(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 312

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Uncle John’s Band” first recorded by the American rock group the Grateful Dead. It was written by guitarist Jerry Garcia with lyrics by Robert Hunter. While the band was playing it live in 1969, they didn’t release a studio version until they included it on their 1970 platter Workingman’s Dead.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new song “Bitter End” by the Los Angeles, California-based act known as Divine Horsemen. It features lyrics by founder singer-songwriter Chris D., a.k.a. Chris Desjardins and music by co-founder singer-songwriter Julie Christensen. The song is off their upcoming new album titled Bitter End of a Sweet Night.

Their first release in years, it has a drop date of October 27th, 2023. According to a recent e-mail, it also features “guitarist/co-writer Peter Andrus (a member of the group’s late-‘80s lineup), bassist Bobby Permanent…X’s nonpareil drummer DJ Bonebrake (who won’t be doing ‘live’ dates)”...Green On Red and Dream Syndicate keyboardist Chris Cacavas (who appeared on the 1984 Chris D./Divine Horsemen album Time Stands Still) and classically trained violinist Elizabeth Wilson.”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” this edition is the song "Son of a Preacher Man" co-written by American songwriters Ronnie Wilkins and John Hurley and first recorded by Brit songstress Dusty Springfield for her 1968 platter Dusty in Memphis. This energetic audio adaptation is by the American progressive bluegrass band known as the Yonder Mountain String Band. In this video, the band performs the song live at Jannus Live on February 13th, 2015.

If you’d care to get a gander at the Yonder Mountain String Band live, they will be performing at the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival in Sandy Point State Park, in Annapolis, Maryland on Saturday, September 30th, 2023. The festival is actually a two-day event held on both Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

According to an email this “event will host 14 bands across two alternating stages.” Saturday headliners are reported to be “Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and Keller & The Keels.” This is the “final stop” in a rather “unique tour” for this trio of bands.

“There will be a set by each, followed by a big jam to close out the night.” The “cinematic Jon Stickley Trio and Baltimore's own high energy The Dirty Grass Players and Baygrass House Stringband, Geraldine” will perform during the day.

The Sunday line-up includes Melvin Seals & JGB, Fruition, Cabinet, Cris Jacobs & Smooth Kentucky, Arkansauce, Wicked Sycamore, The High & Wides, and Lindsay Lou (artist-at-large). Both days of this family-friendly “conservation-focused musical event” will also include “scrumptious local foods, and delightful cocktails and mocktails.”

Single Day Tickets, Two-day VIP and GA Passes are available. Ten percent of the “proceeds from ticket, food, beverage, and merchandise sales will go to Maryland-based non-profit organizations including Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.” Visit the official website for more information about ticket options, “heavily discounted nearby lodging” and shuttle passes.

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this edition is the song “The Blue Sea” recorded by the Los Angeles, California-based band Leland And The Silver Wells. The tune is featured on the band’s 2022 release titled Straight to Your Town. Their upcoming new release, Riverboat, is due to drop in November of 2023. (Watch these pages for a possible review of the full album on this 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!

(Images courtesy of Reverberaquerida, Rock n Roll Bride and/or original owners)