😂 Thanks, Matthew. I was going somewhere I'd never been to before. When I got to about half a mile of my destination, I thought I should turn left and then right, but didn't believe myself, so I turned right instead, then backtracked and cycled 3 sides of a square!
Fun stuff, Terry! I hope your readers enjoy our collab! It was fun doing it, especially as I felt we were improvising in much the same way the jazz players about whom we wrote, do! "Isn't Any Stopping Us Now!"
I love that McFadden & Whitehead tune! Did you know that song was never intended to be a social commentary anthem? Gene McFadden and John Whitehead were both "house songwriters" at Philadelphia International Records (--PIR, about whom I've written a couple times before...it was a CBS Records subsidiary) in the '70s.
They wished to "get out there," themselves, as singers/performers, though, beginning with "Ain't No Stopping Us Now." Kenny Gamble (in particular) and Leon Huff (heads of PIR) wanted them to remain songwriters, and continue to write hits for the O'Jays (including giving this one, co-written with Jerry Cohen, to them!) and other label acts, and not start competing with them as recording and performing artists.
As Whitehead once said in an interview, "If anything, the song was a declaration of our independence from Gamble." M&W got the last laugh, though, as the song got to #13 on the U.S. pop charts, and #1 on our R&B chart, as well as #5 in the UK!
Thanks for all that info, Brad. I think I've heard that before, almost certainly from your "stack. This kind of "back story" really adds to the experience.
The Philadelphia International story and '70s output has always been a favorite niche for me to.....uh, scratch, prose-wise! I've written a small handful of articles about the Sigma Sound Studio in Philly, with their house band, MFSB! I'm glad my occasional adds bring something to the proceedings!🎶
Terry, so glad you're learning to play the saxophone. My husband plays and I love it. Don't give up! (He also rides his bike everywhere--you guys would get along I think!)
Such a great start to the week, Terry! Or should I call you 'Gerry' (as in Rafferty)?! So pleased to hear you're playing the sax - that's very cool indeed. 🎵
Great video - in fact, my browser of choice insisted that it 'could not load video' so I moonlighted on the other channel. I've got rather a crick in my neck from watching it at an angle, but I nevertheless enjoyed riding along with you! 😊🤣
Tommy Cooper is much missed - what a character he was!
Thanks. It would be cooler if the sounds I managed to make sounded tuneful. If I get good, I will change my name again. I'm thinking Johnny Sax has a certain ring to it. Gerry Rafferty didn't play the sax on Baker Street. Sorry about the angle. Thanks for nice comment 😃
The memorable "Baker Street" sax part was performed by Raphael Ravenscroft....a solo that Rafferty had originally intended to be a guitar solo! A similar sax line was played by Steve Marcus on his 1968 album, "Tomorrow Never Knows," on the song, "Half a Heart." Marcus credits vibraphonist, Gary Burton for the riff: https://open.spotify.com/track/7CCUAlhhfmQJOtN7tcDKd8?si=9a795cf0d96d4604
Great to see some of the London bike trails. I've often thought about recording my bike commute to work (when it's warm enough that I want to be cycling!) as it goes through such a lovely section of greenery and streams even though the motorway is but a stone's throw away.
Ahh, Tommy. He never fails to bring a smile to my face.
A fun bike ride. A lot more interesting than I’d expected. (Though the Americans would be panicking - we drive on the left here in Australia too so all good for me). And the comedy and song? I felt I was in a time warp. Ah the memories…. Things have definitely changed.
😂 I thought the comedy back then was less snarky, and the music more optimistic, but I also recall bad times economically. Glad you found the ride interesting, but why? It seems a bit boring to me apart from the bits where it looks like I'm about to fly off the edge of the road 😁
We all have an impression of other countries. To me, East London is like the first part, all those identical residences, one after the other, but then you threw in some green space. Good to know that not everything has been converted to buildings and roads.
We're very fortunate where we live. There are seven parks within distances ranging from around the corner through up the road to where's my spare oxygen tank, all very different but all very beautiful.
I liked the tour on your bike. But don't tell me this. You pulled a Rebecca and got lost?
😂 Thanks, Matthew. I was going somewhere I'd never been to before. When I got to about half a mile of my destination, I thought I should turn left and then right, but didn't believe myself, so I turned right instead, then backtracked and cycled 3 sides of a square!
Fun stuff, Terry! I hope your readers enjoy our collab! It was fun doing it, especially as I felt we were improvising in much the same way the jazz players about whom we wrote, do! "Isn't Any Stopping Us Now!"
I love that McFadden & Whitehead tune! Did you know that song was never intended to be a social commentary anthem? Gene McFadden and John Whitehead were both "house songwriters" at Philadelphia International Records (--PIR, about whom I've written a couple times before...it was a CBS Records subsidiary) in the '70s.
They wished to "get out there," themselves, as singers/performers, though, beginning with "Ain't No Stopping Us Now." Kenny Gamble (in particular) and Leon Huff (heads of PIR) wanted them to remain songwriters, and continue to write hits for the O'Jays (including giving this one, co-written with Jerry Cohen, to them!) and other label acts, and not start competing with them as recording and performing artists.
As Whitehead once said in an interview, "If anything, the song was a declaration of our independence from Gamble." M&W got the last laugh, though, as the song got to #13 on the U.S. pop charts, and #1 on our R&B chart, as well as #5 in the UK!
Thanks for all that info, Brad. I think I've heard that before, almost certainly from your "stack. This kind of "back story" really adds to the experience.
The Philadelphia International story and '70s output has always been a favorite niche for me to.....uh, scratch, prose-wise! I've written a small handful of articles about the Sigma Sound Studio in Philly, with their house band, MFSB! I'm glad my occasional adds bring something to the proceedings!🎶
they definitely do, Brad!
Terry, so glad you're learning to play the saxophone. My husband plays and I love it. Don't give up! (He also rides his bike everywhere--you guys would get along I think!)
Thanks June. Well I managed to get a sound out of it so there's a bit of hope! I love cycling 😃
Such a great start to the week, Terry! Or should I call you 'Gerry' (as in Rafferty)?! So pleased to hear you're playing the sax - that's very cool indeed. 🎵
Great video - in fact, my browser of choice insisted that it 'could not load video' so I moonlighted on the other channel. I've got rather a crick in my neck from watching it at an angle, but I nevertheless enjoyed riding along with you! 😊🤣
Tommy Cooper is much missed - what a character he was!
Thanks. It would be cooler if the sounds I managed to make sounded tuneful. If I get good, I will change my name again. I'm thinking Johnny Sax has a certain ring to it. Gerry Rafferty didn't play the sax on Baker Street. Sorry about the angle. Thanks for nice comment 😃
Ah, Brad's beaten me to it - but I've just come on here to say this:
'BECAUSE YOUR NAME DOESN'T RHYME WITH RAPHAEL, TERRY!!!!'
🤣
You have a point, Becks! And please stop shouting. I'm just about to draft my reply to your letter, so it would be better to be nice to me. 👹
Uh-oh. 👀
Sorry, Johnny Sax. 😉
Thank you, Becks. Get it right.
😂
The memorable "Baker Street" sax part was performed by Raphael Ravenscroft....a solo that Rafferty had originally intended to be a guitar solo! A similar sax line was played by Steve Marcus on his 1968 album, "Tomorrow Never Knows," on the song, "Half a Heart." Marcus credits vibraphonist, Gary Burton for the riff: https://open.spotify.com/track/7CCUAlhhfmQJOtN7tcDKd8?si=9a795cf0d96d4604
Thanks, Brad, I had a feeling you would know who the saxophonist was! I didn't know it was originally intended for the guitar.
I'm impressed that you're taking up the Sax. Stick with it!
"Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan is about a middle aged suburbanite who dreams about "Learning to work the saxophone" https://youtu.be/iac-vLq6tnY
Loved the post today Terry. Have a nice week.
Thanks Jim. I'm Looking forward to being able to play what I feel. I need to get over the urge to give up too soon. Thanks, you too 😃
Snappy and uplifting start to the week!
Great to see some of the London bike trails. I've often thought about recording my bike commute to work (when it's warm enough that I want to be cycling!) as it goes through such a lovely section of greenery and streams even though the motorway is but a stone's throw away.
Ahh, Tommy. He never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Exactly. I presume you know how Tommy did that trick! (Don't tell!) Thanks, Nathan
😉
😂
A fun bike ride. A lot more interesting than I’d expected. (Though the Americans would be panicking - we drive on the left here in Australia too so all good for me). And the comedy and song? I felt I was in a time warp. Ah the memories…. Things have definitely changed.
😂 I thought the comedy back then was less snarky, and the music more optimistic, but I also recall bad times economically. Glad you found the ride interesting, but why? It seems a bit boring to me apart from the bits where it looks like I'm about to fly off the edge of the road 😁
We all have an impression of other countries. To me, East London is like the first part, all those identical residences, one after the other, but then you threw in some green space. Good to know that not everything has been converted to buildings and roads.
Where we live we are blessed with a lot of green space, but it's a continual battle to prevent building on it
I rather enjoyed your ride to work. Which park is that? Also loved Soul Train!
Thanks Jean, but why? Wanstead, East London. Do you know it?
June. Not at all, I was just curious, as it was good to see some greenery in the midst of all the suburbia.
We're very fortunate where we live. There are seven parks within distances ranging from around the corner through up the road to where's my spare oxygen tank, all very different but all very beautiful.