Thank you for the music: Favourite Groups
Wilson Phillips
Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson, and Chynna Phillips comprised the vocal trio, whose sudden success was matched by an equally impressive pedigree. The two Wilson sisters had grown up in California with their father, Beach Boy bandleader Brian Wilson, and often made appearances on his albums throughout their childhood. Chynna's parents, meanwhile, were John and Michelle Phillips (of seminal folk-rock band the Mamas & the Papas). Despite growing up alongside such icons, the girls first pursued separate careers in acting and modeling, only turning to music when Chynna (having been influenced by Band Aid and Farm Aid) suggested they make a charity record with other children of famous musicians. The project fell through, but it also brought the three girls together again, forming Wilson Phillips in the process.
Given their talent and networking skills, the girls signed a contract with SBK Records in 1989 and released their self-titled debut album one year later. Wilson Phillips' mix of adult contemporary ballads and midtempo pop/rock drew some criticism for its supposedly syrupy content, but the album became a Grammy-nominated smash regardless. Unfortunately, Wilson Phillips' time in the spotlight was short-lived. Their sophomore album, 1992's Shadows & Light, went platinum but quickly faded from the charts, failing to produce any Top Ten hits. Perhaps sensing an inevitable decline, Chynna Phillips announced plans for a solo career, and Wilson Phillips broke up the following year.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary as a recording act, Wilson Phillips finally fully acknowledged its legacy by putting out Dedicated, an album devoted entirely to songs made famous by the Beach Boys and the Mamas & the Papas in 2012.
The Seekers
If it wasn't for The Seekers, I would never have developed my interest in popular music, I would never have taken up playing the guitar, I would never have written a single song and I would never have fallen in love with Judith Durham's simply gorgeous dimples. The Seekers were at the peak of their popularity during my first years of employment after leaving school and they had a great influence on my music buying habits in that their folk style drew me towards other folk artists. I bought all their singles and albums and I would have bought the brand of guitars they played were it not for the fact that Matons were out of my price range. My biggest disappointment with The Seekers ocurred two months after I attended their concert at Beattie Park in Perth in 1979 when they announced they were breaking up. As soon as I found out that Judith leaving the group had caused the split, I was so furious I decided that, had I been talking to her, I would have never spoken to her ever again (I felt the same way about Dusty Springfield when I found out she was a lesbian, and Diana Ross and Lionel Richie when I found out they were never in the studio together when they recorded Endless Love).
From then onwards, every time I listened to their music I got irritated at Judith for missing the last letter off so many words of the songs she sang, and at myself for never being able to play the 12 string guitar as good as Keith Potger. I loved the two albums the boys made with Louisa Weissling - my reaction on hearing The Sparrow Song had made number one was "take that, Judith Durham!".
Favourite album: Seekers Seen In Green. I still can't figure out the hidden meaning of the title which seems a bit too clever for its own good. The songs on it are great, though - every single one of them, especially Angeline, Can't Make Up My Mind, Colours Of My Life and All I Can Remember.
Favourite song: I Am Australian. This song had done more than anything else to unite Australians as a nation and deserves every single accolade that has been bestowed upon it. No other song stirs up patriotism in us as a nation like this one.
The Beatles
What baby boomer could leave the Beatles off their list of music favourites? Their music shaped my teenage years as no one else's did and their songs, particularly those from their post Brian Epstein days, set the direction of popular music for the next 30 years. They are landmarks in popular music by which all others since are measured. Each of the Beatles went on to create enorous solo careers after the group's demise. Ringo was the least talented msically, though ok to listen to, but ended up making more money narrating the kids TV show Thomas The Tank Engine than he ever made as a Beatle. John went on his paranoid way with Yoko Ono, taking potshots at Paul whenever he could until he was gunned down in New York.
After the group's breakup, Paul's creativity never attained the heights it reached in the group, no doubt because Beatle producer George Martin was no longer there to bring out the best in him. Paul remained popular, first as the leader of Wings, and then as a solo artist. He denied his Beatles heritage for many years but these days looks back on those days with affection. George was my favourite post-Beatles Beatle. His All Things Must Pass set, though sounding quite over orchestrated these days, remains a favourite. I play it on CD now, as I wore out the LP copy I bought myself for my 21st birthday many moons ago. I've always have a soft spot for the "quiet Beatle" though his religious beliefs differed greater from mine.
Favourite Album: Abbey Road, followed closely by Let It Be.
Favourite songs: Let It Be; Here Comes The Sun; Penny Lane; Eleanor Rigby; Something.
ABBA
I know in certain quarters it's not cool to like ABBA any more, but that's OK with me because I'm not into trendy and cool. Bjorn & Benny wrote some absolutely brilliant songs during their ABBA days, their arrangements were very innovative and their careful choice of who would sing lead on which song shows their compete understanding of the medium of popular music. Some of their material like Rock Me and Bang-a-Boomerang was low grade pop at its most commercial, but their love ballads, particularly from their later body of work, like The Winner Takes It All, Andante Andante and Our Last Summer, are among the best love songs ever written. Anna and Frida sang so well - together as well as solo - and seemed to bring out the best in each other. I love their accents, particularly Anna and the way that her Swedish native tongue comes through, like in The Winner Takes It All where she sings, "and I unerstand ..." rather than "understand".
Favourite Album: Super Trouper.
Favourite songs: The winner Takes It All; Andante Andante; The Way Old Friends Do; One of Us; Our Last Summer; Fernando; Happy Hawaii; Angeleyes; I Have A Dream; Chiquitita; When All Is said And Done; I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I do.
The Carpenters
The Carpenters were brother and sister Richard Carpenter and Karen Carpenter. Both grew up in Downey, California and were very musical at an early age. Richard Carpenter started his own instrumental band with his sister Karen called "The Richard Carpenter Trio." Richard played the piano and organized the music, and Karen played the drums. Over time, Karen moved from the drums and into the limelight as the lead singer. In 1969 the Carpenters made their first album called "Offerings." It was a flop, and so was their first single "Ticket To Ride," which was a ballad version of the Beatles song, but fame and fortune was just around the corner. Within a year they had their first No. 1 hit, "Close To You".
The Carpenters were ridiculed, because they didn't fit into the rock-and-roll, drug scene during the early 70s. They were considered "goody two shoes" and "square" by most, but their music was very much loved by people of all ages. Richard and Karen paid a high price for fame. Richard lost numerous years over a prescription drug dependancy and Karen died of a heart attack from her long battle with anorexia nervosa in February 1983. Their biggest hit, "Yesterday Oncve More", is possibly Karen's best vocal performance, it highlights her beautiful rich lower register, her tone, her enunciation, her clarity, her amazing range. "All my best memories come back clearly to me, some can even make me cry ..."
Little River Band
Fronted by three of the finest musicians and songwriters that Australia has produced (Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles and Graeham Goble), LRB was the first Aussie band to crack the difficult U.S. market, and listening to their tight harmonies, lyrics and generally high standard of production, it is not hard to see why. And when I talk about LRB, I'm not talking about the present band that has hijacked the name; I'm talking about the originals, the line-up of which, back in 1966 (see photo), was George McArdle (bass), Derek Pelicci (drums), David Briggs (lead guitar), Glenn Shorrock (lead vocals), Beeb Birtles (guitar and harmony vocals), Graeham Goble (guitar and harmony vocals).
Favourite Albums: Diamantina Cocktail and Sleeper Catcher
Favourite songs: Help Is On Its Way; Home On A Monday; Long Jumping Jeweller; Lady.