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Home , 1974 in British music, A Little More, A One, BareNaked, Bobby Eli, British soul

RANDALL’S RADIO

TOP 20 OF 2020

To begin with, we know you don’t come to Randall’s to listen to music. We also know (because you tell us) that music is one of the many intangibles that help to make your dining experience extraordinary. Because of that, we put the same amount of effort and attention to detail into every music selection at Randall’s (“Every Handpicked”) as we do with the décor, the atmosphere, the drinks, and above all else, the legendary Randall’s food. Whether you become aware of a song playing at Randall’s for five seconds or listen much longer, we want what you hear and what you feel to be special, to make you happy, and to leave you with a memory; one the song invokes from your own past, or the new memory you make that night at Randall’s. Each song is matched to the time of day it plays, and you get a different feel during Happy Hour than you do as you savior a cup of coffee or tea or an after dinner drink as the evening winds down – and sometimes its two distinct versions of the same song.

The playlist at Randall’s, which is updated seasonally, is an eclectic mix of R&B, soul, , rock, , swing, big band, standards, alternative, and pop and includes well known classics from those genres that span over nine decades, as well as cuts, B-sides, extended remixes, alternate takes and that never appeared on any chart (we call them “should have been hits”) from that same period. The only common element among the songs on the Randall’s playlist is that, well, they feel like Randall’s.

We decided to honor the uniqueness of the Randall’s playlist and of the past year by sharing with you our thoughts on the Top 20 songs of 2020. We’d love to hear your thoughts and remember, anytime you want to experience the feel of Randall’s, no matter where you are, join us at Randall’s.restaurant/radio.

Tom Reilly and Ian Reilly Randall’s Music Curators

20. Year of the Cat – (1976; Billboard Chart #8; Randall’s Spring Playlist). A song by British singer- Al Stewart (written along with legendary guitarist Peter White, who then was Stewart’s keyboardist), would appear an unusual choice for the Randall’s playlist. Ostensibly a folk song about a tourist having a romantic adventure in an exotic location - On a morning from a Bogart movie; In a country where they turn back time; You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre; Contemplating a crime – the record itself becomes much more. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, it was produced by (who was recording engineer and went on to work with Paul McCartney and Wings and to produce Ambrosia and his own Alan Parsons’ Project – all on the Randall’s playlist). Over two-thirds of the song is an instrumental, including the defining saxophone riff by (who also worked with the Beatles), which along with Parsons’ decidedly non-folk production, transforms the original Stewart song into six minutes of jazz-influenced . While many people think the title comes from the Chinese Zodiac animals, it does not; there is no cat in the Chinese

Zodiac and 2020 was the Chinese Year of the Rat (it certainly was). Stewart based the song title on the Vietnamese Zodiac. But the drum-beat strains of the night remain; In the rhythm of the newborn day; You know sometime you're bound to leave her; But for now you're going to stay. We hope you stay with us in 2021 and beyond; In the Year of the Cat.

19. I Want a Love I Can See – (1963; Did Not Chart; Randall’s Summer Playlist). What was supposed to be the breakout single by The Temptations for the Gordy () label from their debut album “Meet The Temptations” and what was supposed to be the defining sound of The Temptations wasn’t and isn’t. Written and produced by and featuring Paul Williams as the sole lead vocal, this “should have been hit”, while huge in many regions of the country, including Philadelphia, just did not break nationally. While The Temptations achieved their biggest success with a different, more mellow sound beginning in 1964 when sang lead on the group's biggest hits (think "My Girl", also on the Randall’s playlist), this infectious, upbeat song is a summertime happy hour favorite. I want a love I can see; That's the only kind that means a thing to me; Don't want a love you have to tell me about; That kind of loving I can sure do without. Two minutes and thirty seconds of Paul Williams channeling Smokey’s thoughts on true love has to make you smile.

18. Colour of My Love - Barry Ryan (1969; Did Not Chart; Jefferson 1969; Pop Chart #68; Randall’s Summer Playlist). Written by Barry’s twin brother, Paul Ryan, the song was released in 1969 by both Barry Ryan and Jefferson (Geoff) Turton, both from Britain, and was a forerunner of the Sunshine Pop genre. Paul Ryan now works as a photographer in London and Jefferson still tours under his given name with his original band, The Rockin’ Berries. Her hair was the colour of the sun; was the colour of her eyes; Was the colour of my own true love. We don’t fully grasp the imagery either (golden eyes?), but we love the chorus, and we especially love the way they spell “color.” Blimey.

