phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime 2023 - Series Post #3 - 09/26/23 08:00 AM
 
For the third article to this Soundtrack of a Lifetime 2023 series, I present a novelty song by none other than “Weird Al” Yankovic. Yankovic, a musician who can play multiple instruments, chose to use his accordion as his signature instrument. Something of an unusual choice in today’s pop culture.
“Weird Al” is known for his parodies of popular songs by other artists. His hits include "I Love Rocky Road", a takeoff on the song I Love Rock and Roll, made popular by Joan Jett & Blackhearts, and “Jurrasic Park”, a spoof of the hit song MacArthur Park.
The one I chose is … (5 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime 2023 - Series Challenge - Bonus Post - 09/21/23 06:21 PM

One of the nice things about living in the Scottsdale area is the number of local theater companies and small playhouses within an easy drive. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a local theatre production of a play called Tom Foolery. The show was hosted at the Fountain Hills Theatre in Fountain Hills, AZ. The intimate theater seats 89 patrons, making it a comfortable, setting where the audience and performers are only 10 or 15 feet apart.
Tom Foolery is a musical comedy based on the satire and genius of Tom Lehrer.
Although I never remember listening to Tom … (3 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime 2023 - Series Post #2 - 09/20/23 05:37 PM

For my second chapter to this challenge, I will harken back to the early days of Rock and Roll. And at the same time add another blog post to my Soundtrack of a Lifetime. The Soundtrack is a hobby I began in 2018 to discuss the music of my generation.
This one is a novelty song that I remember from the early 1970s. It is one most of you will recognize as well.
Growing up I was a big Chuck Berry fan. I enjoyed his songs like his 1955 hit Maybelline, his 1958 hit Johnny B. Goode, and his 1964 record, No Particular … (6 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime 2023 - Series Post #1 - 09/20/23 05:15 PM
 
As a long-time member of Active Rain, I have written posts and articles about a variety of topics. Real estate of course was the original reason for joining AR. I also wrote at times about my travel experiences, or sometimes the current events happening in the Scottsdale area.
For those of you who followed me over the years, you will recall I wrote a series of articles under the title Soundtrack of a Lifetime. There I discussed the music and songs that impacted my life in some way. The song may be a fond memory from a live performance or a favorite … (7 comments)

phoenix fun: Flowers in a desert? Well, Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. - 05/03/23 07:12 PM
When people talk about the Sonoran Desert it churns up visions of the movie Lawrence of Arabia. Endless sand dunes, rocks, and scorching heat. Well, that last part – scorching heat – is correct, but only part of the year. For most of the year, the weather is balmy and quite comfortable.
The truth is the Sonoran Desert which encompasses most of Arizona and a portion of Southern California looks nothing like the desert where T. E. Lawrence went to battle against the Ottoman Turks.
Our desert is quite green most of the year and in the spring - one of our two … (11 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Firefall - 06/02/22 12:10 PM
Every so often a band comes along that has great success, however if you mention their name in conversation no one remembers who they are. Yet when their song comes on the radio it is easily recognized. One of those bands are a group of artists from Boulder, Colorado that called themselves Firefall.
The band's biggest hit single, "You Are the Woman", peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard charts in 1976. Other hits included “Strange Way” (#11 in 1978), "Cinderella" (#34 in 1977), "Headed for a Fall" (#35 in 1980), and "Staying with It" (#37 in 1981).
I enjoy listening to their music … (4 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Cat Stevens - 06/01/22 06:28 PM
Cat Stevens is a name that has seen its share of controversy during a long and successful career. Born Steven Demetre Georgiou he adopted the stage name Cat Stevens in the 1960s. His combination of folk rock along with his story telling style made him popular throughout the early 1970s.
His albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971) were certified triple platinum in the US. Then in 1972 his album Catch Bull at Four went to No.1 on Billboard Pop Albums and spent weeks at the top of several major charts.
Stevens, born in the U.K., wrote our … (2 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Jackson Browne - 06/01/22 10:42 AM
Singer/Songwriter Jackson Browne has been a popular artist since the 1960s. Starting out as a young song writer he helped pen hits for popular bands like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and The Eagles, who credit him with teaching them the finer points of song writing. It took him a few years to find his sound before recording his own album in 1972. His success continued eventually evolving into his fourth and most successful album, The Pretender.
Growing up in Southern California Browne became known as an activist coming out as a leader in several environmental causes. He configured his own home … (0 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Mama's & Papa's - 05/31/22 04:32 PM
Back in the 1960s folk music made its way into the rock charts. The turbulent counterculture produced protest song after protest song and the folk sound fit the bill. Yet not all folk-rock songs were protest songs. Some simply offered a feeling of serenity or lament.
Around 1965 John & Michelle Phillips along with Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty performed and recorded music as The Mamas & The Papas. The Mamas & the Papas released five studio albums and 17 singles over a short four-year span. Six of their songs made the Billboard top 10. and have sold close to 40 million … (10 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Rod Stewart - 05/31/22 11:30 AM
My, my, my… When it comes to music, it seems that Rod Stewart has enjoyed more lives than a Siamese cat. Rod started out as a hard rocker in the ‘60 with the band Faces. Today he is best known for being a crooner of old standards. Along the way, he mastered several different sounds. Stewart seemed to prove that he can sing anything. Rock, disco, country, ballads, even Christmas music.
There were a lot of Rod Stewart songs to choose from, but today I chose to highlight "You're in My Heart”. The song released in 1977 was a top ten single … (6 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Rolling Stones - 05/31/22 08:02 AM
What makes a song an oldie? Is it just the age or is it because the sound no longer attracts a modern audience? Some bands defy the accepted logic. Their songs regardless of when they were recorded still sound like they could be recorded today and would still be popular.
The Rolling Stones are one of those groups. Some will argue they may be the greatest Rock & Roll band, although we have seen and listened to so many great bands it is difficult to anoint anyone with that honor.
Today’s song is The Rolling Stones performing "Jumpin' Jack Flash". The video recorded … (6 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Dave Mason - 05/31/22 07:57 AM
Some performers spend their whole life toiling as members of bands that never quite break into the top of the charts. Then when you see them live in concert you recognize what a great talent they possess. One performer that I enjoy seeing live on stage is Dave Mason.
Mason’s early success was with the rock band Traffic where he was overshadowed by Steve Winwood. He spent years as a session player with every big-name star from Paul McCartney to Michael Jackson. He even enjoyed a brief stint with Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s.
In 1970 he released a solo album that featured … (5 comments)

phoenix fun: Old MacDonald Had a Pumpkin Patch. - 10/13/21 11:10 AM

 
It is fall, a time for transition. In Scottsdale, AZ fall is a time to put those hot summer days behind us and get back outdoors to enjoy the clear skies and cooler sunny days.
 
As the weather mellows, we begin to welcome back visitors and many of our annual fall festivities. One fall festivity that has become a yearly event is The Pumpkin Patch at MacDonald's Ranch in North Scottsdale.
 
Owned by the Richardson Family, MacDonald's Ranch has been a western-themed fun park that offers horseback riding, hayrides, and paintball outings since 1956.
 
Each year the owners convert the ranch to The Pumpkin … (5 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - John Denver - 06/19/21 10:57 AM
I have to admit when I was younger, I was not much of a John Denver fan. I preferred the music of other artists. It was not until a few years ago when I saw a documentary film on John Denver that I came to appreciate all that he accomplished as a singer/songwriter and as an actor
Denver produced so many popular songs. Like Country Road, Rocky Mountain High, and today’s selection Annie’s Song.
In the mid-1970s Denver began to speak out about a number of political causes like world hunger, for which he was ultimately awarded the Presidential World Without Hunger Award … (7 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - Ed Sheeran - 06/18/21 09:43 AM
 
Most of the songs I have posted up this season have been from the 1960s or 1970s, with good reason. There were a lot of good music produced in those days. Much of it still relevant today. Yet, this Soundtrack does not have to be just oldies. We always find new music and new performers that worm their way into our ears and leave us singing in the shower.
One artist that has caught my eye is a young Englishman named Ed Sheeran. If you like love songs, then Ed Sheeran is someone that you will want to add to your playlists.
Ed … (9 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - Willie Nelson - 06/16/21 01:10 PM
 
Today’s artist is a man that needs no introduction. Willie Nelson has been around what seems like forever. Actually, he hasn't been around forever. He was born in 1933 and at 88 years old is still performing to sellout crowds.
Always known as a Country singer, Willie and friends perfected the outlaw sound. Nelson has worn many hats as an entertainer including author, disc jockey, song writer and movie star. Willie had parts in 30 movies including his starring role in Honeysuckle Rose.
In the 1980s Nelson joined with John Mellencamp and Neil Young to establish the Farm Aid benefit concerts to help … (13 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - The Eagles - 06/16/21 12:54 PM
I haven’t featured The Eagles on the Soundtrack since 2018 an oversight that I am correcting right now. After all, The Eagles are the largest selling rock band of all time.
A lot of great music has come from this group since their early days when Glenn Frye and Don Henley split off from the Stone Ponies to form their own band. Over the years there have been a few changes to the personnel , but the band has only gotten better with each year.
Today’s song Hotel California has, more than any other song, become their signature sound. For my money, no … (9 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - The 5th Dimension - 06/15/21 10:42 AM
 
What ever happened to the Age of Aquarius? If you ask the astrological experts, they will tell you it is still forthcoming. But in 1967 a Broadway musical named Hair, declared we were at the dawn of the Age of Aquarius.
The song was the opening song for the play and later recorded and released as a single by singing group The 5th Dimension. The 5th Dimensions version topped the charts for six weeks in 1969 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It is listed as number 66 on Billboards Greatest Songs of All Time.
The expression Age … (9 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - Campbell / Paisley - 06/11/21 11:58 AM
 
Today we are going to try something a little different. We are going change over to the Country genre and at the same time give you two versions of the same song. Back in the 1970s a lot of Country stars were crossing over to the Rock charts. These days, it seems a lot of former Rockers are crossing over to the Country charts. I guess what goes around comes around.
Todays’ song is Try a Little Kindness first recorded by Glen Campbell. Campbell took the song to number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also topped the charts on … (4 comments)

phoenix fun: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2021 - Peter Frampton - 06/10/21 11:41 AM
 
I had the good fortune to see Peter Frampton at the Kinetic Playground a famous nightclub on Chicago’s north side. The year was 1973 and Frampton, still, a relative unknown had just released the album Frampton’s Camel. He shared the stage that night along with The J. Giles Band who opened the show for the psychedelic band King Crimson.
Frampton, who was rather clean cut, with long hair and sparkling costumes had a unique sound compared to the other bands that were emerging at the time.
Frampton employed a new sound that had not been used in rock music. The talk box, a … (5 comments)