Let’s Take A Moment Day 145

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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?

(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.

In September 1967 The Doors were invited to perform two songs on “The Ed Sullivan Show“. The first one they sang was “People Are Strange” and just watching Jim Morrison swagger up to the microphone is EVERYTHING!!! SA-WOON!!!. The second song they performed was “Light My Fire” which was a number one hit for three weeks that summer (July 29-August 18). Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. About 30 minutes before airtime a network producer from the show met with the band backstage and told them they had to change the lyric “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher” because it could be inferred as a drug reference which was not in line with Sullivan’s family oriented program. (The show also made The Rolling Stones change “Let’s Spend The Night Together” to “Let’s Spend Some Time Together” when they were on the program earlier that year). None of The Doors wanted to do that but keyboard player Ray Manzarek told the producer they would. However, as soon as he left the room Morrison supposedly said, “We are not changing a word” & Manzarek said, “Exactly, man. Let’s not change the word.” Once on stage, the band performed the song as written leading to Sullivan banning The Doors for life from his show. And that, boys and girls, is what we call rock & roll.

“Love me one time
I could not speak
Love me one time
Yeah, my knees got weak
But love me two times, girl
Last me all through the week“.

The Doors circa 1968: (L-R): Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore & Jim Morrison. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Doors: “Love Me Two Times” (1967, written by The Doors: Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Robby Krieger & Ray Manzarek).

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

Stay well.

5Aug2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 142

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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One of my favorite years for music was 1978. New albums like Bruce Springsteen’s “Darkness On The Edge Of Town”, Eric Clapton’s “Backless”, Van Morrison’s “Wavelength”, Neil Young’s “Comes A Time”, Blondie’s “Parallel Lines”, Tom Waits’ “Blue Valentine” , Boston’s “Don’t Look Back”, “Easter” by The Patti Smith Group and The Rolling Stones’ “Some Girls” were released. And it is from the Stones record that we arrive at today’s song which hit #1 on this day in 1978.

It only stayed in the top spot for a week, but as the lead single from the record, it helped the album get to #1 as well for two weeks that summer. The song features a great sax solo and one of the best bass lines I ever heard. And despite the fact that I am not much of a dancer, I could not help moving along with the infectious beat of the record. The band was divided over whether or not it was an actual disco song, but eventually they released their first extended 12″ inch remix soon after the record topped the charts. I prefer the original mix of this song, which is one of my favorites ever by this band.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Rolling Stones: “Miss You” (1978, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

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

Stay well.

31Jul2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 137

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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Only two famous musicians are known to have played with both The Beatles as a group and then with all four members individually. The first is my great love Eric Clapton, who played lead guitar on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, although he went uncredited on The White Album. He then went on to play with Lennon in The Dirty Mac (along with Keith Richards on bass and Mitch Mitchell, the drummer from The Jimi Hendrix Experience) and on several songs by Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band. Clapton played with Paul on his 2001 song, “Freedom” & at The Concert For George. Clapton co-wrote “Badge” for Cream with George, played on his 1970 album, “All Things Must Pass” and appeared at The Concert For Bangladesh in 1971 with him as well. Ringo was also at The Concert For Bangladesh and Clapton wrote music & played guitar for Ringo’s 1976 album, “Ringo’s Rotogravure” and 1983’s “Old Wave” amongst others. Clapton also played with Ringo in person at The Prince’s Trust Concert in 1987 as well as The Concert For George in 2002.

The other musician to boast the same accomplishment with The Beatles was Billy Preston. He was nicknamed “The Fifth Beatle” after playing organ for them on “Abbey Road” (on “I Want You (She’s So Heavy”) & “Something”), then he played electric piano on the “Let It Be” album and in the movie during the rooftop concert scene for “Get Back” & “Don’t Let Me Down”. After the band broke up Preston played on John’s song “God”, on George’s album “All Things Must Pass” and at The Concert For Bangladesh. Preston also played on a few of Ringo’s solo albums (1973’s self titled record & 2005’s “Choose Love”), in his All-Starr Band & at The Concert For George (where he sang a rousing version of “My Sweet Lord”) and played with Paul at this show as well. And for added interest, Preston played Sgt. Pepper in the 1978 film of the same name where he sang his own version of “Get Back”.

