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By the time that Led Zeppelin was releasing their sixth studio album, they were solidly on top of the rock pantheon. They had just switched to Swan Song Records, their own label, and had plenty of time to create this double album work, Physical Graffiti. They had three sides-worth of new songs largely recorded at Headley Grange in Hampshire in early 1974, and they expanded it to a double album by including unreleased tracks from sessions for their previous three albums. Physical Graffiti went to number 1 on the UK chart and number 3 on the US charts immediately. They had planned to release the album in November 1974, but delays in producing the album's sleeve design pushed it back to February 1975. Demand was so strong that it became the first album to go platinum on advance orders alone.The album itself reflects a diversity that runs from hard rock to prog rock to funk - even country and honky-tonk get represented. The group never seemed too interested in creating single-friendly compositions, so many tracks run well over 6 minutes, along with some shorter instrumental numbers. Led Zeppelin was considered the biggest rock band on tour during this time, and Physical Graffiti was the album that wrapped up this period. Robert Plant was in a serious car accident with his wife in August 1975, and the group went on hiatus from touring until 1977. Many consider this album to be the high water mark for the Led Zeppelin discography. Bruce presents this monster double album for this week's podcast. KashmirThis is one of Led Zeppelin's signature songs. It started as an instrumental recording from Jimmy Page and John Bonham. Robert Plant wrote the lyrics while vacationing in southern Morocco (not Kashmir, as no band members had been there when this song was written). John Paul Jones plays mellotron and added the orchestration which was played by session musicians. All members of the band consider it one of their best tracks, and it has played in almost every concert since its debut.Trampled Under FootThis is a funk piece largely created by John Paul Jones. The beat was inspired by Stevie Wonder's “Superstition,” and the lyrics are drawn largely from Robert Johnson's “Terraplane Blues.” Jones originally created this in the soul genre, but John Bonham convinced the group to add a more funky feel. The Wanton SongMany Led Zeppelin songs have a title which does not appear in the lyrics, and this is one of those. Jimmy Page developed the riff in 1973 and brought it to the Physical Graffiti sessions. Page uses a backward echo on this, where the echo appears before the note. It was played during the 1975 tour but was dropped from the setlist thereafter, making it perhaps a deeper cut. Houses of the HolyThis track is one of the unreleased tracks from previous sessions. It was intended as the title track from their fifth album, but was considered too similar to other songs on the album and was dropped. Led Zeppelin never played this song live. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Movin' On Up (Theme from the television series “The Jeffersons”) This sitcom was a spinoff from “All In the Family” which got its start in January 1975. STAFF PICKS:Any Major Dude Will Tell You by Steely DanLynch kicks off the staff picks with the B-side from “Rikki Don't Lose That Number.” Donald Fagen says that the inspiration was hearing a lot of people using the term “dude” after they moved to L.A., finding the phrase funny and deciding to include it in a song. The idea is that times will get better, and hope is around the corner.Cat's In the Cradle by Harry ChapinRob brings us a folk rock story about a father who finds the tables turned. He didn't have time for his son as he was growing up, and his son doesn't have time for his father when he is older. The lyrics were inspired by a poem written by Chapin's wife regarding her first husband's strained relationship with his father.Angie Baby by Helen ReddyWayne features another storytelling song, this one with some spookiness. Angie is a girl of questionable sanity who lives in her own world at home with her parents. When a neighborhood boy decides to make advances on her when her parents are gone, Angie causes him to disappear into the music of her radio… It was a number 1 hit song.Changes by David BowieBruce closes out the staff picks with a song that largely flopped when originally released as a single in 1971. Bowie's “Hunky Dory” album did not do well until it got a second look after his 1972 release “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” It was re-released in 1975 as a single and went to number 1 in the UK. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Bron-Yr-Aur by Led ZeppelinWe close out with some double dipping from Physical Graffiti for this acoustic instrumental. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
Come sit down with the Tripod and learn a little bit more about the Tripod's very own Angie Baby. She's got a big bite and a bigger heart. Come learn how Angie don't play about hers!
The Presidential Debate was indeed debatable. Helen Reddy's “Angie Baby was a mini Steven King novel. Baby Yoda fights fires See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the 60's and 70's there were some artists that had only one Billboard Chart hit. But sometimes that lone hit made it all the way to #1. Then, they went and recorded follow-ups, usually in a hurry, and usually at the cost of anything resembling artistic integrity. Here they are. And Ken and I perform the hits themselves. The best is toward the end when we do "The Night Chicago Died". David Soul - Going In With My Eyes Open (1977) The follow-up to "Don't Give Up On Us Baby". From now on I will just put the previous hit in caps following the year. John Sebastian - Hideaway (1976) Welcome Back Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots - Disco-rilla (1977) Disco Duck Alan O’Day - Started Out Dancing, Ended Up Making Love (1977) Undercover Angel Alan O'Day wrote "Angie Baby", a big hit for Helen Reddy, and "Rock and Roll Heaven" which was originally recorded by Climax ("Precious and Few"), but made a hit by The Righteous Brothers. They recorded it again with more contemporary corpses, but I cannot find that version. Wild Cherry - Baby Don’t You Know (1977) "Play That Funky Music" A mawkish attempt to self-aggrandize and create a mythology to continue their stardom. A pretty embarrassing self-copy. Lightning never strikes twice. Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Play That Funky Music Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Stuck In The Middle With You Billy Swan - I’m Her Fool (1975) I Can Help Carl Douglas - Dance the Kung Fu (1974) Kung Fu Fighting A mawkish attempt to self-aggrandize and create a mythology to continue their stardom. A pretty embarrassing self-copy. Lightning never strikes twice. Van McCoy - Change With The Times (1975) Do The Hustle See, you can tell by looking at lots of these covers that women were never truly equal, more objects and subjects of boy-girl tropes from way back. Yoko Ono really had a point. Minnie Riperton - Simple Things (1975) Loving You There were exceptions. I've played more (of her ex-band) Rotary Connection on my show. I think they were more interesting. Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - I Can Help Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Kung Fu Fighting Terry Jacks - If You Go Away (1975) Seasons In The Sun "If You Go Away" follows the same blueprint as "Seasons In The Sun". Take a Jacques Brel song (in this case,"Ne me quitte pas", and "Seasons...", "Le Moribond"), use an English translation, and hope ligh...tning ......stri.....kes.....twice..... Notice he is still using the "Poppy Family" brand, the band he formed with his wife in the 60's. One of the few bands to have a sitar player as a regular member. But "Seasons in the Sun" was on the previous album. Why is it here, too? Amii Stewart - Light My Fire (1979) Knock On Wood Anita Ward - Don’t Drop My Love (1979) Ring My Bell M - Moonlight and Muzak (1979) Pop Music Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Seasons in the Sun Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Everlasting Love Nick Gilder - Here Comes The Night (1978) Hot Child In The City Shocking Blue - Mighty Joe (1970) Venus Vicki Lawrence - He Did With Me (1973) Produced by Snuff Garrett. He made all those great Cher singles from around that era. Bill Conti - Theme From Rocky II (1979) Gonna Fly Now Co-written by Carol Connors (above), who also co-wrote "With You I'm Born Again" by Billy Preston and Syreeta, one of my favorite singers. Ever watch "Let It Be" and wonder what Billy Preston is thinking about? Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Venus Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - Hot Child In The City Gilbert Neal/Ken Ray Wilemon - The Night Chicago Died Poppy Family - Which Way Are You Going, Billy? (1969)
BONUS EPISODE:Turn off the rock-and-roll radio, and turn on this SSP Classic Episode. Join your hosts for a special episode about a special lady, as they revisit their review of the 1970s pop song, “Angie Baby.” This mysterious story song about a girl with magical powers who keeps people in her radio was a #1 hit in 1974 for legendary Australian singer, Helen Reddy. Live your life in the songs you hear on THE STORY SONG PODCAST, and maybe you’ll turn out cool. Continue the conversation; follow THE STORY SONG PODCAST on social media. Follow us on Twitter (@Story_Song), Instagram (storysongpodcast), and Facebook (thestorysongpodcast). THE STORY SONG PODCAST is a member of the Forge Audio Network.
