Tuesday, September 8, 2009

FSOTD #15 (1972/1976/2007)

Back from Tennessee...three nights in a tent, a sore back, and the somewhat wide-eyed memory of what I'm pretty sure was a black bear growling close by camp around 5am Monday morning.

3 days away...3 songs

Saturday, Sept 5. "A Good Feelin' To Know," the Richie Furay-penned title track from the 1972 album by Poco. The song did not chart, but received airplay on the "heavier" FM stations and is well-remembered by Poco fans. "Good Feelin'..." was the second post-Jim Messina Poco album. Future Eagle Tim Schmidt was still in the band.

Sunday, Sept. 6. "Year of The Cat"...1976, by Al Stewart. This was a top 10 hit on both sides of the pond, but looking back, it was songs just like this (and by the Jefferson Starship and Fleetwood Mac and such) that paved the way for the rise of "new wave" music - The Cars, Elvis Costello, Blondie). Disco played a part as well, of course. Punk was already established, but the mainstream rock audience was yearning for a new direction (whether they knew it or not).

Two interesting things I learned from Wiki about Al: He knew Yoko Ono in her pre-John Lennon days. Is that good or bad? Second thing...he once shared a flat in London with Paul Simon. Ok, now that is cool.

Monday, Sept 7. From 2007, Monday's FSOTD was Dwight Yoakam's cover of the Buck Owens classic "Act Naturally." While not penned by Owens, the song attained signature status when he released in 1963. There are many who probably remember it as a Beatles song, sung by Ringo and released in 1965. Cut to 2007, and Yoakam releases the cover album Dwight Sings Buck, including "Act Naturally."

What a talent Yoakam is - first rate as both an actor and a musician. His turn in "Sling Blade" is as tasty and hateful as a redneck bully can be. And if you get the chance, go see him in concert; he puts on a dynamite show.

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