One of the greatest rock albums of all time:

Sandy Owens is one of my favorite pianists, capable of handling any style of music. If you want to listen to a noir style song that will put you in the mood for a PI walking down the mean streets, “Reflections Of A Detective, 3:00 A.M.” is a good choice. It’s available on his album Themes In Search Of A Movie. You can buy this or any of the artist’s other work from his website http://sandyowen.com

Sandy Owen (piano)

Paul Carman (tenor saxophone)

Ted Owen (percussion)

Renaissance was a British progressive rock band most active in the 1970s and 80s, although various members of the group have re-formed several times since, up through 2014. Says Wikipedia: “They developed a unique sound, combining a female lead vocal with a fusion of classical, folk, rock, and jazz influences. Characteristic elements of the Renaissance sound are Annie Haslam’s wide vocal range, prominent piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser, and versatile drum work.” Turn of the Cards, their fifth studio album, was released in 1974.

Intended to be the British response to the Beach Boys and Pet Sounds, the original version of this LP in 1968 was limited to only 100 copies:

Billy Nicholls – 1968 – Would You Believe

This group’s only LP, from 1968. From Wikipedia: “Debbie Harry went on to join The Stillettoes in 1974 and other bands until subsequently achieving success in 1976 fronting the new wave band Blondie.”

Lori Burton was a record producer as well as a singer-songwriter in her own right. Released in 1967, Breakout was her only solo album and has been described as “a mixture of soul and densely produced New York mid-’60s pop/rock.”

Sweetwater was a psychedelic rock/fusion band originally from Los Angeles, California, and were one of the opening acts at Woodstock. The lead singer on this, their first LP, was Nansi Nevins.

For all intents and purposes, Picadilly Line was a duo consisting of the two lead singers, Rod Edwards and Roger Hand, backed up by a large group of session musicians. The Huge World of Emily Small (1967), their only LP in this incarnation, has been described as “psych baroque pop.” Listen for yourself:

   There are a growing number of rock bands with all men except for a bad girl lead singer. Young Taylor Momsen (born July 26, 1993) is one of the best singers out there today. Momsen got her start as a model and actress (TV series Gossip Girls). She joined the band The Pretty Reckless in 2009.

   Others in the band include Ben Phillips (guitar, backing vocals), Mark Damon (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums).

   “Take Me Down” was the first single released off their new album Who You Selling For and continued a string of Billboard number one singles by the group. (Razor & Tie recording, 2016. Lyrics by Ben Phillips and Taylor Momsen.)

It takes me only two notes to recognize this one.