Top 10ish

The more I considered this invitation for a Top 10ish list, the more I began to revisit excellent memories of 1971 and indeed here are 10 tunes that I recall with great joy.

My Top 10ish List —

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention - “Don’t eat the yellow snow” - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0elpH46dOyQ&list=RD0elpH46dOyQ&start_radio=1

Zappa shocked and delighted me with endless surreal satire and innovation.

John Lennon - “Imagine” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfgVhE1M6ns&list=RDQfgVhE1M6ns&start_radio=1

Then and now, “Imagine” suggests that it may indeed be possible to live in a sane world.

Muddy Waters - “Mannish Boy” (Live) – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QoBR-F3tp4&list=RD2QoBR-F3tp4&start_radio=1

My childhood friend, Chas Shaw, introduced me to the brilliance of Muddy Waters and other blues masters – fortunate for me indeed.

Herbie Hancock - “Water Torture” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INfeTzMTwkM&list=RDINfeTzMTwkM&start_radio=1

Herbie Hancock’s mastery was mesmerizing and over my head at the time in 1971.

Jimi Hendrix - “VooDoo Child” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFfnlYbFEiE&list=RDqFfnlYbFEiE&start_radio=1

All seemed obvious when listening to Hendrix play.

Harry’s Nilsson - “Put the Lime in the Coconut” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ0hrHx4Zkc&list=RDVQ0hrHx4Zkc&start_radio=1 OR try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbgv8PkO9eo&list=RDTbgv8PkO9eo&start_radio=1

And some music just made me laugh and smile.

Janis Joplin - “Take another bit of my heart” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2x1yo8Ztdw&list=RDI2x1yo8Ztdw&start_radio=1

A woman like Janis Joplin seemed so wild and powerful – I was mesmerized.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - “Woodstock” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKdsRWhyH30&list=RDHKdsRWhyH30&start_radio=1

And then I grew my hair long and never looked back.

Simon and Garfunkel - “Sounds of Silence” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn0QBXMYXsM&list=RDqn0QBXMYXsM&start_radio=1

Broke my heart

Beatles - “Let it Be” – Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGj85pVzRJs&list=RDCGj85pVzRJs&start_radio=1

Broke my heart again

George Beebe

Prologue—

What a great topic and joy to go back and investigate the possibilities. We truly grew up in the best time within the century to be exposed to the greatest music genres: Classical (cartoons), Big Band (listening to my parent’s albums), Folk, Motown, Rock and Roll, the British Invasion, the Rat Pack, Elvis, Jazz, Country and Blues! As a struggling guitarist, I tended to gravitate to the folk, Rock and Roll and British music, but also loved me some Motown. During my stay at Malvern - 67-71, these songs would have been listened to all the time (in no order) and not choosing an artist twice.

My Top 10ish List —

Donovan - Catch the Wind - from the Donovan’s Greatest Hits Album - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yQKDj_V4Gk&list=RD9yQKDj_V4Gk&start_radio=1

Possibly the first album I bought (down on Samson Street in 1969) - loved Mellow Yellow, There is a Mountain, Hurdy Gurdy Man, Season of the Witch, Jeniffer Juniper. So many hits but my favorite was probably Catch the Wind which Bob Dylan also sang.

Simon and Garfunkel - Cecilia - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5uei2AFEaQ&list=RDe5uei2AFEaQ&start_radio=1

American Bandstand Version - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK1zP118cVY&list=RDvK1zP118cVY&start_radio=1

Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPkM8F0sjSw&list=RDfPkM8F0sjSw&start_radio=1

The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fWLuSPen_g&list=RD-fWLuSPen_g&start_radio=1

The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwtyn-L-2gQ&list=RDJwtyn-L-2gQ&start_radio=1

Cream - Sunshine of your Love - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbqQL0J_Vr0&list=RDHbqQL0J_Vr0&start_radio=1

The Kinks - Lola - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP0X0CRMZLU&list=RDGP0X0CRMZLU&start_radio=1 And since George loved cartoons and comics, this version is appropriate, listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CzrYXcXweI&list=RD6CzrYXcXweI&start_radio=1

The Doors - Riders on the Storm - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9o78-f2mIM&list=RDk9o78-f2mIM&start_radio=1

Gordon Lightfoot - If you Could Read My Mind - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK--A-IaZnA&list=RDDK--A-IaZnA&start_radio=1

Cat Stevens - Father and Son - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCFDBi6R2Qc&list=RDFCFDBi6R2Qc&start_radio=1

Classmate 4 - Section A

Prologue—

Throughout high school, I was pretty much an AM radio music listener with a few rare exceptions. In college, I commuted as a freshman, and it wasn't until my sophomore year that I lived on campus, in a frat house. That was the end of AM radio for me!! My eyes and ears were opened to so many different groups that I had never heard before. So many of my classmates had heard so much more music than I had, I felt like a child. I love poetry, and for me, what makes a song that stays in my heart and soul is the combination of lyrics AND music. I'm partial to lyrics that weave a tale or share a part of the artist, the ones that make you think/feel...

My Top 10ish List —

(Note: Listed alphabetical, 'cause I couldn't choose an absolute favorite...)

The Allman Brothers - "Statesboro Blues" - Live at Fillmore East - Listen athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWy3Q30Cn2A&list=RDdWy3Q30Cn2A&start_radio=1 OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgLF3Ojx6ZM&list=RDdgLF3Ojx6ZM&start_radio=1

The second of those high school exceptions. Apparently, I was still too stupid to realize there was more to music than the drivel on AM radio, doh! While there are many memorable tracks on that album, this one sticks out the most for me, hundreds of playings, some of which were without booze or dope!!

The Beach Boys - "God Only Knows" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qZMFFDYa0&list=RDn8qZMFFDYa0&start_radio=1

God bless Brian Wilson, 'nuff said.

The Beatles - "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IArfrd14scw&list=RDIArfrd14scw&start_radio=1

Never a huge Beatles fan, this is by far my favorite. As it turns out, even though this is credited to Lennon/McCartney, it was all John Lennon, trying to sound like Dylan, (next on my list).

Bob Dylan - "Girl From The North Country" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je4Eg77YSSA&list=RDJe4Eg77YSSA&start_radio=1

Anyone who has loved and lost has been down this road. I especially like the duet with Johnny Cash. "Hurricane" - The epic tale of Hurricane Carter is told with passion and a reminder of what was and what could have been. Heart rending. Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbtoO7k74PU&list=RDwbtoO7k74PU&start_radio=1

The Byrds - "Chestnut Mare" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dO6ZK1QT9k&list=RD4dO6ZK1QT9k&start_radio=1

McGuinn's twelve-string and searing harmonies.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - "From The Beginning" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7MHN_QLliY&list=RDY7MHN_QLliY&start_radio=1

A showcase of everything that they bring to progressive rock, with a great lyric. "Lucky Man" is a close second - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nyt57LxWy8&list=RD7nyt57LxWy8&start_radio=1 (Greg Lake live)

Grand Funk Railroad - “I'm Your Captain” (Album: Closer To Home) - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_t59To7Snk&list=RDA_t59To7Snk&start_radio=1

The recording at Shea Stadium is one of the best live tracks ever made (imo). Farner at his best.

John Mayall - "Room To Move" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pXs5aXg_rY&list=RD9pXs5aXg_rY&start_radio=1 (Live) OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3-TkkUJag&list=RDri3-TkkUJag&start_radio=1

That first high school exception, thank you, Lisa! The energy that Mayall puts into each and every moment of each and every song drives it into you!

Keith Jarrett - The Köln Concert - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chnpqca6HDE&list=RDChnpqca6HDE&start_radio=1

Anything by him is fine, better if it is live, and best if it is his concert in Köln, Germany. My third roommate at the frat house turned me on to Jarrett, and I have been a diehard listener since!! And if you only have 5 minutes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6tIzxmPCQE&list=RDC6tIzxmPCQE&start_radio=1

Loudon Wainwright - "Muse Blues" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucm8RpSu-QQ&list=RDucm8RpSu-QQ&start_radio=1

This is quintessential Wainwright; he writes a song to say he cannot come up with any songs. I stole this conceit in an English paper, writing a poem about how I couldn't successfully create a painting to describe a poem (A+). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nGd2e8t_Jc&list=RD8nGd2e8t_Jc&start_radio=1 (Live)

Traffic - "John Barleycorn Must Die" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnkHP_v3CYw&list=RDpnkHP_v3CYw&start_radio=1

Versions of this song start as early as the 16th century. A wonderful modern take, showcasing a young Steve Winwood’s vocal.

Traffic - "Low Spark Of High-heeled Boys" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8M8R835Ck4&list=RDR8M8R835Ck4&start_radio=1

The opening, from silence to a wonderful instrumental, and then all of the varied instrumental compositions throughout the stanzas. Genius.

The Who - "Baba O’Riley" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu9HhYv0C7E&list=RDGu9HhYv0C7E&start_radio=1

The anthem for a generation!

The Who - "The Kids Are Alright" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afam2nIae4o&list=RDafam2nIae4o&start_radio=1

There is a live version from the 90's where a few stanzas are added to bring the song "up to date" and where Daltrey can't quite hit all of the high notes, but it still resonates. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQvg5S5eWiY&list=RDjQvg5S5eWiY&start_radio=1)

The Who - "Tommy" (Album) - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roe9CuosryE&list=RDroe9CuosryE&start_radio=1

Not the song, the whole f-ing thing, in one sitting, with headphones. I am a bit partial to The Who. One of my first roommates at the frat would not allow any music to be played on his turntable, except for The Who, he went so far as to buy multiple copies of the albums so that he could stack them and not have to stop to flip the album over to hear the other side, yes, that means four copies of the double album for "Tommy". He was from Pittsburgh, go figure...

Yes - "Your Move - I've Seen All Good People" - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB49uadFgYw&list=RDPB49uadFgYw&start_radio=1

A cappella, then one of the great guitar riffs, then two songs in one. Wonderful harmonies and then a change of pace.

Epilogue—

If you got this far, thanks for hanging in there.

Tom Schwab

Prologue—

Enjoying "live" concerts and shows.

My Top 10ish List —

Badge - Cream - Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkosrxtu9zY&list=RDZkosrxtu9zY&start_radio=1

John Rogers > I am surprised Tom Schwab did not list "Badge", which he daringly played in a Communist country (Yugoslavia) during a trip to Europe led by Basil Sullivan.

Tom Schwab > John It was a clever song. I do not remember the incident. In retrospect a bad idea, I could still be in a Communist prison starving.

John Rogers > I remember it very well. It was in Split, Yugoslavia. I can still see you tentatively starting to play an electric guitar in front of guests at the hotel, and then launching into it, and doing a great job.

Tom Schwab > John, the plot thickens. Again, no memory of the guitar playing, however I do remember that lovely sexy singer.

Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly6ZhQVnVow&list=RDLy6ZhQVnVow&start_radio=1

I first heard this song in Philadelphia around age 15. Robert Plant said the band had just started playing this song. My ears were ringing for about 2 days after the concert.

Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O3MO2y30fU&list=RD6O3MO2y30fU&start_radio=1

I first saw Bruce Springsteen at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr, Pa, in the early 70’s. Vic Faralli and I went to the Main Point a few times.

Something - The Beatles/George Harrison from the Abbey Road album - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UelDrZ1aFeY&list=RDUelDrZ1aFeY&start_radio=1

I remember being in London with Brian Ameche. I think we tried to imitate iconic Abbey Road picture.

Sounds of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn0QBXMYXsM&list=RDqn0QBXMYXsM&start_radio=1

Seminarian Jim McGlynn played this song in theology class at Malvern Prep.

Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ7CZ7nLWZ4&list=RDBZ7CZ7nLWZ4&start_radio=1

John Oakes played bass, and I played guitar in my mother’s basement.

Old Man - Neil Young - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuVIJlSDOs0&list=RDOuVIJlSDOs0&start_radio=1

Presence of the Lord - Blind Faith - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIcESt9eYRk&list=RDHIcESt9eYRk&start_radio=1

With Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ginger Baker. I snuck a tape recorder into their Philadelphia concert.

Aqualung - Jethro Tull - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO8a369YOQk&list=RDlO8a369YOQk&start_radio=1

Jessica - Allman Brothers - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ5yeaf3RaU

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ogcdw4UORQ&list=RD2Ogcdw4UORQ&start_radio=1

Epilogue—

Classmate 1 - From Section C

Prologue—

Ever since my days at University, I have been in an ever expanding phase of defining and refining my Self by experiencing and moving thru Life with and by music. To me, a song sticks sometimes at first listen and sometimes on a not so first listen. Lyrics always catch my ear as does production, or as I like to say the chemistry of all things together all at once. As a great artist once said, “so many donuts, so little time.” To wit, then, here are some of those (my) donuts.

