Category: Music

Anarchist philosopher Robert Paul Wolff, over at The Philosopher's Stone, writes, While I was making dinner, Susie put on a CD of Pete Seegar [sic] songs. I was struck once again by the oft-remarked fact that for half a century, the left has had all the good songs. That cannot be irrelevant. By the way,…

In memory of Joan Rivers.  Here is the young Joan on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1967. Rolling Stones, Watching the River Flow Doc and Merle Watson, Banks of the Ohio Neil Young, Down by the River Creedence Clearwater Revival, Green River Doc Watson, Life is Like a River Hoagy Carmichael, Lazy River.  I scratched…

Calexico, Alone Again Or A great cover of Love's version from '67. Ry Cooder, Paris, Texas Ry Cooder, He'll Have to Go Ry Cooder, Yellow Roses Spade Cooley, Detour Old Crow Medicine Show, Sweet Amarillo.  Dylan wrote it.     Marty Robbins messes with the wicked Felina in El Paso and comes to an untimely…

A musician needs a muse.  George Harrison and Eric Clapton found her in Pattie Boyd.  Here are five of the best known songs that she is said to have inspired.  If you don't love at least four of these five, you need a major soul adjustment. SomethingIsn't it a Pity?Wonderful TonightLayla  (The best part starts…

These tunes go out to my elementary school classmates in anticipation of our 50th reunion this September. Beatles, When I'm 64 Beatles, In My Life Beatles, With a Little Help from My Friends For Boomer nostalgia, nothing beats The Moody Blues, Your Wildest Dreams Once upon a timeOnce when you were mineI remember skiesMirrored in…

List found here.  Hyperlinks by BV to songs he is in the mood to revisit this Saturday night while he drinks a specialty boilermaker: a bourbon and sweet vermouth wine spodiodi with a Sam Adams Boston Lager 'chaser.' He will repeat as necessary to achieve the requisite mood.  He drinks only one time per week,…

Before getting on with tonight's theme, we pause to remember Johnny Winter (1944-2014).  Can a white boy play the blues?  I heard the question debated in the '60s and I took the line that the blues was a language anyone could learn whether a Jew like Mike Bloomfield (Albert's Shuffle) or an albino like Johnny…

Marianne Faithfull, The Boulevard of Broken Dreams Part of her story in this 2013 Telegraph piece. Warren Zevon, Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me.  The female version by Linda Ronstadt.  She blows Zevon's version clean out of the water, and she is prettier too. Beatles, I'm a Loser Ted Daffan, Born to Lose, 1943.  I prefer this…

But before getting on to the greaseball crooners, a bit of R & R history.  London Ed reminds me that today, the 5th of July, 2014, is the 60th anniversary of the recording of Elvis Presley's That's Alright, Mama, his first commercial record.  It was written and first recorded by Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup in…

But first one who didn't.  An early manager suggested to Frank Sinatra that he adopt the stage name 'Frankie Satin.'  Sinatra would have none of that bullshit.  He did things his way. You got a problem with that?  That's Life.  Joseph Di Nicola (Joey Dee and the Starlighters), Peppermint Twist, with an intro by Dwight D. Eisenhower! …

Two pop music notables died this last week, lyricist Gerry Goffin and disc jockey Casey Kasem.  Both played key roles in delivering the Boomer 'soundtrack.'   Goffin, ex-husband of Carole King, died in Los Angeles on Wednesday at age 75.  Here are some of the tunes he co-wrote with King. Shirelles, Will You Still Love…

Joe Cocker, Feelin' Alright.  Dave Mason wrote it. Beatles, I Feel Fine Cream, I Feel Free Boston, More Than a Feeling Simon and Garfunkel, Feelin' Groovy Carole King, I Feel the Earth Move Bob Dylan, Make You Feel My Love Aretha Franklin, You Make me Feel Like a Natural Woman.  Carole King wrote it. Eagles,…