The 100 Greatest Songs of 1974 #1. Lady Marmalade (2 Viewers)

[Uruk-Hai]

4. Rufus “Tell Me Something Good” (from Rags to Rufus)

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Written by Stevie Wonder, sung by Chaka Khan. Funk music doesn’t get much better than this legendary tune. A bass line for the ages.

Wonder was on one of music's all-time runs at this point. He was producing so much music he couldn't record it all. To the point where he was throwing A-List material to artists no one had ever heard of, like Rufus. He also produced some really good albums for his wife Syreeta at the same time - they are basically Stevie albums with a female singer.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Now, Stevie did have two guitarists in his '70s touring bands, one of whom was Michael Sembello, who later had a hit with "Maniac" from the Flashdance soundtrack.

Your post prompted me to read up on Stevie's early-70s period and the musicians who worked on those albums. In a 2021 interview, Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show. ​

​

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]​

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Now, Stevie did have two guitarists in his '70s touring bands, one of whom was Michael Sembello, who later had a hit with "Maniac" from the Flashdance soundtrack.

Your post prompted me to read up on Stevie's early-70s period and the musicians who worked on those albums. In a 2021 interview, Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show. ​

​

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]​

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

Sembello apparently didn't know who Stevie Wonder was when he tried out for his band (yeah, ok....). Also, according to Stevie, Sembello is Italian and not white (I kind of believe this - Wonder is a little.....um..... different).

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Now, Stevie did have two guitarists in his '70s touring bands, one of whom was Michael Sembello, who later had a hit with "Maniac" from the Flashdance soundtrack.

Your post prompted me to read up on Stevie's early-70s period and the musicians who worked on those albums. In a 2021 interview, Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show. ​

​

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]​

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

Sembello apparently didn't know who Stevie Wonder was when he tried out for his band (yeah, ok....). Also, according to Stevie, Sembello is Italian and not white (I kind of believe this - Wonder is a little.....um..... different).

When you can’t actually see someone’s skin color, you’re not bound by society’s definitions.

 

[timschochet]

3. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (from Second Helping)

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If I were asked to choose between the two giants of southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as to which one I prefer over all, I would have to go with the Allmans. I just think they were a better band with more talented musicians and songwriting.

But on the other hand if you asked me to choose one song that was the absolute best Southern rock tune of all time, it would be a song by Skynyrd. The only question is: would it be this one, or “Freebird”? That’s a tough choice. But I would go with “Sweet Home Alabama”.

 

[AAABatteries]

Now, Stevie did have two guitarists in his '70s touring bands, one of whom was Michael Sembello, who later had a hit with "Maniac" from the Flashdance soundtrack.

Your post prompted me to read up on Stevie's early-70s period and the musicians who worked on those albums. In a 2021 interview, Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show. ​

​

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]​

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

What is odd is that on desktop if I highlight it I can read it - shows up white with black text. On mobile, no luck.

 

[AAABatteries]

3. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (from Second Helping)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

If I were asked to choose between the two giants of southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as to which one I prefer over all, I would have to go with the Allmans. I just think they were a better band with more talented musicians and songwriting.

But on the other hand if you asked me to choose one song that was the absolute best Southern rock tune of all time, it would be a song by Skynyrd. The only question is: would it be this one, or “Freebird”? That’s a tough choice. But I would go with “Sweet Home Alabama”.

I'd go Lynyrd > Allman and Free Bird > Sweet Home Alabama but all 4 are great.

 

[BassNBrew]

3. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (from Second Helping)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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If I were asked to choose between the two giants of southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as to which one I prefer over all, I would have to go with the Allmans. I just think they were a better band with more talented musicians and songwriting.

But on the other hand if you asked me to choose one song that was the absolute best Southern rock tune of all time, it would be a song by Skynyrd. The only question is: would it be this one, or “Freebird”? That’s a tough choice. But I would go with “Sweet Home Alabama”.

I'd go Lynyrd > Allman and Free Bird > Sweet Home Alabama but all 4 are great.

That's because you have good taste.

 

[Doug B]

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

I went and put the text in black. Should show as white in Dark mode.

