Tune Tag #63 with Michael Elliott of "The Mixtape": Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Memphis Horns, The Flirtations, Doobie Brothers, Roxy Music, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck
Tune Tag #63 with Michael Elliott of "The Mixtape": Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Memphis Horns, The Flirtations, Doobie Brothers, Roxy Music, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck
'70s classic rock appears to rule the day, but you know Tune Tag: Just when you think you can settle into one genre or era....SURPRISE! It's Tune Tag, all the way from A to ZZ! Letter rip!
Oh, and Brad - thanks for the info on the Balinese. What a venue! 'Fandango' is in my top two or three favorite all-time ZZ Top albums (as the retrospective I filed for Albumism back on its 45th anniversary makes clear https://albumism.com/features/zz-top-fandango-turns-45-anniversary-retrospective) so it was fascinating to get the background on that legendary place.
Great article, Michael.......thanks for sharing the link! I wish I had some clear memories of The Balinese. I just know that's a place my folks went to a lot, for the 100-mile round trip in the '60s. We also spent several summer weekends on the island as I was growing up, so dinner there had to have happened at some point!
As always, I'm late to the party and never get the hint when it's time to leave! But I like to give these TTs the time they deserve. So here's my ten cents:
1. Great to meet you Michael! Super impressed with your background and I've been wanting to read your John Hiatt book since I heard about it! I just subscribed to The Mixtape, as what you write is "write" in my wheelhouse.
2. Love that you started with Willie Nelson. I'm currently listening to the audiobook "Willie, Waylon and the Boys: How Nashville Outsiders Changed Country Music Forever," and it's great storytelling. I'm a huge fan of the podcast Cocaine and Rhinestones and am excited to read the book of the same title, next, as Tyler Mahan Coe is also a uniquely talented storyteller.
3. The Memphis Horns song does sound like those melted cheesy TV theme songs of the '70s! The horns do sound fantastic, but what stood out to me on that track was the bass! Holding the pocket and going off at the same time.
4. I didn't know about Booker T. Jones producing Willie (or the Horns, but that one didn't surprise me). I saw Booker T. and the MGs (not sure if any OG MGs were in the band) about 8 or 9 years ago at a small club and they blew my socks off. I've been barefoot ever since.
5. Boy do I love that early Doobies groovy sound. Yes, this one sounds quite similar to "Listen to the Music" but it feels looser, like a jam, like it was born out of them playing "Listen..." and then it turned into "Eyes of Silver" and they said, "Hey let's record this as its own song!"
6. Fun to see Trombone Shorty. As a "shorty" myself, I felt a kinship with him right away. But then I realized he's average height to tall. The name being given to him as a trombone-totin' kid playing with the big cats in the big easy.
7. Love Michael's story about Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck. I thought the same thing before reading his comments -- why such an overcovered song? -- but a great song is a great song even if overplayed.
8. I remember when Roxy Music's "IEDAH" was in TT the first time -- it's one of my all-time favorites. And a clip from I think this same video you use Brad, was included in the recent "Eno" documentary. At least the version I saw, as the doc is a randomly (mostly) chosen film, different for each screening.
9. What a fabulous song by The Flirtations! And what a strange video! Their slo-mo dancing and groovy outfits and set design transfixed me. I feel like I'm on quaaludes watching it! And it's the one drug I've never taken!
10. I don't have a tenth observation but wanted to keep this as a list of ten -- okay, this was a great way to procrastinate getting out of bed this morning! Looking forward to what you're gonna do with my rambles for next week!
Thanks so much, Steve, for this dedication to time and appreciation! Very informative! May the record show I'm likely the one who learns the most from each TT!
Thanks for the kind words! As to your 5th point, you articulated precisely why I’ve always loved “Eyes of Silver,” it’s a loose jam that’s just familiar enough to make you feel comfortable to take the journey with them. Two of my favorite Doobie Bros moments are that one and “Disciple” from Toulouse St (NOLA connection again!), for similar reasons.
