Greetings from Planet Love! So was titled the one and only album from The Fraternal Order of “The All.” Who was The All? It turns out The All was rock-and-roll’s favorite one-man band, the late Andrew Gold (1951-2011). In 1997, the singer-songwriter behind “Lonely Boy” and “Thank You for Being a Friend” – also a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and arranger who supported such friends as Linda Ronstadt and Art Garfunkel over the years – released this pseudonymous celebration of the psychedelic side of the 1960s. Gold, who could indeed do it “All,” tipped…
One and One Make Love: Godley and Creme’s pre-10cc Days Collected on “Frabjous Days”
Kevin Godley and Lol Creme might be best known as founding members of 10cc…or as a pioneering pop duo…or as directors of groundbreaking music videos for such artists as The Police, Duran Duran, Sting, and George Harrison. But pre-fame, Godley and Creme recorded an unreleased album for impresario Giorgio Gomelsky. Now, that album – and a clutch of related material – has finally seen the light of day from Cherry Red’s Grapefruit imprint as Frabjous Days: The Secret World of Godley and Creme 1967-1969. Godley and Creme’s friendship dated back to their…
For Your Love: Herman’s Hermits, Yardbirds, Hollies Featured on “The Graham Gouldman Songbook”
Ace’s latest addition to its Songwriter Series, Listen People: The Graham Gouldman Songbook 1964-2005, appropriately enough begins with a track written by Gouldman, “That’s How (It’s Gonna Stay).” But the track is also significant in that it was performed by Gouldman, as well – as part of his early group The Mockingbirds. Throughout his career, he’s worn many hats – as a songwriter, as a band member, as a solo artist – and all of them are touched upon on this fine celebration of a largely underrated talent. “That’s How (It’s Gonna…
Art for Art’s Sake: Eric Stewart Collection, 10cc, Godley & Creme Box Sets Forthcoming
With apologies to Lady Gaga, it may be British band 10cc that’s most worthy of the term “art pop.” The multifaceted group yielded 11 Top 10 hits in their native England, including the No. 1s “Rubber Bullets,” “I’m Not In Love” and “Dreadlock Holiday”; the group even crossed over into the U.S. charts with “I’m Not In Love” and “The Things We Do for Love,” both Top 5 hits. By an amazing coincidence, not one, not two, but three 10cc-related catalogue collections are hitting stores starting next month in the U.K.! Here’s…
