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S T R A N G E M A G I C
B E I N G E R I C A
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
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"Never Been To Spain" - Three Dog Night
(Jan./Feb. 1972, highest chart pos.
#5 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
#5 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
Kicking-off the show,
"Never Been To Spain,"
one of the many hits by
the versatile and very
soulful LA-based rock
band Three Dog Night.
The single reached the
top 5 in the early
weeks of 1972.
Hello again, everyone! I'm Erica Strange. As you might recall
from last year's preview, I'm the time traveling main
character on the Canadian television dramedy
Being Erica.
Welcome to the official debut of
Strange Magic Being Erica
Strange Magic Being Erica
exclusively here on S-P-M-M Retrosonic Radio.
I'm excited to be moonlighting as the newest
member of The Shady Bunch DJ staff.
On Strange Magic Being Erica
I'll be bringing you the greatest
soft rock, new wave and pop
I'll be bringing you the greatest
soft rock, new wave and pop
love songs of the 70s and 80s.
Sometimes I'll even take you
all the way back to the 60s.
In fact that's exactly what
I'll do later in today's show.
Sometimes I'll even take you
all the way back to the 60s.
In fact that's exactly what
I'll do later in today's show.
On Being Erica I change clothes a lot,
and I'll be doing the same here on
S-P-M-M, even though I'm doing
a radio show. Go figure!
and I'll be doing the same here on
S-P-M-M, even though I'm doing
a radio show. Go figure!
Okay, let's get back to the music and
the magic. In the summer of 1980,
Olivia Newton-John's musical
fantasy film Xanadu bombed
at the box office... but the
the magic. In the summer of 1980,
Olivia Newton-John's musical
fantasy film Xanadu bombed
at the box office... but the
soundtrack album went
double platinum in the
U.S. and was a hit
all over the world.
double platinum in the
U.S. and was a hit
all over the world.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
Here now is one of the songs from Xanadu. Released as a single
just before the movie hit theaters, it shot up the chart and spent
four weeks at number one. Olivia Newton-John sings-- "Magic."
just before the movie hit theaters, it shot up the chart and spent
four weeks at number one. Olivia Newton-John sings-- "Magic."
"Magic" - Olivia Newton-John
(July/Aug. 1980, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box),
from OST of the Aug. 1980 film Xanadu)
That was Olivia Newton-John with her
smash hit from the flop film Xanadu,
a picture that also featured dance star
Gene Kelly in his final movie role.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
Olivia and this popular English rock band,
Electric Light Orchestra, collaborated on
the hit theme from Xanadu. The previous
year, ELO racked-up their biggest U.S.
hit with a single that peaked in the top 5
and you're listening to it now. It's called
"Don't Bring Me Down."
"Don't Bring Me Down" - Electric Light Orchestra
Aug./Sept. 1979, highest chart pos. #4 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
From the late summer of '79, a year before Xanadu, that was ELO -
Electric Light Orchestra - with their highest-charting hit in the U.S.
and second highest charting UK hit-- "Don't Bring Me Down."
By the way, the lyrics of that song are often misheard as
"Don't Bring Me Down, Bruce." ELO co-founder Jeff
Lynne insists he is actually shouting "grooss"...
a word he simply made up!
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THE VIDEO NOW!
You got that right,
Don Pardo!
I'm double dippin' into the Electric Light Orchestra catalog
to bring you this groovy drum cover by German multi-
instrumentalist Sina Doering. Listen as Sina beats
the skins into submission on ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky!"
"Mr. Blue Sky" - ELO drum cover by Sina
(June 2019, orig. single Aug. 1978, highest
chart pos. #27 Cash Box/#35 Hot 100)
That was The Princess of Percussion, drum sensation Sina Doering,
with a great drum cover of my second featured ELO song
"Mr. Blue Sky," a top 30 hit in the summer of 1978.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
If you're just tuning in, I'm Erica Strange
and this is Strange Magic Being Erica,
and we're in the middle of a 7-in-a-row
block party on S-P-M-M. I'm your vehicle,
babe, I'll take you anywhere you wanna go.
Why don't we let The Cars take us back
to '78 with-- "My Best Friend's Girl"?
"My Best Friend's Girl" - The Cars
(Nov./Dec. 1978, highest chart pos.
