I can’t think of a better person to take us into Election Day than Steve Earle. Steve is a realist and says what is on his mind so I hope you listen to what he has to say.
The next time I post I hope the election is over and President Obama has been re-elected. Either way, I will see you on the other side.
I have a great one today from King Crimson for our last “dream” inspired Long Song Tuesday post. This is an amazing song from King Crimson’s first album and I think you will really enjoy it. Greg Lake is one of my favorite rock vocalist and he does a fine job on The Dream portion of this one. Let’s listen…..
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the song.
“Moonchild” is the fourth track from the British progressive rock band King Crimson’s debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King.
The first section, “The Dream”, is a mellotron-driven ballad, but after two and a half minutes it changes to a completely free-form instrumental improvisation by the band (called “The Illusion”), which lasts until the end of the song. Robert Fripp plays a snippet of “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” in this section. In the 2009 remastered version of the album, the track was edited by Fripp and colleague Steven Wilson, with around 2.30 minutes of the original improvisation (the reference by Fripp to “Surrey With the Fringe on Top”) being removed. This issue of the album does, however, offer the original version as a bonus track.
This week’s Long Song Tuesday offering is another great one from Eric Andersen, Dream to Rimbaud. The song was inspired by Arthur Rimbuad, the French poet. Let’s listen…..
If you aren’t familiar with Arthur Rimbaud, and I admit I wasn’t when I first heard this song, here is a great ten minute documentary about him.
One of my favorite Mary Chapin Carpenter songs! Let’s listen…..
Being the oldest child in my family, I never experienced an older sibling moving away like in this song but I well know that feeling of loss that she is talking about! I identify with all of Mary’s songs on that same, very personal, level. She is without a doubt my favorite female singer/songwriters.
Continuing with our October focus on dreams, we have this wonderful song from Bruce Springsteen. Take a look at the lyrics and then we will listen to a great live performance of the song….
Grab your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder’s rolling down the tracks
You don’t know where you’re goin’
But you know you won’t be back
Darlin’ if you’re weary
Lay your head upon my chest
We’ll take what we can carry
And we’ll leave the restBig Wheels rolling through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreamsI will provide for you
And I’ll stand by your side
You’ll need a good companion for
This part of the ride
Leave behind your sorrows
Let this day be the last
Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine
And all this darkness pastBig wheels roll through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreamsThis train
Carries saints and sinners
This train
Carries losers and winners
This Train
Carries whores and gamblers
This Train
Carries lost souls
This Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’
This Train
Carries broken-hearted
This Train
Thieves and sweet souls departed
This Train
Carries fools and kings
This Train
All aboardThis Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’
Why do I love Bruce so much? It’s simple…..Bruce’s lyrics speak the words that are in my heart. The following lyrics perfectly capture the way I feel about my country.
This train
Carries saints and sinners
This train
Carries losers and winners
This Train
Carries whores and gamblers
This Train
Carries lost souls
This Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’
As always, let me know what you think.
Give me 30 minutes and I will give you one of the greatest live tracks of all time.
This jam was recorded at the Fillmore East as part of the same concert that gave us the greatest live album of all time, At Fillmore East. Mountain Jam was included on an album called Eat A Peach that was released after Duane’s death. Enjoy….
I have always loved Al Stewart’s song, Nostradamus, which is about the prophecies of the famous French seer. I don’t put a lot of stock in prophetic visions but the song kicks ass. Let’s listen…….
As always, let me know what you think.
I have a good friend at work that is a huge Rush fan. He turned me on to some early Rush albums that I had not heard, including Caress of Steel which was released in 1975.
Today’s Long Song Tuesday cut, The Fountain of Lamneth, is from that album. Let’s listen…….
I have to say that I enjoyed this (maybe a little overblown but hey they were young). What did you think?
So…..my series of Todd Rundgren posts last week got me thinking about other favorites of mine that are still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That train of thought led me straight to Dan Fogelberg and this special edition twofer (two for one) long song Tuesday post.
I have been a Dan Fogelberg fan since the release of his first album, Home Free, in 1972. I had the good fortune to see him in concert multiple times during the 70s and 80s including acoustic solo shows and full band rock and roll shows. He never disappointed me! Dan is one of my favorite artists of all time and I think it is a sin that he is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Let’s listen to some music and see if you agree with me.
Today’s post spans a good portion of Dan’s career. We start with To The Morning, the first song on his first album. Here is what Dan had to say about the song in the liner notes for his career spanning box set named Portrait.
I wrote this (in the summer of 1970) when I was 18 years old. This was the first song that made me think I might actually make a living as a songwriter. I still find it a special piece to perform.
This is a live version of the song from a 1973 concert in Denver. As you listen to Dan in the introduction to the song you can tell that this is a young artist but one that is on his way up. He is particularly excited about a pending purchase of a home in Colorado. This house would serve as the inspiration for much of his future songwriting. Let’s listen…..
Good stuff….it reminds of seeing Dan in a solo performance immediately following the release of Nether Lands in 1977. Dan had nearly lost his voice but was determined to put on a great show and that he did. Seeing him at the piano singing singing Nether Lands may be my favorite concert memory of all time.
Next up is a song called Tucson, Az (Gazette) from his Windows and Walls album. Much to my surprise, Dan indicated that this was his favorite song in the liner notes for Portrait.
My all-time favorite track. The critics dismissed it because of its length but I am still fiercely proud of it. It was an immense undertaking and took months to complete. I consider this probably my best journalistic lyric writing. A movie for the ears, all it lacks is the popcorn.
Although it is not one of my favorite songs from Dan, I can appreciate the songwriting and the musicianship that it represents. Let’s listen……
So….do you agree with me that Dan belongs in the Hall of Fame. If so, sign the petition at the following link.
Petition To Get Dan Into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
If you still haven’t made up your mind, stay tuned. You will have a couple of more opportunities this week to change your mind.
In my opinion, Todd Rungren is a pop genius but unfortunately he is a virtual unknown to most folks today. With today’s long song Tuesday post I am beginning a two post effort to get him the recognition that he deserves. Our long song offering today is Todd’s homage to Philly Soul, in the form of a medley of I’m So Proud, Ooh Baby Baby, La La Means I Love You, and Cool Jerk. Let’s listen….
This medley was from Todd’s fourth album, A Wizard, A True Star (1973). (Note: I said he was a genius, I never claimed he was modest.)
Later this week we will feature Todd’s third album, Something/Anything, as our album of the week. That album is Todd’s masterpiece and it is something to look forward to if you haven’t heard it before. After listening to it, I hope you will agree with me that the term genius definitely applies to Todd! I can’t believe that he is not yet in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! If you want to help, go to the following site and sign the petition to get him inducted:
http://www.petitiononline.com/toddrund/petition.html
Before I sign off today let me leave you with a couple of additional tracks from A Wizard, A True Star.
If you like what you hear, the entire A Wizard, A True Star album is provided below.
thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard 