Looking at my back yard this morning, I noticed that there were leaves on the ground where just two days ago all I saw was green grass. Yes, the times they are a'changin'. But, our quest for music is ongoing.
George Harrison - "Got My Mind Set On You" - This song is complete pop by one of the original fab four. it's catchy,
upbeat, makes little sense, but is really fun. And, the music still
sounds current and could be a hit now if it was on the
radio currently. Some might not agree, but I think that it has that
feeling of being a bit eternal. (C Hakala) (Editor's note - The original version of the song was released in 1963 and featured vocalist James Ray (see below).
James Ray - "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" - The afore-mentioned James Ray released three 45s in his short lifetime (1941-1964). This one came out in late 1962 and is unique for the use of tuba and harmonica and its waltz tempo (shadows of Burt Bacharach). Over in England, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were listening to American pop and saw all these different possibilities. Note Lennon's use of harmonica on several of the earlier recordings (for instance, "From Me To You"). But this song, fleeting as it is (2:00), was Ray's biggest hit and has been recorded numerous times (a sped-up version by Freddie & The Dreamers and a dramatic reading by a very young Bonnie Raitt in 1972). (RBK)
The Who - "Magic Bus" - English
rock band formed in 1964 known as one of the most popular and
influential bands of the 60s and 70s. They originated Rock Opera and
were (sadly) the only rock band I even walked out on...ok, granted I
went
out to the parking lot with half of the audience and we followed the
concert outside. They were and are still amazingly loud (which might
explain why the members are partially deaf). "Magic Bus" is my choice
this week because of the interesting rhythm played
on wood blocks (?) or drum sticks. (D. Dugre-Martin)
U2 - "One" - I can’t help but listen to
this song many times while driving, relaxing on the deck or doing some cardio
exercise at the gym. It gives me hope. In its lyrics, I hear that our fractured
world doesn’t have to come together on all fronts and that diversity should not
be divisive; instead, it should and must be celebrated so that goodness can
exist.
"One" is a
song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby and it was released
as the record's third single in February 1992. The lyrics, written by lead
singer Bono, were inspired by the band members' fractured relationships and the
German Reunification. Although the lyrics ostensibly describe
"disunity", they have been interpreted in other ways. Bono described
the song's theme as such: "It is a song about coming together, but it's
not the old hippie idea of 'Let's all live together.' It is, in fact, the opposite.
It's saying, “We are one, but we're not the same. It's not saying we even want
to get along, but that we have to get along together in this world if it is to
survive. It's a reminder that we have no choice". The Edge, the band’s guitarist, described it…on
another level. He suggested that the line "we get to carry each
other" introduces "grace" to the song and that the wording
"get to" (instead of "got to") is essential, as it
suggests that it is a privilege to help one another, not an obligation. (J Gaffney)
Harry Chapin - "Cat's In The Cradle" - As I don't hear from my children very much, nor do I call my mother for
weeks at a time, I have had Harry Chapin's 1974 hit on my mind, "Cat's in
the Cradle." (T Williams) (Editor's note - Those of us who have children knows how much this song resonates. While many of my music "buddies" were listening to Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, songs like this were reminding me how much my Father sacrificed to put a roof over our heads. That sacrifice meant we hardly had a relationship until close to the end of his life.)
Chicago Classical Review
Miguel Zenón & Spektral Quartet - "Promesa" - (Editor's note - I had planned to post this but the George Harrison tune led me back to James Ray - and I could not resist). As many of you know, I have been reviewing music since my college days and continue to do that on my blog Step Tempest. Earlier this week, I posted a review of "Yo Soy La Tradición", a fascinating new recording by alto saxophonist, composer, and arranger Miguel Zenón. He's been active on the contemporary jazz scene for nearly two decades and, since the beginning of his career, made it a point to investigate music from his native Puerto Rico. His quartet has recorded albums with added percussionists, strings, and large horn sections, illustrating how melody and rhythm are tied together the way the Roman Catholic Church and secular music are in Central and Latin America.
Photo: Jimmy Katz
This new recording is a series of compositions based on traditional Puerto Rican folk tunes as well as steeped in particular church rituals. Zenón write these pieces for his alto saxophone and a string quartet. The blend of rhythmic movement and lengthy melodic lines is so appealing to me. "Promesa" is based on the tradition of Three Kings Day, celebrated every year on January 6 - in his liner notes, the composer writes that "the celebration of "El Dia de Reyes" supersedes Christmas, both in importance and fervor." (RBK)
More to follow but, for now, have fun with these pieces.
I do so enjoy the variety of entries that we then post on this blog. Today's collection includes a number of singer-songwriters, pieces inspired by classical music or poetry, and fun stuff!
Barry Manilow - "Could It Be Magic" - Based on Chopin's "Prelude in C Minor", this is one of a number of songs that entered the "pop" charts over the years based on classical melodies. (T. Williams) (Editor's note - say what you wish about Barry Manilow's career, but this song is truly quite lovely - RBK)
Harry Chapin - "Mr. Tanner" - A hauntingly beautiful song about a man chasing his
dreams and what happens when he almost gets there. It’s beautifully
written and sung by Harry Chapin and delivered with great emotion. The
song always gets me thinking about taking chances
and trying even if you might fail. (C. Hakala) Harry Chapin (1942 - 1981) wrote a number of songs that people remember not only for their melodies but also the empathy he has towards his subjects. His legacy continues on with the Harry Chapin Foundation whose mission is "...to support organizations that have demonstrated their ability to dramatically improve the lives and livelihood of people by helping them to become self-sufficient."
Ted Hawkins - "Strange Conversation" -
A great singer who was
discovered while playing on the street. He was a homeless man with a
gift!! I used to listen to him a lot in the late 80s/early 90s. I know
all of his songs by heart. He's gone now. (S. Nystrom) (Editor's note - Mr. Hawkins was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1936 and passed in 1995 in Venice Beach, California, in 1995. His life story is fascinating and his experiences color his music. Go to www.allmusic.com/artist/ted-hawkins-mn0000023982/biography for more.)
Pink Floyd - "Comfortably Numb" - Michael's favorite song of all time. It explains who he was in exquisite detail many decades ago. (B Rosenblum) - (Editor's note - One of the most popular albums of the early 1980s (released in November of 1979), the album told of the alienation of the British underclasses and created quite a stir. Pink Floyd had already moved away from the psychedelia of its early years (1965-1970) especially with the release of 1973's "The Dark Side of the Moon" - bassist/songwriter Roger Waters was in charge of the material while guitarist David Gilmour handled the icon guitar playing. The band had a falling out in the mid-1980s with Waters going his own way and Gilmour now fronting a revised lineup. Both are still extremely popular and busy.)
Wild Party - "OutRight" - Wild Party has been around for a few years, but I just found them and have been enjoying quite of few of their songs. (M. Winslow) - (Editor's note - This San Antonio, Texas, quartet plays what they call "face-melting pop music." One can certainly the influences of Elvis Costello (especially his early albums with the Attractions) and Green Day. Such fun!)
Stu Mindeman - "Peace" - I first heard this young pianist's name late last year as a member of vocalist Kurt Elling's touring band. Then, just last month I reviewed his new album "Woven Threads", a collection of songs inspired by the years he spent in Argentina as a young boy (click here to read the review). In my research for that article, I came across his first album, 2014's "In Your Waking Eyes: Poems by Langston Hughes." Instead of treating the Hughes poems as "ancient relics", Minuteman creates a program that blends elements of African and African American music with Chicago-based vocalist Sarah-Marie Young singing the lyrics with power and passion. Timeless yet modern, the album appeals to my love of rhythm and textures. (RBK)
