What the Riff Next Gen

What the Riff Next Gen

By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John LynchMusicMusic Commentary
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What the Riff Next Gen episodes

  • 1977 - December: Jackson Browne “Running On Empty”

    Running on Empty was the fifth album by Jackson Browne.  The album revolves around the theme of life on the road, and it is a live album, but with a couple of twists.  First, none of these tracks had previously appeared on a Jackson Browne studio album.  Second, while some of the songs were recorded on stage during concerts, others were recorded backstage, or in hotel rooms, or on the tour bus.  This gives the album more of a concept feel than would be present for a typical "live" album.

    Browne got his start as a songwriter as a teenager, and joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band shortly after high school.  His early songs were recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nico, Steve Noonan, Gregg Allman, Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, The Byrds, and others.  He was a backing musician for Nico in 1967 and wrote three of the songs on her debut album, He co-wrote "Take It Easy," the first hit by the Eagles.

    This album is considered one of the most accessible albums Browne created, and is his most successful album.  It reached number 3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart in 1978, and stayed on the charts for 65 weeks.  It was nominated for Album of the Year in 1979.  The title track would become a staple of classic rock.

     

    Running on Empty

    The title track and first single from the album was recorded in concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.  It hit number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song was inspired by Browne's driving to the studio to make "The Pretender."  It was only a few blocks from his house to the studio, and Browne wouldn't bother to fill up, so he was always literally running on empty.

    Nothing But Time

    This track is about the boredom of life on the road.  It was written and recorded on the tour bus, a Continental Silver Eagle.  You can hear the bus's engine running in the background, downshifting and accelerating during the bridge.  Browne and Howard Burke (his tour manager) wrote this one.  Russ Kunkel is on percussion, playing snare, hi-hat, and "cardboard box with foot pedal."

    The Load Out

    This is a well-known track about the folks that put the show together and the fans that come to hear the concert.  "We've got to drive all night and do the show in Chicago - or Detroit, I don't know.  We do so many shows in a row, and these towns all look the same."  It portrays a decidedly unglamorous picture of touring life, with the one exception of the time on the stage.

    Stay

    Almost always played in series on rock stations with “The Load Out,” this cover of Maurice Williams and the Zodiac's song from 1960 replaces concerns about mom and dad letting the girl stay out with concerns that the roadies, producers, and union letting the band play one more song.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Night Fever by the Bee Gees (from the motion picture "Saturday Night Fever")

    The movie that would make John Travolta a household name and disco the music genre of choice across the nation was released in December 1977.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Mind Bender by Stillwater

    Wayne leads off with a band whose name was used for a rock band in the movie "Almost Famous."  This vocoder-laced southern rock piece with a shuffle beat hit the Billboard Hot 100 at number 46.  The song is about a talking guitar called "Mindbender.:  Stillwater is from Warner Robins, Georgia, and plays an annual show in Macon at Christmas time.

    She's Not There by Santana

    Rob brings us a cover of the Zombie's hit from the 60's.  While the Zombie's version made it to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, Carlos Santana gives it a Latin fusion twist that would hit number 27 on the charts.  Greg Walker is the vocalist on this single, with Santana of course on guitar.

    Help Is On Its Way by the Little River Band

    Brian's staff pick is from the Australian band known for their harmonies and easy groove.  This is the lead single from their third album, Diamantina Cocktail.  The song has a positive feel, and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

    Baby Come Back by Player

    Bruce's staff pick was written by band members Peter Beckett (lead vocals and guitar) and J.C. Crowley (piano and backing vocals)  after two of the band members had broken up with their girl friends.  This is off their self-titled debut album.  The band would be less successful when they moved from a soul oriented sound to a more rock-oriented sound on their future albums.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    The Dialogue from the motion picture "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

    The distinctive 5-note jingle marked the start of a conversation with aliens in this science fiction movie that debuted in December 1977. 

    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.

    42 min
  • 1993 - October: Cracker “Kerosene Hat”

    The California band Cracker would have its greatest success with its second studio album, Kerosene Hat.  Cracker is David Lowery on lead vocals and guitar, Johnny Hickman on lead guitar and vocals, Davey Faragher on bass and vocals, and Michael Urbano on drums.  The name of the album comes from a time when Lowery and Hickman lived together in an old run-down house whose only heat source was a pair of kerosene heaters.  They had to walk to a nearby gas station to buy more kerosene and would bundle up with a wool cap that came to be known as the kerosene hat.  

    While the group considered themselves more drawn to roots rock or country, the album went platinum during the days of grunge as an alternative rock sound.  It definitely does not follow the over produced "hair band" sound that was beginning to wane in the early 90's.  Much of the album was recorded in an abandoned sound stage in Pioneertown, California, in a location so run down that the group had to round up old mattresses from junk yards to provide insulation on colder days. The band holds a music festival there each year. 

    Wayne leads this expedition into the early 90's rock scene.

     

    Low

    This single only reached number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but it was number 3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.  Lowery claimed that the song was not about drugs, and that the lyric is not "like being stoned," but "like being stone."  Other lyrics like "a million poppies gonna make me sleep" make this claim seem a bit more dubious.

    Get Off This

    The second single from the album is a response to former fans who accused Cracker of selling out to make more mainstream music.  The response is obvious from the chorus:  "So let's get off this, and get on with it.  If you wanna change the world, shut your mouth and start to spin it."

    Lets Go for a Ride 

    This deeper track is well described by the title - it is a driving song.  "So, drive real fast through the underpass, and if we die or if we crash, well, I'd be flattered to be buried right next to you." 

    Euro-Trash Girl 

    This is a bit of a "hidden track" on the CD (coming in at #69), and is a favorite of serious Cracker fans.  It was originally released on the EP "Tucson"  It tells the story of a lonely guy in Europe who suffers through a series of break-ups.  The band wrote this as a group, partly based on things the members had experienced, and some made up situations.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    I Can See Clearly Now by Jimmy Cliff (from the motion picture “Cool Runnings”)

    The appearance of the Jamaican national team in the bobsled event for the 1988 Winter Olympics inspired this movie staring John Candy.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Sober by TOOL

    Rob brings us a grunge song from the Los Angeles band Tool.  The song is off their debut album, but it was most known for its creepy stop-action video.  Similarities to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" have prompted a number of mash-ups.  The lyrics were inspired by a friend of the band whose creativity only came out when he was under the influence.

    Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms

    The song Brian features was written by guitarist Doug Hopkins about his former girlfriend.  Hopkins was fired for unreliability associated with his heavy drinking, but the song propelled the Gin Blossoms to success.  Hopkins became depressed and committed suicide in December 1993. 

    Perfectly Good Guitar by John Hiatt

    Bruce's staff pick is a minor key blues number from a singer-songwriter who has worked with a tremendous amount of artists.  This song from his eleventh studio album laments the way that rock stars get attention by smashing up perfectly good guitars.

    Bad Thing by Cry of Love

    Wayne's staff pick is a deeper cut.  Cry of Love is out of Raleigh, North Carolina, and has a sound reminiscent of Bad Company.  It was a throwback to solid 70's rock during a time when that genre of music was out of favor.  Band members would go on to perform with other groups including the Black Crowes and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Leave That Thing Alone by Rush

    This instrumental from the Counterpoints album is a bit of a continuation of the "Where's My Thing" instrumental from Rush's previous album.

    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.

    42 min
  • 1988 - March: Robert Plant “Now and Zen”

    If Now and Zen, the fourth studio album by Robert Plant, sounds like Led Zeppelin, there's more reason for that than just the fact that Plant was the lead singer for the band.  In addition to continuing use of computerized technology in the album, Plant also incorporated more blues and Middle Eastern elements into his music.  He also had his Led Zeppelin band mate Jimmy Page contributing guitar to a couple of tracks.

    Plant wanted to create an album that created electronic music with a more soulful sound than was typical at the time.  He also benefitted from a lot of interest in the Led Zeppelin sound.  Many hair bands at the time were trying to emulate Led Zeppelin, but struggled to do so in the highly produced commercial atmosphere of the late 80's.  The Beastie Boys had even sampled a number of Zeppelin riffs for their album, “License to Ill,” much to Page and Plant's chagrin during the relatively unregulated use of OPM (other people's music) at the time.

    The confluence of Plant's direction of combining electronics with blues, and the heightened interest in the Zeppelin sound resulted in the most successful commercial album of Plant's post-Zeppelin career.  The album hit number 6 on the U.S. charts, and was certified triple platinum.  Three singles would be released from the album.

    Brian Dickhute brings us this album.

    Heaven Knows

    This was the opening track and the first single from the album.  The song, written by songwriters Phil Johnstone and David Barratt, is a satirical commentary on the perceived shallowness and lack of attention span of the late 80's.  This is one of two tracks on which guitarist Jimmy Page participates.

    Dance On My Own

    A deeper cut, this song is about being so happy about the girl on the block that you can't stop dancing.  Phil Johnstone and  Robert Crash co-wrote this song, along with Plant.  Johnstone was the producer and keyboardist for the album.  This track is more timestamped to the 80's than many of the tracks.

    Tall Cool One 

    This upbeat track is the second one on which fellow Led Zeppelin alumni Jimmy Page contributes guitar work.  It also samples a number of Led Zeppelin songs, including "Whole Lotta Love," "Black Dog," and "The Ocean."  The title comes from an instrumental work from a 50's group called The Fabulous Wailers, although the songs themselves are not the same.

    The Way I Feel

    "See what I'm driving at and I'm back behind the wheel.  I'm just a little nervous - It's something to do with the way I feel."  This is a continuation of “Big Log” from his previous album “The Principle of Moments.”  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    I Heard It Through the Grapevine by The California Raisins

    The California Raisin Advisory Board caught lightning in a bottle when this claymation commercial with dancing and singing raisins became wildly popular.  This song hit the Billboard Hot 100.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Get It On by Kingdom Come

    Wayne rocks out with this Zeppelinesque track from hair band Kingdom Come.  This is the group's biggest hit off their first album.  The album went to number 12 on the charts.  The similarities in vocals to Kashmir are obvious.  Critics would refer to the band as “Kingdom Clone.”

    Endless Summer Nights  by Richard Marx

    Rob's staff pick was a big hit on the pop and adult contemporary charts.  Chicago native Richard Marx came up in the music business, and benefitted both from production quality and photogenic looks.  Marx had 14 top 20 hits, three of which were number 1 hits.  And you never can go wrong with a sax!

    When We Was Fab by George Harrison

    Bruce's staff pick is the last new song Harrison would have to chart in the U.S.  It was written as a playful look back on the Beatles days.  Jeff Lynne co-wrote the song with Harrison, Gary Wright plays piano, and fellow Beatle Ringo Starr plays drums.  The video features a number of cameos, including Paul Simon, Elton John, Jeff Lynne, and Ringo Starr.

    What Have I Done to Deserve This by the Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield

    Allee Willis, author of “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, and “Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters, co-wrote Brian's pick with the Pet Shop Boys.  It is about the hopelessness of a person stuck in a dysfunctional relationship whom they don't have the strength to leave.  60's icon Dusty Springfield contributes vocals to this song, and it would be her largest selling single after “Son of a Preacher Man.”

       

    COMEDY TRACK:

    Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley

    Well before the Rick Roll became a thing, the original was on the charts, and you get the benefit as our podcast closes out! 

    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.

    45 min
  • 1986 - November: Paul Simon “Graceland”

    Paul Simon was in a slump in the early 80's.  His relationship with Art Garfunkel was at a low point, he was recently divorced from his second wife, Carrie Fisher, and his 1983 album “Hearts and Bones” was considered a commercial failure.  This album would change his fortunes.  Graceland would become his highest charting album in over a decade, his most successful studio album, and would win the 1987 Grammy for Album of the Year.  

    Simon lived next door to Lorne Michaels, creator of Saturday Night Live.  Michaels introduced Simon to a singer-songwriter names Heidi Berg, and Simon agreed to produce a record for her.  Berg wanted a sound like the street music from Johannesburg, South Africa, and loaned Simon a bootleg tape.  This inspired Simon to travel to South Africa, meet the musicians, and create an album using these musicians and their native sounds.  Obviously, this fractured the relationship between Simon and Berg. 

    The album would also be controversial, because South Africa was under a cultural boycott at the time due to their apartheid policy.  Simon would counter that he was lifting up the music of the indigenous South Africans, even paying three times New York union wages and giving writing credits, but this would not quell the criticism.

    Nevertheless, the album would do well both commercially and critically, and introduce American mainstream audiences to world music.

     

    Graceland

    The title track was named "Graceland" because the drums reminded him of a traveling rhythm you would hear in a song from Sun Records.  The lyrics reflect taking a road trip to Graceland from Louisiana on Route 61.  Some also consider it a song about using a road trip to get over the pain of divorce.

    Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

    This song features the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  Simon wrote it when he went to South Africa but it was not originally planned for inclusion on Graceland.  That changed when Ladysmith Black Mambazo and several other South African studio musicians were in New York for an episode of Saturday Night Live, and they decided to record it while they were in town.

    Under African Skies

    This deeper track references two people in the song one is Joseph Shabalala, the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  The other is Linda Ronstadt who lends her vocals to this track.  Ronstadt's inclusion in the album was particularly controversial because she had performed at Sun City, a South African apartheid resort, three years earlier.

    You Can Call Me Al

    The hit single from the album only went to number 23 on the charts.  The names came from a party that Simon attended years prior with his first wife Peggy Harper.  French Composer Pierre Boulez, who attended the same party, mistakenly referred to Paul and Peggy as Al and Betty.  Many will remember the video starring Simon and Chevy Chase.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Somewhere Out There by James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt (from the animated film "An American Tail")

    This animated motion picture told the story of a family of Jewish mice and their immigration to the United States.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Goin' Crazy! by David Lee Roth

    Wayne leads off the staff picks with former Van Halen frontman, Diamond Dave.  This is his third single from his first full studio solo album "Eat 'em and Smile."  Steve Vai played guitar on this track.  The song was supposed to be the title song from a proposed comedy television production starring Roth entitled "Crazy From the Heat" 

    Human by The Human League

    Brian brings us one of the most beautiful cheating songs you will hear.  The Human League went to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in Minneapolis to produce the album.  It was a divisive decision, because the two women in the group did not accompany the other members when this song was recorded in Minneapolis.

    Emotion In Motion by Ric Ocasek

    Rob's staff pick by the former Cars front man reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This is off his second solo studio album, and was his only single to hit the top 40 as a solo artist.  Ric Ocasek died in 2019.

    Word Up! by Cameo

    Bruce finishes off the staff picks with the highest charting single from funk band Cameo - it hit number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  "Word Up" was an affirmation used in New York.  Larry Blackmon is the lead singer, and was inspired to use the distinctive vocal monotone you hear in this song by listening to Sly Stallone.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    The Launch by Boston

    Boston's long anticipated third album "Third Stage" was released this month, and contained this instrumental lead-in to "Cool the Engines."

    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.

    44 min
  • 1971 - February: Yes “The Yes Album” Episode 200!

    It's our 200th episode!  And to celebrate, we are going to cover a group we reference frequently in other episodes - “all roads lead to Yes.”  The third studio album by Yes was simply entitled The Yes Album, and it was both a critical success, and a much-needed commercial breakthrough, hitting number 40 on the US album charts.  It was the first album not to contain any cover songs, and was also the first album to feature guitarist Steve Howe in the group.  

    This iteration of Yes consisted of Jon Anderson on vocals, Chris Squire on bass and vocals, Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Tony Kaye on keyboards, and Bill Bruford on percussion.  This album would be the last with Kaye on keyboards until the 90125 album in the 80's.  

    We're also spending some time talking about the podcast, our experiences over 200 episodes, fans from different places, and more What The Riff trivia.  We hope you enjoy this milestone podcast!

     

    Yours Is No Disgrace

    The opening track was written by all five members of the band.  It is a song about the Vietnam War, telling the returning soldier that the war wasn't his fault, and that he had no choice but to fight.

    Starship Trooper

    Robert Heinlein's novel of the same name inspired the name of this song. The epic consists of three movements, "Life Seeker," primarily written by Jon Anderson, "Disillusion" mostly written by Squire, and "Würm," largely written by Howe. 

    I've Seen All Good People

    This is another lengthy epic of a song, not uncommon for Yes with it's prog rock sensibilities.  Jon Anderson and Chris Squire wrote this song and it's two movements.  The first movement, "Your Move," uses chess as a metaphor for relationships, and was released as a single which became a top 40 hit.  The second movement, "All Good People," would be re-incorporated into the song when played on FM rock stations at the time.  It references John Lennon in several places.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    The theme from the motion picture “Love Story” 

    This romantic tragedy starred Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neil.  It was released in December 1970 and was a big grossing film in February.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Temptation Eyes by The Grass Roots

    Wayne's staff pick is a California group which charted frequently in the early 70's, including this song which went to number 15.  The band originally was founded by Lou Adler and the songwriting duo of P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri.

    If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot 

    Brian's staff pick is the well-known Canadian singer-songwriter.  This song was inspired by Lightfoot's divorce.  It has been recorded over 100 times since Lightfoot wrote it by artists like Liza Minnelli, Barbara Streisand, Glen Campbell, and Johnny Mathis.

    Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? by Chicago

    Bruce brings us the first song the band recorded together on their first album in 1969.  It wasn't released as a single until late 1970 after "Make Me Smile" became a hit.  This encouraged the group to go back to this song and cut it down to single length.  Robert Lamm wrote and sang lead on this song, inspired by a quip he received from a Brooklyn movie theater usher.

    What Is Life by George Harrison

    Rob's finishes the staff picks with the “quiet” Beatle.  It is off his triple album "All Things Must Pass," and this second single from the album went into the top 10 on the U.S. charts.  Eric Clapton played on this album, and it was produced by Phil Spector.   It is a love song that appears to be directed both at a woman and a deity.

     

    INSTRUMENTALTRACK:

    The Clap by Yes

    This live instrumental piece was brought to the group by Steve Howe, and appears on The Yes Album.   It was written in celebration of the birth of Howe's son, Dylan.

    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.

    48 min
  • 1979 — May: Blackfoot “Strikes”

    While they may hail from Jacksonville, Florida, the southern rock group Blackfoot gets its name from the Native American tribe in recognition of the Native American heritage of multiple members of the band.  Strikes was their third studio album, and would go Platinum.  Blackfoot is Rickey Medlocke on lead vocals and guitar, Charlie Hargrett on guitar, Greg T. Walker on bass, keyboards, and vocals, and Jakson Spires on percussion and vocals.  Rickey Medlocke was an early member of Lynyrd Skynyrd where he played drums and contributed vocals.

    After touring as the backing band for Ruby Starr, Blackfoot met Al Nalli who was manager for the group Brownsville Station, and he got them a contract with Atco Records.  Nalli also produced Blackfoot Strikes, which would be the groups most commercially successful album.  

    Blackfoot would see many lineup changes over the years, with over 40 musicians being listed as former members of the band.  Blackfoot continues to tour today, and released a new studio album in 2016.  Although no original band members are with the band today, Rickey Medlocke occasionally joins the band during concerts.

     

    Train, Train (Prelude)

    This short harmonica instrumental features Rickey Medlocke's grandfather, Shorty Medlocke, who was a bluegrass artist and composer of the piece

    Train, Train

    The biggest hit of the group was written by Shorty Medlocke, Rickey's grandfather, and peaked at number 38 on the charts.  It  was originally a delta blues song, and was the last song that was recorded for the album.  It laments about a woman who dumps her blue collar guy to go to the big city.

    Left Turn on a Red Light

    A deeper cut in a minor key, this song is about decisions early in life and potential regret.  In this case, the guy realizes that his decision was right.

    Highway Song

    This was a second single hit from the album, and had an epic quality to it.  The lyrics are similar to "Turn the Page," in that it is about life on the road.  "Well, another day, another dollar after I've sang and hollered.  Oh, it's my way of living, and I can't change a thing."

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Main theme from the television series “Starsky & Hutch”

    Alright folks, slide across the car hood to hop in that Grand Torino!  The buddy cop series had its final episode this month.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    The Diary of Horace Wimp by E.L.O.

    Bruce's staff pick chronicles the week of a shy guy who gets the love of his life with a little help from "a voice from above."  This is a deeper cut from the disco-heavy E.L.O. album "Discovery," though this one has more in common with the Beatles than the Bee Gees. 

    Minute By Minute by the Doobie Brothers

    Brian features the yacht rock hit from Michael McDonald and the Doobie Brothers.  This is the title track off the album of the same name, and followed their number 1 hit "What a Fool Believes" as s single.  This song hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was nominated for a Grammy, losing to their other singe, "What a Fool Believes." 

    Sad Eyes by Robert John

    Rob's staff pick is a falsetto ballad that debuted in May.  This song hit number 1 on the charts, ending the 6 week reign at number 1 for "My Sharona" by The Knack.  It is about a man telling his mistress that their relationship is over because his wife is coming back.

    Shakedown Cruise by Jay Ferguson

    Wayne brings us a keyboard heavy song that hit number 31.  Ferguson came out of several groups, including Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne.  Joe Walsh is the guitarist on this song.  "Now if I don't get off alive, it's just as well I'll be waking up in heaven, 'cause I've been through hell."

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Music Box Dancer by Frank Mills

    This instrumental was a big hit on the charts this month.

    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.

    38 min
  • 1967 - February: Cream ”Fresh Cream”

    British rock supergroup Cream debuted their first studio album entitled Fresh Cream in January 1967 in the United States, following the December 1966 British release.  Eric Clapton was on guitar and vocals, Jack Bruce was on bass, harmonica, piano, and vocals, and Ginger Baker was on percussion and vocals.  

    Clapton had come out of the Yardbirds, and both Baker and Bruce had been in the Graham Bond Organisation together.  Ginger Baker approached Clapton about joining a new band, and Clapton agreed with the condition that Bruce be used as the bassist.  Baker and Bruce had a tumultuous relationship, with Baker at one point threatening Bruce at knifepoint.  However, the two patched things up for the sake of the new group.

    The result of the collaboration was a success from the beginning.  Fresh Cream consisted of a mix of original compositions and blues covers, with Jack Bruce writing many of the original songs.  The band would cross rock, blues, and psychedelic genres.

    Cream would produce four studio albums before internal tensions would break up the band.

    Brian Dickhute takes us on our journey into this supergroup, and fan of the show Joe Davis joins us while Wayne is away.

