Andy, of the engaging "The Vinyl Room," joins us again for our FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE continuing series, as we continue our romp through a legend's catalog! Care to hit the floor?💃🕺
I’m always amazed by your ability to dig out all these juicy bits and crafting the story (the history, rather) of how a certain song came to be what it became. Thank you so much for the opportunity to make my humble contributions. I’m really enjoying this.
Thanks, Andy........sometimes it amazes me, too! But, as a lover of the craft (so wishing I was a songwriter!), I wanna get in there, and open up a song's guts, and see how it was made! Plus, having been inside the biz to the degree I was, it's like the lone range in the vast record biz landscape I've yet to really "grok"!
I've gotta hand it to Stephen Michael Schwartz, and the grilling I put him through when he was telling FR&B his '70s record biz story (https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/stephen-michael-schwartz): He told me he and his '74 RCA Records producer, David Kershenbaum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kershenbaum ...for those who haven't, check out THIS guy's production resume since Stephen's album!), had gotten six of Stephen's original songs in the can, and they needed to, now, find 4 songs for him to cover, to round out the album's track list to 10.
Paraphrasing Stephen: "So, David and I drove around to Warner Music, Motown...all the publishers in Hollywood, looking for suitable songs to cover." Me: "Really? What kinda car was he driving?" You and I have never (and will never) experience what such a tiny percentage of humans experience...having a record contract, and what it takes to actually create a record back in the '70s!
We've all been 20.....Stephen's age in '74. I can't imagine the excitement and giddiness he must've felt...and, for new readers and others (I know you've read them, Andy), Stephen's generous and gracious account, in 20 articles on FR&B, in his own words, are well worth enjoying! He takes you to '70s/record biz/Hollywood in exciting and exclusive ways!
Back to you, Andy....I'm happy you're along for this Houston ride...you're indispensable!
I can totally imagine you as a songwriter and/or record producer. Your passion always comes through the page (or screen)!
Stephen's experience is golden and I am so glad he chose the best place to share his stories with the world. I also have to hand it to you for asking the right questions, which is, as you know, a lot harder than some may think.
I loved how you zeroed in on the exchange between Merrill and Davis (at an airport, of all places! 😱 this was priceless) and how you described the tremendous impact it had on so many (including Mariah! ❤️).
It really feels like you've left no loose ends untied: from the genesis of the song, how it made its way to Clive, the stratospheric dimensions of Whitney's performance, and how it continues to influence so many artists, transcending genders and genres! Budding music writers, take notes! Brad has the chops!
Thanks so much, Andy! I think the good news, as we continue down the Houston road, is that her hits were so massive, and her fame so widespread, there's no shortage of coverage and accounts of those who helped her make her music!
Contrasted with the effort it usually takes to look for info on my generally obscure artists about whom I write, Whitney-writing is a veritable cake-walk, sans calories!
That’s all very true, but again, you’re being too modest: considering her fame, there’s a BARRAGE of information out there… (as a fan, I’ve read my fair share of lame articles on her). My point is you do an excellent job in selecting the information and putting it all into an entertaining, cohesive piece. You’re too modest to admit it, so I’ll keep saying it loud and clear 🤗
Well done guys ! Great read ! Never was a big fan of the song and the covers don't really change that. Never heard the Boy meets Girl original though, so if I have to hand out the "douze points" they will go to B.M.G. And as a sidetone: how old is Clive Davies now ? 144 ?
As I've said I didn't pay much attention to Whitney Houston's original run (though I've heard this song; the rock I live under isn't _that_ large) and it's a fun way to appreciate Houston's talent, the work of the star-making machinery, and the contemporary covers.
Thank you, Nick! There are so many covers and so many different “recreations” of the song, for all tastes left right and centre! It really is the hit that keeps on giving! (And hitting!)
It’s not one of my favorites of hers but there are some excellent covers here with a lot of diversity. Sometimes I forget just how good Whitney was until I listen to some of her songs or watch her live performances. What an incredible talent she was
Thank you, Mark! I see what you mean: we all know how talented Whitney was, but when we come across a performance we hadn’t seen, or reacquaint ourselves with one of her songs, it all comes flowing back again. She was incredible. Her fearlnessness on stage was one of a kind.
What’s cool about these covers, as Brad was saying, is the creativity of these artists to turn these instantly-recognisable pop/soul megahits into something completely new.
Sometimes it's the covers that are really fascinating....this was a perfect example, as artists dared to stray far afield of a disco/pop'n'soul read! As I mentioned, my fave for a decade has been the fun and hoppin' These Kids Wear Crowns' cover! So much fun, and they're all so happy in the vid!
I think the two things I'm getting out of this series are the hearing the covers, and seeing the live performances I've not seen before! And, it's in those performances where we can really see her true growth...her improved phrasing, timing, and improv abilities, as well as just overall performing! And, the perfect decade for her to have her start, and blossom into stardom...the video-infused '80s! Stay tuned, Mark......thanks!