17. All About That Bass - Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (2014; Did Not Chart; Randall’s Autumn Playlist). Postmodern Jukebox was founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee as a vehicle to rework popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially swing and jazz (which is why so many PMJ songs are on the Randall’s playlist). In 2014, singer, songwriter, and Kate Davis recorded a PMJ 1940’s stylized cover of Meghan Trainor's retro R&B song, "All About That Bass" while playing a double standup bass (in Scott Bradlee’s living room). I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble. We like the cover, we love the double bass.

16. Summit Ridge Drive – Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five (1940; Billboard Chart #27; Randall’s Main Playlist). Randall’s playlist features music that covers more than nine decades, including a number of songs from the swing and big band era. From 1931 until his abrupt retirement from the music business in 1954, Artie Shaw defined swing while serially forming, developing and then disbanding big bands, small ensembles, large groups, jazz groups, string and woodwind ensembles and the Gramercy Five, usually at the height of their popularity. While there are several Shaw songs in the Randall’s playlist, we especially like Summit Ridge Drive. We think it’s the harpsichord.

15. - Various (1937 to Present; Randall’s Valentine Playlist). While the rest of the world celebrates the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14, we celebrate Valentine’s Week at Randall’s, with cozy dinners for two, romantic cocktails and love songs that abound in our special one week Valentine’s playlist. A different version of this 1937 Rodgers and Hart classic plays each half hour, so every couple will hear it at least once during their time together at Randall’s. This isn’t hard to do, since the former from (sung by an early “talkies” child star, Mitzi Green, who also sang

"The Lady is a Tramp" in the same show - wow!) has become a popular jazz standard, appearing on over 1,300 and performed by over 600 artists. We’re partial to the November 24, 1974, live instrumental version by saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and trumpeter Chet Baker (it was Baker’s signature song) recorded at Carnegie Hall, with the spoken word intro “Don't change your hair for me; Not if you care for me; Stay little valentine, stay.” We hope you will.

14. I Love – The Embers (1979; Did Not Chart; Randall’s Summer Playlist). Beach music, also known as shag music (the official state dance of both North Carolina and South Carolina), is a regional genre of music which developed in and around Myrtle Beach from roughly the end of World War II through the mid-1950’s, and is a staple of the Randall’s playlist. The unusual name for this mix of swing, jump , R&B and soul developed when white college students in the still-segregated South could not always hear the compelling music of primarily black artists in their home towns or college campuses, but returned from spring break or a summer in the Carolinas talking about the “beach” music they heard on the jukeboxes at the bars and pavilions along the Grand Strand. The classic beach records in the 1950’s and early 1960’s were by the Dominoes, , The Clovers, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, The Tams, The Tymes, The Temptations, the , and General Johnson and the . Beginning in the later 60’s, pop records that had the right tempo, such as "More Today Than Yesterday" by the Spiral Starecase (yes, that’s the way it’s spelled), and "" by , (a band with a Jamaican lead singer) were deemed beach music. While some beach music charted nationally, most songs were "B-sides" (the other side of the hit on a 45), or obscure records that never charted at all (which never stops a song from being an add to the Randall’s playlist). Jackie Gore was a founding member of The Embers, a beach music group who can trace their lineage back to fraternity parties in the 1950’s. In 1979, Gore sat down at his kitchen table and in 15 minutes wrote this definitive song to explain beach music to a new generation of fans, mixing in borrowed lyrics from many of the 1950’s beach classics. I love beach music; I always have and I always will; There ain't no other kind of music in the world that gives me quite the thrill. Troublesome contraction aside, we agree.

13. – Chicago Transit Authority (1971; Pop Chart #21; Randall’s Spring and Autumn Playlist). ’s musing about unanswered questions about life and love from 1967 and 1968 (the only time the title of the song is mentioned is as the last line of the closing verse) features Lamm and (who was called “Pete” when the band was not yet called just “Chicago”) sharing vocals, which really serve to compliment the harmonically overpowering horn arrangement. Pankow and producer James Guercio (who also produced Blood Sweat and Tears) make the Chicago horns sound like a big band with a timeless sound. Maybe that’s why there’s so much Chicago and BST in the Randall’s playlist. Good songs are timeless and we love horns. Listen closely in spring and you’ll hear the guys ask the questions in Japanese. Shitsumon 67 and 68.

12. – ABC (1987; Billboard Chart #5; Randall’s Winter Playlist). Retro sounding blue-eyed soul from English band ABC, the song is a tribute to Smokey Robinson. Interestingly, Smokey had his own song in the Billboard Top Ten at the same time as this song about him (“”) and equally interesting is that in the Randall’s playlist this isn’t the only tribute song that plays alongside the genius that inspired the accolade (the Commodore’s “Nightshift” honors and ,

and the “” pays backhanded homage to – well, you get it). When Smokey sings, I hear ; When Smokey sings, I forget everything. When Smokey sings we also forget everything, but we actually hear .

