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| Obscure Rap Song on a 1967 Christmas Album? |
As many of my friends and family know, the four types of music I generally do not care for are Country Music, Pop (like Meghan Trainor, Miley Cyrus etc), Death Metal/Screamo, and of course rap music (most, not all.). We all have a disdain for various types of music, don't we?
Well, to my surprise, while searching for some old music to listen to, I came across a song on a Christmas album from 1967 from one of my favorite 60's bands. This was an obscure album I did not possess.
I was an avid record collector for mucho years and have an extensive library of rock, blues and other music albums. This Christmas album was hard to find so I more or less gave up searching for it. After all, I had been too busy with my own msic and family life and had ceased collecting vinyl years ago.
When I first listened to this song: "Rain Sleet or Snow" from the album "A Christmas Present . . . and Past" I was expecting a Christmas message. Not so much. But I was absolutely floored when I heard this. Here we are in 2015 and the rap formula was being pioneered in 1967 by the legendary 60's rock group Paul Revere and the Raiders!(Hear the song below)
Now, if you never heard of them, you need to go to Wikipedia. Here is the link: About Paul Revere and The Raiders, one of the few groups to have several TV shows and a boatload of "pop" hits in the 60's and 70's. Their number one hit "Indian Reservation" 1970 outsold any and every single release up to that time and that record was not broken until 1983 with Michael Jackson's "Beat It". Paul Revere and the Raiders were the one long-term band that always gave the Beatles and the Beach Boys a run for their money. But, somehow I digress.
Listen to "Rain Sleet or Snow" by Paul Revere and the Raiders, featuring Mark Lindsay. The rap formula we are so used to started here and fell into obscurity.
Note - as a recording artist and composer myself, I immediately knew the secret to Mark Lindsay's compressed vocals. (They did not use excessive compression back in the day, yo.) He sang with a mike pumped through a guitar amp.
Because of this song, I my admiration increased for Paul Revere and the Raiders, and now, MAYBE, I will open up a little to listen to some good rap music - but it has to have a melody, be not angry, and be not vulgar.
Now if you have suggestions for rap songs I need to hear that I MAY like, please leave them in the comments box.
ROCK ON - RAPPERS!
Related Links:
RIP Paul Revere, 1938 - 2014. You were an inspiration!
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