It's time for a creepy treat from the archives as Tim Worthington, Ben Baker and Phil Catterall count down the Top Twenty Five Things That You Were Scared Of As A Youngster That Weren't Supposed To Be Scary! Yes, it's time to hide behind the sofa from Camberwick Green, Return To Oz, Test Card F, Picture Box, Raggerty, World In Action, Professor Yaffle, The Open University, Angie Baby, Ode To Billie Joe, Spitting Image, Vrillon Of Ashtar Galactic Command, The Blue Peter Boat and much, much, terrifyingly more. Along the way we'll be waving cheerfully to some Video Nasties to avoid looking at the Children's section, meeting Parky The Lion, learning why The Muppets aren't frightening but their eyes are, finding out which family friendly cinematic icon was really a man who exploded and went inside out, and in a lighter moment recalling the classic scene where Terry Scott falls through a chair. And right at the end, there's our very own scary broadcast intrusion featuring a dog dressed as an elephant... stitch that, 'Pipes'! You can find more episodes of Looks Unfamiliar at http://timworthington.org/
Dennis visits the Laurel Canyon home of Christopher Graham, who along with Tod Macofsky, make up the comedic lounge duo Mack and Poppy. Tod and Christopher share Mack and Poppy's origin story, how Mack & Poppy came close to mega-stardom and blew it, when they knew it was going to work, their dream Mack and Poppy gig, the freedom that comes with embodying these campy characters and their new show "Till Death Do Us Part." They also talk about being in the L.A. Gay Mens Chorus, performing with stars like Lily Tomlin, Angela Lansbury, Coco Peru and Leann Rimes. Christopher recalls growing up in the south and lip-syncing to Reba McEntire's "Fancy" in Birmingham, Alabama then hitting the road as a chorus boy in shows like 42nd Street and My Fair Lady. Tod talks about performing with a touring troupe inspired by the "It Gets Better" movement, being one of the original cast members of the long-running stage hit Naked Boys Singing and working as FAYE DUNAWAY'S PERSONAL ASSISTANT (!!!) for a few days back in the 90's. Other topics include: first concerts, blocking Diana Ross in at Gelson's, Helen Reddy's super-twisted song "Angie Baby," running into Keanu Reeves and Barbara Eden (not together), the joy of Troll 2, memorizing The Joy Luck Club and bonding with the Twin Peaks actress who used to live in Christopher's house. http://www.mackandpoppy.com/
The whole gang gets together for this Yinzer extravaganza! We examine lyrics that must have seemed like a good idea at the time. And we throw in a couple trucking songs for good measure.
Apparel Music Radio show #130: kISk - Under My Skin Jazz & World Music selection with Fela Kuti, Chat Baker, Sonny Rollins, Benny Goodman, Angie Baby, Ella Fitzgerald, Erykah Badu & Robert Glasper, John Coltrane / Duke Ellington, Johnny Hartmann, Afronaut... Cover' Image by Xue Jiye (b. 1965, Dalian, China) http://kisk.tumblr.com
When we first spoke with Alan O'day he shared with us the fact that he was a five time cancer survivor. If Alan hadn't shared this fact with us, you would never had known it. Alan was an incredible songwriter, fun performer and all around just a great guy. Unfortunately, two weeks ago, cancer finally took its toll on Alan and he passed away, becoming a member of Rock n Roll heaven. I want to thank Janis Liebhart for introducing Alan to me and my show, I am so fortunate to have been able to spend the short amount of time interviewing Alan and speaking with him on the phone. Even though this show and format isn't big time, to Alan it was as important and his zeal and enthusiasm was awesome! He felt it important to share industry information with as many people as he could and he was so excited about where he was in his career and that excitement rubbed off. I want to send out prayers and condolences to Alan's family and huge circle of friends, we will all miss him and not forget him. ~Russ Clarke Tonight we honor Alan O'day with an encore presentation of his interview. RIP Alan O'Day. Joining us this week is Alan O'Day. Alan is best known for the hit song "Undercover Angel" which he wrote and recorded, the song was a #1 hit in 1977 charting at #4 for the year. He also wrote the hit song "Angie Baby" recorded by Helen Reddy. Beyond that he has written hundreds of songs including songs for Jim Henson and National Geographic TV. Alan has had a long and prosperous career in the music industry, don't miss this interview if you are interested in learning more about the business of performing and song writing.
When we first spoke with Alan O'day he shared with us the fact that he was a five time cancer survivor. If Alan hadn't shared this fact with us, you would never had known it. Alan was an incredible songwriter, fun performer and all around just a great guy. Unfortunately, two weeks ago, cancer finally took its toll on Alan and he passed away, becoming a member of Rock n Roll heaven. I want to thank Janis Liebhart for introducing Alan to me and my show, I am so fortunate to have been able to spend the short amount of time interviewing Alan and speaking with him on the phone. Even though this show and format isn't big time, to Alan it was as important and his zeal and enthusiasm was awesome! He felt it important to share industry information with as many people as he could and he was so excited about where he was in his career and that excitement rubbed off. I want to send out prayers and condolences to Alan's family and huge circle of friends, we will all miss him and not forget him. ~Russ Clarke Tonight we honor Alan O'day with an encore presentation of his interview. RIP Alan O'Day. Joining us this week is Alan O'Day. Alan is best known for the hit song "Undercover Angel" which he wrote and recorded, the song was a #1 hit in 1977 charting at #4 for the year. He also wrote the hit song "Angie Baby" recorded by Helen Reddy. Beyond that he has written hundreds of songs including songs for Jim Henson and National Geographic TV. Alan has had a long and prosperous career in the music industry, don't miss this interview if you are interested in learning more about the business of performing and song writing.
Conflicting reports about Jolie-Pitt babies, David Cook shatters Billboard record and proves an American Idol can rock, Steven Tyler talks about rehab, Beverly Hills Cop sequel planned, Disney admits a mistake with Prince Caspian, new movies
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