Music Monday: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn

 

I am not a huge country music fan. I have no idea who is on the charts and I don't even know how to find the local country radio stations. But I grew up listening to Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and John Denver (along with classical, disco, and rock music). These people define "country" for me. 

And now Loretta Lynn is dead.

It's hard to describe what I'm feeling. I'm numb because the news feels fictitious. I'm sad because she was such a lovely person. I grieve for her family, because I know that they are reeling. I'm happy when I remember singing along to her on car rides. 

I never knew that Loretta wrote and songs that were banned from radio stations. I listened to "The Pill" last week, and nearly laughed myself out of my chair. The woman had so many children, I completely get why she would be so happy at the advent of the pill. "Fist City" is violent, but in a way I understand and even approve of. Honestly, I would be introducing any woman hitting on my husband to my fist.

I guess it's time to say goodbye to Loretta Lynn, the woman.  Luck for us, her music will stay with us forever.

Music Monday: Chris Barron & The Spin Doctors

 

I don't know how many of you remember when the Spin Doctors first hit the scene, but I do. I remember gong out to clubs or bars and dancing to these high-energy songs while singing along.

Like a lot of bands, Spin Doctors released a hugely successful first album and then never managed to match that success with their following albums.  Mind you, the music is still exceptional. It just never became as commercially popular as A Pocket Full of Kryptonite.

Chris Barron, singer and songwriter, still sings with the band. But he also does some solo work. I re-discovered Chris Barron in the 2010s, when I bought the album Songs from the Summer of Sangria off of his BandCamp website. The music is more chill but just as thoughtful as his Spin Doctors music. And I recommend listening to it when you want to just kick back and let life flow.

Music Monday: The Bright Side of Life

I didn't see "Life of Brian" until I was almost 50, and I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. This particular song is one of my favorite earworms.

Music Monday: Mercedes Benz

 Last month, my dear husband and I went to see Reina del Cid in concert here in Atlanta. One of the last songs she sang was a cover of Janis Joplin's "Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz", but with an extra verse asking the Lord for a new guitar.

This got me thinking about what that song would be if Janis wrote it today. These days, housing is hard to afford. So I wrote a new verse to this classic.

Lord won't you buy me a new mobile home

My old one is broken. It just will not roam

A new double wide one, with accents in chrome

So Lord won't you buy me a new mobile home.

You can listen to me singing it on SoundCloud.

Music Monday: Fast Car

In 1988, the world celebrated Nelson Mandala's 70th Birthday with a huge concert at Wembley Stadium. Over 74,000 people showed up to hear good music and honor the South African. Early in the afternoon, a young unknown singer called Tracy Chapman performed a few songs. She didn't make a big splash, but did a good job. 

 Later on, Stevie Wonder was supposed to take the stage. Only, he misplaced some computer programs and needed time to get everything together. The people in charge called on Tracy Chapman to come out and entertain the audience to give Stevie time. 

 No one expected what happened next.

"Pipe Dream"

Fantastical animated machine creates a wonderful, happy tune.

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" - The Original

Happy Halloween!!  To celebrate, this week I'll be presenting your with covers of an awesome Halloween tune - "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

To start this off, here's the original music video.  Enjoy!

Monday "Hello" (Acoustic Cover)

Good morning!  I'm doing an experiment this week.  Adele's song "Hello" has spawned a number of amazing covers in diverse styles.  So each day this week, I'll be posting a cover of "Hello" in various styles.  First, it's my way of saying "Hello" to you every day.   Second, I think that different musical styles bring a different feel to the song, changing the interpretation.

Here's my favorite parred down version by half of Pomplamoose, Nataly Dawn.

Monday Music: "Material Girl" as a Vintage 1920s Tune

I love the lead singer!!!  She sings, dances, taps, and plays the trombone.  I need that kind of energy on a Monday.

Monday Music: A 3-String Shovel??

Bluegrass Cover of "Loser" by Beck

Here's some music to help make your Monday a bit happier.

Monday Music: Matt Mulholland and His Looper

Hello, friends!

Well, it's Monday night and I've yet to find time to finish a post.  So I decided to share a favorite music video of mine - Matt Mulholland doing a great cover of  "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.

I'll see you tomorrow!