Month: August 2022

New music from Toto’s David Paich 

Spirit of The Moonrise is the first single from the first solo album by David Paich. During the lockdowns in 2020 David revisited some old songs and ideas that he had “carried in his head for years”. That’s where the title of the album,”Forgotten Toys,” comes from. The album features a number of people David has worked with over the years including Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams from Toto, Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan) and Don Felder (Eagles). Spirit of The Moonrise is new this week on RadiJohan and features a video that mirrors a dream David Paich says he has experienced frequently:

“This is a recurring dream about a distraught girl, riding ‘neath the moonlight. It has perplexed me over many a night…”

Where Did Our Love Go?

It went to number 1, that’s where. After three years without a big hit, The Supremes went all the way to the top in 1964. The song struck a chord in the United States, and the group would become the most successful chart-topping American popular music group of the 1960s. “Where Did Our Love Go” was the first of five Supremes songs in a row to reach number 1 (the others being “Baby Love”, “Come See About Me”, “Stop! In the Name of Love”, and “Back in My Arms Again”) The Supremes would land seven more number 1 hits, for a total of 12. And you thought big hair was an eighties thing….

Come On Eileen

On 20 August 1982, 40 years ago, Dexys Midnight Runners topped the UK chart. The band’s name was inspired by the amphetamine drug Dexedrine, which is commonly known as “Dexys.” The band itself steered away from drinking and drugs, saying nothing should interfere with their dedication to music. Come On Eileen was based on a true story. Eileen was a girl that Dexys lead singer Kevin Rowland grew up with. Their relationship became romantic when the pair were 13. The song also made it to number one in numerous other countries including the USA where it knocked Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean off the top spot. Much of the success for “Eileen” in America can be attributed to its video, which got constant airplay on MTV and remains one of the most memorable video clips of the era. Most videos at the time were slick productions featuring impossibly pretty people in exotic locations, making Dexys’ video was delightfully different, with the overall-clad band acting out the love story on a gritty street. 

The Cool Kids are Back

Pop band (and siblings) Echosmith might be best known for the song “Cool Kids” which charted around the world in 2013. They grew up in a musical household playing multiple instruments throughout their childhood and have mentioned that they were influenced by numerous bands including Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Echo & The Bunnymen and Joy Division. Their 2013 debut album Talking Dreams was followed by a number of Eps and promotional singles. A second album, Lonely Generation, arrived in 2020. Echosmith’s new single, released recently, is a simple love song told from the perspective of someone expressing their desires to be around their love interest. “Hang Around” is new this week on RadiJohan.

The Night Chicago Died

The Night Chicago Died by “Paper Lace was their follow-up to Billy Don’t Be a Hero and hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1974. It also topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand. The song tells a story about the notorious gangster Al Capone and his men having a shootout out with the police. There has been plenty of debate as to whether or not the story is true. However the song’s co-writer, Mitch Murray, has stated that the song was a work of fiction.

Introducing The Clarisse Sisters.

The Clarisse sisters are  three sisters from Mauritius who started singing professionally in 1986. After 23 years as backing vocalists for major artists from England, they launched their solo career in 2015 with their first album “Kaleidoscope.” Their music is a blend of soul, jazz and pop. In February this year The Clarisse Sisters released their second album Fire & Ice. The single “Gravity” is new this week on RadiJohan.

New Gentle Ballad from James LaBrie

Canadian singer and songwriter is best known as the lead singer of American progressive metal band Dream Theater. LaBrie is widely known for his lyric tenor style singing voice and throughout his career with Dream Theater he has lent his voice to many other artists’ records. His latest solo album, “Beautiful Shade of Grey” was released in May. The single “Am I Right” is a beautiful ballad and is new this week on RadiJohan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apZ0JTG91qs

1989 – Moscow Music Peace Festival

On the 12th and 13th of August 1989 the two day Moscow Music Peace Festival was held at The Lenin Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Western Acts who appeared included Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Skid Row and The Scorpions. This was the first time that an audience had been allowed to stand up and dance at a stadium rock concert in the Soviet Union. Previous to this, people at all concerts had to be seated. Of course Russia’s own hard rockers “Gorky Park” also played.

Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)

The second single from Canadian band Arcade Fire’s sixth studio album “WE” has been released. The band’s Frontman, Win Butler, said that the song “is a reminder, a lullaby for the end times, sung to my son, but for everyone… Trust your heart, trust your mind, trust your body, trust your soul. Shit is going to get worse before it gets better, but it always gets better, and no one’s perfect. Let me say it again. No one’s perfect.” Unconditional I (Lookout Kid) is new this week on RadiJohan.