     

    N.S.U.

    The starting track to the album was written by Jack Bruce, and gets its name from the medical condition "non-specific urethritis," a type of venereal disease.  Supposedly Eric Clapton was suffering from N.S.U. at the time the song was written, and Bruce was poking a little fun at him. 

    Sweet Wine 

    This is a deeper cut that encourages folks to slow down and enjoy life.  "Sweet wine, hay making, sunshine day breaking, we can wait till tomorrow."

    Rollin' and Tumblin' 

    This fast blues number highlights Eric Clapton's guitar virtuosity.  The song was originally performed by Hambone Willie Newbern in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.  It was originally called "Roll and Tumble Blues."  Cream's version is largely based on a version performed by Muddy Waters.

    I'm So Glad 

    This song is the most recognizable hit from the album, and continues to be played today.  Skip James originally recorded this in 1931, and the band made sure to give James credit for his work.  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    It's Been Nice (from the television film "Jack and the Beanstalk") 

    This mixed live action and animated film starring Gene Kelly was broadcast on NBC in February of 1967.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    98.6 by Keith

    Bruce kicks off the staff picks with a celebration of the joys of love.  Barry James Keefer was called Keif when he was in a group called The Admirations, but changed to Keith to avoid having a name that sounded like the Moroccan word for cannabis.  This song his number 7 on the Billboard chart. 

    You Got to Me  by Neil Diamond

    Rob brings us an early hit from Diamond's second studio album.  Diamond has sold more than 100 million records, and is one of the best selling musicians of all time.  Neil Diamond had ten number 1 singles.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2011.

    Ruby Tuesday by the Rolling Stones

    Joe Davis' staff pick is a softer song from the Rolling Stones, and their fourth #1 hit in the United States.  It was supposedly written about one of Keith Richard's ex-girlfriends.  "Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday.  Who could hang a name on you?  When you change with every new day.  Still, I'm gonna miss you."

    Words of Love by The Mamas and The Papas

    Brian closes out the staff picks with a little honkytonk cabaret number sung by Mama Cass.  This song helped put The Mamas and The Papas back on the charts, and encourages boys to demonstrate love, not rely on words of love to win a girl's heart.

       

    COMEDY TRACK:

    Wild Thing by Senator Bobby

    This novelty song channels the distinct accent of Bobby Kennedy into the garage band hit by the Zombies for comedic effect.

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    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.

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    **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.

    33 min
  • 1993 - November: Pearl Jam “Vs.”

    It is no surprise that Pearl Jam was under intense pressure to follow up their debut album "Ten" with another success.  What may be surprising is that the band's second studio album, Vs. (pronounced "versus") did indeed live up to the success for their debut.  Vs. started at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart, sold almost a million copies in its first five days, and in its first week outperformed all other albums in the top 10 combined.

    Pearl Jam did a number of things differently with this album.  First, they recorded the songs one at a time, setting up the band in a similar way to their live concerts, and mixing each song as they went.  Second, the songs created were more raw and powerful than those on their first album.  Front man Eddie Vedder even began sleeping in his truck and in the sauna at the recording studio to keep up the intensity.  Finally, the band deliberately did NOT make videos for any of the songs on this album, preferring to let the listeners visualize the songs rather than have that creativity removed by the presence of a video.

    This album also marks a change in the approach the band took to its tours, avoiding the press and focusing directly on the fans.  In addition to refusing to make videos, they dramatically scaled down television appearances, and capped the prices of their tickets to make their concerts more accessible to fans.

    Guest contributor Joe Davis brings us this outstanding album.  

     

    Go

    Many interpret this first single and lead-off track from the album to be about child abuse, though Eddie Vedder hinted that it was about his truck breaking down on him! 

    Animal

    The opening lyrics "one, two, three, four, five against one" reflect the originally planned title of the album (Five Against One), and the idea that the five members of the band are up against the machine of the music industry.  The album would eventually be called "Vs." instead.

    Glorified G  

    Joe picked this song for the first two lines:  "Got a gun, fact I got two.  That's OK, man, 'cause I love God."  The lyrics come from an argument that Eddie Vedder had with drummer Dave Abbruzzese when Dave brought a gun he bought to rehearsal one day.  Dave was from Texas, where guns were more common, while Vedder hated guns.

    Rearviewmirror  

    Eddie Vedder wrote this song about his stepfather, whom he hated.  It was about leaving him behind without a second thought. This is a fast-paced song, and Joe recommends it for your running playlist.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Theme from the BBC television special "Mr. Blobby"

    The television Christmas special was on the charts in the UK in November 1993.  It was panned by critics and almost everyone else as it can be found as the WORST theme song ever...yet it topped the UK charts.  

