It's been a while since I posted an installment of Got It Covered, hope you enjoy this one.
In 1993, Jackson Browne released his tenth studio album titled I'm Alive. On it, Browne returned to the familiar territory of love lost, while easing away from the political flavor that marked Lives in the Balance and World in Motion, his previous two albums.
While I'm Alive didn't break any sales records, it did become certified gold, and more importantly, it gave back to his fans the music they wanted to hear. The song "Everywhere I Go," features Browne's initial foray into a reggae beat, with Scott Thurston on backing vocals.
A little over a year ago, Music Load Records released a Jackson Browne tribute album called Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne. It's a two-disc set and it's highly recommended. It would seem all of Jackson's friends lined up for a chance to be included: Keb Mo doing "Rock Me On The Water," Lyle Lovett singing "Rosie," Joan Obsourne with "Late For The Sky," "Lucinda Williams on 'The Pretender," and Don Henley with "These Days." Yeah, it's real nice.
My favorite of the collection is the cover of "Everywhere I Go," sung by Bonnie Raitt and David Lindley. It's a light, airy version and of course, there's Bonnie's voice.
Take a listen.
For a little peek into the recording of it, check out this video.
I missed Jen's party last week because there were just too many commitments and not enough hours. And I was gonna bow out this week too, but then she started tweeting "Come out and play," and well you know, I do hate to miss a party when there's good music. So here I am at 6:45 in the morning. For you Jen, for you.
The theme for the Twisted MixTape this week is Beautiful Songs. All righty then, that could be anything.
Let me start by saying, just because it's beautiful, doesn't mean it's happy. One of the most beautiful songs you will ever hear is a heartbreaking song of realization. Written by Eric Kaz and Libby Titus and covered over the years by Linda Rondstadt and Rosanne Cash among others. I first heard it by Bonnie Raitt, it was fabulous then and still is.
"If I could buy your love
Then I'd surely try my friend
And if I could pray
My prayers would never end
But if you want me to beg
I'll fall down on my knees
And ask you to come back
I'd be pleading for you to come back
I'd beg for you to come back to me"
So powerful, so sad, so Beautiful.
"Love Has No Pride"
Next up is a song I used in a blog a year or so ago. It's not fancy or complicated. It's just Beautiful. The band is Railroad Earth.
"Lovin You"
I first heard Judy Collins sing this song a very long time ago. Beyond her voice are the lyrics. Of course they were written by the incomparable Leonard Cohen, and they are Beautiful.
"Now Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She is wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey
On our lady of the harbour
And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror"
"Suzanne"
Tim Hardin wrote a song which became a Top Ten hit for Bobby Darin in 1966. As a thank you, Darin then wrote "Simple Song of Freedom" for Hardin, and it was equally successful. But the Hardin song is the one that fits in today. I've heard it done by Johnny Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Led Zeppelin and, well there was even an entire album of covers of it released. Those who know me can guess who I've picked. "If I Were A Carpenter"
Tomorrow being 9/11, and with this country thinking about dropping bombs again, I thought this would be the perfect song to end a Beautiful list. John said it best.
"Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace..."
I'll be slithering back to my dark hole now. See you all soon.
The 90's, Part 1. The decade when music officially started going down the shitter. Radio was the first. Slowly but surely any radio station that had programmers who thought outside the box, was either devoured by corporate chains and told what to play, or succumbed to low listenership, as pop and techno along with some grunge took over. Please hold your emails, I fully admit I do not worship at the altar of Curt Colbain. I'll grant he was good, but was his best behind him when he killed himself? We will never know. For my money, I'll take Michael Stipe anyday.
This was the decade that gave us such truly memorable crap such as the Macarena, MMMBop, U Can't Touch This and Whomp. I rest my case.
Anyway, I hadn't started getting heartburn from listening to the music just yet, that really began as the decade ended, but it was a decade where you had to really look for good music instead of just being able to hear it every time you turned on the radio.
So for Jen's Twisted MixTape Tuesday, Part 1 of the 90's, I've come up with what were some of the best of what was out there.
"I like a good beer buzz, early in the morning." How can you not love a song with a lyric like that? Sheryl Crow broke out with a song which could basically be a Mission Statement for a lot of us.
"All I Wanna Do"
R.E.M. were brilliant. End of story. Take your pick of seven or eight possible choices, but I'll go with what I think is the strongest.
"Losing My Religion"
At the age of forty, one of my favorite female singers showed all the boys how it's done, when in 1990, she won three Grammy awards for what would be considered her comeback album. In 1989, Bonnie Raitt released Nick of Time... which was and is still totally kick-ass. Hard to choose which song to go with, so let's just go with something called...
"Love Letter"
Time to have a little fun. If you're looking for an earworm along with some real fine harmonica playing, and who doesn't want that... I give you John Popper and Blues Traveler with...
"Runaround"
Over the years Carlos Santana has had many vocalists. In 1999, Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20 was the front man on a song he co-wrote. It was a huge hit, winning three Grammy Awards and was Billboard's #1 song for twelve weeks. Deservedly so, it's a great collaboration.
"Smooth"
Though he died in 1990, one year later his album The Sky is Crying was released. On it was one hell of a version of a Jimi Hendrix song, which if you've read this blog long enough, you know I believe it's hard to find a bad version of it. Stevie Ray's is superb.
"Little Wing"
So I'm only one over the official list of five. Thanks Jen, you run one loud and rowdy joint... I feel so at home.
On Friday, the Songwriting Hall of Fame announced their inductees for 2013. Since a few of my favorites are included, I thought I'd do a little post acknowledging each one. They are: Joe Perry/Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Mick Jones/Lou Gramm from Foreigner, John David Souther, Tony Hatch and Holly Knight.
The last three may not be the household names the first four are, but the songs they've written are hits through and through. As time permits before the ceremony, we will take a listen to some of the hits created by the inductees. But today, one of my favorites from the 70's.
While his name may not be familiar, his songs are extremely well known. Having had one hell of a run writing songs for both Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles, J.D. Souther has a reputation for chart-topping songs, most notably in the country-rock genre. Moving to California in the late 60's, he met Glenn Frey and the two became friends, writing partners and roommates. Another legend-to-be also lived in the same building, his name was Jackson Browne, with whom Souther also collaborated in songwriting.
Here's a partial list of his songwriting credits:
"Heartache Tonight," "New Kid in Town," "Victim of Love," "Best of My Love," "You're Only Lonely," "White Rhythm and Blues," "Faithless Love," "Prisoner in Disguise," "Border Town," and "Pretty Goodbyes."
In 1974 he joined with Chris Hillman (The Byrds,Flying Burrito Brothers) and Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield,Poco) and they put out two albums. The first, a self-titled album was one of my favorites.
Let's taste some his his best work as recorded by others and his own interpretations.
I need a jacuzzi...or at least a vodka. Now don't go looking at your watch and saying it's barely nine in the morning. It's been that kind of morning...actually it's been that kind of week.
This morning I finally finished something that had been in the works for way over a month. Whether it would actually get accomplished was in doubt several times over that period. The next step is out of my hands for the time being. That being said, I need a little something to relax me and make a statement at the same time.
A little Bonnie Raitt, yes. The ultimate comeback kid, Bonnie has been around for...well it might not be polite to say, just a long time will suffice. After touring and recording for over 20 years with up and down success, her album "Nick of Time" went to the top of the charts and made her the Grammy's sweetheart in 1990. The album is a good place to start if you are just getting into her music. Just don't stop there. Bonnie Raitt does not do anything badly...taste as much as you can.
So, for my need of relaxation, I need a little something bluesy. For my statement, this force of nature declares "I Will Not Be Denied.
