IMHO Janis Joplin was overrated... but that's just me.

Last night, Bill and I were sitting around the fireplace, listening to a playlist made by Amazon.com.  Janis Joplin's version of "Summertime" came on.

I don't think it was the live version, though...

I had been enjoying most of the music put together on the Amazon playlist, but I had to skip "Summertime".  I have never enjoyed listening to Janis Joplin's screechy voice.  I shared my opinion on Facebook, and immediately got chastised for it.  ;-)

Lots of people loved Janis Joplin's unique take on music.  I won't say she wasn't talented or entertaining.  She was.  I just can't stand to listen to her screechy voice.  It's like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Janis Joplin sings about the Mercedes Benz...

There's no accounting for taste.  I know people admire her for "going for it".  She was definitely a force of nature.  I actually do like her take on "Me and Bobby McGee".  That's pretty much the only song she ever did that I like.  Or, at least it's the only one I've heard that I enjoy.  I will admit that I never really scoured her catalog for other stuff.  

Yeah... this one I like.

Janis Joplin is famously part of the "27 Club".  She died at age 27, just like Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, blue musician Robert Johnson, and Kurt Cobain.  Just like all of the rest of these rock luminaries, Joplin abused drugs and alcohol, and that is ultimately what led to her demise.  She was dead before I was born, so I never really got her mystique.  But then, I never thought Jim Morrison was that awesome, either.  

One person told me to watch her in concert and that would change my mind.  I have no doubt she was a mesmerizing performer.  But the sound of her voice when she howls and screams would make it impossible to enjoy her performance.  

But she gets an A for effort.  The only other version of this song I've ever heard was done by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  I liked it more than this, although this is a pretty good rendition, too.  

Give me more melodious voices.  Or, if you have to be high or drunk when you perform, at least be like Kate Taylor (James's sister)...

Not a fabulous performance, but definitely entertaining.

Sunday morning music...

I'm sitting here listening to iTunes.  I have a bunch of playlists that I made when the mood struck me. One of the playlists I made consists of music from the 70s and 80s, which happens to be my favorite time period for pop music.  Yeah, I know... I'm old.

Still, I can't get over how good some of this shit is.  I really think the music business has become a lot more about packaging than actual talent.  The talented folks aren't necessarily the ones on stage.  They're the ones coming up with songs that sell and images that others will think is cool.  How I miss the days before music videos, when a person could be very ordinary looking and still rock the house.

From the No Nukes concert in 1979...  The album that accompanies this is just awesome!

Bruce Springsteen at the same show...

Carole King and James Taylor at The Troubadour in 2010 singing a classic song...

A little Jim Croce...

Okay... this is from 1969, but still...

I usually like a little mellow music on Sundays, but it's fun to hear what comes up randomly.  I'm so glad I was around when music was still awesome.  (Yes, I'm old.)

Chili Dog...

I am certain that a lot of songs were inspired by marijuana, especially back in the 60s and 70s.  This morning, while enjoying the beginning stages of a space cake high as we departed The Netherlands, I heard this song by James Taylor...

James admits this song was inspired by the munchies...

I don't think he is a meat eater anymore.  I also don't think he imbibes in drugs.  James Taylor, like a lot of people of Celtic descent, had some issues with addiction back in the day.  Having grown up with an addict, I understand how destructive addictions can be...  However, I have to admit that the creativity and wit inspired for this song is pretty impressive...  I don't like chili dogs myself.  Hot dogs kind of gross me out.

Here's a gem I just found on YouTube...

I don't know if this was inspired by anything other than youthful ambition.  James was only 24 years old when this was made.  How time flies.

Mona... ode to a pet pig

Yesterday, a clip from one of James Taylor's most recent concerts popped up on my Facebook feed.  A fan had asked him to play a song from his 1985 album, That's Why I'm Here.  She wanted to hear "Mona", a song Taylor wrote about a pig someone had given him as a pet.

If you listen to the words, they sound a bit cold and calloused.  For that reason, I'm sure, the record producers decided to put a small drawing of a pig next to the song's title.  That way, people wouldn't think James was singing about offing a girlfriend or something.

