Spade Cooley

This is the first thing in the while that I have felt a need to share. But, it is just too good. It is from a short from 1945.

Sadly, I have not been able to figure out who the female singer is. However, the male singer is Tex Williams. He is famous for his hit “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke that cigarette. That is the song at the beginning of the movie “Thank You for Smoking”. I have included two versions of that below. The first is the original. The second is a cover by Asleep at the Wheel.

In Kentucky the Grass is Blue

The other day I had access to satellite radio.  While driving around listening to Del Mccoury’s awesome show on Sirius the friend that was with me asked about Bluegrass, and requested a compilation.  This is my response.  Since this is for introductory purposes, I tried to stick to classics.  Not all the songs are, but the artists are.  The only “modern” group I include here is the Del Mccory band.  However, since Del played with Bill Monroe, and since the Del Mccoury band are basically the best bluegrass band in the world, I thought it was fair to include.

For purposes of VERY quick explanation.  Bluegrass is a form of country of music that resulted when in the 1940’s bands started playing harder and faster versions of string band music.  String band music was common to Appalachia and has its routes in old sea shanties, Celtic fiddle tunes, English ballads and such.  Bluegrass is named for Bill Monroe’s band, the Bluegrass Boys.  Monroe was the “Father of Bluegrass” and was from Kentucky-the BLUEGRASS state.

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Romeo and Juliet

It is one of classic pieces of literature and thus it is a reoccuring theme in songs.  It is the story of Romeo and Juliet.  Of course, it is the basis of numerous movies, songs etc. over time.  Anyone seen “West Side Story?”.  But, the best musical form of it is probably the Dire Straits song (yes this my 2nd mention of Dire Straits).  I present two versions of that song here, the original with a goofy youtube video constructed from the movie version with Leo DiCaprio and Clare Daines, and a cover version by the Killers.  Now, I am not sure about how young country star do school, but it appears that Taylor Swift still had to read the story…and the evidence is her song “Love Story” presented here.  Now, this is of course a very old theme, and so I repreent that by going waaaay back.  To Tchaikovsky that is.  So, in two parts I give the London Symphony Orchestra performing the Fantasy Overture, which is based on, of course, Romeo and Juliet.  I bet you have heard it before.

Bryn

Is there really anyone cooler than Bryn Davies.  She is a California girl who plays bass in some of the best bluegrass bands that exist, and with dozens of people who are amazing.  She sings killer harmony, she plays cello and piano.  She has a degree in Jazz from Berklee.  And, if that is not enough, she has friggin f-hole tatoos like the famous man ray picture.  Oh, and this solo is amazing.

Knuckleball Catcher

This is a live performace of the Gillian Welch song “Knuckleball Catcher.”  Not only does this song combine two things I love-baseball and music, the song is gorgeous.  For those who do not know, Welch and David Rawlings went to Berklee in Boston.  Welch is a baseball fan and was inspired to write this song by than Red Sox cather Doug Mirabelli.  Mirablelli’s only job was to catch knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield.  Usually, he was removed from a game as soon as Wakefield was no longer pitching.  Thus, the “knuckleball catcher had only one job to do.”