Boston, Foreplay/Longtime - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@keithlydem7010]

We all know what a genius tom sholtz is, but it is a miracle that he found the voice of brad delp to compliment his musical compositions.

[@bostonberkeley]

I was a little girl living in the Boston area when this album was released. Everyone was crazy about the songs and the radio was blasted when it came on. I can still remember the absolute joy I felt, the same joy I feel every time I play it 45 years later. It's my go-to song when life gets overwhelming. Instant healing.

[@sylon7717]

Cool story! They were huge, even up in Canada we loved them.

[@scooter433]

I was cruising in a 56 Chevy with a second to none stereo cranked riding with my older brother.

[@old300texan5]

I can't imagine the feeling that was for you. I was all the way in Texas when this came out, and I was 13, and Boston just hit different. Huge fan.

[@friotaiocht101]

There isn't a bad song on this album in my opinion... I was 13 years old when I heard this album for the very first time I was absolutely blown away by it & it's still one of the greatest rock albums ever released...

[@WiserInTime]

I remember when I first bought that album being surprised to realize that I already knew every single song on the album because I heard all of them played on rock radio.

[@itchyandred4131]

Me too! I was the same age ✌️

[@steveh7108]

Same here except I was probably closer to 10 or 12. I just remember hearing the album for the first time ( cassette tape) and it struck me so strongly. I just had to have a copy for myself.. Never felt as passionate about music before that album.

[@triggerwarning5762]

I was 10. Bought this, Foreigner, and Leftoverture with hay baling money. Spent half of 1976 in leatherstockings and a tricorner hat. Lost the elementary school spelling bee to Becky George. The word was "niece".

[@itchyandred4131]

@@triggerwarning5762 🤣🤣🤣🤣✌️

[@isaackovitz4791]

RIP Brad Delp - one of the greatest male vocalists of all time!

[@majorfeelgoodrecords2740]

One of the greatest vocalist of all time🎼🤘🏻

[@michaelyork4554]

This is a Classically Trained Musician, Mechanical Engineer from MIT. Invented The Rockman, wrote/co wrote, recorded/produced/mastered all of the songs. Tom Scholz Plays most of the instruments, He teamed up with Brad Delp for Vocals, but This album is Tom''s brainchild. The most successful debut album in History. Then He formed a Band and took it on the road. I saw them in 1979.

[@samkeepintherockalive]

Good commentary, but Tom almost played all the instruments. This killer guitar solo belongs to Barry Goudreau Barry also played guitar on "Let Me Take You Home Tonight"

[@seamus2112ophelan]

@@samkeepintherockalive Wrong. Scholz played this solo.

[@AudioAtmos]

@@samkeepintherockalive It says “Barry joined me”. This could mean anything and probably means to do harmonies and double tracked guitar tricks. These solos are very definitive in their nature and quintessential Tom Scholz. It’s unmistakable. Also these are liner notes for a celebratory album and I imagine Tom was wanting to be humble and give credit to all involves since historically it is well known he was the genius behind Boston.

[@AudioAtmos]

Yeah it would very good to explain the essence of this recording. I would describe It to her based on her expertise that this is like Beethoven who wrote and realized the music, but also used other musicians to fully realize his vision. Also, tell her to pay close attention to the singer who IMHO was the second major contributor to the music. His voice was one of a kind. RIP Brad Delp!

[@keithdf2001]

@@samkeepintherockalive Barry did not play any of the lead on this song. He barely played lead on the album. He was really just there for touring

[@raserx63]

1976 saw the release of Boston , Hotel California, Frampton Comes Alive, Fly Like An Eagle , Dreamboat Annie...etc..how lucky and spoiled we were back then. Now that music is analyzed for the genius that it is.

[@briana3467]

Don't forget the Stones, Nugent,Foghat,Bad Company. Lucky yes, spoiled no.

[@Malibu1515]

Ya but Disco was starting to dominate the airwaves till this and Frampton Comes Alive revitalized rock music. Personally it never died with me.

[@studio151llc5]

Amen to that brother!

[@JamesSmith-mz9ec]

@@Malibu1515 disco sux!

[@jakerazmataz852]

We lived through a music era that will never happen again. We are so lucky.

[@k.coleman9317]

Boston's first album..."Man, this is my favorite tune...no...wait...this is my favorite tune...wait..." The entire album is genius and basically...perfect.

[@DJMaul1031]

This album was lightning in a bottle; a work of pure, musical brilliance. Every track is perfect.

[@flipnap2112]

it is the "back to the future" of Music

[@kevindumais9610]

This song never gets old.

[@albreezy26]

I'm 28 and yeah every time I hear this it gives me goosebumps. Especially when it's been years and it just happens to come on, I have to stop what I'm doing and sing/air guitar my heart out

[@kevindumais9610]

@@albreezy26 I’m 56 and still listen to it on 11

[@rebeccawyse5562]

EVER...ETC.

[@Panda-pu7qd]

​@kevindumais9610 I'm 56 too and was fortunate enough to see Boston live

[@hustler3of4culture3]

​@@kevindumais9610it's one of the first songs I can remember hearing on the radio as a kid

[@aldizzert1342]

"I have no idea how they make these sounds." Nobody does. That is the magic of Boston.

[@richardsilva1797]

I read he invented some pedals[?] For his guitar to get sounds he was looking for -dam! Whew!

[@kellyfrench]

@@richardsilva1797and sold some (the Rockman) but not all of the effects so there is still some mystery.

[@rayspeakmon2954]

Part of it is called "double tracking". Scholtz recorded each part twice and then combined each tape. That's the fullness you hear that no other band seems to have. Rick Beato has a great analysis of this song in his series what makes this song so great. Watch that video, you'll love it! You'll hear parts of the song that you've never heard before and then be able to hear those parts after listening to his analysis!

[@markhamstra1083]

To understand Boston and especially their debut album deeply, you have to appreciate that Tom Scholz was as much an engineer and electronics inventor as he was a musician and recording inventor. The Foreplay section in particular is as much a technical exploration in electronic sound production and recording within the limited means that Scholz could then afford as it was a musical exploration; but that doesn’t mean that Longtime is devoid of technical mastery. For example, the point where you remarked that you thought that a sustained guitar note was a vocal note is actually a seamless bit of recording engineer trickery. The note does start in Brad Delp’s vocals, but then Tom so subtly blends and morphs the note into the guitar track that the listener is surprised that they are now listening to Tom’s guitar and not any longer Brad’s voice. That was quite a trick to do that so well using the purely analog recording equipment of the day.

[@Panda-pu7qd]

Yes, Tom is a genius, both musically and technically innovative.

[@Ronsonic]

Part of this is that Brad's voice was so perfectly on pitch you could tune instruments to it. He just nails every note.

[@weaselwolf]

Jeff Bridges voice: "Tom Scholz built this sound in a BASEMENT with a BOX OF SCRAPS!"

[@stevencaskey8502]

Quite interesting. Thank you.

[@YesYou-zy7kp]

I'm not a musician and don't know how to read music but I was wondering.....when a vocalist performs a song, are the high and low notes for the vocals on the sheet music? As an example, when Delp performs the part @ 6:22 - @6:24 is it written for him to perform it like he did? I mean he also could have finished off the line in a single note rather than changing notes at the end. Does that make sense?

[@detocquevi11e]

I think the whole album is one of the best expressions of the joy of the human experience.

[@friotaiocht101]

Brad Delp was such a huge part of this band his voice was just incredible he is so sadly missed ....

[@johncentamore1052]

Suspension is the tension, resolution of the chord is the satisfying release of that tension

[@themusicboxx8419]

When I listen to Boston I'm reminded how fortunate I was to be a teen in the 70's. Thanks Tom Scholz for creating this magic wall of sound. R.I.P Brad Delp and Sib Hashian.

[@MrVvulf]

Smack dab in the middle of the best rock music ever created (which to me spans the period of the 60s to the 90s). The 50s originated the art form, but it was comparatively simplistic and still culturally prudish (although considered risque at the time). In the 2000s music became "over-produced" and corporate, with far too many singers relying on autotune and other synthetic fixes instead of doing the hard work to perfect their craft (blame the popularity of Cher's "Believe"). Nowadays very few artists actually play the instruments you hear, it's mostly studio musicians, or worse yet, sampled from talents of the bygone eras. Having said all that, there ARE still great artists around, today they're just quite rare.

[@ronparsons8786]

For my money Boston's singer Bradley Delp is easily in the top three or five rock voices ever. He left us in a very sad way, RIP Brad. In this great song you barely get a taste of what he can do. Please do more Boston You've certainly heard more than a feeling from the same album, my favorite track however is hitch a ride.

[@wingracer1614]

Hitch a Ride is so damn good. That bass line just slays.

[@footofjuniper8212]

Now I'm curious as to whom you (or anyone) would also put in their top three or five rock voices: Freddie, Janis, Elvis...? Those are the first three who came to my mind, anyway.

[@wingracer1614]

@@footofjuniper8212 For me, Freddie is always #1. 2 would have to be Plant. I might go Delp at 3. 4 for me would be a tie between Chris Cornell and Layne Staley.

[@cchavezjr7]

@@wingracer1614 I'd put Delp over Plant. Delp was a singer. Plant is a vocalist, if you know what I'm saying. Don't forget Paul Rodgers also.

[@spirwes64]

I was a little boy when I got the chance to own and listen to the album. That happened in Germany, far away from the USA. it has had a profound impact on me in a positive sense. Thanks Tom, thanks Brad. I never forget that.

[@TheTheratfarmer]

What you hear is the album,Greatest rock and roll album of all time, time.

[@toddmcclellan979]

In my middle school music room, my teacher hung a GIANT poster of the album cover on the wall. I mean we're talking like a 10'×10' poster!! Rest in peace Mr Wright, you made my love of music so much more rich.

[@bryandraughn9830]

That's, that's a big poster.

[@Vzw-dj9rf]

He showed you something you didn't know you didn't know. And you're the better for it.

[@thomasb3668]

Boston's first album is one of the best rock albums of all time.

[@princepugh7683]

I'd occasionally be woken by this song when I was a boy when my dad was playing it so loud the doors in the house were vibrating. I was willing him to play it louder. Will always love this song and the album it comes from.

[@Vzw-dj9rf]

That's a moment when you realize your dad is actually pretty cool.

[@brianstark3178]

Dad had a pair of Klipschorn loudspeakers in the dining room. Music was epic in our house. I'm glad you have those memories, too.

[@michaelmorgan7893]

It's one of those ubiquitous songs from the 70s that is dramatic but really genius in its sound structure and lyrics. It really is perfect.

[@helenespaulding7562]

This is the kind of upbeat song that you play…loudly…in the car…. When you and your friends are out cruising. 😁😉😁

[@WiserInTime]

No lie: I blew out my left rear speaker in my car listening to this album. The sound changed a little then I smelled something weird. It took a few moments before I realized what happened (I had a dead speaker and some burnt electrical components creating an odor).

[@LeeKennison]

Cruising is another thing that helps define the decades we grew up in. Before doing my own cruising after I started driving in 1976, I was in the backseat of the car while sister was cruising with her friends in the 60s. I was there because my sister used to babysit me back then. She would make lay down in the back seat if they pulled up next to cute guys. Cruising was huge in Phoenix back in the 60s, and less so in the 70s. We would follow the same route cruising up and down Central (the Phoenix main street) hanging out at the various hamburger joints along the route.

[@oopswrongplanet4964]

@@LeeKennison I was there. Maybe I was one of the "cute guys" (in the blue & white hot-rod VW).

[@LeeKennison]

@@oopswrongplanet4964 Lol, then you might have seen a 7 or 8 year kid pop up from the backseat, which usually put an end to the flirting between the two cars. My sister would get mad and threaten me, until I would remind her that our parents didn't know she was taking me cruising, when she was supposed be home babysitting me. Were you actually cruising Central in Phoenix AZ around 1966 to 68? If so, wasn't it the Bob's Big Boy at one end of the loop where everyone hung out? Along with a few other burger joints along the way.

[@oopswrongplanet4964]

@@LeeKennison That would have been around the time. The VW was a '66 and I was 16, by '67 or so, I had "hot-rodded" it to perfection (in my mind, at least). Not sure about Bob's Big Boy, but there was a Mary Coyle ice cream parlor and an original McDonald's (with two separate arches) that were popular for hanging out.

[@ogamiitto1954]

What makes this song/album so great, Amy, is that the 'sound' that the band created, was completely original. No band sounded like Boston before Boston. Especially the guitar. That was a fantastic album.

[@patrickhenry4675]

Tom Scholz designed and played most of the sounds on the album. He was an engineer trained at MIT. His sound was famous enough that he started his own electronics company designing and selling sound equipment for pro players. A lot of 80's bands used his equipment to get sounds to use on their biggest albums. One of the most difficult things to do it to get that saturated amplifier sound. To do that you have to turn the volume up until everyone;s ears bleed. Tom designed a device called a power soak that let you get a saturated sound without having to have the amp dangerously loud. Before he became famous with Boston, his father always told him to drop the music dream and get busy doing what he does best, engineering. After the great album and touring successes his father kept telling him, why are you working so hard on your electronics company. When are you going to get your next album out? At that time he was making cutting edge equipment that is still used today.

[@rone801]

so... I can only speak for myself, but many of us who do not have a classical music upbringing, I am looking for something within the music that I can feel. It's a simplistic way I decide whether I like a piece of music or not. This song, at several points throughout, makes the hair on my arm stand up, or send a shiver up my spine. It makes me imagine larger than life things (unexplainable). It's really magic when it can be captured on a recording. It's 2023, and this still sounds as if it was recorded with today's technology. It's precise. It doesn't grate on your ears. And it provides that feeling. Great video. Loved watching your reactions.

[@helenespaulding7562]

This was HUGE when it came out and is considered one of the best debut albums in Rock history. We were inundated with outstanding music at this time, with so many top bands producing at their height. When you and Karl return to this period, you are going to have your hands full, Ami! 😁. And I’m looking forward to it

[@WiserInTime]

Great music and a breakthrough in production for hard rock music. I still think it sounds better than many recordings that came out years and decades after.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Best Side A of a debut rock album in history, IMHO. 3 hits in a row

[@BC-ui9yt]

If you've not heard "More than a feeling", you need to hear it. Probably the best produced song in history, and he one that made Boston a household name- with their first single. Brad Delp gave a masterclass in singing. And after reacting to it, then watch the Rick Beato video on "what makes this song great". Essentially, it's every single thing. And again.... it was done in his basement as passion project by an engineer. Mindblowing. As great as "Foreplay/Longtime" is, it'll never be anything but second best.

[@BC-ui9yt]

By the way, as he was recording this album, Tom Sholz sometimes found that he couldn't make it sound the way he wanted it. So he said "screw it" and invented the technology to do it.

[@bigredtlc1828]

Tom Scholz is an M.I.T. trained engineer who worked at Polaroid in the 70's and did music in his spare time. Amazing story of how that first album came together. And that he found Brad Delp for vocals, who's range and ability to belt a tune were unmatched. Incredible album. Tom invented the sound of his guitar and even sold the machine as the Rockman. He engineered all the amazing sounds on this album and made it sound like music from another world. Thanks for listening to this song! Great tune.

[@stevesheroan4131]

I think the word Amy is searching for is “optimistic”. This whole album has such an optimistic vibe, like there was nothing that could bring the listener down. There is such a gruesomely sad irony to that now, but I’ll always cherish these songs and remember them in the context of when I first heard them. I think that’s the best way to celebrate Brad’s glorious contribution to the legacy of rock music. R.I.P. to one of the greatest vocalists ever.

[@jfk64kennedy95]

Tom Scholz has a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and has numerous patented Music Electronics, effects...this was part of his Genius

[@mahina1963]

I've heard this easily 200+times, and it STILL gives me chills, pause.

[@kentmarsh6442]

Just 200? Hell, those are rookie numbers! I've been loving this album for 50 years!!!! Probably burnt through at least 5 or so LPs, a dozen cassettes and have been streaming it for several years now!

[@peterzettek6009]

Study the man who created this band. He made the entire first album in his basement. He didn't have a vocalist or a band and he was already done with the songs. He was influenced by his parents who were avid symphony music enthusiasts. You must assess this music while understanding the classic symphony influences.

[@johnsassany4378]

I was so Blessed to be a TEENAGER in the 70's. SO MUCH TALENT back then. MUSIC truly SUX NOW but I have a WORLD of music to go back to. I am stuck in TIME. The Late 60's to 70's, Early 80's then Music start to get BAD except for DEF LEPPARD. FROM FOREPLAY to ORGASM...... Thank You BOSTON. One of my Favorite ROCK BANDS.... THANK YOU TOM SCHOLZ. I like the attention to DETAIL. Perfection. I appreciated this musical perfection. It helped me later to realize IF YOU DO A JOB.... BE THE BEST..... Do your BEST. 20 Years USAF retired now.

[@KeyOrion]

I have always got a kick out of watching people hear this song for the first time. When the song transitions from Foreplay to Longtime, just watch people's eyes light up like they were in the dark and all the sudden the sun comes out. It's amazing. The song itself, if the tone of the song was slow, it would be very somber and sad. It's a song about a person that is now out of a relationship, and they are moving on. And that they're just walking away from the relationship. However, no matter where he goes, what he does, there's always something there to remind them of that time they were together. That person who can't forget that relationship and the good times that they had together, and it will always be in their memory. And the music, keeps everything motivational, uplifting, that helps you understand that you can keep on living your life, moving forward. And it's a wonderful instrumental theme and song that helps you get on your feet and to keep going.

[@visiblepixels4632]

Tom Scholz is indeed a genius, but the first thing I think of when I think of Boston is Brad Delp's amazing voice. He was so talented with such a distinctive tone. RIP, Brad.

[@_BLACKSTAR_]

Its the tremolo arm or "Whammy bar" on the guitar that makes the "BA WA WA WA BA WAWA WA" sound in the interlude between tracks.

[@JJ8KK]

I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOU REACT TO *ROUNDABOUT* BY *YES.* Your discerning ears pay special attention to the compositional elements of a song & that means you'll be blown away when you start sampling some of YES' Masterpieces. YES was a very experimental ("Progressive") rock band in the early 1970's but they emphasized melody & beautiful vocal harmonies even while featuring a "harder edge" due to their extraordinary bass player, Chris Squire. The reason you'll love YES is because they were Masters of Complexity, who packed an amazing amount of musicianship into their Masterpieces but did such a superb job at blending the mix at the sound board, you can hear _everything_ in its time. You can tell that they were heavily influenced by classical music. And yes, the word "profound" will pop into your head more than once listening to YES' masterpieces. Can't wait...you'll be amazed...

[@88wildcat]

See if she can figure out that the first chord that comes in on that song is a piano played backwards.

[@monroefive-o40]

Close your eyes and imagine traveling through space on a spaceship. You run into some dangerous areas of space. Then come through the other side and all is calm again and your just traveling along at a fast pace.

[@audionmusic2787]

“I’m not sure how they make those sounds” That’s the magic of Audio Engineering. Those sounds are made with electric guitars and modulated echoes.

[@josephmorse4318]

For the 1st time in watching all of your videos, your thumbnail reaction is equally commensurate with, not only the song, but the very title of your video. Kudos for you and your "marketing" intuition

[@Wolverines77]

This song always reminds of the "ONE" that got away a little over 25, 26 years back... The line "deep in my mind I can't forget about you" always hits me like a freight train, but I always finish the song in a very good place. The music just brings out all of the good/nice memories of her and I together. The clapping in the background is the most "satisfying" aspect of the song, for me. Boston and ELO are two of the most "satisfying" bands for me...

[@johnarmenta2199]

We men - we all have "the ONE" that took our hearts very early in our lives. We never love another woman quite that same way again. I too have such memories. "Stone in Love" by Journey is that song for me. That experience was over 40 years ago. The part where the song says "Oooh and in clover - we went 'round - - - " puts me right back there. She lived next to "the alfalfa field" - yes, CLOVER. And yea - we did go 'round more than a few times in that field. LOL!!

[@glenchapman3899]

When the album began to gain traction, the record company approached Scholz about promoting the album by setting up a concert tour for the band. Scholz didn't know how to tell them there was no band lol

[@christopherryan7178]

Well he got a band because I saw them live in the early 80’s as a 13 year old in, of course Boston .. great show

[@letivon6589]

The band was formed when the label requested a live performance before signing them.

[@maureenc.782]

Raised on Old Country music, this was my first rock & roll album and I have not looked back! R.I.P. Brad and it has been Such A Long Time!

[@TheTheratfarmer]

Glad you like it. Tom said he wrote every thing on this debut album. Bradley Delp, vocals. Tom invented this electronic effects box. He stated, only two were made. "I have one". This elecronic box allowed sustain, distortion and reverb on guitar, lol. This box can be played through any input. Bass, drums, organ or what ever... The voice you all here is real, no effects.

[@neechee5150]

@TheTheratfarmer Brad wrote Let Me Take You Home and he co-wrote Smokin'. The electronic effects box that Tom is referring to is his so called "hyperspace pedal" which is based upon an Echoplex tape echo machine that he modified. The hyperspace pedal does not deal with sustain, distortion or reverb. The hyperspace pedal is used for special effects. The device that deals with distortion reverb and sustain is the Rockman and the Rock Modules. The Rockman did not exist at this time and there are no sounds coming from a Rockman prototype or an actual Rockman on this record. The basis of the guitar sound on this record is a Marshall amp, boosted mids on the eq curve and the type of saturation, clipping and compression that comes from power tubes not pre amp tubes when they are pushed hard. There most certainly is a plate reverb on Brads vocals on this record

[@jimtatro6550]

This album is one of the greatest debut rock albums ever, every song is a classic, every song is excellent.

[@chrismcgady4978]

It’s incredibly interesting to see someone appreciate for the first time a song that has moved you for decades. The “Wildness” you’re referring to at 9:07…that’s plain old rock and roll!

[@davidgallion3167]

Brad Delp (RIP) has one of the greatest and under appreciated voices in rock music, IMO.

[@roberttomei7022]

At around, 05:54, I believe I noticed you spontaneously started the classic, human response of starting to "roll" the shoulders, neck, lower cranium area to the beat of the music....I'm so thrilled that music is contagious... You are very fun to watch and learn from... Thanks and "rock will set you free"

[@delivertilidie8356]

I listen to either this album or Back in Black almost every morning on my way to the depot to load up. They get you ready to work.

[@johndef5075]

I love Bon but Hells Bells might be Ac/Dc' best song. Brian tears it up and that intro is the best ever.

[@SuperEightball1]

Ah my childhood , Good memories . STYX maybe ? Enjoy

[@moldingpro7208]

I was 17 when this came out. No one had ever heard music quite like this before. Brad Delp's vocals were out of this world. This became a backdrop for many new experiences for many, many people. I hear it and I am transported back to those times in my life.

[@stevenewcomer8837]

Brad Delp sang ALL lead, backing, and harmony vocals on all of the Boston albums that he was on.

[@michaeldezego340]

Tom Scholz who basically played all the instruments and wrote the songs, was also an MIT graduate and created the electronics that made those different guitar and organ sounds.

[@Nogill0]

He also likes to fly over-powered RC airplanes.

[@mneugent7658]

Glad you mentioned all of that. I was gonna say that. This man's brain... sheesh.

[@francisseidel8014]

The organ was a Hammond.

[@mneugent7658]

@@francisseidel8014 I wouldn't be shocked if that crazy genius made some modifications.

[@francisseidel8014]

@M Neugent - Probably did. Jon Lord from Deep Purple had an RMI Electric Piano embedded in his Hammond and the sent output of it all (switched) through either a Marshall stack or a Leslie. Tom tends to keep his mods secret.

[@randylear8264]

Great to see appreciation given by other than Rock and Roll enthusiasts. No way to express what Boston’s debut album was to anyone born much later. We had not heard anything like this Album. Blown away is one phrase that comes to mind. I am 63 years old and by far the best I have ever heard. I like so much music today in diverse categories. Eagles to The Beach Boys. A lot from the 50s and 60s. Country to Motown. Not so much after the 80s. Just some here and there. But I am old and thank the Good Lord I can still hear. So rock on Boston. Thank you for the greatest album ever.

[@LeeKennison]

Great Analysis! This is one of several great songs from their debut 1976 self-titled Boston album. This album was huge when it came out in my sophomore year in high school. But then again we were getting accustomed to a lot of great albums that came out during this time. This is why so many of us try to point you to bands in this era. So many other great bands and songs in this era that you haven't heard yet.

[@helenespaulding7562]

I was considerably older than you when this came out, Lee, but wow, what a great soundtrack for high school you had! 👋

[@loadedorygun]

67-80 was just an incredible time for album rock and its variations. Every year is just full to the gills with now-timeless music. There was plenty of throwaway knockoff stuff too, but from Sgt Pepper to Aja there is an incredible font of super creative music. I think other than the 20s that saw both the birth of recorded country and recorded blues, this was the golden age of recorded music. That doesn’t even include some of the super jazz and musicals of the period-Bitches Brew and Jesus Christ Superstar as two small examples.

[@antidote7]

Exactly.

[@russellgil8232]

My Senior 79 class song

[@gmorphan]

I'm 62 and while no music expert, this is my absolute favorite album. Boston comes on...the volume goes up. Takes me back to a great time in my life. You know...when you had life by the balls, but didn't realize it. 😉

[@LordEagle]

In their song,,,,More than a Feeling,,,,,the singer harmonizes with the guitar on the high note. It's FANTASTIC!!! 👍👍👍💥🤪

[@securityscorpion8687]

Yes!! Brad r.i.p. Singing with the angels now; teaching them how to get it right. 🌟 👍🏼 🎼 🎶 🎶 🎵

[@YachtsOnTheReg7]

@@manuelester7420 Sad little man you are

[@brianvernon249]

My father would crawl into a bottle and listen to foreplay over and over and over and dream of scoring a drum Corp version of the song, with field show & DCI treatment. He did that for 2 years straight, night after night. I know every note too well.

[@jimedwards4576]

Brad, the singer did all of the vocals on this album. His harmonies made the album so much better

[@renoverant6510]

Brad Delp may be one of the greatest rock singers ever..on par with Freddie Mercury and Robert plant

[@daze023]

@@renoverant6510 I think that no one was better. He was perfect for the music that he was performing

[@writethisthat3613]

Taking me back to 76. My friends and I couldn't stop listening to Boston, talking about Boston.

[@tmage23]

Boston was part band and part engineering demo. Founding member Tom Scholz is an MIT educated engineer who created audio equipment for use in recording studios and formed the band as a way of demonstrating and marketing that equipment.

[@vincentlussier8264]

This album came out in 1976 and I was sisxteen that year. This album hit like bomb and everyone had a copy .You heard this album everywhere you went from the record stores ,freinds houses, radio and parties. Boston was the new band in everybodys town and like an astroid they shot in from out of nowhere. An absolute dead hit and they were roudy with some softness at the same time!

[@johndef5075]

And Frampton comes Alive....what a time...

[@larrypjonesjr2224]

It’s kinda like an orchestra rock piece, so much going on; with a 70’s rock vibe. Great vocals, great composition, & accomplished instrumental with the upbeat clapping…. Well done 🫡. Brad Delp is my favorite male vocalist.

[@dvincentblack]

It's rock and roll church music! "Amen" conversion over and over. The way he's making all those elaborate sounds at the beginning is with elongated delays and Reverb on guitars. Tom is an absolute genius and recorded all this in his own basement on his own equipment that he built by hand. He's a genius that went to MIT. Lol.

[@chinesechicken20]

I guess I was 16 when this first came on the radio and the dj said that this was written on a computer. I was like wow! a computer! Then I listened and I thought it doesnt sound computerised. what ever that means! So I remember hearing this song for the first time over forty years ago and its interesting to listen to your reaction.

[@michaelfried3123]

It really got me when she said towards the end the song has a bit of a gospel feel to it....I agree! Boston is like being sent to a sonic/melodic church! Praise Boston!

[@kennybailey140]

Boston: More than a feeling. A man I'll never be. These will blow you away!!

[@rexbeau]

Not just one of their classics, this is one of THE classics from this rock timeframe. This is what we come here for.

[@TheTheratfarmer]

dim light wooden, the sun is shining. rays of light.

[@chrisb3738]

The hugely underrated Barry Goudreau is actually playing lead guitar on Long Time. (Tom Shultz is playing rythym on this one) He's also backing up his brother-in-law Brad Delp on vocals. The band was never the same after he left.

[@neechee5150]

@chrisb3738 Barry is playing electric rhythm guitar on Foreplay, Long Time and Let Me Take You Home. You are correct Barry is playing all of the lead solos to Long Time. The big power chords are Barry as well. I am surprised that so many people can not hear the difference in the timbre (Gibson SG and different hands), phrasing and legato approach that Barry takes on the solos on Long Time and when Tom plays lead on a Les Paul. Barry who was Brads brother in law sang back up vocals live but in the studio the vocals were 100% Brad.

[@ny21live]

Those of us in our teens and 20s when this song suddenly appeared on the radio we're SO Happy to hear a real rock song, after two years or so of Disco, Disco Fever. This one and the first Van Halen album were released within months of each other, and we rock fans breathed a sigh of relief! Rock was back! Sanity prevailed! It was the beginning of the end of Disco! And this song and the Van Halen album are what resurrected Rock'n'Roll.

[@damonwatts66]

Many people have already pointed out the obvious things: Tom Scholz is an absolute genius and this is one of the greatest *album* experiences ever. For me, from first note to last, this album is the epitome of pure rock 'n' roll. Period. I love all of Tom's music, but he really nailed it with this debut. Which unfortunately made it impossible to ever live up to the sky-high expectations from most fans and critics. My thoughts are too jumbled right now, so I hope that makes some sense.

