Many today perhaps do not remember (or have ever even heard of) Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, but I am happy to remind (or introduce) them. A blend of disco and big band/swing, the group was formed by two half-brothers (the group's songwriters) Stony Browder Jr. and August Darnell, and featured the entrancing and talented singer, Cory Daye. Producing three albums between 1976 and 1979, Dr. Buzzard's was about as short-lived as the disco era itself, but their music is oppositely more than worth keeping alive after all these years.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Here's 7 of my favorites from Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.
Week 11: DR. BUZZARD'S ORIGINAL SAVANNAH BAND
#071/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “I’ll Play the Fool”
“Ain't it funny what a little love can do? Better than poison, so much stronger than glue.”
This is Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band. This is the first track on their debut album and I think it shows off what a good team Browder and Darnell were writing the music and lyrics.
With lines like “I'll grow a tail or two for you. Spend the rest of my days locked up in the zoo.” and “And I'm gonna go to school again, boy, for you. Just to get my equivalency diploma.” you can really get a sense for the humor of this group with this almost silly, but sarcastic lines, delivered by Cory Daye in such a way that you can tell she’s smiling as she says it. Even the name of the group itself is overly long and I just love that about these guys.
It’s a very solid album and I’m no great fan of disco music, but this one breaks that handily.
#072/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “Call Me”
I like how they went out of their way to make this album seem like it was presented by a high school. I wonder if Dr. Buzzard knew Dr. Strangelove or Sgt. Pepper? This was Dr. Buzzard’s’ third and final album with the original group and this is my favorite track from it.
While I’m personally most fond of their first album, there is plenty to like on the second and third and this song features my favorite line in their catalog, “Boy, I swear, same time next year, I’ll be just as fresh, or more.” (followed by a big, wet kiss) Gets me every time.
#073/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “Sunshower”
We’ve had a few of these this week, sun and rain. When I was in New Zealand it happened a lot too, and just about every time, almost subliminally, this song would start playing in my head. After one particularly long day of sunshowers, I got back to the hostel and drowned out all of my roommates with this on headphones and instantly cheered myself up. The kids are a delight on this track and Cory Daye kills it per usual. And how about that backing? I believe this song has been sampled a fair amount and it’s easy to hear why.
"A passing word from you
Makes my day worthwhile
It takes all of my deadened dooms
On a ride to a faraway moon"
#074/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “The Gigolo and I”
“Monsieur and Madame, we are now approaching the gateway to the New World. To your scene right you will see the Statue of Liberty. A gift from France to the États-Unis in 1883 as a symbol of freedom for all. Someday, maybe, they will give it back, no? Elle l’adore. Ah, the island of Manhattan. Named after an Indian, who single-handedly massacred 63 Mormons in 1884. Crazy island. That Manhattan island.”
As far as I know none of this is accurate other than it being a gift from France to the U.S.
And as far as I know Dr. Buzzard never met anyone named King Penett either.
But I love the sarcasm of it all. And it’s got a great bump to it.
#075/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “We Got It Made/Night and Day”
Unfortunately this song does not describe my life at this moment. It’s one of my self-proclaimed “Dr. Buzzard Elite 3” though, wonderful song.
Tune in tomorrow and the next day for the other 2!
#076/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “Sour and Sweet/Lemon in the Honey”
There’s lemon in the honey. In the honey. Honey.
#077/420 - Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, “Whispering/Cherchez La Femme/Se Si Bon”
Driving downtown Milwaukee in the rain as a teenager. My friend and I were a few beers in as the passengers. This song came on. Wipers swishing back and forth, the glow of the tail lights and headlights and traffic lights and illuminated signs, rain on the sidewalk, umbrellas, splashes, hurried feet. It was a good time for a good song. We didn’t say much for about 5 and a half minutes.
Sometimes a good band comes in at just the right time. Over the years, I always came back to this song and eventually came to listen to all of their music. While Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band will probably never be the most well-known group from the disco era, in my opinion they are tops.
For the rest of August (Darnell), I’m calling it 27 month. All bands who lost a prominent member at the age of 27. We’ll start with the biggest one of the all, the icon himself, Jimi Hendrix and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Week 2: The Jackson 5/The Jacksons
Week 3: A Tribe Called Quest
Week 4: Weezer
Week 5: Bob Dylan
Week 6: Led Zeppelin
Week 7: 2Pac/Makaveli
Week 8: Billy Joel
Week 9: Electric Light Orchestra
Week 10: Elvis Presley
View the full list of "420 Songs" here: https://tinyurl.com/y8fboudu (Google spreadsheet link)