Tag: music

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 21, 1975 – “A Night At The Opera”, the fourth album by Queen is released. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen, it is recorded at Trident Studios, SARM East Studios, Olympic Studios, Roundhouse Studios, Landsowne Studios in London and Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, UK from August – November 1975. After touring in support of the “Sheer Heart Attack” album, Queen break from their original management team when they discover the terms are highly unfavorable to them. Eventually, they align themselves with Elton John’s long time manager John Reid to look after their affairs. Now free to work on new music without business distractions, they return to the studio in the late Summer of 1975 to work on their next album. The title is taken from the classic Marx Brothers comedy, which the band were watching on television one evening during a break in recording. Like the previous albums, it features songwriting contributions from all four members of the band. The opening track “Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To…) is written (by Mercury) as a bitter kiss off to their former manager Norman Sheffield. Though the album’s centerpiece is the Freddie Mercury penned “Bohemian Rhapsody” (#1 UK, #9 US Pop, #2 US Pop re-release), a rock mini-opera compressed into a nearly six minute long track. It gives Queen their biggest hit, and breaks them on a worldwide basis. The single is promoted with a now iconic music video directed by Bruce Gowers. It also spins off the single “You’re My Best Friend” (#7 UK, #16 US Pop), written by bassist John Deacon. In time, it is regarded as one of the best rock albums of all time and a 70’s musical landmark. “Opera” is reissued on CD in 1991 with remixed versions of two tracks. To commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2005, it is remixed in 5.1 multi-channel surround sound, and issued as a CD + DVD-A set. It is reissued again in 2011 as a two CD set (two channel stereo mixes only), with alternate mixes and one live track. It is also reissued as a 180 gram vinyl LP in 2015, replicating the original gatefold sleeve and embossed cover. The album is also issued as a limited edition pressing, by vinyl subscription service Vinyl Me, Please in November of 2018. The LP is pressed on purple and pink swirled vinyl, replicating the original embossed gatefold sleeve, but printed on foil over the Queen coat of arms logo artwork. Due to a printing error with the limited release, the covers are scrapped and re-printed with the artwork in the proper original dimensions. “A Night At The Opera” spends four weeks (non-consecutive) at number one on the UK album chart, peaking at number four on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 20, 1970 – “Come To My Garden”, the debut solo album by Minnie Riperton is released. Produced by Charles Stepney, it is recorded at Ter Mar Studios in Chicago, IL from November 24 – 26, 1969. Following her departure from the psychedelic soul/jazz fusion band The Rotary Connection, singer Minnie Riperton begins work on her solo debut in late 1969. It features all original material written by Stepney and Riperton’s husband Richard Rudolph as well as musical backing by Maurice White (drums), Phil Upchurch (guitar) and Ramsey Lewis (keyboards).It is released in the Fall following the financial collapse of Chess Records and issued on GRT Records (who acquires Chess), after being originally scheduled for release in the Spring of 1970. The album receives virtually no promotion from the label and quickly disappears from public notice. A few years after its release, it attracts the attention of Stevie Wonder, who finds Minnie living in Clearwater, FL with her husband and two children. He convinces her to come out of “retirement” from the music business to join his band Wonderlove. After joining up with Wonder and then recording the album “Perfect Angel”, it revives interest in her long dormant debut release. Though it does not fare much better commercially on the second go around in the mid 70’s, it is widely praised by music critics and Riperton’s fans as “a masterpiece”. “Come To My Garden” belatedly charts in 1974, peaking at number one hundred sixty on the Billboard Top 200.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 19, 1966 – “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on November 26, 1966. Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, it is the eighth number one pop single, and third R&B chart topper for the Motown vocal trio. The track is a deliberate attempt by HDH to give the group a harder edged sound. The songs’ distinctive morse code like lead guitar lick is suggested by Lamont Dozier when he hears the intro to a news report on the radio with a similar rhythmic element to it. The track is recorded at Motown Records Studio A on June 30, 1966 with instrumental backing by The Funk Brothers. The Supremes overdub their vocals two months later on August 1, 1966. Released as the follow up to the girls’ previous chart topper “You Can’t Hurry Love” on October 12, 1966, it is another immediate smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #68 on October 29, 1966, it rockets to the top of the chart just three weeks later. The week that “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” hits the top of the chart, it presides over a unique top five in which all of the songs within had either previously reached number one, or are on their way to hitting the top of the chart. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” sells more than one million copies in the US. Like many Motown classics, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” covered by a wide variety of artists, including versions by Wilson Pickett, Rod Stewart, and The Box Tops. The song returns to the top ten in a dramatically re-vamped version by hard rock band Vanilla Fudge in 1968. Their version, initially released in June of 1967 fails to make much of an impression at first. Clocking in at more than seven minutes on their self-titled debut, it is pared down to under three minutes for single release. It’s only after it begins receiving widespread airplay on FM underground stations playing the long LP cut, that it eventually crosses over to AM pop stations. Reissued a year later in June of 1968, climbs to #6 on the Hot 100 on August 31, 1968. Then over twenty years after The Supremes top the pop charts with the song, it hits number one a second time, when it is covered by British pop singer Kim Wilde, whose own Hi-NRG dance remake becomes a club and pop smash. Regarded as one of The Supremes career defining singles as well as a R&B and pop standard, it is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 19, 1977 – “Serpentine Fire” by Earth, Wind & Fire hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 7 weeks, also peaking at #13 on the Hot 100 on February 11, 1978. Written by Maurice White, Verdine White and Reginald “Sonny” Burke, it is the fourth R&B chart topper for the legendary R&B/Funk band led by drummer and vocalist Maurice White. Following the release of Earth, Wind & Fire’s seventh studio album “Spirit” and the extensive tour that follows, Maurice White takes a much needed vacation in early 1977. White visits Brazil during his sabbatical, soaking up the culture and the countries’ unique sounds and rhythms. Also having an avid interest in Eastern philosophy, metaphysics and all things spiritual, all of these influences make their way into the bands’ music. Collaborating with his younger brother, bassist Verdine White and musician Sonny Burke, the trio come up with “Serpentine Fire”. The song is a metaphor describing a person’s life force, primarily their sexual impulse and energy. Issued as the first single from Earth, Wind & Fire’s landmark eighth album “All ‘N All” on October 5, 1977, it hits the charts and rises to the top quickly. Like their previous R&B chart topper “Getaway” the previous year, “Serpentine Fire” is edited from its original recorded length (to fit the confines of the vinyl LP’s time limit) of 5:02 to 3:51. The full unedited version is released on a white label promotional 12" single for club and radio DJ’s at the time of its original release. It is belatedly issued commercially in 1989 as a CBS Mixed Masters 12" reissue (on the B-side of “Boogie Wonderland”). The chart topping success of “Serpentine Fire” and duration on the chart makes it top R&B single of 1978, as ranked by Billboard Magazine. It also helps to propel the accompanying album “All ‘N’ All” to the top of the Billboard R&B album chart, into the top five on the Top 200, selling over three million copies in the US alone.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 18, 1972 – “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 2 weeks, also peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 on December 9, 1972. Written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, it is the first major hit for the Philadelphia, PA vocal quintet. Lead singer Teddy Pendergrass initially joins The Blue Notes as their drummer, but is moved to the front and center of the group when Harold Melvin discovers that he can sing. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes is among the first acts signed to Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” is originally written for the Chicago based R&B group The Dells, but does not end up recording it when a deal with their record label cannot be reached. Instead, it is given to The Blue Notes and is released as their second single, becoming an immediate smash on both pop and R&B radio. The success of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” marks the beginning of a hit streak Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes have, turning Teddy Pendergrass into a star prior to launching his own solo career in 1977. British band Simply Red covers the song in 1989, taking it to number one, belatedly winning Gamble and Huff a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1990. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 17, 1982 – “Chaka Khan”, the fourth solo album by Chaka Khan is released. Produced by Arif Mardin, it is recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City from Summer – Fall 1982. Issued as the official follow up to “What’cha Gonna Do For Me” (having also recorded the jazz standards album “Echoes of An Era” in the interim), the album features musical support from musicians such as Michael Brecker, Hamish Stuart, Will Lee, Joe Henderson, Anthony Jackson and also features Rick James on “Slow Dancin’”. It spins off two singles including her cover of the Michael Jackson classic “Got To Be There” (#5 R&B, #67 Pop) and “Tearin’ It Up” (#48 R&B). The track “Be Bop Medley” wins Khan and Mardin a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices, and Chaka picks up a second Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for the entire album in 1984. The album makes its CD debut in 1991, when it is released by Warner Music Japan. It is currently in print as part of the box set “Chaka Khan – Original Album Series” released by Warner Music Group UK in 2009. “Chaka Khan” peaks at number five on the Billboard R&B album chart, and number fifty two on the Top 200.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 16, 1993 – “Hand On The Torch”, the debut album by Us3 is released. Produced by Mel Simpson and Geoff Wilkinson, it is recorded at Flame Studios in London from Early 1992 – Mid 1993. Formed in 1992 by producers Geoff Wilkinson and Mel Simpson, their first release under the Us3 name titled  "The Band Played The Boogie" becomes an underground hit in the UK after its picked up by Ninja Tune Records. It receives unexpected widespread exposure when radio station Kiss FM in London begins playing it. The record which samples jazz guitarist Grant Green’s classic “Sookie Sookie” also attracts the attention of Blue Note Records, the label that released Green’s original recording. Having sampled the Green record without authorization, Wilkinson and Simpson are initially fearful that they are going to be sued by Blue Note when they are called to the label’s London office. Instead, they are surprised when the label not only offers to sign them, but also gives them unlimited access to the company’s vast archive of landmark jazz recordings. Recruiting rappers Rahsaan Kelly, Kobie Powell and Tukka Yoot, the group begin recording their first album. Among the songs cut is “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” (#9 Pop, #21 R&B), sampling Herbie Hancock’s  "Cantaloupe Island" and Birdland MC Pee Wee Marquette’s voice from jazz drummer Art Blakey’s “A Night at Birdland Vol. 1” album. The song is released as a single in September of 1993, and becomes a major hit, also going Gold. The success of the song propels “Hand” to Platinum status in the US, becoming the first album in the history of Blue Note Records to achieve sales of that level. It spins off another single with “Tukka Yoot’s Riddim” (two other singles in Europe). “Hand On The Torch” peaks at number thirty one on the Billboard Top 200, number twenty one on the R&B album chart, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

