(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 381

Something Old

Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “Float On” first recorded by the American band Modest Mouse. It was the first single off the act’s 2004 album titled Good News for People Who Love Bad News and was written by the group’s lead singer and guitarist Isaac Brock.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the latest single from Madison, Wisconsin-based quartet Armchair Boogie titled Livin’. What is perhaps most intriguing about this track is that it was actually inspired by a quote tunefully torn from the pages of J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel, “The Hobbit”: "What's the good in living, if the living isn't good?” The band roster features Ben Majeska (guitars and vocals), John Augie Dougherty (banjo, harmonica, and vocals), Eli Frieders (bass and backup vocals), and Denzel Connor (drums and percussion, piano, and backup vocals). This new track is off the band’s upcoming album, “Hard Times & Deadlines”, which drops on March 15th, 2024. (Keep your peepers peeled for your rockin’ writer’s full review!)

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1979 song "Comfortably Numb" first recorded by the English rock band Pink Floyd and written by band members David Gilmour and Roger Waters. This stripped down over is by the Kansas City, Missouri-based Kurt Allen Band. It was recorded live at the Paramount Bar & Grill in New York City, New York in 2019.

If you’d like to see Allen perform live and are in the Tallahassee, Florida-area, you’re in luck! The group is now out on their Rockin The Blues U.S. Tour. They will be performing at The Sound Bar in Tallahassee on Monday, February 26th. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this time is the cut “Kickin’ Blues Ass” by California-based blues-fusion band Jay Gordon & Blues Venom. This track is off the act’s 2011 album No Cure. The roster includes Gordon on guitar, Sharon Butcher on bass, and Tom Parham on drums and percussion.

If you’re in Arizona and would like to see Gordon & Blues Venom play, you’re in luck! The band will be performing live at the 2024 Woodystock Blues and Brews Festival at Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor Beach #4, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, 2024. According to a recent e-communique, this festival strives to present “some of the best national and regional names in blues. Along with Jay Gordon & Blues Venom, this year’s event will include an assortment of other artists as well.

The artist roster also includes blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Alastair Greene, Prescott, Arizona’s blues-rock act the Scott O’Neal Band; the Phoenix-based alt-blues band, Until The Sun; Laughlin, Nevada-based Catbone, the guitar-shredding blues rock band Jay Gordon & Blues Venom; the blues 'n' roots group Orphan Jon and the Abandoned, singer and songwriter Jason Trombley, the Los Angeles, California-based singer and songwriter Jon Geiger, Orange County, California’s Anonymous, and area singer Tiffany Lynn, returning to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” The emcee will be Sanford Cohen from Badass Blues radio station 101.7 FM. The music starts at 11:00 a.m.

Pre-Sale Online Day Passes are $30.00, or $40.00 for both days. Veterans with Military ID and “current card-carrying Blues Society members” receive a $5.00 discount. Children aged 16 and under are free with a paid adult admission.

Bring your chairs. No ice chests are permitted. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. If you choose to stay overnight, the Hampton Inn/Lake Havasu City is offering discounts. For further information or to purchase tickets, 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 and/or original owners)