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Music In General => ¡Active! => Topic started by: Jules Gray on September 27, 2023, 10:51:27 PM



Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on September 27, 2023, 10:51:27 PM

authentic yacht rock


Because there's nothing I hate more than that phony yacht rock!   ;D

Jules



Edit: This topic formed in the Upcoming Gigs thread, but was too good not to have a thread of its own...


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on September 28, 2023, 07:28:08 AM


authentic yacht rock


Because there's nothing I hate more than that phony yacht rock!   ;D

Jules


Oh, my, I did laugh... ;D ;D


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: ColinB on September 28, 2023, 08:46:42 AM


authentic yacht rock


Because there's nothing I hate more than that phony yacht rock!   ;D

Jules


I've never even heard of yacht rock. Seems to cover quite a variety of bands - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yacht_rock_artists

I correctly guessed that CSN would be on the list as Crosby was into yachting.  ;)


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on September 28, 2023, 08:53:00 AM



authentic yacht rock


Because there's nothing I hate more than that phony yacht rock!   ;D

Jules


I've never even heard of yacht rock. Seems to cover quite a variety of bands - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yacht_rock_artists

I correctly guessed that CSN would be on the list as Crosby was into yachting.  ;)



That is a truly preposterous list - because CSN, Kool and the Gang, Fleetwood Mac and Spandau Ballet just have so much in common, don't they? ;D


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: Nick on September 28, 2023, 10:44:58 AM
Everything you ever wanted to know about Yacht Rock was summed up in a couple of BBC4 programmes:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000627v

(ok, the episodes are not currently available, but the synopsis and tracklists tell you a lot...)


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: wayne stote on September 28, 2023, 11:54:24 AM

Tomorrow night, Pablo Cruise at "The Haute Spot" in Cedar Park, Texas!

I bought all the Pablo Cruise records when I was 14. Their breakthrough single came in 1977, with the eminently danceable "Whatcha Gonna Do (When She Says Goodbye)?" I particularly love the 1978 LP "Worlds Away," which includes the title song, a great cover of Peter Allen's "Rio," and their biggest hit, "Love Will Find A Way." (They are cut from the same cloth as the Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and the Little River Band.)

The current band includes original guitarist/vocalist Dave Jenkins and original keyboardist Cory Lerios. The original drummer, Steve Price, recently stepped away after 50 years' service. Original bassist/vocalist (and former member of "It's a Beautiful Day") Bud Cockrell passed away years ago, sadly. They added lead vocalist Robbie Wyckoff just a few years ago; he sang David Gilmour's parts on Roger's "The Wall" tour.

Pablo Cruise were inactive through most of the '80s and '90s, but started a low-key comeback in the early 2010s, playing California and Florida and rarely in between. Mrs. J From A and I caught them for the first time at the Sonoma Music Festival in 2013, and I've since seen them a few more times. Only recently, they started venturing into more states. They attract a small but enthusiastic crowd of late-era baby boomers like me.

This is authentic yacht rock at its finest, and I'm always thrilled when they come my way.




Love Pablo Cruise. They put out a very good new single a couple of years ago so I was hopeful they'd follow up with an album. Nothing as yet. I live in hope though.

I was delighted when their most recent studio album, 1983's Out Of Our Hands, finally got a CD release, last year. Great to eventually complete the catalogue!


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: Shane (Skirky) on September 28, 2023, 01:18:11 PM

Everything you ever wanted to know about Yacht Rock was summed up in a couple of BBC4 programmes:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000627v

(ok, the episodes are not currently available, but the synopsis and tracklists tell you a lot...)


Essentially, "overproduced schmaltz you listen to whilst wearing espadrilles" 😂


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on September 28, 2023, 01:46:43 PM


Everything you ever wanted to know about Yacht Rock was summed up in a couple of BBC4 programmes:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000627v

(ok, the episodes are not currently available, but the synopsis and tracklists tell you a lot...)


Essentially, "overproduced schmaltz you listen to whilst wearing espadrilles" 😂


Well, what the hell are CSN doing in there then? ;)  The fact that the Croz owned a yacht and there's a picture of it on the cover of one of their albums seems a tad weak as the benchmark for a musical definition...


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on September 28, 2023, 03:45:58 PM
Sorry to stray so far of the "upcoming gigs" topic, but here is episode one of the world's greatest primer on yacht rock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMTI8vg7A5U

Warning: Some of the humor is NSFW. If I'm not mistaken, these comedians popularized (if not coined) the term "yacht rock" to define late '70s to early '80s soft rock. Jazz pretensions, excessive production, and imagery involving sun and sand (think Jimmy Buffett) put you in this category.

