by Robert Wilkinson
You’ve no doubt heard of Flo, since she was a founding member of the Supremes. Dave Van Ronk is a folk legend, and Eddie? He had one big hit that was the same hit at the same time as another one-hit band. If that sounds confusing, it won’t be once you get into our musical weekend groove here at the Cosmic Cantina!
Our first set belongs to Eddie Rambeau (born Edward Cletus Fluri, 30 June 1943). Singer, songwriter, and actor, he was mainly big in the 60s, though he continues to tour today.
We’ll begin with the song he’s most known for, “Concrete and the Clay,” which was also a hit for the Unit 4+2. He released his cover shortly before the Unit’s version, and both versions competed on the charts at the same time. “Concrete and the Clay.”
By way of comparison, here’s the Unit 4+2 version. “Concrete and the Clay.”
Here are two of his earlier musical offerings, all pretty undistinguished and generic for the era.
He and Bob Crewe wrote this gigantic hit for Diane Renay in 1964! “Navy Blue” as well as this obscurity for the Four Seasons! “Only Yesterday”
And we’ll close with his last significant offering in 1968, done under the name of Eddie Hazleton. This version of “Good Morning Starshine” of course is not the hit version by Oliver: “Good Morning Starshine”
For the encores, here’s Eddie on Shindig!
Eddie Rambeau on Shindig 1 This has an archetypal opening for the times and Eddie doing "Concrete and the Clay"
Eddie Rambeau on Shindig 2 This one is a very strange clip! There's a weird opening with Hedy Lamarr, they cut to Eddie doing "Concrete and the Clay" with the appearance of "dancers," and then he does a second song about someone who's worried that his love died in a trainwreck, which is as strange a theme as I could imagine.
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Now for folk legend Dave Van Ronk (June 30, 1936 – February 10, 2002), “the Mayor of MacDougal Street” (which was one of my hangouts in the early 80s!) From Wikipedia, “Van Ronk was a widely admired avuncular figure in "the Village", presiding over the coffeehouse folk culture and acting as a friend to many up-and-coming artists by inspiring, assisting, and promoting them. Folk performers whom he befriended include Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Patrick Sky, Phil Ochs, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Joni Mitchell....”
Here’s a short set from the amazing Dave Van Ronk!
Live in 1997, Dave giving us the classic “St. James Infirmary”
Live in 1985, a full 44 minutes of Dave Van Ronk Live at the Staines folk club in Phoenix
I really loved his Hudson Dusters album. Here’s his take on an old traditional folk song, “Cocaine”
Last year I had the full album Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters on one clip, but it’s disappeared. However, I did find this link to the entire album, played one clip at a time. From the top, Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters
Here’s a treasure trove of dozens of Dave’s tunes. This link will autoload when it’s done playing, so kick back and enjoy! ”He Was A Friend of Mine”
We’ll close with one of my favorite tunes, also from the Hudson Dusters album! This one’s great! For your enjoyment, his rousing Vietnam anti-war “Romping Through the Swamp”
For the encore, a great video of Dave and Nanci Griffith in 2001! “He Was A Friend of Mine”
Last year we had 90 minutes of The Folk Blues of Dave Van Ronk but this year it’s disappeared. So instead for the second encore, 5 minutes 47 of Dave at Newport! Dave Van Ronk at Newport 1963 – “Cocaine”
Going to finish this tribute with Dave’s tribute to the guy who stole the arrangement of “House of the Rising Sun” from him when they were hanging out together in the Village. Here’s Dave’s rocking version of Lucky Wilbury’s iconic hit, Dave Van Ronk – “Subterranean Homesick Blues”
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It’s also the birthday of Ms. Flo Ballard (June 30, 1943 – February 22, 1976), founding member of the Supremes! Originally the lead singer, the group went through changes, came out with Diana out front, and despite the amazing string of hits and even a few tunes where Flo took the lead, she struggled with Berry Gordy, alcoholism, and various problems, eventually dying way too young. Still, today we celebrate her life and work with the Supremes!
From 1961, a regional hit with Flo singing lead! “Buttered Popcorn”
Once they hooked up with the Holland brothers and Lamont Dozier, the Supremes started an astonishing run of hits! They got off to a quick start in 1963 with “When the Love Light Starts Shining Through His Eyes” (#23 pop, #2 R&B)
Then in 1964, Holland-Dozier-Holland gave them a run of 10 #1 pop hits with this Supremes’ classic "Where Did Our Love Go"
We continue the string of #1s with “Baby Love” and “Come See About Me.”
From 1965, “Stop in the Name of Love”
From 1966, “My World Is Empty Without You Babe”
We’ll close with Flo taking the lead on the Sam Cooke classic “(Ain’t That) Good News”
For the encore, Flo on lead and Diana on harmony giving us the Barbra Streisand classic “People”
For our second encore, Christmas in June! Here’s Flo giving us her beautiful version of “Oh Holy Night”
Sorry you died so young, Flo. Your voice will live forever. Aum and blessings.
© Copyright 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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