Your musical tastes - Rare Earth Forum

Mike

Posts:

Date: Mar 1, 2008

Your musical tastes	Permalink

I got to thinking the other day, I've been here for almost a year and I've not seen much of anyone's musical tastes here. I'm just curious about what you all like and even dislike. Not wanting to get into arguments over who's better and who's best. Just curious about who you like and even why. And you can't say Rare Earth, that's too easy. :) For me, the greatest musical decade is from 1965-1975. There was good stuff before and after but this is a golden decade for me. The Association. The Animals, The Allman Brothers, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Band, The Byrds, CCR, Cream, The Doors, Deep Purple, The Hollies, Steppenwolf, Vanilla Fudge, Iron Butterfly, Electric Flag, Traffic, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The James Gang, The Doobie Brothers, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Zombies, Simon & Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Crsoby Stills Nash (Young), Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, Flying Burrito Bros, Steely Dan, Moby Grape, The Grass Roots, Little Feat, Pink Floyd, Rush, The Police, Sting, Genesis (esp. 1974-1980), Billy Joel, ZZ Top ( esp. 1971-1979), Marshall Tucker, Wet Willie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Uriah Heep, BTO, The Guess Who, Burton Cummings, AC/DC (only up to 1979) and the list goes on and on :) __________________

MARK M

Posts:

Date: Mar 6, 2008

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I LIKE THE BODEANS...THEY HAIL FROM MILWAUKEE...ROOTS ROCKERS..TO COMPARE THEM..FROM DYLAN TO MELLENCAMP TO U2 AND THROW IN SOME EARLY FLEETWOOD MAC YOU HAVE THE BODEANS...ALBUM SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE "HOME","BLACK AND WHITE","GO SLOW DOWN"... MARK M __________________

stuart -- chicago

Posts:

Date: Mar 6, 2008

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Procol Harum, Chicago, Gerry Rafferty, Johnny Cash, The Beatles together and solo, Paul Simon, Three Dog Night, The Grass Roots, Grand Funk, War, Rufas, The Spinners, The Beach Boys, Curtis Mayfield, Neil Young, Rod Stewart....this is all off the top of my head. My favorite era is late 60's early 70's. My list can go on and on, but I guess my top five would be:

Beatles (together and solo)
Rare Earth
3 Dog Night
Procol Harum
Gerry Raffery/Steelers Wheel/Humblebums

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Glenn

Posts:

Date: Jun 17, 2008

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Funny you should mention The Grass Roots - I was going to post that I liked them but imagined people scratching their heads wondering how someone who liked Rare Earth could also like The Grass Roots! I actually run a web site devoted to them called Golden Grass, so as you can guess I really like them.
http://home.att.net/~souldeep69/index.html

But it's not such a stretch between the two groups - beginning with "Midnight Confessions" many of the Grass Roots' records could be labelled "white soul", mostly influenced by Motown. "Wait A Million Years" is a thinly disguised tip of the hat to "You Keep Me Hangin' On". "Sooner or Later" was considered a potential song for the Four Tops by its writers.

But there are even more connections - "City Lady" from the Back To Earth album by Rare Earth was written by Grass Roots singer, keyboardist and songwriter Dennis Provisor. AND a song by the Grass Roots on their 1975 Haven album was co-written (with Provisor) by one-time Rare Earth member Barry Frost!

So they're not so far apart after all, huh? Anyway, I love 'em both.

But I'd better not get into Lobo... aww

Glenn

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UK Dave

Posts:

Date: Jun 18, 2008

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Hi Glenn

Thanks for the info on Dennis Provisor who wrote City Life. I've often wondered who this guy was but never got around to finding out. Most of the other writers are familiar names to me but Mr Provisor was a name I hadn't heard of. I agree that there's a fine line between a lot of styles of music, Rare Earth being a prime example. Even today our UK record stores can't decide whether their re-issue CD (compilations!!) fit under the Rock section or the Soul section. It was always the case.

From that same album a couple of songs were written by Doug Duffey. Can anyone shed any light on him? The rest of the Back To Earth tracks seem to be mainly written from within the band i.e. LaCroix,Warren and Katona. It seems strange that Motown had a negative reaction to Willie Remembers and drafted Norman Whitfield in as songwriter / producer for Ma.Yet within a couple of years, after major personnel changes, suddenly the band are recording their own songs again. Also, its not Gil, Ray or Eddie writing, but the new guys Warren, Katona and LaCroix.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising any of those songs. I just wonder if Ray or Ralph might be able to shed some light on what was happening at the time? History seems to repeat itself with Norman Whitfield then re-appearing a year later with songwriting and production contributions to Midnight Lady. I reckon those two albums must have confused a lot of fans. I think I'm right in saying that Back to Earth wasn't even issued in the UK, hence my import copy. Both albums have their moments but certain songs had strayed away from the typical Rare Earth sound. I think the current line-up is probably closer to the Rare Earth we grew attached to?

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JP2

Posts:

Date: Jun 18, 2008

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My All-time favorites. 1.) Rush 2.) U2 3.) The Chameleons 4.) R.E.M. 5.) The Smiths 6.) Radiohead 7.) Depeche Mode 8.) The Police 9.) Marillion 10.) Catherine Wheel __________________

Glenn

Posts:

Date: Jun 18, 2008

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UK Dave wrote:

Hi Glenn

Thanks for the info on Dennis Provisor who wrote City Life. I've often wondered who this guy was but never got around to finding out. Most of the other writers are familiar names to me but Mr Provisor was a name I hadn't heard of. I agree that there's a fine line between a lot of styles of music, Rare Earth being a prime example. Even today our UK record stores can't decide whether their re-issue CD (compilations!!) fit under the Rock section or the Soul section. It was always the case.

Hi UK Dave,

Glad I could help out with the identity of the mysterious Mr. Provisor.

What part of the UK are you from? Wherever it is, it's almost certain that you've never even heard of The Grass Roots because their entire output failed there. They charted over 20 hits here for the remarkably long period of 1966-1975. All those hits were actually released over there, too - in fact, a couple of singles were pulled from albums there that were not released as singles in the US. Yet nothing ever charted there. I did once get an e-mail from an English Grass Roots fan, and he know exactly how unique he was! But he loved the group. It's sort of like the fact that I'm an American Smokie fan.

The Grass Roots were hugely successful in other European countries, especially Italy. They had big followings in Japan and Israel. But the UK never responded.

Anyway, you might want to check them out. They're lighter than Rare Earth but there's always a solid rock/soul feel to the records, even when the melodies are bright. Lots of horns. Possible UK comparisons are Love Affair and Edison Lighthouse, but a little heavier than those.

Glenn

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MARK M

Posts:

Date: Jun 19, 2008

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Glenn wrote:

Funny you should mention The Grass Roots - I was going to post that I liked them but imagined people scratching their heads wondering how someone who liked Rare Earth could also like The Grass Roots! I actually run a web site devoted to them called Golden Grass, so as you can guess I really like them.
http://home.att.net/~souldeep69/index.html

But it's not such a stretch between the two groups - beginning with "Midnight Confessions" many of the Grass Roots' records could be labelled "white soul", mostly influenced by Motown. "Wait A Million Years" is a thinly disguised tip of the hat to "You Keep Me Hangin' On". "Sooner or Later" was considered a potential song for the Four Tops by its writers.

But there are even more connections - "City Lady" from the Back To Earth album by Rare Earth was written by Grass Roots singer, keyboardist and songwriter Dennis Provisor. AND a song by the Grass Roots on their 1975 Haven album was co-written (with Provisor) by one-time Rare Earth member Barry Frost!

So they're not so far apart after all, huh? Anyway, I love 'em both.

But I'd better not get into Lobo...

Glenn

HELLO GLENN..
DID YOU CATCH THE ROOTS ON A PBS SPECIAL??
OVER THE WINTER PBS RUNS AUCTIONS TO RAISE MONEY AND ERIC BURDON WAS THERE..STEPPENWOLF..THE ZOMBIES..AS WELL AS THE GRASS ROOTS WHICH SANG SOONER OR LATER AND MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS..PBS LATER LATER RAN A DVD SPECIAL ON THE VOICES OF ROCK..PETER RIVERA WAS THERE WITH A HOUSE BAND SINGING GET READY AND CELEBRATE AND HE ROCKED THE HOUSE OF COURSE..GARY WRIGHT WAS THERE AND DID DREAM WEAVER...WELL ANYWAY..IT WAS NICE TO SEE ALL THOSE BANDS ON THERE THAT WE GREW UP WITH..
TAKE CARE
MARK M biggrin

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RAY MONETTE

Posts:

Date: Jun 19, 2008

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DAVE, HERE'S THE STORY ON DOUG DUFFEY: http://www.dougduffey.com/dougduffey/bio.htm CHEERS, RAY __________________

UK Dave

Posts:

Date: Jun 19, 2008

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Welcome back Ray and thanks. For sure that answers any questions related to Doug Duffey!

As I said, "Back to Earth" wasn't released in the UK. My best friend went to Sweden to visit a "penfriend" (sounds pre-historic!!) in 1975. I got a postcard from him saying "Weather and food ok. Seen a new Rare Earth LP called Back to Earth in the shops, great sleeve design, different line-up. Might not have enough money to buy it though"

As a Rare Earth nut, can you imagine how I felt? New LP, new line-up? No mention of who's out and who's in? This was pre-internet days. It took about 3 months but I eventually managed to get Back to Earth on import. No regrets!

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Anonymous

Posts:

Date: Jun 19, 2008

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MARK M wrote:

HELLO GLENN..
DID YOU CATCH THE ROOTS ON A PBS SPECIAL??
OVER THE WINTER PBS RUNS AUCTIONS TO RAISE MONEY AND ERIC BURDON WAS THERE..STEPPENWOLF..THE ZOMBIES..AS WELL AS THE GRASS ROOTS WHICH SANG SOONER OR LATER AND MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS..PBS LATER LATER RAN A DVD SPECIAL ON THE VOICES OF ROCK..PETER RIVERA WAS THERE WITH A HOUSE BAND SINGING GET READY AND CELEBRATE AND HE ROCKED THE HOUSE OF COURSE..GARY WRIGHT WAS THERE AND DID DREAM WEAVER...WELL ANYWAY..IT WAS NICE TO SEE ALL THOSE BANDS ON THERE THAT WE GREW UP WITH..
TAKE CARE
MARK M

Hi Mark,

I saw a PBS special a couple of years ago on the '60s which included The Grass Roots -- I don't know if it's the same one you're talking about, because I don't remember seeing their ABC/Dunhill labelmates Steppenwolf on that show. Don't remember the Zombies either on that one. So maybe this was a different one? This one sounds good. Do you remember the title?

Best,
Glenn

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MARK M

Posts:

Date: Jun 20, 2008

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Anonymous wrote:

MARK M wrote:

HELLO GLENN..
DID YOU CATCH THE ROOTS ON A PBS SPECIAL??
OVER THE WINTER PBS RUNS AUCTIONS TO RAISE MONEY AND ERIC BURDON WAS THERE..STEPPENWOLF..THE ZOMBIES..AS WELL AS THE GRASS ROOTS WHICH SANG SOONER OR LATER AND MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS..PBS LATER LATER RAN A DVD SPECIAL ON THE VOICES OF ROCK..PETER RIVERA WAS THERE WITH A HOUSE BAND SINGING GET READY AND CELEBRATE AND HE ROCKED THE HOUSE OF COURSE..GARY WRIGHT WAS THERE AND DID DREAM WEAVER...WELL ANYWAY..IT WAS NICE TO SEE ALL THOSE BANDS ON THERE THAT WE GREW UP WITH..
TAKE CARE
MARK M

Hi Mark,

I saw a PBS special a couple of years ago on the '60s which included The Grass Roots -- I don't know if it's the same one you're talking about, because I don't remember seeing their ABC/Dunhill labelmates Steppenwolf on that show. Don't remember the Zombies either on that one. So maybe this was a different one? This one sounds good. Do you remember the title?

Best,
Glenn

HI,GLENN

YEAH,NOW THAT MY MEMORY SERVES ME THERE WERE DIFFERENT SEGMENTS....BUT I REMEMBER IN ONE THAT THEY "BUNCHED" EVERYTHING TOGETHER...THERE WAS SIXTIES ROCK,BRITSH INVASION,AND THE VOICES OF ROCK...I KNOW THEY WILL BE RUNNING ANOTHER AUCTION SOON AND I THINK I WILL BECOMING A MEMBER LOL!! I MISSED OUT LAST TIME...THE CD'S AND DVD'S THEY OFFERED WERE AWESOME AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL OFFERING THE SAME STUFF smile

MARK M

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AL from Canada

Posts:

Date: Feb 27, 2011

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While going through some of the older threads I came across this one,my musical taste, hmm.Being Canadian some of the bands I grew up with and in later years partied to their music may be unknown to some so here goes. Lighthouse, Five Man Electrial Band,Myles and Lenny,The Stampeders,Chiliwack,Trooper,The Cooper Brothers,April Wine,Rush,Minglewood Band,Oakly,The Good Brothers,Edward Bear,Ian Thomas,Toronto,The Box,Lee Aaron,Gowan,The Spoons,The Parachute Club,Helix,Sass Jordan,The Guess Who,Cats Can Fly,The Band,Bachman Turner Overdrive,Mashmakhan,A Foot In Cold Water,Valdy,Gordon Lightfoot,Joni Mitchell,Neil Young,Steppenwolf,Crowbar,Streetheart, Teaze,Loverboy,Triumph,Max Webster,Headpins,Mahogany Rush,Murry McLauchlan,and the list could go on and on and on.

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Topic: Your musical tastes