Decided to abbreviate my "blue-eyed soul" examination and only show three of them. I'll have plenty of time to go back and collect the two I missed due to an overabundance of doctor appointments. No matter. Today's artist is more than sufficient.
The story goes that Daryl Hall and John Oates grew up in Philadelphia, and were devotees of doo-wop and Motown music. It was helpful that Hall's voice was inherently soulful, and that he was able to write songs that showcased that talent. They had some hits ("Sara Smile", "Rich Girl") but didn't really blow up until the early '80s, when "Private Eyes" was all over MTV and the radio.
I saw ELO in 1981 at IU's Assembly Hall and H&O was the opening act. At that time they had the #1 single in the USA ("Private Eyes") but they were the warmup act. That was probably the last time they were the opening act for anybody. they stayed red-hot for another 3-4 years and then separated for a spell (Hall for a solo career, Oates to race cars).
They eventually reunited because, well, everybody (except Supertramp) reunited. There was way too much money out there to not do it. Now, Hall hosts a podcast and series TV show from his upstate NY farm where he brings in world-class musicians to do old R&B standards and the guest's own hits. It's pretty good stuff, and Hall sounds as good as he ever did.
I'll pick an old song, the leadoff track from Along the Red Ledge (1978), one of their works between the first and second waves of popularity. Hall's voice permeates the track and his plaintive tale of love lost is worth the listen. It's a good kickoff to the weekend...
See you next week...
Pete
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