Not only are there two -- count 'em two!-- tracks by the Lemon Twigs on that, but their dad (my old friend and occasional bandmate Ronnie D'Adarrio) has a cut on it as well. I can't wait to hear the whole thing.
Well with my name I can hardly let this go by without comment. The Raspberries certainly deserve a good tribute, and this one holds more promise than most of these things, with a stellar line-up of artists and a deep dive song selection. But I must implore you- if you've only heard the hits or a best-of compilation- you must listen to their catalog. It's only four records, and almost all tracks are solid to stellar. And if you think they faded forever into obscurity, check out either of the live records documenting their brief 2004 reunion tour, Live On Sunset Strip (2007) or Pop Art Live (2017). Thirty years later they were still an great live band. There's a semi-famous quote that they were second only to Big Star in the early power-pop genre. I would argue that it's the other way around.
I used to love Mel Gibson until he was outed as a big-time douche. That being said, Hacksaw Ridge is a hell of a movie. Eric Carmen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, etc all trouble me on a personal level but I think the art trumps (no pun intended) the insanity. We've loved them over the years and the art hasn't changed, just our perception of the artist,
I prefer the Raspberries live reunion titles over the studio albums. The live efforts make great collections of their best work. They're terrific performances, too. And you get the covers to boot.
The first time I saw the Raspberries was totally by accident. And it was at Disneyland of all places. One of my cousins from Australia was visiting California in 1972 and wanted go to Disneyland. I'd never met her before so I sized her up a bit. She was attractive and seemed pretty cool. I told her that the next overcast day we'd go since there would be less people. I was on Christmas vacation from my senior year in high school. On the day we went, I suggested to her the best way to experience Disney was on acid. She was game. We had a good time tripping on some weak 100 mic blotter. Much to our surprise the Raspberries were playing the Tomorrowland stage that evening. We danced up a storm with some guys that had a beach house in Balboa. Anne, my cousin, ended up baggin' her first U.S. male.
Besides unintentionally dosing for my first Raspberries gig, I attended the 2005 "Sunset Strip" reunion show. In the Seventies, i saw them open for Three Dog Night at the Forum. Then again opening for Roy Wood's Wizzard in Santa Monica. All different stories.
I read somewhere once that the Raspberries are a guilty pleasure. What's to feel guilty about.
Sal got me into the Raspberries, for which I'm grateful. You can't go very wrong, though I do think their hits collection Raspberries Best is pretty perfect.
15 comments:
Not only are there two -- count 'em two!-- tracks by the Lemon Twigs on that, but their dad (my old friend and occasional bandmate Ronnie D'Adarrio) has a cut on it as well. I can't wait to hear the whole thing.
Well with my name I can hardly let this go by without comment. The Raspberries certainly deserve a good tribute, and this one holds more promise than most of these things, with a stellar line-up of artists and a deep dive song selection. But I must implore you- if you've only heard the hits or a best-of compilation- you must listen to their catalog. It's only four records, and almost all tracks are solid to stellar. And if you think they faded forever into obscurity, check out either of the live records documenting their brief 2004 reunion tour, Live On Sunset Strip (2007) or Pop Art Live (2017). Thirty years later they were still an great live band. There's a semi-famous quote that they were second only to Big Star in the early power-pop genre. I would argue that it's the other way around.
Highly looking forward to hearing this!
I couldn't agree more. Saw them on both reunion trips and they were great.
The Raspnerries were way ahead of Big Star. Not even close.
Hard to get past Eric Carmen’s MAGA affiliation.
I understand completely. I am currently in the middle of an email conversation about this very thing--separating the art from the artist.
I used to love Mel Gibson until he was outed as a big-time douche. That being said, Hacksaw Ridge is a hell of a movie. Eric Carmen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, etc all trouble me on a personal level but I think the art trumps (no pun intended) the insanity. We've loved them over the years and the art hasn't changed, just our perception of the artist,
Looking forward to this one. The songs stand up and the line-up looks promising, The video really sells it.
This is the first I am learning about the Carmen/MAGA connection. Disappointing but not a deal breaker.
So excited for this!
I created an Apple playlist of the original songs being covered on the tribute album, if anyone is interested.
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-raspberries-play-on-a-raspberries-tribute-originals/pl.u-9glMyCoAoDA
I prefer the Raspberries live reunion titles over the studio albums. The live efforts make great collections of their best work. They're terrific performances, too. And you get the covers to boot.
The first time I saw the Raspberries was totally by accident. And it was at Disneyland of all places. One of my cousins from Australia was visiting California in 1972 and wanted go to Disneyland. I'd never met her before so I sized her up a bit. She was attractive and seemed pretty cool. I told her that the next overcast day we'd go since there would be less people. I was on Christmas vacation from my senior year in high school. On the day we went, I suggested to her the best way to experience Disney was on acid. She was game. We had a good time tripping on some weak 100 mic blotter. Much to our surprise the Raspberries were playing the Tomorrowland stage that evening. We danced up a storm with some guys that had a beach house in Balboa. Anne, my cousin, ended up baggin' her first U.S. male.
Besides unintentionally dosing for my first Raspberries gig, I attended the 2005 "Sunset Strip" reunion show. In the Seventies, i saw them open for Three Dog Night at the Forum. Then again opening for Roy Wood's Wizzard in Santa Monica. All different stories.
I read somewhere once that the Raspberries are a guilty pleasure. What's to feel guilty about.
VR
Sal got me into the Raspberries, for which I'm grateful. You can't go very wrong, though I do think their hits collection Raspberries Best is pretty perfect.
Thanks for the playlist. Very thoughtful. :)
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