#35 Hot 100/#44 Cash Box)
#35 Hot 100/#44 Cash Box)
Getting your motor running, those were The Cars with Ric Ocasek
on lead vocals doing "My Best Friend's Girl," the second single
from the Beantown band's self-titled debut album, and a song
from the soundtrack of the 1979 coming-of-age crime movie
Over the Edge. In the U.S. "Best Friend's Girl" peaked at the
low end of the top 40, but it was a much bigger hit in the
UK where it finished in the top 3 on the chart.
UK where it finished in the top 3 on the chart.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
Erica Strange keeping you company on
S-P-M-M. Know what, I really like these
guys - The Doobie Brothers - a group
that's been an important part of the
soundtrack of America for more
than 50 years. Formed in 1970
as a mainstream rock band
behind lead singer Tom Johnston,
the Doobies changed direction in
1975 when Johnston left and was
replaced by blue-eyed soul man
Michael McDonald. Here's the
updated sound of the McDonald
era, The Doobie Brothers with--
replaced by blue-eyed soul man
Michael McDonald. Here's the
updated sound of the McDonald
era, The Doobie Brothers with--
"It Keeps You Runnin'."
"It Keeps You Runnin'" - The Doobie Brothers
(Jan./Feb. 1977, highest chart pos. #37 Hot 100/#50 Cash Box)
From the early weeks of 1977, those were The Doobie Brothers with their
top 40 hit "It Keeps You Runnin'"... a single from their 1976 album
Takin' It to the Streets... the first to feature Michael McDonald
as lead singer. The song was used in the 1978 classic rock
movie FM and is also found in the soundtrack of the
Academy Award-winning 1994 film Forrest Gump.
Strange days have found us and, as promised, here I am all the way back in 1969
to introduce the classic folk-rock sound of Crosby, Stills & Nash - a supergroup
that put an indelible stamp on American music and culture. Also known as CSN,
the group was made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and
Stephen Stills plus Graham Nash from the UK. Canadian singer and
songwriter Neil Young also joined the act from time to time.
that put an indelible stamp on American music and culture. Also known as CSN,
the group was made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and
Stephen Stills plus Graham Nash from the UK. Canadian singer and
songwriter Neil Young also joined the act from time to time.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Here's one of the group's best known compositions. Written by Stephen Stills,
the song refers to his former girlfriend, singer/songwriter Judy Collins.
Crosby, Stills & Nash sing-- "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes."
"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" - Crosby, Stills & Nash
(Nov./Dec. 1969, highest chart pos. #15 Cash Box/#21 Hot 100)
You just heard the tight intricate
harmonies of CSN - Crosby, Stills
& Nash, one of the leading groups
of the late 1960s counterculture -
and "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," a song
that made the top 20 in the U.S. and
brushed the top 10 in Canada during
the Thanksgiving and Christmas
holiday season in 1969.
Gosh, Shady just drew his finger
across his throat, the signal for me
to "cut," and that means I need to
wrap up my first official show on
S-P-M-M. Before I forget, I want
to invite you to watch my series
Being Erica, streaming on Hulu
and on Amazon Prime Video.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
To play us off, here's a different version of my theme song "Strange Magic,"
this one from the 2015 animated jukebox musical fantasy movie of the
same name. Stay tuned. Coming up on the B side of news, my friend
Jerry Blavat, The Geator with the Heater, drops by to spin stacks
of wax on Geator Gold... and I'll be back soon with more great
songs from your youth on Strange Magic Being Erica. Now
watch and listen as stars Evan Rachel Wood and Alan
Cumming as characters Marianne and Bog King,
sing the title song "Strange Magic." This is
Erica Strange saying so long and take care!
"Strange Magic" - Evan Rachel Wood & Alan Cumming
(from OST of Jan. 2015 animated film Strange Magic)
Lots of great music here today, Shady! Strange thing about that last one... I was prepared to not like it, being a cover and all, but the video made it so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly & Pat!
DeleteMy goodness, you guys have claimed the Early Bird title 103 weeks in a row, and I thank you for coming! I'm pleased to have you aboard, dear friend, as Erica Strange launches her new radio show and time travels back to those great years for classic rock - the late 60s through mid 80s.
Yessum, it was the same with me. I was all set to hate that version of "Strange Magic" from the movie soundtrack, but I was quickly won over by the beautiful voice of Evan Rachel Wood and her endearing animated character Marianne. Until a year or so ago, I had no idea Evan Rachel Wood was both a fine actress and wonderful singer. I have admired Evan and followed her acting career ever since 1999 when she played the daughter on the TV series Once and Again. Even way back then, I spotted a budding star. I wasn't thrilled when she hooked up with Marilyn Manson, but she totally wowed me in the musical fantasy film Across The Universe. Her duet with Alan Cumming in that scene from Strange Magic brought tears to my eyes, and I have read good things about the film.
Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I've never heard, Never Been To Spain but I have heard some of their other songs.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Being Erica. So I didn't know this character.
I always like Olivia Newton-John and always thought that Magic was such a pretty song.
My husband, Ken actually introduced me to ELO. I hadn't heard of them before he started playing the cassettes he had of them. He was 9 years older than me so we listened to some different music but when we got together we listened to each others music all the time.
That drum cover was really good.
The Cars were good. I really liked a lot of their songs.
I recognize the Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald but I didn't recognize that particular song.
I think I have a few cassettes of Crosby, Stills & Nash from Ken's collection.
I hadn't heard that last one but the animation is fantastic in it.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteThanks for hustling over on your Saturday, dear friend! I'm delighted to welcome you and Falcor to the debut of Strange Magic Being Erica, a trip thru classic rock history exclusively here at Shady's Place.
I'm happy to introduce you to cute and perky hostess/DJ Erica Strange from the Canadian TV series Being Erica, and get you acquainted with the new-to-you Three Dog Night song "Never Been To Spain," a top 5 hit single for the band in the early weeks of 1972, along with that hit by The Doobies from the early weeks of '77 featuring Michael McDonald on lead.
"Magic" is one of my two favorite OLJ songs, the other being "A Little More Love." Thanks for sharing that your late husband Ken introduced you to ELO and that you think you still have some of his CSN cassettes. The difference in ages does not have to be an obstacle as you and he proved. It's fun learning from people of other generations, both older and younger. I'm excited that you appreciated German drummer girl Sina, a frequent flyer here on S-P-M-M Retro Radio thanks to her excellent drum covers of classic rock songs. The Beantown Cars are also one of my favorite bands. I could listen to the recordings in their catalog all day long and never tire of their cool, clean, new wave sound.
I haven't seen the 2015 animated movie Strange Magic, but this charming duet scene from the film makes me wanna. I have read good reviews, and I am a huge fan of actress and singer Evan Rachel Wood. Another of Evan's movie characters will be joining The Shady Bunch as a regular presenter in the near future, so stay tuned!
Thanks again for coming early, dear friend Mary. I look forward to catching up with your Apartment Life feature tamale. Take care and have a nice weekend!
Hey Tom,
ReplyDeleteI don't do weekends in Blogosphere but I happened to be working on a post when I noticed an email notification that you had a new publication so I came on over. I've always liked Three Dog Night. All of these years I thought "Never Been To Spain" was called, "Never Been to Heaven". I suppose my brain picked up on the one line causing that to stick instead of the actual song title. :) We saw Xanadu when it came out. While the film wasn't anything special, the music was extraordinarily wonderful. I believe we own the soundtrack. I'm gonna have to check that out. ONJ has such a soft feminine voice which is a joy to hear. It's quite the contrast to what many of today female artists produce. It would awesome if artists like Olivia were to emerge in the music industry. The Doobie Brothers are were a fabulous group and so was CSN. The 70s was jammed with good sounding bands! Your closing different version of Strange Magic was a nice introduction. Thanks for filling my Saturday evening with some magical vibes! Have an enjoyable weekend, my friend.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteIt's a pleasant surprised to see you here at Shady's Place on the weekend, dear friend. Thanks so much for dropping in! I am also happy to know that you are still receiving email notifications about my new posts.
Yessum, "Never Been To Spain" might as well have been called "Never Been To Heaven." I'm sure most people would know the song by that alternate title.
Yessum, the soundtrack of Xanadu was a lot better than the actual film. I knew you'd appreciate ONJ's lovely feminine vocal on "Magic." There is no artist quite like Olivia, and the mewsic world would benefit from an up-and-coming young artist with a voice and style similar to hers. I'm pleased that you appreciate the Doobies and CSN as well. With so many great recordings of the 70s and 80s being remixed and remastered in recent years, the soundtrack of our youth is sounding better than ever before, and Shady Bunch deejays like Erica Strange, Beth Boland, Chris Griffin and Nancy Wheeler will have plenty of material to fill their classic rock format radio shows, so stick around.
