Month: April 2019

Rebel Girl(s)

randydafoe2 Comments

The song from the band Bikini Kill, “Rebel Girl” (1992) written by the band members Billy Karren, Kathi Wilcox, Tobi Vail and lead singer Kathleen Hanna is a good representation of the Punk subgenre ‘Riot grrrl’.

Kathleen Hanna

A great cover from The Melvins.  However rebellious this music may seem to some, you need to go way back to understand this is nothing particularly new.

There is a long history of women who created their own way to express themselves through music. I’ve mentioned some of them (pioneers if you will) in previous blogs like Sister Rosetta Tharpe in my first blog and Ma Rainey in my fourth posting. While some of these artists are hard to classify they fall generally under certain genres and subgenres. The aforementioned being primarily gospel and blues respectively, each type of music had its innovators and leaders, some well known, others much less so and even quite obscure. It will take more than one blog post but I’m going to pick a few of the major genres/subgenres and feature some artists I have yet not mentioned or least highlighted.

I referred to Bessie Smith also in the ‘Ma and Fats‘ post. Known as the ‘Empress of Blues’ she had a prolific recording career before her death from injuries sustained in a traffic accident in 1937. Many of her more well known songs were written by someone else such as “Downhearted Blues“(1923) composed by Alberta Hunter and Lovie Austin two noted Jazz composers and performers of the day. But she wrote and recorded dozens of her own songs “Back-Water Blues” has been covered about 60 times. Irma Thomas (2005). And talk about rebels, some of the song lyrics where quite scandalous at the time “I need a little hot dog between my rolls” from the song “Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl” leaves little to the imagination.

For as much as Bessie Smith has become known for her vast contributions to the Blues with the Biopic “Bessie” strengthening that effort there are artists such as Geeshie Wiley (circa 1930). Don Kent, a blues historian was quoted on Wiley saying she “may well have been the rural South’s greatest female blues singer and musician”. There are many more ‘Wiley’s’ than ‘Smith’s’, as it’s still the way with the music business some exceedingly talented people just never get in the spotlight.

Today the Blues tradition is carried on by many great artists such as Rita Chiarelli with a Jimmie Cox song “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” recorded by Smith in (1929). Also Shemekia Copeland, “I Sing The Blues” (2012) and the remarkable Rhiannon Giddens “I’m On My Way“.

The Jazz genres most well known early stars are; Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae,  Nina Simone , or my personal favorite Ella Fitzgerald. I may blog Holiday in the future, to say her story is remarkable is an understatement. For now I’ll include the poignant and true to life song as she herself was dealing with abusive relationships (w/men) “Fine and Mellow” (1939) written by Billie Holiday, since recorded over 65 times. Ella Fitzgerald (1979)  Molly Johnson (2014). Today’s best Jazz vocalists include the amazing Diana Krall who plays piano as well as she sings, Cassandra Wilson, Emilie-Claire Barlow, and the most aptly named Jazzmeia Horn.

Coming back to Rock, specifically Punk. Patti Smith is widely known for
her contributions in the early formation of this sub-genre. While her debut album ‘Horses’ (1975) is touted as the most influential, her most popular self penned song is “Dancing Barefoot” (1979), here is a great acoustic version from the excellent music program ‘Later with Jools‘. Covered by U2 (1989).

Chrissie Hynde started her career as a punk rocker, she mingled with the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The New York Dolls and Iggy Pop in the mid ’70’s London music scene. Her debut album named after her band ‘The Pretenders’ (1979) brought her international attention with songs like “Precious” and “Tattooed Love Boys” both written by Chrissie Hynde and of course the #1 hit in the UK “Brass in Pocket” written by Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott.  Joan Jett is a solid contributor to Rock & Roll and little wonder with great songs like “Bad Reputation“(1980) written by Marty Kupersmith, Kenny Laguna, Joan Jett and Ritchie Cordell. A great cover from The Dollyrots (2009).

Other early contributors include ‘The Slits‘, ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees‘, Debbie Harry in “Blondie“, Gaye Advert with the ‘Adverts‘ and the “Germfree Adolescents” with Poly Styrene.

