Before his solo work, before Blind Faith, before Traffic, a 14-year old known then as Stevie Winwood joined The Spencer Davis Group as a guitarist and lead singer.  This blues-oriented British band released their first LP, conveniently called Their First LP in June of 1965 to British and European audiences.  We are covering it in August 1965, but the album itself was not released in the United States at the time.  Most of the songs would make it to the US market in compilation albums released years later.

The Spencer Davis Group was Spencer Davis on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Steve Winwood on lead vocals, harmonica, guitar, and piano; Muff Winwood (Steve's older brother) on vocals and bass; and Pete York on drums.  Additional personnel included Kenny Salmon on organ for a couple of tracks, and one track found Peter Asher on piano and Millie Small on vocals.

The album didn't enter the UK albums chart until January 1966, but it would reach number 6 on that chart after a single entitled "Keep On Running" from their second album entered the UK singles charts.  

"Their First LP" is blues driven, and much of the album consists of covers from blues artists.  However, there are also some original pieces composed by Spencer Davis and by Steve Winwood.  

Spencer Davis went on to solo and collaborative work after The Spencer Davis Group, eventually becoming an executive for Island Records.  Steve Winwood would of course move on to a storied career as a rock musician.

Bruce brings this blues-laced proto-rock album to the podcast.

My Babe
This track leads off the album.  While the Spencer Davis Group did not release this as a single, it reached number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1963 when it was originally released by its writers, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley.  Hatfield and Medley are better known as The Righteous Brothers.

Dimples
This cover was the first single released from the album, preceding the album by almost a year.  The original was written and recorded by blues artist John Lee Hooker in 1956 as an ensemble piece.  It was the first Hooker record to appear on the British record charts, though it would take until 1964 to reach the charts.  While the Hooker single charted, the Spencer Davis Group cover did not chart.

Sittin' and Thinkin'
Here is an original song amongst an album dominated by covers.  Spencer Davis wrote this song.  It was released as a single, the fourth from the album, but only in the Netherlands.

It Hurts Me So
The closing track to the album was written by Steve Winwood.  It was not released as a single, but it is an example of Winwood's early blues-influenced work. 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The Night Before by the Beatles (from the motion picture "Help!" )
This film showcased the Beatles in a comedy adventure as the group tries to protect Ringo from an eastern cult.

STAFF PICKS:

Agent Double-O-Soul by Edwin Starr
James Bond is the obvious inspiration for Wayne's staff pick.  Edwin Starr was singing with The Bill Dogett Combo when he went to the cinema to watch the Bond feature, "Thunderball."  He wound up watching it 3 times before going back to his hotel room to write this song.  Bill Dogett rejected his pitch to sing solo on this tune, so Starr left the group to become a solo act.

I Want Candy by The Strangeloves
Rob brings us a tune by songwriters Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer.  They took on the persona of Australian sheep farmer brothers turned band members Giles, Miles, and Niles Strangelove for this group.  This song with a Bo Diddley beat was inspired by dancer Candy Johnson who was seen at the 1964 Worlds Fair.  Bow Wow Wow would have a hit with a cover of this song in the 80's.

Since I Lost My Baby by The Temptations 
Lynch's staff pick comes from Motown in the form of a lover's lament written by Smokey Robinson and Warren Moore.  It hit number 17 on the US charts.  The Temptations would be a huge hitmaker in the 60's both with David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards on lead vocals.

Same Old Song by The Four Tops
Bruce's staff pick features an American vocal quartet from Detroit who helped to define the Motown sound.  This Holland-Dozier-Holland song hit number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 2 on the Billboard R&B chart.  Lead singer Levi Stubbs was joined by Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton to form the quartet, and they would remain together from 1953 until 1997 without a change in personnel.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

The "In" Crowd by The Ramsey Lewis Trio
This jazz single hit number 2 on the R&B chart and number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The Ramsey Lewis Trio would receive a Grammy Award for the album of the same name in 1966.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

La vicepresidenta segunda del Gobierno, Yolanda Díaz, ha oficializado este domingo su candidatura a las elecciones generales con Sumar en un acto en el que ha estado acompañada de representantes de una docena de partidos, pero sin la presencia de Podemos.

