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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 ©2023
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Episódios
  • 1965 - October: The Beatles "Rubber Soul"

    1965 - October: The Beatles "Rubber Soul"
    Jun 24 2024
    Rubber Soul was the sixth studio ablum released by The Beatles in the US and the UK. The album was largely recorded in October of 1965 over a four week period, and relesed in December of 1965. The Fab Four had completed their North American tour by August, and had returned to London to compose this album. It would be the first album they completed without the pressure of commitments to tour, film, or otherwise make public appearances. Nevertheless, the band was working under tight timelines, intending to release the album before the Christmas sales cycle. It would go to the top of the album charts and would be one of the biggest albums of 1966, charting at number 3 in the UK and number 4 in the US for the year.The name of the album is a bit of self deprecation. The term "plastic soul" was used at the time to describe some artists' attempts to duplicate the sound of black American soul music, and the Beatles recognized their efforts as less-than authentic. It also has a double meaning, referencing the Wellington boot worn in rural northern England.The album combines elements of folk rock, soul, progressive rock, and the newly-emerging psychedelic sound. It would set a new standard with rock groups, encouraging the creation of high quality albums rather than just making a string of singles that were merged onto an LP record. It also shows the increasing maturity of the group in lyrics and music. Lynch brings us this classic album from one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and friend of the show Mike Fernandez sits in while Bruce is out. Baby You Can Drive My CarThe opening track was written by Lennon and McCartney. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a woman who expects to be a big star, and offers the man the opportunity to be her chauffeur. At the end you find out that she doesn't have a car, but at least now she has a chauffeur. Norwegian WoodIt really isn't possible to have a deeper cut when you're talking about the Beatles, but this may be as close as we can get. John Lennon is the primary writer - with some contributions from Paul McCartney - and the lyrics discuss an extramarital affair he had in London. George Harrison plays sitar on this song, and it is the first use of that instrument recorded in a major release in the rock world. In My LifeThe lyrics from this song were written by John Lennon, and is perhaps the first time he wrote a song inspired from his childhood. George Martin plays the piano on the bridge, but recorded it at half speed. This creates the tinny harpsicord feel when the song is run at full speed.MichellePaul McCartney is the primary writer of this song, inspired by the popularity of Parisian "Left Bank" culture, and contains french lyrics despite McCartney's lack of fluency in the language. The music was partially inspired by chet Atkin's finger picking style. McCartney began writing the song in 1958, and it went to number 1 in France where it was released ahead of the album. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:The James Bond Theme (from the motion picture “Thunderball”)This was the fourth film in the spy series starring Sean Connery as James Bond. It was originally planned to be the first film of the series, but was pushed back due to legal disputes. STAFF PICKS:Treat Her Right by Roy Head and the TraitsWayne leads off the staff picks with a short, happy, party song. While this may have a surf song vibe, the band is from Texas. The lyrics tell about how a guy is supposed to treat a woman, and the benefits thereof. The song peaked at number 2, and is the best known song by the group. Hang On Sloopy by the McCoysRob brings us a song originally recorded by the Vibrations in 1964 with the title "My Girl Sloopy." A jazz singer in Ohio named Dorothy Sloop inspired the name. The McCoys version went to number 1 on the pop charts, and would be picked up by a number of garage bands. Rick Derringer is the front man for the group.California Girls by The Beach BoysMike's staff pick is a well-known song from the album "Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)" by the group. Brian Wilson conceived the song during an acid trip, thinking about film scores from Westerns and - of course - girls.Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuireLynch closes out the staff picks with a protest song often covered. P.F. Sloan wrote this song after the Kennedy assassination, the Gulf of Tompkin military action, and other social upheaval of the early to mid-60's. American media used this song as an example of what was wrong with youth culture, counterintuitively driving the popularity of the song. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Hole in the Wall by The PackersThis jazz instrumental closes out this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook ...
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    28 minutos
  • 1992 - March: The Cure “Wish”

