(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 361

Something Old

Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “Sharp Dressed Man”. The song was written and recorded by the US rock group ZZ Top. It first appeared on their 1983 platter titled Eliminator and was the second single from that album. It was produced by the group’s manager Bill Ham.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new song “The Wishing Well” written and recorded by the Scottish songwriter and musician Malcolm MacWatt. In a message on social media MacWatt briefly discussed the song. He said:

“This song was recorded for my [upcoming new] Dark Harvest album released by Need To Know Music, Santa Cruz CA…but it didn't make the final cut mainly because it doesn't translate well into my live set with just an acoustic guitar, and with the dance beat (made using a bodhran and tambourine) it was so different from everything else.” He concluded: “It will be available on the 6 track EP Stubble & Straw: The Dark Harvest Gleanings.”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “Without You” first recorded by the Brit rock band Badfinger for their 1970 platter No Dice. It was written by band members Pete Ham and Tom Evans. This 2022 in-studio audio adaptation is by the San Antonio, Texas-based American singer, songwriter, and musician Kara Stevens. It features Mike Johnson on keys, Pete Perez on bass, studio drummer Leo Salas and video drummer Jeff Skeins. If you’d like to see her live, check out her concert dates on her official website.

Something Blue

Finally, our “something blue” this edition is the blues bit titled “Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues” written and recorded by Nashville-based American singer-songwriter and musician Rod Picott. This is the title track from his 2001 album Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues. If you’d like to hear his new stuff be sure to keep an ear out for his upcoming new release, Starlight Tour. (Keep your peepers peeled for a possible piece on the platter!)

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)