Director Sam Mendes – 4 Movies on The Beatles

Sam Mendes has directed some huge films like 1917, American Beauty, Road To Perdition, and Skyfall to name just a few.

This looks interesting and new…and potentially groundbreaking. In recent years Queen and Elton John got a biopic treatment but I never thought someone would try The Beatles because it was a lot to put into one movie. Well this will be four different movies that will intersect through the perspective of each Beatle.

From this article:

Each film will be told from the point of view of a different band member, and will eventually “intersect to tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history.” Sony will distribute the films worldwide in 2027 and with this intriguing promise: “The dating cadence of the films, the details of which will be shared closer to release, will be innovative and groundbreaking.”

Here are some more links

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68350477

https://pitchfork.com/news/four-beatles-biopics-in-the-works-from-sam-mendes/

https://www.vulture.com/article/beatles-movies.html

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Ray Wylie Hubbard – Bad Trick

You can’t fix a broken heart with a bobby pin
And everybody turns a bad trick now and then

CB and I get into some interesting musical conversations…he sent me a track from Ray Wylie Hubbard. I knew I remembered him somewhere and of course, when I searched I found what I remembered. It was this song called Bad Trick. The song he sent me was Snake Farm…and I have it in here also.

It was made I’m sure during the lockdown. It features Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Chris Robinson and was produced by Don Was.

Let’s look at Ray Wylie Hubbard. In the early seventies, Hubbard joined Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson as part of the progressive country vanguard on the Texas music scene…known as the Outlaws. These weren’t your crew-cut guys from Nashville with a sweet sound. They were earthy and down-to-earth music for the common people to be honest. Rough about the edges and a little too close to rock for some of the established country fans.

He started to get known when Jerry Jeff Walker cover his song “Up against the Wall, Redneck Mother.” in 1973. He has released 19 albums since 1975. Lately, he wrote a song that Eric Church covered called Desperate Man.

Bad Trick was released on the album Co-Starring. The artists that wanted to play with him were incredible. They included Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, Ronnie Dunn, Don Was, Larkin Poe, Pam Tillis, and The Cadillac Three. You are well respected when these players are backing you.

I want to cover one more song on this post. The song is called Snake Farm and it’s on the album of the same name…Snake Farm was released in 2006. It sounds so nasty with the licks from the guitar he plays.

Ray Wylie Hubbard: I had burned a lot of bridges and didn’t have a career. But I wanted to be a real songwriter. Someone gave me Letters to a Young Poet, and there was this line about our fears being like dragons guarding our most precious treasures. I decided to overcome my fear of embarrassment and take guitar lessons at age 41 to learn how to fingerpick, and that opened all sorts of doors.

On Snake Farm Hubbard said: “There’s an old snake farm in New Braunfels, Texas between Austin and San Antonio. It’s been there about 40 years. And there’s a rumor that it was something more than a snake farm but I don’t know about that. Doesn’t make any difference. I’ve driven by it probably 10,000 times. So one day I’m driving by and all of a sudden I see the snake farm… I see the snake farm there and I’m driving along and all of a sudden I go, ‘Ooh, just sounds nasty.’ I said, ‘Well, it is. It’s not a church or a hospital, it’s a reptile house.’

I’m like, ‘God, snake farm, just sounds nasty. Snake farm, well it pretty much is. Snake farm, it’s a reptile house. Snake farm, eww.’ I kept singing that in my head for some strange reason, and then I said, ‘Well, what am I gonna do with this?’Well, I’ll make it a love song. I’ll make it about a man who doesn’t like snakes, but he’s in love with a woman that works at the snake farm.”

Snake Farm

Bad Trick

Don’t get any on you if you go to Nashville
Don’t operate machinery if you on Benadryl
Got to have some faith when you in the lion’s den
And everybody turns a bad trick now and then

Club soda don’t always remove ketchup stains
Ain’t nothing you can take gonna cure a migraine
Broken dreams is a premise in “of mice and men”
And everybody turns a bad trick now and then

You got to have some scars if you wanna be a poet
To get weeds out of a garden, you got to hoe it
Possession with intent will get you 5 to 10
And everybody turns a bad trick now and then

Most gamblers know they’ll never break even
There’s 5 stages to go through when you’re grieving
The sword is always bloodier than the pen
And everybody turns a bad trick now and then

Dancing is promiscuous after midnight
It’s better to be content than have to always be right
You can’t fix a broken heart with a bobby pin
And everybody turns a bad trick now and then

Happy New Year!

The list below has grown so much since I started to do this a few years ago. If I forgot you…please forgive me. But Happy New Year 2024.

I want to thank everyone who has read my blog this year and the last few years. I ran this post last year and I’ve added more names. It’s so much fun communicating with all of you. I’ve been told my blog is a place people come to comment like sitting around a campfire. That is the way I hope it is. I’m not a real writer so I just write as if I’m talking to you in a room. I hope many of you find other bloggers at my place with things in common.

In 2017 I would not have believed I would communicate with people in different states across America and the world…such as New Zealand, The UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Columbia, Australia, India, France, Sweden, Spain, and more! I’m also learning more about new music, old new music, cool old and new movies, and most of all…people. I comment way too much at times but it’s a lot of fun learning.

I’ve commented with you all, emailed many of you, talked to some of you over the phone, and met one of you. Thank you all once again.

I’ve even listened to Heavy Metal and Canadian bands from Canadians Deke and Dave and became friends with both.

A fellow Big Star and mid-60s pop/rock fan and one of the best commenters I have…I’ve learned a lot from him… Obbverse

Off-the-radar songs and movies, and everything cool… from Cincinnati Babyhead (CB) Thanks for opening up more music for me.

I’ve read great stories and poems for really the first time from Lisa, Obbverse, and Bruce. I still don’t know much about poems but I’m learning. Thanks to all of you…I consider all of you friends.

Lisa is the biggest George Harrison fan I know…and that is a great thing.

Dana from Dana at Regular Girl Devos for her fun memories on songs that I hope she keeps telling.

randydafoe who has a huge knowledge of music covers and music in general. When I have a question…I bug Randy!

halffastcyclingclub for his insightful comments on different posts. He has taught me a lot about music and bikes!

Learned about new music from Jeff, Graham, and Christian. If you want the best of new music…these are the 3 are the places to go. They don’t overlap much at all which is great…you get a good variety.

Christian … we have VERY similar taste and it was great to talk to him the other day on the phone.

Sheree for dropping by my site every single day.

Sophia who I just met online not long ago. 18 years old and wants to be a Baseball Writer! Her site is https://sophiakd4.wordpress.com/

Fellow Twilight Zone fan Beth

popchartfreak who I’ve had many conversations about music…and I appreciate it.

Dave, it’s been great getting to know you even better this year…I’ll be rooting for the Blue Jays to the World Series…unless they play…well you know!

Learned even more about the Beatles and music from Hanspostcard

daneelyunu stopped by as well.

Learned even more about baseball from Hanspostcard, John, and Dave

Learned about Chicago and interesting music from fan and fellow musician John

I really like commenting with Bruce from walkingoffthechessboard , awesome conversations about music, and sometimes movies.

Stephen V Nguyen who has dropped by this year.

Yolanda has liked some posts this year.

Jim S who I’ve seen for years and talked to off and on…this year we have talked more and I hope it continues.

Looked at sewing machines as works of art with run-sew-read and learned more about The Moody Blues, books, and movies.

Learned so much about movies from Bernie… a great movie reviewer and person.

Learned a whole lot about the Grateful Dead, music, stars, and all sorts of things from Jim

Robert Horvat who has stopped by and commented…I appreciate it.

My guide to 80’s alternative bands from Paul and Dave

Geo. Raymond or better known to me as “Tref” has stopped by and I enjoy his stories on his blog.

the press music reviews…excellent top-notch posts on music and I love the alternate album covers you present.

Katie Thank you for dropping by and commenting

firewater65 who stops by on occasion.

I’ve learned about Australia, Colombia, Bob Dylan, new artists to me, and classical music from Matt

satyam rastogi has stopped by and liked and commented.

Getting to know Paul and Colin at onceuponatime70s … with that title how could I not like them?

Cee Tee Jackson I appreciate getting to know you…a true Rolling Stones fan

Loudhorizon where I find rare bands of the 60s and 70s.

Commenting with Under The Mask

Vinyl Connection for all the info on albums that I love and music in general.

Monday songs from Eden make my Mondays better.

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey has one of the coolest names out there… but I thank her for the likes and comments.

One of my favorite bloggers Mojo Horizon

Alexis Ryder thank you for coming by

theboringoldman for commenting about the memories he has on songs…I loved it…and thanks for stopping by.

I want to thank Conesus Lake House for stopping by as well.

Cooking from Jeanne

ren thank you for dropping by and commenting

Liam…another great blogger I met through our TV Draft last year.

I’ve had a good time commenting about music with princecranoir….thanks for the conversations.

Armann and Kaymann…thanks for liking!

How radio really works and more about family from Keith… Keith

Ra Na-Ged who I have appreciated coming to the blog…who had one of the best comments of the year with: Elvis may be king, but Otis had the Voice of God.

Learning every number 1 from the UK with Stewart

About life and friendship from my friend Vic, it’s been great emailing, talking, and messaging.

Wonderful life stories from Mitch,

JoAnna for her Star Trek knowledge!

Album reviews from John at 2loud2oldmusic.

