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- All Shook Up: How Rock 'N' Roll Changed America - Glenn C. Altshuler
- The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee, Peter Richmond
- The B-Side: The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of the Great American Song - Ben Yadoga
- Singing From the Floor: A History of British Folk Clubs - JP Bean
- Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century - Nate Chinen
- Lets Do It: The Birth of Pop - Bob Stanley
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Monthly Archives: February 2024
“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” – Paul McCartney (2012)
I‘m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” was written in 1935 by Fred E. Ahlert, with lyrics by Joe Young. It is a part of the Great American Songbook, having been recorded by many of the biggest names in … Continue reading
Posted in Jazz
Tagged Fred E. Ahlert, Jack Little Joe Young, Paul McCartney
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“In Old Shantytown” – The Ink Spots (1959)
“In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town” was written by Ira Schuster and Jack Little with lyrics by Joe Young, published in 1932. Ted Lewis and His Band performed it in the film The Crooner also in 1932. That version was released as a single and went to #1 and stayed … Continue reading
Posted in Early Jazz
Tagged Ira Shuster, Jack Little Joe Young, The Ink Spots
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“I Found a Million Dollar Baby” – Waring’s Pennsylvanians (1931)
“I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store)” was written by Harry Warren (music) and Mort Dixon and Billy Rose (lyrics), and published in 1931. It was introduced in the 1931 Broadway musical Billy Rose’s Crazy Quilt where it was sung … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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“For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield (1966)
Have you ever asked a serious songwriter what a given song is “about”? I’ve tried a few times and I can’t say I’ve ever come away particularly satisfied. More often than not the response is some form of asking me … Continue reading
Posted in Folk Rock
Tagged Buffalo Springfield, Stephen Still
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“Ain’t We Got Fun” – Van and Schenck (1921)
“Ain’t We Got Fun” was published in 1921 – music by Richard A. Whiting, lyrics by Raymond B. Egan and Gus Kahn (all members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame). It’s a boppin’ little number about how much fun it is to be poor, which … Continue reading
Posted in 1920s, Early Jazz
Tagged Gus Kahn, Raymond B. Egan, Richard A. Whiting
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“There’s a Rugged Road” – Judee Lynne Sill (1973)
A couple of years ago, Rolling Stone ran a story with the title “10 Folk Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You Never Heard.” Among the 10 is one by Judee Sill called Heart Food, released in 1973. Judith … Continue reading
Posted in Americana
Tagged Judee Sill
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“Come Around” – Rob Lutes (2021)
Rob Lutes is a Canadian folk and blues musician, born in Toronto, raised in New Brunswick, and currently based in Montreal. He has preformed solo and also with the band Sussex, producing albums since 2000. He received his first Canadian … Continue reading
Posted in Canadian Folk Music
Tagged CFMAs, Rob Lutes
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“Low Bridge, Everybody Down” – Bruce Springsteen (2006)
“Low Bridge, Everybody Down” was written by Thomas S. Allen. It has also been called “Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal”, “Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal”, “Erie Canal Song”, “Erie Barge Song”, and “Mule Named Sal.” Mr. Allen (1876-1919) … Continue reading
Posted in Folk music
Tagged Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Thomas S. Allen
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“On the Road” – Micheal Johnson (1973)
“On the Road” is a song I have always loved. I first heard it on John Denver’s 1974 album “Back Home Again.” You can find all the credits courtesy of Discogs at the link. That album had other gems on … Continue reading
Posted in Americana
Tagged John Denver, Michael Johnson
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“Dublin Blues” – Guy Clark (1995)
Guy Clark was an iconic American songwriter and folksinger with more than twenty albums to his credit. In 2014 he won a GRAMMY for “My Favourite Picture of You.” His songs have been recorded by a great many of the … Continue reading