Tag Archives: Eric Clapton

Music Monday: November 3, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Neil Young will turn 80 years young next week. Born November 12, 1945 in Toronto, Canada, he was in his first band while he was in junior high but eventually quit school to pursue music on a full time basis. While playing in local clubs with the band The Squires, he met Stephen Stills & eventually the two men (and three others) formed Buffalo Springfield in Los Angeles in 1966. Their song, “For What It’s Worth” was written by Stills to reflect the pushback the counterculture was experiencing at that time. Despite that early success, the band broke up two years later due to internal & external struggles.

Young released his self-titled debut album in 1968. He would join Stills again in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from 1969-1970 where he found his own words of protest when he wrote, “Ohio” about the 1970 Kent State college campus tragedies. Young continued his solo work which eventually became his main focus. Fast forward nearly 60 years later, Young has obtained legendary status, is still making music and supporting causes he believes in like one of his own, Farm Aid, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in September (more about that here).

My favorite song by Young was released in 1972 on his fourth studio album, Harvest. A 50th anniversary edition deluxe CD box set came out in December 2022. It includes a DVD of a concert recorded on February 23, 1971 at the BBC Radio Theatre in London, England & first broadcast in the the UK on April 1, 1971. Two videos from that performance were uploaded to Young’s YouTube channel. Despite having heard those songs thousands of times before, there is something about his voice in this show that makes me ache for a home I no longer have. Sigh.

Happy birthday, Neil Young. Thank you for every song.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Top: Neil Young circa 1972. Bottom: The artist on stage at Farm Aid 40 in September 2025. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos was released 55 years ago on November 9, 1970. It is the group’s only album but the title song remains one of the most iconic & definitive songs in classic rock’s illustrious history. The band-which consisted of Eric Clapton on guitar & vocals, Jim Gordon on drums, Carl Radle on bass and Bobby Whitlock on piano and vocals-initially met as members of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends and formed when all four men were together during the 1970 recording sessions for George Harrison’s extraordinary debut album, All Things Must Pass.

As if Clapton’s lyrics & angst ridden vocals combined with the band’s electrifying sound were not powerful enough on their own, guest musician Duane Allman brought his own remarkable spin with his lead & slide guitar contributions. He & Clapton were already fans of one another and finally met when their mutual producer, Tom Dowd, brought the Dominos to an Allman Brothers show just as the Layla sessions were starting in August 1970. Allman wanted to come to the studio and Clapton insisted he bring his guitar. History was made with Allman playing on 11 of 14 tracks-nine originals and five cover songs-including Jimi Hendrix’s, “Little Wing”.

Clapton-the surviving member of the band-has continued to play several of the tracks throughout his career. He reconfigured the title song into a slower number without the piano coda for his “Unplugged” performance in 1992. It became a Top 20 song that fall.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Top: Derek & The Dominos 1970 album. Middle: The band (L-R): Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon and Carl Radle. Bottom: A photo from August or September 1970 during the recording of the album (L-R): Duane Allman, Gordon, Radle, Whitlock and Clapton (seated). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Patti Smith’s debut album, Horses, was released 50 years ago on November 10, 1975. She was one of the first performers to contribute to the punk rock genre by combining her poetry with music as a means to celebrate both art forms. The album’s eight tracks are original songs with two of them using excerpts from rock classics.

The album cover is a photograph of Smith taken by her friend, Robert Mapplethorpe. On Day 67 of my Lockdown Countdown, I mentioned how much I loved her 2010 book. Specifically I wrote, “If you are a fan of Smith’s writing, I encourage you to read her memoir, “Just Kids”.  It is about her life in the late 1960’s/early 1970’s when she was living in Manhattan and met artist Robert Mapplethorpe.  It is a great read and she tells their story beautifully.” I echo those sentiments today.

Initially Smith’s androgenous look in the photo for the album was met with some resistance by her record company, Arista. But Smith insisted and eventually the president of the label, Clive Davis-who signed her to his label after seeing her perform at NYC’s legendary club, CBGB-gave it his blessing.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Top: Patti Smith’s 1975 debut album. Bottom: The cover of Smith’s 2010 memoir features a photo of her & Robert Mapplethorpe on the cover. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: “Helpless” (1970, written by Neil Young).

Neil Young: “Heart Of Gold” (Live performance recorded on February 23rd 1971 at the BBC Radio Theatre in London, England. First broadcast in the UK on April 1st 1971. The video debuted in December 2022 for the 50th Anniversary Edition of Harvest, originally released in 1972. Written by Neil Young).

Neil Young: “Old Man” (Live performance recorded on February 23, 1971 at the BBC Radio Theatre in London, England. First broadcast in the UK on April 1, 1971. The video debuted in December 2022 for the 50th Anniversary Edition of Harvest, originally released in 1972. Written by Neil Young).

Neil Young: “Powderfinger” (1979, written by Neil Young).

Derek & The Dominos: “Layla” (1970, written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon).

Derek & The Dominos: “Bell Bottom Blues” (1970, written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock).

Patti Smith: “Gloria (part one: “In Excelsis Deo” / part two: “Gloria” (1975, part one written by Patti Smith, part two written by Van Morrison).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 18, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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In this the year that marks the 60th anniversary of when The Doors were founded in Los Angeles, California in 1965, there is another milestone in their history: the 55th anniversary of their performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in England on August 30, 1970.

Their set was at 2AM in the morning & it was a different show than the ones making headlines in the U.S., especially after Morrison’s arrest in Miami, Florida in March 1969 for alleged lewd and lascivious behavior. His once expressive and animated onstage persona changed to a nearly motionless stance. And on that night in England, he did not stray from behind his mic stand. Rather, Morrison stood as a stoic figure who let the strength & power of his voice along with the lyrics convey the messages of the songs that were carried through the musical prowess of the band. The result was an incredibly passionate and dynamic performance.

Despite the legal headaches, this era for the band-and Morrison especially-was my favorite. In just over three years from when their debut album was released in January 1967, the group’s sound had continued to evolve into an undeniable force in music with songs that were evocative, complex and intense thanks to three masterfully gifted musicians & guided by an exquisitely beautiful, intelligent and incredibly talented singer, songwriter & poetic man.

Morrison especially had changed both physically & emotionally. He went from a thin clean-shaven young guy to a more mature, bearded man who was trying to come to terms with the the trappings & limitations of his rapid success. His substance experimentation was supposedly becoming more frequent and excessive while his need and desire to express his art on his terms was being scrutinized and dismissed by law enforcement. He was convicted on the outstanding charges a month after the Wight show which he appealed. But his death in July 1971 ended that process. However, in 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist & the state’s Clemency Board posthumously pardoned Morrison.

A CD & DVD of this concert-Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970-was finally released nearly five decades later in February 2018. If you are a fan of the Doors, it is a must have. But then again what part of their catalog isn’t?

Top: The cover to the Doors 2018 release of their August 1970 concert. Middle: Jim Morrison during the concert. Bottom: The band on stage during their performance. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bobby Whitlock died on August 10, 2025 at age 77. He is most notably remembered as a founding member, pianist & songwriter for Derek & The Dominos. Six of the songs featured on their only album, 1970’s Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, were co-written by him (including “Bell Bottom Blues” which Clapton formally acknowledged many years later after Whitlock relayed the story of how the song came to be) while one song was written just by him alone.

Whitlock was born in March 18, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his career as a teenager hanging out in the hallowed halls of Stax Records where he befriended the members of Booker T & The MG’s and Albert King, among others. Whitlock was the first white artist signed to that label but when he met the husband & wife team of Delaney & Bonnie who invited the young singer and pianist to play in their band, Whitlock left Memphis to join them. That tour in 1969 introduced him to the three men who would help him form Derek & The Dominos: Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon and Carl Radle. But not before all four men played on George Harrison’s solo record, All Things Must Pass, which was released three weeks after the Layla album in November 1970.

After The Dominos broke up in 1971, Whitlock pursued a solo career which he ended in 1976, perhaps as an act of penance. In a 2006 interview with The Austin Chronicle, Whitlock confessed, ” You know I’m indirectly responsible for disco? [Clapton’s manger] Robert Stigwood took the Dominos’ money, used it to create RSO Records and record the Bee Gees. My deepest apologies to the entire music world.”

Whitlock started performing again in 1999. He married musician & singer CoCo Carmel in 2005 and together they used their YouTube channel to give fans a glimpse into their lives. In 2010, his autobiography, Bobby Whitlock: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Autobiography, was published.

Robert Stanley Whitlock: March 18, 1948 – August 10, 2025.

Top: Derek & The Dominos in 1970 (L-R): drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Carl Radle, pianist Bobby Whitlock and guitarist Eric Clapton. Middle: Whitlock and Clapton from Derek & The Dominos’ performance on “The Johnny Cash Show” filmed in November 1970. Bottom (L-R): Jools Holland, Whitlock and Clapton in 2000. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Doors: “Back Door Man” (Recorded live August 1970 at The Isle Of Wight Concert in England. Originally released in 1967, written by Willie Dixon).

The Doors: “Roadhouse Blues” (Recorded live August 1970 at The Isle Of Wight Concert in England. Originally released in 1970, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

The Doors: “Light My Fire” (Recorded live August 1970 at The Isle Of Wight Concert in England. Originally released in 1967, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock: “Bell Bottom Blues” (Performed live on “Later With Jools Holland”, broadcast in April 2000. Originally released in 1970 by Derek & The Dominos, written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 4, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Sweet Baby James is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released on February 1, 1970. And 55 years later, it remains one of his most beloved records. The title track has always been one of my favorite songs by him. But it is the first track on side 2- which peaked at #3 in October 1970-which is probably his best known tune, along with “You’ve Got A Friend” which was released in 1971. That was the #1 song in the country on July 31, 1971 for one week.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic was also released 55 years ago, making its debut in July 1970. The band formed in Birmingham, England three years earlier and featured Jim Capaldi (August 2, 1944 – January 28, 2005), Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Chris Wood (June 24, 1944 – July 12, 1983) . Mason was not on the 1970 album as he left the band after the release of their debut album-1967’s Mr. Fantasy-but came back for their third album, 1969’s Last Exit. After that, Mason departed for good. Traffic released a total of eight albums together, with the last one coming in 1994 after years of the two primary songwriters-Capaldi and Winwood-writing together for solo projects. Traffic was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Eric Clapton released his debut self-titled solo album in the U.S. on August 12, 1970. It was produced by Delaney Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, who were one of the opening acts for Clapton’s band, Blind Faith, in 1969. When they broke up, Clapton continued touring with the Friends’ band. Delaney’s wife, Bonnie Bramlett, co-wrote eight of the eleven songs on Clapton’s solo record. His collaborations with The Friends’ band led to his meeting with Bobby Whitlock, who along with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon would form Derek and the Dominos with Clapton that same year.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Forty years ago on August 5, 1985, John Cougar Mellencamp released his eighth studio album, Scarecrow. It was the follow-up to 1983’s Uh-Huh which produced three Top 20 hits (“Crumblin’ Down”, “Pink Houses” & “The Authority Song”). The 1985 record had three Top Ten hits including “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” and “Lonely Ol’ Night”. In his career to date Mellencamp has 10 Top Ten songs & one #1 hit, “Jack & Diane”, which spent four consecutive weeks in the top spot in October 1982.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

James Taylor: “Sweet Baby James” (1970, written by James Taylor).

James Taylor: “Fire and Rain” (1970, written by James Taylor).

Traffic: “Empty Pages” (1970. written by Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood).

Eric Clapton: “Let It Rain” (1970, written by Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton).

John Cougar Mellencamp: “Small Town” (1985, written by John Cougar Mellencamp).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 31, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Trumpeter, songwriter, arranger, producer and band leader Herb Alpert turns 90 today. Born March 31, 1935 in Los Angeles, California, he is also well known as a record executive and businessman, most notably as the co-founder & the “A” in A & M Records, the label he started in 1962 with Jerry Moss (1935 – 2023). In 1989, they sold the company to the Polygram label for 500 million dollars.

Alpert started playing the trumpet as a child. After he served in the army during the Korean War, he began his professional career in music as a songwriter at Keen Records. One of the more well known songs he co-wrote during that period was “Wonderful World”, released by Sam Cooke in 1960. Shortly after that Alpert formed The Tijuana Brass (TJB) which had five #1 albums in the 1960’s.

Top: Herb Alpert in an A&M promotional picture circa 1965. Middle: With Jerry Moss (L) circa 1974. Bottom: With his wife of 51 years, Lani Hall (R), circa 2019. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

One of those top selling records, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, held the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart for eight weeks. It is also celebrating a milestone this year, as it was released 60 years ago on on April 1, 1965. Renowned as much for the music as its cover which was deemed “racy” for its time due to its cover picture of a woman drenched in-what else-whipped cream, it features “A Taste Of Honey” and covers of the Johnny Mercer jazz standard, “Tangerine”, and the Lieber & Stoller hit, “Love Potion #9”. Alpert followed his tenure with the band with a solo career which included a #1 record in 1979 with “Rise”. He is currently on tour with the TJB celebrating their legacy.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Guitar legend Eric Clapton turned 80 years old yesterday. He was born March 30, 1945 in Ripley, United Kingdom and began playing guitar as a teenager. He joined The Yardbirds in 1963, then left for a short stint with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers before joining up with drummer Ginger Baker & bassist Jack Bruce in 1966 for the massively successful supergroup, Cream. In 1968 Clapton performed as a guest guitarist for The Beatles on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. After the end of Cream, he became a member of Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominos where one of his best known songs, “Layla” was recorded. His solo career followed including top selling albums from the 1970’s through the 1990’s which further secured Clapton’s place as a musical icon. He just announced a few U.S. concert dates for this fall in support of his latest studio album, Meanwhile.

Eric Clapton through the years from the 1960’s (picture 1), the 1970’s (picture 2), the 1980’s (picture 3) & the 1990’s (picture 4). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass: “Ladyfingers” (1965, written by Toots Thielemans).

Herb Alpert: “This Guy’s In Love With You” (1968, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David).

Herb Alpert: “Diamonds” (1987, written by James Harris III and Terry Lewis).

Blind Faith: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (1969, written by Stevie Winwood). (1969, written by Stevie Winwood).

Derek & The Dominoes: “Bell Bottom Blues” (1970, written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock).

Eric Clapton: “Pretending” (1989, written by Jerry Lynn Williams).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 27, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Less than a month into the new year and already a loss. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, passed away on January 21 at age 87. He was a multi-instrumentalist and true musical virtuoso who added such a unique and resounding piece to what turned out to be an incredible group of musicians.

Born August 2, 1937 in Canada, he & the rest of The Band-Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson-formed in 1957 and a year later were the backing band for singer Ronnie Hawkins until 1963. By 1965, The Band were backing Bob Dylan during his electric phase. While he was recuperating from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in 1966, The Band rented a house in upstate New York where they recorded their first album, Music From Big Pink, released in 1968. The Band broke up in 1977 and their last concert in 1976 was captured in the film, “The Last Waltz”, released in 1978.

The Band circa 1975 (L-R): Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

After that Hudson played as a session musician, reformed The Band for a brief stint (with all but Robertson in attendance), did some solo work & performed with his wife, Maud, who died in 2022. According to the AP’s report on his death, Hudson faced financial struggles in the later years of his life including bankruptcy, foreclosure & an auction to sell his personal items in 2013 when he could no longer afford a storage unit. Like the other three members of The Band, Hudson had sold his interest in the group to Robbie Robertson who had been called out on several occasions by both Levon Helm and Rick Danko for taking advantage of his so called brothers while they were struggling at their lowest points. Robertson also refused to acknowledge their contributions to the songwriting process.

When he died in 2023 his net worth was allegedly around $50 million dollars, yet did nothing to assist Hudson at the very least by paying for the back rent on the storage unit to save his belongings. By that time they were the last two surviving members after Helm’s death in 2012. Whatever brotherhood existed in The Band during their 19 years together, it does not seem Robertson had any part of it once the group disbanded. By comparison one of his biggest admirers, Eric Clapton, agreed to give his Derek & The Dominoes bandmate Bobby Whitlock songwriting credit in 2017 for a few tracks for the group’s only album, 1970’s Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, just ahead of its 50th anniversary reissue. Moral of the story: it is never too late to be a decent human being. And Hudson seemed to be one of the good ones who deserved a better ending to his story.

Eric Garth Hudson: August 2, 1937 – January 21, 2025.

Top: Hudson in the late 1970’s. Bottom: The musician circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Band: “The Weight” (1968, written by Robbie Robertson).

The Band: “I Shall Be Released” (1968, written by Bob Dylan).

The Band: “Up On Cripple Creek” (1969, written by Robbie Robertson).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: November 18, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Anita Baker’s third studio album, Giving You The Best That I Got, was released 36 years ago in the fall of 1988. It ended the year as the #1 album in the country where it stayed for four consecutive weeks. The title track became the first & best known single which peaked at #3 that December. As much as I like the song, it is the second single that stands as my favorite track. It was a Top Twenty hit in April 1989 and features bass player Nathan East who appears on six of the eight album tracks. He has been a part of Eric Clapton’s touring and studio bands for four decades.

anita 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

An 80’s era singer that flew under my radar was Rick Astley. While I always thought he was quite adorable & swooned over the blue eyed soul sound he had going on, dance music was never my thing so I usually did not listen to him or watch his videos. But then his 1991 album, Free, came out and included a ballad I absolutely adore to this day. I was not alone in that feeling as it became a Top Ten hit for him, peaking at #7 in April 1991. It featured The Andraé Crouch Choir on backing vocals who were prominently featured in the performance video that was in heavy rotation back in those wonderful & magical days when music video stations actually showed them.

rick a

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Speaking of blue-eyed soul singers, another of my favorites is Mick Hucknall. I fell in love with Simply Red because of his voice starting with their 1985 debut album, Picture Book. One listen to “Holding Back The Years” or “Money’s Too Tight (Too Mention”) and it is hard to believe that record will be turning 40 next year. As much as that first release pulled me in, 1991’s Stars, kept me front and center in their world thanks to the fabulous title track.

simply red

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Anita Baker: “Just Because” (1988, written by Alex Brown, Sammy McKinney and Michael O’Hara).

Rick Astley: “Cry For Help” (1991, written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher).

Simply Red: “Stars” (1991, written by Mick Hucknall).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 27, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple edition (plus a bonus track) of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Note: This will be the final Music Monday for 2023. Starting December 1st, the Christmas Countdown begins and will end on the last Monday of the year, which is Christmas Day. I would love to hear about some of your favorite holiday songs so please email me or comment below with your top choices. Music Mondays will resume on January 1, 2024. And now to the music.

Happy 60th anniversary to With The Beatles, the band’s second studio album. It was released on November 22, 1963 and included six cover songs. Today’s first feature was The Fab Four’s salute to Motown. I love that one of my favorite bands saluted one of my favorite genres (and theirs, too) with one of my favorite songs. The harmony between the group really shines through on this track.

Exactly five years later came the release of The Beatles, more commonly known by its nickname, The White Album. It was the band’s ninth studio album and the only double record of their career. It was also the first time the band had another famous musician join them in the studio. Eric Clapton played lead guitar on today’s second feature which is one of my all time favorites by George Harrison.

Nearly five years after that, Ringo Starr had the #1 song in the country. The tune hit the top spot on the chart on November 24, 1973 for one week, only two months after it was released. Co-written with his old Beatles chum Harrison, the track was the lead single from Starr’s third solo album-aptly titled Ringo-released the same month. It peaked at the #2 position on the Billboard album chart, but never hit the top spot because another chap from England-Elton John-was in that spot for the last eight weeks of that year with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Starr’s album went on to produce another #1 record two months later when the second single-his cover of “You’re Sixteen”-topped the charts for one week in January 1974. But it was the lead track that took a very sentimental turn for Starr who performed it in tribute to Harrison at “The Concert For George” in 2002. Harrison died 22 years ago on November 29, 2001. But thanks to some recordings he did in the 1990’s with Starr and McCartney together with a pre-recorded assist from Lennon, the world received an early Christmas gift: “the last Beatles song”. The track has a really sweet sentiment and the video takes us on a great walk down memory lane of the four lads from Liverpool we met on a Sunday night one February almost 60 years ago.

With The Beatles
White Album pics
Ringo George 1960 ish
Jeff Kravitz
Ringo

Picture 1: The Beatles’ 1963 album. Picture 2: The four pictures that came inside The White Album (L-R: George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney). Picture 3: Ringo and George in the early days of The Beatles era, circa 1963. Picture 4: George and Ringo circa 1990. Bottom: Ringo’s self-titled 1973 album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Beatles: “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” (1963, written by William Robinson Jr.).

The Beatles: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (1968, written George Harrison).

Ringo Starr: “Photograph” (1973, written by George Harrison and Richard Starkey).

Bonus: The Beatles: “Now And Then” (2023, written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Richard Starkey).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: May 9, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is another one of those tracks that left an indelible mark on my soul. It is classic rock at its finest, a tune so exquisite it is as close to perfection as I have ever found. The songwriter and singer of this paragon celebrates birthday number 74 this week.

Steve Winwood was born May 12, 1948 in Birmingham, UK. His father was also a musician who schooled his son so well that the younger Winwood was in a band by age 14, The Spencer Davis Group. Next came his tenure with Traffic where he gave us gems like “Empty Pages”, “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” & “Dear Mr. Fantasy”. In 1969 he joined forces with future Traffic bassist Rick Grech and musical powerhouses Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton to form Blind Faith. And it is from this supergroup that we arrive at today’s pick.

It is a captivating performance by all involved, from Grech’s masterful bass line to Baker’s elaborate percussion to Clapton’s stunning acoustic guitar work to Winwood’s soulful vocal delivery of his moving, lonely & succinct lyrics. When I featured this track on Day 74 of my daily music posts during lockdown, I called it “a prayer for all of us who are lost that we may find our way home to wherever and whatever that is”. And I stand by that sentiment. I find this song so beautiful it hurts, the way a magnificent work of art should make you feel. And this is art at its very best.

So, happy birthday, Steve Winwood. Thank you so much for all your exceptional music but for today’s track most of all.

“Well I’m near the end
And I just ain’t got the time
And I’m wasted and  I
Can’t find my way home“.

Blind Faith

Blind Faith circa 1969 L-R:  Steve Winwood, Rick Grech, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Blind Faith: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (1969, written by Stevie Winwood).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 28, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We have another triple play this week to honor three of the biggest legends in music celebrating birthdays this month.

March 25 marked the 80th birth anniversary for the eternal Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Born in 1942 in Memphis, TN she remains the greatest female vocalist in the universe. It has been nearly four years since she died and just look at where we are without her.

Aretha

Aretha Franklin circa 1968. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

As if the gift of royalty was not enough to receive on March 25, that day also marked birthday #75 for Sir Elton John. Born in Pinner, UK in 1947 his voice is the one I discovered first out of the three artists featured today. I found him even before I found Springsteen. From the first moment I heard “Daniel”, I was captivated by John’s beautiful evocative voice & the music he created with the poetry of his sublime unbelievably talented collaborator, Bernie Taupin. These two men have been part of the soundtrack of my life ever since. It makes complete sense to me that while I was doing my Song Of The Day feature during 17 months of the pandemic, John appeared more than any other solo artist with 16 entries. He was second only to The Beatles who had 18 songs (Springsteen appeared 14 times, Clapton had 12 entries including two collaborations (but not counting his group entries) and Elvis had 11 songs, in case you were wondering).

Elton

Elton John circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The first album I ever bought was John’s 1974 compilation album, “Greatest Hits”. I thought my heart would break when he announced his retirement a few years ago. Apparently the entire planet needed more time to adjust to that news as well because thanks to the pandemic, his farewell tour has been extended. But if anyone deserves to be a happily retired father & husband left to raise his beautiful family in the peace of a life without work, it is John. He deserves every happiness he has given the world. And we all know that figure is immeasurable. Today’s pick for him is one of the most elegant & beautiful tracks from his extraordinary catalog.

This week Eric Clapton will celebrate his 77th birthday. Born March 30, 1945 in Ripley, UK, my life was altered forever the second I heard the opening riff of today’s song. And I have listened to music for decades since that moment & I still have not had anything hit me quite like that. Behold the power of Slowhand.

Clapton

Eric Clapton circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Aretha Franklin: “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone” (1968, written by Aretha Franklin & Ted White).

Elton John: “I Need You To Turn To” (1970, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Eric Clapton / Derek & The Dominos: “Layla” (1970, written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 7, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month singer/songwriter/pianist Gary Brooker died at the age of 76 in England. If you do not know his name, I am quite sure you knew his voice. He was the co-founder & lead singer of Procol Harum, so it is his glorious vocal that is front & center on their iconic 1967 hit. I have adored this song forever and it is featured in three of my favorite movies of all time: “The Big Chill”, “The Commitments” and “Pirate Radio” as the last song on the airwaves of “The Boat That Rocked”.

Brooker was also one of the composers of today’s phenomenal song, but he also played with several other artists, most notably for George Harrison (on 1971’s All Things Must Pass), Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Bill Wyman. Brooker also appeared in the 1996 film adaptation of “Evita”. But for me, nothing else he ever did would compare to his pensive melodic delivery of some of the greatest sing along lyrics ever written or recorded.

“The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray“.

1967 Procol

with Ringo

Top: Gary Brooker (pictured front left) with Procol Harum in 1967. Bottom: (Pictured left) with Ringo Starr circa 1999. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Procol Harum: “A Whiter Shade of Pale“ (1967, written by Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid).

Stay safe & well.