Earlier this week, legendary music producer George Martin passed away at the age of 90.
For this week's set, let's listen to five tracks produced by a master arranger with a golden ear.
1 - Penny Lane - The Beatles
2 - Ferry Cross the Mersey - Gerry and The Pacemakers
3 - Tin Man - America
4 - Live and Let Die - Paul McCartney and Wings
5 - Say, Say, Say - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
This year I'll be focusing on Songwriters. Check back on the first Friday of each month as I take a look at the work of artists whose creative voices are most often brought to us through the performances of others.
Along with his longtime lyricist Hal David, Bacharach is responsible for so many of my favorite love songs that I simply had to turn the month for valentines over to him.
Nine years ago, on February 5th, 2007 I posted my very first blog post here at A Piece of My Mind. Crazy to think that next year I'll be celebrating an entire decade of blogging.
And now, it's over to you Burt Bacharach.
1 - The Look of Love -Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 - 1968
This one is simply it for me. The song itself and this version of it.
2 - Baby, It's You - The Beatles -1963
If you're going to spend the rest of your career writing legendary songs, you might as well cover a songwriting giant like Bacharach on your debut album. This song's lyrics were written by Luther Dixon and Mack David.
3 - Walk on By - Dionne Warwick - 1964
What's a love song set without a little heartache?
4 - What's New, Pussycat? - Tom Jones - 1965
Is it me, or did it just get a little hotter in here?
5 - This Guy's in Love With You - Herb Alpert - 1968
It's probably not very fair to follow Tom Jones' powerful voice with Herb Alpert's, but the unaffected delivery of this song is a huge part of its charm for me. I just adore the fact that this love song compelled a trumpet player to become a singer. That's the power of the Bacharach/David one-two punch.
If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
Time to celebrate! Once again, I'd like to thank all of you for dropping in on Fridays to have a listen.
1 - I'm Happy Just to Dance With You - The Beatles
2 - Dancing in the Street - David Bowie and Mick Jagger
I'll be posting a Bowie set next week to honor the passing of a music giant.
3 - Just Dance - Lady Gaga
4 - Dance to the Music - Sly and the Family Stone
5 - You Should Be Dancing - The BeeGees
If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
As we head for my 300th set, coming up next week, I'm in a mood to celebrate for two reasons. One is the fact that I'm almost at my milestone set.
The other is my return to work this week after one year and three weeks on medical leave.
I have multiple chemical sensitivities and chronic pain/fibromyalgia among a few other things, which had reached critical-mass levels by late 2013. I somehow managed to crawl my way through 2014, but renovations at my day job ultimately led to my pre-emptive medical leave.
Throughout 2014 and 2015, I received treatment at what used to be called the Environmental Clinic, but what has been renamed the Integrated Chronic Care Service. I'm still receiving sauna detox treatment there, which has been a significant factor in my recovery.
I'm now the happiest employee ever. Nothing makes you happy to walk into your office like being away for a year. So let's celebrate!
1 - Get Back - The Beatles featuring Billy Preston
2 - Up - Shania Twain
3 - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
4 - Shake it Off - Taylor Swift
5 - I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.
This year's feature is called Spotlight On...
...and for our tenth installment, let's move into an element of deeper tonal complexity by the addition of a string section. Strings immediately bring a sense of emotion along with them, whether it's joyfulness or melancholy.
Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.
In August I trained the spotlight on a favorite of mine, the bass guitar. In September we gave the stage over to that diva of instruments -- the lead guitar.
For October, I'm moving from stringed guitars to orchestral strings. Here are five songs where the string arrangements are the prominent feature.
1 - Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins - 1996
And what about the awesome music video by Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris?
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.
This year's feature is called Spotlight On...
...and for our eighth installment, I'm transitioning from percussion to rhythm. We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies. Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.
For August let's listen to one of my favorite instruments -- bass guitar.
The bass is a stringed instrument, yet its function is to anchor the groove of the music alongside the more obvious percussive sibling, the drums. Bass players often use percussion techniques such as slapping the strings, popping them (a more aggressive plucking) or thumping, as well as playing the strings as would a lead guitarist.
1 - Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey - The Beatles - 1968
This song is extra groovey, with handclaps, bell and other smaller percussion instruments shared out by The Beatles. Paul McCartney totally rocks out on bass with this track.
2 - Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops -1966
The bass player on this track is the one, the only James Jamerson.
"A true session giant, Jamerson has played on over 30 number one records, laid down stone cold grooves for the biggest artists Motown, soul and funk could throw at him, and has influenced scores of bass players from all genres of music." -- Claire Davies, MusicRadar
What is a session musician? These are working musicians who are in demand for recording sessions or live performances, but who do not permanently join a particular group.
Being a session musician generally means more stability as far as residence, because there is less need to tour the country or head out internationally. The session musician builds a reputation locally and becomes the go-to instrumentalist when other acts come to town. This gives the musician the added benefit of playing in many musical styles and alongside a vast array of fellow musicians.
3 - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Sly and the Family Stone - 1969
I hope you've been busy groovin' to these tunes. Get ready to cut loose with the slapping funk of Larry Graham, who is credited as the originator of this technique.
4 - Come On, Come Over - Jaco Pastorius featuring Sam and Dave - 1976
This is a fairly tame, more accessible tune from a legendary bass player. He was already teaching bass at the University of Miami at the age of 22. His self-titled debut album coaxed Sam and Dave to reunite just so they could work with him. He played for Weather Report from 1976 - 81, leaving to work on a myriad of solo projects, collaborations and session work. He passed away at the young age of 35 after years of erratic behavior and deteriorating health, a direct result of mental illness.
Jaco Pastorius was loved by family and friends, and revered by his fellow musicians. His death is a simple yet sober reminder that the grip of mental illness can be stronger than the best support system, stronger than the remedies available, stronger even than the burning flame burning inside the person who lives with this type of chronic condition.
As an added bonus for this week's set, here's a far more typical example of Jaco Pastorius' groundbreaking bass playing. He was incredibly influential, pushing the bass to new levels with his lyrical style and use of harmonics.
Continuum - 1976
5 - Hysteria - Muse - 2003
Stepping away from the funkier tracks to some rock bass playing, here is Christopher Wolstenholme of Muse with a base line voted 6th best bass line of all time by MusicRadar.
For today's blog challenge, let me introduce you to my regular Friday feature:
Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
This week's set is made up of songs that start with the word 'in'. They call us to enter, to surround ourselves and to experience.
1 - In the Still of the Night - Ella Fitzgerald
2 - In My Life - The Beatles
3 - In Dreams - Roy Orbison
4 - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning - Frank Sinatra
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
This year I'll be taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.
My new feature is called Spotlight On...
...and for our third installment, I continue to look at the primal body instruments. Here are five songs which shine a spotlight on vocal harmonies.
1 - Monday, Monday - The Mamas and The Papas - 1966
2 - Because - The Beatles - 1969
3 - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby, Stills and Nash - 1969
Champion of the Arts - I write historical and paranormal fiction, as well as poetry. I love to showcase creative works by artists of all stripes. Blogging from Nova Scotia, Canada
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