My Top 10ish List

Joni Mitchell - Coyote - listen at https://youtu.be/f7MbmXklj3Q?t=146

I came to Joni Mitchell, while living in Philadelphia with my girlfriend and three of her girlfriends after university. My friends, height is not overrated. But more about girlfriends later. They, the women I lived with in Philadelphia, introduced me to Joni Mitchell and I continue to hold Joni Mitchell as one of the best of our time along with Dylan, Steely Dan, Talking Heads and Bowie. The lyrics, “…Coyote’s in the coffee shop, he’s staring a hole in his scrambled eggs, he picks up my scent on his fingers, while he’s watching the waitresses’ legs…” caught my imagination first time I heard them, putting me in that coffee shop. BTW, Joni would have made me love poetry at a much earlier age had it been on my high school American Literature syllabus. Prince famously stated that "…Joni Mitchell's music should be taught in school, if just from a literature standpoint…” Additionally, I am a sucker for live versions recorded well, as The Last Waltz was and still is one of my favorite live recordings and concert films.

The Roots - Long Time - listen at https://youtu.be/4cn7IEqh2aA

Never was one for rap while driving my middle-aged Volvo to work in Philadelphia. Instead listened to Steely Dan and The Dead on the Schuylkill. But one day my middle school son had me sit and listen to The Roots Long Time. Blew me away. Bass guitar, background vocals, percussion tracks and ending. And this is a Philadelphia work with rap lyrics, part percussion, all heart and all soul, "Struck by the luck of the draw, real life preservation, what I'm hustling for, my name black thought, the definition of raw, I was born in South Philly, on a cement floor, I had nothing at all, had to knuckle and brawl, they swore I'd fall, be another brick in the wall…” Take a listen without the lyrics in front of you for a classic cathartic experience. Don’t take my word for it. Play the track.

Diana Krall - Simple Twist of Fate - listen at https://youtu.be/eJObUEotZYY

For me, Dylan is not as much a part of the scenes at Greenwich Village, Woodstock, Laurel Canyon, etc., as he is a generational artist whose work transcends any and all of the reasons, he may have taken up his pen in the first place. And, in my mind, his works are enriched by various covers by all kinds of artists. One of my favorites is Diana Krall’s interpretation of Simple Twist of Fate. Krall’s telling of Dylan’s story captivated me in a more simplistic way and seemed so sincere you could think she lived it as well.

Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World - listen at https://youtu.be/2nNR4EsOgKE

Not a big Tears for Fears fan, yet Everybody Wants to Rule the World is on this list just because, OK, the production is seamless. The chemistry of all things, all together, all at once, goes to my core every time I hear the song- it is on most of my playlists. The bridge and breakdown followed by “…all for freedom and for pleasure, nothing ever lasts forever…” Right to my core. every time.

David Bowie - Changes - listen at https://youtu.be/WcrPy1kzzaY

Changes was my introduction to Bowie. Probably first heard it at Malvern Prep when I was not a student of music (not much of a student of anything, really). When I heard it on my car radio though, the chemistry of all things (production, instruments and lyrics) together all at once went right to my core. The same way Everybody Wants to Rule the World did on my first listen. But unlike Tears for Fears, Bowie would do much more to and for me. Later, while at university, while I was becoming a much better student in and out of the classroom, I delved deeper into all things Bowie. For me, as an aspiring recording artist, Bowie was more influential than The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Stones and other British bands. The production is so tight, the opening piano riff, the piano through with strings and then, "…And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations, they're quite aware of what they're goin’ through…” And, oh yeah, the sax close. I went to visit my daughter when she was living in London after Bowie had passed and she took me to the Bowie tribute wall in Brixton. Very, very moving, I raised her right.

Grateful Dead - Bertha - listen at https://youtu.be/82ADE0DUeM4OK

OK, I am a Dead Head. I’ve seen them maybe about seven or eight times. Cut classes at university for a week to follow them thru New England. Funny story, though, about the first time I saw The Dead. I took my girlfriend at the time (not the girl friend who would become my wife) to see The Dead at the Philadelphia Convention Center in August ’74. And, as I making my move toward 1st base (she was having none of it BTW), not really paying any attention to the goings on onstage, The Dead rip into Bertha. Then, after two or three of the singing verses, Garcia takes to his guitar and opens a door of my musical perceptions that I didn’t know was there. Bertha was my Deadhead baptism that night, followed by my Deadhead confirmation when they tore into Scarlett Begonias. The recording here is from The Filmore East in 1971 (Skull and Roses album) and there quite a few songs from the Skull and Roses album that found their way too many of my playlists.

Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet - listen at https://youtu.be/rC95MEenIxA

What a great piece of pop literature! Another classic example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, for me anyway. The arrangement, the lead vocal, the lyrics, absolutely cannot peel the skin from the onion on Romeo and Juliet. Upon repeated listening to pieces of pop literature like Romeo and Juliet, I get the feeling that our generation looks and finds our poets right here, in our music. A pop retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Could be, but does that really matter? Just a great, emotionally moving piece of pop literature.

Talking Heads - Life During Wartime - listen at https://youtu.be/8al5cSQNmME

Taken from Jonathan Demme’s classic Stop Making Sense, a 1984 concert film (watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7BGS8dvSnw&list=RDF7BGS8dvSnw&start_radio=1). During the summer of 1985, I took my girlfriend (the one who I’d married five years earlier) to see Stop Making Sense at the Narberth Theater. I kind of knew bits and pieces about Talking Heads but I was not at all prepared for what David Byrne was and continues to be all about. The recording of the music was the best I had ever encountered in a movie theater, almost like being in the concert hall. But the theatrical nature of his choreography was unlike anything I had seen from a band. Byrne wore his trademark expanded shoulder suit jacket for most of the film. For Life During Wartime, he took off the jacket and danced in place with knees bending in beat and arms spinning round and round. And then, during the musical interlude he jogs in time around the band. Stop Making Sense is my favorite concert film and if you haven’t seen it yet, sit your butt down and go stream it on your flat screen (using the link above).

Allman Brothers Band - Jessica - listen at https://youtu.be/1ToMMcQ3O3Q

While we talking about great pieces of pop literature, I must say that, about the same time at university, when I gave up basketball for music, I happened to have a girlfriend at university (a real sweetheart but she never really viewed me as a keeper) who would occasionally slip a Gershwin album on while I was reloading the bong between The Doors and Jefferson Starship albums. Rhapsody in Blue was then, and still is now, an audio wonder for my ears to behold, especially on multiple listening’s. So, years later, me being me, retired and still loading and reloading bongs, it dawned on me, while listening to Jessica for the umpteenth time, that Jessica follows a similar classical (or Jazz for that matter) structure. The open guitar, at 0:04 piano, and then at 0:12 the drums and then the lead guitar duet riff establishing a theme (or hook) that they will return to. At 0:54 they take a slight improve departure (sweet) but then, at 1:12, back to the opening riff. At 1:30 they begin a run to the keys. At 1:56, the keys, at 2:24, watch out, because here comes percussive bridge beneath a beautiful piano and drum variation. At 3:40, everybody joins back in, introducing a jumping guitar variation (drums running throughout and, BTW, a good time to reload the bong). At 5:37 a final breakdown with all in (including a nasty organ - most nasty at 5:56 - who’s been lurking in the audio shadows) and run up and then down to a lead into the major theme/hook/riff at 6:21. Leading to at 6:58, a thoughtfully, yet efficiently tight but not to overly dramatic close. Bong all done!

Leonard Cohen - Everybody Knows - listen at https://youtu.be/Gxd23UVID7k

If Basil Sullivan had gone to college at NYU and stayed in the Village instead of Warren Avenue, he could’ve been our Irish Leonard Cohen. What I love about his songs is way the Cohen delivers his poetry. I first heard Everybody Knows just a few months ago. I could go on about the dutiful marching snare drum and syncopated bass, background vocals, and interspersed dobro steel guitar (?) but why bother. Just listen to the Cohen’s poetry, don’t bother reading them. Bill Doyle once brought into class a recording of T. S. Elliot reading The Wasteland. I had struggled mightily reading and re-reading The Wasteland but upon hearing Elliot read it, The Wasteland and my ear for recited poetry came to life. For me, the same applies to the poets/lyricists I like from the Woodstock, Greenwich Village, Laurel Canyon scenes and beyond. And Leonard Cohen is one of my favorites. Take five and a half minutes and listen to Everybody Knows.

Fontaines D.C. - A Hero’s Death - listen at https://youtu.be/vtFdrNqiWZg

My son Owen is a music producer, DJ, and performer living in LA. He heard this song and thought I’d love it. He was right. I’m a big-time junkie for lyrics. Fontaines D.C. are an Irish post-punk band formed in Dublin in 2014 (post-punk? really?). The band members met while attending music college and bonded over a common love of poetry. Are you beginning to sense the blurred line in my mind between poetry and lyrics? The arrangement suits the lyrics in an undoubtedly Irish way. “…when you speak, speak sincere, and believe friends, everyone will hear…” Life ain’t always easy.

