And Nobody Knows Like Me.....

One hit wonders Edison Lightouse began their moment in the sun on this day (2/28) back in 1970. "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" made it to #5.

Definitely!

Memphis, TN, fur shure. Just outside the convention center.

POTD at PhotoShowDown.com!!!

My first POTD at this site!! YeeHaw! This was posted here 2/20/05.

Tucsarora Rock

An oldie, but a personal fav. Probably the first time I laid onthe ground to get a shot....
Canon TX SLR. 35mm slide, scanned, adjustments in Photoshop Elements 2.0

When You Walked Into the Room, there Was Voodoo In The Vibe....

Altlanta Rhythm Section's breakout song. "So Into You" hit the charts today (2/26) back in 1977. One of the best pop songs from the Southern Rock stable, So Into You peaked at #7 (Edging "Sweet Home Alabama", which only made #8, But behind "Rambling Man" at #2). ARS was probably the smoothest of the southern rockers, especially throughout the album with this song, the oddly titled "A Rock And Roll Alternative". I really liked ARS, and have been listening to some of their old discs just in the past few days. RnR Alternative's predecessor "Dog Days" is one of the jems of the era, which I don't think ever made it to CD. Plus, Paul Goddard is one of the greatest bass players EVER.

Painted, folded, floor.

I couldn't understand when my daughter said the Winterguard was painting the floor for their upcoming competition.... Since the competition was an hour west of here. Silly me, they roll up their floor and take it with them!!! They placed 3rd!

Just Shoot Me 1973

I’ve been posting some of the great songs from 1973 this week, and what a great year it was! BUT, even great year’s have their low points! The most chart dominating family of 1973 was none other than the Osmonds, with a whopping 6 Top 40 hits!! That’s 3 for Donny (including the Top 10 “The 12th of Never"), 2 for the whole family, and Marie’s top 5 “Paper Roses”. And if that’s not bad enough, how about this trifecta of 1973 hits from Helen Reddy: “Delta Dawn”, “Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)” and “Peaceful”…. Charting, respectively, at #1, #3 and #12. UGH.

Well I lay my head on the Railroad Track, Waitin’ on the Double-E

2/25/1978, Linda Ronstadt’s version of Warren Zevon’s “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” entered the Top 40. What a great song!!

Though the Past, Darkly

I was trying for a dreamy look here, almost like an infrared shot...
Nikon D70 Effects from Virtual Photographer, applied in Photoshop Elelments 2.0

Take a whiff on me, that ain't no rose! Roll up your window and hold your nose

Stinkin’ to high heaven…. Loudon Wainwright III had his first (and only) Top 40 hit with “Dead Skunk”, which entered the charts 2/24/1973. A fun little song about roadkill, which peaked at #16. Why don’t they make music like this anymore? Born In Chapel Hill, NC (home of UNC), Loudon went to Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University (drama school), but dropped out in 1967 and “headed west to San Francisco where all the other long-haired lemmings were bound at that time”. He’s still around, with more than 20 albums under his belt. But I only know this 1 song.

1973 – A Great Year in Rock Part 4

Consider the following songs, all of which were Top 40 hits during 1973. Here’s some of my favorite “soul” songs from that year:
…Ain’t No Woman Like the One I’ve Got - The 4 Tops
…Could It Be I’m Falling In Love - The Spinners
…Here I Am Come And Take Me - Al Green
…Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder
…If You Want Me To Stay - Sly and the Family Stone
…Keep On Truckin’ - Eddie Kendricks
…Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack
…Let’s Get It On - Marvin Gaye
…Livin For The City - Stevie Wonder
…Love Train - The O’Jays
…Love’s Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
…Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips
…Neither One Of Us - Gladys Knight & the Pips
…Never Never Gonna Give You Up - Barry White
…Pillow Talk - Sylvia
…Until You Come back To Me - Aretha Franklin
…Who’s that Lady - Isley Brothers
…Will It Go Round In Circles - Billy Preston

Balloons

Nikon D70, a rare flash shot......

1973 – A Great Year in Rock? Part 3

Consider the following songs, all of which were Top 40 hits during 1973. Here’s 15 hits that were all memorable:

…Also Sprach Zarthusa – Deodato
…Basketball Jones - Cheech & Chong
…Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - Bette Middler
…Cisco Kid – War
…Cover Of The Rolling Stone - Dr. Hook
…Dead Skunk - Loudan Wainwright III
…Dueling Banjos - Eric Weissberg
…Dyer Makr - Led Zeppelin
…Hocus Pocus - Focus
…Little Willy - Sweet
…Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett
…Right Place, Wrong Time - Dr. John
…Sister Mary Elephant - Cheech & Chong
…Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed
…Uneasy Rider - Charlie Daniels Band

I Thought The Major Was A Real Lady

Entering the Top 40 today (2/23) in 1974: Paul McCartney with “Jet”. I always liked this song, but could never figure out what the heck it meant. Apparently, it’s actually about his Lab puppy…. Which doesn’t make it any clearer. Which doesn’t make it any clearer. “And Jet, I thought the only lonely place was on the moon”?

Balloon Bag in Green

This ought to be self-explanitory. From my son's birthday party. Effects in PSE2.0; Paint Daubs layer @43%, Indexed color....

I'm tired of waking up on the floor...

30 years ago today (2/22/1975) Ringo Starr's "No No Song" hit the Top 40. This song, about quitting drugs and drink, was written by Hoyt Axton, made it all the way up to #3.

1973 – A Great Year in Rock? Part 2

Consider the following songs, all of which were Top 40 hits during 1973. Here’s 20 of my favorite “melodic” songs from that year:
…Angie - Rolling Stones
…Dancing In the Moonlight - King Harvest
…Daniel - Elton John
…Do You Wanna Dance - Bette Middler
…Don’t Cross the River - America
…Drift Away - Dobie Gray
…Feelin’ Stronger Every Day - Chicago
…Hello Its Me - Todd Rundgren
…I Got A Name - Jim Crocce
…Jesus Is Just Alright - The Doobie Brothers
…Just You and Me - Chicago
…Kodachrome - Paul Simon
…My Music - Loggins & Messina
…Peaceful Easy Feelin’ - Eagles
…the Right Thing To Do - Carley Simon
…Rocky Mountain High - John Denver
…Shambala - 3 dog night
…Space Oddity - David Bowie
…Stuck In the Middle With You - Steeler’s Wheel
…Time In A Bottle - Jim Crocce

Nightlight

My son, asleep. He's five years old today, it's amazing how time flys! He'll be moving to a "big-boy" bed in the next few days. Nikon D70

1973 – A Great Year in Rock? Part 1

Consider the following songs, all of which were Top 40 hits during 1973. Here’s 20 of my favorite “Rocking” songs from that year:
...China Grove – Doobie Brothers
...Free Ride – Edger Winter Group
...Frankenstein – Edger Winter Group
...Give It To Me – J. Geils Band
...Helen Wheels - Paul McCartney
...Hello, Hurray – Alice Cooper
...I’m Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band - Moody Blues
...The Joker - Steve Miller Band
...Long Train Runnin’ – Doobie Brothers
...Money - Pink Floyd
...No More Mr. Nice Guy - Alice Cooper
...Ramblin’ Man - Allman Brothers
...Relay – The Who
...Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh
...Saturday Night’s Alright For Fightin’ - Elton John
...Smoke On The Water - Deep Purple
...Smokin In The Boys Room - Brownsville Station
...Walk Like A Man - Grand Funk Railroad
...We’re An American Band - Grand Funk Railroad

T´ain´t no big thing, to wait for the bell to ring...

2/21/1976, Roxy Music hit the Top 40 with "Love Is The Drug". Only a minor pop hit (peaking at #30), this is a great classic rock song, which doesn't seem to have been overplayed...

Light on the Lake

Where's that startburst filter when I need it!! Sunburst reflections off Silver Lake. You cab see Rt. 143 crossing the dam in the distant background. Nikon D70 DSLR, Photoshop Elements, Virtual Photographer effects.

I hear a tender rhapsody, but in reality she doesn't even know me...

"Just My Imagination", the super-classic from the Temptations het the charts 34 years ago today (2/20/1971)!! This one went to #1, of course, but only stayed there 2 weeks.

Looking Ahead Towards Spring

An shot from several years ago, of the Pink Dogwood in our front yard. It'll be blooming again before too long!! Nikon FM2, print scanned, adjustments in Photoshop Elements 2.0

No I would not give you false hope, on this strange and mournful day

Paul Simon's "Mother And Child Reunion" entered the Top 40 today (2/19) in 1972, headed for a peak at #4.

Lone Tree

A lone tree, ready for spring, stands in front of Monk's Mound near Cahokia, IL. Monk's Mound is the largest precolumbian earthwork in North America, north of Mexico.

January Finalists at Better Photo!

Better Photo has jsut posted their January Finalists! Check out all the great shots! I've got 1 that made first cut!

Something Inside You Is Feeling Like I Do, We've Said All there Is To Say....

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers broke into the Top 40 today (2/18) in 1978 with their classic "Breakdown". Go ahead, give it to me..........

On The Road Again #281

Home again, home again, jigidy jig!! Baggage claim at St. Louis Lambert Airfield. Kodak DC210

Being There

A super-cool song make it's entry to the Top 40 today (2/17) in 1973. "Also Sprach Zartustra" by Deodato. Better known as the "Jazz" Theme from 2001, this is the jazz-fusion version of Richard Straus's classical piece. I remember hearing this on the radio as a not-quite-13 year old, and being blown away. The Deodato version was featured prominantly in the movie "Being There", when Chance-the-Gardener discovers the world outside.... reat song, great movie!

Bottomlands...

The bottomlands between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, West Alton, MO. Looking across Riverlands Way, towards the Missouri River. Taken during our recent Eagle-Watching excursion. Nikon D70

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry....

John Denver's weepy-est hit made it's debut today (2/16), back in 1974, as "Sunshine on My Shoulders" started it's climb to #1. I like JD's earlier stuff, anybody who wrote "Almost Heaven, West Virginia" and "Rocky Mountain High" has something going for him!

On The Road Again #399

My hotel room overlooks the scenic SEATAC airport, yee ha!! 7 a.m., just before the sun climbs over whatever's behind me...... The hotel in the front-right is the Coast-Gateway, which was where today's meetings have previously been held.... It seems frightfully close to the brand new concourse! Kodak LS443, 1/15sec, f4.0, handheld

Lovin' you is easy cause you're beautiful

Today in 1975, Minnie Ripperton debuted on the pop charts with "Lovin' You"... This made it to the top, #1... Complete with "chirping birds" and the piercing multi-octive "Ohhh" squeals.

On The Road Again #398

Another home-away-from-home.... Room 1166 of the Doubletree Hotel at the Seattle Airport. Kodak LS443

"Rap-a-rap-a-rap..."

"they call him the Rapper."
Making it's debut on Valentine's Day, 1970, The Jaggerz's hit "The Rapper" would go on to #1 on Billboard's pop charts. A Pittsburgh area 1-hit wonder!

Valentines Day!

Well, this is about as romantic as I get. I was working to put together stuff for my son's pre-school Valentine's party... Nikon D70 DSLR

You Got To Love Me....

Hitting the charts today (2/13), way back in 1971: Temptation Eyes by the Grass Roots. According to one web site, in the entire history of Rock n' Roll; only 9 bands (including The Beatles) have charted more hits on Billboard's Hot 100 than The Grass Roots.

I wanna live, I wanna give...

On this day in 1972 (2/12), Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" broke into the top 40. This song would go on to #1. It only lasted 1 week at the top, knocking off Nilsson's version of "Without You", then getting bumped by America's "Horse with No Name". Not a bad trio of hits.

Where Eagles Dare?

We found this fellow just 100 yards or so up the Mississippi river from the point of the confluence with the Missouri river. I presume that's his (her?) nest. We were slow getting out on the eagle watching excursion, most of the eagles were hanging out in the trees by the time we got there. This is using my old manual 210mm zoom from my Nikon FM2, effective 315mm on the DSLR. Nikon D70 DSLR

The Spiders From Mars.......

33 years ago today (1972), David Bowie performed for the first time as "Ziggy Stardust" in Tollworth, England. Bowie's album "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars" wasn't released in the US until September '72, and remains a classic from the early 70's.

to see beyond the now and here...

Reflecting Pool, Drake University, Des Moines, IA. My wife and older daughter are spending the weekend at Drake, as she (my daughter) continues her college decision making process.

They Call Him Mellow Yellow........

Happy birthday to Donovan, born 59 years ago today (2/10/1946) as Donovan Phillip Leitch near Glasgow, Scotland. I saw Donovan as warm-up act for Yes back in the mid-70's..... I always likes the song Atlantis....

Just Shoot Me #477

Today (2/9) marked the debut, in 1974, of the eventual chart topper "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks. This one hit wonder dominated the charts for 15 weeks, and held the top spot for 3. Just another pop ditty about death....

"Goodbye my friend it´s hard to die, When all the birds are singing in the sky, Now that spring is in the air, Pretty girls are everywhere, Think of me and i´ll be there...We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun but the hills that we climbed were just seasons out of time"

Ugh.

Short Mountain

Not far from Maryville, TN, nearing the edge of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

With Jean and Joan and Who Knows Who

2/7/1970, Santana had their first single break the Top 40, with the classic "Evil Ways". This song peaked at #9, and started a string that's continued into the new millinium.

Tree, Moss

Some days, these great and meaningful titles jump out at you... other times, not. So "Tree, Moss" it is. This shot was taken on a rainy day in May, at the William B. Umstead State Park, between Raleigh and Durham NC.

Someone told me long ago.....

Entering the Top 40 thirty four years ago today (2/6/71): Have You Ever Seen The Rain, by Creedence Clearwater Revival. I happened to see former lead singer John Fogarty on the Super Bowl preview, he looked good, and didn't really sound bad, but the mix was horrible, the vacoal were way too loud... way out of balance. I turned it off in the second song.

I got a baby's brain and an old man's heart....

57 years ago today, Alice Cooper (aka Vincent Furnier) is born. (1948)

Live Each Season As It Passes....

.
"Live each season as it passes resign yourself to the influences of each." Henry David Thoreau. Misty, cold lunch-time, ready for spring (last March). Kodak LS443

You Really Got Me!

58 years ago today (1947), Dave Davies, guitar player with the Kinks, is born.

I'm Already Standing, On The Ground

Entering the top 40 today (2/3) back in 1973: Peaceful Easy Feeling, by a little band from California called Eagles. A wonderful song which didn't quite make top 20 (Peaked at #22). These guys put out a fair amount of successful songs over the next decade or so.....

Up and Around...

Stairwell, Aliber Hall, Drake University, DesMoines, IA. I took this last summer during a visit with my soon-to-be-in-college daughter. Drake is one of the schools she's been accepted at, she'll need to make a decision soon.. She suggested this photo. Kodak LS443 Simplified in PSE2.0.

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

Or, parenthetically: (Heartbreaker). This 1974 hit for the Rolling Stones made the charts 2/3, a mere 31 years ago. From the album Goat's Head Soup, this is one of my favorite Stones songs. Inexplicitly, this top 20 hit (#15) was left off the "40 Licks" anthology.

Waiting For Spring...

A lonely picnic pavalion at the local park. It's not getting much use this time of year, but it's ready for when the weather gets nicer!

Listen kid you paid for the call....

30 years ago today (2/1) Sugarloaf hit the Topy 40 with their sone "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You". This top 10 ditty (peaking at #9) is part of my 45rpm collection, but didn't weather the test of time like their 1972 hit "Green Eyed lady".

Where the Hell is Memphis?

Like Joe Jackson sings: "I got to get away, study my geography, I'm just a shadow of the boy I used to be, I used to see the light now it's all a mystery, I used to feel the beat, now I feel a million miles from Memphis"... Whatever that means. The photo is downtown Memphis from the Marriott across the street from the convention center. Beal St. is a bit down the way, just a short ride on the trolly. This was taken during a convention for Brother sewing machines, who is located in the Memphis area... Kodak LS442 Effects in Photoshop Elements 2.0