Restaurants to eat at from Blaine. I want to make it down to Louisana so I can try these wonderful restaurants that he recommends.

Detailed history from Rick

Kevin from A Different Kitchen who I’ve enjoyed his comments.

MobsterTiger who is kind enough to re-blog some of my posts.

mygenxerlife for stopping by and commenting.

Kingclover who I’ve got to know more about earlier this year talking about music.

Jim Everett Table Toss for all of the football and baseball posts…all are appreciated with the humor you give them.

Inspiring writing from Pam

Writing and an author who at one time was a DJ… Steve Campbell Creations

Movies from Master Mix Movies

ALWAYS cool music from Hotfox63

Some of the most entertaining true stories I’ve ever heard from Phil Strawn. Phil is one of my favorite bloggers. You can’t get more Texan than Phil.

Great posts and one of my first followers…and fellow Monkee fan Blackwing

Nashville music history from my cousin Ricky

Comics from Harry Chamberlain

To Paul at https://thepunkpanthermusicreviews.blogspot.com/p/long-reads.html where I learned what punk was.

Learning about all the places that usfman travels

Stories and quotes from James

Awesome Cartoons from Hobo Cartoons

The writing of Jason

Stephen V Nguyen thanks for dropping by!

Fellow power pop fan Mike and fellow Nashvillian.

Eugi for commenting and coming by

I thank Chuckster for dropping by as well.

Thanks to SRIKANTH for stopping by.

Great posts from Mark

Again if I missed anyone I’m sorry…I just ran through this off the top of my head.

Thanks to everyone and have a Happy New Year to you and your family from Powerpop.blog (and it’s curator…Max). We survived 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023…lets make this one better!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Blog Recommendation

I discovered a new blog site and I wanted to share it with everyone. I hardly ever do this…but this one I do recommend. I have a baseball blog site and there I met a young lady who is 18 years old and wants to be a Baseball Writer. That is not the most common goal of a teenager and she introduced herself and her blog to me a few weeks back. Sophia is a fantastic writer. Baseball needs more female writers and she IS a really good one.

I realize not many of you are baseball fans but if you know any…please send them her way. I only post on my baseball site every now and then but she handles her site professionally. I just post on mine when something happens.

Her site is: https://sophiakd4.wordpress.com/ and her name is Sophia.

Sophia is mentioned in this article at the bottom…not by name but the author talked to her. You can click the link at the bottom for the full article.

Anything else you’d like to share?

“A few months ago, a young woman and her job coach reached out to me and a handful of other writers who cover the Phillies, including Allie Foster, Alex Coffey, and Todd Zolecki. This young woman writes her own Phillies’ blog with the goal of someday covering the Phillies for a major publication.

I had the privilege of chatting with her for about an hour about writing. She faces neurologic challenges, but she’s a determined young lady and I’m honored to be able to help someone on their writing journey. The opportunity to meet and help people like her would not be possible if not for Ethan giving me the chance to write for TGP.

I love researching players and the history of this franchise, and it’s incredible to work alongside and learn from the incredibly intelligent and welcoming staff at TGP, but by far the best part is the opportunity to interact with so many more fans of Philadelphia baseball.“

https://www.thegoodphight.com/2023/12/23/24012575/tgp-writer-interview-brian-mcquilkin?fbclid=IwAR0jYc3N1W6K_MtPWj4swHYgAq7JOgTTxOdneFxwQpa15o7ek0KEd2PrkOQ

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Merry Christmas to all of the Powerpop Readers!

Before the weekend starts…I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays…whichever you prefer. Every day since I started this blog I try to post an interesting song or some pop culture fact. Every day most of you drop by for a view and I do appreciate it so much.

I’m looking forward to finishing up this year and us all discovering the new year together. I can’t believe this is my 6th year of doing this and if not for the feedback I get daily I would have stopped a long time ago. I don’t know how much I discover about music that you don’t already know… but I have learned so much from you all.

I remember when I started in 2017 it took me around 6 months to get one follower, one like, and a comment. I don’t take anyone for granted and I want you to know that and also a huge THANK YOU. You don’t have to stop by…but you do…you must be a glutton for punishment! I hope you and your families have a happy holiday and safe travels.

Max…the owner of this joint.

Chuck Berry – Run Rudolph Run

Nice little Christmas song by Chuck Berry… the father of Rock and Roll. The song has a “Carol” vibe to it and that is never a bad thing. It was one of the first rock and roll Christmas songs and it was released in 1958.

Berry based this song on “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” giving Rudolph a bit of an attitude as he delivers the toys. The song is credited to Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie. Johnny Marks wrote Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Chuck puts his stamp on this song.

The song is sometimes known as “Run Run Rudolph,” which is how it appears on some other covers. Other artists to record the song include Sheryl Crow, Bryan Adams, The Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett, Dwight Yoakam, Bon Jovi, and Keith Richards.

The song peaked at #69 in the Billboard 100 in 1958 and has re-charted many times through the years…it peaked at #36 in the Billboard 100 in January of 2020…and I’m sure it is charting now.

The song appeared in a lot of films including Home Alone, Diner, The Santa Clause 2, Cast Away, and Jingle All the Way.

Run Rudolph Run

Out of all the reindeers you know you’re the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randalph ain’t too far behind
Run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph ’cause I’m reelin’ like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a boy child what have you been longing for?
All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar
And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star
Run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round

Run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a girl child what would please you most to get?
A little baby doll that can cry, sleep, drink and wet
And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet
Run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph ’cause I’m reelin’ like a merry-go-round

Rolling Stones Question

Dave posted this on November 16 in his Turntable Talk series. Dave wanted to know… So, talk about the Stones. Do they matter? Or what was their best song, or album? Or should they just disappear like 1960s cigarette ads featuring doctors?

I’ll answer Dave’s questions near the end.

If I ever meet an alien and he/she/it wanted to know what rock and roll looked and sounded like…I would give them a picture of Keith Richards in 1972 and a copy of “Brown Sugar”.

I found out about The Rolling Stones by reading about The Beatles. That is the same way I found out about The Who, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, and other British bands.

While growing up and playing in bands, I played with a drummer who was a huge Stones fan. He turned me onto their album cuts which I love. We had playful banter about the Beatles vs Stones, but it was all very good-natured. He liked The Beatles as well and I turned him on to their album cuts.

Are the Stones relevant today? Sure, they are… you can’t stay together since the early sixties selling out stadiums without being relevant. In today’s time though, no bands are relevant anymore in the way they were at one time, including the Stones. Musicians once influenced what was going on in the world. Now they are more of a disposable product – which I truly hate.

The Stones’ peak probably was 1968 – 1973 from Beggars Banquet to Goats Head Soup but there is another period I would like to talk about briefly.

To me, their most underrated period was 1965-1967. They had a string of singles starting with “Satisfaction”, “Get Off My Cloud”, “As Tears Go By”, “19^th Nervous Breakdown”, “Paint It Black”, “Ruby Tuesday”, etc.

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger would write these wonderful songs and Brian Jones would color the songs with sitar, harpsichord, flute, marimba, and even saxophone. He was the best musician of the band along with being its founder. When they lost Brian, they lost a key piece. Yes, they found the rock/blues groove which they still have but I liked that underappreciated era and what Brian gave them.

They started as a blues cover band and didn’t worry about writing their own songs. They realized they had to because other bands such as The Beatles, Kinks, and The Who were writing their own songs, and you couldn’t keep on covering blues artists or Chuck Berry and sustain that.

They contributed some great pop songs in the mid-sixties. These songs are sometimes overlooked (except “Satisfaction”) in favor of their late-sixties and early-seventies material. I like these songs because they give a variety of sounds. As much as I love the Mick Taylor period, they lost this part of them and never really went back and it’s a shame.

I wasn’t sure they would continue when I read that Charlie Watts died. Keith always says how important Watts was to the Rolling Stones. If they wouldn’t have had a tour planned who knows if they would have. Watts was indeed important to their sound, but they did continue and I’m glad they did, especially for the fans.

Now I want to answer Dave’s questions. Should they retire? No, why should they do that? Many people say that, but hell no (I also hear this about other artists). If they are happy doing what they are doing, then go ahead. I seriously doubt if they are doing it because of the money at this point. Just like everything else if people don’t want to see them…don’t go to the concerts. I don’t believe people should decide what is good for other people. If I don’t want to hear the Stones, I will turn them off, but I have no plans to do that. To answer Dave’s question… my favorite (to me the best) album is Beggars Banquet. My favorite song is “Memory Motel”.

If I had to describe the Stones, I would describe them as The World’s Greatest Bar Band. That is not a put down…that is a compliment. I think Mr. Richards would approve of that title because I’ve heard him use it. Both times I’ve seen them I heard bum notes and that made them more human to me and made me like them more. If you want your music perfect, they are not for you…but rock and roll wasn’t made to be perfect.

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Johnny Conqueroo – Rock and Roll

Last weekend I posted Muddy Waters and found this band looking for High John de Conqueror… an African-American folk hero who is name-checked in some blues songs. I played this song and when he started to sing…I knew I liked them. “Johnny Conqueroo” is this band’s name.

Their first EP was released in 2015, with a full-length album right after titled “Washed Up” in 2016. The album consists of 10 songs that travel through a variety of sounds that are both catchy and organic. The lead singer’s name is Grant Curless and what a rock voice he has. Shawn Reynolds plays bass and Wils Quinn plays the drums.