11. The Christmas Waltz – (1954, 1957, 1968; Did Not Chart; Randall’s Christmas Playlist). Frank told and Jules Styne that he wanted a Christmas song that would be as synonymous with him as White Christmas was for . While Der Bingle’s White Christmas found success on the American Pop Charts 20 separate times since its release in 1942, The Christmas Waltz only charted once in 2003, and that version was by Harry Connick, Jr. Frank actually recorded the song three separate times, the 1957 version features the Ralph Brewster Singers and the 1968 version features the Jimmy Joyce Singers. While all three versions are in the Randall’s holiday playlist, we like the 1954 version with just Frank. From Sammy Cahn’s lyrics - It's that time of year, When the world falls in love - to Frank’s tentative, hauntingly perfect spoken word outro - Merry Christmas - as soon as you hear this song, you know it’s the holiday season, in three-quarter time.

10. Once In a While - The Chimes (1961; Pop Chart #11; Randall’s Main Playlist; Permanent Rotation). When our mentor and business partner, Jeff Frank, was working as a nighttime DJ at WAEB in the late 1960’s, the last segment of his program was called “The Lover’s Hour.” Some of you may remember listening to the show on a transistor radio in bed before falling asleep, or if you were really lucky, while parking at Cedar Beach, Wehr’s Dam or off of Iron Bridge Road. Every evening at 11:57:30, Jeff would say goodnight with The Chimes. Suddenly, fifty years later, a song about unrequited teenage love became the way we remember a friend lost in the night. The song is now in permanent rotation at Randall’s, and it seems to always play at just the right time. I know that I'll be contented with yesterday's memory; Knowing you think of me once in a while. We all do; save us a seat at the bar, pal.

9. Give Me Just a Little More Time - The Chairmen of the Board; (1970; Pop Chart #3; Randall’s Spring and Summer Playlist). The unique, distinctive voice of “Chairman” lead singer, General Norman Johnson, is all over the Randall’s playlist, from his early work with The Showmen, to his time with this band, to his solo career and each Christmas, a few really fantastic holiday songs. No song better defines the General Johnson sound than this classic from 1970 when Holland-Dozier-Holland, tired of being underpaid at Motown, left to form their own label called Invictus (which means unconquerable or undefeated in Latin) and made The Chairmen of the Board their signature group. Soon, Johnson, tired of being underpaid by Invictus, left Holland-Dozier-Holland for Arista, left and The Chairmen of the Board for a solo career, telling his new band “We’re going to go down to the Carolinas and do this music they have called beach music” And he did, so until his death in 2010. Brrr. Give me just a little more time; And our love will surely grow. Take all the time you need (the Randall’s Summer Playlist features an extended version of the song), the General had us at Brrr.

8. Last Night - The Mar-Keys (1961; Pop Chart #3; R&B Chart #2; Randall’s Main Playlist). When Pennsylvania required bars and restaurants to close last March 16, Randall’s decided to connect with its patrons with a virtual happy hour, and on Friday nights from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Tom hosted his first live gig in over 25 years. We expected to do it for two weeks, we did it for 14. After the first two weeks, Ian thought Tom needed his own theme song and dug deep into his own library of music to find this classic

1961 instrumental from The Mar-Keys. That’s , best known as the guitarist of the , Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and from The Blues Brothers movie, playing second keyboard behind Smoochy Smith (there is no on the record). It’s 5 o’clock, my name is Tom, and THIS is Randall’s Radio. It certainly is.

7. Stay Awhile – The Bells (1971; Pop Chart #7; Randall’s Autumn Playlist). No other song gets a more immediate response at Randall’s than Stay Awhile, a duet featuring South African born Jackie Ralph and Canadian native Cliff Edwards, two of the five members of the Canadian band The Bells. Interestingly, Cliff was actually married to Jackie’s sister, Ann, who was also a member of The Bells. Depending on the age of the customer, what we get is either a question (Who is that?) or a nostalgic remembrance (“Thank you, I haven’t heard that song in 40 years”). It was the band’s only Top 40 hit. How it makes me quiver; How it makes me smile; With all this love I have to give you; Guess I'm gonna stay with you awhile. We hope so.

