What the Riff?!? Podcast Por Rob Marbury Wayne Rowan Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute arte de portada

What the Riff?!?

What the Riff?!?

De: Rob Marbury Wayne Rowan Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute
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 Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.” We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service. You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.What the Riff ©2024 Ciencias Sociales Mundial Música
Episodios
  • 1972 - October: Delaney & Bonnie "D&B Together"

    1972 - October: Delaney & Bonnie "D&B Together"
    Jun 2 2025
    One of the more underrated - some might say virtually lost - bands of the early rock era is Delaney & Bonnie. This singer-songwriter duo is made of session guitarist/vocalist Delaney Bramlett and his wife and former Ikette Bonnie Bramlett. Just as important as this founding couple is the number of talented musicians they brought into their recordings, with albums often being referenced as recorded by "Delaney & Bonnie and friends." These "friends" included luminaries such as Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Duane Allman, Greg Allman, Steve Howe, and Rita Coolidge. D&B Together is the sixth and final album from Delaney & Bonnie. Originally entitled "Country Life," the album was delivered to Atco/Atlantic Records behind schedule and rushed into distribution. Although Atlantic executive Jerry Wexler was a friend of the duo, he didn't think the quality was where it needed to be and withdrew it from the market. He later sold the contract and the album's master tapes to CBS, who reordered the running sequence and re-released it in March 1972. In addition to frequent collaborators Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, and Duane Allman, this album also contains the work of "friends" like Dave Mason, Billy Preston, and Tina Turner. Despite the title, Delaney and Bonnie would divorce shortly after the album came out. Drugs were taking their toll on the couple and their relationship could not survive it. However, they did have a daughter named Bekka Bramlett, who was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1993-1995 and had a long career as a backing vocalist in the music industry.Bruce presents this underrated rock/soul album for this week's podcast.Comin' HomeThis song was released in December 1969 by Atco Records (US) and Atlantic Records (international). It was co-written by Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton, and features Eric Clapton. It went to number 84 on the US pop charts. The lyrics are about being on the road and getting ready to come home to the one the singer loves. Only You Know and I KnowDave Mason originally wrote and recorded this song in 1970, and it became his first charting single, going to number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. Delaney & Bonnie re-recorded it and took it to number 20 on the same chart. This single was released in 1971, another single that came out before the album. I Know Something Good About YouThis is a deeper cut on the album with an upbeat, funky sound. It was written by Delaney Bramlett and Joe Hicks. Groupie (Superstar)Most people recognize this as a hit from the Carpenters, but this is the original. Rita Coolidge came up with the idea after observing female groupies with rock starts in the late 60's, and the song was written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. It was the B-side to "Comin' Home." Richard Carpenter picked it up for the Carpenters, and changed some of the lyrics to be less risqué. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Main theme from the television series The RookiesThis police action series debuted in October 1972. STAFF PICKS:And You and I by YesWayne leads off the staff picks with an excerpt of the 10+ minute work written by Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Steve Howe, and Chris Squire. The entire song consists of four parts, but the first two were released as a single edit which hovered just outside the top 40 on the Billboard charts. You Wear It Well by Rod StewartRob brings us the first single from Stewart's fourth studio album, "Never a Dull Moment." It went to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the UK singles chart. Many consider this an arrangement of Stewarts hit "Maggie May." As with his previous album, members of the Faces join in as musicians on "Never a Dull Moment."Lean On Me by Bill WithersLynch features a song written and performed by Withers. It was inspired by his experience growing up in a mining town in West Virginia. The community ethic of that town was something Withers missed when he moved to Los Angeles. It was the first single from Withers' second album, "Still Bill." Turn to Stone by BarnstormBruce brings us a song inspired by frustration over the Vietnam War, the Nixon Administration, and the protesting that was going on at the time. Joe Walsh left the James Gang and formed a group called Barnstorm. The group put out three albums including one with the wonderful title "The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get." This song is off the group's self-titled debut album. COMEDY TRACK:My Ding-a-Ling by Chuck BerryWe close out this week's podcast with Berry's double entendre masterpiece, on the charts in this month. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you ...
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    39 m
  • 1966 - January: The Yardbirds "Having a Rave Up"

    1966 - January: The Yardbirds "Having a Rave Up"
    May 26 2025
    When you explore the music of The Yardbirds you are really observing the evolution of what would become hard rock. This group started in 1963 and over its time would engage the talents of three of the greatest guitarists of the rock world: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Additional musicians in the group through 1968 were Keith Relf on vocals and harmonica, Jim McCarty on drums, Chris Dreja on rhythm guitar, and Paul Samwell-Smith on bass. The group was founded in the blues, but over time would explore psychedelic rock, pop rock, and hard rock, with instrumental jams being a signature sound throughout their tenure.Having a Rave Up, also known as "Having a Rave Up with the Yardbirds," is their second American album, and showcases two of their virtuoso guitarists. The album has one side of studio recordings in which Jeff Beck is the guitarist. Side two is a compilation of live performances featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. During a time when most songs were expected to run about three minutes, the Yardbirds would extend these out in live performances to six or seven minutes with instrumental jams known as "rave ups." The combination of studio and live work is an excellent introduction to The Yardbirds, as the band's strength was in their live performances. Their studio efforts would improve with the experimentation of Jeff Beck.Jimmy Page would become their guitarist in mid-1966 until their split-up in mid-1968. He would form a group as "The New Yardbirds" shortly thereafter, which would be renamed shortly thereafter to Led Zeppelin.Rob brings us this study in the origins of rock for this week's podcast. Heart Full of SoulThis song was the first single released by The Yardbirds after Jeff Beck joined the group. It was written by Graham Gouldman, who would later be the co-lead singer and bassist of 10cc. The band wanted to include a sitar in the instrumentation for this song, but when things didn't work out for that, Beck experimented with his guitar to duplicate the eastern sound of the sitar instead.You're a Better Man than IThe opening song from the album is also known as "Mister, You're a Better Man than I." It was written by brothers Mike and Brian Hugg, and is an attempt at a more folk rock song. The socially conscious lyrics take aim at the hypocrisy of society and politics, stating that you shouldn't judge a person based on superficial appearances or education.Smokestack LightningThe live opener to side two is a cover of an old blues song recorded by American blues artist Howlin' Wolf in 1956. The inspiration for the title came from watching trains go by at night and seeing the sparks come out of the smokestack.The Train Kept a-Rollin'While Aerosmith's cover may be more famous, this jump blues piece was originally performed by Tiny Bradshaw in 1951. The Yardbirds played this song during their first American tour in 1965, and Sam Phillips recorded it for them in Memphis later that year. It closes out side 1 of the album. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Main theme from the television action comedy "Batman"This campy superhero show premiered this month. STAFF PICKS:Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by The Wonder Who?Bruce begins the staff picks with a disguise group. The Four Seasons used the name "The Wonder Who?" for four records released from 1965 to 1967, including this one. Frankie Valli wasn't happy with his vocals on this song, and he recorded it with a "joke" falsetto voice while trying to break the tension in the studio. All Your Love by John Mayall & the BluesbreakersLynch brings us a blues song originally recorded by American blues musician Otis Rush in 1958. Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter John Mayall led this group, which included Eric Clapton on guitar and John McVie on bass. This single is the lead-off track to the debut album "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton," also known as "The Beano Album" because Clapton is reading a children's comic called "The Beano" on the front cover.My Generation by the WhoWayne's staff pick is the hit that started the trajectory for the Who. Guitarist Pete Townshend wrote this song about young rebellion. Roger Daltrey incorporates a stutter in his vocals to sound like a British mod on speed. While this song would reach number 2 on the UK charts, it topped out at number 74 on the US charts.Day Tripper by the BeatlesRob features a well known song from the Beatles, recorded during the "Rubber Soul" album sessions but not included on the album itself. It was released as a double A-side single along with "We Can Work it Out" during a time when the Beatles were under pressure to release a single in time for the 1965 Christmas season. COMEDY TRACK:The Lurch by Ted CassidyTed Cassidy played Lurch on "The Addams Family," and also performed this novelty song. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. ...
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    34 m
  • 1972 - December: Neil Diamond "Hot August Night"

    1972 - December: Neil Diamond "Hot August Night"
    May 19 2025
    Neil Diamond is one of the best-selling singer-songwriters of all time. In August 1972 he performed a series of 10 sold-out shows at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Recordings from this concert would be released as a live double-album entitled Hot August Night later that year in December. Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York, the child of a Jewish family. At the age of 16 he was inspired by seeing folk singer Pete Seeger perform at a camp for Jewish children in upstate New York, and received his first guitar shortly thereafter. This would set the direction of Diamond's career, starting with both taking guitar lessons and writing songs. After some time barely scraping by as a songwriter, Diamond began to find some success by the mid-60's, most prominently with several songs for The Monkees, including the big hit, "I'm A Believer." Diamond moved to Los Angeles in 1969, where he recorded some of his bigger solo hits, including the iconic "Sweet Caroline."Many consider "Hot August Night" to be Neil Diamond's best work, capturing the artist at his prime and at the top of his game. It went to number 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and was number 12 for the 1973 year-end chart. It was number 1 in Australia for 29 weeks in 1973 and 1974, and remains one of the highest selling albums in that country. Neil Diamond retired from touring in 2018 toward the end of his "50 Year Anniversary World Tour" after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. However, Diamond did not retire from music, and continued writing and developing new projects.Wayne brings us this soft rock singer-songwriter live album for this week's podcast. Kentucky WomanThis song is a bonus track on the CD, and many will recognize this song from the remake performed by Deep Purple. It was written in 1967 and went to number 22 on the charts after its release. It appeared on the compilation album, "Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits" released in 1968 on Bang records after Diamond left that label.Cherry CherryThe inspiration for this song was an early relationship with a significantly older woman. This was Diamond's first hit, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The most familiar studio version of this song was released in mid 1966 on Bang records, and was the final track on Diamond's debut studio album, "The Feel of Neil Diamond."Song Sung BlueThis song was originally released on Diamond's eighth studio album, "Moods." It was his second number 1 song in the United States, and his last solo #1 song in America to date. The musical inspiration for the song is Mozart's Piano Concerto #21, second movement. The lyrics reflect on the power of music to heal when a sad mood is poured into a song. Cracklin' RosieOriginally released in 1970, this song topped the charts and sold over 1 million copies. The studio version appeared on "Tap Root Manuscript," Diamond's sixth studio album, and was recorded with instrumentation provided by session musicians from the Wrecking Crew. While the lyrics suggest that Rosie is a prostitute, there are tales that it actually refers to a cheap sparkling wine from Canada called "Crackling Rosè." ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Theme from the animated series "Josie and the Pussycats"The animated series "Josie and the Pussycats" and "Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space" concluded its run this month. STAFF PICKS:Ventura Highway by AmericaRob leads off the staff picks with a song inspired by a drive that vocalist and writer Dewey Bunnell took in 1963 on the Pacific Coast. While his father was changing a flat tire, he and his brother stood on the side of the road near a road sign for Ventura, watching shapes in the clouds, inspiring the lyrics "alligator lizards in the air."Superstition by Stevie WonderLynch brings us the lead single from Wonder's fifteenth studio album "Talking Book." It's lyrics mention many popular superstitions and their negative consequences. Stevie Wonder collaborated with Jeff Beck on the demo for this song, and Beck would include his version of "Superstition" on his "Beck, Bogert & Appice" album.Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu by Johnny RiversBruce features the song originally recorded in 1957 by Huey "Piano" Smith. The original version went to number 52 on the pop charts, but the version we all know went to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rivers was a member of the Wrecking Crew, and several musicians from that session group played on this single. It Never Rains in Southern California by Albert HammondWayne's closes out the staff picks with a storytelling song about a performer off to make it big. He fails in his efforts, but wants to hide the failure from those he left behind. Members of the Wrecking Crew also provide instrumentation on this song that went to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. NOVELTY TRACK:Crazy Horses by The OsmondsThis surprisingly heavy performance from the Osmonds takes us out for this week. Thanks for ...
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    34 m
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While I still would like to hear a female perspective amongst the guys, the truth is, this podcast is just great fun to listen to for us older guys. I like to bank a few episodes and then mow the lawn! Terrific accompaniment to the task, and it's even better if you don't spoil what music is coming up by reading the summary. Keep it up guys!

Still great fun!

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