The Music Court

              Over at EZine articles I recently came across a post by Danielle Hollister compiling the top 50 music quotations in history. At #4 came Berthold Auerbach’s (a famous German-Jewish poet and author) quotation, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” As many of you know I have been cursed with the unfortunate task of being  a Mets fan. The reason I consider it a task is because, similar to a dead-end job, it slowly kills you day in and day out as you wait for something better to finally come along. After a miserable loss a few hours ago I found myself quietly going to my refuge. Music. Yes, I may be acting a little melodramatic and the simplicity of the pictures above may lead to me being eventually institutionalized, but I have always leaned on music to give me some relief when times are not particularly great. When the notes of a good song flow into my ears I am calmed and worries tend to wash away.

       That conveniently leads us into today’s song of the day. “Wash Away,” by Joe Purdy, a folk rocker who pumps out albums like a Fordian assembly line, is one of these songs that can simply relax you and help relieve you of the stress of your current worries and figuratively remove the dust that clouds your mind. It is a song that simply emits the basic message. Everyone has troubles in their life but you need that day, that hour, that minute where you can sit back and relax and say, “Not Today,” and watch the troubles wash away like receding water moving back to the sea.

      You may recognize the song from an episode of “Lost.” If you are a fan of the show that means you are obsessed so you will definitely remember the episode and minute the song appeared. Purdy’s work has been also featured in such shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House,” as well as a Kia commercial. His music is simple and catchy and the man understands the necessity of good rhythm and good melodies. He also seems like he has a good grip on life in general. So, while Josh will be posting the Lyrics of the Day later today, I thought I would provide you with the lyrics and to all you Mets fans out there struggling there are a lot of games left my friends and all you can do with this loss is let it wash away.

“ I got troubles oh, but not today
Cause they’re gonna wash away
They’re gonna wash away

And I have sins Lord, but not today
Cause they’re gonna wash away
They’re gonna wash away

And I had friends oh, but not today
Cause they’re done washed away
They’re done washed away

And oh, I’ve been cryin’
And oh, I’ve been cryin’
And oh, no more cryin’
No, no more cryin’ here

We get along Lord, but not today
Cause we gonna wash away
We gonna wash away

And I got troubles oh, but not today
Cause they gonna wash away
This old heart gonna take them away”  

 Check out the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTdCzIduUb4

The Killers blew up in 2004 with the release of their debut album Hot Fuss, which was propelled by such singles as “Mr. Brightside”, “Somebody Told Me” and “All These Things That I’ve Done”.  But to whomever bought the album and listened to it through I’m sure they have heard this mesmerizing song that brings out The Killers electronic influences.  In this story a man is in a police station explaining to the officers that he wasn’t responsible for the death of his girlfriend.  He admits that he got angry with her when she broke up with him but swears that they parted ways after that, the name of the song is his defense that the victim was his friend and he would never have harmed her.  My favorite line in this song is towards the end of the vocals when Brandon Flowers (Lead Vocalist) says, “And then you whisper in my ear, I know what you’re doing here” I find it very ominous because in the story the cop is saying to the suspect that they don’t believe his story despite his cries that he is  innocent.  

The Killers formed in Las Vegas which attributes to their videos very theatrical vibes, and their very show-manlike appearance on stage.  Hot Fuss went Multi-Platinum but the bands success also brought out some of the bands ego which showed when the lead singer Brandon Flowers commented that other bands such as The Bravery and Fall Out Boy are only gaining fame because The Killers opened the door for them which caused a nasty exchange between both bands and a bitter rivalry.

Give it a listen and enjoy.

Song Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlOqXcPkUis&feature=related

-JB

Another Then and Now: Clapton and Winwood (with band) Then

Later on today (8 pm est) Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood will embark on a 14 date U.S. tour beginning with their debut show in the Izod Center in New Jersey. I shall be attending this show at 8 pm tonight with family and friends and we are psyched. Excuse my slang but I am quite excited to see two of rock and roll’s best musicians at their finest. I have seen Clapton two times before but the addition of Winwood can only make the concert better. In honor of this tour today shall be focused on, you guessed it, Clapton and Winwood, and after the concert a review of the concert will find its way on the site quickly (after I regain my composure after the show)

Where better to start than with the beginning. In 1965 and 1966 producer Joe Boyd wanted to celebrate the opening of the London office for Elektra records with some noticeable British talent. Paul Jones, Manfred Mann’s singer, suggested putting together an all-star line-up and so the first purposeful supergroup was formed. A supergroup that consisted of members of the Spencer Davis Group (consisting of one Steve Winwood and Pete York), Manfred Mann (Paul Jones and Jack Bruce) and Mr. Eric Clapton. Long story short, they recorded a few amazing blues hits under the great name of Powerhouse and then left to do their own material destined to meet and play again. Okay that was corny but it is true. For this is where Clapton met Jack Bruce and with Ginger Baker they formed the famous supergroup Cream. Winwood went back to the Spencer Davis Group for another year and kept in contact with Clapton who came calling soon.

Now the rest may get a little confusing but music history is quite interesting. Plus connections are fun and there are a lot of them here. Here we shall learn of the connection of Clapton and Winwood 40 years ago and their forming of their own supergroup Blind Faith. First let us start with Clapton. Cream made a lot of money, a true powerhouse (ha ha). Yet, come 1968 Eric Clapton had virtually become band mediator as Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce constantly argued with each other. Also, Clapton did not enjoy the contrived blues that he had been forced to play and wished to expand his music horizons (same reason why he left The Yardbirds). Steve Winwood was running into similar problems over in the Spencer Davis Group where he longed to experiment with the music they were playing. After his request to diversify music was denied by his band mates he decided to leave and form Traffic. Traffic temporarily split in 1969 and Winwood started to jam with Clapton in Clapton’s basement in Surrey, England, eventually deciding to form Blind Faith.

