Catching up again, a new playlist

July 15, 2017
It's been a while since one of these. Life got in the way of facebook for a while and a lower profile seemed to be the way to deal. But one thing I noticed was not many people have been posting music lately. Maybe it's summer and people are outdoors during leisure time, or maybe it's the heat, maybe it's the politics or maybe it's just life goes on. A death in the family today reminded me how fragile life is so in remembrance and to raise the level a little, maybe it's time to put a little music into life. I have been collecting songs knowing this day would come sooner or later. Never being orthodox about this, these first three are different versions of the same song. Worth the listen I hope. First is Zooey Deschanel with She and Him. "Unchained Melody."

The next one is a little different. You maybe have heard part of it already in an Apple commercial that's been on TV lately. Lykke Li.  'Unchained Melody" again.

Now, you might have noticed whose song they have covered. Honestly, I like listening to these but nobody and I mean nobody sang it like the Righteous Brothers. (Also I am old enough to have heard it before THAT movie.)  "Unchained Melody" yet again.

I didn't realize that version didn't have the other half of the brothers on it, so just for justice and equality, here is another song with both of them singing. Awesomesauce. "You've lost that loving feeling."













The high notes Bobby Hatfield could hit brings a connection to another singer. I heard this the other night and it reminded me this is a song I don't have on my phone. A glass of wine and a credit card took care of that. I don't think anyone has ever tried to cover this one. Minnie Riperton, "Loving You."

We often focus on the contemporary. And on these lists I often focus on the past. But look who's coming along. This young lady is 11 years old. Give the drummer a little love too. She's 14 and I have saved some videos of her for a future playlist.  "The Sound of Silence."

Ok they both deserve another listen. "Go your own way." Put it on full screen. These kids are amazing. The young fellow playing the guitar is 14 also.

Not sure I can even top those kids tonight, but we could start by letting Fleetwood Mac go their own way. 

Some comments from facebook at this point in the night.

Suzy Peakall Thank you for another stellar playlist. It's been too long.

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 · Reply · July 15 at 9:06pm

Manage

Tim Jones This one went in a different direction in a New York minute.

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 · Reply · July 15 at 9:07pm

Manage

Suzy Peakall All part of the magic, my friend.

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 · Reply · 

1

 · July 15 at 9:07pm

I couldn't resist. I got to poking around with the videos those kids put up and came across this one. It's not on the playlist on facebook, but I liked it so much I thought it might go here. The drummer Sina covering  The Who's "Pinball Wizard." with a tribute to Who drummer Keith Moon.

Ok sticking with young female singers. This is Suzi Quatro. A nickel if you recognize her. Never mind: Leather Tuscadero from the TV show "Happy Days." "If you can't give me love"

All right with all these female musicians, somehow in the back of my mind I feel like I am violating some kind of bro code. So, here's a transition.  Maria Muldar, Leon Russell, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson.

Seems like somebody cut that one short. So, moving on. I keep going back here. The first and biggest of the "girl groups" the Supremes first big hit. "Where Did Our Love Go"

Now we are heading off into random songs that caught my attention over the past few months: Starting with One toke over the line, a song Lawrence Welk totally misunderstood. "One Toke Over the Line."

I've already mentioned Leon Russell once. Here he is again. In 1971 Beatle George Harrison organized a benefit to help refugees in Bangladesh, a largely ignored part of the world. Anyone who was anybody attended and participated. Too many to mention. This is a memorable performance as introduced by George, "a couple of numbers from Leon." "Jumpin' Jack Flash and Youngblood." 

Would you believe a duet by Judy Collins and Peter Seeger? "Turn, Turn, Turn." Did you know the lyrics are based on biblical scripture? The song was written by Seeger and includes word for word passages from the first eight verses of the Third Book of Ecclesiastes. 







Why is it we don't hear more from Judy Collins these days? "In my life"  

This came up in conversation tonight, memories; first with the cover by the young girl above and then in conversation. Paul Simon with a good back story. I actually rode down a road once with a lover I was leaving and we sang this song, even made up verses.  "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"

Here's a lesser known Paul Simon song, but one that speaks to me. "The Boxer." 

Simon & Garfunkel were so good it would be difficult to pick their best song but this one would be near the top. For one it relates to my experience with Sweet Judy Blue Eyes (Yes Suzy, another one who got away) but also to a happy day driving to Anchorage when I actually hit the high note. I have NEVER hit the high note in Unchained Melody.  If you listen closely Art Garfunkel doesn't hit the high note either in this rendition. "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

One last song. Watching Mic Fleetwood and Sina (the drummer backing that 11-year-old singer) play drums earlier tonight reminded me of this story. When Peter Gabriel left Genesis, the group went looking for another lead singer. They auditioned several people but kept looking for someone they said "sounded like" (drummer) Phil Collins. Then the dawn broke and the rest is history. From their extensive library this has always been my favorite. "I don't care anymore."

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