Articles by: Charlie Ricci

Almost Hits: Chicago, "Questions 67 and 68" (1969)

Almost Hits: Chicago, “Questions 67 and 68” (1969)

Back when the famous, classic, horn-rock band was known as Chicago Transit Authority, they released a top-notch single called “Questions 67 and 68,” off of a 1969 eponymously titled debut album. It didn’t do much on the charts You May Also Like: Chicago, “Questions 67 & 68” from Chicago TransitRead More

Almost Hits: The Eagles, "Busy Being Fabulous" (2008)

Almost Hits: The Eagles, “Busy Being Fabulous” (2008)

Released in 2008 from the Eagles’ double-album set Long Road Out of Eden, “Busy Being Fabulous” is a song that shows Don Henley to be in typical high quality form. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Almost Hits: R.E.M., "It's the End of the World as We Know It [and I Feel Fine]" (1987)

Almost Hits: R.E.M., “It’s the End of the World as We Know It [and I Feel Fine]” (1987)

“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” is one of the longer song titles in rock ‘n roll and one of the more oddball releases from R.E.M. (probably only superseded by “Leave” from New Adventures In Hi-Fi). You May Also Like: Joe Mandica,Read More

Almost Hits: The Beach Boys, "I Can Hear Music" (1969)

Almost Hits: The Beach Boys, “I Can Hear Music” (1969)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlH3bZt9ooU&w=500&h=305] Released as a single in 1969 from 20/20, the Beach Boys’ last album for Capitol Records, “I Can Hear Music” is possibly their greatest single of the post-Pet Sounds era — and, unusually, it’s not an original. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Shows I’ll Never Forget: J.D. Souther, July 22, 2012

The XPoNential Music Festival, Camden, N.J.: John David Souther has always been a much-loved songwriter who, despite the fact he doesn’t have an extensive catalog of his own recorded music, had a lot of success You May Also Like: Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, July 23, 2016: Shows I’llRead More

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Stevie Wonder – Where I’m Coming From (1971): On Second Thought

Where I’m Coming From is the big turning point in Stevie Wonder’s career. Released in 1971, shortly before his 21st birthday and around the time his original Motown contract expired, it was the first album under Wonder’s new deal You May Also Like: Elton John – Greatest Hits 1976-1986 (1992):Read More

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Shows I'll Never Forget: Rick Wakeman, June 21, 2006

At The Keswick Theater, Glenside, Pennsylvania: I admit I was quite skeptical when the opportunity arrived to see Rick Wakeman’s 2006 Grand Piano Tour. I was expecting dinosaur rock ‘n’ roll from a dinosaur musician You May Also Like: Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble – ‘The Red Planet’Read More

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Shows I'll Never Forget: The Richie Furay Band, August 30, 2009

At the Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, Pennsylvania: Richie Furay took the stage with his current band who, not coincidentally, are all parishioners of the church he leads in Broomfield, Colorado. You May Also Like: Jeff Lynne’s ELO, August 15, 2018: Shows I’ll Never Forget Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band,Read More

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‘Street Player: My Chicago Story,’ by Danny Seraphine (2010): Books

You won’t be interested in Danny Seraphine’s ‘Street Player’ unless you are a Chicago devotee. But, if you are, the book is a must read.

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Yes – The Yes Album (1971): On Second Thought

Because I was a huge fan of progressive rock back in the 1970s, I believed I was among music’s most enlightened devotees. My love of prog grew from being a fan of Yes, the sub-genre’s most popular and successful band. You May Also Like: The Solo Song Where Jon AndersonRead More