I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home) by Grand Funk Railroad

Happy Birthday Daddy!

In honor of my Dad's 60th birthday, I have decided to go with one of his favorite songs (and mine as well). He LOVES this song and can listen to it over and over again.

I have to thank my Daddy for not only being a fantastic father but for also introducing me to good ol' fashioned rock n' roll. I remember it was his Abbey Road tape that I stole from him which started my infatuation with The Beatles. I was the only 12 year old at my middle school with an actual record player in their room. I also remember "borrowing" his Dark Side of the Moon tape, which opened a lot of musical doors for me. I remember riding in the car with him when I was in late elementary/middle school and every time a good classic rock song would come on, he would ask me the artist (jokingly). I always answered "Pink Floyd" or "Led Zeppelin" (those were the only two bands I knew of but never listened to). Half the time I was right! I love my Daddy! Now-a-days, it seems to be the other way around. I think I have him beat on Classic Rock trivia and who sings what!



Me & My Dad

Anyways, in honor of him I chose the song "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)" by Grand Funk Railroad. It was the last track on the band's Closer to Home album, released in July of 1970. Mark Farner, GFR's lead singer and lead guitarist, wrote the song. The record was a modest hit single when first released, but achieved greater airplay on progressive rock radio stations. It has become a classic rock staple and has appeared on several audience-selected lists as one of the best rock songs of all time.

Unusually for him, Farner wrote the lyric of the song first, with the words coming to him in the middle of the night after saying prayers for inspiration to write something meaningful. The chord changes to "I'm Your Captain" came to him the following morning between sips of coffee, and the following day he took it to the band. They immediately liked it, but after a while had no ending for the second movement. They came upon the idea of using an orchestra, and hired Tommy Baker, an arranger and trumpet player. He suggested they extend the ending so that his orchestral score would have space to develop in, and producer Terry Knight brought in the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra to record it. The band members never heard the full version until Knight played it for them back in hometown Flint, Michigan. Farner nearly cried when he heard it.



Mark Farner

Over the years many interpretations have been posed by listeners of "I'm Your Captain", including the literal one of mutiny on a voyage, but also ones involving drug addiction and ones by those who see resonance in Homer's Odyssey and themes of returning home, such as college students returning from a long semester. Authors have seen the song as an "epic of paranoia and disease" and as a tale of a man who had lost control of his life in a fashion strong enough to invoke childhood nightmares. It has been used as the subtitle for a chapter of a novel dealing with war and addictions. Comparisons have been made to Walt Whitman's poem "O Captain! My Captain!" in its use of the rank to mean Abraham Lincoln. But the most common interpretations and resonances of "I'm Your Captain" revolve around the Vietnam War. VH1's Behind the Music said the song "became a subtle anti-war anthem". Lee Andresen, author of Battle Notes: Music of the Vietnam War, sees it as portraying President Richard Nixon as "captain" of the United States, losing popular support for continuing the war. Farner himself does not explicitly state what the song is about, and indeed prefers that listeners be able to use their own imaginations when listening to song in general.

Happy Birthday Daddy! I hope you enjoy your song!




Live Version:




Until tomorrow,

Ms. January Black

Time by Pink Floyd

What can I say about Pink Floyd....

They are FANTASTIC!

Their "Dark Side of the Moon" album changed my life. I would consider this album to be one of the best ever recorded. The whole entire album is amazing with one song flowing into the other. It is truly a musical masterpiece!

"Time" is probably my favorite song on the album. It is the fourth track on "Dark Side of the Moon", which was released in March of 1973. It is the only song on the album credited to all four members of the band (Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright). "Time" is noted for its long introductory passage of clocks chiming and alarms ringing. Each clock was recorded separately in an antiques store. This is followed by an eerie two-minute passage dominated by Nick Mason's rototoms and backgrounded by a tocking sound created by Roger Waters picking two muted strings on his bass. With David Gilmour singing lead on the verses and with Richard Wright singing lead vocals on the bridges and with female singers and David Gilmour providing backup vocals, the lyrics of the song deal with Roger Waters's realization that life was not about preparing yourself for what happens next, but about grabbing control of your own destiny.

A guitar solo from Gilmour provides the refrain over the same chord progressions as the verse and chorus. A reprise of the album's earlier "Breathe" brings the song to a closing, before it segues into "The Great Gig in the Sky". When the tom drums were recorded, there were only three available so the band had to tune the drum after each hit to get the right pitch and then mix the hit into the song.

