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Entries categorized as “Friday MP3 Shuffle” 276 results
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Patrick Pentland Edition
Sloan has been one of the most consistent bands of the past 20 years. This is due in part to the fact that all four members of the band are talented songwriters. Sloan’s lead guitarist Patrick Pentland celebrates his birthday today, and while he has not been as prolific as other members, he has written (and sung) some of their most beloved songs. Pentland’s first band was a heavy metal outfit called Prosecutor, which they intended to call Persecutor. Perhaps in this ill-fated act, Pentland developed his love for the big riff, which he has used to great effect on Sloan classics like “Money City Maniacs” and “If It Feels Good Do It”. He’s not all about the rock, as he has written great pop tunes like “Everything You’ve Done Is Wrong” and “Losing California”. And next year, Pentland will get one album side for his own tunes, as the upcoming Sloan album will give each member one side for their tunes. In honor of Pentland, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle, and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Bill Monroe Edition
This week, let’s celebrate the birthday of the King of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. The Kentucky born Monroe got started in music in 1929 and had a number of hit records with his brother in the ‘30s. After World War II, Monroe assembled a legendary group of musicians for his Blue Grass Boys, and really began to spread the style of music around the world. Monroe’s band included the future duo of Flatt & Scruggs. Over two years, they recorded classic after classic, including Monroe’s theme song, “Blue Moon Over Kentucky”. Great musicians would come and go in his band, which rode high until the latter part of the ‘50s. The folk revival revived Monroe, who kept recording for years, and played his final show in 1996. His influence on American music is towering. In honor of Bill Monroe, grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Jimmy Reed Edition
Today, let’s pay tribute to a legendary bluesman, Jimmy Reed. Reed was a key figure in moving blues towards the electric guitar and his laid back sound gave him crossover appeal. Well, that and classic songs like “Bright Lights Big City”. Reed got his start in Chicago and became a success on this city’s Vee Jay label. Reed’s other hits include “Big Boss Man”, “Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby” and “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, and he has been covered by everyone from Elvis Presley to Neil Young to Grateful Dead to The Rolling Stones. Indeed, the Stones have done a number of Reed tunes. In honor of Mr. Reed, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle, and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Kitty Wells Edition
She was thinking of getting out of the music business entirely, when a Decca Records executive asked her if she’d cut a record. She said yes, since they would pay her $125 for the session, but she didn’t think it would go anywhere. So Kitty Wells cut “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” and it wasn’t much longer before she became the first queen of country music. The proto-feminist song was controversial but paved the way Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and other independent thinking female country singers. Wells became the first female to top the country chart and then had an amazing run of chart success from 1952 through 1969. She blazed trails all the time. For example, she was the first female country singer to record a full album. Her influence resonated for decades, as shown by her appearance on k.d. lang’s Shadowland album (along with Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn). Nowadays, she’s not remembered enough, but her impact cannot be understated. Let’s pay tribute to Kitty by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Keith Moon Edition
He came to audition for the band that ultimately became The Who with ginger hair. And ginger clothes. He played like a wild man. He was the final piece of the first great power trio in rock history. Keith Moon was an outsized figure amongst the outsized personalities of the British Invasion. In addition to becoming a very influential, oft-imitated (but never equaled drummer), he established himself as the Clown Prince of Rock. Whether it was tasteless adventures with Viv Stanshall or trashing hotel rooms or who knows what, Moon truly was the Loon. And as The Who progressed, he adapted (listen to his work on Quadrophenia). Sadly, his lifestyle aged him at double the rate of a normal human, and he passed away 35 years ago. But try to find video of the band around 1966 or so and watch him play. There’s never been anything like him – a real joy to watch. Let’s celebrate Keith Moon’s birthday by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.