Hank Jones - Round Midnight - listen at https://youtu.be/rTO438Ps0xU

A special shout out to my son Michael, our classmate Paul Duffy, and my 30 year neighbor and great friend Michael Settanni, for pushing and tuning my ears into more and more jazz artists and compilations. I started to appreciate jazz when I moved in with my girlfriend (the one who would become my wife and go to see Stop Making Sense while being 8 months pregnant) when we happened upon an Oscar Peterson Stephan Grappelli double record set. My son Michael introduced me to the Miles Davis Kind of Blue album. Paul Duffy introduced me to John Coltrane. And Michael Settanni introduced me to Joey DeFranchesco. There are a million jazz rabbit holes you can wonder down while scrolling the internet and one of my favorite rabbit holes is searching out covers of Thelonius Monk's Round Midnight. This is easily one of the most recorded jazz standards. What I love about Round Midnight and it’s many covers by various artists is its distinctive melody. On occasion, while pouring myself a glass of 2005 Bordeaux (Note: 2005 is considered the vintage of a lifetime), I might have a jazz playlist in the background, not really hearing but just listening. And then, bang, I hear the very distinctively melodic musical riff. “Hey,” I say to myself making sure not to spill as I pour, “that’s another take on Round Midnight.” If you’re going to go down the Round Midnight jazz covers rabbit hole anytime soon, be sure to check out the original by Monk.

Hans Zimmer - Themes from Pirates of the Caribbean - listen at https://youtu.be/n6JZRUAedeg

I was first made aware of Hans Zimmer when I got hooked on the Chris Nolan Batman Trilogy films - Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). I am a big fan of Phillip Glass, and I think his influence upon Zimmer and other modern-day composers is hard to underestimate. Zimmer’s themes for Nolan Batman Trilogy films are as awesome as the three films themselves. BTW, The Batman Trilogy is my favorite film trilogy, better than The Godfather Trilogy, because I don’t think The Godfather Part Three measured up to The Godfather Parts One or Two. For me the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean makes me frantically and rhythmically flail my arms about every time I put in on. The running piano is sneaky. Try to follow the keys and you will be smiling just like I am right now listening to the theme for the, I don’t know, I’ve lost count of how many times.

Sofi Tukker - Fuck They - listen at https://youtu.be/yB80EzZLT_k

My son Owen sent this song to my girlfriend and me (luckily for me my girlfriend and wife are the same woman). This number popped in my ear the moment I listened, and I bet the same will happen to you. I don’t know much about Sofi Tukker, in fact, when I first heard that Owen was sending us a new song by Sofi Tukker, I thought, isn’t she the woman who sang God Bless America before Flyers’ games in the 70s? And isn’t she dead?” Well, “no and yes", my girlfriend told me. "No, that woman was Kate Smith and, yes, she (Kate) is dead." But enough of my “C” section recall. Like I said Fuck They popped into my ears immediately. All the production tracks blend seamlessly. No peeling of the skin of the onion on this one. And, all the songs I hold in high esteem, they all have this same seamless quality. I am a sucker for songs that are produced in a way making the whole song greater than the sum of its production tracks.

Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic - listen at https://youtu.be/m7EJGXa-5Rc

Last but most certainly not least, “The Dan”. Ahh, Steely Dan is so closely aligned with my continually defining and refining, one in being with the music. I can’t imagine the words that might express these thoughts I have inside. Sometimes I laugh so hard I cry. But I can tell you the moment it all began. After my junior year at university, I took a job managing Joe Pops, a club in Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, NJ. We had bands play Wednesdays thru Saturdays all summer. Midsummer, this one band came in without much fanfare, no strobe lights, no smoke bombs but the band had a lead guitarist that made me stop mid-tequila sunrise. And the lyrics of Pretzel Logic, whilst their colorful technical flair surpasses that of Dylan, they are also noted as being some of the finest lyricists out there, with their style of prose something akin to a mix of Thomas Pynchon and the science fiction greats of the 1940s such as C. M. Kornbluth. And most of this info comes right off the internets, so you know it’s indisputable. The link above is The Dukes of September performing Pretzel Logic. They are a super group with Don Fagen (Steely Dan), Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers), and Boz Scaggs.

Epilogue—

Even as my bones grow brittle, my skin wrinkles, my eyes grow dimmer, I very often and most fortunately for me, come across pieces of music that touch the core of my being, my true “self” as I continue to experience and move thru life. I am a lucky one.

Classmate 2 - From Section A

Prologue—

In no particular order.

