I realize that the last two songs I did for #quarantinehootenanny had stories that involved George Harrison, so today (#14 of ???), I give you one of George's songs: Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth).
George says, "Sometimes you open your mouth and you don't know what you are going to say, and whatever comes out is the starting point. If that happens and you are lucky, it can usually be turned into a song. This song is a prayer and personal statement between me, the Lord, and whoever likes it."
In the summer of 1973, Give Me Love made it to the top of the Billboard 100, knocking My Love by Paul McCartney & Wings out of the #1 slot. Cover versions have been recorded by Sting, James Taylor, Elton John, and (my favorite) Dave Davies.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
Wonderful Tonight
Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton is today’s #quarantinehootenanny (#13 of ???).
The song was written by Eric for his then wife, Pattie Boyd, who was the former wife of his best friend, George Harrison, and former lover of Ronnie Wood (then of The Faces, later of The Rolling Stones).
George met Pattie on the set of A Hard Days Night. You’ll see Pattie in some of the early scenes on the train. This song was written by Eric while he and Pattie were getting ready to head out to a party being thrown by Paul and Linda McCartney.
Pattie’s autobiography was originally titled “Wonderful Today,” but the American publisher changed it to “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me.”
Songs allegedly written for Pattie Boyd (partial list?)…
George Harrison:
“I Need You,” ”If I Needed Someone", "Something,” "For You Blue,” “So Sad”
Ronnie Wood:
“Mystifies Me,” “Breathe on Me”
Eric Clapton:
"Layla,” "Wonderful Tonight,” “She’s Waiting,” “Old Love”
The song was written by Eric for his then wife, Pattie Boyd, who was the former wife of his best friend, George Harrison, and former lover of Ronnie Wood (then of The Faces, later of The Rolling Stones).
George met Pattie on the set of A Hard Days Night. You’ll see Pattie in some of the early scenes on the train. This song was written by Eric while he and Pattie were getting ready to head out to a party being thrown by Paul and Linda McCartney.
Pattie’s autobiography was originally titled “Wonderful Today,” but the American publisher changed it to “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me.”
Songs allegedly written for Pattie Boyd (partial list?)…
George Harrison:
“I Need You,” ”If I Needed Someone", "Something,” "For You Blue,” “So Sad”
Ronnie Wood:
“Mystifies Me,” “Breathe on Me”
Eric Clapton:
"Layla,” "Wonderful Tonight,” “She’s Waiting,” “Old Love”
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Take it All
Badfinger's Take it All (Pete Ham) is today's #quarantinehootenanny (#12 of ???). There's a story to this song, if you care...
In 1971 Badfinger began their third album with George Harrison producing. Work on the LP stopped while George worked on the benefit Concert for Bangladesh. The guys from Badfinger were invited to be part of the house band at the all-star show.
As part of the Bangladesh concert, George would obviously play Here Comes the Sun. Not so obvious was that he decided to do it as an acoustic duo accompanied only by Badfinger's Pete Ham.
The only problem was, Pete was the rhythm guitarist (and piano). Joey Molland was lead guitar, and was upset that he was not chosen for the honor of being featured with George.
When they returned to Abbey Road to complete the album, George was busy turning Bangladesh into an LP and a film, and Todd Rundgren was brought in to produce.
This song, Take it All, was Pete's way of smoothing things over with Joey. The line, "the sun has shone on me," is in reference to Here Comes the Sun. He was telling Joey that any day, "The sun will shine on you," and reminding him of the stronger thing keeping the band together.
At least, for a few more years.
In 1971 Badfinger began their third album with George Harrison producing. Work on the LP stopped while George worked on the benefit Concert for Bangladesh. The guys from Badfinger were invited to be part of the house band at the all-star show.
As part of the Bangladesh concert, George would obviously play Here Comes the Sun. Not so obvious was that he decided to do it as an acoustic duo accompanied only by Badfinger's Pete Ham.
The only problem was, Pete was the rhythm guitarist (and piano). Joey Molland was lead guitar, and was upset that he was not chosen for the honor of being featured with George.
When they returned to Abbey Road to complete the album, George was busy turning Bangladesh into an LP and a film, and Todd Rundgren was brought in to produce.
This song, Take it All, was Pete's way of smoothing things over with Joey. The line, "the sun has shone on me," is in reference to Here Comes the Sun. He was telling Joey that any day, "The sun will shine on you," and reminding him of the stronger thing keeping the band together.
At least, for a few more years.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Strangers
Strangers on this road we are on; we are not two we are one. Today's #quarantinehootenanny is Strangers by the Kinks (Dave Davies) - #11 of ???
Friday, March 27, 2020
Nights on Broadway
Put on your dancing shoes for #quarantinehootenanny #10 of ???: The Bee Gees' Nights on Broadway (Barry, Robin, & Maurice Gibb).
I don't usually add commentary to these but here I have to. When this LP (Main Course) came out, I had serious problems with the hits it produced, including this song. I'd been raised on the "real" original Bee Gees sound (I Can't See Nobody, To Love Somebody, Run to Me, Words, Massachusetts), and "going disco" was the end of my Bee Gees fandom.
Hearing this song recently, however, made me reassess. Beyond the dark themes (stalking), it's actually a well-structured song musically, behind the disco beat, with the alternating minor and major chords, the harmonies, etc. And, sheltering-in-place, I'm just willing to give any song a shot.
I don't usually add commentary to these but here I have to. When this LP (Main Course) came out, I had serious problems with the hits it produced, including this song. I'd been raised on the "real" original Bee Gees sound (I Can't See Nobody, To Love Somebody, Run to Me, Words, Massachusetts), and "going disco" was the end of my Bee Gees fandom.
Hearing this song recently, however, made me reassess. Beyond the dark themes (stalking), it's actually a well-structured song musically, behind the disco beat, with the alternating minor and major chords, the harmonies, etc. And, sheltering-in-place, I'm just willing to give any song a shot.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Something to Believe In
It's Steve Miller day here on #quarantinehootenanny, time for a little Something to Believe In (#9 of ???)
Vlogging in Place (can you freakin' believe it?)
So, some of us "original vloggers" from 2006 have returned in the last week or so since the world shut down to shelter-in-place and practice social distancing. And we prodigal vloggers have been shocked to discover that YouTube is still here, and some of you never left! Can you freakin' believe it?
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
The Breakup Song
How about some RocKihnRoll? They certainly don't write 'em like this anymore: The Breakup Song by the Greg Kihn Band (Kihn & Wright) is installment #8 of ??? in #quarantinehootenanny
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Redemption Song
Bob Marley's Redemption Song is up for #quarantinehootenanny - Won't you help me sing?
Monday, March 23, 2020
Massachusetts
For today's #quarantinehootenanny (#6 of ???), I take you back to where I came from many, many, many years ago: Massachusetts by Arlo Guthrie
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Introducing the Quarantine Hootenanny
Been a while since I've posted videos (three years?!?), but in the new pandemic age of social distancing, and while the state of California is under an official shelter-in-place order, I've started posting again.
As long as we're pretty well confined to home, I've started doing a daily Quarantine Hootenanny video. The first three are presented below:
Warren Zevon's Splendid Isolation
Eric Clapton's Running on Faith (written by Jerry Lynn Williams)
The Freckle Song by Larry Vincent and the Pearl Trio (a favorite of my father's)
Your turn... Grab a guitar and join in the fun...
As long as we're pretty well confined to home, I've started doing a daily Quarantine Hootenanny video. The first three are presented below:
Warren Zevon's Splendid Isolation
Eric Clapton's Running on Faith (written by Jerry Lynn Williams)
The Freckle Song by Larry Vincent and the Pearl Trio (a favorite of my father's)
Your turn... Grab a guitar and join in the fun...
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