I'm elated that you, Kelly and Mary have all expressed approval of the showender song, a cover version of ELO's hit "Strange Magic" performed by Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming. That scene from the 2015 computer-animated jukebox musical fantasy film of the same name is indeed magic. The characters in the film also do covers of other oldies including the Elvis Presley hit "Can't Help Falling In Love," the Four Tops hit "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)," Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," Mickey & Sylvia's "Love Is Strange" and The Four Seasons' "C'mon Marianne."
It is a great pleasure to fill your days and evenings with mewsical, magical vibes. Thank you again for coming so early and enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteThe Doobie Brothers were introduced to me by one of my uncles. I'm thinking it might have been Roger who turned my ear to their music. I can't make the connection of how I came to know CSN in my early years. I'm sure at the time I didn't know their name as that was the case for many of the bands unless it was one that got a lot of play time then I knew their name. Often times, I learned many years later who did what which has helped to get me out of the dark as I expand my music education. Blogging has done wonderful things for me in this area. Thanks for dropping by to join me on the dance floor with this week's 4M song picks. Have a boogietastic week!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteYou have one of your uncles to thank for introducing you to The Doobies. The two people most responsible for sparking my interest in mewsic at an early age were my big brother, who brought home 45s by Elvis, Fat Domino, Ricky Nelson and Little Richard, and my cousin Bill who introduced me to James Brown, Chuck Berry, the Young Rascals, Johnny Rivers and The Temptations. I trusted Bill to know what was cool on the mewsic scene.
As I look back over my 13 year blogging career, I realize how much I have learned, how far my horizons have expanded, not to mention the great and lasting friendships I have forged with people like you. In those respects, blogging is well worth the investment of time and energy.
Thank you again for your weekend visit and for popping back in today. Enjoy the week ahead, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteMy younger aunt and uncles introduced me to much of the fabulous tunes from those early years. They were about 10-12 years older than me. Bear in mind, my mother was a child bride and she isn't a whole lot older than me, just 16 years older. You know, I can't recall my parents ever playing anything modern sounding as a child. All I remember is bluegrass, country, and the crooners. But...I do recall Mom tuning our old B&W TV set to the Tom Jones show. He was electric. Just between you and me, I think she had a crush on him. He was a handsome fella, still is for his age, so I understand why the women fell in love with him. His voice is top notch!
Thanks for being the early bird this morning to cast the first vote in my BOTB. In case you're interested, a second post went up minutes after the showdown featuring my lates A2Z Road Trip Update and artwork. Have a wild and wonderful Wednesday, my friend!
Hi again, dearie!
DeleteThis is one of the busiest days in blogging history. :) Thanks for poking me about your second post. I just left my comment for you.
Thanks too for telling me how your aunts, uncles and mother exposed you to their respective brands of mewsic when you were young. The music variety TV show This Is Tom Jones ran from 1969 to 1971, and I used to watch it with my girlfriend, the future Mrs. Shady #1. Yessum, Tom Jones is a heartthrob. Women used to throw their undies at him as he sang on stage. When Shady sings, they throw eggs and rotten tomatoes. :)
I already told you about my big brother's taste in mewsic, and how it influenced me. Around the house, my folks played Country & Western, gospel and easy listening pop. When you combine those influences with the styles introduced to me by my cousin Bill, you can see why my taste in mewsic is eclectic.
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend Cathy, and enjoy the rest of your Wacky Wednesday!
Hi Shady! Such fun tunes again. The only one I didn't know was from the Doobie Brothers. Olivia was such a beauty...actually still is! It's too bad that a wonderful singer, dancer, Gene Kelly had to have a losing film be his last. Oh well, his younger years were fabulous! Olivia's headband was sooo 1980's! (that's the year my 3rd son was born..just thought you'd like to know! Ha!) When I heard these songs I thought to myself "Has it really been that long since they were popular? Wasn't that just yesterday?" I still know the lyrics! I've never seen the show "Being Erica". I don't have Prime or Hulu..weird I know! But seeing the word magic all over this tonight had me thinking about Halloween! Also the final video was so pretty and I also thought that it could be filmed in the Creepy Woods! Maybe there's some strange magic going on up there tonight! Have a good weekend and I hope this hurricane doesn't come your way!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks a lot for spending a portion of your Saturday night in the Shady, dear friend. I'm very happy to see you!
I'm glad you agree with me and other friends that Libby Newton-John was, at the height of her career as a recording artist and actress, an elegant beauty with an angelic voice and an abundance of wholesome sex appeal. Yessum, I'm sure dance legend Gene Kelly regretted signing on to the ill-fated Xanadu film to conclude his long and distinguished career. Yessum, I always like to know about events that unfolded in the lives of friends at the time various hit songs were popular. Memories linking songs with events great and small serve as bookmarks in the chapters of our lives. They help us sort it out and get a sense of how much time has actually passed since the songs rose to popularity and peaked on the charts, preventing us from lumping them all together "in the past."
Being Erica is a fun TV series. It lasted only three seasons as I recall, but I enjoyed the time travel aspect and the escapism and liked the main character so much that I decided to make her the hostess of her own SPMM radio show.
Yessum, very soon I will begin a long string of Halloween related posts. As is the tradition on my blogs, some will contain harder styles of rock, but I hope you will stick with me.
I'm excited that all my commenting friends are singling out the final clip. a magical, enchanting "feel good" cover of "Strange Magic." I have it on good authority that the Yeti in your Creepy Woods has his own computer (and a very very very long extension cord). I am sure he is logged on to Shady's Place and boogieing to Erica's tunes even as we speak. :)
Yessum, we are now in the heart of the 2021 hurricane season, and the Atlantic is whipping up one worrisome storm after another. Thank you for the well wishes. I also thank you again for being such a great friend and dropping by this evening and for your wonderful comment. Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend YaYa!
In one of the two concert films he made, or maybe it was the live Hawaii special (which I happen to see on tape), I can't remember which, Elvis performs a cover of "Never Been to Spain". Coming from this man, "like the Beatles" qualified by "but I kind of" gives the song a kind of dismissive edge that I don't the Three Dog Night ever intended.
ReplyDeleteI always liked Olivia. Trivia note: In Xanadu, she's playing the same character as Rita Hayworth in 1947's Down to Earth (a sequel to Here Comes Mr. Jordon later remade as Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty, and remade later still as--I know this gets confusing--Down to Earth with Chris Rock.) I must say, Down to Earth (Rita's, not Rock's) is a much better film than Xanadu, but that doesn't make the latter movie a total loss. As another one of your commentators said, Gene Kelly dances, and of course, Olivia sings (in her own voice, too, whereas Hayworth lip synced.)
Very familiar with ELO's "Don't Bring Me Down" and the original version of "Strange Magic", but I this is the first I've heard of "Mr. Blue Sky", be it the cover or the original.
I also thought this was the first time I've heard the Doobie's "It Keeps You Runnin'" but I checked and it is on a "Best of..." CD I happen to own. Just haven't listened to it in a while.
The Cars "My Best Friend's Girl" only made it to the LOWER end of the Top 40. My memory places it much higher than that. But the facts are on your side.
And finally, I can't keep my eyes off that CSN album cover. It perfectly evokes the low-rent, quasi-hippie lifestyle of the era. You'd hardly know these three dudes were ALREADY very successful recording artists before they ever came together as a group and could afford three separate sofas by that time. Reupholstered, too.
That's all I got.
Well I never been to Spain
DeleteBut I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
They don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it
Well I never been to England
But I kinda like the Beatles
Well, I headed for Las Vegas
Only made it out to Needles
Can you feel it
It must be real it
Feels so good
Oh, feels so good
Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter
What does it matter
Hi, Kirk!
Thanks for staying up late and tuning in vol. 1 of Strange Magic Being Erica, good buddy!
I didn't know that Elvis the Pelvis sang "Never Been To Spain." It seems like an odd choice for one of his concerts. I disagree with artists trying to stay current by performing trendy songs that don't fit their style. I think most fans that attend live shows featuring their favorite artists want to hear those artists do their hits and other material in the same familiar genre. They usually don't appreciate surprise deviations. At least that's my takeaway.
Thanks for sharing those tidbits tracing the string of films related to Xanadu. I never saw the film, but like the soundtrack songs "Magic," "I'm Alive" and "All Over The World." I'm surprised you never heard the Beatlesque "Mr. Blue Sky," sometimes referred to as ELO's signature song. Wiki sez: << AllMusic's Donald A. Guarisco considered "Mr. Blue Sky" a "miniature pop symphony" and a "multi-layered pop treat that was a pure Beatles pastiche", saying that "the music divides its time between verses that repeat the same two notes to hypnotic effect a la 'I Am the Walrus' and an effervescent, constantly-ascending chorus that recalls". Guarisco also pointed other references to the Beatles such as "the staccato bassline recalls the chorus of 'Hello Goodbye' and pounding piano lines and panting background vocals recall the midsection of 'A Day in the Life'". >>
Whenever I hear "It Keeps You Runnin'," I am reminded of its use in the original soundtrack to the 1978 classic rock film FM. The movie flopped, but the soundtrack album sold a million copies and is certified Platinum.
I've been noticing that many recordings of the 20th century that are today regarded as classics, essential listening, and are being covered by numerous artists in the 21st century, sold modestly and charted surprisingly low at the time of their release. Good observation about the CSN album cover. Unless you happened to be Liberace, a look of affluence was a no no if you were trying to appeal to counterculture record buyers or mainstreamers who dreamed of telling the man to "take this job and shove it," get their motors runnin' and head out on the highway lookin' for adventure. I was one of them. I'll always remember a Penn State coed that I met at a smoky off-campus party commenting that I looked like "Joe College," but that the resemblance stopped there. She figured me out in a hurry.
Seems like you enjoyed Erica's first SPMM radio show. Stay tuned for volume 2 coming next year. Thanks again for your visit and terrific comment, good buddy Kirk, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Oh man, ELO, CSN, Three Dog Night and The Cars- what a fantastic Sunday morning treat! I couldn't get enough ELO when they first started out, and bought every 45 and album I could just as soon as they came out. I loved their collaboration with ONJ on Xanadu, and played that vinyl soundtrack near to death. Sina's skin work on Mr. Blue Sky floored me with awe and envy. This was my second dose of drumming head-spinning in three days. I just watched some clips of 11 year old Nandi Bushell doing Everlong with Foo Fighters and I'm speechless. Thanks for another fabulous post, Shady.
ReplyDeleteHi, b.a.f.!
DeleteIt's a pleasure to welcome you back to Shady's clubhouse, my friend! Thanks for coming over to check out the classic rock tuneage presented by TV celeb Erica Strange as she officially begins her stint as a Shady Bunch deejay here on radio station SPMM.
If you like ELO, then stick around, because that band's song hits will anchor the play lists of most if not all episodes of Strange Magic Being Erica.
I'm happy to know you enjoyed German drum sensation Sina's workout on "Mr. Blue Sky," and I greatly appreciate the introduction to Nandi Lily Bushell, the British and Zulu drummer girl. I'm surprised I didn't know about her until now. I just watched that vid of her electrifying performance at the LA Forum. The crowd went wild over her. I took drum lessons in school and briefly played in a garage band. I don't know how Nandi kept up that furious drumming over the course of that long song. I would have been pooped after the first ten seconds! I'm going to follow Nandi's channel. Again, thank you for turning me on to her talents, and thanks again for swinging over for a visit. I hope it will become a regular thing because I appreciate your comments. Enjoy your Sunday and the week ahead, good buddy b.a.f.!
Shady!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog entry! These are my favourites and you had me grooving the evening before my new job! Thanks for that! ELO and the Cars and CSNY and Three Dogs Night are my absolute favourites.
I was preparing to not like the covers, but they proved me wrong! Mr. Blue Sky and Strange Magic sound better than the originals. I can't believe I'm saying that, but these talented young musicians changed my mind. :)
Have a magical week ahead, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for coming and welcome to vol. 1 of Strange Magic Being Erica, dear friend!
I'm happy to learn that Erica's playlist won you over, the covers as well as the originals. To be fair, Sina was merely performing a drum cover of "Mr. Blue Sky," which is to say that she was playing her drum kit over the original ELO studio recording. As you know, Sina is a frequent flyer here at Shady's Place. To my delight, she has been collaborating more and more with other musicians and vocalists all over the world on virtual videos covering the classics, and occasionally doing some original songs. It's an exciting time on YouTube.
I hope Erica's tuneage got you groovin' and in a good mood so that you can hit the ground running tomorrow and have a good first day at work. Thanks again for making time for a visit and comment and have a wonderful week, dear friend JM!