 

[timschochet]

2. Billy Preston “Nothing From Nothing” (from The Kids & Me)

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Greatest Afro ever? Yes. Greatest number of keyboards in a hit single? Probably so. Most uplifting, joyous song of the era? Very well could be.
This is one of those tunes that everybody loves.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Now, Stevie did have two guitarists in his '70s touring bands, one of whom was Michael Sembello, who later had a hit with "Maniac" from the Flashdance soundtrack.

Your post prompted me to read up on Stevie's early-70s period and the musicians who worked on those albums. In a 2021 interview, Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show. ​

​

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]​

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

What is odd is that on desktop if I highlight it I can read it - shows up white with black text. On mobile, no luck.

Yeah, I’ve been on mobile all day. Next time I’m reading the forum on desktop, I’ll highlight it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

2. Billy Preston “Nothing From Nothing” (from The Kids & Me)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

Greatest Afro ever? Yes. Greatest number of keyboards in a hit single? Probably so. Most uplifting, joyous song of the era? Very well could be.
This is one of those tunes that everybody loves.

When he hosted the Midnight Special, his band was three keyboardists (including himself), four horn players and a drummer. No stringed instruments at all.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

I went and put the text in black. Should show as white in Dark mode.

It now shows up as black on black.

 

[Doug B]

[obligatory]

“Who punched you in the lips? For what? “What you mean ‘nothing’? Nobody get punched for nothing. What’d you do? “Don’t tell me ‘nothing’. You had to do something. “What did you do? No, don’t tell me ‘nothing’. “Nobody gets punched for nothing. What…? Eddie… “No, don’t say ‘nothing’. Eddie. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing “Had to do something “[Mofo] punched you in the mouth!”

[/obligatory]

 

[Doug B]

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

I went and put the text in black. Should show as white in Dark mode.

It now shows up as black on black.

Just for you, my man:

Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

Sembello: I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show.

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]

 

[squistion]

Be still my heart, waiting for Tim's #1 Greatest Song Of 1974.

 

[simsarge]

2. Billy Preston “Nothing From Nothing” (from The Kids & Me)

- YouTube

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Greatest Afro ever? Yes. Greatest number of keyboards in a hit single? Probably so. Most uplifting, joyous song of the era? Very well could be.
This is one of those tunes that everybody loves.

Saw AJ Croce Saturday night (great show. Go see him if you get a chance) and he played the hell out of this song.

 

[timschochet]

1. LaBelle “Lady Marmalade” (from Nightbirds)

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The classic original version of this song is the best tune of 1974. A big part of that is Patti’s vocals- many people regard her as one of the greatest singers in pop music history. Certainly her range and power here is extraordinary. And part is the song itself with its intoxicating melody and beat. The video, which looks like a Vegas drag show, is pretty awesome as well.

 

[timschochet]

And that concludes 1974. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope I didn’t miss anything too obvious.

Next up in a few months: 1976.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

1. LaBelle “Lady Marmalade” (from Nightbirds)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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The classic original version of this song is the best tune of 1974. A big part of that is Patti’s vocals- many people regard her as one of the greatest singers in pop music history. Certainly her range and power here is extraordinary. And part is the song itself with its intoxicating melody and beat. The video, which looks like a Vegas drag show, is pretty awesome as well.

You've shocked me. I did not see this one coming. After you posted #2, I was racking my brain for what #1 would be. "Lady Marmalade" never even crossed my mind.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

1. LaBelle “Lady Marmalade” (from Nightbirds)

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The classic original version of this song is the best tune of 1974. A big part of that is Patti’s vocals- many people regard her as one of the greatest singers in pop music history. Certainly her range and power here is extraordinary. And part is the song itself with its intoxicating melody and beat. The video, which looks like a Vegas drag show, is pretty awesome as well.

A bad song but a great countdown!

 

[Don Quixote]

And that concludes 1974. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope I didn’t miss anything too obvious.

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Lady Marmalade was what I thought #1 would be after seeing what was left. I probably would have a bit more of the soul/funk throughout and a bit less white dudes (as still a number of good tunes left out in those genres), as well as thrown in some international artists, but just my tastes. Fun countdown to read.