My Top 10ish List — Part 1

Miles Davis - Time After Time - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLEj7E8ORU4

Fucking devastates me. My Mother and I saw him at the Academy. This had her in tears.

Bruce Cockburn - Pacing the Cage - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h_VKaoITio

Actually, written in Philadelphia, as was Comfortably Numb.

Yes - Onward - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3lbAwWX8aU

These kids blew Chris Squire away.

Marillion - Sounds That Can't Be Made - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3dwSj5HQWk

Great fucking lyric.

Steven Wilson and Ninet Nati Tayeb - Pariah - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoYKAlT-HDI

Joni Mitchell - Two Grey Rooms - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjDi_plwi5A

Richard Thompson - Beeswing - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31CwzOD1gIc

Put me in mind of Fiona, from Donegal.

Sandy Denny - Solo - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEtyYjMYvdk

I would have followed her to the ends of the earth.

Porcupine Tree - Arriving Somewhere but Not Here - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3lsqUqGTzM

A tune about passing through the Bardo, but check with Carroll on that.

End of Part 1 and the Beginning of Part 2

Peter Gabriel - Red Rain - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLUp6PNTi7E

David Bowie - Under Pressure - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkzcszmeVrs

Gail is a Philly girl.

King Crimson - One Time - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUpd3u66gas

Yes - To Be Over - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKe4qBYRgdY

George Harrison - Let It Roll - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQm40CWv_qQ

Judy Collins - The Blizzard - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJF3K5htQ-s

Stephen Stills and the Buffalo Springfield - Bluebird (A great choice) - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKHY8MXgiz0

Saw Collins and Stills in concert together in 2016. It was like hanging with old friends.

The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4UQJwd3awQ

Robert Plant - I'm in the Mood - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj5nH0O8lmg

Fuck Zeppelin, he's better off without that load.

XTC – The Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Head - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYupSHWEJxA

Billy Bragg - Somedays I See the Point - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3H1vP-fSqg

Lead by Rufus Wainwright - Choir! Choir! Choir! Singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGRfJ6-qkr4

One of the best times I ever had with Ally. Check out their Space Oddity at the AGO.

Lennie Gallant - Y'a que L’Amour - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPPw8yEXYBQ

Close friend of Ally and me.

Encore—

Emma Stevens – Blackbird - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99-LoEkAA3w

Her cousin, Laurent Powell, is married to my granddaughter, Echo Kwok. McCartney said this is the best version he’s ever heard, including his own.

Grace Potter and Daryl Hall – Paris Ooh La La - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HidKdc0IWs

Check her out with the Stones doing Gimme Shelter - she blows Jagger off the stage.

Traveling Wilburys - Handle Me with Care - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o4s1KVJaVA

Bruce Cockburn - Tie me at the Crossroads - listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwEZ6pakZLA

Alex Baran

Prologue—

Music has seared many memories of my youth into my brain, and they are still vivid today. My list reflects these memories, feelings, emotions, uncertainties that drove my musical influences. It is based on my years in junior high and through Malvern and does not venture further in my life – that would require another Top 10ish List. I still love these songs and enjoyed singing them again as I put my list together. To me, I am hanging out my young, inexperienced soul for all to see…

My Top 10ish List —

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Kv0vF41Bc

At a young age was intrigued by local Coffee Shops, the singers of Folk Music, Beatniks walking the street, and wondering what was it like to be in a place called Greenwich Village?

Led Zeppelin – Tangerine – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaFjxLMsOuo

Walked out of that King of Prussia record store tall, radical, different, and cool with Led Zeppelin III – loved the cover almost as much as the music. Song has ties to the Yardbirds.

Beatles – I’ve Just Seen a Face – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8LbJfC0SYM

The Beatles changed our lives, was just blown away by Help and this particular song - my Beatles favorite.

Mason Williams – Classical Gas – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEzyrpfrPEI

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is Wonder and Awe (Fear of the Lord). To this day, I am in complete wonder and awe, how did Mason create this? Please listen to Glen Campbell and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, the absolute best cover of this wonderful instrumental (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Ga67EDrKI).

Neil Diamond – Solitary Man – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLilTP5WAU0

Wished we had better speakers for the AM car radio when this song came on the air. Roll down the windows, step on the gas, and start screaming the lyrics.

George Harrison – Beware of Darkness – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrsGTItbss4

Could not believe that George Harrison was that talented and creative. Started to believe when I found myself envious of everyone who had the triple album ‘All Things Must Pass’.

