As you well know by now, I occasionally like to dig a little deeper and find songs that you may have never heard or you forgot about. Some of these selections are obscure, some are not but each one should definitely find a place in your playlist.
I start with an interesting number by Bob Dylan, “Hurricane”. It certainly is not obscure but think back to the last time you heard this song on any medium, FM Radio, Satellite, what have you. Most artists tend to write songs about personal experiences or experiences that happen to people they know. “Hurricane” is different. It is a mostly true retelling of Hurricane Carter’s false imprisonment for a double homicide he did not commit. It points fingers directly at the process that allowed Carter to spend a good part of his life in jail. Being falsely accused and fighting to get his name back. This song opened peoples eyes to that miscarriage of justice and eventually Hurricane carter was released. The song is excellent from beginning to end and the tale he tells is straightforward.
Here’s an odd one. “Come all Ye” by Fairport Convention. You want to talk about a hippie song from the ‘60’s here it is. They were a fairly popular Folk Rock act from England that had some success with a certain demographic. Having listened to several of their albums over the years, I have gravitated to the songs where Sandy Denny sings lead. This song sounds like it could have been written in the 1400’s during the reign of King Henry. Haunting fiddle playing and her stellar vocals bring you back to a place and time unlike any other.
Not that this song was obscure but it rarely got airplay and it’s one of those songs that every time you hear it, you listen to the lyrics as much as the music. The Kinks, “Celluloid Heroes”, is Ray Davies ode to Hollywood. A simple guitar and Ray Davies at his most elegant. Simple, straightforward and just a really great song.
“Welcome Back Home” by The Byrds is another song that, while not great, is worth listening to. It was actually a throwaway song on The Byrds self titled album and become a FM radio classic, being played generally in the 2am-5am hour. Wonder why?The lyrics don’t break any new ground but it is fun to listen to and Roger McGuin and David Crosby’s vocals and guitar playing are a highlight.
I have to take credit for listening to The Steve Miller Band before they ever became popular. I occasionally would hear “Living in the USA” late at night and wondered who was this guy? Bought a bunch of their albums, then he become too popular and too mainstream until I heard “Sacrifice” from The Book of Dreams album and loved it. Redemption! Sort of. Everything else was a gooey mess of over-produced, overdone Pop. However, “Sacrifice” brings you back to what made Steve Miller great. His voice is perfect and his guitar playing goes back to the early ‘70’s. Download the song, not the album.
Genesis has this hit or miss thing with me. The bulk of their early stuff is too deep, too cerebral and I just did not get it. I still don’t but that doesn’t mean I don’t think they aren’t great, I do. Another of those songs that got airplay mainly after midnight is “I know What I Like” from Selling England by the Pound. The song is short and sweet. The song clocks in at just over four minutes which is a rarity for Genesis at the time and you listen to it once and you will see why Phil Collins became the lead singer and helped bring massive success to the group which had a very loyal cult following in the beginning.
I don’t bring up this genre’ all that much in theses columns but I did (still do) love Southern Rock. Having gone to school down South during Southern Rock’s heyday you understand why. While Molly Hatchet was not really my thing back then, I loved “Dreams I Will Never See”. It may not stand up to “Free Bird” but it is really a great example of Southern Rock. Twangy vocals, Tight guitar licks and the extended version has a great jam that anyone who has an appreciation for this sub section of Rock and Roll will surely love.
One guy who is either loved or hated is Joe Cocker. A blues and Rock master magician or a decent soul singer who just happens to do a lot of covers. Whatever. I liked him, I thought he always gave 150% whenever he performed and his interpretations were sometimes better than the originals so there. He did a version of “Hitchcock Railway” from Joe Cocker! that is just outstanding. I believe Leon Russel plays that smoking piano on the song and it is front and center from beginning to end. Even the cowbell kicks it.
Here is one that will make you scratch your heads. The Punk/New Wave/Alternative music cycle from the ‘90’s just never gets enough credit. While I think Flock of Seagulls probably should have been attacked by Eagles, there were some interesting bands and songs that came out of that era. I am going to do a twofer here because I am trying not to lose my cred with purists. The two songs are “Love Song” the extended remix by Simple Minds and “Work for Love” by Ministry. Simple Minds as everyone knows had some pretty good success in the 90’s based on the strength of their lead singer, Jim Kerr, but found much more widespread acceptance after Adam Lambert sang “Mad World” on American Idol. Kerr had an incredible voice and I don’t think the band is actually given the credit it deserves but thats a story for another time. Their extended version of “Love Song” is typical for the era, makes a political statement, has a catchy guitar lick or two and some excellent vocals. Ministry on the other hand was an enigma. They played this power metallic version of death metal rock along with doing songs like “Work for Love”. “Work for Love” like “Love Song” has a very catchy beat and very strong vocals. There are other songs from this genre that I think you might find enjoyable and I will write a specific column going over them but for now, give a listen to these two and let me know what you think.
Well Peter, your dive score is a 10. Good job on leading with Hurricane, it sticks in your head all day. Better it than other tunes, Like Sugar Sugar by the Archies.........