(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 270
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “I’ll Wait” originally recorded by the American rock group Van Halen for the band’s sixth studio album, 1984 which dropped in 1984. It was co-written by band members Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and David Lee Roth, and the Doobie Brothers’ Michael McDonald.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the single “There’s a Part of Me” by the firefighter, singer-songwriter, and “banjo picker” Randy Steele and his bluegrass band High Cold Wind featuring Faye Petree (fiddle), Tyler Martelli (guitar), John Boulware (mandolin), and Justin Hupp (upright bass). In an email, Steele recently discussed the song and its origins. He said:
“For a while now I’ve been wanting to do more bluegrass. I love bluegrass. It is a great example of simplicity and complexity combined.”
Steele explains: “Every time I hear the simple 1 & 3 low thump of an upright bass contrasted by the 2 & 4 hard chop of a mandolin; I am immediately reminded of a thousand great evenings playing with friends.”
He concluded: “Some of the stories from the song are symbolic, some are reflections from growing up Pentecostal.” This song is the first of “multiple single releases” from a new High Cold Wind EP due out later this year.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” this time is the song “Great Balls of Fire” co-written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer and originally recorded by American singer and musician Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957. This clever cover is by The NEW Bardots. It’s off their 2019 disc titled French Kisses. The band roster features Gar Francis on guitar; Wayne Olivieri on piano and vocals, Johnnie Rago on drums, and Dan Skye on bass. The video also includes the dance team The Jam Steppers.
Something Blue
Last but not least, our “something blue” for this edition is the song “California Blues” by the American southern rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Duane Betts. The song first appeared on his 2018 debut disc, Sketches of American Music. If you’d like to hear more of his music and are in the area, you’re in luck.
Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel are out on their “Spring Vacancy Tour.” According to a recent e-mail, the Southern California-based performer’s tour will include a special local performance at the popular Venice West on Monday, April 3rd, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for this 21-and-over event are $19.00. Tickets and further details are available at this website.
Betts briefly spoke of the event. He said: "We can’t wait to play some new tunes off the forthcoming record as well as tunes you may know and a few of the ‘classics.’ Our buddy Charlie Overbay will be opening select shows and selling his bad-*ss Lone Hawk Hats. See you on destiny’s highway..."
Additional Tour Dates
30 Mar Mystic Theatre Petaluma, CA
01 Apr SLO Brew San Luis Obispo, CA
02 Apr Ventura Music Hall Ventura, CA
03 Apr The Venice West Venice, CA
04 Apr Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown, CA
05 Apr Coach House Concert Hall San Juan Capistrano, CA
06 Apr Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ
07 Apr Mystic Hot Springs Monroe, UT
08 Apr Hillfest 2023 Eden, UT
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!