Love this series and hearing about the stories behind Whitney's monster hits.
The live performances are even better than the studio version, show just what an incredible voice and range she had.
Really enjoyed the covers too, makes sense for them to go in the opposite direction and not compete with the speed and high energy of Whitney's version. Really taken by Six Appeal, had never heard of them but seems they've been around quite a while.
Thanks from me too, Ellen! Whitney’s live performances were something else. I believe she once said “if you want the album version, listen to the album”. In live settings her musicalty and improv skills really came to the fore. Thanks for reading!
Thanks, Ellen! Glad you like! With the live perfs, it's fun to watch her progression onstage, knowing she couldn't/didn't like to dance, and was something she had to warm up to over time! Madonna she wasn't....she practically got her start in dancing, as I recall!
Six Appeal was fun....looking at photos, it appears they may have changed personnel quite a few times over the years! It's also refreshing and great to see how the various artists lean smartly toward doing their own takes on the song!
Such a fun series! And a wide variety of covers here! I love the two vastly different acapella versions. And what serendipity with Dan's response leading to (I imagine) a quick re-edit to include the Blossoms version. That one might be my favorite, but it's neck and neck with Andres' fave Matt Alber. (I wonder if he was ever heavy as a kid and had the nickname Fat Albert.)
Thanks, Steve! As for Dan's last-second (and wonderful) contribution....the good news is all I had to do is tack it onto the end....there was no real editing in trying to make it "fit"! Plus, I had no problem touting the incredible serendipity that came with its addition! As for "Fat" Alber, however husky he may have been as a lad, he's now known, in "his community," as a...uh, bear.
Thank you, Steve! Brad did a terrific job putting it all together. I don't know how he does it. The serendipity with Dan's response was spookily beautiful indeed. LOL Fat Albert 🤣 is that why he chose not to dance?
I love this deep dive article. Who knew all this behind the scenes info, very interesting. I might add that I love the original version and can see where Clive instantly heard "hit song."
I’m always amazed by your ability to dig out all these juicy bits and crafting the story (the history, rather) of how a certain song came to be what it became. Thank you so much for the opportunity to make my humble contributions. I’m really enjoying this.
Thanks, Andy........sometimes it amazes me, too! But, as a lover of the craft (so wishing I was a songwriter!), I wanna get in there, and open up a song's guts, and see how it was made! Plus, having been inside the biz to the degree I was, it's like the lone range in the vast record biz landscape I've yet to really "grok"!
I've gotta hand it to Stephen Michael Schwartz, and the grilling I put him through when he was telling FR&B his '70s record biz story (https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/stephen-michael-schwartz): He told me he and his '74 RCA Records producer, David Kershenbaum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kershenbaum ...for those who haven't, check out THIS guy's production resume since Stephen's album!), had gotten six of Stephen's original songs in the can, and they needed to, now, find 4 songs for him to cover, to round out the album's track list to 10.
Paraphrasing Stephen: "So, David and I drove around to Warner Music, Motown...all the publishers in Hollywood, looking for suitable songs to cover." Me: "Really? What kinda car was he driving?" You and I have never (and will never) experience what such a tiny percentage of humans experience...having a record contract, and what it takes to actually create a record back in the '70s!
We've all been 20.....Stephen's age in '74. I can't imagine the excitement and giddiness he must've felt...and, for new readers and others (I know you've read them, Andy), Stephen's generous and gracious account, in 20 articles on FR&B, in his own words, are well worth enjoying! He takes you to '70s/record biz/Hollywood in exciting and exclusive ways!
Back to you, Andy....I'm happy you're along for this Houston ride...you're indispensable!
I can totally imagine you as a songwriter and/or record producer. Your passion always comes through the page (or screen)!
Stephen's experience is golden and I am so glad he chose the best place to share his stories with the world. I also have to hand it to you for asking the right questions, which is, as you know, a lot harder than some may think.
I loved how you zeroed in on the exchange between Merrill and Davis (at an airport, of all places! 😱 this was priceless) and how you described the tremendous impact it had on so many (including Mariah! ❤️).
It really feels like you've left no loose ends untied: from the genesis of the song, how it made its way to Clive, the stratospheric dimensions of Whitney's performance, and how it continues to influence so many artists, transcending genders and genres! Budding music writers, take notes! Brad has the chops!
Thanks so much, Andy! I think the good news, as we continue down the Houston road, is that her hits were so massive, and her fame so widespread, there's no shortage of coverage and accounts of those who helped her make her music!
Contrasted with the effort it usually takes to look for info on my generally obscure artists about whom I write, Whitney-writing is a veritable cake-walk, sans calories!