He was hailed as a self-taught child prodigy who played with Mahalia Jackson & Nat King Cole by the ages of 10 and 11, respectively. By the age of 16 he met The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany when he was playing with Little Richard’s band. Later that year he played for Sam Cooke and five years later, he joined Ray Charles’ band. He has played on several albums for The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton while working on songs by artists like Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle & The Band. Preston also worked as the musical director for David Brenner’s short lived late night show, Nightlife, from 1986-1987. He co-wrote today’s song with songwriter Bruce Fisher and both men also penned the Joe Cocker hit, “You Are So Beautiful” (there are rumors that Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys had a hand in writing it as well but allegedly his brother Brian Wilson said that was not the case). Preston died too young at the age of 59 in 2006 but left a legacy of great performances that showcase just how gifted he was.

Billy Preston in 2002 at The Concert For George (L) and as Sgy. Pepper (R) in the 1978 movie of the same name. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Billy Preston: “Nothing From Nothing” (1974, written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher).

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

Stay well.

26Jul2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 132

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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Today marks the 77th birthday for one of the greatest frontmen to ever strut across a stage, Mick Jagger. He and The Rolling Stones have been making music together since 1962. It all started when Jagger met fellow bandmate & co-songwriter, Keith Richards, and both men realized they had similar musical tastes, citing blues legend Muddy Waters & rock & roll master Chuck Berry as inspirations. The name of their band even came from a Waters song.

There is not much left to say about a band that has been around nearly 60 years. They have played with all their heroes, released 25 albums here in the states (23 in the U.K.), had countless hit songs and continue to tour as recently as 2019. I love so many of their songs but really love the covers they have done of their favorite blues numbers. When the Stones closed out the American leg of the Steel Wheels Tour in December 1989, the show was broadcast via a pay per view concert from NJ that featured guest stars like Axl Rose & Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’Roses, blues legend John Lee Hooker & Eric Clapton, who joined the Stones on stage for today’s song. He absolutely slayed it with two unbelievably sublime guitar solos (and did so while looking breathtakingly gorgeous), with the second one featuring a call and response exchange with Jagger and his harmonica. As The Stones song goes, it’s only rock & roll, but I like it.

Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones (R) congratulates Eric Clapton (L) on a job well done after the guitarist played two scathing solos for the band in Atlantic City, NJ December 1989. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Rolling Stones featuring Eric Clapton: “Little Red Rooster” (recorded live in Atlantic City, NJ in December 1989. Originally released in 1964, written by Willie Dixon).

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

Stay well.

27Jun2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 103

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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The Beatles introduced us to the songwriting team of Lennon & McCartney while The Rolling Stones gave us Jagger & Richards. They have written so many great songs that rock over the last 56 years, but out of all of their ballads, this is my absolute favorite.

“Childhood living is easy to do
The things you wanted I bought them for you
Graceless lady you know who I am
You know I can’t let you slide through my hands

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”

The Rolling Stones circa 2010: L-R: Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger & Ron Wood. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Rolling Stones: “Wild Horses” (1971, written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards).

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

Stay well.

26Jun2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 102

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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If you ask most people who the greatest band of all time is, many will tell you The Beatles. However, the question as to who comes in second would spark a debate by fans and music scholars alike since there are so many to consider. But not for me. Only one answer is clear. It is The Funk Brothers.

They were a group of blues and jazz musicians who became the house band at the Motown label for 14 years, from 1959 until 1972. Look at those dates again carefully because what they reveal is every song recorded for the label in the 1960’s had The Funk Brothers on it. That is every song by Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Marvelettes, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Mary Wells, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Junior Walker & The All Stars and every other act on the label during that time. That is an absolutely staggering accomplishment.

The Funk Brothers story was told in the 2002 documentary, “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown”. During the opening credits it is revealed they played on more number one hit records than Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys combined. Even the word genius does not seem to adequately describe that achievement. And the only reason why their streak ended is because Berry Gordy moved the label’s base of operation from Detroit to Los Angeles without including the band in the relocation. And prior to that they were never given the proper recognition they deserved during Motown’s heyday.

The film identified 13 men as Funk Brothers. Remember the Apostles were 13 when they were with Jesus. Coincidence or the second coming? You decide. Outside of the Motown label, The Funk Brothers played on The Contours “Do You Love Me”, Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher” and on the song “Boom Boom” by one of the greatest blues singers to ever pick up a guitar, John Lee Hooker.

Of course, the songwriters and performers were needed to deliver the sound created by The Funk Brothers, but without their incredibly talented and intense consistent playing the songs would have never soared like they did. For example, today’s track was written by the same two men who wrote Gaye’s smash “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and I find it nothing short of hypnotic. There is a lead guitar riff played quickly and sporadically throughout the song that just reaches inside of me and leaves me gasping for air despite it being all around me. It is just that intense.

A couple of my musical heroes list Motown/Funk Brothers songs as ones they cannot live without. For Eric Clapton it is “I Was Made To Love Her” by Stevie Wonder. For Bruce Springsteen there are two (because he is just that cool): “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye & “Baby I Need Your Lovin'” by The Four Tops. Covers of Motor City songs were made by The Beatles (“You Really Got A Hold On Me”), Rod Stewart (“I Know I’m Losing You”), The Rolling Stones (“Going To A Go-Go”) and countless others. Motown’s influence, lead by the music of The Funk Brothers, is so far reaching it would be nearly impossible to comprehend. But without it, the landscape of music would be devoid of soul. I may bow at other altars of music, but I am brought to my knees in the church of the Brothers Funk. Can I get an amen?

Stevie Wonder in the Motown studio with some of The Funk Brothers circa 1967 and the movie poster for 2002’s “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown” (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Marvin Gaye featuring the music of The Funk Brothers: “That’s The Way Love Is” ( 1969, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong).

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

Stay well.

30Apr2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 45

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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If I had to pinpoint how rock & roll music officially began, my timeline would be this:

1908: The year American bandleader & swing/big band/R&B musician Louis Jordan is born.

1916: The year American rockabilly songwriter Claude Demetrius is born.

1926: The year American guitarist Charles Edward Anderson Berry is born. The world would come to know him as Chuck Berry. Soon he learns to “play a guitar just like a-ringin’ a bell and, oh my, that little country boy could play”.

1946: Demetrius writes a song (co-written with Jordan’s wife, Fleecie Moore) called “Ain’t That Just Like A Woman” which Jordan records and turns into an R&B hit the same year.

1958: Berry writes and records his semi-autobiographical groundbreaking hit, “Johnny B. Goode”. The song begins with a note for note replica of the introduction to Jordan’s 1946 song, written by Demetrius. A new sound is born from combining music from the swing/big band/R&B/rockabilly genres and Berry is christened “The Father of Rock & Roll”.

Young impressionable youths like John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix and many others are entranced by what Berry does with a guitar. Fast forward to 1963 & 1964 where The Beatles record Berry covers “Roll Over Beethoven” & “Rock & Roll Music ” and stop by America for that Sunday night show at the same theatre David Letterman was in and there you have it.

Yes, Elvis (who covered a few of Berry’s songs, including today’s), Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Carl Perkins and many other early architects of this new sound were coming up around the same time as Berry. However, his musicianship, his stage dance moves (most notably the “duck walk”) and his songwriting talent made him a triple threat and set him apart from the others. Elvis will always be the King, but Berry was and remains The Master.

Today’s song also has the distinction of being part of NASA’s Voyager Space Mission as one of the pieces of music from Earth. And honestly, can you imagine Marty McFly sliding across the floor to any other song in “Back To The Future” than this one?

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Chuck Berry: “Johnny B. Goode” (1958, written by Chuck Berry).

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

Stay well.

20Mar2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 4

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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I have been pulled over for speeding three times in my life. The first time I tried crying but still got a ticket. The second time I tried flirting and got a look of disgust to go along with the ticket. The third time I was struggling to think of what I was going to tell the officer when he asked me if I knew how fast I was going. A yes was an admission of guilt and no was a lie. But the officer surprised me by asking why I was speeding and I panicked. All I could think to do was turn up the radio and tell him the truth.

“Officer, every time I hear this song when I’m driving I think I am in a high speed car chase in a Martin Scorsese film.”

The cop stared at me for about 20 seconds then said, “Well you’re not, so slow down. Have a nice day.” Then he walked away.

Moral of the story: The Rolling Stones, with a powerful assist from Merry Clayton, will get you out of a ticket. Oh, and honesty doesn’t hurt either.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Day 4: The Rolling Stones: “Gimme Shelter” (1969, written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards).

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

Stay well.

31Oct2019

My Top 10 Halloween Songs

Posted in Holidays, Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Happy Halloween, everyone!!!

Courtesy of Pinterest & ehomedecors.com (original source unknown)

You know for me it is all about the music, so I could not let this holiday pass without honoring it with my favorite songs (in no particular order), which are guaranteed to put you in a Halloween mood.

1. “I Put A Spell On You” (1956, written by Jalacy “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins).