tag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:/blogs/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time?p=2The BRG Music Blog: One Song at a Time2022-01-19T02:49:58-12:00bruceritsgilbert.comfalsetag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/68737112022-01-19T02:49:58-12:002023-11-02T00:42:44-12:00Song 96 - - Teddy Grossman: "Giving Up"<p>I've been waiting to do this post for years. Not about this song, because it's brand spanking new. But about my nephew Teddy Grossman. Teddy has been a musician for years, but, after a whole lot of pondering and adult-working and writing and a pandemic and moving and more, Teddy has finally decided it's time for his music to be out there in the world. </p>
<p>We've had hints of Teddy's talents and charms for years. His group Great Divide (circa ten years ago) had some nice, bluesy tunes. And then a couple of years ago, Teddy's superb song called "What I Owe" was featured in a documentary about the Eagles' Super Bowl season called "Maybe Next Year." But now Teddy is ready to meet his singer-songwriter destiny. His debut album is scheduled for release on March 11. Hallelujah! </p>
<p>Six singles from the new record have already been released, included the folky/Americana-y "What I Owe," which is a remarkable song. But the new one that was released today is oh-so-fine. "Giving Up" is a bluesy tune with a whole lot of soul—which, as it turns out, is pretty much who Teddy is as a singer-songwriter. His Van Morrison-esque voice, combined with the elegant keys, steady percussion, thumping bass, sweet sax, and exquisite backup singers, make for a song that will have you dancing, thinking, and wanting to play it over and over again. And it will have you anxiously waiting for Teddy to book a date to tour in a city near you. Bravo, Teddy! </p>
<p>So, here it is: <a contents='"Giving Up" by Teddy Grossman' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ6EAC4krsQ" target="_blank">"Giving Up" by Teddy Grossman</a>.</p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/67724672021-10-11T03:42:23-12:002023-12-10T07:34:26-12:00Song 95 - - Reina del Cid: "This One's Gonna Hurt"<p><span style="color:#000099;">Hi. It's been a while. Like, a year and a third. Which is a long time in blog post time. But, since my readership was always somewhere between small and non-existent, this long layoff shouldn't affect overall page views. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;">So, since June 2020 when I wrote about John Prine's "Crooked Piece of Time" (and also about Todd Snider's cover of the song), a whole lot has happened. First, I wrote a book about John Prine's music, called </span><a contents="John Prine One Song at a Time." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://store.bookbaby.com/bookshop/book/index.aspx?bookURL=John-Prine-One-Song-at-a-Time" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">J</span></a><span style="color:#000099;"><a contents="John Prine One Song at a Time." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://store.bookbaby.com/bookshop/book/index.aspx?bookURL=John-Prine-One-Song-at-a-Time" target="_blank">ohn Prine One Song at a Time.</a> It's certainly not a best seller, but I'm proud of it, and I hope (and think) that it will become an important part of the historical reference to John Prine, who is my favorite singer-songwriter of all time. And, second, we—Boo Rits & The Missing Years—released a new album, called <strong><em><a contents="Marshmallow Jello" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5xR2W3QHNC7gjjdU7viXhL?si=jryGJo79SM6cM-GnRnyBNg&dl_branch=1">Marshmallow Jello</a>,</em></strong> which includes nine original songs + three covers, including our version of John Prine's "That's the Way That the World Goes Round." </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;">So, how does this relate to Reina del Cid? Well, here's how: I was not a Facebook member. But it was suggested to me that Facebook would be fertile ground for promoting the book, so I joined. I don't have many Facebook "friends," and I rarely go on the site, but it did prove to be a good place to let folks know about the book. There are a number of very popular John Prine fan pages on Facebook, so I was able to do a little bit of book promotion there. And—here's the part where we get to Reina—on one of those John Prine fan pages I stumbled upon Reina, along with her musical partner Toni Lindgren, doing </span><a contents="a cover of John Prine's "Fish and Whistle."" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDIJSxOB1RU" target="_blank">a cover of John Prine's "Fish and Whistle."</a> <span style="color:#000099;">It was among the very best John Prine covers that I had ever heard, so I immediately dug a little deeper to see who these very talented young women were. And I quickly found a whole lot of cover songs and originals that they both, but especially Reina, had done. And those songs were spectacular. All of them. So I was hooked. I downloaded Reina's albums, listened to them again and again, and I slipped down the rabbit holes of both Reina's and Toni's YouTube pages to see the treasure trove of videos that they've made over the years. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;">I learned that Reina's real name is Rachelle Cordova, but she goes by Reina del Cid because she selected that name as her YouTube user name back in 2007 and the name stuck. I also learned that Reina and Toni often play together, sometimes with others, and it seems as if the full band plays under Reina's name, so I'm not sure if Reina del Cid is also the band's name or if the band doesn't really have a name. Either way, their music is terrific. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;">Reina is usually the lead singer when she and Toni play together, but not always. And Toni is usually the lead guitarist, but Toni is a very, very, very talented musician, whose lead guitar work is sublime and who also plays bass and a whole lot of other instruments. And they're both from the midwest, Reina from Minnesota, and Toni from my home state of Wisconsin. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;">It's hard to select just one song to feature from Reina del Cid's outstanding batch of original songs, but since this post is called "One Song at a Time," it seems that one is the number of songs that I should select. So I'm going with a song called "This One's Gonna Hurt," which is an upbeat, infectious rocker.</span> <a contents="Here's Reina and Toni doing an acoustic version " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0IN5yqrJO8" target="_blank">Here's Reina and Toni doing an acoustic version </a><span style="color:#000099;">of the song. And</span> <a contents="here's another version of "This One's Gonna Hurt,"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns8COkxMXDg" target="_blank">here's another version of "This One's Gonna Hurt,"</a> <span style="color:#000099;">featuring Reina, Toni, and a couple of bandmates.</span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/63464882020-06-08T07:14:13-12:002023-12-10T07:18:38-12:00Song 94 - - John Prine and Todd Snider: "Crooked Piece of Time"<p><span style="color:#3498db;">John Prine died two months + one day ago. I never met John Prine. But his death hit me hard. I'm not sure that a "celebrity" death had as much impact on me as John Prine's. I had seen John in concert ~ 25 times, first in 1974 at Summerfest in Milwaukee, and most recently in 2018 here at the Mirriam Theater in Philadelphia. He was spectacular each and every time. John Prine never phoned it in. John Prine, simply, is my music hero. He has inspired me to become a songwriter, and I tend to write somewhat based on John Prine's general format. Although, to be clear, I don't expect to ever be able to write a song as good as a "John Prine song." </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#3498db;">As a tribute to John Prine - - and to educate ourselves about John Prine and all of his music - - a group of us started a "John Prine Album Club." Each week, we listen to one of John Prine's albums, front to back, and then we meet via Zoom to discuss the album (its songs, producer, musicians, etc.) in detail. And a few of us each sing a song from the album. (Zoom is not the easiest format to do a live musical "performance," but we manage.) "Storm Windows" is this week's album. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#3498db;">For a guy who has bought all of John Prine's music on LPs, CDs and digitally (and some albums / songs on more than one format), I'm amazed at how much I'm learning about John Prine and his music in our JP Album Club sessions. Part of my education is coming from the research that I've been doing to more or less lead the group discussions, but part of my education is coming simply from re-listening to each song on each album over and over again during that album's week. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#3498db;">Among the songs that I didn't fully appreciate is "Crooked Piece of Time," which was on John Prine's <em>Bruised Orange</em> album from 1975. It was a great album, which included a number of my favorite John Prine songs, like "That's the Way That the World Goes Round," "Fish and Whistle," and "Sabu Visits the Twin Cities Alone," among others. But listening to "Crooked Piece of Time" a number of times a few weeks ago during <em>Bruised Orange</em> week, I came to appreciate just how good the song is. And, of course, with everything that's happening in the world right now, it seems like a particularly meaningful song. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#3498db;">So, song 94 is John Prine's "Crooked Piece of Time." Here are two different versions, </span><a contents="one by John Prine from 2010," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5KGzFEvdPQ" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1abc9c;">one by John Prine from 2010</span><span style="color:#3498db;">,</span></a><span style="color:#3498db;"> and one by a John Prine disciple </span><a contents="Todd Snider from 2012.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkkgVVzv4Ts" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">Todd Snider from 2012</span><span style="color:#3498db;">.</span></a></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898752019-09-28T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:58:27-12:00Song 93 - - Matt Lyons: "Out of Time"<p><span style="color:#0000cc;">Matt Lyons released his five song EP a few months ago. It's getting a lot of radio play on Helen Leicht's midday show and local show. As well it should because it's awesome! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#0000cc;">And Matt is awesome, too. In addition to recording his own music, he plays lead guitar (electric, acoustic and slide) on the new Bruce Rits Gilbert & The Missing Years album which is days away from dropping. And he occasionally does acoustic shows in the Philadelphia area. Like the one he did last month at the Grape Room in Manyunk. Matt played a brilliant eight song set that included all five of the songs on his new EP, called "What You Gonna Do," along with a few cover tunes. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#0000cc;">Among the cover tunes was an amazing version of the Rolling Stones' "Out of Time." I don't know how many in the virtually full house knew that it was a cover or had ever heard the Rolling Stones version. But, for me, it was a highlight. "Out of Time" is a great song that I hadn't heard in quite some time. And Matt captured the song beautifully, while making it his own with just his acoustic guitar, harmonica and superb voice. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#0000cc;">And here is it is: </span><a contents='Matt Lyons doing "Out of Time" ' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHr4-xQ2tlc" target="_blank"><span style="color:#e74c3c;">Matt Lyons doing "Out of Time"</span></a><span style="color:#0000cc;"><a contents='Matt Lyons doing "Out of Time" ' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHr4-xQ2tlc" target="_blank"> </a>at the Grape Room in Manyunk. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898742019-06-06T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:59:01-12:00Song 92 - - Simon & Garfunkel: "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Talk about iconic singer-songwriters, Paul Simon is pretty much as good as it gets. Starting out as "Tom & Jerry" back in 1956, but then becoming Simon & Garfunkel in 1964, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had amazing commercial success, including three number one singles in the U.S.: "The Sound of Silence"; "Mrs. Robinson"; and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." All of them were written by Paul Simon.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">It's hard to imagine music in the 1960s without thinking about Simon & Garfunkel. Combining folk, rock and pop, their sound was pretty much a bridge between the pop and folk sounds of the early 60s and the harder edged rock of the 70s. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Simon & Garfunkel split in 1970, although they did some projects together after that, including the highly anticipated and wildly famous Concert in Central Park in 1981. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In 1972, Simon released his highly acclaimed debut solo album, "Paul Simon," which included two hit singles: "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." Both of those songs are almost anthem-like to those of us who were listening to pop radio back in the early 70s. And for good reason: They're both incredible songs. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Simon, particularly, had a long and successful solo career, including winning a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1987 for "Graceland."</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But my favorite Paul Simon song is still "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." So today's song is a </span><a contents='Simon &amp; Garfunkel live version of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" from the 1981 Concert in Central Park.' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_RKCP9XvzQ" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">Simon & Garfunkel live version of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" from the 1981 Concert in Central Park</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"><a contents='Simon &amp; Garfunkel live version of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" from the 1981 Concert in Central Park.' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_RKCP9XvzQ" target="_blank">.</a><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span>And, as an added bonus, here is </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_78_____nick_gunty__marty_robbins1/">Nick Gunty</a><span style="color:#2980b9;">,<span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span>along with</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/matt_lyons/"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">Matt Lyons</span></a><span style="color:#2ecc71;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(off screen) and me, doing a</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDdVM6UPXg0" target="_blank">rehearsal version of "Me &amp; Julio Down by the Schoolyard"</a> <span style="color:#2980b9;">right here in this kitchen. </span></p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898732019-05-05T12:00:00-12:002022-05-31T01:56:13-12:00Song 91 - - Joy of Cooking: "Lady Called Love"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Since we're on a run of groups from back in the day, I thought that I'd sneak in a short post about one of my favorite groups from the 70s: Joy of Cooking. Joy of Cooking wasn't around for that long, but their three studio albums were all great, and the group somehow did a spot on job of representing the San Francisco (or Berkeley, to be precise) hippie sound of the early 70s. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Joy of Cooking was among the first rock & roll bands fronted by women. Guitarist Terry Garthwaite and pianist Toni Brown shared lead vocals. And their harmonies were simply splendid. They released two albums in 1971 and then another in 1972. Terry and Toni then released albums under the name Toni & Terry in 1973 and 1977. And that was it for the two of them together. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Terry then did some solo work, focusing a good bit on jazz. And Teri became a clinical psychologist. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Finding a video of Joy of Cooking (or Terry and Toni) performing live is nearly impossible. But their albums live on YouTube. So</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0p8-FOqtY8" target="_blank">here is a song called "Lady Called Love,"</a><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">which I must have played a thousand times on my turntable back in the day. It's among the most infectious songs ever. So I think. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898722019-04-24T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T07:25:44-12:00Song 90 - - Gary Lewis & the Playboys: "This Diamond Ring"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I'm not sure why this song popped into my head, but it did. "This Diamond Ring" is a classic guilty pleasure song that you might hear on the Sirius XM 60s station. It reached number 1 on the U.S. charts in 1965, and its catchy melody has held up well over the years. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Gary Lewis & the Playboys started off as "Gary & the Playboys," but, after they got a job playing at Disneyland in the early 60s, a record producer told them to add "Lewis" to the name to take advantage of this: Gary Lewis is comedian Jerry Lewis's son. And then that record producer, a guy named Snuff Garrett, brought them "This Diamond Ring" to record. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, as it turns out, several members of the Wrecking Crew played the music on the recording, and Gary Lewis's vocals were heavily mixed in with a session vocalist, and voila!, a hit song was created. The limitations of the band became an issue when they were booked, though Jerry Lewis's connections, to play on the Ed Sullivan Show. Ed Sullivan wanted the band to play live, like all of the other bands who appeared on the show. But, since the band members couldn't create the song anywhere close to the recorded version, they ended up having Gary Lewis sing along to prerecorded tracks and members of the band pretended to play their instruments. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In any event, it's a fun song. And heres' a version of "This Diamond Ring"</span><font color="#00ccff"> </font><a contents='one with Gary Lewis "playing" the drums, ' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07LyClUlhqM" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">with Gary Lewis "playing" the drums</span></a><a contents='one with Gary Lewis "playing" the drums, ' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07LyClUlhqM" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">(</span><font color="#2980b9">Other times he "strummed" on a guitar.)</font></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898712019-04-08T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:46:02-12:00Song 89 - - The Rolling Stones: "The Spider and the Fly"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Rolling Stones just canceled a bunch of scheduled concerts because Mick Jagger has some health issues. I don't know the details, but Mick reports that he's on the mend, and the band hopes to resume touring soon. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Mick, Keith, Ronnie, and Charlie (the core four of the Stones) are getting up there in age. I mean, back in the heyday of Rock & Roll in the 60s, it was entirely unfathomable that a Rock & Roll group would be around 50+ years later. So the idea that The Stones, who I first starting listening to in 1964, would still be performing (and not simply as an oldies act) in 2019 was, well, no way. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But here we are, 57 years after the band was formed in 1962, still listening to among the best Rock & Roll bands ever. (I've already declared</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_24_____the_band/"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">The Beatles as the best Rock & Roll band eve</span></a><span style="color:#2ecc71;">r</span><span style="color: #00ccff;">, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_88_____the_band/"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">The Band </span></a><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">as the second best, so The Stones are, at best, the third best Rock & Roll band ever. FYI.) </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I, of course, am a little bit stuck in the past with certain groups, so I generally prefer the older Stones records. And, among the best Stones albums, so I think, is "Out of Our Heads," which was released in 1965. The American version of "Out of Our Heads" included "The Spider and the Fly," which was not included on the UK version of the album. It's a classic Jagger/Richards blues tune. And </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjUpqKUq6o4" target="_blank">here's a live version of "The Spider and the Fly"</a> <span style="color:#2980b9;">from circa 1995.</span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898702019-03-12T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T06:07:52-12:00Song 88 - - The Band: "Up On Cripple Creek"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Two plus years ago, in late 2016, I wrote about</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/blog/song-24-the-band" target="_blank">The Band and featured "The Shape I'm In"</a><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">from the "Stage Fright" album. The Band, as I said then, was the second best rock & roll band of all time. They were awesome. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I listened to The Band incessantly in high school. But, somehow, when I was 15, in 1969, I totally missed The Band's appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. I never knew about this. But, yesterday, out of the blue, on my Twitter feed (yes, I know, Twitter is a little addictive and not always the best forum, but I kinda like it), a link to The Band on The Ed Sullivan Show popped up. So, of course, I watched it. And it's great! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, read more about The Band on Song 24 on this Blog, and take a peek at</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a contents='The Band doing "Up On Cripple Creek" on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 right here.&nbsp;' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKu0OTDvQ-w" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">The Band doing "Up On Cripple Creek" on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 right here.</span></a><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents='The Band doing "Up On Cripple Creek" on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 right here.&nbsp;' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKu0OTDvQ-w" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898692019-02-24T12:00:00-12:002022-04-27T04:19:52-12:00Song 87 - - The Cactus Blossoms: "Got a Lotta Love"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Back in August of 2016, I featured The Cactus Blossoms and their song called <em>Clown Collector</em>. So, for the very few of you who read that post, you know that brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum are the second coming of the Everly Brothers. And you know that they are very good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But what you may not know is that The Cactus Blossoms have a new record dropping this coming Friday, March 1. And a week and a half ago, Jack and Page, along with their touring band, did a WXPN Free-at-Noon concert in which they played a handful of their new songs. So I had a preview of what's to come. And what's to come is amazing! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/9661780fc62a245e2fea516b1d4403055908eb70/original/img-2384.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDE0OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="148" width="250" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Still a throwback band, and still sounding like they could have come directly from a 1950s sock hop, the new songs are sophisticated and beautiful. And I'm so much looking forward to the new album, <em>Easy Way</em>, which I pre-ordered on iTunes, when it arrives on Friday. (Yes, I still actually buy albums of certain groups and singer-songwriters, and The Cactus Blossoms are a "must buy" band, even though I could easily listen to their new tunes on Spotify.)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the early released songs from the new album is <em>Got A Lotta Love</em>, which, of course, features the lovely harmony of Jack and Page, and is just beautiful.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca5jfP1M1Tc&index=2&list=RDca5jfP1M1Tc" target="_blank">So here it is: Got a Lotta Love by The Cactus Blossoms</a><span style="color:#2ecc71;">. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898682019-02-02T12:00:00-12:002022-05-08T02:48:05-12:00Song 86 - - Buddy Holly & The Crickets: "Peggy Sue"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">February 3, 1959. It was the day that Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), and</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_46_____ritchie_valens__los_lobos/"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">Richie Valens</span></a><span style="color:#2ecc71;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa. And it was, really, the day that the music died. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">When I started this blog back in 2016, the first song that I featured was</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/blog/song-one-buddy-holly" target="_blank">Dearest by Buddy Holly.</a><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">The song is beautiful. And Buddy Holly was a genius. He was a major influence on The Beatles. And he remains near and dear to my heart. I could listen to Buddy Holly anytime. Anywhere. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Buddy would be 82 if he was alive today. It's hard to imagine where his career would have taken him if he hadn't died tragically when he was 22. (But it wouldn't surprise me if he had, at some point, been a mainstay on the Las Vegas Strip. Know what I mean?)</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, on this 60th anniversary of the day that the music died, let's hear</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7DJjzSwjzo" target="_blank">an interview with Buddy Holly</a><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">shortly before he died, and then here is </span><a contents="a live version of Buddy Holly and The Crickets doing Peggy Sue" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQiIMuOKIzY" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">a live version of Buddy Holly and The Crickets doing </span></a><em><a contents="a live version of Buddy Holly and The Crickets doing Peggy Sue" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQiIMuOKIzY" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">Peggy Sue</span></a></em><a contents="a live version of Buddy Holly and The Crickets doing Peggy Sue&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/blog/song-24-the-band"><em><span style="color:#2ecc71;"> </span></em></a><a contents="a live version of Buddy Holly and The Crickets doing Peggy Sue&nbsp; " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQiIMuOKIzY"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">on a TV show called <em>The Arthur Murray Dance Party</em> on December 29, 1957. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898672019-01-31T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T05:19:51-12:00Song 85 - - Greensky Bluegrass: "Murder of Crows"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Greensky Bluegrass yesterday morning. Yes, morning. The five-man group was in town to tape a World Cafe (the radio show produced at WXPN) session at World Cafe Live (the music venue adjacent to the WXPN offices). Talia Schlanger hosted the taping, and I was lucky enough to be in the group of folks who were invited to see the taping live. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/1e9c7ff1bbdf612a64bec3ad0a76327402da8951/original/img-2060.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mjc1eDE5MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="190" width="275" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I knew about Greensky Bluegrass, and I heard a few of their songs on the radio. But I really didn't pay much attention to them, and I had exactly zero of their songs in my iTunes collection, and I never punched them up on Spotify. But, when the invitation to this taping arrived, I knew that it was time for me to learn more about them. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've always liked bluegrass - - enough to often listen to the Bluegrass station on SiriusXM now and again. And enough to listen semi-regularly to bluegrass legends like</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/blog/song-two-doc-watson" target="_blank">Doc Watson</a><span style="color:#2ecc71;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and bluegrass new(ish)comers like</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/blog/song-71-trampled-by-turtles" target="_blank">Trampled By Turtles</a>. <span style="color:#2980b9;">So I was anxious to learn more about Greensky Bluegrass. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Until I looked at</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a contents="their website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.greenskybluegrass.com/#!/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">t</span></a><a contents="their website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.greenskybluegrass.com/#!/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">heir website</span></a><span style="color:#2ecc71;">,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">I had no idea that Greensky Bluegrass has been around for 18 years, or that they play up to 175 shows a year, or that they have a "Grateful Dead"-like following. This Michigan-based group is a seriously big and successful jam band. And they're very good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">They're an engaging group of guys, led by Anders Beck, the dobro player, along with Dave Bruzza on guitar and vocals, Mike Devol on upright bass and vocals, Paul Hoffman on madolin and vocals, and Arlen Bont on banjo and vocals. Their sound ranges from traditional bluegrass to kind of a harder-edged rock & roll bluegrass. And it's all great. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Their new album, <em>All For Money,</em> was just released two weeks ago. And, along with the, as always, charming and insightful interview by Talia Schlanger, we heard Greensky Bluegrass play a bunch of songs from the new album. It was a most delightful morning. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Here is</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEHc3fybFFU" target="_blank">Murder of Crows</a><span style="color:#2ecc71;">,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">my favorite of the songs that Greensky Bluegrass played yesterday. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898662019-01-07T12:00:00-12:002022-05-17T21:25:36-12:00Song 84 - - Chris DuPont: "Forgiveness"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As you know, </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_67_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Frances Luke Accord </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> is my favorite folk duo these days. Nick Gunty and Brian Powers (who are Frances Luke Accord) have become good friends of mine. And they have a friend, Chris DuPont, who is a singer-songwriter in Michigan. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know Chris, but through our connection to Nick and Brian, we follow each other on Instagram. So occasionally I get a peek into what Chris is up to. Which is a good thing because I just found out that Chris is in the process of making a new record. I think that it's due to be released in October of this year. And it's being produced by Nick, who, amazingly enough, is producing a bunch of new songs that I'm recording (and hope to release in mid-2019). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've listened to Chris's last album, called <em>Outlier</em>, which was released in 2015. The brief review on iTunes refers to <em>Outlier</em> as a collection of "gentle, rainy-day melodies," which is a spot-on description of the beautiful songs on the album. And I have no doubt that his new album, with Nick's guidance, will be an amazing record. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">If you want to help Chris with his project, he has a </span><a href="http://www.chrisdupontmusic.com/kickstarter/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Kickstarter campaign</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> in progress. Please contribute if you can swing it. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So until Chris's new album is ready, </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ZBttu9ZeY" target="_blank">here's a song called "Forgiveness"</a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> from <em>Outlier</em>. </span></p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898652018-12-20T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T05:24:36-12:00Song 83 - - JD McPherson: "Hey Skinny Santa"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">It's Christmas time! Well, almost. Which means that it's the Christmas music season. No, I don't mean the endless loop of Christmas music that you hear at department stores and such, most of which just sound like Musak these days. (And, yes, I know: Who actually goes to department stores these days???) What I do mean is new, original Christmas music that's just good music. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Here's an example: </span><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uSppJcjqcs&list=OLAK5uy_nWrLGPKkCxKJEb-OJQHX1zRN5JSITR0b8&index=6"><span style="color:#e74c3c;">Christmas in Philly</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> </span></em><span style="color:#2980b9;">by </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_69_____bruce_rits_gilbert__the_missing_years/"><span style="color:#e74c3c;">The Missing Year</span><span style="color:#2980b9;">s</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">. It was released last Christmas as a single (and then again on the <em>Well, I'm Sixty-Four</em> EP this year). And after sitting dormant for a while, it's getting quite a bit of air play on WXPN (or at least XPN2, the "Jingle Jams") this Christmas season. But that was just a shameless plug. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The new Christmas music that I'm talking about today is from JD McPherson. JD McPerson, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, makes great "retro" sounding rock and roll music. You can hear him on radio stations like WXPN in Philadelphia. And, when you do, you realize that he's carrying on the spirit of </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_one_____buddy_holly/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Buddy Holly </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> and some of the great rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, lucky for us, JD McPherson made a Christmas album this year. I first took note of it when I heard</span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/2018/12/11/675494222?showDate=2018-12-11" target="_blank"> JD interviewed on Terry Gross's "Fresh Air" </a><span style="color:#2980b9;">a few weeks ago. JD and his band played a few of the songs in the studio, and (as you've come to expect from Terry Gross), the interview was insightful and charming. So I quickly bought the new album, and my review is simple: It's great from top to bottom. I bought it too late to include any of the songs on my </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/bruceritsgilbert/playlist/3PadkiA8ZhovEtQvv2Ohno"><span style="color:#27ae60;">official Christmas 2018 mix</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;">, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">but a song or two from the album is certain to be included on the Christmas 2019 mix (even though the market for my free Christmas CD has shrunk to about a handful of folks, including my 91 year old mom). </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/7a284e21676dc3a4cb6b9391bcfcefae483807fb/original/img-0985.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDIxOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="218" width="250" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, in the Christmas spirit, here's </span><em><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s4k0He-H2Y" target="_blank">Hey Skinny Santa</a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> </span></em><span style="color:#2980b9;">from JD McPherson's new Christmas album, <em>Socks.</em></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898642018-11-08T12:00:00-12:002022-05-08T20:11:25-12:00Song 82 - - Heather Myles: "Crazy Arms"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I put on one of my old mixes today. A Heather Myles song came on. Not that I had forgotten about her, but I hadn't heard a Heather Myles song in quite some time. And, not that I needed a reminder about this, but Heather Myles is really good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, when I had a moment, I checked out iTunes to see if Heather Myles had any music that I did not already own. And, lo and behold, she put out an album in 2011 called <em>In the Wind</em> that I somehow missed. So I bought it this morning. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Heather Myles is from California, but she should be from Austin or Nashville. She is so classic country. She's got a really fine, low, kinda twangy voice. And her songs just are simply old school, traditional country music. But, yet, I'm pretty sure that she never was a darling of country radio. And she has been entirely passed by the hip AAA independent and college radio stations like WXPN here in Philadelphia. They're all missing the boat. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But those of you who are here are safely on this boat. And it's sailing to a new (to me) Heather Myles song. </span><a contents="This live version of Heather Myles' "Crazy Arms," " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktVZMG3R0dc" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">This live version of Heather Myles' </span></a><a contents="This live version of Heather Myles' "Crazy Arms," " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktVZMG3R0dc" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">"Crazy Arms<em>,"</em></span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"><a contents="This live version of Heather Myles' "Crazy Arms," " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktVZMG3R0dc" target="_blank"> </a>recorded in a classic country bar in Hamilton, Texas, for a show called TruCountry, pretty much captures the essence of Heather Myles: authentic country music, with a little bit of twang plus a healthy dose of heartbreak sprinkled in. Heather Myles is a gem. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898632018-11-04T12:00:00-12:002022-06-01T13:38:16-12:00Song 81 - - Bob Dylan: "Simple Twist of Fate"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">You don't need me to tell you about Bob Dylan. If you're here, you know about Bob Dylan. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">What you might not know is that "they" just released a follow-up to one of Bob's most iconic albums. <em>Blood on the Tracks</em> was released in 1975. It was awesome then. And it's awesome now. Songs like <em>Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts</em>, <em>Shelter From the Storm</em>, <em>Simple Twist of Fate</em> and <em>Tangled Up in Blue</em> grabbed me from the jump. It was, for me, the best Dylan album since <em>Nashville Skyline</em> in 1969. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/29394fcfb24b726261637be40301ae1507cbe278/original/img-3395.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDI0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="240" width="250" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">For the most part, with a few exceptions, Dylan lost me after <em>Blood on the Tracks</em>, and some of his more recent recordings have been virtually unlistenable. (But maybe some true Dylan devotees found something to like on 2009's <em>Christmas in the Heart</em>.) </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This month, though, the release of <em>More Blood, More Tracks</em> has me excited about Bob all over again. These previously unreleased stripped down tracks are so cool. As a songwriter (I can call myself that, right?), it's fascinating to hear the early "drafts" of these amazing songs. And often a new version (or an old version, as the case may be) gives new life to an old song. In this case, <em>More Blood, More Tracks </em>does just that. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to honor this new release, </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8GB8gnRj1A"><span style="color:#2980b9;">here's Bob Dylan doing <em>Simple Twist of Fate</em></span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> back around the time that <em>Blood on the Tracks</em> was released in 1975. This version is very much like the "new" version of <em>More Blood, More Tracks, </em>although the <em>More Blood, More Tracks</em> version is stripped down even more than this recording. Check out the ruffled shirt and bell bottoms. Let's face it: It was not a good time for fashion. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Addendum Jan 22, 2019: The video that I linked to was taken down from YouTube, so I'm now linking to</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDzxIMNk_w">this audio o</a></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDzxIMNk_w">nly version of </a><a contents="this audio only version of Simple Twist of Fate " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDzxIMNk_w" target="_blank"><em>Simple Twist of Fate</em></a><a contents="this audio only version of Simple Twist of Fate " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDzxIMNk_w" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">from 1975. </span></p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898622018-10-08T12:00:00-12:002022-08-25T07:41:21-12:00Song 80 - - Adam Carroll: "Blondie"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I got an email from Adam Carroll today. It wasn't really from Adam. But it was from his booking agent, who also happens to be named Adam. It was a mass email sent to folks on Adam Carroll's email list. And it contained some exciting news: Adam and his wife Chris are in the process of making two new albums. One will be an Adam Carroll solo album, and one will be a collaboration between Adam and Chris. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This is a big deal! Why? Because I'm a huge Adam Carroll fan. And I'm a fan of Chris's, too. And they're friends of mine. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">How did I come to be friends with these two Texas singer-songwriters? Well, several years ago, I "discovered" Adam Carroll (although I don't remember how I first heard him), and I immediately became a big fan. I referred to him as a poor man's </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_41_____john_prine/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">John Prine.</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> Like John Prine, Adam's songwriting is clever, thoughtful and fun, and his melodies are catchy and sweet. (He's only a "poor man's" John Prine because Adam doesn't (yet) have the considerable following that John Prine has developed over the years.) I downloaded everything that I could find by Adam, and figured that he'd probably never make it up this way to Philadelphia from deep in the heart of Texas. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, when he was recording his last album, <em>Let It Choose You</em>, he did a "Pledge the Music" campaign, and I decided to make a significant enough contribution to "win" a house concert by Adam right here in our home. And that was the first of the Kitchen Concert Series. (I know: We're due for another concert since the series so far has only included Adam and Chris Carroll and then </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_67_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Frances Luke Accord</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">.) </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So Adam and Chris came here in October, 2014, to do a house concert. And it was fabulous. </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/matt_lyons/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Matt Lyons</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">opened the show. I joined Matt for one song (which was a big deal for me since it was literally my second time performing in "public"), and Adam added harmonica on my song, <em>99 Miles to Philly</em>. Then Chris did a really great (and funny!) 30 minute set. And then Adam headlined the show - - but without one of his trademark hats. He was awesome. We became friends. I saw Adam and Chris the next year at a house concert in New Jersey. And we've stayed in touch. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then today's email arrived. Which reminded me that 79 songs into "One Song at a Time" I hadn't written a post about one of the world's best singer songwriters. Adam Carroll is truly that. And Chris Carroll is an up and coming star in her own right, who beautifully harmonizes on some of Adam's songs, and has also written some beautiful songs of her own.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, </span><a contents="here is an Adam Carroll classic, called Blondie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244CLLGSeZ4" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">here is an Adam Carroll classic, called </span></a><em><a contents="here is an Adam Carroll classic, called Blondie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244CLLGSeZ4" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Blondie</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;">,</span></em><span style="color:#2980b9;"> recorded live earlier this year outside somewhere near Austin, Texas. It's great. He's great. She's great. And I'm quite sure that their two new albums will be great, too.<span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span>For sure. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898612018-09-13T12:00:00-12:002022-04-29T07:57:07-12:00Song 79 - - Mickey & the Motorcars: "Carolina Morning"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">There are a number of things not to like about Texas. Ted Cruz, for example. The heat and humidity in the summer. The Dallas Cowboys. You know. But there are also things to like about Texas. Like the music. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've featured a whole bunch of Texas musicians on this blog. Like </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_11_____sam_baker/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Sam Baker</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">,</span><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_73_____kelly_willis1/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Kelly Willis</span><span style="color:#2980b9;">,</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_75_____dave_alvin_and_jimmie_dale_gilmore/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Dave Alvin</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_59_____slaid_cleaves/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Slaid Cleaves</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_60_____whiskey_shivers/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Whiskey Shivers</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">,</span><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_47_____the_dixie_chicks/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">The Dixie Chicks</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, and</span><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_25_____hayes_carll/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Hayes Carll,</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">among others. And there will surely be more to come. Why? Because the music that comes out of Texas, especially Austin, is amazing. Yes, I know that New York City and Los Angeles have vibrant music scenes. And Detroit is the home of Motown. And Nashville is where a whole lot of musicians go to record great music, especially in the country / Americana genres. But the music that comes out of Texas is extraordinary. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And yet another example of this is Mickey & the Motorcars. Full disclosure: Mickey & the Motorcars were initially from Idaho. But they moved to Austin, Texas, years ago. And like I said about Whiskey Shivers I don't know much about Mickey & the Motorcars. I do know that brothers Mickey Braun and Gary Braun are the vocalists. And I know that whenever I hear a Mickey & the Motorcars song, I like it. But I really only hear Mickey & the Motorcars songs right here in my home because WXPN doesn't play them on the radio - - although, when I did a guest DJ stint in January 2012, I played <em>July, You're a Woman</em> on a Saturday afternoon on XPN, so there's that.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've never seen Mickey & the Motorcars live, and their current tour schedule doesn't bring them to Philadelphia (although they are heading to NYC and Washington, D.C. in November). But I have no doubt that they're a fun band to see and hear live. Maybe one day they'll be here in Philly. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In the meantime, let's feature </span><a contents="a song from Mickey &amp; the Motorcars called Carolina Morning" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QoM8s5xIaE" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">a song from Mickey & the Motorcars called </span></a><em><a contents="a song from Mickey &amp; the Motorcars called Carolina Morning" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QoM8s5xIaE" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Carolina Morning</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">.</span></em><span style="color:#2980b9;"> It's great. Yep. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898602018-08-15T12:00:00-12:002022-04-29T09:17:59-12:00Song 78 - - Nick Gunty / Marty Robbins: "In the Valley"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know a whole lot about Marty Robbins. I do know that he was a very successful and prolific country singer in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. And, on top of that, he was a Winston Cup NASCAR driver for over a decade. I, of course, never saw Marty Robbins live, and I really didn't pay much attention to him back in the day. But his name, and a song that he made popular, <em>In The Valley</em>, came up recently when </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/matt_lyons/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Matt Lyons</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, Nick Gunty and I were preparing to open for Dar Williams as part of the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert Series. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Matt and I played at the Bryn Mawr Gazebo in 2016 and 2017, opening for Cheryl Wheeler and then Jonatha Brooke. It rained both nights. This year, I asked Nick Gunty, who is one-half of the amazing folk duo, </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_67_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Frances Luke Accord</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;">,</span><span style="color:#2980b9;"> and who, along with the other half of </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_20_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Frances Luke Accord</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;">,</span><span style="color:#2980b9;"> Brian Powers, made significant contributions to my new album, <em>Well, I'm Sixty-Four</em>, to join Matt and me for this year's show. And Nick, who's become a good friend and who is about the nicest guy in the world, said that he'd be delighted to join us. And he did. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nick is a very accomplished musician. His music is interesting and unique. He is a trained drummer and a sophisticated guitar player. He produces music. He writes music. He records music. And, along with Brian, makes music with the prettiest harmonies that will simply make your head spin. Seriously, Nick and Brian are the second coming of Simon & Garfunkel. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, in a humbling development, for a night in July in Bryn Mawr, Nick, along with Matt, played with me.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/6a381b512a4b5c122f590ce20dc4b4895c40b8cf/original/img-0516.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDE4NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="187" width="300" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As we were planning our set list, I really wanted Nick to take the lead on a song or two, and I didn't want to "force" him to play a Frances Luke Accord song without Brian. And, out of the blue, Nick suggested Marty Robbins' <em>In The Valley</em>. I probably had heard the song, but I certainly didn't know it. But, as soon as Nick sang it for the first time, I was hooked. It was beautiful. And (don't tell Marty) Nick's version was better than Marty's. So the song was immediately added to the set list. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, on July 21, at the Bryn Mawr Gazebo, Nick's beautiful voice was featured in this "guilty pleasure" cowboy love song. Nick and Matt both played acoustic guitar, I added a little cowboy harmonica, and the rain joined us with some percussion. It was a beautiful moment. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2awjDQO4o4k" target="_blank">here is Marty Robbins' studio version of In The Valley</a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, and </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-pWZ3xhqBI" target="_blank">here is Nick Gunty, along with Matt and me, doing a live version of In The Valley.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898592018-07-24T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T08:37:08-12:00Song 77 - - Matt Lyons: "End These Wars"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've written about </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_45_____matt_lyons_and_the_side_band/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Matt Lyons</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> before. Matt has been my guitar teacher since 2013, and he's played lead guitar on each of my three studio albums (and the out-of-print album that we made right here on the computer with Garage Band). Matt is a gem. A stand-up, classy, talented guy. And you can read more of my thoughts about Matt in </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_45_____matt_lyons_and_the_side_band/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">this post </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">from last year. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/2f98c35020dc38c7e748ebea6d0cb3db0e3a1f96/original/img-0509-version-3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mjc1eDQyMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="420" width="275" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the things that I mentioned was that, even though Matt is the frontman for the rock group, The Parameters, and has played in other bands, his ultimate success very well may be as a "Dylan-like" singer-songwriter. And this past weekend, as part of the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts, Matt had a chance to showcase his amazing talent and songs. Matt played with Nick Gunty (1/2 of</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_67_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Frances Luke Accord</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">) and me in our 30 minute set when we opened for Dar Williams. Our set included three Matt Lyons originals, including two break-up songs and one protest song.</span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/7c4cf6766fe0980b85e8e405b4f3bb724993f9c7/original/img-0523.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDE2MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="162" width="300" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">All three of the songs are fabulous. But I'm going to feature the protest song today. It's called <em>End These Wars</em>. And it's so relevant to the world we're living in now, particularly with the political mess that we're now experiencing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is</span><span style="color: #00ccff;">: </span><a contents="Matt Lyons, with Nick Gunty and me, doing End These Wars." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lzpkOgGB_M" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Matt Lyons, with Nick Gunty and me, doing </span></a><em><a contents="Matt Lyons, with Nick Gunty and me, doing End These Wars." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lzpkOgGB_M" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">End These Wars</span></a></em><a contents="Matt Lyons, with Nick Gunty and me, doing End These Wars." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lzpkOgGB_M" target="_blank"><em><span style="color:#27ae60;">.</span></em></a><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898582018-07-09T12:00:00-12:002021-10-26T18:59:15-12:00Song 76 - - Kacey Musgraves: "Burn One With John Prine"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Kacey Musgraves was a slightly unconventional choice for a WXPN Free-at-Noon concert at World Cafe Live a few weeks ago. Kacey is an up-and-coming country star. And XPN seems to be trending away from country / folk / Americana these days. But, sure enough, there she was doing an early show for XPN members. And I was there. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Kacey was wearing amazing knee length gold sparkly boots. And looked every bit the part of a country star. But she is humble and fun and oh so talented. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/a6ba389df4efa3a223174bd614e5ee251344a7b0/original/img-0307.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDM3MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="372" width="250" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">XPN, as they typically do with most new albums (and old ones, for that matter), plays mostly one song (and occasional another) from Kacey's great collection of songs. In this case, XPN plays <em>Slow Burn</em> (from Kacey's new album <em>Golden Hour</em>) over and over again. They played it twice today already. Which is great, except it would be greater if they played other songs from her new album, like <em>Rainbow</em>, for instance, sometimes. You know, get out of the old top 40 radio format (although, in XPN's case, with its version of AAA hits rather than actual top 40 hits, which is a good thing). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But I'm not going to feature any songs from Kacey's great new album. Instead, I'm going in a different direction. A</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_41_____john_prine/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">John Prine</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">direction. Why? Because Kacey is a </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_50_____john_prine__bruce_rits_gilbert/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">John Prine</span></a><span style="color:#27ae60;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">fan. And, I mean, who isn't? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here's John Prine telling his story of when he met Kacey Musgraves, and</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A-pRJxCKR8" target="_blank">Kacey Musgraves singing her amazing song, Burn One With John Prine.</a></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898572018-06-07T12:00:00-12:002021-11-06T15:27:43-12:00Song 75 - - Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore: "Stealin', Stealin'"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I bought an old school CD yesterday. It's the first CD that I've bought in a while. But it was so worth the 15 bucks that it cost. What was it? Well, it was the new record by Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore called <em>Downey to Lubbock</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, both of whom are amazing singer-songwriters and performers, started playing shows together last year, and they released <em>Downey to Lubbock</em> this year. The record includes a couple of new, original songs, along with 10 classics. I've already listened to it twice. It's a great album. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Yesterday, Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore did a World Cafe (the radio show) session at World Cafe Live (the music venue), and I was lucky enough to be there. Dave, who founded The Blasters back in the 80s, is from Downey, California, and Jimmie Dale, who is a little bit like the second coming of Willie Nelson, is from Lubbock, Texas. So...Downey to Lubbock. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/1d4147f302ff6dc9428a11f76281b0d9b0a92b57/original/img-9786.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjgweDE5OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="199" width="280" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dave, with the low, low voice, played the electric lead guitar. And Jimmie Dale, with the higher Willie Nelson-like voice, played the acoustic rhythm guitar (and claims to have never played an electric guitar) and played the harmonica. They blend together like peanut butter and jelly. Just perfect. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And they're both chatty, funny guys, who seem to very much enjoy being on stage with each other. This is a pairing that probably should have happened years ago. But the important thing is that it's happening now. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I was a Blasters fan back in the day, but I confess: I did not know that Dave Alvin was the frontman for the group. And I haven't really thought about the Blasters in a long time. On the other hand, I've been a fan of Jimmie Dale Gilmore since, oh, maybe the mid-80s. He's always been a favorite of mine, although I hadn't heard anything new from him in years. So this new collaberation is a real treat for those of us who like a mix of country and blues and honky tonk and rock and a bunch of really good songs done by some really talented musicians. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the songs on the new album is a traditional American folk song called <em>Stealin', Stealin'</em>. Dave and Jimmie Dale do it to perfection. So here is an acoustic version of </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuhSKVwTpsQ" target="_blank">Stealin', Stealin' by Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.</a></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898562018-05-31T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T08:44:12-12:00Song 74 - - Brian Wilson and Al Jardine / Nick, Matt & Bruce: "Sloop John B"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Back in October 2016 I wrote a post about </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_17_____jan_and_dean/"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Jan and Dean</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">. They were big in the mid-60s with songs like <em>Surf City</em>, which was written by Brian Wilson, and other surfing, car and teen songs. But I have not written yet about The Beach Boys, who were founded by Brian Wilson and among the most revered bands of their time. The Beach Boys still tour today, but without four of the five founding members: Carl Wilson died of cancer in 1998; Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983; and Brian Wilson and Al Jardine left the group years ago and now tour on their own. Only Mike Love still tours with The Beach Boys. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Brain Wilson had a number of issues at the end of his time with The Beach Boys. Those are well documented in a movie called <em>Love & Mercy,</em> which I highly recommend. But Brian's talent is undeniable, and he's been writing new music and touring over the last several years. I saw him twice a few years ago: Once at the 2015 NonComm-vention at World Cafe Live, and then again in 2015 at a full concert at The Mann Center. He was amazing both times. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Joining Brian at The Mann Center was Al Jardine, along with a very talented and very large band, which also included Al Jardine's son. Al Jardine was the rhythm guitarist and mostly a harmonizing background singer for the original Beach Boys, although he was the lead vocalist for The Beach Boys on a few songs, including the hit, <em>Help Me, Rhonda</em>. After leaving the touring version of The Beach Boys in 1998 (after Carl Wilson died), Al was involved in a number of projects, including the release of his only solo album, <em>A Postcard from California</em>, in 2010. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In 2015, Al Jardine joined Brian Wilson's band for the <em>Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour.</em> And what an amazing tour that was! Brian Wilson, still quirky and still a genius after all these years, led the group, and seeing this iconic figure in Amercian music was an unbelievable treat. And Al Jardine looked like he hadn't aged much at all since the heyday of The Beach Boys in the 1960s.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Among the songs on <em>Pet Sounds</em>, which was released in 1966 and which many consider the best Beach Boys record, is <em>Sloop John B</em>. <em>Sloop John B</em> is a traditional folk song also known as <em>The John B. Sails</em>. And it was recorded under the name <em>The Wreck of the John B</em> by the Kingston Trio in 1958. But The Beach Boys version, which Al Jardine arranged and recommended to Brian Wilson, is by far the most popular and recognized version. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In 2016, </span><a contents="Brian Wilson and Al Jardine (along with a talented band) recorded this version of Sloop John B." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx5PVjsRamk" target="_blank"><span style="color:#27ae60;">Brian Wilson and Al Jardine (along with a talented band) recorded this version of Sloop John B</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"><a contents="Brian Wilson and Al Jardine (along with a talented band) recorded this version of Sloop John B." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx5PVjsRamk" target="_blank">.</a> Fifty years later, and Brian and Al still sound amazing. And the song is simply timeless. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Bonus coverage: On July 21, as part of the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert Series, Nick Gunty, Matt Lyons and I did our version of <em>Sloop John B</em>. Nick took the lead on the vocals. I joined in on the chorus. Matt's lead guitar is, as usual, amazing. Pat ourselves on the back. We did pretty good work. So </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKoA40ACF8g" target="_blank">here it is</a><span style="color:#27ae60;">.</span><span style="color:#2980b9;"> Take a listen. Thanks!</span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/6a381b512a4b5c122f590ce20dc4b4895c40b8cf/original/img-0516.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDE4NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="187" width="300" /></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898552018-05-19T12:00:00-12:002022-04-30T05:43:37-12:00Song 73 - - Kelly Willis: "Modern World"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Kelly Willis live and in person once, way back in, I don't know, maybe 1992 or so. I'm not sure exactly when it was, but it was at least 25 years ago. And I saw her at what was then called "23 East" and is now known as The Ardmore Music Hall. It was a smaller venue back then, at least in terms of the performance space. For those of you who read this blog, you know this because I wrote about </span><a contents="Kelly Willis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/blog/song-15-kelly-willis" target="_blank"><font color="#8e44ad">K</font>elly Willis</a> <span style="color:#8e44ad;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">back in September 2016. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As I mentioned then, the concert that Kelly did in Ardmore back in the 90s was quite memorable, mostly because of these two things: Kelly looked like a preppy cowgirl, with her long blonde hair, short green dress and cowboy boots. And there was this guy holding a motorcycle helmet, standing close to the stage, smiling at Kelly, clearly trying to catch her eye. I also remember that it was a really good concert, although I don't recall what songs that she and her band played that night. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've always liked Kelly Willis. I've consistently bought her albums as they were released, and they're always filled with good country / Americana songs. But, if she ever made it back to the Philadelphia area since that time all those years ago, I missed it. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As I mentioned in 2016, she's married to Austin singer-songwriter Bruce Robison (the brother of Charlie Robison, who was married to Emily Erwin, one of the Dixie Chicks). They have four kids. And Kelly and Bruce have worked together on a number of projects - - including Kelly's latest album, <em style="color: #00ccff;">Back Being Blue</em>, which Bruce produced. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>Back Being Blue</em> was just released this past Friday, and I literally just listened to it today. It's great - - as I've come to expect from Kelly Willis. Kelly Willis never quite made it to the top tier of country music stars (and I really have no idea if she ever aspired to make it there). But she's so talented. And so good. And I'm so glad that I was there all those years ago to see her perform in Ardmore, PA. If she comes back to town, I'll be there.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In the meantimes, here's</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeIoKjgVZec" target="_blank">Kelly Willis doing a song called Modern World</a> <span style="color:#2980b9;">from her brand new album. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898542018-05-11T12:00:00-12:002021-11-06T15:32:07-12:00Song 72 - - The National Reserve: "I'll Go Blind"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I guess that The National Reserve could be a part of the national park system. Or maybe something related to the military. Right? Well, sure, but The National Reserve is also a music group. A really good music group from Brooklyn. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first heard them on WXPN a month or so ago. And the catchy song that XPN played over and over again was <em>New Love</em>, which is, well, really catchy. And really good. So I bought The National Reserve's new album, called <em>Motel LaGrange</em>, during the presale period. And, just yesterday, the full album arrived digitally. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And what else happened yesterday? Well, The National Reserve did a 35 minute XPN Free-at-Noon concert. Playing mostly songs from their new album, mixed in with some older songs (that I had never heard), The National Reserve put on a really great, old fashioned rock and roll show. Fronted by lead singer Sean Walsh, the group included Sean's electric (mostly) rhythm guitar, an outstanding lead guitarist, a stay-in-the-background bass player, a keyboard player who kinda looked like he just got out of bed, and a terrific drummer.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">According to Sean Walsh, the group plays in the same bar in Brooklyn every Friday night (unless they're booked somewhere else). I don't know what bar that is, but I'll find out when I'm next in Brooklyn on a Friday - - although I have a feeling that this group is about to seriously take off, so their days of actually being regularly available to play in their local bar in Brooklyn may be numbered. They're already booked to play at XPN's festival in July, which is a big deal. And I have a feeling that a serious national tour is not far away. Yes, they're really that good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/528fcd654ecf7fb26a54569c925e91fb2d04a21d/original/img-9337.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjgxeDEzMiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="132" width="281" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">We could feature <em>New Love</em> today. But, since XPN plays that song so often, let's feature another song - - a song called <em>I'll Go Blind.</em> It's a sweet song that The National Reserve rocked up yesterday. But </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yij0onsbuI" target="_blank">this version of 'll Go Blind </a><span style="color:#2980b9;">is an acoustic version with Sean Walsh, the group's drummer and a keyboard player (who was not with the group at yesterday's Free-at-Noon). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I would have liked to have included a version of this song with the group's really good lead guitar player, but I could not find one online. If I find one, I'll add it to this post. In the meantime, as a bonus,</span><span style="color:#8e44ad;"> </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvFDsw5988s" target="_blank">here's the studio version of I'll Go</a> <span style="color:#2980b9;">Blind</span>.</p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898532018-05-09T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T08:52:19-12:00Song 71 - - Trampled By Turtles: "Right Back Where We Started"<p><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_33_____dead_man_winter/"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">Song 33 of this blog featured Dead Man Winter</span></a><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_33_____dead_man_winter/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">,</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">which is kind of the side project for Dave Simonette. David Simonette is also the leader of Trampled By Turtles, which is a very successful new-school bluegrass group. Both Dead Man Winter and Trampled By Turtles are simply amazing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Last night, Trampled By Turtles was in Philadelphia. Wearing a Minnesota Twins baseball hat, David Simonette led the group in its brilliant 90 minute set. The venue, Union Transfer, was packed (virtually, if not actually, sold out). And the crowd was particularly enthusiastic. It was a great show, and, despite last night being game five of the Sixers - Celtics series, I just couldn't miss the opportunity to see Dave Simonette and Trampled By Turtles. (I did, though, keep half an eye on "Gamecast" of the Sixers game on my phone. Not cool, I know, but I did it anyway. And the concert ended just in time for me to see the Sixers blow the end of the game and lose the series. Meanwhile, Dave Simonette, a devout Twins fan, asked about the Phillies score several times during the show. I knew it, but he couldn't hear me so I didn't tell him.) </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here are a few random thoughts and questions about Trampled By Turtles and the show last night:</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">First, when I got to Union Transfer and squeezed myself towards of the front of this "no seats" venue, all I saw were young folks. And by young folks, I mean "kids" in their 20s and 30s. Maybe a few in the crowd were older, but I was stunned at the age of the crowd. I mean, how do all these young people know about Trampled By Turtles? How did this band get so popular? And, how did all these young folks learn the words to so many of the songs? Yes, Trampled By Turtles gets some airtime on WXPN here in Philadelphia, but not a tremendous amount. And I just can't imagine that they get radio play anywhere else in town. But, sure enough, young folks are all over this amazing band. I'm sure that there's an explanation, but I'm just out of the loop. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Second, although I was not all that far from the stage, standing pretty much directly in the center, it was hard to see the band. Why? Because of the bizarre lighting that was used. The lights mostly, or maybe entirely, came from the back of the band. So the lights were often shining on back of the band and in the eyes of the audience. So, for the most part, I saw a shadowy group of six very talented musicians. What was up with that? Is this the new trend in lighting? Or is this how the band likes it? Or is this a Union Transfer thing? In any event, I found it somewhat disconcerting. I mean, I could hear pretty well (more on that below), but it was just hard to see the amazing fiddle player, banjo player, mandolinist, acoustic bass player, cellist and lead singer do their thing. If anyone from Trampled By Turtles reads this, consider a different lighting plan. Okay? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Third, although the show was great, the sound system wasn't all that great, either. The sound was fuzzy at times. Maybe I was too close to the stage. I'm not sure. But the brillance of the musicians wasn't as clear as it should be, especially for bluegrass music. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the main point is that Trampled By Turtles is one of my most favorite bands right now. And they have a new album, called <em>Life is Good on the Open Road</em>, which dropped just two days ago. It's great. XPN, as they usually tend to do, is just playing one song, in this case <em>The Middle</em>, on the radio. It's a good song, but there are lots of good songs on the album. So let's feature this one:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> "</span><a contents="Right Back Where We Started." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLb1IyC3L2o" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">Right Back Where We Started</span></a><a contents="Right Back Where We Started." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLb1IyC3L2o" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">.</span></a>"<span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">Not only will you hear a great song, but, in this very recent recording from just last Saturday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, you'll see the type of lighting that was used last night at Union Transfer (which kinda confirms that it's a Trampled By Turtles lighting plan). </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, as a bonus, here's Tramples By Turtles doing "</span><a contents="Whisky" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvOXP6xwOMk" target="_blank"><font color="#8e44ad">Whisky</font></a>"<span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">one of my favorite songs. It's a nine year old recording, but the lighting is a little better so you can actually see the band. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898522018-04-19T12:00:00-12:002021-12-29T00:15:40-12:00Song 70 - - Matty Charles & Katie Rose: "What I Want"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I know virtually nothing about Matty Charles & Katie Rose. Except this: Matty wrote a song called <em>What I Want</em>, and Matty and Katie recorded it. And it's about the sweetest song you could imagine. Somewhere between country, folk and lullaby. Just beautiful. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">By reading the duo's website, I found out that both Matty and Katie are from Portland, Oregon. Matty spent a good bit of time in Brooklyn as part of "the old-time & folk music resurgence," before returning to Portland in 2012, where he met Katie at a local country music venue, The Landmark Saloon. Their collaboration led to the release of <em>Catching Arrows</em>, their debut album, in 2016. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I stumbled across this duo while listening to Sirius XM radio (the Coffee House station, I imagine). And after hearing <em>What I Want</em> just one time, I was hooked. So I bought the album on iTunes just a week ago or so, and I'm now a big fan. I'm not expecting to see them in Philadelphia any time soon. But, if I happen to be in Portland, I'll most definitely look for them there. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, for this post's song,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZXsiWPKNgU" target="_blank">here's Matty Charles & Katie Rose doing What I Want</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(in what looks like possibly a Tiny Desk Concert audition tape). </span></p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898512018-04-09T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:43:05-12:00Song 69 - - Bruce Rits Gilbert & The Missing Years: "Well, I'm Sixty-Four"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, when </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_18_____paul_mccartney_bruce_springsteen_and_the_e_street_band/">Paul McCartney </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">wrote <em>When I'm Sixty-Four</em>, I'm pretty sure that he wasn't really thinking that 64 would actually show up. I mean, who can imagine that? But, sure enough, it showed up for Paul in 2006. And it showed up for me two days ago. Just like that. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But I was thinking about 64 a good bit when I was 63. It seemed like a particularly notable milestone, mostly (or entirely) because of what the Beatles included on their S<em>gt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band</em> album back in 1967. And I wondered why no one had written the follow-up to <em>When I'm Sixty-Four</em>. So, I figured, if it hadn't been done, I should be the one to do it. I mean, why not? Sixty-Four was on the horizon. And the song was crying out to be written. So I wrote it. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, on April 8, 2018, <em>Well, I'm Sixty-Four</em> "dropped." The song is the title track to the new EP by Bruce Rits Gilbert & The Missing Years. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Who are The Missing Years? Well, they are an amazing group of musicians who I was so honored to have join me in the studio to record seven new songs: </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Matt Lyons, my guitar teacher and guitar mentor, played electric lead guitar on all of the songs. He's simply amazing.</span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/dd2fe4453959ce6d1d92b11755f6d0f5fbc9b877/original/img-1460.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTc1eDIyMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="220" width="175" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/474607152e91100e59103dca7e61dbaaf43e7a7d/original/tassoniglenn.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDIwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" width="200" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Glenn Ferracone, who has a Grammy nomination for record production to his credit, both produced the album and played drums. His fantastic work set the tempo for the entire project. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nick Gunty and Brian Powers are the brilliant duo,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_67_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Frances Luke Accord</span></a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and it was such a thrill for me to have them join the band for this EP. They did backing vocals together on three songs (including <em>Well, I'm Sixty-Four</em>), and Nick did his stunning harmonies on two more songs and did a lead verse on one song. These two guys are so talented and so darn nice! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/490011dd0e026fb9d62e65c07a93ef706d41b892/original/img-7009.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTk1eDIzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="233" width="195" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/e5a5894f018bd074f8b6b9738a16f03ea3af6134/original/img-6996.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTE0eDIxNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="217" width="114" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Paul Klinefelter played the upright bass on three tracks (including <em>Well, I'm Sixty-Four</em>) and electric bass on two tracks. He's is the consummate professional. So good! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Luke Ferracone added his superb rhythm guitar on five tracks. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/fb2b358093a2588dd8746e3737eb6cf023acd9ad/original/download5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTc4eDE3OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="178" width="178" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/6bcb96446a9af614f3a68852ea2f141a4e7d9617/original/img-4800.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTY5eDIyNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="169" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And my fabulously talented nephew Teddy Grossman co-wrote one song</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uSppJcjqcs"><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em>Christmas in Philly</em></span></a>) </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">with me, and joined us in the studio for that song, on which Teddy's sweet vocals can be heard in the harmonies and front and center in the third verse. He also played the piano and organ on the track. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And that brings us to the song.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Here's the official music video of&nbsp;Well, I'm Sixty-Four" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLgjhZ6UiWU" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Here's the official music video of </span></a>"<a contents="Here's the official music video of&nbsp;Well, I'm Sixty-Four" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLgjhZ6UiWU" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Well, I'm Sixty-Four</span></a><a contents="Here's the official music video of&nbsp;Well, I'm Sixty-Four." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLgjhZ6UiWU" target="_blank"><em>.</em></a>" </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">It stars Calder and Jane. They're so awesome! Thanks for listening. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, as a bonus, </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La7nN8mpcZo" target="_blank">here's a live version of "Well, I'm Sixty-Four"</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">that Matt, Nick and I did at the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts on July 21. It was raining. But it was a great night. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898502018-04-03T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T09:00:52-12:00Song 68 - - Dispatch: "Josaphine"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dispatch has kind of taken an odd route to stardom. The ridiculously talented trio came together at Middlebury College back in 1996 and had some level of success until 2002. Then they tried to breakup. But they weren't very successful at it. Because during their breakup they did wildly successful reunion concerts in Boston, NYC and Washington, D.C. And, by wildly successful, I mean they sold out Madison Square Garden on multiple nights and became a major (non-teen) sensation. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first heard about them in 2001 or so when oldest daughter Molly's <em>a cappella</em> group ("Money") sang a Dispatch song called <em>Two Coins</em>. Money did a great version of the song, kind of matching Dispatch's very cool harmonies - - which makes for a good <em>a cappella</em> song. You know. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In any event, in 2004 Dispatch announced their "Last Dispatch" concert to be performed in Boston. Outdoors. For free. And to show how huge of a cult following they had, over 150,000 fans showed up. Making Dispatch much more than a cult, indie rock band that I kind of thought they were. And then they released a documentary called <em>The Last Dispatch</em>, which told the story of the band's "final" 12 days. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then, in 2007 and 2009, came the reunion concerts, which were put together to raise money for Zimbabwe. And raise money they did. The shows all sold out in minutes. And Dispatch, I think, became bigger while "on hiatus" then they were when they were still active. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Solo careers ensued. But, after teasing their fans with signs of more reunion concerts, the band reunited in 2011. And it seems that they have remained a full time band for the most part since then - - since they've released several new albums, including a very successful EP in 2011, another EP in 2012, a studio album in 2012, a live double album in 2013, another studio album in 2017, and several singles, including one this year. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the songs on the 2012 album, <em>Circles Around the Sun</em>, is a tune called <em>Josaphine</em>. I've had the song sitting here in my iTunes collection for five years or so, but I just recently rediscovered it. It's so good. And so Dispatch. Amazing harmonies. And just so seductive. It's beautiful. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, although <em>Two Coins</em> might have been a good choice for this post, J<em>osaphine</em> (yes, it is spelled with an "a" rather than an "e") is today's song. And </span><a contents="this version of Josaphine&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXpV7rIX6zI" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">this version of Josaphine</span></a><a contents="this version of Josaphine&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXpV7rIX6zI" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;"> </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">features the guys from </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_29_____good_old_war/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Good Old War</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(song 29), who were opening for Dispatch on this tour, harmonizing with the guys from Dispatch. It's great. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, for those of you in the Philadelphia area, Dispatch will be at The Mann Center on September 19. See you there! </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898492018-03-29T12:00:00-12:002021-12-06T17:44:21-12:00Song 67 - - Frances Luke Accord: "Maria"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw my favorite duo yesterday - - playing as a trio. Nick Gunty and Brian Powers, who are the group Frances Luke Accord, played Bourbon and Branch last night, in a not-quite-sold-out show, with their occasional percussionist, Luke Jackson. They were outstanding! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I confess: I've gotten to know Nick and Brian over the last year and a half. I saw them first at the Ardmore Music Hall in October, 2016, opening for</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_four______darlingside/">Darlingside</a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then I happened to be in Seattle a month or so later when their Darlingside tour took them there, so I saw them again. And then about a year ago, they did a fabulous house concert right here in this very house in Penn Valley, PA. What a great night that was! And since then we've become friends. Good friends. I mean, I love these guys. They're awesome. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And I confess again: One of the great thrills of my life was when Nick and Brian - - along with nephew Teddy and the talented </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_45_____matt_lyons_and_the_side_band/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Matt Lyons</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">- - joined me in the studio to record some songs for my new EP, <em>Well, I'm Sixty-Four</em>, which "drops" on April 8. It truly was amazing to watch and hear them making my songs as good as they can be. Surreal, really. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/d5b43cfa97d8dd4a77be68e584702f824e1e7743/original/img-7004.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAzeDMwMiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="302" width="403" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the point here is that Frances Luke Accord was great last night. Subtle. Simple. Sweet. Sophisticated. And a little bit silly. They, of course, did </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_20_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em>Nowhere To Be Found</em></span></a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">which I featured here in October, 2016. And they did a number of my other FLA faves. And they did an extraordinary new song called <em>Maria</em>. It's a lovely two minute song (that I think is dying to be a lovely three minute song). I'm mildly obsessed with it, but let's keep that between us. And I'm pretty sure that, if you listen to it, you'll become at least mildly obsessed, too. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/57226b5d004b2b3dd949d7f5a65cb71e8ba01282/original/img-8754.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDE5MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="192" width="250" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, please support this superb duo (or trio, as the case may be). And have a listen to </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWW9NTQkf40"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Frances Luke Accord doing <em>Maria</em> </span></a>l</span><span style="color:#2980b9;">ast night at Bourbon and Branch. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898482018-03-19T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:24:18-12:00Song 66 - - The Mavericks: "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Last May, after the NonComm-vention hosted by WXPN, I wrote a post on</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_40_____baskery/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Baskery</span></a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">who were a highlight of last year's three day music industry event. In that post, I mentioned that, in addition to Baskery, the event was highlighted by the amazing 40 minute set by The Mavericks. And I promised to add a Mavericks' post to this (rarely read) blog. (Side note: Is anyone there? Anyone actually reading this?)</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Mavericks started in 1989 as a Miami-based Tex-Mex-country band. They began their ascent to stardom in 1991 and remained very successful until 2003. In that period, they recorded six studio albums, had 14 hits on the Billboard charts and won a Grammy Award in 1995. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The band split up in 2004, after which lead singer and front man, Raul Malo, released six solo albums. Although Raul's solo albums were quite good, he never replicated the success of the Mavericks. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Mavericks, though, came back to life in 2012. The members, with the exception of Raul Malo and drummer Paul Deakin, changed over the years, but, because of Raul's distinct vocals, the sound of The Mavericks remains consistent. And the newer members, guitarist Eddie Perez and keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden, are fabulous. McFadden's dancing while playing is a sight to see, and Perez has star-like presence on stage as he swirls his long black locks and plays lead guitar. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In addition to the core four band members, the touring group includes what seems like a cast of thousands. They create a huge sound. And a very fun sound. There just aren't many bands that are as captivating live and leave you wanting more and more. And that's the type of show that The Mavericks put on last May on NonComm. And that's the type of show that I expect they'll do again when they land in Philadelphia at the Fillmore on June 14. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of The Mavericks big hits in their early days was <em>All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down</em>, which is a song that the group still does in its concerts these days. And they do it oh so well. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here are</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLF3mqPvkk" target="_blank">The Mavericks doing All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2014. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898472018-03-05T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:25:16-12:00Song 65 - - Brett Dennen: "Already Gone"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Brett Dennen today. Nick Gunty (one-half of </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_20_____frances_luke_accord/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Frances Luke Accord</span></a>) </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and I stopped by World Cafe Live (the music venue) to listen to a taping of a World Cafe (the syndicated radio program) session with Brett Dennen. World Cafe host Talia Schlanger did the interview. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Brett Dennen is a charming, smart, delightful guy, standing probably somewhere around 6'5", with a whole lot of thick red hair. And </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_one_____buddy_holly/">Buddy Holly</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">glasses. He chatted today about his involvement with environmentally conscious causes, the influence of his time as a camp counselor on his life and his music, and his somewhat unusual, but cool and effective, upbringing and childhood in California. Talia is a great interviewer, and she most definitely brought out Brett's inner-quirkiness. It will be a great show on World Cafe when it's aired (within a few weeks, I imagine). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, besides the great interview, Brett, along with his band, played all five songs from his new EP, called <em>Let's...</em>, which dropped last month. Each one of the five songs on the EP is great. And, in an interesting move, Brett will be releasing another EP later this year. (I'm sure that there's a strategy in releasing two EPs months apart, rather than simply releasing one LP. And, since I specialize in releasing EPs (but only one a year), I should probably be in on this strategy.)</span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/8a87b53858a7db71327c4a8f5606a7cfd62bb946/original/img-7918.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjM1eDIyOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="229" width="235" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Any one of the five songs would be worthy of being featured on this post, but I decided to go with the lead song on the EP, which is called <em>Already Gone</em>. Why? Well, it's a good song. Of course. But also there's a YouTube video of Brett performing the song just a few weeks ago on KRCW in Los Angeles. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Brett Dennen doing Already Gone." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkpPGXDPMYI" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Brett Dennen doing <em>Already Gone</em></span></a><a contents="Brett Dennen doing Already Gone." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkpPGXDPMYI" target="_blank">.</a> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">p.s. Nick and I saw Brett walking to his tour bus as we were walking out of World Cafe Live. He stopped to chat with us, and he signed the EPs that we just bought. Nice. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">p.p.s. He's expecting his first baby in July. Nice! </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898462018-02-28T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:27:09-12:00Song 64 - - Alan Jackson: "Livin' On Love"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've pretty much always liked country music. I mean, even when I was nine and ten and then a teenager, when rock and pop and The Beatles were raging, and when I was buying each and every Beatles' album as soon as they were released, I liked country and bluegrass, even though I really didn't quite know what it was back then. But some of my favorite pop sounds of Elvis and Ricky Nelson (and others) were often really country songs. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And by the time high school came around, although I'm not sure that there was even a country radio station in Milwaukee (was there?), I somehow stumbled across Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, George Jones, Roger Miller and others. And then in the late 60s and 70s, country rock became a thing. The Byrds, Poco, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Pure Prairie League, Bob Dylan (yes, he was a folk singer, but really he was a country and country-rock singer, too) and so many others were all writing and recording amazing songs. Although I still considered myself a rock & roll fan, I seemed to consistently buy country rock albums. And in college, non-traditional country (which would now be called "alt country") became my go-to music. You know, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, and even <em>American Beauty</em>, my favorite Grateful Dead album, to name a few. And I searched for and found some really good bluegrass albums, too. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As the years went on, commercial country radio became more and more mainstream. And, at some point, country more or less became the new pop. And pop became something entirely different. I mean, I don't know even know how to define pop anymore. But the folks who listened to top 40 pop stations back in the day moved in very large numbers to country radio. I think. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Although I don't actively dislike commercial country music, I rarely listen to commercial country radio. But let's admit it: There are some very good old school (and maybe new school, too) commercial country artists. And one of them is Alan Jackson. In his hey day, Alan Jackson seemed to have a country hit pretty much every month. And his catchy country songs were always among my favorites. His "Greatest Hits" album released in 1995 is jam packed with, well, hits, with almost no misses. Really, song after song is great. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And among the best of these "guilty pleasure" songs is <em>Living' on Love</em>. It's kind of a classic-ly classic country music song. And Alan Jackson sings it pretty much perfectly. So here it is: Alan Jackson (and his band, including a very great pedal steel player) doing</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Livin' on Love.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyACwhtqkD4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em>Livin' on Love</em></span></a><a contents="Livin' on Love.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyACwhtqkD4" target="_blank">. </a></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898452018-02-19T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:29:16-12:00Song 63 - - John Mayer: "In the Blood"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">John Mayer is one of those guys who's immensely popular. Huge. But I never really jumped on the Mayer wagon. I'm not sure why. But, after way too long, I finally heard the song that I needed to hear to get me to dig deeper into John Mayer's large and diverse catalog. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">John Mayer turned 40 last year. He briefly attended Berklee College of Music, but dropped out to start his musical journey. He was considered an acoustic rock guy early in his career, but then gravitated towards the blues. However you define his music now, he's been among the most successful musicians of the last 15 years or so, winning Grammy Awards and becoming a pop icon. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In addition to his solo career, Mayer joined Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead to form Dead & Company, which performs nationally on a regular basis. And, John is also an author and comedian. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, although I have a decent amount of John Mayer songs in my iTunes collection, I really have not listened to them enough. But the other day Andi mentioned a John Mayer song that she heard, and she asked me if I could find it. I did. And we listened. And it was great. So, I'm hopping on the bandwagon now, starting with this song: <em>In the Blood. </em>It's a sweet, powerful song. And </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCuVh7L4SDY" target="_blank">here's John Mayer performing "In the Blood</a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">."</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I'm late, John. I know. But I'll catch up. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898442018-01-29T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:31:36-12:00Song 62 - - Deer Tick: "Miss K"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">When I first heard <em>Miss K</em> on the radio several years, it was love at first sound. I mean,<em>Miss K</em> is pretty much the perfect 21st Century pop song. Yep, the lyrics are a little racier than the typical pop song of the 50s and 60s. And Deer Tick's lead singer certainly doesn't have the classic old school pop voice. But the song. Ah, the song. It's just so good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Deer Tick is fronted by singer-songwriter John J. McCauley. The band currently has four members. Based out of Providence, Rhode Island, the group is one of those hybrids, combining rock, folk, blues and country to come up with their unique sound. I guess they fit into the "Americana" genre. You know. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've never seen Deer Tick live, but I'm guessing that they put on a great show. They seem like an irreverent, fun group. And their songs are filled with great harmonies and a rough yet tight sound. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>Miss K</em> is not necessarily a typical Deer Tick song. It's pop-ier. Sweeter. More melodic. And it's my favorite Deer Tick song. So here are a couple of live versions.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a contents='This first Miss K version is "fuller," electric version.' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyPcp6SzS0" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3498db;">T</span></a><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents='This first Miss K version is "fuller," electric version.' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyPcp6SzS0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">his first<em> Miss K</em> version is "fuller," electric version</span></a><a contents='This first Miss K version is "fuller," electric version.' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyPcp6SzS0" target="_blank">.</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">t</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZvuRzNju9g" target="_blank">he second Miss K version is an acoustic version</a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">,<span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span>recorded in a trailer. Both versions are great.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898432018-01-18T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:34:42-12:00Song 61 - - Those Darlins/The Crystals: "Then He Kissed Me"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Those Darlins way back in 2014 at WXPN's Non-COMM-vention. They were one of those groups that I had never heard of before, but were absolutely fabulous in concert. Really, it's one of the best things about Non-COMM. For some of us, we don't know many of the groups doing 30 minute sets over the three nights of the convention, but we walk away fans of a whole bunch of previously "unknown" groups and singer-songwriters. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Since I saw Those Darlins in 2014, I've added a few songs from Those Darlins to my iTunes collection, including a catchy tune called </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuReOlGz4bA"><em>The Whole Damn Thing</em>,</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and, as it turns out, I already had Those Darlins doing a cover of John Prine's </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntssc5l7zCQ"><em>Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian</em></a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">Still, I haven't really followed Those Darlins since 2014. But in researching Those Darlins for this post, I found out some very sad news: The frontwoman of the Nashville group, Jessi Zazu, died in September of last year of cervical cancer. She was 28 years old. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The group had gone on hiatus in early 2016. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">To give you an idea of how good this group was, here is</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wWjjA6duy0" target="_blank">a video of Those Darlins doing a version of Then He Kissed Me</a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">a Phil Spector song originally done by the Crystals in 1963. And, as a bonus,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="here is the Crystals' version of Then He Kissed Me. &nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjFYfBJOKtU" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">here is the Crystals' version of <em>Then He Kissed Me</em></span></a><a contents="here is the Crystals' version of Then He Kissed Me. &nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjFYfBJOKtU" target="_blank">. </a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898422018-01-03T12:00:00-12:002022-03-19T15:31:25-12:00Song 60 - - Whiskey Shivers: "Angel in the Snow"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">It's snowing here! Lots of snow! And what's a better thing to do on a snow day than to do a blog post about a snow song. Right? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I know virtually nothing about Whiskey Shivers. And, no, Whiskey Shivers is not a guy. It's a group. A musicial group from Austin, Texas. But, as I did a search of my iTunes library for "snow" songs, I came across a song called <em>Angel in the Snow</em> by Whiskey Shivers. I have no idea when this song was added to my library. I mean, I have no recollection of buying the song - - but it turns out that I have an entire Whiskey Shivers album called, well, <em>Whiskey Shivers</em> in my library. So, I listened to the album. And it's good! Upbeat. Kind of a cross between blue grass and country, with some Americana (whatever that means) thrown in there. Just good music. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then there's this: The five guys in Whiskey Shivers have roles in <em>Pitch Perfect 3</em>. No, I haven't seen the movie yet, and, not that I need another reason to go see it, but now we have the added bonus of seeing Whiskey Shivers on the silver screen. And who will you see on the big screen? Well, a real cross section of America: James Bookert, a black guy from Texas on the banjo who's the lead singer on <em>Angel in the Snow</em>; Bobby Fitzgerald, a guy from Dundee, NY (where?), with an amazing mullet who plays an amazing fiddle; Jeff Hortillosa, a guy with Hispanic roots from Kentucky who plays a mean acoustic guitar; Andrew VanVoorhees, from Oregon who plays the stand-up bass and wears the traditional redneck baseball cap; and James Gwyn, from Mississippi who is the group's percussionist, has a little star tattoo on his cheek and wears a cowboy hat. It's an eclectic bunch. And a really talented group. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, <em>Angel in the Snow</em> is right in my wheelhouse. Kind of a pop-like country song, with some bango and fiddle thrown in, along with great vocals and harmonies. It's ridiculously catchy. And it's, really, almost the perfect song for a snow day. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmmUEZPxT_8" target="_blank">Angel in the Snow by Whiskey Shivers</a>.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898412017-12-27T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:37:55-12:00Song 59 - - Slaid Cleaves: "New Year's Day"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, as we approach the end of 2017 and get ready to turn the page to 2018, i thought that featuring a song called <em>New Year's Day</em> kind of made sense. Right? And the best song called <em>New Year's Day</em> that I know is Slaid Cleaves' <em>New Year's Day</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know a heck of lot about Slaid Cleaves. And I've never seen him in concert. But I do know that (although he was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Maine) he's a singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas, which seems to attract a whole lot of really good singer-songwriters. And I know that Slaid was featured on the tribute album to my buddy Adam Carroll. Which is very cool. And I know that I own about five albums worth of really great Slaid Cleaves music in my iTunes collection. And I know that, if Slaid ever made it out here to Philadelphia, I'd go to see him. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Slaid released a new album called <em>Ghost on the Car Radio</em> this past June. I confess: I don't own it yet. But, after reading</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.slaidcleaves.com">Slaid's website</a><a contents="Slaid's website," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.slaidcleaves.com/" target="_blank">,</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">which explains that he gets a whole lot more if you order the physical CD directly from him rather than buying the CD from a record store or downloading it digitally, and much, much more than if you just stream it on Spotify, I decided to buy a CD directly from Slaid through his website. I literally just bought it. And, as a bonus, it looks like, when it arrives, it will be autographed by Slaid. Pretty cool. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Also included on Slaid's website is a "Stories" section. And</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.slaidcleaves.com/stories/2017/12/25/helen-luther">this story</a><a contents="this story " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.slaidcleaves.com/stories/2017/12/25/helen-luther" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">about one of my favorite Slaid Cleaves songs, <em>Quick as Dreams</em>, is sweet and awesome. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, until the new CD arrives, which will likely be after New Year's Day, let's celebrate the upcoming New Year with</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Slaid Cleaves doing New Year's Day back in 2010 in Austin.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1m9TlB82IE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Slaid Cleaves doing <em>New Year's Day</em> back in 2010 in Austin</span></a><a contents="Slaid Cleaves doing New Year's Day back in 2010 in Austin.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1m9TlB82IE" target="_blank">. </a></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Happy New Year!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898402017-12-18T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:39:15-12:00Song 58 - - Elvis Presley: "Blue Christmas"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">It's Christmas season. Maybe it's a happy season for you. Or maybe not. And, if it's not, this song is for you. It's one of the best ever Christmas songs by one of the best ever singers. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Elvis Presley is just cool. I mean, he had issues, but he was the King for a reason. And, really, no one epitimizes rock and roll more than Elvis Presley. Yes, the "fat Elvis" of the 1970s wasn't as great as the "Elvis the Pelvis" Elvis of the 50s. But, really, when it gets right down to it, Elvis knew how to rock and pop and croon and just made music better. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Between the early Elvis of the 50s and the Vegas Elvis of the 70s, there was the hunka hunka burnin' love Elvis of the 60s. And, with his ever expanding sideburns and signature lip curl, he was, even in the middle of the British Invasion, amazing. And to prove it, take a look at</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Elvis in 1968 doing an amazing version of Blue Christmas," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwdI-gbm5kE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Elvis in 1968 doing an amazing version of <em>Blue Christmas</em></span></a><a contents="Elvis in 1968 doing an amazing version of Blue Christmas," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwdI-gbm5kE" target="_blank">,</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">which is one of the best Christmas songs ever. And, with Elvis doing it, it's even better. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Merry Christmas! </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898392017-11-06T12:00:00-12:002021-12-29T21:32:20-12:00Song 57 - - Trini Lopez: "Green Green"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Ask my 90 year old mom who her favorite singer is. She might say me. But she'll likely say Trini Lopez. When I was a kid, my folks were absolutely <em>not</em> raising me on Elvis and Buddy Holly and Fat Domino and such. No. I guess that there was some Perry Como and Frank Sinatra playing in the house now and again. And my dad was one of the better "twisters" back in the day, so maybe there was a little Chubby Checker. I don't know. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But I do remember that we had a Trini Lopez album. It was my mom's favorite. And when my folks one time (and only one time) got each of the Gilbert kids a record (a 45, which was a single with a B side on the back), the one that I got was "If I Had a Hammer" by Trini Lopez. Cool, right?</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Trini Lopez wasn't particularly cool back in the late 50s and the 60s. Yes, he did have a few hits. And he was a star in his own right. But do you ever hear anyone talking about Trini Lopez? I mean, Elvis is still the King. Fats Domino was beloved. Chuck Berry was the Father of Rock and Roll. Tony Bennett is having a major renaissance. Buddy Holly was, well, Buddy Holly. And then the Beatles came roaring on the scene in the early 60s. And the British Invasion happened. So Trini Lopez never really was an A lister in the Rock and Roll world. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But he was really so good. Really. So call this a guilty pleasure post. Because the album that my folks had (it was called </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcjiaweuYqE"><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>More Trini Lopez at PJ's</em></span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">) was my first favorite album. Yes, it was quickly overtaken by <em>Meet the Beatles</em>. But it was a great album. And it included a bunch of really sweet folk songs, played with a rock beat, and I dug it. Among the songs on the album were <em>Walk Right In</em>; <em>Kansas City</em>; <em>If You Wanna Be Happy</em>; and <em>Green Green, </em>none of which were written by Trini. But his versions were just so catchy. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As it turns out, Trini Lopez got his start when Buddy Holly recommended that Trini and his band contact Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico. He never had any success with Norman Petty or the band. But, in 1963, he released <em>Trini Lopez at PJ's</em>, which contained Trini's version of <em>If I Had a Hammer,</em> a song that reached number 1 in several countries (and number 3 in the U.S.). And then my first favorite album, <em>More Trini Lopez at PJ's</em> was released later in 1963. And his career was on the upswing. He had several hits (including <em>Lemon Tree</em>) in the mid and late 60s. Gibson asked him to design two guitars in 1964. And NBC aired a Trini Lopez variety special in 1969. But then Trini apparently got the acting bug; his acting career, though, was not particularly notable. During and after the acting thing, he did several more music projects, but he never regained the popularity that he enjoyed in the early and mid 60's. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Still, everytime I hear a Trini Lopez song, I smile. He's just good. And he's my mom's favorite. So to honor Trini Lopez,<span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span>here's</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Trini doing a live concert in 1963.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duY1Yg-2BA0&t=441s" target="_blank">Trini doing a live concert in 1963. </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">If you go to the five minute mark, you'll see Trini doing a live version of "Green Green." So good, right? I mean, there's so much to see here. The groovin' bass player. The crowd in their suits and ties. The syncronized clapping. Trini's cool guitar. And, of course, Trini!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, for those of you who want to know more about Trini Lopez, </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI8SJPfWmSg"><span style="color: #00ccff;">go here to see Trini doing a one-man show in 2014</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">when Trini was 77 years old. </span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/73c4bd087672c21d208d5eaf2a4735aad967186d/original/img-7724.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjI1eDI0MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="242" width="225" /></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898382017-11-01T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:50:34-12:00Song 56 - - Nanci Griffith: "Boots of Spanish Leather"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nanci Griffith has been a favorite of mine for years. I think that I first saw her in Philadelphia at a show about 30 years ago with four singer-songwriters, including </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_38_____john_gorka/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">John Gorka</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, Cliff Eberhardt, and </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_28_____mary_chapin_carpenter/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">Mary Chapin Carpenter.</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> Her sweet voice is the closest thing possible to </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_21_____dolly_parton_and_pentatonix/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dolly Parton</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> and </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_three_____emmylou_harris/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">Emmylou Harris</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, who have the sweetest of all voices - - although Allison Krauss is in that mix, too. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In a particularly memorable performance, Nanci Griffith opened for </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_50_____john_prine__bruce_rits_gilbert/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">John Prine</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> at the Mann Center back in the 90s. </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_41_____john_prine/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">John Prine</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, of course, is the best, and, with Nanci Griffith on the bill, it was an amazing show. Having second row seats that night didn't hurt. And then we saw her again at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, which was pretty incredible. I mean, being at the Grand Ole Opry was spectacular by itself, but getting the chance to see Nanci Griffith there was pretty amazing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nanci Griffith is a great singer-songwriter. She has a healthy catalogue of great songs, many of which appear on the mixes that I make and a few of which get air time now and again on WXPN. And most all of which are thoughtful and simply pretty songs. <em>Listen to the Radio</em>, which she sang at the Mann concert with a thrilled kid who asked to join Nanci on stage for a Make-a-Wish request, is one of her better known songs. For good reason. Because it's a great song. And <em>Sing One For Sister</em> and <em>Ford Econoline</em>, both from her <em>Lone Star State of Mind</em> album, are two others that I would have worn out on the record if I still played records. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nanci Griffith is a year older than me. But I'm pretty sure that she looks considerably younger. Her last album was released in 2012. It includes a track called <em>Hell No (I'm Not Alright)</em>, which tells us a little about her state of mind five years when she made this album. And this was well before our current political horror. She has nothing listed on her tour schedule. But I sure hope that she gets back out on the road and stops here in Philadelphia. I'd love to see her again. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Although there are lots and lots of Nanci Griffith's original songs that I could have featured, I've decided to feature a cover song in today's post. Nanci does a very cool version of Bob Dylan's <em>Boots of Spanish Leather</em>, which is an amazing song, made even better with Nanci doing it. So here it is: </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1KxthvX1Ms" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">Nanci Griffith doing "Boots of Spanish Leather.</span></a>"</p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, as a bonus, here are </span><a contents="The Lumineers doing their version of Boots of Spanish Leather." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T67QML0eHOs" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">The Lumineers doing their version of "Boots of Spanish Leather</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"><a contents="The Lumineers doing their version of Boots of Spanish Leather." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T67QML0eHOs" target="_blank">.</a>" And by </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_42_____the_lumineers/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Lumineers,</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> I mean their frontman, Wesley Schultz.</span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898372017-10-25T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:53:11-12:00Song 55 - - Graham Nash: "On the Line"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Crosby, Stills and Nash were (and are!) magnificent. Before they formed Crosby, Stills and Nash, David Crosby was a member of The Byrds, Stephen Stills was with Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash was part of The Hollies. They played together in concert for the first time at Woodstock in 1969. Each of three are two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members. And each of the three are amazing musicians. But together, with their pitch-perfect harmonies, they're simply spectacular. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But I confess: Although I love a bunch of Crosby, Stills and Nash songs, and their self-titled debut album, released in 1969, is legendary (and has been a part of my old school record collection since 1969), Graham Nash is far and away my favorite member of the trio. His songs on their first album are my favorites. Like, for example, how great is <em>Teach Your Children</em>, which is virtually anthem-like now (and, ironically, was rejected by the Hollies before Crosby, Stills and Nash formed). And <em>Our House</em> is amazing, too. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Graham Nash was born in 1942, which makes him 75 years old now. Wow! Besides his iconic music career, he's made a name for himself in the photography world as both a collector and photographer. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, back to music, Graham Nash's solo career is Hall of Fame worthy by itself. His first two solo albums, <em>Songs for Beginners</em> and <em>Wild Tales</em> are filled with sweet, soulful tunes. Although, I admit my bias since their releases in 1971 (when I was in high school) and 1974 (when I was in college) were right in the sweet spot of my music evolution from The Beatles and 50s and 60s pop to singer-songwriter / folk / what-they-now-call-Americana. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, among my most favorite solo Graham Nash songs is <em>On the Line</em>, which was a staple on my college turntable from 1974 to 1976. And, not insignificantly, it's the song that most reminds me of the days that Andi and I first started going out junior year in college. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've never seen Graham Nash live in concert. But I did meet him once, at a World Cafe interview taping, which was focused in part on the autobiography that Graham wrote in 2013 called, <em>Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life</em>. He told amazing stories, was forthright and funny, and, although he didn't play any songs for the small group that day, I did get a chance to say hello to him and shake his hand. Which was pretty cool. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to honor Graham Nash, here is a </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrhIMfNZgSI" target="_blank">live performance of "On the Line" with just Graham, his acoustic guitar and his harmonica</a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> from 1974. (A man after my own heart!) And here is the </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoDkN4S3tls" target="_blank">studio version of "On the Line"</a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> from his <em>Wild Tales</em> album. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898362017-10-13T12:00:00-12:002022-05-30T19:25:53-12:00Song 54 - - Imua: "Wonderful World"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">On my old school iMac, my iTunes app has a playlist called "Top 25 Most Played." I put that playlist on the other day. And do you know what was the number one song on that playlist? The song that apparently was the most played of all the songs in my iTunes collection? <em>Wonderful World</em> by Imua. I know. Imua? I don't really know who they are either. I mean, I've listened to their version of Sam Cooke's <em>Wonderful World</em> a zillion times, but I really don't know much about them. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I do know that they have an album called <em>Imua: Greatest Hits, Vol 1</em>. Which is really bold since it's questionable whether they've actually had any hits at all. But their version of <em>Wonderful World</em> is awesome. I don't have any idea how I found the song. But I probably was just searching for cover versions of Wonderful World (because it's such a great song) and stumbled upon Imua. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">They're a Hawaiian group, so I doubt that they tour in the Philadelphia area. But, if you happen to see that they're coming to your area, or if you're in Hawaii and see that they're playing, go! And, if you go, ask them to play <em>Wonderful World</em>. Because their version is great. And the world needs a little dose of wonderfulness right about now. You know. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here is Song 54: </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc4IVqEL338&list=RDTc4IVqEL338&t=4" target="_blank">Imua, in a strip mall in Hawaii, doing its version of "Wonderful World.</a>"<span style="color:#2980b9;"> And, just so you can hear Imua's studio version of the song, </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmCu2sJkBEQ" target="_blank">here it is.</a></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898352017-10-02T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T01:58:27-12:00Song 53 - - The Traveling Wilburys: "End of the Line"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Tom Petty died yesterday. He was only 66 years old. Tributes to Tom Petty are everywhere. Newspaper and magazine articles. Online. And, of course, radio stations across the country are filled with Tom Petty songs and memories. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I am a Tom Petty fan. His work with The Heartbreakers is great. I recently wrote a post about his older (and recently re-formed) group, </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_49_____mudcrutch/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">Mudcrutch</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">. And he has some absolutely amazing solo albums and songs. But maybe his best work was as part of the ridiculously talented supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Traveling Wilburys truly were a supergroup. George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. I mean, who would have guessed that this group of amazing singer-songwriters would get together to make music? I'm not sure of the exact answer to that. But apparently George Harrison was recording a solo album, which was being produced by Jeff Lynne (most famous for being the frontman of the Electric Light Orchestra, or ELO). Somehow, after some errors were made as part of the recording process, George Harrison said, "We'll bury 'em in the mix." And, just like that, "Wilbury" was born. And soon thereafter Harrison, Lynne and Roy Orbison met at Bob Dylan's home studio in Malibu, California, to record a song. And, only because Harrison left his guitar at Tom Petty's house and saw Tom Petty when he went to get the guitar, Tom Petty was invited to join the recording session.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, for a better history of the group, </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUQ_gj-biIc" target="_blank">watch this video where the Wilburys tell their own story</a><span style="color:#2980b9;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The original intent was simply to record a "B" side to Harrison's <em>This Is Love</em> single. But the song was so good, the record company didn't want to release it just as a "B" side to a single. And the group liked recording so much together that they decided to record an entire album. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Traveling Wilburys recorded two albums. The first, <em>Traveling Wilburys Vol 1</em>, was released in 1988. And the second, <em>Traveling Wilburys Vol 3 </em>(George Harrison's idea because he considered the bootleg version of The Traveling Wilburys' recordings to be Vol 2), was released in 1990. Both were among the best albums ever. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">A few other guys recorded with The Traveling Wilburys, including most notably, Jim Keltner, who played drums on both albums. The group never toured. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Roy Orbison died of a heart attach in late 1988 when he was just 52. So he only was with the group for <em>Vol 1</em>. George Harrison died in 2001 from lung cancer. He was 58. And now Tom Petty has died. So three-fifths of the world's greatest supergroup ever is gone. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But they left a strong legacy. Among my favorite Traveling Wilbury songs is <em>End of the Line</em>. George, Jeff, Roy, and Tom all take a turn singing lead on the song. Apparently, George Harrison wrote the music for the song, and the others all contributed some lyrics. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here is </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM" target="_blank">the official music video of "End of the Line</a>."<span style="color:#2980b9;"> which was made after Roy Orbison died, so a picture of Roy on a rocking chair is included in the video. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Tom Petty was just 38 when this song was recorded. Rest in peace, Tom. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898342017-09-21T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T02:02:06-12:00Song 52 - - Josh Ritter: "Thunderbolt's Goodnight"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I went to see Josh Ritter today! It was a jam-packed WXPN Free-at-Noon show. And it was fabulous!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Josh Ritter has been around for a while. He's 40 years old, with a bunch of successful albums to his credit. And today he released a new album called <em>Gathering</em>. The song that XPN is featuring from <em>Gathering</em> is a song called <em>Showboat</em>. I first heard <em>Showboat</em>, which is a very catchy pop-like tune, on the radio several weeks ago, and it made me realize that, although I knew a little about Josh Ritter, I really didn't know his music well at all. So I've been anxiously awaiting the release of this new album. And, after today's Free-at-Noon concert, I'm a big Josh Ritter fan. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Josh is a happy fella. Wearing all black, but not acting dark at all, Josh smiled thoughout the show and pranced around the stage, singing songs from his new album. Some upbeat rockers. A (self described) cowboy song. And some spiritual ballads. Josh's four member band (a lead guitarist, a bassist, a keyboard player, and a drummer, along with Josh's acoustic guitar) were outstanding. And the whole show, as pretty much required for a show that's being live broadcast on the radio, was very well choreographed. What was supposed to be a 30-minute set turned into a well-received 50 minute free show for XPN members (and a few others). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>Showboat</em> would be a great song to feature. But, if you listen to WXPN, you'll hear it (and, if you don't listen to XPN, you can buy <em>Showboat</em> or find it on Spotify). So today let's feature a song that is one of the spiritual ballads that Josh played today. It's called <em>Thunderbolt's Goodnight</em>. And it's beautiful. So here's </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CJ1ggiOeWQ"><span style="color:#2980b9;">a "</span></a><a contents="Lyric Video" of Thunderbolt's Goodnight," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CJ1ggiOeWQ" target="_blank">Lyric Video" of "Thunderbolt's Goodnight</a><span style="color:#2980b9;"><a contents="Lyric Video" of Thunderbolt's Goodnight," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CJ1ggiOeWQ" target="_blank">,</a>" and here is </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zieX2IGZY4" target="_blank">a live performance of Josh doing "Thunderbolt's Goodnight</a>" <span style="color:#2980b9;">last year at a show in Cleveland. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898332017-09-13T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:51:17-12:00Song 51 - - The Avett Brothers: "True Sadness"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Over a year ago, I featured </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_five_____the_avett_brothers/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Avett Brothers in Song Five</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">. They had recently released their <em>True Sadness</em> album, and I chose to feature a song called <em>Smithsonian</em>. I love that song. And I love most every song on <em>True Sadness</em>. But, until Tuesday night, I didn't fully appreciate some of the great songs on <em>True Sadness</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, what happened on Tuesday? Well, on Tuesday I saw the Judd Apatow-produced documentary about The Avett Brothers. It's called <em>May It Last</em>. It's a wonderfully insightful and touching look at the the Avett brothers (Scott and Seth) and The Avett Brothers (the amazing group). And it let all of us who saw the movie on Tuesday (it was a one-time-in-theaters event, but, since HBO bought the rights to the movie, I'm sure we'll see it on HBO soon) see and hear many of the <em>True Sadness</em> songs in an entirely different light. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The movie is amazing. The music is amazing. The Avett brothers are amazing. And The Avett Brothers are amazing. Yes, I could write more, but, really, just go see the movie. It will be on HBO soon. And it's a lot better than what I have to say. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, in the meantime, let's feature another song from The Avett Brothers. Picking one isn't easy. But let's go with<em> True Sadness</em>. It's the title song from the album. It's an upbeat song, featuring all seven of the band's touring members. Younger brother Seth sings lead on this song and the rest of the band joins in. So here it is: </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">First, </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp4tyiGZYBM" target="_blank">a live radio in-studio verson of "True Sadness</a><span style="color:#2980b9;">," and </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Second, </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrlMqM0QgXI" target="_blank">a live version of "True Sadness"</a> <span style="color:#2980b9;">from <em>A Prairie Home Companion</em> earlier this year. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898322017-09-05T12:00:00-12:002022-03-29T22:17:04-12:00Song 50 - - John Prine / Bruce Rits Gilbert: "How Lucky"<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_41_____john_prine/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">John Prine</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">is pretty much my musical idol. I mean,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_18_____paul_mccartney_bruce_springsteen_and_the_e_street_band/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Paul McCartney</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">was my first musical love and he's still amazing. And</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> The <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_five_____the_avett_brothers/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Avett Brothers</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(the actual brothers) are working their way up the idol chain. And, of course, my guitar teacher,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_45_____matt_lyons_and_the_side_band/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Matt Lyons</span></a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">drives me and inspires me week after week - - and his lead guitar work makes each and every one of my songs much, much better. But, when all is said and done, John Prine is the man. His beautifully written (mostly) three chord songs are poignant, often funny, and simply the best. And John's understated, modest personality makes him, I think, among the very most beloved singer-songwriters ever. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So it's no surprise that I recorded a John Prine song on my latest EP. It's the first time (since my really bad iPhone recording era) that I recorded a cover song. I recorded two covers for <em>Ask No Questions, Hear No Lies</em>: Carl Perkins' <em>Blue Suede Shoes</em> and John Prine's <em>How Lucky</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>How Lucky</em> is, so I think, one of John Prine's best and most underrated songs. I know of only one other recorded cover of the song, and, in the dozens of times that I've seen John Prine in concert, I've never heard him sing <em>How Lucky</em>. It's a simple song. Three chords. Four verses. No chorus - - unless you count the last couple of lines of each of the verses as the chorus. Beautiful melody. And sweet lyrics. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to celebrate the 50th song on <em>One Song at a Time</em>, let's feature a bunch of versions of <em>How Lucky</em>: </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">First, here's </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents="John Prine doing How Lucky back in 1980." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq3BAjy1u0E" target="_blank">John Prine doing "How Lucky" back in 1980</a><a contents="John Prine doing How Lucky back in 1980." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq3BAjy1u0E" target="_blank">.</a> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Then here's </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fw0rhcTgz8">J</a><a contents="John Prine doing the song just a few years ago on the Colbert Report.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fw0rhcTgz8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">ohn Prine doing the song just a few years ago on the Colbert Report</span></a><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fw0rhcTgz8">.</a></span><a contents="John Prine doing the song just a few years ago on the Colbert Report.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fw0rhcTgz8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Here's </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A87im-PEkxU" target="_blank">Matt Lyons and me doing our version of "How Lucky"</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">at the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts this past June. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And here's</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eoAm25IIUE" target="_blank">my studio version of "How Lucky"</a> - - </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">with the amazing support of</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_45_____matt_lyons_and_the_side_band/">the Parameters</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(Matt Lyons, Brian Kelly and Kevin Haindl).</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/4cf639f67288be1f4248add0871f5ea3ff3ea4f0/original/img-0449-version-2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjM0eDE5MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="192" width="234" /></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898312017-08-17T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T02:12:42-12:00Song 49 - - Mudcrutch: "Welcome to Hell"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I had not heard of Mudcrutch back in the day. They were a band formed by Tom Petty and Tom Leadon way back in 1970. And they hung around, apparently, until 1975 or so. But then Tom Petty formed The Heartbreakers in 1976, and that seemed like the end for Mudcrutch. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, sure enough, in 2007, Tom Petty invited the original Mudcrutch guys (some of whom were playing with The Heartbreakers) to re-form Mudcrutch. They released a very successful album in 2008. But I still was not in the know about this group. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But then the band reconvened again in 2015 to work on a new album. And, finally, I got on board. I heard a song or two on WXPN, and I was hooked. The band just makes good music. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Mudcrutch toured in 2016, but they don't have anything on their tour schedule now. If, though, they show up in Philadelphia, I'll be there. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here's a taste of Mudcrutch. Tom Petty is there, in the middle of the stage introducing the song, but he's not the lead singer on this song. Keyboardist Benmont Tench takes the lead here on </span><a contents="this cool Mudcrutch song called Welcome to Hell.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGLy2bP5TUk" target="_blank"><span style="color:#e74c3c;">this cool Mudcrutch song called "Welcome to Hell</span></a><a contents="this cool Mudcrutch song called Welcome to Hell.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGLy2bP5TUk" target="_blank"><span style="color:#e74c3c;">." </span></a></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898302017-07-30T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T02:15:03-12:00Song 48 - - Dave Edmunds: "Deborah"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In the late 70s and the early 80s, when the world was disco-ing up, I was spinning records at Deja Vu, an oldies bar in Washington, D.C. It was maybe my favorite job ever. Law school by day, and good old rock & roll at night. I only worked one or two nights a week, but it was a great gig. Playing mostly music from the 50s and 60s to big crowds of dancing prepsters, I was able to slip in some newer rock & roll, too. Like Dave Edmunds. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first heard of Dave Edmunds in the late 70s. His album <em>Get It</em> was released in 1977. It was Dave's third studio album, but the first one that I heard. It included a few Dave Edmunds' originals, along with a bunch of covers, including Bob Seger's <em>Get Out of Denver.</em> I played <em>Get Out of Denver</em> and <em>Here Comes the Weekend,</em> a Dave Edmunds / </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_26_____nick_lowe/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nick Lowe</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> collaboration, often at Deja Vu. They're great dance songs - - as are most Dave Edmunds' recordings - - and have that 50s / 60s retro sound. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Since then I think that I bought every Dave Edmunds album that's ever been released, including the amazing 1980 Rockpile album called <em>Seconds of Pleasure</em>. Featuring Dave, Nick Lowe, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams, Rockpile only released one album, but the group played together on several solo Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe records. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Dave Edmunds only once, in 1999 or so, at The Point in Bryn Mawr. It was just Dave and his electric guitar, and it was just after Dave released his <em>Hand Picked: Musical Fantasies</em> album, which features amazing guitar solos by Dave, along with some great rock songs. With a packed house in a very intimate venue, it was an amazing show. My brother Charlie called it the best concert he had ever been to. (He might have temporarily forgotten that he had seen the Beatles in 1964.)</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">There are dozens of Dave Edmunds songs that could be featured, but I'm going with a song from <em>Tracks on Wax 4, </em>an album released in 1978 and featured the Rockpile gang (Edmunds, Lowe, Bremner and Williams). My favorite song on that album is <em>Deborah</em>, a song written by Dave and Nick Lowe. Here are a couple of versions of <em>Deborah</em>: </span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbsj_COm_kc" target="_blank"> The first version of "Deborah,"</a> <span style="color:#2980b9;">from about 1980, is Rockpile doing the song, with Dave Edmunds on lead vocals and lead guitar, Nick Lowe on bass guitar, Billy Bremner on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, and Terry Williams on drums. The</span><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wwyh2qZ0v4" target="_blank"> second version of "Deborah"</a><span style="color:#2980b9;"> is Dave Edmunds from literally 10 days ago, at age 73, and still looking good and playing fabulously. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898292017-07-25T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T02:17:25-12:00Song 47 - - The Dixie Chicks: "There's Your Trouble"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first heard of the Dixie Chicks in 1997 or so. They were still not very well known, but they were just starting on the road to success. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Before that, sisters Martie and Emily Erwin, along with two other women, formed the band back in 1989, performing mostly bluegrass and country songs. But commercial success was not in the cards back then, although they did get some good reviews in the Washington Post, among other publications. In 1995, though, Sony signed the group to development deal and lead singer Laura Lynch was replaced by Natalie Maines. And the road to the big time was being paved. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I can't remember how or where I first heard of the Dixie Chicks, but I remember this: Sometime in 1997, The Federation of American Hospitals, a trade / lobbying group for hospitals for which I was then the incoming chairman, was booking a show for its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., for March 1998. The staff person at the Federation asked me if I knew the Dixie Chicks and if it was okay to book them. I was amazed that we could get them for our trade show and annual meeting, and I gave a big thumbs up. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">At the time, several Dixie Chicks singles were moving up the charts, including <em>There's Your Trouble</em>, which is still one of my favorite songs. By the time March 1998 rolled around, the Dixie Chicks were a pretty big time country / pop group. But they had made a commitment to do a show for the Federation of American Hospitals in a hotel ballroom in Washington, D.C., and they kept their commitment. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, on the evening of the show (after some seriously serious meetings earlier in the day), I strolled down to the sound check, listened to the group run through a bunch of songs and said hello to the band. And then a hour or so later, I was on the stage with the band, introducing them to a packed house. A little bit surreal, yes, but very cool. And the band's show was awesome. They played for over an hour, doing most of the songs on their debut Sony album, <em>Wide Open Spaces</em>. And then many of us chatted with them backstage after the show. And at least one of us had a picture taken with Marti, Emily and Natalie. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Since then I've seen the Dixie Chicks two other times, including once at a big, sold out arena show here in Philadelphia with younger fans, Molly, Emily and Casey. And they were great both times. Fabulous. And, notably, oldest daughter Molly, who became a big Dixie Chicks fan, did a version of the Dixie Chick's <em>Cowboy Take Me Away</em> with her high school <em>a cappella</em> group. (If there was a version of the <em>a cappella</em> group doing <em>Cowboy Take Me Away</em> available on YouTube or anywhere online, I'd absolutely feature that great song.) </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In 2003, the Dixie Chicks found themselves in hot water when Natalie introduced <em>Travelin' Soldier</em> (a song written by Bruce Robison, who is the husband of </span><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_15_____kelly_willis/"><span style="color:#2980b9;">Kelly Willis </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">and former brother-in-law of Dixie Chick, Emily) by saying, "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." Chaos in the country music world ensued. And the Dixie Chicks were ostracized from the mainstream country music world. But history has proven that the Dixie Chicks were right, and band's follow up song in 2006, <em>Not Ready to Make Nice</em>, raised the stakes a bit higher. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The band kind of went on hiatus from 2008 to 2014, although they did perform together from time-to-time during those years. And also during that time, Marti and Emily toured as a duo, calling themselves The Courtyard Hounds. I saw them do an awesome show at a WXPN free-at-noon in 2013 or so. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">If the Dixie Chicks come back here to Philadelphia, I'll be there. They are one of our great Americana bands. But, in the meantime, let's hear </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents="the Dixie Chicks doing&nbsp;There's Your Trouble," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cecAhTlMQNE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">the Dixie Chicks doing </span></a><em><a contents="the Dixie Chicks doing&nbsp;There's Your Trouble," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cecAhTlMQNE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">There's Your Trouble</span></a></em><a contents="the Dixie Chicks doing&nbsp;There's Your Trouble," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cecAhTlMQNE" target="_blank"><em>,</em></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">pretty much looking and sounding like they did at the Washington, D.C. show in 1998. And </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents="here is another version of There's Your Trouble " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7x-BSyy9E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">here is another version of <em>There's Your Trouble</em></span></a></span><a contents="here is another version of There's Your Trouble " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7x-BSyy9E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">from 2003 during the peak of their commercial success. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898282017-07-09T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T02:20:16-12:00Song 46 - - Ritchie Valens / Los Lobos: "Come On, Let's Go"<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_31_____gregory_alan_isakov/">My nephew, Ben (the Iron Man in Boulder),</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">put up an Instagram story which had a few seconds of some great music in the background: Ritchie Valens singing <em>Come on, Let's Go</em>. Ben said that it came on the Buddy Holly station on Pandora. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I hadn't listened to <em>Come on, Let's Go</em> in way too long. So I played it here at home. First, the original by Ritchie Valens, and then a great cover by Los Lobos. Both versions are fabulous. So I figured it was time to feature the song on this blog that nobody reads. (If you do read it, leave me a comment so that I know that you're here.)</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Ritchie Valens is most famous for how he died. He, along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper (and the pilot Roger Peterson), died on The Day That The Music Died in the plane crash in the wee hours of the morning on February 3, 1959. Ritchie was not yet 18 years old. He was well on his way to stardom, having already had big hits with <em>La Bamba</em> and <em>Donna</em>, appearing in Alan Freed's movie, <em>Go Johnny Go</em>, and playing at shows with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, among others, and, of course, at the end touring with Buddy Holly as part of The Winter Dance Party tour. A movie about Ritchie Valens, <em>La Bamba</em>, starring Lou Diamond Phillips, was released in 1987. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Most of the music in the movie, <em>La Bamba</em>, was performed by Los Lobos. I first heard of Los Lobos when they released <em>Will the Wolf Survive</em> in 1984. I bought the album, and I listened to it, like, everyday for several months. I loved their mix of Tex-Mex, country, blues and more. And their Mexican-influenced rock and roll was a unique and hard-to-resist sound. And then in 1987 Los Lobos got their biggest break by recording a bunch of Ritchie Valens covers for the <em>La Bamba</em> soundtrack. <em>La Bamb</em>a (the cover song) reached number one on the pop charts, and <em>Come On, Let's Go</em> and <em>Donna</em> were also big hits. Los Lobos' major pop star success, though, was short-lived. Although they're still around, still fabulous musicians, still involved in a number of projects, and still tour, they haven't had a hit song since the Ritchie Valens covers. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So to remember Ritchie Valens and honor Los Lobos, let's feature <em>Come On, Let's Go</em>. First,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="here is Ritchie Valens' version." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nic0r9c6wnE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">here is Ritchie Valens' versi</span></a><a contents="here is Ritchie Valens' version." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nic0r9c6wnE" target="_blank">on.</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">Note the remarkable dancing (which I think was from the Alan Freed movie, <em>Go Johnny Go</em>) starting at about the 27 second mark of the video. And then </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJWBRybjs9Q&list=RDzJWBRybjs9Q#t=2" target="_blank">here is Los Lobos doing its version of "Come On, Let's Go"</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">in a live performance in NYC in 1987. The lead singer is David Hidalgo, who also plays rhythm and sometimes lead guitar, and the outstanding left-handed guitarist is Cesar Rosas. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898272017-06-29T12:00:00-12:002021-10-14T03:05:42-12:00Song 45 - - Matt Lyons / The Side Band/The Parameters: "When Will I See You Again"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">As we approach Independence Day, the most American of American holidays, it's time to pay tribute to one of America's best. And by best, I mean, one of our best guitarists, best musicians, best teachers, and best guys. Matt Lyons is just that. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I met Matt at the Costa's Christmas party (or at least the in-the-garage version of the Costa's Christmas party) back in 2011. I learned that the red-haired and red-bearded guy taught guitar, and I thought maybe it was time for me to learn how to play. So, after pondering this for over a year, I finally reached out to Matt in early 2013. And the rest is history. Okay, maybe not well known history, but history nonetheless. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">My initial goal was to learn enough basic open chords so that I could play one song (just one) by the time middle daughter Emily's wedding rolled around in September of that year. And, with Matt's guidance (and patience!), I did. I wasn't very good, but I did play a song or two at the campfire that followed Emily's wedding reception. And I've been working with (and playing with!) Matt ever since. His never-ending encouragement, along with his fabulous lead guitar work, have been the foundation for the albums that I've since made. And I am eternally grateful. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the point here is that Matt is an amazing musician who has not yet gotten the break that he needs - - and deserves. He's the frontman for his group, The Parameters, and he also leads a side project with a group appropriately called The Side Band. It may be, though, that ultimately being a solo singer-songwriter (you know, kinda like</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_43_____amos_lee/">Amos Lee</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_41_____john_prine/">John Prine</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and Matt's hero, Bob Dylan) will be Matt's path to greater performing success. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Make no mistake, Matt is already successful in the music business. He has a thriving guitar-teaching business (if you are pondering learning how to play, you should reach out to see if Matt can fit you into his schedule), and is one of the lucky few who actually makes a living in music. But he's also a great performer and a terrific singer-songwriter.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Among my favorite Matt Lyons songs is <em>When Will I See You Again</em>. It first appeared on the Parameters album called <em>Thick As Thieves.</em> But it's also been played live by The Side Band. So, to honor Matt today, let's first see</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="The Side Band's performance of When Will I See You Again at the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRlWaRHefgo" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">The Side Band's performance of <em>When Will I See You Again</em> at the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts</span></a><a contents="The Side Band's performance of When Will I See You Again at the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRlWaRHefgo" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">a couple of weeks ago (and, yes, that is me sitting in with The Side Band, playing a little bit of harmonica). And then let's listen to</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTj1NX5iTps" target="_blank">The Parameters original recording of "When Will I See You Again"</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">from <em>Thick As Thieves</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Matt! You're the best! </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/dd2fe4453959ce6d1d92b11755f6d0f5fbc9b877/original/img-1460.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjQ0eDMwNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="307" width="244" /></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898262017-06-25T12:00:00-12:002021-11-05T23:16:56-12:00Song 44 - - Zoe Kravitz / Elvis Presley: "Don't"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know much about Zoe Kravitz - - except that she's Lenny Kravitz' daughter and that she was outstanding in <em>Big Little Lies</em>, the awesome HBO series. And, not only was she great in her role on the series, but she absolutely was perfect in the last episode when she sang an amazing version of <em>Don't</em>. (And she also was pretty much perfect in the, well, big reveal right near the end of the last episode of the show.)</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>Don't</em> was Elvis Presley's 11th number one hit. Elvis recorded it in 1957, and it was released in 1958. It was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It's a beautiful ballad - - which rarely gets radio time, even on oldies stations, although I imagine that the 50s on 5 Sirius XM station plays it now and again. Maybe. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the point here is that <em>Don't</em> is definitely a song worth featuring, and Zoe Kravitz' version is pitch perfect. I can't find the clip from the show where she sings the song anywhere online, but there is an audio version. So let's listen to</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Zoe Kravitz's version of Don't here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8vLDxUlhM" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Zoe Kravitz's version of <em>Don't</em> here</span></a><a contents="Zoe Kravitz's version of Don't here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8vLDxUlhM" target="_blank">.</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then let's watch</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Elvis, with his long sideburns and all, do a rehearsal version of the song in 1970.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj3LGTQMJb8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Elvis, with his long sideburns and all, do a rehearsal version of the song in 1970</span></a><a contents="Elvis, with his long sideburns and all, do a rehearsal version of the song in 1970.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj3LGTQMJb8" target="_blank">. </a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898252017-06-08T12:00:00-12:002022-05-11T02:52:55-12:00Song 43 - - Amos Lee: "Sweet Pea"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've been on the board of WXPN for seven years. My term is ending next week. The board doesn't have all that much influence on the day-to-day operations of the radio station. But every once in a while we help out a little bit. Like that time about two years ago when I suggested that the radio station's</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://xpn.org/about-xpn/moc"><span style="color: #00ccff;">"Musicians-on-Call"</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">program add Bryn Mawr Hospital to its group of participating hospitals. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">They kind of chuckled at the time, suggesting that Bryn Mawr maybe didn't need the program. But, sure enough, a couple of years later, they asked me if I could set up a meeting with the Bryn Mawr folks. And, since Andi is the president of the hospital, setting up the meeting was kind of easy. The meeting eventually led to an affiliation between the program and the hospital. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then a couple of days ago, there was an event at the hospital to kickoff the relationship. Several folks from WXPN went to the hospital, including station manager Roger LeMay and midday host Helen Leicht. Andi was there, too, of course. And she suggested that I attend, but I kind of thought that it was an internal hospital meeting about the rollout of the program, so I didn't go. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">What a mistake that was. In addition to the XPN and hospital folks there, Amos Lee showed up. He's been a big supporter of the Musicians-on-Call program for years. And he graciously accepted XPN's invitation to come to the Bryn Mawr Hospital rollout. Andi was so taken with Amos - - along with Mutlu who also participated. Amos was gracious and humble, and he and Mutlu sang for a number of patients in the hospital. It was an amazing day. And I missed it. Shoot! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Amos Lee is from the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. Although his family moved to Cherry Hill when he was a kid, he very much considers himself a Philadelphian. He's worked as a bartender and an elementary school teacher. And he paid his dues at open mic nights. Influenced by John Prine, Amos worked his way up the music chain, and now is a very well respected and successful singer-songwriter. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've seen him a few times. Once at The Mann a few years ago, and then last year at WXPN's NonComm-vention - - where I actually had a chance to briefly say hello. Although he's mostly a folky, Amos can rock, too. And, when he's with his band (as opposed to just with an acoustic guitar), Amos can be Bruce Springsteen-like in concert. He's good. Very good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And he's a mensch. You know, an honorable and fine guy. And he's a great singer-songwriter. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Today we're featuring an Amos Lee song that was featured in an AT&T commercial some time ago. It's one of my favorite Amos Lee songs. And, in this version, he's joined by a group called The Quebe Sisters. So here it is:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="Amos Lee's Sweet Pea from a performance in 2015.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wslWdHd-f8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Amos Lee's Sweet Pea</span></a><a contents="Amos Lee's Sweet Pea from a performance in 2015.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wslWdHd-f8" target="_blank"> from a performance in 2015. </a></span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898242017-06-04T12:00:00-12:002021-10-16T02:05:34-12:00Song 42 - - The Lumineers: "Flapper Girl"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">When The Lumineers released their first album, it was kind of a big deal. It was released in 2012 by an independent label, Dualtone Records, and reached number 2 on the Billboard charts. But their success didn't happen overnight. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The two founding members, Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, played together for a bunch of years without much success (or at least without commercial success). After Wesley and Jeremiah randomly moved to Denver in 2010 to try to jump start their careers, they put an ad on Craig's List, looking for a cellist - - which is how they met Neyla Pekarek, who apparently was planning to become a music teacher until she answered the ad and was asked to join the band. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">After signing a management contract, one of their songs (<em>Ho Hey</em>) was featured in 2011 on <em>Hart of Dixie</em>, a TV show on the CW. That was the first step in the band's rapid rise to success. The second step was serious airplay on Seattle's KEXP where one of the DJs called <em>Ho Hey</em> the best song of 2012. And then the band was featured on WXPN's syndicated World Cafe Live. And, next thing you know, <em>Ho Hey</em> seemed to be playing on every pop radio station in the country. All the time. And the Lumineers were well on their way to stardom. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The one and only time that I saw The Lumineers was at a WXPN taping on April 5, 2016, just three days before their second album was released. So to prevent folks from taping their new songs, they required everyone to put locks (that XPN provided) on their cellphones. So (at least in theory) there were no private tapes made of that private show. It was a good show, although it felt a little subdued. Maybe because it was a private taping with only a few dozen folks there, the show didn't have the buzz and excitement that I imagine most Lumineers' shows have. Still, the second album, called <em>Cleopatra,</em> was a mega-hit, debuting at number 1 in the United States. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Lumineers are kind of right in my American / folk / pop wheelhouse. And there are a number of their songs that could be featured today. <em>Ho Hey</em>, of course, would be an obvious choice. Or maybe <em>Cleopatra</em>. But right from the beginning my favorite Lumineers song was a very cool, but probably rarely played on the radio, song called <em>Flapper Girl</em>. It's sweet. It's pretty. It randomly mentions Romeo, Juliet, Cadillacs and hair of gold. And it's kind of a perfect love song. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 42:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="The Lumineers doing Flapper Girl " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inedueKRs9k" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">The Lumineers doing Flapper Girl</span></a><a contents="The Lumineers doing Flapper Girl " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inedueKRs9k" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">at KEXP in Seattle back in 2012. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898232017-05-24T12:00:00-12:002021-10-16T02:10:58-12:00Song 41 - - John Prine: "Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I started this blog on June 1, 2016. So it's been just about one year since its debut. We started with Buddy Holly, who is my old school rock and roll hero. We skipped around from genre to genre over the course of the year, featuring rock icons like Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen, singer-songwriters like Steve Forbert and Iris DeMent, country singers like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, amazing bands like, well, The Band, and, of course, newer artists like The Deep Dark Woods, Darlingside, Frances Luke Accord, the Avett Brothers, and Baskery. There's just so much great music out there. Great old stuff. Great new stuff. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And among the greatest of all time (at least for me) is John Prine. I first heard John Prine my freshman year in college, in 1972. And I first saw John Prine in 1974 at Summerfest in Milwaukee. He was amazing then. And he's been amazing each and every time I've seen him (maybe 25 times or so) since then, including last year at the King's Theatre in Brooklyn. His songs are timeless. They're fun. They're honest. They're insightful. And most of them are pretty simple, three chord songs. Meaning that I can play just about every one of them. Which is not really relevant to anything - - except that I did record a version of John Prine's </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em><a contents="How Lucky " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eoAm25IIUE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">How Lucky</span></a></em></span><a contents="How Lucky " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eoAm25IIUE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">that I'm very proud of. But we'll leave that song for another day. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">For some, John Prine's story is well known. His parents were born in Muhlenberg County in Western Kentucky (as John tells the story in <em>Paradise</em>). His folks moved to Maywood, Illinois, where John was born. After a stint in the army and working in Chicago as a mailman, he was discovered by Kris Kristofferson. After recording a bunch of albums for Atlantic Records and Asylum Records, he formed his own independent label,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ohboy.com" target="_blank">Oh Boy Records</a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">in 1984. Oh Boy released a bunch more John Prine albums. And each album is as great as the one before and after it. I mean, they're all amazing. Each and every one of them. And I, of course, bought them all - - in LP form, and then in CD form, and then digitally. I mean, even though I rationally know that the songs are the same whether heard on an LP or digitally, I just couldn't stop myself from buying the albums again and again. And I listen to John Prine songs all the time. They never get old. And they never get tired. His latest effort, <em>For Better, or Worse</em>, is (another) duet album in which he sings with women such as Allison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and his wife Fiona Prine, among many others. It's among John's best selling records ever. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">For those of you who want more on John Prine, I highly (as in really highly) recommend his new book,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://store.johnprine.com/products/john-prine-beyond-words" target="_blank">Beyond Words</a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">John is an amazing man. The kind of guy who you'd love, as in absolutely love, having a beer with. Or maybe a few beers. And he's an American treasure who you should see in concert if you ever have the chance. Really. Don't miss him. Really. </span></p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/190c869598dfe59a25907a97cf631a618f44bf68/original/img-7777.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjI1eDI4OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="289" width="225" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, there are literally more than 100 John Prine songs that I could feature today. But, since we're off to a family trip to Kauai, let's do <em>Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian</em>. It may not be the most well known John Prine song, but it's awesome, and it's timely (for me), and there is an older version and a newer version to feature. So here's</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_vTY67Wd9I" target="_blank">Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian back from 1989</a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and here's a</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiwKO0CzwyM" target="_blank">more recent version from 2012</a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">Aloha! </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898222017-05-18T12:00:00-12:002021-12-27T17:39:28-12:00Song 40 - - Baskery: "Nobody Nice"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">WXPN has a impressive number of events featuring live music throughout the year. Free-at-Noons every Friday. The XPN Music Festival every July in Camden, NJ. And others. But, for me, none are as awesome as the NonComm-vention, which is a three day music industry event held at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia every May. Dan Reed, the XPN afternoon drive time host and radio station's music director, puts NonComm together, and he and his staff do an amazing job of booking a couple of dozen groups and singer-songwriters, some old and some new, for the hundreds of AAA music folks and the XPN members who are lucky enough to attend. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This year's NonComm was highlighted (in my view) by a fabulous appearance by The Mavericks (more on them soon in a future post). But another highlight for me was the Thursday night appearance by a group called Baskery. Baskerwho? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Baskery. Three Swedish sisters who very much look Swedish but who speak perfect English. They took the upstairs stage at World Cafe Live last night at 7:30 and rocked the house for an amazing 30 minute set. Oldest sister Greta on a "modified" banjo and banging away on the bass drum, middle sister Stella on the standup bass, and little sister Sunniva on the electric and acoustic guitars and also adding some percussion, put out the sound of an eight piece band. Their harmonies were pitch perfect. Their enthusiasm was off the charts. And their performance was <em>sagolik</em>! (Or fabulous for those of you who don't speak Swedish.) </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, did Baskery impress enough of the AAA radio crowd in the audience to put Baskery in major radio play rotation? We'll see. But, in the meantime,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtVxLcaLA54" target="_blank">here's Baskery playing a song called "Nobody Nice</a>."</span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898212017-05-08T12:00:00-12:002021-10-16T02:20:12-12:00Song 39 - - Iris DeMent: "Our Town"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I first heard Iris DeMent's <em>Our Town</em> on WXPN about 25 years ago or so. It was love at first sound. And, since it was the CD era, I headed to a record store to buy Iris DeMent's debut CD, <em>Infamous Angel</em>, immediately. And I played it over and over and over again (like I've been known to do with my new favorite songs and artists). </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><em>Our Town</em> was the first song that Iris DeMent ever wrote. She was 25, and apparently she was inspired to write it by a drive through a boarded up small town in Missouri. It was, of course, on her amazing first album, which also included the often covered <em>Let the Mystery Be</em>, along with other sweet and thoughtful songs about small town life, love, and her mama (along with a song that her mom actually sings). It's an amazing album. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Her subsequent albums are terrific, too. Some dig deeper into religion, particularly <em>Lifeline</em>, which includes 12 gospel covers and one spiritual original - - although it's hard for me to tell whether she's religious or particularly skeptical of the strong religious beliefs that seemed to be central to her upbringing. Maybe the answer to that question is in <em>The Night I Learned How Not to Pray,</em> which is included on her 2012 album, <em>Sing the Delta.</em> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I've seen Iris DeMent three times: The first time was in the Philly area (the Keswick, maybe?) in the mid 90s, when she opened for John Prine. I had already listened to <em>Infamous Angel</em> about a thousand times, so I knew that she would be amazing. But I was simply blown away by how good she was. With her quirky - - and absolutely <em>not</em> classic - - voice, her shy but charismatic personality, and her beautiful songs, it was among the best opening acts I have ever seen. So good that I had to buy her CD again, this time for the folks who came to the show with us. And then, of course, John Prine came out, which is always amazing, and Iris joined him on stage for a few songs, which was over-the-top great. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The second time I saw Iris DeMent was just a few years ago at World Cafe Live in Wilmington. She was the headliner; Jason Wilber, John Prine's lead guitarist, was the opener. And then I saw Iris again last year when she again opened for John Prine, this time at the King's Theatre in Brooklyn. She spent most of that show at the piano, playing songs that were on her latest album, <em>The Trackless Woods</em>, which is an album of songs for which Iris wrote the music, using the words of Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova. I don't know, but I assume that she was inspired by Anna Akhmatova in part because Iris and her husband have a Russian-born daughter. I confess, though: <em>The Trackless Woods</em> is my least favorite Iris DeMent album, but, still, she was great. And her duets with John Prine, including the now iconic <em>In Spite of Ourselves</em>, are worth the price of admission all by themselves. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Iris DeMent is in the "must see" category for me. If she's in town, I'm going to see her. But for now, let's enjoy a couple versions of <em>Our Town</em>,</span></span><span style="color: #00ccff; background-color: #ffffff;"> <a contents="the first one which is the official music video for the song" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9IUj1mDENg" target="_blank">the first one which is the official music video for the song</a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">and the second one</span></span><span style="color: #00ccff; background-color: #ffffff;">, <a contents="a duet with Emmylou Harris&nbsp;from the 1990s.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v7dXA-LWVk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff; background-color: #ffffff;">a duet with Emmylou Harris</span></a><a contents="a duet with Emmylou Harris&nbsp;from the 1990s.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v7dXA-LWVk" target="_blank"> from the 1990s. </a></span><a contents="a duet with Emmylou Harris&nbsp;from the 1990s.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v7dXA-LWVk" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2980b9;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span></a></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898202017-05-02T12:00:00-12:002021-10-16T02:23:57-12:00Song 38 - - John Gorka: "Holed Up in Mason City"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw John Gorka way back in the late 80s (or maybe it was the early 90s). My memory of the show is quite vague. But I think that he was one of four singer-songwriters appearing on stage that night. Cliff Eberhardt, Nancy Griffith and/or Mary Chapin Carpenter may have been there, too. In any event, I remember that I liked him. He was a classic folk singer. With a good sense of humor, as I recall. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Fast forward 25 or 30 years or so. It's 2017. John Gorka is scheduled to appear in Bryn Mawr as part of the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert series. And, lo and behold, David Broida, who runs the</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com" target="_blank">Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">series, asked if Matt Lyons and I would open for John Gorka. Which is totally cool. We, of course, said yes. And I started re-familiarizing myself with John Gorka. And then David asks if Matt and I can switch dates. And, since we're nice like that, we agreed. So, just like that, we're not scheduled to open for John Gorka anymore. Instead, we'll be opening for Jonatha Brooke on June 17. Which is cool, too. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But I really liked the idea of opening for John Gorka. After listening to some of his more recent stuff, I realize just how good he is. His 2016 album, <em>Before Beginning</em>, is classic folk, with sweet tunes and thoughtful lyrics. And his 2014 release, <em>Bright Side Down</em>, is filled with classic Sleepy Hollow tunes (for those of you familiar with the long-running WXPN early morning weekend show). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">John Gorka, who was raised in New Jersey, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now lives in Minnesota, gets about a dozen or so plays a year on XPN. And he's most definitely a</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="hard-working troubadour," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.johngorka.com/bio/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">hard-working troubadour</span></a><a contents="hard-working troubadour," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.johngorka.com/bio/" target="_blank">,</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">with a very busy national </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents="touring schedule." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.johngorka.com/tour-dates/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">touring schedule</span></a><a contents="touring schedule." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.johngorka.com/tour-dates/" target="_blank">.</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, yes, he'll be at the Bryn Mawr Gazebo on July 15. Matt and I won't be opening that night, but, still, if you can, head on over to Bryn Mawr; it's sure to be a very good show. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, for this edition of "One Song at a Time," let's highlight my new favorite John Gorka song. It's a song from the <em>Bright Side Down</em> album called </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvTpOdT9Nd4" target="_blank">"Holed Up In Mason City</a>." </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and it's awesome. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898192017-04-23T12:00:00-12:002021-11-23T23:30:47-12:00Song 37 - - Hanson: "Penny and Me"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Who's willing to admit that they like Hanson? Anyone? Okay, I'll be first. I like Hanson. I mean, I like Hanson enough that I very well may snag a ticket to their concert when they come to the Fillmore in Philadelphia on September 28. Really. Because <em>Mmmbop</em> is one of the all time great songs. Really. It's really one of the best songs ever recorded. And I'm perfectly willing to admit this. It's pop. It's catchy. And you know that you love hearing it every time that it pops up on the radio or on your Spotify playlist. Right? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Hanson started out as a three-brother <em>a cappella</em> group in 1992. The brothers, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, all were pianists, but the oldest brother, Isaac, eventually started playing the guitar, and Zac, the youngest, took up the drums, while the middle brother, Taylor, remains as the group's keyboard player. <em>Mmmbop</em>, released in 1996, and included on the 1997 hit album, <em>Middle of Nowhere</em>, was a huge, huge hit, and boomeranged (yes, I said "boomeranged" because the group's first release was called <em>Boomerang</em>) the boys to huge pop star status. And in 1998, Hanson received Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">After that? Well, they kind of fell off the map - - at least in terms of being huge pop stars. Part of their retreat may have been because the cute, long-haired blonde boys (that description applies to at least the two younger brothers) grew up, and, although they kept recording, their young boy band magic was hard to sustain. But they did record some good songs, and they've certainly managed to remain professional musicians with a healthy following. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Hanson is very much still around. They're embarking on a new tour now, which they are calling the Middle of Everywhere 25th Anniversary Tour (since it's been 25 years since the group was formed). Which means that the cute young drummer, Zac, is now 31. And the cute keyboard player, Taylor, is now 34. And the maybe less cute guitarist, Isaac, is now 36. The boys have grown up. But they still sound good. And, if I can make it, I'll be at the Fillmore in Philadelphia on September 28 </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This post probably should have waited to appear until May 6, because May 6 is "Hanson Day." Why? Because <em>Middle of Nowhere</em> was released on May 6, 1997, and the then-governor or Oklahoma (Frank Keating) declared May 6, 1997, as Hanson Day. And loyal Hanson fans around the globe still recognize May 6 every year as Hanson Day. And who am I to object? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">To honor Hanson a few weeks ahead of Hanson Day, let's not do the obvious and feature <em>Mmmbop</em>, but let's feature my next favorite Hanson song, <em>Penny and Me</em>, which was released as part of an album called <em>Underneath</em> in 2004. And, even though Hanson was not quite the sensation that it was (they were?) during the <em>Mmmbop</em> days, <em>Penny and Me</em> did reach number two on one of the Billboard charts. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here it is: </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HV1gEYebwQ" target="_blank">"Hanson doing Penny and Me"</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">in a radio studio performance in 2010. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, as a bonus, because I couldn't resist,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAoi3sw4iJ4" target="_blank">here's Hanson doing "Mmmbop"</a> </span><span style="color:#3498db;">a</span><span style="color:#2980b9;">bout five years ago or so. Good, right? And</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHozn0YXAeE" target="_blank">here's the original "Mmmbop" music video</a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">Long blonde hair ruled the day. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898182017-04-10T12:00:00-12:002021-10-16T02:28:12-12:00Song 36 - - Loretta Lynn / Women of Country: "Coal Miner's Daughter"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This is kind of a guilty pleasure post. I'm not a big fan of commercial country radio -- because the formula is, well, so much of a formula. Although I don't listen to modern country radio much, when I do, it seems to have kind of pop station mentality, playing the same kind of hits all day long. And they don't play many, if any, of the tons of great alt-country / folk / alt-folk / Americana songs that are the mainstay of what I love. I mean, John Prine on country radio these days? Nah. Hayes Carll? No. Even Emmylou Harris? Nope. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But there are some very good country artists who regularly appear on commercial country radio. Loretta Lynn certainly was one of those artists. (Maybe she still gets some time on FM country radio, but I doubt it.) And her classic <em>Coal Miner's Daughter</em> is one of the great country songs of all time. We could just feature Loretta Lynn in this post. But I stumbled upon a video of a group of "Women of Country" singing <em>Coal Miner's Daughter.</em> And, although it was a made-for-TV presentation, the seven featured women do a compelling version of <em>Coal Miner's Daughter</em>, and it gives us a chance to hear a bunch of modern (or at least modern-ish), well, Women of Country. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The seven women are (left to right in the video): </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"> * Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland fame. Her twangy voice and infectious smile make her a star on stage.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"> * Miranda Lambert, a native Texan, who was married to (and now divorced from) Blake Shelton, who seems to have trouble cracking a smile. But her strong Southern drawl and beautiful voice, along with her beauty queen good looks, have made her one of the most popular country singers.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"> * Reba McEntire, who is one of the most successful recording artists in country music, and who has become an icon in the contemporary country music world.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"> * Martina McBride, who seems like a young country singer, but is actually now 50 years old, and who is a serious country pop star, with a ton of chart-toppers and country music awards.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"> * Carrie Underwood, who is probably the most successful of all of the American Idol winners, and who has shown that she's a whole lot more than her blonde hair and good looks. She has sold millions of records as a crossover pop / country star. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"> * Naomi and Wyonna Judd (The Judds), the mother-daughter team, who are among the most successful duos in country music history. Wyonna continues today as a solo artist.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>Coal Miner's Daughter</em> is an autobiographical song written in 1969 by Loretta Lynn. It was a chart-topper in 1970, and is considered one of the greatest country songs ever written. Loretta Lynn then went on to write an autobiography, also called <em>Coal Miner's Daugher</em>, in 1976, and the book was then made into a movie, starring Silly Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones, in 1980. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to honor Loretta Lynn and hear the "Women of Country" sing this classic country song, here are Jennifer Nettles, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, and The Judds (Naomi and Wyonna) doing</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <span style="color: #00ccff;"><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXedhWyTZBs&spfreload=1" target="_blank">a made-for-TV version of Coal Miner's Daughter</a>." </span></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then, just to round out this post, here's</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM84OekHtAQ" target="_blank">Loretta Lynn singing Coal Miner's Daughter </a></span></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">way back in 1971. Pretty cool. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898172017-04-05T12:00:00-12:002021-10-16T02:43:20-12:00Song 35 - - Travis Linville: "Bar Room"<p><span style="color:#3498db;">Hayes Carll</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="(Song 25)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/blogs/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/posts/song-25-hayes-carll">(</a><a contents="(Song 25)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/blogs/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/posts/song-25-hayes-carll"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Song 25</span></a><a contents="(Song 25)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bruceritsgilbert.com/blogs/the-brg-music-blog-one-song-at-a-time/posts/song-25-hayes-carll">)</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">said that Travis Linville is "criminally underrated." Which is exactly what I was thinking. And he's not alone in the underrated bucket. Isn't this the sad, often untold story of music? Amazingly talented musicians whose music is virtually unheard. I mean, sure, it's easier to publish music these days with YouTube and other digital platforms. But to get people to listen to it? That's a whole other story. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first discovered Travis Linville about 10 years ago or so as part of my search for some new alt-country / folk music. Somehow, I found Travis Linville, whose songs are sweet and soulful, and who is an amazing guitar player and musician. I kept waiting for him to do a show here in the Philadelphia area. And then, lo and behold, several years ago I saw a promo for Travis appearing at the Tin Angel (RIP) with Hayes Carll. I mean, how great was that?!?!? Two of my new favorite singer-songwriters in concert together. So I bought a bunch of tickets, invited a group of folks to join me, and off we went to the Tin Angel. And we heard some great music. Very great. But, as it turns out, it was all Hayes Carll music - - because Travis Linville, although on the bill, was just the "sideman" (or accompanying guitarist) for Hayes. Which was okay. I mean, I love Hayes Carll, and his show was great. But I was very much looking forward to hearing <em>Calvin's Song</em>, <em>Hard Knocks</em>, <em>Waterwheel</em> and some of my other Travis Linville favorites. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In any event, Travis Linville, who was born and bred in Oklahoma and is pushing 40, is a guy that deserves a heck of a lot more listeners than he's had. I don't mean to suggest that he hasn't been successful. But he's so under the radar, it's ridiculous. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Travis Linville has a new album, <em>Up Ahead</em>, that was just released in February. I just discovered it, and I bought a copy of it on iTunes. (Yes, I still buy music to support musicians.) And</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="here's a song from the new album called "Bar Room."" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujlt23bof6E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">here's a song from the new album called "Bar Room</span></a><a contents="here's a song from the new album called "Bar Room."" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujlt23bof6E" target="_blank">."</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">Please listen. I think that you'll like the song. And I think that you'll like Travis Linville, too. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898162017-03-27T12:00:00-12:002022-02-25T17:59:01-12:00Song 34 - - Donovan: "Catch the Wind"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Donovan had a whole bunch of hits, mostly in the heart of the Dylan-folk wave in the mid-1960s. He was often compared to Dylan - - and sometimes more or less referred to as Dylan's clone. Donovan, of course, said that, although he was influenced by Donovan, he was "not a copyist." </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">His first big hit in the United States was <em>Sunshine Superman</em>, which reached number 1 on the pop charts in 1966. But the Donovan song that caught my attention in 1966 was <em>Mellow Yellow</em>. I bought the single (but not the album that it was on). It was one of my favorite songs in junior high. It reached number 2 on the U.S. pop charts. After that, Donovan had a series of hits, including <em>Hurdy Gurdy Man</em>, <em>Jennifer Juniper</em> and others. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In addition to his folk / psychedelic pop hits, Donovan was a very accomplished guitar player. In 1968, when Donovan, along with Brian Wilson and Mike Love of the Beach Boys, and the Beatles, traveled to Rishikesh (in India) to visit Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Donovan taught John Lennon and Paul McCartney certain guitar finger picking styles, including the "clawhammer." Lennon famously used this method on <em>Dear Prudence</em>, <em>Julia</em>, <em>Happiness is a Warm Gun</em> and other songs, and McCartney used it on <em>Blackbird</em> and <em>Mother Nature's Son</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Donovan more or less epitomized the look of the flower power pop era. With his English good looks (along with his stereotypical English teeth) and colorful, psychedelic clothes, and long, dark locks, he could have come from central casting to play the part of the English pop star. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">He also famously started his big hit <em>Atlantis</em> with a well known speaking introduction - - which inspired me (as recommended by Matt Lyons who plays lead guitar on my new album) to do a speaking opening to the last song (<em>When You No Longer Cr</em>y) on my new EP (which "drops" on April 1). So I kind of feel like I owe a little debt to Donovan. You know. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In any event, let's get to this post's song. No, it's not <em>Mellow Yellow</em>. And it's not <em>Atlantis</em>. Both which would have been great choices. But the Donovan song that I like most these days is <em>Catch the Wind</em>, which is a beautiful, classic folk song that Donovan first released way back in 1965. And here it is:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a contents="A version of Catch the Wind " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-c9sr_qF8I" target="_blank">A </a><a contents="A version of Catch the Wind " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-c9sr_qF8I" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00ccff;">version of Catch the Wind </span></a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">from 1972, which will give you the flavor of the times back then. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898152017-03-06T12:00:00-12:002021-12-06T08:22:14-12:00Song 33 - - Dead Man Winter: "Destroyer"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dead Man Winter has been around for a few years, but they're new to me. The main guy in the group, Dave Simonett, is also the leader of a group called Trampled By Turtles, which is one of my favorite bluegrass-ish groups. Trampled By Turtles' songs such as <em>School Bus Driver</em> and <em>My Brothers Works for the CIA</em> are entirely worthy of a post here. And I expect one of them will be featured at some point. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But for the moment let's focus on Dead Man Winter. I first heard one of their songs, <em>Destroyer</em>, just last week when oldest daughter Molly was playing a "Happy Folk" playlist on Spotify. The song just jumped off the speakers. So I immediately "did a Shazam" to find out the name of the song and who was doing it. "Dead Man Winter." "Destroyer." I confess: When I first looked I wasn't sure if <em>Destroyer</em> was the name of the song or the name of the group. But I figured it out. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Fast forward a few days. I'm back in Philadelphia. And I found the song and the group on iTunes. And I bought not just <em>Destroyer</em> but the whole new Dead Man Winter album, which is called <em>Furnace </em>and which was just released in January. It's great. From soup to nuts. But, since the first Dead Man Winter song that I heard was Destroyer, that's the featured song today. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know much about Dave Simonett. But I do know that Trampled By Turtles is great. And Dead Man Winter is great. So, well, that pretty much means that Dave Simonett is great, too. Very great. His music is right in the sweet spot of Americana / folk-rock / Grateful Deadish / Old Dylanish / awesomeness. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The bad news is this: I checked Dead Man Winter's sparse website, and although the band is touring now, they're not coming anywhere close to Philadelphia on this tour. If you're in Milwaukee, though, you can see them at the Pabst Theater this Friday (March 10), and, if you're in Seattle, you can see them at the Tractor Tavern on March 23. And, if you do see them, let me know if they're as good as I expect they will be. I have no doubt that they will be. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And with that, here it is: Song 33:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCcgbXgaCYg"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Dead Man Winter doing </span></a><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCcgbXgaCYg"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Destroyer</span></a>.</em> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Addendum: I just found out that Dead Man Winter was just in Philadelphia. They were at The Boot & Saddle (where I've never been) on February 21. I missed it. Shoot! </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898142017-02-14T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:22:03-12:00Song 32 - - Cheryl Wheeler: "Mrs. Pinocci's Guitar"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first starting listening to Cheryl Wheeler close to 30 years ago. She was a young(ish) singer-songwriter who, I'm guessing, I first heard on WXPN (which played a whole lot more folk / alt-country music back then). And I saw her in concert way back in the early 1990s somewhere in the Philadelphia area (although, sadly, I don't remember where). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Her songs run the gamut. Some are serious, sweet ballads, like <em>When Fall Comes to New England</em>, which is one of the prettiest songs you'll ever hear. While others are funny and sarcastic tunes, usually with a political bent, like <em>Makes Good Sense To Me</em>, a political satire song written in the 80s that's still relevant today, and <em>Don't Forget the Guns</em>, an upbeat tune that they would never play on country radio.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The second time that I saw Cheryl Wheeler live was last July in Bryn Mawr. And, in a stunning development, Matt Lyons and I opened for her. It was pouring rain that night. The crowd was not exactly overflowing. But some hearty souls did show up. And, while my commute to the Bryn Mawr Gazebo was somewhere around 10 minutes, Cheryl made a eight hour or so drive from somewhere up in New England. She was greeted by Matt and me and few others who were setting up for the show. She was concerned about her guitar getting wet. And she was finicky at her sound check. And then, because it was raining, she thought about just sitting under the gazebo, behind Matt and me, while we played. But she thought better of it and decided to go sit in her car for our 30 minute set. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">After Matt and I finished our set, Cheryl braved the rain and played a one hour or so set to the even sparser crowd. She spent at least half of her show telling stories. Funny stories. And she sang a bunch of songs from her newish album called <em>Greetings: Cheryl Wheeler Live. </em></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Yes, Cheryl Wheeler has changed a lot from when I first saw her. She never was a traditional country singer, and she never pretended to play that part. But, well, she's changed - - like we all have. She's still quite the storyteller, she has a host of great songs, she is a fine guitar player, and she still has a very good voice. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the songs that Cheryl Wheeler did not play in Bryn Mawr is one of my favorites. It's called <em>Mrs. Pinocci's Guitar.</em> So, for Song 32, here are two versions of <em>Mrs. Pinocci's Guitar</em></span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em>,</em> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkemIg381so"><span style="color: #00ccff;">the first from Cheryl's earlier days</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">in the mid-1990s or so, and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqc1PlraNxw"><span style="color:#2980b9;">t</span></a><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqc1PlraNxw"><span style="color: #00ccff;">he second from just a few years ago</span></a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">You'll see the difference. No doubt. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898132017-02-12T12:00:00-12:002022-08-27T02:03:16-12:00Song 31 - - Gregory Alan Isakov: "Saint Valentine"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">It's Valentine's Day tomorrow. So it seems like a good time to feature a song called <em>Saint Valentine</em>, right? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Let's start here: My nephew Ben lives in Colorado. He runs marathons. He's an Iron Man. He has a serious mountain man beard. And he spends a good bit of time listening to, and introducing me to, really good music. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the singer-songwriters that Ben has introduced me to is Gregory Alan Isakov. Gregory Alan Isakov is originally from South Africa. He spent much of his youth in Philadelphia. And he moved to Colorado when he was 16. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">One of the great music venues in the country is in Colorado. It's a place called Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which is in Denver. Ben goes there often. But I've never been there. It's on my music venue bucket list. And I hope to get out to Colorado soon, both to visit Ben and see a concert with him at Red Rocks. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The point here is that Gregory Alan Isakov has appeared at Red Rocks. Ben has seen him; I have not seen him. And I really don't know much about him. But, I've started listening to him recently. And he, simply put, is good. Seriously good. And seriously serious. He's not cut from the John Prine "funny guy" cloth. Rather he sings about serious topics and his songs have a melancholy feel. Sad. Maybe even depressing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Gregory's latest album, released in mid-2016, is a collaboration with the Colorado Symphony. Yes, there are lots of strings in his new album, but it's not bluegrass. Nope. It's serious singer-songwriter angst. And one of the songs on the album (which also appears on his 2013 album called <em>The Weatherman</em>) is <em>Saint Valentine</em>. It's not your typical Valentine's Day song. I mean, with lyrics like, "you're the loneliest one, Saint Valentine; you're all fucked up, Saint Valentine," it's not really a Valentine's Day song at all. But, still, it's called <em>Saint Valentine</em>, and that's good enough for me. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 31: </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQuwcLswIGs"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Gregory Alan Isakov doing Saint Valentine</span></a>. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898122017-01-28T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:18:58-12:00Song 30 - - Chuck Berry: "Roll Over, Beethoven"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Back in the day, when I was in high school in the late 60s and early 70s, I always liked the "oldies." And back then the "oldies" were the songs of the late 50s and early 60s. You know, tunes by the Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion and the Belmonts and so many more - - including the Chuck Berry, the Father of Rock and Roll. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Chuck Berry was born in 1926 in St. Louis. After a three year stint in prison in the 1940s, Berry started playing the guitar in earnest in 1951. Known almost immediately for his showmanship, he got his big break in 1955 when he met with Muddy Waters, who referred him to the folks at Chess Records, who, after hearing Berry's first song, <em>Maybellene</em>, immediately signed him to a contract. <em>Maybellene</em> reached #1 on the R&B charts and #5 on the pop charts. A star was born. And many consider <em>Maybellene</em> the first true rock and roll song. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Following <em>Maybellene</em>, there was a stream of Chuck Berry hits in the 1950s: <em>Roll Over, Beethoven</em>, <em>Too Much Monkey Business</em>, <em>Brown Eyed Handsome Man</em>, <em>Johnny B Goode</em>, <em>Sweet Little Sixteen</em>, <em>Carol</em> and more. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In 1961, Berry was convicted under something called the Mann Act for illegally transporting a woman across state lines for "immoral purposes." Following his two year prison term, Chuck Berry recorded a few more chart toppers, including <em>Promised Land</em> and <em>My Ding-a-Ling,</em> but, according to Carl Perkins, he "never saw a man so changed." He released his last album of original music in 1979, and he continued to perform live for many years after that. And in 1986 Chuck Berry was the very first inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Chuck Berry in 1971 or 1972 at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. He was incredible. He played virtually all of his hits. And I remember thinking how amazing it was that I was actually seeing this legend perform live. Other than the Beatles, he was the most iconic rock and roll star that I had seen up until then. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to honor Chuck Berry, and to show you pretty much what I saw back in '71 or '72, here he is doing Song 30</span><span style="color: #00ccff;">, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xjPAYf2Res"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Roll Over, Beethoven, from a performance in 1972 in London</span></a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, to give you an idea of what happened in the 1950s,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgQJHyLLTHU"><span style="color: #00ccff;">here is another version of Roll Over, Beethoven from 1956. </span></a></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898112017-01-15T12:00:00-12:002021-11-24T09:19:16-12:00Song 29 - - Good Old War: " Better Weather"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I was driving to play a baseball game on a July afternoon in 2012. It was the Saturday of the WXPN Music Festival in Camden (awkwardly named the XPoNential Music Festival). I was listening to XPN, which was broadcasting the Festival, on the way there. And, just before I got to the ballpark, Good Old War started playing <em>Better Weather</em>. It was one of the feature songs on their then new album, <em>Come Back As Rain</em>. I had never heard the song before - - and I hardly knew anything about Good Old War. But it was one of those songs that I knew that I'd buy (along with the rest of the album) as soon as I got home. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>Better Weather</em> soon became my favorite song of the month. And Good Old War quickly became one of my favorite groups. Back then, there were three guys in the group: Keith Goodwin, who I'm guessing is the main songwriter and usually the lead singer; Dan Schwartz, the unbelievably fabulous guitar player (acoustic and electric) and harmony singer; and Tim Arnold, the percussionist and backup singer. All three grew up in the Philadelphia area. Tim Arnold left the group a few years ago, although I think that he still appears with the group occasionally. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I guess you'd call Good Old War an Indie folk band. But they could also be considered a pop group. Their songs are often upbeat and catchy. And sometimes it's hard to get the tunes out of your head. (See: <em>Better Weather</em>.) With XPN's help, the group has found some level of success, and they certainly have a big following here in Philadelphia. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://www.goodoldwar.com"><span style="color: #00ccff;">band's website</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">says that Keith, at the very least, jots down an idea for a new song each and every day. If he's still doing that, good work by Keith. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've seen the group a few times in Philadelphia, including once at an XPN Free-at-Noon concert, at which they did their encore in the middle of the audience while holding their little kids. And I had the chance to briefly meet all three guys who were in the group at the time at an XPN fundraiser a few years ago. They're good guys who make good music. Obviously. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 29:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--dbFbNXSak"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Good Old War performing <em>Better Weather</em></span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">in a van in 2012, and then</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHt0EMmSwnA">another version of <em>Better Weather</em></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">that the group did on the streets of Toronto in 2012. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898102017-01-10T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:10:16-12:00Song 28 - - Mary Chapin Carpenter: "He Thinks He'll Keep Her"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Mary Chapin Carpenter strikes me as a perpetual "B lister." And by that I mean, although she's had a fair amount of success, she's never seemed to quite reach the top in terms of popularity and radio play. And without having ever met her (I mean, why would I have ever had a chance to meet her?), but having seen her perform several times and having read about her, I'm guessing (totally guessing) that she's kind of shy and introverted and not particularly self confident. So I'm guessing (totally guessing) that she wasn't one of the "cool" kids in high school. I could be wrong. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, still, Mary Chapin Carpenter has had a good bit of success. She has released something like 14 albums, with her first dropping in 1987. Although she was labeled as a country artist, country radio didn't know quite what to make of her back then (or now, for that matter). But in 1992 she released an album called <em>Come On Come On</em>, which included songs such as <em>Passionate Kisses</em> and <em>I Feel Lucky</em>, among others. This album went quadruple platinum and was in the top 100 of the Country charts for almost two years. Since then, she won a slew of awards, including five Grammy Awards and several from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. And she's done all of this while being socially conscious and politically active (she wrote a music and politics column for the Washington Times for a short time) and without playing the part of the stereotypical country singer. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I have seen Mary Chapin Carpenter several times. I first saw her sometime in the late 80s or early 90s. I loved her then, and I've been a fan ever since. More recently, I saw her a year plus ago at a very nice theater in New Jersey called the Scottish Rite Auditorium. And then I saw her at Non-Comm (hosted by WXPN) last May. She always delivers a professional, thoughtful show. And at Non-Comm, in front of lots of radio folks and such, she was nervous as she played some new songs. Charmingly nervous. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">There are lots of Mary Chapin Carpenter songs to choose from, but let's make <em>He Thinks He'll Keep Her</em> the song for this post. Although it was probably the most commercially successful of Mary Chapin's songs, it's not a typical country chart topper. Based on a 1970s series of Geritol commercials, it just goes to show you that song ideas can come from just about anywhere. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 28:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH2hzModqCk"><em>He Thinks He'll Keep Her</em> by Mary Chapin Carpenter.</a> (Note the backup singers in this performance. Bonus points to anyone who can name them. I'll get you started: Emmylou Harris is on the far left.) </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898092017-01-05T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:08:42-12:00Song 27 - - Arlo Guthrie: "Alice's Restaurant"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This post probably should have been written somewhere around Thanksgiving, because <em>Alice's Restaurant Massacree</em> is a song based on a Thanksgiving story. Yep, it's an 18+ minute song written by Arlo Guthrie back in 1967. It was my introduction to Arlo Guthrie, who is the son of the iconic folk singer, Woody Guthrie. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398307/605d46f01ee4779d67274cd9ba49c61a02632e23/original/img-7820.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjI1eDI0NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="245" width="225" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Arlo is iconic in his own right. Besides <em>Alice's Restaurant Massacree,</em> he wrote dozens and dozens of amazing folk / folk-rock songs, many about social causes. And he's been a presence in the folk scene since the late 60s. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1947, Arlo went to a private school in Clinton Hill until 8th grade. He then went to high school in Stockridge, Massachusetts. He then did a brief stint in college at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. But it was a trip back to Stockbridge in 1965 that set the stage for <em>Alice's Restaurant Massacree</em>. Arlo claims that the song (with some minor embellishments) is true</span><span style="color: #00ccff;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I think that I saw Arlo way back in the day, probably sometime around 1972 or so. And I definitely saw him in Northampton, Massachusetts, at the Academy of Music Theater in 2004 or so when Molly was in college up at Amherst. Andi and I were staying in a hotel in Northampton, and after having dinner with Molly and a few of her pals, Andi and I headed back to Northampton. And lo and behold, I noticed that Arlo Guthrie was appearing that night at the theater across from our hotel. The show had started an hour or so before we noticed that Arlo was there, but we decided to go in anyway. The nice folks at the theater let us in for free since we had missed more than half the show. So we settled into some empty seats in the back and listened to 45 minutes or so of Arlo. Just Arlo and his acoustic guitar. So good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">We didn't hear him play <em>Alice's Restaurant Massacree</em> that night. Maybe because it's an 18 minute song. But, still, the song is, well, iconic. And watching Arlo perform it live must be amazing. So, since we can't do that right now, let's do the next best thing. Let's watch Arlo on a YouTube video sing <em>Alice Restaurant's Massacree</em> in its entirety. I urge you to stick around for the entire performance. And I'm asking you to comment on this post, telling me if I should grow my hair like Arlo's was in 2005 when this version of the song was recorded at Farm Aid. I mean, it's pretty awesome, and I'm just a little bit jealous. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Arlo doesn't get a heck of lot of radio airplay these days, but WXPN will play a few of Arlo's songs every now and again. He still tours, though. His band includes his son, Abe Guthrie. And Abe's son, Krishna, a drummer, also toured with Arlo for a short time. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In any event, here i</span><span style="color: #00ccff;">s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yLg_bzwvxg"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Song 27: Alice's Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie</span></a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And here, as an added bonus, is a</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNBurHDrZwM&list=RDjNBurHDrZwM"><span style="color: #00ccff;">trailer from the movie "Alice's Restaurant,</span></a>" </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">obviously based on the song, that was made in 1969, starring, yep, Arlo Guthrie. And, yes, I saw it. It was good. You know, in a hippie kind of way. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898082017-01-04T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:06:29-12:00Song 26 - - Nick Lowe: "Half a Boy and Half a Man"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to start out 2017, I thought I'd go back to 1988. It was the year that Molly turned four, Emily turned two, and Casey was born. And I have vivid memories of Molly and Emily running in circles around the round glass table in the living room as they were listening to "Half A Boy and Half A Man" by Nick Lowe blast in the room. I mean, not that we didn't listen to Raffi and such, but sometimes some good old rock and roll was better. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nick Lowe is now a 67 year old English crooner. But back in the 1970s and 1980s, Nick Lowe was a fabulous English rocker. He played with Dave Edmunds in the shortlived group Rockpile, and he put out a number of great rock and roll albums himself, starting with <em>Jesus of Cool</em> in 1978, and, in my view, peaking with <em>Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit</em> in 1984 and <em>The Rose of England</em> in 1985. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Nick Lowe is not all that well known these days. But he was married to Carlene Carter (who will absolutely be featured in this blog one day and who is the daughter of June Carter Cash), and Johnny Cash recorded some Nick Lowe songs. He produced several of Elvis Costello's albums. Wilco has covered a Nick Lowe song, and Jeff Tweedy has called Nick "our hero." And a tribute album, called<em> Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe</em>, was released in 2012. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">These days, Nick's albums tend to be considerably mellower than they were back in the day. They're still good, though. And, although I've never seen Nick Lowe in concert, if he comes to town, I'll be there. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, for song 26, let's do two versions of the song that the girls used to "dance" to back in the 1980s: <em>Half A Boy and Half A Man</em>.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksOzvYYHW48">Here's a music video version from the 1980s </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(when Nick played the electric bass guitar), and</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ7iXFJHvfY"><span style="color: #00ccff;">here's a older Nick Lowe doing the song in 2015</span></a>. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898072016-12-18T12:00:00-12:002022-05-06T06:37:34-12:00Song 25 - - Hayes Carll: "Grateful for Christmas"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">It's the Christmas season. Which means lots of different things to different people. For those of us who grew up Jewish, Christmas was, well, just a </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn-hJnT4Vec"><span style="color: #00ccff;">time for no school</span></a>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">But for others, rich traditions have been built. And families develop their special rhythms and routines. Some are joyful and happy. While others are more obligatory. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Hayes Carll is a thoughtful, funny and sometimes solemn singer-songwriter from Texas. I've seen him a few times, including this past year at the Non-Comm convention sponsored by WXPN. With his long hair and scraggly beard, Hayes perfectly fits the part of a struggling musician. I actually don't know if Hayes is struggling at all, but he plays the part well. And with his wry sense of humor, and beautifully crafted alt-country / folk songs, he's a must-see if he's in town. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">There are dozens of Hayes Carll songs that are awesome, but, since it's Christmas week, let's go with <em>Grateful for Christmas </em>for this post's song. It's a story of Hayes' family Christmas traditions and history. So here are two versions of <em>Grateful for Christmas</em>, one in a</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5er6FZLRm1U"><span style="color: #00ccff;">radio studio</span></a>, </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and one from a</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wKm39Hk45g"><span style="color: #00ccff;">concert</span></a> t</span><span style="color:#2980b9;">hat he did a couple years ago. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898062016-11-29T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:03:17-12:00Song 24 - - The Band: "The Shape I'm In"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Beatles were the best rock and roll group ever. I mean, there's really no serious question about that. But second best? Maybe the Rolling Stones? Or the Grateful Dead? Perhaps. But, in my mind, the second best rock and roll group ever is The Band. With Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Richard Manual, the Band made some of the best music ever from the late 1960s until the late 1970s. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The Band started as part of the supporting cast for Ronnie Hawkins. They soon morphed into Levon and the Hawks and then the Canadian Squires. (All of the members of the group were Canadian except for Levon Helm.) And then Bob Dylan asked them to tour with him in 1965 and 1966, and that led to the group recording <em>The Basement Tapes</em> with Dylan in 1967. And finally in 1968, the group settled on The Band as their name and they released <em>Music From Big Pink</em>, the first of their 10 studio albums. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In 1969, the group recorded their self titled album, <em>The Band,</em> and then in 1970 they followed that up with <em>Stage Fright.</em> These two albums, released during my early high school years, were played on my record player too many times to count. So much so that I eventually bought second copies of those records (well before the CD era). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Robbie Robertson wrote most of The Band's songs (although there were some internal disputes about that) and played lead guitar. Rick Danko usually played bass guitar (although he also played the fiddle and trombone) and was one of the group's three lead singers. Garth Hudson, a particularly accomplished musician, played organ, keyboards, saxophone, accordion, woodwinds and just about anything the group needed. Richard Manual played piano, organ, steel guitar and occasionally drums and was considered by the group to be the main lead singer. And Levon Helm played the drums and percussion, along with the mandolin and guitar, and had the distinctive lead voice on many of the group's songs. And, of course, the harmonies of The Band were part of their very distinctive country rock sound. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Richard Manual committed suicide in 1986. Rick Danko died of heart failure in 1999. And Levon Helm died of cancer in 2012. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the music of second best rock and roll group of all time is with us forever. Which is a great thing. So here is Song 24: With Richard Manual singing lead and Rick Danko and Levon Helm harmonizing, one of my favorite songs by The Band</span><span style="color: #00ccff;">: <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00VkP7v-VaM"><span style="color: #00ccff;">The Shape I'm In</span></a> </em></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">from their studio album, <em>Stage Fright</em>. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898052016-11-19T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T02:02:13-12:00Song 23 - - LisaBeth Weber & Maggie Marshall: "Morning Light"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, earlier this year, Adam Carroll (who had done a house concert here at my house in 2014) performed at a house concert in New Jersey. The host was Maggie Marshall, who I did not know and had never heard of. One of the guests there was LisaBeth Weber, who I also did not know and had never heard of. But, over the course of the evening, I had a chance to meet both Maggie and LisaBeth, and I learned that they had performed as a duo and had made several albums together. So several days after meeting them, I found their albums on iTunes. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Maggie and LisaBeth's albums are filled with folky / bluegrassy songs. Maggie plays stand-up bass; LisaBeth plays acoustic guitar; their harmonies are fabulous; and they are joined by other very fine musicians on their well-produced albums. And, as it turns out, Maggie and LisaBeth have toured extensively, opening for a host of well known musicians, like Nancy Griffith and Ralph Stanley, and had a couple of songs featured on Car Talk. So, although you've never heard of them, they've achieved some level of success, and, most importantly, they're very good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, after talking to them, I learned that they don't formally play together anymore. And they're no longer seeking fame and fortune (if they even ever were) in the music business. Which shows you just hard ridiculously hard it is to make it commercially as a musician. I mean, these two made some great music - - but few have heard it, and few ever will. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But, for those lucky few who are reading this post, here is your chance to sample LisaBeth Weber and Maggie Marshall. LisaBeth and Maggie performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 2008, and it was captured on video. So here it is: </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzkZODzBS-8"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Song 23: LisaBeth Weber & Maggie Marshall doing <em>Morning Light</em>. </span></a></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898042016-11-08T12:00:00-12:002021-11-25T21:04:02-12:00Song 22 - - Brewer and Shipley: "One Toke Over The Line"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Well, the election is over. The guy who most of the country did <em>not</em> want to be the next president is now the president-elect. That's the bad news. But the good news is that three states, California, Massachusetts and Nevada, voted to approve recreational marijuana use. So the country has that going for it. And this movement very well may have Brewer and Shipley to thank for this social progress. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley are a folk duo from Kansas City, Missouri, who had limited success in the late 1960s through the mid 1970s. I never saw them in person, but I did buy their third album, called <em>Tarkio</em>, in 1970 when I was a sophomore in high school. Not that I was a doper (as they were sometimes called back then), but I may have sampled a little herb product back then. But that had nothing to do with me buying <em>Tarkio</em>. I bought the album because I heard the song <em>One Toke Over the Line</em> on the radio. The album had a bunch of other great songs, including <em>Oh Mommy</em> and <em>Tarkio Road</em>. But <em>One Toke Over The Line</em> was (and is) a great song that I must've played a thousand times or so on the record player. The tune is catchy; the harmonies are awesome; and the guitar work is notable. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The song was performed by Gail Farrell and Dick Dale on the Lawrence Welk Show in 1971; Lawrence Welk called the song a "modern spiritual." At the same time, Vice President Spiro Agnew called Brewer and Shipley (because of <em>One Tolk Over the Line</em>) "subversive to American youth." So there's that. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The song reached number 10 on the pop charts, and it was by far Brewer and Shipley's most popular song. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 22: Brewer and Shipley harmonizing on</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNKL9onYB_8"><span style="color: #00ccff;">One Toke Over the Road</span></a>.</em></span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898032016-10-29T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:58:05-12:00Song 21 - - Dolly Parton and Pentatonix: "Jolene"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dolly Parton is so cool. I mean, she's 70 years old, has written thousands of songs, has the voice of an angel, and very well may keep a plastic surgeon on her payroll. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Dolly's big break came in 1967 when she became a regular on Porter Wagoner's syndicated country music TV show. She then went on to record dozens of country chart toppers before becoming a big crossover star in the mid-1970s. She hosted her own syndicated television variety show, "Dolly," in 1976-1977; won a ton of country music awards; starred in the movie "9 to 5" in 1980 - - and wrote and recorded the the song "9 to 5" which reached number 1 on the country charts, pop charts and adult comtemporary charts; had her song "I Will Always Love You" covered for a huge hit by Whitney Houston in 1992; recorded hits with Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette, among many others; recorded award winning bluegrass albums; and has toured world wide for close to 50 years. In short, she's an iconic American treasure. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Pentatonix is an <em>a capella</em> group. A very cool <em>a capella</em> group. They formed in 2011, the year that they won season three of "The Sing Off." The five member group includes three high school classmates from Arlington, Texas, along with a couple of other guys (a bass singer and a beatboxer). They've released a number of albums, including a new Christmas album that was just released on October 21 of this year. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I'm not sure how Dolly and Pentatonix met. And I don't know who came up with the idea for Dolly to join Pentatonix to re-record "Jolene" for about the zillionth time. But what a great idea is was. The result is a beautiful <em>a capella</em> rendition of "Jolene," which has been viewed on YouTube over <em>14 million</em> times, and which reached number 1 on the country charts. And for good reason. Because it's simply amazing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 21: </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYCoyUxY2HY">Dolly Parton and Pentatonix singing an <em>a capella</em> version of "Jolene." </a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">And, just for good measure</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9re90HG2dw">here is a early verson of "Jolene"</a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">sung by Dolly Parton in the mid 1970s.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898022016-10-22T12:00:00-12:002022-05-27T23:11:12-12:00Song 20 - - Frances Luke Accord: "Nowhere to Be Found"<p><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_four______darlingside/"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Darlingside (Song Four)</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">was in town on Friday. They played a 40 minute set for WXPN's Free-at-Noon show at noon on Friday, and then at night they played to a sold out house at the Ardmore Music Hall. Opening for Darlingside at the Ardmore Music Hall (and briefly joining Darlingside on stage at both the Free-at-Noon show and the Ardmore show) was a group named Frances Luke Accord. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Frances Luke Accord is a Chicago-based duo, Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers. They formed the group when they were seniors at Notre Dame. They both look like they're about 20, so their senior years at Notre Dame couldn't have been all that long ago. But their sweet harmony-filled, folky Americana-ish music is captivating. Or "dreamlike," as it says on the group's website. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Opening acts often don't get much time to showcase their stuff, and they often don't get the attention that they deserve by the crowd who bought tickets to see the headliner. But at the packed Ardmore Music Hall, the duo (playing along with a percussionist, which, I guess, made them a trio), had the full attention of the crowd. Wearing suits and ties (which, incidentally, did not make them look any older), they played softly on their acoustic guitars, an unusual looking electric mandolin and other instruments, and they beautifully harmonized to the appreciative crowd. And then the main duo came back (sans suits and ties) to play a few songs with Darlingside. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">No, I don't know why they call themselves "Frances Luke Accord," but could it be a Catholic (Notre Dame grads, you know) thing? Maybe. But, whatever it means, there's a good reason that Frances Luke Accord is the hand-picked opening act for Darlingside. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here they are: Frances Luke Accord (with their band, which does not tour with the group) harmonizing on</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwIu22mbw3I"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Song 20: <em>Nowhere To Be Found</em></span></a>. </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898012016-10-18T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:53:47-12:00Song 19 - - Foy Vance: "Coco"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Foy Vance is kind of a family favorite. He's managed by a close family friend. And he is appointment viewing for my nieces and one of my nephews when he's anywhere near town. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Foy is from Northern Ireland. He has an all star handlebar mustache. And he's kind of a wise guy. But what he really is a fabulous musician. Underrated, for sure, he gets very little, if any, radio play these days - - even on stations like WXPN, which did play some Foy after the release of his 2013 studio album, <em>Joy of Nothing</em>, but, as far as I know, has not played one single cut from his new album,<em> The Wild Swan</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><em>The Wild Swan</em> was recorded in Nashville, released on Ed Sheeran's Gingerbread Man label and executive produced by Elton John. It's a fine album, even including a few upbeat songs, like <em>Upbeat Feelgood</em>, to go along with Foy's usual melancholy sound. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've seen Foy three times: Once at World Cafe Live a few years ago, where it was just Foy, his guitar and a looping recorder; Once at the Mann, where he opened for Ed Sheeran, and the younger Ed Sheeran crowd was not so much into listening to an opening act; And then last night, when Foy appeared with a band (a lead guitarist, a bass guitarist, and a percussionist) at the Ardmore Music Hall. Last night's show was by far the best Foy show that I've seen. He was, as usual, irreverent, but his soulful music was not lost on the packed house in Ardmore. Playing electric guitar, acoustic guitar and piano, Foy played a wide range of music from his new album and his older albums. And his one and half hour show did not disappoint. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">A logical Foy song for me to feature would be <em>Janey</em>, because, you know, there's the real life Janey in Brooklyn. But <em>Janey</em> the song doesn't really reflect Janey the granddaughter. So the song that I'm going to feature today is <em>Coco</em>. Why? Because it's my favorite song on Foy's new album. So here it is: Song 19:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUEA5Y30sGo"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Foy Vance doing <em>Coco</em>.</span></a> </span></p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59898002016-10-14T12:00:00-12:002022-01-12T22:40:43-12:00Song 18 - - Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: "I Saw Her Standing There"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, this blog is called "One Song at a Time," which means that it's okay to double up on an artist. I mean, there are no rules, but, if there were rules, it would be legal to include, say, Bruce Springsteen a second time. Know what I mean? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I wrote about Bruce in</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="http://bruceritsgilbert.com/the_brg_music_blog:_one_song_at_a_time/song_14_____bruce_springsteen/">Song 14</a>,</span><span style="color:#2980b9;"> about a month ago. Why? Because he's amazing. So amazing that just about everyone wants to appear on stage with him. Including Paul McCartney. Paul McCartney, who, in my view, is the very best guy singer ever. Ever. Yeah, I know that he was the "cute Beatle," and that history sometimes suggests that John Lennon was the real genius of the Beatles. But Paul was always my favorite Beatle, and Paul's songs were always my favorite Beatle songs. And <em>I Saw Her Standing There</em> has always been among the very best "Paul" songs. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw the Beatles in 1964 in Milwaukee. I was 10 years old. But I remember the show like it was, you know, just 50 years ago or so. After the Righteous Brothers opened the show, the Beatles came out and did a roughly 30 or 35 minute show. Ten songs or so. It was amazing. The newspaper reported that John was sick that night, which explains why Paul was the lead singer on most of the songs. <em>I Saw Her Standing There</em> might have been on the set list. But I confess I can't remember that detail - - although I distinctly remember them playing <em>Can't Buy Me Love</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the point here is that Paul McCartney joined Bruce Springsteen on stage in London in 2012. They did two songs: <em>I Saw Her Standing There </em>and<em> Twist and Shout</em>. It was amazing. And here's the video of them doing Song 18,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzW9SlNCoAM"> <em>I Saw Her Standing There</em>,</a> to prove it. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897992016-10-11T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:51:09-12:00Song 17 - - Jan and Dean: "Surf City"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I never saw Jan and Dean perform live. Their prime was a little before my time. They had a number of big pop "surfer" hits back in the early 60s. They were kind of the Beach Boys just a few years before the Beach Boys. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">William Jan Berry and Dean Torrence met in junior high school in the mid 50s, and, as legend has it, started singing harmony (sometimes with other teammates) in the showers after football practice. They continued to sing together in high school, and, after Dean finished his commitment with the U.S. Army Reserve (and after Jan had recorded a few songs with Arnie Ginsburg as part of the "Jan and Arnie" duo), Jan and Dean became a duo in 1959. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Their first big hit was <em>Baby Talk</em> (notably, about a five year old boy who falls in love with a three year old girl). But, unlike most pop singers back then, both Jan and Dean went to college (Dean majored in advertising design at USC, and Jan, after graduating from UCLA, completed two years of medical school), while recording music and performing live on a part time basis. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Then, after meeting Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, they were among the pioneers of the surf sound, scoring a series of hit records from 1963 to 1966, including <em>Surf City</em>, which was written by Brian Wilson. Their success led them to several movie and TV appearances.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">On April 12, 1966, roughly two years after the release of Jan and Dean's hit <em>Dead Man's Curve</em>, Jan, driving his Corvette, rammed into a parked truck in Beverly Hills, just a short distance from the real Dead Man's Curve. Despite serious head and other injuries, Jan was able to return to the studio about a year later. And a made-for-TV film about Jan and Dean called "Dead Man's Curve" aired on CBS in 1978. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Jan died in 2004 at the age of 62. Dean, now 76, still performs as part of the Surf City Allstars, and, amazingly, lives in a town (Huntington Beach, CA) which is popularly known as "Surf City." </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, to honor Jan and Dean, here is song 17: Jan and Dean singing </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6dJO8nAoYY"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Surf City</span></a></em>. </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">(The best parts of this YouTube clip may be the introduction by Steve Allen, famously wearing an ascot, and the polite applause by the "older" gals at the end.) </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897982016-09-26T12:00:00-12:002022-05-26T01:30:42-12:00Song 16 - - The Deep Dark Woods: "Two Time Loser"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Talk about a spot-on name. I mean, seriously, this group is deep and totally dark. Songs with titles like <em>My Baby's Got To Pay the Rent,</em> <em>The Place I Left Behind</em>, <em>The Gallows, The Sun Never Shines,</em> and <em>Mary's Gone</em> pretty much tell their story. You know, lots of death and dispair. Deep. Dark. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I stumbled on this group many years ago, and they quickly became a "must buy every record that they ever recorded" group for me. Some songs, like <em>Dear John</em> (which, of course, is about death and dispare, with lyrics like "If she's not back before the end of Autumn, then I'll leave it in your gripping hands my fate"), I find myself listening to over and over again. Still. Years later. And one, <em>All the Money I Had Is Gone,</em> became an anthem when paying for, ahem, Emily's wedding. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The group is from Saskatoon in Western Canada. The lead singer and main songwriter is Ryan Boldt. I don't know if he's deep and dark always, but he sure is in his music. And he seems that way on stage, too. The group also includes a very talented bass player (who also sings harmony on many of the group's songs), Chris Mason; lead guitarist, Clayton Linthicum; keyboardist, Geoff Hilhorst; and drummer Lucas Goetz (who also sings harmony). As I write this, the group's website shows no upcoming shows, and last year they didn't tour at all (although Ryan Boldt did a solo tour). So I have no idea if they're still a group or not. But maybe (hopefully) they're just on hiatus. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw the group once when they appeared in a sparcely attended show on the upstairs stage at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. They didn't play <em>Dear John</em>, but they did play a great set of deep and dark tunes, including my other favorite Deep Dark Woods song, <em>Two Time Loser</em>, which is, of course, deep and dark, especially when they play it more like a ballad (although the studio recording is an uptempo deep and dark song). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here are two versions of <em>Two Time Loser</em>,</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-d8sUFAknE"><span style="color: #00ccff;">this one</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">which is deeper and darker, and</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQcMlmLQzI"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> this one which is more of an epic rocker</span></a>. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897972016-09-20T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:45:33-12:00Song 15 - - Kelly Willis: "Looking For Someone Like You"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Have you heard of Kelly Willis? She's been around the music scene for a long time. But somehow I'm guessing that most of you (if there's anyone actually reading this) could not name any songs that she's recorded - - or maybe haven't heard of her at all. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">She released an album way back in 1990 on the MCA label. I bought it. And I liked it. And I saw her perform live in Ardmore, PA, at the old 23 East (now the Ardmore Music Hall) about a mile from my house. She's tall, blonde and pretty, with a sweetly seductive voice. And I remember that she dressed like an old time country singer, with a dress and cowboy boots. (Maybe she didn't wear cowboy boots, but I'd like to think that she did.) And, despite the relatively small crowd in the small venue, she put on a great show. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Since then, she's released a few albums over the years. All of which are good. And she's also released some albums with her husband, Bruce Robison (who is the brother of Charlie Robison, who also is a singer-songwriter and who was married to Emily Erwin, one of the original Dixie Chicks). </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Kelly Willis should have been a much bigger star. I mean, the line between selling out big arena shows and "troubadouring" across Texas is not very big. Although she's had a nice career, and, in my view, she's every bit as talented as, say, Carrie Underwood, who knows why Kelly Willis's career did not reach greater heights. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">According to </span><a href="http://www.kellywillis.com"><span style="color:#2980b9;">her website</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9;">, she's working on a new solo album, with plans to release it later this year. Big hit in the making? Maybe. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Still, Kelly Willis has recorded some great songs. And here's one from <em>Well Travelled Love</em>, her MCA debut album in 1990. It's called</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r-Fz5tkjj0"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Looking For Someone Like You</span></a></em>. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897962016-09-12T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:44:53-12:00Song 14 - - Bruce Springsteen: "Tomorrow Never Knows"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've seen Bruce Springsteen three times. The first time was in 1995 when Bruce played at the Tower Theater in 1995 in support of his <em>The Ghost of Tom Joad</em> album. It was just Bruce and his acoustic guitar (and maybe a harmonica). Then I saw him with the E Street Band at the Spectrum with my oldest daughter in 2000. And then I saw him for the third time with the E Street Band and some orchestra members last week at Citizens Bank Park. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So a small theater to a sold out arena to a virtually sold out baseball stadium. And each time he was amazing. He's a showman's showman. And he's a great musician. And he has a mountain of fabulous songs. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But here's my beef: This last time he played for four hours, three minutes and 46 seconds. That's a long time. And that's cool. But one of the reasons that the show lasted so long (I'm getting to my beef) is that each song becomes an epic story. The intro to each song lasts for minutes. And the outro for most of the songs lasts for minutes, too. And after a couple of hours, the constant drum roll and guitar licks and piano and such make each song sound very similar. Yes, I know that criticizing a Springsteen show is sac-religious or something. But wouldn't it be amazing if he sang a 3:08 version of <em>Growing Up</em> (which is the studio length of the song) rather than making it into a 15 minute novel? And maybe a 3:19 version of <em>Hungry Hear</em>t rather than a 10 minute documentary? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know. Maybe I've got this all wrong. But I'd rather have heard most of the 34 songs on the set list shortened considerably and I would have preferred seeing Springsteen a little more raw. Maybe that's just me. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">In any event, here's a great Bruce song that doesn't seem to get much radio play (as far as I know) and doesn't seem to appear at Springsteen concerts. And it comes in at a crisp 2:14. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Song 14: Bruce Springsteen doing </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__nWoN13CJ0"><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em>Tomorrow Never Knows</em></span></a>.</span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897952016-09-06T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:43:15-12:00Song 13 - - Steve Forbert: "School Girl"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I've seen Steve Forbert about, oh, 50 times or so. Starting back in the late 70s and as recently as last year, he's always been one of my "if he's in town, I'll go see him" guys. Back in the day, he often toured with a band. But more recently I've seen him do solo shows. He rarely disappoints. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Steve Forbert was one of the several "next Dylans." You know, the folk singer with a guitar and a harmonica and a raspy voice. But Steve never really made it big - - at least not in the commercial sense. Sure, he's released a slew of albums - - including a new one in late 2015. And he's been very savvy in catering to his most loyal fans by releasing new live versions of his many songs. But he remains a hard working singer-songwriter, appearing at such places as the Bryn Mawr Gazebo as part of the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts, the Ardmore Music Hall, and the Sellersville Theater in the Philadelphia area, as well as in similar coffeehouse-like venues across the country and in Europe. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">He's finicky at times. He, for example, does not permit folks to record him at his shows or post any part of his concerts online. But I did get a chance to meet him a couple of times over the years, once at an XPN fundraising event and once at a show that he did right down the street from my house in a church basement in Narberth, PA, and he was simply delightful. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">There are a ton of Steve Forbert songs that are worthy of this blog, but, for today's post, since it's back to school time, here's a song called "School Girl." And the version that I found online is a really cheesy video from 1980. UPDATE (2/4/2019): This "cheesy" version was taken down from YouTube, so I've linked to a studio version of "School Girl." It's still good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 13:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmcMVZiTVFk"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Steve Forbert (with his band) doing "School Girl."</span> </a></span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897942016-08-27T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:56:31-12:00Song 12 - - The Cactus Blossoms: "Clown Collector"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">This post could be about the Everly Brothers, but it's not. I mean, The Cactus Blossoms are this century's reincarnation of the Everly Brothers, but they're not the Everly Brothers. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Still, they're brothers. Jack Torrey and Page Burkum. Jack, 29, is the younger of the two brothers; Page is 34. Jack, for the most part, is the lead singer. Page harmonizes. Jack plays a really cool electric guitar; Page plays an acoustic guitar. In concert, sometimes they have a full band with them, including a upright bassist, a lead guitar player (a third brother who apparently only occasionally tours with the group) and a drummer; other times it's just Jack and Page. And each and every time, they are simply amazing. I've seen them three times here in Philadelphia, and, with their tucked in oxford shirts and rolled up jeans, they're true throwbacks. But their music, although Everly Brothers-esque, is fresh, catchy, and totally awesome. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">The obvious choice for a song for this post would be <em>Stoplight Kisses</em>, which is the song that probably has received the most radio air play. But, sticking with the Everly Brothers theme, let's go with a clown song - - you know, because the Everly Brothers did <em>Cathy's Clown</em> back in 1960.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 12: The Cactus Blossoms doing </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM_k7Y6qV98"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Clown Collector</span></a>.</em> </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897932016-08-14T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:40:25-12:00Song 11 - - Sam Baker: "Ditch"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I stumbled upon Sam Baker 10 years or so ago when, naturally, I was searching for songs about baseball. He wrote a song called <em>Baseball</em> on his first album, called <em>Mercy,</em> which he self released in 2004. Twelve songs, each with a one word title. If there can be a melancholy song about baseball, Sam Baker wrote it. And I highly recommend it. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But today's "One Song at a Time" is not <em>Baseball</em> or from Sam's first album. Rather, it's a newer song. A song from Sam's most recent album, called <em>Say Grace</em>, which Sam self released in 2013. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">First, though, a little about Sam Baker. He didn't start writing music until he had nearly died when a terrorist's bomb exploded in the luggage rack above him on the train that he was riding in Peru in 1986. Over a dozen surgeries later, with a cut artery, a brain injury, a mangled left hand, hearing loss, among other issues, Sam somehow figured out how to hold a guitar pick with left hand, taught himself to play guitar left handed and started writing amazingly thoughtful and insightful songs. (If you want to learn more about Sam Baker, Terri Gross did an in-depth interview of him for "Fresh Air" on NPR about two years ago. You can </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/05/06/310089151/sam-baker-finding-grace-in-the-wake-of-destruction">listen to it here</a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">.)</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Born in 1954 (which makes me my age) in Itasca, Texas, he now has released a total of four albums, each one which is worth your time to listen to from front to back. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Among the many great songs on <em>Say Grace</em>, there's a tune called <em>Ditch</em>, which is pretty much about a ditch digger who has a "crazy ass wife." It's pretty awesome. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Sam Baker doing</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPwciWE-Vik"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Ditch</span></a>. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897922016-08-04T12:00:00-12:002022-08-17T19:00:53-12:00Song 10 - - Jonathan Coulton: "Shop Vac"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">When my oldest daughter Molly (I'm writing this as if anyone besides my oldest daughter Molly is reading this) was working for a little independent candy company in Brooklyn, one of the company's owners told Molly about Jonathan Coulton. And Molly then told me about Jonathan Coulton. And, just after that, I got the cool opportunity to take a Saturday morning DJ shift at WXPN. And the Jonathan Coulton song that I first listened to, <em>Tom Cruise Crazy</em>, was so good that I played it on the radio. And some guy called the radio station, saying how cool it was that we played Jonathan Coulton.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, as it turns out, Jonathan Coulton is cool. Not particularly widely known. But very successful. He's from Brooklyn, went to Yale, sang in Yale's famous acapella group, the Whiffenpoofs, worked as a computer programmer, and wrote a whole bunch of geeky, funny, awesome songs. Oh, and he also has been the house musician for NPR's game show, "Ask Me Another." </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">There are a bunch of Jonathan Coulton songs that could be featured. <em>Tom Cruise Crazy</em>, of course. But another one, called <em>Shop Vac</em>, is just too good not to feature here. So here are two versions of <em>Shop Vac</em>. One is a kinetic typography animation version, which is kind of dazzling. And one is Jonathan just singing an acoustic version in Santa Monica, California, in 2006. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song 10: Jonathan Coulton doing <em>Shop Vac</em>, the</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sOfO8Ei1g"><span style="color: #00ccff;">animated studio version</span></a> </span><span style="color:#2980b9;">and the</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhSSiKFyg1I"><span style="color: #00ccff;">live acoustic version</span></a>. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897912016-07-27T12:00:00-12:002022-03-31T20:10:41-12:00Song Nine - - David Wilson: "Philadelphia"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I heard this guy on WXPN a few weeks ago. David Wilson was the Philly Local Pick of the Day on Helen Leicht's show. The song that Helen played that day was good, but it didn't grab me; it was a song called <em>Simple Mind (The Student Loan Song)</em>. It was a political song, for sure. And it might be the song that gets the most radio play in the long run. But I didn't become a David Wilson fan after hearing that song. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I don't know much about David Wilson. I've never seen him perform live - - and I don't know if he's even appeared live in the Philly area (although I'm guessing that he has and I'm sure that he will). And, as it turns out, the "Philly Local Pick of the Day" a few weeks ago is from Lancaster, PA. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But then I heard another of his songs on XPN this week on the "Local Show" on Tuesday night. This song absolutely did grab me. And the song that they played by the Lancaster, PA, native was a song called <em>Philadelphia</em>. It's a sweet, folky tune sung by a guy with a great voice, accompanied by some very pretty guitar work. It's a song that should get a lot more air play. Will it? We'll see. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song nine: David Wilson doing</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMolw-rSWW4"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Philadelphia</span></a></em>. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897902016-07-20T12:00:00-12:002022-04-26T07:55:19-12:00Song Eight - - The Youngbloods: "Sugar Babe"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">When I was in high school, the music was changing quickly. The sweet sounds of the early / mid 60s were turning to the harder edged / protest rock of the late 60s and the early 70s. You just have to compare The Beatles in 1963 (<em>I Wanna Hold Your Hand</em>) to The Beatles in 1969 (<em>Come Together</em> from <em>Abbey Road</em>) to see the transformation. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">1969 was a great year for music. From Bob Dylan's <em>Nashville Skyline</em> to Creedence Clearwater <em>Revival</em> to The Band to Neil Young to the Rolling Stone's <em>Let It Bleed</em>, there were amazing songs being produced back then. Which led WXPN to, just a week ago, dedicate a whole day to just playing music from 1969. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But one group that doesn't get nearly enough love from back in the day is The Youngbloods. Led by Jesse Colin Young, they were really one of the seminal groups from that era. I never saw them live, but I sure wish that I had. Songs such at <em>Get Together</em> and <em>It's a Lovely Day</em> pretty much epitomize the spirit of late 60s / early 70s era. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">And then there was <em>Sugar Babe</em>. The song came out originially in 1967 on The Youngbloods' album called <em>Earth Music</em>. The live version of this song, recorded in 1969, featuring an electric piano, a bass guitar, a guitar, a kazoo, and Jesse Colin Young's amazing pipes, is one of the very best mix of country / folk / blues and jug band music that you'll ever hear. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here it is: From 1969, the Youngbloods performing </span><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a contents="Sugar Babe." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofItz1KMPy0"><em>Sugar Babe</em></a><a contents="Sugar Babe." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofItz1KMPy0">.</a> </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897892016-07-16T12:00:00-12:002023-12-10T04:32:58-12:00Song Seven - - The Waifs: "When I Die"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Sometimes you kinda stumble on a group. You know, maybe you hear a song on the radio (that would be WXPN, usually) or Spotify / Pandora plays something "new" and unexpected. Or maybe iTunes leads you to a cool song. You know. And a stumble like that several years ago led me to The Waifs. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">They're an Australian trio: Two sisters (Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson) along with a guitar player / vocalist, Josh Cunningham. They formed in the early 1990s, but they didn't have much commercial success until the release of their fourth album, called Up All Night, which was a huge hit. After that, they toured with Bob Dylan both in Australia and the United States. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">But the song that caught my attention was released in 2000. It's on an album called Sink or Swim. And the Waifs did a great version of it at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2003. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: The Waifs singing</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iI1GVE5RlQ"><span style="color: #00ccff;">When I Die</span></a>." </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897882016-07-02T12:00:00-12:002022-08-01T01:41:07-12:00Song Six - - NRBQ: "Wild Weekend"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, on this Independence Day weekend, is there anything more American than baseball, apple pie and a great bar band? No? Agreed. And maybe the best bar band of them all is NRBQ. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">NRBQ (which stands for The New Rhythm and Blues Quartet) is still around, with about its 27th lineup (or maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration). But, at the height of their limited success and popularity, they had Terry Adams on keyboard, Joey Spampinato on bass guitar, Al Anderson on lead guitar, and Tom Ardolino on drums. And they were so fun. I saw them about a dozen times back during my law school and young lawyer years ('78 to about '90 or so), and they never failed to deliver. Their shows had a totally spontaneous feel to them - - and they seemed to work without a set list. And their cult following would always show up to whatever small venue they were playing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">NRBQ's music is hard to describe. It's part rock and roll, part R&B, part rockabilly, and maybe even part jazz. But, whatever it is, NRBQ makes you want to bop your head and dance. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Terry Adams re-formed the group about five years ago with an entirely new lineup. I've seen them twice, and they're still good. Maybe not quite the best bar band that they were in the late 70s, 80s and 90s, but still good. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Back in their hayday, though, NRBQ was totally underrated, totally under appreciated, but, there's little doubt that they were the best bar band around. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here they are from 1990: NRBQ with</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlBkf06xBnk"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Wild Weekend</span></a>." </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897872016-06-26T12:00:00-12:002021-11-25T21:02:09-12:00Song Five - - The Avett Brothers: "Smithsonian"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Is there a better group these days than The Avett Brothers? I mean, is there? They are pretty much awesome. And they have a new record that just dropped this past Friday. It's called "True Sadness." And it's filled with, well, sadness - - but in kind of a happy way. And it's loaded with great songs. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I first saw The Avett Brothers when they appeared at the XPN Music Festival in Camden, New Jersey, a couple of years ago. I was able to (shhhh....don't tell anyone!) sneak up to the front row. And wow! They put on an amazing show. The energy. The amazing musicians. The fabulous songs. I mean, I could do a song a day on The Avett Brothers for a few months. But for now let's just do this one. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song Five: The Avett Brothers -</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlveMZVSHEQ"><span style="color: #00ccff;">"Smithsonian."</span></a> </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897862016-06-16T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:34:11-12:00Song Four - - Darlingside: "Harrison Ford"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Moving from the 50s to the 60s to the 70s to 2016. So, there's this kind-of-new group called Darlingside. Four Williams College grads. Yeah, maybe it would be a better story if they went to Amherst, but that's not really important here. Because their music is incredible. Simply incredible. But how do you describe it? Well, it's kind of four part harmony. Kind of a-cappella, but with instruments. Kind of folky. Kind of not. Kind of pop. Kind of rock. I don't know. But, however you describe it, it's amazing. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I saw Darlingside at the WXPN-hosted Non-Comm-vention last month. I had heard a song or two of theirs, so I had a feeling that they'd be good. But I was blown away by just how good they were. With the four of them singing around one major league microphone, and with a part preppy and part hipster vibe going on, and with their amazing harmonies, and with the wide array of instruments that they play (including, among others, an acoustic guitar, an electric bass guitar, a cello, a mandolin, and a violin), their songs are unique, catchy and, well, cool. And they're kind of, maybe my new favorite group.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So here it is: Song Four:</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HnL2OyQmGQ"><span style="color: #00ccff;">Darlingside singing "Harrison Ford."</span></a></span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897852016-06-14T12:00:00-12:002021-10-13T01:33:35-12:00Song Three - - Emmylou Harris: " Together Again"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">I'm sure that there were wonderful voices before Emmylou Harris. But, when I first heard Emmylou sing in the mid-1970s, I couldn't imagine that anyone possibly could have a more beautiful or sweeter voice. She's just angelic. And, well, perfect. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Emmylou was "discovered" in 1971 by Chris Hillman (then with the Flying Burrito Brothers, but best known for his work with the Byrds) at Clydes in Washington, D.C. Hillman recommended Emmylou to his former bandmate, Graham Parsons, and soon thereafter Emmylou was singing harmony with Parsons - until he died from a drug overdose in a hotel room in California. Emmylou then began work on <em>Pieces in the Sky,</em> her major-label solo debut, which is a collection of covers ranging from Merle Haggard to the Beatles. And she followed that up with <em>Elite Hotel</em> in 1976 with her new band, the Hot Band, which featured James Burton and Glen Hardin, most famous for playing with Elvis Presley, and Rodney Crowell, who played rhythm guitar and sang backing vocals. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Since then she has a amazing career, singing with legendary artists such as Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Mark Knopfler, among many others. And, of course, she joined forces with the Band for her appearance in <em>The Last Waltz</em> in 1978. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Emmylou was "alt-country" before anyone even knew there was a thing called "alt-country. She's amazing. And here is </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipPS2iHg_3I"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">Song Three: Emmylou Harris singing <em>Together Again</em></span></a><span style="color: #00ccff;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipPS2iHg_3I"><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span></a></span><span style="color:#2980b9;">with the original Hot Band" in 1976. </span></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897842016-06-06T12:00:00-12:002022-05-26T00:10:28-12:00Song Two - - Doc Watson: "Way Downtown"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">You're back? Nice. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So following Song One, Buddy Holly's "Dearest" from the 1950s, let's move to the 1960s. Doc Watson was an American treasure, who died in 2012 at the age of 89. Born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, in 1924, Doc went blind at age one following an eye infection. But that didn't stop him from becoming one of the world's best guitar and bango players. His career took off after a memorable performance at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. I saw him perform with his son Merle (who died tragically in 1985 in a tractor accident) in Madison, Wisconsin, in the mid 1970s. It was my introduction to real blue grass. And what an introduction is was. </span></p>
<p><a href="javascript:;"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">So here is Song Two: </span></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU7znwUYPgQ"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">"Way Downtown," by Doc Watson at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. </span></a></p>
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<p> </p>bruceritsgilbert.comtag:bruceritsgilbert.com,2005:Post/59897832016-05-31T12:00:00-12:002022-07-20T21:27:08-12:00Song One - - Buddy Holly: "Dearest"<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Hi. You're here? Cool. I won't keep you long. But here's the thing: There's so much good music out there. You've heard lots of it. And you know much of it. They play some of it on non-commercial radio stations (like WXPN). They play some of it on old school commercial radio stations. You can find some on Spotify and other digital platforms. But there's lots of really great songs out there that we all miss. Or forget about. And I'm here to remind you - - or introduce you - - to some of the great songs (so I think) that you might want to hear. <span style="font-size: small;">One song at a time</span>. Starting today. </span></p>
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<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">So, here it is: Song One. "Dearest" by Buddy Holly. When I did my first spin as a guest DJ on XPN, "Dearest" was the first song that I played. It's sweet, sentimental and pure as the driven snow. Buddy recorded it in 1958 in his apartment at 11 Fifth Avenue (Apt 4H) in New York City.</span><span style="color: #00ccff;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OChZKkcN2Wo"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">Here it is</span></a><span style="color:#8e44ad;">.</span></p>
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