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.

    Brian begins the staff picks with a slower and positive song from the album “Automatic for the People.”  This track is an anti-suicide song, encouraging people to hold on when things go wrong, because everybody hurts sometimes.

    Into Your Arms by The Lemonheads

    Rob brings us a hit off the album “Come On, Feel The Lemonheads.”  The band was originally from Boston, with Evan Dando on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Deily on vocals and guitar, and Jesse Peretz on bass.  This album was a follow-up to their hugely successful album ”It's a Shame About Ray.”

    Carry On by Angra

    Bruce rocks out with a song off the Brazilian heavy metal band's debut album “Angels Cry.”  It encourages you to...well...carry on.  “So carry on, there' a meaning to life which someday we may find.  And carry on, it's time to forget the remains from the past, to carry on.”

    The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana 

    Joe finishes off the staff picks with Nirvana's MTV Unplugged  cover of the David Bowie song.  The song lyrics are about a man who is surprised to meet a personality of himself that he thought he had left behind years ago.

     

    COMEDY TRACK:

    Bohemian Polka by Weird Al Yankovic

    Weird Al stays surprisingly faithful to the original lyrics, but with a polka twist on the music.

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    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.

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    **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.

    39 min
  • 1966 - November: Simon & Garfunkel ”Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”

    Many consider Simon & Garfunkel's third studio album to be the breakthrough album.  The tracks on Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme were written primarily by Paul Simon during his time as a visitor in England in the prior year.  The songs maintain the folk feel of previous albums, and are heavily tilted towards acoustic instrumentation.  

    Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met in elementary school in Queens, New York, in 1953.  They had their first minor hit as teenagers in 1957 under the stage name Tom and Jerry.  They began by emulating the sound of The Everly Brothers, but moved towards a folk sound as that genre gained in popularity.  

    Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme was a follow-up to their second album, which had been a commercial success, but which the duo felt was rushed.  Simon insisted on control of the recording process, and they took nine months to craft and record the album.  The result would be both a critical and commercial success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart and eventually achieving Triple Platinum status with the RIAA.

    The duet would go on to record five studio albums before growing apart and breaking up in 1971.  The duo would reunite several times afterwards, perhaps most famously for their concert in Central Park in 1981.

     

    Scarborough Fair/Canticle

    The opening track originated from an English ballad that had its roots in a Scottish folk song from at least the 1670's.  Simon learned it from Martin Carthy in London, and set it in counterpoint against a song he had previously written in 1963.  It would appear as a single after being featured in the film "The Graduate" in 1968.

    Homeward Bound

    This song had previously appeared on the UK version of the duo's second studio album before appearing on the this American release.  The single hit number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier in 1966, and was on the charts for 12 weeks.  SImon wrote it after returning from England in 1964. 

    The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

    The name of this song is from a bridge in New York, also known as the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.  The theme to the television series "H.R. Pufnstuf" originally considered composed by Sid and Marty Kroft, was found to be too similar to this song, and Paul Simon was given writing credits to this theme after a court suit.

    A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission) 

    This song is considered a parody of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues," which was released the year before.  The lyrics name-drop many contemporary politicians, musicians, and celebrities, including Art Garfunkel.  Robert McNamara was the U.S. Secretary of Defense at the time the album was released.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    The theme from the television series "The Saint" 

    Roger Moore starred as Simon Templar in this British spy series.  His work in The Saint would propel him to a future role as James Bond in the 007 movie franchise.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Psychotic Reaction by Count Five

    Wayne walks down the psychedelic path to open our staff picks.  The song name came from a professor in the lead singer's college psychology class.  The lyrics are about losing your mind due to heartache.  While this is a one-hit wonder, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lists this song as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock."

    You Keep Me Hangin' On by The Supremes 

    Brian's staff pick was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, authors of the Motown sound.  This song was written specifically for The Supremes, and details the tragedy of a relationship in which a man cannot let go of the woman, but can't commit to her either.  This was one of a string of four number 1 songs by The Supremes.

    Walk Away Renee by the Left Bank

    Bruce brings us a little baroque pop, complete with harpsicord and strings.  co-writer Michael Brown claims he wrote the song about Renee Fladen-Kamm, who was the girlfriend of The Left Bank bassist Tom Finn, and with whom Michael Brown was infatuated.  Co-writer Tony Sansone contradicts Brown, saying it was a French girl's name selected at random, inspired by the Beatles' song "Michelle."

    A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon & Garfunkel

    Rob's closes out the staff picks with a famous Simon & Garfunkel single that was recorded during the studio sessions for the album, and was on the charts at the time, but which did not appear on this album.

