ALARM Press; on the rock-'n'-roll scene since 1995, has acted as a constant advocate for independent music, art, and design. As one of America's longest-running rock-'n'-roll magazines; possesses passion in discovering and sharing exceptional, boundary-defying musicians and designers. Shared by tireless cast of contributors, which helps ALARM forge a likeminded community to support and promote new and innovative ideas.
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Approaching its 20th anniversary, ALARM Magazine has featured beloved bands and future favorites alike, ranging from big names such as Mike Patton, Queens of the Stone Age, Air, The Mars Volta, Atmosphere, Jon Spencer, Saul Williams, and the Melvins to upcoming and unheralded artists such as Isis, Russian Circles, El-P, Mr. Lif, and Dub Trio.
In ALARM, you won’t find the same rehashed quotes from the same ten bands doing the press circuit. AM is committed to covering the bands that you need to hear, not just the ones whose names you recognize.
A "Minuet In G" with a Motown - Funk Brothers' bassline?. . . hmm, equal to a smash-hit! 'A Lover's Concerto' by The Toys:
This melody was adapted from "Minuet In G," a composition written by Christian Petzold. "Minuet In G" is often thought to be by Johann Sebastian Bach because it was included in a book of sheet music kept by Bach's wife Anna Magdalena. The song was written by Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer, who wrote all the original songs on the album and went to write some of the biggest hits for The Four Seasons. In an interview with Denny Randell, he explained that he started listening to
"Minuet In G" at an early age.
Why the title does not appear in the lyrics. Read Full Article:
A well known classical piece.
Critic Dave Thompson wrote, "Few records are this perfect. Riding across one of the most deceptively hook-laden melodies ever conceived ... 'A Lover’s Concerto' also had an unusual structure that blurred the differences between its verses and choruses.
The lyrics begin with:
How gentle is the rain
That falls softly on the meadow,
Birds high up in the trees
Serenade the flowers with their melodies
But ”Lover’s Concerto” was anything but simple.
'A Lover’s Concerto' marked the apogee of the Girl Group sound.
And a sweet story —
'Because you girls are like kids. You're like toys.'
The girls were discovered at a talent show by Vince Marc, who became their manager. Before long, they were in the studio recording "A Lover's Concerto." Were the Toys aware the song was based on Bach?
The Toys scored with a # 1 hit;
In September of 1965 a record was released on Bob Crewe's DynaVoice label that was to become an international, all-time classic.
"A LOVERS CONCERTO" by "THE TOYS" entered the charts and in just six short weeks surpassed luminaries the likes of "THE BEATLES, THE SUPREMES, ELVIS PRESLEY, THE ROLLING STONES, THE FOUR TOPS, STEVIE WONDER" etc..
The song fast forwarded to become a million seller.
The voice singing lead, was that of Babara Harris.
As a piece of trivia, she also sang one of the background parts in the harmony. The success of "THE TOYS" carried Barbara to countries all over the world. England, Holland, Germany, Japan, Australia just to name a few.
Barbara left the group, had a family and raised a total of seven children. While raising her family she never stopped singing. Barbara never liked to be tied to one style of music, which is what made her local band so much fun. Each night she performed 20 to 30 songs and did Gospel, blues, R&B, Rock, and Pop. That was Barbara then.
This Is "BARBARA NOW" —
life in my music."
Who were The Funk Brothers:
What would the Motown Sound have been without the Funk Brothers’ inspired accompaniments?
Motown’s studio band—dubbed the Funk Brothers by Benny Benjamin,
according to legend—was comprised of multi-talented musicians who earned their musical chops in Detroit’s jazz and blues clubs.The improvisational skills and musical virtuosity they displayed,
from 1959 through 1972, in the so-called “snake pit” in Studio A set Motown singles apart from all others.
The subject of a 2002 documentary, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown,” the Funk Brothers received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 Grammy award ceremony.
Although the players changed over time, key figures included legendary bass guitarist James Jamerson, pianists and bandleaders Earl Van Dyke and Joe Hunter, and
drummer Benny “Papa Zita” Benjamin.
Despite the passage of time since Motown Records’ establishment in 1959
by Berry Gordy, tens of thousands of visitors pass through Hitsville U.S.A., home to the Motown Museum, each year. Their presence is a testimony to Motown’s legacy and to the charisma, talent and staying power of the music and those who made it.
The Motown Museum:
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