Mixed Tape Tuesday Goes 70's: Part 1

Since I already feel like I'm late to class and haven't handed in my homework assignment, here's my second post of the day. This one is for Jen's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday. This week we are moving into Part 1 of the 1970's. Great decade for music. It came about after all the rules had been broken, after American blues clashed with the British Invasion and country and southern rock started to roll. I loved every minute of it.

This was the decade when I saw my first, second and probably my 250th live concert. I was old enough to do what I wanted and young enough to not have responsibilities getting in the way. Did I make some wrong decisions... hell yes, didn't we all. But did I have fun... indeed I did. And I have retained some of the memories to prove it. The rest were forgotten when those brain cells that were in such abundance back then, suddenly went pfft. C'est la vie.

My first choice is no big surprise, it is either #1 or #2 on virtually every Top 100 music list of the era. I could listen to it everyday of my life and still enjoy hearing it. The two parts of the song: the vocal and instrumental are each beautiful on their own. Put them together and it's seven minutes that are magical. The opening riff is one of the most recognizable in music.

What else can it be but "Layla"

The band which first comes to mind for me when I think 70's music is the Eagles. Initially I thought I would use "Take It Easy," written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Brown, as it's the first song I remember from them. But no Eagles song fills me with more emotion and takes me to a better place than this Tom Waits song.

"Ol '55."

I loved Loggins & Messina. I must have seen them a dozen times. When I heard Jimmy Messina from Buffalo Springfield was teaming up with this other guy, I was interested. Then I saw Kenny Loggins and wow. Not only was he hot, but he had that voice... yeah. Their first album, "Sittin' In" was brilliant, and their follow up was just as good. Their song that I've picked is the title cut. Loved the lyrics, loved the sound, love the long instrumental in the middle.

"What a shot you would be if you could look at me with those..."
"Angry Eyes"

Next up is the song I actually started this music blog with. It's all about the feeling. It's all about music. It's my definition of what music does to me. "Give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your Rock & Roll and drift away." Isn't that how music should make you feel? This blog began with a post about the death of Dobie Gray, it lives because of the music.

"And when my mind is free

You know a melody can move me

And when I'm feelin' blue

The guitar's comin' through to soothe me"

"Drift Away"

Then there was Traffic. Oy, such a decision. Do I go with "Dear Mr. Fantasy", "Low Spark" or "Feeling Alright"? In the end, I went with the first song I played on my first CD player. From John Barleycorn Must Die, one piano infused instrumental that just rocked.

"Glad"

So that's five, the number we're supposed to pick. But it's missing someone and as a resident of the "Great State of New Jersey," I feel the need to break the rules. I need to bring in The Boss. Again, the choice is tough. Just choosing which album to take a song from is tough. Greeting from Asbury Park's "Spirit in the Night," or anything from Born to Run would have worked. But I'm going with one song which I wouldn't hear at every concert, which just made it more special when I did. Coming from probably my favorite Bruce album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, it's all Max and Roy at the start, with the tempo building as the song explodes with longing and passion.

"She says, Baby if you wanna be wild,

you got a lot to learn, close your eyes,

Let them melt, let them fire,

let them burn"

The exquisite "Candy's Room"

As a sad side note. It's two years today that we lost The Big Man,Clarence Clemmons. Sure hope he's having a good time playing with the band upstairs.

Thanks Jen for having us over at your place again. Promise next week I'll bring the beer.

2013 Songwriting Hall of Fame: JD Souther

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.

Linda Rondstadt "Faithless Love"
The Eagles "Victim of Love"
Souther,Hillman, Furay "Border Town
Bonnie Raitt "Run Like A Thief"
James Taylor/JD Souther "Her Town Too"  co-writers

Just a few delicious morsels from one of country rock's most important composers.

Easy listening for a Sunday morning...or anytime

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Celebrating with Joe Walsh: Yeah Life's Been Good

Happy Birthday Joe Walsh.

You hear the guitar, you know. He's up there, one of the few whose guitar playing is instantly recognizable. Think "Funk 49", think "Rocky Mountain Way." Good Stuff.

From the early days with the James Gang, through Barnstorm, the Eagles and throughout his solo career, the guitar of Joe Walsh sings, cries and sometimes hits you in the face. Creatively massaging notes, his playing is always interesting , usually taking you on an unexpected ride.

Not gonna do the hits today, instead let's sample a couple of oldies and something new. And if you want to have some fun, go over to Live From Daryl's House and check out last week's show where Daryl Hall welcomed Joe Walsh for an hour of talk and music. Real Good Stuff.


Released in 1985, "The Confessor"
A taste off his newest album Analog Man, "Wrecking Ball"
And one of my favorites... "Turn to Stone"

Blow out the candles Joe, and shred a little guitar.

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Time To Chase The Blues Away

Kind of a blue morning. Day after a stormy one, the world outside still seems to be in a state of shock. Not feeling like there should be more rain, but not up to letting the sun peak through. I know the feeling well.

Thought this morning we'd go with some songs which reflect the day...and the mood. A little gray, a little sad, a little well...blue.

Foreigner "Blue Morning, Blue Day" ....start this off with the whole feeling of the day
Linda Rondstadt "Hasten Down the Wind" ...great cover of a priceless Warren Zevon tune
Dusty Springfield Anyone Who Had a Heart" ...Burt Bacharach song first done by Dionne Warwick.
Survivor "I See You in Everyone" ...great imagery, and haven't we all been there.
The Eagles "Wasted Time" ...pulling out all the blues.

And since everyone knows, the only way to chase the blues away is by listening to some blues...well let's have a little B.B.

BB King "The Thrill is Gone" ...listen to him talk to Lucille
BB King "Stormy Monday" ...and just like that, kiss the blues goodbye.

Hello sun. Gonna be a good day after all.


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