(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 318
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Rocks Off” recorded by the UK band the Rolling Stones. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and first appeared on their 1972 work Exile on Main St. It includes one of the earliest uses of the word “f*ck” in popular music.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new number and live music video “No Good” by The Chase Walker Band. It features Walker, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist, drummer Matt Fyke, and bassist Bradon Davitt. Check out the official website for more information on this California-born modern blues rock and soul band.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1975 song
“Sister Golden Hair” recorded by America and written by band member Gerry Beckly for their LP Hearts. This energetic audio adaptation is by the American progressive bluegrass band known as the Yonder Mountain String Band. It is featured on their 2017 disc Mountain Tracks, Vol. 6.
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 time is the song “Tangled Up in Blue.” This is a live cover of the Bob Dylan ditty from his 1975 platter Blood on the Tracks. This live and lively cover cut is by Leftover Salmon and appears on their 2015 disc titled simply 25.
The album features Vince Herman (vocals, guitar, and washboard), Drew Emmitt (vocals, mandolin, fiddle, and electric guitar), Greg Garrison (bass and vocals), Andy Thorn (banjo and vocals), Alwyn Robinson (drums), and then-member Bill Payne (keyboards). If you’d like to hear what the band’s co-leader, Vince Herman, is up to now, you’re in luck.
According to a recent email, Herman is now on tour and “out to have some fun.” Over three decades “after founding Leftover Salmon,” he’s dropped a solo album, Enjoy The Ride, and is out on “the road to play a batch of songs developed in his new Nashville home.” He admits that the music is “a bit of a departure from the ‘Salmon sound' and more focused on his personal “idea of what country music is.”
The Vince Herman Band roster for the tour includes “Nathan Graham (upright bass), Dakota Holden (pedal steel), Ian Cory (banjo/fiddle), his son Silas Herman (mandolin/guitar), Alex Johnson (drums) [Sept], and Lawrence Nemenz (drums).” Here are the October dates!
OCTOBER
10/8 Sun - Makanda, IL - Little Grassy Get Down
10/12 Thu - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House*
10/13 Fri - Roanoke, VA - 5 Points Music Sanctuary*
10/14 Sat - Huntington, WV - THE LOUD*
10/15 Sun - Morgantown, WV - Mountain Stage Radio Show
10/23 Mon - Tulsa, OK - The Shrine
10/25 Wed - Wichita, KS - Wave
10/26 Thu - Edwardsville, IL - Wildey Theatre
10/27 Fri - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
10/28 Sat - Evanston, IL - Evanston SPACE
10/29 Sun - Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall
*w/ Airshow
Vince Herman Additional Appearance:
10/10 Tue - Handle With Care: A Tribute to Tom Petty - Brooklyn Bowl - Nashville, TN
Benefit for Backline: All Star Band led by Derek Wells w/ songs performed by Wynonna Judd, Brittney Spencer, Charles Wesly Godwin, Sierra Hull, Vince Herman & more.
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)