(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 330
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “All You Zombies” recorded by the American rock band, The Hooters and co-composed by founding members Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian. They first recorded it live for a 1982 single. It was also included on their premiere platter Amore which dropped in 1983. An extended version appears on their second album, 1985’s Nervous Night.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the newest single “Be The One” by Los Angeles, California-based American singer-songwriter and musician Heather Anne Lomax. The song is set to be included on Lomax’s upcoming album, The Doman Tracks, which drops on November 3, 2023. Lomax told the press it’s “a hopeful song about spending the rest of your life with a soulmate.”
She added: “Sometimes that happens for the lucky ones and sometimes not, I suppose. It was written at a time when I had thought a previous relationship was blossoming again in my life. This person and I had dreamed about growing older and sitting on a porch swing together, reminiscing about days past as the sun was setting.”
Lomax concluded: “Michael [Doman, the producer] wanted to make sure this had real movement and buoyancy and added the pounding of the bass drum throughout the song – I believe Jason Hiller did this with a handheld mallet. The three of us, Michael Doman, Jeff Sebens and I, laid down the song’s foundation of jangly guitars that kept the track afloat down a river of momentary joy.” It features Lomax on guitar and vocals, Hiller on bass and kick drums, Sebens on guitar, and Doman on guitar and backing vocals.
If you’re in Southern California and would like to see Lomax play live, you’re in luck! Lomax will soon be on her Doman Tracks Record Release Tour. The tour opens on November 11, 2023, at the Lost Church in San Francisco, California. The show will also include an appearance by special musical guest Americana artist, Los Angeles, California-based Pi Jacobs. For tickets and additional information visit her official website.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” which was written and frist recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan who released it as a single in 1973. This live cover version is by Bill Mumy & The Dead Elvi. On social media Mumy mentioned the video was recorded while they were “jamming without a net…in concert back in New Jersey at Chiller Con 2015.”
Something Blue
Finally, our “something blue” this edition is the song “Give Me Back That Wig” by American country blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Lightnin' Hopkins. It first appeared on his 1960 platter Lightnin’ Hopkins Sings The Blues. The tune would go on to be covered by numerous other artists including Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
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)