Well there’s some Blues, Jazz and Punk rock, bet you don’t hear that together everyday! More to come as I plan a series covering more great musicians and genres.

References: https://secondhandsongs.com/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page, https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/6f9d5d38-4e7b-4b82-8bb6-5e35a3c49dbe, https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/12310/the-bold-music-of-20-wild-women-pioneers, https://bestclassicbands.com/pretenders-debut-album-3-28-19/
Images; https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/reckless-my-life-chrissie-hynde/

If you like my blog, please consider filling in the follow by email link at the top right hand of the page. Remember to confirm the subscription when you get the first email. Confidentiality is assured unless you are a close friend or family member then all bets are off. While I can compile data from my blog it’s not tracking in terms of anyone’s identity. For past blog posts click on the menu at the top right corner. Pass it along to a friend who might enjoy it as well or post it to your timeline on FB. And many thanks as always for reading my blog!

The Greatest Songs Part 2

randydafoeLeave a comment

The Greatest Songs Part 2

Continuing on from the top 5, according to Acclaimed Music are:
#6 Johnny B. Goode which I covered in my Chuck Berry post.

 #7 “Be My Baby“, the Ronettes with lead vocals by Ronnie Spector (Veronica Bennett) released in August of 1963. Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector who also produced the song with an early demonstration of his “wall of sound” formula. There is quite a bit to say about this song that hit #1 only on Cash Box, while it reached #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B and UK charts. Backing vocalists included the other two Ronettes, Ronnie’s older sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley, Sonny and Cher, Darlene Love (with The Blossoms) and one of the song writers Ellie Greenwich. The legendary drummer Hal Blaine’s (who just passed away March 11) opening has been used in dozens of songs such as “Rag Doll” by the Four Seasons. Brian Wilson was quite obsessed with the song and has stated it had a profound effect on his writing and production style. The song has been estimated to have been played 3.9 million times since 1963 or 17 years back to back.

At #8 is Marvin Gaye’s rendition of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. First recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Aug. 16, 1966 but not released until Aug. 26, 1968). First release was by Gladys Knight & The Pips in Sept. 1967. Originally just another cut on the album ‘In the Groove’ it was not released as a single (because Berry Gordy didn’t want it to compete with the Gladys Knight or The Miracles versions) until October of 1968 after D.J.’s started playing it off the album instead of the other two, eventually landing it at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, R&B, Cash Box and UK Singles charts. Backed by ‘The Funk Brothers‘ Gaye’s version had that extra touch of soul that has made this one of the most treasured tracks to come out of Motown and seemingly all of pop music period. Other notable covers by C.C.R. (1970), the track on the album Cosmos Factory was 11 minutes long, the single a more palatable – under 4 minutes and Amy Winehouse & Paul Weller feat. Jools Holland (2006).

The #9 song also by Marvin Gaye is “What’s Going On” (1971) written by Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson and Marvin Gaye. Inspired by an incidence of police brutality witnessed by Benson who was a member of the ‘Four Tops‘ while in Berkeley California May 15, 1969. Gaye produced the song himself and included vocals from songwriter Elgie Stover, Detroit Lions players Lem Barney and Mel Farr as well as The Funk Brothers. Berry Gordy apparently hated the song and turned it down. One would think based on the success of ‘Grapevine’ he’d have more faith. This is a stirring and powerful song. Gaye refused to record another song until it was released so via Motown A&R man Harry Balk they got VP of Sales, Barney Ales to release it without Gordy’s knowledge. This song hit #1 on Billboard R&B and Cash Box, #2 on the Hot 100. Since covered over 180 times, Richie Havens (1973), Cyndi Lauper (1986).

The Who with their ‘happy’ look 😉

The #10 song is from the Who “My Generation” (1965) written by Pete Townshend. Like with many of the British bands of that era the song has inspirations from American music. Townsend credits Mose Allison “Young Man Blues” (1957) with the spark to write the song and Roger Daltrey used John Lee Hooker’s somewhat ‘stuttering style’ for the vocal inspiration. This song hit #2 in the UK, #3 in Canada but only #74 in the US. It also includes a bass guitar solo which was quite unusual for the time, played of course by John Entwistle. Credit also goes to the songs producer Shel Talmy, an American who previously did the Kinks song “You Really Got Me” and if you listen there’s a similarity between the tracks.

References: https://secondhandsongs.com/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

If you like my blog, please consider filling in the follow by email link at the top right hand of the page. Remember to confirm the subscription when you get the first email. Confidentiality is assured unless you are a close friend or family member then all bets are off. While I can compile data from my blog it’s not tracking in terms of anyone’s identity. For past blog posts click on the menu at the top right corner. Pass it along to a friend who might enjoy it as well or post it to your timeline on FB. And many thanks as always for reading my blog!

More Country Classics

randydafoeLeave a comment

Country Classics (again)

It will take a long time of blogging to get through all the best of Country music through the years and while I’ve examined a good percentage here are some more songs that deserve mention. What makes a song a “Classic” is somewhat subjective but these songs appear on several ‘lists’ and I have included my own personal bias and as well. As will you notice the numbers of cover versions is not always a measure of how great the song is.

“I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” performed by Buck Owens and written with a frequent collaborator, Harlan Howard (1964). This song went to #1 in February of 1965 and also #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. While Harlan wrote many hit songs for a dozen or so other artists, I don’t think anyone recorded more of his songs than Buck Owens. Covered about 30 times including Harlan Howard himself, Ray Charles and Stephanie Urbina Jones.

“Blue Moon of Kentucky” written by Bill Monroe and performed with His Bluegrass Boys (1947). While this great song is an official state song and has since been covered over 125 times I have to wonder how the song would have done if Bill Black, Elvis’s then bass player had not been fooling around singing this song during a break at Sun Studio. Subsequently Elvis ( Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill) were the first to cover this song seven years after the original in July 1954. Levon Helm, John Fogerty and Patsy Cline.

“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” written and performed by Alan Jackson. You may know this was a song about American life in the aftermath of 9/11. There have been many great songs written about the impact of this day but this one seems to have captured the feelings and emotions of everyday life. The song rose to much success and critical acclaim winning AMA and CMA song and record of the year (2002) and a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and a nomination for Song of the Year (2003). Only two ‘official’ covers from Secondhandsongs.com; an instrumental and Scotty McCreery from American Idol Season 10, 2011.

“Goodbye Earl” written by Dennis Linde and originally intended for Sammy Kershaw as he had recorded another Linde song about ‘Earl’. He didn’t do it and then it was first recorded by another group and that was never released, so the first issue was by the Dixie Chicks (1999). Live cover by Brothers Osborne,  Me First and The Gimme Gimmes (2006). A somewhat controversial song (and video that won CMA and AMA awards) and it seems practically no one wants to cover it, nevertheless I think it’s a great song. A good article about the song: https://www.wideopencountry.com/goodbye-earl-story-behind-song/.

“Golden Ring” by George Jones and Tammy Wynette, written by Bobby Braddock and Rafe Van Hoy. This song is about a wedding ring that keeps getting recycled through a pawn shop was recorded some months after the two singers got divorced themselves. They both were uncomfortable doing the song together but it hit #1 in 1976 so they had little choice in performing it. Some great cover versions out of the only 17 times it’s been redone, one of the great duet songs of country music. Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Terri Clark & Dierks Bentley, Dwight Yoakam & Kelly Willis.

References: https://secondhandsongs.com/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page  images: buckowens.com, tasteofcountry.com, contactmusic.com.

If you like my blog, please consider filling in the follow by email link at the top right hand of the page. Remember to confirm the subscription when you get the first email. Confidentiality is assured unless you are a close friend or family member then all bets are off. While I can compile data from my blog it’s not tracking in terms of anyone’s identity. For past blog posts click on the menu at the top right corner. Pass it along to a friend who might enjoy it as well or post it to your timeline on FB. And many thanks as always for reading my blog!