Classic Monday

"A Change Gonna Come" -- Sam Cooke

My Favorite Singer of All Time, singing what very well could be my favorite song of All Time. That's hard to top. I mean, just listen to him sing. Raw Talent. So much emotion and passion, coupled with warmth and tenderness. He could sing me the dictionary and I'd be glued to every melodic word from aardvark to zygote. And the song- just wow. I'm not sure if many songs have the kind of staying-power that this one has. You can play it now and its still relevant. Such a beautiful song that, when I really listen to it (not just play it in the background), almost always gets me watery-eyed. That Good.

Classic Monday

"Love In An Elevator-- Aerosmith

The song is a staple in Aerosmith's catalog and has become a must-play for them at their live shows. I love that the lyrics were inspired by Steven Tyler's actual experience of meeting a girl on an elevator, making out with her and proceeding around the bases until crossing home as the elevator doors open. As Steven says, "It felt like a lifetime waiting for those doors to close." I miss this Steven- rather than the American Idol judge Steven... Oh well. Hopefully I'll get to see this live one day.

Classic Monday

"Melissa" - Allman Bros Band

The first major concert I ever attended was the Allman Brothers Band at the New York State Fair. Needless to say, it blew my mind and I can't think of a better "first" experience (maybe my first Pats game). I love Southern Rock/Electric Blues sound that the band encompasses. To this day they occupy a special place in my collection as artists I can listen to for hours on end and not feel an itch to switch it up. "Melissa" itself is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Whenever I've heard of parents naming their child after their favorite band or song, this is the one I imagine I would do that with.

Classic Monday

"God Only Knows"-- The Beach Boys.

Man, if you haven't heard The Beach Boys' magnum opus Pet Sounds, you haven't been musically educated, at least according to Sir Paul McCartney. The album inspired the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which Paul and John left a party to start working on immediately after hearing Pet Sounds. Its an album that completely changed the landscape of music.

"God Only Knows" is my favorite cut off the album (also one of the greatest songs ever, period, the end). Brian Wilson brilliantly blends vocals, orchestral instruments and goat noises (just kidding), giving the song a heavenly sound. It doesn't give vague promises about eternal love and being together forever- its brutally honest. You may not always be in love- but the ride is damn worth the heartbreak.

Classic Monday

"I've Got A Rock 'n' Roll Heart" -- Eric Clapton.

When I see this commercial, I always feel the need to throw on the "Complete Clapton" double-LP. It was released at the same time as his kick-ass auto-biography, Clapton. The book is definitely worth checking out if your a fan, or enjoy a good read. And the 2-disc album is great if you want an overview of his career. They don't call him "God' for nothing you know...

Classic Monday

Our first Classic Monday is upon us, and while I could share Classical Music for about 2 posts , I won't put you through that. Classic Mondays are reserved for Classic Rock and R&B. Maybe some Mo-Town will show up, and hopefully we never see any Disco (outside of the Bee Gees). Without further ado, Classic Mondays start now.

"Oh Darling!" - The Beatles.

It didn't feel right for me to start a series dedicated to Classic Rock/R&B with anyone else. I'd be surprised if I go more than 2 days in a row without putting on a Beatles song. They take up the largest chunk of my iPod, and its not even close; 291 songs across 14 albums, plus 4 more compilation albums of old versions of songs, as well as the "1" album with their 27 number one hits that introduced me to them back at the age of 9.

Oh Darling! was originally released back in '69 on the "Abbey Road" album, the only Beatles album I own on vinyl. Paul absolutely rips it up, delivering vocals that took him a week to get right. Paul came in to the studio early everyday to sing it by himself until he got it where he wanted it to be-- sounding as though he had been performing on stage all week. He only tried once a day, until he got the cut he wanted. John believed he would have performed the song better, believing it to be more in his range and that Paul did a horrible job-- but I give the edge to Paul on this one. Its raw and emotional, and he absolutely nailed it.

(By the way, my favorite classical pieces are Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude and Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat Major, opus 9 no.2, Piano Solo, in case you were curious)