At first, Johnny Conqueroo played at private parties and house concerts. But by their second year as a band, they began to play in clubs and other venues. In recent years, they have branched out to perform in places like Chicago, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio, Alabama, and the Tri-State. “Rock and Roll” is the second single from Johnny Conqueroo’s EP, “Taking it Easy.” I like this one a lot…it has a Kink’s like guitar riff and a terrific rock and roll voice.

Johnny Conqueroo is based out of Lexington Kentucky. He has a garage band type of sound. They were influenced by The Stooges, The Vines, and The Detroit Cobras. He is signed to Soul Step Records. According to Soul Step Records…this song was released in 2019. I’ve listened to his other songs…if you are a rock fan…you will like them. I’m excited to hear about this new band…or newer band who plays gritty rock and roll.

Grant Curless: “Some kid played a guitar recital at my school and that was when I decided that was where I needed to be, I started taking lessons at a guitar shop here in Lexington for a little bit and I was hooked. As we progressed, it was just Wils and me for a while, trying to feel out what we wanted to do musically and where we wanted to go. Later on we brought in Shawn, who didn’t play a lick of bass at the time. But we slowly showed him what to do and where to put his fingers and eventually it all worked out and we grew with each other. We have stayed together for these five years because of good friendships and it works because of dedication. We decided that we would meet every Saturday to practice and to not let it get away from us. Plus, it is fun, so it is hard for us not to do it.”

I couldn’t find the lyrics…but just enjoy it.

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Urban Rescue Ranch…Part 2

Earlier I did a post on this YouTube channel. If you want to know the background I would suggest go there. He releases new videos (around 10-11 minutes long…never longer) every 3-4 days. He has a style of fast edits in videos and he does have ADHD and you can tell.

I went to a pet store in Nashville and asked them if they had prairie dogs. The guy behind the counter eyes lit up but he said no. He asked me if I had watched this show? Of course, I said yes and we spent 15 minutes talking about it. A few years ago hardly anyone had heard of it but now it is getting popular. The reason I want a prairie dog is because of the one that he has on his show…named Big Ounce.

Ben Christie operates an animal rescue and he keeps it fun. He doesn’t show the really bad cases at all. He has moved up from a typical house in a suburb in Austin Texas to a 3-acre spread in Waco Texas. When he bought it…it was really a “crack house” with the property filled with car parts, trash, needles, and hundreds of tires. He has cleaned it up and now it’s beautiful.

He fixed up the “crack house” and lived there for a while but now he has built another house on the property and uses the original house as an office and for animal rehabilitation. He takes in squirrels, ducks, alligators, raccoons, hawks, owls, antelopes, and almost anything that needs help. Ben also keeps the show clean but a fun clean. It’s a show that adults and children watch. Ben’s sense of humor is the reason it is so popular.

He is called “Uncle Ben” and the stars of his show are the animals and his sense of humor. Some of the animals are permanent. Kevin the Rhea (who usually chases Ben and bites him), Big Ounce the prairie dog, Dababy a Kangaroo, Homelander the Ostrich, Master Oogway the tortious, Markiplier the goat, four capibaras, Petunia the pig, Garbanzo beans the duck, and Quenie and Poggers the dogs. There is more.

He spreads the animals out as far as featuring them. Not lingering on one too much but lately, Big Ounce has been the “star” so to speak. The animal to put the show on the map was Kevin the Rhea. Kevin lived on a farm and they were going to euthanize him because of his aggressive nature. Ben got him and gave him a home but that didn’t settle Kevin down at all. Sometimes Ben has to use a riot shield to feed him and to get into Kevin’s area.

Before I could publish this...Big Ounce the prairie dog passed away. Ben got Big Ounce in a pet store with 7 other prairie dogs in a cage. Big Ounce was severely obese so Ben gave him the run of his house and barn and Big Ounce got slim quickly. He has been there since January of 2022… he quickly became the most popular animal there.

Big Ounce was the alpha on the farm. The show is very entertaining and he helps a lot of animals that need it.

Remembering Big Ounce

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Will Be Back Soon…taking a short break.

Because of work and home projects…I’m going to take a short break and close the joint down. I’ll be back on November 17th. Last year I took a month and it was too long all at once and I took a couple of weeks this past April.

Thank you all for reading and commenting because that is the reason I still do this…the interaction. Along with the projects, this will give me a few days to recharge the batteries.

I didn’t think I’d see this band on any modern chart in my lifetime.

