Comments on: Cratedigger: The Cars, “Candy-O” http://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/ your daily dose of pop culture Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymoushttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-80728 Anonymous Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:23:00 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-80728 Roy Thomas Baker has produced MANY hit recordings to this day. His credits are located at: "allmusic.com".Artist/Group Album Song Classical Work » New Releases » Editors' Choice » Top Pages » Top Composers » Moods » Themes » Instruments » Countries » Artist Spotlight » Classical Reviews » Pop Genres » AllMusic Blog Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Charts & AwardsRoy Thomas Baker Genres: Pop/RockInstruments Producer Biography by Steve KurutzRoy Thomas Baker produced Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and, if nothing else, deserves his place in history merely based on that brilliant, pristine, and utterly perfect track. Yet Baker, who made his name with Queen and the Cars, is nowhere near a one-trick pony and his flawless production has also helped the likes of Journey, Cheap Trick, Ozzy Osbourne, and countless others. Baker got his start working mainly in the hard rock idiom with bands such as Nazareth and Hawkwind. Yet the pomp rock leanings that he would later perfect with Queen lent those groups a levity that took them out of the dismal hard rock gutter and into the arena. Simply put, Baker made big records. It wasn't until he was paired with the Cars in 1978 that he scaled down his trademark production sound and the result, with its quirky use of electronics and eighth note rhythms, eventually became known as new wave. The Cars had a pop sheen and a simplicity to their records that Baker's past groups didn't. Following the success of the Cars, Baker now split his time between hard rock bands like Journey (he produced the group's Infinity and Evolution albums) and new wave groups like Devo. In later years he produced Ozzy Osbourne's "No Rest for the Wicked," but was relatively inactive during the '90s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just type in "allmusic.com", put his name in the space - and "click" on "credits". I think the Cars' videos are very strong. I can't help but wonder what it was that he had to do to produce this group...let alone: "Queen" (and many others). I mean...the songs and talent were already existing. Baker's official title was : "producer". In other words, I doubt he played any instruments...so - although great final product, what could you possibly suggest to a group like "Queen". I do believe that I have heard some reasons why Elektra signed some of these groups, but I really can't say what I've heard in this forum.Never-the-less, Roy Thomas Baker has turned recordings into gold. I only ran into him once (a long time ago). He seemed like a down to earth type of guy...just a bit eccentric. Roy Thomas Baker has produced MANY hit recordings to this day. His credits are located at: “allmusic.com”.

Artist/Group Album Song Classical Work
» New Releases » Editors’ Choice
» Top Pages » Top Composers
» Moods » Themes
» Instruments » Countries
» Artist Spotlight » Classical Reviews
» Pop Genres » AllMusic Blog

Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Charts & Awards

Roy Thomas Baker Genres: Pop/Rock

Instruments Producer
Biography by Steve Kurutz

Roy Thomas Baker produced Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and, if nothing else, deserves his place in history merely based on that brilliant, pristine, and utterly perfect track. Yet Baker, who made his name with Queen and the Cars, is nowhere near a one-trick pony and his flawless production has also helped the likes of Journey, Cheap Trick, Ozzy Osbourne, and countless others. Baker got his start working mainly in the hard rock idiom with bands such as Nazareth and Hawkwind. Yet the pomp rock leanings that he would later perfect with Queen lent those groups a levity that took them out of the dismal hard rock gutter and into the arena. Simply put, Baker made big records. It wasn’t until he was paired with the Cars in 1978 that he scaled down his trademark production sound and the result, with its quirky use of electronics and eighth note rhythms, eventually became known as new wave. The Cars had a pop sheen and a simplicity to their records that Baker’s past groups didn’t. Following the success of the Cars, Baker now split his time between hard rock bands like Journey (he produced the group’s Infinity and Evolution albums) and new wave groups like Devo. In later years he produced Ozzy Osbourne’s “No Rest for the Wicked,” but was relatively inactive during the ’90s.
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Just type in “allmusic.com”, put his name in the space – and “click” on “credits”. I think the Cars’ videos are very strong. I can’t help but wonder what it was that he had to do to produce this group…let alone: “Queen” (and many others). I mean…the songs and talent were already existing. Baker’s official title was : “producer”. In other words, I doubt he played any instruments…so – although great final product, what could you possibly suggest to a group like “Queen”. I do believe that I have heard some reasons why Elektra signed some of these groups, but I really can’t say what I’ve heard in this forum.

