One day last week I woke up with a song in my head and I didn't know who it was by. Which meant I had to research it and then tell you about it.
It started with the chorus "It's gonna take a lotta love..." streaming through my head immediately upon waking. Google told me that "Lotta Love" was sung by Nicolette Larson, no one you or I have ever heard of (correction, reader Chris says she's a known entity. Sorry, Chris). Yes, it's a cover of Neil Young's original, but hers was the version that was inexplicably stuck in my head.
And of course, YouTube has the video! In this one, Nicolette is rocking a, um, natural personal style -- somewhat of a cross between Crystal Gayle and a woman that might be rescued from a cult's compound in the middle of Texas. She's young and pretty and slightly unkempt, and therefore a perfect candidate for a makeover. The flute solo in this song kills me:
I noticed there was a "live" version of the song (hint: it's not live) on YouTube as well. Here, the makeover dream has come true, and she has upgraded the hired guns in her band as well. The flute/sax player looks like a member of Kajagoogoo, which I suppose was a good thing at the time.
Nicolette had a nice career as a backing vocalist in the '70s and '80s, working with Emmylou, Willie Nelson, The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett and many more. According to Wikipedia, she was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best New Artist in 1979. Sadly, Nicolette passed away in December 1997, but she left a nice legacy behind.
So as not to end this post on a sad note, and to give me any excuse to talk about Heart, here's a bonus video featuring a killer flute solo. Ann breaks into a staggering, jazzy flute solo about two minutes in. The stage wear in this video is also a sight to behold, especially the corset/vest thing worn by the bass player. Stay tuned to four minutes in when Roger plays his electric guitar with a violin bow.
- Related reading: Don't look down, just look up where I explore the backing vocal career of Marilyn Martin, via her duet with Phil Collins
