Dr. John: "Right Place, Wrong Time" (1973)

Happy birthday Dr. John! This one is for you!

It was 1973 when Dr. John, the great ambassador of New Orleans funk, released the album In the Right Place. It was produced by  Allen Toussaint  and vocal backup included The Meters.  He had already cornered the market with previous albums that featured voodoo stylings and New Orleans standards, but this was funk!

The album made it to #24 on the album charts and "Right Place, Wrong Time" would reach #9 as a single. It is still in heavy rotation on whatever AOR radio stations that are left. 

According to Wiki: "Artists such as Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, and Doug Sahm contributed single lines to the lyrics, which lists several instances of ironic bad luck and failure." True that. This is ironic and iconic bad luck! But who is this guy really?

John "Mac" Rebennack was born in New Orleans on November 21, 1940 and is most widely known as Dr. John. He has also been called Dr. John Creaux and "The Night Tripper" as her refers to himself.

He remains a monster tour player even today. He has been prolific in recording having 118 releases not counting EP's or singles. He would go on to win six Grammy's and was introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by John Legend.

Despite all this attention, "Right Place, Wrong Time" has endured as his most popular song. He was quoted in an interview with Dr. John via Songfacts stating this about the song: " That was my life for a long time. At the same time I was in the wrong place at the right time, and the right place in the wrong time, too. That was the problem. We're always shifting those gears."

The "brain salad surgery" line in this song provided the title for the Emerson, Lake & Palmer album which was released later in 1973.

I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I been in the right trip but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a bad place and I'm wondering what it's good for
I been the right place but it must have been the wrong time
My head was in a bad place but I'm having such a good time


The staff at Monahan's Song of the Week wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy this song!

Desafinado: Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd (1962)

In Portuguese, desafinado translates as "out of tune", or "off key". That is certainly not the case with this performance by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd who took this song that was released by Joao Gilberto in 1959, made it the definitive version of the song.



Their version would be a hit on both the pop and easy-listening charts and is today an anthem for the batchelor pad, retro and cocktail nation genre of music. Getz would win a Grammy for his performance and most agree that the arrangement by Charlie Byrd was the key to the song and the entire albums success (Jazz Samba).

In 1963 Gilberto would hook up with Getz and record the album Getz/Gilberto, in 1963,^[5]with Antonio Carlos Jobim (who composed the song), João Gilberto and his wife, Astrud Gilberto. Their "The Girl from Ipanema" would win a Grammy Award.  We have included their version of Desafinado for your listening pleasure.


The Getz/Byrd version is an instrumental. Gilberto put his version out with lyrics in Portuguese and there are two English lyric versions. Desafinado would be voted in Rolling Stone as one of the greatest Brazillian songs ever.

Desafinado would be covered ten times in 1962 alone, and Last FM notes 124 versions of the song historically.

You insist my music goes against the rules

But rules were never meant for lovesick fools

I wrote this little song for you but you don't care

Its a crooked song oh but all my love is there

 

The thing that you would see if you would play your part

Is even if I'm out of tune I have a gentle heart

I took your picture with my trusty rollaflex

And now all I have developed is a complex

 

Possibly in vain I hope you weaken oh my love

And forget these rigid rules that undermine my dream of

A life of love and music with someone who'll understand

That even though I may be out of tune

When I attempt to say how much I love you

All that matters is the message that I bring

Which is my dear one I love you

 

Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott Yanow as "one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists" (Wiki). 

"My life is music, and in some vague, mysterious and subconscious way, I have always been driven by a taut inner spring which has propelled me to almost compulsively reach for perfection in music, often - in fact, mostly - at the expense of everything else in my life. - Stan Getz
 

Charlie Lee Byrd (September 16, 1925 – December 2, 1999) was an American guitarist. His earliest and strongest musical influence was Django Reinhardt, the gypsy guitarist. Byrd was best known for his association with Brazilian music, especially bossa nova. Byrd played fingerstyle on a classical guitar.

Enjoy these songs. The crew at Monahan's Song recommends pairing your listening to these versions of Desafino with a dry martini.

 

Our Interview with Jesse Montoya

Jesse Montoya is a rising start on the Jacksonville music scene. Her singing and guitar playing style is getting her noticed as the number of venues she is seen performing in increase.

The crew at Monahan's Song have seen her many times and we interviewed her at one of her gigs:

What was the first song you ever learned to play?

The Twilight Zone Theme song was the first song I ever learned.

What was the first song you ever performed in front of an audience?

Waiting for Dawn by Andrew York was the first song that I ever performed solo.

What was the coolest venue you ever performed in?

Its a three-way tie; The Jacksonville Landing, Underbelly for Dylan Fest 2013 and The Riverside Arts Market

Your style more than hints of a classical training in the past. How has that helped your performing/ songwriting?

I am a finger-style player first and foremost, even my country and traditional blues playing is finger-style. My classical training helped me a great deal by giving me the techniques to pursue those genres with fewer obstacles. Of course each genre has its own expressions but that is more a matter of the ear than technique.

What advice would you give someone who is just now starting to write and perform in North Florida?

In the beginning playing every show possible helped me overcome my stage fright. It also taught me that the audience wants musicians to play well and they want to have a good time. So "Go where it's dangerous and say yes" - Ry Cooder

What famous musicians do you admire? Why?

There are so many that I admire, but here are a few: 

•        Patsy Cline for her perfect voice.
•        Skip James for his guitar style.
•        John Lee Hooker for his stomping foot.

There are great performers making music in Jacksonville. Who is your biggest local influence?

My biggest local influences are Tala, Newstrangers, and of course Ron Aubrey Johnson. They are all amazing musicians and an inspiration to anyone who loves the study of Music.

How do you balance your music with other life obligations?

Truthfully I have no idea how I balance my obligations. I currently work two jobs and play as many gigs as possible. It gets pretty hectic sometimes but I am lucky to have such wonderful bosses who value musicians and the art of making music.

Where can we see you play?

I perform all around Jacksonville. You can see me at Burro Bar, Underbelly, Bold Bean, Riverside Arts Market, Buddha Lounge, Grape & Grain Exchange, etc. I have also performed in St. Augustine at Jackson's Garage and Shanghai Nobby's. I am currently planning a tour of the Southeast for Spring 2015.

http://jessemontoya.com

Jesse Montoya: jessecarole@gmail.com

Gary Moore: "Still Got the Blues for You" (1990)

 
"Still Got the Blues (For You)" is a song by Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore which was originally released on the 1990 album "Still Got the Blues". The song was released as a single and reached #97 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It is the only single of Moore's to chart in the Billboard Hot 100. Later in 1990 Gary Moore and Ian Taylor filmed a basic music video for the song. Gary Moore played his Les Paul Standard Guitar throughout the song.


Robert William Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011), was a Northern Irish musician, most widely recognised as a singer and brilliant guitarist.

In a career dating back to the 1960s, Moore played with musicians including Phil Lynott and Brian Downey during his teens, leading him to memberships with the Irish bands Skid Row and Thin Lizzy

Biographer Greg Prato states: One of rock's most underrated guitarists (both from a technical and compositional point of view), Gary Moore remains relatively unknown in the U.S., while his solo work has brought him substantial acclaim and commercial success in most other parts of the world -- especially in Europe.

The song is a moody and sad anthem of lost love with soaring guitar riffs and is completed by Moore's vocals that match the song in every way.

Used to be so easy to give my heart away
But I found out the hard way
There's a price you have to pay
I found out that love, was no friend of mine
I should have known time after time

So long, it was so long ago
But I've still got the blues for you

Used to be so easy to fall in love again
But I found out the hard way
It's a road that leads to pain
I found that love, was more than just a game
You're playin' to win, but you lose just the same

Gary Moore died of a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 58 during the early hours of February 6, 2011. Tests later pointed that the heart attack's cause was a massive ingestion of alcohol according to the Daily Mail.

The song was covered by Eric Clapton on his 2013 album "Old Sock", as a tribute to the late guitarist. We have included it below...

The Shirelles: "Baby It's You" (1961), Smith: "Baby It's You" (1969)

Bert Bacharach is back. We featured his first song ever "The Blob" by The Five Blobs in an October 2012 post.

"Baby It's You" was written by Bert in 1961and was performed originally by The Shirelles, who hailed from Passaic, New Jersey. The Shirelles, via Wiki: " have been described as having a "naive schoolgirl sound" that contrasted with the sexual themes of many of their songs. Several of their hits used strings and baião-style music. They have been credited with launching the girl group genre, with much of their music reflecting the genre's essence."

They were credited as being the first African-American girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100, or the first girl group overall, with the song "Will You Love Me Tomorrow".

" Baby It's You" would make it to number eight on the U. S. Pop charts and number three on the R & B charts that year.

The song owes a lot of it's popularity to the vocal arrangements and key changes. In this version, the lilting organ provides a melancholy touch complementing the vocals.

Is it true what they say about you?
They say you'll never, ever, never be true.
It doesn't matter what they say.
I know I'm gonna love you any old way.
What can I do?
What 'bout you?
Don't want nobody, nobody.
Baby, it's you.
Baby, it's you.

The Sha-la-la's are a factor as well and play right into The Shirelle's vocal wheelhouse.

The Beatles would immediately cover the song at their live stage performances and record it in 1963 for their first album, Please Please Me. One could easily see John Lennon being taken with The Shirelles version and wanting to make it his own. The Beatles used the same vocal arrangements as the original and is a very good song so we have included their version in this post.

No less than 28 other acts covered this song over the years including Pia Zadora, Elvis Costello & Nick Lowe, and Chrissie Hynde.

But the staff at Monahan's Song must pay homage to the 1969 version by Smith. Here we have a different vocal arrangement with a bluesy shouter taking center stage. The vocal performance by Gayle McCormick makes the song stick. Their version went gold in short order and would reach number five on the charts out selling both prior versions mentioned previously.

Smith was "discovered" by Del Shannon, and he arranged the song to feature McCormick, who had recently joined the band. It is no surprise to us that Del would keep an organ in the arrangement.

Enjoy all three version of this great classic rock tune.
   







The Marshall Tucker Band: This Ol' Cowboy (1974)

We remember Spring days in the north when you were finally able to open the windows in your dorm because the sun had arrived and the snow was gone. Parties erupted on the sunny dry lawns and music blared from those dorm windows.

This Ol' Cowboy was one of those songs. While it will no doubt come across to you as country, it was considered mainstream Southern Rock and The Marshall Tucker Band was in the forefront of that movement. Their infusion of jazz elements is obvious and this set them apart in our opinion. The flute playing by Jerry Eubanks takes the song to another level and the guest fiddle playing by Charlie Daniels and Andy Stein (Commander Cody), makes this an irresistible tune.

This song is the story of a guy who has been around the block, and one more ended relationship is not going to devastate him:

Well I'm sittin' down in San Antone
Waiting on an eight o'clock train
My woman left me here last night
Things ain't been quite the same
I gotta get back to Dallas
And tie up a few loose ends
I'm gonna work a week make a hundred dollars
Aw and hit the road again
So I don't want you to think
That you're the first one
To leave me out here on my own
Cause this ain't gonna be the first time
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone

The Marshall Tucker Band traces its origins to South Carolina and was centered around the Caldwell brothers Toy and Tommy. Toy wrote most of their songs (including this one) and Tommy played bass. The band still exists today but really peaked in the late 70's. 

As per Wiki: The original lineup of the Marshall Tucker Band, formed in 1972, included lead guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter Toy Caldwell (1947–1993), vocalist Doug Gray (born 1948), keyboard player, saxophone player, and flutist Jerry Eubanks (born 1950), rhythm guitarist George McCorkle (1946–2007), drummer Paul Riddle (born 1953), and bassist Tommy Caldwell (1949–1980). They signed with Capricorn Records and in 1973 released their first LP, The Marshall Tucker Band.

Where We All Belong, which contains This Ol' Cowboy, was the third album by The Marshall Tucker Band. It is a double album; album one is a studio album (on which This Ol' Cowboy appears) and album two is a live album, featuring extensive jamming by the band and guests.. Album one was recorded in 1974 in Macon, Georgia at Capricorn Studios.

As a vinyl double album, disc one is side one and four, and disc two is side two and three. If you ever had a phonograph and stacked records, you will understand why.

The band would have many gold and also a platinum album run during the 70's.

Sadly, things did not go well for the Caldwells. Tommy died in a car accident in 1980 only a month after another brother, Tim, was killed in a car wreck as well. Toy would battle addiction and succumb to a cocaine induced heart attack in 1993.

 

Monahan's Song: Our Interview With Savanna Leigh Bassett

Some of or staff were cruising along Bay Street during the One Spark Crowdfunding Festival last month, and came upon the creator booth for Savanna Leigh Bassett. Every time we stopped by she was standing and playing. Considering how long the five day festival was, we were already impressed. She is right in that her music does have a Beaches flavor to her country material, but it would be a mistake to end it there. She has a great range and depth of material. We suggest you check her out. 

What was the first song you ever learned?

-On guitar, it was the intro lick to "Sweet Home Alabama". Jacksonville, represent!

What was the first song you ever performed live?

-Once again, on guitar/voice, it was for a hospice event around Christmas-time, commemorating people who had passed that year. I sang the song "Breathe" by Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat. 

-I played violin and piano before I pursued singing/songwriting, so I had performed other pieces before, but I'm just answering these questions in reference to my songwriting/singing career.

What was the coolest venue you ever played?

-I really enjoy performing outside. There isn't one venue that comes to mind, but I've gotten to play at the Florida Folk Festival and in Central Park (NY) and at the Chain of Parks Festival in Tallahassee. Outdoor concerts really stick with me.

What advice would you give someone who is just now starting to write and perform in North Florida?

-Only do it as long as the fun outweighs the work. As soon as you start making yourself miserable, you gotta get out. Life's too short!

What famous musicians do you admire? Why?

-Chris Thile is a killer mandolin player and great bluegrass songwriter. I'm really impressed with all the different projects he's been involved in (Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, to name a few). I really admire any musician who is doing what I want to be doing -- touring and writing and performing. It takes hard work to get there so I think people who do that work are pretty great.

Who is your biggest local influence?

-Career-wise, a woman named Lyndie Burris. She is a great singer and good business woman and she is always really encouraging. Character-wise, my dad. He has always instilled a strong sense of integrity in me.

How do you balance your music with other life obligations?

-I don't. Haha, that's my answer in short. I spend a lot of time on music and unfortunately tend to neglect other things. I'm getting better at it, but it's so hard when I don't really have any deadlines. Everything in my music has a sense of urgency. I try to manage my time and do non-musicy things too, though.

Where can we see you play?

-Everywhere! I play around Jacksonville a lot but other places too. My show schedule can be found at www.savannaleighbassett.com. I play at Northstar the Pizza Bar downtown at 119 E Bay St every Thursday from 8-10pm.

Links:

www.savannaleighbassett.com

www.reverbnation.com/savannaleighbassett

www.facebook.com/SavannaLeighBassett

Contact:

savannabassett@gmail.com

An Interview With Road Less Travelled: Jeff Parker and Anne McKennon

Some of the staff here at Monahan's Song of the Week were engaged in a little travel out of Jacksonville's International Airport (JIA,)  a few weeks ago. JIA was recently rated one of the nicest airports in the U.S. Hard not to believe that when you walk in to the terminal and can hear a duo like Road Less Travelled. We caught a set and proceeded to interview them. As their website points out, they are a Jacksonville, acoustic collaboration of Jeff Parker and Anne McKennon.  Their debut CD, "Treading Live" is self-recorded and available at performances.  Both singer-songwriters and life-long musicians, Jeff and Anne traveled different paths to get here.  Jeff brings strong experience on guitar, mandolin and vocals with an interest in flat and finger picking and improvisational work, particularly in folk and bluegrass.  Anne delivers rapid flexibility on 7 flutes and vocals with time spent in classical, Celtic and folk genres. 

Jeff: What was the first song you learned on guitar?

That would be "Rocky Raccoon" by the Beatles taught to me by my good friend Doug Abrahamson. It was the first song I played in a concert 1 year after I learned it at my brothers graduation ceremony along with "Cowgirl In The Sand" by Neil Young.

Anne: What was the first song you ever performed live?

In folk music, it was the flute lead on "Moondance" by Van Morrison.  I played it with the host band at an open mic & landed my first job in a band.

Both: How did you come up with your name Road Less Traveled?

Jeff: That was Anne's great idea. 

Anne: It is an adaptation of part of "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost "...Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Both: What was the coolest venue you ever played together?

Jeff:  I say Culhane's Irish Pub... What say you?

Anne: Toss-up between Culhane's & Meehan's.  Both have friendly charm & audiences interested in music.  Culhane's has a great stage.  Meehan's is in historic St. Augustine.

Both: What advice would you give someone who is just now starting to write and perform in North Florida?

Jeff: Thats a tough one...... Ummmm get an agent.   Don't sell yourself short. Copyright your material as soon as possible.  Do short sets at first so you don't wear yourself out.  

Anne: Pay attention - the live music environment is changing constantly.  Listen to your audience, your venues and above all, your own instincts.  Add tenacity and the copyright office.

Both: Who are your greatest influences?

Jeff:  Neil Young, Eagles, Jackson Browne, Pink Floyd, Loggins and Messina, James Taylor, John Denver, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, Bluegrass, folk, some country it's a long list and I might as well throw in there John McGloughlin and Santana. 

Anne: Bach/Telemann/Baroque Era, The Chieftans, Paul Simon, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Brightman, Cole Porter & Mary Ellen Potter (flute teacher in high school).

Both: You have a CD out called "Treading Live", what are your favorite cuts from that?        

Jeff: Brothers Keeper and Parkers Jig/McKennon's Reply and Promise.

Anne: Brother's Keeper & Sherwood Lullaby (for my nieces)

Road Less Traveled

Jeff Parker & Anne McKennon

Email: RLTSound@yahoo.com

Website: www.RLTSound.com

Facebook, Twitter & ReverbNation: RLTSound

Renato Carosone: "Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano (You Want to be Americano)" (1956)

Welcome to left field, where this song comes from. This brilliant parody song jumps at the speed of light and was written and recorded in 1956! Rock and roll was in it's infancy and here is a guy in Italy already incorporating the term into his lyrics. 

Renato Carosone was born in Naples in 1920 and left Italy to play in North Africa during World War II. He was a popular act but on returning to Italy, was an unknown and had to start all over again. He formed a band that grew and shrank before it gelled. By that time he teamed up with lyricist Nicola Salerno to try to win a radio contest, and the rest was history.

As the story goes, Salerno brought Carosone three sets of words. Carosone looked ant them and grabbed one. He immediately decided to create a Boogie-woogie song out of it, and 15 minutes later it was done. "Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano" would be a huge hit.

You'd like to be an American,
'merican, 'merican
listen to me, is it worth?
you want to be trendy
but if you drink "whiskey and soda"
and then you have a long hangover
You dance rock 'n' roll
you play baseball
but who gives you the money to buy Camels?
your mother's bag!


The video rocks! The drummer mugs the whole time, Carosone plays the piano like butter, there is a Boogie- woogie mandolin lead with a ocarina, and the sax player adds a clarinet at the same time! 

The song would be covered by Sophia Loren in the movies and countless covers have been performed since.  Perhaps the most recent was with Jude law singing it in "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

A notable cover was by Brian Setzer and his orchestra from the album Dirty Boogie , which several staff members saw live.


We are including the Carosone original and Setzer's version for your enjoyment.

Carosone would abruptly retire in 1960, shocking his fans. He would go back on tour in the 1970's and toured another 20 years. He would pass away in 2001.

Mi piacerebbe visitare l'Italia un giorno di questi!

Arthur Alexander: "You Better Move On" (1961)

You might think you'd better go
Now, I'm gettin' mighty mad
You've asked me to give up
The only love I've ever had
Maybe I would, oh, but I love her so
Never gonna let her go
You better move on
(You better move on)

Arthur Alexander wrote several of our favorite songs and this is one of them. Born in Alabama in 1940, he would have an early hit with "You Better Move On" which was recorded in a small studio in Muscle Shoals. The song became a R & B hit in 1961 and made it to #24 on the pop chart as well. The song features a classic bass intro., with his voice coming in behind it with a no nonsense fell. He projects a vocal that seems fragile but serious, like he is hurt but very prepared to provide a beat down if you don't "move on."

Alexander would go on to write songs for Elvis, The Beatles, Tina Turner, Otis Redding and Jerry Lee Lewis. Most notably, he wrote Anna (Go to Him) and had a R & B hit with that song as well, but most people think it was written by Lennon/McCartney as they performed a brilliant version of it as the Beatles.

You Better Move On would be covered by no less than 12 entertainers ranging from Dean Martin to Alan Merrill.

 

Alexander's career floundered between the late 1970's and 1993. He would drive a bus to make ends meet. He put a band together after being inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, but would die of a heart attack shortly thereafter.

According to Wikipedia, he was the only artist to have his songs covered by The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

We include his original of course, but also submit Willie "Mink" Deville's amazing version for your approval.

Tyrone Davis: "Turn Back the Hands of Time" (1970)

Jack Daniels was having problems in his relationship. He partnered with Bonnie Thompson and this song was the result. Daniels had written another of Tyrone Davis' his "Can I Change my Mind" in 1968.

As for singer Tyrone Davis, he was born Tyrone Fettson. Like many, many performers, he was born in Mississippi, but wound up in Chicago. He would wind up as chauffer for blues great Freddie King and also sang in clubs where he was discovered. His first records released as Tyrone the Wonder Boy did not do well, but he hit it big with his next label and changed his name to Davis at the suggestion of producer Carl Davis (very creative of him).
Tyrone would release 25 singles and 32 albums in his career, but no song for him was as successful as "Turn Back the Hands of Time." The song would sit two weeks at number one on the R & B charts and hit number three on the pop charts as well. The record would go gold the same year.


The song grabs you right away with the opening riff of base, which turns out to be the hook, along with the backing vocals saying "If I could turn back the hands of Time."

Oh darling I'm so lonely without you
Can't sleep at night always think about you
But if I had the chance to start all over
I would be wishing today on a four leaf clover
And leaving you with the last thing on my mind
If I could turn back the hands of time
Tyrone would have a successful career doing live performances. He had a stroke in 2004 and passed away in 2005 at the age of 66.