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Beatles – Now And Then

I have been hyped about this because I’m not old enough to remember The Beatles when they were together. In the 90s when Free As A Bird came out I was so excited because it was the first time I ever heard a “new” Beatles song. I’ve been waiting for Paul to finish this song for 27 years. I thought it would end up just being him finishing it or not at all. My son Bailey is excited also. He was born in 2000 so he didn’t even get to hear Free As A Bird much less The Beatles as an active band. I think he is more excited than I am.

The thing that I’m happy about the most after listening to it is the great sound. They didn’t try to make it fit with everyone else now. The mix sounds lively and not flat and compressed to death like a lot of recordings. I’m listening through headphones and they did a hell of a job on it.

Over 700 radio stations will play the song when it’s released.

This song is not one of John’s best but it sounds great hearing John Lennon again. This will be the last single from them and for me, this is my musical event of the year.

This came about because of Peter Jackson’s advancements in audio technology while working on Get Back. He took John’s voice off of the 1978 cassette tape and it’s clean. They ran into a buzz on the tape before and could not finish it in the 90s.

Is this the best song ever by them? No, it’s not but it’s a nice send-off. On the single version, the B-Side is appropriately their first single Love Me Do. The video (out tomorrow) was directed by Peter Jackson.

What a long road this song took to get here.

12-Minute Bio on the song.

Now and Then

I know it’s true, it’s all because of you
And if I make it through, it’s all because of you
And now and then, if we must start again
Well we will know for sure, that I love you

I don’t want to lose you – oh no, no, no
Lose you or abuse you – oh no, no, no, sweet doll
But if you have to go, away
If you have to go
Nda-da-doo, doo-doo-doo

Now and then, I miss you
Oh now and then, I want you to return on me
And now return to me…

I know it’s true, it’s all because of you
And if you go away, I know you you’ll nev’… stay

I don’t want to lose you – oh no, no, no
Abuse you or confuse you – oh no, no, no, sweet darl’
But if you had to go,
Well I won’t stop you babe
And if you had to go, well you believe in that love

Robbie Robertson music thoughts

You take what you needAnd you leave the restBut they should neverHave taken the very best

I wasn’t sure if I would post anything on Robbie Robertson but I had to if just for my sake. This loss hits me really hard as it does a lot of people. Most of us never knew the man but we did know him through his songs. I’m not going to list chart positions or anything like that. On this day for me, it’s just about how his music hits me.

Most artists I treat very unfairly. In my mind, they are frozen in time during a certain period. When I think of John Lennon I think of him in 1966…with Robbie Robertson, it was always around 1969-70 after writing two of the most important albums in rock history. In my mind, he was not 80 but 26 years old. So it was shocking to hear he passed away today.

The man not only was a great storyteller but many of his songs were mini-movies you could visualize. Who couldn’t imagine the drunkard and his sweetheart defender Bessie betting on horses up on Cripple Creek? You see and hear a hungry Virgil Kane and his wife struggle during the Civil War. In King Harvest, you get a view from a poverty-stricken farmer getting promises that will never happen. How about pulling into Nazareth and then seeing Carmen and the Devil walking side by side? Can you then visualize Miss Fanny sending her regards to everyone? I can.

Those are not just songs…they are visual pictures sent through music that only Robertson could write. He studied screenplays and that is how he wrote many of his songs and we continue to benefit from his hard work and gift…and always will.

Garland Jeffreys …a New York Original

CB (Cincinnati Babyhead) and I have got together again and worked on this post. When CB sent me the link to “Wild In The Streets” I was sold, hooked, and happy. The more I listened to Jeffreys music the more it affected me like Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison did when I first heard them. Jeffreys’ music found a spot in me where Morrison and Springsteen lives. It’s deep, sprawling, and meaningful. Not many artists affect me like this. Like Big Star, The Replacements, and others…this man should be known to more people.

This post is a sample platter…I kept it relatively short so you can enjoy the songs. I’ll be covering more Garland Jeffreys coming up in the next few weeks to give more information rather than cramming everything in one post.

Jeffreys is a Brooklyn, N.Y.-born singer/songwriter who has released 15 studio albums in his 53-year career. His mixed heritage Puerto Rican and African-American is mirrored in his music, which embraces rock, soul, R&B, and reggae. He began his career performing solo in Manhattan clubs in 1966 after attending college at Syracuse University as an art major, where he became friends with Lou Reed. He then spent some time in Italy studying art before he came back to further his education at New York’s Institute of Fine Arts.

In 1969 he formed a band called Grinder’s Switch, they released just one album Garland Jeffreys & Grinder’s Switch. Members of that band played on the debut album of John Cale of the Velvet Underground. Jeffreys wrote a song for the album called Fairweather Friend and did backup vocals for it. In 1973 he released his first album entitled Garland Jeffreys.

