Tag Archives: Mott The Hoople

Music Monday: April 22, 2024

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

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

“When it’s time for leavin’ I hope you’ll understand”.

The world said goodbye to another Brother last week. Forrest Richard Betts, better known as Dickey Betts, died on April 18, 2024 at the age of 80. He was a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band and the one who took on the daunting task of moving the band forward after the death of its other extraordinary player, Duane Allman. Betts was one of the greatest soulful blues guitarists out there and was the writer behind such classics as “Ramblin’ Man”, “Blue Sky” and “Jessica”.

I know how blessed he was for spending eight decades on this earth and how lucky we were to have him, but this loss just cuts so incredibly deep. Gregg Allman and Betts’ voices were the two recognizable ones from that band and now they are both gone. Sigh. Yet, I can only imagine the endless jam that is taking place now that he is back with Duane, Berry, Butch and Gregg. Rest easy with all of them for all eternity, Dickey. Thank you for every note.

Dickey

Dickey Betts circa 1995. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Youngbloods are best known for their 1967 peace & love anthem, “Get Together”. But for me, it is their third album, 1969’s Elephant Mountain, that has the best song of their career. It was written and sung by the group’s primary vocalist and songwriter, Jesse Colin Young,

The track has been covered over two dozen times, most notably by by Mott The Hoople on their 1972 album, Brain Capers and Robert Plant for his 2002 release, Dreamland. For as good as those versions are, there is a sense of urgency in the original that is unmatched even 55 years later due to its powerful vocal and incredibly intense guitar riffs. The track also features an evocative fiddle/violin arrangement by musician David Lindley and not Charlie Daniels, who produced the album.

“Darkness darkness long and lonesome
Ease the day that brings me pain
I have felt the edge of sadness
I have known the depth of fear“.

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JCY recent
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Top: Jesse Colin Young circa 1969. Middle: Young circa 2015. Bottom: The Youngbloods in 1967 (L-R): Jesse Colin Young, Jerry Corbitt, Joe Bauer and Lowell “Banana” Levinger. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Allman Brothers Band: “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” (1970, written by Dickey Betts).

The Youngbloods: ”Darkness, Darkness” (1969, written by Jesse Colin Young). 

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 8, 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 month marked the 80th birth anniversary of singer & songwriter Townes Van Zandt who was born March 7, 1944 in Fort Worth, TX. He is another one of those somewhat obscure singer/songwriters who achieved cult hero status thanks to a handful of songs he wrote which are still revered today. He was featured on Day 356 of my Lockdown Countdown series. His life is definitely worth the read.

English singer & musician Mick Ralphs turned 80 last month. He was born March 31, 1944 in Herefordshire, England. While he is best known for his tenures in Mott The Hopple & Bad Company, it was with the latter group that Ralphs saw his greatest success. In addition to playing guitar and keyboards as well as providing backing vocals, he was one of the principal songwriters.

Ralphs composed three of the top songs from the band’s debut album, which was released 50 years ago in May 1974: “Can’t Get Enough”, “Ready For Love” (which initially appeared on Mott The Hoople’s 1972 album, All The Young Dudes), and “Movin’ On”. He co-wrote two other songs with Paul Rodgers, “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Seagull” . Together they also wrote “Feel Like Making Love” for the band’s sophomore release. My favorite of Ralphs’ sole compositions appears on the band’s third album, Run With The Pack, released in 1976.

Fifty years ago, Elton John had the #1 song in the country for one week. All of his songs are incredibly special to me, but the song that hit the top spot in the country on April 13, 1974 was the one that finally convinced my dad that John was not only the guy who once appeared on stage in a Donald Duck costume, but one of the most talented singer/songwriters/musicians in the world. Sharing a love for music is one of my most cherished memories of my father and the songs by John and poet extraordinaire Bernie Taupin are an enormous part of that bond. Thank you, kind sirs. All three of you.

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Bernie and Elton 1975

Top: Townes Van Zandt circa 1977.  Middle: Bad Company circa 1974: Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. Bottom: Bernie Taupin (L) and Elton John (R) in the 1970’s with some of their gold albums. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Townes Van Zandt : “Pancho & Lefty”  (Recorded in Oklahoma in 1978, from the 1993 album, Rear View Mirror. Originally released in 1972, written by Townes Van Zandt).

Bad Company: “Simple Man” (1976, written by Mick Ralphs).

Elton John: “Bennie And The Jets” (1973, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 80

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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?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

When the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1986, several notable people speculated that eventually everyone would get in.  Not true.  While many of those inducted in the last few years have me shaking my head (Abba, really???) so does the absence of Bad Company.  They are an unbelievably great band and have one of the greatest lead singers to ever take center stage:  Paul Rodgers.

I fell head over heels in love with his magnificently powerful soulful voice the first time I heard him sing “All Right Now”, a monumental tune he co-wrote for his first band, Free.  But his years with the band he co-founded, Bad Co., solidified his reputation as a great singer-songwriter.  From “Can’t Get Enough”, “Simple Man”, “Running With The Pack”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”, “Shooting Star” and so many others, Rodgers has penned many of the group’s biggest hits.  He also plays guitar, piano & keyboards.  Rodgers’ talent and the band’s musicianship are undeniable which helped them become a powerhouse group in the 1970’s.  Yet despite being eligible for induction into the HOF since 1999 (25 years after their debut album came out in 1974), Bad Co. has yet to be voted in.  And for the life of me I cannot understand why.  (The HOF has also snubbed Tina Turner, Warren Zevon, John Coltrane and Todd Rundgren.  But I digress).

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Bad Company circa 1974 (L-R):  Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs, Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke. 
(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Let’s not forget that Rodgers also had a five year stint touring with Queen beginning in 2004.  He was also in a band with Jimmy Page in the 1980’s (The Firm) and made tribute records to two of his musical heroes, Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters, the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination.  Not to be overlooked, the other members of Bad Co. have great resumes as well:  guitarist and group co-founder Mick Ralphs, who has written or co-written many of the group’s songs (including “Can’t Get Enough” & “Feel Like Makin’ Love”), was once a member of Mott The Hoople (best known for “All The Young Dudes”) & has toured with David Gilmour; bassist & songwriter Boz Burrell, who was also a member of King Crimson and drummer & songwriter Simon Kirke, who was also in Free and toured with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band.

I consider all of their albums my favorites for different reasons, but when you name one after a Jack Kerouac novel (1979’s “Desolation Angels”) I think it takes center stage (no pun intended).  And who doesn’t need a fantasy to escape to right now more than ever?

 

 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company:  “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” (1979, written by Paul Rodgers).

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

Stay well.