INSPIRED BY THE SHADY DELL, YORK, PA, AND DEDICATED TO ITS OWNERS JOHN & HELEN ETTLINE
AND TO MARGARET ELIZABETH BROWN SCHNEIDER, NICKNAMED "THE OLDEST LIVING DELL RAT"


Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Natural Hy - Vol. 3: I Just Can’t Stop Dancing!


BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.


And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for

 Natural Hy 

on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)


"Expressway To You Heart" - Soul Survivors
(Oct./Nov. 1967, highest chart pos. #4 Hot 100/#3 R&B)

Crosstown traffic-- New York born, Philly bred, our blue-eyed
Soul Survivors in the lead-off position, the first of seven
heavy hitters in a row, with their top 5 charter
"Expressway To Your Heart."

Calling all my beats, beards, Buddhist cats,
big time spenders, money lenders, teetotalers,
elbow benders, hog callers, home run hitters,
finger poppin’ daddies and cool babysitters.
For all my carrot tops, lollipops and extremely
delicate gum drops. It's your pal on the radio,
Hyski ‘O Roonie McVouti ‘O Zoot. You and
I are takin' to the sky on a Natural Hy!

START THE VIDEO NOW!

Callin' uptown, downtown, crosstown - here, there,
everywhere. Your man with the plan, on the scene
with the record machine. If you're watching my
simulcast on YouTube, check 'em out, my sweet
 home girls Sheri & Susie on the Hy Lit TV Show!


"More, More, More, of Your Love" - Bob Brady And The Con Chords
(Apr./May 1967, scene from The Hy Lit Show)

"More, More, More, of Your Love," a classic Northern Soul dancer, the original
released in 1966 by the fabulous Smokey Robinson and The Miracles on their
album Away We a Go-Go, but, dig this, the sound you just heard was not
Smokey. It was incredible Smokey sound-alike Bob Brady along with
his Baltimore group The Con Chords, a cover released in April 1967.
Plus, as a bonus, that rare video featuring Sheri and Susie,
my regular dancers on the Hy Lit Show.


Hey you uptown groovers, knock me your lobes.
Are you ready for this?  Hy Lit, your man in
the tower with all the power giving you all
the boogie you can handle... in stereo here
on the greatest little station in the nation,
S-P-M-M Retrosonic Radio!

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

These long tall Texans had us dancing nonstop
from the late 60s through the 70s. Archie Bell
and the Drells now with the follow-up to their
smash hit "Tighten Up." This one's called--
"I Can't Stop Dancing!"


“I Can’t Stop Dancing” – Archie Bell & the Drells
(August 1968, highest chart position #9 Hot 100/#5 R&B)

The funky sound of Archie Bell and The Drells, from Houston, Texas,
hitting the top 10 Pop - top 5 R&B - with "I Can't Stop Dancing."
You're on a Natural Hy with Hy Lit, card carrying member
of The Shady Bunch deejay team on S-P-M-M.



CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

Time to slow it down and sway a while to
one of the sweetest sounds ever to come out
of the Motor City. These cool cats are known
as Motown's best-kept secret. They call
themselves The Originals and here's
their first and biggest hit, a song
penned by Marvin Gaye and his
wife Anna Gordy, Berry's sister,
a stone smash in '69-- "Baby,
baby, baby, I'm For Real!"


"Baby, I'm For Real" - The Originals
(Oct./Nov. 1969, highest chart pos. #14 Hot 100/1 R&B)


S-P-M-M... where all the cool oldies come to play,
and that was the smooth soul sound of Motown
from The Originals doing their sig song, the
chart-topping single "Baby, I'm For Real."

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

Hey, don't break away from your sweetie just yet.
Keep cuddling because I've got another slow drag
for you. From the Tri-state area, here's another
fine soul group,  The Continental 4, the guys
best known for "Day By Day," a top 20 hit
in 1971. Check out this slick sound from
the summer of '73-- "(You're Living
In A) Dream World!"


"(You're Living In A) Dream World"
The Continental 4 (Aug. 1973)


Too cool for school... The Continental 4
with the title song from their debut album
Dream World produced by Bobby Martin.

If you're just tuning in I'm Hyski, Hy Lit,
The South Philadelphia Kid, the Potentate
of The Keystone State, coming to you from
 the hippest spot on your dial, S-P-M-M.

