BLOGS

OK, on the last posting we ripped through the first 8 nominees for induction as the 2012 class for the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Today, we're going to look at the last 7. There's a couple real hair balls in here, and it might get ugly. Ready?
Laura Nyro doesn't belong here. Again. She's was a great songwriter, no question about it. "Stony End", "Save The Country", "Eli's Coming", "Wedding Bell Blues" and....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBQ7v2pJKaM&feature=related

....are absolute classics PERFORMED BY OTHER ARTISTS. The main hall is a performance catagory, and although Laura was a very good performer....

....that's not where her fame lies. She's Carol King without "Tapastry" and deserves enshrinement in the non performer catagory. Also, this is her third nomination in a row. Enough already. Pull her back for a couple years, guys.

Same problem with The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. It's their third nomination in a row, and if you've got to be put up 3 times running, there's a problem. I think it's youth.
That's a hard one to explain, but the further away from their golden age we get the more I begin to appreciate them as an act. They're very good, no question about that.....

....but boy, I'd sure like it if their nomination had waited 5 years. Also, they've failed to make it two times running (give 'em a rest), so I'm going to go maybe/probably not on the should they/will they meter.

Rufus with Chaka Khan is going to get me in trouble. I love Chaka Khan. She can sing in a way other singers can only hope to approach. But Chaka's not nominated. Rufus is, and although this American Breed offshoot has the chops, they don't have the track record. I know, it's the reverse Joan Jett issue, but I don't think one monster single...

.....even if it's a Stevie Wonder song, is enough. Nominate Chaka, folks. no/no for the band.

Oh boy, the RRHoF has gone and done it this time, nominated two bands together under their separate names. The Small Faces/The Faces may have similar makeup, but they're two different groups. First you have the Steve Marriott led Small Faces, with their moddish "Itchicoo Park", "Here Comes The Nice" and "Lazy Sunday"....

...they were probably the best English band not to his it big over here. Lead singer/guitarist Steve Marriott had ideas he wanted to explore, so off he went with Peter Frampton to create Humble Pie in 1969, leaving the rest of the band in the lurch.
Here's where it gets interesting. Rod Stewart and Ron Woods were brought in to fill the two empty slots, and almost immediately, the (now) Faces went from slick modish pop to a rough, sloppy bar band, probably the best backup Rod could ever ask for. Compare this....

....with "Lazy Sunday" and you see the transformation. And it's not just Rod, but the group could hold it's own without the tall one, witness "Stay With Me"s flip side.....

....with Ronnie Lane more than holding his own in the vocal department. Alas, Rod's solo career pretty much reduced The Faces to a back up band, and they folded in 1974. But boy, double bill the Faces with J. Giles, and you'd have had a party the likes of which no one would ever live to tell about. Small Faces/Faces are a two for one deal that deserve a yes/yes.

The Spinners again pose a problem. A very good group, both with their 1970 Motown hit "It's A Shame", and their subsiquent work under Thom Bell in Philadelphia, I just can't get a grip on them as a top-tier Philly soul artists. Phillipe Wayne's leads are wonderful....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xhsucMv-mU&feature=related

....the harmony sharp, and the arrangements top drawer, but with The O'Jays, Delfonics, Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes, The Stylistics, The Trammps and Blue Magic all a part of TSOP, I just can't see The Spinners much beyond a (very high quality) mid level act. So, the should they/will they reads probably not/don't think so.

Now, it's the return of Donna Summer. Yea, one again for the very third time (in a row) she's up for induction. I think she should be in the RRHoF, but this is her third bite at the apple, and I don't think she should even have been nominated. I'll grant you she started out doing formula stuff (but what a formula....

.....and at 61 she can still bring it) before expanding as an artist, but if she didn't make it the last two times, does she deserve it on a third? I don't think so, but the competetion is weak this year, so it's a don't think so/might me her best chance.

Here's where my brother and I might have a WAR. Probably the most diverse group when it comes to makeup, they melded jazz, latin, soul, blues and regge into the most intersting bands of the early/mid 70's. No soloists, no stars, WAR is truely a group effort. Starting off with a bang....

.....in 1971, the band cranked out hit after hit untill the late 70's, all of them unique yet maintaining a signature group sound. Think of them as Tower Of Power plus. Now my brother as said "If War, why not Los Lobos?" It's a fair question, but WAR was a more diverse band with a more diverse sound and beside, they were here first. WAR is a two thumbs up four star yes/yes on the should they/will they.

Note in the back of your mind that there WAR still tours, and there is a specific problem with that. I'm working on a "Consumers Guide to Classic Group concerts" blog which should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Well, that does it for this year. The resuls will be released sometime in early December, and of course you'll get the annual "Those jerks" thread at that time. I'm still a little hacked with the Hall for not nominating The Marvelettes, but that's another blog for another time. Who do YOU think should make it?

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psychoteacher     7 months, 3 weeks ago

The Annual 2 Part Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame "Why Did They Nominate Them" Post, Part 2

War I am not concerned about either way. My question is if they make it, where does Eric Burdon fit in? Even though Brian Eno went charging into the 'Heroes' sessions calling "I Feel Love" "the future of music" Donna Summer is pure production. Now the problem,first you have the lost Mod band with The Small Faces. About as forgotten as Ray Davies, but in ENGLAND, just as important. As for Faces, in retrospect the most important English Rock and Roll band of the early 70's. And that is the problem. They are responsible for the single greatest piece of rock and roll ever recorded.

The Faces - (I Know) I'm Losing You by Joonlord

I am drifting towards yes, because of their historical importance and maybe being inducted will be enough to get Rod off of his ass and play rock and roll again. (Faces have reformed with Mick Hucknall on vocals and Glen Matlock on bass)

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KatyDid     7 months, 3 weeks ago

The Annual 2 Part Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame "Why Did They Nominate Them" Post, Part 2

"...She's Carole King without "Tapestry"..." Nice, and agreed. I can't imagine a better explanation.

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