The History Book Club discussion

This is the thread dedicated to the musical genre Pop.



Pop music (a term that originally derives from an abbreviation of "popular") is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented towards a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple love songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.

Pop music has absorbed influences from most other forms of popular music, but as a genre is particularly associated with the rock and roll and later rock style.

Source: Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_music

For me no one does a good pop song like the Brits. For example bands such as Oasis, Blur, Lily Allen, Stone Roses, Duran Duran, the Verve, the Gorillaz and course the kings of pop the Beatles.

Michael wrote: "For me no one does a good pop song like the Brits. For example bands such as Oasis, Blur, Lily Allen, Stone Roses, Duran Duran, the Verve, the Gorillaz and course the kings of pop the Beatles."

Thanks Michael,

Maybe you could share a link with us to a video of one of your favorites.

Pop icon from the past:
http://www.peggylee.com/

Here are some links to some great Brit pop:

The first one is Stone Roses Fools Gold http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VSxe7... Check out the drummer in this clip he is the original bobble head

Next is New Order Touched By the Hand Of God http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMYBQe... this is a great parody of 80's Glam Metal

Next is Clint Eastwood by the Gorillaz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0BaDR... this band is a Manga style project featuring the lead singer from Blur.

And talkinf og Blur here is there 90's classic Parklife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIEsmG...

Ill finish off with the charming Lilly Allen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmYT79...

Thanks!

Someone has to do it so I will.
Pop: King of =


the classics include:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUXAE...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjk...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym0hZG...

there must be a bazillion books on him, or there will be. the music tells the story best. he owned MTV. not literally, but without him where would they be?

Neil Young: Needle And The Damage Done (Johnny Cash Show)

Coldplay Viva La Vida

BOY is a new Swiss/German band (don't worry; no Whompah nor Alp horns...) - Valeska Steiner and Sonja Glass - who just brought out their first album called Mutual Friends - on Grönland Records (Herbert Grönemeyer's own company).
Mr. Grönemeyer is a very popular Rock singer in Germany. He is a good musician too - you might have heard his music on the soundtrack of his photographer-turned-director friend Anton Corbijn's terrific thriller The American, starring George Clooney.

Anyway, back to BOY...
Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsyjS_...

More on BOY:

http://groenland.com/en/artist/listen...

Herbert Grönemeyer
Anton Corbijn
George Clooney

Here's a very nice Dutch singer whose album ended up high in both the Dutch and the UK charts:

Caro Emerald

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwIxUu...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-HBn1...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdOWl9...

A man who changed the pop scene in the 60-70s era was Phil Spector with his Wall of Sound. His girl groups were topping the charts.....and his use of multi-layered backgrounds (which sometimes overwhelmed the voices) were the big thing at the time.
I read this book and it offers an in-depth and chilling look at a man who loved success but couldn't handle it.

by Mick Brown (no photo)

Jill wrote: "A man who changed the pop scene in the 60-70s era was Phil Spector with his Wall of Sound..."

Well, what do I say. You've got to love it. Personally I can't stand it. For me one often has got nothing to do with the other.

Best example: Ike and Tina Turner whose Spector version of Rivers Deep Mountains High was extremely successful (also with the white crowd).

Thank goodness they decided to redo it a little later.

Check out the difference - and tell me what you think.
I believe you always need to give the artist enough free space to stay true to his genius and then let him go from there. If you try to fence in things by forcing your stamp onto someone/something you might risk of losing the most precious part.
Rick Rubin is a producer who I really admire for his having the guts to let the artist truly create and be himself. Especially nowadays with most of the productions sounding as if coming out of the same washing machine...

Back to Phil Spector's Wall: Tina was pure and raw energy (especially together with Ike) adding all that sound with the full orchestra - it just spoils everything for me.
But as so often, taste differs.
See/hear for yourself:

From the Spector recording session:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyy47p...

Basic Ike and Tina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1shWvG...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPOFNy...


Phil Spector

Tina Turner
Ike Turner

Turin Brakes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq-HXs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVW63j...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeyjey...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7uf8q...

Andre: I couldn't agree more on the River Deep Mountain High recording by Tina.......she was totally overwhelmed by all that orchestra....it didn't suit her style...in fact it didn't do any favors to any artist except those who were not strong performers. But the Wall of Sound had an influence that can't be ignored.

Tina Turner

Jill wrote: "Andre: I couldn't agree more on the River Deep Mountain High recording by Tina...she was totally overwhelmed by all that orchestra...it didn't suit her style..."

I like the youtube clip "showing" the effort he took to make it sound his way. He sure knows his stuff. I just wonder how someone so experienced with all the instruments and recording techniques fails to see what he is doing to talents like Ike and Tina...

Phil Spector
Tina Turner
Ike Turner

Great discussion here between Andre and Jill.

The Cardigans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_UDkD...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z89k2R...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtigGI...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpLCrE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOeIu-...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKjp_v...

Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners, a group from Pittsburgh, had several big pop hits back in the day. They remind you a bit of Manhattan Transfer...well, I guess that should be the other way around since the Skyliners came first. Close harmony and a soaring female voice. They are still performing although with a new female singer who sound eerily like the original (who unfortunately committed suicide). A great sound that used to make the young girls swoon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzyEd2...

Neil Diamond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vhFnT...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfbOHe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmEXbT...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLonp...

Neil Diamond

Thank you Jill and Andre.

Andre.....I was surprised that you like Neil Diamond...for some reason he just doesn't seem to be a performer that would appeal to you.....bu what do I know? Remember, I am the one who loves Led Zep!!!!!!

Hmmm, Jill. I would not say I'm a fan. But I love good music, good songs, great voices and I think Such A Beautiful Noise is one. SInce I added that one I thought I'd throw in a few others too.

