Category: Music

Today, we’re going all the way back to 1959 for our Song of the Day.

As many of you know, I played trumpet in high school – A LOT of trumpet. It was a really great time to be in to trumpet. Dizzy was still actively playing. Miles was still pushing the envelope as he did his entire career. Wynton released amazing albums like “The Majesty of the Blues”and the three-album “Soul Gestures in Southern Blue” suite. The late 80’s and early 90’s were great years to be really in to trumpet.

If I had to look back and pinpoint the one album that flipped the switch for me to focus my studies on jazz trumpet, it would be Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue.” I am convinced that millions of trumpet players would say the same thing. “Kind of Blue” is approachable and understandable to anyone that enjoys music. That album is fairly unique in that way. No matter what genre you prefer, you can listen to and enjoy “Kind of Blue.” I even heard the album blaring from a roof top patio of a fraternity down the street from Currier Hall in Iowa City when I was in college. That was when I knew Miles and that album transcended everything.

Out of all of the great songs on the albums, the one that consistently puts a smile on my face, the one where I am convinced the guys were having an incredible moment in the studio is “All Blues.” I have listened to this song so many times that I can sing, and in some cases, play all of the solos. I hope it brings you as much joy as it does for me.

I was really hoping I would not have to write about John Prine and COVID-19 and death, but the news came tonight that COVID-19 has taken John Prine from us.

To honor John and share one of my absolute favorite songs of all time, today’s Song of the Day is “Angel from Montgomery” written by John Prine and performed by Bonnie Raitt.

As we start another week under nearly nationwide stay-at-home orders, it is difficult to find good news. One of the beautiful things about music is there is a song for every occasion, and even sad songs can spark a good memory.

Now, today’s Song of the Day is not a sad song by any stretch of the imagination. Leon Bridges released “Coming Home” back in 2015. If you haven’t heard it, pop over to Apple Music, Spotify, or whatever music service you prefer, and check it out.

Leon’s follow-up album, “Good Thing,” from 2018 was equally as amazing and worthy of many listens. With everything happening today, sometimes you have to make a good thing out of “Bad Bad News.”

We got together over Zoom with our regular crew to play a fun little Euchre tournament over the internets last night. It was nice to see everyone, and the tournament was a great success even though we were separated in different houses and cities.

As is usually the case when we get together, the soundtrack eventually turned to 80’s music. There were many great songs in the playlist, but one stood out to me as particularly relevant for what we are all going through right now thanks to the threat of COVID-19.

So, here is today’s Song of the Day: “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder.

I really hope this doesn’t become a pattern, but we lost another music great yesterday. Bill Withers wrote and performed some of the most funky, most soulful music of the 1970’s. We all know his music even if we don’t realize it. I mean, how many of us sang “Lean on Me” at some point in school?

In memory of Bill Withers, today’s Song of the Day is “Use Me” from 1973’s “Live at Carnegie Hall.” May his memorial be so joyous that they have to tie the casket down!

Sometimes you just need to feel like you are lounging at the beach with a cool drink in your hand with waves steadily crashing on the shore. Today is definitely one of those days with nothing but clouds and rain forecasted until Sunday here in St. Louis and COVID-19 emergency stay-at-home orders in place for most of the country.

Having been fortunate enough to have spent time over the years lounging around at many different beaches, I have had plenty of time to discover music just right for the occasion.

One of my favorite artists for beach listening pleasure is Michael Franti & Spearhead. Their music has great energy, vibe, and message, and is a perfect compliment to the beach experience. The band’s station on Pandora is also excellent if you want to just turn on music and let it roll all day!

For me, hearing any song from the band immediately takes me back to a crazy trip my wife, Donnell, and I took to St. John right after a hurricane hit the island. Amazingly, there was still so much beauty even after so much destruction, but I digress.

So, to take me back to one of my favorite trips with Donnell and to celebrate Friday and imagine sitting at the beach for three minutes and forty-five seconds, here’s today’s Song of the Day: “The Sound of Sunshine” by Michael Franti & Spearhead!

One of my absolute favorite albums of all time is Wynton Marsalis’ “Standard Time, Vol. 3: The Resolution of Romance”. Wynton released the album in 1990 right in the middle of my high school years when I was trying to figure out how to really play trumpet.

The album is immediately approachable and listenable, and Wynton played liked his first music teacher was in the recording studio with him. That teacher was Ellis Marsalis, Wynton’s dad, and he was indeed right there in the studio playing some of the best piano I had ever heard. While Wynton was and still is one of my favorite trumpet players, I believe the album was a showcase for Ellis, and his playing was why I enjoyed the album so much.

Ellis Marsalis passed away yesterday, and in his honor, today’s Song of the Day is “My Romance”. RIP

One of my son’s school assignments yesterday was to find a song from the year they were born. Well, Beyoncé had a massive hit in 2008 called “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” so he went with that one.

Things were a bit different back in 1973 as compared to 2008. The US was in the middle of a war and a presidential impeachment inquiry. Perhaps not so different than 2020.

So, here is today’s song of the day: “You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks and I’ll Be Straight” by The 8th Wonder of the World, The J.B.’s!

“Hands Clean” by Alanis Morissette