Showing posts with label Christopher Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christopher Cross. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Completely Conspicuous 326: Pop Goes the '70s


Part 2 of my conversation with guest Ric Dube as we dissect the strange connections of '70s-era pop hitmakers. Listen to the episode below or download directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded at More Lost Time world HQ
- Christopher Cross' surprisingly long career
- Producer Michael Omartian was in disco act Rhythm Heritage, which released the #1 hit "Theme from S.W.A.T." in 1976
- Also did theme from Baretta
- Steve Barry formed Rhythm Heritage with Omartian
- Barry produced Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
- Ric plans his funk album
- Sammy Davis Jr. sang the Baretta theme
- "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" was big hit for Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
- Ric's unsealed Bo Donaldson record
- First discovered while touring with the Osmonds
- The sadness of the 1970s package tour
- The Osmonds actually had a few cool songs
- "Hold Her Tight" was a Zeppelin sound-alike
- Recorded during their "rock" phase, which didn't last long
- Donny and Marie were the big moneymakers
- Donny Osmond had a few hits in 1989
- His mid-'70s song "C'mon Marianne" was much better

Music:
Deerhoof - Milk Man
Fat History Month - Angel From Montgomery
The Baseball Project - To the Veterans Committee

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Deerhoof song is on the Kill Rock Stars compilation Crazed MP3 Fans Vol. 1. Download the comp for free at Bandcamp.
The Fat History Month song is on Exploding in Sound's EIS Sampler 2013-2014 on Bandcamp.
The Baseball Project song is on Yep Roc in Austin: On Spider's Tab. Download the comp for free at Noisetrade.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Completely Conspicuous 325: Ride Like the Wind


Part 1 of my conversation with guest Ric Dube as we try to figure out how Christopher Cross became a pop star. Listen to the episode below or download directly (right click and "save as").



Show notes:
- Recorded in at More Lost Time world HQ
- All about the shrews in Shrewsbury
- Record fairs are back
- Where did Christopher Cross come from?
- Went from San Antonio cover band to stardom
- Produced by Michael Omartian
- Omartian worked with lots of big artists, including Rod Stewart and Donna Summer
- Lots of big names helped out on Cross' debut: Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Nicolette Larson
- Cross didn't have a particularly great voice
- Jay's Christopher Cross album
- Pre-MTV fame
- First single was "Ride Like the Wind," second was "Sailing"
- Theme from Arthur was his biggest hit
- Couldn't escape it on the radio for a while
- Ric: Played plenty of music like this at Strawberries
- "Think of Laura" was written for General Hospital
- To be continued

Music:
Bedroom Eyes - Wild Sins
Hymnals - When You're Away
Kinski - Conflict Free Diamonds

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Bedroom Eyes song is a single available for free at Bandcamp.
The Hymnals song is a single available for free at Bandcamp.
The Kinski song is on the Kill Rock Stars compilation Crazed MP3 Fans Vol. 1. Download the comp for free at Bandcamp.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.