Belinda Carlisle

The ex-Go Gos lead singer broke out on her own in 1986, and had several big hits through the 1990s. This was her first solo hit, which reached No. 3.

The B side was written by Go Gos bandmate Charlotte Caffey. I always thought it sounded a bit like Joan Baez's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," but this song is less forceful even with the similarities.

After her solo career petered out, she returned to the Go Gos as lead singer, and performs with them--singing their hits together and her solo hits--to enthusiastic audiences.

Belinda Carlisle - Mad About You.mp3
Belinda Carlisle - I Never Wanted a Rich Man.mp3

D.L. Byron

This is another one of those singles whose singer I really don't know too much about, but listen to the vocal inflection similarities to Bruce Springsteen on the A side.

This cover version of the old Billy Joe Royal song isn't too bad. The B side, however, is much better.

And by the way, for Billy Joel completists, the Piano Man adds background vocals to both cuts.

D.L. Byron - Down In the Boondocks.mp3
D.L. Byron - 21st Century Man.mp3

Eric Burdon and War

Eric Burdon and Animals had a great run, with many hits with both Burdon as lead singer and as frontman with keyboardist Alan Price leading the band. But as the 1960s were petering out, Burdon was looking for a new challenge, and that challenge was leading a predominately minority band.

This California-based rock/jazz/soul outfit, led by Lee Oskar, had numerous hits after Burdon left early on, but this remains one of their best. It reached No. 3 in 1970.
Eric Burdon and War - Spill the Wine.mp3
Eric Burdon and War - Magic Mountain.mp3

Downloading Files/Site Participation

I just checked to see how many downloads of songs the site has experienced, and so far, most visitors are hitting the site regularly, based on the number of downloads registered.

The top downloaded song is the Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays."

However, it would be nice if those downloading the music actually left some messages.

Leaving messages is the way I can gauge feedback to what I am doing.

Also, if I am putting up the songs, it might be nice to give a "shout out" once in a while.

I promise to answer each and every one.

Buoys

Talking about a song coming out of left field to become a major hit, the Buoys' "Timothy" certainly fits the bill as one of the strangest songs ever to hit the Top 20.

Rupert Holmes wrote this song about people trapped in a mine, and what they supposedly did to keep themselves alive, and the subject matter turned off many stations--but enchanted the public--so a few different versions of this song exist. I know that one has tamer lyrics than the other, but whatever, the song is lots of fun.

And this is one of my favorite picture sleeves of all time. The front isn't much to speak about, but you must read the back. Evidently, some girl of school age had several questions to ask about this song, and she sent in a letter asking those questions. I don't know if this is a phony letter or not, but whatever the case, this is one of the few instances where the back of the picture sleeve is better than the front.

Buoys - Timothy.mp3
Buckinghams - Can We Talk About It.mp3

Buckinghams

Coming out of Chicago in 1966, the Buckinghams helped shaped the city's rock image. Their mix of rock, punk, garage and soul was extremely influential, and laid the groundwork for several area bands that followed them onto the national stage, including the Cryan Shames and the New Colony Six.

Their use of a horn section also and some of their more experimental album tracks certainly opened the door for the band Chicago to establish itself as the city's most popular rock export.

Years later, in 1985, the surviving members of the band regrouped, and released "Veronica," which pretty much followed the then-current new wave genre. It's certainly not as good as "Susan," but it has its merits.

Today, the Buckinghams, with two original members, are popular on the oldies circuit.

Buckinghams - Veronica.mp3
Buoys - It Feels Good.mp3

James Brown/Vince DiCola

Soul Brother #1 ... the Hardest Working Man In Show Business ... what more can one say about James Brown? He was a unique showman, who used rhythm and blues as a platform for his views, as well as his do's and don'ts.

Some say he created funk, rap, disco and soul, but even if that isn't true, all of those music genres ran through his music. He was a powerful voice, and that voice continues to be heard as an influence years after his death.

Unfortunately, Brown was well past his prime when he recorded these two singles, but even if he was not the same singer as he was in the 1960s, he showed flashes of his old self with these songs. "Livin' in America" is perhaps the best song from all the "Rocky" films, and it was his final big hit, reaching #4 in 1985. "Gravity" is more in the funk groove, and hit #93 a year later.

Note: Vince DiCola had a song on the B side of the "Livin' in America" single.

James Brown - Gravity.mp3
James Brown - Gravity (Dub Mix).mp3