1000 SONGS - DAY 361 SONG # 392

DAY 361: An Americana Song

Since I came to know Willy Tea Taylor I am a fan of his music, as readers of this here blog might already know. Willy Tea is not only a gifted song writer and a fine musician in his own right, but also a member of an Americana-, Country- or whatever band, called "The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit". Really fine music. There is only one objection to this band: wtf did you make up a band's name that nobody will be able to remember? 

On Willy Tea Taylor's homepage we can read about TGLTSO: "The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit has been recording and performing original music since 2005. They have two successful record releases under their belts, and their third Album "Old Excuses" just released and getting rave reviews. The contagious enthusiasm of their live show, however, is what keeps their fans coming back to see them over and over again. Playing and selling out venues such as Slim's, Great American Music Hall, and The Independent in SF, as well as playing festivals like, The Strawberry Music Festival, and Kate Wolf Music Festival, and touring through several states consistently over the last few years, their fan-base continues to grow. Their choice instrumentation, original material, and strong cohesion on stage has left many spectators with the lasting impressions of both fine song-craft and a rare live-music experience." 

From their aforementioned 3rd album: One Yard 

1000 SONGS - DAY 360 SONG # 391

DAY 360: CRY TO ME

"Cry to me" is widely known because of its inclusion in a movie called "Dirty Dancing". I never saw that film. I came to know the song by the version recorded in 1965 by the Rolling Stones with kind support by Jack Nitzsche. It was written by Bert Russell (Bertrand Russell Berns - he also wrote songs like "Under the Boardwalk", "Twist and Shout" and "Hang on Sloopy") and first recorded by Solomon Burke in 1962 (or 1961, sources differ). The Solomon Burke version was arranged by Klaus Ogerman from Germany. Some sources have it, that Ogerman wrote the song, and Berns arranged it. But normally, credits for songwriting are given to Russell on the records featuring the song. There are many versions of it, f.e. by The Pretty Things or Betty Harris (also arranged by Bert Berns).  Here is the "original" recording by Solomon Burke, the ultra-cool rendering by Professor Longhair from New Orleans and a very fine "Bayou-style" version by Marc Broussard featuring his father Ted Broussard on electric guitar. 

Solomon Burke:


Professor Longhair:


Marc Broussard and his Dad:

1000 SONGS - DAY 359 Song # 390

DAY 359: Saving Souls

Soulsavers are no band, but rather a "production team" (at least, this is what the internet says) - as long as this "production team" uses the gifts of musicians like Mark Lanegan, they might be called whatever one likes them to call (with the exception of derogatory terms).

Here are two songs in their interpretation: 1st one (from "Broken") "You Will Miss Me When I Burn", written by Will Oldham (aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy), vocals by Mark Lanegan.

A second one, "Some Misunderstanding" (also from "Broken"), written by the great Gene Clark of Byrds fame, vocals  by Mark  again.

The bonus song is a cover of the Jagger/Richards piece "No Expectations", originally featured on the "Beggar's Banquet"-album and as the b-side of the "Street Fighting Man"-single. It is the last track on the Soulsavers album "It's Not How Far You Fall, It's the Way You Land", vocals by Mark Lanegan again.