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bunjywunjy:

somos-rosas:

adventuresinstringrepair:

pianoaround:

Does anyone know what this instrument is called? Its like a Marimba but it is very large and made out of huge stones. Listen to that tone! haha Love it!

It’s a type of Vietnamese lithophone (literally rock sound instrument) called a đàn đá. Some ethnomusicologists think that these are likely the oldest type of man made instrument.

she looks like shes having fun lol this is bringing me joy

so you’re telling me that rock is actually the oldest genre

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 16, 1966 – “Watchout!”, the fourth album by Martha & The Vandellas is released. Produced by William “Mickey” Stevenson, Smokey Robinson, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland and Harvey Fuqua, it is recorded at Motown Studio A in Detroit, MI from Spring 1964, Late 1965 – Mid 1966. The fourth full length release by the Motown vocal trio spins off three singles including “Jimmy Mack” (#1 R&B, #10 Pop) and “I’m Ready For Love” (#2 R&B, #9 Pop). “Jimmy Mack” is originally recorded in 1964 but is initially shelved until it is pulled from the vault and is released on this album. Several R&B stations add the song to their playlists as an LP cut. The highly positive public response to the song leads Motown to releasing it as a single in February of 1967. Only mono pressings of the album feature the original version of the song. The stereo version features an alterate recording of the song, differing noticeably from the hit single version, which is only available in mono until it is remixed from the original three track master tape in 2005. “Watchout!” peaks at number one hundred sixteen on the Billboard Top 200.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)