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MUSIC PROGRAMMING
by
B.
Michael
Klein
Love and Hate
Since school is back in full swing, I
think it's appropriate to take a look at
some fast rising singles that have a
strong chance of making the Top
Ten . With most singles I review, I
either have a love/ hate relationship
with them ; so that's how I'm going to
rate them .
And , also, because we're going to
be hearing them for a long time once
they make it I'm going to judge them
not only on their sound , but for their
staying power .. . how long can we
listen to them without becoming sick.
One other thing, I've chosen more
or less, very popular tunes, ones that
I don't actually have the singles of, so
there will be no record numbers, but
you'll be able to find them if you
decide they are right for your
c:ustomP.r"
Signed, Sealed and Delivered-
Peter Frampton/ A&M Records
I, among other reviewers, have
been very hard on Frampton in the
past . And I will continue to do so.
Mainly because a·n yone who at-
tempts to match himself against
Stevie Wonder, and remake a classic
like this one ... had darn well better
have more together than a nifty
guitar and good looks. HATE.
· Keep It Comin' Love- KC and the
Sunshine Band/ T.K. Records
This happens to be one of KC's
best singles since "Shake Your
Booty." I really don't understand
why I like KC , ·but one doesn't have
to be a disco nut to get hooked on
the light sensual charm of his music.
It's remarkably inviting . LOVE
Don 't Make My Brown Eyes Blue -
Crystal Gayle/ United Artists
Just by the title, you should be
able to tell that this one has a country
flavor about it. Loretta Lynn's little
sister has got it together with this
lovely ballad . Although Crystal is still
recording in Nashville , and doing
mostly country music , this one has a
strong chance of makina it on both
lhe country and pop charts.
(EXTRA) LOVE .
Way Down- Elvis Presley/ RCA
Those of you who have a country
audience , already know that this
tune is number one. But so far , I
haven't heard it on pop or rock radio .
In a certain way, this single reminds
me of Elvis's "Moody Blue." It has
that conviction that always appealed
to me when Elvis sang . This superb
disc also has some of the gutsyness of
"Burning Love ." LOVE
Blue
Bayou-Linda
Ronstadt/
Asylum
As those of you who follow my
column regularly know , I usually
dislike cover versions, records that
are made by one artist who has had a
hit with a tune, and then another
artist re-records it . Case in point,
Peter Frampton, and even Rita
Coolidge , she has re-recorded
"We're All Alone," previously done
by Boz Skaggs.
This Roy Orbison classic has
always been one of my favorites , just
as Roy himself has been . He's a
legend . Possibly one of the finest
voices ever. And if Linda Ronstadt
can follow up a brilliant version of this
tune, she will be known as legendary
as well . This disc is such a pleasant
change from most of the records
these days , which either seem upbeat
or disco, that I'm certain it will go
gold . Linda sings it with the same
nostalgia and tenderness that I found
in the original. (ALL MY) LOVE.
Heaven on the 7th Floor-Paul
Nichols/ RSO Records
I don't particularly care for this
one, but since I know it is destined for
Top Ten ranking , I've included it. For
me , it's simply too commercial. I ·
enjoy slickness as much as the next
guy/ girl.. .but this is just too cute .
There's no denying it though, after
listening to this record, you will be left
with the impression that if ever a
single has "hit" written on it, aside
from the hype from the record
companies, this one has it. (But that
doesn't necessarily make it a good
record , does it?) HATE.
Business should be booming . May
this be a very profitable part of your
year.