Billy Hallquist, Paula Dee, Connie Brown & Phil Little - Notes
Al Heigl and Billy Hallquist - This Must Be The Place
It looks like Billy's fans, family and friends are enjoying these 40 year old television appearances on "This Must Be The Place" with Bill Carlson. That is wonderful! Here is a little back story on them. On August 1st, 2015 Al Heigl handed Billy Hallquist a DVD copy of these performances at his tribute concert as a gift. Al had preserved these masters directly from WCCO-TV ever since they both appeared on the show back in 1975 and 1976. Way to go Al! After watching them in awe the first time I mentioned to Billy that he couldn't possibly NOT share these with everyone. They are priceless! Saving Tape then took the time to digitally remaster them from one track mono to stereo and fix some things up for it's release and it is these enhanced versions you are seeing now.
Billy recalls being invited on the show on possibly 4 different occasions. It seems that only 2 of those appearances were on the DVD. Billy and Al did a 3 song set at each of these appearances that are documented here. Maybe one day we will get lucky and see more TV segments like this. Billy mentioned that he was on Nancy Nelson's "What's New" show as well. I will keep searching. These are being released as part of a six week Throwback Thursday series with Billy. I really dig the foot rockin' dance he does during "City Life" while sitting on the stage playing the guitar!
This features 2 songs by the late great Paula Dee from her 1979 debut album release called "Love the Wind in my Hair." "I Didn't Know You'd Be There" is the only song on the album written by Paula. "A Long Time Ago" is a song written by Billy Hallquist that he still hasn't released on an album of his own. It also features Billy on Acoustic Guitar and Lonnie Knight on Electric Guitar. His version may come out one day soon on his Basement Tapes collection. The album also features contributions from Paul Martinson, Bill Barber, Bill Berg, and Bruce Kurnow. Thank you to Saving Tape for donating their time and talents in digitizing this to CD from the original vinyl album. I hope you enjoy the songs as much as I do!
Paula Dee - A Long Time Ago
This features the A and B side of a 1979 single put out in a very limited pressing by Connie Brown. The A side is Connie's cover of the classic Billy Hallquist composition "Pass Me By" that was released on his 1976 album called "Travelin'" The B side is her cover of one of the first few songs written by Phil Little called "If This Ain't The Time." Check out Phillip A. Little on his 3 SoundCloud channels. He is listed under the name PAL Music and has recorded projects with Tom Erickson, Dustin Kiel and Lonnie Knight to name a few. This single was recorded at the legendary Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis. Thank you to Phil Little for giving me a copy of the rare vinyl of which I will always treasure!
Provided as a bonus song is a previously unreleased version of Connie Brown's 1980 "Bittersweet." Another gem written by Billy Hallquist. His version may also show up one day soon on his Basement Tapes collection. In researching this project, Connie has granted me permission to release it along with the rare single. Thank you Connie and thank you to Phil Little for preserving it all these years!
CONNIE BROWN - PASS ME BY A/B IF THIS AIN'T THE TIME / BITTERSWEET