Music has always been inspirational, starting with Gregorian chants. But you can’t dance to Gregorian chants. “You Can’t Dance to Gregorian Chants,” copyright Mike Baron. There are many Christian rock bands. They are a genre and a movement. Most of them have never heard a minor chord. It’s the contrast between major and minor chords that makes so much music interesting. In the black church, they know minor chords. Many great R&B acts came out of the church including the Staple Singers. Songs on their groundbreaking Freedom Highway album include “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” “If I could Hear My Mother Pray Again,” and “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!” Bob Dylan wanted to marry Mavis Staples.
Valeri Simpson and Nicholas Ashford, who penned hit after hit including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” came out of the black church. Along came the Summer of Love and the yute explosion, and hundreds of agnostic rockers adding their two cents. Back in those days, two cents really meant something. There were no greater purveyors of hortatory rock than the Rascals, especially when Felix Cavaliere seized control. No greater album of optimism and hope exists than 1969’s Freedom Suite. Many people are unaware of this musical explosion following the Rascals’ earlier hits, sung by Eddie Brigati, such as “How Can I Be Sure.” Have you heard “Heaven?”
Popular music has always celebrated positive attitude. Not all popular music. Outliers like Frank Zappa and Oingo Boingo could get downright snarky. But the overwhelming majority of the rock explosion in the sixties and seventies, triggered by the British invasion, emphasized optimism, brotherhood, and the sweetness of life. Sons of Champlin’s “Things Are Gettin’ Better” and “Hello Sunlight.” The Byrds’ “Hey Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn Turn Turn.” The Hollies’ “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” The Temptations’ “Get Ready.” The Impressions’ “People Get Ready.” Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.” “Dance to the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone.
I have been a sucker for horn rock since I saw the Butterfield Blues Band at the Factory in Madison. I wrote a book about it.
The late sixties, early seventies were horn rock’s heyday. Chicago. Blood, Sweat and Tears. Sons of Champlin. Dreams, the greatest of them all. And one obscure band, Jam Factory, whose main claim to fame was that the drummer later joined Paul McCartney and Wings, and whose eponymous album contains “It’s Your World,” perhaps the greatest secular ode to doing your thing ever. But don’t take my word for it. Hang on because it takes off like a rocket.
Tower of Power formed in Oakland in 1968, and they have been touring ever since. Their commitment, musicianship, and body of work remind me of Duke Ellington. Only Soul, “with a capital ‘S.’” Their catalog is vast. Their horn section is famous. So many great songs, it’s hard to choose just one that illustrates their joyful message. However. None of this music is assigned. I post the links because I think it will give you joy. I could easily post 800 hours of links. But I’m limiting myself to one cut per band. All right, two. We’ll get to that in a minute. TOP’s “You Ought To Be Havin’ Fun” is a distillation of everything they do.
Just south of Fort Collins, where I live, is the town of Loveland. Charles Wright wrote “Loveland” in 1969, but I prefer TOP’s version. I have been trying to convince the mayor and city council to adopt “Loveland” as the town’s official song. But they are obstinate! Obdurate! Clueless! Your help is welcome. Contact the City of Loveland and tell them what they must do, for the sake of common sense and decency.