Tag Archives: John Charles J C Crowley

Music Monday: November 20, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We have three more songs celebrating milestones this week. The first is by the band Chicago. They released their fifth album-Chicago VI-in June 1973. It contains today’s first feature-my favorite track by the band-and the hit, “Just You ‘N’ Me“. Fifty years later, both songs remain two of the most popular from the group’s legendary catalog.

Chicago VI

.(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In the fall of 1977, the band Player released their self-titled debut album. By January of the following year, their first single became the #1 song in the country for three consecutive weeks. Their second single from the album, “This Time I’m In It For Love“, hit #10 in June 1978.

Player

Player’s 1977 self titled debut album (L -R): Peter Beckett (lead vocals & guitar), Ronn Moss (vocals & bass), John Friesen (drums) and John Charles J.C. Crowley (vocals & keyboards). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In September 1978, Nicolette Larson released her debut album, Nicolette. It included really nice covers of Marvin Gaye’s “Baby Don’t You Do It” and Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me“. The lead single was written by Neil Young whom she sang back-up for from 1977 to 1993. It spent four weeks as a Top Ten hit, peaking at #8 in February 1979. Later that year she performed the song at the “No Nukes” concerts in NYC backed by The Doobie Brothers. I do not think too many people can cover Young’s songs well, but Larson is one of the exceptions. I adore her version of this track as much as I love Young’s polar opposite acoustic original.

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Nicolette Larson’s 1978 debut album, “Nicolette”.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Chicago: “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” (1973, written by Peter Cetera and James Pankow).

Player: “Baby Come Back” (1977, written by Peter Beckett and John Charles “J.C.” Crowley).

Nicolette Larson: “Lotta Love” (1978, written by Neil Young).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 304

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Time to share another gem from one of my favorite years in music. On January 14, 1978 today’s song hit the #1 spot for three consecutive weeks. It is by the band Player who released their self titled debut album in September 1977. Many people think of them as a one hit wonder but they had two more songs hit the Top 40 in 1978: The second single from their first record, “This Time I’m In It For Love” reached #10 & “Prisoner of Your Love” from their second album hit #27. More importantly, Player toured with my great musical love Eric Clapton during the North American leg of his Slowhand tour that year as well.

Ronn Mass is probably the most famous of the four original band members. He went on to soap opera fame as Ridge Forrester in “The Bold & The Beautiful” from 1987-2012 (The role is currently played by the unbelievably beautiful Thorsten Kaye who I completely swooned over as Zach Slater on “All My Children”). In 2014 Moss reunited with his bandmates to perform today’s song at the Nurses Ball on “General Hospital”. It is one of those tracks that instantly transports me back in time from the very first note.

“All day long wearing a mask of false bravado
Trying to keep up a smile that hides a tear
But as the sun goes down I get that empty feeling again
How I wish to God that you were here“.

Player_1977

Player’s 1977 self titled debut album (L -R): Peter Beckett (lead vocals & guitar), Ronn Moss (vocals & bass), John Friesen (drums) and John Charles J.C. Crowley (vocals & keyboards). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Player: “Baby Come Back” (1977, written by Peter Beckett and John Charles J.C, Crowley).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.