    1992 - March: The Cure “Wish”
    Jun 17 2024
    We've covered a lot of great bands and artists in our podcasts, but it is a rare occasion when we get to explore a group that has defined an entire rock genre. The Cure are considered to be the defining band within the goth rock movement. Formed in 1978 out of the post-punk era, this West Sussex band would grow into an international cult favorite, complete with black wardrobe, smeared lipstick, and wild hair.The Cure is considered to have hit the height of their commercial appeal with Wish, their ninth stuio album. Personnel for this album were Boris Williams on percussion (his last album appearance with the group), Perry Bamonte on guitars and keyboards (his first appearance as a member of the group), Pori Thompson on guitar (his last appearance with the group for 16 years), Simon Gallop on bass, and Robert Smith on vocals, keyboards, guitar, and bass. The Cure would see a lot of personnel changes through the years, with Robert Smith being the only consistent member throughout, and the driving force behind the band.Wish was written with a lighter alternative rock sound than their previous albums, making many songs more accessible both to the less devoted fan and to commercial radio. It went to number 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the US, and number 1 on the UK albums chart.Bruce presents this monster of goth rock in today's podcast. A Letter to EliseThe third single from the album had its first release prior to the album on a 1991 episode of MTV Unplugged. It is a song about resignation, of realizing that things are just not going to work out. It went to number 2 on the US Alternate Airplay charts.HighOne of the more upbeat songs, this is the lead single from the album. It went to number 1 on the US Modern Tracks, and 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. It chronicles the feelings of love and infatuation. Despite their reputation, many Cure songs are not dark and melancholy. To Wish Impossible ThingsThis is a deeper track, and a darker one. It is about relationships generally, and more specifically looking back on a relationship that is no more. The title comes from the idea that selfish wishes do not turn out well when they are granted.Friday I'm In LoveThis was the band's second single and the big hit from the album. It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 (the last top 40 hit for the Cure to date), and at number 1 on the Billboard Modern Tracks chart. This surprisingly happy song about looking foward to Friday has become one of the signature songs from the group. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Yo Cousin Vinny by Joe PesciThe starring actor from "My Cousin Vinny" takes a comedic turn with this song inspired by the movie "My Cousin Vinny." STAFF PICKS:To Be With You by Mr. BigLynch starts off the staff picks with an acoustic rock ballad. Front man and co-writer Eric Martin provides lead vocals to this song which topped the Billboard Hot 100. It was a single off the album "Lean Into It," and is considerdd the groups most successful song to date. Black Flag by Kings XRob's staff pick is the lead single off Kings X's self-titled album, their fourth studio album, and the first on Atlantic Records. Kings X has often been labeled as a Contemporary Christian album, but they have inspired a number of prog rock groups through the years. Unlike many bands, the core lineup of the band has remained the same for over forty years.The End of Everything by The Charlatans UKWayne brings us a deeper cut from a group from the midlands in England. This song's lyrics are inspired by a friend feigning an illness so he could leave the army. The band appended the "UK" at the end of their name to avoid confusion with a 60's American band also called "the Charlatans."Until Your Love Comes Back Around by RTZBruce wraps up the staff picks with a ballad from a short-lived band out of Boston. Former members of the band Boston, including guitarist Barry Goudreau and vocalist Brad Delp formed RTZ with keyboardist Mrian Maes, percussionist Dave Stefanelli, and bassist Tim Archibald. This song went to number 26 on the US charts. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Elmira St. Boogie by Danny GattonThis instrumental gets us moving as we close out this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
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    44 minutos
  • 1970 - August: Creedence Clearwater Revival "Cosmo's Factory"

