call."
Yers,
Bob Lind
www.boblind.com
Bob and his manager Jill were kind enough to allow Forgotten Hits to "sneak peek" a track from his new album a couple of weeks ago in Forgotten Hits. (Scroll back to August 4th to give it a listen.) Hope the album's a huge success, Bob ... 'cause I'm still banking on my lunch with you at your favorite Chicago Irish Restaurant, McDonald's!!! (kk)
re: OUR LOCAL HEROES:
Hi Kent -
What about Jimy Sohns & The Shadows of Knight Reunion Concert? Was it this past weekend?
If so, I hope someone took photos or can give a comment or two??
Carolyn
It was supposed to be on the 14th, but if it happened, we missed it ... maybe someone else on the list was there and can file a complete report?
Meanwhile, FH Reader David Lewis (who lives in Nashville!) tells us about ANOTHER Shadows Of Knight / Jimy Sohns Tribute Show scheduled to happened yesterday ... I honestly don't know if this is second show or if the original show planned for last weekend was postponed and moved to this weekend. (I'm so confused!!!)
Anyway, here is David's report ...
In case you didn't see this additional info elsewhere. Dick Biondi! Jim Peterik! Jim Pilster! Rick Barr! Ted Aliotta! And, among the original band members, Hawk Wollinski who lives near us. Wish we were headed up there to see the show this weekend too.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:Dick Biondi (WLS-FM) and Jim Peterik (The Ides of March) will be MCing The Shadows of Knight Reunion Concert on August 20th! This is your chance to be part of history. Don't miss it. Wear your best stuff because everything will be filmed!
Here's the lineup:
Starting off the show will be
Kevin Lee & the Kings 8-8:40
The CURRENT Shadows of Knight including special guests Jim Peterik of The Ides of March, Tom Doody (Toad) and Jim Pilster (Hooke) of The Cryan' Shames, Rick Barr of The New Colony Six (Rick also plays drums for The Shadows Of Knight these days), Bobby Koll and Chris Minardi of Hot Rocks, Lorrie Kountz and Patti Prendergast from Bitch, Jeff Millar-Sax, Ted Aliotta of Aliotta, Haynes, Jeremiah will play harp on all Shadows songs: 9:00-10:15
The ORIGINAL Shadows of Knight including Jimy Sohns, Jerry McGeorge, Hawk Wolinski, and Tom Schiffour with Mike and Cindy Gotshall, and Greg Brucker: 1015-11:30
And, in other local news, here's a tidbit on an upcoming New Colony Six appearance ...
Open to the public ...
The New Colony Six, live in concert, Thursday, 9/29/2016, 7 to 9 PM
Get your tickets now to this "indoor"concert event
Call Del Web / Sun City at 847-515-7650 or visit the website: http://www.sccah.com
Tickets are available now ... $25 advance OR on event day:$30
Register by phone 847-515-7650 - Discover, Master Card, American Express
Location: 12880 Del Webb Blvd. / Huntley, IL 60142
A meet and greet will be held before and after the concert.
Be there!
Thank you,
Nc6
www.newcolonysix.com
Pass the word!
re: BEATLES NEWS:
Ringo Starr became a Great-Grandfather last week as his son Zak's daughter Tatia gave birth to a son on August 14th. (Yep, we're ALL getting older!!!)
On a related note, Paul McCartney captured the cover of the brand new issue of Rolling Stone and when I went to buy a copy at Barnes and Noble the check clerk (a woman well into her 70's) looked at Paul's picture and exclaimed "Oh my God, is that Paul McCartney?!?!" Once again I said, "Yep, we're all getting older" to which she replied "I know ... but not a Beatle ... this isn't supposed to happen to a Beatle."
So, once again I had to explain that when The Beatles first hit here in America and I bought the "Meet The Beatles" album, Paul McCartney was TWICE as old as me ... in 1964, he was 22 and I was 11 ... and yet, as time has passed over the last 50+ years he's now only eleven years older than me ... and somehow this just doesn't seem to be fair.
Sir Paul also re-signed with Capitol Records this week, too ... and reportedly has a new album in the works. (His complete solo catalog comes with him ... and Capitol is planning some major reissues for next year. Yeah, like rebuying "The McCartney Collection" at about $100 a pop isn't already enough!) Actually, I hope this series continues ... too many great LPs still to be given the royal treatment! (kk)
I think when John Lennon made his "Bigger than Jesus" comment he wasn't so much condemning religion or Christianity as he was expressing dismay and personal amusement at the way the general public idolizes mortal celebrities -- as if they have some sort of divine or metaphysical nature about them.
Tal Hartsfeld
This is absolutely the case. It was more a jab at society for putting its faith in false, fly-by-night heroes ... and not a jab at Christianity or religion at all. But it was taken completely out of context and turned into "bragging rights" about how popular The Beatles were at the time ... which was nowhere even remotely near the intent. (kk)
I can't wait for the new Ron Howard film to open. (September 9th in theaters) Paul seems very high on the film, too ... and wants "Let It Be" to finally come out on home video as well. (How is it possible that this STILL is not available in commercial release when their entire catalog, including a deluge of previously unreleased studio tracks, live tracks and BBC broadcasts are now available???) The new "Hollywood Bowl" CD is also coming out on the 9th. It's time for "Let It Be" to be available again.
I think instead of people supporting these Beatle copy bands they should watch Help! and A Hard Day's night and listen to their albums.
Billy J. Kramer
re: NEW RELEASES:
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ALBUMS OF ALL TIME EXAMINED
THE BEACH BOYS CLASSIC ALBUMS - PET SOUNDS
COMMEMORATING THE ALBUM’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
VIA EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT ON DVD AND BLU-RAY ~SEPTEMBER 23, 2016~
Groundbreaking and ahead of its time, Pet Sounds -- the 11th album by The Beach Boys -- was a pioneering feat in production, sound, and songwriting ... a work that continues to inspire musicians and fans to this day.
On September 23, 2016, Eagle Rock Entertainment will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at its creation with the release of Classic Albums – Pet Sounds, the latest addition to the acclaimed & award-winning Classic Albums series. Released on DVD and Blu-ray, [MSRP $21.98 Blu-ray, $15.98 DVD] this film tells the story behind the making of Pet Sounds, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The DVD / Blu-ray features over 30 minutes of additional interviews not included in the broadcast version, and clocks in at over one and half fascinating hours. Classic Albums – Pet Sounds features cuts from many of the iconic Pet Sounds album tracks including “God Only Knows,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Sloop John B,” “I Know There’s An Answer,” “Let’s Go Away For A While,” and “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times.”
Pet Sounds was recorded in late 1965 and early 1966 about a year after Brian Wilson had withdrawn from playing live with The Beach Boys in order to concentrate on composing and studio work. While the rest of the band were out on tour, Brian Wilson worked in the studio creating multi-layered compositions with painstaking attention to detail utilizing orchestration, sound effects and unusual instruments. When the band returned from tour, they went into the studio to add their trademark complex vocal harmonies. The new direction of the music caused some consternation within the group. The program explores the band’s relationship at this time as well as the creation of the music through interviews with all the surviving Beach Boys and others involved in the creation of the album.
The US press didn’t know what to make of the album at first, although it later became acknowledged as both important and influential. Contrarily, the album was immediately acclaimed and commercially successful in the UK, peaking at No.2 in the albums chart and remaining in the Top 10 for 6 months.
Pet Sounds is now universally regarded as one of the finest albums of the sixties and thoroughly merits its place in the Classic Albums series.
Click here to view trailer:
http://www.vevo.com/watch/GBC251602309
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTxfM-ltk8w
Pre-order here:
Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JACFG5W
DVD: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JACFFZI
This is JUST what I need ... an excuse to buy "Pet Sounds" for the 16th time in yet another configuration!!! I'm sure it's great ... and the sound is pretty incredible ... but seriously I've owned these recordings in every format known to man ... and now they're presenting it in two more?!?! (kk)
On the other hand, this one sounds really interesting ... plus they're even giving you duplicates within the same box set!!!
