The Music Court

The song of the day today shall revolve around what is playing from my favorites list on my IHome. After exploring the wild world of Shakespeare for my Shakespeare class I decided to take a quick look over at Sparknotes just to make sure I understood what I had just read from “The Merchant of Venice.” During my check a beautiful piano riff started playing in the background. Best comparable with a classical melody with depressing lyrics, Ben Folds’ 1:40 second long ode to Fred Jones and his wife is a perfect example of haunting beauty.

The song, which mentions Fred Jones and his screaming wife, was inspired by a newspaper cut-out that wrote of an unhappy husband who wanted to divorce his wife with a brain tumor because he claimed she was not the same person he married. Folds’ ability to approach such unsavory topics like unhappy marriages in a quick song over the beauty of classical piano is astounding. Don’t think so? Well check out the song and tell me what you think of Ben Folds. Some think he is overly vulgar. Some think he is a genius. What do you think?

Check it Out with interesting short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJye3_Edjmo

I was at a loss for decision making this morning so I turned to my trusty suitemate Marc to suggest a year to me. He said 1969 and I said fine. I unearthed the charts from 1969 and number one on this date 40 years ago was none other then “Honky Tonk Women,” by the flamboyant Beatles counter-parts, The Rolling Stones.

There is no need to go through any history behind the Jagger/Richards combo of goodness so let us get into the song of the day. The story behind the song takes place in Brazil. Both Jagger and Richards were vacationing from December of 1968 into the new year when a thought popped in their creative heads. Let’s write a song that focuses on the Gaucho’s (residents of the South American pampas (Brazil like area)) Wow that is some Spanish lesson. Did you know that originally the song was supposed to be an ode to 1930’s country music. Yet, the track that was originally called “Country Honk” turned electric with the introduction of Mick Taylor into the band and became the track we know and love today. The video is below and it is from Hyde Park which means extra cool.

Yes, the time has come for my 4 hour trek back to Binghamton, New York. Surprisingly, I will be heading into my Junior year which most definitely backs the concept that life goes by as fast as Usain Bolt can run the 100 meter. You know you like that running reference. Anyway, sticking with the theme of getting back, I thought what would be a better song to profile today than The Beatle’s road classic, “Get Back”

I do admit I need to change some lyrics so bear with me here. Jojo is now Matthew. I left my home in Jericho, New York for some Binghamton snowy grass. Okay, the rhythm was thrown a little bit but I think I established the point. “Get Back,” was written by the Lennon/McCartney writing duo but was mainly a McCartney song. The Beatles released it as a single (B Side was “Don’t Let me Down,” which can also be a good song for parents to sing to their students who are going back to school. Man, Julie Taymor’s job in directing “Across The Universe,” was not too hard. I have already themed two songs for a scene about going to College. Forget about journalism, I am going to be a director.) Well, that was a large sidenote that was insulting to directors everywhere. I apologize your job is hard and I would most likely fail at doing it. But, if you need a music coordinator please give me a ring.

We need a good Did you know to get us back on track. Did you know that The Beatle’s released the single “Get Back,” in April of 1969 under the name of The Beatles with Billy Preston?  This was the only Beatles’ single that was credited to another artist beside themselves. But, you know me, I love to reach back. This is actually a slight bit false. Tony Sheridan, the English Rock n’ Roll singer-songwriter cut a track with The Beatles’ on his single, “My Bonnie,” which was issued in the UK in 1962. Beatles’ trivia is always interesting.

Enjoy the video of the rooftop performance while I am taking my long ride back to Binghamton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G7MkBMVxE

    As you may already know I am a New Yorker. Well, a Long Islander, so I guess that does not really count. What us Long Islander’s share with the daily bustle of the crowded city (besides an equal hatred for sports teams in Philly and Boston/New England) is the weather. When it is summertime in the city… it is summertime on Long Island. Today, as I turned off my alarm and walked out in my pajamas and sandals to retrieve the newspaper, I was hit with a muggy wave of just plain hot. Just the type of disgusting hot that makes you go, “You know what, I am okay with our inevitable progression to winter weather.” I couldn’t get back in my house fast enough. Gross! But, it got me thinking about two things. First, summertime in New York is hot and humid. Second, the basic contradiction that when it’s winter people crave warmth but when it’s summer people don’t mind bundling up for some cooler weather. Hmm. What song has a contradiction and warm weather. And then it hit me. Well, the insanely catchy, it will stick its beat in your head for a year like a harmful virus and never let go Jack I’ll never let go, hit that sold 5-10 million singles in 1970, “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry.

