Music Calendar

April 3: Richard Thompson was born in 1949 – Happy Birthday!

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

“The finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix.”
– Los Angeles Times

April 03: Richard Thompson was born in 1949 – Happy Birthday!

Richard John Thompson OBE was born 3 April 1949, he is a British songwriter, guitarist and recording and performing musician.

Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991. Artists who have recorded Thompson’s compositions include such diverse talents as Del McCoury, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Christy Moore, David Gilmour, Mary Black, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw, The Corrs, Sandy Denny, June Tabor, Joel Fafard, Maria McKee, Shawn Colvin, Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, Nanci Griffith, Graham Parker, The Pointer Sisters, Maura O’Connell, Los Lobos, John Doe, Greg Brown, Bob Mould, Barbara Manning, Loudon Wainwright III, The Futureheads, Jeff Lang, Dinosaur Jr., David Byrne, and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Check out our post about one of the saddest songs ever written, Walking on a Wire.

Richard Thompson BBC 4 Session 2013 (full set):

Continue reading “April 3: Richard Thompson was born in 1949 – Happy Birthday!” →

April 1: The White Stripes released “Elephant” in 2003

Posted on by Egil Mosbron

“..a work of pulverizing perfection,.. It will be one of the best things you hear all year”
-David Fricke (rollingstone.com)

“Crucially, the White Stripes know the difference between fame and success; while they may not be entirely comfortable with their fame, they’ve succeeded at mixing blues, punk, and garage rock in an electrifying and unique way ever since they were strictly a Detroit phenomenon. On these terms, Elephant is a phenomenal success.”
-Heather Phares (allmusic.com)

Released April 1, 2003
Recorded November 2001 and April 2002 at Toe Rag Studios and BBC Maida Vale Studios, London, England
Genre

Alternative rock, garage rock, blues rock & punk blues
Length 49:56
Label V2, XL
Producer Jack White

Continue reading “April 1: The White Stripes released “Elephant” in 2003″ →

March 30: Happy Birthday Eric Clapton

Posted on by Egil Mosbron

 I am, and always will be, a blues guitarist.
~Eric Clapton

“I found my God in music and the arts, with writers like Hermann Hesse, and musicians like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Walter. In some way, in some form, my God was always there, but now I have learned to talk to him.”
~Eric Clapton

….Paul Simon writes great songs. George Harrison great songs, a lot of people, Eric Clapton produces wonderful music.
~Bob Dylan (Press Conference, July 1981)

Robbie Robertson inducts Eric Clapton Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000:

Check out:

March 28: Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy was released in 1973

Posted on by Egil Mosbron

“The Rain Song” is one of Zep’s finest moments, featuring a soaring string arrangement and a gentle, aching melody. “The Ocean” is just as good, starting with a heavy, funky guitar groove before slamming into an a cappella section and ending with a swinging, doo wop-flavored rave-up. With the exception of the rampaging opening number, “The Song Remains the Same,” the rest of Houses of the Holy is fairly straightforward, ranging from the foreboding “No Quarter” and the strutting hard rock of “Dancing Days” to the epic folk/metal fusion “Over the Hills and Far Away.” Throughout the record, the band’s playing is excellent, making the eclecticism of Page and Robert Plant’s songwriting sound coherent and natural.”
– Thomas Erlewine (allmusic)

Continue reading “March 28: Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy was released in 1973” →

March 25: Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 – Happy 76th birthday!

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

If a song’s about something I’ve experienced or that could’ve happened to me it’s good. But if it’s alien to me, I couldn’t lend anything to it. Because that’s what soul is all about.
~Aretha Franklin

I Say A Little Prayer – “The Cliff Richard Show” 1970:

Continue reading “March 25: Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 – Happy 76th birthday!” →

March 24: Drive-by Truckers released their debut, Gangstabilly in 1998

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Gangstabilly, DBT’s debut, was largely overlooked when first released.  It is a good straight rock album with some classic songs. The Living Bubba, 18 wheels of love and Buttholeville are still favourites at their live shows.

18 Wheels of love, live:

The album was recorded “live in the studio” over the course of two days and was produced by Andy Baker and Andy LeMaster. The album’s cover art was created by Jim Stacy. The album was rereleased in 2005 by New West Records along with the band’s second studio effort, Pizza Deliverance.

Continue reading “March 24: Drive-by Truckers released their debut, Gangstabilly in 1998” →