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

And speaking of dream world, The Temptations
are here to get inside your head and blow your
mind. Dig this heavy stuff-- "You Make Your
Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth!"


"You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth"
The Temptations (from 1970 album Psychedelic Shack)

Psychedelic Shack, that's where it's at, and those were The Temps
with a song from that 1970 album, schoolin' you on the facts of life
with "You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth."

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

That's a wrap. You've been ridin' on a Natural Hy
with me, Hyski, on S-P-M-M. To play us off the air,
"Time Is Tight," a groovy late 60s instrumental by the
Stax house band Booker T. & the MG's. Time is tight
and I gotta scram outta here. Stay tuned. Coming up
on the flip side of news, it's my buddy Shady Green,
The Dean of Keen, and his Wayback Machine, and
I'll be back before you know it with another stack
of boss goldens, every spinner a certified winner.
Till then, till we meet again, this is Hy Lit,
your pal on the radio, reminding you to
maintain your cool. Don't be nobody's
fool. Later, baby. over and out!


"Time Is Tight" - Booker T. And The M.G.'S
(Apr./May 1969, highest chart pos. #6 Hot 100/#7 R&B,
from OST of Dec. 1968 Ruby Dee film Up Tight!)

27 comments:

  1. A couple of those acts I've never heard of.
    And hey, I really like The Shady Zone badge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Alex!

      Thanks for being the early bird, good buddy, and checking out Hy Lit's third radio show on SPMM!

      That Shady Zone sign came over with me from the old blog SDMM. You might also have noticed three new additions to my sidebar picture display: Chris Elliott - "The Guy Under the Seats" - Sarah Collins, the UK mum who sings karaoke in her series How Sarah Got Her Groove Back - and Debbie the Dellette "The Hostess with the Mostest," who presides over "Top Hit Club of America.

      Hy Lit presents more obscure recordings that were hot in Philly and along the East Coast. I hope you enjoyed listening and learning.

      Thanks again for coming by, good buddy Alex!

      Delete
  2. I remember seeing Hy Lit on a music TV program when I was an adolescent in NY. When I moved to PA in my teens he was only second to Dick Clark in popularity and everybody had great fondness for him all the years he played the old songs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Arleen!

      How are you, dear friend? Thanks so much for coming over to enjoy this third edition of Natural Hy hosted by one of your favorite personalities and mine, Hy Lit!

      I'm delighted to have someone like you here to testify, someone who lives in the region and remembers how great the Philadelphia broadcast market was in the 60s and 70s, someone who remembers the greatness of Hy Lit. I watched The Hy Lit Show in the late 60s and loved his selection of music and the excellent dancers on the show, including Hy's go-go girls Sheri and Susie, shown in that second video. You might also remember dance regulars Doug and Ting along with "Bucket Belly," Hy's portly side kick on the program. I liked Hy Lit and Jerry Blavat more than Dick Clark because they played music from the heart... not from the chart.

      Thank you again for coming by and sharing your anecdotes and memories, dear friend Arleen. Enjoy the rest of your week!

      Delete
  3. Not as much familiar stuff for me this time, Shady.

    When I think of Booker T & the MGs, it's Soul Clap '69 that always comes to mind! I think I have the 45 somewhere - now I'm gonna have to go look for it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kelly!

      Thanks for coming over, dear friend! On their SPMM radio shows, Shady Bunch deejays Hy Lit and Jerry Blavat play more obscure recordings than do Robert W. Morgan, Dr. Don Rose and others. In addition to playing Motown and Chi-town favorites, Hy and Jerry introduce you to authentic sounds that were popular mainly in Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley and in the mid-Atlantic region.

      I had forgotten about Booker T's "Soul Clap '69." I see that it was actually the B side of the single with the A side being an instrumental version of S&G's hit "Mrs. Robinson." That 45 hit the street in May of 1969 and "Mrs. Robinson" cracked the top 40 that summer on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B Singles chart.

      Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your week!

      Delete
  4. hello Mr. Shady...I have been very dizzy..not ditzy but that too could apply. It makes it hard to read when I feel like I do. Last week my hubby went for shoulder surgery and this Friday i am going for a uterine biopsy. This is my reason for not being able to look at your posts even though i so enjoy them. OK..I love the first 2 songs which makes me long for the times that seemed simpler. I am not one for the easy does it feel of the music you chose..not my style but I love the last one which I always enjoyed listening to. A great way to chill out on a such a nice day. I hope you are well:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Birgit!

