Our crew has been decimated by whatever flu and bug that has tortured the residents of Florida the last 90 days. We are looking more like Monahan's Song of the Month right now. But the crew is filtering back in off of the sick list and we'll be picking up the pace.
James Hunter (James Huntsman), was born in England in 1962. He was influenced by his grandmothers 50's and 60's rock and R & B 78 rpm records and also by his older brother Perry Huntsman who plays fingerstyle acoustic guitar.
He would work for the railroad by day and do any gigs he could get. Hunter's career began with a band called "Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays," who released their first album in 1986 entitled Cry Wilf. Later he released three more with his own band.One evening at a 90's show in Wales, Van Morrison caught his act an hired him on to his tour as a backup singer. According to Hunter's bio on his website: Morrison said, “He’s one of the best voices and best kept secrets in British R&B and soul.” He would appear on two of Van's albums before putting one out of his own.
This 2006 breakthrough albumPeople Gonna Talk, was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album that year. He released another critically acclaimed album in 2008 called The Hard Way. This album was praise by Rolling Stone with the accolade: “unbelievably awesome” and the New York Times praised the albums “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.” The Hard Way is where you will find "Carina".
I'll steal your heart away in time It's only fair cause you have mine Oh Carina Don't make me wait too long
Baby can you tell me true Do I stand a chance with you Oh Carina Don't make me wait too long
Good things will come To those who wait But too long will be too late
I'll be brave as I know how Courage don't you fail me now Oh Carina don't make me wait too long
"Carina" feels like is was recorded at Muscle Shoals in 1958, not 2008. It is a smooth delight mixing Hunters effortless singing with plucking violins and a beautiful piano riff floating in the background. A total keeper and a unanimous choice by the crew at Monahan's Song of the Week. There is not a lot more about him on the net, but we have his three albums and that is doing the talking for him. "Carina" came out as an animated video, and we think you will enjoy it!
Here is a story about a classic rock anthem and a man who will be celebrated in perpetuity for his mentoring of legendary rock/blues talent.
After the breakup of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in early 1969, John Mayall went out on his own his own and recorded a live album called "Vanishing Point." Having been an aspiring artist, he did the albums cover work (as he did with most of his albums). The concert was recorded at Billy Graham's Fillmore East and featured a less guitar oriented theme than previous concerts. To the staff here at Monahanssong, the most memorable track was "Room to Move" which got great airplay nationwide on emerging AOR FM stations like WNEW in New York. The track features Mayall providing an unprecedented harmonica performance with vocals and mouth percussion played with a lightening fast flute that doubled his own notes (played by John Almond). He calls his harmonica breathing "chicka-chicka," where you breathe in every other beat. The result was a wholly energetic sound that brought the Fillmore East to it's knees that night. Despite charting at #102, the song became a bit of a rock anthem at the time and was a frequently played cut at parties when people wanted to pick things up!
It may seem peculiar How I think o'you If you want me, darlin' Here's what you must do You gotta give me 'cause I can't give the best Unless I got room to move
If you want me darlin' Take me how you can I'll be circulating 'cause that's the way I am You gotta give me 'cause I can't give the best Unless I got room to move "Vanishing Point" would be one of his most popular albums out of the fifty plus albums he has recorded in his career. We would be irresponsible if we did not point out Mayall's historic influence on both British and American music. John Mayall was born November 29, 1933 in Macclesfield, England. He grew up enthralled with his father's 78 rpm records, especially his blues records. He would build an enormous collection in his lifetime. He went to art school and did a stint in England's armed services. It was while he was stationed in Korea that he bought a guitar. He played when he could, but was mostly working as a graphic artist once discharged. The very early 1960's saw the arrival of amps, guitars and harmonica playing in England. A blues club opened in London and that was it for him. He quit his job and began topplay full time. The blues were slowly catching on and he was able to back-up touring blues greats like John Lee Hooker, T-bone Walker and Sonny Boy Williamson when they toured England. He began to put various configurations of bands together under the name "The Bluesbreakers". As a result, the band had a fluid roster and was a noted proving ground for talent. This may well be what Mayall will always be famous for. As a legend of English Blues, John Mayall is likely to be remembered for his leadership and mentoring of some of the greatest names in rock as opposed to his body of work. Guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor joined his band in a remarkable succession in the mid-'60s, honing their chops with Mayall before going on to join Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and the Rolling Stones, respectively. John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, Jack Bruce, Aynsley Dunbar, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Andy Fraser (of Free), John Almond, and Jon Mark also played and recorded with Mayall for varying lengths of time. (Credit to Ritchie Unterberger for much of Mayall's bio here). So we need to show the love here. We recommend you start with "Turning Point" and "John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton" (1966). This album is also called "Beano" as that is the name of the comic Clapton is reading on the cover. So here it is. Make sure you have some room to move yourself as you listen to this one!
Well the nominations are all in, and we have our Thanksgiving Day worst song ever winner! Hats off to alert reader Gary DiStefano for bringing this song to light. A bubble gum confection you want to scrape off of the sole of your shoe. Imagine if you will, two guys who together wrote three of the most unlistenable songs ever. "Bonnie and Clyde"(1968), "Billy Don't Be a Hero"(1974) and our winner "The Night Chicago Died". A troika of tripe!
Mitch Murray (who appears to have written some good things as well) and Peter Callander are bestowed that honor. They got Paper Lace, the pride of Nottingham, England (They are the best band to ever hail from that town) to record "Billy Don't Be a Hero" and it was a big hit in England. Before they could release it in the U.S., Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods covered it and made it a hit for themselves. The Paper Lace version only hit #96. Bo and the boys were not nominated this year but will surely winn worst song somewhere down the line.
Paper Lace came to America but other than playing at a few radio stations, they were unable to perform the song live in the U.S. at the height of its popularity because of contractual issues.
Oh, and the name of their lead guitarist was Carlo Santanna...most unfortunate.
This song made quite a few worst songs of the '70s lists and CNN named it to their worst songs list as well. It is cited in TV writer Ken Levine's blog also. Lyrics? Here you go: And the sound of the battle rang Through the streets of the old east side 'Til the last of the hoodlum gang Had surrendered up or died
There was shouting in the street And the sound of running feet And I asked someone who said "'Bout a hundred cops are dead!"
I heard my mama cry I heard her pray the night Chicago died Brother what a night it really was Brother what a fight it really was Glory be!
The band would try to sign with another label to make more money but it all collapsed in lawsuits. Some of the members press on as Paper Lace today. Glory be! So enjoy this song and try to get it out of your head as you dig into your stuffing today!
