ODE TO BILLIE JOE - Tom Wopat - Amazing, Haunting, Country.

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Some years ago, Tom Wopat was a young actor on the television series "The Dukes Of Hazzard." I was amazing to see him some sixteen years ago with Bernadette Peters doing a wonderful acting and singing job on an award-winning Broadway remake of "Annie Get Your Gun." He and Bernadette Peters sang beautiful music with amazing spontaneity, smoothness and chemistry. Great songs. Great play.

About a year ago, I was listening to public radio (NPR) and I heard a recording of Tom Wopat singing (in studio, live and smoky) Bobby Gentry's haunting 1960's country and western tune "Ode To Billie Joe." Simple, soulful and elegant -- a hidden treasure, this one. Deep, deep southern feel -- like a wraith out of the early 1900's. Farm family on the edge of poverty. And that mystery: What was Billie Joe McCallister throwing off the bridge with his life's greatest love, before he took the lonesome plunge to his own death?

Tom has a fine bourbon- rough/mellow voice, with just the right part southern twang. His only accompaniment being an acoustic guitar (Key of E Major, funky strum), a haunting Hammond (creepin' in through the back), .... light, light drums and a gentle bass. Nice, smooth black velvet guitar solo, with gently bent strings like weeping wheat in the wind.

The song is a treat to the ears, the soul and the heart.

Gentry's impeccable lyrics ride well in Tom Wopat's gentle but masculine voice. You can feel a tornado coming in the distance ---

All in all, this song must be listened to. Get everybody you care about and tell them to listen to Tom Wopat's bayou-spooky version of "Ode To Billie Joe," here on The RadioDAZZ Blog.

Just click on the hyperlink or the video player and treat yourself to some deep, southern, country-fried soul. And y'all remember to wipe your feet. Y' hear?

The RadioDAZZ guy needs your love like the parched, sunburned desert craves a soaking rain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akvybBCu-L4

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St. Elmo's Fire - "Love's Theme" -- David Foster - Amazing Instrumental

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When I first heard the "Love's Theme" from St. Elmo's Fire, it commandeered my heart. I was radio channel-surfing while I was driving everywhere on the chance that I might hear the song. It was romantic, melodic, harmonious (David Foster is a brilliant keyboardist, with an amazing gift for playing in intervals -- like ringing bells), and classically-written.

With a full orchestra, and some very delicate chord changes and shapings, I was easily addicted. David Foster has written songs for Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, a host of soul ladies and a number of A-List performers (Divas and Divos [?]) that covers the spectrum and boggles the mind.

First, listen to this beautiful, original version of "Love's Theme From St. Elmo,s Fire"(you might need to hear it more than once, and then click the "BACK" button on your browser which will bring you back here, back home to DAZZ to hear David Foster's You Tube Channel. It is loaded with hits and performances by the artists who made them famous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pPgv63CyvM&feature=related

And now, ladies and gentlemen, RadioDAZZ gives you David Foster's You Tube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/davidfoster?feature=relchannel&v=bS3ggi9dAeE&lr=1

***To Subscribe to DAVID FOSTER'S Channel, simply click on:

http://www.youtube.com/user/davidfoster/videos

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"Must Be The Music" - Secret Weapon! - Boogie Shoes Material

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Early 1980's classic disco (with loads of bells, congas, synth, snappy electric bass, multiple voice overlays and even some counterpoint vocals, to boot). Performed by Secret Weapon, "Must Be The Music" represents the best of the crossover sound as dance floor disco evolved into unadorned, brash disco.

The song is a classic in every sense -- it captured funky disco in its "early rapper" essence, and at its height. Those disco bells were an ever-present component of the disco sound -- they were subtle, but added a rhythmic complexity and detail that caught you at every level.

I did, by the way, have bell bottoms -- but I did not (DID NOT!) wear polyester.

Listen and enjoy this hypnotic and captivating classic. It'll whip your blues, or your money will be cheerfully refunded.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyEJq-djyg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyEJq-djyg&feature=player_embedded







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Rufus Wainwright - "Hallelujah" - Poetry In Motion - RadioDAZZ

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This song, "Hallelujah," has gotten a tremendous amount of airplay, and has been performed by numerous artists, including Leonard Cohen, who wrote the lyrics. It is somber to the point of liturgical music....like a prayer. The lyrics are rich in biblical allegory and real-world casual conversation, adding a magical element of profound irony and conflict to the song.

This particular version (Rufus Wainright performs live at the Fillmore) is the most sacred version ever to capture my attention. Rufus' voice captures the full depth of sorrow associated with experiencing heart-wrenching disillusionment and loss. I hope that you truly enjoy this version -- it is a beautifully poetic song, sung by a very sensitive young man with a great burden of his own to bear. He could not have sung this song so perfectly if he had not known suffering. The caged bird sings -- unforgettably.

A special thanks to my daughter Leslie, who introduced me to this song in the 1990s while I was driving her to a friend's home. She said, "Dad, you'll LOVE this song. It's incredible." And so it was, my beautiful daughter.

