The Groove Line

Heatwave's The Groove Line WAS the 7th grade for me.

Man, those colors

We deal with heavy shit at times but if you can still laugh and try not to take yourself too seriously, groovy. Skimming through videos from past eras that give me a chuckle helps to do that. While watching, I'll often think about how old the people in my life were at that time. For instance, this clip is from 1947. My mom was in nursing school and my parents were dating. Was this how it was when my parents got a malted? Bummer about the music but the colors are blowing me away.

I've never seen a color photo of my parents
before the 1960s. My mom would show me a
photo and tell me what color her clothing was
in the picture, but I just saw black and white.
After my mom graduated from nursing school in
1948, she and her school friends rented cottages
at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. My dad
and his buddies went up to visit. My parents loved
to dance and were good at it. I'm sure they did
a lot of jitterbuggin' at the ballroom there.

My mom told me that her bathing suit in this picture was bright red.

My parents are front and center in July 1949 on their honeymoon drive to Canada. Click to make big. It was taken at The Allen "A" Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire while watching fireworks. They stayed in a little cottage. Where's the snuggling?

hold me, love me

I received this book for Christmas when I was 15. Most of what I learned about The Beatles came from reading this book and looking at the pics. I used to only imagine the experience that was Beatlemania.

Now with the web, we have so much info available instantly. What I only read in books I can now see. This video of their 1965 Shea Stadium concert really displays Beatlemania for those who weren't present. I truly believe they came at the right time – just after JFK's death. They helped a lot of people cope with their pent-up pain and anquish. Yay!

A dad can't deal with his kids freaking out. Imagine the energy.


Eight Days A Week complete with wonderful imperfections. Watch how the smallest girl cries to the rhythm of the song. You're welcome.

I beg your pardon?

I vaguely remember being four-years-old but I definitely remember being five. I would get lost in music as a kid, especially in the car. One of the first songs I remember loving was Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson. She even appeared on Top of the Pops in Britain. Don't you love when the live performance sounds like the record? Check out the audio from this Top of the Pops version. You can hear the studio audience. I'm in love with that thumping bass.

White-suit man is dancing Elaine. A full-body dry heave to music.

The Everly Brothers

Every once in a while my soul craves the harmonious and beautiful sounds of Don and Phil. Learn about their influence in only 3 minutes.

first ladies of the bass

As 14-year-olds, my best friend and I practically wore out his Talking Heads: 77 album. Those songs had a huge influence on me. There's something about art students who rock out. Hello, John Lennon.

Here are two videos of prolific bassists Tina Weymouth and Carol Kaye (The Wrecking Crew). I never realized how many tv themes Kaye was involved in. The Brady Bunch? I just looooooooove the bass!

A smattering of tunes by The Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club:

• Psycho Killer
• Don't Worry About the Government
• The Book I Read
• Life During Wartime
• This Must Be The Place
• This Must Be The Place - live
• Road to Nowhere 
• And She Was 
• Girlfriend is Better
• Genius of Love
• Wordy Rappinghood - the story
• Wordy Rappinghood - tv show 
• Wordy Rappinghood - video
• Pleasure of Love

Except for the extremely annoying audio breaks, if you're a rock and roll history buff, you'll find this documentary hosted by Weymouth very fascinating. It's all about the bass. Boing! Boing! Boing! Boing!

here comes...

...your 19th Nervous Breakdown. I thought I was done at 18?

roller rinks

During my early teens, the roller rink in the next town was one of my favorite haunts. Rollerskating AND blasting music? Okay.

My aunt and uncle met at The Wal-Lex in Waltham, Massachusetts in the early 1950s. At that time, organists supplied the music.

Jones Beach on Long Island, NY had an outdoor rink in the 50s.



