1975 - May: David Bowie "Young Americans"

David Bowie would leave the glam rock genre of his previous albums for a more soulful sound with his ninth studio album, Young Americans.  This album features blue eyed soul, or what Bowie would refer to as "plastic soul."  David Bowie moved to the United States in 1974 during a time when tax concerns were driving many artists out of the UK.  He was living in New York City at the time, and starting production on the album in Philadelphia where he worked with guitarist Carlos Alomar.  A funk guitarist, Alomar had worked as a session musician at the Apollo Theater and would become a collaborator and band leader for Bowie over the next decade.  In addition to Carlos Alomar, Bowie worked on this album with a number of artists including Robin Clark, Ava Cherry, saxophonist David Sanborn, and a new musician named Luther Vandross.

He would also collaborate on this album with ex-Beatle John Lennon who was recording in New York at the same time as Bowie's recording moved there.  Bowie and Lennon had met previously at a party hosted by Elizabeth Taylor.  Lennon collaborated with Bowie during his "lost weekend" period.

Young Americans contains elements of soul, funk, and R&B, and was a deliberate attempt to garner more success in the U.S. market.  It certainly achieved this result, though critics would deliver mixed reviews.  The transition from glam rock to blue-eyed soul would not be one which all fans embraced, but David Bowie would follow his own creative muse.  It would not be the last time we would see a significant stylistic change from Bowie.  It was nevertheless a commercial success, going to number 9 on the US albums chart, remaining on the charts for almost a year.

Rob brings us this funky example of “plastic soul.”

Young Americans
The title track was recorded in Philadelphia, and hit number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, Bowie's second-highest chart success to this date.  Then unknown singer Luther Vandross conceived the backing vocal arrangement.  The song provides impressions of American life through the eyes of an English man.  David Sanborn provides the saxophone work.

Across the Universe
This cover of the Beatles song also found collaboration with Beatles' alumnus John Lennon.  Backing vocals and guitar are provided by Lennon, who considered this song a better version than his own.  Critics tend to disagree, as reviews on the Bowie version were primarily negative.

Fascination
This track began as a jam by Luther Vandross entitled “Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)” which was performed before the Bowie concerts in 1974.  When Vandross was retained from the “Diamond Dogs” tour, the two collaborated to create the song “Fascination.”  The song was an homage to the Philadelphia funk sound.

Fame
This single hit number 1 on the US charts, the first Bowie song to do so.  Composed by Bowie, Alomar, and Lennon, the high backing “Fame” vocalizations are provided by John Lennon.  Bowie would describe it as a “nasty, angry” song directed at management with which he had previous issues.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Ease On Down the Road by Consumer Rapport (from the motion picture The Wiz)
A soulful take on The Wizard of Oz featured Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.

STAFF PICKS:

Judy Mae by Boomer Castleman 
Wayne initiates the staff picks with a controversial song that went to number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The lyrics tell of a father to a 17 year-old girl who marries a woman half his age.  When an affair ensures between the stepmother and the daughter, the father dies of an accident shortly thereafter.  It feels like a racier version of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”

Long Haired Country Boy by the Charlie Daniels Band
Brian brings us a song about a guy with a very passive attitude about life. “I ain't asking for nobody for nuthin' that I can't get on my own.  If you don't like the way I'm livin' you just leave this long-haired country boy alone.” It was off the second album from the CDB entitled “Fire on the Mountain.”

When Will I Be Loved by Linda Ronstadt 
Bruce features Ronstadt doing a cover originally from the Everly Brothers in 1960.  While the original peaked at number 8, Ronstadt's cover would go to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song is a vocal trio between Ronstadt, Kenny Edwards, and Andrew Gold. 

Trampled Under Foot by Led Zeppelin 
Rob finishes the staff picks with a song John Paul Jones claims was inspired by Stevie Wonder's “Superstition.”  The lyrics were inspired by blues artist Robert Johnson's “Terraplane Blues” from  1936.  A Terraplane was a classic car that serves as a not-so-subtle source for sexual innuendo.  It is off the band's double album, “Physical Graffiti.” 

COMEDY TRACK:

Bertha Butt Boogie by The Jimmy Castor Bunch 
This funk novelty track went to number 16 on the US pop chart and number 22 on the US R&B chart.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.