Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesFriday MP3 Shuffle - Happy Birthday Tony Orlando Edition

Gather ‘round, children, and let me tell you a tale of a time when polyester was the fabric of choice for young people and the variety show was a coveted means of making a living. A time when entertainment required more than wardrobe malfunctions and twerking. It’s the early ‘70s, and one of the main men from that era is Tony Orlando. Born in Hell’s Kitchen in NYC and first making the pop charts at 16, the singer and record producer got his big break when he flanked himself with two gorgeous backup singers and hit the TV airwaves with a collection of polished, AM-Radio-friendly Pop music that included the mega-hits “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” and “Candida.”

Orlando’s time in the spotlight ended when the ‘80s took over, but like Wayne Newton and Tony Bennett, he’s still performing regularly in Vegas and Branson, MO, proving that longevity doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing in the music business if you have talent. Let’s wish him a Happy Birthday (and hope he never gets roped into singing duets with Lady Gaga) by grabbing your MP3 player, pressing the “shuffle” button, and sharing the first ten songs you hear:

1. "Compliant" by Shellac (Dude Incredible) - A great song to listen to when you're sitting and stewing, thinking about whose metaphorical (or literal) butt you're going to kick later on.

2. Qui Dorm, Només Somia" by Deerhoof (Deerhood Vs. Evil) – Beautifully complex musical ideas from the Left Coast

3. "The Squirrel" by The Tad Dameron Sextet (Bebop Spoken Here) – A jazz favorite from the '50s. If Dameron (and a lot of other boppers) & Deerhoof ever met they would have a lot to talk about

4. "All Tomorrow's Parties" by The Velvet Underground (The Velvet Underground & Nico) – Modern music could use another Nico, someone with presence and an artfully destructive style.

5. "Hamburger Boy" by Happy Refugees (Return to Last Chance Saloon) – Seem keen. Get clean. Need a Scene? GET ONE!

6. "Taste of Love" by Aura (Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound) – We have been recently blessed with a bunch of old-school R&B and Soul recordings in the CHIRP library, of which this is just a taste...of love.

7. "Cravin' a Man Blues" by Lillian Ginn (Blues Masters) – If you have any interest in Blues, Blues Masters needs to be in your collection, assuming you can find all 15+ editions.

8. "North by North" by Faded Paper Figures (Dynamo) – Bedroom Pop with a nice backbeat. It’s not heavy and not lightweight. It's like a spritzer for your ears.

9. "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Not Fragile) – That's right…BTO. '70s Rock will NEVER die! These guys sound like they're having so much fun playing.

10. "Rain" by Pure X (Angel) – Truth in advertising, it's a misty, damp meditation that seems almost out of character for this Austin band. Their songs usually invoke heat instead of water.

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