Easy Rider / Released July 14, 1969 Sometimes the march of history momentarily stops it’s logical, methodical plodding into the future, history’s combat troops plodding through thick mud. Sometimes it exhibits the symbolism of attraction rather than repulsion. Four events attracted to one month in 1969 offer an example of this. * * * The […]

  The legendary song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the Beach Boys. Released on their 1963 album Surfer Girl, it was also released as the B-side of the “Be True to Your School” single. The single peaked at number 23 in the U.S. (the A-side peaked at number 6, for a two-sided top-40) […]

“I’ve been waiting for a young one like him for a long time man, he’s an absolute genius. I’ve never heard anybody like that before. His talent is just frightening.” Quincy Jones In our era permeated by hip-hop and branded music, it is good to know that there are still some true creative forces out there. The 22-year-old […]

  A Rare Gem From A Rare Woman   I was introduced to one of Aretha Franklin’s greatest songs by my daughter Cassie through the hip-hop mix of Mos Def. Thanks Cassie! The song “One Step Ahead” was on a single released by Columbis Records in 1965. It was the A-side of the single and peaked […]

Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice” on Saturday afternoon August 16, 1969 Originally called The Santana Blues Band, Santana was originally a band whose material consisted primarily of extended “jams” rather than songs. In fact, it wasn’t until their second album, Abraxas that, at the suggestion of pianist Alberto Gianquinto, they began to shift their focus from percussion jams […]

Walls of thunder, skies of blue / Above, The Walls of Jericho Thanks to my good friend Charlie from Prescott, Arizona for sending this song by the Flatlanders. Listen to their song Borderless Love. The words are so especially relevant right now. __________________________ Walking the line between pleasure and pain Biding my time between loss […]

“Confessions” / Bad Bad Not Good (With Colin Stetson) (Colin Stetson on the right recording with Leland Whitty from BBNG on the left) John Fraim I somehow came upon the band Bad Bad Not Good (BBNG) through my journey these past few weeks into the world of DJs and particularly DJ Day. I somehow arrived thorugh […]