(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 335
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Dark Star” recorded by the folk rock group Crosby, Stills & Nash. It was written by Stephen Stills and was featured on the band’s 1977 platter CSN. The album climbed to number two on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the most recent release, "Althea", by American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jaime Wyatt. It’s off her new album titled Feel Good. (Keep your peepers peeled for a possible review of the work.)
If you want to see Wyatt perform live, then get ready! She is prepping for her next tour right now. Check out her website for details.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1967 song “(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay” which was co-written by American soul singer Otis Redding and guitar player Steve Cropper. It was first released as a single in 1968. This stripped-down acoustic cover cut is by jazz singer Moira Mack and Stories. Produced earlier this year, the video features Mack on vocals, Ryan Lerman and Will Graefe on guitar, Charles Jones on organ, and Jonny Flaugher on bass.
Something Blue
Finally, our “something blue” this edition is the song “Out of the Blue” recorded by the Colorado-based American progressive bluegrass act known as the Yonder Mountain String Band. The song was co-composed by band members Jeff Austin, Ben Kaufmann, and Dave Johnston. It is featured on their album titled The Show which dropped in 2009.
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)