AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Elliott

Artist:Elliott

Song:Calm Americans

Album:False Cathedrals

Elliott is an emo band that probably wasn't together long enough to have success. The 2000 album False Cathedrals is their best known record. Elliott is from Louisville, KY. They were formed in 1995 after the band Falling Forward split up. Lead singer Chris Higdon and drummer Ben Lord were in both bands. Higdon also plays guitar. They brought in a second guitarist Jay Palumbo and Jonathan Mobley played bass. Lord soon left and was replaced by Kevin Ratterman. Elliott is very similar to bands like Sunny Day Real Estate. After releasing a couple of singles, they signed with the indie label Revelation Records. Elliott recorded four albums for Revelation. The 2003 album False Cathedrals was the third album. Recording engineer Tobias Miller produced. The band writes all the songs. After the album was finished, Palumbo and Mobley were replaced by Benny Clark and Jason Skaggs. Then after the 2003 album Song in the Air, Elliott split up. Higdon went on to form the band Frontier (s). Elliott reformed in 2022 to play some shows. They did not record new music and they don't seem to be active. False Cathedrals is probably their best album and I recommend Elliott to emo fans. Here's the video for Calm Americans by Elliott. Yes, I know the camera work is a little shaky. I believe this was done deliberately. The clip was posted on YouTube by the video director.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Pat Green

Artist:Pat Green

Song:Wave on Wave

Album:Wave on Wave

The 2003 single Wave on Wave was the only top ten country hit for singer songwriter Pat Green. He had chart success but he was never able to reach the elite level. He currently records for his own label. He was born Apr. 5, 1972 in San Antonio, TX and he was raised in Waco. Green's father was in the Air Force and he got Green into music. After his parents divorced, his mom remarried. He started writing songs while attending Texas Tech University. After playing local clubs, Green borrowed money from his parents to record an album in 1995. Then he went on tour with Willie Nelson. Green's tour was sponsored by Miller Lite. Then he signed with MCA Records. Green recorded four albums for MCA. The 2003 album Wave on Wave was his most successful album. It was certified Gold. The single Wave on Wave reached #3 on the Country Singles chart. Green wrote most of the songs with co-writers. He wrote Wave on Wave with David Neuhauser and Justin Pollard who were in his band at the time. The album was produced by Don Gehlman except Wave on Wave was produced by Tony Brown. It looks like Brown was brought in to produce a hit single. Green continued to work with Gehlman on subsequent albums but was unable to score another big hit. CMT criticized Green for not being distinctive enough. So he moved over to RCA's BNA label. For the 2009 album What I'm For, he worked with producer Dann Huff. It didn't help and Green left BNA and moved back to Texas. He still tours but he now records for his own label. His latest album was released in 2022. CMT's criticism of Green was probably fair. Green just didn't stand out from the crowd. By the time he tried working with a different producer, it was too late. Here's the video for Wave on Wave by Pat Green. 

AccuRadio song Of The Day-Pukka Orchestra

Artist:Pukka Orchestra

Song:Listen to the Radio

Album:Pukka Orchestra

The Canadian band Pukka Orchestra had a chance to be a big deal. But bad luck got in the way and nothing much happened after their 1984 cover of Peter Gabriel's Listen to the Radio was a top 20 hit in Canada. They were formed in Toronto in 1979 by lead singer Graeme Williamson and guitarists Neil Chapman and Tony Duggan-Smith. The name comes from the Hindi word pukka meaning genuine. Duggan-Smith's grandfather used the word when he was harbormaster in Calcutta. When Duggan-Smith told him about the band, he said don't bother with a mediocre band, be in a "Pukka Orchestra". At the time, Toronto had a lively New Wave scene and those musicians played with Pukka Orchestra. After self releasing a 1981 single, the band signed with Solid Gold Records owned by concert promoters Neill Dixon and Steve Propas. Chilliwack was on that label. The 1984 album Pukka Orchestra was produced by veteran producer Eugene Martynec. With the exception of Listen to the Radio, the band wrote all the songs. Then while Listen to the Radio was going up the charts, Solid Gold was having financial problems. After Pukka Orchestra won a CASBY award for Most Promising Newcomer, Solid Gold declared bankruptcy. Then while visiting family in Scotland, Williamson developed kidney problems and received dialysis treatment. A benefit concert was held at Toronto's Bamboo Club to help pay Williamson's expenses. He got a kidney transplant and returned to Toronto. By that time, Pukka Orchestra was finished though they did release a 1987 single followed by a 1992 album. It's too bad as they had potential. This album was re-released in 2000 and is available as a digital download. Williamson moved to Scotland and died in 2020. Chapman joined The Sattalites and formed NeoTone with Duggan-Smith. They participated in a 2003 Pukka Orchestra reunion. Here's the video for Listen to the Radio by Pukka Orchestra.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Pavement

Artist:Pavement

Song:Cut Your Hair

Album:Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement

Pavement never had a hit single. But they were a successful album and touring band in the 90s. The 1994 single Cut Your Hair is probably their  best known song because of the video. They split up in 1999 and have reunited to tour. The lead singer and main songwriter of Pavement is Stephen Malkmus. He started Pavement with guitarist Scott Kannberg in Stockton, CA in 1989. At first it was just supposed to be the two of them in the studio. But then Pavement was turned into a band with Mark Ibold on bass, Gary Young on drums and Bob Nastanovich on percussion. After releasing a couple of EPs, they started playing live shows. Pavement was frequently compared to the British band The Fall. By 1992 Pavement was a full time band. They released an album and toured. But they were having trouble with Young caused by heavy drinking. The problem was they recorded at his studio. Young agreed to leave and was replaced by Steve West. They signed with the indie label Matador and the 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain sold well on the strength of the video for the single Cut Your Hair. MTV loved it. Like most of Pavement's songs, it was written by Malkmus and produced by the band. The song is sarcasm about record companies telling bands how they should look. The video was shot in a barber shop. Subsequent albums weren't as successful. Outside producers were brought in to try and give Pavement a more commercial sound. When that didn't work out, they weren't getting along anyway and split up in 1999. Malkmus formed Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks and they have released several albums. Kannberg started the band Preston School of Industry. Ibold joined Sonic Youth. He is currently a bartender in New York City. Nastanovich owns and breeds race horses in Des Moines, IA. They all returned for Pavement's 2010 reunion. That's when this comp was released. They reunited again in 2022. They didn't record new music. They have also played shows to promote the new documentary Pavements. Malkmus has a new band The Hard Quartet and that's keeping him busy. Pavement did record a new song for the documentary. But I think it's unlikely that they will record again. Here's the video for Cut Your Hair by Pavement. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Bill Cunliffe

