Music Break

Having made my regular post earlier today and having some time on my hands, I realized that some music might be a good change of pace.  Since that whole world seems to be dealing with a new disease, let's start with a song about a musical disease.  This is the Johnny Rivers version of Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu, written and first recorded in 1957 by Huey "Piano" Smith.  Backing Rivers are various studio musicians from the Wrecking Crew including Larry Knechtel on piano.  At this time, Knechtel was also a member of the soft rock group Bread.


Speaking of Huey "Piano" Smith, here is his song Don't You Just Know It, which has been covered by various artists including Sha Na Na for their TV show.


In 1968, the Small Faces released the album Ogden's Nut Gone Flake, whose title was based on a brand of chewing tobacco, and which included Song Of A Baker.  Bassist Ronnie Lane sings this one, with harmonies provided by guitarist and main lead singer Steve Marriott.  Ian McLagan plays keyboards and Kenny Jones plays drums.  Due to its heavy rock style, I like to think that it could be a forerunner of grunge, and would have fit into Nirvana's repertoire.


In 2008, Sammy Hagar released the album Cosmic Universal Fashion, including the song LOUD.  (Yes, the entire word is capitalized.)  Besides his fellow Van Halen alumnus Michael Anthony on bass and backing vocals, Hagar is joined by guitarist Billy Duffy from The Cult and drummer Matt Sorum from Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver.  The video shows the four musicians and their teenage alter-egos.


As anyone who frequently reads this blog knows, I like to make posts on Mondays called "Monday Mania", which refers to the song Manic Monday.  Written by the artist who sometimes called himself Prince, it was a huge hit for the Bangles in 1986.  While doing his part to stay home due to the coronavirus, Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day plays his version, which lacks the piano and strings from that of the Bangles.  In a split-screen, Bangles singer-guitarist Suzanna Hoffs plays along and provides some harmony vocals.  Behind her is a dulcimer, while the background behind Armstrong features a Beatles album and his dog, who briefly gets his own screen.