Latest Show
AHN In-Studio
Previous Shows
 The Time Was 1990
The Time Was 1990
The Time Was 1980
The Time Was 1970
Archives
2010 Shows
2009 Shows
2008 Shows
2007 Shows
2006 Shows
2005 Shows
2004 Shows
2003 Shows
2001 Shows
|
episode date - September 12, 2006
Back in the days before we took it upon ourselves to cover the London Observer’s List of ‘50 Albums that Changed Music’, we used to have a format. Remember those days? Granted, it took only six weeks to cover the Observer’s entire list, but it feels as though it took much longer than that…at least it feels that way to us. So today we are returning to our format of focusing on a specific time period and playing some of the best music from that era (with the occasional ‘bad hit/great miss’). Aah, the good old days….
Today’s show focuses on popular music from the Spring of 1962. If you were around at that time, you might have been inclined to presume that the days of rock and roll music were waning. The vital and youthful energy (or primitive stupidity, as some might have seen it) of rock and roll music was being replaced by something more sophisticated. It was a new form of R&B that de-emphasized the hard, swinging rhythms of earlier R&B, in favor of a more straightforward beat that actually owed a tremendous debt to rock and roll. Some people called it ‘Soul’ music.
You also might notice that each and every artist from the ‘top 40’ section of today’s show is African-American (with the exception of an arguably racist ‘Bad Hit’ called “Speedy Gonzales, performed by a master practitioner of bad taste, Mr. Pat Boone). The rise of African American artists to the forefront of our musical culture could also be attributed to rock and roll’s integrated stylization. Rock and Roll might have been losing its energy, but its after-effects lingered, resulting in a removal of the barriers that prevented Black artists admittance onto the national “pop” charts. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to state that these very same after-effects are what eventually led to the removal of other barriers as well, ultimately resulting in the civil rights movement.
Hail, Hail Rock and Roll!!!
For good measure, we also feature a few selected tracks from two significant album released during the Spring of ‘62. Representing the old school of thought is Frank Sinatra’s gorgeous album, “Sinatra and Strings,” an album whose beauty is undeniable.
Nevertheless, this style of music appeared to be under siege. First came a direct attack from rock and roll. Then, the fledgling R&B/Soul artists infiltrated enemy lines. Finally, the folk movement broke the back of the conservative music establishment by ignoring conventional, classic song forms.
Bob Dylan made his debut the same month as Sinatra’s album. What else could possibly go wrong? A bunch of long-haired young men from England were listening to every note, and waiting for their own orders to attack….
Here’s a list of songs that we cover in today’s program;
1) Something’s Got a Hold on Me – Etta James
2) I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles
3) Night Train – James Brown
4) BAD HIT – Speedy Gonzales – Pat Boone
5) Having a Party – Same Cooke
6) Soul Twist – King Curtis
7) Twist and Shout – The Isley Brothers
8) Talking New York Blues – Bob Dylan
9) Song for Woody – Bob Dylan
10) Night and Day – Frank Sinatra
11) Stardust – Frank Sinatra
CLICK HERE to listen to the full show!
 
|
