Play Meter
Issue: 1980 March 01 - Vol 6 Num 4 - Page 3
MUSIC PROGRAMMING
(Lean) picks of the litter .....
or is it lean litter of the picks?
Product is a bit lean , but we still
have the pick of the litter for this
Update . So , if you're ready , let's get
on with it!
IT'S LIKE WE NEVER SAID
GOODBYE- Crystal
Gayle -
Columbia 1-11198
I guess this song would have to
be classified " Middle of the Road
Country". Or , better yet, how's
"Middle of the Country Road "
sound? I just made that up.
It 's up beat , acoustical , laced with
strings and has that sweet recogni-
zable voice of an instant winner in the
forefront . I reviewed Crystal's first
CBS release ( "Half The Way) a
couple of months back and picked
that one to cross over. This one may
cross , but may not have the strength
the initial cut had. It's a good song ,
so don 't get me wrong . All I'm saying
is that it will probably be a big country
smash, a mild easy listening success,
but not enough mass appeal to make
it in a big way on contemporary
music radio . Based on all this , I'll
shoot for a seven out of ten .
ONLY A LONELY HEART SEES-
Felix Cc:Jvaliere - Epic 9-50829
Instant LP acceptance was what
this former lead singer of the Young
Rascals/ Rascals has experienced
thus far. It's now time to see if the
long layoff from recording has hurt
his commercial acceptability. The
album " Castles in the Air" is loaded
with good tunes , some of them
danceable . There's even a re-hashing
of a Rascals tune of over a decade
ago, "People Got To Be Free". Felix
still sports the same beard ( with a
hint of gray that just shouts "Class!)
and his voice hasn't changed a lick .
Those of us in our mid -twenties
plus will recognize it right away-the
rest may just fall in line as a new
brigade of fans . The song in question
is probably the best choice for the
single. It's reminiscent of the classics
done by the Rascals and with the
right push , could be big . Seven out of
ten or better .
that Columbia is very much behind
this tune and that, of course. usually
means an aid to success . Heroes may
have always been cowboys to Willie ,
but Willie is fast becoming mah hero .
Seven out of ten . crossover .
HOCKIN' INTO TH E NIGHT - 38
Speciai - A&M 2205-S
From the album of the same
name , you'll definitely be doing just
what the title says with this one on
th e turntable . It's a slick. polished ,
straight ahead rocker with a limited,
yet effective, series of hooks , harking
of Journey and an endless series of
high energy acts . Should get a lot of
album radio airplay . Seven out of ten
or higher .
HEARTACH ES- Ann Peebles- Hi
HI80533
With a distinct disco feel, this song
features the lady who has stood a lot
,of rain for quite some time . Featuring
a nice arrangement with strong
vocals in the front and background , it
should do well on the disco and R&B
charts . Worth consideration from all
circles . Eight out of ten on strongest
chart.
HOW DO I MAKE YOU - Linda
Ronstadt - Asylum E-46602
From the opening snare roll intro,
you can feel the newness and sudden
change in musical direction for Ms.
Ronstadt . I've read recently that
lovely Linda has gotten into New
Wave of late , which helps explain
how she's ben spending her spare
time . She's suddenly switched to
high energy music, not that she 's
never done rock'n'roll before , but it
has been a long time . This definitely
not a "re -make" and in itself, that's a
plus' Produced by Peter Asher -
naturally - it's sheer dynamite from
beginning to fade. Linda Ronstadt
definitely proves on her latest single
release that she can wail rock tunes
with the best of 'em . Ten out of ten .
MY HEROES HAV E ALWAYS
BEEN COWBOYS- Willie Nelson -
Columbia 1-11186
The swaying beat ( or strum) of
the acoustic guitar conjures up
thoughts of Kenny Rogers' " Coward
Of The County" as well as reminding
one of Willie's own classic , "Blue
Eyes Crying In The Rain ". People
who are definitely in the know tell me
=
=
=
The records are rated as follows : 10 out of 10 Top 10 peak; 9 out of 10
Top 20 peak; 8 out of 10 Top
30 peak; 7 out of 10
Top 40 peak; 5 or 6 out of 10
Somewhere in Top 100; 4 or less
Forget it, loser,
break in half.
=
=
=
(Lean) picks of the litter .....
or is it lean litter of the picks?
Product is a bit lean , but we still
have the pick of the litter for this
Update . So , if you're ready , let's get
on with it!
IT'S LIKE WE NEVER SAID
GOODBYE- Crystal
Gayle -
Columbia 1-11198
I guess this song would have to
be classified " Middle of the Road
Country". Or , better yet, how's
"Middle of the Country Road "
sound? I just made that up.
It 's up beat , acoustical , laced with
strings and has that sweet recogni-
zable voice of an instant winner in the
forefront . I reviewed Crystal's first
CBS release ( "Half The Way) a
couple of months back and picked
that one to cross over. This one may
cross , but may not have the strength
the initial cut had. It's a good song ,
so don 't get me wrong . All I'm saying
is that it will probably be a big country
smash, a mild easy listening success,
but not enough mass appeal to make
it in a big way on contemporary
music radio . Based on all this , I'll
shoot for a seven out of ten .
ONLY A LONELY HEART SEES-
Felix Cc:Jvaliere - Epic 9-50829
Instant LP acceptance was what
this former lead singer of the Young
Rascals/ Rascals has experienced
thus far. It's now time to see if the
long layoff from recording has hurt
his commercial acceptability. The
album " Castles in the Air" is loaded
with good tunes , some of them
danceable . There's even a re-hashing
of a Rascals tune of over a decade
ago, "People Got To Be Free". Felix
still sports the same beard ( with a
hint of gray that just shouts "Class!)
and his voice hasn't changed a lick .
Those of us in our mid -twenties
plus will recognize it right away-the
rest may just fall in line as a new
brigade of fans . The song in question
is probably the best choice for the
single. It's reminiscent of the classics
done by the Rascals and with the
right push , could be big . Seven out of
ten or better .
that Columbia is very much behind
this tune and that, of course. usually
means an aid to success . Heroes may
have always been cowboys to Willie ,
but Willie is fast becoming mah hero .
Seven out of ten . crossover .
HOCKIN' INTO TH E NIGHT - 38
Speciai - A&M 2205-S
From the album of the same
name , you'll definitely be doing just
what the title says with this one on
th e turntable . It's a slick. polished ,
straight ahead rocker with a limited,
yet effective, series of hooks , harking
of Journey and an endless series of
high energy acts . Should get a lot of
album radio airplay . Seven out of ten
or higher .
HEARTACH ES- Ann Peebles- Hi
HI80533
With a distinct disco feel, this song
features the lady who has stood a lot
,of rain for quite some time . Featuring
a nice arrangement with strong
vocals in the front and background , it
should do well on the disco and R&B
charts . Worth consideration from all
circles . Eight out of ten on strongest
chart.
HOW DO I MAKE YOU - Linda
Ronstadt - Asylum E-46602
From the opening snare roll intro,
you can feel the newness and sudden
change in musical direction for Ms.
Ronstadt . I've read recently that
lovely Linda has gotten into New
Wave of late , which helps explain
how she's ben spending her spare
time . She's suddenly switched to
high energy music, not that she 's
never done rock'n'roll before , but it
has been a long time . This definitely
not a "re -make" and in itself, that's a
plus' Produced by Peter Asher -
naturally - it's sheer dynamite from
beginning to fade. Linda Ronstadt
definitely proves on her latest single
release that she can wail rock tunes
with the best of 'em . Ten out of ten .
MY HEROES HAV E ALWAYS
BEEN COWBOYS- Willie Nelson -
Columbia 1-11186
The swaying beat ( or strum) of
the acoustic guitar conjures up
thoughts of Kenny Rogers' " Coward
Of The County" as well as reminding
one of Willie's own classic , "Blue
Eyes Crying In The Rain ". People
who are definitely in the know tell me
=
=
=
The records are rated as follows : 10 out of 10 Top 10 peak; 9 out of 10
Top 20 peak; 8 out of 10 Top
30 peak; 7 out of 10
Top 40 peak; 5 or 6 out of 10
Somewhere in Top 100; 4 or less
Forget it, loser,
break in half.
=
=
=
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).