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.
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)
