Tag Archives: songwriting

It Must Be The Night Fever

23 Monday Mar 2020

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Monday morning, you look out the window at the empty streets and think of times when the Night Fever meant something else…

Thanks to YouTuber HD Film Tributes

Fast Car

20 Friday Mar 2020

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Tracy Chapman was an unlikely singer/songwriter to chart in the top 10 in 1988, but there was something so pure, authentic, and truthful in her singing that this song resonated with many and, improbably, became a hit.

Thanks to YouTuber Folk & Country on MV

“New Jersey Is Famous For Glue…”: Blossom Dearie

30 Thursday Jan 2020

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“Pencils come from Pennsylvania…”

Blossom Dearie states some State facts that won’t get you on Jeopardy.  From the song, “Rhode Island Is Famous For You.”

The clever lyrics are by Howard Dietz who also wrote “That’s Entertainment.”

Thanks to YouTuber 65yb74

 

Do You Know The Way To San Jose?

20 Monday Jan 2020

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Monday morning, Dionne Warwick contemplates chucking it all and heading home.

It’s hard to choose from all the great Burt Bacharach/Hal David/Dionne Warwick collaborations, but I always appreciated Hal David’s storyline in this one—I can’t think of any other pop song with a similar theme.

Thanks to YouTuber Petersmusic

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

17 Friday Jan 2020

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When Steve Stills sung this paean to his about-to-be-ex, Judy Collins, it was one of the most audacious and brilliant love songs from a 60s folk rock band. This cover, by Josh Turner on six string guitar, Tanner Walter on 12 string guitar and Myles Pinder on the high parts, is frighteningly good.

More at Josh Turner Guitar

St. Thomas: Sonny Rollins

13 Monday Jan 2020

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Monday morning, as winter starts to creep up, “St. Thomas” with Sonny Rollins as the place to be is okay with me .

Tenor Sax : Sonny Rollins

Piano : Kenny Drew

Bass : Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen

Drums : Albert “Tootie” Heath

Thanks to YouTuber BluesBeBopper2000

And Your Little Dog, Two

06 Monday Jan 2020

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Monday Morning, Nellie McKay‘s ode to her animal friend, “The Dog Song.” I’ve posted this song before, done when she was a young pup, and this much more recent performance of the song is even better. It cheered me up in the space of a few minutes.

Thanks to YouTuber Music and More Blog

I Know A Little Bit About A Lot Of Things

18 Monday Nov 2019

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Monday Morning, Peggy Lee seeks to expand her knowledge of a few subjects.

The guitar player is David Barbour, Peggy Lee’s husband at the time, who also composed the song.

The witty lyrics are by Ms. Lee.

More at Peggy Lee

Rock ‘N’ Roll School

11 Monday Nov 2019

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Wow. Monday morning, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Clapton, and a bunch of other great musicians, show how it’s done.

Carl Perkins (guitar, vocals)
Geraint Watkins (piano)
Dave Edmunds (guitar, vocals)
George Harrison (guitar, vocals)
Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals)
Rosanne Cash (vocals, maracas)
Ringo Starr (drums, tambourine, vocals)
Slim Jim Phantom (drums)
Greg Perkins (bass guitar)
Lee Rocker (double bass)
Earl Slick (guitar)
David Charles (drums)
John David (bass guitar)
Mickey Gee (guitar)

Thanks to YouTuber Carl Perkins on MV

All Or Nothing At All: Frank Sinatra

08 Friday Nov 2019

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Two Brooklyn guys, Arthur Altman and Jack Lawrence, wrote the music and lyrics.

It was Sinatra’s first hit, and he recorded at least three different versions of it over the years.

The song has been covered by many, including Ella, Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughn, and John Coltrane. Sometimes I like to look for the non-obvious version, but this is one time I have to admit Sinatra has them all beat.

Thanks to YouTuber  finetunes Easy Listening

 

Simple Twist of Fate

01 Friday Nov 2019

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A younger Carson McKee with a laid-backed version of the Dylan song. Carson sings the story and lyrics of the song so simply and straightforwardly that he makes it sound like an American Songbook standard.

More at Carson McKee

The Real Jersey Boys

21 Monday Oct 2019

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Monday morning, Big Girls Don’t Cry.

Last week I saw an excellent revival of the musical Jersey Boys, the play about the rise and fall of The Four Seasons, but I don’t think even the amazing Aaron DeJesus as Frankie Valli sang in as high a key as Frankie does in this clip. In this live performance (voices are live, music pre-recorded) Frankie falters on one of the notes, but it’s still great.

Thanks to YouTuber onepapa2

Ooh Baby Baby

14 Monday Oct 2019

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Monday morning, loosen your tie with the man, besides Berry Gordy,  most responsible for the success of Motown, the brilliant singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson.

Gotta love the swivel 1.0 choreography for the Miracles, too.

Thanks to Youtuber QuentinCoxBOI