Friday is traveling time.
Just couldn't let the day go by without a shout-out to today's birthday boy...Mr. Eric Clapton. Now to pick one tune as his best is impossible. Sure we have, Layla and then there's the rest. I have two dozen favorites at least.
My taste for today is one song while not his best, is one that I enjoy more and more, each time I hear it.
"God's got a plan, he's making it clear
Sweet little love songs in your ear"
Happy Birthday Eric, hope all the birthday wishes you get today "put a little wind in your sail."
Eric Clapton "I Would Do Anything"
.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Better Late Than Never: Jackson Browne
One song today.
Just one beautifully written song telling of the realization that sometimes love doesn't quite last forever. Most of us know the feeling. It's not a good one, and not many of us could so eloquently convey the feeling of a heart both broken... and hardened.
"Late For The Sky" by Jackson Browne.
There are at least thirty songs by Jackson Browne I could showcase, and on another day we may take a listen to a few others. But today, we will just listen to this beautiful goodbye. Read the words as you listen to the song.
"Now the words had all been spoken and somehow the feeling still wasn't right
And still we continued on through the night
Tracing our steps from the beginning until they vanished into the air
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there."
If it was good, you try to talk it out, until talking becomes excruciatingly painful.
"Looking hard into your eyes, there was nobody I'd ever known
Such an empty surprise, to feel so alone.
Now for me some words come easy, but I know that they don't mean that much
Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch"
Have we changed that much, or did we never really know each other?
"You never knew what I loved in you, I don't know what you loved in me
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be."
Awake again, I can't pretend,
and I know I'm alone and close to the end
of the feeling we've known."
Realization, maybe it can't be fixed.
"How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might
to be the one you need."
Have things really been bad for so long and we just never realized?
"Awake again, I can't pretend,
and I know I'm alone and close to the end
of the feeling we've known."
"How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie...late for the sky."
Always wondered if the last line...the bed where we both lie was meant to describe just where they slept or the fact that the relationship has turned into a lie. Perfect end.
Listen to two tastes of this very poignant song. First up a live, almost haunting version then the studio cut.
"Late for the Sky" ...live
"Late for the Sky"...studio
Simply written, simply heartbreaking, simply brilliant.
.
Just one beautifully written song telling of the realization that sometimes love doesn't quite last forever. Most of us know the feeling. It's not a good one, and not many of us could so eloquently convey the feeling of a heart both broken... and hardened.
"Late For The Sky" by Jackson Browne.
There are at least thirty songs by Jackson Browne I could showcase, and on another day we may take a listen to a few others. But today, we will just listen to this beautiful goodbye. Read the words as you listen to the song.
"Now the words had all been spoken and somehow the feeling still wasn't right
And still we continued on through the night
Tracing our steps from the beginning until they vanished into the air
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there."
If it was good, you try to talk it out, until talking becomes excruciatingly painful.
"Looking hard into your eyes, there was nobody I'd ever known
Such an empty surprise, to feel so alone.
Now for me some words come easy, but I know that they don't mean that much
Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch"
Have we changed that much, or did we never really know each other?
"You never knew what I loved in you, I don't know what you loved in me
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be."
Awake again, I can't pretend,
and I know I'm alone and close to the end
of the feeling we've known."
Realization, maybe it can't be fixed.
"How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might
to be the one you need."
Have things really been bad for so long and we just never realized?
"Awake again, I can't pretend,
and I know I'm alone and close to the end
of the feeling we've known."
"How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie...late for the sky."
Always wondered if the last line...the bed where we both lie was meant to describe just where they slept or the fact that the relationship has turned into a lie. Perfect end.
Listen to two tastes of this very poignant song. First up a live, almost haunting version then the studio cut.
"Late for the Sky" ...live
"Late for the Sky"...studio
Simply written, simply heartbreaking, simply brilliant.
.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Rest And Listen Under My Little Wing
Today we will finally go through my slight obsession with one song..."Little Wing"
Don't ask me why this song so invades my musical judgement. All I know is that until yesterday, I did not think there could be a bad version of it. To me it is just magical. Jimi Hendrix it has been said, wrote the song for his mother. It has been covered countless times...wonderfully.
"Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running round
Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams and fairy tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind."
I've seen the original lyrics to "Little Wing" and it seems no artist has ever sung the words as written. Fine by me. The variations on the theme just make each version more memorable. So whimsical, so joyful.
"It's alright she says it's alright
Take anything you want from me,
Anything."
Then there's the guitar.
To hear the interpretations gets my head spinning in twenty directions...all of them good. Except for the one I listened to yesterday. I'm going to include it with the tastes as a cautionary tale...this is not "Little Wing", this is unrecognizable crap.
So here we go with just a few great versions, an interesting one by the Coors and one shit one by very talented Japanese guitarist Kumi Adachi. Some of her stuff is amazing, this isn't.
Kumi Adachi "Little Wing" ... I think
Stevie Ray Vaughn "Little Wing"... the ultimate instrumental version
Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood "Little Wing"... saw them do this live at MSG. Still get tears as I think about how good it was.
Sting "Little Wing"... pure vocal, not quite the guitar emphasis, but a fine blend of instruments
The Coors "Little Wing"... like you've never heard it
and...
Jimi Hendrix "Little Wing"...where it all started
Nothing's sweeter than that.
.
Don't ask me why this song so invades my musical judgement. All I know is that until yesterday, I did not think there could be a bad version of it. To me it is just magical. Jimi Hendrix it has been said, wrote the song for his mother. It has been covered countless times...wonderfully.
"Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running round
Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams and fairy tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind."
I've seen the original lyrics to "Little Wing" and it seems no artist has ever sung the words as written. Fine by me. The variations on the theme just make each version more memorable. So whimsical, so joyful.
"It's alright she says it's alright
Take anything you want from me,
Anything."
Then there's the guitar.
To hear the interpretations gets my head spinning in twenty directions...all of them good. Except for the one I listened to yesterday. I'm going to include it with the tastes as a cautionary tale...this is not "Little Wing", this is unrecognizable crap.
So here we go with just a few great versions, an interesting one by the Coors and one shit one by very talented Japanese guitarist Kumi Adachi. Some of her stuff is amazing, this isn't.
Kumi Adachi "Little Wing" ... I think
Stevie Ray Vaughn "Little Wing"... the ultimate instrumental version
Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood "Little Wing"... saw them do this live at MSG. Still get tears as I think about how good it was.
Sting "Little Wing"... pure vocal, not quite the guitar emphasis, but a fine blend of instruments
The Coors "Little Wing"... like you've never heard it
and...
Jimi Hendrix "Little Wing"...where it all started
Nothing's sweeter than that.
.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sittin In For One Tasty Treat
Really great rock, fine vocals, plenty of guitar and mandolin work to go around...and easy on the eyes. That's pretty much the way I would describe the taste of the day. To say I saw them play live a few times is a gross understatement. If they played in the NY tri-state area three times in a week, well chances are I was at all three shows.
As I recall, my initiation with Loggins and Messina began back 123 years ago, when I worked part time in a store that would later be known as K-Mart. There was a guy (isn't there always) who, as a way to...well you know, I'll go with impress me, would start to sing...
"you don't need change in your pocket,
you don't need soles on your shoes
to make a woman feel wanted."
True, but a burger and beer might be nice. But I digress.
The song was "To Make A Woman Feel Wanted," the middle piece of the Trilogy from "Sittin In". This was the album originally slated to be a Kenny Loggins solo album and became the beginning of one hell of a great duo. There wasn't anything about that album I didn't like. Everyone knows the hits "Danny's Song" and "House at Pooh Corner," but for my money...there is just so much more.
Starting out rocking with "Nobody But You", it then gave every young couple with a baby boy a theme..."Danny's Song." But then the album picked up steam. Who doesn't remember "I'm thinking back when I was a sailor." You can almost taste the salt air as they sang "Vahevala". At this point, they hit full stride with the Trilogy: Lovin Me, To Make A Woman Feel Wanted and Peace of Mind...flawless. Sorry for the not great video and abrupt end, but you'll get the flavor.
Still kicking it after that, "Back to Georgia" cemented this album as a full-blown classic. But wait, there's more. Right after you've rocked for a good long while, they throw in everyone's favorite rock lullaby "House at Pooh Corner". Toss in another three fine songs to finish it up and you can understand why my vinyl copy never stood a chance. Of course, there's always the CD and the IPhone and the computer. Just saying.
"Time, time and again I've seen you staring out at me
Now then and again I wonder what it is that you see
With those angry eyes
Well I bet you wish you could cut me down
With those angry eyes"
Aside from the "Sittin In" album, the follow up Loggins & Messina featured the unparalleled "Angry Eyes". A little guitar, strong bass beat...bring in the drum and kick ass. 7:35 of perfection.
One final taste just because it is so fine. From the wonderful "Full Sail" CD, the one with the beefcake shot on the back...very nice indeed, one of their best "Watching the River Run"
Lots of treats being served up tonight. Take the time to enjoy as many as you like.
.
As I recall, my initiation with Loggins and Messina began back 123 years ago, when I worked part time in a store that would later be known as K-Mart. There was a guy (isn't there always) who, as a way to...well you know, I'll go with impress me, would start to sing...
"you don't need change in your pocket,
you don't need soles on your shoes
to make a woman feel wanted."
True, but a burger and beer might be nice. But I digress.
The song was "To Make A Woman Feel Wanted," the middle piece of the Trilogy from "Sittin In". This was the album originally slated to be a Kenny Loggins solo album and became the beginning of one hell of a great duo. There wasn't anything about that album I didn't like. Everyone knows the hits "Danny's Song" and "House at Pooh Corner," but for my money...there is just so much more.
Starting out rocking with "Nobody But You", it then gave every young couple with a baby boy a theme..."Danny's Song." But then the album picked up steam. Who doesn't remember "I'm thinking back when I was a sailor." You can almost taste the salt air as they sang "Vahevala". At this point, they hit full stride with the Trilogy: Lovin Me, To Make A Woman Feel Wanted and Peace of Mind...flawless. Sorry for the not great video and abrupt end, but you'll get the flavor.
Still kicking it after that, "Back to Georgia" cemented this album as a full-blown classic. But wait, there's more. Right after you've rocked for a good long while, they throw in everyone's favorite rock lullaby "House at Pooh Corner". Toss in another three fine songs to finish it up and you can understand why my vinyl copy never stood a chance. Of course, there's always the CD and the IPhone and the computer. Just saying.
"Time, time and again I've seen you staring out at me
Now then and again I wonder what it is that you see
With those angry eyes
Well I bet you wish you could cut me down
With those angry eyes"
Aside from the "Sittin In" album, the follow up Loggins & Messina featured the unparalleled "Angry Eyes". A little guitar, strong bass beat...bring in the drum and kick ass. 7:35 of perfection.
One final taste just because it is so fine. From the wonderful "Full Sail" CD, the one with the beefcake shot on the back...very nice indeed, one of their best "Watching the River Run"
Lots of treats being served up tonight. Take the time to enjoy as many as you like.
.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Let's Get Tempted with A Little Motown
Motown.
In the 60's Motown ruled the domestic music scene. We still had the British invasion going on, but the number of talented artists in the Motown stable was phenomenal. Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye...the list goes on and on.
Slowly but surely, we will go through the Motown label. Today we will sample, one of the premier groups of the era...The Temptations. Now, back in the day there was a rivalry between the Temps and The Four Tops. Both featured great songs, lots of choreography and singers with wide vocal ranges. The Temps were always a bit smoother, more polished than the Tops, but I can still listen to all the songs from each group and still not be tired of hearing them.
A few tasty treats from the Temptations, featuring the wonderful David Ruffin.
"I Wish It Would Rain"
"I'm Losing You"
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
"Can't Get Next To You" featuring Eddie Kendricks
and the best of all
"My Girl"
That's some tempting treats served up today.
.
In the 60's Motown ruled the domestic music scene. We still had the British invasion going on, but the number of talented artists in the Motown stable was phenomenal. Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye...the list goes on and on.
Slowly but surely, we will go through the Motown label. Today we will sample, one of the premier groups of the era...The Temptations. Now, back in the day there was a rivalry between the Temps and The Four Tops. Both featured great songs, lots of choreography and singers with wide vocal ranges. The Temps were always a bit smoother, more polished than the Tops, but I can still listen to all the songs from each group and still not be tired of hearing them.
A few tasty treats from the Temptations, featuring the wonderful David Ruffin.
"I Wish It Would Rain"
"I'm Losing You"
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
"Can't Get Next To You" featuring Eddie Kendricks
and the best of all
"My Girl"
That's some tempting treats served up today.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)