I am here....I really enjoyed listening to each of these songs and I know them all well. Your blog put a smile on my face so thank you. The young girl is quite fetching but I have not seen the series. I love the song from Crosby, Stills & Nash (sometimes Young). I love ELO and this is a great song. I am not a fan of the 2 singing the song but it works with the video. I have not seen this animated film but it looks beautiful. That girl with the drums is brilliant!! FYI..hubby is still in the hospital. gets bumped for triage and cancer patients who have been waiting because of Covid. I am crossing my fingers he gets in today. They can't feed him or have him take any drinks in case he goes for surgery. It is crazy. I am exhausted.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteWelcome in, dear friend, and thanks for dropping by! I'm pleased to have you here to sample the great sounds of the late 60s, 70s and early 80s played by Erica Strange. It makes me happy to know that the songs on Erica's play list put a smile on your face. I hope you can keep that smile.
Yessum, Erin Karpluk, who plays Erica, is a cutie, and she is also a fine actress. In the mid 2000s, Erin was in the main cast of another Canadian comma-drama called Godiva's. Later, she had recurring roles in two American series: Life Unexpected and Rookie Blue, and a recurring and main role in two seasons of Slasher, the Canadian-American anthology horror series similar to American Horror Story. I follow both of the latter shows and love them.
I'm glad you gave thumbs up to CSN, ELO and Sina, the drum sensation in Germany who collaborates with rising YouTube stars around the globe. I am not typically a fan of animated films, but I have read positive reviews of Strange Magic and I am enamored of Evan Rachel Wood in everything she's done.
Dear friend, I am not on Facebook or other social media platforms, and therefore I was not aware that your hubby is in the hospital. Forgive me if you mention it somewhere on your blog and I somehow missed it. Sending prayers for his successful treatment and discharge. I realize that you must be stressed and exhausted, all the more reason for me to thank you for making time for a visit today.
I wish you all good things as the week progresses, dear friend BB!
Hey there my friend, Shady. I am glad I saved your post notification to come back and listen to these songs. I've never been a real fan of Crosby, Stills and Nash, don't know why. The drum cover by Sina was really good. I am amazed when I watch her hands and feet and realize I never was coordinated enough to do something like that! We have had plumbing issues here which is why I am so late. We had to replace all the pipes under the house! Gonna set us back a pretty penny but we figured we may as well do it all now instead of piece by piece. After 4 days of not being able to use the kitchen sink or the washer, I'm catching up with those chores now! Have a wonderful rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet & Benny!
DeleteI'm thrilled to see you, dear friend(s)! Thanks for popping in for the debut of Strange Magic Being Erica, featuring the super sounds of classic rock, new wave and power pop.
Based on the numerous live shows you have attended over the years, I figured you'd like a few of the tunes on Erica's play list. I'm glad you join me and others in liking Sina, the German drummer girl who was introduced on the old blog by Family Guy's Chris Griffin and has appeared in my posts several times in the years since. I took drum lessons in elementary school and remember my instructor growing very impatient with me because I lacked the proper coordination to be a good percussionist.
Oh NO! Plumbing problems are the worst, and I'm sorry to learn of yours. It sounds like you needed an extensive and expensive upgrade. Again, I am very sorry. Your hassles make me all the more grateful that you managed to break away and tune in to Erica's blogcast.
My buddy Benny just tapped you on the leg and pointed out the window (HINT HINT)... and so I'll let you get back to business. Thanks again for being a great friend and for your kind comment. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear Janet!
Several songs here that I had never heard. Of course, I knew the Cars. Erica strange was a lovely hostess. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sherry!
DeleteThanks for dropping in, dear friend!
I'm pleased that you appreciated the charming fictional TV character Erica Strange in her new role as a Shady Bunch hostess and presenter. It seems odd that you know this song by The Cars. It charted lower than most of the other songs in Erica's lineup. You are probably a little too young to remember many songs from the late 60s through the 70s.
Thanks again for taking a look and a listen, dear friend Sherry, and have a safe and happy September!
Hi Erica and Shady! Wow, I am pretty late, and I must say I'm glad I didn't miss this one! So much talent on this post...it makes me realize how I miss these good groups, and the music that meant so much to so many of us in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I heard "Judy Blue Eyes", I thought "What the heck is this!?" As the song progressed I fell in love. I didn't even know who Crosby Stills and Nash were yet. What a great song, and unique style. I loved singing to this one, and each time I could change harmonies. What a treat!
My radio station plays the Cars frequently, and "My Best Friend's Girl" is a great song. ELO rocks, don't they! "don't Bring Me Down" is so cool. The energy of this song always gets me up to sing and dance. Everything about this song rocks, and I do get to hear it periodically on my radio.
Three Dog Night has such a unique style, I have seen them in concert twice in the late 60's. "Never Been to Spain" is one great that I haven't heard in years. This is really a fun, and talented group. I don't recognize "Mr. Blue Sky", but Sina doesn't miss a beat on her drums, does she! The last minute of this song was the best. Sina pulled it off in grand style!
I like Olivia Newton John's video "Magic". She is a real beauty, and a superior talent. The Doobies have some pretty big hits, and Michael McDonald always pulls it off with his cloudy-like voice in "It Keeps You Runnin'".
This is pretty spectacular, Erica! You presented some mega talent in this post, and you should be proud! I like the song "Strange Magic" and it is so pretty with your last video. Thank you for sharing.
Shady, I'm sorry for being so late. Last week was not fun with Scootie's allergies, and I got behind on things. I hope you and Mrs. Shady are doing well. Take care, dear friend.
Hi Suzanne!
DeleteThis is the crazy busiest day in blogging history, dear friend! I have just returned from a routine doctor appointment, and I'm backed up and stacked up, making the rounds as three different blog hops unfold at the same time. I am excited by your visit and thank you very much for swinging by!
Yessum, you made it just in time, the last day of Erica's fist radio show. I have so many H-ween related posts to run this year, that I needed to start them this month and space them only 5 days apart. Therefore my next post starts tomorrow morning.
Ain't it the truth, though? I still contend that the 80s were the last great decade for music, and the classic rock songs popular during the period from the late 60s thru mid 80s, the period covered by Erica Strange, still sound fresh to me today. I'm glad you liked the tuneage Erica had in her lineup.
Yessum, "Judy Blue Eyes" is a complex, multi-layered opus that is indeed a treat to the ears, particularly since it has been remastered in the 21st century. I'm sure Judy Collins was flattered that a song about her was written and famously recorded by CSN.
Thanks for singling out The Cars and ELO. Erica promises to dig deep into the catalogs of both bands to bring you their best, including seldom heard nuggets, in future volumes of her series. You were lucky to have seen two live shows staged by Three Dog Night. When I came across that nicely remastered video of "Never Been To Spain," a song I don't think I ever used before in my 13+ years of blogging, I knew it would be a good fit for Erica's first show. I hope you got the piggyback effect to work. If you get the timing just right, it's a thrill to hear, and it takes you back to those great years of FM radio broadcasts.
You are the second friend whose ears have a "blind spot" because you don't remember "Mr. Blue Sky." It was a biggie in my neck of the woods. I'm glad you appreciated Sina's drum cover. Thanks for giving thumbs up to Libby Newton-John and Michael McDonald fronting The Doobies. Yessum, Erica Strange will be playing the hts, the best of classic rock, new wave, synth pop and power pop culled from the greatest years of the rock & roll era, so stay tuned and check your listings.
I'm sorry Scootie is having an allergic flare-up as of late. I hope he feels better soon. Family always comes first, and I will always understand if you are tardy or need to skip. We are finally getting some good rain today - what a blessing. As I mentioned, tamale is a new post. Jerry Blavat will be here with what I consider to be his best yet edition of Geator Gold.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Suzanne!
Okay, I spent some time hanging out here, listening, doing a little dance. It's always a musical treat when I visit and get to reminisce. Where was I when Oliva was enchanting us with her beautiful voice? And Three Dog Night? I remember those years very well. Music is a magical way to time travel, so thanks for giving me another trip back to those other days again.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteThanks for attending Erica's first platter party, dear friend!
As you can see, beneath every embedded video,I post as a caption the month or months the song peaked on the chart. That should enable you to recall where you were living and what you were doing at the time, perhaps even pinpoint specific meaningful events in your life. Do this with enough songs and eventually your mind has on file an extensive set of song - memory pairings. Having popular songs linked to your memories is a good way to preserve them and prevent memory loss, I would think.
I'm pleased that you enjoyed ONJ, 3DN and other artists and magical tunes on Erica's play list. Thanks again for making time for a viit and for your kind comment, dear friend Cheryl-Lee. Have a safe and happy September!