(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 317
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “This Land Is Your Land” first recorded in 1940 by American folk singer Woody Guthrie. Guthrie based the melody on a Carter Family song and wrote the lyrics in response to Irving Berlin’s "God Bless America". This version is off the remastered 2000 Hard Travelin’ Soundtrack.
If you’re in Southern California and would like to learn more about Woody Guthrie and hear more of his songs, you’re in luck! On Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., there will be a live performance of the well-known Geer Family & Friends present The Woody Guthrie Story at the outdoor Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga, California. According to a recent email, the performance is “a musical tribute to the life of the songwriter, folklorist, labor leader and longtime Theatricum family friend.”
The performance follows the Americana Harvest Festival. The event is a celebration of “autumn and Theatricum’s 50th anniversary season.” It begins at 11:00 a.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. It features “special events and treats all day long; an artisan marketplace with fall gifts and crafts; festive food and drink available for purchase; and special appearances by “Abraham Lincoln” and “Mary Todd.”
Tickets for The Geer Family presents The Woody Guthrie Story are $100.00. Note: “All proceeds go to support Theatricum Botanicum’s extensive artistic and educational programming.”
Tickets for the festival are priced as follows:
• General Admission (16 and up): $20.00
• Children (ages 5 to 15): $10.00
• Children 4 years of age and under: free
• Family 4-Pack (2 adult and 2 kids): $50.00
For tickets and additional information visit the website.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new music video “Dance With Me”. The song was written and recorded by American singer, songwriter and musician Karyn Oliver. The tune is off her upcoming new disc, Cherchez La Femme which drops on October 20, 2023. According to a message Oliver posted on social media, the new music video “features dance footage provided by friends and family, some of them members of our folk community.”
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth. It was first recorded by the Talking Heads for their 1983 platter Speaking in Tongues. This updated cover cut is by Pennsylvania-based singer-songwriter and musician Antonio Andrade.
In a recent e-communique, Andrade said: “My ability to re-interpret songs might be a noteworthy skill.” He first interpreted the song in 2011 and it “was used in the movie of the same name.” Like that? Get ready to check out his new, upcoming album titled My Reward. It drops on October 27, 2023. (Keep your peepers peeled for a piece on the entire album on this very site.)
Something Blue
Last but not least, our “something blue” this time is the song “Tee-Blue Gatorade” written and recorded by the independent artist known as Lil’ Tee. On social media Tee described himself as an “upcoming unsigned artist from Madison, Wisconsin [who is] just trying to tell stories to the people through my music.” The track was released on September 1, 2023.
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!
*(The Geer Family & Friends Photo by Mary Anne Dolcemascolo/Other Images courtesy of Rock n Roll Bride and She Knows)