      Thanks for joining the fun, dear friend! I am happy to welcome you back to your home away from home - Shady's Place.

      I am sorry to learn of your health concerns as well as those of your hubby. I offer prayers that everything will turn out AOK for both of you. I am currently out of town serving a 17-day sentence (hard labor) helping family members and doing repairs and renovations.

      I'm happy to know you like the songs by The Soul Survivors and Smokey and the Miracles. "Expressway" was a huge hit at Penn State my freshman year. I remember dancing to it at social events held in the campus HUB - the student union - student functions called "jammies," and at frat parties. I hope you watched the "Time Is Tight" video because it is a very cute scenario. I was hoping you could identify the old film from which the scene was taken.

      Thank you again for being here this week, dear friend BB. Stay well and please come and see me again soon!

      Delete
  5. Hi Shady,

    I'm grooving on my couch right now! I'm a bit tired, but tomorrow I will listen to these songs and groove as I walk to Manayunk. I really loved the Continental 4 and Booker T songs you posted; they are helping me get into the Friday vibe and I love it.

    I had a very weird day today and Hy Lit cheered me up a little. This post was a great way to end a very weird day and week.

    Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,Jessica Marie!

      I'm pleased to have you over for another Hy Lit show, dear friend. Thanks for coming! I hope his play list of boss goldens, tailor made for people like you who live in S.E. Pennsylvania, put you on a Natural Hy. It's the best kind.

      I had graduated from college by the time The Continental 4 started catching on in the region in the early 70s, and I honestly don't remember the group. I'm glad I found this sweet soul nugget to plug into Hy's lineup. Please take time to watch the cute boy-meets-girl vignette in that "Time Is Tight" video. It'll make you smile.

      Thanks again for dropping by on Thankful Thursday, dear friend JM!

      Delete
    2. I'll have to watch for it again. :) It's been a busy weekend and day.

      Safe travels, dear friend!

      Delete
  6. Songs from my high school years...Hi Shady! Nice tunes today! I just have to comment on the final one..or really on the video. So cute but I think I've seen it before but it made me laugh. At first his face reminded me of mine in the morning these days. I guess I'm just waiting for that retirement day to come! But the ending was cute too...ain't love grand! Hope you have a good weekend. I think this may be the end of our super warm weather so I will enjoy it and be happy for the cooler temps next week. Take care friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, YaYa!

      Thanks for coming by to sample the soulful sounds of the late 60s and early 70s brought to you by one of my favorite broadcast legends Hy Lit. Of the songs in this set "X-pressway" was the biggest hit in my youth followed by the dancer by the Drells. I owned that Smokey album Away We a Go-Go, and the song from it, "More of Your Love," became a familiar favorite. I'm sure you enjoyed seeing the boots and other stylish 60s clothing worn by Sheri and Susie, the go-go dancers on Hy Lit's television show.

      I'm glad you brought up that vignette in the "Time Is Tight" video. I remember seeing it before too, but can't place it. I hope somebody can provide an answer for us during the post's run.

      I know you are looking forward to retirement and cooler weather and I hope you enjoy easing into both.

      Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend YaYa, and have a safe and happy weekend!

      Delete
  7. Tom,

    I came by yesterday to listen to your mewsic but got sidelined talking to my oldest daughter for an hour or longer. That's a rarity for us, so I simply enjoyed the call. I remember a few of your songs in this lineup. 'Expressway To Your Heart' really set me to movin' in my chair. That second mewsic vid with Smokey Robinson 'More, More, More of Your Love', I really dig those go-go boots the girls are wearing. I have a picture of me when I was really young (3 or 4 years old) wearing a pair of white boots that came about mid-calf. I remember thinking those were my go-go boots and I loved them dearly. lol I thought I had shared that photo on my site but I couldn't find easily this morning to give you a link, so I'll have to do that at some future date. I better make a note so I don't forget. I have to ask, '(You're Living In A) Dream World' by The Continental 4, have other groups covered it? It sounds super duper familiar like maybe the Jackson 5 or The Osmond Brothers may have done it. Thanks for enlightening my mewsic education with these Shady Dell selections wtih Hyski HyLit! Have a groovy day & weekend, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Cathy!

      I am very happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for dropping in for the third episode of Natural Hy starring Delaware Valley broadcast great Hy Lit.

