Hmmm....where to start? It's finally Spring (or, at least, it feels like Spring where I am sitting) and what better way to celebrate than with songs that celebrate beginnings and songs that move the feet and/or the soul.
"Centerfield" - John Fogerty - This song is a terrific ode to baseball sung by one of the most unique
voices in music. The song reminds me of playing baseball, obviously, but
of the longing to be so good at something that I was never quite good
enough at. I played for years, and always
wanted to be put into the game. However, for many years, it was just
that: a longing! (Chris Hakala)
Editor's Note - The title comes from this song but is "borrowed" from Chuck Berry's ode to his "brothers" and a nod to Jackie Robinson, "Brown Eyed Handsome Man."
Here's Mr. Berry's song, first issued in 1956:
"Love Me Do" - The Beatles - First song recorded by the Beatles who went on to
record about 214 songs mostly written by Lennon/McCartney. All four
members went on to have successful solo careers with Paul McCartney
probably being the most successful. (Daniele Dugre-Martin) Editor's note - When this song was first released in the United States, it never reached anywhere the Top 100. After "I Want to Hold Hand" and "She Loves You" topped the US charts, the Chicago-based Vee Jay label re-released the song and it made the Top 10!
"Poinciana" - Ahmad Jamal Trio - This tune, subtitled "Song of the Trees", is based on a Cuban folk song and was first made popular by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra in the late 1930s - the song went on to be recorded by a slew of people. When Pittsburgh, PA native Ahmad Jamal (formerly Frederick Jones) included the song on his fourth album, 1958's "Ahmad Jamal Trio at The Pershing" But Not For Me", the 8-minute piece became a huge hit. The version below, suggested by Professor Paul Pasquaretta, comes from one of Jamal's earliest recordings in either 1951 or 1952 and features piano, guitar (played by Ray Crawford), and bass. The "hit" version below that features the "classic" Jamal Trio with Israel Crosby (bass) and Vernel Fournier (drums). (RBK)
The 1958 "classic":
"Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - U2 - From the Irish quartet's classic 1987 album, "Joshua Tree", just great music! (Thomas Williams)
Arguably this band's biggest album, it moved them from concert halls to sports arenas and outside stadiums. (RBK)
"Wichita Lineman" - Jimmy Webb with Billy Joel - Jimmy Webb had a slew of hits in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, writing for people such as Linda Ronstadt, Richard Harris, The Fifth Dimension, Brooklyn Bridge, and Art Garfunkel. But his biggest successes came with guitarist-vocalist Glen Campbell. Campbell had Top 5 songs with "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and "Galveston" but it's "Wichita Lineman" that continues to move me to this very moment. It's such a haunting melody and the lines "I need you more than want you/And I want you for all time" hit me in the heart every time I hear them. The Campbell version is excellent but this one by the songwriter and friend Billy Joel, recorded in 2010, is darn close to perfect (great mandolin work from Stuart Duncan and a fine dobro solo from Paul Franklin, both veteran Nashville session men). (RBK)
Mid-April already, Finals week is around the corner, graduation right after that, and then the "lazy, hazy, days (daze?) of Summer - this blog has been on a short hiatus due to the editor's busy life (if sloth can be categorized as form of "busy"). Spring is here (sort of) and your humble editor's mind turns to pop music (or mush - you choose).
"I Want You Back" - Straight No Chaser with Sara Bareilles - Here's a delightful take on the Jackson 5's 1969 breakout Motown single. Straight No Chaser is one of the best contemporary a cappella groups and, when you add Sara Bareilles's splendid voice (what a range!) to this brilliant arrangement, magic happens. This is the sort of song you play really loud with the windows open and sing along - well, I do and that scares the heck out of our neighbors and the cats. (RBK)
"The Winner Takes It All" - Abba - From 1974 - 1983, you could not escape the Swedish quartet Abba if you listened to AM radio. They had scads of hits. This choice comes from Thomas W and he writes "They’re all fun toons, but I tend to like ballads. Showing my soft side..."
"Society's Child" - Janis Ian - I heard her much nominated
and autobiographical song “Society‘s Child “ recently. controversial at
the time it tells the story of a white girl and her black boyfriend who
have to break up because society will not accept the relationship. She also wrote “Seventeen “ another amazingly touching song. Now also
known as a science fiction writer she continues to perform in concerts.
(Daniele Dugre-Martin)
"Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis - Now, one from my (misspent) youth. I spent many a night listening to the old tube radio my Grandfather bequeathed to me upon his passing. It sat on the shelf above my bed and gave off a soft light when it was on. I listened to radio stations from all up and down the East Coast and the Midwest. That's when I learned to love rhythm 'n' blues music, listening to songs that made me so happy to be alive. I had no idea what the lyrics were about (this song is rated "G" but Ray Charles's "What I Say" got me in trouble with the parents - my Mother said it was too suggestive for a young mind) but I loved how the song moved. Still do.
