The big finale: A Moody Blues Medley: See us on March 2

Special treat for this last blog post on the play list. I have provided a video of our ensemble's last rehearsal.


Not sure how we are going to find parking for the orchestra. Hope to see you all there through the smoke machine.

#8 I went to San Francisco but skipped the flowers

Our 8th song is Scott McKenzie's hit " "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)".


I missed most of the flower in your hair business because I wanted to smash imperialist capitalism. That didn't work out so well, I got married and moved to Chicago.

That worked out pretty well.



Here then is the original....

#7 Happy Together...as seen on the Smother's Brothers

Happy Together replaced Penny Lane as the #1 Billboard hit in 1967.

The Turtles like many of our 60s ensemble faves continue to tour. They have a 2012 "Happy Together" tour, featuring Flo & Eddie, Mickey Dolenz, Gary Puckett, the Buckinghams, and the Grass Roots.

They will be at Waukegan's Genessee Theater on August 4. The tickets are currently between $52 and $72 but I'm guessing they'll be discounts closer to the event.

Here is a clip from the Smother's Brother with an appropriately absurd intro by Tom Smothers.

#6 Turn,Turn, Turn by noted song writing team Kohelet/Seeger

Pete Seeger has a long history of collaboration with the likes of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, the Weavers and Ecclesiastes/Kohelet (Hebrew Name) who was son of David, King in Jerusalem about 3,000 years ago. Although a toddler at the time, Seeger picked up the major themes of Ecclesiastes and also invented the banjo.

The tune Turn, Turn, Turn (to Everything There is a Season) became a hit for the Byrds in 1965. Roger McGuinn's sunglasses were also prophesied in the New Testament.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 12:12

I dig this live version. And David Crosby is super cute with that cape thing.

#5 The Letter....Box Tops Style

The Box Tops version of The Letter was an international sensation.

Retaining the #1 position for a total of four weeks, "The Letter" was ranked as the #1 hit of 1967. The track also gave the Box Tops an international hit charting in Australia (#4 for six weeks), Austria (#9), Belgium (Flemish region) (#2), Chile (#1), Denmark (#7), France (#2), Germany (#5), Greece (#2 foreign release), Ireland (#11), Israel (#1), Malaysia (#4), New Zealand (#4), the Netherlands (#3), Norway (#1), Poland (#1), South Africa (#4), Spain (#9) and Sweden (#2). The Box Tops also reached #5 in the UK, besting a cover by the Mindbenders which reached #42.

The uncredited star of the Letter.

A solo....

Why does everyone know it's Windy?

Ruthann Friedman  was born in the Bronx in 1944. Here is what she said about this song.

In 1967, thanks to his (Van Dyke Parks) kindness, I was living in a spare room in David Crosby's home in Beverly Glenn Canyon. It was while living there that I wrote the song Windy. The Association recorded it and my life changed forever. The success of that simple tune gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted.

Ruthann back in the day

Here is the Association back in the day.

At Ravinia, 1967....The harmony-not so easy- when it's live.

#3 on the set list: Whiter Shade of Pale

Whiter Shade of Pale has been covered over 1,000 times. Here is a cover by J. S. Bach, a European Dude.

 

(skip the ads)


This is the original. It's groovy. By Procul Harum

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Song # 2 Incense and Peppermints

For the March 2 gig, our second song will be "Incense and Peppermints." To my surprise and yours, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, endures. According to my extensive research (on their web site) their last gig was on Jan. 23, 2011: The Actors Gang Theater in Culver City, Calif.

The song is a dark, reflection on the times, that being the mid to late 60s.

Good sense, innocence, cripplin'  mankind.

Beatniks and politics, nothing is new
A yardstick for lunatics, one point of view

And of course, 

Who cares what games we choose?
Little to win, but nothin' to lose.
Incense and peppermints
Incense and peppermints
Sha la la
Sha la la
Sha la la
Sha la la
Sha la la
Sha la la

Then...

 Now...

 Sha La La!

Enjoy the original...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOk2T6Uweao

Set List for 60's Ensemble: March 2: 7:00: #1

After spirited debate, the set list for the debut of Old Town School's 60's ensemble has been well, assembled. The gig is set for March 2: 7:00 at the Hidden Cove, 5336 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago.

The ensemble is led by Steve Levitt who has been associated with the Old Town School since the late middle ages and can remember everything. The ensemble features Steve along with another 5 guitarist, a bass and a violin.

I will be playing guitar and singing but I'm not sure what part. 

Our first song (as of now) will be a "A Little Bit of Soul".

The only big hit for The Music Explosion, the tune reached #2 in 1967.

As it turns out a "little bit of soul" has a very Oprah like resonance.

The last verse.....
And when you're in a mess and you feel like cryin'
Just remember this little song of mine
And as you go through life tryin' to reach your goal
Just remember what I said about a little bit o'soul

Who knew...

And now enjoy, The Ramones covering "A Little Bit of Soul" because youtube blocked the Music Explosion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WVYMAuMYSA