(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 351
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “I'm a Man” recorded by the English rock group The Yardbirds. This cover cut of the famous classic Bo Diddley song first appeared on their live premiere platter, Five Live Yardbirds, which hit the record racks back in 1964.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the song “Liquor Store” by the American bluegrass and folk band Armchair Boogie. The group includes Ben Majeska (guitar and vocals), Augie Dougherty (banjo and vocals), Eli Frieders (bass and vocals), and Denzel Connor (drums and percussion). The song is the second single off their upcoming new release Hard Times & Deadlines and was written by Dougherty. According to a recent email, the song is a look back on his younger days, nostalgically “reminiscing on the younger days of love and liquor.” The cut includes special musical guest Ernest Brusubardis IV on the fiddle.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “The Letter” written by Wayne Carson for The Box Tops in 1967. This live cover is by the Nashville Americana roots rock act Sugar Lime Blue featuring Ashley Beth (vocals); Dave Beth (guitar); Joe Bass (bass); Ikaika Pekelo (drums); and Luis Echeverria (keys). It was recorded at Summerfest 2023 last summer in Ashland City, Tennessee.
If you’d like to see the band live and you’re in the area, you’re in luck! Sugar Lime Blue is out on the road again! The band will be playing Herman’s Hideaway in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, December 28th at 7:00 p.m. The Kentucky-based band OTIS will also be performing. Tickets are $12.00 in advance or $17.00 at the door.
Can’t make it that night? Fear not! Sugar Lime Blue will also be playing the Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen, Colorado Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 29th through New Year’s Eve, the 31st. Visit the band’s website for tickets and additional information.
Something Blue
Finally, our “something blue” in this edition is the song “Blues for the Decline of Western Civilization” by the Brit-American acid blues band known as the Bees Deluxe. This circa 2014 performance was recorded live at Jake's Dixie Roadhouse in Waltham, Massachusetts. Interested in their new album? (Check out your rockin’ writer’s write-up right here!)
If you’d like to see the group perform live, you’re in luck! They’re still on tour in support of their new album titled Hallucinate now. See the dates below:
December 20 (Wed) THE BULL RUN Shirley MA
December 22 (Fri) VINCENT'S Worchester MA
January 13 (Sat) BLACK EYED SALLY'S Hartford CT
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)