HARRY NILSSON - "You're Breakin' My Heart" (1972)

 

Just in case you ever wondered how we got to where we are today, just consider this 1972 album by Nilsson titled "Son Of Schmilsson," and it might explain a few things.

Harry didn't screw around, and just laid it all on the line. 

The fact that Harry Nilsson has never ever been considered to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just shows you what a bullshit organization it really is. 

Ridiculous!
Harry knew how to come right out and say it. 

This ain't one for the kiddies, but I'm sure they've heard it all before, just not in this context!  

Nillson - "You're Breakin' My Heart" 

BACK SEAT ROMEOS - "Zero Ambition" (1980)

 

Back Seat Romeos was a short lived UK band who were originally called The Classics, but had to change their name when they made this record because there was already another band called The Classics.

I find it interesting that almost everything I've read about this band they were called Backseat Romeos, when it's clear by this 45 sleeve that their name was Back Seat Romeos. 

Discogs has them listed as Back Seat Romeos too.

 

 

I had to include this picture of the In The Trunk Romeos.

Guitarist and vocalist John Clay on the website Bored Teenagers UK also refers to the band as Backseat Romeos.

 I guess it doesn't matter because either way, this is a perfect example of classic 1980's music!

BACKSEAT ROMEOS - "Zero Ambition"

Songs Named After Cities, Part 1 - "Memphis" (Lonnie Mack, 1963)

 

Rich here remembering all the cool songs named after cities, which has always been a "thing," but was particularly big in the Sixties. No doubt you remember "Kansas City" (They got some crazy little women there, and I'm going to get me one) or "Chicago" (that toddlin' town). And after every Yankee win, they still play "New York, New York" (If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere).

 

After working in Seattle for 30 years, I hate to say it, but "Seattle" has to be the stupidest city-named song, ever. Any songwriter who describes Seattle as having "the bluest skies you've ever seen" has obviously never spent much time here.

 

Then, there's one of the most popular city-named rock songs of all, Chuck Berry's "Memphis," which every garage band in America seemingly played at one time or another. But my favorite version is Lonnie Mack's instrumental version:

LONNIE MACK - "Memphis"

THE BETA BAND - "Round The Bend" (1999)

 

The Beta Band were from St. Andrews, Scotland, and this self-titled release came out in 1999. The Beta Band had a very unique sound, and are pretty hard to pigeonhole, unless there's a category called

 "just real good" music.

Judge for yourself, indulge, this is some fun stuff.

THE BETA BAND - "Round The Bend" 

ARLIS! -"No Way Baby" (1980)

 

Straight outta Nebraska, Arlis Dwee Peach was rockin' it in 1980, but apparently, this is as far as his career went! Too bad because this single shows that there sure was a lot of potential.

What a great song!

ARLIS! - "No Way Baby" 

THE PIETASTERS - "Willis" (1997)

 

As far as get you off your ass and moving music, it just doesn't get any better than Ska, so since it's Saturday, here's some good dance music from The Pietasters and their 1997 album called "Willis."

The Pietasters were from Washington DC, but the music they made was universal! 

I think you'll agree!

They're still out there doing it, so catch them if they come to your town because this kind of music never gets old!

THE PIETASTERS - "Out All Night" 

THE SHAKERS - "Break It All" (1966)

 

Los Shakers were formed in 1963 in Montevideo, Uruguay, and this record called "Break It All" was released in 1966.

They had the sound and the look, but they just didn't have the right location. 

So... filter Buck Owens through The Beatles, and, then boil that down and strain it, and you end up with something like this.

THE SHAKERS - "Won't You Please"