Your opinions, 07/22?

[SAT-I need more room!!]

kathyb said:

Red Hot Chili Peppers--I was never a HUGE fan of theirs, but I did enjoy some of their songs. They did have a tendancy to get pretty outrageous in concert, and on award shows. I remember them naked on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, too. Now, why would I remember something like that? Faves: Under the Bridge, Californication, Higher Ground, Give it Away, My Friends, Aeroplane

Lou Reed--Normally, he's not somebody that I'd enjoy, but my brother got me listening to him way back when, and I found out I liked a lot of his songs. He's pretty well respected in the music biz, I think. Faves: Walk on the Wild Side, I Love You Suzanne, The Power of Positive Drinking (my theme song at one point. LMAO), No Money Down, Lady Day, Sally Can't Dance

Cliff Richard--Found a couple of vinyl albums of his at a thrift store not too long ago. One of 'em was still sealed. I don't have the heart to open it. LOL! Really liked him in my teen years. More familiar with his 70's/80's hits than his earlier stuff. Faves: We Don't Talk Anymore, A Little in Love, Dreaming, Devil Woman, and his duet with Olivia--Suddenly.

Lionel Richie--Jeez, he had quite a solo career, didn't he? For the most part, I like his songs, but there are some that are just TOO cheesy for me. Can't stand Endless Love. A bad song from a terrible movie. ;D Dancing on the Ceiling and Running With the Night are a couple more I can't stand. Some faves: Truly, You Are (Love it), Hello (a bit overplayed), My Love, Stuck on You, Say You Say Me (love it), All Night Long, probably a few more.

Righteous Brothers--Nobody I listen to on a regular basis, but when I do hear one of their songs on the radio, I don't change the station. Faves: You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling, Rock and Roll Heaven, Ebb Tide, Soul and Inspiration (love it), Unchained Melody

Probably because that Rolling Stone cover is on your ceiling!

Ewwww, I think Say You, Say Me goes in the cheesy list!! LOL!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Boogieman said:

Ok...aiming for an error free day

Red Hot Chili Peppers : Their 80's output was kind of sketchy and probably due to several members having substance abuse problems at the time. Yes, the sock thing is a little silly and not something I particularly care to see when I go to a concert but gotta credit them for having a sense of humor. Unlike most, this band seems to get better with age. Recent albums have been top notch. Good jam band with a punk influence. Me like...

Favorites include:
Love Rollercoaster
Give It Away
Under the Bridge
Higher Ground
Scar Tissue
Otherside
Californication
Soul to Squeeze

Lou Reed : I just don't get all the hype. Agree that "Walk on the Wild Side" is a classic and I enjoy it after all these years. Otherwise, hasn't impressed me. Way overrated 70's icon like Iggy Pop. Blah...
Favorites = Walk on the Wild Side

Cliff Richard : You're right, he was HUGE in Great Britain. Had hits in four different decades in the States as well...but very sporadic. Practically forgotten nowadays. Mostly good stuff except for the sappy duet with Olivia Newton-John.
Favorites = Devil Woman, We Don't Talk Anymore, Dreaming, Carrie, A Little in Love, Daddy's Home

Lionel Richie : Once again I agree...much better with the Commodores putting out funk instead of treacly love songs. Had so many hits that it will be easy to still have a long list of favorites but some (Truly, Hello, Stuck On You) make me cringe. And um...Lionel...what was up with that hair, man?

Favorites include:
Running With the Night
Penny Lover
You Are
All Night Long

ok...maybe not such a long list after all. Most of his solo singles are barf inducing

Righteous Brothers : It's about time they got into the Hall. I don't go out of my way to listen to these guys but they're worthy. Nice harmonies and all that.

Favorites include:
Unchained Melody (the original...NOT the 1990 rehashing)
You're My Soul and My Inspiration
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
Rock and Roll Heaven

I DO have to say though that I enjoyed the Commodores ballads (Easy, Still), as well as the funk.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Rali said:

Cliff Richard-Believe it or not, the way I first heard of him was by seeing in a Billy Graham movie. ("The Restless Ones", I believe, was the name of it).

Ironically, the only song I really remember is "Devil Woman". (I'm pretty sure there was another one I liked better, but I can't recall the title--or even how it goes. LOL!)

Lionel Richie-I actually like most of his music--I think.

Righteous Brothers--I am anxious to FINALLY get that last Hullabaloo DVD, because among other reasons, they appear on it.

In the meantime, I DO have that video-clip I downloaded from Kaaza of Bobby Hatfield singing "Unchained Melody" on Shindig. I like it because he improvises--yet not enough to ruin the song (Meaning of course for those of us who still enjoy the song, that is) And why, I ask, didn't he get THE credit on that song? As far as I can tell, Bill didn't sing a note('Course that's as far as I can tell, so...


