Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Music Break

Before I relay some of today's news, I need a little break for some songs.  First up is If I Don't Be There By Morning by Eric Clapton, from his 1978 album Backless.  This one was written by Bob Dylan and his backup singer (and maybe also his then-girlfriend) Helena Springs.  I haven't been able to find any recording of this song by Dylan himself.


Steely Dan's second album Countdown To Ecstasy starts out with the jazz-influenced rocker Bodhisattva, the title referring to a person on the way to becoming a buddha.  Thus, we see a bit of cultural appropriation.  At this time, Steely Dan were still a full band, consisting of Donald Fagan (lead vocals & keyboards), Walter Becker (bass & vocals), Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (guitar), Denny Dias (guitar), and Jim Hodder (drums & vocals).


The Marshall Tucker Band had their biggest hit in 1977 with Heard It In A Love Song, written by lead guitarist Toy Caldwell.  The band also included Toy's brother Tommy on bass, George McCorkle on rhythm guitar, Paul Riddle on drums, Jerry Eubanks on flute and sax, and Doug Gray on lead vocals.  On this song, Eubanks solos on flute, while their producer Paul Hornsby plays piano and organ.  The band is named after a blind piano tuner who had previously rented the rehearsal space they were in, and left behind a key with his name on it.  They're still around, but Gray is currently their only original member.


Fleetwood Mac's 1972 album Bare Trees included The Ghost, written and sung by guitarist Bob Welch.  At this time, FM also included Danny Kirwan on guitar and vocals, Christine McVie on keyboards and vocals, John McVie on bass, and Mick Fleetwood on drums.  What sounds like a flute is actually a mellotron played by Chrissy Mac.


To finish with some humor, this is The Curly Shuffle by the Jump 'N The Saddle Band, their only hit.  The song pays tribute to The Three Stooges and quotes many of Curly Howard's noted lines.  So "look at the grouse", "wise guy", and listen to the song.

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