Well the joint was jumpin', going 'round and 'round... Chuck Berry / The Rolling Stones - Around and Around
I can remember watching a rerun of this clip, probably 14 years after it was shown live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. I was in High School and my friend and I both laughed at and loved the way Mick Jagger clapped as he sang.
The Rolling Stones recorded this Chuck Berry classic on their 1964 EP Five By Five.
Tom, get your plane on time, I'll know your part will go fine; fly down to Mexico... Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York
Simon & Garfunkel released their final album in 1970, Bridge Over Troubled Water. The great album contained the song The Only Living Boy in New York. It's a brilliant song and sounds great with headphones.
From what I have read, Paul Simon was left in the studio to finish the album as Art Garfunkel had flown to Mexico to film the movie Catch-22. Paul refers to Art as Tom, because they used to perform as Tom & Jerry.
I discovered Josh Lee Turner on YouTube just before Covid and became a big fan of his channel. The first video that I saw of his was with the cast of The Simon & Garfunkel Story doing the Buffalo Springfield classic For What It's Worth and I was hooked. I think I watched every one of his videos. To top it off, I ended getting to see The Simon & Garfunkel Story in 2000, just prior to the lockdown. It was a fantastic show, and Josh Lee Turner was the guitarist. This video captures his talent as well as the greatness of this song.
I paid all my dues so I picked up my shoes, I got up and walked away... Roger Daltrey - Giving It All Away
The Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey released 3 great solo albums in the 1970's:
His first was 1973's Daltrey, an acoustic affair with songs written by Leo Sayer, David Courtney and Adam Faith.
The next was 1975's Ride a Rock Horse, a more R&B sounding record. Russ Ballard contributed several songs for this album including the fantastic Near to Surrender.
The final of the three was released in 1977 and titled One of the Boys. Daltrey brought out some big names on this one including bandmate John Entwistle, Eric Clapton, Rod Argent, Mick Ronson and others. Paul McCartney even wrote the song Giddy for Daltrey. This album sounds more like a Who record than the others.
That little voice in my head's all that keeps me from sinking down come sundown... Bruce Springsteen - Sundown
Bruce Springsteen's releases since the 1980's have been somewhat uneven. I think his 2 best albums since his run of great albums, are 2002's The Rising and 2019's Western Stars.
The Rising struck the right chord after the horrific events of September 11, 2001 (911). The album was somber, but somehow uplifting. It was easily one of the best albums of that decade.
Western Stars was a complete unexpected genre change and complete winner. I read interviews where Bruce said that he wanted to release different types of music. In 2006 he released an album of traditional folk music sans The E Street Band. We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions sounded like it would have been at home at a 1960's hootenanny. Then in 2022 he released Only the Strong Survive, an R&B covers album. The album was solid, but maybe not spectacular.
On Western Stars Bruce hit his stride... in cowboy boots. The album is a throwback to 1970's west coast sounds of the music of Glen Campbell / Jimmy Webb. The songs are lush and full and contain stories about loners and drifters.
I've underestimated your effect on me or maybe I was too blind to see... The Greenhornes - Underestimator
The Raconteurs released the great album Broken Boy Solider in 2006. What initially seemed to me to be a Jack White vehicle, later I realized I underestimated the importance of the other 3 members. First, I really got into Brendan Benson's great power pop type music. Then later I discovered Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler's band The Greenhornes. Their sound is reminiscent of 1960's garage rock and in particular The Animals. I guess it is no coincident that they recorded with Eric Burdon in 2012.
I have been collecting their music, but some of their discs are hard to find or really expensive. I guess to sum it up I will quote the great Michael Scott - "Next time you will estimate me".
I remember when your neon used to burn so bright and pink... Houndmouth - Sedona
I have seen many concerts over the years, and the majority included an opening act. The opening act can be a mixed bag. Sometimes the opener adds enjoyment to the overall concert and sometimes you are left wanting the headliner to come on out and play.
Friday night Houndmouth opened for The Avett Brothers in Lexington and played a solid set. I was not familiar with their music, but yet I was engaged and entertained. Houndmouth's sound was tight, and the songs stuck with me, even after the show. Their sound was a little reminiscent of Band of Horses, a band that I saw back in 2014. I plan to investigate this band further.
Lexinton, KY 4/25/2025 SetlistSome of the notable opening acts that I have seen:
Some of the notable double-bills that I have seen: