Mark Kurlansky’s Ready for a Brand New Beat: How “Dancing in the Streets” Became the Anthem for a Changing America looks at America in the Sixties and Seventies through the lens of Motown music. A big chunk of this book deals with Berry Gordy’s starting Motown Records, developing the Motown sound, and recruiting singers to implement his musical vision. Kurlansky believes that Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Streets” played in key role in the zeitgeist of the Sixties as the Civil Rights Act, the Vietnam War, and the Goldwater vs. Johnson election all played out. The minute I finished Ready for a Brand New Beat, I had to drop everything and listen to Martha Reeves belt out this classic song! Check out the video below. GRADE: B+
DISCOGRAPHY OF “DANCING IN THE STREET”
1964 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
1965 Cilla Black
1965 Brenda Lee
1065 The Kinks
1965 Petula Clark
1965 The Everly Brothers
1965 The Rokes
1966 The Walker Brothers
1966 The Red Squares
1967 Ramsey Lewis
1971 Little Richard
1971 Laura Nyro and Labelle
1976 Michael Bolton
1976 The Royals
1976 Donald Byrd
1977 The Grateful Dead
1979 Teri DeSario and K.C.
1979 Nohelani Cypriano
1979 Neil Diamond
1981 Tim Curry
1982 Van Halen
1982 The Who
1985 Mick Jagger and David Bowie
1985 Kingfish
1993 Leningrad Cowboys & the Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble
1996 Gunther Neefs
1997 Kim Weston
1999 The BB Band
2000 Jimmy Barnes
2001 Atomic Kitten
2002 The Power Station
2003 Dynamo’s Rhythm Aces
2004 Sugar Beats
2004 The Charades
2005 Rene Froger & Maud
2006 Human Nature
2007 The Condors, featuring Miu Sakamoto
2009 Asian Sensation
2010 Sandrine
I like Heat Wave better, but DITS is catchy. But a list that has Neil Diamond and not the Beatles is useless in my universe. Maybe I missed something.
Bob, I don’t think the Beatles could have done justice to “Dancing in the Street.” Of course, I’m not sure Neil Diamond did, either.
Sounds like an interesting book, but I wonder why so many of the acts listed are English. Not that I’m complaining, music-wise, but how does, say, Cilla Black, factor into the American civil rights movement of the 1960s. Also, I second the Right Reverend’s comment: Where are the Beatles?
Deb, Motown had a huge effect on British music back in the Sixties. Plenty of British groups were covering Motown hits (like the Stones’ version of “Just My Imagination”). The Beatles’ sound didn’t quite jibe with Motown.
I mean, if English acts are included in the book, shouldn’t THE English act of the 1960s be included?
Deb, the Beatles never did a cover version of “Dancing in the Streets” but they did a great version of “Twist & Shout.”
I agree about Cilla Black, who barely made a blip this side of the pond.
Another factor not mentioned was teh 1968 Detroit Tigers World Series win, which did a lot to bring Detroit together after the riot of 1967.
Good point, Jeff! I’m loading the Rogue now to begin the drive to the Albany BOUCHERCON. Wish you and Jackie could be there! You’ll be missed (along with the dozen or so regulars who won’t be there either).
I read his SALT and 1968 (I think that was the title). Information overload on SALT but this one looks good.
I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Wish we were able to come.
1968: The Year That Rocked the World.
He also wrote a book on Hank Greenberg, Patti.
The Beatles also did a cover of “Please Mr. Postman” if you will recall. I don’t really buy this premise, but there was some good music at the time. I think they probably would have been better off to stick with 1961-1966.
Oh wait–is this a list of DITS cover versions? Ok, now I understand!
Didn’t the Mamas and the Papas also do Dancing in the Streets?
Patti, the Hilton Albany is very swanky! I arrived right on time. But a quick look around reveals nowhere to eat within walking distance (other than the hotel restaurant).
Rick, most of the book covers the Sixties.
Bob. you are right again! The Mama and Papas did a cover of “Dancing in the Streets” in 1966 and it reached Number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Dave Clark Five did “Do You Love Me.”
Jeff – originally by The Contours?
George, glad you’re there, though no place to eat but the hotel is a bummer. Maybe you can at lease order pizza.
I’m assuming B’con reports will be forthcoming!
Yes Rick, the Contours. Incidentally, the original members of The Contours are performing together and we saw them at “The Ultimate Do-Wop Show” four years ago.