seventies survival notes

Posted on September 11th, 2007 by Scraps.
Categories: Music, 70s Survival.

A few random observations from the Seventies Song Survival Project, things of which I was inadequately aware until listening attentively with headphones:

  • War were a great band.

  • The Captain and Tennille don't deserve the casual contempt in which they are held. The arrangements of their songs are inventive and lively, and are largely free of the musical gloopiness that pervades the music of their Adult Contemporaries. Toni Tennille is a singer with a likable personality. And in particular, their cover of "Shop Around" can stand with the original. Yes, it can.

  • Dr. Hook had a lot more hits than I thought. Twenty Dr. Hook songs charted in the Hot 100, and fully eight of them made the top 100 of their year, from 1972 to 1980.

5 comments.

Robert Legaultr

Comment on September 11th, 2007.

War were (are?) indeed a great band.

No, I'm sorry. I have heard tC&T's version of "Shop Around," though not lately, and there is no way they can hold a candle to Smokey Robinson. In fact, a statement like that makes me question not just your sanity, but my very own for living in a universe where anyone but Chuck Klosterman could make such a statement. Please forgive me, but it's positively staggering.

Next time I see you, you can play it for me, and maybe I'll change my mind...but somehow I doubt it.

Dr. Hook's frequent charting can be attributed at least in part to the prolific songwriting of the multitalented Shel Silverstein, who wrote most of their stuff.

Scraps

Comment on September 11th, 2007.

Silverstein wrote most of the early Dr. Hook, yeah, though not so much after the first couple years.

I love Smokey Robinson; I always list him in my favorite five male singers of the rock era. This is what happened: I was walking down the street and the Captain and Tennille version of "Shop Around" came on, and I was convinced it had to be a version I didn't know about, because I was sure I remembered what the Captain and Tennille version sounded like and it didn't sound this hot. I am not trying to be contrary; I was shocked when I looked at the mp3 player. But I'm not going to pretend to myself I didn't have the reaction I did. I understand that opens me to a certain amount of mockery. That's all right; I won't enjoy anything any less.

Lizzie

Comment on September 11th, 2007.

I agree about Captain and Tennille. There was something likeable about both of them, and their arrangements were nice.

My hatred of Dr Hook and all their hits continues to burn with a bright, unabated flame.

Richard

Comment on September 11th, 2007.

I've always had a soft spot for "Sylvia's Mother".

ethan

Comment on September 12th, 2007.

The Captain and Tennille are terribly mistreated, I agree. They perhaps don't reach the heights of The Carpenters, their nearest relations as far as I can tell, but I don't see how they're ridiculous.

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