2024 can be kinda lame...
Come Join us in 1974
The Marvelettes
Beechwood 4-5789
Released: July 10th, 1962
The events we write about at Gaslight Records happened in some form or another 50 years ago to the day. Roll along with us and imagine you are back in 1974.
Support Gaslight Records
'Beechwood 45789′ is a nostalgia track—the kind of thing that might come over the jukebox at one of the last surviving silver diners, or that would be blasting through a PA system at a cruise meet on a summer's evening. Whether or not this song is immediately recognizable, listeners will probably be familiar with the style almost immediately. The song is part of the genre of female pseudo-R&B vocal groups that were stuck in limbo between the doo wop of the 50s, and the Motown sounds of the 60s (though perhaps a bit closer to the former).
'Beechwood 45789′ sounds vaguely like a lot of songs from the era. The vocals are tight, the instrumentation is well conceived, and the chorus is catchy. However, the song at times feels almost engineered rather than organically created. It is not too likely that 'Beechwood 45789' will offend anybody, but it will probably not win them over with any bold artistic strokes either. It is successful in what it is: an enjoyable two minute blast of pop that is a quick ticket back to the early 60s.
However, it is worth noting that 'beechwood 45789' may have one last claim of historical importance. The five digits in the song's title later found their way into the Eddie Floyd-penned song '634-5789…' (A number 13 chart hit for Wilson Pickett on the hot 100, in 1966). Regardless of where 'beechwood 45789' stands in the greater context of R&B history, half of its title somehow wound up in an anthem of 60s soul.
2024 can be kinda lame...
Come Join us in 1974
More recent news
News
August 26th, 1972: John Prine returns with second album
News
August 24th, 1972: Joni Mitchell recording 5th studio album
28-year-old Joni Mitchell has begun recording her 5th studio album in Hollywood, California. For The Roses is Mitchell's follow up to her 1971 album Blue.
News
August 23rd, 1972: Bruce Springsteen has begun recording debut album in New York
John Hammond signed Springsteen to Columbia Records earlier this year.
News
February 7th, 1970: Black Sabbath share debut single "Evil Woman": Listen
The English rock band's debut album is due out this week.
News
December 30th, 1969: Norman Greenbaum releases "Spirit In The Sky" from his debut album: Listen
Greenbaum's sings the gospel on his new single
News
December 23rd, 1969: Watch The Jackson 5 perform single from their debut album on Ed Sullivan
Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 is the latest release from Motown
News
December 20th, 1969: The Clancy Brothers have released a new album of Christmas songs: Listen
Irish folk group, The Clancy Brothers have recorded 11 songs to bring a little joy to your Christmas
News
December 18th, 1969: See photos from The Doors album cover shoot in Los Angeles today
The new Doors album is due for release early next year.
Article
December 10th, 1969: Four people died over the weekend at The Altamont Speedway Free Festival
Here's the story of Altamont in quotes from many of the people involved.
News
December 5th, 1969: The Rolling Stones have released a new studio album ahead of their free concert tomorrow at Altamont
As The Stones finish their run of U.S. concert dates they have released their eighth album, Let It Bleed.
News
December 3rd, 1969: Emmylou Harris covers Bob Dylan on debut album
Listen to Harris's cover of Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" from her album Gliding Bird
Live At The Gaslight
Peter Stone Brown covers Bob Dylan's "She Belongs To Me"
Recorded in Atlantic City at Dylan Fest in 2015