This Day in Music
Michael Fitzgibbon
Argentinian dancing, Jamaican rebellion, Bohemian jazz, a jean genie, and Elvis is all shook up, on this hectic day in music.
Tango in the Night
1987: British-American Rock and Roll band Fleetwood Mac release their 14th studio album, “Tango in the Night.”
It was the fifth and final studio release by the band's most famous and enduring line-up of Mick Fleetwood (d), John McVie (bg), Christine McVie (key; v), Lindsay Buckingham (g; v), and Stevie Nicks (g; v). The band would not release another record with this roster until the 1997 live album, “The Dance,” though Christine McVie provides backing vocals on their final studio album, “Say You Will,” in 2003 despite being retired by that time.
Highly rated by critics, the record featured four Top-10 singles including the No. 1 “Little Lies” and the No. 7 “Big Love.”
Commercially, it was an enormous success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide and going 3x Platinum in the U.S., 8x Platinum in the U.K., 5x Platinum in Canada, and either Platinum or Gold in most other markets. It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and went all the way to No. 1 in the U.K. It was the highest-selling LP since their landmark release “Rumours” ten years earlier, and would remain the second-highest selling album of the band's career.
Catch a Fire
1973: “Catch a Fire,” the fifth studio album by legendary Jamaican roots, rock, reggae band The Wailers is released to widespread critical acclaim. The band would not be known as Bob Marley & The Wailers until two LP's later, beginning with 1974's “Natty Dread,” though re-issues of earlier albums erroneously add the “Bob Marley and…” to the title.
Robert Christgau of the Village Voice remarked in his Grade A review that “...half these songs are worthy of St. John the Divine...and the Barrett brothers' bass and drums save those that aren't from limbo.” For the non-Catholics out there, St. John the Divine was credited as writing The Book of Revelation, and limbo is of course where those who die in original sin go without being assigned to Hell. Christgau was apparently in a biblical mood when writing that critique. Moving on, AllMusic rates the album 5-Stars, as did The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. It received just under 5-Stars from Rolling Stone.
With the enduring hit “Stir it Up” leading a collection of nine worthy deep cuts that include “Kinky Reggae,” “No More Trouble,” and “Concrete Jungle,” the LP became one of the band's classics, with many fans considering it their best. The popular track “High Tide or Low Tide” was not part of the original album and appeared as one of two bonus tracks on CD and digital releases. Most digital streamers don’t distinguish the song as bonus material, which unfortunately leads to incorrect knowledge of the record, yet another disrespect shown to artists by streamers.
I’m not a fan of streaming services as might be obvious from the writings in this blog. The worst thing about those services is that they clearly dislike music, which is a strange and severe personality defect of the founders and owners.
Violent Femmes
1983: Violent Femmes, a quirky folk-punk quartet from Milwaukee, Wisconsin release their eponymous debut album, “Violent Femmes.”
The release is a ten-track collection of mostly short, catchy, post-punk tunes with a folk and country tinge, emphasis on the “tinge.” This is not “country-punk” music. The LP was met with widespread critical acclaim, and earned the band legions of followers in the alt rock and modern rock genres, particularly on college campuses.
Somewhat of a paradox, the record never charted on the Billboard 200, yet ultimately earned Platinum certification from the RIAA eight years after its release, in 1991. Every song on the album is quality, with the highlights including “Blister in the Sun,” “Please Do Not Go,” “Add It Up,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” and “Good Feeling.”
A work that every record collector should own, it is included in Universal Publishing's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. I will throw this one on the ol' turntable today for sure!
Echo
1999: American singer-songwriter and guitarist Tom Petty releases his 14th studio album, “Echo.” Like most of his works, this one is billed to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Tom also released solo albums, and was a member of The Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch.
A revival for the band, which had fallen in popularity since its 1991 release, “Into the Great Wide Open,” it reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200. The singles “Swinging” and “Free Girl Now” lead this collection of straight-ahead Rock and Roll numbers that also includes the No. 1 Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay hit, “Room at the Top.”
“Echo” was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Alladin Sane
1973: Legendary British singer-songwriter and musician David Bowie releases his sixth studio album, “Aladdin Sane.” Keeping with the glam-rock stylings of his previous release, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars,” Bowie was once again backed-up by the band he created, The Spiders from Mars, augmented by several other studio musicians.
Some of the great tracks featured on the record include the classic singles “Panic in Detroit” and “The Jean Genie,” along with a fine cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”
Critics were impressed, though criticized the inclusion of the Stones’ cover. It ranks just below 5-Stars at AllMusic, and received a 5-Star review from Mojo, a 10/10 rating from New Musical Express, and 5-Stars by The Rolling Stone Album Guide.
Like most output from Bowie, the LP did brisk commercial business. It hit No. 1 in the U.K., No. 2 in Finland, and No. 3 in France. It didn’t do quite as well in North American, peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and No. 20 on the RPM Chart in Canada. “Aladdin Sane” was certified Platinum in the U.K. and Gold in the U.S. and France. It has sold an estimated 4.6 million copies worldwide.
The Monday Miles
1957: At Café Bohemia in New York’s Greenwich Village neighbourhood, the first great Miles Davis Quintet performed live for radio group Mutual Network on its Bandstand USA program. Host Guy Wallace provided commentary, including speaking and conducting interviews with guests overtop of the musical performances!
The first great quintet was Miles on trumpet, John Coltrane (ts), Red Garland (p), Paul Chambers (b), and Philly Jo Jones (d). The group played several classics from its repertoire, including “Woody ‘n’ You” by Dizzie Gillespie, about bandleader Woody Herman, “Walkin’ (Gravy)” by Jimmy Mundy and Richard Carpenter, a staple for the band at the time, and “All of You,” by Cole Porter.
The Daily Elvis
1957: The single “All Shook Up,” written by Otis Blackwell and of course performed by Elvis Presley, hits No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 where it remains for nine weeks. It also went to the top of the R&B and Country charts, and was No. 1 in Canada. It is a double-platinum certified single by the RIAA for two million units sold. Elvis received a co-writing credit for the song.