El PP arremete contra la gestión de Sánchez y el presidente del Gobierno, por su parte, ha reivindicado la "paz social" lograda en España gracias a la agenda de reformas impulsada por su Ejecutivo.

Ucrania recuerda el aniversario de la liberación de la región de Kiev.

Hace 20 años fallecía Edwin Starr.

Producción: Daniel Relova
Realización: Antonio Alfonso Hernández

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Responsible for over 100 Top 40 hits in the UK alone, STOCK AITKEN WATERMAN ruled the pop charts in the 1980s and provided the soundtrack to a generation...

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman – better known collectively as Stock Aitken Waterman – are amongst the most successful songwriters, arrangers and producers in the history of pop music.

​Stock Aitken Waterman wrote and/or produced well over 100 UK Top 40 singles (many of which were also worldwide hits), and contributed to over 50 hit albums. They worked with a variety of different artists, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Dead or Alive, Mel and Kim, Princess, Hazell Dean, Donna Summer, Cliff Richard, Debbie Harry, Divine, Edwin Starr, Errol Brown, Georgie Fame, Judas Priest, La Toya Jackson, Laura Branigan, Samantha Fox, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Sinitta, The Three Degrees and Sir Paul McCartney.

Listen to Matt Aitken's story behind the man, the music and the hit factory of a generation ...

The best advice out there, raw and uncensored, from experts who have walked the walk through the music business 🔥

To find out how we can help you, come and talk to our professionals

Get more from The Songwriting Academy and join the FREE Songwriting Community HERE

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Paranoid, the second studio album by Black Sabbath, to be the number one of its "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time."  Originally known by the name Earth, the band took the name Black Sabbath from a 1963 horror film starring Boris Karloff.  The band members were Bill Ward on percussion, Geezer Butler on bass, Tony Iommi on guitar, and Ozzy Osbourne on vocals.  It was originally a heavy blues band from Birmingham, England, but took on a darker complexion with lyrics of doom.

Much of the music on Paranoid was developed during jams while the band was on the road.

This album was panned by critics at the time, but it reached number 12 on the US charts.  This is quite a feat, considering that the band received virtually no airplay on rock radio when the album came out.  It would come to be considered a great heavy metal album, and Black Sabbath would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wayne brings us this forerunner of prog rock and heavy metal.

War Pigs
The lead track for the album was originally going to be called "Walpurgis," a term for a black magic wedding or a Satanic version of Christmas.  The label had concerns about this and had them change the title to War Pigs.  The lyrics are about warmongers trying to get the working class to fight the wars for them.

Paranoid 
This was the band's only top 10 hit in the UK, and it went to number 61 in the US.  Though named "paranoid," the song is really about depression.  The riffs bear a striking resemblance to Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown."  Led Zeppelin was one of the band's favorite groups at the time.

Rat Salad
This track is largely a guitar and drum solo.  The name comes from a joke about Ward's hair not being combed.  This would be used in concerts as "filler" to give the vocalists a break.

Iron Man 
One of the more famous singles from Black Sabbath, it became even more famous after being used in Marvel's Iron Man movie. The lyrics are about a man who travels to the future and sees the apocalypse.  When he returns to the present, he is turned into steel, ignored by the population he tries to warn, and turns vengeful - causing the destruction seen in his vision.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme from the television series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”
This sitcom set in Minneapolis benefitted from early 70's feminism as it featured a single career-oriented woman making her way on her own.

STAFF PICKS:

It's A Shame by The Spinners
Bruce's staff pick brought the Spinners a hit at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, their first hit in about 5 years.  This single was co-written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright in their first collaboration.  Wonder and Wright would get married in September of 1970.  The Spinners would go on to have bigger success after signing with Atlantic in 1972.

War by Edwin Starr 
Rob brings us a classic protest song.  "War!  What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing."  Motown first released this song with the Temptations, but Starr would take it to number 1 with a heavier sound, reminiscent of James Brown.  The Undisputed Truth is the backing band on this song.

I Want to Take You Higher by Ike and Tina Turner 
Brian's staff pick is a cover originally performed by Sly & the Family Stone.  Ike and Tina Turner would take this song to number 13 on the charts, so they did ineed take it higher than the original which peaked at number 38.

