Lyrically, absolutely. Musically, I just don't hear it, but that's probably down to me not being a musician. Same with I'm a Loser: lyrically, yes, if only in the sense of writing something (anything!) other than simple boy-girl love songs, but musically I don't hear the Dylan influence there.

Never thought of that idea of Dylan's "4th" referring to the four Beatles - good one!

Yesterday was the 52nd anniversary of the death of Nat King Cole.  Originally an accomplished jazz pianist Cole transitioned to one of the most popular and crooners of the 50s and early 60s.  He was one of the first black entertainers to host a television variety show.  Cole ended the show after a year due to sponsors balking at advertising on a show hosted by a black man.  

50 Years Ago Today-Songs Unstuck In The Time Stream

There were 2 songs on the charts at this point, both somewhat off from their proper temporal position. One was a visitor from the past, the other a harbinger of the future.

The Casinos was a 50's doo-wop group from Cincinnati, never achieving any national radio play. That is until they recorded their version of a John Loudermilk country song first released in 1962 by Don Cherry. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye seems to be the long delayed last gasp of doo-wop music that was so popular in the late 1950's. It peaked at #6 in March  and was in the top 40 for 13 weeks. It was the only hit for The Casinos but the song itself stayed popular, becoming a #1 country hit for Eddie Arnold and a Top 5 country hit for Neal McCoy in 1996



Buffalo Springfield's For What It's Worth in retrospect would have been a commentary on the rise of the counter-culture that reached national prominence with 1967's Summer Of Love. That same summer also saw anti-war and civil rights demonstrations boiling over to new levels. Member Stephen Stills wrote the song in November 1966 and it was a commentary on the police curfew against teens hanging out at the Sunset Strip. The single was released January 1967 and peaked at #6. For What It's Worth became an anthem for 1967 but was really a forewarning.More about Buffalo Springfield when we anniversary their 2nd album release later in 1967.For What It's Worth was the only top 40 hit by Buffalo Springfield. But that hardly mattered for they were one of many groups that became mainstays for the FM rock airwaves. We'll see this repeated quite often as 1967 was a year that began to divide the Rock marketplace between AM and FM oriented performers. 

Buffalo Springfield was quite an important group for it's time. Besides the 3 albums they released, it's members went on to later form influential bands. Stephen Stills along with fellow member Neil Young formed Crosby,Stills & Nash with Young soon joining. Richie Furay formed Poco along with member Jim Messina who also had a long partnership known as Loggins and Messina. 

A 1967 Rarity-Bob Seger

Bob Seger, for reasons only known to him, is not happy with the early music he recorded. He therefore has not allowed 6 of his first 7 albums to appear in the CD format. (Actually 3 of those 6 appeared but very briefly). Some of those songs are on greatest hit compilations and some songs have been played on his live albums. Otherwise, you'll have to scour the rare vinyl section to find those LPs. 

I don't know why he's displeased. They are good, foot-stompin' rock records and were very popular in the Detroit area. In fact he did have 1 national hit from his first album (1969) when the band was known as The Bob Seger System 




But his followup material didn't get played outside of the midwest and he spent years on the road, slowly building up a following and finally achieved breakthrough fame with 1977's Night Moves

But  '69's Rambling Gambling Man was not his first recording. In 1967 he released a single on the Cameo-Parkway label under the name Bob Seger and the Last Heard. It was getting lots of airplay in Detroit but right after it's release his record label folded and and therefore there was no marketing support. It therefore just missed the Billboard Top 100 , peaking at #103. The song was Heavy Music and he has since covered it on his live performances. 

Here is the rare 1967 single version

Re Brewer and Shipley

I see their debut album, in full, is available on YouTube. Weeds and Tarkio Road are there as well. I already own Tarkio and will download those previous two. Their next 2 albums, Shake Off The Demon and Rural Space are available as separate tracks. Only selected songs from their final 2 albums are currently on YouTube.

I used to own Rural Space. For many years it was widely available in the $1.99 album cut-out bins during the 1970's. 

What Are Your Firsts?


Tell this thread about your roots, secret origins, the things that broke your cherry

1-What was the first pop song you remember being a favorite?
2-What was your first favorite radio station?
3-What was the first single/ albums/CD you bought (any of the formats that applies)
4-What was the first concert you attended?

For myself, being so old as to remember when Helen Of Troy won that beauty pageant, I wish I had kept a diary since so many recollections are quite murky. But the first song I recall as a favorite when I heard it on the radio was this, from June 1960




As I mentioned before, my first favorite radio station was WABC-AM from New York City 77.0 on the dial and the home of he DJs Cousin Brucie, Dan Ingram and more. It's radio signal was one of the most powerful in the USA and at nights it could be heard throughout most of the east coast

My first single I purchased is fuzzy. I can only pin it down to a few contenders. Odds on it was a Beatles single but I couldn't tell you which. But it's easier to remember the earliest non-Beatles single and it either one of these three (or maybe I purchased them together)






And yes, Gary Lewis was the son of movie star Jerry Lewis



My first album purchased was definitely from the Beatles when I noticed you get more for your money buying those rather than the individual singles. From late 1964



Never bought an album on reel-to-reel tape or 8-track cartridge. Avoided albums on cassettes as well unless they were ridiculously cheap. And strangely enough I have no clue as to my first CD purchase, whether it was a new release or old favorite

My first concert is also murky. I know I did not go to any concerts during the 1960's. The first I specifically recall (but sure it wasn't the first I attended) was rather special. It was the summer of 1971 at the original Forest Hills, NY Tennis Stadium. The Who performed there the nights of July 29 and 31- the beginning of their North American tour. The internet tells me these were the songs played:

"Love Ain't For Keeping"
"Pure and Easy" 
"My Wife" (John Entwistle)

"I Can't Explain"

"Substitute"

"Bargain"

"Behind Blue Eyes"

"Won't Get Fooled Again"

"I Don't Even Know Myself"

"Baby Don't You Do It" (Holland-Dozier-Holland)

"Pinball Wizard"

"See Me, Feel Me"

"Water" 
"My Generation"

"Magic Bus"

"Naked Eye"

As you can see, 5 songs (bolded) came from their classic album Who's Next which was not due to be released until 2 weeks later so these were the first time most in the audience had ever heard those songs. I'll never forget the audience's reaction hearing Won't Get Fooled Again. They got the longest ovation of the concert for that number.

OK, it's your turn

I love me some Lyle Lovett.  And that's a great song.