Driving home from getting my teeth cleaned, I played “The Best of the Five Americans” CD. “I See the Light”, released New Year’s Day ’66, hit me as if I was hearing it for the first time. What a perfect Garage Band sound!
The Five Americans are best known for their #5 hit “Western Union”, released more than a year later. It’s likewise very creative in its construction and production. Music Mike has the single cued up.
Western Union ended its telegram service, but how to update the song’s lyrics? E-mail? Not anymore. Texting? Nope. She’d simply ghost him!
Speaking of advancing technology, cassette decks are long gone from cars, and I should be prepared for my next car not having a CD player. I’ve read there’s even been talk among auto makers that Bluetooth may become the only radio receiver they will offer. No AM or FM, no CD, no Aux jack? Just Bluetooth, for use with Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
The SiriusXM app on my phone, played in the car over Bluetooth, is better than the car’s built-in XM receiver. The app can be set to maximum sound quality, and it doesn’t suffer from reception drop-outs when going under bridges or driving along wooded areas. I’m going to assume that SiriusXM has already decided they won’t go to the trouble and expense of replacing their satellites.
This is the complete Five Americans collection, compliments of Bob Irwin at Sundazed Records. Bob and Gina are on Big Planet Noise tonight at 9 ET. See my Links selection section.