Going way way back for this classic from the rock and roll cannon. Stating the obvious, but what a incredible tragedy that Holly died so young. Just think of all the fantastic music that he may have gone one to make.
All posts by Paul
Song of the Day (TBT) 6/6/19 Big Star When My Baby’s Beside Me
Classic track from the highly influential but under-appreciated (at the time) band. I first became aware of them from the Replacements song Alex Chilton.
Song of the Day 5/30/19 Bruce Springsteen “Tucson Train”
Song of the Day 5/30/19 Bruce Springsteen “Tucson Train”
— Read on mikeandpaulsmusicblog.com/2019/05/30/song-of-the-day-5-30-19-bruce-springsteen-tucson-train/
Song of the Day TBT – 10th Avenue Freeze-out
Classic Springsteen song but with a twist. Video below is from last night’s Little Steven Summer of Sorcery tour stop in Asbury Park, NJ, when during the encore, who should come out on stage but…. Amazing how that happens!
Sadly, I was not there, this is pulled off YouTube. I love though how the song kicks in right at the moment when Bruce comes out. Also love the classic Bruce/Steve back and forth at the end!
Song of the Day Sunday 4/28/19 Lissie – Dreams (piano version)
A beautiful version of a classic song.
Song of the Day (TBT) – 4/04/19 David Bowie – Rebel Rebel
My blogging buddy Mike chose Dylan for today’s TBT choice. How about another classic, from 1974’s Diamond Dogs. One of those songs with the instantly recognizable guitar riff!
New Little Steven and Disciples of Soul! Superfly Terraplane
Little Steven is back! Off the forthcoming album Summer of Sorcery out May 3. And looks like he is touring the US this fall! While I have read that the album will not be as political as previous ones, on first listen this song sounds like the exception. But really dig the rock and soul groove!
New Music Discoveries
Love Keep Kicking – Martha
I included a song by this band in a January new music post (here), although the song Heart is Healing was actually from 2018, and was a teaser for a forthcoming album. Well, they have a new single out, Love Keeps Kicking, which is the title track for the album due April 5 on Dirtnap Records. Like Heart is Healing, Love Keeps Kicking is a smart pop punk song with a catchy as hell guitar line about the travails of love.
You said love keeps kicking the shit out of me and there’s no solution I can see
No happy pill, no drinking bleach, no permanent lobotomy
Seventeen – Sharon Van Etten
From her 5th studio album, Remind Me Tomorrow, Seventeen is Sharon Van Etten‘s homage to her old neighborhoods in NYC, and how her favorite haunts have disappeared or permanently changed. Its also her talking to her seventeen old self, with both nostalgia for the way she used to be, knowledge of what she did right (or not) back then, and conjecture as to how her teenage self would view her adult self. Much more expansive than her previous work (the addition of synths helps), the song continues to grow on me with every repeated listen.
Maggie Rogers – Fallingwater
Maggie Rogers is a 24 year old singer/songwriter from the Eastern Shore of MD who incorporates electronica influences into folk song structures. She first gained some attention a few years ago when Alaska, a composition class song she put together for a masterclass with Pharrel Williams visibly moved him (you can see the video here). I first saw her when she opened for Mumford & Sons last year here in DC. Fallingwater is from her debut album Heard It in a Past Life. I love her voice, and also that a 24 year old local is doing her own thing, blazing her own trail into pop music.
Killer – Palehound
Palehound is a guitar trio from Boston led by Ellen Kempner on guitar and vocals, Larz Brogan on bass, and Jesse Weiss on drums who formed in 2014. I heard this song on a NPR Music new music show and was immediately taken by its dark, moody atmospheric feel, the whispering vocals, and the ominous lyrics about protecting your friends whatever it takes (literally). The guitar line propels the song along, and the lyrics give enough clues for you to know that the man who mistreated the singer’s friend will not have a happy ending.
When you winced and turned your head and wept, that’s when I knew
That it’s not enough to run that dog out of this town
My weapon’s cold in the backseat, hunt that monster down
Til next time….
Song of the Day Sunday Morning Hugh Marsh – She Will
Today’s choice is from Canadian electric violinist Hugh Marsh. The song starts with an ambient dissonant buzzing like a great machine starting up that after a minute becomes a drone that underlays the rest of the song.
Digging in the Garage Episode 3
Digging this feature back out after a few starts last year. This is where I feature favorite classic picks and new finds in garage rock, inspired by the Nuggets compilation and Little Steven’s Underground Garage. Here’s a link to the original post that has more details on the idea.
First up, The Knickerbockers – One Track Mind
The pride of Bergenfield NJ, the Knickerbockers formed in 1962 – their classic line up consisted of brothers Beau Charles (guitar and vocals) and John Charles (bass and vocals), Buddy Randell (vocals and sax), and Jimmy Walker (drums). They got their name from a road that ran through an adjacent town.
I featured their top 20 hit Lies, from 1965, in a Song of the Day back in September of last year. One Track Mind came out in 1966, and didn’t do as well (#45) due to distribution problems. Both songs have great pop melodies reminiscent of the Beatles.
Next up, Big Star – When My Baby’s Beside Me
Big Star (Alex Chilton (guitars, piano, vocals), Chris Bell (guitars, vocals), Jody Stephens (drums, vocals), and Andy Hummel (bass guitar, vocals)) formed in 1971 in Memphis, and before breaking up in 1974, released a series of albums that served as a blueprint for power pop music for decades to come. They were one of those bands that never really achieved commercial success at the time but in retrospect were hugely influential, cited as an inspiration by REM, the Replacements, as well as many others. When My Baby’s Beside Me is off their 1st record, aptly names Number 1 Record.
Let’s go overseas to Scotland and The Marmalade’s I See The Rain
As I’ve mentioned, one inspiration for these posts is Little Steven’s Underground Garage. Usually, the 4th set of the show features what Steven calls a “slightly psychedelic” set. While I’ve never really been into that genre very much, I did hear this song for the first time on the show and really loved it (and to be honest, it is really only slightly psychedelic!). I especially like the guitar line, the harmony vocals, and the making the best of the situation ethos of the lyrics.
The Marmalade were from Glasgow Scotland, having first formed in 1961 and going under several other names before settling on The Marmalade in 1966. Members included Patrick Fairley (vocals, 6 string bass/rhythm guitars), William Junior Campbell (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Dean Ford (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Raymond Duffy (drums), and Graham Knight (vocals, bass). I See the Rain was released in 1967 (and topped the charts in the Netherlands) and was also on their 1968 album There’s Alot of It About.
Cotton Mather – Lost My Motto
While I have mostly focused on classic garage from the 1960s, there are many great garage bands still keeping the flame alive. Here’s another great one that I discovered on the Underground Garage.
Named for the 17th century Puritan preacher, Cotton Mather formed in 1990 in Austin TX, and consisted of Robert Harrison (guitar and vocals), Whit Williams (guitar and vocals), Matt Hovis (bass) and Greg Thibeaux (drums). Weaving in influences from the Beatles to early Elvis Costello, they play great guitar power pop. This cut, Lost My Motto, from the 1994 album Cotton Is King, also has a distinctly Squeeze like feel. As of 2017, they were still active.
Well, time to roll the garage door down for now. Til next time…..
Sources: Wikipedia
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