James Hunter: "Carina" (2008)

Our crew has been decimated by whatever flu and bug that has tortured the residents of Florida the last 90 days. We are looking more like Monahan's Song of the Month right now. But the crew is filtering back in off of the sick list and we'll be picking up the pace.

James Hunter (James Huntsman), was born in England in 1962. He was influenced by his grandmothers 50's and 60's rock and R & B 78 rpm records and also by his older brother Perry Huntsman who plays fingerstyle acoustic guitar.

He would work for the railroad by day and do any gigs he could get. Hunter's career began with a band called "Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays," who released their first album in 1986 entitled Cry Wilf. Later he released three more with his own band.One evening at a 90's show in Wales, Van Morrison caught his act an hired him on to his tour as a backup singer. According to Hunter's bio on his website: Morrison said, “He’s one of the best voices and best kept secrets in British R&B and soul.” He would appear on two of Van's albums before putting one out of his own.

This 2006 breakthrough album People Gonna Talk, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album that year. He released another critically acclaimed album in 2008 called The Hard Way. This album was praise by Rolling Stone with the accolade: “unbelievably awesome” and the New York Times praised the albums “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.” The Hard Way is where you will find "Carina".

I'll steal your heart away in time
It's only fair cause you have mine
Oh Carina
Don't make me wait too long

Baby can you tell me true
Do I stand a chance with you
Oh Carina
Don't make me wait too long

Good things will come
To those who wait
But too long will be too late

I'll be brave as I know how
Courage don't you fail me now
Oh Carina don't make me wait too long

"Carina" feels like is was recorded at Muscle Shoals in 1958, not 2008. It is a smooth delight mixing Hunters effortless singing with plucking violins and a beautiful piano riff floating in the background. A total keeper and a unanimous choice by the crew at Monahan's Song of the Week.

There is not a lot more about him on the net, but we have his three albums and that is doing the talking for him.

"Carina" came out as an animated video, and we think you will enjoy it!

"Tainted Love" :Gloria Jones (1964), Soft Cell (1981)

Born in Cincinnati, Gloria Jones started singing at a very early age would move to L.A., and at 14 record an album with the great Billy Preston.

By the early 60's she was recording regularly and toured all over the United States. She started to perform in musicals as well and has credits for writing many songs including one for the Supremes and Jr. Walker and the All-Stars.

She would meet Marc Bolan of T-Rex in 1969 and would be together until they had an accident (she was driving) in which Bolan was killed (1977). Gloria suffered injuries that ruined her voice and ended her singing career.

Bolan and Jones had a son Rolan Bolan who was 2 at the time of the accident. Problems with the estate resulted in their being near penniless. Marc Bolan's friend David Bowie paid for Rolan's education. He has released and album and has a band. Jones runs an orphanage in Sierra Leone.

"Tainted Love" would be the first of her recordings after being signed to the Champion label. It was released as a "B" side to a single that flopped.
In 1976 (before his death), Mark Bolan produced another recording of the song sung again by Gloria Jones, but that flopped as well.

In 1981, Soft Cell covered the song with a completely different arrangement that was full of synth and a slower tempo than the previous two versions done by Jones. The low vocals by Mark Almond gave the song a different feel as well. The song was a huge hit in England and would make it to #8 on American charts. It would stay in the top 40 for nearly a year. The timing was perfect at a time when synth dance music was the rage.

"Tainted Love" would be released as an EP as well where the song transitions into the Supremes "Where Did Our Love Go?"

According to Wikipedia, the songs video was ranked by VH1 as the fifth best  music video ever.

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.