     

    COMEDY TRACK:

    Boy Wonder, I Love You by Burt Ward

    This strange piece is a weird collaboration between Burt Ward (who played Robin in the 60's "Batman" series) and Frank Zappa.  

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    **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.

    27 min
  • 1984 - August: The Alarm ”Declaration”

    Welsh band The Alarm formed in 1981 out of a previous punk band called The Toilets.  After extensive touring, the band would release their debut studio album entitled Declaration — released in February 1984 in vinyl and cassette, and the release on then-new compact disc (CD) format was in June of 1984.  The album was on the charts in August when we feature it.

    The band consisted of Mike Peters on lead vocals, harmonica, and acoustic guitar, Dave Sharp on backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, Eddie MacDonald on bass guitar and vocals, and Twist (aka Nigel Buckle, aka Nigel Twist) on percussion and vocals.  Early on in their career the band members had Peters, Sharp, and Macdonald all playing acoustic guitars, but as the band gained popularity they decided it was in their best interest to differentiate into parts, with Peters on lead, Sharp on guitar, and MacDonald on bass.

    The Alarm toured North America in 1984 as the opening act for U2 on the "War" tour, and there is a noticeable similarity between The Alarm and U2.  Declaration dealt with the struggles of teen life from a politically and socially different perspective.  This record sees the world of European youth in the early 1980's, not in black and white, but rather shades of grey and brown.  These are not songs of suburbia, but the inner city filled with smokestacks and the ghetto filled with crying babies and laundry hung from string draped across the street from window sill to window sill.

    While the band broke up in 1991, they reformed in 2004 and are both touring and still releasing albums as of 2022.

     

    Declaration

    This short song leads off the album, serving as an intro to the next song, the album, and the band.  “Take this song of freedom.  Put it on and arm yourself for the fight.  Our hearts must have the courage to keep on marching on and on.”

    Marching On

    The punk roots of the band show on this post punk song about youth.  The lyrics encourage the young to not let the world and their circumstances keep them from accomplishing great things.  It is a song with a sense of hope.

    The Stand

    The Alarm was inspired to write the song from Steven King's book of the same name.  Many of the characters from the novel are mentioned in the song, and it follows the Christian concept of the Rapture, as does the novel.  It is off this album as reprise, but this version is actually from their previous EP.

    Sixty-Eight Guns

    This hit went to number 17 on the UK singles chart, and reached number 39 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States.  The lyrics were inspired by a book that Peters had read about the 1960's street gangs of Glasgow.  Peters said in a Songfacts interview that it was about young people at a difficult age then "you're too cool for school, but not wise enough or eligible enough for adult life."

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Main theme from the motion picture “Red Dawn”

    Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, and a well known cast of young actors were featured in this action movie about an invasion of heartland America where local teens form a guerilla force behind enemy lines in their home town.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Lights Out by Peter Wolf

    Brian starts out the staff picks with this solo effort from the front man of The J. Geils Band.  This is the title track to his debut album after Wolf split with The J. Geils Band.  The band wasn't interested in moving in the pop rock direction that Peter Wolf desired.  

    Round and Round by Ratt

    Bruce features a hard rocking hit from Ratt's album "Out of the Cellar."  This is the band's biggest hit, going to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It re-appeared on the Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales Chart at number 18 in 2020 after being used in a Geico commercial.  The video featured Milton Berle, who was the uncle of Ratt's manager, Marshall Berle.

    Only When You Leave by Spandau Ballet

    Rob's staff pick is from Spandau Ballet's fourth album.  Spandau Ballet had a smooth, almost crooner sound with New Wave roots.  They were the first band that Bob Geldof approached for his Live Aid concert.  Only When You Leave was the band's last song to be a hit in the United States.

    Midnite Maniac by Krokus

    Wayne rocks out with Swiss metal band Krokus.  AC/DC inspired this band, though they take a little more progressive rock bent.  They hit the Billboard Hot 100 with this song, becoming the first Swiss act to do so.  The name comes from a flower common to much of Europe. 

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    It's More Than You by Stevie Wonder

    Wonder closes us out with this instrumental number from the motion picture "The Lady in Red," which was released this month with a soundtrack featuring a number of songs written by Stevie Wonder. 

    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.

    37 min

About What the Riff Next Gen

From the publisher's feed

Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were gaining momentum during this Millennium Y2K Period. We encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from Apple Music, Spotify or your other favorite music service. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! In addition to “Next Gen” you can search our ORIGINAL “What the Riff?!?” episodes (1-373) covering 1965 - 1995. We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriff on Facebook.

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