 

[DocHolliday]

I’m not a fan of the music in 1974. There were some great songs and albums but not the depth of material compared to many other years.

 

[timschochet]

I’m not a fan of the music in 1974. There were some great songs and albums but not the depth of material compared to many other years.

Well you’re more into classic rock and hard rock, and 1974 featured a lot of soul and funk. I suspect you will enjoy 1976 more.

 

[zamboni]

Lady Marmalade isn’t my favorite but I won’t raise too much of a fuss.

Overall I think it’s one of the better countdowns you’ve done and looking forward to 1976. Thanks for putting in the time.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I think Tim did a better job of showing aliens what music sounded like in 1974 than any other of his countdowns. By this, I mean that - if you spun the dial that year - this countdown represented the music world pretty well.

I see a trainwreck coming for 1976

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I think Tim did a better job of showing aliens what music sounded like in 1974 than any other of his countdowns. By this, I mean that - if you spun the dial that year - this countdown represented the music world pretty well.

Nobody was listening to September Gurls in 1974, but that's everybody's loss.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

many people regard her as one of the greatest singers in pop music history.

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well? Ok.
Out of the two give me Miss Warwick any day.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I think Tim did a better job of showing aliens what music sounded like in 1974 than any other of his countdowns. By this, I mean that - if you spun the dial that year - this countdown represented the music world pretty well.

Nobody was listening to September Gurls in 1974, but that's everybody's loss.

I was, but there are more across-the-board hits in this one than any others time has done. I thought there would be 12 Joni records.

 

[Don Quixote]

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well? Ok.
Out of the two give me Miss Warwick any day.

While you are here, doing a next 100? Or should feel free to post some bonus songs if mood strikes?

 

[BassNBrew]

I’m not a fan of the music in 1974. There were some great songs and albums but not the depth of material compared to many other years.

lol. Tim said I would be the only one.

I’m not a fan of the music in 1974. There were some great songs and albums but not the depth of material compared to many other years.

Well you’re more into classic rock and hard rock, and 1974 featured a lot of soul and funk. I suspect you will enjoy 1976 more.

Sure hope it’s better

 

[Doug B]

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well?

[recordscratch]

Whaaat!? I missed this exchange.

Between Warwick and Labelle, though ... there really isn't a wrong answer.

 

[Doug B]

1. LaBelle “Lady Marmalade” (from Nightbirds)

Produced by New Orleans' own Allen Toussaint and recorded in his hometown studio, Sea-Saint Studios. Hurricane Katrina demolished Sea-Saint in 2005.

EDIT: I don't think Labelle's version was taken in the MAD Covers exercise -- here's the original by The Eleventh Hour. Very funky, but Labelle's vocals are missed.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

And that concludes 1974. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope I didn’t miss anything too obvious.

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Wait- what happened to 1975?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

And that concludes 1974. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope I didn’t miss anything too obvious.

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Wait- what happened to 1975?

I think it turned into a band

 

[Snoopy]

And that concludes 1974. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope I didn’t miss anything too obvious.

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Wait- what happened to 1975?

in 2020: https://forums.footballguys.com/threads/the-100-greatest-songs-of-1975-1-bohemian-rhapsody.788183/

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I’ve never thought much of Dionne Warwick. She lucked out by hitching herself to a couple of amazing somgwriters (Hal David and Burt Bacharach), and when that relationship ended, so did her fortunes because she was a decidedly mediocre singer.

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well?

[recordscratch]

Whaaat!? I missed this exchange.

Between Warwick and Labelle, though ... there really isn't a wrong answer.

Tim with a CTE moment im afraid.
Of course Labelle can sing, she lets you know with every ****ing note she sings.
Ms Warwick uses her voice to sing the song and not show off…for the most part

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well? Ok.
Out of the two give me Miss Warwick any day.

While you are here, doing a next 100? Or should feel free to post some bonus songs if mood strikes?

Nah, 1974 is too early for me. 77 is a perfect start for my music knowledge, which I did.
1976 possibily, but i would have to research.
But thanks for the thought

 

[massraider]

Now, Stevie did have two guitarists in his '70s touring bands, one of whom was Michael Sembello, who later had a hit with "Maniac" from the Flashdance soundtrack.

