Easy, melodic pop was the hallmark of the short, tuneful Davis canon. While getting that occasional rock hit, he made a sudden turn to Nashville where Marie Osmond proved he was a little bit country.
Wow. Your deep dives continually amaze. I've just listened - probably for the first time since the late 70s - to 'I Go Crazy' ... and I'm back in my bedroom playing with my Star Wars figures while the radio is on constant. Yet another outstanding issue - thanks!
Thanks so much, Bryan! You'll be happy to know that those dives are what I love to do. Kinda like a snowball downhill. Once I slip the paper into the Underwood....we're off. No stone goes unturned; and, sadly for some birds, no tern goes unstoned.🐦
I'm glad one of Paul's songs reunited you with a childhood hobby. As I mentioned elsewhere on this page, another of his songs moved me to wet eyes!!😢And, it wasn't just the lyrics...those astoundingly unexpected and emotional chord changes! Mercy. What a talent! What a songwriter! Stay tuned, Bryan! Two more article subjects/ideas just hit me since writing this!!
Isn't the tension between commitment to one's art and the demands of the image machine at the heart of much that is wrong with the industry? As always, Brad, amazing, in depth look at an artist, in this case one I'd never heard of. The Marie duet also took me aback because it reminded me of how great her voice was.
Your first question, Charles....certainly! But, the machine is what it is: Unless the package is sold as pretty and attractive (like a box of soap, cereal or cookies), it's likely A) no one will be persuaded to buy it and B) that's a completely different pursuit than the process of manufacturing what's actually IN that artfully-rendered box (imagine if the cookies were alive and had a say in how pretty its box looked...and dared to balk at the final product from the graphics design staff)!
If the recording artist isn't attractive (generally speaking) to begin with, the job is harder to "sell" the product, at least at the start. If you're Bob Dylan (and don't look like a teen idol), and care nothing about such nonsense, no big deal...take a look at his early Columbia jackets where art directors and Bob just sort of went thru the motions. No gauzy lenses and fields of daisies for young Master Zimmerman, thankyouverymuch!
It didn't take long, though, for Dylan to "earn" the right to not give a rip about that aspect (and very often refused to even pose for jacket photos...hence painted portraits started to appear)...and, again, like so many artists of his "serious artist" bent, his audience was drawn to his music, and nothing so superficial as looks and a pretty package.
He was teen-idol cute at 20, and considered himself a "serious artist," but went thru the PR motions (for his 1974 RCA Records debut album) of shirtless pix and "bedroom eyes" poses, 'cause "that's what ya do," and "they know what they're doing to market that human product"!
And, even as a "serious artist," he didn't turn down any of the teen mag interview and photo sessions his agent sent his way (or came to him personally, sans early management)! He was 20. He had a record deal. You don't say "No" to virtually anything that comes your way!
Browne was at least as handsome as Stephen, but he, too, was a self-ascribed "serious artist." His "people" (management, label reps) likely didn't let thru any "Tiger Beat" or "16 Magazine" interview requests (and Browne's face was right up both mags' respective pin-up subject alley!), and only sent him on CREEM and Rolling Stone interviews.
Stephen has already disclosed in his FR&B articles that, very early on, he was without management, so again, at 20, and trying to steer his proverbial ship in the turbulent waters of the record biz--alone--who can blame him for entertaining those early requests for the teen market? His is an amazing rollercoaster ride thru the trials, tribulations, and rare star interactions (of the '70s Hollywood record biz) that I think you'd enjoy rabbit-holing, Charles! Start with the two above!
And, yes, Marie had a great voice (and I was never aware of Paul's country duets after his pop career), and as always, I appreciate your input, as well as your kind words!
Also amazing you take the time in the comments to expand on these subjects. Re. "serious artists" and the image machine, I see you stopped by my Patti Smith post. She had Robert Mappllethorp as one of her first image-makers, and his esthetic was radically anti-commercial. No to mention gender-ambiguous. It took her thirty years to become recognized for more than her one hit song, but I suspect she's fine with that!
I love writing about the machine I was giddily a part of for many years! I want to take my time with your Patti piece, and I'll be happy to leave my positives there (and a personal story or two)! I was in radio when "Horses" was untethered. And, I was aware of Mapplethorpe at the time, too, thanks to all the rock press I was avidly reading. See ya over there!
Fabulous deep dive as always, Brad! Cool to read the backstory to “Meet Me In Montana” - I always liked the interplay of the voices in the Seals/Osmond version and serendipitously it was on my WhatI’mListening2 playlist last week - sweet!
Thanks, Michael! I didn't realize how good a voice Marie had....Sometimes it wasn't made that evident on that sugar-frosted serial she and bro, Donny had in the '70s! That was a song I knew nothing about, either, even when hearing it on your Playlist (in fact, I didn't even snap in recognition when I came upon it for the article!--But, that's the short-term memory thing again!) But, you're right about music serendipity....the best!
I also wanted to say that several sentences you include I had to stop reading and give you a standing ovation for. "if these were dime bags carelessly strewn around the apartment, we might consider this a cry for help," is lovely, especially coming from a person I wasn't sure knew what a dime bag was! Rolls of dimes ready to take to the bank, of course!
Thank you, Steve....much appreciated! My only first-hand knowledge of dime bags is simply 'cause I used to be a youth minister in the '80s in L.A. 'Nuff said!!😁
Thank you, Kevin! I'm pleased you dig it! You're right about Paul. As I told someone on a FB group: As much as he deserved far more credit and fame, he was more recognized and appreciated than so many others (as talented or even more so) who never got the airplay and sales that he ended up having! And, the good news is, we'll always have his music!
Glad you appreciated my Yukon Cornelius reference! There IS a fine, almost indefinable line linking Charlie Daniels, Yukon Cornelius, and Burl Ives! "Peppermint! What I've been searching for all my life! I've struck it rich! I've got me a peppermint mine!"
It WOULD be interesting to see how Paul would be treading the musical waters a dozen+ years after he died. As I hinted elsewhere, his "Today" demo I only discovered within the final 12 hours before my set pub deadline! Just as I was finishing the article, and "hungry" for a suitable and neat little bow with which to due Paul justice, I found that demo (the artist contributes to the writing), and the more the song progressed, the more emotionally devastated I became, and by song's end, I found myself fairly weeping.
I was stunned by his honesty and bravery in song...almost to the point of thinking this was his final message to the world, and the lengths he was willing to go to make amends to those he felt he may have hurt or wronged...if he only had the time. I've listened to that song, now, about 5 times, and just keep being reduced to tears each time! Such is the power of music and lyrics, and the man who could so clearly communicate raw emotions and humanity through them! Amazing.
I knew of course Paul’s hits, and as an avid listener to the Yacht Rock channel on SiriusXM (not sure if it still exists), “I Go Crazy” was played every couple of hours. I didn’t know anything about his life or forays into country so thanks for the dive into his career! Those album covers certainly didn’t do him any favors. There’s a reason Roxy Music didn’t put themselves on their album covers! But you got a appreciate Davis’ being true to himself.
Thanks, Steve! It was an enlightening week for me, too, putting it together. And, your last sentence is what makes that "Today" song so riveting. There's actually a story in my writing the article which I may share with you offline. It was a unique serendipitous merging of hard work, patience, continual digging, and simply, "letting" the artist drive the narrative.
It was a mere 12 hours before I wanted to drop the piece that I found "Today," and the finalization of the title (which I realize is still a bit clumsy--purposely, now, especially because of that new song--...because Reddit couldn't wait to chastise me!), as well as the wrap-up, occurred!
My revelations and happy little accidents and inspirations in writing, I'm guessing (and hoping), is similar to the "magic" experienced by those who write songs!
Happy to share that the Yacht Rock channel absolutely still exists. It's moved, but I think it's in the 300s now? Too cold to go out to the car and check. lol.
Wow. Your deep dives continually amaze. I've just listened - probably for the first time since the late 70s - to 'I Go Crazy' ... and I'm back in my bedroom playing with my Star Wars figures while the radio is on constant. Yet another outstanding issue - thanks!
Thanks so much, Bryan! You'll be happy to know that those dives are what I love to do. Kinda like a snowball downhill. Once I slip the paper into the Underwood....we're off. No stone goes unturned; and, sadly for some birds, no tern goes unstoned.🐦
I'm glad one of Paul's songs reunited you with a childhood hobby. As I mentioned elsewhere on this page, another of his songs moved me to wet eyes!!😢And, it wasn't just the lyrics...those astoundingly unexpected and emotional chord changes! Mercy. What a talent! What a songwriter! Stay tuned, Bryan! Two more article subjects/ideas just hit me since writing this!!
Isn't the tension between commitment to one's art and the demands of the image machine at the heart of much that is wrong with the industry? As always, Brad, amazing, in depth look at an artist, in this case one I'd never heard of. The Marie duet also took me aback because it reminded me of how great her voice was.
Your first question, Charles....certainly! But, the machine is what it is: Unless the package is sold as pretty and attractive (like a box of soap, cereal or cookies), it's likely A) no one will be persuaded to buy it and B) that's a completely different pursuit than the process of manufacturing what's actually IN that artfully-rendered box (imagine if the cookies were alive and had a say in how pretty its box looked...and dared to balk at the final product from the graphics design staff)!
If the recording artist isn't attractive (generally speaking) to begin with, the job is harder to "sell" the product, at least at the start. If you're Bob Dylan (and don't look like a teen idol), and care nothing about such nonsense, no big deal...take a look at his early Columbia jackets where art directors and Bob just sort of went thru the motions. No gauzy lenses and fields of daisies for young Master Zimmerman, thankyouverymuch!
It didn't take long, though, for Dylan to "earn" the right to not give a rip about that aspect (and very often refused to even pose for jacket photos...hence painted portraits started to appear)...and, again, like so many artists of his "serious artist" bent, his audience was drawn to his music, and nothing so superficial as looks and a pretty package.
FR&B's singer/songwriter, Stephen Michael Schwartz, and I have had that conversation, and have written about it, as well: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-autopsy-1974-stephen-michael
He was teen-idol cute at 20, and considered himself a "serious artist," but went thru the PR motions (for his 1974 RCA Records debut album) of shirtless pix and "bedroom eyes" poses, 'cause "that's what ya do," and "they know what they're doing to market that human product"!
And, even as a "serious artist," he didn't turn down any of the teen mag interview and photo sessions his agent sent his way (or came to him personally, sans early management)! He was 20. He had a record deal. You don't say "No" to virtually anything that comes your way!
Conversely, an early favorite of his (and mine) at the time was Jackson Browne (for whom he once played an original song for in 1972....and Joni Mitchell...what an audience! That's here: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/schwartz-stories-2-jackson-joni-and).
Browne was at least as handsome as Stephen, but he, too, was a self-ascribed "serious artist." His "people" (management, label reps) likely didn't let thru any "Tiger Beat" or "16 Magazine" interview requests (and Browne's face was right up both mags' respective pin-up subject alley!), and only sent him on CREEM and Rolling Stone interviews.
Stephen has already disclosed in his FR&B articles that, very early on, he was without management, so again, at 20, and trying to steer his proverbial ship in the turbulent waters of the record biz--alone--who can blame him for entertaining those early requests for the teen market? His is an amazing rollercoaster ride thru the trials, tribulations, and rare star interactions (of the '70s Hollywood record biz) that I think you'd enjoy rabbit-holing, Charles! Start with the two above!
And, yes, Marie had a great voice (and I was never aware of Paul's country duets after his pop career), and as always, I appreciate your input, as well as your kind words!
Also amazing you take the time in the comments to expand on these subjects. Re. "serious artists" and the image machine, I see you stopped by my Patti Smith post. She had Robert Mappllethorp as one of her first image-makers, and his esthetic was radically anti-commercial. No to mention gender-ambiguous. It took her thirty years to become recognized for more than her one hit song, but I suspect she's fine with that!
I love writing about the machine I was giddily a part of for many years! I want to take my time with your Patti piece, and I'll be happy to leave my positives there (and a personal story or two)! I was in radio when "Horses" was untethered. And, I was aware of Mapplethorpe at the time, too, thanks to all the rock press I was avidly reading. See ya over there!
