We have all kinds of fun here at Pure Pop Radio headquarters. Each and every day, we listen to melodic pop music from the faraway past, from the recent past, and from the here and now. We listen to all kinds of melodic pop music: straight-ahead pop, power pop, psychedelic pop, folk-pop, heritage pop and pop that defies categorization–pop that takes left hand turns and uses surprise as an instrument all its own. It’s all fair game. Then, we add the best of the best of what we’ve heard to the playlist and hope you’ll like what you hear. We have so much fun that we think there should be an eighth day in a week. We could call it Funday!
During this exciting two-week event, we’re adding more great melodic pop music every day. Here are the artists and songs that are in the spotlight on day three:
Terry Draper – When the World Was Young. Back when we were young(er), we were totally immersed in the whole “Who or What is Klaatu” thing. Except: We never bought into the “Klaatu is the Beatles in Super-Secret-Disguise” bit. But, even so, we followed the “clues” and tried to make a case for the Beatles recording under assumed names for whatever possible reason. In the end, we enjoyed Klaatu’s music for what it was and continues to be: great, beautifully realized pop music. We marvel at the continued output of two of Klaatu’s own, Terry Draper and Dee Long. Today, Terry is in the spotlight with a wonderful collection of joyous songs that come from the heart and put a big smile on listeners’ faces. From the current single–actually, a lively bonus track cover of the old Crispian St. Peters tune, “The Pied Piper”–to great songs like “(I’m So Happy to be) Alive,” “If I Could Dance,” “Sail Around the World,” “To Whom it May Concern,” “The Tea Horse Road,” and “Carry On,” this is an album that makes you believe in the art of crafting beautiful melodies and bringing them to life. All of these songs are now spinning in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. Here’s hoping that Terry continues to write timeless songs that lift the world’s spirits, just as these have.
Phonograph – Phonograph Vol. 1. Every once and awhile, we come upon a surprise, like one of those left hand turns in songs that we’ve spoken about, except there are no left hand turns on this tremendous, oh-so-wonderful album that knows how to make it count–the “it” being that thing that sets your musical pleasure center on fire simply by rolling out catchy melodies, hooky choruses, and, ultimately, solid, you-can’t forget-’em songs. Remember the names Paul Campbell and Terence O’Mahony. They’re the architects of Phonograph’s sound, which is what sixties and seventies music would sound like if it were being written and played today. It’s interesting to note that these songs were recorded in 2001 but not released until this year. We’ve added eight solid numbers to the playlist: “She Knows It,” “Hangin’ Round,” “Waiting for the Sun,” “Don’t You Bring Me Down,” “Losing My Nerve,” “California,” “Passion,” and “Fading into You.” Music like this takes you to new heights. Welcome Phonograph into your lives.
David Myhr – Record Collection EP. David Myhr’s way with a pop song is unparalleled. He continues to craft marvelous melodies that take listeners to places they’ve not often visited–places where wonderful pop songs are played 24 hours a day, lighting the light that lights the world. The great song “Record Collection” first appeared as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of David’s album Soundshine. When we first heard “Record Collection,” we wondered why it wasn’t included in the album. Thankfully, David has built a superb EP around that song, a tremendously catchy confection that is undeniably out of this world. We’ve been playing “Record Collection” since its bonus track days, and now we’ve added three more songs that appear on this must-have EP: “You Stole My Heart Away,” “Never Mine” (an incredible version of the Soundshine song, recorded at Abbey Road), and “Boom Boom Beat.” One of our favorite playlist adds in our current push.
Here are some more adds to the playlist that have happened in the past few days:
* The Sunchymes – “Mr. Buckstone.” We’re always happy to welcome the Sunchymes into the world of Pure Pop Radio. This joyous song, sporting a mellifluous melody and great harmonies, is a single now available on Bandcamp. Snap it up and sing along!
* Elijah Aaron – Perfect Little Home. Although we know almost nothing about this amazing performer, what we do know will suffice until the information machine gets truly revved up. Elijah Aaron, whose vocal style is sorta-kinda like Cat Stevens’, is blessed with a pleasing delivery and songwriting prowess that practically guarantees a long musical life. We’ve added three wonderful songs from this great album, available for a pay-what-you-want amount at his website: “Let It Know You,” “Love You So,” and “Older.” We’ll be keeping an ear on this guy, for sure.
* Paul Gagner – Lost Minnesota Classics, Vol. 1. One of our favorite singer-songwriters, Scott Gagner, whose tunes have been playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio for a while, has an uncle who just happens to be a talented performer in his own right. In fact, Scott’s Uncle Paul was signed to Capitol Records back in the day, performed on American Bandstand, and played throughout Minnesota back in the seventies with major acts like Frank Zappa and Joe Cocker. Last year, Scott put together a band and knocked out an EP for his uncle in a magical six hour session. We’re playing two songs: “Lonely Girl” and a Traveling Wilburys cover, “You Took My Breath Away.” Soulful pop rock music for you, then, very well done.
* Frank Bango – “The Boy Who Jumped in the Air.” Fugitive Girls, just one of Frank Bango’s great albums, was recently re-released by the great label Futureman. Two bonus tracks were added to the album proper, including this very catchy demo that really warmed our collective hearts. A very cool song by one of pop’s most treasured talents.
* John Paul Keith – Memphis Circa 3 am. Here’s another one of those surprises we were talking about earlier, a kind of hybrid artist who has roots in country and pop music. “Everything’s Different Now” sounds like a song that Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison should have collaborated on. “True Hard Money” is a rock ‘n’ roll, be-bop-a lula romp with vocals bathed in appropriate echo and slammin’ piano and electric guitar parts that really show how it’s done. And “Last Night I Had a Dream about You” is an early rock ‘n’ roll slice of pop ‘n’ roll that pays tribute to Orbison’s vocal delivery. All three of these songs are now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. Slammin’, indeed!
* Songs from Twilley Won’t Mind. We’re really digging the three songs we’ve got from the new Zero Hour records tribute to the great Dwight Twilley, and now we’re bringing them to you: “You Were So Warm,” as done by Beekler; “Twilley Don’t Mind,” as recorded by Esa Linna and Neverheard; and “Here She Come,” as interpreted in grand fashion by the great Michael Carpenter. More to come, you’d better you bet.
* Colin Heppell – Songs from Adam’s Room. Colin Heppell was new to us, but we’re happy to make his music’s acquaintance. We’ve added three very cool pop-rock numbers to the Pure Pop Radio playlist: “Liar,” “Sail Away,” and “This World.”
That’ll do it for today. Set sail for Pure Pop Radio to hear these and hundreds of other new adds to the playlist. Listening links are handily presented below. Until tomorrow!
Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio 