Monday, April 25, 2011

What A Fool Believes — Kenny Loggins (1978)

“Lost Original” — "What A Fool Believes" was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins – but Loggins recorded it first for his 1978 album, Nightwatch. McDonald’s version, recorded for the The Doobie Brother's “Minute By Minute” album, went to #1 and won Grammy Awards for both “Song Of The Year” and “Record Of The Year”.

Bonus Trivia: Michael Jackson is on background vocals on the Doobie Brother's version but is not credited on the album.




The Doobie Brothers
Live at the 22nd Grammy Awards in 1980

Friday, April 22, 2011

Anna (Go To Him) — Arthur Alexander (1962)

"Anna (Go To Him)" was written and originally recorded by Arthur Alexander in 1962. It would peak at #10 on the US R&B charts. The song is better known by The Beatles cover version - included on their 1963 debut album, "Please Please Me". John Lennon was a big fan of Alexander and acknowledged that he was heavily influenced by his singing style. A number of his songs were a big part of the Beatles early live repertoire.




The Beatles (1963)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Ready For Love — Mott The Hoople (1972)

"Ready For Love" was written by "Mott The Hoople" guitarist Mick Ralphs for their 1972 album, "All The Young Dudes". Ralphs would later rework the song and recorded it again with his next band, Bad Company. It appears on Bad Company’s 1974 self-titled debut album and would become a classic rock radio staple.




Bad Company (1974)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Hound Dog — "Big Mama" Thornton (1952)

"Hound Dog" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and originally recorded by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952. A number country bands would record covers - changing the lyrics, tempo and feel. It was one of these versions that caught the attention of Elvis Presley. He recorded it on 7/13/56 as the B-side to "Don't Be Cruel. It is listed at #19 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.




Elvis Presley (1956)
On the Milton Berle Show - a month before his studio recording

Friday, April 15, 2011

Somebody To Love — Great Society (1966)

"Somebody To Love" was written by Darby Slick and originally recorded by The Great Society in 1966. Slick’s sister-in-law Grace was the band's lead singer. When Grace left to join Jefferson Airplane, she took this song (along with her own "White Rabbit") to the Surrealistic Pillow sessions. Jefferson Airplane's version became the band's first and biggest hit - peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is #274 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".




Jefferson Airplane (1967)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Mustang Sally — Sir Mack Rice (1965)

"Mustang Sally" was written and originally recorded in 1965 by Bonnie "Mack" Rice (who went by the stage name “Sir Mack Rice”). It was a minor hit - peaking at #15 on the R&B charts. The song gained greater popularity when it was covered by Wilson Pickett the following year. Pickett's version went to #6 on the R&B charts, #23 on the Pop charts and made Rolling Stone’s list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Mack Rice would write a number of other hits including "Respect Yourself" – made famous by The Staple Sisters in 1971.




Wilson Pickett (1966)
Live on a Dutch TV show

Monday, April 11, 2011

I’m So Glad — Skip James (1931)

“I’m So Glad” was written and originally recorded as one of 18 recordings by Skip James in 1931. These recordings would influence many early Delta blues artists - including the great Robert Johnson. However, for the next 30 years James would virtually disappear. He didn't record and drifted in and out of music until his rediscovery in 1964. Eric Clapton and Cream recorded "I'm So Glad" for their 1966 debut album and provided James with the only windfall of his career. Deep Purple also covered the song in 1968 their first album. Skip James died of cancer in 1969 at the age of 67.




Skip James (1966) - at Newport Folk Festival
"I'm So Glad" is derived from a 1927 song by Art Sizemore and George A. Little called "So Tired". That is clear from this great piece of video.



Cream (1966)



Deep Purple (1968)

Friday, April 8, 2011

You Need Love (aka Whole Lotta Love) —
Muddy Waters (1962)

"You Need Love", written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Muddy Waters in 1962, is the basis of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”. The Small Faces covered the song as "You Need Loving" in 1966 - and Led Zeppelin would record their version in 1969. Neither the Led Zeppelin nor the Small Faces version credits Dixon as a songwriter. Dixon would sue Led Zeppelin (but not the Small Faces) - successfully settling out of court in 1985.




Small Faces (1966)



Led Zeppelin (1969)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

I Put A Spell On You —
Screamin' Jay Hawkins (1956)

"I Put A Spell On You" was written and originally recorded by Screamin' Jay Hawkins in 1956. It didn't chart but gained notoriety for being banned by some stores and radio stations. It has since been covered many times. Nina Simone took it to #23 on the R&B charts in 1965 - and the Creedence Clearwater Revival version that opens their 1968 debut album would become a classic rock staple.

Hawkins' recording was selected as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". It was also ranked #313 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."





Nina Simone (1965)



Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)



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Other notable pre-CCR recordings
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Manfred Mann (1965)



The Animals (1966)



The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1968)

Monday, April 4, 2011

The Thrill Is Gone — Roy Hawkins (1951)

"The Thrill Is Gone" was co-written and originally recorded by Roy Hawkins in 1951. It was a minor hit and would peak at #6 on the Billboard Black Singles chart. Blues guitar legend BB King recorded his classic version in 1969 for his album, "Completely Well". It would become his signature song and the biggest hit of his career – landing at #3 on the R&B charts and #15 on the pop singles charts. It would also win a Grammy Award for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance”.




BB King (1969)


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Because it's always better to watch BB King live - here he is, at his finest, at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1993
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Friday, April 1, 2011

It's All Over Now — The Valentinos (1964)

"It's All Over Now" was written by Bobby and Shirley Womack and was originally recorded in early 1964 by “The Valentinos” – which consisted of Womack and his four brothers. Produced by the great Sam Cooke, it only stayed on the charts for two weeks - peaking at #94. The Rolling Stones heard it, and promptly recorded it, while on their first North American tour. It would become their first #1 in the UK. In the US it would only chart as high as #26.




The Rolling Stones (1964)