Crocuses are the first flowers I see each year in my garden. I buy all of my crocuses, irises, daffodils and tulips from White Flower Farm.
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Covers: Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes
Chuck Willis was a great R&B singer and songwriter. “Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes”/”What Am I Living For” was released shortly before his death in 1958. The Band, with a horn section arranged by Allen Toussaint, did an outstanding live cover version released on 1972’s Rock of Ages.
Vaccine update 3/5/21
Coronavirus outbreaks update 3/5/21
Covers: Rag Mop
I remember “Rag Mop” from my childhood. It was originally recorded by Western swing artist Johnnie Lee Wills and his band in 1949. It was based on a 1946 record by Henry “Red” Allen, “Get the Mop”. I like the Joe Liggins 1950 version which is a stop on the way from jazz and big band to the beginnings of R&B. It has even been covered by the Muppets, Beany and Cecil and the Wiggles!
Widespread support for Biden’s American Rescue Plan
Once again, Republicans are voting strictly on party lines to hurt Biden instead of doing something even the majority of their voters want.
Covers: Man with Money
“Man with Money” is an obscure 1965 Everly Brothers song that was covered by The Who in 1966. It’s a fine song that should be better known.
Two thoughts on meetings
I’m retired but I went to hundreds, maybe thousands, of meetings. Two observations:
- You have to arrive early to get a bad seat. Nobody wants to sit at the table with the big shots. This is the opposite of going to a concert where you want to get there early.
- The more people there are at a meeting, the less likely it is that there is one person who understands everything that is going on. In a big organization, there a lots of people who are experts on their specialty but not on the big picture or other fields.
Beatles Singles in 1967
The Beatles released three great singles in 1967. Five of the six songs rank among their best. The only dud is “Baby, You’re a Rich Man”. They’re as good or better as any songs on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band which was also released in 1967. The English Magical Mystery Tour EP included “I Am the Walrus”. In the US, all of the six songs were on the Magical Mystery Tour Album which included all songs on the EP. Side B had all of them except “I am the Walrus” which was the last song on side A.
Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever were released on February 13, 1967
All You Need Is Love and Baby, You’re a Rich Man were released on July 2, 1967.
Hello, Goodbye and I Am the Walrus were released on November 24, 1967
Uncle Tupelo
Uncle Tupelo was an influential alt-country band that added a rougher punk element to country music. My favorite of their albums was their last one, Anodyne, from 1993 which has been re-released with additional tracks. Jay Farrar went on to form Son Volt while Jeff Tweedy founded Wilco with the remaining members of Uncle Tupelo. I have a separate post on Anodyne.
Factory Belt: The Unofficial Uncle Tupelo Archives is a fine site for more information. Another site is here.
Uncle Tupelo’s ‘Anodyne’ at 25: An Oral History
Sad! 