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Mr. Bloe

January 01, 1970

Mr. Bloe was the name given to the musicians who performed the single "Groovin' with Mr. Bloe", which was a hit in 1970 in the UK for Dick James Music (DJM). These included Harry Pitch on harmonica, and Zack Laurence on piano.

Background edit

The tune "Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" was written for the US studio group Wind, by Bo Gentry, Paul Naumann and Kenny Laguna. They released it as the B-side of their single "Make Believe" which, with Tony Orlando as lead singer, was a chart success in the US in 1969.[1] According to co-writer Kenny Laguna:[2]

"When "Make Believe", the first Wind single was ready to be released, we needed a B-side. Our Buddah releases were known for their ridiculous B-sides, like A-side played backwards in order for the business dudes to copyright something with themselves as writers, even though they couldn't write songs. We dusted off a backing track from a "Yummy Yummy", "Chewy Chewy", "Sugar Sugar", "Money Money" wannabe song that was called something like "Bingo Bingo" and improvised a haphazard harmonica and melodica overdub for the B-side...."

Success in the UK edit

"Groovin' with Mr. Bloe"
Single by Mr. Bloe
from the album Groovin' with Mr. Bloe
B-side"Sinful"
ReleasedMarch 1970 (1970-03)
Genre
Length2:45
LabelDJM
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stephen James

BBC Radio in the UK then unwittingly played the wrong side of the Wind single.[2] It was heard by Stephen James, of Dick James Music, who wanted to release the tune in the UK but could not obtain the rights. He had the tune covered by other musicians including Elton John on piano, but did not like that version. It was then rearranged by Zack Laurence and re-recorded with Laurence replacing Elton John on piano.

The tune was released in the UK in March 1970, reaching number 2 in the UK Singles Chart on 4 July 1970. Zack Laurence then performed the tune on Top of the Pops with Ian Duck (harmonica), Dee Murray (bass), Roger Pope (drums) and Caleb Quaye (guitar), who went on to form the band Hookfoot.[1] Some sources credit the harmonica part on the actual recording to Harry Pitch which Pitch later confirmed in his filmed interview with RockHistory.co.uk - Pitch then went on as the harmonica player to perform the theme tune for Last of the Summer Wine.[6][7] "Groovin' With Mr Bloe" spent 18 weeks on the UK chart.[8] The lack of an obvious performer made the recording mysterious and it became a favourite of Morrissey who was then 11 years old.[6]

The Mr. Bloe single also included two instrumentals written by Elton John — "Get Out Of This Town" and "71-75 New Oxford Street",[9] with John playing piano on both, backed by most of the members of Hookfoot. Other singles, "Mr. Bloe" and "Curried Soul" were then released. The follow-up single, "Curried Soul", failed to chart, and an album, also entitled Groovin' with Mr. Bloe, was released in 1970 but flopped, leaving the act as a one-hit wonder.

The bass player on the actual recording is session bassist Russ Stableford.

In 2002, Robin Carmody of Freaky Trigger describes "Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" as "the last great groove-driven pop record of the 60s",[4] and included the track in his list of ten British bubblegum classics, writing: "Nothing but bass, harmonica and groove – not funk, not rhythm, but groove in excelsis, and sometimes that’s enough."[5]

Later uses edit

After the tune's success in Britain, the original version of "Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" was reissued in the U.S. in August 1970, credited to Cool Heat.[1] It reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100.[10]

"Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" was used as the theme music to the 2009 BBC TV series Oz and James Drink to Britain. It was also used in the early 1970s by Argentine television as the introduction music for football broadcasting.

"Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" is also a lyric in the song "I Was a Mod Before You Was Mod" by the band Television Personalities. The B-side to Madness' "Our House" single was "Walking With Mr Wheeze", an instrumental with scratch mix effects. The song was partly recorded by The Fall in 2003, for a Peel session as the beginning of their song "Green Eyed Loco Man". The tune was covered on a B-side by Associates in 1990, and Robert Johnson and the Punchdrunks in 2002.