Fabulous deep dive as always, Brad! Cool to read the backstory to “Meet Me In Montana” - I always liked the interplay of the voices in the Seals/Osmond version and serendipitously it was on my WhatI’mListening2 playlist last week - sweet!
Thanks, Michael! I didn't realize how good a voice Marie had....Sometimes it wasn't made that evident on that sugar-frosted serial she and bro, Donny had in the '70s! That was a song I knew nothing about, either, even when hearing it on your Playlist (in fact, I didn't even snap in recognition when I came upon it for the article!--But, that's the short-term memory thing again!) But, you're right about music serendipity....the best!
I also wanted to say that several sentences you include I had to stop reading and give you a standing ovation for. "if these were dime bags carelessly strewn around the apartment, we might consider this a cry for help," is lovely, especially coming from a person I wasn't sure knew what a dime bag was! Rolls of dimes ready to take to the bank, of course!
Thank you, Steve....much appreciated! My only first-hand knowledge of dime bags is simply 'cause I used to be a youth minister in the '80s in L.A. 'Nuff said!!😁
Fantastic write up about someone who deserved a LOT more time in the spotlight. I wonder how he would've fared today?
Also, "Yukon Cornelius selling an Arkansas time-share" might be the best descriptor ever for Daniels! lol.
Thank you, Kevin! I'm pleased you dig it! You're right about Paul. As I told someone on a FB group: As much as he deserved far more credit and fame, he was more recognized and appreciated than so many others (as talented or even more so) who never got the airplay and sales that he ended up having! And, the good news is, we'll always have his music!
Glad you appreciated my Yukon Cornelius reference! There IS a fine, almost indefinable line linking Charlie Daniels, Yukon Cornelius, and Burl Ives! "Peppermint! What I've been searching for all my life! I've struck it rich! I've got me a peppermint mine!"
It WOULD be interesting to see how Paul would be treading the musical waters a dozen+ years after he died. As I hinted elsewhere, his "Today" demo I only discovered within the final 12 hours before my set pub deadline! Just as I was finishing the article, and "hungry" for a suitable and neat little bow with which to due Paul justice, I found that demo (the artist contributes to the writing), and the more the song progressed, the more emotionally devastated I became, and by song's end, I found myself fairly weeping.
I was stunned by his honesty and bravery in song...almost to the point of thinking this was his final message to the world, and the lengths he was willing to go to make amends to those he felt he may have hurt or wronged...if he only had the time. I've listened to that song, now, about 5 times, and just keep being reduced to tears each time! Such is the power of music and lyrics, and the man who could so clearly communicate raw emotions and humanity through them! Amazing.
It's a really beautiful (in every sense of the word) & moving song. Amazing indeed!
I knew of course Paul’s hits, and as an avid listener to the Yacht Rock channel on SiriusXM (not sure if it still exists), “I Go Crazy” was played every couple of hours. I didn’t know anything about his life or forays into country so thanks for the dive into his career! Those album covers certainly didn’t do him any favors. There’s a reason Roxy Music didn’t put themselves on their album covers! But you got a appreciate Davis’ being true to himself.
Thanks, Steve! It was an enlightening week for me, too, putting it together. And, your last sentence is what makes that "Today" song so riveting. There's actually a story in my writing the article which I may share with you offline. It was a unique serendipitous merging of hard work, patience, continual digging, and simply, "letting" the artist drive the narrative.
It was a mere 12 hours before I wanted to drop the piece that I found "Today," and the finalization of the title (which I realize is still a bit clumsy--purposely, now, especially because of that new song--...because Reddit couldn't wait to chastise me!), as well as the wrap-up, occurred!
My revelations and happy little accidents and inspirations in writing, I'm guessing (and hoping), is similar to the "magic" experienced by those who write songs!
Happy to share that the Yacht Rock channel absolutely still exists. It's moved, but I think it's in the 300s now? Too cold to go out to the car and check. lol.
I braved the cold, Kevin! The Sirius/XM satellite radio Yacht Rock channel is #311. Thanks for chiming in!🚢🎶💿👍