R.I.P Robert Hunter

Robert Hunter the legendary lyricist best know for his songs written for the Grateful Dead passed away today. He wrote lyrics for others as well including Jerry Garcia, Bruce Hornsby, Little Feat, Bill Payne, David Nelson, Jim Lauderdale,  and even collaborated with Bob Dylan. he has also written several books of poetry.


                                            Robert's version of "Box of Rain"

The Grateful Dead "Ripple"

I interviewed Bill Payne one of the founders of Little Feat on songwriting with Robert Hunter:

"If Robert doesn’t like something he is going to tell me. If lyrically he sends me something I can’t sing then I need to see if we can do something a little differently. Then he goes, ‘BOOM! – try this!” It’s usually not only better but a lot better."

Here is a song they wrote together "Ragtop Down"

He wrote "Cyclone" for Bruce Hornsby

Bob Dylan "Silvio"

Fare thee well!

"Brokedown Palace"

Hunter is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Americana Music Awards presented him a lifetime achievement award,  but his legacy is in the words of so many songs.

R.I.P Yonrico Scott

I don't expect his name to be a household name. Fame and talent don't always equate. Then again, it is the talented musicians you see at the clubs and the festivals a lot more than the super stars. Yonrico Scott was this kind of musician.



Yonrico behind the drum kit with The Royal Southern Brotherhood. (Photo by me)


Pearl drum company's tribute....

"Could Get Dangerous" with The Royal Southern Brotherhood, the song features a solid drum solo...

He won a Grammy along with this band..

That was the Derek Trucks Band.

Here is a solo song from his solo debut album...

Fitting picture of an empty kit..

He will be missed by his family, musicians he played with, friends and fans may he rest in peace.

R.I.P Ric Ocasek

Ric Ocasek passed away on September 15 at the age of 75.  Ric was a founding member of the Cars.



                                             "Just What I Needed"

"Tonight She Comes"

A solo song "Emotion in Motion"

Another solo song "Something to Grab For"

"Drive" by The Cars

May he rest in peace

Monday's Music Moves Me: Farm Aid

Today's theme for Monday's Music Moves Me is artists/bands that have performed at Farm Aid. The festival started in September of 1985 and this year's festival is on September 21, 2019. If you want more information on the charity, festival and how you can help visit their site.

                                                  Neil Young and Waylon Jennings perform "Get Back to the Country" at the original Farm Aid

Willie Nelson performs "Always on my Mind" at last year's Farm Aid

John Mellencamp performs "Small Town" in 1987

Dave Matthews Band "Crash Into Me" from Farm Aid 1997

Neil Young "Heart of Gold" from the first one

Bonnie Raitt and John Prine from Farm Aid 1986

Hope you enjoy and I will see you soon!

Battle of the Bands: For Money

After hearing Eddie Money had  passed away Sammy Hagar wished "every cover band to play an Eddie Money song tonight." These songs were recorded before his death but I did find a couple of covers. The song is "Take Me Home Tonight." If you want more Eddie Money check out this post here.

Eddie Money "Take Me Home Tonight" live from the Hollywood Casino and Races in Charles Town, WV December 2012. Not the very best recording, but somewhere in that crowd yours truly was lurking.

This one will sound better...

Enough about the song lets start the battle!

Contender One:  Jump Off

Contender Two: Every Avenue

Now it is your turn! Tell me who you liked the best Jump Off or Every Avenue in the comments. I will count up the votes and announce a winner in a week or so!

R.I.P Eddie Money

Eddie Money passed away yesterday at the age of 70 due to cancer.

                                                      "Shakin'"

Eddie Money had a string of hits in the 70s and 80s. His songs can be heard on classic rock radio stations in frequent rotation.

"Take Me Home Tonight"

"Baby Hold On"

"Two Tickets to Paradise"

He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Battle of the Bands: Solomon Burke with a Unanimous Decision

Unanimous decision is a fancy way of writing shut out. Solomon Burke silenced the Rage Against the Machine. All my voters woke up early and were too hungover for the Rage! 2 of the 3 statements above can be verified.

Sometimes big contrasts work and sometimes they don't. Close battle or shutout I am still left pondering over what my next battle will be.

                                                                    "Cry to Me"

"Everybody Needs Somebody to Love"

"Goodbye Baby"

Stay tuned a new battle on the 15th!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Suicide Prevention

Today's  Monday's Music Moves Me is a freebie and since tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day I thought I would use that as a theme. It is one of those things people don't talk about but maybe through music we can have a conversation. Sometimes it is a kind word that pulls someone from the edge, sometimes it is professional help, and sometimes it is too late.

Let's start with Curt Kobain from Nirvana..."Smells Like Teen Spirit"

 Chris Cornell... "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart"

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.. "In The End"

Richard Manuel of The Band..."The Shape I'm In"

The inspiration for me wanting to write a blog post on this subject comes from the passing of a talented guitarist, Neal Casal who passed away  on August 26 after playing one of the biggest music festivls in North America the LOCKN Festival in Virginia. Neal was a member of Ryan Adam's band The Cardinals, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Hard Working Americans, and Circles Around the Sun. He had played with Bob Weir, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Tift Merritt, Robert Randolph, and many more.

Nel with his song "Maybe California"...

I know there are other musicians who have committed suicide. I know many of my readers know people who have committed suicide. Perhaps someone who is struggling will find help through reading this post, or taking to someone. Maybe it will help someone hang on.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Labor Day

Monday's Music Moves Me theme today is to spell out Labor Day with a playlist. I can do that and I am back doing the Monday's Music Moves Me thing for at least this week. If you want to sign up for it, see who else is playing or want to join in here is a link for that.

L is for Lazy

Deep Purple kicking things off.

A is for Autumn Leaves

Changing gears with the talented Eva Cassidy.

B is for Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Green Day taking us down another road!

O is for Oh Well!

That's a different Fleetwood Mac!

R is for Radio Waves

 

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame with a solo song.

D is for Dream Weaver

Gary Wright taking us on a journey.

A is for Aeroplane

Red Hot Chili Peppers spicing up the playlist.

Y is for Yesterday!

Tomorrow when you go back to work you will long for Yesterday! Ending with The Beatles is never a bad thing. I hope you enjoyed and will see you soon!

Battle of the Bands: Labor Day Weekend Maggies Farm

Keeping in the Spirit of Labor Day I chose the Bob Dylan song "Maggie's Farm." Of course where this a Bob song there is always a few covers. I am going to lift my glass this weekend and I'm not going to work on "Maggie's Farm."

All right I mix it up with a couple of covers and you let me know which one you like the best in the comments. 

Contender One: Solomon Burke

Contender Two: Rage Against The Machine

Quite different takes of Bob's song! Let me know which one you like best. Enjoy the Holiday I'll drink one for you!