Is it possible that Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions‘ “I’m the One Who Loves You” is so strong a song that not even a cheesy ’80s cover by Santana can ruin it? You tell me…after the break!
Jan 102014
Jul 062012
Even if you’ve never performed music before an audience, you’ve probably done something along those lines—a school play, a presentation in the classroom or in work—and know what it’s like to have thoughts run through your head while you’re “in the moment.” Maybe you give yourself a mental high five while you hit your mark. Maybe you suppress a Jeez! when you flub a line. Maybe you’re feeling so good on stage that you have a flash of feeling like you know what it meant to appear in front of a rapt audience at some legendary venue.
As you watch this video of The Jefferson Airplane performing “Mexico (Go Ride the Music),” pick a moment and see if you can’t write a “thought bubble” representing what could possibly be going through the mind of any band member in the midst of performing this song.
Oct 222011
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
In this week’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator broadcasts “LIVE” from the Coast of Loving, “Frisco,” as the natives call it, specifically! The Moderator is calling all Peace Warriors to tune in, turn on, and drop whatever it is you were doing. As an added bonus, for those curious to learn more about Eric Burdon & The (Then-)New Animals, you’ve come to the right episode.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-50.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 50][Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download of each week’s podcast.]
Jul 152010
After RTH’s recent global World Cup of Rock ‘n Roll lovefest, I did a little research about my own fair city and found out that there has been a war going on right here in San Francisco. Apparently, there has been SERIOUS disagreement about the city’s official song. It wasn’t enough that Jeanette MacDonald lustily suggested that you “open your golden gates” in the title song from the 1936 film San Francisco. Instead, Tony Bennet‘s later nostalgia about leaving his heart here was viewed as a serious contender for our official song. In this very political of cities, people went to fisticuffs to defend their choice of song, and at one point, a visiting Tony Bennet refused to leave his hotel room if the other San Francisco choice was played at a city event. According to a recent KALW discussion, the conflict was alleviated only when “San Francisco” was named the Official Song and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was named the Official Ballad.
Honestly, all that sturm und drang over THOSE two songs? There are so many more to choose from! Want to celebrate the Summer of Love? Then choose Scott McKenzie’s “If You’re Going to San Francisco.” Shades of political? Then how about “Tania,” by Camper Van Beethoven? Recollections of times spent here? “San Francisco,” by Kristin Hersh. Pining for a lost love? “Come Back From San Francisco,” by Magnetic Fields. Recognition of local landmarks? “Down on Mission Street,” by Lloyd Cole or “Grace Cathedral Park,” by Red House Painters. You could even bring attention to some of the less savory aspects of this city: “In San Francisco,” by Napalm and Eruption, or “Jumpers,” by Sleater-Kinney.
So, what’s your town or city’s Official Song? Or, what should it be? When I was living in Fairfield County, Connecticut, I would have nominated a version of “Money, That’s What I Want” or “Mother’s Little Helper” as being reflective of the local zeitgeist.
