Infinite Culture: On The Link Between African And Irish Music

Love history. Love music. Love studying about “fusion”. All of our cultures are nothing but peoples mixed together. Just started following this blog, and this post discusses “the evolution of musical forms” with regard to the fusion of Irish and African influences. For me, this one statement summarizes how it happened:

"Travel and trade was alive and well, and the exchange of music had to have been part of the process."

Of course ... that could be wrong. But anyway ... sounds logical. 

MyLot.com

Plantation Dance, South Carolina circa 1790 featuring banjo and calabash. Image #NW0159 courtesy of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

Harp Music: Sacred, Classical, or Jazz?

The harp. Aaah!  An instrument played by angels. Only for classical musicians or those who appreciate the divine and the heavenly.  Yes or No?

Join the debate.

Sunflowers and Why I Don't Worry About a Thing

The late Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) used to sing a song called “Three Little Birds”. I love the beginning lyrics because they help me face the day.

"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 '𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 ...” 🎶🎵 

I thought 2020 would be the year I would never forget because that was the year the COVID pandemic was announced and everything went on lockdown. By the end of that year I was totally ready to kick 2020 to the curb! Grrrr … !!

But then … 2021 came and for the first time in history, the entire state of Texas was told to brace for a snow storm. WHAT??? From Grrr …!! TO Brrr...!! It was brutal!

I survived the Winter of 2021. I don't really remember the Spring of 2021. But the Summer of 2021 came and we were told to be brace for heat!

Guess what? The summer of 2021 was one of the mildest summers in Texas that I had ever experienced. It felt like spring. The best part? Sunflowers were blooming all over the place!

"𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬"

(Image credit: texastraveltalk.com)

I wonder if that was God's way of telling me:
"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 '𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 ...” 🎶 🎵 🌻 😊 ❤️️

 

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Sunflower Fields in Texas To Visit. It's time to cut-your-own Sunflowers. Here's the list of farms that allow it!https://t.co/uWVA8KKRow pic.twitter.com/hRSX86y6Fd

— Texas Travel Talk (@TxTravelTalk) June 7, 2022

Favorite Music Videos: Carlos Santana — “Light, Love, and Life”

My alternate title for this discussion: — Favorite Instrumental Music — Carlos Santana, “Luz, Amor y Vida”.

Click here.

This Means War! Versus Make Love Not War!

"Of course, you know ... THIS MEANS WAR!!"

The only time that line is ever funny is when Daffy Duck says it to Bugs Bunny.

Recently perused 3 articles about the history of knighthood. Specifically, they were about 3 orders of knights: Order of the Teutonic Knights, Hospitallers Knights, Knights of the Sword. Fascinating reading. Thought-provoking as well. These are the thoughts they provoked within me.

It's just an observation but … a society can have lots of unemployment and yet if it's to organize a military FORCE, men can always show up for work! I'm not being sarcastic or calling the guys lazy bums. Indeed the reason they show up to enlist is because they are not lazy and they have a sense of duty and loyalty to their family, if not to their country.

I just think it's awful that during *peacetime* people borrow, beg and scrape, and can't get gainful work to feed their families. But you let some head honcho in the government shout *THIS MEANS WAR!* and all of a sudden there's money and they are ready to pay anybody to go get KILLED!!

© Photographer: Jennifer Pitiquen | Agency: Dreamstime.com


Sorry. Had to spill that and get it off my chest. I'm a child who grew up in the 60s where people were always shouting *Make love not war!* instead of *THIS MEANS WAR!*  Some folks in subsequent generations including the millennial generation (who are often wrongly accused of being self-centered and whiny) also believe in giving peace a chance.

Power To The People: The Hits by Lennon, John (2010)

Give Peace A Chance ~ Peacebeliever : From the Album Give Peace A Chance - Single

My most wished for item is always PEACE.  Yours too.  Right?  You can't buy it on Amazon or anywhere else.  But perhaps you can perform an act of charity as way of sharing your wish for peace and goodwill to all.  Buy a child a toy.  Donate clothing.  Prepare a food basket for a hungry family.  Gift a book.

glitter-graphics.com

Legal Quest or Question: You Wrote the Song. Why Not Get the Money?

Your Song Lyrics EQUAL Your Money. This is sound advice for budding new artists. Agree or Disagree.

Those aren’t the exact words that I heard the man say. But he sure did drive his point home.

Summary of the Story:

Here is what happened. One man had written a song and couldn’t remember the words to his own song. He searched for the lyrics on the Internet and found them. What else did he find? He found websites that were earning money by supplying the lyrics to the songs that he had written and he wasn’t getting a red cent! What could he do about it?

Here’s the report that tells the whole story:

Chace, Zoe. “When Lyrics Get Posted Online, Who Gets Paid? ” Planet Money ” NPR.” NPR, NPR, 9 May 2014, www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/05/09/310462951/when-lyrics-get-posted-online-who-gets-paid. “Planet Money: The Economy Explained”. Clear explanations. Now nobody can say they don’t understand the economy.

Here’s what you need to take away from the report:

“… it’s unusual for the Internet to come along and figure out a brand-new revenue stream for musicians: Rather than making money off the music, the Internet has provided a marketplace for just the words.”

What I Have Learned:

I am much wiser now. Before listening to that radio report, I had never heard of David Lowery. He’s an interesting fellow. Did you know he filed a lawsuit against Spotify? Read on. Who is David Lowery?

Additionally, I had never heard of anybody or anything called Rap Genius. As it turns out there is a site called Genius.com where you can get song lyrics and if you visit that site there is a link to a page where you can find rap lyrics/beats. Rap Genius. Who knew?

Most of the time, I can usually find the words to a song at A-Z Lyrics Universe.

At any rate, I very much appreciate the representative for Rap Genius for explaining the difference between a “desirable website” versus an “undesirable website”. It’s a fine legal line indeed! But when you’re talking about your intellectual property and your money, those fine lines can add up to KA-CHING!! $$$

If you want to know your rights and how to survive in the music business, you need to read the Music Industry Survival Guide.

What Does This Mean to Me?

Although I am not a songwriter this means a lot to me. I truly believe people should do everything in their power to protect their intellectual property and work. I was very pleased that the matter was settled expeditiously and the legal understanding was explained in such a way that everyday people like me could get it!

My point of reference for being a little bit confused about who wrote the song versus who gets the money is Michael Jackson. The late Michael Jackson bought the publishing rights to The Beatles catalog of music. Sir Paul McCartney was not happy about it. (Furious is probably a better word.) Why wouldn’t he be? Sir McCartney’s anger might be justifiable, but the purchase transaction was perfectly legal. Mr. Jackson’s response or reaction was: “It’s just business, Paul.”

Business? Legal or not, it still seems downright WRONG!

If you’re alive, you should be reaping the benefits of your “labor”. It doesn’t matter if your labor is songwriting or one of your hobbies. It’s your work. Why shouldn’t you be compensated?

That’s why the radio report meant a lot to me. It cleared up the fog in my brain.

Do you agree with my understanding and analysis?

Source: RationalMind.club

Entertainment: My Favorite Annie Lennox Music Videos

During my teen years, I heard this song, “A Whiter Shade of Pale”. The original was performed by Procol Harum. I thought it couldn’t get any better. Then I heard Annie Lennox sing this song and thought to myself: ‘This is way better!’  I loved Annie Lennox from the time she was the lead singer for the Eurythmics to when she went solo.  Here are a few of my favorite songs performed by Annie Lennox. Just a few. I have lots and lots of favorites. She’s been making music for decades. She’s one of those artists that get better with age and her music is always relevant.

Fun Fact: Annie Lennox was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1954.
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Annie Lennox – A Whiter Shade of Pale (Remastered)

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Annie Lennox – Why (Official Music Video)

(Actually I like this entire “Diva” album.)

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Annie Lennox – No More “I Love You’s” (Official Video)

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Eurythmics- Would I Lie to You? (Official Video)

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Annie Lennox & Al Green – Put A Little Love In Your Heart [HQ]

Are you an Annie Lennox fan?

Source: Virily/com

Where To Listen to Awesome Jazz Music!

"Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world."
- Ahmad Alaadeen

♪

Top 60 Jazz Youtube Channels for Jazz Enthusiasts ~ https://t.co/EpUnqcVAWo #music #musiclovers #jazzmusic #entertainment #moviesmusicandbooks #musicvideos pic.twitter.com/FCYJHuJzwt

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) January 2, 2020

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Jazz24 ~ https://t.co/PReWVsi1Ww - Online jazz streaming free 24/7 #playlists #studiosessions and more. #music #musiclovers #jazzmusic #entertainment #moviesmusicandbooks pic.twitter.com/j3SDff8zAv

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) January 2, 2020

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JAZZ RADIO, 97.3 FM, Lyon, France | Free Internet Radio | TuneIn https://t.co/Ox6L30iY3v - Listen for free and enjoy countless hours of the best jazz music around. @tunein #music #musiclovers #jazzmusic #entertainment #moviesmusicandbooks pic.twitter.com/HuFmYqMMG4

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) January 2, 2020

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JazzTimes https://t.co/lOXMYuLikI ~ "...comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the jazz scene." Find news, album, book and video reviews, informative features, special theme issues, etc. #music #musiclovers #jazzmusic #entertainment #moviesmusicandbooks pic.twitter.com/wF09ZBN8bc

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) January 2, 2020

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The 10 Best Jazz Albums Of 2019 https://t.co/odp59Ug5bx pic.twitter.com/OR7I0yBY9z

— Stereogum (@stereogum) December 9, 2019

♪

Related articles

• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Inner Peace

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• Harp Music: Sacred, Classical, or Jazz?

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* * * Do you know of any other sites where great jazz can be found?  Leave a comment.

This content also appears at my partner blog, My Blog Stop!

Do You Know Which Rock Stars Are Classical Music Composers?

Most everybody likes all kinds of music.

Most musicians in the entertainment business know that all kinds of music don’t always all kinds of record sales and a whole lot of cash!

Most successful rock musicians know that if they had started their career playing classical music, they would very likely not have a career.



Sharing this really cool link about rock stars who also write classical music. You probably already knew about Paul McCartney. Right?

Here is the complete list.

1. Paul McCartney
2. Roger Waters
3. Frank Zappa
4. Jonny Greenwood
5. Bryce Dessner
6. Glenn Danzig
7. John Paul Jones (???)

(???)  No doubt the former bassist for Led Zepellin has the skills but he has been writing an opera for several years.  (John Paul Jones Is Writing an Opera, UCR article dated June 2013).  Loyal fans who believe are wondering and waiting.  

♦ Reference:

DeGroot, Joey. “7 Rock Stars Who Also Write Classical Music: Paul McCartney, Frank Zappa, And More.” Music Times, February 03, 2018 / 12:05 AM, 17 June 2014, www.musictimes.com/articles/6855/20140617/7-rock-stars-who-also-write-classical-music-paul-mccartney-frank-zappa-and-more.htm.

Content previously published at Virily.com

The Vintage Guide to Classical Music: An Indispensable Guide for Understanding and Enjoying Classical Music

OTD 1991: Paul McCartney's first album of classical music, Liverpool Oratorio, was released. It was written in collaboration with composer Carl Davis and created in honor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's 150th anniversary.https://t.co/DuZSITwAqo#PaulMcCartney pic.twitter.com/33Lg4hccIc

— All McCartney (@allmccartneypod) October 7, 2018

Ca Ira (An Opera by Roger Waters) - And in the bushes where they survive ... https://t.co/w5l6CmU5jX via @YouTube @rogerwaters #PinkFloyd #rockstars #classicalcomposers #classicalmusic #music #musiclovers #musictrivia

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) May 2, 2020

“Frank Zappa united genres like rock, pop, jazz & #classicalmusic into one discography.” per @VinylMePlease ~ #BestOf #FrankZappa https://t.co/FEkk8CA0xG

More than a 'Freakout': Exploring Frank Zappa's classical roots ... @whyy https://t.co/ZFAVwgdLjq #music #musiclovers pic.twitter.com/4W56mb174H

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) May 2, 2020

In a conversation with Rachel Martin, Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood explains that classical music has been a parallel passion since he was a kid. https://t.co/i4O7YX9BnN

— NPR (@NPR) February 26, 2018

https://t.co/fQaa6sWZv1
The way in which @bryce_dessner assembled classical music and rock within his compositions is extraordinary. “St. Carolyn by the Sea” is an album influenced by Jack Kerouac’s novel Big Sur.
Give it a try and listen now on @primephonic 🎧
--@DGclassics pic.twitter.com/HoW0wxlTCp

— Primephonic (@primephonic) February 27, 2020

“In 1992, Danzig once again changed musical direction, ... tried his hand at composing classical music with Black Aria. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard classical music chart.” (Wikipedia)

Favorite Music Videos: Randy Crawford — “Everything Must Change”

Have you heard of Randy Crawford? This woman can sing any song and it could become your favorite!

Click here.

Favorite Music Videos: Sting — “They Dance Alone” (Cueca Solo)

This particular song “They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)” is not only evocative and soulful, but the best part of this visually stunning video is that “insert” with Rubén Blades (full name Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna).

Click here.

Favorite Music Videos: Carlos Santana — “Light, Love, and Life”

My alternate title for this discussion: — Favorite Instrumental Music — Carlos Santana, “Luz, Amor y Vida”.

Click here.

Music Quotes That Move Me ( and Probably Move You Too!)

Once upon a time, there was a community on the Google Plus social network for music lovers and they have a category for “Music Quotes”. It was fun!

You share lyrics or quotes from a song that moves or touches you. Doesn't matter whether you're a fan of the artists who are singing or even if you don't really like the song, sometimes certain words strike you. 

Sadly, the community no longer exists and also Google plans to shut down the G+ social network during 2019.

I love the idea of sharing music quotes that move me.  Here's an example. In this example, I also have great respect and admiration for the artist performing. Loyal Tina Turner fan. This a throwback song from the soundtrack for Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985). 

LYRICS / QUOTES: “There's just one thing you've got to know ... You're one of the living.”

First published at MyLot, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

song of the day - "One Of The Living" | TINA TURNER | 1985.

On June 15, 2014, Casey Kasem, host of the longtime countdown program, AMERICAN TOP 40, passed away at the age of 82. ...

song of the day - "One Of The Living" | TINA TURNER | 1985.

On June 15, 2014, Casey Kasem, host of the longtime countdown program, AMERICAN TOP 40, passed away at the age of 82. From my first blog post (and prolly some more inbetween then and now), I explained how, in 1979, I was a geeky, lanky and somewhat lost 12-year-old living in Central Maine, had a...

Music is What Feelings Sound Like Quote on a Vinyl Record Album Wall Art | Vinyl Revamped

Food and Drink: Health and Coca Cola : Teaching the World to Lament and Repent

From music evolution to soda slamming? (O.o) 

You may ask: How did I get there? Here's how.

No longer subscribe to cable or satellite TV and don't often tune in to the telly in the mornings. But my husband happened to be watching CBS This Morning and there was an interesting segment titled "CBS CHANGING TUNES".

It began with the moderator going through a series of songs that were all a part of my life's musical tapestry and of course, my head was nodding up and down in agreement with all of the selections – Beatles, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Bee Gees, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, etc.


But then they switched and said that a more exact method was going to be used to determine the music evolution in America.


What were the results of using this method?


Changing tunes in the USA still started with the Beatles ( i.e. the British Invasion ) but ended up with Hip Hop (Example: LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out.)


For those who disagreed with the research findings, this was the response: “This is science. Everything else before that was just opinion.”


Needless to say, I disagreed.
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But as if that wasn't bad enough, in an attempt to try to find that particular segment of the CBS morning TV show on the Internet to listen to it again, stumbled across the "CBS SODA SLAM" segment.

Commercial jingles were not included in the music research project mentioned in the previous paragraph. If they were, the Coca-Cola jingle – harmony hilltop song would certainly have been included. To lift a quote from this TV program segment, that tune is the “single most famous commercial ever produced”. So well-known that a health advocacy group chose to remake it and change the lyrics to promote healthy eating and drinking.

This is not opinion. It is fact that sugary soft drinks have had adverse health consequences, on a global scale.

Yet, my devotion and loyalty to Coca-Cola have never waned.

(Sigh.) Why couldn't the world have just enjoyed my favorite carbonated beverage in moderation?

Lament. Repent. Lament. Repent. Lament. Repent.

Anyway! Didn't find the video for the “Changing Tunes” segment on the Internet, but here's the link for the remake of the words for the iconic classic Coca-Cola commercial by the health advocacy group. (http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/health-group-remakes-iconic-coca-cola-jingle-to-take-on-soda)

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Links of Interest:
History of Coca-Cola
History of the Soda
The Evolution of Tea
Joseph Priestly Invented Carbonated Water
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Spotlight on Jackie Evancho : America's Music Jewel

Are you a fan of Jackie Evancho? Were I to use one word to describe this young lady's voice, it would be “angelic”. If you have followed her career then you know she was introduced to the public through "America's Got Talent". 

Image Credit: Jackie Evancho collage comprised of images found on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.

She was an adorable little girl but her voice was rich and full. Her vocals were so strong, so mature and so well-trained. If you closed your eyes, you would have thought you were listening to a classically trained grown-up singer who had been performing in front of audiences for decades.

♦

One of her performances that really impressed me was her singing a Sarah McLachlan song, "Angel", that I dare say is just as good as the original singer's performance. She was accompanied by David Foster on the piano. Another one word to describe it? Magical.

Here is another magical performance. 
It's on her album Awakening.

Jackie Evancho - The Rains of Castamere

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♦

It has been such a pleasure to see how she has continued to blossom and grow. If you want to hear her sing, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel: Jackie Evancho.

Related Content:
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“Awakening” by #JackieEvancho ~ https://t.co/l7jpwlxDc5 ~ #entertainment #music #gifts for #musiclovers #musicalbums pic.twitter.com/gJ3S8DNEw3

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 8, 2019

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“Songs From The Silver Screen” by #JackieEvancho ~ https://t.co/E7NPcNjo6Q ~ #gifts for #musiclovers #musicalbums #music #entertainment pic.twitter.com/Tbx4VMFkAQ

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 8, 2019

♦

MEET Loreen : Sweden's Music Jewel

MEET Loreen. This young lady is afabulous singer. Her real name: Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui - an exotic and stunning beauty with a voice to match, which mesmerizes and captivates. Her sound is innovative and refreshing.
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For Music Lovers: Yanni Live at the Acropolis

Joined a social site a couple of years ago and made some new friends.  I am really enjoying my activity in this social blogging community.  It's called Virily and the members are called Virilyans.  Doesn't that name conjure up images in your mind?  Hail!  We are Virilyans from the planet Virily.  We come in peace.

The website is a peaceful site.  It has a lovely visual display and you can find lots of interesting topics from fashion to home decor to art to general "feel good" news about people doing nice things for other people.  My latest post is about  "Yanni, Live at the Acropolis".  I like to chat about music that I like and I've published several discussions (see links below).

Yanni - Live at the Acropolis  

#TBT : The Nostalgia Machine Enhances Your Throwback Vibe

Found this tool via StumbleUpon (now Mix.com).  You can find music that takes you back to your childhood.  It's called “The Nostalgia Machine”?  If you're like me and often share music for #TBT or #throwbackThursday this tool was made for you. 

To get you started you are prompted to pick a childhood year.

'OK! I'll play along. I come from the generation that didn't have the Internet. We listened to music on vinyl records and if we dared scratch a record, on purpose or by accident, our parents took money out of our allowance to pay for damaged goods! 

Go ahead! Try and fool me!!'

So I picked a year. I couldn't believe it!! Magnificent throwbacks from back in my day! Such wonderful memories.

Here are some (not all) of what showed up for the year I picked. It was great music from one of the best years of my life!  :)

I'm like: 'I can't believe it! I remember all these songs!!'

● Archie Bell & the Drells - Tighten Up

● Aretha Franklin - Think

● Bee Gees - I've Gotta Get a Message to You

● Hugh Masekela - Grazing in the Grass

● Jerry Butler - Hey, Western Union Man

● José Feliciano - Light My Fire

● Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need to Get By

● Mason Williams - Classical Gas

● Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

● Paul Mauriat - Love is Blue

● Richard Harris - MacArthur Park

● Simon & Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair/Canticle

● Sly & the Family Stone - Dance to the Music

● The Beatles - Hey Jude; Revolution

● The Delfonics - La-La (Means I Love You)

● The Rascals - People Got to Be Free

If you tell me you remember them too, I'm going to tell you that I know how old you are!! And don't even try to fool me by saying: “Oh I only know because my parents listen to this music!” :)

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