(Note: this series was created elsewhere.)

Something in music: the origin

One night at a trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had scribbled down more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.

One of the young ladies noted that when a gal’s about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those same terms could be applied to music: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. And the rest is history…

‘Something’ in Music 374

Something Old

Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “Monkey Gone to Heaven” by the American alt-rock band the Pixies. Written by frontman Black Francis, it was released as a single in March, 1989. The band recorded the tune while working on their 1989 platter titled Doolittle. The song references biblical numerology and environmentalism.

Something New

Our “something new” for this edition is the song “Misery” written by the new, indie act currently known only as Glasbjörn. The track features Glasbjörn on vocals, Alpy Sándor on synth, and Gábor Takács on bass, mixing and mastering. Glasbjörn apparently specializes in creating “music for wild animals.”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1972 song "I Won't Last A Day Without You" written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams. This dedicated cover cut is by singer-songwriter Arlene Kole. She is supported by Bill and Skyeler Kole on background vocals.

In a post on social media, she briefly discussed the song. She said: “I have had the honor of performing for Paul Williams a couple of times. This is the track I recorded of the song… The pictures and video are from the performance on March 27th, 2015, honoring the music of Paul Williams. "

If you’d like to see Kole perform live and are in Southern California, you’re in luck. She will be performing at the Cherie’s Jubilee Concert on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at the Center for Spiritual Living in Simi Valley, California at 7:00 p.m. The concert is being held in recognition of Cherie Deeds's 25 years as music director.

The event will also feature several other artists such as Vito Gregoli, Patricia Bahia, Dennis Bryan, Anitra Carr, Alberto Dal Pino, Ray Davis, Coco Dolenz, Yve Evans, Jami Lula, Harold Payne, Kenneith Perrin, “and more…” Kole added: “We are celebrating the wonderful Ms. Cherie Deeds this Saturday…[There’ll be] music, music, music…all night long. [It’s just] $20.00 to enjoy a night of uplifting music… jazz, pop, singer-songwriter, [and] instrumental!”

She concluded: “We are super excited and thrilled to be a part of this night of sharing our love of music for Ms. Cherie Deeds!” Visit the website for tickets and additional information.

Something Blue

Last but least, our “something blue” this time is the 1965 song “Subterranean Homesick Blues” written and first recorded by Bob Dylan. This live cover is by American blues rock singer Mitch Ryder. It’s off his new Ruf Records release titled The Roof Is On Fire (Keep your peepers peeled for your rockin’ writer’s full review of the album!)

Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!

(Images courtesy of Rock n Roll Bride and/or original owners)