Barry DeVorzon/Perry Botkin Jr.--Nadia's Theme (1976)

     Barry DeVorzon had a varied and successful career as a songwriter, performer, and label owner (founding Valiant Records) throughout the late 50's and 1960's. By the 70's he was composing soundtracks to movies.      One of those movies was 1971's, "Bless the Beasts and the Children", who's title track was recorded by the Carpenters that year and both DeVorzon and Botkin won an Oscar nomination for best song.  One of the album cuts was a short piece called, "Cotton's Dream" and in 1973, CBS approached...

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William DeVaughn--Be Thankful For What You Got (1974)

     It's always been a fantasy of anyone who has ever picked up a mic to go into the studio, make a record, and almost immediately have a hit. The truth of course is that things like that rarely happen. For William DeVaughn however, it became a reality.      DaVaughn had a job for the government as a drafting tech. when he spent $900 of his own money to record a song at Omega Sound in Philadelphia. The song, which he wrote, was very reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield and his old group, The Impressions. The band included...

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Jackie DeShannon--Put a Little Love In Your Heart (1969)

     Over a sixteen year span, (1963-1980) Jackie DeShannon had 16 charting songs. Only two of them reached the top ten. "What The World Needs Now" was written by Bacharach/David in 1965, and "Put a Little Love In Your Heart", written in 1968 by DeShannon, her brother Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday. Both songs make nice bookends on the Adult Contemporary side of the peace movement.       "Love in your Heart" reached #4 on the pop charts in 1969, and was covered in 1988 by Annie Lennox and Al Green as...

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Teri DeSario--Yes, I'm Ready (1979)

     Of all of the artists I've blogged about over the last 18 months, Teri DeSario has to be one of the most interesting artist from a creative standpoint.      Upon graduation from high school in Miami, she played recorder and harp for a medieval/renaissance group called, the "Early Music Consort", from 1970 to 1977. She wanted to expand into other music, so along with husband Bill Purse, they formed "Abacus" which explored folk and jazz. It was during this time she was approached by Barry Gibb who had...

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Deodato--Also Sprach Zarathustra (1973)

     From the advent of the modern pop/rock era (about 1955), there are songs which made the charts that have been influenced by music from other countries. The American public seems to have a fascination with what is now known by the generic phrase, "world music", but not too much of it at a time, and almost always mixed in with a more Anglo sensibility. Paul Simon's, "Graceland" is probably one of the best examples of this in album form.      We find much more of a tolerance for the music of the world in jazz....

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John Denver--Rocky Mountain High (1972)

     Every so often there is an opportunity to interject some of my childhood in these blogs, and this one has been sitting there for a long time. When a teenager I had a major admiration for John Denver. His voice could be a bit whiny, but his early days as a folkie and his commitment to ecological and conservation concerns was a cause that became one of mine as well.      The "country boy" persona of the mid-70's was a bit tiring, maybe because for a 4 year stretch, the country got a bit of JD saturation. You...

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The Delfonics--La-La Means I Love You (1968)

     When hearing this song for the first time, I was convinced that it was from the early 70's. Much to my surprise it was a #4 hit in 1968. It's smooth "Philly Soul" sound was on of the first of it's kind and would soon open the way for a host of artists to record in that same style.       The Delfonics had been singing in the Philadelphia area since the early 60's and had released a single or two that had went nowhere. They were paired with producer Thom Bell and together recorded a series of lush,...

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The DeFranco Family--Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat (1973)

     In the history of modern rock/pop there have been three golden eras of teen idols: The early 60's where the sub genre began through the male idols that came up in the wake of the pillars of rock and roll declining. Those would include (but not exclusive to) Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell and others would fit in this group. The 70's, which began with the triumvirate of The Osmonds, Partridge Family, Bobby Sherman,  and The Jackson 5 and finished with Shawn Cassidy and Leif Garrett. The 90's finished out this group...

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Sunday Morning Vault: Delaney & Bonnie--Only You Know and I Know (1970)

     Delaney and Bonnie were not around a long time, but they made quite a splash as the predominant white soul duo of not only the late 60's/early 70's, but of all time.       Delaney Bramlett was born in Mississippi and moved to California to try to make it as a guitar player. His break came as a member of the house band, "The Shindogs" for the ABC music series, "Shindig" from 1964-66. It's was through this band that he met and befriended Leon Russell, who would figured in his career.     ...

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Def Leppard--Photograph (1983)

     Discussing music in general is so fun for me because there are generally no fully right answers, and it's as varied as the people who make the music. It's been my opinion that taking the 1980's as a whole, that Def Leppard was the best hard rock band of the 1980's. Van Halen, Rush, and Iron Maiden can all be in the discussion, but for my money, the boys from Sheffield defined 80's rock better than anyone.      They began in 1977 as a trio of Rick Savage, Pete Willis, and Tony Kenning, calling themselves,...

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Deep Purple--Smoke On The Water (1973)

     It seems as if since 1973, every boy or girl who picked up a guitar is drawn to that riff as if they have no choice. I can't vouch for the reason why, but just like playing "Chopsticks" seems to be natural for a young piano player, the opening guitar line to, "Smoke On The Water" is to young axe players. Whereas it sounds cute coming from a 9 year old, the same riff becomes menacing in the hands of Ritchie Blackmore.  (might have something to do with the Marshall amps being turned up to 11 as well..) Along with "Stairway...

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Kiki Dee--I've Got The Music in Me (1974)

     Kiki Dee (born Pauline Matthews), is best known for her duet with Elton John in 1976. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was a massive number 1 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. However she only hit the charts one more time in the when she paired again with John with the Cole Porter classic, "True Love" in 1993. I suppose it's fitting that way, since her biggest successes occurred when linked with Elton.      Dee had been one of the top backup/session singers from the mid-60 through the early 70's. She had recorded...

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Chris DeBurgh--The Lady In Red (1987)

     Chris DeBurgh had four charting singles during the 1980's on the US charts, but only one, "The Lady In Red" cracked the top 20. As opposed to many artists who might have success in the UK and not the US or vice versa, DeBurgh never had prolonged staying power in either, instead doing very well in the rest of Europe and South America.       DeBurgh was born Chris Davison in Argentina to British father and Irish mother. Due to his dad's job as a British diplomat, he traveled the world until settling...

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DeBarge--Rhythm of the Night (1985)

     Three of the DeBarge boys, Randy, Mark, and El, had been bouncing around different groups in Grand Rapids MI throughout the 70's when deciding to join forces along with older sister Bunny. Their older brothers, Tommy and Bobby were in the group Switch, which had done well by late in that decade. Thanks to family friend (and Switch bandmate) Gregory Williams who sent a demo of the fledgling group to Berry Gordy Jr., The DeBarges were signed to Motown in 1979.      They spent over a year traveling with...

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Sunday Morning Vault: Jimmy Dean--Big Bad John (1961)

     If you are under the age of 50, the name of Jimmy Dean probably is linked (no pun intended) to sausage. Pretty good sausage too as Jimmy and his brother Don founded the company in 1969 and his business acumen secured him a great deal of success. However, an older generation knew Dean as an all-round entertainer....      He spent much of the 1950's recording a bunch of singles, but outside of the top 5 country hit, "Bumming Around" in 1952 he had no success to speak of. He was however making...

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Dazz Band--Let It Whip (1982)

     The Dazz Band began it's life in Cleveland in the mid 70's as a jazz fusion band. They were first signed to 20th Century Records in 1978 as the band, Kinsman Dazz and it's first album by the same name was produced by Philip Bailey, who also co-produced their second disc, "Dazz" in 1980.      By this time they had several songs on the R&B charts, and by 1980 had officially changed their name to "Dazz Band". This also came with a switch of labels as 20th century closed up shop, and the band was signed...

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Bobby Day--Rock-In Robin (1958)

     Remember having the 45 of this when it came out in 1972 by Michael Jackson. It reached number 2 that year, but at the time I had no idea that it was a cover....      Bobby Day had some minor success with The Hollywood Flames, Bob & Earl (he was the original Bob), and the Satellites. He also had some success in the late 50's with writing. "Over and Over" became a bit hit with the Dave Clark Five,  and the Jackson Five had a top 20 hit with, "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1972     ...

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Tyrone Davis--Turn Back The Hands Of Time (1970)

    Tyrone Davis was able to handle gritty R&B, pop, and disco, but his smooth baritone was made for smooth soul. His voice, which lent itself to tender vulnerability, along with his good looks, made him a favorite with the ladies for for almost two decades.      Davis was from Mississippi, but made his way to Chicago to seek his fame. He signed with producer Carl Davis' fledgling record label, Dakar. His first single was a "B" side hit, "Can I Change My Mind" which went to #5 on the pop and #1 on the R&B charts.  ...

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Spencer Davis Group--Gimme Some Lovin' (1967)

     The children of privilege in Britain went to the best schools and were groomed for success. The rest had to do the best they could with what they had. For many a schoolboy in the late 50's/early 60's that escape was music, especially the R&B and Soul they heard from the United States.      It seems quite fitting in a way that much of the British invasion was due to bands taking a genre that was largely discarded  by the US and making it into their own. Welsh guitarist Spencer Davis had this love...

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Sunday Morning Vault: Skeeter Davis--The End of The World

     There is a healthy crossover between country and pop artists on the charts anymore, but at one time (prior to Garth Brooks), it was more the exception than the rule. Before Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton made it commonplace for female country artists to cross from country into pop, there was Patsy Cline, but even more so, Skeeter Davis.       Skeeter was born Mary Penick in Dry Ridge, Kentucky in 1931. Her dad started calling her Skeeter due to her being so full of energy as a child (in this area,...

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Sammy Davis Jr.--Something's Gotta Give (1955)

     There are not many songs that I just don't like, and when coming upon the name Sammy Davis Jr. the immediate response is, "Well....I'd do 'The Candy Man'". My inner voice begins to remind me that this was a man who, in his day he was known as a great dancer, an actor on stage and screen (he was even nominated for a daytime Emmy for a reoccurring role on the ABC soap, 'One Life To Live')  and a singer who's voice was easily lumped together with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Given that, I couldn't write about a song...

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