“Hawkwind”, a legendary name in the field of rock music, may be not so common name to many rock fans. However, one of the pioneers of the space rock, although could not gain the highs of their likes like Pink Floyd, “Hawkwind” represents the prototype of a seventies rock. Formed by a visionary guitar player Dave Brock in London in 1969, with the intention of mixing simple three chord rock with experimental electronic music, the band perhaps may have been ahead of their times. With their exquisite light shows, and explicit stage extravaganza by their female member Stacia Blake, the band definitely shaped space rock, while defining hard, progressive as well as psychedelic rock during the seventies. The band had an ever changing line up of numerous members, with Brock being the only original member at present. It would be surprising to know that they had numerous important players playing for them, including Lemmy Kilmister, Ginger Baker, Robert Calvert etc, to name a few. Most well known for their amazing numbers like “Silver machine”, “Urban guerilla”, “Needle gun”, “Shot down in the night”, “Hawkwind” definitely deserves a praise from the rock fans all over the world.
“The Who”, one of the most influential rock acts of the twentieth century, were undoubtedly famous for diverse reasons- Loudest band, mods enthusiasm, great music and poetry, and of course, the prototype late sixties and seventies rock band. With sales more than 100 million records worldwide, they are definitely a source for inspiration all the rock bands of the past and the future. Originally formed from the ashes of earlier group “The Detours”, “The Who” had Pete Townshend on guitars, Roger Daltrey on vocals, John Entwistle (Bass) and Keith Moon (Drums). The powerful quartet was famous for their music, their crazy stage acts and fabulous improvisations on stage.
“Tom Robinson Band” may be a relatively unknown rock band for many rock fans, but they were one of the most important definitive English punk rock bands of the late seventies. Formed by singer, songwriter and bassist Tom Robinson in 1976, along with Danny Kustow (Guitars), Brian “Dolphin” Taylor (Drums) and Mark Ambler (Keyboards), they had relatively fewer number of albums and a short career span, but their significance and influence in the seventies punk rock and new wave can’t be undermined.
Roxy Music is a seventies band of special taste, position as well as significance. A hybrid band of seventies rock and pop, they were the inspiration for many glam rock and later new wave bands and experimental electronic bands of the eighties. Formed by Bryan Ferry (Vocals, keyboards) in 1970, the band’s original members consisted of Graham Simpson (Bass), Phil Manzanera (Guitar), Andy Mackay (Saxophone and oboe), Brian Eno (Keyboards) and Paul Thompson (Drums). Many members were changed during their tenure, as well as their direction, but they remain an influential band who shall always be remembered for their glamour, fashion extravaganza and sophisticated and polished hot pop rock numbers like “Slave to love”, More than this”, “Jealous guy”, “Love is the drug”, “Over you” etc. Spanning a career of almost half a century, albeit with so many changes, they are still active till present.
“Over you” is one of the highlights of their later years. Taken from their 1980 album “Flesh and Blood”, this seventh studio album from Roxy Music is considered as one of their most significant albums. Undoubtedly, the song “Over you” is definitely the highlight of the album. A soft rock love song of soothingly twisted guitar harmony, this song may be considered as one of the best songs out of their long career.
Starting the song with a nicely haunting intro of guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, it definitely hypnotizes us once Ferry’s voice comes into play. A relatively short lyrics of love ballad, the song definitely is a masterpiece composition. Despite a short lyrics, it stretches so calmly almost three and half minutes with nice guitar, oboe, saxophone, keyboards and piano inbetween. Phil Manzanera’s guitar riff, towering bass, Andy Mackay’s saxophone and oboe and Ferry’s piano complement each other so well to make the song perfect. Soft drums by Allan Schwartzberg is another part which deserves the praise. Overall a really hypnotic pop rock love song, undoubtedly, it is a prototype Roxy Music number with all the ingredients to be a memorable song forever.
https:// youtu.be/pZ559Tjt5M0“Roxy Music” had the biggest hit of their career with the cover of John Lennon’s “Jealous guy” but for their die hard fans, “Over you” is definitely one important choice. Undoubtedly, no matter how many times you go through this masterpiece, it is guaranteed that you just can’t get over “Over you”!!!Happy listening!!! Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
Over you
Oh baby this is nowhere
Wish I was somewhere – over you
Your sweet lips tell me there’s no chance
No more romance – over you
Oh baby how can I go on?
Crying so long – over you
Where strangers look for new love
I’m so lost in love – over you
Some day yes it might come babe
When I’ll be babe – over you
And always up to that moment
I will try to say I’m – over you
One of the most important pioneers of sixties psychedelic sound, “Jefferson Airplane” had it all-the sound, the voice, the lyrics as well as the instruments. Although their potential may not have been fully realized, their contribution in shaping the last sixties hippie sound could never be undermined.
They originated in 1965 under the leadership of Marty Balin in San Francisco, and several line up changes occurred during the coming years. Their debut album “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off” in 1966, could not generate much interest, although the lyrics change from the record labels considering it provocative, did fuel up the interest among the rock fans. Presently, their debut album with the original lyrics is collector’s item now. Their second album “Surrealistic Pillow” in 1967, indeed became their break-through album. They literally gained surrealistic popularity “Surrealistic Pillow” and become the first band to gain international acclaim from San Francisco Bay area. Subsequently with too much of name, fame, drugs, sex and rock and roll, tensions started to build up within the band members, leading to several line-up changes during the following years. And soon, with different band members going their own ways, they finally transformed to “Jefferson Starship” in 1972.
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