Artist:Bill Cunliffe

Song:Stolen Moments

Album:Blues and the Abstract Truth Take 2

Jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe started out as a big band arranger. He moved to Los Angeles and started recording as a leader after winning the 1989 Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition. He was born June 26, 1956 in Andover, MA which is north of Boston. His mother played piano so he took lessons as a child. After graduating from Phillips Academy in 1974, Cunliffe attended Wesleyan University and played in a rock band. After hearing Oscar Peterson for the first time, Cunliffe decided to be a jazz musician. After graduating from Duke University, Cunliffe earned a masters degree in music from Eastman School of Music. After teaching music at Central State University in Ohio, Cunliffe toured as a pianist and arranger with the Buddy Rich Big Band. Then he was house pianist at the Greenwich Tavern in Cincinnati playing with touring musicians like Joe Henderson and Freddie Hubbard. Cunliffe moved to Los Angeles in 1989 and won the 1989 Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition. Then he joined the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quartet. Then he signed with Discovery Records. His debut as a leader was the 1993 album A Paul Simon Songbook. Stolen Moments is from the 2007 album The Blues and the Abstract Truth Take 2. It is a tribute to Oliver Nelson. The band is a trio with a horn section. The trio is Cunliffe, Tom Warrington on bass and Mark Ferber on drums. The horns are Brian Scanlon on alto sax, Bob Sheppard on tenor and soprano sax, Larry Lunetta on trumpet and Andy Martin on trombone. Sheppard works a lot with Cunliffe. Trumpeter Terrell Stafford and alto saxophonist Jeff Clayton make guest appearances. The album is on Resonance Records and is available as a budget CD. Cunliffe has recorded for several labels but he currently records for his own label. He last released an album in 2019. Cunliffe is currently Professor of Music at Cal State Fullerton. Here's Bill Cunliffe with Bob Sheppard on alto sax, Rickey Woodard on tenor sax, Bob Summers on trumpet, Andy Martin on trombone, Tom Warrington on bass and Paul Kreibich on drums performing Stolen Moments at the Culver Club in Culver City, CA June, 17, 2011. Solos are by Sheppard, Cunliffe and Martin. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-J. Brown

Artist:J. Brown

Song:My Whole Heart

Album:The Art of Making Love

J. Brown topped the R&B charts with the 2023 single My Whole Heart. He should be of interest to R&B fans but I don't see him crossing over to pop. I will explain. His full name is John Brown and he grew up in Detroit the youngest of five children. He's a Preacher's Kid so he grew up singing in the church choir. He joined the Mosaic Youth Theatre, sang the National Anthem before Detroit Pistons and Lions games and sang for President Clinton. Brown and his high school buddy Robert Curry heard that Wyclef Jean was looking to sign a group to his record label. They formed E2G, signed with Jean, but then the group split up. Curry went on to be a member of Day26 who were on the TV show Making the Band 4. When a 2010 single got local airplay, Brown signed with Universal Republic. He released a couple of singles. There was supposed to be an album but it never happened. Meanwhile he attended Grambling State University on a full academic scholarship. For the next few years Brown was a backup singer. Then he resurfaced in 2020 as J. Brown on SoNo Recording Group and the album Chapter & Verse. When his singles charted on the R&B charts, he released the 2022 album The Art of Making Love. The single My Whole Heart topped the R&B chart. On both albums, he worked a lot with producer Carvin Haggins. He wrote and produced eight of the twelve tracks on The Art of Making Love including My Whole Heart. Haggins was once half of the production duo Carvin & Ivan with Ivan Barias and they produced Musiq Soulchild among others. The album is available as a digital download. R&B fans should check it out. I expect Brown will continue to do OK in R&B. But I don't see him crossing over to pop. For one thing, the J. Brown name is too generic. But the biggest problem is his record label is too small. Plus they usually sign washed up guys like Brian McKnight. I know Brown had a bad experience at Universal Republic. But he needs to be on a large label that wants to spend money to promote him. Otherwise he's spinning his wheels. Here's the video for My Whole Heart by J. Brown. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Kelly Clarkson

Artist:Kelly Clarkson

Song:My Grown Up Christmas List

Album:American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics

If you're a fan of American Idol's (AI) original run and you like Christmas songs, you may enjoy this Christmas album released with a 2003 TV special. Of course Kelly Clarkson was the first AI winner so it's appropriate that she kicked off the show. Others appearing on the album include AI season 2 winner Ruben Studdard, Tamyra Gray, Clay Aiken, Kimberly Locke, Justin Guarini and Christina Christian. There are also a couple of group songs. Simon Fuller produced the album. He worked for AI at the time. The songs are the usual Christmas songs we see on every Christmas album with the exception of My Grown Up Christmas List. Though you may not have heard that song, it's not a new song. David Foster and Linda Thompson wrote it and he performed it with Natalie Cole on his 1989 CBC special A David Foster Christmas Card. Amy Grant hit the Christian chart with her 1992 version. Kelly's version got some Adult Contemporary airplay. It's an attempt at a Christmas classic but it hasn't caught on. The American Idol Christmas album is available. Kelly now records for Atlantic. She released a Christmas EP last year. But these days she is better known for her daytime talk show. Did anyone have that on the American Idol bingo card? Here's Kelly Clarkson performing My Grown Up Christmas List the 2003 TV special An American Idol Christmas.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Faith Hill

Artist:Faith Hill

Song:There You'll Be

Album:The Hits

There You'll Be was a top ten pop hit for country singer Faith Hill. It's from the 2001 film Pearl Harbor. It is another discography orphan as the song did not appear on one of Faith's albums. At the time, Warner Bros. was trying very hard to cross Faith over from country to pop. She first crossed over to the pop top ten with the 1998 single This Kiss. This was followed by the 1999 single Breathe which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is Faith's biggest pop hit. The 2000 single The Way You Love Me was also a top ten pop hit. So I guess Warner Bros. wanted to keep up the momentum. And one way to do that was to have Faith sing a song in a big movie. Well, it worked for Celine Dion in Titanic. Disney was producing the film Pearl Harbor starring Ben Stiller and Kate Beckinsale, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Michael Bay. They bought There You'll Be from songwriter Diane Warren and offered it to Celine Dion who turned it down as too similar to Titanic. That's when Faith entered the picture. She brought her producer Byron Gallimore with her. Disney brought in British producer Trevor Horn. Horn was a former member of Yes who had become a very successful producer and he had produced songs for films. There You'll Be reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. But the big surprise was it reached #3 on the British Singles chart and topped the charts in several European countries. Because There You'll Be was only on the Pearl Harbor soundtrack, Warners rushed a comp for European release that included There You'll Be. The song also appears on the comp The Hits. There You'll Be was Oscar nominated. Faith hasn't recorded much since then especially since she left Sunday Night Football in 2013. Faith and husband Tim McGraw signed with Sony in 2017 and released a duet album. She hasn't recorded since then though she still tours. She was a regular on the Paramount+ TV series Yellowstone and appears in the spinoff series 1883. So she may be too busy with that to record right now. Here's the video for There You'll Be by Faith Hill. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Go West