    1970 - August: Creedence Clearwater Revival "Cosmo's Factory"
    Jun 10 2024
    Swamp rock afficianados, this is your podcast!Despite forming in California, Creedence Clearwater Revival was known for their Louisiana sound often described as "swamp rock" or later as roots rock. They tended towards an earlier rock sound during a time when much of their fellow performers were moving in a more psychedelic direction. But CCR (as the band was known, or Creedence) would find prolific success in the time from 1969 to 1971 when they would produce 14 consecutive top 10 singles and five consecutive top 10 albums.The band featuring front man and multi instrumentalist John Fogerty, brother Tom Fogerty on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Stu Cook on bass, and Doug Clifford on percussion got their start as a band playing rock standards and instrumentals in 1959 under the name "The Blue Velvets." They changed their name to "the Golliwogs" in 1964, then became CCR in 1967. The name Creedence Clearwater Revival comes from three sources - John Fogerty's friend Credence Newball, a beer commercial touting "clear water," and the word "revival" depicting the members' re-commitment to the band.Cosmo's Factory is the band's fifth studio album takes its title from the warehouse in Berkeley where the band practiced in early days. Doug "Cosmo" Clifford called it "The Factory" because they practiced there almost daily. This album went to number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and remained there for nine weeks. It is one of those albums that appears to be a "greatest hits" album rather than a studio release because of the number of very familiar songs originating on it.The group would be prolific, but short-lived. Tom Fogerty left the group at the end of 1971 and the rest had an acrimonious falling out shortly thereafter. But for a few years, CCR produced a gigantic body of work, despite never having a number 1 hit.Wayne takes us through this classic album of swamp rock for this week's podcast. Who'll Stop the RainOften considered a Viet Nam protest song, the inspiration for this track is actually Woodstock, where multitudes of music fans congregated in the rain to hear the music of the age. It was released as a double A single along with "Travelin' Band," and went to number 2 on the American charts.Run Through the JungleAnother song mistakenly considered to be a Viet Nam protest (and often used that way in films), Fogerty wrote this about the proliferation of guns in the United States, comparing city streets to a jungle. This was another double A single release, paired with "Up Around the Bend." It has appeared in multiple films including "Air America," "Rudy," and "Tropic Thunder."Up Around the BendThis track is a more straightforward invitation to a gathering that is, as you might guess, up around the bend. It went to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and number 3 on the UK singles charts. John Fogerty wrote this song, as he did most of the original CCR tracks.Travelin' BandThis song draws its inspiration from 1950's rock songs, particularly paying homage to the style of Little Richard. The lyrics talk about a band on the road. It's reference to "737 coming out of the sky" - a new passenger plane at the time the song was written - put the song on a list of inappropriate tracks in a post-9/11 memo by Clear Channel. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Main theme from the television series “Dark Shadows”A feature length horro film entitled "House of Dark Shadows" was released in 1970 based on the vampire soap opera. STAFF PICKS:Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson & the MiraclesLynch's staff pick has upbeat music that belies the sad lyrics depicting a man who has to put on a happy front despite facing the loss of his love. The track was originally recorded in 1966, but not released until 1970. It topped both the UK charts and the US Billboard Hot 100. Long Long Time by Linda RonstadtRob's staff pick may not be a rock song in the traditional sense, but it shows off the vocal capabilities of one of the leading female rock figures prior to her breakthrough as a soloist. The song about a woman's undying love for a guy who will never be hers went to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Diana RossBruce features a song written by Ashford and Simpson in 1966, and originally a hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell who took it to number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Diana Ross released this as a solo song with a reworked sound incorporating gospel elements with strings and horns. It went to number 1 making it Ross's first number 1 solo hit.Vehicle by The Ides of MarchWayne presents a one-hit wonder out of Chicago with a funky sound and a great horns section. The vocalist and guitarist for The Ides of March would later become a founding member of Survivor. General Motors used this song extensively in national advertising, and it will tend to get you driving faster! NOVELTY TRACK:Chicken Strut by the MetersThis novelty song inspired a ...
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    31 minutos

Sinopse

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 ©2023
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