On a whole rock and roll show extravaganza thing, I'd have to say Rush.  I like them, never been a huge fan, but that show I saw was amazing. 

On a singer songwriter kind of vibe, it'd be a toss up - I've seen awe inspiring solo shows by Robyn Hitchcock, Ray Davies and Warren Zevon.

On a local level - Art Steele Blues Band in the basement of the long gone, but fondly remembered Sheehan's Pub in Northampton, MA.   Possibly the most entertaining, wild, awesome night of music I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of.

The Bee Gee's Saturday Night Fever album for one.  I grew to like and respect it a lot.  It's disco, but also damn fine pop music.

Their first two albums (My Generation, A Quick One) have their moments, but Sell Out thru Quad are a string of great albums.  Odds and Sods is a steller set of discards, By Numbers is a personal favorite, and Who Are You, for all it's "The Who Meets Journey" leanings is underrated.  They really did blow it by continuing on after Moon died, but Face Dances has a few good ones (and a great album cover), It's Hard has a couple of good ones, but overall falls on its a$$.  Endless Wire I have yet to hear.

Random thought:  Years ago I heard a beautiful cover of Surf's Up by Duncan Sheik (and for some reason this just popped into my head like a buzzing insect).  I never hear this version mentioned when people discuss covers of BB's songs (it may get mentioned, but I never see it) - maybe this is because most people don't like it, but I liked it a lot, and in fact I think it, and Jeff Beck's amazing performance of the song, are the only two covers of it I have heard.   

It's always seemed that the attempt to alter the image and mature and/or become "hip", began much earlier.   Then Brian's retirement from the road and the Today album presented bold steps in that direction, but still they continued with the dorky clothing and presenting themselves (or being at the mercy of the record company pushing them as) a surf band.   And as nice as they are, Summer Days and Party! were completely counter to where they/Brian had been trying to take the band/music (image wise).  Of all the major bands of the era they appear to be the most at odds, in conflict, and engaged in a total tug of war, with the image they wished to present.  

yes, helps a lot., thank you. 

Alrighty then, guess not.

I recently picked up a bunch of 78's that came in a book/album.  They're all in pretty decent condition as far as I can tell, the labels too.  They are however, a bit dirty, and wondering what is the best way to clean them (or if there is one/or if I should).  I'm not assuming they are worth anything, but I'd simply like to clean them up should the occasion ever come where I could play them (I don't currently have a turn table).   Some of them are pretty cool - several Bing Crosby, one or two Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald. 
Anyway, I guess I am looking for anyone out there with knowledge regarding old 78's.

 

I initially read this as "Rocky". Yeah.

I'd like Rocky to be involved.  Flying high now.

[is]

I tend to balk at notions that something "should" be a certain way, particualrly in relation to creativity.   I'd also suggest that there is a "vague musical resemblance", it's in the melody line being sung. 

Moon In My Bed by Paul Kelly

[not]

. And Buddy shoulda been in a long time ago. If Elvis and Chuck are in, Buddy's in. Orbison too.

Wait a minute, are Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison not in the R&R Hall of Fame??   That can't possibly be.  Now I am gonna have to go look up a list of all unductees, cause that just can't be right.   I knew the Hall of Fame was was crap anyway, but they can't not have those two at the very least.  WTF?!

Slightly OT but I feel it's worth a mention - after being forced to rush out two early lps, song for song The Kinks 60's records are as strong as any other group from this era (and all originals too). Add to that the many non album A- sides, B- sides and EP's of exceptional quality that they stuck out during this period and you have one criminally underrated band.

well allmusic awarded 5 stars to the following; face to face, something else, village green. Maybe I should check out their discography.

You absolutely should, if you haven't already - the Kinks were incredible and those are three of their best! 

I happen to quite like Maxwell's Silver Hammer

wow! you're one of the very few that does like it.

I like it all right too.  It's just a catchy little, fairly inconsequential ditty - but so what?  It's silly, stupid fun.  Nothing wrong with that really.  I think part of the stigma of it is that it's McCartney.  If it were a Lennon song I bet people would be more approving.

