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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Rock & roll singer Gary Levone Anderson-better known as Gary U.S. Bonds-just celebrated birthday #85. He was born June 6, 1939 in Jacksonville, Florida and began singing in church as a child. He followed that by performing with some groups before setting out on his own. He is known for his hits “New Orleans” and “Quarter to Three” in 1960 and “School Is Out” from 1961.

Twenty years later, Bonds had a career resurgence courtesy of Bruce Springsteen. He had a few songs that were not used on his 1980 double album, The River, so he gave them to Bonds: The title track, “Dedication”(the album peaked at #27 in 1981), “Your Love” and “This Little Girl”, which became a Top Twenty hit in April of the same year. Steven Van Zandt contributed the song, “Daddy’s Come Home” and was one of the album’s producers along with Bonds, Springsteen and Rob Parissi, who was formerly the front man of the group Wild Cherry (he wrote their 1976 #1 hit, “Play That Funky Music”) .  

Top: Gary U.S. Bonds in 1961. Bottom: His 1981 album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

William Royce “Boz” Scaggs was born in Canton, Ohio 80 years ago on June 8, 1944. The singer, songwriter & guitarist played with friend Steve Miller several times, including a stint as his band’s lead singer in the late 1960’s. Scaggs eventually became a solo performer who achieved success in the 1970’s with hits like “Lido Shuffle” and “Look What You’ve Done To Me”, then “Miss Sun” and “Heart Of Mine” in the 1980’s. The musicians Scaggs chose for his 1976 album, Silk Degrees, went on to form the band, Toto. Scaggs was also the owner of two San Francisco clubs, The Blue Lights & Slim’s but his jazz & blues infused sound is what he is best known for.

Top: Boz Scaggs circa 1969. Bottom: Scaggs circa 2000. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

I cannot believe it has been nearly 20 years ago since I first discovered Amos Lee. The singer-songwriter who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania released his debut album in March 2005 and I fell in love with his sound especially through the songs “Colors” and “Arms of a Woman”. I had the opportunity to see Lee in concert in 2014 at a small venue on Long Island. He did not disappoint.

Today’s song is from his 2011 album, Mission Bell. I just discovered a new version of this song which he added to his YouTube channel last year. It features an absolutely exquisite string arrangement and I am completely obsessed with it.

Top: Amos Lee circa 2000 & 2024, bottom. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Gary U.S. Bonds: “Jole Blon” (1981, traditional, arranged by Michael Hurley and Moon Mullican).

Boz Scaggs: “Lowdown” (1976, written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich).

Amos Lee: “Violin” (2011, written by Amos Lee).

Amos Lee: “Violin” (With strings. 2023, written by Amos Lee).

Stay safe & well.