I could not find a thread, so I'm starting this one, for the unfamiliar, and for those who heard the Michael McDonald era and never gave this band a chance afterwards.
My wife and I found an internal calm over the past month or so listening to my version of their 'best of'. It makes for a fun ride while 'rockin' down the highway' on a sunny Sunday afternoon, as well as lounging in the living room.
I have read many a comment on DTF regarding the sounds of MM's drums on recent releases and live shows, and those comments took me back to listening to various Genesis concerts. It also took me back to 'The Captain and Me' (one of my 50 favorite albums) because of my remembrance of them having two drummers from the few TV appearances I saw them on. John Hartman and Michael Hossack do not disappoint. Check out the crazy vid for the 'Without You' live version (btw...who the hell sketches a band during a live show around the 3:20 mark?), listen to the jam afterwards, envision a tune taking hold of a crowd and using modern pyrotechnics in this day, and you have some kick axe r 'n r.
The beauty (and often the horrible beast) of older music, was the different way WE had to listen to it. Put a vinyl on the turntable (or cassette into the deck), and one had to suffer through the non hits or crap filler.
Or.....be exposed to various songs and styles one would not normally hear. Thus, there are the Top 40 hits 'Long Train Runnin'', 'China Grove' (sorry that 'Midnight Cajun Woman' is not on my 'best of'), followed by 'Pure As The Driven Snow'.
Flip the vinyl over after drifting away to the sleigh bells, and the 'Without You', perhaps their ballsiest song ever, bashes you over the head, while the following track, 'South City Midnight Lady'....is semi C&W and as lovely and dramatically opposed as the rocker before it.
The hits and albums that followed did not reach their prior success. Tom Johnston left due to health problems, and then McDonald replaced him on LVs. The band lost me entirely. Well, I have to admit, 'Minute By Minute' and 'What A Fool Believes' are as catchy and guilty pleasures as most Bee Gees' hits were later on.
I would be remiss in not mentioning: 'I Cheat The Hangman'. If there is anything that you have ignored during this post, please go to youtube, put your headphones on, and give this a listen. 'Stoner', 'evening', AOR at its best. I wish DT could come up with something like this.....in the same amount of the time frame.
Tiron Porter: as a youngster, other than Sly Stone, all the long hairs played rock 'n roll. (geez, does Patrick Simmons fit the bill?
Standing next to Simmons, is this tall, handsome black man having a ball playing bass and doing BVs . That was an eye opener at the time. Things seemed so 'unified' way back when.
Hope you give some of these tracks a try, and to hear from some experts that hopefully add on to this, because I am just a very casual fan who needed to hear this timeless music at this time.
Listen To The Music
Rockin' Down the Highway
Jesus Is Just Alright
Natural Thing
Long Train Runnin'
China Grove
Clear As the Driven Snow
Without You
South City Midnight Lady
Evil Woman
Nobody (from their first LP, but received heavy airplay after 'The Captain and Me')
Black Water (just as Another One Bites The Dust for Queen, one begrudgingly includes it on a 'best of)
Eyes Of Silver
Another Park, Another Sunday
Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me)
I Cheat The Hangman
Flying Cloud
bonus: Without You (live)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7cNC002G6gthanks for reading