I haven’t featured a song from The Clash’s classic album London Calling since July of 2009, way back at Song of the Day #357. I guess the Random iTunes Fairy thought that was too long.
London Calling is indeed a great album, considered one of the best of all time by many critics. It has the urgency and directness of great punk music but the ear candy melodicism of pop radio. It’s not an album I revisit often but it’s one I always enjoy when I do.
‘Up the Hill Backwards’ is the second track, and fourth single, from David Bowie’s 1980 album Scary Monsters.
This was Bowie’s first album following his critically-praised but commercially-challenged Berlin trilogy, and it had a more mainstream sound than its predecessors. First single ‘Ashes to Ashes’ gave him his second #1 hit in the UK.
Yesterday I featured David Crosby, and today is dedicated to another music legend we lost in recent weeks: Jeff Beck.
The English guitarist is widely considered one of the greatest talents to ever strap on the instrument. Beck started his career in the mid-60s as a member of The Yardbirds (replacing Eric Clapton) and went on to have a solo career blending largely instrumental rock music with blues and jazz.
David Crosby, who had a front row seat for some of history’s most iconic music, died a couple of weeks ago at 81.
Crosby was a founding member of two classic bands — The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. His sweet vocals and gift for harmonies helped both groups forge a sound that still feels essential. My younger daughter just recently started listening to The Byrds and was instantly smitten.
My final post on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2013 covers the other non-performer honored that year, Lou Adler. Adler is a record and movie producer responsible for some iconic work over the course of his lengthy career.
The acts most associated with Adler are the unlikely grouping of Carole King, the Mamas & the Papas, and Cheech & Chong. Adler produced King’s classic Tapestry and nine other albums by the singer-songwriter. He’s also the producer of the Mamas & the Papas’ biggest hits, including ‘California Dreaming’ and ‘Monday Monday.’
Meet Me In Montauk 