(Note: this series was created elsewhere.)

Something in music: the origin

One night at a 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 scribbled down 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’s about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those same terms could be applied to music: “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. And the rest is history…

‘Something’ in Music 372

Something Old

Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “Crimson & Clover” first recorded by Tommy James & the Shondells. Written by Tommy James and drummer Peter Lucia Jr, the song, in its “rough mix”, dropped in 1968 and leaked by a radio station. It hit number one early the next year.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new single and music video “The One That Got Away.” It was written and recorded by the U.K. cult band known as Woo, Clive Ives and Mark Ives. It’s part of a two-album release of the 2016 platter Both Robot X and 2017’s album Xylophonics.

According to a recent email, the independent record label known as Independent Project Records will be releasing the two discs “reshaped and newly conceived as companion pieces”. “For the first time ever”, they will be available on double compact disc, double vinyl album, and single digital formats on March 29th, 2024. (Keep your peepers peeled for your rockin’ writer’s full review of the album!)

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1967 song “A Little Help From My Friends” recorded by the Beatles for their platter Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was co-written by band members John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This stylized cover is by singer Bettye LaVette and was released as a single in 1969.

If you're in Florida and would like to see LaVette live, you’re in luck! LaVette 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.

According to recent e-mailings, 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 LaVette, the Suwannee Spring Reunion’s lineup also includes Sam Bush, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Railroad Earth, Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band, Donna the Buffalo, Keller Williams’ PettyGrass featuring The HillBenders, 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.

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.” 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 time is the song “Red Mountain Blues" by The Devil’s Box String Band. It was written by the band’s frontman, musician, and singer-songwriter Chris Murphy. This is a live recording of their 2016 bluegrass single recorded in 2022 at The Basement Tavern, in Santa Monica, California.

If you’d like to see Murphy perform live and are in Southern California, you’re in luck! He will be the special guest at the “Blackbird Record Label Artists In The Round” show on February 8th, 2024 at Cabin Creek Crystals in Santa Monica, California. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. There will be four other artists performing as well. They are Americana musician Rosy Nolan, multi-instrumentalist Abby Posner, Americana artist Deb Morrison, and singer-songwriter and guitarist Heather Lomax.

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)