And then there is of course this one - written by Neil Diamond but made unforgettable by the great Johnny Cash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DGAMP...

Neil Diamond
Johnny Cash

Whitney Houston

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/o...

Whitney Houston

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDhxKV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8CGzh...

All the troubled times are washed away, and we are left with an amazing voice to cherish.

Another tragic life.......so sad.

Her version of the "Star Spangled Banner" in 1991 at Super Bowl XXV is amazing.....as good as it gets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS4v43...

Bea wrote: "All the troubled times are washed away, and we are left with an amazing voice to cherish."

Nicely said, Bea.

Another form of pop music that you couldn't escape back in the day was "bubble gum" music. Although it makes me cringe, it was popular for a while and sold millions of records.....The Archies, Tommy Roe, Ohio Express etc. (I can almost hear Andre screaming!!!)

Loves Grows Where My Rosemary Goes - Edison Lighthouse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9XyhF...

Jill wrote: "(I can almost hear Andre screaming!!!)..."

Don't worry, Jill - I've heard - and SEEN - worse. Guess who I'm thinking of...

Just please don't ask me to add The Rubettes and the likes...

The song title made me think of another band (more rock than pop, but hey, sometimes the music covers both genres:

Lifehouse

Everything:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_2Vzz...

Hanging By A Moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8U-8S...

Jill wrote: "Another form of pop music that you couldn't escape back in the day was "bubble gum" music. Although it makes me cringe, it was popular for a while and sold millions of records.....The Archies, Tomm..."

Thanks a lot. Now I have "yummy, yummy, yummy, I've got love in my tummy" floating around in my head......lol.....

Sorry, JoAnne.......that's just one of the reasons why that kind of music drives people to distraction!!! It gets in your head and then it just won't go away!!!!!

Does he fall into the pop category? I guess he does....he is hard to categorize. He has a cadre of fanatic fans and the audiences at his concerts are a show unto themselves.

Cheeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffett

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBsPZV...

I have no idea where disco goes but surely it has a snug niche in heaven. I had missed the death on Thursday March 8 of Jimmy Ellis frontman of the Trampps, perhaps best known for "Disco Inferno". I am still YouTube challenged or would post the link.

Oops, Trampps..:

The Trammps:
Disco Inferno (nice simplistic yet pushy drums):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2r...

a little faster with a nice pushy guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li_rLu...

Tina doing her stuff:

Tina Turner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HDn7y...

I think disco probably belongs in pop, don't you all? So here you go:

The Hustle - Van McCoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj23_n...

More 70/80's dance/disco:

Amii Stewart:

Knock on Wood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hm08f...

Anita Ward:

Ring My Bell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URAqnM...

Thelma Houston:

Don't Leave Me This Way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKrRrG...

Donna SUmmer:

MacArthur Park:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfL7Gk...

Tavares:

More Than A Woman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI3Ycj...

KC and the Sunshine Band:

That's the Way I Like It:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BRAKb...

hmmmm, delicious!

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake Your Booty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWxLc5...

Jimmy 'Bo' Horne:

SPank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDElEI...

Want mooooore?

The Bee Gees:

Stayin' Alive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3b9gO...

Kool & The Gang:

Ladies Night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJI3Wa...

McFadden & Whitehead:

Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJUpKV...

George McCray:

Rock Your Baby:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arxhW1...

Evelyn Champagne King:

Shame:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfOgIM...

Sister Sledge:

He's The Greatest Dancer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LUie8...

Chic:

Le Freak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KUL9-...

... just to name a few - please fill in...

GQ:

Disco Nights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc8EdF...

Tavares:

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmzWzf...

Yvonne Elliman:

If I can't Have You:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tpjPs...

Oops, what's this?

The Bellamy Brothers:

Let Your Love Flow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1QBKk...

André wrote: "Oops, Trampps..:

The Trammps:
Disco Inferno (nice simplistic yet pushy drums):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2r...

a little faster with a nice pushy guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v..."

Tina, you are the Greatest! Notice how her backup dancers are getting winded and they aren't even singing at 110%?

Bea wrote: "Tina, you are the Greatest!..."

And she's so much fun! She always makes me laugh - her performances are so vibrant yet at the same time also so funny...
As to the dancers - I personally think these too orchestrated - most of the later ones.
I definitely preferred the girls she had with her while she was still with Ike. It felt more like a unit and it was rougher.

Those girls are getting winded and are probably 15 years younger than she is...............an amazing woman!

Tina and Ike from 1965 with:

Fool in Love and Work Out Fine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI1EN6...

You might like this one:

Tina Turner:

Goodbye, So Long:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JHQxL...

from my favorite Ike and Tina concert "Live in Paris":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K71CtB...

(what I mean when I say the dancers are having fun...)

one more:

Nutbush City Limits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2MxJ3...

Tina Turner
Ike Turner

Here is a song that falls somewhere in the genres of rock, soul, and pop. It is my favorite track from the album "Diana and Marvin"

My Mistake - Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He1ZNK...

Two beautiful people.

Another one of the great album covers ever. The album might not have been much.....it had mixed reviews but they surely were pretty!!!!!

Allman and Woman - Gregg Allman and Cher

Great add Andre and what great covers Jill.

A bit of "Waterloo" trivia: on this day on April 6, 1974, ABBA launched their careers into the upper stratosphere when they won the world famous Eurovision Song Contest.

Here's their LIVE winning performance. Gotta love the '70's glam outfits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...

And the hair, and the guitar, and the shoes ...! Thanks a million Cheryl.

There was something lacking in the choreography, though. For those who haven't seen it, this is the way it is supposed to be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqti-S...