They work for Satan

 WARNING: The following link will toss you into a new dimension of catchiness. It is only the devils work that can produce such a tune, and the devil himself (a one who goes by Mr. Ray Dorset who can craft such wierd contradictory lyrics for the song). Watch at your own risk.

P.S. Tell me the keyboardist does not look like a warped Paul McCartney. Also, at 1:10 be very afraid at the musical version of afro-Wolverine. The video is scary. Play it backwards and there is probably some I pray to you Satin stuff going on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc9wIzi96_E

           Watching the video is rather scary! The song is way to happy. Like lets all smile, cult happiness. But, I cannot say anything against the song. It is catchy and works well with the summer. Hey, the first line says it all, “In the summertime when the weather is hot.” That is exactly what I was thinking when I felt that summertime heat. Now off to the contradiction of the song. Let’s compare verse 1-2 and 3

VERSE 1-2

Have a drink, have a drive,
go out and see what you can find

If her daddy’s rich take her out for a meal
If her daddy’s poor just do what you feel
Speed along the lane
Do a ton or a ton an’ twenty-five
When the sun goes down
You can make it, make it good in a lay-by

Verse 3

We’re no threat, people
We’re not dirty, we’re not mean
We love everybody but we do as we please
When the weather’s fine
We go fishin’ or go swimmin’ in the sea
We’re always happy
Life’s for livin’ yeah, that’s our philosophy

        See the difference. No!?! Look closer. Okay I will just tell you. Verse 2 promotes exploiting the poor and sucking up the rich, clear full-frontal drunk driving (“Have a drink have a drive), and worst, pure unintelligible babble (“Do a ton or a ton an’ twenty-five”). What the hell does that mean? Verse 3, on the other hand, is a wonderful ode to living life for today. We are always happy and we go fishing and we go swimming and we are not dirty or mean (even though in verse 2 they clearly explain how they are both dirty and mean). It is almost like Ray Dorset wrote the song on two different drugs. He was coming off of an upper when he wrote the end of verse 1 and verse 2 and popped a few more pills on verse 3. Now, please, I am not claiming Ray Dorset took drugs but he sure has two personalities. So, lay back and enjoy heaven and hell’s clash in Mungo Jerry’s hit. Oh wait, by the way, a little fun fact. Manu Chao’s “Marijuana Boogie” uses the chord structure and melody of the song with entirely different lyrics. I think Chao has a better message then Dorset’s have a drink have a drive.

                I find it remarkable that so many songs (some credited some not credited ask Led Zeppelin) sample blues music. Old time blues musicians do not get any respect by listeners. They are the universal Rodney Dangerfield. No Respect. Well, at least they get respect by musicians (except if you’re Robert “Stolen” Plant or Jimmy “Plagerize” Page). Anyone who does not think rock n’ roll came from 20’s blues musicians should really read this post. So, instead of simply highlighting the 1969 Canned Heat hit, I felt it necessary to also profile the original blues piece recorded in 1928 by the master of the quills (pan-flute), Henry Thomas.

Henry Thomas

 Do not worry, Canned Heat gave them credit. It all does make sense though. The reason why I picked “Goin Up The Country” is to write a proper send off to my brother who leaves today for Cornell University in Ithaca, NY (The country of New York). Ithaca is only three hours away from Woodstock country, White Lake, NY. Not surprisingly, “Bull Doze Blues,” opens with the lyric I’m going away, babe, and it won’t be long. “Goin’ Up The Country,” begins with the lyric I’m going up the country, baby, don’t you wanna go. Similar, ey!

                 “Goin’ Up The Country,” which has become synonymous with the famous Woodstock music festival that has been stuck in my mind over the past few days, appeared on Canned Heat’s double album Living The Blues. It also was released as a single and hit #11 on the U.S billboard hot 100 charts. It also appeared as #1 in 25 other countries. The song gains its popularity as the unofficial anthem of the Woodstock festival. The lyrics do work perfectly because they profile going up the country which is what so many did to witness the festival.

                    The song is also flat-out blues, focusing on the blues AAB form. Same line twice and then a concluding line for each verse. Canned Heat did turn the song into modern blues. Henry Thomas’ “Bull Doze Blues,” is a precursor to the blues. His music is more of a demonstration of the evolution of blues. You want to check out the differences. I have video.

“Goin’ Up The Country,” by Canned Heat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf0Dm-OaTNk&feature=PlayList&p=FBB5E7ECBB20EB6A&index=13

“Bull Doze Blues,” by Henry Thomas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qo9R5kDZWY&feature=PlayList&p=3C20D5FF8FE33BFC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=45