Other than GV and H&V?

I saw the Mike & Stamos show in October — they went nowhere near H&V.

Just assumed they might play H&V, but guess not.    Too bad, be kind of cool to hear them play some of those tunes, even with Shamos as guest.

(who listens to 50s pop today? Besides Brian, I mean).

Me.   I love 50's music, fluff and all.   

Yeah, are they playing any Smile songs?  Other than GV and H&V?

And Stamos, how exactly did he manage to get into the band?  Their Full House experience way back when must have been incredibly awesome I gather  
He's probably a nice guy, probably is a legitimate fan of the music, he's handsome and provides eye candy for the ladies i suppose - but still, what the hell?   I thought the Stamos period was just a phase, but they keep bringing him back.  
It's their perogative to do so of course, and who am I to say boo (hoo) about it, but everytime I see him with them something deep inside me lets out the "ugh-iest" of groans.    Maybe it's just indigestion.  

Some of us don't have a problem with Carol, and don't care much if she's off bass regarding her facts, whether it be intentional or otherwise. We'd prefer to look at the positive attributes of the woman and commend her for her achievements and talent regardless of her 'colored' personality. I'm one of those people who would take the time go to a book signing or seminar of hers, just like I'm going to make it to Brian's book signing this Tuesday. Same deal. I understand the 'Historian' perspective and the frustration in getting all the facts straight, and I'm not defending her for her supposed personal attacks, but she didn't piss me off, and I don't intend to take the low road and talk crap about her now like some of you guys jumping on the bandwagon.

No one, that I have seen (including myself) is negating her talent, her contributions, or is trying to take away from that.  I know nothing of her being abusive to people because I haven't experienced that (thankfully), but what is at issue is her continued attempts (apparently in part successful ones) to claim credit for others work (specifically Jamerson), even i9n the face of being proven that this is not the case.  You SHOULD care about that.  It's wrong of her, and it goes way beyond simply being "wacky", or "mistaken" or whatever - and thing is, she doesn't need to do it BECAUSE she has so many incredible credits to her name already, she has so much to feel proud of and be respected for.   It's not right.

It's very sad.  She has plenty of legitimate credits on major league hits, so why she should continue on with trying to take credit away from someone else is just mind boggling.  Is she that in need of love?  Sad.  Very very sad.

I had a similar thing happen recently when transferring some of my cassette recordings into audacity.  I forgot my webcam was still connected and the mic was live, so i ended up getting an unintentional overdub.   I didn't realize til  i played it back and suddenly i hear ice clinking in a glass, and some idiot baby talking to someone named Shelly.  At first I was like, "wtf is that???"   Then I figured it out, the clinking glass was mine, the idiot was me, and Shelly is my cat!  

what a strange thing this is.   

Someone's gotta put this on youtube, sounds like it'd be funny as hell (in a serial killer kind of way)   

When exactly did Van and Brian begin writing songs?  Pet Sounds time period, right?  so, early '66.   Brian has said numerous times (though we must allot for the "Brian says many different things, blah, blah, blah" factor) that he and van wrote very quickly, the songs just poured out - so one might infer that a completed group of songs did exist - lyrics and all - prior to the sessions beginning in earnest. 
It was after that, with everything that was happening, that things were changed (ie "Van I need different/more/new lyrics).   
One of Brian's quotes from the TSS box book bugs me - (paraphrased) "Heroes and Villains came out eventually, but not in the way Van and I had originally concieved."  So then, what did they originally concieve?  Sadly he doesn't (can't?) elaborate.

[originally]

I think the whole point of the posters original question is getting lost here.  If I am understanding correctly, the original query was (to paraphrase) "Had Brian and Van Dyke completed the writing of the songs they originally intended to be on the album before Brian started recording and then began to rewrite and change his mind, or had they not finished that process and figured they would do it as they went along?"

I think this is a valid question, though one I don't think there is a definitive answer to.