James Taylor - Sweet Baby James – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2x0fPgAj_Y

During the summer of 1970, some friends from the neighborhood drove out west to the University of Denver. They claim to have met and spent time with James Taylor, who was supposedly dating a coed at the University. Don’t know if the story is true, but we listened to the Sweet Baby James album for months.

Rolling Stones – Dead Flowers – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oPInSfh6H4

One of the early mixers that I went to was with my cousins in upstate Pennsylvania. Even though I was an outsider, had the chance to dance with a local cute/hot chick to the song ‘Jumpin Jack Flash’, among a few others. A great time, a great memory, a fan of the Stones forever. And ‘Dead Flowers’ is a personal favorite.

Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjmkeXj9bRI

When driving over 100 MPH, this song is “bad”. Nuff said.

The Who – Behind Blue Eyes – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrImMedYRo

Tommy, Hair, and Jesus Christ Superstar, made me think differently about rock and roll and re-look at The Who – are they more than a band who destroyed their instruments at the end of a concert. They are and it was fun to watch the growing creativity of Pete Townshend.

Moody Blues – Tuesday Afternoon – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5N7qHmEgxA

Electric guitars, drums, keyboards, and classical instruments, this is a very cool sound, and a day in the life of a day. John Lodge still performs the “Days of Future Past” concert, which covers the entire album – worth the price of admission (https://www.johnlodge.com).

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Teach Your Children/Country Girl – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj8FlXGPcOQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Dr9koWfHs

During my four years at Malvern, if I consider all the albums that were played at mixers, parties, on cheap stereos, weekend get togethers, summer evenings, 8-track tape players, and school closed snow days, Déjà Vu was the most played album – more than all the others combined. I remember having the album, 8-track and cassette media. All the songs are excellent, CSNY performed at Woodstock, and these two songs stand out among the rest.

Honorable Mention

Grateful Dead - Uncle John’s Band – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSIajKGHZRk

Will I ever visit the intersection of Haight and Ashbury? Will I feel afraid?

The Monkees – Valleri – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqUufWLfZc

Yes, I was a faithful follower of the weekly TV show.

The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin’ – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aK6JnyFmk

Should have asked Michelle Phillips to go to the Prom?

Scott McKenzie - San Francisco – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I0vkKy504U

I was 50 years old when I first stood on the corner of Haight and Ashbury. It did feel a tad tentative (did I belong here), but with this song playing in my head, I felt welcomed by the (graying) counterculture.

Epilogue—

I did not fully understand/appreciate Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Pat Metheny, Woodstock, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gordon Lightfoot, Buddy Holly, the Eagles until college and beyond. Also, seeing bands perform on TV added to my strong interest in music and created a new dimensions of feeling about a song. Those shows from the 60s like Hullabaloo, Hollywood A Go Go, Where the Action Is, and others were can’t miss TV. You could see what the band looked like, how they performed, even the chords they were playing on their guitars.

Hollies – Look Thru Any Window – enjoyed watching Hullabaloo, where I first saw the Hollies perform. That guy Graham Nash caught my attention, seems to be pretty cool. Took note of the fact that I was attracted to the dancers. Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlDv20NbuB0 (starts at 2:50).

Byrds – I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better – enjoyed watching Hollywood A Go Go, where I first saw the Byrds perform. That guy David Crosby caught my attention, seems to be pretty cool. Took note of the fact that I was attracted to the dancers. Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cuWjHoEB0Q

Paul Revere & The Raiders – Him or Me – listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5kGbBNJQl8. Enjoyed watching Where the Action Is, where I first saw the Raiders perform (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr-6BdAT5lw starts at 14:10). Took note of the fact that I was attracted to the dancers.

Go Malvern - Class of 1971

Go Malvern - Class of 1971

Our Top 10ish Lists

The Malvern Prep Class of 1971 - Our Favorite Music

The Lists

Rick Caron

Michael Carroll

George Beebe

Classmate 4 - Section A

Tom Schwab

Classmate 1 - From Section C

Classmate 2 - From Section A

Alex Baran

The Lists Continued...

Classmate

Classmate

Go Malvern - Class of 1971

Our Top 10ish Lists

The Malvern Prep Class of 1971 - Our Favorite Music

The Lists

Rick Caron

Michael Carroll

George Beebe

Classmate 4 - Section A

Tom Schwab

Classmate 1 - From Section C

Classmate 2 - From Section A

Alex Baran

The Lists Continued...

Classmate

Classmate

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