James Brown: "Try Me" (1958)

"Try Me" was originally named "Try Me (I Need You)" when James Brown and The Famous flames recorded it in 1958. "Please, Please, Please" had been their first hit in 1956. Try me charted in the Billboard Hot 100 and became a number one hit on the R & B charts as well.

James Brown had lost the original members of his group with the exception of Johnny Terry. He took on Little Richard's former back-up vocalists and kept going. Try me was suggested by someone Brown met in a nightclub and he asked his guitarist and singers to work on it. He took full solo credits however.

Try me Try me
Darlin tell me
I need you
Try me Try me
And your love will always be true
Oh I need you (I need you)

"The Godfather of Soul",  founding father of funk and "Soul Brother No. 1.",would become known as a tireless, electrifying live performer who the Rolling Stone would name as #7 in their 100 Greatest Artists list. The crew here at Monahan's Song of the Week will never forget his performance in the concert film "The T.A.M.I. Show" released in 1964.

A biopic. "Get On Up" was released in 2014 to great acclaim. It was produced by Mick Jagger.

"Mr. Dynamite", would eventually place 16 No. 1 hits on the R & B charts, and set a record for the most songs on the charts that did not make it to the top slot. He is a member of the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame respectively. He died of heart failure on Christmas Day 2006.

He would be married four times, fight drug addiction and have many a run in with the law.

But the time of "Try Me" was all before that. Brown referred to it as a pop song. There is great feeling in his vocals...

Los Lonely Boys: "Heaven" (2004)

A quick one today boys and girls. "Heaven" is an amazingly strong number from Los Lonely Boys, a self declared "Texican Rock" band. The song was written by brothers Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza, who are heavily featured in the songs video. 

The song did extremely well and would make it to number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reach number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. "Heaven would also go on to win a Grammy in 2004, Many think the song contributed mightily for their self-titled record going multi-platinum. 

Wikipedia mentions AllMusic reviewer Thom Jurek, who described the song as "infectious" and draws comparisons to the music of Freddie King,Stevie Ray Vaughan and Los Lobos. He goes on to state that "Heaven" is "a single in the old sense of the word: killer hook, easy groove, a slippery but unmistakable bridge with a beautiful vocal to boot -- all coming in under four minutes. I don't think we could top that description. 

Vamonos!

Save me from this prison
Lord, help me get away

Cause only you can save me now
From this misery

I've been lost in my own place
And I'm gettin' weary
How far is heaven?

Enjoy this Texas gem!

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