(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 315

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Gettin’ In Tune” first recorded by the Brit band the Who. It originally appeared on the group’s 1971 platter Who’s Next. The song was written by Pete Townshend as part of his abandoned Lifehouse endeavor and focused on the contradictions between his rock star persona and his spiritual needs.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new song “I’ve Been Traveling” by Minnesota-based band Pert Near Sandstone. The group roster includes a quartet of singer-songwriters: Justin Bruhn on bass, Kevin Kniebel on banjo, J. Lenz on guitar, and Nate Sipe on mandolin, fiddle, and steel guitar. The song was written by Sipe and is the second single off their upcoming new disc titled Waiting Days which drops on October 20, 2023.

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” in this edition is the song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” recorded by the Beatles and written by band member/guitarist George Harrison. It first appeared on their 1968 platter, The Beatles, a.k.a. “The White Album.” This dedicated cover cut is off the upcoming new release, Sunday Drive.

It’s by folk artist Ed Sweeney and features multi-instrumentalist Cathy Clasper-Torch. The disc drops on October 6th. This 2022 video includes Ed Sweeney on guitar and Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle and cello.

Sweeney spoke of the track recently on social media. He said: “My friend Cathy Clasper-Torch and I reimagined ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ as an instrumental. The Beatles were one of the most influential songwriters and recording artists of my lifetime."

He concluded: "George Harrison’s melody is so provocative. You don’t need to sing to feel its emotion.” (Watch for a piece on the entire new album in your rockin’ writer’s “Now Playing” column!)

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this edition is the instrumental “Blue-Kulele” by Filipino American musician Abe Lagrimas, Jr. The track is featured on his 2014 album titled Rhythm & Uke. If you are in Southern California and you would like to see this multi-instrumentalist perform live, you’re in luck! Lagrimas will be performing at the Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival held Saturday and Sunday, September 23 and 24, 2023 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center in Torrance.

The event begins on Saturday, running from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The presenters, Kala Koa Entertainment, will open the doors at 8:30 a.m. The festivities resume on Sunday at 9:30 and don’t stop until 1:30 p.m.

According to a recent email, the “2023 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival also hosts a Ukulele Marketplace, located in the entry plaza of the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Free and open to the public, attendees can browse boutique Ukulele builders, entry-level and budget-friendly instruments, fun accessories, and ukuleles handcrafted in Hawaii, as well as open mic performances. In addition, authentic island-style shave ice and food are available for purchase, round out the festival activities.”

The event will include “Hawaii artists Abe Lagrimas Jr.; Corey Fujimoto; Kalei Gamiao; Craig Chee; Mika Kane; Sarah Maisel; from Wisconsin, Lil Rev and Katie DeNure; from Italy, Ukulollo; from Brazil, Jenifer Cabrera; from Chicago, Abby Lyons; from Canada, Peter Luongo; along with San Diego-based musician Anthony Stanley; Bay Area-based Ukulenny; Los Angeles teacher Melanie Kareem; and festival producer Mitch Chang.”

Ticket prices are as follows:
“All Access Entry (includes unlimited access to Workshops & Performances)” are $47.00 and $20.00 for “students with ID at the door.” Kids 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets for Sunday’s events, which include “more workshops and performances” are $27.00.

Additionally, “in conjunction with the Ukulele Festival, on Sunday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre, the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation'' will present “a live concert” by NUE, the tuneful trio of ukelele artists from Hawaii. Note, this is a “separately ticketed” event. Ticket prices range from $25.00 to $150.00. For additional information on all the fun and festivities, visit the 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 Rock n Roll Bride and/or original owners, Festival photo by Shane O'Donnell)