Time to Play B-Sides
@jtales.bsky.social
Here for smart music talk. Big fan of the Knicks and those who resist fascism.
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Time to Play B-Sides
@jtales.bsky.social
· Jan 10
If you think “Zuck” won’t (further) weaponize your data, you’re not paying attention.
Do you love classic Philly Soul? Betcha By Golly, Wow!
The Sweet Soul Sound of The Stylistics
With maybe, just maybe, the greatest falsetto of them all.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Do you love classic Philly Soul? Betcha By Golly, Wow!
In 1980, years before the worldwide hit "Come On Eileen", Dexy's Midnight Runners released a debut album that was compelling, complicated, and quite brilliant. Come take a look.
Dexy Midnight Runners’ debut album had everything.
Whispers! Shouts! Soul Rebels! Beatniks!! And, at the heart of it all, a tortured soul.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In 1980, years before the worldwide hit "Come On Eileen", Dexy's Midnight Runners released a debut album that was compelling, complicated, and quite brilliant. Come take a look.
The Jam are absolute icons in the UK. But they never caught on in the US. Many say they were "too British", but other iconic British artists have done quite well stateside. So what was it?
Why did the U.S. ignore The Jam?
The ultimate "big there, not here" band.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The Jam are absolute icons in the UK. But they never caught on in the US. Many say they were "too British", but other iconic British artists have done quite well stateside. So what was it?
Ever wonder why some songs were gigantic in the UK but virtually unheard (and unheard of) in the US? Me Too! Channeling my inner @cmolanphy.bsky.social with this one ...
Big in the UK, Not So Much in the US
You've never heard most of these. But you'll want to.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Ever wonder why some songs were gigantic in the UK but virtually unheard (and unheard of) in the US? Me Too! Channeling my inner @cmolanphy.bsky.social with this one ...
From the Allman Brothers to Barry White. From Hawaii Five-O to The Green Hornet. Let’s go from Paradise by the “C” to Outta-Space and enjoy some really great rock, pop and soul instrumentals.
Sometimes, you just can’t beat a good instrumental
Who needs lyrics when there's Instrumental Joy?
strategicmessaging.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
From the Allman Brothers to Barry White. From Hawaii Five-O to The Green Hornet. Let’s go from Paradise by the “C” to Outta-Space and enjoy some really great rock, pop and soul instrumentals.
You may have heard that Dave Edmunds has suffered some health problems lately (reports are optimistic, though). Let’s take a look at a handful of the reasons why he’s one of our favorites. #TimeToPlayB-Sides
Dave Edmunds Doesn't Get Nearly Enough Credit
So let's give him his due.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
You may have heard that Dave Edmunds has suffered some health problems lately (reports are optimistic, though). Let’s take a look at a handful of the reasons why he’s one of our favorites. #TimeToPlayB-Sides
If we're playing the game of "who would you travel back in time to see", put me down for the man known as Mr. Excitement. #timetoplaybsides
Jackie Wilson Said
Here's why I'd give nearly anything to take the time machine back to see a performance by the aptly named Mr. Excitement.
open.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
If we're playing the game of "who would you travel back in time to see", put me down for the man known as Mr. Excitement. #timetoplaybsides
Because there's more to being American than hot dogs and fireworks.
Paul Simon's "American Tune" Remains Essential Listening
Nestled in among the satellite radio staples “Kodachrome” and “Love Me Like a Rock” is a song from Paul Simon’s There Goes Rhymin’ Simon that you may not have heard in a while.
open.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Because there's more to being American than hot dogs and fireworks.
I sent this to my do-nothing magat Congressman, FWIW
July 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I sent this to my do-nothing magat Congressman, FWIW
The 4th brings with it lists of the greatest American songs and bands. There's no wrong answer, of course, but here I make the case for why I put the J. Geils Band near the top of my list.
Making the Case: The J. Geils Band
Including the amazing parallel path of the Allman Brothers and J. Geils bands.
open.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The 4th brings with it lists of the greatest American songs and bands. There's no wrong answer, of course, but here I make the case for why I put the J. Geils Band near the top of my list.
40 years ago, #BruceSpringsteen broke my heart. But not for what you might think.
The day I broke up with Bruce Springsteen.
What drove me away. What brought me back.
open.substack.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
40 years ago, #BruceSpringsteen broke my heart. But not for what you might think.
There was a time when AM Top 40 radio was the home of the hit novelty record. 50 years ago, there was even was a song called "Mr. Jaws" which featured an interview with the shark from the movie Jaws. No, really.
