FEATURE: HOURGLASS - Power of Love from JUNE 1968
Hour Glass was a band based in Los Angeles, California in 1967 and 1968. Among their members were two future members of the Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman and his brother Gregg. Power of Love was their 2nd album. The first was a lighthearted, poppy 60's type sound with a slight soul taste, and "the music had no life to it" according to Allman. This one started to branch out into the southern rock they would end up going to. It contained more original songs by Allman, though they still felt constricted by its process. The album flopped. The band broke up when Duane explicitly told off executives at Liberty, and the band disbanded.
Liberty Records threatened to sue the group for disbanding.
Consequently, Gregg Allman gave them the rights to a solo album to prevent their doing so. Tracks for the album were only issues twenty-five years later when they were released as bonus tracks.
I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You
This song is very close to the southern rock sound that would ultimately become The Allman Brothers.
Home for Summer
The two-minute pop song format of the day was very restricting to Duane Allman.
I Can Stand Alone
The sound of the Hammond organ is prominent in this song, along with a more psychedelic sound in the guitar.
Down in Texas
This is a more guitar-laden and upbeat piece, though keeping with the soulful feel. Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971.
Elvis Presley - “Speedway”
Elvis plays alongside Nancy Sinatra in this racing movie.
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Band - Young Girl Get Out of My Mind
Brian explains this is a song about a relationship with a girl too young. Perhaps this wouldn't go over quite as well today as it did in the 60's. The Wrecking Crew backs this song.
The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash
Rob recalls this classic riff (not really, because he was TWO). Bruce suggests that Rob may have been "born in a crossfire hurricane." Hey...are those bagpipes in the background?
Blues Magoos - I Can Hear the Grass Grow
Bruce is all about the Hammond organ on this one. This cut is off their third album, "Basic Blues Magoos."
The Nice - America
This was Wayne's pick, based on his appreciation of ELP (Emerson Lake and Palmer). As part of the group, “The Nice,” Keith Emerson remakes the song "America" from West Side Story with a little Dvořák in the mix as well. You get a lot of the feeel of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer in this group and song.
Tiny Tim - Tiptoe through the Tulips
We round out this episode with a very eclectic piece of music from the TV show, “Laugh In” regular, Tiny Tim. Can you ever get enough ukulele?
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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