Never-the-less, Roy Thomas Baker has turned recordings into gold. I only ran into him once (a long time ago). He seemed like a down to earth type of guy…just a bit eccentric.

]]> By: SteveAhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-50815 SteveA Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:45:53 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-50815 Candy-O has the best album cover of all time - it's an amazing piece of artwork that had to be toned down for distribution in the US. This album produced my three fave Cars songs - Candy-O; All I Can Do and Let's Go. I often cite the Cars as the first New Wave band (I've heard). Candy-O has the best album cover of all time – it's an amazing piece of artwork that had to be toned down for distribution in the US. This album produced my three fave Cars songs – Candy-O; All I Can Do and Let's Go. I often cite the Cars as the first New Wave band (I've heard).

]]> By: Gonzeauxhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-50814 Gonzeaux Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:49:04 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-50814 I've always thought that about "Best Friend's Girl." Good to get some confirmation.<br><br>Still a great tune though. I've always thought that about “Best Friend's Girl.” Good to get some confirmation.

Still a great tune though.

]]> By: SteveAhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-46036 SteveA Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:45:53 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-46036 Candy-O has the best album cover of all time - it's an amazing piece of artwork that had to be toned down for distribution in the US. This album produced my three fave Cars songs - Candy-O; All I Can Do and Let's Go. I often cite the Cars as the first New Wave band (I've heard). Candy-O has the best album cover of all time – it's an amazing piece of artwork that had to be toned down for distribution in the US. This album produced my three fave Cars songs – Candy-O; All I Can Do and Let's Go. I often cite the Cars as the first New Wave band (I've heard).

]]> By: Gonzeauxhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-46027 Gonzeaux Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:49:04 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-46027 I've always thought that about "Best Friend's Girl." Good to get some confirmation.<br><br>Still a great tune though. I've always thought that about “Best Friend's Girl.” Good to get some confirmation.

Still a great tune though.

]]> By: DwDunphyhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-46006 DwDunphy Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:07:42 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-46006 I think Todd is too ADD to be in a "group" group again, especially for any significant length of time. I think Todd is too ADD to be in a “group” group again, especially for any significant length of time.

]]> By: breadalbanehttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-45999 breadalbane Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:23:28 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-45999 Me, I focused on the recordings, not the brand name. The three new songs are good (not great, but good). The live stuff is kinda redundant, though well-performed. I actually would like to see a full studio album from these guys, no matter what they call themselves: The New Cars, The Utopian Cars, or The Ever-Popular Tortured Heartbeat City Effect. Me, I focused on the recordings, not the brand name. The three new songs are good (not great, but good). The live stuff is kinda redundant, though well-performed. I actually would like to see a full studio album from these guys, no matter what they call themselves: The New Cars, The Utopian Cars, or The Ever-Popular Tortured Heartbeat City Effect.

]]> By: DwDunphyhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-45912 DwDunphy Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:26:39 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-45912 The band was free to tour and record, but I really wished they'd have tried a different name. It was a huge emotional turn-off. Even New Utopia was preferential over adopting (at heart) the name of the band without its two signature voices. The band was free to tour and record, but I really wished they'd have tried a different name. It was a huge emotional turn-off. Even New Utopia was preferential over adopting (at heart) the name of the band without its two signature voices.

]]> By: DwDunphyhttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-45913 DwDunphy Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:24:45 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-45913 Not to quibble, but that's 85% of rock and roll, which was 85% of R&B before it. Not to quibble, but that's 85% of rock and roll, which was 85% of R&B before it.

]]> By: Rick Iantoscahttp://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-cars-candy-o/comment-page-1/#comment-45901 Rick Iantosca Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:45:30 +0000 http://popdose.com/?p=36675#comment-45901 At the studio in West Orange (The House Of Music) Elliot admitted to me that "Just What I needed" was derived from "I Wanna Hold Your Hand' and the riff in "Best Friends Girlfriend" was absolutely from "I Will" ( from the White Album). The Cars were a make believe band with middle of the road playing and writing. At the studio in West Orange (The House Of Music) Elliot admitted to me that “Just What I needed” was derived from “I Wanna Hold Your Hand' and the riff in “Best Friends Girlfriend” was absolutely from “I Will” ( from the White Album). The Cars were a make believe band with middle of the road playing and writing.

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