MUSIC PROGRAMMING
by Michael B. Klein
Auto Phono
I had a dream the other day. The
only problem was that I was wide
awake and it was about 3:00 in the
afternoon. Let me explain .
You see, I am a collector of oddball
items. I regularly attend any type of
garage sale I can .
It all started out quite simply. I was
driving home from work on a Friday
when I saw a sign that read , "Garage
Sale . Many Old Things." So, I
stopped .
While slowly rummaging through
piles of goodies, I spotted something
strange: a huge silver object with an
arm, a bunch of wires and a
turntable . A simple phongraph? No
way. Th is was a classic.
This will probably date me, and
date anyone who happens to be a bit
over thirty years old, but guess what
I found? A phonograph for a car!
Do you remember them? They
were the rage long before anyone
ever even thought of tape decks for
cars. They were these huge mon-
sters which sat directly on the
"hump" in the middle ofthe car. One
could stack at least fifteen singles on
it, and cruise away. They were great
for the drive-in, for cruisin' around to
" pick up girls," and if you had one,
well, you could have your choice of
the " chicks ."
I was never fortunate enough to
have one, but now I do! In those
days, I would imagine they cost at
least $30.00, but I got mine - and it
works, after a bit of tinkering- for 50
cents! I almost hated to buy it, for I
could see the fellow who had owned
it really was nostalgic about it.
As I left, clutching it as one would
clutch a trophy, the man spoke to
me. "It probably needs a new
needle . You know how those things
used to get bumped around. And it
wasn't just from the car going over a
bump in the road . . . if you know
what I mean." And he chuckled. I
knew what he meant .
And if I ever get the phonograph
installed in my car, these are the
singles I'm going to put on the
changer first.
MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE- The
JB's/ Polydor 14396
If you weren't aware of it by now,
theJB'sare James Brown's back-up
group. And they sound like James
Brown, all except for the vocal ist
who sounds like himself but has the
exact same style as James Brown.
This is one of the funkiest tunes I
have heard in quite some time, and I
love it. It comes complete w ith full
horn section , and that "typical"
funky guitar throughout .
I would say though, unless you
have some very hip customers or
some who dance, I would only place
this single in areas where you have
black clientele. It's very heavy soul
music.
SOUL FINGER ( GONNA PUT ON
YOU) - The Fatback Band / Spring
SP 174
This is a vigorous, robust and
rocking soul tune, done very well by
a fair group . There is nothing really
special about The Fatback Band
though .
The tune is a vehicle for the
rhythm section only . It carries
everything good about the disc.
Now, there is nothing wrong with
strong drums, bass, etc ., but this
tune needs more.
The disappointment is that the
rhythm section is overly brisk and it's
obvious that this group could do
better. Nevertheless, it's a good,
solid, well thought out tune, a good
"summer" song .
I understand my friend has
completed installation of my new
phonograph in the car, so I'm going
out now, taking these two singles
and doing some cruising. A little deja
vu, and a little reminiscing is good for
the soul.
Calendar
July 17-19
Music Operators of Texas, annual
convention , St. Anthony's Hotel ,
San Antonio, Texas.
July22-23
Montana Coin Machine Operators
Association , annual convention.
Outlaw Inn , Kalispell, Montana.
August 5-7
North Carolina Coin Operators
Association, annual meeting. Radis-
son Plaza , Charlotte, North Carolina
September 16-18
Florida Amusement-Merchandising
Association , annual convention.
Deauville Hotel, Miami Beach,
Florida .
September 22-24
West Virginia Music and Vending
Association , annual convention .
Heart 0 ' Town Motor Hotel,
Charleston , West Virginia.
September 29-0ctober 1
Music Operators of Virginia, annual
convention . Hyatt House, Rich-
mond , Virginia.
October 13-16
National Automatic Merchandising
Association, annual convention and
trade show . McCormick Place,
Chicago, Illinois.
October 28-30
Amusement Music Operators Asso-
ciation, annual convention and
trade show. Conrad Hilton Hotel ,
Chicago, Illinois.