Brooklyn Music Milestones – January 2014

January 6, 2014 by David K. Moseder

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Jan. 15, 1994: Brooklyn and the world loses one of its finest songwriters and recording artists when American singer songwriter Harry Nilsson dies in his sleep of heart failure after spending the previous day in the recording studio.

Jan. 17, 1975: Columbia Records releases Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, featuring extensive liner notes by Park Slope native Pete Hamill. For various reasons, Hamill’s back-of-album essay is removed from later pressings, but they are later restored after he wins a Grammy for his words in the Annotator category.

Jan. 18, 1974: Barry Manilow’s Mandy reaches number one on the Billboard singles chart. One year later (Jan. 17, 1975 to be exact) the Williamsburg native does it again with I Write the Songs.

Jan. 19, 2003: After 46 weeks on the album charts, Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me finally makes it to the top and stays there for three weeks.

Jan. 30, 1961: The songwriting duo of Carole King and Gerry Goffin score their first number one hit with The Shirelles’ rendition of Will You Love Me Tomorrow. It would become one of the most covered songs in pop music history and was ranked No. 126 among Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Feb. 3, 1979: YMCA by Village People peaks at #2 on pop singles chart. Among the group’s Brooklyn connections are original “Indian” Felipé Ortiz Rose, who grew up in our fair borough, and native Miles Jaye Davis. Davis, who replaced original “Cop” Vic Willis in the group before embarking on a successful solo career, studied music at bo
th Brooklyn College and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

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Feb. 8, 2009: It’s a big night for two Brooklyn music legends at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards as singer/songwriter Neil Diamond is named MusiCares Person of the Year for his philanthropic work and record company executive Clive Davis receives the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ President’s Merit Award.

Feb. 23, 2003: Norah Jones takes home five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist; Song of the Year and Record of the Year (Don’t Know Why); and Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album (Come Away With Me).

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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