Here is where it gets a little confusing. They needed a drummer and Ginger Baker was available after the break-up of Cream. He sat in for a few sessions and Steve Winwood wanted to make him a final member. Clapton questioned the move because he just broke up with Cream a few weeks prior. A resounding Awkward! Winwood convinced Clapton because Baker is pretty proficient at the drums and Baker became the drummer. Now they just needed a bassist. Now it gets more complicated. Both Winwood and Clapton wanted Rick Grech who they had both jammed with before. One problem. Grech, and his band Family, was set to embark on a U.S. tour with Ten Years After. He agreed to perform with Family until they could find a suitable bassist to replace him but he became unreliable. At the first show in the Fillmore East he was so disoriented he could barely play. Let us just say he quickly found his way into the Blind Faith line-up and finally Blind Faith was born.

Cool shot of Blind Faith at Hyde Park

Now that we know a long winded history let us get to some material. Here comes the song of the day and my Blind Faith favorite, “Can’t Find My Way Home.” It may be the pleasant acoustic guitar, Winwood’s beautiful falsetto, the lyrics, “And I am wasted and I can’t find my way home.” Something about the three minute sixteen second song is just so enticing and inviting and I am looking forward to hearing it, among other classics, tonight. Please keep the history alive and continue listening to these amazing blues hits. Blind Faith may have only been around for one album but  because of the music genius provided on the album they sure made quite an impact.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Now

               Sticking with Paul McCartney, on this date in 1973, Paul McCartney hit #1 on the charts with “My Love,” recorded with his Wings on their 1973 album Red Rose Speedway. The Beatles were finished and all were off embarking on solo careers. While Paul McCartney was pouring his heart into love songs, Ringo Starr was off recording songs like a cover of the fantastically titled, “No No Song,” where a recovering drug addict refuses drugs. Don’t you just love contrast. But, I kid, the song is actually quite catchy and so is Paul McCartney’s touching hit which sat #1 on the chart for most of June. Only a year later “Band on the Run,” also by flying Paul McCartney hit #1 in June. The man likes June.

         And wait, because I enjoy useless knowledge, guess who followed Paul as #1 on the Billboard top 100. I’ll give you a clue. His initials are GH and he was a Beatle. Okay pretty revealing clue. With, “Give Me Love,” George Harrison followed Paul. And, wait just one second I got you one more. Following George was the late great Billy Preston with his hit, “Will it Go Round in Circles.”

             Preston, known as the fifth Beatle, was given joint credit for the official Beatles-sanctioned release of “Get Back,” the only one to ever hold this honor. For all Beatles nuts reading this and going no no (I do not want the drugs) Matt you are wrong the Beatles backed for Tony Sheridan when they were new and in Hamburg. Yes, you are correct imaginary Beatles fans that are questioning me. Yet, these were unsanctioned reissues. My head is spinning with titles. Just understand he worked with The Beatles with the recording of the penultimate album Let it Be and The Beatles final release Abbey Road. Whether or not Let it Be is the penultimate album or not is also debated but simply I do not think it really matters. Whatever it may be, Billy Preston followed George who followed Paul all in 1973 with #1 hits and this is, in my opinion, an awesome coincidence.

           Just for the heck of it I would like to mention that later in 1973 Ringo hit #1 with “Photograph.” Can’t leave Ringo out.

Don't you just love the internet. An awesome photo with The Beatles and Billy Preston in the studio

 Check out Paul’s “My Love”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN4ZDjFGUB0 

  Check out Billy Preston’s afro on The Midnight Special and “Will it Go Round in Circles:” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yiYbCJitvQ

Check out George Harrisons “Give Me Love” and a nice tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RChR5DKgY_Y

Alright today is Monday, in case anybody forgot and is now running super late for work. Monday means misery for some and for others, like myself, it means a wealth of music to choose from. I must apologize for all the themed music and I promise I will stop myself from continuing to pull convenient daily songs from my musical head but today I just could not help it.

                  “Monday, Monday” by the drama and Doughnut-filled The Mamas And The Papas first appeared in the musical world in 1966. The song was written by John Phillips (Papa John, yes the original Papa John) who actually was a pretty talented song writer even years after the end of The Mamas And The Papas. The end of The Mamas And The Papas that came in 1967 and then again in 1968 because first Cass Elliot (Mama Cass), who was rather over-weight, was insulted by John Phillips (most likely Yo’ Mamma So Fat) in front of a young Mick Jagger. She was so embarrassed and insulted she left the band and then came back and then left again after wanting to embark on a solo career that culminated in heart failure in 1974.

            Okay now to the song. Phillips has an odd relationship with Mondays. According to the song, Monday’s are good to him but then they make him cry (possibly because they are leaving without him? Leaving in favor of the abusive Tuesday?) I find this to be an interesting predicament and almost certainly a catch-22 that can make your head swirl. Let us leave it that he was confused. The song is great though. A catchy piece of vocal harmonies and a good lead croon by Denny Doherty. Fun Fact: First song by a sexually integrated group to reach #1 on the charts. Leading the way for such bands like No Doubt and Black Eyed Peas, almost certainly posing the question what is going on.

Check it out on this glorious Monday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7KrlDZ5Hkw (Black and white makes it awesome).