[@macfinnh]

Those of us that grew up in this era will say that the Boston debut album is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. I wore this record out when I was in high school. It was one of those records that made your hair stand up when you listened to it, and I mean that in a good way.

[@timothyjones6323]

That “sticky” quality of the tune is sometimes called a “hook”. It hooks you and stays in your mind.

[@stephenjones6030]

@ 16:05 - "The Wall of Sound". SO good.

[@playbassken]

Tom Scholz is absolute musical genius at the highest level and to think he did most of their recordings on an 12-track recorder. That shows you the level of production he has to do so much with so little. I'm so glad you gave this one a listen because they have so much to offer. Wonderful analysis, Amy!

[@neechee5150]

Tom used 12 track Scully tape machines and a Dan Flickinger mixer in his home studio. Boylan had to do considerable work on cleaning up Toms drum tracks before the record could be mixed at Westlake Studios in LA

[@playbassken]

@@neechee5150 I was told the first album and much of the second was done on only 8, so thanks for the correction. Impressive either way.

[@neechee5150]

@@playbassken Tom has been very clear on this as has producer John Boylan. Tom used 12 Sculley 1 inch tape machines for this record. The Sculley's Tom had used a special circuit that helped restore the high frequencies of the attack transients. I have not been able to find out whether this was a modification that Tom made or if this was standard feature of the Sculley 12 track tape machines.

[@joespradley2323]

This came out when I was a very young teenager. The album was my first of over 200 to collect. This song I love so much that I have requested my wife and only living daughter to have it played at my funeral. Thanks for reacting, enjoyed it.🙏🏼🌹

[@riphopfer5816]

I would describe this song as very liberated-and liberating. There’s abandon and exuberance in it, as well as a kind of hedonistic fervour. The first cassette I ever purchased was Boston’s ‘Don’t Look Back’, as I was in love with the title track. I had a dream as a lad of hitch-hiking away from my hometown, where I’d hit puberty at 9, and was years ahead of my peers in every way, and nothing satisfied me. Boston is great for songs about escape.

[@noelandrak5746]

Its Awesome! Was then! Still is! Will always be! Incredible Music.

[@RockDocNeal]

This song(s) is from Boston's 1976 self-titled debut album, which is one of the biggest selling debut albums of all time. The album was written, produced and recorded (in his basement) by Tom Scholz (except for the last song, which was written by the vocalist, Brad Delp, and recorded in CA), who was an engineer for Polaroid prior to the success of Boston (he has a masters degree in mechanical engineering from MIT). He also played all the guitar, bass and keyboard parts and many of the guitar sounds were the result of custom electronics that Tom designed and built. All the lead and harmony vocals were performed by Brad Delp (RIP), who was one of the greatest male vocalists in the history of rock and Tom Scholz had said in an interview that Brad could record the harmony part or a doubling of the lead vocals perfectly in one take. I grew up in the same town as Brad Delp and my oldest brother graduated high school with him. He was a huge Beatles fan and his yearbook quote was "Have you heard the new Beatles album"? (he also had a side band called Beatlejuice who did meticulous covers of Beatles songs, including using some instruments that were similar to what the Beatles used)

[@davidmichels9454]

To explain it more easily would be to say that the beginning of the tune was orchestrated up to a crescendo that just exploded. I have loved classical music all my life and classic rock, think this piece is brilliant in its " Orchestration".

[@suucat]

This is real music, plain and simple...

[@joecrone9862]

Man I wore that ol eight track tape out in my old Ford back in high school! Sure wish I still had that old hotrod.

[@traviswoyen2243]

4:03 - I'm pretty sure those sounds are at least partially made using a tape echo effect and speeding up the tape.

[@willard398]

Boston has no equal! Surrounded by all the great bands of the 70’s & 80’s, Boston is everything I could have wanted to play.

[@chrislegner4816]

So much fun. Most of us remember being blown away the first time we heard this epic track. Very enjoyable to see someone else have the experience.

[@downdemon2378]

Well, I really wanted to see your mind blown with Khashmir, but I forgot how sophisticated this Boston recording is. It really surprised me how expansive the production is--it really was far ahead of its time. Great stuff.

[@houdin654jeff]

At last, Boston. Song for song, possibly the greatest debut album of all time. If you want the most well known of their hits, “More Than a Feeling” should be on your list. There’s more amazing organ work on other tracks on the album as well, probably most notably “Smokin,’” but there’s not a bad song on the record.

[@Kiwigucci]

I remember listening to this track the first time very clear. After the “ foreplay” and building up I dropped my underjaw. Never ever heard such a good “vibe” before.

[@mikes9305]

The 1970s had such a great balance between good singing, sophisticated arrangements, and artistic merit! Too bad Boston only did a limited amount of stuff like this, but wait until you hear what Yes had done back during that period!! 😃

[@WiserInTime]

This channel has to get to Yes! A must on a rock music education.

[@bernecomp]

I am intrigued to consider what she would make of Relayer.

[@mikes9305]

@@bernecomp As someone who knows everything Yes has done, I wouldn't start her with Relayer. Roundabout would be a good enough starting point and would attract lots of new subscribers. In my judgement, Close To The Edge is superior to Relayer. And the much-misunderstood Topographic Oceans album actually includes one of the most impressive works ever done by the band: the album's slow movement, "The Remembering." Lots of loud clamor and sound effects in The Gates of Delirium will not impress her as much as Chris Squire's self-proclaimed proudest bass guitar work in The Remembering. That is a truly gorgeous work and should hold up well under rigorous scrutiny. Those would be my 3 first picks: Roundabout, Close to the Edge, and The Remembering. They don't all need to be giant pieces, though. I think she would love "Circus of Heaven." I would also recommend some of their later stuff, like "In The Presence Of," which has an impressive sequence of crescendos! 😁

[@mikes9305]

@@WiserInTime Yes... Although we can expect a lot of debate about which pieces to emphasize. As someone who has over 1,000 classical CDs, I find that I am not as impressed as most Yes fans with repetitive works like Wurm. "Perpetual Change" would be my choice instead, because it includes an impressive fugato passage. When I hear "Heart of the Sunrise," I feel the song should include only half the number of repetitions that it actually does. And for me, some of the greatest Yes treasures have been ignored or maligned or simply not understood. "Fortune Seller" squeezes so many great things into a dense 5 minutes that I consider it a real showcase item for the band, but Mind Drive is not dense enough. Coming from classical, I'm thrilled with and impressed by Yes overall... more so than any other major rock band. But unlike so many fans, I don't actually think their best compositional work was found on The Yes Album, Fragile, or Relayer (all of which I still love). I tend to agree however with the consensus that has grown around Close To The Edge as their finest overall album, and I am especially fond of Siberian Khatru. Even when the band was at its simplest (90125), "Leave It" and "Hearts" are good songs on that album that compare well with practically any other band (although I really love the heavy riffing in "City of Love"). What is amazing is how many outstanding songs Yes made despite all the changes in their style since 1969. I love "Astral Traveller" and "The Prophet" (just to name two examples) from their often neglected first albums, and feel that the band continues to produce exceptionally good music even now. Despite the limitations found when Trevor Rabin dominated the band, and that not every one of their published songs is a masterpiece, I still cannot name another rock band whose collected studio works hold up so well to scrutiny. The Beatles came first, but included quite a few junky songs in their albums. Boston was fine but didn't produce very many albums, nor accomplish as much variety and range. Led Zeppelin did a ton of great and innovative stuff, but still included clunkers like "Hot Dog" at the end. Other great bands that avoided clunkers tended to have a more limited output and variety of styles. So although anything she starts with by Yes should be satisfying as a starting point, their full greatness is only realized when continuing to explore everything they did and then concluding "Wow! That is a really impressive body of work!"

[@bernecomp]

@@mikes9305 Personally I would choose Ritual from Tales. Close to the Edge is transcendental prog, no doubt, and I love it dearly, but Relayer is just so different than anything else. Fragile, well, is Fragile. So many greats to choose from with Yes she really can't go wrong. I appreciate your insights.

[@sonnyharrelson3897]

I'm 64 years old and music has filled my life with adventure's over the years. Starting with the Monkees by when I was 7 through the Beatles, then the group called the Carpenters that I became a member of their Fan Club up until Karen died, And still to this day believe she was the Gift to people because of her voice. Oh I cold give you so many great songs by her that you would be listening for hours if not days, but just to open that rabbit hole try " We've Only Just Begun. Enjoy. Oh, just to let you know. She was the Drummer of the group.

[@woodywoodman4309]

Everything in this song is done with purpose. The layering and tonal flavoring is done with a very precise hand. The production of this whole album is truly a masterpiece. Nothing too complex, but everything is expertly used.

[@WarrantCWO]

Everything you said about the song we in America call a "toe tapper". Every song on the early albums was a hit. Every song.

[@ViceSociety]

This was Boston's best composition and no surprise they ended their debut album with it. Sonically as good as anything ever recorded. A true rock and roll Masterpiece.

[@m1t2a1]

This and a few Rush songs are part of why my ears are constantly ringing at age 60 something. I blame it on having Cerwin Vega speakers and Koss HV-II LC headphones, and concerts when I was a teen.

[@SteveJones379]

🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘! Tom Scholz is exceptional. Great band.

[@johnschall7855]

Organ and the Synthesizer. Fantastic album.

[@armandoenriquez2564]

Your critique was very insightful. You described the song just as I hear it, but I would never be able to put it into words.

[@mrphil1092]

it has a 'Wild Restlessness to it' excellent superb comment! love it!.

[@altbob]

This was the first album I ever bought with my own allowance money. I was so excited (by the cover art, to be honest!), that I couldn't wait to get home and play it. I remember how blown away I was by the sound of it. The high flying guitar riffs and the orchestration of it. It has remained one of my all time favorites. A true classic. Be sure to listen to the soaring lead guitar work on "Hitch a Ride" and the choral singing on "More than a Feeling", which was the album's break out hit and made the band famous. No record collection is complete without this album!