What the Riff?!? Podcast Por Rob Marbury Wayne Rowan Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute capa

What the Riff?!?

What the Riff?!?

De: Rob Marbury Wayne Rowan Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute
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 Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.” We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service. You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.What the Riff ©2024 Ciências Sociais Mundo Música
Episódios
  • 1972 - September: Carpenters "A Song for You"

    1972 - September: Carpenters "A Song for You"
    Jul 14 2025
    While this album is a bit soft for our typical rock and roll podcast, you just can't talk about music in the early 70's without giving some attention to the Carpenters. The dual of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter would have a multitude of hits based on their close harmonies and melodic pop sensibilities. They began as a jazz group in 1966 when Karen was still in high school, and would eventually sign to A&M Records as the Carpenters in early 1969. Richard Carpenter was the keyboardist and primary driver behind the Carpenters' sound. Karen began as the groups drummer, and would continue in this role intermittently, though her distinctive vocals demanded her to often be out front on tour with a touring drummer (Hal Blaine) taking her place behind the kit.A Song for You was the Carpenters fourth studio album. It featured a mixture of songs written or co-written by Richard Carpenter, and songs from other songwriters adapted to the group by Richard Carpenter. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the US and number 13 on the UK Albums chart. Six of the 12 songs (plus a reprise of the title track) were released as singles.The Carpenters were careful in managing their image and maintained a wholesome persona throughout their career. Richard Carpenter would balk at the "squeaky clean" image that A&M Records, believing that the focus should be more on the music than their image. Much later the struggles Richard faced with pills would come to light, and Karen's death in 1983 as a consequence of anorexia nervosa would put a much-needed spotlight on the eating disorder affecting countless people.The Carpenters produced 10 albums over their 14-year career, along with a number of singles and multiple television specials. Lynch brings us a look at the softer side of rock for today's podcast. Goodbye to LoveRichard Carpenter and John Bettis wrote this song. Carpenter was inspired to write this track after seeing a 1940 Bing Crosby film called "Rhythm on the River." In the film, the struggling songwriter often refers to his greatest composition being "Goodbye to Love," but the song is never played. Carpenter took this inspiration and created the song. Top of the WorldOne of the best known songs from the Carpenters today, this track was not originally intended to be a single. However, after country singer Lynn Anderson had success with a cover, the Carpenters reconsidered and released the song as a single. It would top the US charts in 1973, one of three Carpenters songs to do so. Hurting Each OtherGary Geld and Peter Udell wrote the original song which was first performed by Jimmy Clanton in 1965. The Carpenters had the Wrecking Crew as their session musicians on their arrangement which went to number 2 on the U.S. charts. A Song for YouThe title song from the album was originally written and performed by Leon Russell on his 1970 solo debut. Though the Carpenters version was not released as a single, it starts and concludes the album, making the whole a concept reflecting on its plea for understanding and forgiveness. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Main theme from the television series "The Waltons"This historical drama set in West Virginia during the depression began in September 1972. STAFF PICKS:Saturday in the Park by ChicagoRob open this week's staff picks with a song penned by Robert Lamm for the album Chicago V. The inspiration was either a walk in Central Park on July 4, 1970, or a compilation of film shot in Central Park in the early 70's. The track reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting single from Chicago at the time.Rock 'N' Roll Soul by Grand Funk RailroadWayne's staff pick is the closing anthem from Grand Funk Railroad's sixth studio album, Phoenix. The lyrics from this Detroit group celebrate the power of rock music as a source of joy, freedom, and self-expression. "Tell everyone you know, you've got some Rock and Roll soul."Use Me by Bill WithersBruce brings us a song that Withers penned as a funny answer to those who thought he was too nice. Bill Withers claimed that he wasn't very popular and had a stutter until his late 20's. This song was basically Withers saying, "OK, you want a nasty boy? Well here I come!" It is his second biggest hit in the U.S. behind "Lean on Me," and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Alone Again (Naturally) by Gilbert O'SullivanLynch closes out the staff picks with an introspective ballad. Despite the upbeat tempo and melody, the lyrics are quite dark. The first verse contemplates suicide after a failed attempt at a wedding, while other verses question the existence of God and lament the loss of parents. Irish singer-songwriter O'Sullivan originally did not include this single on his second album, "Back to Front," but included it on re-issues due to its popularity. It spent six weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Popcorn by Hot ...
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    35 minutos
  • 1970 - April: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young "Deja Vu"

