(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 302
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Roll Me Away” written and recorded by the American rock musician Bob Seger. It originally appeared on the 1983 disc titled The Distance by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. It was the opening song on his 2006-2007 tour.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new song and music video “You’re So Right” by John Surge and the Haymakers. It’s a catchy, casual country shuffle that was "right"-fully selected as one of the disc’s first singles from the act’s newest album, Almost Time, which drops on September 15th, 2023 via Blackbird Records. The track features Surge on acoustic guitar and vocals, Randy Volin on electric guitar and vocals, Brennen Leigh on harmony vocals, Brad Fordham on bass, Floyd Domino on piano, Tom Lewis on drums, and producer Tommy Detamore on pedal steel.
Surge recently summed up the song saying: “This song is a straight up honky tonk shuffle with great back and forth play between lead guitar and pedal steel and the angelic voice of Brennen Leigh singing harmony vocals.” The music video was shot and directed by Nic Capelle and Deb Morrison. (Keep your peepers peeled for a review of the new album real soon!)
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” this edition is the song “Kiss Me” written by Sixpence None The Richer’s Matt Slocum for the American pop rock band’s 1997 self-titled album. This is a funk cover by Scary Pockets and Moira Mack. The video includes Mack singing lead vocals, RJ Kelly on drums, Travis Carlton on bass, Peter Adams on organ, Jack Conte on Wurlitzer, and Ryan Lerman on guitar.
If you’re interested in seeing Mack perform and are in the Los Angeles area, you’re in luck! Mack will be performing live as part of the Music at the Odyssey series, a three-weekend summer mini-festival July 28th through August 13th, 2023. More specifically, Mack will be appearing on Friday, July 28th at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
According to a recent email, the show, emceed by bass player John Snow, will highlight “the genius of Stephen Sondheim.” It will also include Michael Thomas Grant (Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist), Carson Higgins (Babylon), and songstress Adrienne Visnic, and a live, four-piece band. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $30.00. Free on-site parking is available.
Something Blue
Last but not least, our “something blue” this edition is the song “Too Blue to Get That Far (Live).” It was written and recorded by American singer-songwriter and musician Terry Klein. This is a live version of a track from his 2019 studio disc titled Tex.
The live cut is featured on his live recording Live at KOOP also from 2019. If you’d like to hear more of his music, you’re in luck. He’s currently on tour. Here are some upcoming dates.
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!
(Images courtesy of Rock n Roll Bride and/or original owners)