An infinite number of songs can each be THE greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. I like that idea so much I'm writing a book about it. And I'm promoting that book with a weekly video series, discussing each of the book's chosen tracks one by one.
Following last week's rant on behalf of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," we continue with a celebration of Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton's forgotten original version of "Hound Dog." Sure, you know King Elvis I's version; but you've gotta hear the original. Got it? Now check out my own ritual throttling of the podium on its behalf:
Elvis is King. There are very, very few examples of a song primarily associated with Elvis that was done better by another artist. The original "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins and Wanda Jackson's are contenders, but it's close at best. Big Mama Thornton's owns "Hound Dog." I believe the King would be okay with that.
If you dig these weekly videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel, and be a real cool cat. NEXT WEEK: Patti Smith's "Gloria" is up next in the book's sequence, though I may decide to go out of sequence and jump around a bit first. Or maybe not. I guess we'll find out next week. Let's face it: I ain't nuthin' but a hound dog anyway.
THIS WEEK'S VIDEO: Big Mama Thornton, "Hound Dog"
GREM! # 7: Elvis Presley, "Heartbreak Hotel"
GREM! # 6: The Sex Pistols,"God Save The Queen"
GREM! # 5: Dusty Springfield,"I Only Want To Be With You"
GREM! # 4: Chuck Berry, "Promised Land"
GREM! # 3: Baron Daemon and the Vampires, "The TransylvaniaTwist"
GREM! # 2: Badfinger, "Baby Blue"
GREM! # 1: The Ramones, "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?"
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, and on the web at http://sparksyracuse.org/ You can read about our history here.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
Volume 1: download
Volume 2: CD or download
Volume 3: download
Volume 4: CD or download
Waterloo Sunset--Benefit For This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio: CD or download
Carl's writin' a book! The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1)will contain 165 essays about 165 tracks, each one of 'em THE greatest record ever made. An infinite number of records can each be the greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. Updated initial information can be seen here: THE GREATEST RECORD EVER MADE! (Volume 1). My weekly Greatest Record Ever Made! video rants can be seen in my GREM! YouTube playlist. And I'm on Twitter @CafarelliCarl.
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