The Music Court

After discussing the song last night with friends I thought it would be a good time to document the journey of the city of Boston epic, “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.” It is rather funny that a song with five mere lines could make such an impact on nearly everyone who drops the r and draws out the a (and even those not from Boston). It is a surprise if you have not heard this song because it has been feautured at close to every Boston sporting event, the Oscar winning best picture “The Departed,” a Simpsons episode (so yes the Simpson’s did it), an episode of King of The Hill. Need I go on.

The lyrics:

“I’m a Sailor Peg, And I lost my leg, Climbing up the topsails, I lost my leg, I’m Shipping up to Boston (Woah oh oh).”

Perfect album cover. "I'm Shipping up to Boston" appeared on the Dropkick Murphys 2005 album "The Warrior's Code"

All written by the original folk man himself, Woody Guthrie. These lyrics have virtually defined Boston for Bostonites. Broad, outdated, wierd, but who the hell cares this is Boston and their apparently shipping up to it. The music though was written and recorded by The Dropkick Murphys who everyone knows this song to be by. The Dropkick Murphys were formed in Quincy, Massachusetts (a part of Metropolitan Boston) and quickly became the favorite celtic punk band focusing on Irish roots and kicking every venue into a drunken frenzy.

But, that is really what this song is about isn’t it. The song is known by its absolutely incredible opening banjo line that merges well with two power chords and then a culmination of instruments playing the opening line. Of course, this is then followed by the lyrics that are, of course, screamed. The song is supposed to be a drunk, brawling, punk, angry and catchy piece of music and if it was any different it would lose its subtle charm. That’s right “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,” a song that makes you want to go crazy with rage has some charm. It is perfectly short and is a great listen. So, if you have not heard the song or simply want to watch the great video of the police chasing band members while they belt out the Boston lyrics click the link below and enjoy.

I have to go find my leg.

Check It Out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw

Today’s song of the day is brought to you by the original blue-collar rocker. A man, who with his silver bullets, re-shaped blue-eyed soul into the heartland rock and roll we now know. His timeless classic, “Old Time Rock and Roll,” continues to crowd radio airwaves. He is the one and only Bob Seger.

From the wide collection of music written and sung in Seger’s raspy voice let us dig a little recently for today’s song. “Simplicity,” off of his last release “Face the Promise,” sees Seger delve into harder rock while singing about a subject that has made his music so loved over all of these years. Keep it simple. Seger longs for the basics, the oldies, the Little Richard and the Elvis Presley. He was inspired by this simple music time and he has carried this message throughout his entire career. What makes “Simplicity,” so interesting though is its pairing. Yes, the hard-rock guitar riff is simple and the saxophone lick is, as well, quite simple, but the song interestingly moves a little away from normal simplicity. Seger’s niche is more along the lines of heartland rock. Yet, even though the song approaches hard-rock his grunts by the end of the song truly bring back that simpler feel and demonstrate to the listeners that Bob Seger really has not changed much. And, that is a good thing.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieIn1qFd9uU

           Happy Birthday Mr. Gary Brooker. At 66, your enduring classic “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” with your old band Procul Harum is still one of classic rock’s more melodic hits and today it has the unparalleled honor of being The Music Court’s song of the day.

        “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” was released by Procul Harum as a single on June 8th, 1967. Gary Brooker took lead and in his haunting croon bellowed out the lyrics written by friend and poet Keith Reid. Now, one must understand the lyrics of this song are not like a usual rock classic. The lyrics are understandably wierd. Reid is a poet and it shows. Lyrics like:

And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale.

        Yet, the reason behind the songs success is the miraculous pairing of the lyrics by Reid, the voice of Brooker, and the Bach like hammond organ of Matthew Fisher who, while having a suitable name (the song is about the sea), also had a keen ability to create a whistling ocean-like feel to the song. If one had to put a soundtrack to the poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” by Samuel Coleridge this is what it would sound like and The Ancient Mariner would, of course, be Brooker. For this song strikes on a musical rarity. Brooker, Reid, and Fisher lull you into a mystical state where you feel entrapped by the music and the story and you cannot release yourself from its grasp until the four minutes come to a close.

Must Check Out This Video, Old Time Performance of “Whiter Shade of Pale”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbWULu5_nXI

       When I was in a band long ago my friend would always pester me to write a song with a word that is generally not used in music. I always thought it was a cool idea and I do enjoy songs that tend to focus on some unconventional words. I often think to myself, “How do they fit that in.” Well, my band disbanded and our songs remained corny and pretty horrible (probably because I was attempting to write lyrics), but music will go on without us and today, as the spelling bee progresses on ESPN and numerous 10-13 year olds (even a third grader) continue to prove they are smarter then me, let us make our song of the day a song by the word master, Mr. Robert Zimmerman (otherwise known as the much better sounding Bob Dylan).

    In Workingman’s Blues #2 ( I do not believe there is a one but it is Bob Dylan so no one will question him) Dylan finds a way to neatly place the word proletariat in his first verse. Proletariat. Definition: Member of a lower social class. Etymology: Latin. The song is off of his 2006 release of Modern Times which was his 32nd studio album. His wikipedia discography is huge by the way. The song is a classic Dylan release, a soft guitar and piano background highlighting the lyrics of Dylan and his distinctive deep croon. Take a listen and let Dylan sing you some of his Workingman’s Blues (even though he is pretty well off).

Here is the song:

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

Hey, guess what. The song of the day is “The Trapeze Swinger” by Iron & Wine off Sam Beam’s new album entitled “Around the Well.” Where did I hear of that before? Scroll down and read the entire album review when you get the chance but for now let’s cover the best song on the two disc album. What makes “The Trapeze Swinger,” so good is its combination of everything great in a song. What you have here is a catchy chord progression, a fantastic background track of heavenly like sounds, and Beam’s pleading voice and lyric. “Please remember me, happily by the rosebush laughing.” At close listen one can understand what Beam is portraying in his song. It seems as if it is a man’s final plea for his love to remember him as “the trapeze act” of his life is ending. A trapeze act that contains such contradictions as angels kissing sinners, god and Lucifer as a boy and a girl, and the perfectly crafted line, “Who the hell can see forever,” playing on both hell and heaven as the song comes to a close. Who knows where anyone goes after death but Beam’s simple plea remains among the instruments that gather and mix to end the song as one attempts to figure out what just hit them. There is not much more that can be said except I will provide a link to listen below and please for the sake of The Music Court go take a listen and see for yourself.   

Check out the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raVzi_y6XWI