Tag Archives: fast car

Music Monday: February 12, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week I did not see the Grammys in real time as none of my streaming services offered it live. And let’s face it, for several years now this awards show was anything but remarkable so all I did was catch the highlights anyway. But after I saw the most talked about performance of the night (followed by Joni Mitchell’s), I echoed the sentiments of those who already witnessed that transcendent performance which brought Tracy Chapman back into focus. Her unannounced duet with Luke Combs was beyond beautiful and so was the love she received. That seemed not only to warm her heart but surprised her as well as evidenced by the enormous smile of sheer joy she showed to getting the love she absolutely deserves. When she sang the line, “Me myself I got nothing to prove“, she was 1000% right. 

Her immense talent speaks volumes all by itself. Chapman was her authentic self-no fanfare, no designer dress or suit, no fancy set design, not even any ear monitors in sight. Just her guitar, her hauntingly beautiful voice and the power & poetry of her storytelling, proving a great song is a great song forever. I wrote about my love for this track & its wonderful cover last year. I have also written this many times before but it bears reposting: Music is the answer. It is joy, it is healing, it is a time machine to a past we ache to return to and it is love. And thank you, Luke Combs, for bringing Tracy and her masterpiece back to center stage.  

tracy and luke

Tracy Chapman (L) and Luke Combs (R) at the 2024 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 4th. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month marked the 75th birth anniversary of one of my favorite soulful vocalists, Robert Palmer. He was born January 19, 1949 in Batley, Yorkshire. He grew up listening to jazz, soul and the blues. He joined his first band at age 15. By 1974 he was signed to his first record deal. His solo career featured the #1 song, “Addicted To Love” (1986) and two #2 hits, “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” (1986) and “Simply Irresistible” (1988)-and those unforgettable female driven music videos.

Palmer was also the lead singer for the supergroup, The Power Station. He co-wrote many of the tracks for their debut record, including today’s pick which he continued to perform after he left that band. I was lucky enough to see him in concert at NYC’s famed Radio City Music Hall. It us one the best shows I ever saw. 

Robert Palmer
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Top: Robert Palmer circa 1982. Bottom: A still from the 1985 video, “Addicted To Love”. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Robert Palmer: ”Some Like It Hot” (From a live performance in 1988. Originally recorded in 1985 with The Power Station. Written by Robert Palmer, John Taylor and Andy Taylor). 

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 14, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple play edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month The Band’s debut record, Music from Big Pink, turned 55 years old. Last week, guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson passed away at the age of 80. As much as I loved the group as a whole, it was incredibly heartbreaking to see how they became so divided over songwriting credits and money (his 2020 documentary seems to validate his bandmate’s claims against him, not to mention it was conveniently released after three of them-Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Levon Helm-died so they could not defend themselves). But for a while what those five musicians created together was incomprable. The Band influenced the likes of The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, U2 and so many others. That leaves the group’s multi-instrumentalist, Garth Hudson who turned 86 on August 2, as the sole surviving member.

the-band-bw1-photo-elliott-landy-www-elliottlandy-com
The Band circa 1968 (L-R):  Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson.   (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Legendary girl group superstar Ronnie Spector was born Veronica Yvette Bennett 80 years ago on August 10, 1943 in New York, NY. She co-founded and sang lead for The Ronettes (which included her older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley) who gave us a sound and a style all their own. They played a significant role in 1960’s American music and Spector’s influence was felt by superstars such as Keith Richards, Darlene Love, Steven Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen, amongst many others. Spector’s 1990 memoir, “Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette” (alternatively titled as “Be My Baby: The Autobiography of Ronnie Spector“) is definitely worth the read. Sadly, we lost this incredible woman in 2022.

Bruce and Ronnie

Bruce Springsteen (center) with Ronnie Spector behind him with The E Street Band circa 1978 (L-R): Danny Federici, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Clarence Clemons, Roy Bittan and Gary Tallent. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Country star Luke Combs has given a new generation an education in the strength of a great song with his cover of Tracy Chapman’s extraordinary 1988 debut single. It was a #1 hit for her on the Billboard 200 for one week in August that year and Comb’s version is currently #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Back in June the song hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Country Songwriters chart, making Chapman the first black woman to hit the top of a Country chart as the sole songwriter. It is one of my all-time favorite songs and I think she is a beautiful writer and singer who deserves every accolade that comes her way. Kudos to Combs for bringing this gem back to the charts.

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Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

The Ronettes: “Baby, I Love You” (1963, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector).

Tracy Chapman: “Fast Car” (1988, written by Tracy Chapman).

Luke Combs: “Fast Car” (2023, written by Tracy Chapman).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 385

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On April 5, 1988 the remarkable self-titled debut album from Tracy Chapman was released. It sold one million copies in less than a month & produced three singles: today’s song, “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution” and “Baby Can I Hold You”. Subsequent albums & singles would follow featuring her signature politically driven songs interspersed with her personal reflections on the world around her. But to me no other song has ever compared to the elegant beautiful yet heartbreaking track from the first album which introduced the world to this fantastic singer & songwriter.

“I’d always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans, I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving“.

tracy chapman

Tracy Chapman circa 1996. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Tracy Chapman: “Fast Car” (1988, written by Tracy Chapman).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.