And there is, in fact, phony yacht rock out there. I saw an excellent cover band called "Yacht Rock Revue" opening for Kenny Loggins (a yacht rock pioneer) last month. Wall-to-wall covers of Toto, Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, etc. I think "Southern Cross" (not a Crosby but a Stills tune) is quintessential yacht rock.


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on September 28, 2023, 07:00:25 PM

And there is, in fact, phony yacht rock out there. I saw an excellent cover band called "Yacht Rock Revue" opening for Kenny Loggins (a yacht rock pioneer) last month. Wall-to-wall covers of Toto, Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, etc. I think "Southern Cross" (not a Crosby but a Stills tune) is quintessential yacht rock.


So yacht rock is phony if performed by a covers band, but authentic if performed by a band from the 1970s with just two original members left? Seems like a pretty arbitrary call to me. I genuinely don't think that fans of this sort of music are looking for authenticity.

Jules


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on September 28, 2023, 10:31:48 PM


And there is, in fact, phony yacht rock out there. I saw an excellent cover band called "Yacht Rock Revue" opening for Kenny Loggins (a yacht rock pioneer) last month. Wall-to-wall covers of Toto, Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, etc. I think "Southern Cross" (not a Crosby but a Stills tune) is quintessential yacht rock.


So yacht rock is phony if performed by a covers band, but authentic if performed by a band from the 1970s with just two original members left?


Sounds right!

But seriously, "phony" may not be the exact opposite of "authentic." Perhaps "inauthentic?" Or a "facsimile?"


Title: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on September 28, 2023, 10:44:41 PM

But seriously, "phony" may not be the exact opposite of "authentic." Perhaps "inauthentic?" Or a "facsimile?"


I might buy a facsimile yacht.

Jules


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: MarkV on September 29, 2023, 12:08:25 PM
Yacht Rock seems like an accident waiting to happen.  Personally though, my music is divided into stuff I like and stuff I dont. Though as time progresses either can move into the other category and back, mainly be over exposure.


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: David V B on September 29, 2023, 03:30:40 PM
I always thought yacht rock was just a snide name given by a lazy journalist. Bit like dad rock. I have never felt the views of anyone who blithely dismisses acts like Steely Dan in this way were worth giving any credence to.



Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on September 29, 2023, 04:52:17 PM
Here they are, Cory Lerios and Dave Jenkins, founders of yacht-rock pioneers Pablo Cruise, last night in Cedar Park, Texas! Great show, tons of fun. The ticket taker, a 20-something young lady, told us "I wasn't familiar with Pablo Cruise, so I looked *him* up before the show."


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on September 29, 2023, 04:59:36 PM
Since we have our own topic now, I can list some Yacht Rock standards:

Kenny Loggins: This is It
Doobie Brothers: What a Fool Believes
Michael McDonald: Sweet Freedom
Christopher Cross: Sailing
Beach Boys: Kokomo
Jimmy Buffett: Margaritaville
Little River Band: Reminiscing
Pablo Cruise: Island Girl
Steely Dan: Peg
Toto: Rosanna
CSN: Southern Cross
Steve Miller Band: Jungle Love
I might even say the Eagles' New Kid in Town qualifies.

One thing several of these songs have in common is Michael McDonald. He's the unofficial king of the genre. BTW, I have tons of this music in my collection. I love this era.


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on September 29, 2023, 05:08:52 PM

Since we have our own topic now, I can list some Yacht Rock standards:

Kenny Loggins: This is It
Doobie Brothers: What a Fool Believes
Michael McDonald: Sweet Freedom
Christopher Cross: Sailing
Beach Boys: Kokomo
Jimmy Buffett: Margaritaville
Little River Band: Reminiscing
Pablo Cruise: Island Girl
Steely Dan: Peg
Toto: Rosanna
CSN: Southern Cross
Steve Miller Band: Jungle Love
I might even say the Eagles' New Kid in Town qualifies.

One thing several of these songs have in common is Michael McDonald. He's the unofficial king of the genre. BTW, I have tons of this music in my collection. I love this era.


I hereby dedicate the rest of my life to removing CSN from the horrific indignity of a list such as this...  ;)


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Phil Perry on September 29, 2023, 06:58:03 PM
..... & don't forget Sails of Silver by our very own Steeleye Span, noting in particular the photo on the back of the LP  :)


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on September 29, 2023, 07:55:17 PM

I hereby dedicate the rest of my life to removing CSN from the horrific indignity of a list such as this...  ;)


The first album and the follow-up with Neil are definitely NOT yacht rock.
The '77 record leans a bit in that direction though.  And as for the Daylight Again LP - choc full of yachtitude.