Springsteen opened for Jeffreys at the Cafe Au Go Go back in 1972. They’ve stayed in touch ever since. Jeffreys appears on Light of Day, a great Springsteen tribute album, performing “Streets of Philadelphia” with just as much emotion as its author. He was friends with peers like Lou Reed, Bob Marley, John Lennon, and Joe Strummer, explored in both original songs (“Reggae on Broadway”) and a pair of choice covers (“I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Help”).

One thing I found is he really connected with baseball. His album One Eyed Jack has him on the front cover when he was a young kid in a baseball uniform and his childhood idol Jackie Robinson was on the back. Some of his credits list baseball players from Bobby Bonds to Brian Doyle.

Let us start off with the first song that CB sent me that won me over within a few seconds. It’s as New York as Martin Scorsese, Springsteen, The Yankees, The Statue of Liberty, and subways. It was released in 1973 as a single and was included in the 1977 album Ghost Writer… it is called Wild In The Streets. It’s naked, raw, and genuine…just like Jeffreys.

35 Millimeter Dreams is a song off of the 1977 album Ghost Writer. This one is catchy and it’s too bad it didn’t catch on when released as a single.

Hail Hail Rock and Roll…CB did a take on Hail Hail Rock and Roll. Some of his take: A little tribute to Rock n Roll by one of the best guys out there. This song gets into your blood. Garland knows his stuff. CB has been thinking about this rock and roll thing lately. All the music and pioneers that have contributed to this thing he loves so much. This song more than touches on a lot of those thoughts and feelings.

It was released in 1983 on the album Don’t Call Me Buckwheat.

Roller Coaster Town was released in 2011 on the album The King Of In Between. The album made numerous annual Best Of lists with NPR naming it a “best of the year so far” and Rolling Stone calling it one of the Best Under The Radar Albums of 2011.

City Kids is off the American Boy and Girl album released in 1979. Here is what CB says about the album: “This is NY music from Jeffrey’s experience. He’s lived it. Another one of those “How come artists that never made it bigger?” He is a NY poet. Songs got into me, moved me. What can I say? Springsteen’s ‘Wild Innocent’ vibe. This is his world like Scorsese’s. Close to the streets. When he sings ‘City Kids’ I’m gone with him. Sends a few shivers. Love the feel. Cousin to ”Jungleland’ by Bruce. ‘Matador’ is just beautiful. Sung in his distinctive voice. Hit the romantic side of CB.”

…

Paul Kelly – To Her Door… and more

This extended from my last chat with CB… we had Graham Parker last week and Paul Kelly was brought up. I ran out of time last week to write this one up. I really like great storytellers…and Paul Kelly is one of them. His music touches on many styles. Country, rock, folk, reggae, bluegrass, and touches of many more styles. He has been described as the poet laureate of Australian music. He writes about everyday life that many people can relate to. I’ve seen this stated about him… Paul Kelly’s songs dig deep into Australia: how it feels, looks, tastes, sounds.

Today I’m going to give you a small sample platter of this great artist.

Here is a very short bio of Paul Kelly.

Paul Kelly was born in 1955 is from Adelaide, Australia. Debuted in Hobart, Australia, 1974; moved to Melbourne and performed in pubs, 1976; formed band the Dots, released albums Talk, 1981, and Manila, 1982; moved to Sydney, 1984; released Post with Steve Connolly and Ian Rilen, 1985; formed as Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, released Gossip, 1986; regrouped as Paul Kelly and the Messengers, released Gossip in the U.S., followed by Under the Sun, 1987; published collected writings volume Lyrics, 1993; formed new lineup with Shane O’Mara, Bruce Haymes, Peter Luscombe, Stephen Hadley, and Spencer Jones. Kelly is still releasing albums. His last album was Paul Kelly’s Christmas Train released in 2021. Altogether he had 28 studio albums, 6 live albums, 8 compilation albums, and an incredible 64 singles.

He also comments on important social and historical events and their significance to Australian identity and life. Several of his songs highlight the plight of Australia’s Indigenous people including ‘Maralinga (Rainy Land)’, a song about atomic testing by the British in Australia’s outback and its effects on the Indigenous people of that area. He and Midnight Oil were some of the artists who contributed to the album Building Bridges – Australia Has A Black History. All sales proceeds were donated to the National Coalition of Aboriginal Organisations.

The first song I listened to by Paul Kelly was “To Her Door.” It reminded me of Steve Earle or Springsteen. Not because of his voice but because of the songwriting. The story…the way lyrics flow and ebb and fit together like a puzzle. All the while this is going on the music has great dynamics that rise up to meet the lyrics head-on and punctuates it. The song was released in 1987 and was on the album Under The Sun that peaked at #14 in Australia.

That album also produced the single Dumb Things. This song has a shuffle that jumps. It starts off with a cool harmonica blasting and invites you in. This character-driven song stuck with me for days. This one peaked at #36 in Australia and #17 on the Billboard Alternative Charts in 1987.