Charts edit

Chart (1970) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[11] 59
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[13] 3
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] 7
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 6
New Zealand (Listener)[17] 8
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[18] 7
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 2

As Cool Heat

Chart (1970) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 89

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Claude Bernardin, Tom Stanton (1996), "Mr. Bloe", Rocket man, Bloomsbury Academic, p. 62, ISBN 978-0-275-95698-1
  2. ^ a b Laguna Tunes: Liner notes. Retrieved 1 March 2013
  3. ^ Petridis, Alexis (17 November 2022). "The 70 greatest No 2 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b Carmody, Robin (1 January 2002). "The Cottage Industry of Moments". Freaky Trigger. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  5. ^ a b Carmody, Robin (1 January 2002). "The Cottage Industry of Moments". Freaky Trigger. p. 3. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  6. ^ a b Simon Goddard (2009), "Groovin' With Mr Bloe", Mozipedia, Ebury, p. 150, ISBN 978-0-09-192709-7
  7. ^ , National Harmonica League, archived from the original on 29 June 2011, retrieved 27 April 2011
  8. ^ Roberts, David (2006), British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.), Guinness World Records Limited, p. 371, ISBN 1-904994-10-5
  9. ^ RonnieFriend (22 February 2009). "Mr. Bloe with Elton John - "71-75 New Oxford Street" (1970)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  10. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 151. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
  11. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 210. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  12. ^ "Mr. Bloe – Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ "Mr. Bloe – Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  14. ^ "Mr. Bloe – Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  15. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Groovin' with Mr Bloe". Irish Singles Chart.
  16. ^ a b "Mr. Bloe – Groovin' with Mr. Bloe" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  18. ^ "SA Charts 1969–March 1989". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Mr. Bloe – Groovin' with Mr. Bloe". Swiss Singles Chart.
  20. ^ "Mr Bloe: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.