      I honestly don't remember The Continental 4 from my youth and I am not familiar with their charting song "You're Living In A) Dream World." I did some research and see that a group called The Inbetweens released "Living In A Dream World" in 1971, and in the UK a duo called Justin And Wilde released "Living In A Dream World" in 1973, the same year the single by The Continental 4 hit the street. I do not know if they are all the same song or who had the original. I will say that The Continental 4 sounded like other popular Philly sweet soul vocal groups of the period including The Stylistics, The Delfonics and Blue Magic.

      I'm glad you spotted the go-go booties on Sheri and Susie as they danced on Hy's mewsic television program of the 60s. Dozens of locally produced mewsic shows for teenagers sprang up in the 50s and 60s and many of them had resident dance troupes or maybe just a couple of go-go girls like Sheri & Susie. I hope you can find that picture of itty bitty you in your white boots. :)

      Thanks again for making time for a visit, dear friend Cathy, and have a super weekend!

      Delete
  8. I had never heard that song by the Temptations. It's a very different sound for them. Must've been been near the end of their career as they tried grooving into the 70s.

    Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sherry!

      How are you, dear friend? Welcome back to Shady's Place!

      Like Jerry Blavat ("The Geator with the Heater"), Philly radio and television legend Hy Lit plays 'em from the heart, not from the chart. Therefore, on his SPMM radio shows, you will likely hear many obscure, new-to-you artists and songs. At the age of twenty I bought The Temptations' 1970 album Psychedelic Shack and played it often. The song "You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell" made an impression on me because it speaks truth:

      Time passess
      And your values change
      Life becomes a strange, confusing game
      Suddenly you want the finer things in life
      But you find it takes lots of hard work and sacrifice
      Now you're standing
      At the crossroads of life
      To satisfy your personal wants
      Will you do wrong
      Or will you do right?

      The Temptations career has not yet ended. Otis Williams, the only surviving original member, continues to lead a version of the group to this day.

      Thanks again for coming, dear friend Sherry!

      Delete
  9. I really liked "Expressway to Your Heart", that combination of traffic and soul. Can't decide if I've heard it before or not. The other one that jumps out at me is The Temptations tune, which I know I haven't heard before, but a black church sermon done to psychedelic soul music? Unforgettable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kirk!

      Thanks for coming over to be entertained by Hyski, Hy Lit, one of my favorite deejays and TV personalities.

      Boomer teenagers could Name That Tune in less than two seconds when "Expressway" started playing on the radio, usually as a "cold open" coming out of news. I'm glad you like it. I am also thrilled that you found value in the Temps' "H & H" song, one of the more memorable tracks on their album Psychedelic Shack. The song and the album remind us that Motown Records was changing in the late 60s and early 70s. Traditional love songs were still important, but the major Motown artists were recording psychedelic songs and singing about social issues like urban blight, poverty, crime, race relations and war.

      Thanks again for swinging by, good buddy Kirk. Enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  10. Hello Hy and Shady! What an amusing record cover to start off this rockin' post! A blow-up doll! Do you think the guys (Archie and the Drells) picked this design out?

    Archie and the Drells were a good group! "Tighten Up" was such a cool and popular song in the dance clubs. A lot of guys would get out there and dance for this one!

    "Baby I'm For Real" is a song I don't remember. It was truly "Motown slow" and if you weren't the best dancer, this song could teach you pretty fast! You just stand in one place and rock from side to side a little, lift a foot up slightly, and you've got it made! A real smoothie!

    I know only a few songs on your lineup this time around, but of course I love the Temptations. I don't know their "You Make Your Own Heaven", but as all of their songs, this one tells a good story. In their music, the Temps give us some real lifelike stories, laced with pretty good advice. And, their voices are mesmerizing!

    "Time is Tight" is a real good one by Booker T and The MG's. Even though you could dance to this one, it was a great cue for dancers to take a break from the floor and just groove to the sound.

    Thank you guys for this great post! I apologize for showing up late, but it is Friday, and I'll be listening to more oldies during the weekend! Have a safe weekend! Thank you Shady, dear friend...take care! ♫

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Suzanne!

      You wouldn't believe all the loud noises I am hearing as I try to compose this reply. We are in the middle of multiple renovation projects. There are roofers banging their hammers on the shingles, a very loud steam jenny running out on the lanai, and trucks crossing the lawn and depositing pallets of materials. It's chaos and I can hardly think straight. :)

      How are you doing today, dear friend? I hope you have bounced back to perfect health by now or doggone close to it. Thank you very much for tuning in to the third edition of Hy Lit's SPMM radio show Natural Hy!

