(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 273
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “4 + 20” written and recorded by Stephen Stills. It first appeared on the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s 1970 platter Deja Vu. Stills was going to feature it on his upcoming solo release but his bandmates begged him to include it on Deja Vu.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new song “Come Back” written and recorded by American singer-songwriter and musician Sarah Morris. This performance is from the Folk Alliance Regional Midwest Conference 2022 in Lisle, Illinois. The song is off her upcoming new disc titled Here’s To You. The album drops on May 5th, 2023. On social media, Morris said: “Get your tickets to the Sarah Morris Album Release + Emily Haavik show on May 5 at Icehouse MPLS.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” this time is the song “Whole Lotta Love” written and first recorded by the English rock group Led Zeppelin for their 1969 platter Led Zeppelin II. This adaptation is by the Phoenix, Arizona-based American band known as Until The Sun. It was recorded live for their new 2023 disc A Night At The Rhythm Room. The band roster includes Alyssa Swartz on vocals, Brandon Teskey on guitar, Bruce Jensen on bass, and Chris Tex on drums. (Read all about the group’s new release right here.)
Something Blue
Last but not least, our “something blue” for this edition is the song “Born to Be Blue” by Los Angeles, California-based American singer-songwriter and actor Kenton Chen. This song is off his 2017 album titled Meant to Be Blue. If you’d like to hear more of Chen’s singing and are in the area, you’re in luck.
Chen will be performing on Friday, April 28th as part of The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble’s popular Music at the Odyssey series. It will be hosted by bassist and music director John Snow. The performance will focus on the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter.
According to a recent email message, the event will also include such singers as Ken Marshall, Carolyn Mignini, Bella Hicks, Ren Martinez, and Taubert Nadalini. They will be backed by “a live four-piece band” featuring Nathan Heldman on piano, Zev Shearn Nance on drums, and Snow on bass. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Los Angeles’ well-known Odyssey Theatre. Tickets are $30.00 with discounts available for seniors and students.
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!