Throwback Tracks -- February 16, 2017
David R. Smith
Man these days sneak up on me. I'm glad I'm getting into a groove where I have at least an idea of what songs I'm going to use. As per usual it starts off with one and then meanders through the rest. My original song didn't make the cut this week, mostly because I sort of made my way through a bluesy type feel and it didn't really fit in. Better luck next week, mysterious song!
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new (*cough*) and different retro music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website (if possible...which is totally hit and miss with oldies), so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Southern Cross - Crosby, Stills and Nash
I love the "Young" in Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young but this song doesn't have Uncle Neil. It only has the aforementioned Crosby, Stills and Nash. And you know what? I don't mind. There's something to be said about this song and the absolutely wonderful harmonies they bring with them. To be fair - CSN&Y also have amazing harmonies, but there's something to be said about their harmonies here. The three voices just blend so nicely together. How they ever discovered it, I don't know. But for the sake of the world, and for music, I'm glad they did.
Sure, everybody knows Woodstock and Helpless. But this song seems less renowned than some of their other ones. At least it was for me for quite some time. But like many songs, my dad told me about it. I listened to it and then I was hooked. I love it so much, it's a song I often will listen to more than once in a row.
Whipping Post - The Allman Brothers
Another group I listen to because of my dad. Gun to my head, if I was to pick my favourite guitar solo of all time, it would be the solo from Ramblin' Man. I'm not saying it's the best guitar solo of all time. That's likely Free Bird. But Ramblin' Man is my favourite. The most fun to me. And because I loved Ramblin' Man so much, I ended up getting the greatest hits of the Allman Brothers. Sure enough this song was on there.
I really like songs that sound dirty. I don't mean in content. What I mean is more in the way they just have a gnarly bass line, or some great distortion. Something that really makes you sit up and take notice when the song starts. With this bass line slowly coming in, followed by the guitar, followed by the quiet lyrics that just get more and more intense. When they finally get to the end, the song is dirty. And it's great. My kind of song, for sure!
Thanks, Dad!
Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again - Bob Dylan
Definitely not one my dad recommended. My pop isn't big on Dylan. I had to go elsewhere to figure out just how good he is.
As I mentioned last week, he's one of the most prolific songwriters ever. Sure, he's not the best singer, but man he's got soul. As my co-worker just said today "Bob Dylan is white??" Which just goes to show how much soul he has!
The problem with Dylan is that he has SO many variations of songs that it's hard to find the one you want to have down. I was looking for Tangled Up In Blue but couldn't find the right version. Even this isn't the version of Memphis that I wanted, but eventually I just had to accept it. I mean, it's not like any of the versions are bad, they just aren't the ones I was looking for. Anyway, when it comes to making the playlist, maybe our fortunes will be better!
When My Angel Gets The Blues - Matt Andersen
I've pitched him before on the podcast. I knew very little about him up until about 2 months ago. I had heard of him because a friend told me to listen to him. But I didn't. Because I'm a big, dumb, dummy. When I finally was introduced to his album Live at the Phoenix, it was a moment of clarity. I was born again!
The man has a great voice but is huge! It's pretty great seeing actual footage of him playing. He's the sort of guy you wouldn't expect to have that sort of voice.
The coolest part about Matt Andersen? I get to see him in 2 months here in Calgary. Apparently he, Corb Lund and Amy Helm (Levon's daughter) are doing a gig called "The Last Waltz Revisited" where they basically are playing the Last Waltz together. HOW COOL IS THAT???? It's combining so many of my favourite things!
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
Is this Bill Withers' most famous song? Or is Lean on Me? Or is it quite literally a toss up? Both songs are so good. When I was growing up, I would have contended Lean on Me. But now the older I get, I'm not so sure. This song while less of a happy message, has everything. Great lyrics, great imagery, soul, and as many "I know" lyrics in a row one could ask for!
To this day, I don't know which of these two songs I prefer (Ha! As I'm writing this, Lean on Me auto followed on YouTube) but I felt like I should put this one down, because it was more of a bluesy sort of playlist. There's too much optimism in Lean On Me. So that's my reasoning. Really, does it matter? Ain't No Sunshine is so good. Just listen to it. Lean On Me will find its way here someday, I'm sure.
That be it. Thanks for checking in. Next week we might venture through some 70s and 80s music. Who knows; maybe the song I originally wanted this week will be on there. I guess you'll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, if you want to listen to more deep cuts:
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17
October 2016 Throwback Playlist,
September 2016 Throwback Playlist
-D (@davidronn)