Your post prompted me to read up on Stevie's early-70s period and the musicians who worked on those albums. In a 2021 interview, Sembello shares a story about when Wonder first hired him on. Keep in mind that Sembello was still in high school at the time:

I just happened to be in the right place at the time thanks to a friend of mine. He woke me up one Sunday morning and told me that this guy named Stevie Wonder was looking for a musician. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I really didn’t know who he was, but I heard about him. I was into John Coltrane and a bunch of jazz stuff back then. I asked my friend, “Is it that blind guy?” He replied, “Yes, that is him.” My friend told me to come with him because he really wanted the gig. So, I went there with no knowledge of who Stevie Wonder was or his music. Fortunately, for me, this was when Stevie started to move into his jazz phase. When I showed up to the tryouts, there were a couple of hundred different musicians waiting in line. They all had Stevie Wonder’s music and his books with them while they were sitting down. It was kind of like a game show. ​

​

I remember one of the guys saying, “What song are we going to play Steve?” Everyone started flipping through their Stevie Wonder song books. Stevie replied, “Man, just follow me.” And that was the beginning of him playing Coltrane stuff. I started to play and by the end of the audition, I was in pretty strong standing and quite perplexed because I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the end of the 1960s, there was still this whole segregation thing between the whites and Blacks. Most Motown bands didn’t have more than one white player in their band. [Stevie] already had a white trumpet player and there was an argument going on in the corner of the studio. Ira Tucker, who was the publicist, told Stevie, “Look, you don’t realize you hired a White guy.” So, Stevie motioned me to come over to him, and he said, “Hey, man. What’s your sign?” I didn’t know what he meant, so I thought he was asking me what my nationality was so I answered him, “I’m Italian.” Stevie turned around and said, “Guys, he’s Italian. He’s not white. He’s in the band.” [laughs]​

I can’t read this text in dark mode, and I’m not taking my skin off dark mode.

Sembello apparently didn't know who Stevie Wonder was when he tried out for his band (yeah, ok....). Also, according to Stevie, Sembello is Italian and not white (I kind of believe this - Wonder is a little.....um..... different).

Stevie is not the first black person I have heard refer to Italians that way.

I was at this club in NYC and the crowd was black/Jersey Italian, and I mentioned to this black girl how mixed the crowd was. Her: Oh, they Italian. They half a N***** anyway.

Me:

 

[squistion]

I’ve never thought much of Dionne Warwick. She lucked out by hitching herself to a couple of amazing somgwriters (Hal David and Burt Bacharach), and when that relationship ended, so did her fortunes because she was a decidedly mediocre singer.

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well?

[recordscratch]

Whaaat!? I missed this exchange.

Between Warwick and Labelle, though ... there really isn't a wrong answer.

Tim with a CTE moment im afraid.
Of course Labelle can sing, she lets you know with every ****ing note she sings.
Ms Warwick uses her voice to sing the song and not show off…for the most part

Years ago, I read a review of Labelle saying she hits people on the head with her voice when she sings.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Cannot wait to see where these land...

Invaders from Mars​

We Want Mine​

Animal Skins​

Rangers at Midnight​

Maybe I Can Fool Everybody (Tonight)​

Play On​

...though, I have pretty good guess that nowhere at all is the answer.

 

[timschochet]

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Cannot wait to see where these land...

Invaders from Mars​

We Want Mine​

Animal Skins​

Rangers at Midnight​

Maybe I Can Fool Everybody (Tonight)​

Play On​

...though, I have pretty good guess that nowhere at all is the answer.

I’ve never listened to Crack the Sky. But I put Animal Notes on out of curiosity after your post. Not bad.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Next up in a few months: 1976.

Cannot wait to see where these land...

Invaders from Mars​

We Want Mine​

Animal Skins​

Rangers at Midnight​

Maybe I Can Fool Everybody (Tonight)​

Play On​

...though, I have pretty good guess that nowhere at all is the answer.