6. Summer – War (1976; Pop Chart #7; R&B #4; Randall’s Summer Playlist). Notwithstanding the dated references to 8-Track Tapes, CB radios and custom vans, this song invokes the feeling of summer, both summers gone (remember ridin' 'round town with all the windows down?) and summers yet to come. War fuses elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, R&B and soul; kind of like the Randall’s playlist. The aptly named song is summer. We’ve been playing it since we bought the 8-Track in 1976. Vinyl, cassette, CD and digital followed. Now it’s part of the Randall’s DNA. Why? Cause it's summer; Summertime is here; Yes it's summer; My time of year.

5. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) – Jr. Walker and the All Stars (1969; Hot 100 Chart #4; R&B Chart #1; Randall’s Main Playlist). When we became dissatisfied with the various commercial music sources that we were using at Randall’s and decided to create Randall’s Radio and take the music programming in-house, we looked to our business partner, Jeff Frank, and his thirty years of broadcast radio programming experience to provide the direction and parameters. We expected a long list of metrics establishing genres, beats per minute, harmonics and key signatures. What we got was a one line email “Make sure every song has a soul and make sure it feels like Randall’s.” This one sure does.

4. How Long - Ace (1975; Pop Chart #3; Randall’s Main Playlist). We never tire of telling Randall’s customers who ask about this perennial favorite by the British group Ace that the song is in fact not about allegations of infidelity, but rather was written by lead singer Paul Carrack (who went on the be the lead singer of Mike + The Mechanics) when he learned that Ace bassist Terry Comer was secretly working with other bands. Ace never charted again, and the group disbanded in 1977. And you said you was never intending; to break up our scene this way; But there ain't any use in pretending; It could happen to us any day. We’ll blame Mr. Comer for the breakup, accept Mr. Carrack’s use of the word “scene” as poetic license and once again, ignore the bad grammar. The song is one of the many in the Randall’s playlist that makes you want to sing along with the chorus. We won’t think any less of you if you do.

3. Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi (1964; Charted several times in the 2000’s; Randall’s Main Playlist). This standard written and performed by jazz pianist, Vince Guaraldi, is timeless, thanks in large part to being a part of many Peanuts animated specials since it was first featured in the 1964 Charlie

Brown Christmas Special. Named for Charlie Brown’s best friend Linus and his sister, (and Charlie Brown’s nemesis) Lucy (their last name is Van Pelt), the song always brings us a little bit of holiday spirit, and puts a big smile on our faces, regardless of when it plays, all year long. Lights, please…That’s what music is about, Charlie Brown.

2. Summer Breeze – Seals & Crofts (1972; Pop Chart #6; The Isley Brothers; Pop Chart #60; R&B Chart #10; Randall’s Summer Playlist) Originally written and recorded by , the song was covered by The Isley Brothers 1974. When Randall’s learned in early summer that while we could reopen, we could only do so as an outdoor business, we learned overnight how many patrons included the summer breeze as an integral part of their dining experience. Not surprisingly, there are three different versions of the song in the Randall’s Summer Playlist; the Seals & Crofts original, the harder more soulful cover by The Isley Brothers, and a house extended Seals and Crofts remix. Summer breeze makes me feel fine, Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind. As the winds of winter give way to a new spring and summer, join us on the patio in 2021 as the summer breeze blowing off the rolling hills that surround Randall’s provides the intangible complement to our great food, paired with just the right wine or cocktail, all creating the perfect summer night. How you get the breeze to blow through the jasmine in your mind is up to you.

1. Zoom - Fat Larry’s Band (1982; Pop Chart - Did Not Chart; R&B Chart #89; Randall’s Main Playlist). When we added Zoom to the Spring and Summer Playlist early this year, we had no idea that to Zoom would soon take on a very different meaning for so many people, or that the song would play such a pivotal role in the future of Randall’s. The song has deep Philadelphia roots; “Fat” Larry James worked with Blue Magic and Major Harris, and the song was written by Len Berry of The Dovells and Eli of MFSB. That gives it the Randall’s feel. When we learned that the only way Randall’s could once again open was if we served our customers outside, we designed and built our patio in 14 agonizing days (dining in a parking lot is just not Randall’s). Because of a glitch in Ian’s playlist algorithm at the time, the song played many times during each of those endless days, and Zoom quickly became the inspiration we needed, the reminder that despite the temporary setbacks outside of our control, everything at Randall’s was going to be better than ever. That made the song special. Zoom, you chased the day away; High noon, the moon and stars came out to play. Join us on the Patio in the late afternoon to watch the sun set, and stick around for a fabulous dinner under the stars. You’ll understand what we mean. See you in 2021. We are not going anywhere; we hope you aren’t either.