That’s all very true, but again, you’re being too modest: considering her fame, there’s a BARRAGE of information out there… (as a fan, I’ve read my fair share of lame articles on her). My point is you do an excellent job in selecting the information and putting it all into an entertaining, cohesive piece. You’re too modest to admit it, so I’ll keep saying it loud and clear 🤗
What?😂Hee hee.....thks, my BritBud!
Well done guys ! Great read ! Never was a big fan of the song and the covers don't really change that. Never heard the Boy meets Girl original though, so if I have to hand out the "douze points" they will go to B.M.G. And as a sidetone: how old is Clive Davies now ? 144 ?
Thanks, Pe! Clive is 92 1/2.
He looks 32 1/2 ! (just kidding)
144 🤣🤣 you crack me up, Pe!
This is a fun series.
As I've said I didn't pay much attention to Whitney Houston's original run (though I've heard this song; the rock I live under isn't _that_ large) and it's a fun way to appreciate Houston's talent, the work of the star-making machinery, and the contemporary covers.
Thank you, Nick! There are so many covers and so many different “recreations” of the song, for all tastes left right and centre! It really is the hit that keeps on giving! (And hitting!)
It’s not one of my favorites of hers but there are some excellent covers here with a lot of diversity. Sometimes I forget just how good Whitney was until I listen to some of her songs or watch her live performances. What an incredible talent she was
Thank you, Mark! I see what you mean: we all know how talented Whitney was, but when we come across a performance we hadn’t seen, or reacquaint ourselves with one of her songs, it all comes flowing back again. She was incredible. Her fearlnessness on stage was one of a kind.
What’s cool about these covers, as Brad was saying, is the creativity of these artists to turn these instantly-recognisable pop/soul megahits into something completely new.
Glad you’re enjoying! Thanks for reading
Sometimes it's the covers that are really fascinating....this was a perfect example, as artists dared to stray far afield of a disco/pop'n'soul read! As I mentioned, my fave for a decade has been the fun and hoppin' These Kids Wear Crowns' cover! So much fun, and they're all so happy in the vid!
I think the two things I'm getting out of this series are the hearing the covers, and seeing the live performances I've not seen before! And, it's in those performances where we can really see her true growth...her improved phrasing, timing, and improv abilities, as well as just overall performing! And, the perfect decade for her to have her start, and blossom into stardom...the video-infused '80s! Stay tuned, Mark......thanks!
I hadn’t thought about the decade itself, but you’re sooo right. The videos… and the hairstyles!! 😱😁
Oh, to have had a piece of the decade's AquaNet concession!
Love this series and hearing about the stories behind Whitney's monster hits.
The live performances are even better than the studio version, show just what an incredible voice and range she had.
Really enjoyed the covers too, makes sense for them to go in the opposite direction and not compete with the speed and high energy of Whitney's version. Really taken by Six Appeal, had never heard of them but seems they've been around quite a while.
Thanks from me too, Ellen! Whitney’s live performances were something else. I believe she once said “if you want the album version, listen to the album”. In live settings her musicalty and improv skills really came to the fore. Thanks for reading!
Thanks, Ellen! Glad you like! With the live perfs, it's fun to watch her progression onstage, knowing she couldn't/didn't like to dance, and was something she had to warm up to over time! Madonna she wasn't....she practically got her start in dancing, as I recall!
Six Appeal was fun....looking at photos, it appears they may have changed personnel quite a few times over the years! It's also refreshing and great to see how the various artists lean smartly toward doing their own takes on the song!
Such a fun series! And a wide variety of covers here! I love the two vastly different acapella versions. And what serendipity with Dan's response leading to (I imagine) a quick re-edit to include the Blossoms version. That one might be my favorite, but it's neck and neck with Andres' fave Matt Alber. (I wonder if he was ever heavy as a kid and had the nickname Fat Albert.)
Thanks, Steve! As for Dan's last-second (and wonderful) contribution....the good news is all I had to do is tack it onto the end....there was no real editing in trying to make it "fit"! Plus, I had no problem touting the incredible serendipity that came with its addition! As for "Fat" Alber, however husky he may have been as a lad, he's now known, in "his community," as a...uh, bear.
You were so agile with your hot-off-the-press addition!
Alber the bear, eh? Receipts or it didn’t happen 🤣🤣🤣
Ha! Well, a bare bear I'll be unable to produce, but I read it somewhere!👀
🐻🤣
Thank you, Steve! Brad did a terrific job putting it all together. I don't know how he does it. The serendipity with Dan's response was spookily beautiful indeed. LOL Fat Albert 🤣 is that why he chose not to dance?
I love this deep dive article. Who knew all this behind the scenes info, very interesting. I might add that I love the original version and can see where Clive instantly heard "hit song."
Glad you dig, Lori! These are fun to put together with Andy!
I will keep an eye out for future editions !