I find the above video very soothing – like looking at a fish tank. Now I'm jonesing to put on some skates and head to Boogie Wonderland.

the cowbell

I recently learned that several people I know are clueless about the meaning of "more cowbell." Here's the origin. It seemed that it was a trend among "hair bands." My favorite cowbell song, however, is You Can't Do That by The Beatles. It's not played in their live performances, but check it out in their recording of the song:

lunchboxes

In the 1st grade I really wanted a lunchbox even though I always bought a hot school lunch. While decluttering I happened upon my thermos from the Hot Wheels lunchbox I received for Christmas. I never used it, so my mom hijacked the box for her curlers. As adults, I shocked my friend Sally when I told her that she had a purple Road Runner lunchbox in the 4th grade. The kids who brought lunchboxes lined them up against the wall at recess after lunch. I would walk along and look at them as though I were in an art gallery. One of my favorite shows at that time was The Road Runner Show. Many girls owned The Partridge Family lunchbox. When the bell rang, I would often watch who picked up their boxes. Road Runner belonged to Sally. I also reminded her about her baton-twirling routine to Boogie Fever in our 5th-grade talent show. My performance was Paper Roses on my clarinet. I was 10, for crying out loud. Learn about lunchbox history.

World got you down?

Nobody makes me laugh harder than Kristen Wiig. Give it a shot.

Super Bowl Sunday

If you're a football fan, you'll enjoy watching these vintage plays
from the 1940s and 50s. Below, is the 1944-45 football team from Hopkinton, Massachusetts shivering in the cold. My dad is number 19. Click on the pic to enlarge. My father liked the full-on contact of football and said that sportsmanship and being courteous was important.

Turn On Your Love Light

Some songs are re-recorded because they're just plain AWESOME. If you're a Deadhead, you know this version. If you don't know the original, you may know this version. Here's an instrumental from a 1967 demo tape. Ruth Brown and Solomon Burke chat about the Neck Bone and Chitlin' Circuits. Early Allman Brothers and The Young Rascals wail. Them (featuring Van Morrison) recorded it in 1966. And finally, the definition of blue-eyed soul: The Righteous Brothers perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in November 1965.
If you enjoy listening to two hours of the same song sung by different artists, then you'll dig Subject to Change on WMBR. Try it. You might be surprised. I like to put it on when I want people to leave my home.


This is the original 1961 version by Bobby "Blue" Bland.

Tequila

I miss the good ole days when I would dance for my biker friends.

give me those good vibrations

Here's an inside peek at the creative process behind the iconic song by The Beach Boys. Hal Blain, the drummer, and other musicians playing were part of The Wrecking Crew. Love the stand-up bass.

Playboy After Dark

This syndicated tv program aired from 1969 to 1970 with lip-synched and live performances. These episodes are a hoot to watch with a strange mix of folks. The premise was that you're at an actual party at Heff's pad chatting with the celebrity guests and musicians. Solid, man.

Tina Turner   •   Two complete episodes   •   Three Dog Night
Buddy Miles   •   Steppenwolf   •   Marvin Gaye   •   Deep Purple
Sir Douglas Quintet   •   The Playboy Club in London

fascinating footage

My jaw drops every time I watch this video. The film speed was slowed and sound was added. Go here for more if it floats your boat.

• Notre-Dame (1896)
• Champs-Élysées Speedway (1899)
• Passing of a fire brigade (1897)
• A guy and his bike (1897)
• Moving walkway at the Paris Exposition (1900)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Christmas Show

My Christmas season shifted into high gear last night when I saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at my favorite joint. The best thing about Christmas for me is the abundance of holiday music. You gorge on the stuff and then it's gone 'til next year. No wonder these guys sell out by July. Fantastic, fun band with a horn section AND an upright bassist – who sang the Grinch song to perfection. Their rendition of the Snow/Heat Miser song got the audience groovin' with Xmas spirit.

sometimes you just know

All of my parent's high school years (1941–45) occurred during World War II. My dad, pictured left, had an older brother who was a flight navigator in the war. One day, my dad and his classmates were sitting in class when they heard the roar of oncoming planes. As they grew closer, my father jumped up and ran to the windows to watch them pass over. His teacher repeatedly ordered him to sit down until he finally turned to her and said "that's my brother flying over, I will not sit down!" This happened in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. My uncle confirmed that it was indeed him that purposefully flew over the school, pictured above. I love this story.

Hot Bulb

Years ago, my family and I made up a game called Hot Bulb
(based on Hot Potato) for my mom's last Christmas. Play this and
I guarantee it'll make your Christmas more memorable and fun.

Here's how to play:
1. The dj plays music with his/her back to everyone.
2. The "hot bulb" (a ball or crinkled-up wrapping paper)
is tossed around randomly. Giggling ensues.
3. The dj (with back to everyone) stops the music.
4. Whoever is holding the "hot bulb" when the music stops,
tells a Christmas memory. Try it, you'll like it.