Tighter Tighter by Alive 'N Kickin' 
Wayne features a one-hit wonder written by Tommy James that Alive N' Kickin' took to number 7.  The group split up shortly after the single fell off the charts.  They would reform in 1976, and still perform from time to time today.  Despite being a pop love song, it has a surprisingly solid guitar riff.

NOVELTY TRACK:

Rubber Duckie by Ernie
This Sesame Street song was on the pop charts a number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1970.  

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

"CAPTAIN BILLY’S MAGIC 8 BALL" - EDWIN STARR- "FULL TILT" FEATURING THE ALBUM "WAR AND PEACE" BY EDWIN STARR IN HIGH DEFINITION WITH NARRATIVE - EPISODE # 56 - THE CAPTAIN EXPLORES HIS DEN OF 8 TRACKS FOR YOUR DELIGHT!!

It was the end of an era as the final Dead Or Alive single produced by Stock Aitken Waterman was released. And although "I'll Save You All My Kisses" wasn't the biggest of hits, that song and the story of what came next for SAW's first number one act is given the in-depth treatment in this episode. In an archival interview with DJ Sveta, the late Pete Burns talks about the conclusion of his time at PWL — and his return there in 1993. Producer Barry Stone (of Jewels & Stone and The Alias) shares his memories of working with Dead Or Alive on their remake of "Rebel Rebel" and the Nukleopatra album. Also this episode, Bananarama's next big hit came in the form of the Europop-influenced "Love In The First Degree", while there are a couple of lesser known tracks to cover: the 1987 PWL remix of "A Walk In The Park" by Nick Straker, which Pete Hammond tells us about, and Edwin Starr's "Whatever Makes Our Love Grow". 

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Twitter: @ChartBeatsAU, @MrMattDenby
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: chartbeats.au@gmail.com

Our second show of 2022 is another top mix of new tunes and classics with a British vibe. This time our playlist features:

• T. Rex – Telegram Sam
• The Institutes – All That You’ll Ever Know
• Ist Ist – You’re Mine
• The Sherlocks – Sorry
• Liily – Sepulveda Basin
• Billy Ocean – Red Light Spells Danger
• Warmduscher – Fatso
• Edwin Starr – 25 Miles
• Nikolaus Wolf – Easy Riders
• Skylights – Darkness Falls
• The Drift – Do You Feel Alive
• Champagne Casuals – Lovers Walk
• Paolo Nutini – Candy

We wrap up the shortest month of the year with a Black History Month homage to Motown, Stax & Daptone - three of the most important record labels in the history of soul music, in the history of pop music, and in the history of music in general. 

All this & much, much less!

Debts No Honest Man Can Pay is over 2 rock-solid hours of musical eclectica & other noodle stories. The show started in 2003 at WHFR-FM (Dearborn, MI), moved to WGWG-FM (Boiling Springs, NC) in 2006 & Plaza Midwood Community Radio (Charlotte, NC) in 2012, with a brief pit-stop at WLFM-FM (Appleton, WI) in 2004.

So where I do even begin with Peter Garrett? He’s one of the most iconic front men, and activists in Australia. As lead singer of Midnight Oil, he lit a fire with their music, bringing the plight of First Nations peoples, of environmental degradation, and the threat of nuclear war, to Top 40 radio.

The Oils were the first band I ever saw live. I was 12, and my parents took the whole family along to their Blue Sky Mining tour. That lit a fire in me, of the excitement and connection of live music. So the opportunity to Take 5 with Pete is a real bucket list moment. I asked him to share his five songs of reckoning. It felt like the perfect theme, and he didn’t disappoint. Peter has spoken out about his own music, he’s been on the floor of Parliament in Canberra, and at plenty of rally’s and stages across his lifetime. But this is a rare opportunity to hear from his as a fan. And what an articulate, passionate, and heartfelt fan he is. From Edwin Starr to PJ Harvey, and one of the most powerful protest songs of all time, this is an extraordinary conversation with one of our greatest artists.

Edwin Starr - "War"

Yothu Yindi - "Treaty"

Elvis Costello - "Shipbuilding"

PJ Harvey - "The Wheel"

Rage Against the Machine - "Killing in the Name"