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Author Archives: Franko
JIM CROCE – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – (ABC) – 1972
Jim was musically schizophrenic – he had two personas. The wounded folkie and the bragging street wise thumper. They aren’t at odds with each other, they are just flipsides of the same person. No one is one is ever note. … Continue reading
TOMMY SANDS – When I’m Thinking of You – (Capitol) – 1959
Read my other comments for biographical detail on Tommy Sands. Sands is one of the many otherwise convincing rockers who were encouraged to try their hand at trad pop, or at least, trad pop numbers with rockin’ rhythms in the … Continue reading
BOBBY RYDELL – Salutes the Great Ones – (Cameo) – 1961
The era before the rise of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and others was a particularly exciting time, though not for hard-core rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasts. Pop rock ruled along with big pop ballads, teen dramas, white doo wop, and … Continue reading
CONNIE FRANCIS – Sings Bacharach and David – (MGM) – 1968
Anyone who reads this blog knows I’m partial to vocalists, and, partial to Connie Francis. Connie is perhaps the greatest of the non-writing female singers. And much like her male counterparts, Elvis and Frank Sinatra, she is a wonderful interpreter … Continue reading
LESLEY GORE – California Nights – (Mercury) – 1967
Another great pop singer from the 60s that is often dismissed because, err, she was (yet another) great pop singer from the 60s. There is an assumption that pop singers are just cows waiting to be led by the nose, … Continue reading
TOMMY JAMES – Three Times In Love – (RCA) – 1980
Check my other comments for detail on Tommy James. Tommy James was a big hit maker in the 60s with his band the Shondells and then he went solo. He started off well, ultimately charting with a US #4 Pop … Continue reading
JOHN HARTFORD – Nobody Knows What You Do – (Flying Fish) – 1976
I have waited too long to get to this one. John Hartford is one of the greatest of all country music exponents. And, if you come from a indie rock, punk, experimental or otherwise adventurous musical background he is possibly … Continue reading
JOHNNY HORTON – The Spectacular Johnny Horton – (Columbia) – 1959
I discovered Horton as a kid in the 70s through the film 1960 film “North to Alaska” … it was and still is one of my favourite John Wayne films and the theme song by Horton is incredible catchy and … Continue reading
ALBERT HAMMOND – Albert Hammond – (Mums) – 1973
This is Hammonds third solo album. I'm looking forward to this … albeit some 45 years after the event. Hammond is a mixed bag. He has done a lot of stuff which is pure MOR but he does have the … Continue reading
SKY KING – Secret Sauce – (Columbia) – 1975
There was a time when jazz was a music for the masses and not just for music students, pretentious middle class wankers or enthusiastic Europeans. At various times in its history: in its Dixie heyday, ragtime, cool jazz or lounge … Continue reading