THE ROLLING STONES IN MONO BOX SET TO BE RELEASED BY ABKCO ON SEPT 30
16LPs /15 CDs with Original Brilliantly Recorded Mono Versions from 14 Studio Albums
and a Collection of Single and E.P. Tracks from the '60s
This year, for the first time ever, all mono studio recordings released by The Rolling Stones in the 1960s will be available in one unique historic collection. On September 30 ABKCO Records will make available world wide the vinyl and CD box sets of The Rolling Stones in Mono as well as Standard Digital, Mastered for iTunes and True HD (96k/24 bit, 192k/24 bit and DSD). The collection will contain a total of 186 tracks, 56 of which have never before been heard in mono since the advent of the digital age.
The Rolling Stones in Mono pre-order links:
https://abkco.lnk.to/MonoBoxLP
https://abkco.lnk.to/MonoBoxCD
Spanning the era between 1963 and 1969, The Rolling Stones in Mono covers the formative years of “The Greatest Rock & Roll Band in the World.” During this era, most rock and pop recordings were originally recorded in mono, with stereo often an afterthought, dealt with only following the completion of the original (mono) version of a given track. In short, mono reigned and this was, indeed, the case for the Rolling Stones during the period. While typical playback systems of the time were less than sophisticated, the original mono recordings, especially as heard through quality components, were of the highest audio quality and had a powerful and very direct impact. "You felt you were in the room . . . listening to exactly what went down in the studio, no frills, no nothing," Keith Richards wrote in his autobiography, Life. "Rock was a completely new musical form," Mick Jagger explained in a 1995 Rolling Stone interview. "It hadn't been around for ten years when we started doing it . . . You felt like one of the chosen few, one of the only ones in the world who would get to play with this new toy. We had evangelical fervor." Late recording engineer Dave Hassinger explained how he mixed his ’64-’66 work for the Stones in mono, "They always played together at the same time," Hassinger said. "They would run the parts down, work out the changes here and there, nail it down, then start recording."
Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke, in his 5,000-word essay that accompanies the set, writes, “The Rolling Stones in Mono is the full studio account of that first decade of history and mayhem, newly remastered with unprecedented fidelity and revelatory detail.” His commentaries are included with the vinyl and CD box sets as part of a 4-color deluxe 48 page lie flat book that features numerous rare photos by renowned photographer Terry O’Neill. The 16 LPs or 15 CDs are housed in the original full color album jackets that fit along with the book into a one piece specially crafted box.
The Rolling Stones in Mono was mastered by acclaimed GRAMMY® award winning engineer Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering. For the project he utilized Direct Stream Digital (DSD) transfers from the original master recordings, with a sampling rate of 2,822,400. Lacquer cutting for vinyl was performed at Abbey Road Studios by Alex Wharton and Sean Magee. All vinyl box sets will be numbered and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. The Rolling Stones in Mono project has been overseen by Teri Landi, ABKCO’s Grammy award winning Chief Audio Engineer.
The Rolling Stones In Mono [16 LP vinyl box set; 15 CD box set] (all tracks also available digitally)
1) The Rolling Stones (UK, 1964)
2) 12 X 5 (1964)
3) The Rolling Stones No. 2 (UK, 1965)
4) The Rolling Stones Now! (1965)
5) Out of Our Heads (US, 1965)
6) Out of Our Heads (UK, 1965)
7) December’s Children (And Everybody’s) (1965)
8) Aftermath (UK, 1966)
9) Aftermath (US, 1966)
10) Between the Buttons (UK, 1967)
11) Flowers (1967)
12) Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
13) Beggar’s Banquet (1968)
14) Let it Bleed (1969)
15) Stray Cats (a new collection of single A & B sides plu