Throwback Tracks -- March 29, 2018
David R. Smith
I'm writing this (or, at least starting this) the same day as last week's Throwback Tracks because when this comes out, I will be knee deep in tech for yet another show.
Why Dave, didn't you just open a show?
Yep! I sure did. But I'm into another one already! So I feel like the sooner I can get this week's Throwback Tracks ready, the less stress I'll have on a Wednesday night when I have all the show related things to do.
Plus I was watching a show on Netflix, heard a guitar lick that reminded me of the opening to the first song in this week's set and I didn't want to lose the idea to put it in. So I just started writing. And now we're here and you're reading nothing more than the ramblings of a tired brain. Lucky you!
...Music!
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new (*cough*) and different retro music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website (if possible...which is totally hit and miss with oldies), so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Reunion - Collective Soul
This is the final track on Collective Soul's sophomore album. I often discuss quintessential albums of the 90s and this one is definitely up there. Beginning to end, there might not be many better albums that came out of that era. It's funny: the singles from this album are extremely well known but like many albums, the songs that aren't the singles might be the best. And this one is a prime example.
It's very simple, musically. Particularly at the beginning. It's a simple electric guitar and lyrics. Add in a bit of an organ and background singers, and you have what sounds not unlike a gospel song. And we all know there's something about a choir singing that makes any song sound even better. (Though one could make the argument that the boys choir in Another Brick In the Wall is more creepy and less lovely)
This song is beautiful beginning to end. It's beautifully arranged, the lyrics are lovely, the background singers make it even better, and the simple slide guitar solo at the end is the icing on an already wonderful cake.
Band On The Run - Wings
Sometimes the songs just fall into place. You get into a groove and you just know exactly what the next song should be.
I was driving back from Calgary last weekend and a song by Wings came on my iPod (not this one) and I figured Wings should make an appearance on TBT sometime soon. Well this is their time. And this is a great song to put on. I honestly can't believe we haven't featured it already.
The song, in a way, reminds me of A Day In The Life, by the Beatles. If nothing else because it feels like a combination of a couple different songs all rolled into one. A medley, or suite, if you will. (Spoiler alert, the next song is also a song like that.)
The first two minutes of this song seem like they're all rise and the peak of the song is the verse where the rain exploded with a mighty crash. And then you just ride the wave of Sir Paul's musical genius through the rest of the song.
I don't know who the Jailer Man, or Sailor Sam are, but I'm happy they exist!
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel
I saw Billy Joel live in 2007. It was one of the best concerts I've ever seen in my life. The whole time, I was really hoping for 3 songs: Piano Man, Only The Good Die Young, and this song. Because they're my three favourites of his many tremendous hits. Well wouldn't you know it; he played all three in his encore. I was elated.
I grew up listening to Billy Joel. We had Volumes 1 and 2 of his greatest hits on a regular rotation in our house. Saturday nights were steak night and we would generally do a very simple, yet delicious pasta that became so synonymous with our Saturday ritual that we have simply called it "Billy Joel Pasta." It's a weird family thing, but if you say, "I had Billy Joel Pasta last night," every single member of my immediate family will know what you mean.
I'm telling you that story because even listening to this song, I have an extremely visceral reaction to it and am almost transported to my childhood home; fireplace roaring, garlic smell coming from the kitchen, Billy Joel blaring. It's a wonderful memory.
This song is so goddamn well crafted. While I love Billy Joel's newer stuff too, there's something to be said about his early stuff. It's just perfect.
Carry On/Questions - Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young?)
Apparently Neil Young did play on the album Deja Vu, but perhaps not on this song. I don't know for sure. Hence the question mark.
This song is on here because in the world of one song bleeding into another, we have this song. Now, it's not the first song of theirs that comes to mind on that topic. That song is Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. It'll make its way on here someday. But today we're talking about Carry On/Questions.
There might not be a better band when it comes to harmonies. Maybe Simon and Garfunkle. But there's something about the combination of CSN and sometimes Y (Heh. Get it?) that makes a person's soul melt. I love the way these guys work together. At the (roughly) halfway point when they belt out "Carry On" it just gives me great joy. And it makes me want to listen to all their stuff. Over and over.
America - Simon and Garfunkel
Okay, Two things.
1) Apparently today is "songs from Davey's childhood ...(and Wings)" day on Throwback Tracks
2) How the ever loving hell is it possible that we've been doing this for 3 years and have never featured Simon and Garfunkel? That's insane to me. I love so many of their songs. The Boxer is my all-time, unwavering, no hesitation favourite song. Full Stop. And we haven't featured these guys at all? I'm ashamed of both Shaun and myself.
Edit: Well it turns out we have featured them before. Less than half a year ago. But still. It took us that long to feature them? It's still shameful. But now I feel shame for having missed that. In theory, I could just have deleted this whole rant but where's the fun in that, am I right? -DS
How great is this song? And not only because it reminds me of one of the best scenes from the greatest rock movie of all time. (This movie began my never-ending crush on Zooey Deschanel.)
This song is great because it features Simon and Garfunkel doing what they do best.
This song is great because it needles at my wanderlust and makes me want to travel.
This song is great because it tells a story so well, that I can picture myself sitting beside the narrator.
This song is great because.
Well this is the last week of the month. I keep saying that I'll have the February playlist ready for next week. We'll see how accurate that is. Time will tell at this point. I'd be more optimistic about it than I would have been the rest of the month. But again, time will tell.
I really hope you enjoyed this week's Throwback Tracks. It's amazing how much more I enjoy writing it when all the songs fall into place, but also when I don't have to have it published the next day. Really takes the pressure off!
Anyway, here are the rest of the playlists for you to enjoy.
Much love, friends.
2018
January 2018 TBT Playlist (or the January 2018 Spotify)
2017
December 2017 TBT Playlist (or the December 2017 Spotify), November 2017 TBT Playlist (and the November 2017 Spotify), October 2017 TBT Playlist (and the October 2017 Spotify), September 2017 TBT Playlist (and the September 2017 Spotify), August 2017 TBT Playlist (and the August Spotify list), July 2017 TBT Playlist (and the July Spotify List), June 2017 TBT Playlist (and the June Spotify List), May 2017 TBT Playlist, April 2017 TBT Playlist, March 2017 TBT Playlist , February 2017 TBT Playlist
2016
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17, October 2016 Throwback Playlist, September 2016 Throwback Playlist, August 2016 Throwback Playlist, July 2016 Throwback Playlist, June 2016 Throwback Playlist, May 2016 Throwback Playlist, April 2016 Throwback Playlist
-D (@davidronn)