(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 375

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Blister in the Sun” first recorded by the American rock group Violent Femmes. It first appeared on their 1983 self-titled debut disc. In 1997 it was released as a promo single after being included in the movie Grosse Point Blank.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new track titled “The Punjabi Romantic Mashup” presented by R A Animated Studio. According to a post on social media, the independent audio offering “is a musical journey that intertwines soulful melodies and heart-touching lyrics from various Punjabi romantic songs. This mashup is meant to be “a harmonious tapestry of love and emotions.”

RAAS added “The distinctive Punjabi flavor, characterized by emotive vocals and traditional instruments, adds a cultural richness to the romantic ambiance.” It is meant to take the listener “through a spectrum of romantic experiences”, create “a musical narrative of love, passion, and the vibrant spirit of Punjab”, and take the audience on “a captivating journey through the heart of Punjabi romance.”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1952 song “Inch Worm” written by American songwriter-composer Frank Loesser. This cover is by performer Samoa Wilson and folk artist Jim Kweskin. It’s off the 2020 album titled I Just Want to Be Horizontal.

Interested in what Kweskin’s up to now? You’re in luck! He has a new album out titled Never Too Late. According to a recent e-mail, the disc includes “captivating duets with some of his favorite female singers” such as Maria Muldaur, Samoa Wilson and Meredith Axelrod, Rose Guerin, and The Evangentials' own Juli Crockett.

Crockett spoke of the project recently saying: “I am beyond excited that my original song ‘Never Too Late’ is not only on the new Jim Kweskin album…but is also the title track! I performed 3 songs on this amazing record (‘Never Too Late’, ‘Moby Dick’, and ‘Live and Let Live’) and am in the company of absolute legends. Can’t wait for [people] to hear it!”

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this time is the 2001 track titled “Blue Guitars” by the 1980s techno-pop act known as Vivabeat. It was co-composed by founding band members Michael and Marina (Marina del Rey) Muhlfriedel and appears on the group’s 2001 disc, The Good Life. According to a recent e-communique, Vivabeat will be releasing “remastered reissues of much of their back catalog via 80s-centric Rubellan Remasters on March 1.”

The reissues will reportedly showcase “a treasure trove of tape masters…found languishing in the depths of a closet.” Additionally, Rubellan will release “two separate projects simultaneously — a dramatically elevated edition” of the group’s debut disc, Party in the War Zone, which will feature ten bonus tracks gathered over the time following the release of the original, and The House is Burning, a special, “limited edition, purple and blue colored-vinyl, best-of package,” which will include “four previously unreleased songs.”

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)