Slick & Groovy AOR On Mellow Mellow FM

Enjoy some slick and groovy radio rock on Mellow Mellow FM! The opening track by Jonathon Hansen and the one by Didier Makaga are on the new compilation AOR Global Sounds Volume 5.

The slick and groovy radio rock sound ruled the airwaves in the 1970s and in the beginning of the 1980s. Key figures were the members of Toto who could be heard on many records at the time, like the ones from Boz Scaggs and Chanson. In 1982 they reached their next level when they played extensively on Michael Jackson’s Thriller. That same year Toto made a milestone of their own, when they released Toto IV (with Rosanna on board). Both albums didn't fit that typical smooth West Coast sound anymore that dominated radio for so long. Californian musicians had to compete with a new wave of good-looking MTV pop stars. Mainly English new romantics replaced singers who resembled civil servants on their way to work. Extravagant looks and an electronic sound became more valuable than casual wear and traditional instruments. Craftsmanship seemed to be completely out of date, when the 1980s developed. One of the few exceptions were Hall and Oates who could keep up with the new looks and electronic sound. They remained successful until the second half of the decade.

Linda Ronstadt’s album attempt to make a new wave album was called Mad Love, which contained Hurt So Bad. It wasn’t a commercial success and it wasn’t mentioned in the critically acclaimed documentary The Sound Of My Voice about her life and career.

“But for some of us, it’s one of her career highlights — her answer to Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk, as the princess of Seventies-L.A. mellow pivoted to leather jackets and skinny ties.” (Rolling Stone)

Thirteen by Big Star was released in a time when singing about schoolgirls by grown-up men didn’t raise any eyebrows. To defend singer Alex Chilton, the narrator seems to be an adolescent as well, which makes you feel less uneasy, but nowadays it would be impossible to sing such lyrics. The last one who got away with it was Bruce Springsteen when he sang “hey little girl is your daddy home?”.

Next week back by popular demand, the one and only Smooth Operators! :-)

Tracklist:

Jonathon Hansen – What Its Meant To Me (1978)
Linda Ronstadt – Hurt So Bad (1980)
Quarterflash – Take Me To Heart (1983)
Doobie Brothers – Dedicate This Heart  (1980)
Paul Anka – Never Gonna Fall In Love Again (1976)
Le Blanc & Carr – Falling (1977)
Boz Scaggs – Lowdown (1976)
Big Star – Thirteen (1972)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – The Night (1972)
Chicago – If You Leave Me Now (1976)
Crosby, Stills & Nash – Just A Song Before I Go (1977)
Janis Ian – In The Winter (1975)
Breakaway – Who Was It This Time (1977)
Didier Makaga – J'Irai Squatter Ton Cœur (1984)
Chanson – Did You Ever? (1978)
Daryl Hall + John Oates  ‎– Say It Isn't So (1983)
Norman Feels – Shame (1974)
Jeff Lorber – Your Love Has Got Me (1982)
Pablo Cruise – I Go To Rio (1978)
Toto – Rosanna (1982)
Sweet ‎– Fox On The Run (1975)