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Welcome to 2016 and my first blog of the new year. I trust that you had a great holiday season and are now looking forward to the next 366 days (leap year) which hopefully will find you healthy, happy and prosperous throughout!
Of course, the end of the Christmas season also marked the official ceasefire of non-stop holiday hits everywhere I’d go – particularly here on the patio of Starbucks on Little Road in New Port Richey, FL.
As you may know, it’s my unofficial “office” from where almost all HOTH posts originate, and where I spend a good portion of afternoons and early evenings. That meant having heard a lot of seasonal songs for a month, which to me, seemed to all be in, as we say in radio parlance, “high rotation.” (I think the most played was a Sinatra tune called Mistletoe And Ivy that repeatedly mentions “fancy ties an’ granny’s pies – ugh!)
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The song I’ve got for you today really blew me away when it came on the back-to-normal sound system here. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the original version of Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac in public – until today. Nor have I played it on the radio throughout my entire career!
Fleetwood Mac is a band with whom I’m sure you’re familiar. But what you may not know is the mid-seventies version of the group which produced massive hits such as Over My Head, Rhiannon, Say You Love Me, Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Don’t Stop and more was actually the second incarnation of FM.
Formed in England in 1967 as a blues-based band, they were founded by guitarist Peter Green, guitarist Jeremy Spencer, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood.
The latter two have remained with the band throughout, while Green and Spencer departed in 1970 – replaced by John’s wife, vocalist Christine McVie, and Bob Welch.
In 1974 the quartet relocated to California, with Welch leaving shortly after. When his two American replacements, guitarist Lindsay Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks were added, the five member hit-making behemoth was solidified.
[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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BLACK MAGIC WOMAN
Fleetwood Mac
[1968]
The blues oriented earlier version of Fleetwood Mac wasn’t successful in a commercial sense, but garnered a huge following of fans with like-minded musical tastes nonetheless.
In early 1968 they recorded the original version of Black Magic Woman, written by Peter Green and a Top 10 U.S. hit almost three years later by Carlos Santana and his group, Santana.
On my radio shows I’d often mention the origins of the Santana hit, but as mentioned, never had the opportunity to actually play this version – until now – after prompting from the audio system here at my de facto office. It’s followed by the more familiar Santana remake. Enjoy!
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BLACK MAGIC WOMAN
Santana
(Album Version)
[1970]
Formed in San Francisco by Carlos Santana, the Latin-rock guitarist and his band followed up their #9 hit from 1970, Evil Ways, with this Top Ten-er (#4) from early 1971.
I haven’t heard the album version of Black Magic Woman – a medley with Gypsy Queen – for quite a while. It’s from their second studio album, Abraxas.
The album cover artwork features a 1961 painting by Mati Klarwein called Annunciation. In 2003 Abraxas was listed at #207 on Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.’
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MORE #JustHeardAtStarbucks®
EXPRESS YOURSELF / Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME / Aretha Franklin
BREAD AND BUTTER / The Newbeats
SOULFUL CHRISTMAS / James Brown
APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE / Jay And The Techniques
HERE COMES MY BABY / Cat Stevens
KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR / Bob Dylan
TAKE FIVE / Dave Brubeck Quartet
WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER / Timmy Thomas & TIME IS TIGHT / Booker T. & The M.G.’s
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
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