Sunday, August 30, 2015

A Little Taste of The Raspberries - Sweet Tunes

I started writing this blog after a few years of sending Wednesday text messages to my daughters in my vain effort to "expand" their musical appreciation. Who knows if I did anything, but we had fun with it, and they encouraged me to write this blog. So going back to the roots of this whole thing, I want to turn my kids on to an early '70s band that mixed a little rock, a lot of pop, and just a smidge of grit - The Raspberries led by Eric Carmen.  I heard The Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack and was reminded of my first time hearing this band and how fun and infectious their sound was "Go All The Way" - http://youtu.be/7wT_NpsYdes (live version) or http://youtu.be/jfgnc6Ey0q0 (live over tape so you hear those sweet backing vocals). The Rasberries were not a one hit wonder - they had three strong years, two really good albums, and more hits, like "I Wanna Be With You" - http://youtu.be/5mFUYm5QFUE - and "Let's Pretend" - http://youtu.be/tjzwcx3ie24. They had three strong elements: good musicians, a great frontman, and songs focused on getting chicks to stay the night with them. Pure Gold in the early '70s for aspiring pop rockers. Let me wrap up with the craziest, self-indulgent version I could find of Eric Carmen's first solo hit, which I have always loved, but this live version from the Midnight Special (best rock show on TV ever!) takes it "to 11" without a doubt - http://youtu.be/EzoazPPC7b8. Love that over-the-top piano piece he crammed in just to let you know he was more than a Teen Beat pin-up artist. Love it! Finally, let me end with a little nugget from John Lennon's favorite artist and his best drinking pal, Harry Nillson and "Without You" - http://youtu.be/_bQGRRolrg0. Harry was a super talent who first ruined his voice, then lost his life to a decades long battle with alcoholism. A sad genius. Enjoy!

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