Playing catch up with a neglected list of tunes from my visits to Lake Storey last summer and fall. All told, I made eight trips to that old fishing hole and what follows are the tunes that made the cut for a Top 5 from those drives.
5. Fresh Air – Quicksilver Messenger Service (1970)
As me and the Summer of Love are the same age, the psychedelic rock scene pre-dates any true radio or record listening experience from a time when this song was fresh. But a handful of tunes from that era do appeal, including this one. I am not much of a jam band guy either but this one features a pair of enjoyable breaks, one with a Santana vibe to my ears, Fresh air has long been my escape, so hearing this cut on the way to the fishing hole was right on target. And while I get my hit enjoying Mother Nature in the literal sense, I suspect that this California crew had a few alternatives as well. One of which I see on billboards and buildings on my way to the old fishing hole these days.
4. If Hollywood Don’t Need You – Don Williams (1982)
It doesn’t get any better than the smooth sound of “The Gentle Giant.” Don Williams songs bring back a lot of memories that combine tunes and trucks. In the 1970s, that meant tagging along with Dad listening to a radio show called “Country Crossroads” featuring songs and an entertaining host in Jerry Clower. In the 1980s and 1990s, there were country tunes on the radio as me, Dad, and Brent headed out trapping or fishing. Riding around with my buddy, Hack, in his old Chevy S10 pickup listening to some country cuts and then pulling up a few more on the jukeboxes at the East End or Green Diamond taverns. And on this drive to fish Lake Storey, it was a treat to hear an “oldie” and get to reminisce with the radio.
3. Who Made Who – AC/DC (1986)
My first thought is that it is wild that this song is forty years old this year. Second thought is that this tune ranks in my all-time AC/DC Top 5 list. Not sure what place it would hold in that list though without reviewing the band’s catalog as much of it blends together. Which reminds me of a conversation I had with a co-worker close to twenty years ago that still sticks with me. He commented that AC/DC had been making the same song for thirty years. As that sounded a bit critical, he added, “But it’s a darn good song.”
2. Bad Time – Grand Funk (1975)
This is one of those songs that comes to mind when asked “What is your favorite musical decade?” Granted, I was only eight years old when this song hit the charts, but older cousins, a radio, and WLS 890AM all left a lasting impression. According to the internet, this one came in at #55 on the WLS Big 89 Countdown in 1975. That 1975 list also includes several songs that I’ve pulled up on the internet in just the past twenty-four hours. With the passing of Neil Sedaka, I listened to “Bad Blood” (#9 on the WLS 1975 countdown) and “Laughter in the Rain” (#32) along with a couple other random 1975 tunes “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” – Elton John (#9) and “Jackie Blue” – Ozark Mountain Daredevils (#14). Fifty years and those tunes never get old.
1. Conquistador – Procul Harum (1967)
Me and this song are the same age (although it did not chart until 1972), but I did not “discover” it until I was an adult. I am not sure where I first caught wind of this song, but it may have been one of those exciting occasions when a “new” old tune came on the radio. The live versions of this song with full orchestral accompaniment are a listening treat.
I believe that wraps up any loose ends from the 2025 fishing year. Time for thoughts and posts to turn to 2026 as March arrives. Last year, I was able to land my first bass on March 14, and I am hoping to beat that date in 2026. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy
