During my last road trip with David, we were listening to a “yacht rock” mix CD in the car. Christopher Cross, David Gates, Stephen Bishop, and of course, lots of Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers. What’s remarkable is how many songs McDonald sang background on. He was the busiest session singer in L.A. Ubiquitous. Even songs that he didn’t sing on sometimes sound like he did. It’s as if you can hear him in the mix. We dubbed this phenomenon “The Phantom Doobie Syndrome.”
All this brings to mind one of my favorite ever SCTV skits – where Rick Moranis plays Michael McDonald frantically running between sessions. In case you’ve never seen it, or you just need a laugh, watch it here:
Rick Moranis as Michael McDonald
Here’s what summer is all about: Luiz Bonfa, Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim on the beach, serenading their girls.
Bossa Beach
We’re proud to welcome you to the new and improved Swan Dive website! Designed by Helen Stevens, it features graphics inspired by our new album, Mayfair. Please have a look around and leave us a comment to let us know what you think. And don’t forget to sign up to follow us on Twitter.
I’ll be talking to you soon. – Bill
Molly and I will be playing a set w/Jim Hoke this Wednesday, July 1st, 7pm at 3rd & Lindsley.
On the classic game show What’s My Line?, there was a segment called “Mystery Guest,” where they’d blindfold the panelists, then bring out a celebrity. By asking ten questions, the panelists would try to determine the identity of the mystery guest. Watching these clips on YouTube, what’s striking is how the mystery guests would need to disguise their voices so they wouldn’t be instantly recognized.
Think of Peter Lorre, Doris Day, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, Jack Lemmon, Julie Andrews,
Bette Davis, Jerry Lewis, Andy Griffith, James Mason . . . you’d know any of these stars by hearing them say two or three words. So the question arises, which of today’s stars could you the same of?
Peter Lorre as the
Mystery Guest
