Chill music, slow jams.. why not? That's the theme of Jen's MixTape Tuesday playalong. I missed the free-for-all last week, combination of no time and too many possibilities. My mind was spinning just thinking about it. So when she slowed it down for this week, I figured I could jump back in.
Back in the day, yes way back in the day, whether you needed some good road trip music or just wanted to chill out, the band of choice was The Allman Brothers. Many years have come and gone, but that hasn't changed. So let's start this party with what I see as I look outside this morning.
"Blue Sky"
Jackson Browne is chill. Always love his imagery, and this song is no different.
"You Love The Thunder"
Going back to the day. So many evenings were spent at my friend MJ's place. Her and her sister occupied the three room attic of her parent's house, and her parent's never came upstairs. Can you say party time? There was lots of chillin' and lots of party favors of all sorts. This was one frequent tune on the turntable, yes turntable. Santana, from the Abraxas album.
Singing Winds, Crying Beasts"
While it might not be a slow jam, it is chill. Simon & Garfunkel, from the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, it's a song that always puts me in a better state of mind.
"Only Living Boy In New York"
Bringing it home for the last song. Definition of chill: Sam Cooke.
"Bring It On Home To Me"
As usual, a hell of a party Jen. The music can't be beat.
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.
When today's taste first hit the charts, I was not a fan. It took a while for me to warm up to it, but after a while I was able to appreciate all the aspects which make it one great song. It was released in 1971, written and performed by Bill Withers. The song is "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone."
"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away."
A better pedigree in putting together a record you would be hard pressed to find. Withers doing a haunting vocal with a simple guitar. Bring in Duck Dunn on bass, Al Jackson Jr. on drums and featuring a sweet string arrangement by Booker T. Just another example of the incredible session talent found in the city of Memphis during the 60's and 70's.
"Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away."
While Bill Wither's sets the standard, over the years there have been so many great covers of this song.
Let's just taste a few: "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone"
Bill Withers...setting the bar Michael Jackson...recorded in 1972, a very young Michael. While the intro is unnecessary, the vocal of the song shows the promise of the incredible talent still to come. Sting..with a slam dunk sax thanks to David Sanborn Tracy Chapman & Buddy Guy...sweet duet Carlos Santans & Rob Thomas...totally different interpretation thanks to Carlos Jeff Beck Band...featuring Bob Tench on vocals Aaron Neville...no one sounds like Aaron Neville Joan Osbourne...an outstanding version
When the first Santana album was released, I was a sophomore in high school. Don't go doing the math, all my age means is I was there when all the incredible music came out. It was also about this time when I was starting to have different kinds of...fun. Now I was never the biggest party girl out there, but I wasn't exactly staying home every night of the week either. It was a different era, and it was fun as all hell.
My best friend in high school was someone I can still call on the phone after not speaking to her for six months...and pick up exactly where we left off. Well, she and her older sister shared an attic bedroom. Actually it was a full attic, so they had two bedrooms and a full bathroom. An entire floor away from the parents...and her parents NEVER came upstairs. Needless to say, this was where all the girls hung out on a daily basis.
The day she brought home Santana, the album with the black and white lion, we sat around drinking a little Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill (not exactly the good stuff, but we were underage and you drank what you could get someone (who was legal) to buy for you. Side one began with "Waiting", then into "Evil Ways." When side one ended with "Jingo,"we all looked at each other in disbelief. This was music like we had never heard. The guitar, the percussion, the rhythm. We listened to that album everyday for months.
The next year when "Abraxas" was released, we did the same thing all over again. Today, just as back then, the sound of Carlos Santana's guitar was unmistakable.
Today, Carlos Santana turns 65. In honor of the man whose music inspired me and at the same time helped to destroy so many brain cells, let's taste a few great live performances.
Be inspired and if it's not too early...knock off a few brain cells.
"Oye Como Va" ...starting the fun "Samba Pa Ti" ...smooth, smoky and joyful. "Soul Sacrifice" ...last track on the first album. after looking at each other like WTF, we played the album again. "Jingo" ...absolutely blistering hot version with Clapton helping out. play it LOUD. "Smooth" ...still creating magic after all these years. great vocal by Rob Thomas
...never mind your feet movin', your ass best be out of the chair and dancin'
Up in the Catskill Mountains, very close to the footprint of where Woodstock was held in 1969, there now is one spectacular venue to see a show. Winding paths lead to various concession stands, eating areas, and other fun things. The architecture blends perfectly with the countryside. The pavillion where the stage is set, sits halfway down the hill with seating rising up around it. The view is so serene, it's not hard to understand how half a million people peacefully cohabited here for three days in less than ideal conditions.
The event for the night was Ringo Starr's All Starr Band. Fun.
The All Starr Band this year consists of Steve Lukather (lead guitarist,vocals Toto), Richard Page (bass,vocals Mr. Mister), Todd Rundgren (a little bit of everything), Greg Rolie (keys,Santana/Journey), Mark Rivera (keys,sax), and Greg Bissonette (drums).
Starting the show was Ringo singing "Matchbox" and next going into "It Don't Come Easy." As this was my first time seeing Ringo, I was happily surprised how well he commands the stage. Light on his feet, he uses the whole stage and enjoys a really nice rapport with the crowd. Throughout the set, he would bounce between center stage and behind the drums.
Originally I had thought the All-Starrs would each do a few songs, but instead they each did one of their own songs, then handed it over to the next. First up was Todd Rundgren who asked "Have the drugs kicked in yet?" Assuming the old vibe from the Woodstock days might still be evident...it wasn't far from the truth. Although this time, I think the drug of choice might have been Prozac. This crowd was just a little too mellow for this rockers' liking...people, you're at a rock show...it's time to boogie. Rundgren began his night with "Hello, It's Me," ...nice.
Greg Rolie took over next with "Evil Ways" and mentioned it was 43 years ago, in that summer of '69, that they first played it at this site. Steve Lukather, one guy who really seems to love his job, said this was "the best summer vacation of my life." He then launched into "Rosanna," helped out by Mark Rivera on the upper range of the song. Richard Page did a fine job on "Kyrie" then bringing the circle back to Ringo.
There were not a lot of surprises at this show. Except for the songs Ringo decided to highlight off his new CD, every other song was pretty much expected. And that was a good thing. All hits, all the time....what's the problem there? Was it one of the best shows I've ever seen...not at all.. But I never expected it to be. It was a lot of fun for me and I think for the band. If you like at least two members of the All Starr Band...you'll have a enjoyable evening.
Because after all...we'll get by with a little help from our friends.