    1970 - April: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young "Deja Vu"
    Jul 7 2025
    We covered the self-titled debut album from Crosby, Stills & Nash in episode 137. Deja Vu is considered the second Crosby, Stills & Nash album, but it is actually the first album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with Canadian songwriter Neil Young turning the trio into a quartet.While the album continues to feature the signature harmonies associated with Crosby, Stills & Nash, it has a harder, more rocking edge to it. Some of this is undoubtedly due to the addition of Neil Young to the album, but it also reflects the challenges the group members were facing. Both Stephen Stills and Graham Nash had gone through break-ups in their relationships, and David Crosby tragically had lost his girlfriend Christine Hinton in a car accident.The album was highly anticipated, generating $2 million in pre-sales before its release. It became a gold record only 14 days after release, and was on the Billboard 200 album chart for 88 weeks. Contemporary critics provided mixed reviews, but the album has only grown in stature over time, with many reviews considering it amongst the top albums ever produced. Deja Vu was inducted into the Grammy Hall of fame in 2012.After its release, each of the principal members of the group would record solo albums, and the success of Deja Vu contributed to the individual success of these four solo projects.Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes Young) would continue to produce albums over the decades with their last collaboration occurring in 2015. The death of David Crosby in 2023 ended the possibility of full reunions.Wayne brings us this soft rock singer-songwriter live album for this week's podcast. Carry OnThe opening track to the album was penned by Stephen Stills who also provides lead vocals. It is a medley of two songs edited together with a jam session connector, and came together surprisingly fast during a time when most songs were taking a long time to finish. The lyrics encourage the band members to keep going through times of struggle in relationships both within and outside the band.Teach Your ChildrenGraham Nash wrote this song in 1968 when he was with The Hollies, but had not recorded it with that group at the time. Nash has associated the song with a photograph exhibit showing a child playing with a toy hand grenade, and the lyrics encourage parents to be careful in how they teach their children. Neil Young does not play on this song, but the steel guitar is provided by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. WoodstockUnlike the other tracks on this album, this song was not written by any of the band members, but was penned by Joni Mitchell. Mitchell had not attended the Woodstock festival, but was inspired to write this song told from the perspective of a concert goer after hearing her then-boyfriend Graham Nash relay the account. It has become a signature song for the group and a staple of the 60's counter-culture. Our HouseGraham Nash wrote this song as a description of a day spent with then-girlfriend Joni Mitchell and her two cats in their Laurel Canyon home. The song was written in an hour on Mitchel's piano. It went to number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Theme from the motion Picture "Patton"This epic starring George C. Scott was playing in the theaters in 1970. It won seven Academy awards, including Best Picture. STAFF PICKS:Let It Be by The BeatlesLynch starts the staff picks with a song inspired by a dream. Paul McCartney's mother, Mary Patricia McCartney, died of cancer with Paul was 14. In the dream, his mother encourages her son by saying, "It's all right, just let it be." This single and title song from the final Beatles album debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 before topping those charts.Cecilia by Simon & GarfunkelRob brings us the third single from the fifth and final album by Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It was developed in a late night jam when the duo and friends were banging on a piano bench and recording the sound with a tape recorder. The lyrics depict the heartbreak of a boy delivered from Cecilia his unfaithful lover.The Rapper by The JaggerzBruce features the most successful single from the band whose guitarist and primary songwriter would go on to be Donny Iris. The song is a warning to the ladies not to be taken in by a smooth talking man telling them lies. It went to number 2 on the charts.Superlungs My Supergirl by Terry ReidWayne's closes out the staff picks with a cover originally written by Donovan about a 14-year old groupie. Terry Reid was Jimmy Page's first pick to be lead singer of Led Zeppelin, but was unavailable at the time due to his touring schedule with Cream and the Rolling Stones. Reid would acquire the nickname of Superlungs. NOVELTY TRACK:Pineapple and the Monkey by The FacesThis instrumental from The Faces debut album takes us out for this week. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of ...
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    34 minutos
  • 1970 - June: The Beatles "Let It Be"

    1970 - June: The Beatles "Let It Be"
    Jun 30 2025
    By the time The Beatles released their twelfth and final studio album, Let It Be, the ban had already broken up. Their official break-up was in April 1970, and this album was released in May.Much of the recording dates back over a year, and a project that Paul McCartney developed in an attempt to save the band. The Beatles went into the studio in January 1969 to begin an album, document the development on film, and showcase the band as they return both to a simpler rock 'n' roll style and to live performance. They started in Twickenham Film Studios, but quickly began fighting. George Harrison left the group, only returning after they agreed to returning to Apple Studios and to bringing keyboardist Billy Preston in to assist in the process.Originally entitled "Get Back," the album was delayed multiple times as the group considered aligning with potential televised performances, and eventually postponing the release in favor of the studio album "Abbey Road." As the demise of the group became more clear, Engineer Glyn Johns and producer Phil Spector were brought in to turn the pieces from the "Get Back" sessions into a complete album.These sessions were also the ones which included the final Beatles live performance, the "Rooftop Concert" recorded from the roof of Apple Studios on the afternoon of January 30, 1969. This concert proceeded for 42 minutes until the police arrived and instructed the group to turn the sound down.Contemporary reviews of the album were more negative than previous Beatles albums, but those critiques have been revised upwards over time.Bruce presents this album marking the end of an era for this week's podcast.Two of UsPaul McCartney wrote most of this song which is credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership. The original idea was inspired by McCartney's travel adventures with Linda Eastman (to whom he was married in March 1969), but it took on more meaning as a gesture of affection to John Lennon after the group broke up. I Me MineOne of the few non Lennon-McCartney songs on the album, this track was written by George Harrison. It was their last new track recorded before their official break-up in April 1970. The lyrics are a cry against the self-centeredness of mankind. The Beatles recorded it in January 1970, by which time Lennon has privately left the group, so the three remaining members recorded it. I've Got a FeelingThis song is actually a medley of two unfinished songs. Paul McCartney wrote "I've Got a Feeling," and John Lennon wrote "Everybody Had a Hard Year." and the two were put together. This was recorded during the Beatles' rooftop concert in January 1969 with Billy Preston on electric piano.Get BackThe concluding song from the album is unusual. because almost every moment of the song's development was recorded from the first riff to final mixing. The concluding quip from John Lennon regarding hope that "we passed the audition," was taken from the Rooftop Concert and worked in by Phil Spector. It was originally released as a single a year before in April 1969, and credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston." ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:"Burning Bridges" (Main theme from the action comedy film Kelly's Heroes)This World War II comedy stars Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas revolves around a gold heist as the war draws to a close. STAFF PICKS:Question by The Moody BluesLynch brings us a song in multiple movements. The frantic phase represents the question of why we must go to war, while the more subdued section represents love and peace. Guitarist Justin Hayward wrote this song as a mashup of two unfinished songs which came together after observing the anxiety young US fans were experiencing regarding the draft and the Vietnam War.Proper Stranger by The Guess WhoRob features a deeper cut from the Canadian band off their "American Woman" album. The lyrics depict the feelings of being alone in a big city where "Nobody knows my face or knows my name. Nobody knows where I'm going or how I came. Lost and found, no one claimed me. Alone with a million others."50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain by by Ten Years AfterWayne takes us on another deep cut. This one is a psychedelic journey with the group that gets its name from their being founded ten years after Elvis's start. We noticed the similarity between this song and the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," with which it shares a similar chord progression.Baby Hold On by The Grass RootsBruce closes the staff picks with a group that was big from 1965-1985. The Grass Roots originated in 1965 as a project between the duo P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. This song went to number 35 and was included on their compilation album, "More Golden Grass," released in the fall of 1970. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Genesis by Tangerine DreamWe close out this week's podcast with an early industrial track from the future jazz fusion giants. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust ...
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    40 minutos

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