👏 A Banger of a TunaTag today! I like Michael and his picks. 👍 One of the reasons I enjoyed todays TT is that I have actually heard of 90% of the songs and bands who played them today! So there's that. This is MY music. Anywho - as I was reading the YouTube titles my little brain said "The Flintstones"? Oh...the "Flirtations". 🎸
Thanks, Paul! I dug it, too....Michael's a natch for the Tag! It's truly exciting to have an honest-to-goodness published author on our little pup'n'pony show, here! Lends the place a little class....to the point where I almost feel like hiring a valet service for help in the parking lot! And, a waiter handing out vino'n'vittles!🥂"Shrimp? Charcuterie?"
Our li'l brains think alike, my cross-'Stack neighbor! I've written about The Flirts a lot lately, and more than once, I've caught my noggin wondering, "OK, guess I'd better fit The Rubbles in here, somewhere!" "WILMA! Stop this crazy thing!"
Again, the beauty of Tune Tag: One week, "Who ARE all these people, and what ARE all these songs?!" Another, it's like a friendly hug from a long-lost vinyl bud! Glad we scratched where you musically itched, today, Paul!
Batten down your hatches for next week....we'll have the always-entertaining and surprising Steve Goldberg, our fave "Earworm" purveyor! He's already slipped me an exclusive pic! This may be the first Tune Tag to get raided!😱Thanks again, Paul!
I've started to realize, pour a glass of wine and play the TT hits, it's like watching a concert with a series of great acts.
Especially enjoyed the Tom Lum Forest, Trombone Shorty, and Buddy Guy/Jeff Beck sequence, loved the segue from the failing relationship back to the desire and even further back to the wanting to tame this 'mustang.' As you can see, the lyrics grabbed me with these three songs but loved the music with all three as well. The first two were 'finds' as I didn't know either before.
Thanks, Ellen! A glass of wine and Tune Tag! Chef's mmmwah! Those you mentioned are favorites of mine, as well! I love finding artists I never knew existed, like TLF and Trombone Shorty! And, telling their stories is a treat, too! Michael was a TT champ!
I'll just mention that Brad's description of recognizing the music video shot in New Orleans made me think of Jon Batiste -- "Freedom" video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHVC1DcHmo
That was wild, Nick! Great vid! I Iove how Batiste worked in the neighborhood kids and church choir into the action! I've been to N.O. about 5 times, so there is some familiarity I have with the city....even slightly beyond the tourist destinations. Thanks for that!
Wow, possibly my favorite TT so far - that jump from Buddy Guy LP producer to bass player on a Roxy Music track had my head spinning! The depth/breadth of Michael's knowledge is impressive.
I'm betting "Mustang Sally" was chosen for the Buddy Guy album because some genius in marketing at the label had the video already conceived and it was just too good to pass up - the Mustang Ranch!
Thanks, Hugh! I had only known of Porter's bass playing on that lone Roxy album; had no idea he moved into production! You're right about Michael's music knowledge....awfully impressive, and he presented it beautifully!
Thanks - and there's definitely no one quite like Buddy! Been a fan of his from his Chess days on through the present day. 'DJ Play My Blues' and his sole release on Alligator, 'Stone Crazy!', are probably my two all-time favorites, though. I even had a Phil Guy album years ago (that I can no longer locate) that was great, "Tina Nu!"
Thanks, Andy....from both Michael and I! He'll chime in, I'm sure! I'm glad we stumbled onto one of your all-time faves! I know about your love of R&B, but I wouldn't have guessed Buddy Guy! As for the label-related education, just as you were writing that, I was working on Friday's "Boys Cover Whitney" piece, and what a story there, about the brilliance of one label head to maneuver to a point where he avoids a chart battle with another artist (and label) for the same song!🤔
Oh, and Brad - thanks for the info on the Balinese. What a venue! 'Fandango' is in my top two or three favorite all-time ZZ Top albums (as the retrospective I filed for Albumism back on its 45th anniversary makes clear https://albumism.com/features/zz-top-fandango-turns-45-anniversary-retrospective) so it was fascinating to get the background on that legendary place.
Great article, Michael.......thanks for sharing the link! I wish I had some clear memories of The Balinese. I just know that's a place my folks went to a lot, for the 100-mile round trip in the '60s. We also spent several summer weekends on the island as I was growing up, so dinner there had to have happened at some point!
As always, I'm late to the party and never get the hint when it's time to leave! But I like to give these TTs the time they deserve. So here's my ten cents:
1. Great to meet you Michael! Super impressed with your background and I've been wanting to read your John Hiatt book since I heard about it! I just subscribed to The Mixtape, as what you write is "write" in my wheelhouse.
2. Love that you started with Willie Nelson. I'm currently listening to the audiobook "Willie, Waylon and the Boys: How Nashville Outsiders Changed Country Music Forever," and it's great storytelling. I'm a huge fan of the podcast Cocaine and Rhinestones and am excited to read the book of the same title, next, as Tyler Mahan Coe is also a uniquely talented storyteller.
3. The Memphis Horns song does sound like those melted cheesy TV theme songs of the '70s! The horns do sound fantastic, but what stood out to me on that track was the bass! Holding the pocket and going off at the same time.
4. I didn't know about Booker T. Jones producing Willie (or the Horns, but that one didn't surprise me). I saw Booker T. and the MGs (not sure if any OG MGs were in the band) about 8 or 9 years ago at a small club and they blew my socks off. I've been barefoot ever since.
5. Boy do I love that early Doobies groovy sound. Yes, this one sounds quite similar to "Listen to the Music" but it feels looser, like a jam, like it was born out of them playing "Listen..." and then it turned into "Eyes of Silver" and they said, "Hey let's record this as its own song!"
6. Fun to see Trombone Shorty. As a "shorty" myself, I felt a kinship with him right away. But then I realized he's average height to tall. The name being given to him as a trombone-totin' kid playing with the big cats in the big easy.
7. Love Michael's story about Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck. I thought the same thing before reading his comments -- why such an overcovered song? -- but a great song is a great song even if overplayed.
8. I remember when Roxy Music's "IEDAH" was in TT the first time -- it's one of my all-time favorites. And a clip from I think this same video you use Brad, was included in the recent "Eno" documentary. At least the version I saw, as the doc is a randomly (mostly) chosen film, different for each screening.
9. What a fabulous song by The Flirtations! And what a strange video! Their slo-mo dancing and groovy outfits and set design transfixed me. I feel like I'm on quaaludes watching it! And it's the one drug I've never taken!
10. I don't have a tenth observation but wanted to keep this as a list of ten -- okay, this was a great way to procrastinate getting out of bed this morning! Looking forward to what you're gonna do with my rambles for next week!
Thanks so much, Steve, for this dedication to time and appreciation! Very informative! May the record show I'm likely the one who learns the most from each TT!
Thanks for the kind words! As to your 5th point, you articulated precisely why I’ve always loved “Eyes of Silver,” it’s a loose jam that’s just familiar enough to make you feel comfortable to take the journey with them. Two of my favorite Doobie Bros moments are that one and “Disciple” from Toulouse St (NOLA connection again!), for similar reasons.
👏 A Banger of a TunaTag today! I like Michael and his picks. 👍 One of the reasons I enjoyed todays TT is that I have actually heard of 90% of the songs and bands who played them today! So there's that. This is MY music. Anywho - as I was reading the YouTube titles my little brain said "The Flintstones"? Oh...the "Flirtations". 🎸
Thanks, Paul! I dug it, too....Michael's a natch for the Tag! It's truly exciting to have an honest-to-goodness published author on our little pup'n'pony show, here! Lends the place a little class....to the point where I almost feel like hiring a valet service for help in the parking lot! And, a waiter handing out vino'n'vittles!🥂"Shrimp? Charcuterie?"
Our li'l brains think alike, my cross-'Stack neighbor! I've written about The Flirts a lot lately, and more than once, I've caught my noggin wondering, "OK, guess I'd better fit The Rubbles in here, somewhere!" "WILMA! Stop this crazy thing!"
Again, the beauty of Tune Tag: One week, "Who ARE all these people, and what ARE all these songs?!" Another, it's like a friendly hug from a long-lost vinyl bud! Glad we scratched where you musically itched, today, Paul!
Batten down your hatches for next week....we'll have the always-entertaining and surprising Steve Goldberg, our fave "Earworm" purveyor! He's already slipped me an exclusive pic! This may be the first Tune Tag to get raided!😱Thanks again, Paul!
Ha! Thanks, y'all. This was a lotta fun!
...battening
🚢❗👍
I've started to realize, pour a glass of wine and play the TT hits, it's like watching a concert with a series of great acts.
Especially enjoyed the Tom Lum Forest, Trombone Shorty, and Buddy Guy/Jeff Beck sequence, loved the segue from the failing relationship back to the desire and even further back to the wanting to tame this 'mustang.' As you can see, the lyrics grabbed me with these three songs but loved the music with all three as well. The first two were 'finds' as I didn't know either before.
Great TT, Brad and Michael!
Thanks, Ellen! A glass of wine and Tune Tag! Chef's mmmwah! Those you mentioned are favorites of mine, as well! I love finding artists I never knew existed, like TLF and Trombone Shorty! And, telling their stories is a treat, too! Michael was a TT champ!
That was fun.
I'll just mention that Brad's description of recognizing the music video shot in New Orleans made me think of Jon Batiste -- "Freedom" video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHVC1DcHmo
I’m a big Batiste fan! His family is definitely NOLA royalty.
That was wild, Nick! Great vid! I Iove how Batiste worked in the neighborhood kids and church choir into the action! I've been to N.O. about 5 times, so there is some familiarity I have with the city....even slightly beyond the tourist destinations. Thanks for that!
Thanks. It's a fun song with a _great_ video, and I wouldn't have thought of it without seeing your comment.
Well, that alone….the N.O. “landscape”….would’ve been a perfect TT transition, with no other link needed!
Wow, possibly my favorite TT so far - that jump from Buddy Guy LP producer to bass player on a Roxy Music track had my head spinning! The depth/breadth of Michael's knowledge is impressive.
I'm betting "Mustang Sally" was chosen for the Buddy Guy album because some genius in marketing at the label had the video already conceived and it was just too good to pass up - the Mustang Ranch!
I hadn’t thought of that - you might be on to something, Hugh!
Thanks, Hugh! I had only known of Porter's bass playing on that lone Roxy album; had no idea he moved into production! You're right about Michael's music knowledge....awfully impressive, and he presented it beautifully!
Thank y’all! I’m always excited to discover new sounds and avenues to explore and this exercise is a perfect way to do just that.
The essence of The Tag!🎵💖👍
Great Tune Tag! I loved all the label-related education, and Buddy Guy is one of my all-time faves, so I loved seeing him here!
Thanks - and there's definitely no one quite like Buddy! Been a fan of his from his Chess days on through the present day. 'DJ Play My Blues' and his sole release on Alligator, 'Stone Crazy!', are probably my two all-time favorites, though. I even had a Phil Guy album years ago (that I can no longer locate) that was great, "Tina Nu!"
Thanks, Andy....from both Michael and I! He'll chime in, I'm sure! I'm glad we stumbled onto one of your all-time faves! I know about your love of R&B, but I wouldn't have guessed Buddy Guy! As for the label-related education, just as you were writing that, I was working on Friday's "Boys Cover Whitney" piece, and what a story there, about the brilliance of one label head to maneuver to a point where he avoids a chart battle with another artist (and label) for the same song!🤔
This was a lot of fun!
Thanks, Glenn! Michael and I certainly spent our share of time in the Lone Star State, huh?🤠