Jules


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on September 29, 2023, 08:09:37 PM


I hereby dedicate the rest of my life to removing CSN from the horrific indignity of a list such as this...  ;)


The first album and the follow-up with Neil are definitely NOT yacht rock.
The '77 record leans a bit in that direction though.  And as for the Daylight Again LP - choc full of yachtitude.

Jules


Infidel!


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on September 29, 2023, 08:19:20 PM

Infidel!


 ;D

Sterile production? Check. Twinkling electronic keyboards? Check. Evidence of vacuous lyrical content? Check. Too much cocaine? Check. Bloated egos? Check.

Guilty, m'lud.

Jules


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: PJayBe on September 30, 2023, 09:57:17 AM
Try Young Gun, Silver Fox for a modern take on Yacht Rock.  Great band.


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Ian_ on September 30, 2023, 10:08:48 AM

 "Yachtitude"  ;D  Thanks Jules


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Ian_ on October 01, 2023, 11:02:05 AM

  :)  Just thought I'd drop this in for anyone still puzzling about the idea of 'yacht rock'.....

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ZsCPqwoLQ


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on October 01, 2023, 04:21:05 PM
Did CSNY hide “Through My Sails” on a Neil and Crazy Horse album in the hope that no one would notice their Yacht Rock anthem?


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on October 01, 2023, 06:52:45 PM

Did CSNY hide “Through My Sails” on a Neil and Crazy Horse album in the hope that no one would notice their Yacht Rock anthem?


Well, Neil slipped it in there. Not sure he gave the others much of a say really.

Jules


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on October 01, 2023, 08:46:01 PM


Did CSNY hide “Through My Sails” on a Neil and Crazy Horse album in the hope that no one would notice their Yacht Rock anthem?


Well, Neil slipped it in there. Not sure he gave the others much of a say really.

Jules


Stop talking about my favourite Neil album.  Just stop it.


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on October 01, 2023, 09:48:11 PM
Lots of Yacht Folk starting to pop up here.


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Jules Gray on October 01, 2023, 10:33:41 PM

Stop talking about my favourite Neil album.  Just stop it.


I'm not being critical. I love Zuma.

Jules


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on October 02, 2023, 09:00:07 AM


Stop talking about my favourite Neil album.  Just stop it.


I'm not being critical. I love Zuma.

Jules


Oh I know, but it's the context...this thread depresses me no end! ;D


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Shane (Skirky) on October 02, 2023, 12:32:58 PM
Pretty much anything with Russ Kunkel on, I guess?  ;D


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on October 02, 2023, 03:20:51 PM

Pretty much anything with Russ Kunkel on, I guess?  ;D


Best definition yet


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: davidmjs on October 02, 2023, 04:53:45 PM

Pretty much anything with Russ Kunkel on, I guess?  ;D


Oof... ;D


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Will S on October 02, 2023, 05:49:37 PM
That includes lots of Jackson Browne's albums then, and I'm not having that!


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: bassline (Mike) on October 02, 2023, 07:00:08 PM

That includes lots of Jackson Browne's albums then, and I'm not having that!


He's responsible for an entire armada of musos

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Kunkel


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Shane (Skirky) on October 03, 2023, 08:19:56 AM

That includes lots of Jackson Browne's albums then, and I'm not having that!


Not even Lawyers in Love?


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: Will S on October 03, 2023, 09:02:28 AM


That includes lots of Jackson Browne's albums then, and I'm not having that!


Not even Lawyers in Love?


Not even that. Not my favourite JB album by a long shot, but it still deserves better than being labelled as 'yacht rock'.  IMHO, obviously.  Other opinions are available...


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: PaulT on October 03, 2023, 09:11:29 AM
Ironically, The Yachts (from Liverpool) were much more a power-pop outfit.


Title: Re: Yacht Rock
Post by: John From Austin on October 03, 2023, 05:26:29 PM



That includes lots of Jackson Browne's albums then, and I'm not having that!


Not even Lawyers in Love?


Not even that. Not my favourite JB album by a long shot, but it still deserves better than being labelled as 'yacht rock'.  IMHO, obviously.  Other opinions are available...


I never thought of Jackson Browne as a purveyor of yacht rock, but "Somebody's Baby" from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack may qualify.