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/mr-jaws-tu...
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/mr-jaws-tu...
Mr. Jaws Turns 50
And, no, we’re not talking about the classic movie.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
There was a time when AM Top 40 radio was the home of the hit novelty record. 50 years ago, there was even was a song called "Mr. Jaws" which featured an interview with the shark from the movie Jaws. No, really.
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/mr-jaws-tu...
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/mr-jaws-tu...
That Delaney and Bonnie are not considered "hall of fame worthy" is one big crock of sh**.
#Americana#Roots#EricClapton#70sMusic#RockandRollHallofFame
#Americana#Roots#EricClapton#70sMusic#RockandRollHallofFame
The Profound Legacy of Delaney & Bonnie
Not Hall of Fame worthy? My ass.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
June 17, 2025 at 8:33 PM
That Delaney and Bonnie are not considered "hall of fame worthy" is one big crock of sh**.
#Americana#Roots#EricClapton#70sMusic#RockandRollHallofFame
#Americana#Roots#EricClapton#70sMusic#RockandRollHallofFame
The #RollingStones have released several thousand albums, or so it seems. Here's one that doesn't get talked about much any more. #Stones #Music #Rock #70sMusic
Is this the Stones’ most underrated album?
I know, I know … it’s only rock n' roll.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The #RollingStones have released several thousand albums, or so it seems. Here's one that doesn't get talked about much any more. #Stones #Music #Rock #70sMusic
The longest journeys begin with a single step. This is where my love affair with Bowie began.
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/let-us-now...
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/let-us-now...
Let us now praise changesonebowie
It's one of the albums that changed my music-listening life.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
June 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The longest journeys begin with a single step. This is where my love affair with Bowie began.
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/let-us-now...
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/let-us-now...
There was a time (okay, it was a long time ago) when, for the cost of $4.00, you could see the greatest bands on the world. Remembering the Dr. Pepper Summer Music Festival. #Music #NewYork #CentralPark #Concerts
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/summers-al...
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/summers-al...
Summer’s (almost) here, and the time is right.
Remembering the Dr. Pepper summer concert series.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
There was a time (okay, it was a long time ago) when, for the cost of $4.00, you could see the greatest bands on the world. Remembering the Dr. Pepper Summer Music Festival. #Music #NewYork #CentralPark #Concerts
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/summers-al...
strategicmessaging.substack.com/p/summers-al...
The Tubs are a band that's not afraid to jangle. And, their lead singers sounds more than a bit like a young Richard Thompson. What more do you need?
Tub Thumping
How a little band from Cardiff renewed my faith in “new music”
open.substack.com
May 31, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Tubs are a band that's not afraid to jangle. And, their lead singers sounds more than a bit like a young Richard Thompson. What more do you need?
If it's Friday, someone, somewhere is playing "Workin' for the Weekend." Here's an alternative take on the weekend song.
The best "Weekend Song" you've never heard.
Celebrating Deaf School's "Where's The Weekend?"
strategicmessaging.substack.com
May 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
If it's Friday, someone, somewhere is playing "Workin' for the Weekend." Here's an alternative take on the weekend song.
I understand that there are a depressingly large number of Americans who just don't care, but a simple reminder: When a civil or human right is taken from one of us, it is taken from all of us. #MohsenMahdawi
May 1, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I understand that there are a depressingly large number of Americans who just don't care, but a simple reminder: When a civil or human right is taken from one of us, it is taken from all of us. #MohsenMahdawi
Last week, I was reminded, once again, that Steven Page is one of the most talented musicians of his age. Here's why.
The Vocal Virtuosity of Steven Page
A singer, and performer like no other.
open.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Last week, I was reminded, once again, that Steven Page is one of the most talented musicians of his age. Here's why.
"Compared to What?" might have the most impassioned performance of any song to hit the Billboard charts.
A vintage protest song as relevant as ever.
Tryin' to make it real ... compared to what?
open.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:58 PM
"Compared to What?" might have the most impassioned performance of any song to hit the Billboard charts.
"Thriller" might have pop's most famous spoken intro, but 1970s Queens and Kings like Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, The Chi-Lites and The Manhattans may have perfected the art.
The Golden Age of the Spoken Intro
1970s soul singers did it best.
strategicmessaging.substack.com
April 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"Thriller" might have pop's most famous spoken intro, but 1970s Queens and Kings like Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, The Chi-Lites and The Manhattans may have perfected the art.