Music

August 1973, now 51 years ago, “Travelin’ Prayer” was released as the third single off the album whose title song is little known or appreciated in pop music, “Piano Man.” In all seriousness, while dwarfed by the massively successful career-defining song by Billy Joel, “Travelin’ Prayer” is one of my favorite little-known Joel songs. It features perhaps his best honkey-tonk piano work, fantastic banjo, and even some killer mouth harp 🤣. The song provides the theme for today’s playlist, rock and pop songs featuring banjo. Yes banjo in rock. It continues the series of playlists of instruments in rock previously highlighting acoustic guitar intros, bass guitar, piano, keyboard, accordion, saxophone, flute, harmonica, and most recently mandolin. Some rock and pop artists with songs on the list include The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Hollies, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, REM, Madonna, Matchbox Twenty, Dave Matthews

Continuing with my series of playlists of rock and pop songs featuring particular instruments, with past blogs highlighting the piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, accordion, and flute, today’s blog salutes the mandolin. While most common in classical, bluegrass, and folk music, the mandolin has found a place in some great rock and pop songs. A few bands with regular inclusion of mandolin in their music included Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead, REM, and the Hooters. Some mandolin song greats included Zep’s Battle of Evermore and Going to California, Grateful Dead’s Friend of the Devil and Ripple, REM’s Losing My Religion, Hooters And We Danced, Steve Winwood’s Back In The High Life, Goo Goo Dolls Iris, Billy Joel’s Piano Man, Bruce Hornsby’s Mandolin Rain, the playlist title song, and Elton John’s Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters, perhaps my favorite song on the list.So give it a listen, and give attention to the mandolin, sometimes in the background, sometimes as a li

I know some won't like this but I want to, so here we go... "The Man Who Sold The Earth" - original Sir David Bowie  "The Man Who Sold The Earth"  - Nirvana   

August 1st, 1981:  MTV has launched![source: WIKI] It was 43 years ago today, the MTV television Channel officially launched. [source: Pop Journal YouTube Channel - Short]  🎸  Here Are The Very First Two Hours Of MTV's Debut[source: Max Speedster, YouTube Channel]  🎸  And, I [still]  Want My MTV! [source: YouTube]    😂

I was looking through the Great Covers Of Your Favorite Songs topic and it reminded me of when I used to go to the concerts in the park where the local symphony orchestra played covers of pop music hits. There always seemed to be one I hoped to hear, but they didn't play. Then I started thinking about when I lived across the street from a converted storefront that a local band called Places used as a rehearsal studio. They had an interesting Jazz/Reggea fusion sound that was, no doubt, great for dancing.It occured to me that they probably would have made a really interesting rendition of Glen Miller's Tuxedo Junction. So this is the topic: What song would you (or have you already thought you would) like to hear covered, in what musical style and/or by which artist? i.e.Tuxedo Junction (Glen Miller) - Jazz/Reggae Fusion - PlacesTangled Up In Blue (Bob Dylan) - Electronic - Nine Inch NailsRockstar (Nickelback) - Bluegrass - Steve-n-Seagulls To be clear, this is meant to be an ongoin

I recently watched I Am Celine Dion on Prime Video. It was with such mixed emotions, chronicling her rise to fame from humble beginnings, the height of her superstardom, her fairytale love, tragedy in losing her husband, and second tragedy in the loss of her voice, one of the best to ever grace the airwaves, CDs, streaming platforms, concert halls, and sold-out colossal arenas including a residence in Vegas. It both made be smile in recalling the breadth, depth, and brilliance of her music catalogue and performances, yet shed tears of empathy and compassion for her in her battle to survive such devastating losses of the man she loved so and the voice that guided and directed her very being, losing two of the important passions in her life. I felt compelled to process my own grieving for her losses in one of the main ways I know, through music. So I thought I’d make a playlist, building a case for love in Celine’s life. If you haven’t watched the documentary, do so – it is inspirin

Some of us are stuck at home now and would rather be at work. Some of us are at work and would rather be home. There are so many songs out there about work or play, what is your favorite? I will start with one of my favorites:Bang the drum all day Todd Rundgren Big Shout out to ALL the essential workers out there on the frontline! You're all heroes!!

Want to test your Rock and Roll knowledge and skills...???     (Members Only) -- How well do you know the Rolling Stones    🤔Click here ----> https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2024/rolling-stones-quiz.html -- 1960's Music Quiz------->  https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2024/60s-music-quiz.html -- 1970's Music Quiz--------> https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2024/70s-music-quiz.html.--  1980's Music Quiz-------->  https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2024/80s-music-quiz.html.-- 1990's Music Quiz-------->  https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2024/90s-music-quiz.html---------------- -------------------------------------------- More quizzes   (Open to All )  1950's thru 1980's----->   https://community.aarp.org/

 -  Revival 69: The Concert That Rocked the World  September 13, 2024                                                                                                     ExpiredJohn Lennon, Yoko Ono, Little Richard, The Doors, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, and other legendary musicians performed at the 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival music festival. This behind-the-scenes look at “the second most important event in rock and roll history” culminates in John Lennon’s first public performance with The Plastic Ono Band, triggering his decision to leave the Beatles.  2024     Runtime: 80 Minutes     😎   

How about we see how many songs we can come up with that mention Coffee and/or Tea in the Title or Lyrics.For Starters:Cigarettes and Coffee - Otis ReddingPennyroyal Tea - Nirvana  

The weather has been in the headlines for the last several days.. there are lots of songs about the weather.   Which ones do you remember?

