The Rembrandts, new masters: their first CD hits the streets, and my ears! (Three strikes? Yer out!)
(Eighth in a series) - Note: If you click on MORE, you only get a truncated version. Click on my name - only on my page can the full post be seen. God knows why.....
So, finally..after 14 years of history I didn't discover until after the bug had bitten me, The Rembrandts released their first CD in 1990.
You will discover that this fabulous duo seemed to have a difficult time coming up with great names for albums. This first one is just called The Rembrandts. Ok, kind of a first-album eponymous tradition of sorts. But when the second one is called Untitled and the third is called L.P.? Well, let's just say their talents lie elsewhere.
And this first fabulous L.P. was showed off a plethora of talent. The biggest hit of the album was "Just The Way It Is, Baby", which I spoke about ad infinitum (or ad nauseam) in the first post of this series. I have never, ever gotten tired of this great song. And, since I found a better-quality video version of it than the grainy YouTube vid attached to that post, I'm going to post THAT at the bottom of this segment. On to other songs.
The album peaked at #88 on the Billboard Top 100, but I have to disagree with the record company's choices for the second and third videos made from the songs on this CD. They chose two ballads (and the videos will follow in a bit) but I really think the next two strongest songs on the album were Burning Timbers, which is the red-button song at the top of this post, and New King, SO appropriate to play in this and every election year, which I will include in Comments. For all of you musicians out there, I want you to listen carefully to the chord changes of Burning Timber – unconventional to say the least but they still work, and work beautifully. I suspect they are more the work of lead guitarist Phil Solem than Danny Wilde, who displayed no such proclivity on the solo albums he released before or after The Rembrandts. But that's just a guess. It is a bit easier to know what Danny brings to the duo, due to his solo material.
(Danny is on the right, Phil on the left above). Danny sings lead on more than half of their songs for sure, although with their voices being fairly similar it is a bit hard to tell. Phil usually takes the high harmonies (just like his namesake in the Everly Brothers), has a slightly wilder vocal delivery, and is a bit goofier on stage, making comments between songs that, in my experience, are not easy to decipher. I just can't understand what he's saying, and thus have NO idea what he means. Phil has self-released one CD with his group Thrush and, according to his MySpace page, is recording a solo album (oh boy!) and I will be covering both of those – later. Just today I noticed that he looks like a bit like comedian David Spade's brother.
But for now let's get to some videos showing off more songs from this first album. First up is a short one, acoustic and live, of them closing The Late Show in 1991 doing their song Goodnight. Listen to those harmonies and you'll see my earlier reference to the Everlys was no accident.
Next up, one of the ballads, Save Me Music Video: SAVE ME -Rembrandts
And, penultimately, the second ballad Someone, with Phil singing lead this time
Music Video: SOMEONE -Rembrandts
While I like this song, I think there are much stronger songs on the album that rock out more. Check out New King in Comments for an example.
Finally, as promised, the better quality video of "Just The Way It Is, Baby": Music Video: JUST THE WAY IT IS, BABY -Rembrandts
Next time: It's no sophomore slump for the second album Untitled.
You will discover that this fabulous duo seemed to have a difficult time coming up with great names for albums. This first one is just called The Rembrandts. Ok, kind of a first-album eponymous tradition of sorts. But when the second one is called Untitled and the third is called L.P.? Well, let's just say their talents lie elsewhere.
And this first fabulous L.P. was showed off a plethora of talent. The biggest hit of the album was "Just The Way It Is, Baby", which I spoke about ad infinitum (or ad nauseam) in the first post of this series. I have never, ever gotten tired of this great song. And, since I found a better-quality video version of it than the grainy YouTube vid attached to that post, I'm going to post THAT at the bottom of this segment. On to other songs.
The album peaked at #88 on the Billboard Top 100, but I have to disagree with the record company's choices for the second and third videos made from the songs on this CD. They chose two ballads (and the videos will follow in a bit) but I really think the next two strongest songs on the album were Burning Timbers, which is the red-button song at the top of this post, and New King, SO appropriate to play in this and every election year, which I will include in Comments. For all of you musicians out there, I want you to listen carefully to the chord changes of Burning Timber – unconventional to say the least but they still work, and work beautifully. I suspect they are more the work of lead guitarist Phil Solem than Danny Wilde, who displayed no such proclivity on the solo albums he released before or after The Rembrandts. But that's just a guess. It is a bit easier to know what Danny brings to the duo, due to his solo material.
(Danny is on the right, Phil on the left above). Danny sings lead on more than half of their songs for sure, although with their voices being fairly similar it is a bit hard to tell. Phil usually takes the high harmonies (just like his namesake in the Everly Brothers), has a slightly wilder vocal delivery, and is a bit goofier on stage, making comments between songs that, in my experience, are not easy to decipher. I just can't understand what he's saying, and thus have NO idea what he means. Phil has self-released one CD with his group Thrush and, according to his MySpace page, is recording a solo album (oh boy!) and I will be covering both of those – later. Just today I noticed that he looks like a bit like comedian David Spade's brother.
But for now let's get to some videos showing off more songs from this first album. First up is a short one, acoustic and live, of them closing The Late Show in 1991 doing their song Goodnight. Listen to those harmonies and you'll see my earlier reference to the Everlys was no accident.
Posted on 05/17/2008
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My Trusted MOGs
Here’s New King from the first LP, which they should re-release EVERY election year.
My Trusted MOGs
Okay i'll be honest...i've absolutely avoided the Rembrandts like the plague and knew of nothing more than that they had done that "Friends" song. I've read some of the posts you put up on them and read comments but for some reason (heck i don't know!) didn't listen to a single track. Trusted Timemachine recommends them too. Huh?? What gives? ( I know it's the "Friends" thing ...i can't stand that actor who was it? the one ...god it's Monica's brother or something and everytime i heard the song i saw that guys stooopid face and i could just...) It's Ross! I liked all the others just not that one...ooops sorry back to it.
I listen to the New King to start... right here for the very first time.
Oops... I go....better make sure...This can't be.....head back to the top. Listening to Burning Timber... Good god what's this?!! The bass kicks in and does what it's supposed to do... I can hear it coming before the notes are played ...the rolling bass line and all the harmonies and the layers of guitar...(i'm listening right now) Yep it's the truth i pray for rain.....middle eight straight into the guitar break ...el perfecto pop pop pop music. perfect production as well i might add. Then i watch the song on youtube (It didn't work here the others do though) the one you say reminds you of the everly bros. Goodnight it is. Wow these guys are sooo natural together with the harmonies. Beautiful vocals i must say...they run purely on instinct i would venture to say. Then i go back and find out a song i absolutely loved way back when is Just The Way it is, Baby..... by the past dreaded Rembrandts. I didn't know....honestly...you must know this... i would never lie or say something i didn't mean. So i'm a fool. I've missed out. Strike three? ...what is it your eighth post on these guys? more like strike eight for me. You have a convert whether it was intentional or not. They owe you...The Rembrandts do. I would have never listened if it was not for your persistence or love of the group. Not that it matters if i pick up an album or two at the record shop to them. But it makes a diff to me. So that said thanks for making the difference Dermahrk...
I'm sorry if this was long and i apologize for typing in stream form but i think we have a few extra minutes on Mog with all the people absent.
And Ross or David whatever your name is i swear i meet you in a street you're gonna pay for this lost time i just found out about. My apologies to Schawinger fans across the land. ha! Schwimmer. Mike Myers tip of the hat intentional.
My Trusted MOGs
bingo. i have also not listened to these guys due to the association with the tv show.
My Trusted MOGs
More great cuts by them. You've rescued them from oblivion.
My Trusted MOGs
Yes Mark, Your campaign to resurrect these guys' career has been a smashing success. I hope they appreciate what you've done for their reputation. I too was turned off just because of friends. Silly, huh? Thanks. This is why I MOG.
My Trusted MOGs
Guys, you don't know how much I appreciate your kind comments. Putting this whole series of posts together is a lot of work, purely an act of love, and the thought that I may have increased their fan base by a few bodies makes it all worth it. Yummy, I particularly enjoyed your long comment, almost as much work as my post was. Perfecto production? I forgot to add above that the entire first album was recorded in DANNY WILDE'S GARAGE in his little home studio, and released by the record company virtually unaltered. So much for needing expensive producers to manage the artists.....
My Trusted MOGs
I have never heard of these guys...didn't even know they were the band that did the "Friends" song until I read yummy's post. How's that for having my head in the sand.
There is a Crowded House quality to the first song. My interest is piqued.
I do think that yummy doth protest to much...probably a closet "Friends" fan...
Didn't mean to call you out yummy...I guess I am just a bit punchy this morning.
My Trusted MOGs
annieander.. it's all good! Yes a bit over the top i am at times i will give you that entirely... I did watch the show a few times but honestly what i said was true. No ...never a closet anything with me.... Punchy is good by the way! I could use a good cuff upside my head once and awhile! I thought the same thing as you about the Crowded House quality bit. A bit of The Squeeze to add to that maybe? A garage recording Dermahrk? Amazing.
My Trusted MOGs
This is so funny.
I am so impressed by the love you show for this band. The dark horse.
Trust me..........I know the band. I was an exchange student in the US when they had their first major hit..........and I bought the album. Probably still have that vinyl somewhere. I remember the song "Someone" being really addictive. I kept thinking that the song was a rip-off but I couldn't figure out if that was really the case. I listened to it a lot. I was 15 and "Just The Way It Is Baby" sounded great. The "Friends" song is a catchy tune. Hopefully they've made a lot of money on it.
Here they are again. A dark horse..........but you just go for it with such passion. This is what's so cool about MOG.
My Trusted MOGs
I just stumbled upon this site and I am so heartened to find some folks that appreciate this music. The worst thing that ever happened to the Rembrandts was the Friends theme. Sure, it exposed a lot of people to the band but I think it actually prevented more people from getting to know them as witnessed by some of the posts in this thread.
I'm kind of an insider with this band as I co-wrote a couple songs on the "Untitled" record and I've been writing with Phil Solem for about 25 years. All I can say is please check out Phil's MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/philsolemsolo) and check out tracks from his new solo project. I highly recommend the song "Questions Without Answers" which should be a radio hit and then another song which I co-wrote called "Nobody You Know." All of his new songs are really good though you may need to listen to them a couple times to get it.
Also, please check out the Thrush MySpace page ( http://www.myspace.com/wearethrush) for more great music from Phil of a slightly different flavor.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping to expose this music because it truly was/is very special and has always deserved a much wider audience than it has received!
Peace.