Here's the live clip from one of Taylor's concerts in July of this year.  I am impressed that he did "Mona" so well, especially since he probably hasn't played that song in years.  He does get the key right, but I'm guessing the lower pitches are easier for aging voices.

  

I can't listen to this in Germany, but maybe you can wherever you are.  I presume it's the original recording.  

It's a very witty and clever song... one of his deep cuts.  I am impressed that he was so game to pull it out of his ass the way he did at that show.  It's always nice to see an obliging musician and James Taylor is the consummate entertainer.  

RIP Gerry Goffin…

I have already written a tribute to Gerry Goffin on Pop Rock Nation, but I feel the need to write something about him here on my personal music blog.  I usually try to dedicate the stuff I write here to fun and silliness from the past, but every once in awhile a more serious topic comes up.  Gerry Goffin's death is sad in that we've lost a wonderful lyricist.  Though I didn't know him personally, I think Goffin must have had a wonderful soul.  He came up with lyrics to songs that so many people could relate to.  His death at age 75 on June 19th was a surprise and shock to me.  I guess 75 no longer seems that old to me.

I mostly know Gerry Goffin's music through listening to songs he wrote with his first wife, Carole King.  King and Goffin wrote many amazing classics.  One of my favorites was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."  This song was made famous by the Shirelles, but I actually preferred hearing Carole King sing it.

The Shirelles sing "Will You Love Me Tomorrow"…

The song was covered by a lot of different people, including Amy Winehouse…

Amy's rawer version of this classic keeps it real…

I love how Carole King and James Taylor do this song...

  
I recorded my own version of it, though given the limits of not having a band, my version is kind of like Carole's.

My version was recorded months ago, before I got sick with this crud.

I also love "One Fine Day", a song Goffin wrote with Carole King.  It was covered by so many different people, but I actually love Carole King's version from the early 80s, even though it sounds really dated now.  I think I love it because it was the first version I heard.

The Chiffons sing "One Fine Day"…

I love watching Carole King play piano.  She obviously loves to.

Even Karen Carpenter sang it…

Natalie Merchant stripped it down into something a little more wistful…

And finally, there's the song that introduced me to James Taylor's music, "Up On The Roof".

 

Originally sung by The Drifters

An early live version by James…

A duet version with Carole King...

Carole King sang it solo, too…

James even sang it on Sesame Street…

I guess, in a sense, Gerry Goffin will always be with us because he left behind so many wonderful songs.  In my other post about him, I highlighted more recent hits that he wrote with other songwriters.  I had no idea that he had a hand in writing "Nothin's Gonna Change My Love For You" or "Saving All My Love For You".  The man was a genius with lyrics.  Judging from all the songs Carole King has been posting on Facebook in remembrance of him, I'm guessing she's missing him too.  

Happy birthday, James Taylor!

Yup, he's 66 years old today.

He's come a long way since 1970's "Fire and Rain"…

"Carolina in My Mind" remains one of my favorite songs by JT.

And though James and Carly didn't stay married, they did make some beautiful music and two fabulous kids.

James Taylor and Alison Krauss have also made fabulous music together.

He also has a fine sense of humor when he has brainfarts.

I love James' version of "The Water Is Wide"…

*Sigh* I love "Copperline"…

The hauntingly gorgeous "Caroline I See You"…

For his wife, Kim...

Happy birthday, James!  May there be many more to come!

I owe James Taylor a great deal.  His music has gotten me through some tough times.  When I hear him sing, I always feel like I've got a friend.

Julie Through The Glass...

Some time ago, I found a corny Mormon PSA/ad on YouTube which used the song "Julie Through The Glass".  When I first saw the ad, I didn't know who had written or originally sung the song or even why it was written.  It was just being used on one of those old LDS ads that were so prevalent back in the 70s and 80s.

As you can see, this ad is probably from the late 70s or early 80s… and it runs for an astonishing two minutes!

Yesterday, an old friend got in touch with me on Facebook and I noticed she had posted the song "Julie Through The Glass".  Much to my surprise, I saw that it was a Carly Simon original.  Someone on YouTube commented that she had written it in honor of her newborn niece, Julie, born to her sister, Lucy Simon.