This may be nothing to some but to me, this Guitarist rocks the world, new gen: "Americas Got Talent": Guitarist Maya Neelakantan Performs "Last Resort" 

"HEALER " - JOHN LEE HOOKER; "GOD DON'T NEVER CHANGE"-  BLIND WILLIE JOHNSON, BEAUTIFUL COVER BY LUCINDA WILIAMS;

REUNIONOxford Dictionary definition:noun. /ˌriːˈjuːniən/ /ˌriːˈjuːniən - a social occasion or party attended by a group of people who have not seen each other for a long time NOSTALGIACambridge Dictionary definition:noun. /nəˈstældʒə/ , /nɑˈstældʒə - a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past  Oxford Dictionary definition:a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. “Music evokes many feelings, memories, nostalgia, and things connected to our past.”“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” Check out today’s blog to explore the sentiment of nostalgia, amplified thought a college reunion, revisiting wonderful memories of the past with old friends, creating new memories, and leaving elated, recharched, energized to continue to wage the good fight, to pursue work of meaning and purpose, to make a difference, to take on the w

So which lines jump out at you as especially clever or well written? To start:  "We have to shout above the din of our Rice Crispies" ("Synchronicity II," the Police)              "Is her power all in her club sandwich?" ("Waitress," Tori Amos) 

Forty Years. Yes, 40 Years. Let that sink in. 40 Years ago today, though it seems like only yesterday. A bit unbelievable. On this day in music, June 4, 1984, Bruce Springsteen released his 7th studio album Born In The USA, which became the best-selling album of 1985, and the Boss’ best-selling album of all time. The album spawned 7 top 10 singles, tied with Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. Twice as much time has passed since its release compared to the Beatles arrival in the US to its release. Just crazy. In addition to the Boss, music in 1984 was dominated by Prince, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Duran Duran, The Cars, Wham, Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams, Huey Lewis, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, and Van Halen. And beyond 1984, George Orwell’s novel notwithstanding, music continued with classic, progressive, punk, and hard rock, though also evolved beyond disco to new wave, techno pop, rap, glam or hair metal, and as we bid a sad farewell to

Went to the concert last night. It was great, thank you AARP for sponsoring such a great event. It proves that age doesn't matter. All of the old rockers were energized, and we had fun. However, Glendale City needs to get their act together, getting to the concert was not fun! The city needs to have better signage, traffic enforcement at all intersections and traffic signal management. The parking lot (once we were at the venue, which was hours later) had so many people directing traffic and the lot had many, many spaces.......everyone was stuck on Glendale roads!. I will not go to another event at the State Farm Stadium again!

What do you remember. Links to listen are fine

We have a Topic Songs About Autumn so just to balance the scales... This one is wide open,  Title, Lyrics, or just captures the spirit (brief summary appreciated) of Spring.Example: When It’s Springtime In Alaska - Johnny HortonHere Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Multiple references to warmth and Ice melting)

As we get ready to celebrate July 4th again, there are lots of songs to explore about this great country of ours. Song should have a US City or State in the title. I’ll start with: Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey    Fab 4️⃣

💤  Please post your most favorite songs with 'Sleep' in the title, pillow, bed, tired, slumber, snore/snoring, nightmares, hypnosis, etc... anything 'Sleep' related. 💤 I will start with: 'Beastie Boys - No Sleep Til Brooklyn.' (Official Video, censored) / Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn (Audio Only) Music rules! Sleep rules!

Songs about our favorite genre. Either the title or lyrics about it.  Rock N’ Roll-Led Zeppelin 

National Doctor’s day was established to recognize and honor the contributions of physicians to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. The first observance of Doctor’s Day in the US was held on March 30, 1933 in Winder, GA. President George H. W. Bush signed a resolution in 1990 formally establishing Doctor’s Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on March 30. In honor of doctors everywhere I thought I’d use the day as the theme for my blog, songs with the word Doctor in their title. Such greats include Jackson Browne’s “Doctor My Eyes,” Van Halen’s “Somebody Get Me A Doctor,” The Radiators and Thompson Twins each with their “Doctor Doctor,” Doobie Brothers “The Doctor,” Steely Dan’s “Doctor Wu,” Men At Work’s “Dr. Hekyll & Mr. Jive.” Some harder rocking doctor songs include Ted Nugent’s “Just What The Doctor Ordered,” Black Sabbath’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll Doctor,” and Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood.” And even though not in the title, figuring very prominently in t

Sunday is St Patrick’s Day.🍀 To celebrate, we need to play some lucky songs: good luck, bad luck, no luck, lucky, unlucky, etc. Can be title or lyrics. Good luck! 🍀  Catch Your Luck And Play - Scorpions 

On December 8, 1980 John Lennon was shot and killed outside his and Yoko’s NYC apartment. I remember where I was when I heard the news – in my morning Geometry class, freshman year of high school. How the word spread that quickly without electronic media I’m still not certain. We were all stunned, in a state of disbelief that a Beatle was dead. The song provides the theme for this week’s blog called “The Name Game” highlighting songs featuring peoples’ names in their titles. There are so many that the lists could go on forever, but included are some of my very favorites in the first Spotify playlist, and some honorable mentions in the second, no less great, and still very worthy of a listen. The lists could go on with hundreds more, but these are songs that I enjoy and felt worth sharing. A few of my favorite songs of all-time: Janice Joplin’s “Bobby McGee,” Elton John’s “Levon” and “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters,” Dire Straits’ “Romeo & Juliet,” the Police’s “Roxanne,” and