Artist:Go West

Song:King of Wishful Thinking

Album:Pretty Woman: Original Soundtrack

King of Wishful Thinking was a top ten hit in 1990. It was the biggest US hit for the British duo Go West. It appeared in the 1990 hit film Pretty Woman. Go West would have been unknown to most listeners when the film was released. So it was a bit of a fluke hit supported by a pretty good video. It is not a one hit wonder nor a discography orphan though it did appeared in the film first. Peter Cox and Richard Drummie were already writing together and they had a publishing deal when they decided to record together. A demo got them a record deal with Chrysalis Records in 1982. They were on Capitol in the US. Cox is lead singer but both guys play multiple instruments. Go West's 1985 debut single We Close Our Eyes reached #5 on the British Singles chart and #41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Godley & Creme directed video was an MTV favorite. This would turn out to be their biggest hit in England. The 1984 album Go West was certified 2XPlatinum on England. The 1987 album Dancing on the Couch didn't do as well. So now Capitol is trying to figure out how to sell Go West. And one good way is to put one of their songs in a movie. Of course Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts was a big hit. And the soundtrack album was a big seller too. The Roxette single It Must Have Been Love topped the charts. King of Wishful Thinking reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified 3XPlatinum. Mission accomplished, right? No because I think most folks remembered Pretty Woman but not Go West. The soundtrack for Pretty Woman is available as a budget CD. Capitol did add King of Wishful Thinking to Go West's 1992 album Indian Summer. That song and most of the album was produced by Peter Wolf. No not Peter Wolf of J. Geils Band. This Peter Wolf is an Austrian who moved to Los Angeles after playing with Frank Zappa. He produced Starship in the late 80s. The album sales were disappointing and Go West lost their record deal. They have reunited occasionally. Cox records for his own label. Could Go West have been bigger? I guess but I don't think Capitol did them any favors. Here's the video for King of Wishful Thinking by Go West. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Omar & The Howlers

Artist:Omar & the Howlers

Song:Wall of Pride

Album:Wall of Pride

The blues rock band Omar & the Howlers have been around since the 70s. The thing I noticed when I was looking at their discography, they have bounced around so many different record labels it would make your head spin. The 1988 album Wall of Pride is one of three albums that they recorded for Columbia in an attempt to sell them to a mainstream audience. I presume this was influenced by the success of guys like Stevie Ray Vaughan in the 80s. Omar Dykes was born in 1950 in McComb, MS which is also Bo Diddley's hometown. Dykes learned to play guitar as a teen and played local clubs. He formed The Howlers and they moved to Austin, TX where the music scene was more active. When the rest of the band returned home, Dykes stayed in Austin and formed Omar & the Howlers. They recorded a couple of albums on small labels. When his buddy Stevie Ray Vaughan got a record deal with Columbia, Dykes must have asked him to put in a word for them. The 1988 album Wall of Pride was the third of three Omar & the Howlers albums on Columbia. The album was produced by recording engineer David Manning. Dykes wrote most of the songs including Wall of Pride with his manager Kevin Wommack. The band was Eric Scortia on keyboards, Bruce Jones on bass and Gene Brandon on drums. It looks like Jones is still with the band. Brandon died in 2014. Wall of Pride is available as a budget CD. Since leaving Columbia, Omar & the Howlers has recorded for the Dutch label Provogue, Watermelon Records who closed when they lost their distribution deal with Sire Records, the German label Ruf Records, and the German label MIG. Dykes has also released several albums on his own label Big Guitar Music. He has also released a few solo albums. His latest release of new music was in 2017. It looks like he has been busy releasing music from the 70s version of Omar & the Howlers. Here's Omar & the Howlers performing Wall of Pride in Germany 2005.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Bangles

Artist:Bangles

Song:Hazy Shade of Winter

Album:We Are the '80s

Of course most fans are familiar with the 80s girl group Bangles and hits like Walk Like an Egyptian. This rock cover of the Simon and Garfunkel classic Hazy Shade of Winter was a top five hit in 1987. It appeared on the soundtrack of the 1987 film Less Than Zero. It was not released on any of Bangles albums. So that means it's a discography orphan. As far as I can tell, this is the only time Bangles recorded a song for a movie. The soundtrack album was on DefJam and was produced by Rick Rubin. The film was being shot around the time Walk Like an Egyptian topped the charts. So Bangles were hot at the time. And they were asked to record a song for Less Than Zero. They were asked which song they wanted to cover. This particular soundtrack had quite a few covers including Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu by Aerosmith, Rock and Roll All Nite by Poison and In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Slayer. Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs says that she was listening to an oldies radio station one day. After Hazy Shade of Winter played, she realized that she had never heard that song before. And she thought she was a really big Simon and Garfunkel fan. So she told the rest of the band that she wanted to cover the song. They decided to record a hard rock cover. And to help with that, Rubin removed the bridge. They sang as a group and were very happy with the record. But the big surprise is that when it was released as a single, it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. That helped sell the film soundtrack which was certified Gold. Hazy Shade of Winter never appeared on a Bangles album. But it does appear on most Bangles comps including this budget CD. Bangles would have one big hit after that with Eternal Flame in 1989. Then they split up. Bangles reunited in 1998 and they still tour. Here's the video for Hazy Shade of Winter by Bangles.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-David Phelps

Artist:David Phelps

Song:O Holy Night

Album:The Best of David Phelps

David Phelps is best known as a member of the Gaither Vocal Band. He also has a solo career specializing in Christmas music. By my count, he has released five Christmas albums. When I listen to most Christmas albums, the artist seems to be going through the motions. Phelps puts a lot into his performances of Christmas music. It's the same audience that listens to Bill Gaither so they take their music very seriously. He was born Oct. 21, 1969 in Tomball, TX which is a suburb of Houston. His parents are both teachers. His sister Sherri sings and has toured with him. His other sister Kari plays trumpet. Phelps earned a music degree at Baylor University. He led the Baylor Religious Hour Choir. After self releasing a 1994 album, Phelps got the attention of Bill Gaither who was looking for a replacement for Jonathan Pierce in the Gaither Vocal Band. Phelps joined in 1997. He served two stints in the Gaither Vocal Band, 1997-2005 and 2009-2017. Meanwhile, he signed a record deal with Spring Hill Records. His first album was the 2000 album Joy Joy. It was a Christmas album. The album is mostly Christmas standards including O Holy Night. Phelps is accompanied by the Millar Brass Ensemble. His sister Kari played trumpet for them. Phelps usually self produces his albums. He also writes songs. After two albums on Spring Hill, Phelps signed with the much larger Word Records. He recorded several albums for Word before leaving in 2008. This budget comp covers the Spring Hill and Word recordings. That's when Phelps returned to the Gaither Vocal Band. He also signed a solo record deal with Gaither. So he toured regularly with Gaither and appeared on his TV shows. Since leaving Gaither in 2017, Phelps records for his own label. He released an album in 2024. And yes, he released a Christmas album on his own label in 2018. So he is certainly aware that Christmas music is his specialty. Here's David Phelps performing O Holy Night on the Gaither Family DVD Christmas in the Country. 