In January 2007, readers of the Guitar World magazine voted Gilmour's guitar solo on the song the 21st greatest guitar solo of all time.



David Gilmour

I hope you all enjoy "Time"!






Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Babe I'm Gonna Leave You by Led Zeppelin

What would a music blog be without mentioning the great Led Zeppelin!!! Zeppelin is probably my second or third favorite band of all-time. They kind of duke it out with the Beach Boys, right behind the Beatles. I even named my car after Led Zeppelin..LOL!

"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" was released on Led Zeppelin's self titled debut album in January of 1969. The song was written by Anne Bredon (a traditional folk song writer) and was originally recorded by Joan Baez on her 1962 album, Joan Baez in Concert, Part 1. The band was inspired to cover the song after hearing Baez's version. Both guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant were big fans of Baez.

Joan Baez's Recording:



At the 1:43 mark of Led Zeppelin's version of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", it is possible to hear a very faint trace of Plant singing, "I can hear it calling me" just before he sings the same line in full volume. This "ghost" is the vocal bleed from Plant's scratch vocal, and it appears on the drum tracks, which were recorded live with the full band. The band only played this song live at Led Zeppelin concerts on their 1969 concert tours, but Page and Plant brought it back for their 1998 reunion in a 9-minute version.


Zeppelin's Version:




I can remember the very first time I heard this song. It was in my Grandmother's living room in Lancaster, New York December 2002. It was right after Christmas and I got some Christmas money and decided to go buy a few CD's. I remember buying Led Zeppelin's Greatest Hits "The Early Days" and Van Halen's Greatest Hits. This was the time when I had really started to get into Classic Rock and I wanted to explore the genre. I always felt a sense of "warmth" while listening to this sing and I can't really explain it. It's a beautiful, "haunting" song and it's one of my favorite Zeppelin songs of all-time. I am a big Robert Plant fan and I believe he was the best lead singer/ vocalist of all-time and of course no one can touch Jimmy Page. Zeppelin's music actually helped me to discover more about me...as silly as that sounds! I remember driving to high school and listening to them over and over and thinking how no one really understands how great this band really is... for except me.


Live Version...It's pretty amazing:



Anyways, I hope you will enjoy this fabulous song because I know I will!

Until tomorrow,

Ms. January Black

Don't Sleep in the Subway by Petula Clark

Released in April of 1967, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, performed by Petula Clark.

The song was constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch and changes in musical style from pop to symphonic and then to a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus. Maybe that's why I love it so much!

In the lyrics the narrator advises her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". If he does, he will "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" merely to prove his point. Although in the UK the term "subway" refers to a pedestrian underpass rather than an underground transit system, Hatch employed the term in the American sense.




The song is kinda ridiculous when you think about someone storming out and sleeping in the subway. Maybe when the song was written you could sleep on the subway but now it's impossible. You would be kicked out and possibly be arrested if you slept in one. It makes me think back to October when Elle Bunny came to visit me in NYC. We got on the subway and this homeless man was laying down and sleeping. The cops got involved and told him to sit up or get off the train. He sat up and as soon as the doors closed and the train left, he laid back down. Elle and I just giggled to ourselves. Then, this other man (seemed homeless, but couldn't really tell) started preaching to the subway car saying that we should pray for this man and that he needed help. Clearly he did, and I did pray for him but it was quite a scene. God, I love and miss New York!





I hope you enjoy this fabulously cheesy 60's pop love song as much as I do...




Until tomorrow,

Ms. January Black

Summer Rain by Johnny Rivers

Today's song is one of my favorite summer songs. I have always considered myself to be more of a winter/ fall girl but over the last few years I really have grown to enjoy the summers more.

"Summer Rain" performed by Johnny Rivers(aka John Henry Ramistella)and written by Jim Hendricks (not to be confused with Jimi Hendrix), was released in 1967 and topped the US charts at #14. Jim began writing for Johnny River's publishing company, and in 1967 he penned his first million seller… "Summer Rain". This started a long friendship between Jim and Johnny and brought continued success with other hit songs like "Muddy River" and "Look To Your Soul".


Jim Hendricks


Everytime I hear this song it makes me think of my grandparents beach house in Crystal Beach, Texas, which was destroyed during Hurricane Ike in 2008. I grew up going to that beach house every summer and I miss it like crazy! My Mimi would always have the "oldies" station on and I can remember hearing this song over and over. I think part of the reason this song stuck out to me was because of the "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" reference. The actual music is so beautiful and I LOVE all of the strings and horns. There's just something about that really sounds like summer rain, without it actually sounding like rain. When I listen to this, I always think of a sweet summer romance and when I was younger, I secretly wished to have a summer "puppy love" romance at Crystal Beach.


This picture was taken inside the beach house during the summer of 2008. This was my last time to visit the house before it was destroyed. I really wish I would have taken the fake plastic owl with me! LOL


Anyways, please enjoy this copy of "Summer Rain"...





Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Town Without Pity by Gene Pitney

Todays song comes to us from Gene Pitney, released October of 1961.

This song, from the film of the same name starring Kirk Douglas, won a Golden Globe Award for best movie song and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. Pitney was the first pop singer to perform at the Oscars ceremony, singing "Town Without Pity" on 9 April 1962. The song lost the Academy Award to "Moon River".

Everytime I hear this song I can't help but think of the dance scene in Look Who's Talking.




Enjoy this 1961 performance from Mr. Gene Pitney



Until tomorrow,

Ms. January Black

Mind Games by John Lennon

I had an odd dream last night about John and Yoko, so I figured that it was only appropriate to pick something from his solo catalog. As you all know, I am a HUGE Beatle fan and I love most of the Beatles solo music as well. There are so many fabulous songs of John's to choose from but one of my very favorites is "Mind Games".

"Mind Games" is the title track from John's "Mind Games" album, which was released on October 29, 1973. The original demo was titled "Make Love Not War".
The song, which had begun in 1969 and can be heard in the Beatles Let It Be sessions, was inspired by the book of the same name by Robert Masters and Jean Houston, which emphasized the power of the human brain to induce various states of consciousness without the aid of external substances. The book presented a series of exercises intended to maximize one's potential for problem solving, conflict resolution, visionary thinking, creativity, focused listening and super-communication. Each application would start with a brief meditation cycle followed by the guided instructions of a director. During the exercise, only the director would speak, but each person would share their experience afterwards. Mind alteration had long since been a point of interest to Lennon, however he was aware of the risks involved with chemical consumption.


I love this song because of all the different musical elements blended together (electric organ, piano, strings), it seems very powerful. Its such a beautiful song and slightly haunting. It will stay in your head for days! The lyrics are beautiful as well...."Love is the answer, and you know that for sure"..."I want you to make love, not war, I know you've heard it before". Maybe this song always sticks out to me because I love the music video to this song. It's so simple, John walking around in Cental Park, but you get to see his "everyday normal human being" side and that makes me happy. He loved to walk around Central Park and though New York City. That was the time when you could do that without constantly being hounded by the press. I suppose that in a way his freedom to walk around like a normal guy killed him. After all, it was shot while walking with Yoko in front of their apartment building.


Sadly, I can't find a copy of the original music video that will allow me to post but please go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dHUfy_YBps



Here is another video that someone made:



Mind Games Outtakes:



I am such a big fan of John's and it makes me sick that he is no longer with us today, but his music lives on forever and in the hearts of millions.




Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Soul Kitchen by The Doors

"Soul Kitchen" is the second track on The Doors self titled debut album, released in January of 1967.

The song is a tribute to a soul food restaurant Jim Morrison ate at on Venice Beach called Olivia's. Morrison often stayed too late at Olivia's, where he liked the food because it reminded him of home and warmed his "soul." They often kicked him out so they can close, thus lines like: "let me sleep all night, in your soul kitchen."

The Doors are such an AMAZING band and Jim Morrison was a genious (and he's not too bad to love at either)! I also have a great love for Ray Manzarek, the Doors keyboardist. Morrison and Manzarek co-founded the group in Los Angeles in 1965 and psychedelic rock was born.


Jim Morrison


Ray Manzarek

There are so many Doors songs that I love but I feel that this song doesn't get the recognition that it deserves. The first time I heard this song was in Forrest Gump, my all-time favorite movie, and ever since then I always associate this song with the Vietnam War (even though it has nothing to do with it).




I also think of my friend Stephanie when I think of The Doors. A few years ago I remember her telling me that she had a confession to make. I was kinda scared because it sounded somewhat serious. She told me that she didn't like The Doors. I laughed and told her it was ok if she didn't (she knew I was a big fan). Anyways, time went on and all of a sudden she told me that she loved The Doors. And I'm pretty sure that they are one of her favorite bands now.


