(Note: this series was originally published elsewhere.)
Something in music: origin
One evening at a hot, trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had taken more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.
One of the young ladies noted that when a gal is about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those very same terms could be applied to music too: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. The rest is history.
‘Something’ in Music 268
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “You’ll Accomp’ny Me” written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter and guitarist Bob Seger. It first appeared on his 1980 platter titled Against the Wind. The album peaked at number 14 on the well-known Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new number “Quiet Sounds in a Dark Hole”. It’s the new single from London, England-based, American singer-songwriter and composer Wendy Rae Fowler’s new musical score for the BBC documentary titled A Year In An English Garden: Flicker+Pulse. The soundtrack drops on March 31st, 2023 on Ghost Rhythm Records.
This is reported to be another one of a trio of singles off the upcoming release. Fowler discussed the new single in a recent e-mail. She said:
“‘Quiet Sounds in a Dark Hole’ , possibly my favorite track from Flicker+Pulse, is a special collaboration with award-winning British sound artist Ray Lee. The idea originated from an accidental recording of Lee’s 'Chorus', during an installation outside my studio. ‘Chorus’ is a monumental installation of kinetic sound sculptures that look like something from War of the Worlds, and produces trance-inducing, omnipresent, other-worldly sounds."
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” this time is the song “No Woman, No Cry” written by Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley, who recorded it in 1974 with his band the Wailers for the platter Natty Dread. This tuneful tribute is by the Taos, New Mexico-based band known as The Rifters.
If you want to hear some of their new, original material, keep an eye on this website for a review of the group’s upcoming new disc titled The Enchanted World which is scheduled to drop on April 28th.
Something Blue
Last but not least, our “something blue” for this edition is the 2022 song “My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling” written and recorded by the progressive bluegrass band known as The Infamous Stringdusters. The band roster includes Travis Book (upright bass), Andy Falco (guitar), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), Andy Hall (dobro), and Chris Pandolfi (banjo).
If you’re in the area and would like to hear more of their music, The Infamous Stringdusters featuring Molly Tuttle will be performing at The 5th Suwannee Spring Reunion Thursday through Sunday, March 23-26, 2023 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. The event will feature other acts including Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, the Steep Canyon Rangers, The Earls of Leicester, Peter Rowan, Donna the Buffalo, Sierra Hull, Keller Williams, Jim Lauderdale, the Jon Stickley Trio, and Verlon Thompson.
Also performing will be Shawn Camp, Roy Book Binder, the Rev Jeff Mosier Ensemble, The Grass Is Dead, Big Richard, Hattie Craven & Joe Craven, John Mailander’s Forecast, Armchair Boogie, Caleb Caudle, Mile Twelve, The Ain’t Sisters, Medicine Springs, Lee Hunter & The Gatherers, Nikki Talley & Jason Sharp, Quartermoon, Sloppy Joe, Belle & The Band, Free Range Strange, Habanero Honeys, and Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus. This music festival will feature multi-genre music performed on “multiple stages including the beloved tree-lined Amphitheater Stage, the Porch Stage, the Dance Tent Stage, and the Music Hall Stage.” There will also be performer-hosted workshops on the Music Farmers Stage, jam sessions at the Bill Monroe Shrine and Slopryland, plus “pickin’ parties throughout the campgrounds.” Tickets and further information are available on the official website.
Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!