Anyway, I still like "Unchained"; plus "(You're My) Soul & Inspiration", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", and "Ebb Tide"

I looked ahead at Dave's answer and he pointed out the movie was The Young ones. Young, Restless....sounds like a good soap opera name!

You are gonna make me JEALOUS with all this Hullabaloo talk!!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Pete70s said:

Red Hot Chili Peppers-I like them, I knew them before most other people did. They did some STRANGE stuff in the 80's, but "Mother's Milk" was probably their first really good effort. "BloodSugarSexMagic" had a good sound, but I'm SO burned out on "Give It Away". I still love "Under The Bridge". It took them forever to follow that album up, but "One Hot Minute" was somewhat disapointing. The hits on "Californication" were good, a tad overplayed at the time, but I may get that CD. I've heard good things about the new CD, though I haven't heard it yet. They have definitely gotten mellower with age, but better!

Lou Reed-My ex has his box set. I only have the "Transformer" CD, which I bought for "Walk On The Wild Side" and "Sattelite Of Love". I liked his '89 radio hit "Dirty Blvd." Other than that, I know little else. But I LOVE The Velvet Underground! Can't believe that "Metal Machine Music" got such an elaborate repackaging. I mean, it's four sides of white noise!! But that's RCA for ya', What were they thinking?

Cliff Richard-I have all his American hit singles from '76-82. I bought them when they were big, I had no idea how huge he was in England at the time. He just had songs on the radio I liked. I LOVE "Suddenly" with ONJ, and I recently re-introduced myself to a long-forgotten hit I hadn't heard in years: "A Little In Love".

Lionel Richie-All I can think about is that first album cover, with the orange background and that green sweater, with the pink shirt collar sticking out. Ahh, the 80s, the only time you could get away with such a fashion nightmare! "All Night Long" was OK, but, like you, I preffer the Commodores as well!

Righteous Brothers-When "Soul and Inspiration" came out, many couldn't believe that they had left Spector, because the "Wall Of Sound" was still there! According to Phil's biography, "He's A Rebel", he did EVERYTHING he could to stop that session from taking place. He failed, the session went on, they duplicated his sound, and had a #1 hit! Good duo, good sound, should've stuck around on the charts a bit longer. "Lovin' Feeling" is a masterpiece and should've NEVER been covered by anyone!

The new album IS good, especially if you dig the Californication era, not so much the early punk-funk era.

LMAO about Lionel's first album cover!!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Dawn said:

Red Hot Chili Peppers - For a long time, I wasn't really familiar with them, but the classic rock stations here have started playing some of their songs, and what I've heard is pretty good. Favorites: Aeroplane, Californication, Love Rollercoaster.

Lou Reed - I only know 'Walk on the Wild Side' also - it's okay, I guess.

Cliff Richard - An often overlooked artist nowadays, but he recorded some excellent songs, particularly from the mid 70's to early 80's. There's a song of his called 'Never Say Die' that I'd love to find on CD - I remember hearing it on the radio a few times back in late 1983. Favorites: Devil Woman, We Don't Talk Anymore, Dreaming, A Little in Love, Never Say Die, Suddenly.

Lionel Richie - I remember listening to his music a lot back in the day. I still enjoy most of it, but probably lean more now toward his work with the Commodores. Good singer. Favorites: You Are, Truly, All Night Long, Running With the Night, Hello, Stuck On You, Se La, Love Will Conquer All.

Righteous Brothers - I agree, they definitely deserve their spot in the Hall. Their voices blend so well together. So many of their songs have become classics, and rightfully so. Favorites: Rock and Roll Heaven, You're My Soul and Inspiration, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Unchained Melody.

Knowing your tastes, Dawn, I think you'd enjoy the Californication CD!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

DJ said:

Red Hot Chili Peppers--this was a band I actually liked better in their older days; the stuff had much college airplay in my time. Later output was good, but the good ol' days take me back best here!
Faves:
Give it away (Sorry Ken!)
Love rollercoaster (Almost forgot this!)
Under the bridge (almost disliked it at first, but it's REALLY grown on me)
Higher ground (Still love it, played it at least 10-12 times in college)
True men don't kill coyotes (their debut "single", 1984)
Behind the sun
Show me your soul
Bloodsugarsexmagik
Suck my kiss
Can't stop (One of the better tunes this year)
Breaking the girl
Soul to squeeze (Almost forgot this too)
Me and my friends
Sexy Mexican maid
Fight like a brave
Special secret song inside
Scar tissue
They're red hot
Johnny kick a hole in the sky
Funky monks
Knock me down
Warped
Jungle man
By the way
Around the world
Taste the pain
Otherside
Backwoods
My friends
Californication
Fire

Lou Reed--No question, a critic's darling like Elvis Costello; the Velvet Underground got into the Hall back in 1996, and I'm surprised Lou solo isn't in (not that I care ). His songs are well-written, but many tunes kinda dull me out. I do like his rock radio hits quite a bit however.
Faves:
Walk on the wild side (Hashish, anyone?)
No money down
Dirty blvd. (Huge in my college freshman year)
Satellite of love
What's good
Sally can't dance
I love you Suzanne
Sweet Jane
Busload of faith
Coney Island baby

Cliff Richard--My fave today. Born Harry Rodger Webb in Lucknow, India on October 14, 1940--you can tell I'm a fan! It's such a shame that this UK guy (fittingly so) gets all the glory across the pond, and had only good US success in 1976-1982, but he hit the perfect time to have such GREAT tunes! Familiar with most big UK hits from beforehand as well, and I have some post-1983 tunes on a Razor & Tie compilation. I MUST investigate, I've got to get the biggest box set he's ever put out in the UK, he has charm, a good voice, superior production by Alan Tarney in his US heyday, and I've heard this man STILL has it after 45 years (entertaining in the UK still). While he sold singles well in the US for a time (gold certification for "Devil woman"), none of his albums could get higher than #76. I just truly can't say enough.
Faves: (LO-O-O-ONG list!)
We don't talk anymore (I could play this 200 times non-stop and still beg for more! )
A little in love (LOVED this since day 1; his only big US hit that wasn't as big in the UK)
Suddenly (w/Olivia, wished they had more duets)
Dreaming
Devil woman
Living doll
Never say die (sounds quite similar to Tina Turner's later hit "Typical male")
Give a little bit more (not the same song as "Never say die")
Daddy's home (fine remake)
Carrie
The only way out
Miss you nights
Don't turn the light out
It's all in the game
Power to all our friends
Mean streak
Wired for sound
True love ways (this may be better than Buddy Holly's AND Peter & Gordon's version!)
Lucky lips
I can't ask for any more than you
Everyman
Summer holiday
Move it
The Young Ones (not the Restless Ones, Rali)
I only have eyes for you
Living in harmony
Voice in the wilderness
Rock 'n roll juvenile
In the country
Some people
Dynamite
Keep on lookin'
Bachelor boy
I still believe in you
Language of love
Count me out
The minute you're gone
You know that I love you
My pretty one
I'm nearly famous
Love is the strongest emotion
Good times (Better times)
Love on (Shine on)
She means nothing to me (w/ Phil Everly)
I'm the lonely one
It's all over
Congratulations
On the beach
Gee whiz it's you
The best of me
Do you wanna dance
Throw down a line
Peace in our time
Ocean deep
Take another look
Theme for a dream
It'll be me
From a distance (Ha-ha, best version! Sorry, Lora)
All I ask of you
Fall in love with you
Blue turns to grey
Big ship
Mistletoe and wine
Silhouettes
Goodbye Sam Hello Samantha
She's so beautiful
Constantly
Visions
Slow rivers (w/Elton John)
I'm looking out the window
Apron strings (flip of "Living doll")
--whew--

Lionel Richie--"OUTRAGEOUS!" All over top 40 and easy listening radio throughout the 80's, no question. I have his first 3 solo CD's, and they're all great. Some Commodores' hits definitely could pass for Lionel solo tunes as well (3 times a lady and Still, among them). One guy who I love reminiscing the 80's to; had many unforgettable videos that were shown on "America's Top Ten".
Faves:
All night long (Once you get started, you can't sit down! The ultimate Motown party hit; forever in my top 200)
Stuck on you (A HUGE guilty pleasure!)
Truly (MANY people forget this was a #1 song)
Running with the night
Dancing on the ceiling
Penny lover (NO single edit!)
Ballerina girl
You are
Se la
My love
Endless love (w/Diana; not QUITE as great as a certain remake... ;D)
Say you, say me (This was a bit overplayed)
Hello (HATED this from about Summer '84 till about 10 years ago)
Night train (Smooth alligator) (hidden CD track)
Love will conquer all
Serves you right
Do it to me
Can't slow down
Angel
just put some love in your heart
Don't wanna lose you
Round and round
The only one
I hear your voice
Ordinary girl
Time
Love will find a way
Tell me
You mean more to me
Wandering stranger
Deep river woman
Still in love

Righteous Brothers--I think everyone in the Click likes them more than me. I don't really dislike them, but I'll be happy if I never hear any of their songs again. To me, they were blue-eyed soulsters who wanted to be easy listening, and had one unusual sound. When I first heard "Lovin' Feelin'" back in 1977, I thought "What on EARTH is this strange tune?" They may be good-looking in photos, but they had 3 or 4 WAY overplayed songs, my parents don't rave over them, and it's too bad they got in the Hall before Chicago or the Moodies.
Passable faves:
Rock and roll heaven
Soul and inspiration
Ebb tide
Lovin' feelin' (why won't this song EVER die? I just may like...DIONNE WARWICK's version the best!)
Don't care for "Just once in my life".
---and please make "UnMel" stop---thanks.
Please forgive me if I sounded like a former YLer from 1966.

Thanks.

I think we were all happy they went into the Hall before the Moodies and Chicago just because they were around longer.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Railyn said:

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I didn't like them at first either, but their music is infectious! Favorites: Breaking The Girl, Under The Bridge, Give It Away, Love Rollercoaster (better than the original), Suck My Kiss, Californication, The Other Side, Scar Tissue, Aeroplane

Lou Reed - never got into him or the Velvet Underground, but I do enjoy Walk On The Wild Side - the first time or two I heard it, I was kind of like "HE SAID WHAT?"

Cliff Richard - I really enjoyed him and need to get that cd you mentioned - Favorites: Devil Woman, Suddenly (with Olivia Newton John), Very Favorites: Dreamin', and We Don't Talk

Lionel Richie - Liked the Commodors, but not so much him on his own - stuff was a bit poppy for my taste. Favorite: Easy (but I like Faith No More's version better)

Righteous Brothers - can't deny the talent, but I'm just not really into them. Rock and Roll Heaven isn't bad.

Wow, you like a lot of cover versions!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

55dodger said:

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Got Californication on CD and the Other Side is a great song. Not real familiar with their other stuff.

Lou Reed - Only know Walk on the Wild Side, which I like.

Cliff Richard - Never heard of him until I got to England in 1978. Found out he was huge over there. Didn't like the duet with Olivia (sorry). Not really crazy about his other stuff either. Favorites: Devil Woman, We Don't Talk Anymore, Dreamin'

Lionel Ritchie - The more he came out with singles, the less I liked him. I think he got the formula to land songs in the top 10 and went with it. Liked what he did with the Commodores much better. Favorites: All Night Long, Dancing on the Ceiling, Running With the Night.

Righteous Brothers - Long overdue recognition. Greatest blue eyed soul group and one of the best male duos. Can never here their version of Unchained Melody enough. It's the best. Other Favorites: Soul & Inspiration, You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', Rock & Roll Heaven, I Just Want to Be Me.

Dodger! Good to see you back! Thought maybe I had bad breath or something! LOL!!

But I see you've been playing catch up!

If you have the Californication CD, check out the rest of it!

[Ken]

SAT-The said:

Judging by some past decisions or NON-decisions made by the Hall, I'd say you just have to be an idiot to be on the board!

LOL

[H2IZCOOL]

Hey Sat. Looks like I'm out of tiwn more than I'm here these days (and it ain't stoppin' either) so I gotta catch up.

Red Hot Chili Peppers- For some reason that I can't explain, I hardly know them at all. Never investigated. I've heard Californication once or twice, and it's OK. They are on my list for learning about them. I bet when I hear a song or two, I'll recognize them.

Lou Reed-I also only know Walk on the Wild Side. So-so

Cliff Richard- He was a mini-rage (very mini) in the US just prior to the emergence of the Beatles here. He did a couple of covers of some R&B songs in '63 (Lucky Lips, It's All In The Game) that I really didn't think were that good. I like his '70s stuff a lot more. Faves: Devil Woman, We Don't Talk Any More, A Little In Love.

Lionel Richie- Really like his voice. Liked him with the Commodores; like him solo. Solo faves: Truly, All Night Long, Hello, Stuck On You, Say You Say Me.

Righteous Brothers- Fantastic Duet. Definitely deserved to be in the Hall. The blend of Bill's bass and Bobby's falsetto is unique in pop music. (I mentioned in one of Dawn's Billboard posts, that my cousins saw them in concert last week and said that they had lost some of their range, but were still quite good.) Biggest Fave: You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (#2 all time fave) (I heard at the time that Phil Spector used over 100 DIFFERENT instruments in the orchestration). Other faves: Ebb Tide, Just Once In My Life, Bring It On Home To Me, Soul and Inspiration, Rock and Roll Heaven (great comeback sound), and Unchained Melody (They recorded, IMO the best version of the song. It does tick me off, however, when people- especially DJs - say that they did the original, and that it was from the movie "Ghost". We of course all know that the song comes from the 1955 movie "Unchained", and that the song was recorded by several people (many hit versions) before anyone ever heard of the Righteous Brothers)

[lora]

SAT-The said:

But I bet you DON'T agree that it was more Beatle-like!

You said the NEXT album was more Beatle-like. And I haven't heard that album.

[55dodger]

SAT-The said:

Dodger! Good to see you back! Thought maybe I had bad breath or something! LOL!!

But I see you've been playing catch up!

If you have the Californication CD, check out the rest of it!

Spent a week in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan getting my son registered for college and spent another week and a half with a weird schedule at work. So it's been catch up time for the last two weeks. Hopefully I'm back on a more regular schedule.