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Paul Lekakis

Artist:Paul Lekakis

Song:Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room)

Album:Tattoo It

The 1987 single Boom Boom was a worldwide dance hit and it topped the Australian charts for five weeks. Paul Lekakis isn't much of a singer and the song is a standard slice of Euro Disco. So I don't know why people liked this. Lekakis was born Oct. 22, 1966 in Westchester County, NY. He grew up singing in church and took music and dance classes in high school. Lekakis moved to New York City to work as a model while working on his singing and dancing. Maybe he was looking for a career on Broadway. Instead he was sent to Italy on a modelling assignment. He was dancing in a club and producers Miki Chieregato, Ricardo Ballerini and Stefano Montin saw him and approached him about recording. They wrote and produced Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room) on the German label XYZ Records. It was picked up by Polydor in the rest of Europe and that's when it started to pick up steam on the dance charts. The record topped the Australian charts for five weeks. Sire Records signed Lekakis and got Ric Wake to do a remix of Boom Boom. It reached #6 on the Dance chart and #43 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then the 1990 album Tattoo It was released. Lekakis worked with various producers including Shep Pettibone on the chart single My House. But the album didn't sell though it is still available on CD. Lekakis has never recorded another album though he has released occasional singles. A re-recorded version of Boom Boom was released in 2007. Lekakis still performs live and has appeared in a few films. But Boom Boom is his claim to fame. Here's Paul Lekakis performing Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room) on Australian TV. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Hot 8 Brass Band

Artist:The Hot 8 Brass Band

Song:New Orleans (After the City)

Album:The Life & Times of...

The Hot 8 Brass Band is a modern incarnation of a New Orleans street band. I saw them live at the 2019 Toronto Jazz Festival. They are very similar to bands like Dirty Dozen and Rebirth. The one thing they have in common is they are very entertaining live. The Hot 8 Brass Band was formed in 1995 by sousaphonist Bennie "Big Peter" Pete, trombonist Jerome "Baybay" Jones and bass drummer Harry "Swamp Thang" Cook. This was a merger of The Looney Tunes Brass Band and The High Steppers Brass Band. The other members come and go. They record for the British label Tru Thoughts which is mainly a DJ label. You may have seen them in the 2006 Spike Lee documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts and the HBO series Treme. They were playing New Orleans clubs but they started touring after those appearances. Three members have been killed by gun violence and they still continued. A remix of their 2008 cover of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing was a dance club hit. New Orleans (After the City) is from the 2012 album The Life & Times of... The song was written by trumpeters Terrell Batiste, Chadrick Honore and Alvarez "Big Al" Huntley. They perform a mix of original and traditional songs and they self produce. Trombone Shorty made a guest appearance. The album is available as a budget CD. They last released an album in 2019. Sadly, founding member Bennie Pete died of COVID in Sept. 2021. But The Hot 8 Brass Band still has their residency at Howlin' Wolf's in New Orleans. They will tour in 2025 and a new album Big Tuba will be released on Feb. 28. Be sure to check them out if they are coming your way. Here's The Hot 8 Brass Band performing New Orleans (After the City) at the 2012 Pickathon Festival in Portland, OR.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Pink

Artist:Pink

Song:Raise Your Glass

Album:Greatest Hits...So Far!!!

Alicia "Pink" Moore topped the charts with the 2010 single Raise Your Glass. It was her second #1 hit. It was not released on one of her regular albums. Instead RCA released it as one of two previously unreleased songs on the 2011 comp Greatest Hits...So Far!!!. So it's a discography orphan until RCA inevitably releases more Pink comps. Record companies used to add unreleased songs on comps so completists would buy them. With the increased prevalence of streaming services, this marketing strategy isn't necessary anymore. Pink continues to record though she hasn't had a top ten hit since 2016. She was born Sept. 8, 1979 in Doylestown, PA. Her parents divorced when she was a child. Pink trained in gymnastics as a child. She was in a band in high school and she started writing lyrics. She was already performing in Philadelphia clubs. She formed an R&B girl group Choice. When a demo landed in the hands of LaFace Records owner LA Reid, he asked them to audition for him. He signed them. But he needed parents consent as all three girls were minors. He eventually told Pink to go solo or go home. For her 2000 debut album Can't Take Me Home, she worked quite a bit with Reid's partner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. She scored two top ten hits from the album. The album was certified 2XPlatinum. Despite the success, Pink wanted more control over her music. Meanwhile, she appeared on the #1 hit Lady Marmalade with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim and Mya from the film Moulin Rouge. For the 2000 album Missundaztood, Pink wrote most of the songs with 4 Non Blondes lead singer Linda Perry. The album was produced by TLC producer Dallas Austin. Though Reid didn't like the album, the first single Get the Party Started reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album was certified 5XPlatinum. For her next couple of albums, she worked with different producers. But she didn't score her first #1 hit until she started working with Swedish producer Max Martin on the 2009 album Funhouse. Of course he is best known for producing Britney Spears. Martin produced most of the album including the #1 hit So What. After touring, Pink wanted to take a break. She was already married to motocross racer Carey Hart and she announced her pregnancy in 2010. RCA wanted to release a greatest hits CD. Pink didn't want to at first but she changed her mind as RCA could have released it anyway Two unreleased tracks were on the album. Raise Your Glass topped the charts. Pink wrote and produced it with Martin and Johan "Shellback" Schuster. I'm sure the song was a leftover from the Funhouse sessions. The album was certified Platinum and is available as a budget CD. Since then Pink has not been as successful probably because she rarely works with Martin anymore. One guy she has worked with a lot is Adele producer Greg Kurstin so he brings a more mature sound. She last had a top ten hit in 2016. She went on hiatus after the 2019 album Hurts 2B Human. There were no hit singles from the 2023 album Trustfall. It remains to be seen if Pink can return to the top of the charts. I have my doubts. Maybe a full scale reunion with Max Martin would help. Here's the video for Raise Your Glass by Pink.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Alice Dona

