On the Record for 6-21
By Jon Busdeker on Jun. 21, 2007
Q: Where can I find a copy of “The Hits” by Garth Brooks? I have been searching for it for a very long time.
A: After 21 Top Ten hits and four No. 1 albums on the country charts, Liberty Records released “The Hits,” an 18-song collection of Brooks’ biggest hits, in December 1994. Due to Brooks’ wishes, it was only manufactured for approximately one year. Within that time, it sold more than 8 million copies. No retail store currently sells new copies, not even Wal-Mart, which became the exclusive retailer of Garth Brooks albums in August 2005. On the Internet, though, unopened copies of the CD are selling for $35 to $120 each. Used copies can be found for a much lower price.
Q: I’ve always been intrigued by the famous bass line in Lou Reed’s hit, “Walk on the Wild Side.” Who played it?
A: From its gritty lyrics detailing the seedier side of life in New York City, to its distinctive bass line and it’s now-anachronistic and politically incorrect reference to his female back up singers, “Walk on the Wild Side” is arguably one of Lou Reed’s most recognizable and distinctive songs. Having left the hugely influential Velvet Underground two years earlier, Reed released his second solo album, “Transformer,” in 1972 with the help of producers (and indebted fans) David Bowie and Mick Ronson. The album included “Walk on the Wild Side,” which peaked at No. 16. The famous bass line was performed by Herbie Flowers, one of the most sought-after session bassists since the late ’60s. He has recorded with such musicians as Elton John, David Bowie and Paul McCartney, to name a very few.
Q: One of my favorite ’70s classics is Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” I remember that another version of the song was recorded years before it became a hit. Where can I find that earlier version?
A: Rick Derringer, who became famous in 1965 as the teenage leader of The McCoys and singer of their No. 1 hit “Hang On Sloopy,” began playing in Johnny Winter’s band in the late ’60s. While recording with the blues guitar legend, Derringer’s song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” was included on Winter’s 1970 album “Johnny Winter And.” Derringer re-recorded the song and included on his 1974 solo debut, “All American Boy.” During the summer of that year, “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” reached No. 23 on the pop charts and has since become a classic rock favorite.
By Bradford Brady and John Maron. What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send your questions about songs, albums, and the musicians who make them to onthe
or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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