This is an unusually serious RadioDAZZ selection, but I believe that it should be experienced by every Human Soul whom has ever drawn a long sigh. Enjoy this treasure by either clicking on the link or the video player. If we're lucky, I might have the lyrics further down in this post...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQK4YfiPj1Q&ob=av2n 


http://youtu.be/LQK4YfiPj1Q (if the above fails to load properly)



About those lyrics...

"Hallelujah"

I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah 

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Note: I dedicate this song, the lyrics above, and this post to anyone whom has ever endured the misfortune of loving me (or truly believing so) either because of, or despite of whom I was (or I am), and did not have that love warmly reciprocated by me because of my callousness, my self-centeredness or my childish obliviousness. I ask your forgiveness, and for my release.

With Love, and In The Hope And Spirit Of Redemption,  Dazz -- Speaking for

Douglas E Castle [http://aboutDouglasCastle.blogspot.com]




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Brothers Johnson - I'll Be Good To You - DAZZ

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The very best of The Brothers Johnson. Deeply funky, heart-pounding, distorted guitar riffs, chick-singer backup, lay-it-out-solid-bass line. E minor never sounded so funky. Great production. "I'll Be Good To You." It marches on.

Enjoy the rich instrumentation, tambourine, multi-track sideways overdubbed harmonies. Redundant? No. RadioActive! --RadioDAZZ

Just click on the link or on the video player to let this song put you into a head-bopping groove. Just between us, I hope she took him back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyPsYAaM98k&feature=related







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Breaktime! "Party Town" - Glenn Frey - RadioDAZZ

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Glenn Frey of The Eagles performs the ultimate, trite 1-4-5 (surfin' guitar key of E Major) "The heck with all of you" song (in the spirit of The Eagles' fabulous "Already Gone," one of every fellow's favorites when he has finally untied the knot (or the noose) with his girlfriend. These songs have something in common aside from the Frey Factor -- they are both great for driving with the windows wide open and singing at the top of your lungs down a major highway. They give you a sort of adrenaline rush before the loneliness and blues creep up on you.

For guitarophiles (I'd better watch it here), there's a truly neat inversion of an E7th chord (with the G# at the top) that adds tan and twang -- it will bring to mind The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There."

Enjoy "Party Town". You have my permission to sing all of the lyrics (even the part about "Kiss my a**." Dazz, your host here at RadioDAZZ (or is it DazzRADIO?), will write you a note if you need one for your teachers, parents or clergy.

Enjoy this simple, sing-along party song. Just click on the link or the video player, if it should appear [the video player is generally incompatible with the Feedburner RSS]. It requires Hi-Def (i.e., a volume loud enough that it's highly deafening) to be fully appreciated. It's too darn short -- you may need to replay it several times... It has staying power, and it leaves you hungry for an instant replay. I like that in a single.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54NWWRGLPA4



Why DAZZ -- you've done it again.





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RadioDAZZ Needs Twitteration* And Followation*

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I love to provide RadioDAZZ (or is it DAZZRadio), as much as I hope that you enjoy listening to it.

May I ask a favor of you? If you enjoy the music (and the stories, and the musical trivia, and the breaks, and the features) would you please follow me (Dazz) on my two Twitter accounts? I promise a quality flow of goodies....really. And while I'm not to proud to beg, would you get all of your soulmates, colleagues, friends, and lovers of great modern music to follow too?

Here are the Twitter pages to click on and follow:

http://twitter.com/RadioDAZZ and

http://twitter.com/DAZZRadio

If you do this for me, I will try to pay the ransom required to bring great music (finger-poppin', foot-stompin') back from the scoundrels who've stolen it from the airwaves.

Thank you so much!

DAZZ

p.s. It might take me a bit, but if I can, I'll even follow you back...this way we can chase each other around the den.





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Echoes Of Love! Doobie Brothers

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This has got to be one of my favorite, straight-ahead, rock-n-roll classics. It is so upbeat, uptempo and positive. The harmonies are rich and bright, with just a touch of soul from Michael McDonald. The song just rocks along like a kite on a spring afternoon. You can hear the sunshine. The instrumentation (a mixture of twangy open-stringed guitar rhythm and some terrifically artful synth by McDonald) is terrific. The song is so POSITIVE.

RadioDAZZ promises that you won't be disappointed. This song is a treasure -- it's a crying shame that it didn't receive more airplay. It will get you moving faster'n Peet's coffee.

Click on the link or the video player below to enjoy the Doobie Brothers' "Echoes Of Love." Read the comment at the bottom of the post -- it would appear that I have a kindred spirit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Lj2iZzqRk



"I cannot believe I finally found this song!!! I had the album and we KNOW how long ago that was. "Echoes of Love" was one of my top favorite Doobie Brothers songs. You have NO IDEA how long I have looked on YT for this!! I almost could not believe my eyes; I have perused Doobie Brothers the vids up and down over and over again. I cannot express how much I thank you for getting this song on. The Dobbie Brothers had a lot of great music, but this was the one 4 me."
------------

I fully agree...with everything except the spelling. But I feel you. - DC




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