January 01, 1970
bloe, name, given, musicians, performed, single, groovin, with, which, 1970, dick, james, music, these, included, harry, pitch, harmonica, zack, laurence, piano, contents, background, success, later, uses, charts, referencesbackground, editthe, tune, groovin, . Mr Bloe was the name given to the musicians who performed the single Groovin with Mr Bloe which was a hit in 1970 in the UK for Dick James Music DJM These included Harry Pitch on harmonica and Zack Laurence on piano Contents 1 Background 2 Success in the UK 3 Later uses 4 Charts 5 ReferencesBackground editThe tune Groovin with Mr Bloe was written for the US studio group Wind by Bo Gentry Paul Naumann and Kenny Laguna They released it as the B side of their single Make Believe which with Tony Orlando as lead singer was a chart success in the US in 1969 1 According to co writer Kenny Laguna 2 When Make Believe the first Wind single was ready to be released we needed a B side Our Buddah releases were known for their ridiculous B sides like A side played backwards in order for the business dudes to copyright something with themselves as writers even though they couldn t write songs We dusted off a backing track from a Yummy Yummy Chewy Chewy Sugar Sugar Money Money wannabe song that was called something like Bingo Bingo and improvised a haphazard harmonica and melodica overdub for the B side Success in the UK edit Groovin with Mr Bloe Single by Mr Bloefrom the album Groovin with Mr BloeB side Sinful ReleasedMarch 1970 1970 03 GenrePop soul northern soul 3 bubblegum 4 5 Length2 45LabelDJMSongwriter s Bo Gentry Paul Naumann Kenny LagunaProducer s Stephen James BBC Radio in the UK then unwittingly played the wrong side of the Wind single 2 It was heard by Stephen James of Dick James Music who wanted to release the tune in the UK but could not obtain the rights He had the tune covered by other musicians including Elton John on piano but did not like that version It was then rearranged by Zack Laurence and re recorded with Laurence replacing Elton John on piano The tune was released in the UK in March 1970 reaching number 2 in the UK Singles Chart on 4 July 1970 Zack Laurence then performed the tune on Top of the Pops with Ian Duck harmonica Dee Murray bass Roger Pope drums and Caleb Quaye guitar who went on to form the band Hookfoot 1 Some sources credit the harmonica part on the actual recording to Harry Pitch which Pitch later confirmed in his filmed interview with RockHistory co uk Pitch then went on as the harmonica player to perform the theme tune for Last of the Summer Wine 6 7 Groovin With Mr Bloe spent 18 weeks on the UK chart 8 The lack of an obvious performer made the recording mysterious and it became a favourite of Morrissey who was then 11 years old 6 The Mr Bloe single also included two instrumentals written by Elton John Get Out Of This Town and 71 75 New Oxford Street 9 with John playing piano on both backed by most of the members of Hookfoot Other singles Mr Bloe and Curried Soul were then released The follow up single Curried Soul failed to chart and an album also entitled Groovin with Mr Bloe was released in 1970 but flopped leaving the act as a one hit wonder The bass player on the actual recording is session bassist Russ Stableford In 2002 Robin Carmody of Freaky Trigger describes Groovin with Mr Bloe as the last great groove driven pop record of the 60s 4 and included the track in his list of ten British bubblegum classics writing Nothing but bass harmonica and groove not funk not rhythm but groove in excelsis and sometimes that s enough 5 Later uses editAfter the tune s success in Britain the original version of Groovin with Mr Bloe was reissued in the U S in August 1970 credited to Cool Heat 1 It reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 10 Groovin with Mr Bloe was used as the theme music to the 2009 BBC TV series Oz and James Drink to Britain It was also used in the early 1970s by Argentine television as the introduction music for football broadcasting Groovin with Mr Bloe is also a lyric in the song I Was a Mod Before You Was Mod by the band Television Personalities The B side to Madness Our House single was Walking With Mr Wheeze an instrumental with scratch mix effects The song was partly recorded by The Fall in 2003 for a Peel session as the beginning of their song Green Eyed Loco Man The tune was covered on a B side by Associates in 1990 and Robert Johnson and the Punchdrunks in 2002 Charts editChart 1970 Peakposition Australia Kent Music Report 11 59 Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 12 2 Belgium Ultratop 50 Wallonia 13 3 Germany Official German Charts 14 7 Ireland IRMA 15 8 Netherlands Single Top 100 16 7 Netherlands Single Top 100 16 6 New Zealand Listener 17 8 South Africa Springbok Radio 18 7 Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 19 4 UK Singles OCC 20 2 As Cool Heat Chart 1970 Peakposition US Billboard Hot 100 10 89References edit a b c Claude Bernardin Tom Stanton 1996 Mr Bloe Rocket man Bloomsbury Academic p 62 ISBN 978 0 275 95698 1 a b Laguna Tunes Liner notes Retrieved 1 March 2013 Petridis Alexis 17 November 2022 The 70 greatest No 2 singles ranked The Guardian Retrieved 12 February 2023 a b Carmody Robin 1 January 2002 The Cottage Industry of Moments Freaky Trigger p 1 Retrieved 20 November 2022 a b Carmody Robin 1 January 2002 The Cottage Industry of Moments Freaky Trigger p 3 Retrieved 20 November 2022 a b Simon Goddard 2009 Groovin With Mr Bloe Mozipedia Ebury p 150 ISBN 978 0 09 192709 7 Harry Pitch National Harmonica League archived from the original on 29 June 2011 retrieved 27 April 2011 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed Guinness World Records Limited p 371 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 RonnieFriend 22 February 2009 Mr Bloe with Elton John 71 75 New Oxford Street 1970 YouTube Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 Retrieved 25 May 2018 a b Whitburn Joel 2003 Top Pop Singles 1955 2002 1st ed Menomonee Falls Wisconsin Record Research Inc p 151 ISBN 0 89820 155 1 Kent David 1993 Australian Chart Book 1970 1992 illustrated ed St Ives N S W Australian Chart Book p 210 ISBN 0 646 11917 6 Mr Bloe Groovin with Mr Bloe in Dutch Ultratop 50 Mr Bloe Groovin with Mr Bloe in French Ultratop 50 Mr Bloe Groovin with Mr Bloe in German GfK Entertainment charts The Irish Charts Search Results Groovin with Mr Bloe Irish Singles Chart a b Mr Bloe Groovin with Mr Bloe in Dutch Single Top 100 flavour of new zealand search listener www flavourofnz co nz Retrieved 23 July 2021 SA Charts 1969 March 1989 Retrieved 23 July 2021 Mr Bloe Groovin with Mr Bloe Swiss Singles Chart Mr Bloe Artist Chart History Official Charts Company Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mr Bloe amp oldid 1189469532, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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