Most of the text that follows comes from the original post in 2017. The mix is fresh.
Ron and Russell
Mael have been doing it their way from the very first
notes of their debut as Halfnelson. When the demos for that record were
handed to Todd Rundgren for production duties, the Maels were expecting
anything but what Rundgren had to say, which was, "It's fine the way it
is." Maybe it was that initial kick of approval that set the Maels in
motion for a career that has been as diverse as Rundgren himself. Quirky
pop, hard rocking glam, techno, disco, baroque and opera have all been
taken on across a 40 plus year span that includes some of my favorite
records of all time. And it's rare when an artist can release a
legendary glam masterpiece like 1974's "Kimono My House" and then
release two of the best records of their career, the critically
acclaimed "Hippopotamus" and "A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip" over 40 years later.
This mix was not an easy one to compile, especially coming off of that spectacular live show a few nights earlier. At no time did I think, "I love
this song, but it might not go over well." I was mostly thinking, " I
love all of these songs, and none of them will go over, so just run with it."
I originally thought, you are either in or your out with Sparks. But I know many who have come around, so maybe you will, too.
Maybe you'll hear what I hear, like the powerhouse of the opener, their
signature song "This Town Ain't Big Enough." Or, the brilliance of the
dynamics in "My Baby's Taking Me Home."
Anyway, here goes nothing!
It is by no means definitive, but I like it.
TRACKLIST
This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us
Tips For Teens
High C
When I'm With You
Hospitality On Parade
Suburban Homeboy
At Home At Work At Play
Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)
La Dolce Vita
iPhone
When Do I Get To Sing "My Way"
Throw Her Away (And Get A New One)
Shopping Mall Of Love
Reinforcements
Scandinavian Design
Lawnmower
My Baby's Taking Me Home
Hasta Manana, Monsieur
I Predict
Bon Voyage
21 comments:
That's what I'm talkin' about. Thanks for the mix.
Hell yes ! Thanks for helping to broaden my horizons - I know so little about Sparks.
I'm in.
Listening now - thanks!!
Randy
Thanks for this mix. Nice assortment of their music. I just received this bit of info that I had never heard before!:
"The secret Capitol sessions:
Paul McCartney always said that The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" album was a big influence on "Sgt. Peppers" Well more of an influence than you think.
When they started planning out the album, The Beatles thought why not use the same musicians that played on The Beach Boys album. So in early 1967 John, Paul, George, Ringo, and producer George Martin secretly flew to Los Angeles, and started recording the album with members of The Wrecking Crew. All of the session players, and engineers had to sign a non-disclosure agreement that they would never talk about the session, nor would they receive any credit for playing on it.
Awhile back AFM session sheets were discovered for the Sgt. Peppers sessions at Capitol Studios in Hollywood where the recording was done.
By putting together the info from the sessions, personnel on the album were:
Lead vocals - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Richard Starkey
Background Vocals-The Ron Hicklin Singers
Drums-Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer
Bass- Carol Kaye, Joe Osborn
Guitars- Tommy Tedesco, Louie Shelton, Barney Kessel, Billy Strange, Glen Campbell
Sitar-Mike Deasy
Keyboards- Larry Knechtel, Don Randi, Mike Melvoin, Mike Rubini
Percussion-Emil Richards, Gary L. Coleman
Harp-Gale Levant
String- The Sid Sharp Strings
Horns- Jim Horn (sax, clarinet), Plas Johnson (sax), Ollie Mitchell (trumpet), Roy Caton, (trumpet)
The album was engineered and recorded by Chuck Britz, and Bones Howe.
The tapes were then taken by to London for mixing and mastering."
Mr. Baez,
Only just this morning, I was pranked. I can't allow myself to let it happen again! Not twice in one day!!
:)
P.S. I'd buy that bootleg.
I've been banging on about Sparks since getting my sticky fingers on "Kimono My House" back in '74 (surely not really that long ago?) after been tempted by the album cover, the clever play on words, the eccentric appearances on "Top of the Pops" plus the fresh energy of the music and lyrical stylings. Thanks for the mix assemblage (I'm too lazy to do one of my own!). Cheers!
Jeez, I forgot what day it is! I was already picturing the cover with the Wrecking Crew replacing all the individuals behind the Fabs. I'm such a sorry sap.
This only part one, right?
Stunning
Cheers
Stephen
A great selection of songs from the dynamic duo. Thanks a lot!
Anxious to hear this. Got off the Sparks train some time ago for no real reason. Sometimes you've just had enough of a band. So here is my chance to hear some more recent stuff.
This is an awesome compilation.
Wow, "When I'm With You" is an instant new pop favorite for me - super cool song and should have been a hit.
I've had almost the opposite experience from ken49. I was about 14 when "Kimono My House" first came out. I bought that record specifically for you-know-what, but I didn't think enough of the other tracks to keep up with the band after that. Then, two or three years ago (which is to say an entire lifetime later) I heard "Happy Hunting Ground" somewhere and was absolutely, 100% knocked out -- pulverized, so to speak, by the Sparks train. I've subsequently managed to listen to more or less the entire Mael catalog, and I'm quite a fan by now. Let's put it this way: When I recently tried making my own Sparks compilation for a friend, I gave up after compiling a preliminary list of 120 items. Never say never, though!
Re-A Walk In The Woods- When I'm With You was a huge hit in France... God bless the French
hpunch - very cool!
Another new favorite song here - iPhone.
I have to admit, it's taking some time to get into their music. It's not my natural style... but I'm starting to "get" it with this mix.
Wow, just saw a commercial on the Duke North Carolina game with the Sparks' This Town Isn't Big Enough. Hope they get a good paycheck.
ken49,
I'm watching! That sounded like a hybrid! That first verse did NOT sound like Sparks, so I Shazamed it, and it came up Sparks. But I am not convinced.
This just in... I will never *not* be humming "Lawnmower" to myself when mowing my grass, going forward. Another new favorite in this mix.
Very Cool. Thanks Much for this.
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