Song of the Day- Day After Day by Badfinger

"Day After Day" is one of the best-known songs by the British rock band Badfinger. According to Wikipedia, it was released in the US as a single in November, 1971 and in January, 1972 elsewhere. It was a top 10 hit in the US and the UK in January of 1972, and eventually went Gold in March of that year. "Day After Day" was the band's only Gold single. It appeared on their album Straight Up. (link)

Badfinger began as a band called the Iveys, formed in Swansea, Wales in 1961. The Iveys were the first band signed by the Beatles' Apple Label in 1968. One of the original members left, and they renamed themselves Badfinger in 1969. They went on to have four worldwide hits between 1970 and 1972: "Come and Get It" (written and produced by Paul McCartney), "No Matter What", "Day after Day" and "Baby Blue." (link)

Many acclaimed musicians participated in the recording of "Day After Day". The song was written and sung by Pete Ham, and produced by the Beatles' George Harrison. Harrison also plays some of the slide guitar parts, along with Ham. Leon Russell, another well-known musician, played the piano. George Harrison stopped working on the Straight Up album to produce the Concert for Bangladesh, and Todd Rundgren took over the project. "Day After Day" was still unfinished when Harrison left, and the final mix of the song was done by Rundgren. (link)

The band Badfinger did not have a happy ending, but that's not the focus of this post. "Day After Day" is a seemingly simple but well-crafted song, full of love and longing. It tells the story of a man who proclaims his love to someone who has left. We don't know what happened between them, but he is sad and lonely, and hopes they will be back together soon. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written, and it stands the test of time. 

The video, linked to YouTube at the top of this post,  shows clips of the band walking through the open countryside, spending time at a farmhouse, wading in a stream, and enjoying being together on a beautiful day. A woman is present in some of the shots, presumably a wife or girlfriend of one of the band members. I could not find out where the video was filmed, but since the band members were Welsh, it was most likely somewhere in Wales. I don't know if was the actual promotional video, or if it was put together later, but it is a joyful, hopeful, life affirming video that accompanies the song perfectly. I hope you enjoy it!

Sunset (Photo by Madalin Colita) (link)

In Memory of David Bowie (1947-2016)

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy 

With Bing Crosby (Recorded 1977, Released 1982)

In honor of David Bowie, who passed away one year ago today, and who would have celebrated his 70th birthday two days ago, I am posting an updated version of my original tribute post from January 12, 2016, with new videos added. 

In Memory of David Bowie (1947-2016)

David Bowie was truly an original! I was fortunate enough to see him in concert in 1990, on his Sound + Vision tour. I saw him in Philadelphia. The photo below was taken on that same tour when he performed in Chile. Although I wasn't a fan of much of his later music, his work from the seventies and eighties was amazingly creative and influential, and it has formed an important part of the soundtrack of my life. I knew that he had just finished a new album, but I had no idea he was so sick. I was sad to hear that he passed away on Sunday, January 10th, 2 days after his 69th birthday, and I hope he is now at peace. He will be missed. 

David Bowie in Chile 1990 By Jorge Barrios,via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Bowie_Chile.jpg

I've posted links to videos of some of my favorite David Bowie songs as a tribute: 

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (with Bing Crosby), (1977/1982) is a wonderful Christmas song that perfectly blends the voices of two very different stars, from different generations.  

Starman (1972), Rebel Rebel (1974) and Ziggy Stardust (1972) are classic early 70s favorites, showcasing his unique music and style. The video for Ziggy Stardust is exceptional: it has amazing footage, onstage and backstage, from the early 70's from a BBC Documentary.

Under Pressure (with Queen) (1981) This amazing song brought out the best in both David Bowie and Freddie Mercury of Queen, and remains one of my favorite songs of all time. The video here for Under Pressure is not the original, and the bands are mostly shown separately, but it has some good concert footage.

Ashes to Ashes (1980) is a classic Bowie song, and the video is surprisingly futuristic. In it, Bowie holds up a photograph that moves, looking intriguingly like a 21st century tablet computer.

Space Oddity (Cover by Passenger) (2016) is a haunting and beautiful version of this song recorded as a fitting tribute shortly after Bowie's death. 

No Plan (2017) This dreamlike song and video was released posthumously this week.

Starman(1972)

Rebel Rebel (1974)

Ziggy Stardust (1972)

Under Pressure- With Queen (1981)

Ashes to Ashes (1980)

Space Oddity- Cover Version by Passenger (2016)

No Plan (Posthumously Released) (2017)

Song of the Day: The Monkees - "Daydream Believer" (Official Music Video)

"Daydream Believer", released in 1967, is probably the most popular and enduring song by the Monkees. It is happy, hopeful and innocent, and a great timeless pop song. The official video is colorful, fun and could have only been made in the 60's!

Photo of Davy Jones and Maureen McCormick from the television program The Brady Bunch. (November 23, 1971) Photo By ABC Television link

David "Davy" Jones, the cute lead singer (and everybody's favorite Monkee) would have celebrated his 71st birthday today--he was born on December 30, 1945, in Openshaw, Manchester, England. Sadly, he passed away in 2012. 

The Monkees television episodes originally aired from 1966 to 1968, but reruns of the sitcom were broadcast for many years, introducing new generations of fans to their music.  From 1986 to 2011, the band reunited and toured several times, and even recorded new music.

The Monkees in May 1967 link

Fans remember Davy Jones for his distinctive voice, charm and good looks. Davy's official website is www.davyjones.net. It features pictures, merchandise, biographical information and personal stories from people who knew him.

Davy Jones loved horses, and even trained as a jockey in his teens. In later years, he raced as an amateur, and he kept a herd of mostly rescued racehorses. After his death, his family created the Davy Jones Equine Memorial Foundation (DJEMF), which helps to care for his beloved horses. To find out more, or become a supporter, click the foundation link on his official website, or visit www.djemf.com.

Happy Birthday Graham Nash

Graham Nash Performing in 2006 as Part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young --Photo by Matthew Harris (source) (license)

Today is Graham Nash's 74th birthday. Born in Blackpool, England on February 2, 1942, he is a musician, songwriter, political activist and photographer, and is a dual citizen of The United Kingdom and the United States. He was a member of the British group The Hollies, before joining with David Crosby and Steven Stills in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills and Nash (also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young when joined by Neil Young.) In addition to singing, he plays the guitar, keyboard, drums and harmonica.

Click on the links below to hear some of Graham Nash's greatest songs. They were all written or co-written by him, except for Blackbird, by the Beatles, and Suite Judy Blue Eyes, which was written by Steven Stills, but is included because it captures the band's beautiful vocal harmonies so perfectly.



Carrie Ann by the Hoillies (1967)

Our House, CSNY (orginal recording 1970-- video posted 2008)

Marrkesh Express & Blackbird (From Woodstock 1969--Blackbird is a Beatles Cover)

Suite Judy Blue Eyes (From Woodstock--1969)

Wasted On the Way (Original Recording 1982--Concert From 1989)

David Bowie (1947-2016)

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy 

With Bing Crosby

David Bowie was truly an original! I was fortunate enough to see him in concert in 1990, on his Sound + Vision tour. I saw him in Philadelphia. The photo below was taken on that same tour when he performed in Chile. Although I wasn't a fan of much of his later music, his work from the seventies and eighties was amazingly creative and influential, and it has formed an important part of the soundtrack of my life. I knew that he had just finished a new album, but I had no idea he was so sick. I was sad to hear that he passed away on Sunday, January 10th, 2 days after his 69th birthday, and I hope he is now at peace. He will be missed. 

David Bowie in Chile 1990 By Jorge Barrios,via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Bowie_Chile.jpg

I've posted links to videos of some of my favorite David Bowie songs as a tribute: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (with Bing Crosby), Starman, Rebel Rebel, Ziggy Stardust and Under Pressure (with Queen). The video for Ziggy Stardust is exceptional: it has amazing footage, onstage and backstage, from the early 70's from a BBC Documentary. The video for Under Pressure is not the original, and the bands are mostly shown separately, but it has some good concert footage, and it's still one of my favorite songs of all time.

Starman

Rebel Rebel 

Ziggy Stardust

Under Pressure- With Queen

A Warm Place

Photo Courtesy of splitshire.com

An evening of sweet contentment at the end of a busy week...a golden place outside of time where worries and concerns melt away, and friends are truly happy in each others company. Sometimes we try too hard to create these special moments. The magical times in life that we always remember often come when we least expect them. The following passage is a remembrance of a warm, happy get together with a group of seemingly random friends almost 100 years ago, on a rainy night in California....

Roses and Rain

     Last night we sat in the quiet room--a few friends together--and heard the wind rattling the palm leaves outside in the garden, like some ghostly senorita clicking a pair of invisible castanets in tune to some haunting rhythm.

     The fire burned on the hearth, a fire of eucalyptus logs, with now and then a branch of aromatic leaves, flaming suddenly into leaping life and filling the room with their pungent and somehow exotic perfume.

     We put out the bright lights from the center of the room, and let the shadows fall from the little gleaming lamps that are like fire-flies, flitting in the dusk like so many swiftly passing thoughts and pleasant memories.

     There we were, the young couple so dead in love with each other, and so full of the joy of living. Sweet Sixteen, a little terrified at her vague glimpse of life—Twenty-one, virile and modest and somehow eagerly hopeful.

     The Home Woman, the Woman of the World, the Artist, the Genius, the Singer and the Priest. A strange company, strangely mixed, and yet there we sat in the quiet little room—together, like passengers on a raft picked up from the wild sea and held together by some strange accident of fate.

     We talked, not of politics, not of war or of diplomacy—not even of the high cost of living, or of the effect of the vote upon women.

     We talked of books and poetry, and of music, and one told a quaint little story of a wounded pigeon, and the rescue of it, and the fire burned and the wind sang, and gradually the stress of the world and the anxiety and restless, uneasy ambition of it fell from us like an outworn cloak. And there we were, like little children, talking together in the twilight of some great primeval forest.

     And one sang—a simple song of love and memory and tears.

     “Roses and rain” and the Artist smiled, and the Woman of the World sighed, and there were tears in the eyes of the Home Woman.

     The Genius it was who sang—and the Singer sat by the fire and listened.

     The Young Wife’s hand stole to the hand of her Husband, and the Priest sat like one in a deep reverie. Was he thinking of the roses that bloomed in the dooryard of his home across the sea, and the fragrance of them in the sweet June rain?

     And we didn’t care who was elected or who was defeated, and somewhere, far down in the city below, the (news) boys were calling “extra, extra, extra!”—all about something or other very important, which concerned us not in the very least.

     And the Singer was generous, and poured out for us like a libation on the altar of friendship his voice of molten silver—French songs he sang full of the quick and glancing grace of a fountain leaping in the moonlight. German lieder, simple and brooding, like the lullabies a mother sings to her child. Italian, too, he sang, and the room glowed with the fire and the passion of the melting music of Italy.

     “Eileen Allana”—how he sang it—the simple old ballad, and how we drank every lilting note of it, like thirsty travelers in a dry and arid desert.

     And so the quiet evening spent itself, and at the end she sang again, the woman with the strange dark eyes—“Roses and Rain”—and we were one with the sunshine and the dew and knew again the sweet and rapturous pang of youth and moonlight and the mystery of the stars.

     “Roses and Rain”—the wind in the palm trees, the fire on the hearth, dear faces in the soft dimness of the quiet room. What is there sweeter, what more beautiful, what more to be gained in life than these?

 --from Roses and Rain by Annie Laurie (1920)

Illustration from Godey's Lady's Magazine, January 1880

Happy New Year 2016!!!

 
 "Aqua String Band - 2010 Performance" by Roniannacone - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.


With sunshine and a high temperature of 45 degrees, this is a great day for the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia!

The Mummers Parade is a great Philadelphia tradition, held each year on New Years Day. (It occasionally has had to be rescheduled due to bad weather.) It is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the USA.

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"Aqua String Band - 2011 Performance" by Roniannacone - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.



 

"Aqua2007" by Roniannacone at en.wikipedia - Own work