2483 Freddy Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem - Viper's Dream

-
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY0DxIKh8S_csOBT70pvrNn76RwRJJvkHdbr8rAug26U_NHYk7e5GrDE-Ki-VQOkBsKf1FbrG30MBRND7nPLDQupJT3HwKWtvzbeZ9DQ2WA0D7IevPyQXhhnxoMmUBdYZgphj9DhuKqDV/s320/Ultraphone-AP1489-2.jpg
Year: 1935; Genre: Big Band (Swing) Jazz
I had some jazz on my mind today; this is one of the two biggest hits from Freddy Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem.
Those who don't understand jazz terminology might not catch the overt drug reference in the song's title. "Viper" was a slang term used for someone who smoked marijuana; this came from the sound a person makes when taking a toke, which was thought sounded like a snake's hiss. When you understand that you should more or less be able to figure out what a "Viper's Dream" is. Anyway, this is a great pieces of early swing featuring none other than guitar maestro Oscar Alemán.

Hear Viper's Dream on YouTube.



My song pick a year ago today: Mr. Big - Tempermental

My song pick two years ago today: Heart - Crazy on You

My song pick three years ago today: Billy Thorpe - East of Eden's Gate

My song pick four years ago today: The Delegates - Convention '72

My song pick five years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Goodbye to Romance

My song pick six years ago today: Slade - Run Runaway


Comments

Post a Comment

Comment on this post:

Popular posts from this blog

6705. Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda

-
Image
From: Fat Albert Rotunda ; Year: 1969; Genre: Jazz Fusion I haven't the foggiest as to why, but whenever I get the urge to listen to something by Herbie Hancock I immediately gravitate to his Fat Albert Rotunda record. I mean, I love other albums of his just as much or more, but this one just seems to always just "go with mood, vibe, etc." It was just one of those collections of music that seemingly encompassed most sensibilities. I mean, it is extremely technical and if you like complex music, then it'll work for you, or if you like jazz that is more "accessible" or something to just enjoy in the background, it is equally as good in those aspects. You know, I cannot remember hearing anyone say they do not like Herbie Hancock's music.... Anyway, this is obviously the title-track and fits the above description. From wot I understand this record and song were used for the primetime cartoon special:  Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert , which, in turn, led...
Read more

6707. Jefferson Starship - Hyperdrive

-
Image
From: Dragon Fly ; Year: 1974; Genre: Progressive Rock I wanted to go back and listen to something from Jefferson Starship for whatever reason, so here's one off of their debut album after the band re-emerged under the "Starship" name. Although, unofficially, the 1970 Paul Kantner album Blows Against the Empire was technically the first time you actually saw it under the name Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship . Anyway, this is one of those songs that is pure beauty all around. I still cannot comprehend why Grace Slick didn't get to perform more of the lead vocals; she is only lead on three tracks, this being, of course, one of them. I suppose I have always been an avid fan of hers as a songwriter, musician and vocalist; she is the full package. One of the biggest and best parts of this song is Papa John Creach's violin playing; it's just adds that beauty that really pushes their music's emotions over the top.   Hear Hyperdrive on YouTube.         My so...
Read more

6708. George Thorogood and the Destroyers - Get a Haircut

-
Image
From: Haircut ; Year: 1993; Genre: Blues Rock Kind of an existential observation: back when I listened to regular over-the-air radio there were bands/artists that got overplayed and seemingly shoved down my throat. One of them was George Thorogood and the Destroyers, I never hated them or their music, just got tired of hearing them at least once an hour on the local stations. Fast-forward some 20 some odd years since I moved to just listening to my own mixes and discovering many newer acts, I have realized that some of those bands I have started to miss hearing. Lonesome George and his Delaware Destroyers is one that I seem to want to hear more of. I guess why they got played so much is because they are such an accessible band. I mean, they really never changed their sound or were anywhere near the cutting edge musically, but sticking to the tried and true basis of danceable blues based rock 'n roll with the swagger of the local bar band that most everyone likes is an simple recipe...
Read more

6709. Jethro Tull - Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square

-
Image
From: Stand Up ; Year: 1969; Genre: Progressive Rock Heard this rather interesting little song whilst driving yesterday, which is one that I like a lot from this record. This is one of the tracks on it that features some unique and different instruments; this one Ian plays the balalaika, or a facsimile thereof if I remember the story I once heard a long time ago.     Hear Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jim & Ingrid Croce - Big Wheel     My song pick 2 years ago today: Nick Gilder - 21st Century   My song pick 3 years ago today: Brenton Wood - The Oggum Boogum Song   My song pick 4 years ago today: George Clinton - Do Fries Go With That Shake?   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jefferson Starship - Alien   My song pick 6 years ago today: Climax Blues Band - Couldn't Get It Right   My song pick 7 years ago today: Ten Years After - Over the Hill My song pick 8 ye...
Read more

6706. Shocking Blue - Love Buzz

-
Image
From: At Home ; Year: 1969; Genre: Psychedelic Rock I have always been of the opinion that Shocking Blue is one of those bands that, as the late-great comedian  Rodney Dangerfield was so fond of saying: "They Don't Get No Respect." Just a band that you can tell is boiling over with musical talent and ideas that while did get famous, for wotever reason, they never got up to where they should've been. This one is a great example: a great low fidelity piece of bluesy psychedelia with some very experimental sounds, mostly Robby Van Leeuwen's guitar playing and his playing of the sitar, which is quite a difficult instrument to play even at a novice level. Of course, Mariska Veres' vocals and presence on the vocals are one of the best qualities of the band.    Hear Love Buzz on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Curious Ruminant     My song pick 2 years ago today: 3 Doors Down - Loser   My song pick 3 years ago to...
Read more

Song 149 (Jethro Tull--"Beastie")

-
Image
For the time being, I have been picking a song from each of the Jethro Tull eras from beginning to end on Sundays. The other eras are on picks: 100, 107, 114, 121, 128, 135, and 142. Each of these "eras" are either a bit different or are night and day from each other. At this point if one listens to this album and then listens to a previous album it sounds like two different bands; but the same soul is still there. This is my 8th era of 'Tull, which is another era to me consisting of one album. I would say that this era goes from somewhere in '81 to around late '83. Many 'Tull fans cut what they like at '79, however in my opinion there is a lot of good music after '79 as well. This era is a throwback to the '70s in sound a bit, however, it is quite different as well. During this time Eddie Jobson did not return for another album, but did play with them at later concerts; Peter-John Vettese took over for him on keyboards. To me his playing and ...
Read more

6710. The Firm - All the King's Horses

-
Image
From: Mean Business ; Year: 1986; Genre: Rock For wotever reason I was drawing a total blank for the song I wanted to choose today. So, I just randomly picked a letter and went with one from a band that I'd only picked one from thus far. Here's wot I went with: one of the lead singles off of famed supergroup The Firm's second and final album. All the King's Horses really doesn't stand out all that much from the upper echelon of mainstream rock of the time period. That said, it is a great track and shows the talent of the four larger-than-life musical legends that made up The Firm.   Hear All the King's Horses on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Midnight Oil - Bullroarer     My song pick 2 years ago today: R.E.M. - Drive   My song pick 3 years ago today: Spacehog - Carry On   My song pick 4 years ago today: Robin Trower - Bluebird   My song pick 5 years ago today: Pleasure - Glide   My song pick 6 years ago today: ...
Read more