I love Carly Simon's music and am glad I got to hear the original version of this song…

The words to this song are just extraordinary.  They describe a woman seeing a baby relative for the first time.  Obviously, Carly was singing this for her niece, from the perspective of a loving aunt.  But it could have just as easily come from a new mother.  As you can see, Carly was quite the hottie in 1971 and this album cover was pretty sexy for its day.

It would be another three years before Carly would have her own daughter, Sally, with James Taylor.  Three years after that, she'd have her son, Ben, with James Taylor…  and then a few years after Ben's birth, Carly and James would divorce.  From all accounts, Carly Simon is a very dedicated mom, so it's natural that these beautiful lyrics would come from her.

Julie through the glass
Lookin' up at me
You've just got to be
The sweetest thing I've ever seen
Julie through the glass
Just born a day ago
And who knows where you've been
And where you're gonna go

We want you to love the world
To know it well and play a part
And we'll help you to learn to love yourself
'Cause that's where loving really starts

Julie through the glass
I'm looking forward to
Doing things with you
For many years to come

Read more: Carly Simon - Julie Through The Glass Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Mockingbird...

This song has been popularized by plenty of folks.  Perhaps James Taylor and Carly Simon's version is the most famous… it's definitely the one with which I am most familiar.  I bought a Carly Simon greatest hits album about twenty years ago and her famous duet with JT was on it.  I liked it, even though it's kind of corny…

Inez and Charlie Fox had the original version of this song…

Toby Keith sang it with his daughter...

And of course, Clark and Ellen Griswold sang it while on Vacation...

I did my part some time ago and this talented gentleman joined me.  I think it turned out quite well.

River

Joni Mitchell wrote sort of a heartbreaker of a holiday song back in the 70s.  Her song, "River", is on her album, Blue.  I've always loved that album for its intimacy and Joni's vocals, which at that time were pristine.

In those days, she was doing a lot of work with James Taylor, who did his own version for his holiday album a few years ago.  I actually own the Hallmark version of JT's album, but he later released one that included a few more songs that were on other albums that I already owned.

Here she is listening to James sing her song.

My YouTube friend shargram also covered it, quite decently, I might add… which inspired me to try it too.  I see now that a shitload of people have done "River" on YouTube.  

Nevertheless, though this song is equivalent to a musical 'ho, I think it turned out pretty.

  

The Times... They Are A Changin'...

I happen to own the fabulous live double CD called No Nukes, which was put out in 1979 by stars who were against nukes...  People like James Taylor, Carly Simon, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Nicolette Larson, and Raydio were all guests.  And they sang songs like "The Times, They Are A Changin'"  They all performed at Madison Square Garden...

James Taylor and Carly Simon were still married at the time.  They contribute a couple of really nice collaborations.

Part of the accompanying documentary... No Nukes.

Nukes are not as big of a threat these days, but we're still dealing with plenty of upheaval.

In light of the week we've just endured with a government shutdown, I decided I'd try the song myself...



The times are a changin'... hopefully for the better for at least some people...

Billy "Crash" Craddock...

I have to admit I had never heard of this Greensboro, NC born country/rockabilly performer until I happened to see an ad on TV pitching a "not sold in stores" album for him.  The collection was of the greatest hits ilk and I remember one song in particular...  It was called "Rub It In".

It's kind of a suggestive song from 1974.  I'm guessing it was really about rubbing suntan lotion on your woman, lying in the sand, and listening to the radio while you brown under the sun.  But it could also be a metaphor for other things... And I do remember someone used it as a jingle at some point.

This morning, I was looking SingSnap's featured songs and there was one by Billy "Crash" Craddock (the Crash comes from his status as a high school football player).  I hadn't thought of him in years, so I looked him up to see if I remembered any songs besides "Rub It In"...  I don't.

Today's featured song, by the way, is "Dream Lover"....

He covered it.  It was originally done by Bobby Darin.  I like James Taylor's cover better.  He did his with the Manhattan Transfer.

The Manhattan Transfer is also responsible for the early 80s hit, "Boy From New York City"...

Sweet flashback to elementary school.  It was a catchy song, though.  I totally deviated from the main point of this post, which would have worked out better if I could have found that lame album Billy "Crash" Craddock was selling on TV back in the 80s.  Oh well.

Got vacation on the brain.  I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

James Taylor sings Beatles covers

I found this on Napster back in 2000 or so...  and found it on YouTube today...

Here he is on BBC back in 1970... This is about 37 minutes worth of music.  He starts with another Beatles cover.  ;-)

Mmmm'kay, "People Get Ready" is not a Beatles cover, but he does a lovely job with it.

Goofy shit!

George Carlin once famously said, "That's my job, thinking up goofy shit..."

And here, he talks about goofy boy names...

This morning, a friend of mine introduced me to something totally goofy...  Are you ready for Ethel Merman singing disco?  That is some totally goofy shit!

Yes, it's true... Ethel Merman, who was once Ernest Borgnine's wife for about a month and reportedly divorced him because of his propensity for putting her in a "Dutch Oven", made a disco album back in the 1970s.  She must have had quite a sense of humor.  She was on Airplane! for God's sake...

But getting back to her disco album...  Yeah, I'd like to know whose bright idea this was.  Actually, I'm glad they did it, because it's very funny and weird.

It's almost as funny as Paris Hilton singing pop music...

I actually prefer the parody version of this song...

I'm in sort of a goofy mood today.  I was writing a blog post about actors who sing and it led to someone passing on that revelation that Ethel Merman once went disco.  That's about as inappropriate as Karen Carpenter going disco... which sadly, she did...

Holy shit... in this video, she fucking disco dances!  The 70s were so strange!

But hell, even James Taylor did a little disco.  Here's his cover of The Beatles' "Day Tripper".  Hot mess.

At least he had the good sense not to dance.

Unlike "Ponch" (Erik Estrada) on CHiPs...

I think I'm going to have to hang out on YouTube for awhile and see what other goofy shit I can dig up.

James Taylor and Livingston Taylor singing together...

Especially for Alexis, the one regular reader of this blog...

"Falling In Love With You" and "City Lights"

Hope you enjoy!

And here's a clip that ought to excite your parents...

All the brothers and sister Kate singing together in 1981.  If I recall correctly, Alex died on James's birthday in 1993.

My "comforting" playlist...

Some time ago, I made playlists for my iMac.  I usually play them on weekends, when my husband and I are at home together.  I made an 80s list, a 70s list, a holiday mix, and a "comforting" playlist.  Basically, this is a list of songs that are "comforting", no matter which decade they came from.  I find the older I get, the more I want to listen to comforting music.  I no longer care too much about the edgiest, newest stuff, though I still enjoy it to an extent.  I like music that makes me feel good and relaxes me.  I figure as long as I don't start listening to Muzak, I'm okay.

Today, I turned on the mix because I felt like making bread and figured that called for a little baking music.  I've had the mix on all day.  I'm trying to listen to as much as possible, because I have it set to play in order of plays.  The songs I've listened to most often play first and so on.  I have so many songs on my comforting mix, though, that some songs never get played.  It's not because I don't like them.  I just never get to them.

I suppose I could rearrange the list, but I always end up changing it back to the number of plays...

So I've heard a lot of...

And so many others before I get even close to the end of the mix...

Good thing my husband is so patient and doesn't mind when I get in the mood to be soothed.

It's October!

And since it's October, it's time for another James Taylor song...

This song is off the last album James Taylor did that consisted of fresh material.  That's a little bittersweet for me.  I really miss fresh JT, even as much as I love his older stuff and some of his covers. Anyway, this is a song about going home.  For some reason, it seems appropriate, given that the holidays are around the corner.  On the other hand, school just started too, and that was all about going away.

I love October.  It's one of my favorite months.  I love how the weather cools down and the trees turn into shimmering shrouds of color.  The leaves where I am have just begun to turn just slightly.  In a couple of weeks, it'll be wall to wall orange around here.

Happy fall!

September Grass...

I love this time of year.  I enjoy the still warm days and cooling nights that mean fall is on its way...  That's why I love this song by James Taylor...

And here's a video by JT explaining the history behind "September Grass".

Ahhh.... let the cooler weather begin!