Now it’s time for a pure rock song by Kelly called Darling It Hurts. This song was off of the album Gossip released in 1986. The song peaked at #25 in Australia and #19 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts.

This one is called Bradman and it’s off of Gossip as well. It has a sports connection. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know much about Cricket but the song is great. It’s about Sir Donald Bradman, arguably…. the greatest ever cricketer (and definitely the greatest ever Australian cricketer). This one peaked at #51 in Australia and was part of a double A-sided single along with the song Leaps and Bounds.

I’m going to close this on this song or I could go on for pages. This song is called Careless. It was released in 1989 on the album So Much Water So Close to Home. It’s an incredibly catchy song but a song that means something. Like a mixture in a bottle, like a frozen over lake, Like a long-time, painted smile I got so hard I had to crack, You were there, you held the line, you’re the one that brought me back

If you liked what you have heard…do some homework and look this artist up…you won’t be sorry. He will now remain on my playlist. I’ve given you a few samples but it’s so much more to explore.

Rock Critic David Fricke: “I have had the pleasure and privilege of seeing Paul Kelly in performance more times than I can count – although it’s still not enough. I’ve seen him in performance in the Northeast and Southwest Hemispheres, unplug and plugged in, solo, with his band and, on one memorable evening in New York, on stage exchanging songs, quips and composing tips with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Michelle Shocked and Allen Toussaint. If memory serves me right, Paul actually sang a few bars of Fats Domino’s‘Blueberry Hill’ one thanksgivings back in the mid 80s at my apartment in Manhattan as he pored over a road atlas- his forefinger on the city of New Orleans – and excitedly pointed out the route he was taking on a car trip through the southern United States”

Now here is one for the road…this song’s title appealed me right away… “How to Make Gravy.”

How To Make Gravy

Hello Dan, it’s Joe here
I hope you’re keeping well
It’s the 21st of December
And now they’re ringing the last bells
If I get good behaviour
I’ll be out of here by July
Won’t you kiss my kids on Christmas Day?
Please don’t let ’em cry for me

I guess the brothers are driving down from Queensland
And Stella’s flying in from the coast
They say it’s gonna be a hundred degrees, even more maybe
But that won’t stop the roast
Who’s gonna make the gravy now?
I bet it won’t taste the same
Just add flour, salt, a little red wine
And don’t forget a dollop of tomato sauce
For sweetness and that extra tang

And give my love to Angus, and to Frank and Dolly
Tell ’em all I’m sorry, I screwed up this time
And look after Rita, I’ll be thinking of her
Early Christmas morning when I’m standing in line

I hear Mary’s got a new boyfriend
I hope he can hold his own
Do you remember the last one? What was his name again?
Ahh, just a little too much cologne
And Roger, you know I’m even gonna miss Roger
‘Cause there’s sure as hell no one in here I want to fight

Oh, praise the Baby Jesus, have a Merry Christmas
I’m really gonna miss it, all the treasure and the trash
And later in the evening, I can just imagine
You’ll put on Junior Murvin and push the tables back

And you’ll dance with Rita, I know you really like her
Just don’t hold her too close
Oh, brother, please don’t stab me in the back
I didn’t mean to say that, it’s just my mind it plays up
Multiplies each matter, turns imagination into fact

You know I love her badly, she’s the one to save me
I’m gonna make some gravy, I’m gonna taste the fat
Ahh, tell her that I’m sorry, yeah, I love her badly
Tell ’em all I’m sorry, and kiss the sleepy children for me
You know one of these days, I’ll be making gravy
I’ll be making plenty, I’m gonna pay ’em all back

Yeah, do-do-do-do, do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do

Peter Max… Art Work

Hello everyone!!!! Tomorrow I’ll be officially back posting again. I wanted to share this before that and see what you guys think of it. To have an actual piece of artwork by Peter Max is something I still can’t believe.

I was shocked when I received this painting.

A friend of the family told me not long ago that she wanted to give me a Peter Max painting. I thought she meant a copy of course and I said I would be happy to take it. Peter Max is one of my favorite artists…and one of the best pop art artists in the world.

Well, she took it out of her car and I got a big surprise. It’s an original piece of artwork that she bought from Peter Max himself a long time ago in Texas where he had a booth setup. She knows I like pop art from the 60s and 70s and this is right up my alley.

Plus by the way, he signed it “Max” It fits me perfectly. I could NOT get a good picture of it because of the glare on the glass. I am not brave enough to take it out of the picture frame at this point.

If you don’t know who Peter Max is…look him up and his artwork. I like a lot of his paintings more than Warhol. I hope one day to get a better picture of it.

Anyway…Thank you Kelly!!!!