Rock Town Hall • Rock Music Discussion

Once and for All: Round 2, Side 1 (The Electric Prunes) vs Side 4 (The Nazz) Divisional Playoffs, Featuring Anecdotes from The Electric Prunes’ James Lowe!

Aug 222011

It’s showtime! Round 2 of the Nuggets Divisional Series (NDS) gets underway with a SHOWDOWN between the winners of albums sides 1 vs 4.

The Electric Prunes’ “I Had Too Much to Dream Last” night lived up to its top-seed status by outlasting a tough Side 1 field that included The Standells’ “Dirty Water,” The Knickerbockers’ “Lies,” and The Strangeloves’ “Night Time.” This stomping psychedelic classic, in my opinion, outdid the mighty Rolling Stones in that legendary band’s efforts at recording a “turned on” classic.

The Prunes’ scene-setting album opener will go up against The Nazz’ “Open My Eyes,” which jumped to an early lead against the compilation’s least-gripping songs and easily outdistanced a late challenge from The Premiers’ “Farmer John.”

Efforts to reach “Open My Eyes” composer Todd Rundgren were unsuccessful, as he could not risk missing his hair salon appointment for touching up his blond highlights, but James Lowe, lead vocalist and autoharpist of The Electric Prunes responded to Rock Town Hall’s questions regarding the creation of his band’s masterpiece. No joke! Check out his excellent anecdotes…after the jump! And vote for the winner of our first NDS match-up!

SHOWDOWN (choose one): What's the BETTER song between the division winners of sides 1 and 4 of the original Nuggets?

The Electric Prunes, "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night" (Side 1) (62%, 41 Votes)
The Nazz, "Open My Eyes" (Side 4) (38%, 25 Votes)

Total Voters: 66

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Rock ‘n Roll Lyricist Jerry Lieber Dead

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 222011

This is probably not news to any rock ‘n roll lover who didn’t spend the day frollicking in the wilds of Maine until 10:30 pm today, but I just read that rock ‘n roll lyricist extraordinaire Jerry Lieber died at 78. If you don’t know the works of Lieber and Stoller, it’s time you do. The New York Times‘ piece I just read has a good recap of their highpoints. Check out The Drifters’ “Spanish Harlem,” which stopped me in my chewing of a bean burrito when I heard it playing over the speakers in a healthy, hippified diner set in an old-time pharmacy in Camden, Maine. Like Lenny Bruce says in my favorite bit of his, “Equality”: “It’s so pretty, man…” I had to stop and simply cherish the beauty of that song. That’s the Sound of the City that I so miss in too much rock ‘n roll from the ’70s forward, with rare exceptions like some regional punk rock from my high school days.

Dugout Chatter: HTC Incredible 2 Edition

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 212011

No muss, no fuss. Your gut answers are all that are required.

Other than Nuggets, name a compilation album that opened your eyes to a genre of music

What came first, The Monkees‘ “Pleasant Valley Sunday” or Simon & Garfunkel‘s “Mrs. Robinson”? If the answer is the former, could that have been an influence on the latter?

Is there any musical activity you would find yourself less likely to be doing than listening to a Bruce Hornsby album in the car, by yourself?

Have you ever listened to a record that you suddenly realize best fits a certain location you’re visiting? Conversely, have you ever listened to a record and then realized that its vibe is running strongly counter to the place you’re visiting? On which side of this experience do you think Nirvana‘s “Heart-Shaped Box” showing up on my iTunes shuffle while driving on a rainy night along the coast of Maine fell?

What artist that you truly love do you not know well or like the most songs by? (For me it’s got to be Dylan. There are a number of songs I own on his first few albums that make no impact on me, that I couldn’t hum if you spotted me the opening 3 notes – and then there are a few other stretches in his career where I’ve barely heard his albums.)

I look forward to your answers.

Rock Town Hall’s Saturday Night Shut-In: In Which the Manliest Backing Vocals in the History of Rock ‘n Roll Are Aired

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 202011

Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!

In this week’s pre-recorded edition of Saturday Night Shut-In your host, Mr. Moderator, reveals the manliest backing vocals in the history of rock ‘n roll. Then he provides an additional 50% of rocking free of charge while he relaxes with friends and family along the coast of Maine.

[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-41.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 41]

[Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download of each week’s podcast.]

All-Star Jam

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 202011

Are your eyes opened yet?

Once and for All: Round 1, Rock Town Hall Determines the Best Song on Side 4 of the Original Nuggets Compilation

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 202011

The first round of Rock Town Hall’s playoff series to determine—once and for all—the best song on the original Nuggets compilation moves toward interdivisional play as we kick off the process to determine the Best Song on Side 4. Competition should be unexpectedly fierce, as the comp’s gentlest and grooviest numbers mix it up.

Review the songs on Side 4, then make your choice. As always, you are encouraged to state your choice for BEST SONG on Side 4 in the Comments section (you must be registered to add comments, if you’re not already registered, please do so: the more chatter the merrier) and place your vote in the poll associated with this thread. The winner of this album side will move onto a playoff against the winner of Side 1. Voting on the BEST SONG on Side 4 is open through Sunday, August 21.)

What is the BEST SONG on Side 4 of the original Nuggets LP?

Nazz: “Open My Eyes” (50%, 17 Votes)
The Premiers: “Farmer John” (26%, 9 Votes)
The Chocolate Watch Band: “Let’s Talk About Girls” (15%, 5 Votes)
The Mojo Men: “Sit Down, I Think I Love You” (3%, 1 Votes)
The Third Rail: “Run, Run, Run” (3%, 1 Votes)
Sagittarius: “My World Fell Down” (3%, 1 Votes)
The Magic Mushrooms: “It’s-a-Happening” (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 34

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Review Side 4 contenders…after the jump!

Once and for All: Round 1, Rock Town Hall Determines the Best Song on Side 3 of the Original Nuggets Compilation

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 192011

Rock Town Hall’s playoff series to determine—once and for all—the best song on the original Nuggets compilation continues with the determination of the Best Song on Side 3. In my opinion, this is one of the album’s strongest sides.

You know the drill by now: carefully review the songs on Side 3, then make your choice. As always, you are encouraged to state your choice for BEST SONG on Side 3 in the Comments section (you must be registered to add comments, if you’re not already registered, please do so: the more chatter the merrier) and place your vote in the poll associated with this thread. The winner of this album side will move onto a playoff against the eventual winner of Side 2. You may vote on the BEST SONG on Side 3 through Saturday, August 20.)

What is the BEST SONG on Side 3 of the original Nuggets LP?

Count Five: “Psychotic Reaction” (78%, 31 Votes)
The Leaves: “Hey Joe” (13%, 5 Votes)
The Amboy Dukes: “Baby Please Don’t Go” (8%, 3 Votes)
Michael and the Messengers: “Romeo & Juliet” (3%, 1 Votes)
The Cryan’ Shames: “Sugar and Spice” (0%, 0 Votes)
Blues Magoos: “Tobacco Road” (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 40

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Review Side 3 contenders…after the jump!

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