Shaharazade and I were in the Pearl District of Portland this afternoon. She needed new tennis shoes and the shop that sells a certain brand is there. We picked up a pair for her and she had to go to another shop around the corner. I think that's really why she wanted to go to the Pearl. It's a very nice store called Anthropologie. You might know it. They have lots of locations. Anyway, my point is they were playing music, as they always do, over the sound system and one song in particular, a modern one, reminded me of this first one and the one it reminded me of, reminded me of the rest.
Apparently I have a block against music of the early 90s. As you might recall, I'd gotten up to the late 80s, then for some reason, did a review of some songs on my iPod, all from the 50s and 60s. Then I skipped a week. Today I'm posting some fairly modern songs I like, instead of going back to 1990-91. Ah well. Consider this a tour of modern music that old fogeys might like.
Before we move on to the 70s I wanted to post some instrumentals from way, way back. I think most of these are familiar. Several are what you could call "easy listening". You know I like the rocking tunes but sometimes it's nice to have these softer things on.
I was tempted to start with The Singing Nun, Bobby Vinton and such. Check out what the big hits of 1963 were! Sugar Shack, Surfin' USA (ok, that's 1 good one), The End of the World (by Skeeter Davis...a slow number), Rhythm of the Rain, He's So Fine, Blue Velvet (the bad one by Bobby Vinton), Hey Paula, Fingertips (that makes two good ones), Washington Square, Can't Get Used to Losing You (by Andy Williams!!), Dominique, I Will Follow Him...it was pretty dire. But really, why subject all of us to those songs? The important thing is, life changed in December 1963.
In the winter of 1970, thanks to the work-study program at Antioch College, I managed to get myself a job as an assistant music teacher at a small Detroit private school. I've forgotten the name where I worked. It was awhile back! I found a place to live with students from Wayne State University. Every day I'd get up, walk to Woodward Avenue, take the bus downtown (where I'd freeze), then transfer to school. The only thing that's important here is "Woodward Avenue". On that street is Mecca. The Sound of Young America. Hitsville, USA. Motown Records.
