(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 349

Something Old

Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “Twist and Shout” which was written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns. First recorded by the Top Notes in 1961, this version by the Beatles was released as a single in 1963 and made it into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 songs.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new single “Christmas Time Is Here” co-written by Vince Guaraldi & Lee Mendelson. It’s a timely, clever cover of the beloved 1965 “Peanuts” classic, recorded by The Pinkerton Raid. The Pinkerton Raid’s digital-only release includes Jesse James DeConto on vocals, bass, acoustic, and electric guitars; Andy Reed on drums and percussion; Cameron Collier on trumpet; producer James Phillips on keyboards; and Sarah Shearin, Alex Mitchell, Suzanne DeConto, and Derek Skeen on background vocals.

Frontman DeConto spoke of the piece in a recent email. He said: “‘Christmas Time is Here’ for me was always the stand-out of the Peanuts Christmas special, which itself was the stand-out of all the childhood Christmas movies. It’s probably my favorite pure Christmas song.”

He concluded: “Andy’s brush pattern on the snare and James’ mixing of it are really anchors of this arrangement – it’s an up-tempo track that still sounds soothing, which is the overall feel we were going for. There’s a great sense of community and togetherness in this song, with our friends Alex, Derek, Sarah, and Suzanne singing along with me and Cameron’s trumpet echoing the melody.” It is the second seasonal single from “an upcoming album, Winter Songs by Other People.” (Keep your peepers peeled for a potential piece on the platter!)

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song "Sweet Baby James" by American singer-songwriter James Taylor for his 1970 platter of the same name. This is a cover by the American bluegrass band known as the Steep Canyon Rangers. It was recorded live at MerleFest and is featured on the band’s 2019 album North Carolina Songbook.

If you are in Florida and would like to see the band live, you’re in luck! They will be performing at the 6th Suwannee Spring Reunion held from Thursday, March 21st through Sunday, March 24th at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida.

In a press interview, singer and banjoist for the Steep Canyon Rangers Graham Sharp said: “It was probably around 2004 [when we first played the park]. In fact, he added: “We’ve been able to trace our band and its evolution through this festival, from being a traditional bluegrass band to being whatever the hell we are now — this place is a natural home for that.”

According to recent e-communiques, this family-friendly event “focuses on showcasing established as well as up-and-coming” artists performing “music rooted in Americana, newgrass, bluegrass, folk, blues, and more.” Additionally, no amplified or recorded music is allowed “in the campground during this festival, so any music happening is live and acoustic.” The festival features “four days of music” on “multiple stages.”

Along with the Steep Canyon Rangers, this year the Suwannee Spring Reunion’s lineup also includes Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band, Donna the Buffalo, Keller Williams’ PettyGrass featuring The HillBenders, Bettye LaVette, The Steel Wheels, Town Mountain, Seth Walker, Jon Stickley Trio, Fireside Collective, Darrell Scott, Jim Lauderdale, Hattie & Joe Craven Trio, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp, the Jeff Mosier Ensemble, The Grass Is Dead, Roy Book Binder, Leon Timbo & The Family Band, David Grier, Colby T Helms & The Virginia Creepers, the Nikki Talley Band, Free Range Strange, Sloppy Joe, Quartermoon, Habanero Honeys, John Mailander: Artist At Large, and the Magic Moon Traveling Circus.

Festival Director Beth Judy, notes: “The Suwannee Spring Reunion is a new version of the events we began so long ago…and now we are gathering everyone together for the big reunion and revival of what commenced during those early years.”

Tickets are available now. “Suwannee Spring Reunion offers a multi-day Weekend Ticket that includes festival admission for four days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.” Amenities here include “a general store, full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hookups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals.”

Other ticket options include “Early Bird General Admission” for $175.00 (including taxes and fees) which are available “through January 14th.” Military and Student discounts are available with a valid ID. Kids 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian.

“An additional event car pass is required to bring a car into the campground.” Advance Car Passes range from $15.00 to $20.00 at the gate. Further ticket information is available on the website.

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this edition is the classic titled “Nānākuli Blues” performed by Hawaii’s own songwriters and musicians Jerry Santos and Henry Kapona. This performance was recorded in the studio at Hawaiian Public Radio. If you’d like to hear what Santos can do live and are in the area, you’re in luck!

Santos will be performing at the 17th Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival on Sunday, January 14th, 2024 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach at 2:00 p.m. According to a recent e-mail, the line-up for this year’s festival will also include Kula'iwi, Hi'ikua, Jeff Peterson, Jim "Kimo" West, Sean Parks, Namaka Cosma, Leokane Pryor, and Ken Emerson. This event is described as “one of the most acclaimed Hawaiian concerts to ever leave the islands,” and will take guests “on a Hawaiian musical journey showcasing GRAMMY-winning slack key guitarists, award-winning Hula Hālau, special guest performers and a free to the public Island Marketplace.”

The Island Marketplace will be open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. outside of the performing arts center. Visitors will be able to freely “browse a variety of island-themed gifts, home décor, accessories, apparel, Hawaiian food, authentic island-style shave ice, and outdoor entertainment.”

-Reserved Festival Seating tickets are between $25.00 and $65.00 per person.

-VIP Premium Festival Seating & Luau Reception tickets are $150.00 per person and include a meet and greet with the performers at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, January 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It will also include “‘ono food, and giveaways.”

Parking for both events is free. For tickets and additional information, visit the official 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, Dreamspider Publicity, Susan Gordon Public Relations, and/or original owners)