      I too am puzzled about the inflatable doll used in the artwork for "I Can't Stop Dancing." The song title covering her torso implies that she is nekked. :) I'm glad you enjoy Archie Bell And The Drells, the brassy R&B band from Houston, Texas. Although The Originals' "Baby, I'm For Real" did well on both the pop and R&B chart, I don't have strong memories of that single. It must not have played very heavily on my local radio stations. I'm delighted that you enjoyed the sage advice dispensed by the Tempting Temptations on "You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth," a strong track from Psych Shack. Don't look up the song lyrics online because the sites do not have the correct lyrics - a pet peeve of mine. The words of the chorus should read:

      I'm tellin' you the natural facts
      For what it's worth
      You make your own heaven and hell
      Right here on earth

      How about that cute boy meets girl vignette accompanying "Time Is Tight"? Can you identify the source? I don't think it was actually produced to support the song, but I might be wrong about that. It kinda reminds me of the film clips they used to run in the early seasons of Saturday Night Live.

      I sure hope you are on the mend, my dear friend, Thank you again for taking time to visit, listen and groove. I hope by now you're on a Natural Hy. It beats being sick.

      I wish you and Scootie a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Suzanne!

      Delete
  11. All the sounds are great but it is Booker T and The MG's all the way !
    parsnip

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Gayle! Hi, Winston! Hi, Agatha!

      Thanks a lot for setting your dial to Hy Lit's radio show, dear friend! I'm happy to know that all of Hyski's platter picks pleased your ears. Once upon a time, as you might recall, instrumentals were commonly heard on top 40 radio stations. Booker T and his band recorded some of the best and most popular. I'm delighted that you liked Hy's sign-off record "Time Is Tight," and hope you enjoyed watching the funny romantic film vignette that went along with it.

      Please feel better soon, dear friend Gayle. Thanks again for coming and have a safe and happy weekend!

      Delete
  12. … entiendo todo, friend Shady. In my culture we dance to any occasion … births, deaths, weddings, fights, defeats, victories, enough food for another day, things like that … happy dances, fast and slow, earth shaking and sometimes just sitting there rocking back and forth staring at the stars above wondering where to go next … but always knowing that there is something new to see around the next bend in the road … smiles and meouws. Love, cat.

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    1. Hi, cat!

      Thanks for coming down from snow covered Canada, dear friend! :)

      Wow, cat, you waxed poetic with this comment. I am fascinated by the stories you tell about your life and culture. Thanks for sharing.

      I hope you liked the song selection presented in this volume of Natural Hy, the authentic soul sounds of the mid 60s thru early 70s heard throughout the Delaware Valley and in my neck of the woods, York, PA. York was a soul mecca, and the cool kids tuned in to our own great radio stations and also paid close attention to radio and TV stations in the Philadelphia, Baltimore and D.C. media markets.

      Thanks again for coming, dear friend cat!

      Delete
  13. Just came upon this website, and as someone who grew up in Philly, I'm enjoyimg it so far. I do have to point out that although "More, More More of Your Love was written by Smokey Robinson, and on the Miracles LP, "Away We Go-Go," the version played in the video is from Bob Brady and the Conchords from Baltimore.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Mark!

      Thanks a lot for visiting Shady's Place, my friend! It's great to know you enjoy the blog. I especially thank you for correcting my error on that song. It sounded so much like Smokey Robinson and I was so busy watching Hy's dancers Sheri & Susie that I never bothered to scroll down and see that the artist is actually Bob Brady. I didn't watch The Buddy Deane Show and therefore was not familiar with Brady, an amazing Smokey sound-alike, nor was I familiar with his group The Con Chords. I am here to learn and I thank you again for setting the record straight.

      If you like Philly broadcast legends, then please stay tuned for my next post this coming Friday when Jerry Blavat presents his third radio show. I needed to do extensive research for The Geator's post and parts of it were confusing, so please feel free to let me know if you spot another mistake.

      Thanks again for your interest in what I'm doing here, Mark. Have a great week and I hope to see you again soon here at Shady's Place!

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I wanna know
What you're thinking
There are some things you can't hide
I wanna know
What you're feeling
Tell me what's on your mind