I’ve never listened to Crack the Sky. But I put Animal Notes on out of curiosity after your post. Not bad.

Crack The Sky hit huge in Baltimore and almost nowhere else. They were out of WV, but their record distributor screwed up and shipped most all of their debut LPs to Baltimore record stores.

They were a really good band and it's hard to pigeonhole them. They had some prog in them, but also some of what became known as Arena Rock. Maybe Kansas would be a comparison, but CTS rocked harder and weren't as pretentious.

They should have hit bigger than they did, but their weird run of luck did them in.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

I’ve never listened to Crack the Sky. But I put Animal Notes on out of curiosity after your post. Not bad.

Impressed that you bothered to identify what I was talking about.

'76 was probably Crack the Sky's peak, though reasonable fans could disagree.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I’ve never thought much of Dionne Warwick. She lucked out by hitching herself to a couple of amazing somgwriters (Hal David and Burt Bacharach), and when that relationship ended, so did her fortunes because she was a decidedly mediocre singer.

But Dionne Warwick cant sing very well?

[recordscratch]

Whaaat!? I missed this exchange.

Between Warwick and Labelle, though ... there really isn't a wrong answer.

Tim with a CTE moment im afraid.
Of course Labelle can sing, she lets you know with every ****ing note she sings.
Ms Warwick uses her voice to sing the song and not show off…for the most part

I have this problem with Adele.

 

[pecorino]

Just popping in to remind the world that 1974 saw Yes release the incomparable Relayer album and Genesis produce the last with-Peter epic Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Neither are represented here.

 

[DocHolliday]

I’m not a fan of the music in 1974. There were some great songs and albums but not the depth of material compared to many other years.

Well you’re more into classic rock and hard rock, and 1974 featured a lot of soul and funk. I suspect you will enjoy 1976 more.

I love music and these threads no matter how I actually feel about the year. I always find new songs or bands to enjoy. Thank you for all the hard work putting these lists together.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

3. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (from Second Helping)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

If I were asked to choose between the two giants of southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as to which one I prefer over all, I would have to go with the Allmans. I just think they were a better band with more talented musicians and songwriting.

But on the other hand if you asked me to choose one song that was the absolute best Southern rock tune of all time, it would be a song by Skynyrd. The only question is: would it be this one, or “Freebird”? That’s a tough choice. But I would go with “Sweet Home Alabama”.

I'd go Lynyrd > Allman and Free Bird > Sweet Home Alabama but all 4 are great.

That's because you have good taste.

All are great. But my #1 Skynyrd Song will forever be Simple Man. no song better defines the working man/ farmer of the south than being a simple man like my grandparents were.

 

[Don Quixote]

Just to throw out some leftover/bonus songs for the zero to two people who may be interested. “Middle-aged dummies” thread participants know I have an affinity for the blend of American/European, African, and samba influences present in Brazil music from this era. Most of the below artists have shown up in my MAD lists. Some of my favorites from 1974. (I suppose I’m stepping outside the Thumper rule confines of the MAD threads with these .)

• Jorge Ben: Os Alquimistas Estao Chegando Os Alquimistas. A Tabua de Esmeralda is a top 10 album for me in any language, and I could list any number of songs from it. This is the opening track which sets the mood for the album. Just a buoyant vibe throughout the album that takes me away to a happy place.
• Tim Maia: Rational Culture. Long funk epics made their way to Brazil too. This one in English. About how Tim Maia’s UFO cult is going to rule the world, don’t ya know, don’t ya know.
• Raul Seixas: Gita. Video is very 70s, but one of the greatest songs from the “Father of Brazilian Rock.”
• Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim’s version of Aguas de Marco is one of the more famous songs to come out of Brazil. More of a traditional sound with some nice harmonies. (Art Garfunkel’s English version, The Waters of March, may be familiar, recently featured in The Worst Person in the World).
• Rita Lee: Menino Bonito. She was a founding member of the influential band, Os Mutantes. Just like the melody of this one.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Rita Lee: Menino Bonito. She was a founding member of the influential band, Os Mutantes. Just like the melody of this one

Why do i know the name Rita Lee? Did i draft her in the MAD international thread?