Me & Stephanie

I hope everyone enjoys Soul Kitchen...



Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Bus Stop by The Hollies

"Bus stop, wet day, she's there, I say please share my umbrella"

"Bus Stop" was released as a single in June of 1966 by The Hollies, an English rock group from Manchester who formed in the early 1960s and are known for their distinctive vocal harmony style. They became one of the leading British groups of the era and of the British Invasion.

"Bus Stop" was written by British songwriter Graham Gouldman. In a 1976 interview Gouldman said the idea for the song had come while he was riding home from work on a bus. The opening lines were written by his father, playwright Hyme Gouldman. Graham Gouldman continued with the rest of the song in his bedroom, apart from the middle-eight, which he finished while riding to work on the bus the next day.



Graham Gouldman

I personally love "Bus Stop" because I love the harmonizing of the group during the chorus. Of course I love anything British Invasion related and I'm sure most of you know by now that I am a huge United Kingdom fan! I don't know why but I think British bands, for the most part, are so much better than American bands. Not the say that we don't contribute, after all we do have the Beach Boys! But if you think of all the fabulous musicians that came out of Britain...The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, Zeppelin, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Cream, Sabbath, Queen, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac (original line-up), etc...

"Bus Stop" I believe could be the perfect plot for a movie. Boy meets girl at bus stop, they share umbrella, exchange numbers, fall in love, get married (possibly back at bus stop). I can envision it now! But of course the movie would have to take place in London circa 1966 for it to be perfect!





I'm not exactly sure why I love this song so much. I think there is a certain nostalgic appeal to me. Obviously I didn't grow up during the 60's but I used to listen to all of the "oldies" stations during my childhood and a lot of these songs make me think back to the "age of innocence".

Enjoy!




Until tomorrow,

Ms. January Black

Something by The Beatles

Being that it is my 25th birthday, I MUST choose an AMAZING song that coincides with todays events! With no doubt in my mind I knew it would have to be a Beatles song....after all the Beatles are my favorite band of all time and my world revolves around them. So today, "Something" is the winner!

Not only is this song in my top 5 favorite Beatle songs and my top 20 favorite songs of all time, it has another special meaning today. On January 21, 1966 George Harrison and Pattie Boyd were married in Surrey, England with Paul McCartney (serving as Best Man) and Brian Epstein(the Beatles manager) in attendance. John Lennon and Ringo Starr had gone on holiday abroad with their wives, distracting journalists from finding out about the wedding.


The Harrison's Wedding Photo
* I would love to look like that on my wedding day!*


I LOVE this picture!




This just makes me smile!

"Something" was written by George Harrison in 1968 and of course the song was written for Pattie. The song was released on October 6, 1969 on The Beatles Abbey Road album and was also the first song written by George Harrison to appear on the A-side of a Beatles single. "Something" was the only Harrison composition to top the American charts while he was in The Beatles.The song has been covered by over 150 artists including Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Radiohead, Julio Iglesias, Smokey Robinson and Joe Cocker, and is the second-most covered Beatles song after "Yesterday".

The song's first lyrics "Something in the way she moves attracts me like no other lover" were taken from an unrelated song by fellow Apple artist James Taylor called "Something In The Way She Moves" and was used as a filler while the melody was being developed.
Harrison later said that "I had a break while Paul was doing some overdubbing so I went into an empty studio and began to write. That's really all there is to it, except the middle took some time to sort out. It didn't go on the White Album because we'd already finished all the tracks."

Although Harrison himself had been dismissive of the song—he later said that he "put it on ice for about six months because I thought 'that's too easy'". Lennon and McCartney both stated that they held "Something" in high regard. Lennon said "I think that's about the best track on the album, actually", while McCartney said "For me I think it's the best he's written." Both had largely ignored Harrison's compositions prior to "Something", with their own songs taking much of the limelight. Lennon later explained:

"There was an embarrassing period when George's songs weren't that good and nobody wanted to say anything. He just wasn't in the same league for a long time—that's not putting him down, he just hadn't had the practice as a writer that we'd had."

I love George Harrison and I often consider myself to be a George Harrison. I feel that in life everyone is a Beatle.

You can be a Paul McCartney: slightly bossy, perfectionist, charming, romantic, slightly cheesy, humanitarian, a hard worker, an eternal optimist.

You can be a John Lennon: a dreamer, realist, slightly pessimistic, has some self doubt, a lover, a true artist, a fighter, a peace symbol, a comedian.

You can be a George Harrison: the mediator, goes with the flow, spiritual, loving, seclusive, loyal, hard working and often questions his talents, slightly forgetable.

You can be a Ringo Starr: does what ever he is told, comedian, everyone's favorite, follows the crowd, an entertainer.

I feel that I am 70% George Harrison with 15% Lennon, and 15% McCartney. I don't know, maybe I have too much time on my hands.

Anyways, please enjoy the following two videos. The first is the "music video" to "Something", which features all of the Beatles and their wives. The second is my favorite cover version of "Something", which was performed at "A Concert for George" (remembering George 1 year after his death). It features Paul McCartney on ukulele and Eric Clapton.

Enjoy!





Until tomorrow,

Ms. Janaury Black (one year older)

Elenore by The Turtles

Elenore...gee I think you're swell!

This song was always a guilty pleasure for me just because it's so damn corny! But now I'm not holding back because most of you know how much I love cheesy, corny, fluffy 60's pop ballads.

Many of The Turtles' hits were composed by other writers, but this one they wrote themselves. Released in 1968,"Elenore" was a dig at their record label, White Whale, who had been hounding them for another "Happy Together," which was The Turtles' big hit in 1967. They quickly threw together this cheesy song ("Gee I think you're swell") and it proceeded to be another smash despite their best effort at sabotage.

Howard Kaylan of The Turtles explained:

"Elenore was a parody of 'Happy Together.' It was never intended to be a straight-forward song. It was meant as an anti-love letter to White Whale (their record company), who were constantly on our backs to bring them another 'Happy Together.' So I gave them a very skewed version. Not only with the chords changed, but with all these bizarre words. It was my feeling that they would listen to how strange and stupid the song was and leave us alone. But they didn't get the joke. They thought it sounded good. Truthfully, though, the production on 'Elenore' WAS so damn good. Lyrically or not, the sound of the thing was so positive that it worked. It certainly surprised me."




PS: I love the guy in the band that plays the tamborine and looks like Jonah Hill with an afro!

Until next time,

Ms. January Black

As by Stevie Wonder

Yeah! I just have to acknowledge that I have 1 follower....well 2 if you count Elle Bunny (my BFF) who comments on all my posts! Thank you both for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Todays song comes to us from Mr. Stevie Wonder, aka Stevland Hardaway Morris. The song "As" is on his "Songs in the Key of Life" album that was released September 28, 1976. In September 2008, the album was voted the "Top Album of All Time" by the Yahoo! Music Playlist Blog, using a formula that combined 4 parameters - "Album Staying Power Value + Sales Value + Critical Rating Value + Grammy Award Value".
This double album is considered to be Stevie's best work to date!

I personally LOVE this song and would consider it to be my favorite Stevie Wonder song (even though I have many favorites of his)! I also remember years ago when Stevie was on Oprah and he played her favorite song which also happened to be "As". That's not why I like the song, but for some reason everytime I hear it I always think of Oprah and Stedman.



Oprah & Stedman

"As" is a beautiful love song written by Stevie Wonder and one would assume that it was written for his then girlfriend Yolanda Simmons. Professing is undying love he writes:

"Until the day is night and night becomes the day---ALWAYS
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away---ALWAYS
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4---ALWAYS
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Did you know that you're loved by somebody?
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left---ALWAYS
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
I'll be loving you forever"



Enjoy this beautiful song!



Until next time!

-Ms. January Black

America by Simon and Garfunkel

Todays song has some special meaning to me because it's a song about finding America, finding yourself, and New York City. America was written by Paul Simon for the Bookends record, released on 3 April 1968. The song describes the physical and metaphorical journey of two companions in search of the true meaning of America. But along the way (or before their journey) their relationship starts to dissolve.
"'Kathy, I'm lost,' I said, though I knew she was sleeping" is a reference to Kathy Chitty, with whom Simon had had a relationship while living in England in 1965.
On a more literal level, the song expresses the idea that the search for "America" leads to New York City, as Simon's lovers travel eastward, from Michigan to Pittsburgh and then to the New Jersey Turnpike leading to New York City.

I just love this song! To me, it's so relaxing and is perfect for a rainy day. The idea that they find America and themselves in NYC makes me so proud. I love New York, and when you are there you feel like "this is what it's all about". You try to find yourself in a city full of 8 million people and in some ways it's easy. New York has this energy, this passion, this need to "seize the day". I know that not all parts of America seem like this, but most Americans are and that is why New York is the best representation for America.


Enjoy!



I'm sorry, I could not find the original copy. We will have to settle for this guy....




Picture of Paul Simon & Kathy Chitty

Until next time,

Ms. January Black

San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) by Scott McKenzie

"For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there"

This song makes me want to jump on a plane and head over to Sunny Cali! The 60's were my favorite decade, even though I didn't get to personally experience them. I love everything about that time; the music, the fashion, the culture and the people. I always thought that if I had lived in the 60's, I would be a "mod" living in London studying photography or fashion. Rarely would I consider myself to be a hippie but this amazing song brings out the hippie in me!

San Francisco was written by John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas (another fav group of mine) and was released June of 1967, in promotion with the Monterey Pop Festival. Scott McKenzie and John Phillips grew up together and were childhood friends. John's daughter MacKenzie Phillips is actually named after Scott. John initially wanted to form the Mamas and the Papas with Scott, but he decided he wanted to be a solo artist. This was a horrible choice on Scott's behalf because he was basically a one hit wonder and of course everyone knows the Mamas and the Papas!

One-hit-wonder or not, I still love this song and if I listen to it and close my eyes, I can invision myself twirling around barefoot in a field with a yellow flower in my long hair and all my troubles go away!

Enjoy!




Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

Today beautiful song comes to us from the group The Left Banke, a 1960's "bach-rock" American pop group. The term "Bach-rock" comes from groups who would often use "baroque" string arrangements in their compositions. The song was released during July of 1966 and was written by the group's then 16-year-old keyboard player Michael Brown. The song features a flute being played during the instrumental bridge of the middle portion of the song. Michael Brown got the idea for the flute solo from The Mamas & the Papas song "California Dreamin". The song was written about a "real" Renee, Renee Fladen-Kamm who was the then-girlfriend of The Left Banke's bassist Tom Finn and object of Brown's affection.

Brown stated in an interview:

"My hands were shaking when I tried to play, because she was right there in the control room," he says. "There was no way I could do it with her around, so I came back and did it later."

Another possible awkward love triangle? Love triangles make the best love songs!

I just think that it such a beautiful and vulnerable song written by a broken hearted teenage boy. This song somehow brings me back to middle school when my friend dated a boy I had a huge crush on and I felt devastated. Ahh...puppy love!
But I must say my favorite part if the song besides the beautiful melody, is the string quartet and the harpsichord. Maybe it's because I am a nerd and I have always been a J.S. Bach fan!





Renee Fladen-Kamm




Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Layla by Derek and The Dominoes

It's so hard to choose which song will be the first. I decided that I would just dive in and Layla popped into my mind right away. Maybe it's because I'm finishing up Eric Clapton's autobiography or maybe because it's just such an amazing song and one of top 20 personal favorites of all time! The song was written by Eric Clapton in 1970 and is the thirteenth track on "Layla and other assorted love songs", an entire album inspired by Pattie Boyd (aka Mrs. George Harrison). Eric was in love with his best friends wife! Layla is about Eric pleading to Pattie to leave George and be with him. He had never felt that way about any woman and eventually...years later she did leave George for Eric. The name Layla comes from the story of Layla and Majnun, a moon-princess who was married off by her father to someone other than the one who was desperately in love with her, resulting in Majnun's madness.
The song itself is beautiful and you can feel Clapton's pain and love for Pattie. It opens with Clapton's very famous guitar riff and right away Duane Allman begins dueling with Clapton. Unfortunately I do not have a musical composion background but this clip will help explain:




Tom Dowd is the man! I remember watching this clip in my rock n' roll history class. I really miss that class! Of course I got an A :)

So, I leave you today thinking about awkward love triangles,a broken hearted Majnun, and of course Eric Clapton's Layla.





Until next time,

Ms. January Black

Welcome!

Hello Everyone!

I say that but I have a good feeling that I am going to be writing this blog just for my personal amusement. Either way WELCOME to "I came in through the bathroom window"! This is a blog where I am going to share with everyone my personal favorite musical treasures. I love music of all kinds and there is nothing I like to do more than discover old music that is new to me. I consider myself to have an "old soul" and I really enjoy music from the 50's, 60's & 70's. I'm not discriminating against current day music, just appreciating the past and the foundations of rock n' roll.

Enjoy!

-Ms. January Black