Tuesday, July 26, 2011

New Old Music

Posted to OGR on 04/18/2010

I never cease to be amazed at how “boomer music” permeates the current music scene. It comes two ways; new music recorded in the style and sound of classic hits and the re-recording of classic hits by new artists.

Several of today’s artists dig back to the roots of boomer music in developing their music. Two great examples are Duffy and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Duffy’s album “Rockferry” contains some great tracks that sound like they could have been recorded by Lulu or some other soulful songstress of the ‘60s. “Distant Dreamer,” “Enough Love” and “Dreamer” take the listener back to a different place and time, while “Mercy” is getting a lot of air play as a beach music song. Sharon Jones' CD “I Learned the Hard Way” was recorded on analog equipment using the same techniques that were used in the late ‘60s. “Mama Don't Like My Man,” “Give It Back” and “Window Shopping” sound like they could have been recorded in the Hitsville U.S.A. studios on 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit.

Many of today’s artists reach into our jukeboxes for material in their current releases. Seal and Michael McDonald have released recent CDs that contain tracks from the heart of boomer music. Who can’t see Sam Cooke at the microphone when Seal sings “A Change Is Gonna Come” on his “Soul” album or think of Jackie Wilson when Michael McDonald belts out “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher” on his “Soul Speak” CD. Just this week, Phil Collins announced the release of “GOING BACK,” a deeply personal labor of love that recreates the Motown and soul music that played such an influential role in his creative life. Just look at just some of the songs that will be on this memory trip. “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” “(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave,” “Jimmy Mack,” “Standing In The Shadows Of Love,” and “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.” Oh MY! I am gettin’ down now!

Music like this is why OGR plays “Boomer Music” not Oldies. It if a song that a boomer would like, we will play it, even if it was recorded yesterday.

Copyright 2010 Rick Wrigley

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