MARK KNOPFLER - "Going Home: Theme from Local Hero" (1983)

 

Rich here. You were probably introduced to Mark Knopfler at the same time I was in the late '70s when "Sultans of Swing" started getting airplay on FM stations. Like me, you may have thought: "Whoa! Bob Dylan's getting hipper than he's been in years -- and, damn! who's that fabulous guitar player in his band?!"

 

Well, as we discovered, it wasn't Bob Dylan at all, but the leader of the new British band Dire Straits, who had a knack for literary lyrics delivered with a bit of that Dylanesque droll cache. And in addition, he was the most exciting new guitarist around -- a player with a slinky, melodic sound that didn't rely on flash as much as on seduction. 

 

For the first couple years afterwards, we still continued to think of Mark Knopfler as a rock guitarist, but then the low-budget UK indie film "Local Hero" came out and was a surprise hit -- and the Scotch/Irish authenticity of the soundtrack seduced us as much as the movie did. And it was written and arranged by Mark Knopfler. No Dylanesque lyrics. No singing at all. Just moody, melodic guitar music with splashes of synths and Scottish folk instruments.

 

And that's when we learned that Mark Knopfler was far, far more than a Dylan imitator. He could play and write anything.

 MARK KNOPFLER - "Going Home: Theme Of The Local Hero"

THE TEEN BEATS - "Big Bad Boss Beat" (1964)

 

The Teen Beats was one of those Los Angeles 60's music studio projects. Not really a band, just musicians trying to make a buck on whatever the current craze was, which at the time, was surf music.

This 45 was produced by Art LaBoe and released on his "Original Sound" label that he started in 1959.

Art Laboe is the Disc Jockey who is credited for coming up with the term "Oldies But Goodies."

So here you go....from 1964....As much fun as any person should be allowed to have in one minute and fifty-five seconds.

THE TEEN BEATS - "Big Bad Boss Beat" 

CAFE TACUBA - "Cuatro Caminos" (2003)

 

Straight outta Naucalpan, Mexico, Cafe Tacuba is one very interesting group of musicians. This release from 2003 titled "Cuatro Caminos" or "Four Paths" or "Four Roads" for you non-Spanish speaking folks, is killer.

 

I like music that is eclectic and unpredictable, but still good, and these guys are every bit of that.

Vamos a gozar!

CAFE TACUBA - "Camino Y Vereda"

TIMES 5 - "Is Your Radio-active" (1980)

 

Times 5 were from San Francisco, and I think this song from 1980 was their only recorded material.

 

I only know about them because back in the 80's I bought this compilation album of various artists that they were on called "415 Music."

This album was called "415" music because that was The California Penal Code for disturbing the peace.

It's also the name of the record label.

TIMES 5 - "Is Your Radio-active" 

STEPPENWOLF - "Monster" (1969)

 

Fifty-seven years ago Steppenwolf came out with an album titled "Monster" that expresses feelings that are still and/or as pertinent today as they were back then.

The lead song tells the whole story, and we still haven't learned a damn thing.

Even worse, and I really hate sounding like a broken record, but how in the Hell are Steppenwolf not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? 

Something just doesn't make sense.

So, listen to this song, and then tell me that it doesn't sound like it was written in the present day instead of the ancient past!

STEPPENWOLF - "Monster" 

CAKE - "Motorcade Of Generosity (1994)

 

Cake is one of the bands that I had an opportunity to see live, but missed out on, and I have been sorrowful ever since.

This Cake LP from 1994 titled "Motorcade Of Generosity," is just great, and here's a song that is probably about as insightful as any song ever created. 

What's right, following orders, or following your heart?

Either way, we don't know whether we're going to live or die, and Cake makes that very clear.

CAKE - "I Bombed Korea" 

THE TURTLES - "Present The Battle Of The Bands" (1968)

 

Now here's a real head scratcher for you, despite numerous hits like "Happy Together," "Elenore," "She'd Rather Be With Me, and "You Baby," The Turtles are not in The & Roll Hall Of Fame.

The song "Happy Together" was the biggest selling single of 1967 and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, and is considered to be the key musical moment in the movie "Shrek."

Incredulous! 

Their fourth album titled "The Turtles Present The Battle Of The Bands," is chock full of fun music.

Here's a song that's more Byrds than it is Turtles, and shows how divergent their musical talent really was. 

THE TURTLES - "Chicken Little Was Right"