Yeah, that one (like the similar "I've Been Driving on Bald Mountain," which the Kinks recorded along with their own version of "BHW") was a public domain tune that Talmy slapped his own name on.
It is only on the deluxe editions of My Generation, was never included at the time. The Who learned VERY quickly from its inclusion as the B-side of Can't Explain that they - or at least Pete - had just given up 50% of the mechanical royalties on the record for a public domain song "that Talmy slapped his own name on." It likely fed into their overall frustrations which caused them to up and quit after the My Gen album and start their own label. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for him, Talmy had a watertight contract; the Who's management settled with him on the courtroom steps and in one of the craziest agreements of all time, gave him an override for a set period of future releases, which reportedly included Tommy! ... None of which takes away from Shel's fantastic production of The Who in 1964/65. Without him, etc...
It would be nice to see a copy of The Who's Orbit Universal Contract after all these years. There was a flagrant breach and it could have been handled better although of course The Who management only replaced Orbit Universal to get Talmy's slice . The musicians always pull the short straw.
"...they were teleporting you into the studio right as the song was being tracked." Spot on! You could feel the electricity in a song like the one this article was named for; it wasn't just a song, it was an event being captured. R I P
Great stuff as always, Dan. You have a perhaps unclaimed role as a musical obituarist. There were a couple of cuts here I didn't know (or did not know Shel had produced) and have enjoyed listening to them. And The Creation... well, for all his frustrations with the lack of success for Makin' Time at the time, history prevailed. It was included on the soundtrack for Rushmore, was a minor hit and enabled The Creation to reform, tour the States, and perform 200 yards from my house in Brooklyn at the time... one of those strange moments I had certainly not anticipated when first turned on to the band around 1979-80. Cheers for the playlist and notes Dan.
Thanks, Tony! I remember seeing the Creation's "Biff, Bang, Pow" single on the inner sleeve of All Mod Cons, which was one of my first tipoffs that I should probably check them out...
Biff, Bang, Pow! Excellent list, though I would have included a few Wild Silk...didn't realize he produced that incredibly GRoovy band! How I love listening to this music. Shel Talmy, behind the scenes, making it all happen; may he Rest in Peace.
My Band supported The Creation in July 1966 . Eddie Philipps taught me his chord pattern to play " Cool Jerk" . They were much better live than on disk although their show at South Paw Brooklyn in 2002 leaves a lot to be desired. I always think Talmy was more interested in making "hits" rather than developing an artist.
I think you're right — though I also think The Creation's internal issues kept them from becoming as great as they could have been. Very cool that you got to support them in their heyday, though!
Talmy also wrote (or was credited with writing) the song "Bald Headed Woman", featured on The Who's "My Generation" album. (RIP).
Yeah, that one (like the similar "I've Been Driving on Bald Mountain," which the Kinks recorded along with their own version of "BHW") was a public domain tune that Talmy slapped his own name on.
It is only on the deluxe editions of My Generation, was never included at the time. The Who learned VERY quickly from its inclusion as the B-side of Can't Explain that they - or at least Pete - had just given up 50% of the mechanical royalties on the record for a public domain song "that Talmy slapped his own name on." It likely fed into their overall frustrations which caused them to up and quit after the My Gen album and start their own label. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for him, Talmy had a watertight contract; the Who's management settled with him on the courtroom steps and in one of the craziest agreements of all time, gave him an override for a set period of future releases, which reportedly included Tommy! ... None of which takes away from Shel's fantastic production of The Who in 1964/65. Without him, etc...
It would be nice to see a copy of The Who's Orbit Universal Contract after all these years. There was a flagrant breach and it could have been handled better although of course The Who management only replaced Orbit Universal to get Talmy's slice . The musicians always pull the short straw.
Fantastic stuff here, Dan!
"...they were teleporting you into the studio right as the song was being tracked." Spot on! You could feel the electricity in a song like the one this article was named for; it wasn't just a song, it was an event being captured. R I P
Great stuff as always, Dan. You have a perhaps unclaimed role as a musical obituarist. There were a couple of cuts here I didn't know (or did not know Shel had produced) and have enjoyed listening to them. And The Creation... well, for all his frustrations with the lack of success for Makin' Time at the time, history prevailed. It was included on the soundtrack for Rushmore, was a minor hit and enabled The Creation to reform, tour the States, and perform 200 yards from my house in Brooklyn at the time... one of those strange moments I had certainly not anticipated when first turned on to the band around 1979-80. Cheers for the playlist and notes Dan.
Thanks, Tony! I remember seeing the Creation's "Biff, Bang, Pow" single on the inner sleeve of All Mod Cons, which was one of my first tipoffs that I should probably check them out...
Loved this
Biff, Bang, Pow! Excellent list, though I would have included a few Wild Silk...didn't realize he produced that incredibly GRoovy band! How I love listening to this music. Shel Talmy, behind the scenes, making it all happen; may he Rest in Peace.
"Visions in a Plaster Sky" came THISCLOSE to making this list!
Haha! It's definitely on MY list...!
My Band supported The Creation in July 1966 . Eddie Philipps taught me his chord pattern to play " Cool Jerk" . They were much better live than on disk although their show at South Paw Brooklyn in 2002 leaves a lot to be desired. I always think Talmy was more interested in making "hits" rather than developing an artist.
I think you're right — though I also think The Creation's internal issues kept them from becoming as great as they could have been. Very cool that you got to support them in their heyday, though!
Nice one, Dan! Those Talmy compilations on Ace Records are full of crate-digger gems.
Thanks, Will! I absolutely agree (and absolutely loved your Lou Reed book, btw!)
This is some great work, Dan. I was only familiar with about 3 of these songs, as I was all of SIX YEARS OLD in ‘65.
Thanks, Bill. I can't say I got hip to any of 'em in real time — when I was 3 in '69, "Yellow Submarine" was about as rocking as I got!
I’d never seen that Easybeats vid., but am familiar with that great song…first heard it on that Bowie covers LP.
But wow, those outfits they had on somehow made Paul Revere and his Raiders LOOK GOOD!
Hahaha — I blame their management, who fucked up all sorts of other things for them as well.