Artist:Alice Dona

Song:Une Voiture Rouge

Album:Les Annees Chansons

Alice Dona was 18 years old when she released this 1964 single Une Voiture Rouge. She was part of what was called "ye-ye" in France. Even back then she wrote her own songs. After she started a family, she had success as a songwriter. She was born Alice Donadel Feb. 17, 1946 in Maison-Alfort, France. This is a suburb of Paris. She took piano lessons as a child. She was planning to be a teacher. But then she performed with an orchestra at age 13 and studied at the Petit Consevatoire de Mireille at age 15. This led to a record deal with EMI's Pathe label. She recorded eleven singles from 1963-65 including Une Voiture Rouge. You can get all of her mid-60s recordings on this comp which is available as a digital download. In 1965, she married Bernard Ricci of the group Les Celibataires. After Alice gave birth to her daughter, she slowed down her singing career and concentrated on songwriting. She has written songs for among others Joe Dassin, Mireille Mathieu, Annie Girardot, Sylvie Vartan and Lara Fabian. After divorcing Ricci, she lived with singer Sergio Lama for over forty years. They wrote plenty of songs together. And he convinced her to start recording again. Alice last released an album in 2013 so it looks like she may have retired. Here's Alice Dona performing Une Voiture Rouge 1964. 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Piera Rodriguez vs Josefine Knutsson

Here's the fight video of Piera Rodriguez vs Josefine Knutsson from last night's UFC show in Tampa. This fight is at Strawweight. Piera is 32 years old from Venezuela. She trains at Black House MMA in Los Angeles. She's 2-2 in the UFC. She was disqualified in her last fight when she threw intentional headbutts. So she has to redeem herself in this fight. Josefine is 28 years old from Stockholm, Sweden. She's a Muay Thai coach at Allstars Training Center. She's 2-0 in the UFC. Josefine is a really good kickboxer. Piera thought that the best way to beat Josefine is to see how her takedown defense is. And that's how she won the fight. She took Josefine down several times and won the fight easily 30-27. That's how all three judges scored it. So that's what Josefine needs to work on. Enjoy the video! 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Miranda Maverick vs Jamey-Lyn Horth

Here's the fight video of Miranda Maverick vs Jamey-Lyn Horth from last night's UFC show in Tampa. This fight is at Flyweight. Miranda is 27 years old from Missouri. She trains at Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai in Denver. Her coach is former Bellator fighter Eliot Marshall. Her UFC record is 7-3. She is on a three fight winning streak. Jamey-Lyn is 34 years old from Squamish, BC. She trains at The Sound Martial Arts with Kasey and Cole Smith. Her UFC record is 2-1. She won a fight last month and came in on short notice when Miranda's original opponent pulled out. Though this was never announced, apparently the opponent was Tracy Cortez. Miranda was upset about this as Tracy is the type of fighter she needs to beat to rise in the rankings. So during this fight, Miranda behaved like a knucklehead and almost gave this fight away. In round one, Miranda unsuccessfully went for a takedown but was able to win the round by controlling the clinch on the fence. She tried to repeat this in round two but Jamey-Lyn winds up on her back. Marshall is yelling at Miranda. Jamey-Lyn doesn't have the skills to get a finish but she wins the round 10-9. Miranda finally gets the takedown she wanted in round three. She can't get a finish. But she wins the round 10-9. So I scored the fight 29-28 for Miranda and so did all three judges. Miranda admitted afterwards that she was upset and she fought poorly. And she still hasn't beaten a ranked opponent. Enjoy the video!

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Chasen

Artist:Chasen

Song:On and On

Album:That Was Then, This Is Now

Chasen was a CCM band that could have been successful if they had stayed together. The 2010 album That Was Then, This Is Now and the single On and On was very successful on the Christian charts. But they split up in 2012. Chasen was from Greenville, SC led by lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Chase Callahan. He was a worship pastor. During the summer, he assembled a makeshift band and performed at local youth camps. The bands inevitably ended when September rolled around. So he formed Chasen with Evan Silver on guitar, Doug Price on bass and Aaron Lord on drums. They signed with the CCM label OMG and released a 2006 EP followed by the 2008 album Shine Through the Stars. There was enough interest that the bigger INO label came calling. They are distributed by Sony. That got Chasen national distribution. The 2010 album That Was Then, This Is Now followed. The single On and On was a Christian Radio hit. Callahan wrote all the songs. He wrote On and On with Rob Hawkins who also produced the album. This album is available as a budget CD. So Chasen had the potential to be a big deal. But Callahan decided to end the band in 2012 to become a worship leader at a local church. He still does that today. I didn't see a reason for the split except sometimes Christian musicians can be conflicted about making a living in music. So they retreat to the church where they are comfortable. That's what this band did. None are in the music business anymore. Here's the video for On and On by Chasen.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Peter, Paul and Mary

Artist:Peter, Paul and Mary

Song:We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Album:A Holiday Celebration

If you weren't around in the 60s, you might be surprised at how popular the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary were back then. And if you were around, you may be surprised that they never recorded a Christmas album. Doesn't everyone record a Christmas album? I'm sure it would have sold well. They corrected that mistake with this 1988 PBS special and album A Holiday Celebration. After having great success in the 60s, Peter, Paul and Mary split up in 1970. Mary Travers and Paul Stookey had success as solo artists. Peter Yarrow had success as a songwriter and producer of the 1977 chart topper Torn Between Two Lovers by Mary McGregor. They reunited for a 1978 reunion tour and released a live album. The tour went so well that they toured regularly until Mary's 2009 death. And they released albums on the folk label Gold Castle. And that led to this 1988 PBS Christmas special A Holiday Celebration with an album that could be sold on pledge breaks. The choir is the New York Choral Society. Yarrow produced the album. There are a couple of standards like We Wish You a Merry Christmas. But all three wrote originals with conductor and arranger Robert DeCormier. This album is available on CD. And the entire show can be streamed on YouTube. Peter, Paul and Mary continued to tour until Mary was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004. She died in 2009. Here's the video of We Wish You a Merry Christmas which I think is the opening of the TV show. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Keri Hilson

Artist:Keri Hilson f/Kanye West and Ne-Yo

Song:Knock You Down

Album:In a Perfect World...

Knock You Down was a top five hit in 2009. It is to date the biggest hit for R&B singer Keri Hilson. At the time she was known for guest appearances on hits by others. Knock You Down was from her debut album In a Perfect World... She released a second album but hasn't released anything since then. She was born Dec. 5, 1982 in Decatur, GA. Keri got interested in music after watching the TV shows Star Search and Showtime at the Apollo. Her mom hired a piano teacher. But Keri wanted to be a singer. So she turned the piano lessons into vocal lessons. As a teen, she worked with Destiny's Child producer Anthony Dent as a songwriter and background singer. After graduating from high school, Keri studied theater at Emory University in Atlanta. She also started working with producer Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones and joined the songwriting and production collective The Clutch. They produced hits for Mary J. Blige, Omarion, Ciara and others. Then Jones introduced Keri to rapper and producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosely. He signed her to a record deal. And she appeared Mosely's hit single The Way I Are and all kinds of other folks music. In addition to being a singer and songwriter, She's gorgeous and she looks great in music videos. But Keri finally got around to recording her 2009 album In a Perfect World... When the first single didn't chart, the album release was delayed until the single Turnin Me On reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B Singles chart. Knock You Down followed and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Most of the album was produced by either Jones or Mosely assisted by Floyd "Danja" Hills and Keri. Hills wrote and produced Knock You Down. The album was certified Gold. Along with Kanye West and Ne-Yo on Knock You Down, other guests were Keyshia Colo, Lil Wayne and Akon. This album is available as a budget CD. The album was criticized as bland with the ballads being especially weak. And that may explain why Keri's 2010 album No Boys Allowed sold half of what the first album sold. And the criticism of the album was similar to the first album. So maybe Keri Hilson is not cut out to be a lead recording artist and should stick to writing and producing. There is a third album titled L.I.A.R. (Love Is A Religion). But it's never been released. Instead Keri has concentrated on acting in TV movies for Lifetime, TVOne, VH1 and BET. Keri told the website Nicki Swift that two things happened. First, her father died. Then she got into doing these movies and she really enjoys doing them. So she doesn't know if the album will ever be released. So she prefers acting right now. She's now 40 so I think her future in music is behind the scenes if she wants to do it. Here's the video for Knock You Down by Keri Hilson.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Righteous Brothers

Artist:The Righteous Brothers

Song:Rock and Roll Heaven

Album:The Definitive Collection

Of course most long time music fans will remember The Righteous Brothers for their 60s hits like You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. But do you remember their big comeback with the 1974 top five hit Rock and Roll Heaven? The end of The Righteous Brothers initial run came when they left Philles Records for MGM/Verve Records in 1966. Obviously they left for more money and Bill Medley produced their Verve recordings. The Righteous Brothers faded quickly and split up in Feb. 1968. I guess they thought they could get along without Phil Spector's production but they were wrong. Medley and Hatfield both recorded solo with little success. Medley was performing regularly in Las Vegas and Hatfield wasn't doing anything when they announced on a 1974 episode of The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour that they were reuniting. They signed with Haven Records owned by the production team of Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and distributed by Capitol. They went on to have great success with Glen Campbell. Rock and Roll Heaven was the first single from the 1974 album Give It To the People. It reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. If you have heard this song, you'll know it was about dead rock stars. The song was written by veteran songwriter Alan O'Day (Undercover Angel) and Johnny Stevenson. Stevenson was the keyboardist for the band Climax. They topped the charts with the 1973 single Precious and Few. Rock and Roll Heaven was on that album but was not a hit. It would turn out to be Stevenson's only big hit as a songwriter. A couple more songs from the album charted. But when their second album on Haven didn't sell, they split up. Medley's wife had died and he wanted to stay home and take care of his son. You can get all The Righteous Brothers hits on this budget comp. They reunited occasionally after that. And of course Medley scored a big hit with The Time of My Life from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing. It ended for good when Hatfield died on Nov. 5, 2003. Medley still performs but he is currently on his retirement tour which will end early in 2025. Here's the video for Rock and Roll Heaven by The Righteous Brothers. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Yankee Grey

Artist:Yankee Grey

Song:All Things Considered

Album:Untamed

All Things Considered was a top ten country hit in 1999. It was the only big hit for the short lived country band Yankee Grey. They only released two albums and it looks like most of them quit the music business. Yankee Grey was formed in 1986 in Cincinnati by lead singer and guitarist Coy Lee Jackson, lead guitarist Matthew Basford, steel guitarist David Carter, bassist Dwayne Blankenship and drummer Kevin Griffin. Jackson and Blankenship were soon replaced by Tim Hunt and David Buchanan. Hunt also wrote so he was an upgrade. Then Carter was replaced by keyboardist Jerry Hughes and fiddler Joe Caverlee. Yankee Grey performed in Ohio clubs for the next decade. A local engineer had connections in Nashville and thought they could get a record deal. They sent a demo and Cliff Audretch of Sony Music Nashville came to Ohio to watch them perform. Yankee Grey signed with Sony's Monument label and the album Untamed was released in 1999. The album was produced by Josh Leo, Robert Ellis Orrall and Ronnie Thomas. Leo was once A&R director at RCA Nashville and he signed Martina McBride. Orrall is a singer songwriter who was working for Sony as a producer at the time. Thomas is a recording engineer. All Things Considered was the first single and it reached #8 on the Country Singles chart. The second single Another Nine Minutes reached #15 on the Country Singles chart. Hunt wrote most of the songs including those two. Untamed is available as a budget CD. Yankee Grey was nominated for Best New Artist at the ACM Awards. So they seemed to have potential. It all came to a screeching halt as Tim Hunt was forced to leave Yankee Grey due to voice problems. Monument dropped them immediately. Because Hunt was lead singer and wrote all the songs, it wasn't going to be easy to replace him. Jerry Hughes took over as lead singer for the 2002 album Yankee Grey 2. They split up after that. Joe Caverlee is a Nashville session musician. It looks like the rest of Yankee Grey returned to Ohio and quit the music business. Here's the video for All Things Considered by Yankee Grey. 

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Yellow Ostrich

Artist:Yellow Ostrich

Song:Neon Fists

Album:Cosmos

Yellow Ostrich is another example of a solo artist hiding behind a band name for anonymity. The guy behind the name is Alex Schaaf. He writes and produces everything and has formed a band mostly to tour. But they also play on Yellow Ostrich albums. Schaaf is from Appleton, WI. He started out recording music in his bedroom on a four track recorder. While studying music at Appleton's Lawrence University, Schaaf opened for the band Bishop Allen. That band's drummer Michael Tapper suggested that Schaaf should move to Brooklyn, NY and turn Yellow Ostrich into a band. Schaaf had already self released an album and an EP. So he moved to Brooklyn in 2010 and turned Yellow Ostrich into a band. They released a couple of albums. Tapper brought in Jon Natchez formerly of The Antlers to develop their live sound. The other members were Jared Van Fleet and Zach Rose. Natchez left in 2013. Yellow Ostrich signed with the indie label Barsuk and released the 2012 album Strange Land followed by the 2014 album Cosmos. After touring to support the album, Schaaf announced on Facebook that Yellow Ostrich was disbanding. Since then, Schaaf moved to Minneapolis and formed the band Human Heat. He also released a 2018 solo album. Schaaf has said that Human Heat is an electronic instrumental band. Barsuk released an Alex Schaaf comp in 2021 as a digital download. He has recently revived the Yellow Ostrich name and released an EP. The musicians are different so obviously it's a different band. Here's the video for Neon Fists by Yellow Ostrich. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Anne Murray

Artist:Anne Murray

Song:Could I Have This Dance

Album:The Ultimate Collection

Of course Anne Murray is a much bigger deal in her native Canada than in the US. In the US, she had success mostly on the country charts including the 1981 number one country hit Could I Have This Dance. It appeared on the soundtrack of the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. That means it's a discography orphan meaning it did not appear on an Anne Murray album at the time. It's also the only time Anne recorded a song for a film. She had plenty of chart success in the 70s. The 1978 single You Needed Me crossed over to pop and topped the Billboard Hot 100. So it's not surprising that the producers of the 1980 film Urban Cowboy were looking to compile a soundtrack album of country hits. The film starred John Travolta and was based on the real life goings on at Texas clubs like Gilley's. Most of the songs on the album were previously released and used as background music in the film. Could I Have This Dance was the only song recorded for the film. It played at a wedding of the two main characters. The Urban Cowboy soundtrack was on Irving Azoff's Full Moon/Asylum label. So they had to ask Anne's label Capitol for permission to have her appear on the soundtrack. She may have been recording at the time as her usual producer Jim Ed Norman produced Could I Have This Dance. The song was written by Wayland Holyfield and Bob House. Holyfield had a lot of success writing songs with Don Williams in the 70s. It was the biggest hit for both guys as it topped the Country Singles chart and reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Urban Cowboy soundtrack album reached #3 on the Billboard 200. Could I Have This Dance did not appear on an Anne Murray album. Capitol may not have been allowed to add it to one of her new albums. But they were allowed to add it to the 1981 Greatest Hits album. You can get it on this 2017 budget comp. Anne continued to have success on the country charts until she faded in the late 80s. She retired in 2008. Here's Anne Murray performing Could I Have This Dance on Dutch TV 1981.

  

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Ednaswap

Artist:Ednaswap

Song:Torn

Album:Wacko Magneto

Ednaswap's claim to fame is that lead singer Anne Preven and guitarist Scott Cutler wrote the song Torn which was a monster hit for Aussie singer Natalie Imbruglia in 1997. Meanwhile, Ednaswap released three albums and had a tough time due to record company problems. There is a happy ending though. Anne and Cutler wrote Torn with British producer Phil Thornalley before Ednaswap was formed in 1993 with guitarist Rusty Anderson, bassist Paul Bushnell and drummer Scot Coogan. I would describe all three as Los Angeles session musicians. The band name came from Anne's dream where the band was so bad they were booed off stage. An acoustic demo got Ednaswap a record deal with Elektra's EastWest label. But the 1995 album Ednaswap had a much harder sound than the demo. I am surprised Elektra released the album. They could have shelved it. They dropped Ednaswap anyway. They signed with Island Records after Island owner Chris Blackwell saw them perform. The album Wacko Magneto was released in 1997. Cutler produced both albums and Anne wrote all the songs. Torn is on both albums but Wacko Magneto is available as a budget CD. This was at the time that Universal was buying Island's parent company PolyGram. So Ednaswap wasn't the only band that fell through the cracks. There was a third album Wonderland Park in 1998. Ednaswap split up after that. Meanwhile, Thornalley was producing Natalie Imbruglia's 1997 album Left of the Middle in London and Torn was a monster hit. The good news is Torn made Anne a lot of money. Anne and Cutler formed the band Annetenna. They recorded an album for Columbia. But after management changes, the album was shelved. Today she and Cutler are songwriters for hire. With Henry Krieger, they were Oscar nominated for the song Listen from the 2006 film Dreamgirls. And they own the publishing and management company Pulse Music Group. And that's the happy ending. There's plenty of money to be made behind the scenes of the music business. That's where Ann Bleven and Scott Cutler found their pot of gold. Here's Anne Bleven and Scott Cutler performing Torn on a 2000 episode of The Howard Stern Show. 

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Tate Stevens

Artist:Tate Stevens

Song:Power of a Love Song

Album:Tate Stevens

Country singer Tate Stevens won season two of X Factor. That got him a record deal with X Factor creator Simon Cowell's Syco label. Power of a Love Song was the first single from Stevens' 2013 debut album. It looks like when neither the single or album performed particularly well, Stevens was dropped and he has never recorded again. As I always say, these TV talent shows are a double edged sword. Stardom is possible but failure is more likely. Plus there are way too many of these shows on TV. Plus I read the other day that Blake Shelton is starting his own TV talent show. It's a crowded marketplace out there. Stevens was born Stephen Eatinger Mar. 1, 1975  in Belton, MO. His family moved to Texas while his dad played drums in a country band. Eatinger's nickname is Tater. So when he decided to be a singer, he took the stage name Tate Stevens. After graduating from high school, Stevens returned to Missouri and worked construction in Raymore. He was already married with a family. While still in Texas, he released a single and an album and led the band Dixie Cadillacs in 1996. After returning home, he continued to perform in Missouri clubs and released an album in 2008. In 2012, he went to Kansas City to audition for season two of X Factor. Stevens won and that got him a record deal with Syco. He farmed it out to RCA Nashville. Stevens moved his family to Nashville in 2013. The single Power of a Love Song was released and it reached #49 on the Country Singles chart. Then the album Tate Stevens was released. The album was produced by Blake Chancey. He is a veteran producer who was A&R director at Sony Nashville in the 90s. When the album didn't sell, RCA dropped Stevens and he hasn't recorded since. He remained in Nashville for a few years. But he moved his family back to Missouri and is back to working construction. So what happened? Look, Stevens is a decent singer. There's nothing wrong with him. But there's nothing about him that stands out except that he won X Factor. Without X Factor, he doesn't get a record deal. So at least he had a chance. Also, he only co-wrote one song on the album. Songwriting can keep a singer going and many make a good living in Nashville writing songs. Here's Tate Stevens performing Power of a Love Song on on MLB Fan Cave 2013. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Amber Coffman

Artist:Amber Coffman

Song:No Coffee

Album:City of No Reply

Amber Coffman is probably best known as lead singer of the indie band Dirty Projectors. After she left the band, she released her 2017 solo debut album City of No Reply on Columbia. I assume they had high hopes for her. But she hasn't recorded or done much since then. She was born June 15, 1984 in Austin, TX. Her family moved a lot and she attended 11 different schools. Apparently, her parents split up and reunited repeatedly. Amber moved to San Diego and joined the instrumental band Sleeping People. Then she moved to New York and joined the band Dirty Projectors in 2006. They were formed in 2002 led by David Longstreth. He has been the only constant member of Dirty Projectors. Everyone else is disposable. That's not uncommon in bands. He's a control freak. But as lead singer, Amber was a major contributor to Dirty Projectors. And they were in a romantic relationship. They split up in 2012 and she left Dirty Projectors to sign a solo record deal with Columbia Records. Amber moved to Los Angeles and wrote enough songs for the album. Longstreth offered to produce the album in his studio. The album was released in 2017. But Amber told The Guardian that after the album was finished in 2015, they had a falling out. It looks like Longstreth wanted Amber to return to Dirty Projectors and maybe resume their relationship. She didn't want to do that. No Coffee was one of three singles from the album. But by the time the album was released, it doesn't look like Amber was in positive frame of mind. It's available as a digital download. She's an OK singer but not my cup of tea. After that, Longstreth reformed Dirty Projectors and continues to lead the band. Amber hasn't done much of anything. And she's getting too old to be a rising star. Maybe she retired from music. Here's the video for No Coffee by Amber Coffman.

   

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho

Artist:Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho

Song:Del Negociante

Album:Recuerden Mi Estilo

So here's a Mexican band with an unusual history. They were called Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho when they started out in 2013. They perform regional Mexican music called sierreno-banda. Camacho was the lead singer and guitarist. After he died in a 2015 car accident, the band continued under the new name Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho. While Camacho was alive, the band released two albums. Then on Feb. 22, 2015, Camacho and two others died when he lost control of his car. He was driving too fast and may have been intoxicated. Camacho was 22 years old. As sometimes happens in the music business, record sales spike post death. But in this case, guitarist Cesar Sanchez made former backup singer Jose Manuel Lopez Castro the new lead singer  and rename the band Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho. They had success with the 2016 album Recuerden Mi Estilo. It even topped the US Latin chart. The album is available as a digital download. DEL Records owner Angel Del Villar was still the album producer and he wrote Del Negociante. The trouble started when DEL and the band both claimed to own the name Los Plebes del Rancho. Sanchez and Castro left DEL and started a new band on their own label. And DEL started a new band of their own. Neither have done well as I think fans are confused by the dispute. And Los Plebes del Rancho have had constant personnel changes. They last recorded in 2019. Here's the video for Del Negociante by Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Warren Wolf

Artist:Warren Wolf

Song:Senor Mouse

Album:Warren Wolf

Vibraphonist Warner Wolf is a worthy successor to the legacy of Milt Jackson and Gary Burton. He has recorded as a leader since 2005 and has a close relationship with bassist Christian McBride and is a member of McBride's band Inside Straight. He was born Warren Wolf Jr. Nov. 10, 1979 in Baltimore. His father Warren Wolf Sr. was also a musician and got Wolf started early learning piano, drums and vibraphone. After studying at the Peabody Institute, Wolf attended high school at the Baltimore School of the Arts. Then he studied at Berklee School of Music in Boston with vibraphonist Dave Samuels. He also played in local clubs. After graduating from Berklee, Wolf became a percussion instructor until he returned to Baltimore in 2005. After releasing two albums on a small label, Wolf joined bassist Christian McBride's band Inside Straight. McBride got him a record deal with Mack Avenue Records. Wolf writes a lot of his own songs. Senor Mouse is a Chick Corea classic from the 2011 album Warren Wolf. This was Wolf's debut album for Mack Avenue. The album was produced by Mack Avenue A&R director Al Pryor and McBride. McBride also plays bass and he has appeared on all of Wolf's albums. Other musicians are Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Tim Green on sax, Peter Martin on Piano and Greg Hutchinson on drums. Wolf recorded five albums for Mack Avenue. His latest album History of the Vibraphone was released in 2024 on the Canadian label Cellar Live. In a couple of weeks, Wolf will be appearing with Christian McBride & Inside Straight for a week at Village Vanguard in New York. Here's Warren Wolf with Alex Brown on piano performing Senor Mouse at The Checkout in Berklee in Boston Mar. 5, 2014.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-PJ Morton

Artist:PJ Morton f/Darrel Walls, Gene Moore, Samoht, Tim Rodgers, Zacardi Cortez

Song:The Better Benediction

Album:Watch the Sun

PJ Morton is a second generation gospel artist. But he is also a very successful songwriter and producer for hire. And since 2012, he has been the keyboardist for Maroon 5. And he still has time to record his own music on his own label. The 2022 album Watch the Sun was nominated for a Grammy. He was born Paul Morton Jr. Mar. 29, 1981 in New Orleans. His father is gospel singer and Baptist minister Bishop Paul S. Morton. After graduating from high school, Morton graduated with a major in marketing from Morehouse College in 2003. He started out as a producer and pianist for hire for India.Arie, Men of Standard and Kierra Sheard. In 2010, Morton's friend and Maroon 5 musical director Adam Blackstone asked him if he was interested in joining as a keyboardist. Their current keyboardist Jesse Carmichael was taking a break and they needed a replacement. Morton has been a full time member of Maroon 5 since 2012. Morton has released several albums on his own label since 2005. It looks like he currently has Sony distribution. The Better Benediction is from the 2022 album Watch the Sun. This album was nominated for a Best R&B Album Grammy. Of course Morton writes and produces everything. The singers on The Better Benediction are Darrel Walls of The Walls Group, Gene Moore who has recorded for Motown Gospel, Samoht who has recorded with John P. Kee, Tim Rodgers and Zacardi Cortez. Cortez is a regular with James Fortune. Other guests include Nas, Stevie Wonder, Wale, Alex Isley, Jill Scott and El DeBarge. Morton continues to tour and record with Maroon 5 and produces in his spare time if he has any. Here's the video for The Better Benediction by PJ Morton featuring Darrel Walls, Gene Moore, Samoht, Tim Rodgers and Zacardi Cortez. 

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Cafe Tacuba

Artist:Cafe Tacuba

Song:Esa Noche

Album:Tiempo Transcurrido: The Best of Cafe Tacuba

The Mexican band Cafe Tacuba were at the forefront of the early 90s Spanish Rock movement. They have been very successful in Latin America and Europe. They are from Mexico City. Lead singer Ruben Albarran and guitarist Jose Alfredo Rangel met while studying graphic design at Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico City in 1989. Rangel's bassist brother Enrique Rangel joined and they started practicing in a garage. The band is named after a local coffee shop. They are influenced by 80s British punk and New Wave bands like The Cure and The Clash but they wanted to sing in Spanish and represent their own culture. They started playing local clubs and were spotted by Argentinian producer Gustavo Santaolalla. He was already producing Spanish Rock bands and he got Cafe Tacuba a record deal with Warner Music Latina. Santaolalla has produced all of Cafe Tacuba's albums. They had success immediately with the 1992 album Cafe Tacvba. Esa Noche is from the 1994 album Re. This was their second album. By this time they added Emmanuel del Real on keyboards to the band. They all write songs. The Rangel brothers wrote Esa Noche. So now they are getting acclaim from the music press like Rolling Stone. So they are starting to get somewhere. The 1996 album Avalancha de Exitos was all covers. Then they recorded an all instrumental album which was closer to ambient music. When Warners didn't want to release it. they reached a compromise and Cafe Tacuba recorded another album and released the two albums together as Reves/Yo Soy in 1999. Though the album did well and won a Latin Grammy, Cafe Tacuba was unhappy with the compromise and they left Warners for Universal for the 2003 album Cuatros Caminos. That's when this comp was  released. Cafe Tacuba is still around though they last released an album in 2017. I get the impression that the guys are working on individual projects and may or may not get together again. They did tour earlier this year so that's a good sign. Now they need to record new music. Here's Cafe Tacuba performing Esa Noche at the 1996 Festival Vina del Mar in Chile.